One Pot Swedish Meatballs and Noodles

I remember when my dad  was in the hospital, he used to say how much he liked their food. And I would think to myself, “Must be the drugs they gave him.” I recently spent four days in the same hospital my dad stayed. So I got to eat quite a few of the same meals there myself. None of my meals were outstanding or deserved rave reviews like my dad gave them. But the one thing they had in common was they were comforting. Comfort foods, like meatloaf and mashed potatoes or roasted chicken.  Foods that made you feel better being alone in a strange place and stuck in a strange bed for whatever scary health reason you are there.  So maybe that’s why my dad raved so much.  I have no idea what this has to do with my Swedish meatballs and noodles recipe, but I do consider it a comfort meal. And being in the hospital made me think of my dad.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound lean ground beef (Use 1/2 a pound, if you like smaller meatballs)
• 1 onion, minced
• 1 cup seasoned panko or breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pepper for meatballs
• 1 teaspoon salt for meatballs
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups heavy cream or milk
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 4 cups uncooked egg noodles
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1.  In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, breadcrumbs, eggs, salt and pepper. Shape your meatballs into 1-2 tablespoons sized balls.
2. Heat your oil in a pot over medium high heat. Place your meatballs into the pot. Cook meatballs for 1 -2 minutes and flip.
3. Add the beef broth and heavy cream (or milk) and worcestershire sauce and stir well.
4. Bring the liquid to a boil, then add the egg noodles. Stir every minute, until the pasta is cooked and the liquid has reduced to a sauce that coats the noodles. 6-8 minutes.
5. Add the parmesan cheese and stir until cheese is melted.
6. Garnish with chopped parsley and add salt and pepper to taste.

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Easy One Pot Garlic Parmesan Noodles

Do you need a quick side dish or even a main entree? Here’s a recipe even my vegetarian friends can eat. The sauce is not quite an Alfredo Sauce but has most the elements of one. I love how everything is cooked in one pot, because I like to cook, but I hate to clean up.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup milk
• 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan  cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Melt butter in large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook stirring frequently, until fragrant; about 1-2 minutes.
2. Stir in chicken/vegetable broth, milk and fettuccine.
3. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer. Stir occasionally until pasta is cooked through, about 18 to 20 minutes.
4. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add more milk if mixture is too thick; or more cheese if too thin.
5. Add Kosher salt and fresh cracked blck pepper to taste and garnish with chopped parsley.
6. Serve immediately.

Almond Crusted Chicken with Tomato Salad

Hello everyone! I’ve been in a rut lately. I’ve been making the same recipes on rotation each week without trying something new to share with you. Well, the rut is over! I have not one, but two simple recipes for you today. The chicken is the star of this dish, but I thought I’d share the tomato salad recipe for my vegetarian friends. Depending on your appetites, this recipe makes 2-4 servings.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved (4 pieces total)
• 2/3 cup sliced, unblanched almonds
• 2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder (you can use less if you are not that fond of garlic)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• lemon wedges for garnish

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pint multi colored grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in quarters
• 2 green onion stalks (scallions) trimmed and thinly sliced
• 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• juice from 1/2 a lemon
• salt and black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pulse almonds in a food processor until coarsely chopped and combine with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
2. Lightly whisk the eggs in another shallow bowl. Dip each piece of chicken into the eggs, let the excess drip away, then press both sides of the chicken into the almond and panko coating. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes until the crust sets.
3. Meanwhile, combine all the tomato salad ingredients into a small bowl and mix with spoon. Set aside to garnish on top of chicken when ready. 
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the butter to the 3 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter foams, place the chicken into the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Cook, turning once until the crust sets and turns golden brown: 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Arrange on a platter, and serve immediately with tomato salad spooned on top. Garnish with lemon wedges. 

Zucchini and Yellow Squash Parmesan Crisps

Do you ever crave fried foods? Or am I the only one who will admit it? Well, I crave fried foods, but I don’t necessarily give in to my cravings. I find other ways to satiate the craving. Instead of battered and deep fried vegetables, how about something a little lighter and just as tasty?  Great taste, less guilt.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium zucchini
• 1 medium yellow squash
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 450 F degrees . Meanwhile, coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cut zucchini and squash into 1/4 inch thick rounds.
3. Put zucchini and squash rounds into a large bowl and add olive oil. Toss to cover all the rounds.
4. In a smaller bowl, add Parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and pepper. Stir to mix well.
5. Dip each round into the Parmesan mixture. Be sure to evenly coat on both sides by pressing the coating on to stick.
6. Place dipped rounds onto prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
7. Bake zucchini and squash rounds for 25-30 minutes, until rounds are browned and crisp.
8. Serve immediately. I like to serve with a low fat zesty ranch dressing.