Easy Chicken Alfredo

Anyone who knows me, will know that fettuccine alfredo is my favorite all time meal.  There isn't anything better than a good alfredo.  I got this one from our grad school cookbook as well, and it's an easy one, but doesn't go easy on the calories, so beware.  But if you are gonna splurge, go for this one, it's great!!

3 cloves minced garlic
8oz of cream cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup butter
1/2-1 cup milk
3/4 C Parmesan
2 chicken breasts
1 pkg fettuccine

Cook fettuccine as directed on package.  Slice chicken breasts into thin strips.  Add a small amount of olive oil, onion powder and garlic to a skillet, heat until garlic starts to brown and is aromatic.  Then add chicken to skillet and brown.  Once chicken is brown add butter and cream cheese.  Once they are melted and mixed together, add milk and heat through.  Once the sauce is creamy add the Parmesan cheese, adding more milk if sauce becomes too thick.    Serve over pasta, adding broccoli or other vegetables if desired.

Skillet Chicken Parmigiana

This recipe comes from a dear friend of mine Erica.  It is in a cookbook that I got while we were going to Grad School.  It is a super easy recipe, and it's really yummy!  It's a fast one for those nights you aren't sure what to cook.  Give it a try, and the clean up is pretty quick from this as well.  Enjoy!

1/4 C. olive oil
1 C chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
2 tsp of sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2  C. Italian bread crumbs
1/3 C. Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

in a 3 qt sauce pan, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.  Saute onions and garlic in oil stirring occasionally.  Stir in tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat and simmer covered.  Between sheets of waxed paper pound chicken breasts to 1/4" thickness.  In a shallow dish mix bred crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken into egg, then oat with bread crumb mixture.  In a 12 inch skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat.  Cook chicken in oil 10-15 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in the center.  Pour tomatoes sauce around the chicken in skillet.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over chicken, cover and heat until melted.  Serve over pasta.

Honey Lime Tilapia

We had this recipe at my mom's last week.  We usually aren't huge fish eaters, but my kids couldn't help but ask for seconds and even thirds.  This was amazing!!! Definitely a staple recipe now!  Hope you enjoy it.

Marinade:
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 1/2 Tbsp. Honey
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

Dredge
1/2 C. flour
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Combine marinade ingredients in a zip lock back or shallow container and place desired number of pieces of tilapia in with marinade.  Leave in marinade anywhere from 1-24 hours

When ready to cook, combine flour with salt and pepper on a plate, remove each fish fillet from the marinade and dredge lightly with the flour on both sides, just a light coating.

Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet o0ver medium high heat until shimmering.  Cook fillets 2 at a time for 3-4 minutes per side or until opaque and browned.  Try not to disturb the fish so that you get a nice browned layer.  Serve with lime wedges.

You can freeze the fish with the marinade in zip lock bags, and then thaw and cook as well.

Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle

This comes from one of my all time favorite people, Julie.  Anything she makes is amazing, and always a crowd pleaser.  This is so good, it makes a great dessert for a large group, or for a special occasion, or simply just because.  

2 8oz packages of Cream Cheese
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Sour Cream
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 Family size Pound Cake (cut into 1" cubes)
2 Pkg. Raspberry Danish Dessert
3 Cups Water
1 Large pkg. Frozen Raspberries
1/2 pint Whipping Cream
1 Symphony Candy Bar

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream and 2 tsp. vanilla together.  Whip heavy cream, add 1 tsp vanilla, sugar and then fold into cream cheese mixture.  Mix cubed pound cake into cream cheese mixture and set aside.  Mix 2 packages of danish dessert with 3 cups water in a large sauce pan.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.  Add frozen raspberries to the danish dessert.  In a trifle bowl, staring with the danish dessert, alternate layers between the danish dessert and cream cheese mixture.  Using a total of 3 layers of the danish dessert and 2 layers of the cream cheese mixture.  Garnish the top with whipping cream and chocolate curls, or fresh raspberries.

To make the chocolate curls use a potato peeler on a slightly softened symphony candy bar.