Tag Archives: 30 minute meals

February 24, 2013

Cookbook Review: Clean Eating for Busy Families

Y’all, I am so far behind on my reviews and posts that it isn’t even funny. I haven’t even caught you up on what happened in Birmingham in January. I have some awesome Welches coupons to give away, products that you really do need to know about… and more. 2013 has been crazy. It didn’t help that I had another severe kidney infection with 105 fever which landed me in the emergency room with an IV in my arm. I was on bed-rest for another week – and that’s like the fourth time in six months. Then, there was an emotional meltdown over one client going bankrupt and another deciding to go in another direction. Money is tight, for sure. All of that came together to create the biggest stress load that I have had in years.

On the upside I lost the last ten pounds that I wanted to lose. I still plan to lose a bit more but I am at a healthy weight and I can wear a bikini this summer if I want. It’s just that being sick and stressed is not the optimum way to lose weight! Continue reading →

Easy Caramelized Chicken Breasts

What is it about sticky, sweet, tangy, spicy sauces on chicken breast? It’s sort of like peanut butter and jelly, chocolate and peanut butter, or vodka and tonic – they just go together.

Superbly.

The first time I had PF Chang’s caramel chicken I thought I was in Heaven. Well, sort of. I am sure if it was heaven Ryan Gosling would have been the waiter and since he wasn’t let’s just say I was really darn close. Tangy, sticky, sweet, and slightly spicy chicken with mango and … and… well whatever else was in there. It was delicious. That very night I swore to find out how to make caramel chicken or die trying. I am very happy to say I have maybe a few more good years left. Continue reading →

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Filed under Main Dish, Meat

Tagged as 30 minute meals, chicken, easy recipes

October 11, 2012

Roast Chicken and Tomatoes

When you roast things – and it doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about fruit, vegetables, or meat – the browning is caused by changes that bring out the sugars. Flavors intensify and sweeten.

When I saw this recipe in the August Bon Appetit I knew that I was going to make it. And I knew I was going to follow the recipe pretty much to the letter. I can’t really explain this, I have certainly tried, I can taste the flavors in the words I read. I know how basil tastes and I know how tomatoes taste and there is something in my head that creates the flavor when I put the two together in my mind. Then that little computer inside there runs a list of other flavors that coordinate – and that’s how I throw recipes together quickly. Continue reading →

Chicken Alfredo Ravioli

Ravioli is one of my favorite comfort foods. There is something about it being chewy, cheesy, and high in carbs that whispers comfort to my inner child. I like making it homemade but most often I buy the frozen cheese ravioli from Costco. I know it is not as delicious as fresh ravioli but it suits me just fine.

Most often, at least around here, it is either served with a tomato based sauce or plain butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Well this time I decided to use a chicken Alfredo sauce. SCORE!

I don’t understand why I hadn’t used it before – it is absolutely delicious. If I hadn’t had spinach and mushroom haters at the table I would have added sauteed mushrooms and spinach both!

If you haven’t made an Alfredo sauce before try this just once. Fresh is fast and so much better than canned.

Chicken Alfredo Ravioli

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

20 minutes

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Carbs: Carbs: 35.7

Calories per serving: 691

Fat per serving: 42.2

Chicken Alfredo Ravioli

Creamy, perfect Alfredo sauce recipe that doesn't take long to make. Serve it over cheese ravioli for major comfort food.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of unsalted butter
8 ounces of cream cheese
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups of milk
1/2 cup of heavy cream
6 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon of ground black pepper
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups of diced, cooked chicken breast
1 cup of sauteed mushrooms, optional
2 cups of chopped, fresh spinach, optional
24 ounces ravioli, fresh or frozen - cooked

Instructions

Melt the butter in a saucepan.
Saute the garlic until it softens.
Add the cream cheese and stir until blended.
Add the milk, cream, and Parmesan and whisk until smooth.
Stir in the chicken breast (and mushrooms/spinach if you are using them) and serve over ravioli or other favorite pasta.

http://www.restlesschipotle.com/2012/08/chicken-alfredo-ravioli/

4 Comments

Filed under Pasta

Tagged as 30 minute meals, alfredo sauce, chicken, cream cheese, easy alfredo recipe, easy recipes, garlic, Pasta, ravioli, recipes

August 27, 2012

Easy Taco Skillet Dinner

Everybody needs a couple of recipes for quick one dish dinners. It’s way too tempting to pick up those “helper” boxes at the grocery store if you don’t… and you really don’t want to do that, do you? Please say no. Continue reading →