Baked Feta Pasta

Yield: 4 servings

2 pints cherry tomatoes

3-6 cloves garlic

1/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

8-ounce block feta cheese

8 ounces dried pasta of choice

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line an oven-safe baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Place cherry tomatoes and garlic cloves in baking dish. Pour the olive oil on top, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.

3. Place the feta block in the middle of the baking dish surrounded by the cherry tomatoes, and flip a couple times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning.

4. Bake for 35 minutes, until the cherry tomatoes burst and the feta cheese melts.

5. While the tomatoes and feta are baking, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2-cup of the cooking liquid.

6. Add cooked pasta and basil leaves to the tomatoes and feta, and toss everything to combine. Garnish with more fresh basil and serve warm.

https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/baked-feta-pasta/

Chicken Orzo Skillet

Yield: 4 servings

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken, cubed

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp salted butter

1 shallot, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1/2 cup orzo

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 cup spinach

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear on both sides until golden, about 8 minutes per side. Remove from pan and set aside.

2. To the same skillet, add shallot and garlic. Cook over low heat until fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes.

3. Increase heat to medium, then add white wine and lemon juice. Bring to a boil.

4. Add the chicken broth and orzo, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes or until the orzo is soft.

5. Stir in the parmesan cheese and spinach. Add more broth if needed. The orzo should be sticky and creamy, not dry.

6. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Serve.

https://thefeedfeed.com/anna_s_table/one-skillet-parmesan-chicken-and-orzo?goal=0_d2454299f8-f0a0787f5a-256639106&mc_cid=f0a0787f5a&mc_eid=536b3ca905

Tortellini Soup

Yield: 6 servings

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, small dice

2 celery stalks, small dice

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, diced

6 cups vegetable stock

1 can diced tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 can cannelloni beans, divided

1 package tortellini

seasonal greens, such as kale or spinach, roughly chopped

parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Saute until the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes.

2. Add broth, tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir together until everything is incorporated. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.

3. Place half the beans into a blender with 1/4 cup water. Blend until smooth. Add to soup.

4. Add remaining beans, tortellini, and greens. Simmer for 5 more minutes until greens have wilted and tortellini is cooked.

5. Serve immediately, topping with grated parmesan cheese.

https://plantyou.com/vegan-tortellini-soup/

Shortbread Cookies

Yield: 15 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 tsp kosher salt

2/3 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

optional: sparkling, superfine, or granulated sugar, for sprinkling

1. Preheat the oven to 325F. Line an 8x8 square pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, stir butter until it is the texture of mayonnaise.

3. Add the salt, sugar, and vanilla and stir to combine.

4. Add the flour and stir just until the flour is absorbed. The dough will still be lumpy.

5. Press dough into prepared baking pan.

6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the edges begin to brown.

7. Cut into squares, bars, or wedges while still warm. Sprinkle with some sguar, if using.

https://alexandracooks.com/2021/12/18/simple-classic-shortbread-a-ted-lasso-biscuit-box-for-gifting/

Thai Peanut Chicken

Yield: 4 servings

1 tbsp olive oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken, cubed

salt and pepper

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can coconut milk

1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

3 tbsp tamari

1 tbsp ginger, grated

1 tbsp sriracha

3 cups broccoli florets

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

juice of 1 lime

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

optional garnishes: chopped peanuts, green onion

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Once hot, add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear each side, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Chicken does not need to be fully cooked. Remove from pot and set aside.

2. Reduce heat to medium and add in onion, carrots, and garlic, cooking for 5 minutes.

3. Add in the coconut milk, chicken broth, peanut butter, tamari, ginger, and sriracha. Whisk together until well combined and smooth.

4. Stir in broccoli and bell pepper and return chicken back into the pan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Stir in lime and cilantro.

6. Garnish with chopped peanuts and green onion.

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/thai-peanut-chicken-couscous/

Chicken Enchilada Stew

Yield: 4-6 servings

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

1 green bell pepper, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp oregano

salt and pepper

1 cup red enchilada sauce

2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)

1 can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained, divided

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken

3/4 cup corn kernels

juice of 1 lime

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

optional garnishes: tortilla strips or chips, shredded cheese, avocado, jalapeno, lime, cilantro

1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add onion, jalapeno, green bell pepper, and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent and begin to soften, about 2-4 minutes.

2. Reduce heat to medium and stir in all of the spices: cumin, coriander, turmeric, oregano, and salt and pepper.

3. Add in the enchilada sauce, chicken broth, 1/2 can white beans, and uncooked chicken.

4. Bring soup to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.

5. After 25 minutes or so, remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and shred with two forks. Add back to the pot.

6. In a blender or food processor, add the remaining white beans and 1/2 cup water (or broth). Blend until smooth, adding a little more water if necessary. Add blended white beans into the soup pot.

7. Stir in the corn, lime juice, and cilantro. Allow soup to cook and simmer uncovered for 10 more minutes to thicken and bring flavors together.

8. Optional: Serve with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, avocado, jalapeno slices, an extra lime wedge, and/or more cilantro.

https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/chicken-enchilada-soup/

Blueberry Scones

Yield: 8

2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for hands and work surface

1 cup sugar

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, very cold or frozen

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup blueberries

1 egg, for eggwash

turbinado sugar

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together.

3. Grate the frozen butter into the flour mixture. With your fingers, crumble the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Set aside.

4. In a small bowl, whisk milk, egg, and vanilla extract together. Add to flour mixture and then combine together with a rubber spatula until everything appears moistened.

5. Slowly and gently fold in the blueberries. Do not overwork the dough at any point. Dough will be a little wet.

6. With floured hands, transfer dough to a floured surface. Press into a neat 8″ disc and cut into 8 equal wedges with a very sharp knife.

7. Place scones at least 2-3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. They will expand significantly when baking.

8. Brush scones with eggwash, then sprinkle a little turbinado sugar on top.

9. Transfer the baking sheet into the freezer to chill for a minimum of 20 minutes while you preheat the oven.

10. Preheat oven to 400F.

11. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until lightly golden and cooked through.

https://vancouversun.com/life/food/recipes/karen-gordon-summer-blueberry-bounty-showcases-perfectly-in-scones-squares