Chicken and Yellow Rice

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 (10 oz) pkg Mahatma yellow rice
1 cup frozen peas
garlic salt and pepper
1/4 cup white wine
1 qt chicken stock
olive oil

In large pot heat oil over med-high heat. Season chicken with garlic salt and pepper and then brown in hot oil on both sides. Add wine and bring to a boil. Add 1/2 of the chicken stock (or enough to cover the chicken) and bring to a boil then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

Add rice and remaining stock to the chicken and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid absorbed. Stir in frozen peas and serve (peas will cook in hot rice mixture).


989. Really easy dinner recipes.
988. Stainless steel pots and pans.
987. Fresh herbs.
986. Fresh eggs too, the "chocolate" ones. (Easton calls brown eggs, chocolate eggs.)
985. U-pick farms.
984. Farmer's markets.
983. The smell of clean towels.
982. The sound of my children laughing.
981. Hairbands for ponytails.
980. Hair long enough for a ponytail.

Meatball Subs

1 pound lean ground beef, turkey OR chicken
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (24 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
4 slices provolone cheese, each cut in half
4 steak rolls (small sub rolls)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients, mix well. Form into 1 1/2-inch meatballs and place on baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until the juices run clear and no pink remains. Remove meatballs from sheet and place in a medium sauce pan. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer 30 minutes. Serve meatballs and sauce on sub rolls then top each sandwich with two halves of cheese. Place in warm oven for 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve with a tossed salad.

*Meatballs can be frozen before adding sauce and can be served with spaghetti as well.

Confetti Corn

This can be a side dish or main dish when sausage is added.

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 small orange bell pepper, diced
2 tbsp butter
kernels cut from 5 ears yellow or white corn
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 tsp julienned fresh basil
1 tsp chopped fresh chives
1 tsp minced fresh parsley
1 (16 oz) smoked sausage, diced (optional)

Heat oil over medium heat in a large saute pan. If using sausage, saute in oil until lightly browned (if not using sausage begin by sauteing onion in oil). Add onion and saute for 5 minutes then add bell pepper and saute for 2 more minutes. Add butter to the pan and allow it to melt. Add corn, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh herbs and serve hot.

Key Lime Pie

Like a trip to Key West, this pie is made with REAL key limes...

3 large egg yolks
1/2 cup key lime* juice
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust

Whipped Cream Topping
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Whisk egg yolks until blended; whisk in key lime juice. Add condensed milk, vanilla and salt, whisking until blended. Pour mixture into crust and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven; cool completely. In medium bowl beat cream, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer until thick. Spread over cooled pie and garnish with lime slices.

*Key limes are small round limes (about the size of a large gum ball) usually sold in bags in the produce section. They are not the normal "Persian" larger limes, however, regular limes can be used in a pinch.

Banana Blueberry Crumb Cake

Yummy cake for breakfast or dessert...

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 cup (2 medium) mashed ripe bananas
1 (6 oz) container blueberry yogurt
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fresh blueberries

Topping
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp butter or margarine

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl beat together sugar and oil. Add bananas, yogurt, vanilla and eggs; blend well. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Gently stir in blueberries. Pour into prepared baking dish. Combine all topping ingredients then sprinkle over top of cake batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream.

Yogurt Parfait

So you've probably had yogurt parfaits before but this is so yummy and easy I had to post...

1 cup of green grapes*, sliced in half if large (on sale now at Publix)
1/4 cup Activia vanilla, light, fat-free yogurt ($1.00 off coupon for the large tub)
2 tbsp Special K, low-fat granola (bogo now at Publix)

Place grapes in a small bowl and top with yogurt and granola. You'll love it!

*Substitute grapes for berries if you like, but try the grapes first!

Watergate Salad (green fluffy fruit salad)

1 large can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 small box of pistachio pudding mix
1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Pour pineapple with juice into a large bowl and then add remaining ingredients. Blend well and chill before serving.