Sunday, February 6, 2011

Italian Cheese Bread

shared by Patty H.
Ingredients:
Bread:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour or bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon active dry yeast (can use instant)
1 cup warm water (120*F)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Topping:
1/4 cup prepared Italian salad dressing* (can also substitute Ranch dressing for a different taste)
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground oregano
1/4 tsp dried thyme
dash pepper (note: I used 3/4 tsp. Italian Seasoning instead of garlic, oregano & thyme)
1-2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1.In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients.
2.Combine water and oil; add to flour mixture. Add additional flour if needed to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead for 1-2 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
3.Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes. (Optional: if in a hurry, just skip this rise.)
4.Punch the dough down; place on a greased 16" pizza pan and pat into a 16" circle. Brush with salad dressing, using a spoon to spread it around.
5.Combine the seasonings; sprinkle over top. Sprinkle with cheeses.
6.For a fluffier cheese bread, at this point, allow the bread to rest for 15 minutes or so. If you're in a hurry, just skip this rise. (The bread will rise while it bakes, too.)
7.Pre-heat the oven to 450*F. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until golden brown. (cook on rack near bottom to ensure crust fully bakes)
8.Slice into 12 slices. Serve warm.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

shared by Patty H.
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour (didn't have so used white)
1 1/4 cups uncooked oatmeal
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 T. oil (I use Smart Balance cooking oil)
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup raisins, if desired

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with cupcake papers or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
4. Add applesauce, buttermilk, sugar, oil, vanilla and egg.
5. Stir just until moist.
6. Fold in raisins.
7. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 16-18 minutes.
These are very moist and tasty.

Chicken Royale

shared by Patty H. (Snowed in; feel the urge to cook; probably a big mistake because then I will want to eat it all. :)
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 6-8 chicken tenders)
1/2 cup sour cream (I used the Smart Balance sour cream with the healthy omega 3's in it)
1 T. lemon juice
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt (I used the coarse Kosher salt)
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 1/4 cups dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter (again, I use Smart Balance stick butter)

Directions:
Note: The original recipe says to prepare this and let it set overnight in the refrigerator but I didn't and it still turned out moist and tender. I am posting the recipe as it was originally written.
1. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Place the chicken in the baking dish.
3. Combine sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
4. Cover each piece of chicken with some of the mixture.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6. When ready to bake, cover each chicken piece with bread crumbs.
7. Spoon melted butter over chicken, taking care not to let butter accumulate on bottom of pan.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
9. Drizzle remaining butter on chicken and bake 15 minutes longer. (I forgot to go back and do this and they still turned out OK)

Easy Rice Pilaf for Two

 submitted by Patty H. (I tried this for the first time this week and it truly was easy and delicious!) Ingredients: 1/2 cup long grain whit...