Bread Bowls

I use a really simple recipe for bread bowls and it works great.  Start by preheating oven to 450 F.

1 Tbsp Yeast

1 Tbsp Sugar

2 Cups Flour

1 tsp Salt

Put yeast in warm (not hot) water.  Let it turn frothy.  Add sugar, salt, and flour.  Mix well and knead as necessary.  Let raise for 45 minutes or until double in size.  Punch down, split dough in half and form 2 balls.  Let rise an additional 45 minutes or until double in size.  If you would like, rub some olive oil on top and sprinkle with your choice of seasoning.  Bake for 18-20 minutes.  Let cool, cut open the center, tear out the insides, pour in your choice of soup, and enjoy.

Blackened Chicken Bowtie

I love the Blackened Chicken Bowtie Pasta at Iggy's Bar and Grill, but we don't have one here in Washington.  When my sister found an easy recipe to blacken chicken, I hopped on the opportunity and  tried to re-create it.  It isn't exactly the same but it does a good enough job to curb the craving.  Since I borrowed some of the recipe from my sister, I attached a link below.

- 2 or 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts split lengthwise to make 4 to 6.

- Cajun spice mix (recipe below or you can use store bought) 

-1 small package bowtie noodles

- Parmesan cream sauce ( recipe below) 

- half bag of baby spinach

- 12-15 mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

-grated Parmesan to top if desired

Blackened Seasoning:

1 tbsp. paprika 

4 tsp. dried thyme 

2 tsp. onion powder 

2 tsp. garlic powder 

1 tbsp. white sugar 

2 tsp. salt 

1 1/2 tsp. black pepper 

1 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste 

1 tsp. dried oregano 

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 

3/4 tsp. ground cumin

Mix all spices in a container that has a lid and shake vigorously until well combined. This makes enough to coat six chicken breasts. ( I usually make a large batch of this and store the remaining spice in a zip-lock bag or extra container.  It is a really great seasoning and I use it for other recipes as well.)  You can find the blackened seasoning source here.

Parmesan cream Sauce:

2 cup milk

3 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 

2 tsp Blackened seasoning mix

Start with preparing chicken; clean it, split lengthwise, generously sprinkle with spice mixture on both sides to coat then set aside. You can blacken your chicken (the correct way) on the stove but we just grilled it on the grill until it is cooked through. Boil water to start cooking noodles according to directions on package. While noodles are cooking, start on sauce. In sauce pan, melt butter and add blackened seasoning. Saute mushrooms in butter. Pour in full 2 cups of milk except 2 tbsp. While butter milk mixture warms on medium high heat, mix 2 tbsp flour and 2 tbsp milk until there are no more lumps. Add to milk and butter mixture and stir frequently to avoid scorching. When thickened slightly 

add baby spinach to sauce until wilted. Pour sauce over noodles, and remove chicken from grill. Place scored blackened chicken on top and garnish fresh Parmesan cheese.

*Serves 4-6

Hearty Tortellini Soup

1 lb cooked ground Italian Sausage

1 freshly diced onion

1 quart tomato sauce

1 (8 oz) can Diced Tomatoes

1 Tbsp Italian seasoning

3 chicken bouillon cubes

1 pkg of cheese tortellini

1/8 cup freshly chopped basil

1/2 cup freshly chopped parsley

10 freshly sliced mushrooms

1 large handful fresh spinach (or to taste)

First, start by browning Italian sausage in large pot, add in onions and saute.  Add in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, bouillon cubes, and bring to a boil.  Add in package of tortellini and cook according to package directions.  At the very end add in fresh basil, parsley, mushrooms and spinach until wilted.  

Serve with warm biscuits or rolls.

Loaded Bacon Potato Soup

1 pkg of thick bacon

4-5 medium potatoes

Save 1 cup of potato water

1/2 pkg of cream cheese

1/2 cube of butter or margarine

3-4 Tbsp all purpose flour

1 tsp Celery Salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp pepper

1 chicken bouillon cube

3 1/2 cup milk

First, start by frying your bacon until crispy. Set aside on a plate with paper towels to drain grease and cool. Peel, cube, and boil potatoes until they are mash-able While potatoes are boiling, prepare your milk mixture by melting the butter in a separate pan, add flour until it turns into a paste, then add milk and thicken. Before draining potato water, save 1 cup potato water and set aside. Drain water. Mashed potatoes. Using mixer, blend in cream cheese. Then add the thickened milk mixture. Lastly crumble and stir in bacon. 

Serve in a regular bowl or a bread bowl.

Additional toppings include:

Broccoli

Sun flower seeds

Shredded cheese

Green onion or chives

Sour cream

Olives
(Any topping you like on a baked potato)