Showing posts with label December Week 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label December Week 4. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo and Amaretto Pears

This dish whips up in no time at all. Using premade tortellini and a jar of alfredo sauce makes it go quick.

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound of chicken breast tenderloins
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 package of frozen or refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 1 jar of alfredo sauce
  • 1 bag of fresh spinach
  • 2 pears cut into bite sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon of amaretto
  • Whipped cream


Preparation:

Cook the tortellini in boiling water or according to package directions.
Cook the chicken tenderloins over high heat in 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Remove from heat, add one tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.
Cook the spinach in the olive oil until wilted.
Cut the chicken into small pieces.
Remove the spinach and place on a serving plate with high sides. (A pie pan will do.)
Put the chicken and tortellini in a pan and cover with the alfredo sauce to warm through.
Pour the amaretto over the pears and toss to coat.
Place the pears in a dessert dish and put a dollop of whipped cream on top.
Place the chicken tortellini in sauce on top of the spinach.

Have a wonderful dinner!

Don't miss a post. Follow me on Twitter as @Dinnermagic.
Try my recipes at Sacramento Easy Meals Examiner.

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Beef and Beer Stew in the Slow Cooker or on the Stove with Video

Serve with Garlic Smashed Potatoes

I make a killer St. Patrick’s day corned beef that my family loves with Guinness Stout. It cooks all day in the slow cooker, and that was the inspiration for this recipe. I also found another similar stovetop recipe online with a video showing how to make it. You can use that recipe or mine. Whichever one you use, serve it up in a well of garlic smashed potatoes.






Ingredients for Beef and Beer Stew in the Slow Cooker


  • 3 pounds of beef stew meat
  • ¼ cup of oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bag of peeled baby carrots
  • 3 stalks of celery, sliced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 bottle of Guinness Stout
For the smashed potatoes:
  • 6 russet potatoes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup of sour cream
  • Milk to thin to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste


Preparation of the Beef and Beer Stew

Brown the beef in hot oil. According to Julia Child’s cookbook, dry the beef, then the beef should be browned on all sides, with no pieces touching.
Next, place the beef, vegetables, and spices in the slow cooker.
Pour the Guinness Stout over the top.
Cook on low heat all day for 8-10 hours.
1 hour before serving, melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour and stir. This is called a roux.
Add the roux to the beef stew and stir well.
Cover again and cook for another hour.
Prepare the garlic smashed potatoes.
Cook the potatoes and garlic in boiling water for ½ hour or until tender.
Smash the potatoes using a potato masher with the butter and sour cream.
Stir in some salt and pepper and add milk to make the potatoes as thin as you like.
Place the potatoes in a bowl, and make a well.
Pour a heaping ladle of beef and beer stew into the potato well.

Enjoy!

Don't miss a recipe or menu plan! Follow me on Twitter as @Dinnermagic.
You can also find me as the Sacramento Easy Meals Examiner.

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