DAY 84 RECIPE: BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE

Tonight I made this guilty pleasure dinner. Definately not one to make if you are watching what you eat! Not a figure friendly sort of recipe. Very nice, really tasty, and looks great when served! Not terribly difficult or expensive to make, so try it out next time you have company for dinner!  It is a nice little indulgence!

DAY 84 RECIPE:
BACON WRAPPED CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE


INGREDIENTS:
CHICKEN:
8 Skinless Chicken Thighs
16 Bacon Slices
1 Tsp Pepper
1 Tbsp Sage Leaves
1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
SAUCE:
Pan Drippings
½ Small Onion, diced
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Cups Thinly Sliced Mushrooms
3 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp Flour
2 & ½ Cups Chicken Stock

DIRECTIONS:
CHICKEN:
Pre Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Sprinkle pepper and sage leaves over both sides of chicken thighs.
Heat oil in a large non stick fry pan over medium high heat. Brown chicken in pan about 2 minutes per side.
Remove from heat, and let cool just enough to comfortably handle.
Wrap each chicken thigh in 2 pieces of bacon. Place on a rack in a roasting pan. Cover and roast for 40 to 45 minutes, or until fully cooked.
REMOVE COVER AFTER 30 MINUTES TO ENSURE BACON CRISPS UP.
SAUCE:
In the fry pan, melt butter with dripping over a medium high heat. Add garlic, onions and mushrooms. Sauté For 8 minutes. Sprinkle flour over everything in pan,mix it up and cook 2 minutes. Slowly add chicken stock, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium low, cook about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce is thickened.
Spoon sauce over chicken and serve.

DAY 83 RECIPE: PAN SEARED STEAK

I am sad to report that yesterday I had no recipe to post at all! The kids and fam and I spent the whole day in the yard, enjoying the sun and playing! We had two picnic meals, none of which required much effort or recipes. Veggie dogs with french fries and veggies was dinner last night.
Tonight I made pan seared steak (BBQ was not working) they turned out really great! Moist and tender, and really surprisingly quick and simple. Check it out and enjoy!
DAY 83 RECIPE:
PAN SEARED STEAK


INGREDIENTS:
4 Striploin Steaks, about 1” thick
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
¼ Cup Vegetable Oil
¼ Cup Soy Sauce
¼ Cup Water
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Chilli Flakes
1 Tsp Ginger
1 Tsp Pepper
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Mix together all ingredients except steak. Pour sauce into a large zip top bag. Put steaks the bag with sauce, squish around and let sit for ½ hour.
Heat a large, heavy bottomed non stick fry pan over medium high heat. When pan is hot, place steaks in pan, making sure not to crowd them.
Cook 6 minutes, turn once and cook 6 more minutes. This will give you a medium rare doneness.

DAY 82 RECIPE: TOASTY STUFFED SANDWICHES

Well, today was another busy day for us! It was so beautiful and warm outside (and in the house) I certainly did not feel like doing too much cooking or heating the house up too much! So I looked at what I had in the house, thought I would try a new twist on an old favourite, and came up with these. It always seems for some reason that whenever I heat up a sandwich, it feels more filling! Anyhow, check it out!
DAY 82 RECIPE:
TOASTY STUFFED SANDWICHES


INGREDIENTS:
4 Big Kaiser Buns
4 Tsp Butter or Margarine
4 Tsp Mustard
4 Tsp Mayonnaise
8 Slices Deli Style Ham
4 Slices Cheddar or Swiss Cheese
4 Slices Tomato
8 Lettuce Leaves

DIRECTIONS:
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
Slice tops(about ¼ inch down) off of buns, set aside.
Hollow out buns, leaving about ¼ inch throughout. Spread 1 tsp butter on inside of bun. Spread 1 Tsp mustard on bottom of each hollow. Now layer 2 slices ham and then 1 slice cheese in the bun.
Place buns in the oven for about 10 minutes until cheese is nicely melted.
Place bun tops in the oven for the last 3 minutes or so of cooking to toast them up a bit.
Now, spread 1 tsp of mayo on each bun top. On the bun bottoms layer a tomato slice and a few lettuce leaves, place top on and serve

DAY 81 RECIPE: CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

My lovely mother in law arrived last night for a visit! So I never had time to post my recipe last night! Too busy visiting! So, this was last nights dinner. Simple quick and so delish! Great to take on picnics or as a nice side for a BBQ! Try it out, you will love it!

DAY 81 RECIPE:
CHICKEN PASTA SALAD


INGREDIENTS:
SALAD:
6 Cups Cooked Rotini Pasta, drained and cooled
2 Cups Cooked Chicken, cooled and cubed
1 Long English Cucumber, cubed
4 OZ Cheddar Cheese, Cubed
½ Red Pepper, diced
½ yellow Pepper, diced
1 Cup Matchstick Carrots
1 Cup Grape Tomatoes (optional)
DRESSING:
¼ Cup Olive Oil (extra virgin is best)
1 Tsp Sesame Oil
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tbsp Oregano
2 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
2 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Salad:
Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and toss together.
Dressing:
Put all ingredients in a small bowl, or a large shaker with a lid. Mix well.
Assembly:
Pour dressing over salad. Toss together.

DAY 80 RECIPE: SMOKEY TURKEY SANDWICHES

As the weather begins to get warmer, I find myself feeding my family much lighter (and easier to make) types of dinners/meals. Sandwiches, fruit kabobs, salads, etc. It certainly seems that most people really enjoy a lot lighter fare in the warmer seasons.
Today was quite beautiful (for the most part), and I thought I would try a new kind of sandwich. Starting with the base - my all time favourite bun...the amazing and delicious cheese bun from Safeway. Any kaiser bun or large sized bun will do though!
I shall be testing quite a few lunch oriented meals in the next while, as I am trying to put together a great menu for a lunch catering service I shall be getting started in the near future. So exciting! Look forward to recipes for great sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and more!!!!! (PROBABLY SOME GOODIES/ TREATS TOO!!)
Here is tonights recipe!
DAY 80 RECIPE:
SMOKEY TURKEY SANDWICHES



INGREDIENTS:
4 Large Buns (Kaisers are nice)
400 grams Smoked Turkey Breast, deli slices
8 Tbsp Mayonnaise
1 Tsp Ground Cumin
1 Tsp Chilli Powder
½ Small Red Onion, thinly sliced
½ Small Red Pepper, thinly sliced
4 OZ Cheddar Cheese, 8 sandwich sized slices
(If you have it Applewood Smoked Cheddar is
AMAZING here)
About ½ a head of Romaine
Lettuce, washed and dried

DIRECTIONS:
Split and toast buns.
While buns are toasting, mix together mayo, cumin and chilli powder.
On both sides of each bun spread about 1 tbsp of mayo mixture.
Starting on bun bottoms, layer about ¼ of turkey on each bun, followed by 2 slices of cheese, then a few slices of onion, a few slices of pepper, and lettuce leaves to taste. Place bun tops on top of lettuce. Cut in half and serve.
***to make this sandwich even better, try adding a few slices of crispy cooked bacon!