Chicken Piccata with Orzo Pasta

Chicken Piccata with Orzo Pasta

1 lb. chicken breasts

2 cups cooked orzo pasta

1/2 cup green onion, chopped

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup parsley, chopped

Lemon slices

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Saute chicken till cooked through and lightly browned.

In a separate skillet, saute green onions in olive oil over medium heat. After a few minutes, add sun-dried tomatoes and 1/4 cup of the chicken broth. Add hot cooked orzo, stirring to combine. Set aside and keep warm.

When the chicken is done, remove and place in a covered dish to keep warm.

In the same skillet as the chicken, add the remaining chicken broth and lemon juice; simmer for 2 minutes, stirring up the bits from the bottom of the pan. Add butter in small amounts, stirring till well combined. Stir in the parsley.

Spoon the broth mixture over the chicken. Serve with orzo and garnish with lemons.

Chad's rating: 10/10

Amy's rating: 10/10

Recipe adapted from the "In the Kitchen" Costco cookbook.

Chocolate Cake Cookies

Chocolate Cake Cookies

1 8 oz cream cheese - softened

1 stick butter - softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 18 oz box chocolate cake mix

Confectioner's sugar for dusting

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in the egg. Then beat in the vanilla extract. Beat in the cake mix. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up so that you can roll the batter into balls.

Preheat oven to 350.

Roll the chilled batter into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in confectioner's sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake 12 minutes. The cookies will remain soft and "gooey." Cool completely and sprinkle with more confectioners' sugar, if desired.

Chad's rating: 10/10

Amy's rating: 10/10

Recipe adapted from the food network.

Spiced Ground Burger with Feta

Spiced Ground Burger with Feta

1 lb ground sirloin

1 Tablespoon cumin

1 Tablespoon oregano

1 Tablespoon Crushed Red Pepper flakes

Salt and pepper

Feta cheese

Hummus

Whole wheat pita bread

Preheat over to 200. Slice pita bread in halves and warm in foil. Warm in oven while cooking.

Add meat to pan that is over medium high heat. Season with spices and continue to brown meat. Drain.

Spread hummus in warmed pita and add meat and cheese.

Chad's rating: 8/10

Amy's rating: 9/10 - next time I would top with Cucumber sauce!

Turkey Stuffed Potato

Turkey Stuffed Potato

1 lb ground turkey

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, diced

1 can diced tomatoes

1 zucchini, diced

1 green pepper, diced

2 large baking potatoes - scrubbed

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400. Poke potatoes with fork, roll in olive oil and season with salt. Bake in the oven for 1 hour.

Brown turkey in skillet over medium high. In another pan, saute onions and garlic till softened. Add green peppers and zucchini. Cook for about 7-8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook over medium low. Finally add the cooked turkey. Season with salt and pepper.

Once potatoes are cooked, open and stuff with turkey mixture.

Chad's rating: 7/10

Amy's rating: 7/10

Turkey Mash with Green Beans

Turkey Mash with Green Beans

1 lb Turkey Breast - lean

1 can diced tomatoes

1/2 to 1 container fat free feta cheese

1 lb green beans, trimmed

1 cup walnuts, toasted

1 tsp honey

Salt and pepper

Olive oil

Brown turkey in skillet; drain and return to pan. Add tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add feta cheese, cook 1 more minute and serve.

Warm oil in separate pan. Add green beans. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes than add walnuts. Add honey and toss together.

Chad's rating: 9/10

Amy's rating: 10/10

French Onion Mac and Cheese

French Onion Mac and Cheese

4 tablespoons butter

2 onions, very finely sliced

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper

1 pound whole wheat penne rigate

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup whole milk

3/4 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded

Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onions and bay leaf for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and cook until the onions are lightly browned about 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and discard the bay leaf. Reserve the skillet.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and add the penne. Cook until al dente and drain.

Meanwhile, in the reserved skillet, melt the 2 tablespoons of remaining butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1 minute. Then whisk in the chicken stock and milk. Bring to a boil; season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted.

Combine the onions and sauce with the pasta.

Chad's rating: 8.5/10 - would like beef tips added to the pasta.

Amy's rating: 8.5/10

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray magazine

Crumbled Sausage and Peppers

Crumbled Sausage with Peppers and Onions

1 package Italian sausage

2 green peppers, chopped

1 onion, chopped

Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

Olive oil

Honey wheat buns

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add onions and peppers.

Heat another pan over medium-high heat. Cut casings off sausage and crumble into pan. Breaking up meat as it cooks. Continue cooking till browned; drain.

Add cooked sausage to onions and peppers. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.

Spoon into honey wheat buns. Top with mustard.

Chad's rating: 9/10

Amy's rating: 9/10