Gorgonzola Chicken Breasts

Sooooo Good! And very easy.

4 Chicken breast halves
1/4 lb chilled gorgonzola, sliced
1 T veg oil (or olive oil)
1/3 c water
2 1/2 T balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 425 with rack in middle. Pat chicken dry then cut a deep 3 inch pocket horizontally in long curved side of each breast. Fill each pocket with one quarter of cheese.
Season chicken all over with 1 t salt and 1 pepper.

Heat oil in an ovenproof 12 inch skillet over MH heat. Place chicken in skillet and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Turn breasts over, then place skillet in oven and bake until just cooked through, 20 -25 minutes. Transfer chicken to platter

Return skillet to burner (remember the handle will be hot!) and add water and vinegar. Boil, stirring and scraping up any brown bits and melted cheese, until sauce thickens slightly. Strain. Serve sauce over rice or chicken.

Southwestern Beef Chili with Corn

I got this recipe from Cheryl, and she has made a few additions that are great. She serves it with sides of cheese, tomatoes, diced green onions, leaves of cilantro, sour cream and diced avocados. She also makes a side of quesadillas, and it is a yummy meal.

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 poblano or bell pepper, chopped
1/2 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon chili powder
Kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup corn kernels (from 1 ear, or frozen and thawed)
1/2 cup grated Cheddar (2 ounces)
2 scallions, sliced

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and poblano and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until it is slightly darkened, 1 minute. Add the beans, chili powder, 3 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Stir in the corn. Divide among bowls and top with the Cheddar and scallions.

Make Ahead: You can cook the chili in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 343; FAT 15g (sat 5g); CHOLESTEROL 51mg; CARBOHYDRATE 34g; SODIUM 893mg; PROTEIN 23g; FIBER 11g; SUGAR 6g

YUM

My neighbor brought me over the BEST oatmeal cookies last night. I was in bed falling asleep when she called. These were definitely worth getting out of bed and re-brushing my teeth! I know how much our family loves cookies... so do yourself a favor and make up a batch of these delicious treats!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts... She left out the walnuts and added in Chocolate chips. If your a true Johannesen you will add a little chocolate in somewhere :)
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Simmer raisins and water over medium heat until raisins are plump, about 15 minutes. Drain raisins, reserving the liquid. Add enough water to reserved liquid to measure 1/2 cup.
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Mix the shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla thoroughly. Stir in reserved liquid.
4. Blend in the remaining ingredients.
5. Drop by rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown.

Coconut Rice Custard

I found this in Real Simple. I just need to figure out how to incorporate some DARK chocolate into this. Any ideas?

1 13.5-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup plus 2/3 cup sugar
1 cup long-grain white rice
3 cups half-and-half
5 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Heat oven to 325° F.

Bring the coconut milk, water, and 1/4 cup of the sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in the rice. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, warm the half-and-half in a small saucepan over medium heat (do not allow it to boil). Whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and the remaining sugar in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the warm half-and-half into the egg mixture. Skim off and discard any foam that rises to the surface. Stir in the rice. Transfer to an 8-by-8-inch baking dish. Place the dish in a larger roasting pan or baking dish and transfer to oven rack. Carefully add enough hot water to the larger pan to reach halfway up the sides of the smaller dish. Bake until the custard is set, about 1 hour. Serve warm or chilled.

Tip: Place a piece of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the custard before you refrigerate it. This prevents a skin from forming.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 520(53% from fat); FAT 32g (sat 22g); CHOLESTEROL 221mg; CARBOHYDRATE 51g; SODIUM 115mg; PROTEIN 11g; FIBER 0g; SUGAR 32g