Cooking - for a new lifestyle (Our Test Kitchen)

Mix together: 2 tsp balsamic vinegar 1 1\2 tsp Dijon mustard 1\2 tsp sugar 1\2 tsp season salt 1\4 tsp garlic powder 1\4 tsp pepper 2 tsp olive oil Combine while whisking together. In a large bowl: 8 cups mixed greens 12oz diced cooked chicken 1\3 cup chopped pecans 1\4 cup dried cherries 2 stalks diced celery Mix and cover with vinaigrette. Drizzle with blue cheese dressing And top with crumbled blue cheese. "Bon appetit!"

Mix: 1\3 peeled and chopped cucumber 2\3 cup sour cream 1\4 cup fine chopped onion 2 tsp dill weed 2 tsp lemon juice Warm: 1\2 pound shredded chicken 1 1\2 tsp Greek seasoning Now toss 2\3 cup thinly sliced cucumber 1 1\2 cups shredded lettuce 1 cup diced tomato 2 tbsp feta cheese With The meat  And the sauce. Divide into pitas. "Bon appetit!"

6 to 7 pound chicken Mix  2 tsp rosemary 3 tsp crushed garlic Salt and pepper Now lift skin in a few areas And tuck some of the spice under Stuff with your favourite stuffing. Mine is: Half a loaf of torn up bread 2 tsp holiday seasoning (epicure) 2 eggs Half a diced onion 2 stalks diced celery Half yellow pepper diced Now place 2 chopped red onions In a roasting pan Add 1\2 cup red wine or broth 1\2 cup balsamic vinegar Bake 2 hours covered. Uncover and bake 30 minutes longer. In a small pot Melt 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp black pepper And mix in 2 tbsp flour On low heat. Add some thinly sliced onions And whisk in  Strained drippings from roaster. "Bon Appetit!"

Prep ahead: Fry up 8 strips bacon and chop  (Or 1 package of pre-cooked bacon) Set aside Reserve drippings in pan. 1\4 cup real butter Thinly slice 3 leeks (white only) *2 cups Dice 3 potatoes and par cook With 1 cup\can of kernel corn Drain and set aside Mix 1\4 cup flour 3\4 tsp thyme Salt and pepper Mix 2 cubes chicken boullion And 1 cup warm water Open 4 bottle (4 cups) clam juice ................................ In Dutch oven; Add 1\4 cup real butter (And the reserved bacon grease if applicable) On med-high heat. Now give the leeks, Potatoes and corn a quick sautee Add bacon And heat it up. Now sprinkle with your flour mixture And stir to incorporate. Add clam juice while stirring  Then add stock you made And turn off heat. ............................... 1\2 pound scallops 1\2 bag peeled and declined shrimp 1 pound tilapia diced (optional) 1 cup half and half ............................... Just before serving: Bring soup to a boil And turn down. Then add Seafood And

3 pounds ribs (I used pork) Cut and baked for 40 mins at 400. In a crock pot on high mix: (while ribs are cooking) 3 tbsp butter or margarine or oil 1 large sweet onion sliced thin 2 stalks chopped celery 1 cup shaved carrot 1 tsp garlic 1\4 tsp thyme 2 tbsp parsley 1\2 tsp worchesteshire Salt and pepper Stir and cover. In a 2 cup measuring cup Mix together 1 cup hot water With 2 beef boullion cubes Add 1 cup red wine Set aside. When ribs are done (40 minutes) Sprinkle 2 tbsp  over mixture in crock pot Add liquid, stirring mixture To create a sauce for the meat. Remove ribs from oven Place in crock pot Coating in the sauce you have made. Reduce heat And simmer with lid For 4 to 6 hours. "Bon appetit!"

3 servings cooked pasta (It called for spaghetti) Cooked with 1 cup damage beans Rinse and cool. In a food processor Pulse (not liquify): 1 tsp fresh ginger root Half red pepper Half yellow pepper Half red onion 1 cooked chicken breast Dump in oversize bowl with pasta Add 1 cup sesame Asian salad dressing Had chopped cucumber Mix well. Topp with chopped green onions "Bon Appetit."

Roast one small pork roast or tenderloin  And shred Strain and reserve juices (Or 4 pork chops) Divide one can crushed pineapple In half, one half with juice Mix: Shredded meat 1\2 cup shredded pineapple and juice Strained juice 1\2 cup enchilada sauce ***I used mild in an oven proof dish:  Warm this in the oven at 350 For 1 hour with no lid. Fry: 1 tbsp butter The 1\2 pineapple tidbits And 1\2 cup diced onions Brown (Carmelize) for a taco topping ***do not eliminate It sounds weird but is delicious! Serve with hard tortillas ***we tried soft and they fell apart From too much juice Make up your tacos with: Shredded lettuce Shredded cheese Diced tomatoes Jalapenos if desired Serve with Mexican rice. "Bon Appetit!"

Mix together: 1 package ground turkey 1 tsp favourite hot sauce 2 tsp cumin 2 tsp chili powder 2 tsp garlic Salt and pepper Makes 4 Refrigerate or par freeze Mix together: 2 stalks finely diced celery  Half a diced onion 4 tbsp blue cheese salad dressing (I also  the same with ranch dressing) Fry or broil meat. Top with sauce and shredded lettuce. Serve on buns Topped with mixture. "Bon appetit!"

1 family pack ground pork\beef  or ground pork\turkey 2 eggs 1 1\2 tsp milk 3\4 cup corn meal 1 diced finely red pepper 1/2 onion finely diced 3\4 tsp basil 2 tbsp bbq sauce Divide into 2 or 4 And place in foil pans. Freeze whatever not using Bake at 400 degrees For an hour. Drizzle with bbq sauce before serving

Slice a tenderloin into 8 chops In a food processor or blender  (a hand one is very hard) Blend together: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small packages of figs (cut up) 1\2 cup apple juice 2 tbsp cider vinegar 1 1\2 tsp worchsteshire 1 tsp garlic 3\4 tsp curry On a cookie sheet Covered with parchment paper, Place you chops and cover with mixture. Place tray in oven  Broil for 5-10 minutes Reduce heat to bake at 350 For 30 minutes. Serve with noodles and vegetables. "Bon appetit!"

In a skillet toss fry:   1\2 cup chopped peanuts  (I would use crushed) 1\2 bag of precut coleslaw  (I would use the whole bag) 4 green onions sliced Then add: 2 cups shredded chicken 2 tbsp cilantro 2 tbsp Asian dressing Or toasted sesame dressing (i would use 4 tbsp) Stir And serve over cous cous, rice or acinni To cook cous cous: In a pot Boil 1 1\2 cups water Add 1 cup of cous cous. Remove from heat and set aside  for 5 minutes. Fluff before serving "Bon appetit!"

1 bag egg noodles (par boiled) 1\2 pound ground meat cooked and crumbled 2 cans pizza sauce (213ml ea) Mixed with 1\2 cup water To make 2 cups of sauce. 1 package (320g) shredded cheese 1\2 package sub meat trio diced (ham, pepperoni, sausage)  1\2 cup diced onion 1\4 green pepper diced 1 can mushrooms drained (optional) In greased pan: Place ground beef like a crust Then layer: 1\3 sauce 1\2 Noodles All diced veggies 1\3 the cheese 1\3 sauce 1\2 Noodles Sub meats 1\3 sauce Cheese   Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle top with parmesan. Serve with garlic bread And a big salad. "Bon Appetit!" A definite do again!!!

1\2 pound ground chicken  fried and crumbled 1\2 chopped onion 1\2 green pepper 1 stalk celery Chop all 3 items finely In a pot add Ground chicken Chopped veggies 1 can white kidney beans (cannelini) (Drained and rinsed) 1 tsp chili seasoning 1\2 tsp cumin 1\8 tsp oregano S and pepper 2 cups chicken boullion Stir and Bring to a boil. Cook for half an hour over medium heat. Serve with a spoonful Of sour cream Top with shredded cheese. I served with store bought burritos And dorito salad. "Bon Appetit!"

I do not prefer mushrooms. So I made this recipe, Half with and half sliced zuchinni. 2 large chicken breast  cut in half and pounded slightly Mix 1\4 cup flour With salt and pepper Coat chicken shake and bake style In 2 tbsp butter 1 tsp minced garlic Pan fry the chicken Remove and place In an oven proof dish Stir in whatever flour coating is left Into pan scraping bottom well In pan add 2\3 cup of chicken broth 3 tbsp lemon juice 1 cup diced onions and celery 1 sliced zuchinni 1\2 pound mushrooms Pan fry and stir well  Cook 5 to 8 min until liquid  Has started thickening. Pour over chicken and keep warm In 400 degree oven  while you make side dishes. "Bon appetit!"

Half a bag of split peas Soaked for 24 hours, rinsed And soaked another 24 hours. *** if peas still seem hard Place in large roasting pan Filled with water and cook for 4 hours At 300 and then sit overnight again. Drain and rinse And put in a slow cooker with: 2 cups diced ham 1\2 cup finely chopped onion 1\2 cup finely chopped carrot 1 1\2 tsp minced garlic 1\4 tsp rosemary 1\4 tsp thyme 4 cups chicken broth I cooked on high with a lid for 4-6 hours, Stirring occasionally.   Reduce heat with lid off for 2 hours And check peas. If they are still hard Add more liquid (1cup). I was about to give up When suddenly.... I walked in to stir and noticed That some peas had finally split And it was thickening!!!! John said it was yummy. "Bon appetit!"

Cut 12 (red?) Potatoes in 4 Place in Ziploc bag Add Salt and pepper 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp rosemary Half cup olive oil Shake and coat completely Place 4  piece in each muffin slot Add 1 whole clove garlic (I used 1\8 tsp minced on each) To the center of each potato Drizzle any leftovers in bag over The potatoes Bake at 375 for 25 minute "Bon appetit!"

1 pound cooked ground beef drained Add: 1 can diced tomato 1 cup frozen corn (thawed) 1 envelope taco seasoning And add 1 cup of cooked rice Mix, bring to boil Reduce heat  Cook 6 to 8 minutes Or until thickened. Turn off heat and add 1\2 cup diced onion 1\2 cup diced green peppers Cover and let sit. Pour onto\into serving dish Top with 1 cup tex Mex cheese  (colby\monterey jack) And shredded lettuce. Serve with tortilla chips And toppings like sour cream, Jalapenos, guacamole etc. This made enough for 2 meals!!!!!! "Bon appetit!" I could eat this every week!

Recently watched a new tv show About converting leftovers. I had 2 cups of beef stew left This would also work with leftover meat sauce Add 4 slices of jalapeno And 1 tsp juice 1 tsp red pepper flake 1 tsp poco Pirate (optional epicure spice) 1 tsp chili powder 1\2 tsp cayenne Or 2 cups favourite salsa On medium heat pour mixture in pan And make 3 spaces IN mixture. Crack and egg into each space. Lay 1 slice tomato between each egg Add salt and pepper Cover and Cook 3 to 4 minutes on med to low  Off heat and top with some shredded cheese. Serve with tortillas. "Bon appetit!"

Prep: 30 min.  Cook: 8 hours Makes 10 servings 1 boneless beef chuck cubes (2 steaks) 1-1/4 teaspoons salt 3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Toss in Ziploc bag. Then heat 2 tablespoons olive oil Stir fry beef and flour scraping bottom Add 6 peeled garlic cloves crushed  ***originally called for 12 1 cup dry red wine or reduced-sodium beef broth 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained Stir and scrape bottom. 1 tetra beef broth  6 medium carrots, thinly sliced 2 medium onions, chopped 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme Dash ground cloves I added 1 cup of diced turnip but you could use corn or peas too. Stir well, Then pour into slow cooker. Add 2 bay leaves Cover and simmer on high for 4 hours. Stir Reduce heat and cook uncovered for 4 hours Serve on Hot mashed potatoes "Bon Appetit!"

Prep: 20 min. Cook: 25 min. Makes 10 servings 2 pounds sweet Italian sausage links In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Remove and cut into thin slices. 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 2 medium green peppers, julienned 1 large onion, chopped 5 shallots, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced In the same skillet add butter and oil over medium heat, cook the beans, green peppers, onion, shallots until tender.  4 medium zucchini, quartered and sliced 5 plum tomatoes, chopped 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice Stir in the zucchini, tomatoes, sugar, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and allspice. Cook and stir for 6-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese Stir in sausage and parsley; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.  Serve

6 servings Ingredients 3 cups sliced cauliflower 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 2 medium carrots, julienned 1 can (15 ounces) whole baby corn, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed 1 pound boneless pork, cut into thin strips 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 cup water 1/4 cup soy sauce 4 teaspoons honey 2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules 4 teaspoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons cold water 1/4 cup salted peanuts Hot cooked rice, optional In a skillet or wok,  stir-fry cauliflower in 2 tablespoons oil  for 3 minutes.  Add carrots; stir-fry for 2 minutes.  Add corn and peas;  Stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender.  Remove; keep warm. Stir-fry pork in remaining oil for 2 minutes.  Add onions, garlic, ginger and chili powder;  stir-fry until pork is no longer pink.  Remove; keep warm. Combine 1 cup water, soy sauce,  honey and bouillon in same pan.  Combine cornstarch and