Lemon and Herb Pasta Salad

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
1 pound bowtie pasta
Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 cups torn arugula (I also added some baby spinach)
4 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup chopped fresh dill (I omitted)

Directions:
1) In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
2) Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the lemon peel, lemon juice and olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
3) In a large bowl, mix together the pasta, bell pepper, arugula, eggs, parmesan, pine nuts and dill. Add the lemon dressing and toss.

Kickin’ Beef Burger

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Ingredients:
2 cups store-bought coleslaw
3 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeno chiles
1/4 cup jarred sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce, finely chopped, plus 1 tablespoon sauce
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
Salt and pepper
8 slices pepper jack cheese
4 tablespoons butter, softened
4 burger rolls, split
20 chili-flavored kettle-style potato chips


Directions:
1) In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw and jalapeños. In a small bowl, combine the sun-dried tomatoes, chipotle chile and adobo sauce.
2) Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. In a bowl, combine the beef, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; shape into 4 patties. Grill the patties for 4 minutes, flip and cook for 4 more minutes, topping with the cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
3) Meanwhile, spread the butter on the rolls and grill until toasted. Spread the tomato-chipotle mixture on the roll tops and bottoms. Top each roll bottom with some red onion, potato chips, a patty, some coleslaw and a roll top.

Chicken Kabobs!

Nothing says summer like kabobs on the grill! One of my favorite meals to make and eat every summer!
These are pretty much a no-brainer, but since they are ssoooo delicious, I'm gonna share!

Ingredients

Skewers

Chicken, cut into cubes

2 peppers, color of your choice

Pineapple, cut into chunks

Onions, are optional. I personally hate onions and omit them from everything.

Your favorite marinade! I used Kraft Roasted Red Pepper Italian Dressing & Marinade and it was FABULOUS!

Directions

With everything cut into cubes, layer onto your skewers.

Put on cookie sheet and pour on marinade.

Let marinate in fridge for 15 - 30 minutes.

Grill!

My Famous Southwest Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
1 package ground turkey breast
1 rounded tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
sliced monetary jack cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
sliced avocado, tomato, any other toppings you prefer

Directions
Preheat grill.
Combine ground turkey, chili powder, ground cumin, jalapeño, garlic, salt and pepper in a medium bowl and mix everything together with your hands. Score the meat with the side of your hand to separate into 4 equal amounts. Form mixture into 4 large patties no more than 1-inch thick. Place on a hot grill and cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until turkey is cooked through. Melt cheese on top.
Combine the sour cream and chopped cilantro, salt and pepper in a small bowl for topping.
Also top with avocado slices, tomato, or anything you like on your burger!

Pulled Chicken Parm Subs

Source: Rachael Ray
4 servings

Ingredients
3 tablespoons EVOO, divided
2 to 3 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
1 packed cup dry sun-dried tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 15-ounce can chopped tomatoes
1 cup basil, roughly chopped
Salt and ground black pepper
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
4 sub rolls, split open (but not all the way through)
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

Directions
Preheat Broiler.

Place a medium-size skillet over medium heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons. Add the garlic to the pan and cook gently until aromatic and light golden brown, about 2 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, stock, some salt and pepper to the pan (the stock should cover the tomatoes) and simmer until the tomatoes have plumped up and softened, about 15-20 minutes. Add the can of tomatoes to the pan then transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree. Add chopped basil, season with salt and ground black pepper and reserve warm back in the skillet.

Return the sauce to the skillet and add in the rotisserie chicken. Simmer until the chicken has heated through, 2-3 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Parmigiano. Divide the mixture between the sub rolls and top with a slice or two of mozzarella. Pop the sandwiches under the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden brown.

Serve with a Romaine salad and a few olive oil potato chips alongside.

Oreo Surprise Cupcakes

Source: Kraft Foods

Ingredients
1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix + the ingredients it calls for (I used devils food cake mix)
1 (8 ounce) package PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 egg
2 tablespoons sugar
48 Mini OREO Bite Size Chocolate Sandwich Cookies
1 1/2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cake batter as directed on package; set aside. Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.
2. Spoon cake batter into each of 24 paper- or foil-lined medium muffin cups, filling each cup about half full. Top each with about 1/2 Tbsp. of the cream cheese mixture and 1 cookie. Cover evenly with remaining cake batter.
3. Bake 19 to 22 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 5 min.; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (There may be an indentation in top of cupcake after baking.)
4. Top cupcakes with whipped topping and remaining cookies just before serving.
Makes 24 cupcakes.

Turkey and Black Bean Tostadas

I got the idea to make turkey and bean tostadas from a Rachael Ray recipe, but I pretty much just added every mexican item I love on top of the tostada shell! These were SSSOOO AMAZING! I could eat them every night!!!

Makes 5 - 6 Tostadas

Ingredients
Tostada Shells ( I used Old El Paso)
Ground Turkey
Taco Seasoning
Can of Black Beans
Thawed Frozen Corn
1 Tomato
1 Avocado
Lime Juice
Shredded Cheddar or Mexican Combo Cheese
Sour Cream
Salsa (Optional)

Directions
Cook the turkey meat until no longer pink, add taco seasoning and cook as you would prepare for making tacos. Rinse off beans and add to pan. Add corn.
Chop up tomato and avocado and add to a small bowl. Stir in some lime juice.
Heat tostada shells just until crispy (use package directions) (I put them in my toaster oven for about 45 seconds).
Start making tostadas: Spread sour cream on shells. Add meat/beans. Then a dollop of salsa. Then the tomato/avocado mixture. Then the shredded cheese.
Enjoy!

Peanutty Baked Chicken

A shout out to my friend Bernadette who passed along this fabulous chicken recipe to me! It was sssooooo yummy! A great new way to make healthy chicken less boring. This is definitley going in my regular rotation!

Source: Cooking Light

Ingredients
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup peanuts
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
4 thin chicken breast cutlets
Cooking spray

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine honey and mustard in a small bowl; stir well. Place peanuts in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Combine peanuts and panko in a shallow bowl.
3. Brush each cutlet with honey mixture; dredge cutlets in panko mixture. Place cutlets on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; lightly coat cutlets with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 15 - 20 minutes or until done. Serve with a side.

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

Source: Rachael Ray Magazine

Makes 4 Sandwiches
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 40 min

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Salt and pepper
1 onion finely chopped (i omitted)
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 1/3 cups barbecue sauce
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Hot pepper sauce
4 kaiser rolls, split
6 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (i used sharp cheddar)

Directions
1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place in a heavy pot with the onion, garlic and just enough water to cover (about 1 1/2 cups). Add the barbecue sauce, vinegar and a few drops hot sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove the chicken from the sauce and shred with two forks.
2. Boil the sauce, skimming occasionally, until reduced by half, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the shredded chicken and heat through. Spoon the mixture onto the rolls and top with the cheese.

Mac & Cheese with Bacon

My husband LOVES bacon, so this was a winner!

Source: Amber of http://amberskitchen.blogspot.com/

Ingredients
8 ounces Cavatappi pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
2 cups milk
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup swiss cheese, divided
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter
6 slices bacon, cooked and diced

Directions
1. Cook macaroni using package directions.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
3. Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and salt and stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in dry mustard. Add milk gradually, stirring continually.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring continually, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in 1/4 cup each cheddar, mozzarella and swiss. Mix cheese sauce, macaroni, and bacon in a large bowl. Spoon into a 9x7 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheddar, mozzarella and swiss.
6. Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Combine breadcrumbs and melted butter; mix well. Sprinkle on top of cheese.
7. Bake until hot and bubbly, about 15 minutes.