mmmmm: trader joe's bruschetta pasta

i am borderline addicted to trader joe's. there are just so many wonderful things to try! this dish is a family favorite, a huge hit with guests and makes for delicious left-overs. it is also ridiculously easy to make--ready in less than 15 minutes! try it and let me know if it becomes a favorite in your house as well. 


ingredients:

1 box/bag of pasta (you pick). note: tonight i made it with gluten free rice pasta and it was delish!

1 container of the trader joe's fresh bruschetta sauce (you can find it in the refrigerated section near the cheeses and hummus). note: i sometimes make this dish with 2 containers, but it's pretty saucy.

1 container of small mozzarella balls, quartered (you can use two if you are a cheese fan).

1/2 cup of fresh basil, cut. 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

salt + pepper to taste


directions:

boil water and add some salt to flavor the pasta. then add the pasta and cook as directed.

open mozzarella containers up, drain, quarter and set aside. cut up the basil, and set aside. open bruschetta container (you can choose to heat it up a little, if you wish.

as soon as you drain the pasta, add all the ingredients and serve immediately. the heat of the pasta will heat the sauce and cheese. add salt and pepper to taste. if you decide to cool the pasta before adding ingredients, this dish is excellent cold.
note: i have made this dish with chicken before and it is fantastic.

mmmmm: gluten-free crock pot apricot chicken

i don't know about you, but i am all about great tasting, easy to prepare meals. with school back in session and days busier than ever, it is wonderful to throw ingredients into a crock pot (slow cooker) in the morning and return home to an already cooked meal that the entire family loves. this is a favorite in our home and i hope you enjoy it as well. 


gluten-free crock pot apricot chicken

ingredients
--11 oz jar of apricot preserves 
--1 teaspoon dried minced onion flakes 
--1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
--1 tablespoon soy sauce (tamari is gluten-free) 
--1/4 teaspoon ginger 
--1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional) 
--6 chicken breasts (we prefer boneless, skinless)

directions
--drop the chicken into your crock pot. 
--in a small bowl, combine the other ingredients.
--pour evenly over the chicken cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours 
  or high for 4-6
--serve over rice and with fruit/veggies. 

mmmmm, mondays: nana's famous gluten-free chicken nuggets

 

while my kiddos are not gluten-free, my mom is and an increasing number of my children's friends are. 

these gluten-free chicken nuggets are easy to make and *freeze* beautifully as well. makes it a cinch to be able to pull some out of the freezer when a gluten-free pal comes over to play. not only are they gluten-free, but they taste *amazing*! my 3-year old, non-meat eater (by his stubbornness choice since birth will even eat them)....dare i say they are a miracle?!

•special thanks to my dear friend, wendy and her mom, "nana" for allowing me to share the recipe. xoxo•

ingredients:

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 cups gluten-free flour
half a box of rice crispies
3 eggs
6 tablespoons hidden valley ranch
canola oil
season salt to taste (we used nature's seasoning)

directions

•prepare chicken breasts by cutting them in to bite-size pieces

•add eggs and ranch dressing to a bowl and mix well (ratio is 1 egg per 2 tablespoons ranch--add more eggs and ranch depending on amount or chicken you are cooking).

•prepare a bowl of gluten-free flour.

•prepare a bowl or shallow dish of rice crispies (you can crush in a ziploc bag or just use as is).

•dredge chicken in the flour, dip into egg mixture, then dredge in rice crispies. 

•i prefer to prepare all the chicken and then fry after all are coated.

•using a large pan, fill half way with canola oil and heat. 

•once oil is heated, add the prepared nuggets. note: add chicken one piece at a time to prevent the hot oil from splattering.  

•cook chicken, a couple of minutes a side (depending on thickness and size of nugget), until golden brown and crispy on the outside and no longer pink on the inside. sprinkle with season salt and enjoy!

note: these nuggets also freeze beautifully! wait for them to cool then add to freezer ziploc bag and freeze. they are a breeze to pop a couple out when needed and microwave.