Chicken Broccoli With Rice

In honor of the start of ActiveU, I adapted this recipe from the M Healthy web site for Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry. I loved the way this came out - so that is good. I played with the recipe so it is not quite as good as it showed on the link - but still pretty good. It is not exactly fried rice, but it is mixed in at the end - giving it a nice taste.

Ingredients (Makes around 4 servings)
2 cups Brown rice, cooked
1 lbs Boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips
1 tbsp Peanut or canola oil
1 small Onion, chopped
2 cups Broccoli (fresh or frozen)
1 can (8 oz.) Water chestnuts, sliced
1 Pepper, cut in strips
8 oz. Mushrooms, sliced
1 tbsp Soy sauce
3 tbsp Hoisin sauce

Directions
1. Cook brown rice according to package directions.
2. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok with medium-high heat. Stir fry chicken strips and onion for 3 minutes, constantly stirring.
3. Add broccoli and continue to stir fry for 5-8 minutes.
4. Add water chestnuts, pepper, and sliced mushrooms and stir-fry around 2 minutes.
5. Add soy sauce and hoisin sauce and stir-fry for around 1-2 minutes.
6. Add cooked rice and stir until thoroughly mixed.

Enjoy!

Veggie Pasta Pie

And on the inside:

This was adapted from the Culinary Institute $5 Veggie Pasta Pie from the Dr. Oz show. I love many of the recipes that are highlighted on the Dr. Oz show - this is very much my favorite part of the good Doctor! While it is always nice to hit a budgetary target (low cost meals that taste great are definite win-wins), getting high nutrition and low calorie/fat dishes is the best. From the Dr. Oz site - this recipe is from "Culinary Institute of America chef Jennifer Stack is a blend of an Italian Frittata (omelet) and a Jewish Noodle Kugel (pudding)". I made some very minor modifications to taste (basically adding the roasted red peppers (which was very nice). I also added some timings, which makes it easier to follow. This was just fantastic and it will be a regular staple in our house. This would also be great for brunches as it can sit out for a while.

Ingredients (Makes around 4 servings)
1 1/2 cups cooked Whole-wheat macaroni (Around 3/4 cup dry macaroni)
6 large Eggs
2 Carrots, finely grated (around 1 cup), divided
2 tbsp Canola or vegetable oil
2 tsp (or cloves) Garlic, chopped
1 14.5-oz can Petite diced tomatoes
1/4 cup Roasted red peppers, chopped
10 oz Frozen, chopped spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
3/4 cup reduced fat shredded cheese (adjust to taste), divided
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking spray

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375˚F. Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
2. Whisk 2 eggs in a bowl and add 1/3 cup of the grated carrot and 1/2 cup cooked macaroni. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a non-stick skillet, add the egg mixture and cook over medium low heat until the eggs are set but not dry (around 5 minutes). Slide this noodle “pancake” onto a greased cookie sheet (or parchment paper) and keep warm. Repeat this process two more times to create a total of 3 noodle layers.
3. Raise heat to medium and add 1 tsp oil to the skillet. Sauté 1 tsp chopped garlic for around 30 seconds. Add the canned tomatoes and roasted red peppers, season with salt and pepper and cook for around 7 minutes. Set aside in a bowl.
4. Add 1 tsp oil to the skillet and sauté 1 tsp chopped garlic for 30 seconds. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper and cook for around 5 minutes). Set aside in a bowl.
5. Add the first noodle pancake, browned side down, to a pie plate coated with cooking spray. Top with the cooked spinach (drain any excess liquid) and add 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Add a second noodle pancake and top with the tomatoes and pepper mixture (drain any excess liquid) and add 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese. Top with the final noodle pancake, browned side up, and remaining shredded cheese.
6. Bake in oven for 10 minutes at 375˚F. Cut into wedges and serve hot or cold.

Winter Chicken Pasta (Chicken and Veggies)

This was adapted from a Prevention Recipe for Chicken Cacciatore. I played with this quite a lot - and took out some of the things that the family does not love and swapped in some things they do. I added spinach because we all need more greens - don't we? I loved the way this came out and it will be definitely on a short rotation.

Ingredients (Makes around 4 servings)

12-14 oz boxed Pasta (your choice)
1 tbsp Olive oil
3 Chicken breast pieces, cut into 1/2" pieces
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
8 oz Mushrooms, cut in half
1 Bell pepper, cut into strips (any color)
1 small Onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, chopped
1 cup Chicken broth
1 tsp Oregano, dried
1/2 tsp Basil, dried
1 tsp Parsley, dried
1 tbsp Tomato paste
14.5 oz can Petite diced tomatoes
Baby spinach (to taste - around two handfuls)

Directions
1. Prepare pasta per package directions.
2. Heat olive oil in large nonstick frying pan (with cover) over medium-high heat while making pasta. Add kosher salt and pepper to the chicken and add it to the pan. Cook for around 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Transfer to bowl (leaving the liquid in the pan) and cover the chicken with foil.
3. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, garlic, chicken broth, oregano, basil, parsley, and tomato paste in the pan. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Uncover and cook for about 5 more minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes (with juice) and chicken with any accumulated juices from bowl. Reduce heat to a simmer for around 4 minutes.
5. Add the baby spinach and mix until wilted, about one minute.
6. Pour over the pasta and serve.
Enjoy!