Chicken Durango

1/2 cup melted butter
5 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
4 boneless chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients except the chicken in a small bowl. Put the chicken into a labeled 1-gallon freezer bag, pour other ingredients over it, and freeze.
To serve, thaw the ingredients. Place in a baking dish treated with non-stick spray. Bake, uncovered for 45 minutes at 325 degrees.

JAM2000

Sour Cream Chicken

2 cups (16oz) Sour Cream
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp celery salt
1/2 tsp chopped garlic (I grated it- ala Rachael Ray tip)
2 tsp pepper
6 boneless. skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup dry bread crumbs *
2 tblsp parsley *
1/4 cup melted butter*

Mix the sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, paprika, celery salt, garlic and pepper. Pout into 1- gallon freezer bag and add chicken. Completely covering the chicken with the sauce. Label and freeze
To serve, pour thawed chicken into baking pan treated with non-stick spray. Sprinkle top with breadcrumbs, parsley and drizzle with melted butter. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes

Note- I cubed the chicken and split this recipe into two freezer bags for two separate dinners.

JAM2000

Chicken Dijon

3 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts- cut in half
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup half & half
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tomatoes - cut into wedges *
2 tablespoons parsley flakes *

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Cook the chicken breast pieces in the butter over medium heat until cooked through and lightly browned, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to cool.
Stir flour into drippings in the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and half & half. Stir and cook until the sauce thickens and bubbles. Stir in the mustard. Cook the sauce. Pour the chicken and cooled sauce into a la bled 1- gallon freezer bag and freeze.
To serve, the the chicken. Place the chicken and sauce in a skillet, cover and heat for 10 minutes. Garnish with tomatoes and parsley flakes.

Note- I split this recipe into 2 freezer bags for 2 servings.

JAM2000

Spinach Ricotta Sauce

This is great to make if you have some leftover ricotta after making a lasagna or baked ziti.

10 oz frozen spinach- thawed and well drained
2 tbsp olive oil
1 med onion- chopped
4 garlic cloves- minced (I do that Rachael Ray thing and grate the garlic- so easy)
1/2 cup of water
1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
dash of nutmeg
1 lb short pasta (like a bowtie) for day you serve

Thaw and drain spinach. Pat dry with paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible. Chop onion. Mince garlic.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is softened. Add 1/2 cup water; bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach, ricotta cheese, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Place in a labeled freezer bag and freeze.
To serve- thaw. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reheat sauce over low heat until through and recombined, stirring frequently. Spoon over pasta.
I like to add a chopped tomato and toasted pinoli nuts to this when I serve it.

JAM2000

Chicken Scampi

1/4 cup chopped green onion (I used an onion I had on hand)
3 tsp chopped garlic (or garlic powder)
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
4 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts- cut into 1/2 in strips
2 tbsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp pepper
fettuccine, other pasta or rice for day you serve
1 chopped tomato for day you serve

In a large skillet, saute the onions and garlic in butter and oil. Add the lemon juice, chicken, parsley and pepper. Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, for 12 to 15 minutes, until no longer pink inside. Cook. Pour into a labeled 1- gallon freezer bag and freeze.
To serve, thaw the mixture. Cook pasta or rice according to directions. In a large skillet, cook the chicken mixture over medium heat for 6-10 minutes, or until the chicken is heated through. Spoon over pasta or rice and garnish with tomato.

JAM2000

Upside down fettuccine & sausage bake

8 ounces fettuccine noodles, freshly cooked
1/2 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 - 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Brown sausage in a medium skillet. Add onion during the last few minutes,. Drain off excess fat. Cook the fettuccine according to directions. Add entire can of tomatoes (including liquid) to the sausage mixture. Add the oregano and bring to a boil. Turn heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese over tomato mixture.

Mix the eggs, 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese, butter, parsley and garlic powder together in a separate bowl. Toss the noodles with the mixture. Spread noodle mixture in a 10-inch quiche or cake pan. Pour the sausage mixture over the top. Cover with heavy duty aluminum foil and freeze

To serve, thaw & bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with additional cheese, if desired. Cut into wedges, serve.

JAM2000