Sunday, December 13, 2015

Jalapeno Popper Pasta *

8 oz pasta (elbow or rotini)
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

For the garlic breadcrumbs:
1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
pinch salt

For the sauce:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 jalapeno peppers, minced or sliced
6 oz cream cheese, cubed
1 cup milk
1 cup Monterey jack cheese
1 tsp chili powder
salt and pepper, to taste

Cook pasta to al dente.  Drain and set aside.  Meanwhile, heat oil in a nonstick skillet and add breadcrumbs and 1 clove garlic.  Stir frequently until breadcrumbs begin to brown and garlic is fragrant.  Add a pinch of salt, remove from heat and set aside.  In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat.  Add onion and cook for about 5 minutes.  Add peppers and cook for 3 minutes, or until onion and peppers are softened.  Add garlic during the last minute, cooking until fragrant.  Reduce heat to medium and add cream cheese to onion mixture.  Stir until melted.  Add milk, stirring until incorporated.  Add cheese and chili powder and stir until melted and smooth.  Remove sauce from heat.  Add cooked pasta and chicken to sauce and toss until combined.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Sprinkle with breadcrumbs. 

Serves 5


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Chicken Parmesan Sandwiches *

4 thin chicken breast cutlets
Salt and pepper, to lightly season
1 egg, beaten
1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup prepared marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup sliced pepperoni slices
Dried chopped basil
4 hoagie rolls, cut in half lengthwise
4 sheets aluminum foil
non-stick cooking spray

Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper.  Pour beaten egg into one plate.  Combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese on another plate and mix.  Dip cutlets in egg, then in bread crumb mixture.  Melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet.  Working in batches, cook the chicken cutlets until browned and crispy.  Spray each sheet of aluminum foil lightly with cooking spray.  Add the bottom of a roll to each sheet.  Top each with 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella, a chicken cutlet, 1/4 cup marinara, pepperoni slices (enough to cover the chicken), and a few shakes of basil.  Add the roll top.  Wrap loosely, being sure all the edges are sealed.  Cook sandwiches on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Let stand 5-8 minutes before unwrapping.

Serves 4