Tuscan Chicken

This is very easy and quick.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed

1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoons olive oil

1. Flatten chicken to 1/2 in thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

2. In large skillet over medium heat cook the garlic, rosemary, sage and thyme in oil for 1 minute; stirring occasionally. Add chicken and cooke for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Serves 4. Ready in 15 minutes.

Spinach and Carrot Quiche

We love this quiche and it's so easy to make.

1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, liquid removed
1/4 cup shredded or minced carrots
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese
3 eggs
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 9-inch pie crust

1. Preheat oven to 350.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the onion until tender. Add the garlic, spinach, and carrots and cook until the spinach liquid has evaporated.

3. Remove skillet from heat. Mix in cheese and eggs. Add seasonings.

4. Pour into pie shell and bake for 30 minutes.

Serves 6. Ready in 30 minutes.

Pie Crust

I like to make my own because I can whip up a quiche or pot pie without having to run to the store to buy a pie crust. They also freeze well. Try not to handle the dough too much with you hands. You want the butter to melt in the oven, not on your hands.

1 cup butter, chilled, cut into tablespoon pieces
3 cups flour
3 tablespoons white sugar
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons ice water

1. In an electric mixer combine flour and sugar. Add butter and use the paddle attachment to cut the butter and flour together.

2. With mixer on low speed pour in water. Stop when the dough starts to clump, before turning into a ball.

3. Knead dough in the bowl until it forms a ball. Divide dough into 2 parts. Flatten to a disk and chill for 30 minutes before rolling.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

I usually make and cook the meatballs then freeze them for future use. After freezing them I put them in a pot and pour the sauce over them. I then let them warm up under low-medium heat. Serve over rice.

For meatballs:
3 pounds ground beef
1/3 cup onion flakes, or minced onion
1 1/2 cups dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375. Make meatballs by mixing together all ingredients in a large bowl. Shape into 1 inch balls. Cook on a rack placed over a jellyroll pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

For sauce:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 cups brown sugar
2 tablespoons mustard powder
pineapple chunks
bell peppers, diced
1 cup water, divided into 1/2 cups
2 tablespoons cornstarch

In a saucepan over medium heat mix vinegar, sugar, mustard, 1/2 cup water, pineapple, bell peppers, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Mix cornstarch and 1/2 cup water; add to the saucepan. Boil for 1 minute or until thickened.

Serves 10

Turkey Pot Pie

I've also made this with chicken, and it was good, but turkey was better. Serves 8.

• 1 recipe pastry for a (10 inch) double crust pie
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, minced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey, cubed
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 
  
• 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Roll out bottom pie crust and place in the 10 inch pie pan and set aside.
  2. Place 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. Add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm.
  3. In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

Substitute for Taco Seasoning

I don't always have a packed of taco seasoning available but I do have spices. It is a little spicy so kids may like less chili powder. Here's what I use:

2 teaspoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne

Jonathan's Favorite Granola Bars

You can add pretty much anything you want to these bars (raisins, dried apricots, etc.).

3 cups quick cooking oats
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9X13 pan.

2. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands or spatula. Press flat into the pan.

3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes the cut into desired size. Let cool completely before serving.