Lemon Chicken Pizza with Spinach

Cute. This happens to be one of those things to reproduce at home. This cute little bite of culinary bliss came from Old Chicago. 

It is a thin crust topped with a lemon garlic sauce, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, and a lemon vinaigrette. The cheese tasted like an Asiago Parmesan blend. 

The drinks were a sparking effervescent mix of pomegranate and ginger ale.  

The only set back--The pizza was not warm enough. 

But I will be attempting to make this succulent wonder at home soon. Wish me luck. 

Pasta with spinach and breans

 

 

2 cups small shell pasta (8oz)

1 cup thinly sliced onion

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon water

6 cups fresh spinach leaves

3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook pasta until just tender. Ladle 1 cup of pasta cooking liquid into bowl and reserve.

Drain pasta.

Sauté onion and garlic in oil then add 1 T water to skillet and cook over medium heat until onion is golden and tender, stirring often.

Add 1 c reserved pasta cooking liquid, spinach and tomatoes to skillet.

Cover and cook until spinach wilts, about 3 minutes.

Add cannellini beans and pasta.

Cover and cook until heated, about 2 minutes.

Stir in cheese and season with salt and pepper.

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/pasta-with-beans-and-spinach-parmesan-43229#ixzz1uKUqMxP4

 

Steak and Alfredo

I saw  a dish in a restaurant over the weekend i just had to try to make at home. It was a bourbon steak over penne with tomatoes and spinach- with a little shredded parmesan cheese on top. Yum.

My version is a little different; no bourbon. sorry, but so good.

Ingredients
1 pound steak
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 small onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
2 tomatoes chopped
1/2 bag baby spinach leaves
Salt
Steak seasoning
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 pound penne pasta
Parmasan cheese
Garlic powder

Directions

Marinate steak in balsamic vinager steak seasoning, and garlic powder, Making sure both sides were equally coated.
While the steaks are cooking, boil water and cook pasta.
Pan fry the steaks over medium heat. Take off the heat. To the pan add a small chopped onion, 3 cloves of garlic.
Cut the steak int strips and add back to the pan add tomatoes chopped, spinach, and Alfredo sauce. add salt, and seasoning.
Drain pasta, and add to the sauce, add cheese and enjoy.

Thai Chicken Stir-Fry with Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

Peanut Sauce (recipe follows)

3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
Nonstick cooking spray
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons water
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1 package (10 ounces) fresh spinach leaves, washed and torn
2 cups hot cooked white rice
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, mint or cilantro leaves


1. Prepare Peanut Sauce. Slice chicken breasts crosswise into thin strips.
2. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over high heat. Add chicken; stir-fry 4 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Remove chicken; set aside. Add onion and water to same skillet; stir-fry 4 to 5 minutes or until water cooks away and onion is crisp-tender and golden. Stir in Peanut Sauce. Add bell pepper and chicken; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and heated through.
3. Meanwhile, place steaming rack in large Dutch oven. Add water just to base of rack. Bring water to a boil over high heat. Place spinach on steaming rack. Turn spinach with tongs until bright green and beginning to wilt. Divide rice among 4 plates. Place spinach on top of rice. Spoon chicken mixture over spinach. Sprinkle with basil.


Peanut Sauce
Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients

1/4 cup reduced-fat creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)
1/2 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons lime juice




1. Stir peanut butter, sugar, sesame oil, paprika and coconut extract, if desired, in small bowl until blended. Add chicken broth, soy sauce and lime juice; stir until smooth.



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Baby Spinach Salad with Avocado, Olives, Feta and Walnuts

Ingredients:


1 cup baby spinach
1 ounce feta cheese, drained and crumbled
7 walnut halves
½ avocado, diced
5 olives

Directions:

1.Combine spinach with feta, avocado and olives.
2.Toss with low-carb dressing of your choice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3.Top with walnuts.