Saturday, April 9, 2011

Dinner | Chicken in Tomato Basil Cream



{Just so you know, I added a package of mushrooms to this recipe 
in case you were wondering what those brown thingys were in the photo}

Chicken in Tomato Basil Cream
by More Favorites pg 150

1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders
3 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash red pepper flakes
2 (15 oz) cans tomatoes, undrained 
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In batches brown chicken on both sides, cooking until no longer pink. Remove from skillet and place in a 9x13" dish. 

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the same skillet and cook onion, garlic and red pepper flakes until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add undrained tomatoes and simmer an additional 5 minutes. (I used fresh vine tomatoes. We had a huge costco size bunch that need to be used up, so I threw them in the blender and until I got 1 cup of blended tomatoes and then also used one can of stewed tomatoes) Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Add basil, salt and pepper. (I also threw in a package of fresh sliced mushrooms)

Pour tomato sauce over the chicken in baking dish. Bake uncovered at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until bubbly. 

SO creamy and yummy and warm and comforting! Serve this delicious dish over your favorite hot pasta or with some rice. We coupled ours with fresh asparagus and parmesan. YUM! A new family favorite!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Breakfast or Snack | Citrus Blast Smoothie


I've been hit hard this month with a bad case of strep throat. In fact I've had the virus two times in the last three weeks! Two different times going to the Dr's and two different prescriptions. NO FUN if you ask me! So I've decided to up my vitamin C intake with a yummy Citrus Smoothie. My four most favorite foods in the whole wide world are: Sweet Potatoes, Avocado, Grapefruit and frozen Jr. Mints (yes you read that right, frozen Jr. Mints... best treat in the world! Try it, I know you'll like it!)

Whole Living says, "As you might have guessed, grapefruits are full of vitamin C, a major antioxidant that helps fight infection, may shorten the duration of colds, and protects against free radicals."

Read more at Wholeliving.com: Power Foods: Grapefruit 

So with that tid bit of knowledge I knew it was time to indulge in one of my top favorites. And nothing feels better on a sore throat than a nice cool slushy drink! I hope you try it and like it! 

Juice from one orange (or you can throw the whole thing in, it's up to you!)
1 whole Grapefruit peeled
2 handfuls of Spinach
5 ice cubes

Blend all ingredients but ice cubes in blender until smooth. Add ice cubs and blend to desired slushy. Pull out a straw and sip away to citrus heaven!