• Recipes: Chicken Tomato Pasta

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    Chicken Tomato Pasta Dish

    Another great meal made by my awesome husband.  He came up with this pasta recipe one Sunday for lunch.  The base is animal shaped pasta noodles (can you guess who picked out the noodles)?!   Topped with chicken, tomatoes, bok choy, spinach, and mushrooms.  It was a fresh and tasty combination perfect for dinner out on the deck with the family on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

    Chicken Tomato Pasta Recipe:

    • 1 lb Chicken Breasts (sliced, cooked, seasoned, and drained)
    • 12 oz Pasta (we used Organic Vegetable Pasta in the shape of Animals)
    • 1 large Tomato (or can of diced tomatoes)
    • 1 cup Fresh Spinach
    • 1 cup Fresh Bok Choy
    • 1/2 cup Fresh Mushrooms
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1/2 teaspoon Minced Garlic
    • Optional – 1/2 small Onion
    • Optional – 1/4 cup shredded Cheese

    1.  Slice the chicken in about 1 inch strips.  Heat 1/2 tablespoon of Olive Oil in a frying pans on medium heat and add the minced garlic (and onion if using it).  Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes.  Add the chicken and stir gently as every couple minutes while working on the other steps. 

    2.  Add water to a pot and turn it on medium-high until it is at a rolling boil and add the pasta.  Cook the pasta per the directions on the package.

    3. Slice up the vegetables into about 1/2 inch to 1 inch pieces (tomatoes, spinach, bok choy, mushrooms).  Heat 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms and tomatoes cooking them for about 2 minutes.  Add the spinach and bok choy, cooking for an additional 3 minutes or until the leaves are starting to wilt.

    4.  Scoop some pasta onto your plate.  Top with the tomato and vegetable mixture.  Add the chicken and a little more of the tomato and vegetable mixture.  Optional: Garnish with sauteed bok choy centers and a sprinkle of shredded cheese.

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    Chicken Tomato Pasta with a Bok Choy garnish!

  • Fresh Vegetable & Pasta Soup

    Recently I put together a soup with some items I had already in the refrigerator.  We were going out of town and I needed to use up some of the fresh vegetables already in the fridge.  This was super easy and everyone enjoyed it.

    Fresh Vegetable & Pasta Soup

    • 1 carton Tomato Juice
    • 1 small Zucchini
    • 1 small Summer Squash
    • 2 medium Carrots
    • 1 cup sliced Mushrooms
    • 2 cups Elbow Noodles

    Add all the items to the crockpot.  Stir until it is mixed together and put the crockpot on low for 6 hours.

  • Recipe: Confetti Dip for Veggies or Chips

    This is a colorful dip to make for when you have people coming over.  It is good on vegetables, crackers, or chips.  Great appetizer or snack for guests.  I received this recipe from a church friend at my bridal shower Andy Conn.

    Confetti Dip

    • 2 1/2 cups sliced and shredded Beef (lunchmeat)
    • 1 (8 oz) package of Cream Cheese (softened)
    • 1 Tablespoon Green Goddess Dressing or Ranch
    • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
    • 1/2 cup Green Onion (chopped)
    • 1/2 cup Yellow, Orange or Red Pepper (chopped)

    Mix well and refrigerate.  When ready to serve set out with veggies and crackers.

  • Recipe: Veggie Beef Soup

    We made this soup recently when friends came over.  I was trying to use up some fresh vegetables that we had in our refrigerator and came up with this recipe.  It was super easy and tasted delicious.  We have been trying out a variety of different soup recipes during the cooler winter months.  All of us have enjoyed the leftovers too!  The items that we put in the Veggie Beef Soup were ones we had on hand.  Feel free to add more or substitute with the veggies that you have in your refrigerator.  Today is a snowy day in SC so we are loving the warm meals.  The kids have been in and out playing in the snow today.

    Veggie Beef Soup

    • 1 pound Beef Stew Meat
    • 1 cup potatoes (cut into 1/2 inch)
    • 1 cup carrots (cut into 1/4 inch pieces)
    • 1 can stewed Tomatoes
    • 1 can Beef Broth
    • 1 cup frozen Green Beans
    • 1/2 cup Snap Peas
    • 1/2 cup Onion (chopped)
    • 1 tablespoon of McCormick Grill Mates 25% Less Sodium Montreal Steak

    Put all ingredients in the crock pot turn it on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours. If you want a slightly thicker soup you can add a tablespoon of sifted flour.

  • Family Recipe: Simple Potluck Corn

    My husband had to make a side dish for a work event.  The main course was BBQ so we wanted to come up with something that would compliment the main dish.  The challenge was it couldn’t be something that required refrigeration or heating up right before the meal but had to make it four to five hours so they could eat it at lunch.  Several years ago my Mom shared a recipe for corn that cooked in a crockpot it was simple, easy and delicious.  Since Jake has a plug at his desk at work, I put together the corn recipe, stuck it in the crockpot and sent it with him to work.  He stirred it a few times throughout the morning and it was ready just in time for the potluck lunch.

    Potluck Corn Recipe

    • 32 ounces Frozen Corn
    • 8 ounces Cream Cheese
    • 1/2 stick Butter
    • 2 tablespoons Sugar
    • 6 tablespoons Water
    • Salt

    Cook on low in the crockpot for 4 hours.

    The Potluck Corn recipe was a hit.  Even though the crockpot went to work completely full it came home empty.  Glad it was enjoyed by the Jake’s co-workers.  It is always a joy to share with others.