Monday, September 26, 2011

Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 4 quarter-inch slices of fresh mozzarella
  • 3 plum tomatoes, cut into thick slices
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto (recipe follows... or use store bought stuff)
  • fresh ground black pepper
(basil pesto)
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts (we've used sunflower seeds as a substitute :)
  • 2 C fresh basil leaves (we put the stem in too)
  • 1 C fresh italian parsley
  • 1/2 cup parmesan or romano cheese 
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/4 t salt
  • up to 1/2 C EVOO
Directions for pesto
  1. toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes.  combine pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined but still a bit rough-textured
  2. Use either a panini press or skillet on medium heat...
  3. assemble the sandwiches by smearing the insides of the bread slices with pesto, arrange a layer of sliced tomato an season with a few turns of fresh pepper.  layer the mozzarella slices over the top and then place the other slice of bread on top.  if not using a panini press, use something to form a "press" over the sandwiches.  turn after 2-3 minutes.  they are done when golden brown and the cheese has melted around the edges.
Review
uhm, SOOOOOO delicious!  and the pesto can be used for all sorts of dishes! the possibilities are endless :)

Acknowledgement
this came from www.anediblesymphony.blogspot.com



Monday, September 19, 2011

ritzy chicken

This is a delicious favorite of ours that was introduced by my good friend wendy barlow! (thanks wendy!!!!)

i apologize for no picture but we'll get one up soon... OR if you make it and want to send me your picture I can post it too!

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 chicken breasts (I cut them up into kid-friendly sized pieces... also helps them cook faster)
  • 20 crushed Ritz crackers (generic works fine too)
  • 1 T dried parsley
  • 1/8 t pepper
  • 1 stick butter
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 t garlic powder
  1. preheat the oven to 350.
  2. Melt the butter an pour just a little to cover the 9 X 13 dish, the rest will be used to coat the chicken.  
  3. combine all the other dry ingredients in another bowl.  
  4. roll the chicken in butter, then in the dry ingredients.
  5. place in the baking dish and sprinkle any remaining crumbs and butter on top.  bake for30 minutes or until chicken is done.
serve with chicken rice, salad, favorite veggie ect....

Review
seriously one of our FAVORITES and definitely good as a leftover too! EVERY family member enjoys this meal!

Acknowledgment
as i mentioned above we learned this recipe from one of my favorite friends, (she's an awesome cook and mom too...) wendy.