Main Dishes Archives - Page 5 of 6

Crock Pot Lasagna Soup

December 20, 2016 by Susan 16 Comments

This lasagna soup for the crock pot is hearty and satisfying! Perfect for a busy day, a cold day, or a day you just want a big bowl of comfort food.

Every year I host a Christmas cookie baking day for a group of ladies. We spend all day baking, dipping, and decorating. By lunchtime, we are ready for a hearty, satisfying lunch. And because my kitchen is full of baking sheets, sprinkles, and cookies in various stages of preparedness… I need something easy!

My standby is a crock pot full of soup. Maybe cheesy potato, maybe creamy chicken and rice. I like to serve something that I can prepare in advance. Then at lunchtime, all I have to do is heat up some rolls or breadsticks and we’re all set!

This year I made lasagna soup. And there was not a drop left. None. That’s a good sign, right?!

Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

November 21, 2016 by Susan 28 Comments

This creamy chicken and rice soup is a snap to make, but tastes like it simmered all day.

This soup is kind of the definition of comfort food, if you ask me. But I can’t give you the recipe without telling you about Miss Vicki.

In Memory

We had a family friend who was battling cancer a number of years ago. I made this soup once for her, and after that, she requested it frequently. I still think of her whenever I make it, so I can’t very well publish the recipe without remembering her. Here’s to Vicki!

Three Homemade Healthy Hamburger Recipes

November 8, 2016 by Susan Leave a Comment

I’m pleased to share a guest post with you today about many people’s favorite food: Hamburgers. While a classic burger is always in style, a new spin on the classic can be fun to try. And one that is healthier is even more tempting.

We made the Greek turkey burgers last night. They were really flavorful. I think the sliced red onion made it! I don’t cook with ground turkey often, and forgot to oil my pan first. They stuck a little but were still quite tasty.

Enjoy!

Sweet, Succulent Ham

October 18, 2016 by Susan 16 Comments

You’ve never had ham like this. This unique method produces a sweet and flavorful ham that will really amaze you. Promise.

I like ham fine. I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite meat. But this ham…it’s ham like I didn’t know ham could be. I think the word “succulent” might have been invented for this ham.

It’s a bit more labor intensive than other recipes. Not hard, just several steps. But it’s all done earlier in the day, so at dinner time, there’s nothing to do but take out the magic meat and dig in.

I combined two recipes to make this, and it all comes together in a perfect, lip-smacking way. I always make biscuits with this because the sweet, juicy shreds of meat are perfect with a bit of tender biscuit. And leftovers make the best little sandwiches the next day!

Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel

June 7, 2016 by Susan 3 Comments

This lasagna has cheese oozing between layers of meaty, saucy goodness and tender pasta. If you’re looking for a twist on a classic, try this!

Lasagna is one of those things that has about as many variations as the vast number of cooks that make it. A quick search brings up a list including Chicken Alfredo Lasagna, Spinach Lasagna, Vegetarian Lasagna, Mexican Lasagna, Cajun Lasagna and even a number of dessert versions. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy just about all of them, too.

When it comes to what people consider “traditional” lasagna, although not as many, there are certainly a number of varieties.

Most lasagna I’ve had, and made, has layers of pasta, meat, sauce, cheese and fluffy ricotta cheese (usually mixed with an egg to help bind it). I make a lasagna like this in one of two ways. Either with meat or with lots of veggies (this usually shows up in the middle of summer with goodies from our CSA).

But I also have a slightly different style that I find myself making most often. It doesn’t use the ricotta. Instead, you make a creamy white sauce (a béchamel) that makes it the ooiest, gooiest yum fest you can imagine.

And that’s my purely scientific observation.

Since it’s not a variety that most people have tried, I thought I’d share the recipe with you today.

Cashew Chicken Salad

May 25, 2016 by Susan 4 Comments

I consider myself a bit of a chicken salad aficionado.

I’m compelled to order it if I see it on a menu.

Thanks to a friend’s referral, the best I think I’ve found in a restaurant is the Tarragon Chicken Salad at Bruegger’s Bagels. (It’s served on whole wheat bread, not a bagel, BTW). Here’s how they describe it: Diced chicken, almonds, red onions, cranberries, lemon tarragon mayo, tomato & lettuce on wheatberry bread.

It’s delish!

Whenever I’m hosting a shower, or having friends over for lunch, you can expect chicken salad to make an appearance. Often, I’ll make a chicken pasta salad.