Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken

Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken

Crockpot  Tarragon Leek Chicken

Sometimes, when you are either lazy, time is of the essence, or it’s just to hot to cook, a girl needs to bring out the crockpot. This recipe is quick to throw together, and you can have dinner ready when you need it.

Tender chicken breast with baby red potatoes, sweet peas, and leeks for that mellow onion taste. Low fat sour cream, a few smashed potatoes, and a touch of fresh tarragon make a creamy sauce for this “all in one” dish……meat, potatoes, and a veggie.

I really am not usually a fan of chicken in the crockpot, its kinda sickly white, so I sautéed the chicken just to give it color. I cut the potatoes in half….mine were small, so if you have larger potatoes cut them in quarters.

A word about leeks……wash them very well, or you will have a mouth full of grit. I cut mine in the way they need to be for a recipe, them plunk them in a bowl of cold water, swish them around and let them set a minute. Use a slotted spoon to get them out of their…….bath. Then use as indicated in the recipe. The first time I used leeks in a recipe I made the mistake of just rinsing the whole leek and the result was…….grit…..yuck!

If you do not have fresh tarragon like me……my tarragon was so out of control I had to move it from the garden to its own area. It’s a huge bush……I swear it was four feet tall and about that big around. You can use dried, but I would cut the amount in half……it’s a strong flavor, and add it when you put the chicken in the crockpot.

So, how did it taste………well let me put it this way……..Tim does not like peas and he thought is was really good. I love peas and I thought the same.

So, if you are looking for quick, ready when you are meat and potatoes dinner, try the Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken.

Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken Collage

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Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken

Crockpot Tarragon Leek Chicken

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Crock Pot
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 small new red potatoes, halved
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • 1 leeks, halved lengthwise and cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces, throughly rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • Kosher salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup frozen (or fresh ) peas,
  • 2 tablespoons low fat sour cream
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon

Instructions

  1. Place the potatoes on the bottom of crockpot. In a skillet over medium high heat in 1 teaspoon coconut oil, sauté chicken breast just to brown.
  2. Transfer the browned chicken, leeks, wine, and salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Cook, covered, until the chicken and potatoes are tender, on high for 3 to 4 hours, or on low for 6 to 7 hours.
  4. Transfer the chicken and all but 4 of the potatoes to plates. Using a fork, smash the remaining potatoes into the cooking liquid to thicken.
  5. Add the peas and sour cream and cook just until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Spoon over the chicken and sprinkle with the tarragon.

Keywords: chicken, potatoes, tarragon, peas, main dish, crock pot, slow cooker

 

 

Italian Meatball Salad

Italian Meatball Salad

We all wished for warmer weather and our wish has come true! So, with warmer weather, and our garden doing very well, it was time to make salad! Italian Meatball Salad!

Italian Meatballs Salad

Our lettuce and spinach has done very well this year. Especially the baby spinach, which is the base for this salad. You can use whatever kind of lettuce you like, but due to our over abundance, I chose baby spinach.

Italian Meatball Salad 1

 The weather this week has been warm and sticky. I really didn’t want to heat up the kitchen or even cook for that matter. But, we had to eat, so I trudged on. I had some leftover meatballs from another meal in the freezer so, out they came…….but what to have with them? Since they were Italian spinach meatballs……spinach theme……Italian theme? Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. But what for a dressing? I wanted to keep with the Italianese, and meatballs need marinara….hmmm. I made a basic vinaigrette and added some jarred marinara sauce. A little parmesan cheese and the result………….FANTASTIC!  Tim and I both thought it was the perfect dressing for the Italian Meatball Salad……like spaghetti and meatballs……with no spaghetti…..

Italian Meatball Salad 2

Now, above all it was easy. Used left overs, I didn’t need to use any thing but the microwave (I heated the meatballs just a bit). It was inexpensive (using my own produce), and best of all it was totally yummy!! So, now that the heat of summer has arrived try this Italian Meatballs Salad for a cool summer meal!

Italian Meatball Salad Collage

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Italian Meatballs Salad

Italian Meatball Salad

  • Author: Marty Bpyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 precooked meatballs
  • 6 cups baby spinach
  • 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese, cut in half
  • 4 small tomatoes, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil, chopped for garnish
  • Ground Italian Seasoning to taste- I use the McCormick grinders
  • Marinara Vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. Place spinach on serving platter. Arrange mozzarella,tomatoes, and meatballs on spinach. I used meatballs I had left over from another recipe, but you can buy frozen prepared meatballs.Heat to take the chill off. Grind (or sprinkle if you are not using a grinder) the Italian seasoning over the top of the entire salad. Garnish with parmesan cheese and basil. Serve with Marinara Vinaigrette.

Keywords: spinach. meatballs, fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, parmesan cheese, basil

 

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Italian Meatballs Salad

Italian Marinara Vinaigrette

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup Marinara Sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped basil
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons cup Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 tablespoons Balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a blender,small food processor, or a Bullet Blender combine Marinara, basil, parmesan cheese, vinegars, mustard and garlic. Pulse with 1/2 cup of olive oil until blended. Add remaining olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate to store.

Keywords: marinara sauce, basil, parmesan cheese, no cook

Penne Salmon Pasta

Penne Salmon Pasta

Penne Salmon Pasta

Every once in a while you have a recipe that you fall back on time, and time again……..such is Penne Salmon Pasta.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had recipes that I thought I would never see again………….I cannot thank my friend and co-worker……..or should I say miracle worker, Jeanne enough. She rescued my lost recipes from their Word Perfect prison. So, Tim and I were able to enjoy this yummy pasta dish………….and now I get to share it with all of you.

This dish has so many parts that are good for you. In addition to being super easy to prepare, it is also loaded with taste.

It has an Asian flare……….garlic, ginger, oyster sauce, rice wine vinegar, and a touch of Sriracha for spice. The salmon gives you all those good Omega’s. Spinach is high in fiber with tons of vitamins and antioxidants. Add in the shiitake mushrooms for more fiber, B vitamins, and minerals. Toss in enriched whole grain pasta, and a touch of green onion for garnish…………..it’s a healthy bowl full of bliss.

Penne Salmon Pasta 2

So, the next time you are craving a healthy pasta dish, give the Penne Salmon Pasta a try, your taste buds and your body will thank you!

Penne Salmon Pasta Collage

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Penne Salmon Pasta

Penne Salmon Pasta

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz. penne
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Sriracha
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 5 cups spinach, stemmed
  • 3 green onions, separated into white & green parts each finely chopped
  • 1tablespoon ginger, finely chopped
  • 1 lb. salmon fillets cut in 1 by 1/4 in. strips
  • 6oz. shiitake mushrooms

Instructions

  1. Cook penne according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Combine broth, oyster sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, Sriracha, and cornstarch in a small bowl.
  3. Heat oil in a large nonstick wok over high heat.
  4. Add garlic, white part of green onion, & ginger; sauté 15 seconds. Add salmon and mushrooms; cook stirring often 4-5 minutes or until salmon is cooked. Stir in cornstarch mixture along with spinach. Heat to boiling. Stir in penne heat 1 min. transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with green onion( green part)

Notes

Note; soy sauce may be substituted for oyster

Keywords: salmon, pasta, spinach, mushrooms