Month: April 2011

Categories
Beef Main Dishes Recipes with Pictures

Easy Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

I am always looking for ways to use up a roast without having to eat … roast. This is a fabulous recipe I got from my friend Erin. She is pretty much the queen of making easy food that tastes like it took all day to prepare. (Well, technically this does take all day.) Most importantly, it’s impossible to mess this up. Enjoy!

3-4 lb. beef roast
2 onions (sliced)
5 C. water
1/2 C. soy sauce
1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 clove garlic, minced
Rolls or hoagies
Thinly sliced Swiss cheese

Place roast in large crock pot. Add other ingredients. Cook on low for 6-9 hours (depending on how hot your crock pot is). Shred beef and place on buns; top with cheese and broil 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with juices for dipping.

Categories
Breads & Rolls Recipes with Pictures

Banana Flaxseed Bread

1/2 C. flaxseed, ground
3 bananas, mashed
1/4 C. vegetable oil
1/4 C. white sugar
1/4 C. brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 C. all-purpose flour
3/4 C. whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8×4 inch loaf pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together banana, oil, sugar and eggs.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground flax seed.
  4. Gradually stir flour mixture into banana mixture.
  5. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan.
  6. Bake in preheated oven for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the loaf comes out clean.

 

Categories
Casseroles Chicken Main Dishes Pasta Recipes with Pictures

Baked Orzo with Chicken, Tomato and Feta

1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced (I often use more)
1 tsp. dried basil (I use much more)
2 T. olive oil (divided)
1/2 C. white wine
1 large can petite diced tomatoes (28 to 32 oz)
1 tsp. salt (optional)
1 1/2 to 2 lbs diced cooked chicken
1 lb. orzo pasta
1/2 C. black olives, pitted and chopped (optional)
1 to 1 1/2 C. crumbled feta (to taste)

  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Cook onion, garlic and basil in 1 Tbsp oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until onion is softened (about 3 minutes – but I usually do them longer). Add wine and boil until reduced by half (about 3 minutes). Stir in tomatoes and salt, then reduce heat and simmer briskly, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened (about 8-10 minutes).
  3. While sauce is being prepared, cook orzo to al dente (don’t overcook, as it will become mush in the sauce). Reserve 1/2 C. of pasta cooking water and then drain orzo. Return orzo to pot and toss with remaining 1 Tbsp of oil. Stir in sauce and chicken, then reserved cooking water (note: I generally don’t add much of the water (if it looks dry, I add just a bit of it), then add olives, salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Spoon into an oiled 13 x 9 baking dish, then sprinkle with feta. Bake uncovered in middle of oven until cheese is slightly melted and pasta is heated through (approx 15 minutes).

    Note: Makes excellent left-overs (just microwave). Can be made a day ahead for a dinner party (it actually tastes better on day 2, in my opinion!)