Category Archives: Main Dish

Ham Linguine

2 cups ham , shredded into medium-sized pieces
1 pound linguine
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen, thawed
lemon zest, and juice of 2 lemons
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cup mint, chopped
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions.
While pasta is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium high heat. When pan begins to smoke, saute garlic for one minute. Add the ham and continue to saute until ham begins to brown. Finally, add the peas; saute for one more minute.
While skillet is still hot, drain the pasta and add to the ham mixture. Add the lemon zest, juice, salt, pepper and 2 more tablespoons of olive oil. Saute for 1-2 minutes to let the flavors combine. Remove from heat and toss with herbs. Serve immediately.

6 Servings

Glazed Ham

6 pounds ham , fully cooked – rump half or shank portion
2 teaspoons orange peel, finely shredded
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
24 cloves

Score ham by making diagonal cuts in a dimond pattern. Stud with cloves in middle of each diamond. Place on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Insert a meat thermometer. Bake in a 325 degree oven until thermometer registers 125 degrees. For rump, cook 1 1/2 hr to 1 1/2 hr; for shank cook 1 3/4 hr to 2 hrs.
For glaze, in a medium pan, combine orange peel and juice, brown sugar, cornstarch and dried mustard. Heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more.
Brush ham with some of the glaze. Bake 20-30 minutes more or til thermometer registers 135 degrees. Let stand 15 minutes more before carving. Serve with remaining glaze.

16 Servings

Chicken Lasagna Florentine

From Southern Living

2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (6-ounce) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup sour cream
6 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup to 1 cup chopped pecans

Stir together chicken and next 6 ingredients.
Arrange 3 noodles in a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish; top with half of chicken mixture. Repeat layers with remaining noodles and chicken mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and pecans.

Bake, covered, at 350° for 45 minutes; uncover, and bake 15 minutes or until bubbly. Let lasagna stand 15 minutes before serving.

To Make Ahead: Cover and chill. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before baking; proceed as directed.

To lighten: Substitute reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup, 2% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, and reduced-fat sour cream.

Yield: Makes 6 servings

Chicken Gnocchi Veronese Olive Garden Recipe

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, sliced (julienned)
½ zucchini, sliced, (julienned)
Salt to taste
4 chicken breasts, sliced in ½” strips
2 small branches rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
Juice of ½ lemon

Veronese Sauce

1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
½ cup ricotta cheese
14 fl oz heavy cream

Gnocchi

2 qt water
6 oz all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2 lbs russet potatoes
2 tsp salt

OR

1 lb gnocchi (potato dumplings), cooked according to package directions

Procedures

NOTE: You may make your own gnocchi by following the steps below, or you may purchase them already made.

Gnocchi

1. WASH potatoes and place in water. Cook potatoes until soft (cook time will depend on size of potatoes). Remove potatoes from water and cool in refrigerator.
2. PEEL cooled potatoes and push them through a fine grater (rice grater) until mashed; do not over-mash potatoes or they will get tough.
3. COMBINE potatoes, flour and eggs in a mixing bowl. Mix well until dough does not stick to hands (add small amounts of flour at a time if needed).
4. DIVIDE dough into 4 sections. Roll out each section into a long rope. Cut each rope into ½” pieces. Push fork tines on each piece for the classic gnocchi appearance.
5. BRING water to a boil in a sauce pot. Drop in gnocchi and cook until they float.

Chicken & Sauce

1. COMBINE garlic, lemon juice, rosemary and chicken slices in a mixing bowl. Let marinate for at least 2 hours.
2. COMBINE Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese and heavy cream in a mixing bowl and set aside.
3. HEAT sauté pan on medium high. Add extra virgin olive oil, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini. Saute until onions are translucent (do not brown).
4. ADD marinated chicken slices and cook until slices are brown on all sides and internal temperature is 165°F. Reduce heat and add sauce mixture. Bring to a simmer.
5. DRAIN cooked gnocchi and add to pan with chicken, vegetables and sauce. Stir to coat gnocchi with sauce.
6. SERVE gnocchi topped with extra Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

From Cooking Light

Cooking spray
1 1/4 pounds skinned, boned chicken breast
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup beer
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced ripe olives, drained
2 (4.5-ounce) cans chopped green chiles, drained
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cups 1% low-fat milk
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten or 6 tablespoons egg substitute
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3/4 cup (3 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 (6-inch) corn tortillas, cut in half
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup salsa

Preheat oven to 350°.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; place over medium heat until hot. Add chicken; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Remove chicken from skillet; let cool. Shred chicken with 2 forks; set aside.

Recoat skillet with cooking spray; place over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add shredded chicken, beer, red pepper, and tomatoes; cook 10 minutes or until most of liquid evaporates. Remove from heat. Reserve 1 tablespoon green onions and 1 tablespoon olives for garnish. Stir remaining green onions, remaining olives, and chiles into chicken mixture; set aside.

Combine flour, salt, cumin, and coriander in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Place over medium heat; cook 7 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Gradually add hot milk mixture to egg whites, stirring constantly with whisk. Set aside.

Place cheeses in a bowl; toss well. Set aside.

Spread 1/2 cup white sauce in bottom of a 2 1/2-quart round casserole or soufflé dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 4 tortilla halves over sauce; top with 2 cups chicken mixture, 1/2 cup white sauce, and 1/2 cup cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice, ending with sauce. Set remaining 1/2 cup cheese mixture aside.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese mixture, reserved green onions, and reserved olives; bake an additional 5 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

NOTE: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time; cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 350º for 1 hours or until bubbly. Or freeze casserole, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours, then bake for 1 hour or until thoroughly heated.

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 wedge, 1 tablespoon sour cream, and 1 tablespoon salsa)