Cuban Chicken Pasta

                                                                                                   

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30

8 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins, pounded and cut into tiny bites

1 box angel hair pasta, cooked al dente 

cuban rub(recipe on this blog under the rubs tag)

2 T olive oil

1 thinly sliced leek

1 diced carrot

1/4 t sugar

Juice of a lime

Zest of 1/2 of a lime

1/2 c heavy whipping cream 

1/2 c pasta water

1/2 c half and half

4 T chopped sun-dried tomatoes 

Smoked salt and black cracked pepper

1T roasted garlic 

1/4 cup Italian 4 cheese blend 

Cook pasta and set aside reserving 1 c pasta water.

Season chicken with rub and sear in oil, remove and set aside.

Squirt lime juice on chicken. 

When cooking veggies add extra oil if needed.

Take veggies, garlic, sugar, zest, and chopped sun dried tomatoes and sauté. 

When veggies are done add the cream, water, cheese and half and half, add salt and pepper.

Add the chicken back into the sauce and slowly toss in pasta.

I use small tongs which work great. 

Enjoy!!

Mini Waffle Sausage Bites

In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death. 
Proverbs 12:28

Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25

Eggo Maple Flavored Waffles

Cooked sausage 

Maple syrup (optional)

Toast waffles.

Fry and drain sausage.

Cut sausage in half.

Spread a little syrup on waffle and add sausage. 

Best mini breakfast sandwich ever!!

Smoked Sausage and Andouille Gumbo Dip

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4-5

1 t unsalted butter

1 t olive oil

1 bell pepper, diced

1 c sliced okra 

1 celery stalk, minced

1/4 c diced shallot

1/2 of a leek, sliced

1 carrot, diced

1 T roasted garlic

1 t Cajun seasoning

2 c smoked sausage, chopped

1/4 c andouille, chopped

1 T Jim Beam

1/4 c half and half

1/4 c water

1/2 block of cream cheese, chopped

½ c grated Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and oil.

Add bell pepper, okra, shallot, carrot, leek and celery to pan; sauté until softened.

Stir in the garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook 1 minute more.

In a separate skillet, brown both types of sausages and drain well.

Stir in the both types of sausage, water, half and half and cream cheese, and Parmesan.

Stir over low heat until the cream cheese is melted.

Cover with foil and simmer 5 minutes.

Serve on toasted french bread, crackers, pretzel thins etc.

Jalapeño Cheese Spread

4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 1:4-5

4 oz Cheddar/Monterrey Jack

2 oz smoked Gouda, cut into chunks

2 oz smoked Gruyere, cut into chunks

6 slices pickled jalapeno and some juice (adjust according to desired fluffiness)

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

4 oz Cream cheese, cut into chunks

Put in processor and pulse until incorporated. Serve on pretzel chips or crackers. 

Smoky Gouda Cauliflower and Kale Gratin

23 He went up from there to Bethel, and while he was going up on the way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, saying, "Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!"

24 And he turned around, and when he saw them, he cursed them in the name of the LORD. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys.

25 From there he went on to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

2 Kings 2:23-25

Head of cauliflower, cleaned and cut into chunks

6 leaves of red Russian kale

1 t olive oil

1/2 smoky Gouda

1/2 onion, sliced

1/4 c celery

1/4 carrots, sliced

Juice of 1/2 lemon and the zest

1 5 oz can Pet milk

Topping

1/2 c cheddar

1/2 c Panko

1/2 c canned onion rings 

Boil cauliflower, 10 minutes, in water to cover with 1 T of chicken base seasoning. 

Place in a 13x9 greased casserole.

Sauté onion, celery, carrots and kale in oil. 

Salt and pepper to taste.

Squeeze lemon juice and zest over kale mixture, cook 10 minutes until kale is tender, add Gouda. 

Take off heat and add pet milk.

Add kale mixture to the cauliflower mixture. 

Add topping and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Italian Sausage Sweet Potato and Kale Pasta

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:11

1/2 box cooked Penne pasta, reserve water

8 oz Italian Sausage, mash with potato masher while cooking to get small pieces

1 small sweet potato, microwave, peel and cut into small pieces

1 leek, sliced

2 t roasted garlic

black pepper

1/2 t nutmeg

1/2 t crushed red pepper flakes

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Zest of 1/2 lemon

1c half and half

1 1/2 c pasta water

1 T chicken base seasoning

1 t honey

1/2 bunch Russian red kale, prepared*

1/4 c parmesan, grated

1/4 c smoky gouda, chopped

Prepare pasta, set aside.

Sauté sausage, set aside.

Prepare sweet potato.

* Sauté kale in pan with a splash of olive oil, leeks, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken base seasoning, honey and 3 T pasta water until tender. Add sweet potato and mash, leaving bits of potato visible.

Add cooked pasta and sausage.

Next add pasta water, cheeses and half and half.

On low heat simmer until thickened and pasta is coated. 

Buttery Parmesan Sage Brown Basmati Rice

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

1 T Butter

2 T fresh Sage

1 T roasted garlic

1/2 c Onion, chopped

1 c Brown Basmati Rice, takes 50 minutes to cook but so worth it

1 c Water

1/4 c Cream

1/2 c Parmesan

1 T Lemon juice 

1 t Lemon zest

Smoked salt 

Cracked black pepper

Prepare rice, set aside.

Sauté onion, garlic and sage in butter. 

Add seasoning, lemon juice and zest.

Next add cooked rice, water, half and half and parmesan. 

Stir until incorporated and sauce is thickened.

Almond Chicken Casserole

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

3 c rotisserie chicken

1 1/2 c cooked basmati rice

1/4 c mayo 

1/4 c sour cream

1 t lemon juice

1/8 t sugar

1 t butter

Splash of olive oil

1/4 c celery

1 leek, sliced

1 carrot, julienned 

1/2 t chicken seasoning base

2 T fresh sage  

Smoked salt

Cracked pepper

Topping

1/4 c sharp cheese

1/4 c Panko

1/4 c canned onion rings, crushed

Sauté leeks, carrots, and sage in butter/oil mixture.

Add seasonings, chicken and rice.

Next add mayo, sour cream and lemon juice.

Place in casserole and add topping. 

Bake 20 minutes at 375.

Stir Fry Broccolini Carrots and Thighs

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 2 Corinthians 2:15

Marinade

6 boneless thighs, sliced in strips

1/2 c sweet chili Thai sauce

1/2 c hoisin

1 shallot, diced

1 T roasted garlic

1 carrot, cut on diagonal 

1 bunch Broccolini, chopped

1 T rice wine

Smoked salt and cracked black pepper

1/2 c cashews, added at the end

2 t Olive oil

After chicken has marinated for at least 3 hrs, chop thighs into small pieces, set aside.

Prepare veggies, set aside.

Place oil in skillet or wok.

Mash garlic into hot oil.

Saute shallot and carrots until shallots are tender, carrots should be slightly crunchy, set aside.

Place chicken into hot oil and stir fry until it's slightly browned, cooks pretty fast.

Add veggie mix, wine and Broccolini to chicken, stir, remove from heat and add cashews.

Italian Chicken Spinach Casserole

21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us,

22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

1 Green Giant creamed spinach, microwaved

1 T Butter plus a splash of olive oil

3 mushrooms, sliced

1/4 c cream

1 leek, sliced

1/2 onion, sliced

2 c rotisserie chicken, shredded 

1 t chicken base seasoning

1 c water

1 c Italian cheese blend

Topping

1/2 c Parmesan, grated

1/4 c Panko

Sauté leeks, onions and mushrooms and seasoning in butter/oil mixture.

When they are done add spinach, stir.

Lastly add water, cream and chicken, cook until slightly thickened.

Place in casserole, top with Parmesan and Panko.

Bake 350 degrees for 25 minutes.