Tag Archives: Italian

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Rena Marks

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CookingKaren’s Killer Fixin’s
**AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with RENA MARKS!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, RENA MARKS, and her favorite recipe for ONE POT SPAGHETTI.

Continue reading Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Rena Marks

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Maggie Mae Gallagher

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CookingKaren’s Killer Fixin’s **AUTHOR SPECIAL**
with MAGGIE MAE GALLAGHER!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, Maggie Mae Gallagher, and her favorite recipe for NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA!

Continue reading Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with Maggie Mae Gallagher

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Ham & Cheese Calzone

Following_RecipeSMALLER   It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s! Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers. So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is HAM & CHEESE CALZONE!

I love calzones. They’re such a great twist on pizza. But, they take so much work to prepare…or so it seems. This is a great deli-style calzone, and relatively easy to prepare. You can adjust this recipe to fashion the more traditional pizza calzone with meats and pizza sauce, if you prefer.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 141 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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HAM & CHEESE CALZONE
[Serves 8]

2 T. mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 cup broccoli florets
1 (8 oz.) sliced smoked deli ham
½ small onion
8 oz. cheese, grated, divided
1 T. vegetable oil, divided
2 pkg. (13.8 oz each) refrigerator pizza crust
1 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine mayonnaise and mustard in bowl; mix well. Cut broccoli into small florets; dice ham and chop onion. Grate cheese. Combine broccoli, ham, onion and half of cheese in bowl.

Lightly brush cookie sheet with 1 tsp. oil. Unroll one package of dough gently stretching and pressing dough to cover bottom. Sprinkle with remaining cheese to within one inch of edges; spoon ham mixture over cheese. Starting on one end, unroll remaining dough directly over filling, matching edges of dough and shaping to fit as dough is unrolled. Trim ½ inch off sides of dough. Press edges to seal. Brush remaining oil over dough. With knife, make 12 slits, in three rows of four each, into top crust.

Bake 14-16 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, grate Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over calzone. Return calzone to oven; bake 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is deep golden brown. Slice and serve.

 

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Chicken Parmigiana & Pasta

Following_RecipeSMALLER It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me. I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy. It might be a main course recipe. A cookie or baked item. Candy. Salads. Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is CHICKEN PARMIGIANA & PASTA!

Italian dishes are always a favorite as we enter the cooler months.  I found this recipe in Every Day With Rachel Ray.  Love the simplicity of the preparation and the reminder to use whole wheat pasta…which is better for us than white flour pasta.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 110 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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CHICKEN PARMIGIANA & PASTA
[Serves 4]

8 oz. whole wheat penne pasta
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves [5 oz. each]
Salt & pepper
1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely-chopped
1/3 cup dry red wine
1 can [28 oz.] chopped tomatoes
4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup finely-chopped flat-leaf parsley

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, 8-10 minutes; drain.  Meanwhile, season the chicken with salt and pepper.  In large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook, turning once, until browned, about 8 minutes; transfer to plate.  In same skillet, cook the garlic over medium heat until golden, about 1 minute.  Add wine, bring to boil and cook 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and simmer until thickened, 8-10 minutes.  Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet, turning to coat.  Top each piece of chicken with mozzarella and 1 tsp. parmesan, cover and cook until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes; transfer to platter.  Add pasta and parsley to skillet, toss and season with salt.  Sprinkle with remaining parmesan and serve alongside the chicken.  [Recipe courtesy of Every Day with Rachel Ray 8/09]

NOTE: I prefer more cheese than this recipe calls for so I’d adjust to preference.  And, I’ll admit I really, really, really dislike my pasta al dente so I cook that to my preference, too.

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s: Chicken Marsala

  It’s time for Karen’s Killer Fixin’s!

Over the years, I’ve filled two 4-inch, 3-ring binders with my own creations as well as recipes my family and friends were willing to share with me.  I simply love to cook and want to share that love with my readers.

So every Friday, I share one recipe I think you and your family might enjoy.  It might be a main course recipe.  A cookie or baked item.  Candy.  Salads.  Whatever strikes my eye and fancy…which today is CHICKEN MARSALA.

When I have a hankering for Italian food, it’s always difficult to choose just one flavor, especially when I go out to a restaurant. So many choices! Chicken Marsala is one of my top favorites though and this recipe is one of the easiest to make at home.  Takes hardly any time at all to prepare a classic Italian meal that is simply delicious. You’ll fast find this becoming a family favorite.

I hope you enjoy today’s Killer Fixin’s.  Happy eating!

Karen

P.S.  We’re at 46 recipes and counting with this posting.  Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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CHICKEN MARSALA
[Serves 6]

2 tsp. olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped, cooked
1 ½ lbs. Boneless skinless chicken breast halves, pounded into ¼-inch thickness
1 cup dry Marsala wine
¾ cup chicken stock, low fat & sodium
1 T. cornstarch
salt & pepper to taste

In large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil.  Add onion and sauté 5 minutes.  Add chicken and cook on each side 5 minutes.  Add wine and cook 4 minutes until wine looks syrupy.  In small cup, dissolve cornstarch in stock.  Add to chicken and cook until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.  Add salt & pepper to taste. Serve with pasta or potatoes.