Spinach Stuffed Chicken with Blistered Tomatoes

My mom and I were starving yesterday evening with no dinner plans...which is rare for me because I'm usually thinking about dinner in the morning. I used ingredients in the fridge and stuffed some chicken breasts.  I'm glad I took pictures because it turned out! It was a very quick and easy dinner. The meal was very filling because of the stuffing but was actually a "light" entree.

Ingredients:


- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
-2 Tbsp light Boursin cheese
-3 Tbsp thawed and drained frozen spinach
-1 Tbsp dried minced onion
-1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
-salt and pepper to taste
-1/4 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
-2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
-1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Stuffed Salmon with Spicy Mayo Sauce

This is my new favorite Salmon recipe.  It tastes like those specialty sushi rolls minus the rice and seaweed! The fish is marinated in a Teriyaki sauce and topped with a spicy Sriracha mayo.  It's quite filling so if you have side dishes make sure they're on the lighter side.  My new love and destination for recipes is Pinterest which is where I stumbled upon the recipe including the homemade marinade.  I'm sure you could use a good bottled Teriyaki marinade and still have a fabulous dish in the end!

My favorite salmon to use for this, is Scottish Salmon.  It's fatty and buttery tasting; it's hard to overcook and dry-out. You can order it online from Chef's Fresh Fish which can be delivered right to your door. 

Ingredients:

-2 salmon portions (about 6-8 oz each), skin removed

-1-2 Tbsp reduced fat cream cheese

-3-4 green onions, chopped

-1 Tbsp sesame seeds

-1/2 cup light mayo

-2-3 Tbsp Sriracha hot sauce

-2 Tbsp condensed milk

Marinade Ingredients: (optional, you could just use a bottled Teriyaki Marinade)

-1 Tbsp cornstarch

-1/4 cup cold water

-1/4 soy sauce

-1 additional cup of water 

-5 Tbsp brown sugar

-1/2 tsp ground ginger

-1/4 tsp garlic powder

-2 Tbsp honey

Light Creamed Spinach

Creamed spinach is one of my favorite "veggies"...why not, cream, cheese, butter, onion, garlic?? That's a darn good tasting veggie :)  This is a lightened version I found on Skinny Taste.  I froze the leftovers for a quick side dish.  You could also use it a spread on crackers or even a dip..it's that good! Most of the seasoning and creaminess in this dish comes from the Light Boursin Cheese, which is another one of my favorite things in the grocery store!

Ingredients:


-2 tsp butter (like 2/3 of a Tbsp mark on the stick)
-2 shallots, minced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-2 Tbsp flour
-1 1/2 cup fat free milk
-2 Tbsp parmesan cheese
-1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
-1/4 tsp pepper
-salt to taste
-1 tub (4.4 oz) Boursin Light - garlic and herb flavor (only flavor available in Light)
-2 blocks frozen spinach

Oxtail Pho

This stuff is the real deal! My past Pho recipes, Meatball and Salmon have been great, but an easy version of the Vietnamese soup. One of my mom's great friends, Judy, came over yesterday and taught me how to make Pho "the real way"! It simmered all day and created a rich beef broth. Oxtail meat is not actually the tail of an ox, rather the tail of a cow.  The culinary term is just Oxtail.  In this recipe the bones and meat are used to make the broth and then the meat is added back in to the soup.  If you're not a fan of oxtail meat, you could always make the broth and then add another type of meat like, chicken, filet or meatballs.  I think once I get to Denver I will have a "Pho Party" with meat and topping options, yet sticking to this recipe for my broth. It's hard to beat!

Ingredients:

-4 lbs oxtails

-2 gallons cold water

-3-inch piece ginger, unpeeled

-1 large white onion, halved and unpeeled

-1/3 cup fish sauce

-8 whole star of anise pods

-5 whole cloves

-1 large cinnamon stick (about 3 inches long)

-1 tsp fennel seeds

-3 bay leaves

-1 lb rice noodles

Optional Garnishes:

-green onions, chopped

-fresh cilantro, roughly torn

-fresh basil, roughly torn

-limes, cut into wedges

-bean sprouts

-jalapeno peppers, sliced

-banana peppers, sliced
-Hoison Sauce
-Sriracha sauce

Chicken Marsala

I had a shocking realization the other week that I had never tried to make one of my favorite Italian dishes: Chicken Marsala. I figured it had to be easy and I was right.  The only thing you really need that is a little different is the Marsala Cooking Wine found in almost every grocery store.  I'm glad I have it in my pantry now because I have a Pork Marsala recipe I'd like to try as well.  It's right up there with my Chicken Diane recipe. This is an easy and impressive chicken dish for guests, a date night or just yourself.  To be honest, it's hard to screw up and comes out lookin' fancy pants! :)

Ingredients:


-2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts (just depends how many mouths you're feeding)
-1 cup flour
-1/2 cup vegetable oil
-1/2 cup Marsala wine
-1/4 cup chicken stock
-1/4 cup white cooking wine
-1 large package sliced white mushrooms
-2 Tbsp butter
-salt and pepper
-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
-2 Tbsp milk (optional)
-1 Tbsp cornstarch (optional)

We've Gone Mobile!

How exciting! Not just for my readers but for me..hah.  All of Reckless Abandon's recipes in an easy-to-read view on your phone.  Need the full view? Just click on the "View Web Version" link at the bottom of the page.  iPads still default to the full website view because of their great screen size.

This is a great way to access ingredients while shopping at the grocery store and recipes while running around your kitchen or on vacation somewhere! Don't forget to send me a message if you EVER have any questions.  Just email me HERE.

Salad Jars

I like salads..especially with fabulous toppings.  The problem is chopping, washing and drying the lettuce EVERY TIME you want a small, quick salad for lunch.  Paula over at Salad in a Jar became the solution to my frustrations.  You only have to prepare your lettuce ONCE and you can enjoy it all week, or even for the next two weeks...yes, that's how long it lasts in these pretty, little, vacuum-sealed mason jars! 


I'm sure you will quickly say, "Ehh, I don't have a vacuum sealing thingy, so this isn't for me".  That's not true.  Yes, they are $150+ at the store, but I found mine on Craigslist for $20, no joke.  Most of them come with the accessory hose, or you can get it from the manufacturer here for $3. The last piece you need is the mason jar attachment(s) found here on Amazon. All mason jars have either a regular or wide-mouth opening. Pick the one that fits your jars or get both, they're only $9.  If you don't have an enormous collection of mason jars and lids (like I do) you can get a pack at Wal-mart or your grocery store. The cute, vintage containers can be used for a lot more than salad containers. Try putting candles in them, a vase for your flowers, or used as lemonade glasses in this summer heat!


Ingredients:


-1 package of romaine lettuce


Equipment Needed:


-6-10 mason jars with lids (2-piece lids)
-FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
-Accessory Hose
-Wide or Regular Mouth Jar Sealer
-Salad Spinner