Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguini

Beach Street Lemon Chicken Linguini
photo and recipe from My Kitchen Cafe

**This recipe requires marinating the chicken for 3-12 hours so plan ahead!**

1 lb. linguine
2 tablespoons olive oil
Zest from one lemon
Juice from one lemon
3 green onions, chopped (white and green parts)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Marinade:
½ cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed (smashed with the back of a large knife or saucepan)
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (cut this down to 1 1/2 teaspoons if you want less heat but don't omit entirely or you will lose great flavor)
Juice of one lemon
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 chicken breasts, sliced

Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl and whisk lightly before pouring into a ziploc plastic bag. Pat chicken dry and toss in marinade to coat. Refrigerate 3-12 hours.

When ready to cook, preheat skillet over medium heat and pour contents of plastic bag (both marinade and chicken) into the skillet. Saute over medium-high heat until chicken is cooked.

Combine juice of one lemon, lemon zest, olive oil, green onions and fresh parsley together in a small bowl. Set aside.

While the chicken is sauteing, cook linguine in boiling salted water until done; drain and return to warm pot. Pour lemon juice/olive oil/green onion mixture over pasta and mix lightly. When chicken is finished cooking, add hot pasta mixture to the skillet with the chicken and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and toss in parmesan cheese. Serve warm.

Chicken Lo Mein

Easy Chicken Lo Mein
photo and recipe from My Kitchen Cafe

12 ounces Chinese Lo Mein noodles or linguine pasta (I used linguine cooked until barely al dente)
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Stir-fry Sauce (recipe follows)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup broccoli florets, steamed until just barely tender (they will cook longer in the stir-fry)

Unsalted dry-roasted peanut halves (optional)

Cook the noodles according to package directions. Meanwhile, continue with the recipe, and when the noodles are done, drain and set aside.

Make the stir-fry sauce and set aside. Heat the oil in an extra-deep 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat. Peel and coarsely chop the onion, adding it to the skillet as you chop. Stir from time to time. While the onion cooks, slice the chicken into strips about 1/4-inch wide. Add the chicken to the skillet. Raise the heat to medium-high and stir occasionally.

While the chicken cooks, add the carrots, broccoli and mushrooms and stir to mix. Stir-fry the mixture until the chicken is no longer pink. Immediately add the stir-fry sauce and noodles. Raise the heat to high and cook until the noodles and chicken are heated through and coated with sauce, 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Serve, garnished with peanut halves (if using - I did not).

Stir-Fry Sauce
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or distilled white vinegar (I used white since I had it on-hand)
1 tablespoon ketchup
2 teaspoons chopped ginger (I omitted since my husband doesn't like fresh ginger)
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil

Whisk all of the ingredients together in a 1-quart bowl.

Croque Monsieur Mac and Cheese

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ziti
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups coarsely grated gruyere cheese (about 6 ounces)
• 1 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 slices white sandwich bread, roughly diced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Kosher salt
• 8 ounces thinly sliced deli-boiled ham

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti and cook until al dente, about 6 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; toss with 1/4 cup milk.

Meanwhile, combine both cheeses in a bowl. Beat 1/4 cup milk and the eggs in another bowl; fold in the bread and add half of the cheese.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over high heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until just brown, 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, cayenne, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, about 2 minutes. Slowly add 3/4 cup water and the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk; bring to a boil, stirring until thickened. Remove from the heat and whisk to cool slightly. Whisk in the remaining cheese, then add the pasta and toss.

Butter a shallow casserole dish. Add half of the pasta, top with some of the ham and cover with the remaining pasta. Top with the remaining ham, then cover with the bread mixture. Bake until golden and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

from Food Network magazine

February 2009

Hearty Penne Beef

Ingredients:

• 1-3/4 cups uncooked penne pasta
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
• 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
• 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook beef and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato puree, broth, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add spinach; cook for 1-2 minutes or until spinach is wilted.
Drain pasta; stir into beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese; cover and cook for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Yield: 4 servings.

(Recipe from October 2008 Simple and Delicious magazine)

Tortellini Carbonara

Ingredients:

• 1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini
• 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:
Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the bacon, cream, parsley and cheese; cook over medium heat until heated through.
Drain tortellini; toss with cream sauce. Serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
• 3-1/2 cups cooked elbow macaroni
• 1-3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup fat-free evaporated milk
• 1-3/4 cups 2% cottage cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

In a large microwave-safe bowl, cover and microwave onion on high for 1-1/4 minutes or until tender; drain. Add the macaroni, cheddar cheese and parsley; set aside.
In a blender, combine the milk, cottage cheese, mustard, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. Stir into macaroni mixture.
Pour into a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories:
• 229

• Fat:
• 6 g
• 
  
• Fiber:
• 1 g

Chilighetti
(Picture and recipe from Shannon!)

1 lb. ground beef

3/4 onion, diced

3 cans diced tomatoes

3 cans chili (I prefer Stagg brand)

3 cups cheddar cheese, grated

8 ounces sour cream

16 ounces spaghetti noodles, cooked

parmesan cheese, grated

In a large stockpot, brown the onion and ground beef.

When beef is thoroughly cooked, add the tomatoes and heat through.

Add the chili, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Stir well and slowly bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occassionally.

Add the cooked spaghetti noodles and combine. Pour into a casserole dish (I usually fill 2 deep 8x8 pans, or a deep 9x13)

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

(At this point the dish can be frozen for use within 2 months or refrigerated for baking the next day)

Or it can go straight into the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Fideos

Photo & Recipe from Cafe Johnsonia

Fideos
4 servings

1, 7 oz. package Fideos (or broken spaghetti noodles)
1-2 Tbsp. butter, olive oil, or canola oil (or a combination)
2-3 cups chicken broth (or water and bouillion cubes)
1/2 cup mild or medium salsa (go for mild if you don't like it spicy)

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter or oil. After the butter starts to foam, or the oil starts to "shimmer", add the fideos.
Cook, stirring constantly, until most of the noodles are golden brown.

Add 2 cups of the chicken broth and bring to a simmer over low heat.
Cook until tender, adding more chicken broth, if necessary, as it is absorbed by the noodles.
When most of the liquid has been absorbed, take the pan off the heat and stir in the salsa. Let the noodles sit for about 10 minutes to allow the excess liquid to be absorbed.
Serve warm.

Optional toppings--shredded cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, chopped cilantro, olives, etc.

Prosciutto Tortellini

Recipe:
1 package (19 ounces) frozen cheese tortellini
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 cup half-and-half cream
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
10 thin slices prosciutto, chopped
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, combine
flour and cream until smooth; stir in the cheeses. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2
minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Drain tortellini; add to the cheese sauce.
Stir in the prosciutto, peas and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes or until heated through.

Yield: 4 servings.

Ham 'n' Cheese Pasta

RECIPE:
3 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
3/4 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 cups milk
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 pound sliced deli ham, chopped

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding asparagus during the last 3 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter; add garlic. Stir in the flour, onion powder,
pepper and thyme until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2
minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add cheeses; stir until melted. Stir in ham;
heat through. Drain pasta and asparagus; toss with cheese mixture.

Yield: 4 servings.

Prosciutto Pasta Toss

Ingredients:

1 package (16 ounces) linguine
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 pound thinly sliced prosciutto, chopped
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook linguine according to package directions, adding peas during the last 3 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the garlic, Italian seasoning and pepper in the oil for 2-3 minutes or until garlic is tender. Stir in prosciutto.
Drain linguine; add to skillet and toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 servings

My notes: I saute some fresh mushrooms and finely chopped sweet onion with the garlic. I also use fresh snap peas coarsely chopped which I add to the whole mixture when I add the prosciutto. Sometimes I add some finely chopped fresh basil too!