Thursday, May 20, 2010

Welcome Home

Gosh, it’s been a while!  We’ve been doing a lot of crazy at our house and I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted. 
Today, I have a super yummy recipe that I’m sharing in honor of one of my favorite soldiers.  I love him because he loves my food :) and because he’s a great uncle to my kids.  He just finished his tour in Afghanistan and arrived home just this week!  We’re so proud of his service and dedication and wish him the best of luck in the future.  This one’s for you, Andy!

Chicken Florentine

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips or cubed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Flour for dredging
  • 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons shallots, sliced (onion may be substituted)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups dry white wine (or chicken stock)
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
  • 10 oz. fresh spinach, washed (comes in a bag)

Directions

Dredge the chicken in the flour to coat lightly. Shake off any excess flour. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken, salt and pepper and cook until brown. Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep it warm.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and garlic and saute until the shallots are translucent, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet, about 1 minute. Add the wine. Increase the heat to medium-high and boil until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the cream and boil until the sauce reduces by half, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley. Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices to the sauce, and turn the chicken to coat in the sauce.  Add the spinach and stir until wilted.  Serve over cooked pasta of your choice. 
As always, let me know how it turns out!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Dessert Pizza!

Picture of Brownie Pizza Recipe

Brownie Pizza

Courtesy Paula Deen

Ingredients

  • 1 (20-ounce) box fudge brownie mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 banana, sliced
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
  • Marshmallows
  • Maraschino cherries
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • Coconut
  • Chocolate syrup, for drizzling
  • Whipped cream
  • Mint, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15-inch pizza pan.
Prepare brownie mix according to directions on box. Pour onto prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and cool.
Beat cream cheese while adding pineapple and sugar together in a bowl. Spread mixture over brownie crust. Arrange banana, strawberry slices, marshmallows, and cherries over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with nuts and coconut. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Add whipped cream on top and mint for garnish. To serve, slice as you would a pizza and enjoy!