Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

This is one of those recipes that is good, but could be so much better.  Like you learned to cook by opening up Ragu and putting it on frozen Ravioli, rather than making a lasagna.  It needed fresher ingredients and garlic.

Skillet Ravioli Lasagna

Photo by ALB

Source: EatingWell.com, June 2019

Active: 20 mins
Total: 20 mins
Servings: 6 (only got 5)

Ingredients
1 (24 ounce) package frozen or refrigerated cheese ravioli (used 22 oz frozen)
1 pound lean ground beef (used 93%)
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
1 (28 ounce) can no-salt-added crushed tomatoes
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls, divided (used Sargento Mozzarella because we had it in the fridge)

Directions
Step 1
Preheat broiler. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook ravioli according to package directions; drain and set aside.

Step 2
Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a large cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes, using the back of a wooden spoon to crumble the beef. Season with oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Step 3
Add tomatoes and basil; bring to a simmer. Fold in the cooked ravioli and half of the mozzarella balls.

Step 4
Scatter the remaining mozzarella balls over the top of the pasta. Carefully transfer the pan to the oven. Broil until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.

16 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 5 servings)

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, SAUSAGE, AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN MEAL

D said we could have this if he could put butternut squash in it, so we compromised and put in both.
It was good, although a little small.  Still would have again.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES, SAUSAGE, AND BROCCOLI SHEET PAN MEAL

Photo by ALB

Yield 4 SERVINGS
prep time 10 MINUTES
cook time 40 MINUTES
total time 50 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS
1 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into medium-sized cubes
Added 2 Cups of Butternut Squash
3 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. garlic powder
fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 pkg. (4 or 5 links) pre-cooked chicken, turkey, or pork sausage (about 14-16 oz. sausage) (used Aidells Basil and Garlic Chicken Sausage)
1 lb. broccoli, trimmed and cut apart to make about 3/4 pound broccoli pieces
salt and additional fresh-ground black pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 450F/230C and spray sheet pan with non-stick spray.

Cut up two (or one) medium sweet potatoes (and butternut) into cubes that aren't too small. (I made cubes that were about one inch across.)

Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Put sweet potato cubes into a bowl and toss with half the oil-balsamic mixture.

Spread sweet potatoes out on a sheet pan, put pan in the oven, and start to roast for 15 minutes.

Slice sausage into slices about 3/4 inch thick. (We trimmed off the ends so the sausage would have a flat end on both sides.)

When sweet potatoes have roasted 15 minutes, add sausage pieces to the sheet pan and roast 10 minutes more.

Cut up broccoli into same-size pieces (about the size of the other ingredients.)

Put broccoli into the bowl and toss broccoli with the rest of the oil-balsamic mixture.

Remove sheet pan from the oven and turn sausage pieces over. Then spread sausage and sweet potatoes apart and tuck broccoli pieces between them.

Put sheet pan back in the oven and cook 15 minutes more, or until broccoli is done to your liking and sausages and sweet potatoes are nicely browned.

Season with a little salt and fresh-ground black pepper and serve hot.

9 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Fideo Loco

Another one, I made. It was pretty easy, and very flavorful.

Fideo Loco

Photo by ALB

Servings 6
Author Lisa Fain, Homesick Texan

Ingredients
For the beef:
1 teaspoon safflower oil (didn't use)
1 pound ground beef (used 93%)
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch cayenne
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

For the fideo:
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 chipotle chiles en adobo
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
5 cups water (used 4)
1 tablespoon safflower oil (used olive oil)
4 ounces thin noodles such as vermicelli or capellini, broken into 1-inch pieces
2 cups pinto beans or 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions
In a Dutch oven, heat the oil (didn't use) on medium-low and add the beef and onion. While occasionally stirring, cook until the onions are soft and the beef is beginning to brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne, salt, and cilantro and while stirring occasionally, continue to cook for 10 more minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings and then pour the beef into a mixing bowl.

Meanwhile, for the fideo, place in a blender the onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, chipotle chiles en adobo, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Once you’ve moved the cooked meat from the pot, add the water to the pot and swirl around while scraping the bottom to get all the remaining bits. Add the water to the blender and then blend until smooth (4 Cups of water will make a mess in the blender, so I can't imagine 5).  Add the oil to the pot and pasta. While occasionally stirring, cook on medium for 1 minute or until lightly browned and fragrant. Pour the tomato sauce from the blender into the pot. While stirring occasionally, cook on medium until the pasta is softened, about 10 minutes.
Add the beans to the pot along with the cooked meat. Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm topped with Cotija cheese and with tortillas on the side, if you like. (I added Queso Fresco, Cilantro, and Pico - not counted in the points)


6 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 6 servings)

CROCKPOT CREAMY WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

I made this while D was coming back into town.  It was pretty easy, and I was able to assemble it the night before). It was also good, although I wish it had been spicier.  I'd add jalapenos next time.

CROCKPOT CREAMY WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Photo by ALB

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 (I got 6)
Author Star

Ingredients
1-½ lbs chicken breast, raw
2 15.5 ounce Great Northen Beans (3 cups) drained, but not rinsed
2 4 ounce cans cans diced mild green chiles
Add a 4 ounce can of diced jalapenos
1 ½ cups corn, frozen (used a 14 oz can of non salted corn)
1 ¾ cups chicken broth low sodium, if available (used 2 cups)
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt (I don't know what this is, so I used Penzy's Arizona seasoning)
1 tsp pepper
¼ tsp cayenne pepper more or less depending on level of spice preference
1/2 cup half and half (I used fat free)
4 oz light cream cheese

Instructions
In a slow cooker add chicken breast, beans, green chiles, corn, spices, and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 5 hours.

Remove chicken and shred. Stir back into the chili. Stir in half and half and light cream cheese. Cook on high for 30 minutes.

Top with tortilla strips, cheese, green onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and/or a squeeze of lime, if desired. (not counted in points). Enjoy!

3 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 6 servings)

Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

I made this!

D was out of town last week, so I tried to think of food he doesn't care for, and have it.  He doesn't like Salmon or a ton of lime, so this looked great.  Although I don't really like rice.  But I decided to try it.  What I got, was really good, if you like salmon, lime, AND cilantro.

There wasn't a lot of rice the way I made it, so I was good. I would have again. I might lessen the honey next time or just not use it in the rice.

Avocado Salmon Rice Bowl

Photo by ALB

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Total Time: 16 minutes
Servings 2

Adapted from Willcookforsmiles.com 

Ingredients
Rice
1 cup Minute Rice Jasmine Rice (the microwaveable kind
Salt
1/2 lime, juice only
2 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp chicken or vegetable stock

Salmon:
1 lb salmon fillets skin on
1 Tbsp lime juice (I used 2 TBSP, which made it a little runny)
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro
Salt to taste (didn't use)

Avocado Topping:
1 ripe avocado
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp chili powder

Instructions 
Rice: Cook rice in the microwave. Preheat a medium cooking pan over medium-high heat. Mix stock, lime juice, honey, and cilantro together. Pour the mixture into the preheated pan and let it simmer for about a minute. Take the pan off heat and mix rice into the liquid. Season with a little bit more salt, mix well, and set aside.

Salmon: Preheat grill pan on medium.  Mix lime juice, honey, and cilantro together. Rub the salmon skin with some oil and place the fillets skin down on the heated pan for 4 minutes. Flip and  rub salmon fillets with the lime mixture on all exposed sides. (Some glaze will likely run down onto the pan, it will most likely get quite scorched).  Cook another 2 minutes.

Avocado: Cut avocado in half, take out the pit, and take off the skin. Chop avocado and add it to a small bowl. Add lime juice, cilantro, chili powder (you can add salt if you want). Gently mix.

To assemble the rice bowls: divide rice among two bowls, top it off with a salmon fillet, and top each bowl with half the avocado mixture.

12 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 2 servings)

Skillet Balsamic Garlic Chicken

This one was pretty good, and it was pretty fast.  The chicken was a little dry, but it's breasts.  I liked the sauce.  And we had with broccoli and egg noodles.

Skillet Balsamic Garlic Chicken

Photo by ALB

Author: Cookies and Cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: serves 4

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, sliced or pounded 1/2 inch thick
salt and pepper to season chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil (Used Pam)
8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound mushrooms, sliced (it's a lot!)
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 Bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons butter, cubed

Instructions:
Season the raw chicken liberally with salt and pepper on both sides.

I think D cooked differently than below (but I don't know how). I probably would take the chicken out, cook, add the chicken back in, and resume.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil (PAM) in a large 10-inch skillet over medium high heat. When skillet and oil are hot, place the chicken in the skillet evenly. Cook the chicken on one side for 5 minutes until browned, flip the chicken and cook for 3 more minutes.

Add the garlic and the mushrooms into the pan and stir to combine. Work the mushrooms under the chicken, so the chicken is sitting on top of the mushrooms. Cook this for 5 minutes until the mushrooms begin to soften. Add in the vinegar, broth, Bay leaf and thyme.

Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Then uncover the skillet and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes to thicken the sauce slightly.

Lastly add in the butter and cook for 2 more minutes.

4 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Spicy Sriracha Shrimp and Broccoli

D and I discussed how 4 people eat 2 pounds of shrimp.  It seems like a lot.  So we only bought 1 pound.

Of course after he cooked it, we both thought it needed more broccoli.  And it was spicy.  We had with rice.

Spicy Sriracha Shrimp and Broccoli

Photo by ALB

Prep 10 mins
Cook 10 mins
Total 20 mins
Yield 4 servings


Adapted from bakerbynature 

Plump shrimp and crunchy broccoli are cooked in a delicious sriracha soy sauce. A quick and easy meal you're sure to love!

Ingredients
For the brown sauce:
4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon orange juice (fresh, preferably)
1 1/2 tablespoons sriracha hot sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 tablespoon ginger, grated (you may also use bottled ginger if you cannot find fresh)
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon cornstarch
Additional Ingredients:
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 cups (about 2 large heads) broccoli florets -Next time add more

Instructions
For the Brown Sauce: In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, orange juice, sriracha, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and cornstarch; whisk well to combine; set aside.

To cook:
Heat the sesame oil (1 1/2 tablespoons) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in the shrimp and cook - flipping them once - until pink; about 3 minutes. Add in the broccoli and continue cooking the mixture, stirring frequently, until the broccoli is bright green and tender; about 3-4 minutes. Add in the sriracha soy mixture, stir well to coat the shrimp and broccoli, and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and serve at once!

3 WW Blue Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Sriracha Brown Sugar Chicken

This reminds me of Spicy Honey-Brushed Chicken Thighs and Asian-Glazed Chicken Thighs. The heat builds up as you eat it (if you have fresh sriracha).

It was very good. However, the original picture shows chicken in a sauce. The way the recipe is written, you'll get a paste. Add 2 TBSP of chicken broth to it. We had with broccoli and rice.

Sriracha Brown Sugar Chicken

Photo by ALB

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Author: Sabrina Snyder

Ingredients
4 chicken thighs , boneless, skinless (used 1.75 pounds)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves garlic - minced) (2 cloves)
1/2 cup light brown sugar , packed
3 tablespoons Sriracha Sauce
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Add 2 TBSP non-fat chicken broth

Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees.

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and place the chicken into an oven safe cooking dish, pouring the rest of the sauce over the chicken in the pan.

Bake, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes (if the sauce gets a bit dry or thick, remove chicken when done, add 1/2 cup water and whisk to loosen sauce, then pour over baked chicken).

Nutrition Information
Yield: 4 servings, Amount per serving: 242 calories, Calories: 242g, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 22g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 948mg, Potassium: 327mg, Sugar: 27g, Vitamin A: 45g, Vitamin C: 7.3g, Calcium: 33g, Iron: 1.2g

8 Smart Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil

I was feeling a little comfort foodish, and found this recipe.  D said of course after verifying that we could have it with thighs, and that it would serve 4 people.

So that's what he did, and it was good.
We had with Roasted Cauliflower and plain pasta.

D did say it is a Sunday dish, not one to make after work.

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil is a dish with a European flair! A rich, yet light wine sauce with earthy wild mushrooms is perfect for transitioning from summer to fall!

PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour 15 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 1 hour 35 minutes
SERVINGS: 4
Adapted from: From A Chef's Kitchen

Ingredients
Cooking Spray
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 Chicken Thighs, (bone in, skin on)
1/2 medium onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic, halved
3 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped (or 1 cup drained, canned diced tomatoes)
1 cup dry red wine, preferably pinot noir (used Josh Pinot Noir)
1 can (14.5-ounce) chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons butter, softened, divided
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
8 ounces mixed wild mushrooms (cremini, oyster and shiitake), sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven.

Place chicken breasts skin side down in the hot oil and brown 4-5 minutes or until golden. Turn and brown the other side approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in the Dutch oven and add the onion.

Reduce heat to medium and cook onion 3-4 minutes or until softened.

Add garlic and cook 30 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in tomatoes and cook 1 minute.

Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Add the chicken broth, oregano and thyme and return to a boil.

Place chicken skin side down in the pot, cover tightly and place in the oven. Cook 1 hour, turning once or until chicken is thoroughly cooked and tender. Transfer Dutch oven to the stovetop.

Combine 1 tablespoon butter with flour. Add to pot with chicken and bring to a simmer to thicken.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat in a skillet or saute pan.

Add the mushrooms and cook 4-5 minutes or until browned. Transfer to pot with chicken, stir in chopped fresh basil, adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper and serve.

10 Smart Points (my additions/subtractions at 4 servings)