Oh yes, I am still a mustard wimp. And yes, Ham and Orzo Salad has a mustard dressing. Buuuuut it’s mellow and just right, after the salad sits for half an hour or so -so results are worth it! Of course, if you are a mustard aficiando you can always add a squirt or two extra mustard to your serving :-) I just met orzo pasta last winter – sheltered life, I know – and I loved it in Chicken and Orzo Skillet. When I was looking for a recipe to use the ham I had in the refrigerator, the orzo won out over the mustard. I am so glad!! Cook the orzo according to package directions. It should be firm, but not crunchy, when you bite it (al dente). Generally that takes about 11 minutes after the water returns to boil. I did not have red onion so I used the Vidalia onion I had on hand. ... [Read More]
pasta
Skillet Lasagna Mexicana
Skillet Lasagna Mexicana is so easy it almost makes itself. Well, not quite. But it is an all-ages approved dinner that goes from pantry to table in just about half an hour. Made from ingredients that are likely already in your pantry and refrigerator, it works wonderfully well on those days you walk in the door with a million things on your mind. Swoop the ingredients off the shelf, brown the meat and simmer in sauce, cook the pasta, add cheese – and there is one less things to worry about. A quick and delicious dinner is on the table. You'll have time to finish the rest of the list. Or free to play with the kids or even sit down and relax. Whatever fits :-) I keep browned ground beef in the freezer in bags of 2 cups each – about a pound of fresh meat. If I throw a package in ... [Read More]
Chicken and Orzo Skillet
Orzo and Chicken Skillet is a quick fix with full flavor. Tender chicken with a whisper of garlic, delicate orzo cooked in broth with healthy zucchini and tomatoes. On the table in about 30 minutes. All you need is a hearty salad to make it a full meal. Maybe a hard roll or a slice of garlic bread, for the bigger appetites. This can be prepped ahead of time. Be sure to choose smaller chicken breasts – about the size of a deck of cards -- so they cook evenly. Dice the zucchini and bag it in a sandwich or quart bag with the Italian seasoning. Place four chicken breasts and minced garlic in a large zip bag, add the bag of zucchini and freeze. Pull a can of chicken broth and a can of tomato soup, mark them for “Chicken Skillet” Measure the orzo into a small bag and tape it to one ... [Read More]
Aloha Pineapple and Ham Pasta Salad
Pineapple and Ham – an unexpected twist to pasta salad. The pineapple makes a great addition without shouting, “hey, there’s pineapple in this dish”. It plays together very nicely with all the other ingredients. Using aloha in the name bows to the idea of playing nicely with others. Mainlanders think of aloha as meaning “hello” and “goodbye” -- and it does serve as a greeting. However, “aloha” also encompasses love, mercy, compassion and the joyful sharing of a positive attitude. Kind of like this pasta salad, it’s more than it appears. This is also a versatile recipe. The original calls for red pepper which is certainly a colorful addition. However, you can substitute any sweet pepper you have available. Or use cubed chicken instead of diced ham. You can also add a half ... [Read More]
Chicken and Bacon Lasagna Roll ups
From my sister, Bee . . .Chicken and Bacon Lasagna Rollups . . . a creamy, cheesy pasta dish with chicken made over the top delicious with yummy bacon. Sooo good. I got to do the filling and rolling for this batch -- since I was hanging around the pan of browned bacon, I think. She's generous with bacon, but has this idea that everyone should have an equal chance. :-) I learned from her when visiting a couple years ago, that its so much easier to snip bacon into one inch pieces BEFORE browning. Duh! Here's what the pan looked like right out of the oven. Too bad you can't scratch and sniff, because the aroma is delightful!! Chicken and Bacon Lasagna Roll ups Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 35 mins Total time 55 mins Author: A Pinch of ... [Read More]
Creamy Pasta and Veggie Salad
Creamy Pasta and Veggie Salad makes a great dinner salad for cool summer eating. It’s also perfect for potlucks and family. However or whenever, this salad makes an appearance it is a well balanced blend of carbs, veggies and proteins. It’s healthy and makes a big salad so it will serve a large number of people – or be a made ahead dinner salad a couple of times for three or four eaters. It’s also a nice change from mayo dressed salads and always disappears quickly. I like for my ingredients to “even out” so there aren’t little bits of leftover ingredients setting around. Three cups of dry pasta is generally about a 16 ounce package. That’s what I use if the dry pasta measures out between 2 ¾ cups and 3 ¼ cups. Any less and the salad won’t have the pasta base needed to carry the other ... [Read More]
