Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic, Mushrooms, and Cherry Tomatoes

One of my absolute favorite recipes is Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic. I don’t know what it is about the combination of Balsamic Vinegar and garlic roasted together in the oven but I look forward to getting green beans in my basket just so that I can make this recipe.

Last week not only did we get green beans but we also got some great looking Cherry tomatoes. So I changed up this recipe a bit by adding in a 8 oz. container of baby Bella mushrooms and my Cherry tomatoes cut in half. It was a great side dish to our dinner!

Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic, Mushrooms, and Cherry Tomatoes

~ 1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed

~ 1 large onion, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick

~ 4 cloves fresh garlic, chopped

~ 1 Tbsp. olive oil

~ salt & pepper to taste

~ 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

~ 1 8 oz. container of mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

~ 1 container of cherry tomatoes, halved

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking pan. Place green beans in the pan. Scatter garlic, onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes over the top of the green beans. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes; opening the oven every 10 minutes to stir. Transfer to serving dish and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

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Oven Roasted Green Beans with Garlic, Mushrooms,

and Cherry Tomatoes

Mushrooms Sautéed with Garlic Butter

I was super excited to receive a basket full of Baby Bella mushrooms this weekend in our Bountiful Basket. I love mushrooms but Baby Bella’s are in my book the best. My husband and I debated about how we were going to cook them. A lot of times we marinated them and then skewer them and cook them on the barbecue. A great way to enjoy mushrooms but this time around we tried sautéing them in garlic butter and they were awesome. We had ours along side chicken but these would be great on top of steak with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles. Or they are fantastic as a stand alone side dish. Either way these are a must try!

Mushrooms Sautéed with Garlic Butter

~ 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

~ 1 Tbsp. garlic, finely chopped

~ 1/2 tsp. salt

~ 1/4 tsp. ground pepper

~ 3/4 lb. small mushrooms, wiped clean and sliced in half (any type of small mushroom would work)

~ 2 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1. Melt butter in sauté pan or skillet over low heat. Add garlic, salt and pepper and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

2. Add mushrooms and toss with garlic butter to coat. Cover pan and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, and making sure garlic doesn’t burn. Just before serving, toss mushrooms with parsley.

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Mushrooms Sautéed with Garlic Butter

Salad in a Jar

Over the last few weeks I have seen this whole salad in a jar idea and I was a bit skeptical. First of all the salad dressing is at the bottom of the jar with all the other salad ingredients layered on top and this scared me a bit. I was defiantly intrigued and had to give it a try. Anything that I can prep on the weekend so that I have lunch all week sounds like a great idea, not to mention it is portable and healthy depending on what you put in it.

As it turns out this is a great idea and works wonderfully!! I made mine in mason jars since I would be eating at home. I made my husbands in Ziploc plastic containers so that he wouldn’t break the glass jars.

Start off by placing 1-3 Tbsp. of your favorite dressing at the bottom. Then layer on your salad ingredients making sure that the lettuce doesn’t touch the dressing because it will become not so appetizing. Then store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Everything stayed crisp and all you do is just shake it up and enjoy when you are ready.

For the salads you see above I used carrots, olives, cucumbers, baby corn, mushrooms, bacon on my husbands, and lettuce. I added avocado to mine once I was ready to eat it since avocado browns quickly. But the possibilities are endless and a great way to have a healthy lunch on a busy weekday!

BBQ Portobello Sliders

I having been meaning to make a Portobello mushroom recipe for awhile. There are a great substitute to meat because if you season them they really will have a very similar taste to them. We were unable to get Portobello mushroom caps so I just got  a package of already sliced Baby Portobello’s and they worked out just great. I really enjoyed this recipe and hope you family does as well.

BBQ Portobello Sliders

~ 6 baby Portobello’s (large enough to fit one on your bun)

~ 6 slider buns or dinner rolls

~ 1 tsp. smoked paprika

~ 1 tsp. onion powder

~ 1/2 tsp. chili powder

~ 1/2 tsp. black pepper

~ 1 Tbsp. olive oil

~ 1 onion

~ 6 slices Gouda

~ 1 avocado, sliced

~ 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, for drizzling and dipping

1. Heat a skillet on medium-low heat and add 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil. Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt and let caramelize, stirring occasionally. Cook for about 8-10 minutes, then turn off heat and set aside.

2. While onions are caramelizing, brush mushrooms with remaining olive oil and sprinkle both sides with pepper, paprika, onion and chili powder. Heat a skillet or grill on medium heat and cook until mushrooms are juicy and tender. About 5 minutes on each side. With 1-2 minutes remaining, add a slice of Gouda on top to melt.

3. Assemble sliders by placing the mushroom on the  bun, then top with onions, avocado, and as much BBQ sauce as you like.

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BBQ Portobello Sliders

Spinach Mushroom Cannelloni

I am always a big fan of anything stuffed with cheese so when I saw this recipe on Two Peas and the Pod I was excited to give it a try.  What made it even more appealing was the spinach and mushrooms inside the cannelloni.  What a great way to add some more veggies into you meal especially with kids.  This recipe did take more time than I usually put into a weeknight dinner but it wasn’t hard and the end result was amazing.

This amazing picture was taken by Two Peas and Their Pod.  I forgot to take a picture until mine was half eaten and the end result was not nearly as pretty as this one.

 

Spinach Mushroom Cannelloni

Filling:

~ 2 Tbsp. olive oil

~ 1 small onion, chopped

~ 1 garlic clove, minced

~ 3 cups fresh spinach

~ 2 cups sliced mushrooms

~ 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese

~ 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

~ 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

~ 1 large egg

~ 1 tsp. dried basil

~ 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

~ 1/4 tsp. black pepper

~ 1/2 tsp. salt

Marinara Sauce:

~ 1Tbsp. olive oil

~ 1/2 small onion, chopped

~ 2 garlic cloves, minced

~ Dash crushed red pepper

~ 1 tsp. fennel seeds

~ 3 (15 oz.) cans diced tomatoes

~ 1 Tbsp. tomato poste

~ 3 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

~ Salt and Pepper to taste

Pasta:

~ 1 box No-Boil Lasagna Noodles (I used Barilla No-Boil Homemade Flat Lasagna Noodles)

Cheese Topping:

~ 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

 

1. Preheat oven to 350^o F. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

2. To make the filling-in a large sauce pan heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook until tender. Stir in spinach and mushrooms, cook until mushrooms are soft and spinach is wilted. Remove from heat.

3. In a large bowl, stir together ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. Add egg and mix until well combined. Stir in spinach mushroom mixture and seasonings. Set aside while you make the sauce.

4. To make the sauce: in a large stock pot heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for about five minutes. Add red pepper flakes, fennel seeds, and diced tomatoes. Stir in tomato paste. Add fresh basil and season with salt and pepper. Simmer on stove for about 20 minutes.

5. For the pasta: add lasagna noodles to a large pot of boiling salted water. Cook for three minutes or until the noodles are al dente. Do not over cook, they will finish cooking in the oven. Carefully remove noodles from water and lay flat on a wire cooling rack.

6. To assemble the cannelloni: spread about a 1/2 cup of the sauce in the baking dish. Spread about 1/4 cup spinach ricotta filling in a line along one short side of the lasagna noodle. Put 1 Tbsp. of sauce on top and then roll up to enclose filling. Carefully transfer cannelloni to pan and place seam side down. Continue stuffing and rolling remaining cannelloni. Top cannelloni with remaining sauce and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake until sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5 additional minutes, until cheese is melted.

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Spinach Mushroom Cannelloni

Chicken with Prosciutto, Fontina, and Mushroom Sauce

This is a recipe that I adapted from The Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook. This recipe is full of flavor with the Prosciutto and the mushroom sauce.  The white wine in the sauce gives it another layer of flavor.  The great thing about this recipe is once you have the technique down you can change things up by using ham and Swiss with a bit of Dijon mustard.  The possibilities or endless.

Start off by pounding the chicken breasts down to a 1/4 inch in thickness.  Then sprinkle with the sage, salt and pepper. Place one piece of Prosciutto on top of each chicken breast and top with the Fontina cheese.  Then bake at 425^o F for 15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken is in the oven prepare the mushroom sauce in a skillet. Top the chicken with the mushroom sauce and enjoy.

 

Chicken with Prosciutto, Fontina, and Mushroom Sauce

~ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

~ 2 tsp. minced fresh sage or dried sage.

~ 4 paper – thin prosciutto slices

~ grated Fontina cheese

~ 1 Tbsp. olive oil

~ 4 oz. sliced mushrooms (shitake, cremini, or white button mushrooms work great)

~ 1/2 small yellow onion, chopped

~ 2 tsp. all-purpose flour

~ 1/2 cup dry white wine

~ 1 cup chicken stock

~ 3 Tbsp. heavy cream

 

1. Preheat oven to 425^o F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. Place a chicken breast between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Using a mallet or a heavy skillet pound it forcefully until the chicken is about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with the reaming chicken breasts.

3. Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and season lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle 1/4 of the sage on each breast. Top each breast with 1 slice of prosciutto and some of the Fontina cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until the chicken is opaque in the center.

4. Next, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and onion and season lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until the mushrooms are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute. Add the white wine and cook until it evaporates, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the stock and cream, increase the heat to high, and cook until the sauce thickens, 3 to 5 minutes.

5. Place a chicken breast on a plate and top with the mushroom sauce and serve.

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Chicken with Prosciutto, Fontina, and Mushroom Sauce

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

I’m back again and with a great recipe that will feed an army or at least a large family.  I adapted this recipe from The Pioneer Woman and it was a wonderful.  The mushrooms are cooked down in a little white wine and they had an amazing taste.

Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

~ 1 cut up rotisserie chicken from the grocery store deli

~ 1 stick butter (1/2 cup butter)

~ 16 oz white mushrooms, sliced

~ 1/4 cups dry white wine

~ salt and pepper

~ 1/4 cups flour

~ 2 cups chicken broth

~ 1 1/2 cup whole milk

~ 1/4 cups (additional) dry white wine

~ 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

~ 1 cup whole black olives, chopped

~ 1 tsp. salt, or to taste

~ freshly ground black pepper

~ extra cheese, for sprinkling

~ 1 pound thin spaghetti

 

1. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet. Add mushrooms, 1/4 cup white wine, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until liquid has totally evaporated. Remove mushrooms from skillet. Set aside.

2. Bring water to a boil. Break spaghetti into thirds or shorter pieces. Add spaghetti pieces to boiling water and cook. Drain when al dente.

3. Remove meat from bones and cut up until you have 2-plus cups of shredded chicken.

4. Return large skillet to medium-low heat. Add 6 Tbsp. butter. Sprinkle flour over butter, whisking to combine. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Pour in 2 cups broth and whisk to combine. Pour in milk, additional 1/4 cup wine, salt and pepper to taste, then cook and bubble until thick. Turn off heat, add Parmesan cheese, and stir.

5. Add mushrooms, chicken, and chopped olives. Stir to combine and check seasonings. Add cooked spaghetti and stir. Turn into a 9 x 13 casserole pan. Bake at 350^o F or until golden brown and bubbly.

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Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I love blue cheese and mushrooms so this recipe sounded right up my ally.  It would be a  great appetizer as well. My husband and I also thought that you could make the stuffing to add to the top of a hamburger or even to top a steak.  A very easy and yet very fancy looking appetizer.

Start by removing the stems and chopping them.  Then cook the stems and green onions in butter in a small skillet until tender.

Mix the green onion mixture with the blue cheese and cream cheese.  Then spoon evenly into the mushroom caps.

Broil for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm and enjoy!

Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

~ 1 lb. fresh mushrooms

~ 1/4 cup sliced green onions

~ 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine

~ 3 oz. crumbled blue cheese

~ 3 oz. cream cheese, softened

 

Preheat broiler. Remove stems from mushrooms; chop stems. Cook and stir stems and green onions in butter in small skillet on medium heat until tender. Add blue cheese and cream cheese; mix well. Spoon evenly into mushroom caps; place on rack on broiler pan. Broil for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm.

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Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

Salisbury Steak

My husband has grown up eating Salisbury steak frozen dinners.  I found this recipe and it is probably better for you than frozen dinners. It has become a new favorite in our household and the gravy is great for mashed potatoes as well.

Salisbury Steak

~ 1 pound ground beef

~ 1 egg

~ 3 Tbsp. crushed buttery cracker crumbs, bread crumbs, or Panko

~ 2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion

~ 1/2 tsp. salt

~ 1/2 tsp. pepper

~ 1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning

~ 8 oz. sliced mushrooms

~ 3 Tbsp. butter

~ 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

~ 1 1/2 cup milk

~ 1 1/2 cup beef broth

 

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, egg, cracker crumbs, onion, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning using your hands. Shape into 6 patties about 1 inch think.

2. Fry the patties in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until browned. Drain off grease, and remove patties to a platter.

3. Melt the butter in the same skillet, and add the mushrooms. Cook and stir for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over, and mix in until blended. Stir in the milk and beef broth. Cook and stir over medium heat until smooth and starting to thicken. Return the patties to the gravy and cook over low heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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Salisbury Steak