Trying to use up a ham-bone

Duane is really into pork. So about once every three months or so we buy a spiral-cut ham (yum) and then freeze it in small baggies and eat it for breakfast meat and in other dishes but it means we sometimes stockpile the soup bones. I have been wanting to use one but none of the usual recipes sounded yummy so I just kind of made something up. It turned out to be delicious so I'll share my concoction with you!

I put a layer of dry pinto beans on the bottom of my crock pot and added the ham bone (with lots of leftover bits of meat on it), a pitcher full of water and a heaping tablespoon of chicken bullion. I put the crock pot on low for about 4 hours before I added some pealed and cubed potatoes and carrots along with a chopped up onion, some pepper, garlic, thyme, basil, and some extra chicken stock to taste. I took out the ham bone and let it cool. When the potatoes were done I added back the ham meat. At the last second I threw in some frozen okra for greens and some leftover mini pasta noodles I had around. I served it with garlic bread. Yum!

I love when an culinary experiment turns out well!

Greek Penne Pasta and Garlic Green Beans

Ok, so it did not turn out looking quite like this, but it will still yummy. I halfed the recipe and it was more than enough for my hubby and me, plus leftovers for lunch. Be sure to really rinse the artichoke hearts, if not it can be a bit on the vinegary side. My husband does not like tomatoes or artichokes, so it says alot when he ate it up. Very quick and easy.

Greek Penne and Chicken

Yield4 servings Active Time20 Min Total Time50 Min
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts in water
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Instructions

1.In a large pot with boiling salted water cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain.
2.Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium-high heat melt butter, add onion and garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped chicken and continue cooking, stirring occasionally until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes.
3.Reduce heat to medium- low. Drain and chop artichoke hearts and add them, chopped tomato, feta cheese, fresh parsley, lemon juice, dried oregano, and drained penne pasta to the large skillet. Cook until heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
4.Season with salt and ground black pepper. Serve warm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I paired the pasta with this green bean recipe. Again so easy and just a hint of flavor to help you eat your veggies for the day. I am a bit of a garlic fan so I just left them in rather than picking them out, it really does not change anything. Enjoy.

Green Beans with Toasted Garlic

Yield4 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ingredients

1 pound green beans, trimmed
2 teaspoons butter
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Instructions

1.Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add beans; cook 5 minutes. Plunge beans into ice water; drain.
2.Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add butter and oil; swirl until butter melts. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Remove garlic; set aside. Add beans; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 2 minutes, tossing frequently. Top with garlic.

Chipotle Crusted Pork Tenderloin

These were very yummy, but very spicy. I did not have a whole loin, but I did have some loin chops, so I just marinated those instead and cooked them in a skillet. Next time I will definitely cut the amount of chipotle powder in half and maybe add a touch more brown sugar. Also, I used real garlic. I prefer it to the powder. But I just love garlic anyway.
This is a good recipe for adults, but I would not recommend it for kids. My husband yummed them up, but he was sweeting. LOL
Yield
6 servings

Active Time
15 Min

Total Time
35 Min

Ingredients
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons chipotle chile powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons brown sugar
2 (3/4 pound) pork tenderloins


Instructions
1.Preheat grill for medium-high heat.
2.In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, chipotle chile powder, salt, and brown sugar. Place tenderloins in bag and shake, coating meat evenly. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes.
3.Lightly oil grill grate, and arrange meat on grate. Cook for 20 minutes, turning meat every 5 minutes. Remove from grill, let stand for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing.

Chicken Stuffed with Spinach, Feta, and Pine Nuts

Here is this week's recipe. I would give it 3 stars. Good, but not fantastic, as all the fancy ingredients might imply. When you get a real good bite of chicken and the stuffing, it really does taste good. But you only get one or two good bites towards the middle of the chicken breast. Also the outside of the chicken,does not have much flavor. Not gross, just bland. I think when I try this recipe, I will be seasoning the outside with perhaps garlic. I had some left over filling and I put it in the middle of some crescent rolls, now that was yummy.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 stuffed chicken breast half)


Ingredients
5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth

Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 350°.
2.Heat a large nonstick ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add spinach to pan; cook 1 minute or until spinach wilts, tossing constantly. Place spinach in a colander; press until barely moist. Wipe pan clean.
3.Combine spinach, cheese, nuts, thyme, juice, and garlic. Cut a horizontal slit through the thickest portion of each chicken breast half to form a pocket. Stuff 3 tablespoons filling into each pocket. Seal with wooden picks. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
4.Heat oil in pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes on each side or until brown. Add broth, and cover pan. Place pan in oven. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until done.

Friend Reccomended...

http://www.pepperplate.com/sharedrecipe.aspx?id=bc4a5b6d-45b0-49d7-b6ff-7f1d6b101cb9

Looks good!

Ways to stretch 2 chicken breasts...

Courtesy of Marilyn Montero Carruth...

• cut up 2 chicken breasts into small pieces, about the size of a small walnut
  dredge in flour, season with salt, pepper or whatever
  
  dice fresh tomatoes, about 4 (I use Roma)
  dice fresh garlic, 1 clove
  olive oil
  1 tsp oregano or basil
  
  in skillet, add olive and garlic oil to heat
  add floured chicken pieces, cook and stir till done and crispy
  add oregano or basil, then tomatoes
  stir and remove from heat
  
  serve with rice.

Easy Quiche

I like this quiche recipe because you don't have to heat the egg/milk mixture before pouring it over everything.
I prefer to use chicken and broccoli instead of ham and cheddar instead of swiss but you can change this recipe up to be whatever you like!

(Stolen from AllRecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cooked ham, diced
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground dry mustard
• 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• 2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers, garnish

Directions

1. In medium bowl, toss 4 teaspoons flour with the grated cheese. Sprinkle mixture into the pie shell. On top of cheese, sprinkle 1/2 cup of diced ham.
2. In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk or cream, and then add salt and mustard powder. Beat until smooth and pour over cheese and ham.
3. Put piece of plastic wrap large enough to overlap sides over top of quiche, then a piece of foil, and seal well around the edges. (plastic keeps the foil from sticking to the food). Place prepared quiche in freezer.
4. When ready to prepare, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C.) Remove foil and plastic wrap. Put foil around edge of crust to protect it.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is golden brown. Garnish with parsley and pimiento if desired