Chicken Cacciatore

Hands-on time: 37 min
Total time: 67 min


Serve on a bed of spaghetti or with a short pasta like penne or cavatappi for a complete meal.


Ingredients:

• 8 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned (about 2.5 pounds)
• 3/8 tsp salt, divided
• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups chopped red bell pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1 1/3 cups lower-sodium marinar sauce
• 1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, shaved

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 tsp salt and black pepper. Add 2 tsp oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add 4 chicken thighs to pan; cook for 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from pan, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with 2 tsp olive oil and remaining chicken.
3. Add the remaining 2 tsp olive oil to pan, and swirl to coat. Add bell peppers, 1 cup onion, celery, rosemary, minced garlic, and remaining 1/8 tsp salt; cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add mushrooms; cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in marinara sauce; cook 1 minute.
4. Spread vegetable mixture in bottom of a 9x13-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange chicken on top of the vegetable mixture. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into chicken registers 160. Sprinkle with cheese.

Serves 4

Courtesy: Cooking Light, March 2012

Beef and Chipotle Burritos

Chipotle peppers are smoked jalapenos that lend a great smoky flavor to foods.

Prep: 20 mintues Cook: 8-10 hours Makes: 6 servings (1 burrito/person)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds boneless beef round steak, cut 3/4 inch thick
• 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/3 cup chopped onion (1 small)
• 1 to 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 6 9- to 10-inch tomato-flavored or plain flour tortillas
• 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Pico de Gallo
• Sour cream

Preparation:

1. Trim fat from meat. Cut meat into 6 pieces. In a 3 1/2- or 4-quart crockery cooked place meat, undrained tomatoes, onion, chipotle peppers, oregano, cumin, and garlic.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours (or high for 4 to 5 hours). Using 2 forks, pull meat apart into shreds. Place meat in a large blow. Stir in cooking liquid to reach desired consistency. Divide meat among warm tortillas, spoong it just below the center. Top with cheese, Pico de Gallo, and sour cream.

Courtesy: Better Homes & Gardents 75th Anniversary Cookbook