Broccoli 'n Cheddar Soup....PANERA style

Panera Bread has a great selection of soup, especially their creamy Broccoli and Cheddar.
I wanted to make a healthier version of all the copycat recipes and it turned out great!!

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 medium chopped onion
• 1 1/2 cups carrot, julienned
• 1/2 cup melted heart healthy margarine
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 cups low-fat milk, with a couple of tablespoons of reduced-fat sour cream
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 3/4 lb fresh broccoli
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• 12 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 tsp. salt and pepper--to taste 

1. Saute onions in olive oil until transparent, add julienned carrots. You may need to add more olive oil to prevent burning. Saute both on medium heat for a few minutes, set aside. 
2. Cook melted margarine and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes (use the pot that you are going to make the soup in). Stir constantly and add milk and sour cream mixture. Continue to stir until  your mixture starts to thicken.
3. Add chicken broth and simmer for 20 min. Occasionally stirring with whisk.
4. Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes.
5. Add salt, pepper, nutmeg...I added a clove of minced garlic for flavor!

Serve with grated cheese and crusty bread!!

3 Cheese Chicken Penne Florentine

This is one of my favorite recipes to make when inviting company for dinner!

The pasta comes out perfect every time....extremely creamy

(and no one needs to know that there is no heavy cream!). You can alter the recipe with putting in different veggies, cheese or even adding shrimp!

Oh and add garlic for more flavour!

So ooey-gooey...you must try this recipe!!

Veggie Mixture

Three Cheese Mixture

Adding it all together: veggies, cheeses and chicken (while the pasta boils)

For the recipe click --> http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/three-cheese-chicken-penne-florentine-10000001160622/

Pita Chip Coated Chicken Tenders

YUM, YUM, YUM.....these turned out GREAT!!

Had some stale pita chips laying around, and remembered seeing a recipe that coats chicken tenders in broken pita chips and created my own little recipe

For 6 chicken tenders I used:
1cup crushed pita chips
cajun seasoning
black pepper and salt
a few sprinkles of parmesean cheese

1. Put ingredients above in a ziploc bag and give it a good shake, then pour out onto sm. plate
2. Crack an egg open and beat in a bowl.
3. Give your chicken out (I always marinate it for a few hours in light mayo and Italian dressing).
4. Dip your chicken in the egg, then roll it around in the chip mixture.
5. Place your chicken tenders onto a greased baking sheet.
6. Bake at 400F for 15min or until done

Comes out moist and crispy!

Perfect BBQ Ribs and Smashed Potatoes

In a large casserole pan put your ribs in and completely cover with water; add BBQ sauce, ketchup, and any other spices you like (I added cajun, black pepper, and seasoning salt). Put in the oven at 350F for 2hrs. They will cook slowly and remain juicy. When they are done, pour the water out and slather in your favorite BBQ sauce....now they are ready to be thrown on the grill to get crispy and that great smokey flavor!
Grill for about 5 min until they get those black grill marks and are crisp to your perfection! Thats it!
This is how it is done in most restaurants and your ribs stay moist, tender and have been BBQ-ed!

For the smashed potatoes: boil small red potatoes for about 18-20min until tender. Smash them with a masher lightly, add sour cream, and any cheese you like. I add asiago cheese, which gives it a lovely tangy taste. You can add garlic, dill or any other herbs you have on hand. Season with salt and pepper.
This is quickly becoming my favorite side dish!