Cajun Chicken Pasta

I first had this when the bishop from our first married student ward in Orem, UT invited us to his house for dinner. I fell in love with it then (15+ yrs ago!) and I still love it now. The cajun seasoning is a little spicy on the chicken so if you don't like spicy go lighter on the seasoning or use something that isn't spicy maybe...

Ingredients:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips
4 tsp cajun seasoning (I like Tony Chachere's)
2 Tbsp butter
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
1 medium red pepper, sliced
4-6 large fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 green onions, chopped
2 cups evaporated skimmed milk (I used 1 can and it was plenty)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
8oz linguine, cooked and drained
grated parmesan, optional

Directions:
Place chicken and cajun seasoning in re-sealable plastic bag; toss or shake to coat. In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chicken in butter until almost tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat. Add seasonings. Simmer until linguine is done. Add evaporated milk, stir well and add linguine. Toss and heat through, sprinkle with parmesan cheese if desired.

Honey Whole Wheat Bread

This is just from my Betty Crocker cookbook. My entire family loves this bread, especially my son Jason. It's amazing how quickly this bread disappears.

Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup shortening
1 Tbsp salt
2 packages regular or quick acting active dry yeast
2 1/4 cups very warm water (120-130)
3-4 cups all purpose flour
butter, melted

Directions:
Mix whole wheat flour, honey, shortening, salt and yeast in a large bowl. Add warm water. Bet on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Beat on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl frequently. Stir in enough all purpose flour, 1 cup at a time, to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead about 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and turn greased side up. Cover and let rise in warm place 40-60 min or until double. (dough is ready if indentation remains when touched).

Grease 2 loaf pans, 9x5x3. Punch down dough and divide in half. Flatten dough for each loaf with hands or rolling pin into a rectangle, 18x9 inches. Fold crosswise into thirds, overlapping the two sides. Flatten or roll into square 9x9 inches. Roll dough tightly, beginning at one of the open (unfolded) ends, to form a loaf, tightly, beginning at 9-inch side. Press with thumbs to seal after each turn. Pinch edge firmly to seal. Press each end with side of hand to seal. Fold ends under loaf. Place seam side down in pan. Brush loaves lightly with margarine. Cover and let rise 35 to 50 minutes or until double.

Place oven rack in low position so that tops of pans will be in center of oven. Heat oven to 375. Bake 40 to 45 min or until loaves are deep golden brown and sound hollow when tapped; remove from pans, cool on wire rack. Makes 2 loaves. 115 calories slice.

Mango Turkey Salad

This is my favorite lunch. Whenever I have Mango Salsa around this is what I eat. It's soo yummy!

Ingredients
Mango Salsa
Green Salad
Turkey lunch meat
poppy seed dressing

Instructions:
I use whatever green salad I have around--my favorite is a mix of romaine lettuce and spinach with red onion, red pepper, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta cheese is really yummy too. Then I just cut up some turkey lunch meat, add the mango salsa and top with poppy seed dressing. Delicious!

Mango Salsa

I LOVE this salsa. I can't get enough of it.

Ingredients:
1 red onion finely chopped
2 large ripe mangos peeled and chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
2 Tbsp lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

Oven Roasted Potatoes

This recipe is just off of the back of the lipton onion soup box, I love that stuff.

Ingredients:
4 medium all-purpose potatoes cut into large chunks (abt 2 lbs)
1 envelope lipton onion soup mix
1/3 cup olive oil (I think you could get by with less)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425F. In 13x9 pan combine all ingredients. Bake stirring occasionally, 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender golden brown.

Black Bean Hummus

I am currently addicted to hummus. It is so good. I love dipping pita bread in it, but fresh veggies are good too. I think I like this made with the black beans even more than the original hummus. They are both delish!

Ingredients:
2 cans (15oz) black beans
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup tahini
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
12 Kalamata olives, thinly sliced
paprika to sprinkle on top

Directions:
Combine beans, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender. Process until mixed or it reaches the desired consistency, scraping the side of the bowl as needed. Spoon the hummus into a bowl and sprinkle with the olives and paprika. Serve with pita chips, bagel chips, fresh cut carrots. Refrigerate leftover.

Sirloin Tips

Ingredients:
1 lb sirloin tips, cubed (could also use stew meat)
2 cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 package liption onion soup mix
4 oz sliced mushrooms (could use canned)
1 cup water
1/2 cup milk
1 small onion sliced
1 package egg noodles

Directions:
Place all ingedients except for the egg noodles in the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When it is almost time to serve cook the noodles until al dente and then place them in the crockpot and mix together. Instead of the noodles you could also serve over rice.