Pina Coloda Chicken

(this recipe is also good with shrimp or fish)

2 tbsp garlic

1/4 onion, finely chopped or grated

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp ginger

2 breast chicken, sliced into strips

1/2 can coconut milk

1/2 cup pineapple juice

4 slices pineapple

1 tbsp lime juice

1 tbsp basil

Pepper to taste

Heat skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil, onion, and garlic. Cook 5 minutes. Add chicken and ginger. Brown chicken. Add coconut milk, pineapple juice, pineapple, lime juice, basil, and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes. Serve over rice.

Makes 2 servings.

Cheesy and Creamy Green Bean (or Broccoli) Casserole

This is my favorite holiday vegetable casserole and I make or have my parents make it for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

1 lb. green beans or broccoli (broccoli needs to be chopped)

4 tbsp. butter

4 tbsp. flour (whole wheat flour works)

2 cups milk/half & half/heavy cream

Salt

Pepper

Nutmeg

2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 325.

Steam green beans for 5 minutes, then place in cool water.  If using broccoli, steam for 7 minutes or until fork tender.

For sauce, melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Stir in flour, salt, nutmeg, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly, remove from heat.

Gradually stir in milk/half & half/cream. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Place green beans/broccoli in shallow casserole dish and pour sauce over top. Sprinkle cheese on top. Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Meatloaf

I combined a couple different meatloaf recipes, and came out with one I like. The oatmeal is healthier than the more commonly used breadcrumbs. We have this about once a month.

1 1/2 lb ground turkey (or beef or pork)

2/3 cup milk

1 tbsp Worchestershire sauce

1 tsp fresh sage leaves, chopped

1 cup oatmeal

2 eggs

1/2 onion, chopped

1 tsp Dijon mustard

pepper

Sauce

1/2 cup tomato sauce

2 tbsp dark brown sugar

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tbsp sage

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix loaf ingredients and place in loaf pan. Mix sauce ingredients in small bowl and pour half over top of loaf. Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes or until meat thermometer reads 165 F.

Pour remaining sauce over meatloaf before serving.

Makes 6-8 servings