Cornbread and Black Bean Panzanella

Well hello again. I hope everyone is enjoying the warm, sun-filled summer days. I am sharing a recipe we found last summer on Eats Well With Others. This the perfect summer late lunch or dinner. I think it is even better when enjoyed outdoors in the evening. It does require you to use your oven to bake some cornbread, but I think the results are worth it. Just remember to plan ahead and make the bread in the morning or the night before. I made some minor changes in Joanne's recipe to cut down on some heat from jalapenos. Finally blogging about this recipe has inspired me to make it again tonight! You could make a lot of variations of panzanella with summer produce. I love the mixing of cornbread with avocado and black beans in this dish. We've only enjoyed this as a main dish, but I'm sure it would work as a great side too.

The first step is to make your cornbread. 

(You can omit the jalapeno if you prefer, but there isn't really heat with one in there!)

You will need:

*1 cup buttermilk or milk
*1/4 cup vegetable oil
*2 eggs
*1 cup cornmeal
*1 cup all-purpose flour
*2 tablespoons sugar
*2 teaspoons baking powder
*1/4 teaspoon baking soda
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1 jalapenos, seeded and diced

1. Preheat the oven to 375. Grease, or parchment line, a 9-inch loaf pan.

2. Whisk the milk, oil, and eggs in a large bowl. Next, whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Spoon the dry ingredients into the egg mixture and stir until combined. Be careful not to overstir. Fold in the jalapenos. Pour mixture into the prepared pan.

3. Bake for about 30-40 minutes. Check that the bread is done by sticking a toothpick in the
center. It should come out clean. If not, cook a little longer, checking every 5 minutes or so. Let cool completely.

Now to assemble the panzanella.
You will need:
*the previously baked cornbread from above (or another cornbread)
*10 oz baby spinach
*1/2 15oz can black beans
*12oz corn (if frozen, thaw and drain)
*1 medium jalapeno, seeded and diced
*1 small red onion, diced
*1/2 cup fresh cilantro, minced
*4 limes, juiced, divided
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon black pepper
*1 avocado, cubed
*1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*1 tablespoon rice vinegar
*1/2 tablespoon red pepper flakes
*2 teaspoons honey

1. Preheat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet and spread cornbread cubes. Toast in the oven for about 12 minutes, tossing half way through the cooking time. Remove from oven to cool slightly while you assemble the rest of the meal.

2. In a large bowl, mix the spinach, black beans, corn, jalapenos, red onion, cilantro, half of the lime juice, salt and pepper.  Let stand for 10 minutes.

3. Add the avocado and grape tomatoes to the bowl. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.

4. Whisk the olive oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, honey, and remaining lime juice in a small bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Pour dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Stir in the cornbread cubes right before serving.

Enjoy!

Balsamic Chicken Noodle Bowl

I'm back after another long hiatus. We're still trying many new meals in our kitchen, and I'm eager to share some more winners on the blog. I was recently talking about our go-to dinners with a friend at the beach this past weekend and was inspired to return and blog. Today was the last day of school for students. So in theory, I should have some more time for hobbies over these next few weeks! I am hoping to focus my energy on some cooking and running. They seem to balance each other out in my opinion.

This dinner was found on Mel's Kitchen Cafe. I think this is a great meal at any time during the year, but it'd be a perfect use for leftover grilled chicken, or this dinner could be made in a pinch on a busy summer evening.

You will need:
*1 pound linguine
*1 red pepper, cut in strips
*4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (flavor is present, so go for a better quality)
*4 garlic cloves, minced
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
*1 1/2 tablespoons dried basil (can use fresh if available)
*2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
*1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
*1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese


1. Cook linguine according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, garlic, basil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Then slowly whisk in the 1/3 cup olive oil until the dressing is completely combined.

3. While the pasta is boiling, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.  Cook the bell pepper until it starts to become tender. Add the cooked chicken and cook for a couple more minutes until it is warm or cooked. (If we didn't precook any chicken, I will cook the chicken before adding the pepper to the skillet)

4. Drain the noodles once cooked and add to skillet. Toss with red pepper and chicken. Add the mozzarella and feta, combining quickly before the cheese melts completely. Pour the dressing over the top and mix to coat.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Roasted butternut squash and kielbasa

A weeknight meal that roasts together in one pan might just be perfection. It's a beautiful day today and I'm making this for dinner. While I can't wait to grill again soon, quick meals like this allow me to enjoy more daylight time before prepping dinner. We love to keep Trader Joe's frozen brown rice on hand. It's clutch in these dinners where I forget I need rice until the final 10 minutes...that is a common mistake around here. I discovered this Dizzy Busy & Hungry recipe via Pinterest.

You will need:
*20 oz butternut squash, peeled and chopped into bite-sized cubes
*1 tablespoon olive oil
*1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
*12oz kielbasa, sliced into rounds
*1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced or diced

1. Preheat the oven to 400.

2. In a large bowl, coat the squash in the olive oil and garlic salt. Place coated squash onto a baking pan in a single layer. (You'll want room to add kielbasa and onion, so you might need two baking pans) Roast the squash for 20 minutes.

3. Stir the squash; add kilebasa and onion to pan. Bake for another 15 minutes. Stir again. Then cook another 5-10 minutes.

5. Serve over rice.

Blood Orange Chicken

I was so excited to find blood oranges a few weeks ago. They were even on sale! I don't usually see them at the grocery store I frequent so I scooped them up and started searching for recipes. Elly's recipe sounded perfect because it was a one pan dish and affordable as well. Dave and I both enjoyed this dinner and some leftovers for lunches. I never roast chicken thighs but I'm realizing now that I should. As long as you have the extra time to marinate and roast, these are hands-off enough to make a simple weeknight meal. We aren't usually home until late during the week so this was a better weekend option for us. You could also use any orange, but I highly recommend you try to find the blood orange variety.

For the chicken, you will need:
*1 teaspoon blood orange zest

*1/4 cup freshly squeezed blood orange juice
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*
3 cloves garlic, minced
*
2 tablespoons cilantro

*1 jalapeño, chopped and seeded (can keep seeds for a bit more heat)
*
1 tablespoon fresh ginger root
, grated
*1 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

*3/4 teaspoon smoked hot paprika

*1.75 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

*Optional toppings for serving: sliced scallions, cilantro, and orange wedges

1. Combine the zest, juice, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, ginger, salt, and paprika in a blender or food processor. Pulse until pureed.

2. Combine the chicken and marinade in a large bowl, tossing the chicken pieces to be sure they are covered. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour prior to cooking. (Longer is preferred for more flavor)

3. Preheat the oven to 475. Put the chicken thighs in a pan and discard the leftover marinade. Roast until for about 40 minutes, or until meat and juices are no longer pink. Serve with your desired sides and/or topping. See side suggestion below**

**I followed Elly's example and baked Yukon potatoes in with the chicken. I diced two potatoes and seasoned them with a bit of garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.  I roasted asparagus on the side, but you could also roast a veggie in with the dish by adding it in the later part of the cooking time.

Recipe originally adapted from Cook This Now by Melissa Clarke. 

Recipe Swap: Breaded Pork Chops

Food is a connection to so many memories. Familiar smells, tastes, and moments. Breaded pork chops were a staple in my childhood. I remember helping with the Shake-n-Bake bag to coat the chops and eating them alongside green beans, which were one of the few veggies I liked as a kid.

Sarah at Taste of Home hosted another What's Cooking recipe swap. The blogger's choice theme was easy for me. I spotted these pork chops on Mary Ellen's blog and was already planning to try them soon. Once I was assigned her blog, the choice was made. I am terrible at not burning breaded items that I attempt to pan fry. As you can tell by the less than impressive photo, these suffered the same fate. I changed the cooking to finish in the oven to avoid charring them further. Luckily Dave and I do both enjoy a crisp dinner! When I try these again I'll definitely change up the directions to follow what I posted below. We enjoyed these chops with a side of roasted broccoli...that was clearly still cooking when I quickly snapped the above photo!

You will need:
*4 thin pork chops
*salt and pepper, to taste
*garlic powder
*3 tablespoons flour
*1 egg
*1 cup Italian bread crumbs (Italian)
*2 tablespoons vegetable oil
I don't measure when I'm seasoning, so I did not list amounts above. I lightly seasoned the chops with salt, pepper, and touch of garlic powder, and then generously seasoned the bread crumbs with garlic powder, pepper, and a touch of Italian seasoning (omitted all since It breadcrumbs) and salt.

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Season the pork chops with salt, pepper, and a touch of garlic powder.

2. Place flour in a shallow dish or bowl. Do the same with the egg and beat it with a fork. Put the breadcrumbs in a final dish/bowl.

3. Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. While the oil is heating, coat the pork chops by dipping them one at a time into the flour, then egg, and lastly coat with the breadcrumbs.

4. Add breaded pork chops to the pan and cook for about 2 minutes. Flip and brown the other side for 2-3 minutes. I then moved my chops into the oven to finish cooking (until they reach 160 degrees). You can continue to pan fry if desired.

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Sweet and Sour Chicken

I never really think of making Chinese style dishes at home. We rarely eat Chinese food takeout. In fact, we don't really eat much takeout besides Chipotle. I discovered this dinner from Pinterest and was introduced to the blog The Recipe Critic. This dinner turned out great. It comes together quick enough for most weeknights as long as you have the extra time needed for baking. I highly recommend this meal.

You will need:
*3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
*salt and pepper, to taste
*1.5 cups cornstarch
*3 eggs, beaten
* 1/4 cup canola oil
*1/2 cup granulated sugar
*3 tablespoons ketchup
* 3 tablespoons white vinegar
*3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
*1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
*1 teaspoon garlic salt
*broccoli**, optional
*cooked rice, for serving

*added broccoli
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place the cornstarch in one bowl and the slightly beaten eggs in another. Dip chicken pieces into cornstarch then coat in egg mixture.

3. Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken until browned (cooking will finish in the oven). Place the browned chicken in a 9 x 13 greased baking dish.

4. Combine sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, white vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic salt in a mixing bowl. Pour over chicken and bake. Bake for about 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Stir at least once during cooking to keep the chicken coated in sauce as it bakes.
**If adding broccoli, cook the chicken for 20 minutes, then stir and add broccoli to the pan. Bake for another 20 minutes.
Serve over rice.

Creamy Veggie Noodle Soup

This winter has called for comfort food. It's cold. We're eagerly anticipating some warm sunshine in our lives. While we await that opportunity, we turn to warm food. I am trying to keep an eye on our weekly balance to make room for some indulgences while still striving to fit in the warm weather clothing when it's removed from the frozen attic. There is hope emerging from the slight increase in daylight after work these days.

This soup is a wonderful treat for a chilly day. Using my perfect rationale, the vegetables make this cream good for you. The chicken broth balance keeps the dish from climbing too high in calories. I found this recipe on Stephanie Cooks back in the fall. We've enjoyed it many times since.

You will need:
*1 cup medium-sized pasta (we used shells), cooked and set aside
*4 tablespoons butter
*1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
*2 ribs celery, finely diced
*2 carrots, peeled and diced
*2 garlic cloves, minced
*4 tablespoons flour
*1 cup heavy cream
*1 cup nonfat milk
*3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

*1 teaspoon salt

*1/2 teaspoon pepper

*1 teaspoon garlic powder
*1 cup baby spinach, torn or roughly chopped
*1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1. In a Dutch Oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and garlic to the pan and saute until the onion is translucent. Next, stir in the flour for about a minute. Add the cream and milk. Bring to a simmer.

2. Once the simmering mixture thickens, add the chicken broth. Although time to heat and thicken again. Then add the cooked pasta, spinach, and seasonings; simmer until soup is heated through.

 

3. Serve and enjoy!

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa

Now that I'm sharing this dinner, I want to eat it immediately. We love Frank's buffalo sauce in this house but go through phases of eating a lot of it and then carelessly avoiding it for awhile. It's been in the cabinet too long at the moment. This quinoa is a perfect weeknight meal and the leftovers make a great lunch. This is easily transitioned to a vegetarian option by removing the chicken and adding more broccoli. If you like things extra spicy, you can change your hot sauce preference. I once (accidentally!) made this with the Frank's extra hot. It was just too much for me, especially when reheated. I'll stick with the delicious tang of buffalo wing sauce. This recipe was a Pinterest discover from Half Baked Harvest.

You will need:
*1 cup quinoa (be sure to rinse it well before cooking)
*2 cups water
*1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
*1 cup broccoli florets
*1 cup shredded carrots
*1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for serving
*4 green onions chopped, divided
*1/2 cup olive oil
*1/2 cup hot sauce (I recommend Frank's buffalo)
*1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1. Place quinoa and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer with the heat on low. Cook for about 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove cooked quinoa from heat and fluff with a fork.

2. While the quinoa is simmering, cook the chicken pieces in a skillet. While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce by combining the olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt in a measuring cup. Whisk to combine. Once the chicken is almost finished, add the broccoli and about 1/4 cup of the sauce.

3. Remove the skillet from the heat once the chicken is fully cooked and the broccoli has softened to your liking. (I prefer to leave it a little crunchy) Stir in the carrots, blue cheese crumbles, cooked quinoa, and half of the scallions. Mix in sauce until the dinner is coated. I like to use most, if not all of it. Serve topped with additional blue cheese and the remaining scallions.

Crockpot Chicken Gyros

Happy New Year!

Here's a healthy, delicious, and simple crockpot recipe to kick off 2014. We've enjoyed this meal a few times. Eating this dinner brings me back to enjoying gyros while basking in the Mykonos sun a few summers ago. That vacation was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us so I like to relive it whenever possible. This is a quick version of this popular Greek dish that can cook while you're at work all day. As soon as I spotted this on Kate's Recipe Box, I knew it would be a winner in our kitchen. I immediately doubled that recipe to yield more leftovers that we could enjoy in more wraps and over salads. This reheats well, and I think it would freeze well too. I need to find a good, authentic Greek style pita option to enjoy these in. Maybe I'll have to look into making my own.

You will need:
*2 pounds chicken breasts (frozen works well here, no need to thaw)
*6 cloves garlic, minced
*
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
*1 onion, diced
*
1/2 cup water
*2 tablespoons olive oil
*4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
*2 teaspoons oregano

*1/2 teaspoon allspice
*2 teaspoons lemon pepper
*
Tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, romaine and pitas, for serving

1. Place the chicken breasts in the base of a slow cooker. Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

2. Shred and serve in pitas with desired toppings.
Don't forget the tzatziki! I use Trader Joe's prepared or make my own.