Irish Soda Bread

I didn't get too festive with St. Patrick's Day this year. I didn't wear green, dye my food green, or make an Irish meal. The one thing I did do to commemorate this holiday was make some yummy Irish Soda Bread. This is the first time I've ever made it and it turned out really good. I like that is has a bit of sweetness to it, but it's not too sweet. It was also fast and easy to make.

What you need:

* 4 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 3 eggs
* 1 pint sour cream
* 1 cup raisins (I left these out of mine because I'm not a fan of raisins)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. Mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, sour cream and raisins and mix until just combined. Distribute batter evenly between the two pans.
3. Bake loaves at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 1 hour.

Recipe courtesy of Arlene Costello/Agnes Walters via allrecipes.com

Twice-Baked Potatoes

These are delicious!

Ingredients
4 medium baking potatoes (or more if you want to make more, which I always do. You just might want to double the whole thing so you have enough of the other stuff for the inside)
1/2 sour cream or plain yogurt
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 slices of cheddar cheese
Milk (optional)
2 tsp minced chives (optional)
smoked deli ham or turkey (optional)
2 cloves garlic minced (optional)
chopped mushrooms (optional)
(I like adding the optional stuff. I think it makes these extra good.)

Directions
1.Scrub potatoes thoroughly with a brush; pat dry. Prick potatoes with a fork. Bake potatoes in a 425 degree oven for 40 to 60 minutes (or in a 350 oven for 70-80 minutes) or until tender.
2.Cut a lengthwise slice from the top of each baked potato; discard skin from slice and place pulp in a bowl. Scoop pulp out of each potato. Add the pulp to the bowl.
3.Mash the potato pulp with a potato masher or an electric mixer on low speed. Add sour cream or yogurt, garlic salt, pepper and garlic (if you are using real garlic). Beat until smooth. (If necessary, stir in 1 to 2 tbsp milk to get your desired consistency.) Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add chives and ham (or turkey). Spoon the potato mixture into the potato shells. Place in a 2-quart rectangular or square baking dish.
4.Bake, uncovered, in a 425 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. If desired, place cheese slices atop potatoes and then bake for 2-3 minutes more or until the cheese melts.

[Recipe compliments of Better Homes and Gardens with a few of my own alterations.]

Mediterranean Grain Salad

If you have had Tabbouleh, this is a very similar salad. I like the salad because not only is it delicious, it is also filling and healthy. Bulgar wheat is a great source of fiber and it is also high in iron and protein. [Note: You can often find Bulgar wheat alongside rice in many supermarkets, but if not, check out a health food store. This is where I found mine.]

Ingredients
1/3 C medium-grin bulgur
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 C grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 C fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 small shallot, minced (if you don't have one, some red or green onion will do)
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp olive oil
1 ounce fresh goat cheese, crumbled (I had to go to Trader Joe's for this but maybe your grocery store carries goat cheese)

[Note: Cucumbers and a little lemon juice is also delicious in this salad.]

Directions
1. In a heatproof bowl, mix bulgur with 1/4 tsp salt and 1 C boiling water. Cover and let stand until tender but slightly chewy, about 30 minutes.

2. Drain bulgur in a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to remove liquid; return to bowl. Add tomatoes, parsley, shallot, vinegar, and oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss. Top with cheese.

[Recipe compliments of Martha Stewart's Everyday Food Magazine]

Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes

This is a recipe that both my husband and I absolutely love. Here's what you need:

3/4 lb. of hot Italian sausages, casings removed (I use half of a Turkey Kielbasa instead)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 28 oz. can of diced, peeled tomatoes
1/4 C of purchased pesto sauce
10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked (I usually use the whole box)
8 C ready-to-use spinach leaves (about 2/3 of a 10 ounce package)
6 oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 C grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 oz.)
Salt and pepper

Directions
Heat a heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and saute' until sausage is cooked through, breaking up the meat with a the back of a spoon (about 10 minutes). Add tomatoes with juices to the pan. Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season with salt and pepper. (This part can be prepared one day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to a simmer before continuing.)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a 13x9 inch glass baking dish. Combine cooked pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 C of Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2/3 Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt (about 30 minutes).

[Recipe compliments of Carmela M. Meely, via Epicurious]

Chicken Tacos

I got this from my friend Marci's blog and had to share.

Shredded Chicken

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian dressing (I use the low fat kind)

1 T. Chili Powder

1 T. Cumin

3 cloves garlic

5 lbs. Chicken (I used 4 chicken breasts and just lessened the rest of the ingredients by a tiny bit...ie) 2 cloves of garlic, 3/4 T. of chili powder, etc.)

Cook all together in a crock-pot for 4 hours ( a couple more if chicken is frozen). Shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Then I took a corn tortilla, put it on my George Foreman grill, and put some chicken and some cheese on it. I covered it with another tortilla and closed the lid for a bit. Then I put a little sour cream (or you can use plain non-fat yogurt), avocado, tomatoes and cheese on it (and sometimes I also add some red onion). You could also put everything in the shell and roll it up, like traditional tacos.

This is now one of my husband's favorite meals. Even I liked the chicken (and I usually don't care much for chicken). It has a really good flavor and it's so easy to make. Try it tonight!

Jason's Chilicious

First of all, I don't know who Jason is, but he makes some good chili. Here's what you need:

2 tbsp olive oil
3 c cooked, shredded chicken
2 onions, chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small can of chopped green chilies
juice of 1-2 limes
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tbsp chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
3 cans of white beans, drained and rinsed
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
4 cans of chicken (or vegetable) broth
1/2 c chopped cilantro, plus a little more for garnish
1 1/2 c frozen corn
hot sauce (optional)
shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
lime wedges
tortilla chips

Directions
Cook chicken breasts, cool, and shred by hand. (I cooked mine in a crock pot with a little water and taco seasoning on low for about four hours.)

Chop onions. Saute in pan with green chilies until soft. Add garlic, saute for a few minutes. Add dry spices, stirring until distributed evenly.

Add chicken broth, beans, corn, cilantro, and chicken. Add hot sauce if the chili powder didn't make it spicy enough for you (I added some Tabasco sauce to mine).

Simmer gently for a few hours. Toss in a handful of cheese. Add a bit of cilantro and a little more lime juice right before serving.

Serve with Jack Cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, avocado, and tortilla chips (and we had a little sour cream with ours as well).

If you want a pdf version you can print, click here.

Recipe compliments of Cathy Zielske.

Tri-Colore Orzo

I think this is my favorite recipe on this blog. I'm actually eating it right now as I post. Here's what you need:

1 pound orzo pasta
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1/4 cup*
2 cups fresh arugula (about 3 ounces**
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (ricotta salata cheese)
1/2 cup dried cherries
12 fresh basil leaves, torn
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts***
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta and put the pasta on a large cookie sheet. Drizzle the pasta with 3 tablespoons olive oil, toss, spread out, and set aside to cool.

Once the orzo is cool, transfer to a large serving bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine. Serve.

Notes:
*(I actually omitted this 1/4 cup and it was still really good).
**You can find this in the organic produce section of your grocery store or next to the bagged salads / spinach.
***I used way less than 1/4 cup since pine nuts are expensive. I used approx. 1 TBSP. To roast the pine nuts, put them in a pan on the oven (without oil) on low-medium heat for a few minutes, string frequently. Watch them closely so they don't burn.
*If you only use 2 tsp. olive oil, this recipe is 6 WW points+ per cup. I can't really tell a difference by cutting the olive oil - it's still really good.

Recipe compliments of Giada De Laurentiis.