Sunday, April 18, 2010

Easy Cashew Chicken

By Laura Martin

1 1/2 lbs. Chicken Breasts, cut into one inch pieces
2 Tbs. dry Sherry
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
3 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
Coarse Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs. Soy Sauce
1 Tbs. Rice Vinegar
2 tsp. Sugar
1 Tbs plus 2 tsp vegetable oil
2 Garlic Cloves minced
2/3 C unsalted Cashews, toasted
2 scallions, white and green parts separated
cooked white rice (or whatever rice you like)

1 - in medium bowl toss chicken with sherry, ginger, and 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch. Season with salt. refrigerate for 30 min. Combine broth, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and 2 tsp. of cornstarch in separate bowl and set aside.
2- In large skillet heat 2 tsp of oil. Cook chicken evenly and thoroughly. (about 5 minutes) Transfer chicken to plate.
3- To same skillet and 1 tsp oil, garlic, cashews, and scallion whites. Cook stirring constantly. About 30 seconds. Whisk in Soy Sauce mixture and add to skillet along with the cooked chicken. Cook until Sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Top with Scallion greens and top over rice!

Moroccan Summer Stew

1 Tbs. Olive Oil
Minced Garlic (1-2 cloves)
1 small onion, chopped
2-3 small potatoes
2-3 large chopped tomatoes, or can of chopped tomatoes
1 large zucchini, cubed
1 can garbanzo beans
1-2 Tbs. Cumin
Salt/Pepper to taste
Cooked Couscous

Sauté Olive oil, garlic, and onions in pan. Add potatoes, tomatoes, and zucchini. Add enough water to steam the potatoes and cover. ( you may want to potatoes steam a bit before you add the zucchini and tomatoes). Add beans, and cumin (add enough that you can really smell it) and some Salt and Pepper to taste. If its too dry, add a little more water so there enough "sauce" to moisten the couscous as you serve.

Soya Chicken Recipe (Indian Style appetizer dish)

Chicken (2 lb)
1 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
2 tsp. chili Powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp of ginger/garlic paste
3/4 C yogurt
1 1/2 tsp. Coriander powder
2-2 1/2 tsp soy sauce
2 T cooking Oil

1- marinate chicken with all ingredients except Soy Sauce.
2- Refrigerate for 2 hours at least (or overnight)
3- Take a saucepan and add marinated chicken and oil
4- Cook the chicken. When water starts coming out (2-3 min) add soy sauce
5-Cook till all water evaporates and chicken looks dry.

Note: you can add or decrease the measurements based on taste. For more spicy chicken, add extra chili powder. You can also add more soy sauce if desired. You can also sauté some veggies on the side like onions, peppers, squash, or zucchini. Add Salt and pepper and chili powder and serve along with the chicken.

BLT Pasta

By Christy Henrie

1 pkg. of Mini Penne Pasta (or any pasta you like)
4-5 tomatoes
1 pkg. Mozzarella Cheese
1 pkg. Bacon
Mayonnaise

Cut up bacon into small pieces then cook. Cook pasta and rinse. Cut up tomatoes into small pieces. Cube Mozzarella cheese. Add Mayo to pasta in separate bowl, covering the noodles. Add bacon, cheese, and tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve Hot or Cold.

Fried Rice with Ham and Bean Sprouts

By Hillary Cottle

If you have Leftover cooked rice, this is a great to use it! You can prepare all the ingredients in advance and stir-fry them just before serving.

2 T Sunflower Oil
2 Green Onions Finely Chopped
1 Garlic Clove, crushed
1 1/2 C Cooked long-grain rice
6 oz. Cooked Ham, diced
2 T Soy Sauce
2 Eggs 1 C Bean sprouts
Salt and Pepper

Heat the oil in wok or skillet and stir fry the green onions and scallions for 2 minutes. Add rice and stir well. Cook gently, stirring continuously as the rice heats through. Stir in ham and soy sauce. Beat eggs thoroughly with Salt and pepper and pour over rice mixture ina thin stream. Stirring all the time. Add bean sprouts and continue cooking, stirring until all the ingredients are hot and the eggs are set. Serve immediately.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Kathy's Rice Salad

This was served at the Relief Society Birthday Party


1 box Uncle Ben's Long Grain Wild Rice
(Cooked with seasoning packet)
Juice of 1 lemon
3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
4 green onions, chopped
1 red pepper, diced
3 oz. chinese pea pods
(or I use snow peas sometimes)
(I also steam them in the microwave, about 2-3 min.-just to soften them a bit)
2 medium avacados, diced
1 cup chopped pecans


Dressing
Combine in blender and refridgerate
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tblsp Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
1/3 cup Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil


Combine with dressing and toss.

--Somer H.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Taco Soup

2 T extra virgin olive oil
1 jalapeno chile, stemmed and minced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c. brown rice, uncooked
1 1/2 t. ground cumin
1 t. dried oregano
1 t. dried thyme
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes in juice
1/2 c. prepared salsa
1 qt. vegetable broth
1 can (15 oz) black beans rinsed and drained
1 can (15 oz) white or red kidney beans rinsed and drained
1 can (11 oz) corn, drained
salt and pepper
avocados
green onion, diced
cliantro, chopped

Saute jalapeno, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add seasoning and rice. Stir together. Add canned ingredients, broth, and salsa. Bring to a boil and simmer, covered, for 40-60 minutes. Serve with avocado, green onion, and cilantro.

Servings: 8

From The Green Diet by Mary Jolley go to

--Diana W.

Greek Souvlaki

3 lbs tender pork or beef (I used a pork roast)
3 T olive oil
Juice of 2 lemons
3 T oregano
1 T thyme
Salt and Pepper

Cut meat up into cubes removing any fat or gristle. Thread on to skewers (if you're using wood skewers they need to be soaked in water for a few minutes) brush with olive oil, season with oregano, thyme, and lots of salt and pepper.

I cooked mine on a grill pan under a sheet of aluminum foil. This traps the heat in so they cook faster and more evenly. Over medium heat, they need about 3-5 minutes per side. You can use a thermometer to check if they're done, it should register at 170 degrees. These are also good cooked on a bbq or you could broil them in the oven.

When thoroughly cooked, put the skewers on a plate and pour lemon juice over them.

-Diana W.

Penne Miani

1 lb penne pasta*
1 lb ground turkey**
salt and pepper to taste
Italian seasoning to taste
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2-1 c. chopped onions
1/2-1 c. chopped red bell pepper
1/2-1 c. chopped green bell pepper
4-8 oz. ricotta cheese
Medium size jar marinara sauce (I used Prego)
2 c. Mozzarella cheese

Boil water for pasta and add pasta when at a rolling boil. Turn down heart to med-low and let cook to al dente while browning the meat. Brown turkey and add salt and pepper to taste. Add Italian seaoning to taste (I used 1-1 1/2t.). Add olive oil and garlic, onions and bell peppers. Saute veggies with meat at med-high heat until onions are transparent. Add marinara sauce and cook, covered on low heat until noodles are done cooking. Remove from heat. Drain noodles and put into greased 9x13 pan. Dallop ricotta cheese on top of pasta. Mix in marinara sauce mixture and sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Broil in oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
* You could also use whole wheat pasta to give it an extra healthy kick.
** You could do this dish without meat because the ricotta cheese provides good protein or substitute the ground turkey for ground beef or shredded chicken breasts.

--Kim D.

Tips for Making Meals More Nutritious

Eat "whole" foods rather than processed foods.
Use Olive Oil instead of Vegetable oil whenever possible.
Use silt pads or parchment paper instead of oil sprays or butter when baking.
Grill, broil, or bake meats rather than frying.
Allow meat stock to cool and skim the fat off the top and reheat and serve as aus jus rather than gravy.
Start dinner off with a salad or vegetable soup with lots of colorful vegetables.
Use Olive Oil with Balsamic vinegar rather than creamy salad dressings.
Use herbs and spices to season foods rather than oils and sauces.
Eat plenty of brightly colored berries, vegetables, and fruits.
Steam vegetables rather than boil.
Steam onions rather than sauteing them.
Use the Mediterranean diet as your guide.
Use ground white meat turkey instead of ground beef.
Eat white meat chicken or turkey instead of beef.
Puree soup instead of adding cream to make it thick.