Prosciutto String Bean Bundles

Perfect Side Dish...

String Beans (cleaned with stem removed)
Prosciutto (sliced thin)
Salt/ Pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Bring a large pot of water to a boil
Once boiling add salt and string  beans return to a boil
Cook for 8 minutes
Remove from water and rinse under cold water for 3-4 minutes
Pat string beans dry
Take four string beans and wrap with a slice of prosciutto
Place bundle on serving dish
Continue until all string beans are wrapped with prosciutto
Lightly drizzle all bundles with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and a few grinds of pepper

***This dish can be made ahead of time.  The bundles can be placed in the refrigerator without the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and pepper - do this step right before serving.

Homemade Bread Crumbs

Delicious in So Many Dishes...

Stale Bread (example...Italian Bread, Rolls, Semolina Bread, Seasoned or Flavored Bread)
Salt/Pepper
Dried Basil
Dried Parsley

Break bread into small pieces
Place into the blender or food processor
***Grind to desired consistency (not too powdery)
Remove crumbs and place in air tight container
Season with salt, pepper, basil and parsley
Cover and place in a cool dry place until ready to use

***If a recipe calls for powdery bread crumbs then re-process the amount needed for the recipe not the whole batch.  Powdery bread crumbs tend to melt away while cooking.

Chicken Cutlets

Much Easier and Healthier...

Boneless / Skinless Chicken Cutlets 

1 Zip Lock Bag 

2 Cups Bread Crumbs (seasoned or unseasoned)

Olive Oil 

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees 

Place chicken cutlets in Zip Lock Bag 

Add Bread Crumbs

Seal zip top and shake till chicken is covered with bread crumbs 

Remove Chicken from bag and place in oven proof dish 

Drizzle with olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) and bake for

15 minutes or until juices run clear and chicken is no longer pink inside

Lentil Soup

So Heart Warming...

5 Slices of Bacon
1 Medium Onion (chopped)
3 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
4 Carrots (peeled and chopped)
4 Stalks of Celery (washed and chopped)
1 Bag Lentils (picked over and rinsed)
1 Large Can Diced Tomatoes
1 32 oz. Can of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Salt/Pepper

In a large pot cook bacon until crisp
Remove bacon and crumble, set aside
Drain off 1/2 of bacon grease and add onion and garlic
Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes
Add in carrots and celery season with salt/pepper
Cook for about 5-8 minutes or until vegetables are softened (stirring frequently)
Add lentils and stir
Add tomatoes and chicken broth
Re-season with salt/pepper
Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer till lentils are tender about 1 to 1 1/2 hours
Serve warm with a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese

***Lentils tend to absorb liquid - more chicken broth or water may be added to maintain soup consistency during the simmering stage

Asparagus Risotto

Oven Baked...No More Stirring

1 Bunch Asparagus (cleaned and cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
1 Small Onion (diced)
Olive Oil
3/4 Cup Arborio Rice
1/4 Cup White Wine
1 1/2 Cup Hot Water
1 Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Salt/Pepper
2 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter
Parmesan Cheese
Handful of Parsley (chopped)

Preheat Oven to 400 Degrees
Coat the bottom of Dutch Oven (or oven proof pot) with olive oil
Over medium heat add onions and cook till softened about 5 minutes
Add asparagus season with salt / pepper
Cook till softened about 3-4 minutes
Add the rice stirring to coat the grains with olive oil (add a tad more olive oil if needed)
Stir in the wine and cook till evaporated about 1 minute
Stir in water and broth
Reason with salt/pepper
Bring to a boil then cover with lid and transfer to oven
Bake for 15 minutes
After 15 minutes stir in remaining chicken broth and 1 tablespoon of butter
Re-cover and bake additional 10 minutes
Remove from oven
Cool for 5 minutes then stir in remaining butter, cheese and parsley