Valentine’s Day Menu
Chicken Ricotta
Serving: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
2 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 medium onion, sliced
2 peppercorns
2 cans green chili, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cup part skim ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Combine chicken, onion, peppercorns in med. skillet with water to cover. Simmer over med. heat till chicken is just cooked (8-10 min.)
2. Preheat oven to 375°F, butter bottom of 8×8″ baking dish.
3. Arrange 1/2 the chiles, 1/2 the Ricotta, 1/2 the Jack to cover in layers. Place chicken mix over that, then salt and pepper. Spread remaining Ricotta over chicken, then remaining Jack. Top with chilies, pour tomato sauce over top.
4. Bake about 20 minutes till heated through. Cut into fourths and serve.
Based on individual serving.
Calories: 700, Total Fat: 34 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 52 g
Quick Pasta with Vegetables and Garlic Sauce
Serving: 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 110 minutes
Total Time: 125 minutes
1 lb pasta shells
4 tbsps olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
4 minced cloves garlic
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 grated carrot
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup half-and-half or cream
1/4 tsp nutmeg
4 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Purchase a block of Parmesan cheese and grate it. It is wonderful!
1. Cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and garlic to skillet and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Add broccoli, then carrot, red pepper and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook over low heat until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add half-and-half, nutmeg and parsley. Raise heat to medium and heat until almost boiling, but do not boil.
5. Add to pasta and mix well. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Based on individual serving.
Calories: 560, Total Fat: 34 g, Carbohydrates: 55 g, Protein: 10 g
Add to this wonderful meal a toss salad to complete your meal.
Easy Chocolate Lover’s Cheesepie
Prep Time: 15 min.
- 3 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY’S MINI CHIPS Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
- 1 extra serving-size packaged graham cracker crumb crust (9 oz.)
- 2 tablespoons whipping cream
- Heat oven to 450°F.
- In large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with electric mixer until well blended.
- Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Stir in 1-2/3 cups small chocolate chips; pour into crust.
- Bake 10 minutes. Without opening oven door, reduce temperature to 250°F; continue baking 30 minutes or just until set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Cool completely.
- Cover; refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
- In small microwave-safe bowl, place remaining 1/3 cup chips and whipping cream. Microwave at HIGH (100%) 20 to 30 seconds or just until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred.
- Cool slightly; spread over top of cheesepie.
- Refrigerate 15 minutes or until topping is set.
- Cover; refrigerate leftover cheesepie.
- Makes 10 servings.
February 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Your recipes look delicious! I’m a vegetarian so skipped the Chicken one but I’m going to make the pasta with vegetables and garlic sauce for sure. It looks easy, nutritious and yummy.
Thanks for sharing!
February 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Betty, can I come spend Valentines with you in your kitchen please? hehe..
February 9th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I think I’m gonna try that Chicken Ricotta. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
As usual, your recipes sound fantastic! I can’t wait to try them.
We’re going to have a little fun here. Betty — Tag - you’re it!
I’ve Been Tagged by a DIVA Too!
My sister Diva, Debbie Stevens http://freesiafever.blogspot.com/ tagged me with a “meme.” I have no idea! Look it up. That’s why God created Google! I thought that was Chinese for little sister. Hey, it fits!
I have to post six unimportant things about myself and then tag six other non-suspecting bloggers to participate. Sounds confusing, but fun.
Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.
5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.
Six Unimportant Things About Me:
1) I love all vegetables except hominy. Love grits, just not hominy. Patooey!
2) I like to feel the satin ribbons on the edge of blankets.
3) I got kicked out of ballet and put into gymnastics to save my life (I’m clumsy)
4) I can’t breathe when I hear bagpipes.
5) I’m in the Bowling Hall of Fame for making the big four split.
6) I love to tuck a sprig of rosemary behind my ear.
I thought you’d enjoy having a little fun with this. I know I am!
February 16th, 2008 at 5:08 am
Betty,
These recipes look yummy! I like that so many of your recipes call for ingredients that one normally has on hand, so that I don’t have to make a special trip to the store to purchase them.
Thanks for all you do!
Pam
http://homespunhighlights.wordpress.com
February 16th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Betty,
Glad to hear that you are safely home from your travels..at least I hope you are
This looks delicious, what a lucky man your hubby is having a cook like you!!
Claudia
February 17th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Oh - that chocolate cheese pie! I have to try that one!