Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Ingredients:
4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup KRAFT Sun-Dried Tomato dressing, divided
2 tomato, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil leaves

Instructions:
Place a large sheet of heavy-duty foil over half of grill grate; heat grill to medium heat. Meanwhile, place chicken in resealable plastic bag. Add 1/4 cup dressing and seal bag. Turn bag over several times to evenly coat chicken with dressing. Refrigerate 10 minutes (I marinate it all day if I remember in time). Remove chicken from bag; discard bag and dressing.

Grill chicken on uncovered side of grill for about 6 minutes. Meanwhile, combine remaining 1/4 dressing, tomatoes, cheese and basil.

Turn the chicken over and place cooked-side up, on foil on the grill. Top with tomato mixture. Close lid. Grill 8 minutes or until chicken is done.

(Source)

Real Taco Pie

Real Taco Pie

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter
⅔ cup milk
1 pkg.taco seasoning mix (1¼ oz.)
2½ cups mashed potato flakes
1 lb. ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup barbecue sauce
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded (4oz.)
sour cream, optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium sauce pan, melt butter.

Add milk and 2 Tbsps. of taco seasoning mix. Remove from heat and stir in potato flakes until incorporated. Press mixture over bottom of 10″ pan.

2. In a medium skillet, cook beef and onions until beef is browned and onions are tender. Drain off fat and stir in remaining taco mix and barbecue sauce. Cook while stirring until bubbly, then pour into prepared potato crust.

3. Bake uncovered in oven for 30-35 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, and then top with cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Cut into squares and serve with sour cream.

(Source)

Balsamic Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

Balsamic Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (I use the big Costco bag)
Pinch of salt
¼ Cup balsamic vinegar
¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil
8 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced
8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade
3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
Pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl. Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill. Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture.Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. During the last 2 minutes of grilling place 2 slices of cheese over top each chicken to melt.

2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Place chicken breasts on a serving plate and top with tomato mixture. Serve warm.

(Source)

BLT Bites

BLT Bites

Ingredients

• 16 to 20 cherry tomatoes
• 1 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

Directions

• Cut a thin slice off of each tomato top. Scoop out and discard pulp. Invert the tomatoes on a paper towel to drain.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate for several hours. Yield: 16-20 appetizer servings.

Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Tomatoes

Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Tomatoes

12 oz. orzo
1 bunch fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, minced
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano*

Bring 2 large pots of water to boil.  Add a big pinch of salt in each.

To one pot, add asparagus and blanch, about 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus.  Place blanched asparagus in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep them green.

To the second pot, add the orzo.  Cook per package instructions.  When tender, drain and place in a large bowl.  Add blanched asparagus and tomato halves.

Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  Stir into orzo and vegetables.  Stir in parsley and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.

This can be served warm, room temperature or cold.

*Note:  If you want to keep this salad vegan, leave out the Parmigiano Reggiano.

Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil Recipe

Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella and Basil

.

4 - 5 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves

1 lb fresh imported Italian mozzarella, cut into 1/4 - 1/2" cubes

1/4 cup extra virgin, first preseed Italian olive oil

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar for a more mild flavor)

10 - 15 large fresh basil leaves (to taste)

Italian sea salt to taste

Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh Italian bread

.

Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

Tear the basil into large pieces and toss into the salad.

Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Serve immediately (can be refrigerated to serve a little bit later too).

Serve with fresh, crusty Italian bread.

Pesto Stuffed Roast Tomatoes

Pesto Stuffed Roast Tomatoes

Ingredients

• 6 tomatoes, cut in half diagonally (or a bunch of cherry tomatoes)
• 1/4 cup basil leaves
• 2 cloves of garlic
• A small handful of pine nuts
• A large handful of freshly grated parmesan
• Olive oil
• Salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Hollow out a small bit from each tomato, just enough to create a little room for the pesto.
3. On a cutting board chop garlic and basil together for 1 minute. Add a little oil and the pine nuts and continue to chop for 1 more minute. Add parmesan cheese, a dash of salt and a little more oil and chop till mixed well.
4. Divide pesto evenly among each tomato half.
5. Cook tomatoes in an oven proof pan for 10-15 minutes, or until they are soft.
6. Enjoy!

Notes

Can be made with store bought pesto. Just add the parmesan cheese and continue to step 3.

(Original Recipe)

BLT Bites

BLT Bites

Ingredients

• 16 to 20 cherry tomatoes
• 1 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/3 cup chopped green onions
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

Directions

• Cut a thin slice off of each tomato top. Scoop out and discard pulp. Invert the tomatoes on a paper towel to drain.
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Spoon into tomatoes. Refrigerate for several hours. Yield: 16-20 appetizer servings.