Red Pepper Alfredo sauce

While visiting a friend last weekend her husband shared a recipe he came up with.  I was eager to try it and I'm so glad we did because it's amazing (an easy)!!!

What you need:

-Homemade fettuccine noodles OR Buitoni noodles

-Buitoni Alfredo sauce (small container)

-15oz jar of roasted red peppers

-1/4 cup freshly shredded Parmesan Reggiano cheese. (More for garnish)

In a blender or Magic Bullet combine the Alfredo sauce and red peppers - Mix for about 30 seconds, until it's a nice pink color - Pour into a sauce pan and let it cook over a medium heat - Stir in 4 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and stir frequently till the mixture boils, then remove from heat. 

For the noodles follow the instructions on the package but always remember to add the olive oil. This separates any type of noodle, and who likes sticky/clumped noodles? Nobody. 

I used 1/4 pound of Italian chicken sausage I got from Harmon's grocery store. I added some pepper, garlic flakes and fresh basil while it was cooking. 

Serve up your meal with the sauce first, meat and then more cheese. Enjoy!

NOTES- fresh pasta is always the way to go, but if you do have to buy pasta I highly suggest getting the Buitoni brand. It's a bit pricier than the bagged pasta but so worth the extra cost. The pasta and sauce is found in the refrigeration isle. 

You do have to use real shredded cheese for this. Apparently the green container kind clumps when cooking. 

This sauce has a very overpowering red pepper taste which I love, however if you are wanting more of an Alfredo taste I would do half the bottle of the red peppers. 

My friend's husband uses this sauce for cheese ravioli. I'll think I'll try that next time. 

AND this makes a yummy dipping sauce for garlic bread or cheese pizza. :)

Sorry for the crappy pics.  I had my HDR on and just our under the cupboard lights. I'll update the pictures next time I make this, which will be soon.  ;)

Chicken burgers

If you love chicken burgers, give this recipe a try. The ricotta cheese gives this burger a smooth & delicious taste.

Things you'll need:

1 pound ground chicken
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 3/4 t Dijon mustard
1 3/4 t Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 T vegetable oil

Alright, let’s get our hands dirty.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, salt & peper - Stir (or use hands) until well combined - Form into four equal size patties & flatten - Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat - Cook the chicken about 5 minutes per side - Partially cover the chicken & reduce to low medium heat & cook for 5 more minutes.

Top burgers with whatever toppings you like. I grilled some onions for mine. The hubby put smoked gouda on his & that was yummy as well. Next time I'm doing swiss, mushrooms & some grilled onions.

An easy side is some mint cut up on fresh watermelon.


Hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grilled chicken tacos

Here's my take on a somewhat healthier version of a chicken taco.

Ingredients:

- 4T McCormick's taco seasoning
- Juice of 2 fresh limes or 3-4T of lime juice
- Cotija cheese
- Fresh or dried cilantro
- Plain greek yogurt
- 2 chicken breasts
- Corn
- Black beans
- Wheat tortillas

Mix taco seasoning and lime juice together in a gallon size bag - Marinade chicken in the mixture for one-two hours - Grill the chicken, then slice it up into strips – Place strips of the chicken in a tortilla – Add corn, beans, cheese, greek yogurt and top with cilantro.

Enjoy!

*Notes: I used freshly cooked black beans and frozen corn (thawed). I don’t like products that come in cans. However if you want to go the fast way, can products would be ok.

Also instead of greek yogurt, use could always use a low fat sour cream. My husband topped his off with taco sauce. Add fresh avocados or whatever else. Make it your own.