Whew. I Needed That.

I just needed some time off.

I needed not to blog.

I have still been cooking so I have lots of new recipes for you.

They are coming.

I think I am going to do it a little different and not post menus.

I am just going to post new recipes.

That OK with you?

Menu

This week is going to be a slow week. We have a lot of plans that involve not eating at our house.

Mon: Going out to eat

Tue: Shells & Cheese

Wed: Pioneer Woman's Favorite Pizza

Thur: Spicy Chicken Bundles

Fri: Cousin Dinner

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches

Ingredients:

1 boneless beef round steak, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 inch thick slices

2 onions, sliced

1 T. garlic pepper blend

2 t. water

1 T. beef bouillon granules

2 large green bell peppers, cut into bite size strips.

6 slices American cheese, cut in half

6 hoagie buns, split

Directions:

Spray 3 to 4 quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, sprinkle beef and onions with garlic pepper blend; stir to coat evenly, Spoon mixture into cooker.

In a measuring cup, stir water and bouillon granules until granules are dissolved. Pour over mixture in cooker.

Cover; cook on low heat setting 6-8 hours. About 20 minutes before serving, stir in bell peppers.

Place 2 cheese pieces on bottom of each bun. Using slotted spoon, spoon beef mixture over cheese. Cover with tops of buns. Beef mixture can be kept warm on low heat setting up to 2 hours.

Makes 6 sandwiches. Total time 6 hours 15 minutes.

Verdict:

I have never had a Philly cheese steak sandwich so I do not pretend to be and expert. With that said...I did not like these. I don't like fake cheese. The meat was OK but that was it. Just OK.

Swiss Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:
4 c. boiling water
2 boxes (6 oz each) sun-dried tomato Florentine long grain and wild rice mix
2 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cut in to 3 strips
6 slices fully cooked ham
1/4 c. diced red bell pepper
3 slices Swiss cheese, cut in half

Directions:
Heat oven to 350. Spray 3 qt. glass baking dish with cooking spray. In baking dish, stir boiling water, rice and rice seasoning mixes.
Cut chicken breasts; wrap ham slice around each chicken piece. Stir bell pepper into rice. Place wrapped chicken over rice.
Cover with foil. Bake 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover; bake about 10 minutes longer or until liquid is absorbed and chicken is no longer pink in center.
Top each chicken breast with cheese slice. Bake uncovered 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Makes 6 servings. Total time 1 hour 15 minutes.

Verdict:
When I made this, in the part of the recipe when it says to remove the foil, I removed the foil and thought Oh crap. It was liquidy so I thought for sure it was ruined. But the water cooked out nicely. I was some what surprised. This is kinda like chicken cordon bleu turned inside out. Blake loved it. One more side note: I just bought a box of long grain and wild rice mix I couldn't find sundried tomato Florentine rice mix. My rice boxes were also only 4.5 oz instead of 6 so I just didn't add as much water.

Cheesy Gnocchi Florentine

Ingredients:
1 box (9 oz) frozen chopped spinach
1 T. butter
1/4 onion, chopped
1 T. flour
1 1/4 c. half and half or milk
1 package (16 oz) shelf stable gnocchi
1 c. Gruyere cheese, shredded
1/2 c. Muenster cheese, shredded
1/8 t. ground nutmeg
1 large roma tomato, thinly sliced
1 t. olive oil

Directions:
Heat oven to 350. Spray 1 1/2 qt. casserole with cooking spray. Cook spinach as directed on box; drain in colander or large strainer. Press spinach to remove excess moisture. Set aside.
Melt butter in a 2 qt. saucepan. Add onion; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour. Gradually stir in half and half. Stir in gnocchi; heat to boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and nutmeg.
Spoon about 2 c. of the gnocchi mixture into casserole. Top with spinach, then remaining gnocchi mixture. Top with tomato slices; brush with olive oil.
Bake about 30 minutes or until bubbly and browned on top and gnocchi is tender.

Makes 4 servings. Total time 50 minutes.

Verdict:
We all liked this. After we convinced Gavin that they were noodles he scarfed them down. Miracle. Then he asked for more. He just refused to eat the green stuff. I can't say I blame him, cooked spinach is a little freaky looking but I think it tastes good.

Menu

Mon: Mozzarella, Ham, Bacon and Spinach Panini

Tue: Cheesy Gnocchi Florentine

Wed: Swiss Chicken Casserole

Thur: Going out to dinner with a friend...they will probably eat PB J's.

Fri: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich