White Chicken Chili

What you need: 2 cans navy beans, rinsed and drained, 1 - 10 oz can chicken, 1-4oz can green chilis, 1TB dried onion, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp pepper

Mix all together and bring to a simmer. Add more seasoning to taste.

I serve this over steamed rice.

Pesto Shrimp and Capriese Salad

Has it really been over a year since I've posted a recipe?  I guess I've been busy. Life changes and it's hard to keep up with things.  Since September 2012 I've had another baby, earned a Masters degree, and have started working again. How's that for busy!!!


Being busy hasn't stopped me from cooking, but my meals aren't as fancy as they used to be or at least they don't take as much time.  For example: chicken nuggets, frozen pizza...I'm so ashamed. But hey, it's summer so that means I have a break from work. I will start as Dean of Students in August so I am trying to enjoy time with the kids and time in my kitchen.


Here is tonight's recipes-requested by a former neighbor who saw my post on FB. I only wish I had a delicious dessert to share with her as I know she loves her desserts (as do I).


Pesto Shrimp
I didn't measure ingredients for pesto-just eyeballed it.


What you will need: Basil, one clove garlic, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, shrimp (I buy precooked frozen and let it thaw), butter


Place 1 cup fresh basil leaves, garlic clove, 1-2 Tablespoons pine nuts, about 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, and 2 tbsp. olive oil in a food processor.  Process until it comes together. Add more oil to arrive at the consistency you like.


You are going to grill these babies, so get that grill going. I am proud to say I recently mastered the gas grill. I usually let my hubby take care of grilling, but sometimes the kids are hungry and dinner has to happen sooner than later.


I double up tin foil and smear the pesto on the foil. Then place the thawed shrimp on the foil.  About 40 pieces? I buy the frozen bag at Walmart. Stir the two ingredients a bit and top with pats of butter. Maybe 3-4 pats.  Place on grill until the shrimp start to color. About 10 minutes. They are precooked so you don't have to worry about that, just don't over cook or they become chewy.


Capriese Salad
This was just something I made up on a whim.


What you need: 1 pound Cheese filled tortellini, salami, cheese, grape tomatoes, olives, green pepper, Ken's Light Northern Italian Dressing


I buy my tortellini from Schwan's. It comes frozen, but I know you can buy it in the refrigerator section of the grocery store as well.  Bring 4 quarts of water to boil and add a pinch of salt. As always, I use Kosher salt. Add the tortellini once the water comes to a boil. The key to tortellini is once it floats it is done. At that time drain and run cold water over. In a large bowl add the ingredients to your liking. I had salami on hand, but otherwise I would have used pepperoni. I used on entire green pepper, diced. I also halved the grape tomatoes and cubed the cheese. I used pepper jack and Colby jack.  I had cucumber on hand so added that as well. Just use what you like. I mixed it all with about 1/3-1/2 cup of dressing. Once again, it's all about taste. Taste as you go!

Enjoy Shilpa!!!

Chocolate Covered Coconut Balls

Here is another Christmas favorite.

What you will need: 5 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 14 oz flaked coconut, 24 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips

Blend milk and vanilla.  Add the sugar a little at a time, mixing until smooth. It will become very thick. Stir in coconut. Roll into small balls and chill on wax paper until firm.  In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips.  Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate and place on wax paper.  Cool for several hours.

Ginger Snaps

Ginger snaps are probably one of my favorite kind of cookie. The best ginger snap is soft and chewy.  Try this recipe. You'll love it!

What you will need: 2/3 cup margarine, 1 cup sugar, 1 egg, 4 Tbsp molasses, 2 cups flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tsp soda, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Beat the margarine and sugar.  Then add the egg and molasses and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix.  The dough will be sticky; add a little flour if you feel it's too sticky.  I usually refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes then roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut.  Roll them in sugar and space them on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.  Makes 3 dozen.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

I remember having a family dinner at our priest's home as a child and he served us brussel sprouts. To be polite my brother and I tried them, but didn't like them.  As an adult they are becoming one of my go-to vegetables. They are so easy to roast and my husband likes them as much as I do!

What you will need:
Brussel Sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the sprouts and cut in half.  Tear off any leaves that are wilted or brown.  Toss the sprouts in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Throw them on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven for 25-30 minutes.  Serve warm.

Cheesy Potato and Ham Bake

What you will need: 28 oz frozen hash browns, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 8 oz. sour cream, 1 1/4 cup milk, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 cup cubed ham, 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, salt and pepper to taste.

Mix all ingredients together. Place in a 9x13 pan. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for one hour.

You may also freeze. Thaw before baking.

You could also add in onion and green pepper.

Blueberry Muffins or Chocolate Chip Muffins

I'm expecting a baby in 20 days!  I've decided to stock the freezer and am starting with muffins. A quick breakfast we can pull out the night before.  This basic recipe can be used for many different kinds of muffins-just mix in what you like. I've tried blueberries and chocolate chips. If you don't have wheat flour, use 3 cups white. If you don't have Greek yogurt, use regular or even sour cream.

What you will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, 2 large eggs, 1 stick butter (melted and cooled), 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen) or 1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl.  In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and yogurt.  Fold the eggs and yogurt into the dry mixture.  Then fold in butter. Then fold in your mix in (blueberries, chips, banana, etc). Use an ice cream scoop to place batter in muffin tins lined with paper liners or greased. I sprinkled raw sugar on the top as well. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.