Zesty Chicken & Orzo Skillet

Again, I love every foodie word in that title!!
(no serving size given)

4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 lb.) - I would use thighs*
1/2 cup Zest Italian dressing, divided
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen artichoke hears
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
1&1/2 cups water
2 T. chopped fresh basil (I would use lemon basil*)

Cook chicken in 2 T. dressing in a large nonstick skillet on med.-high heat for 4 min.on each side or until browned on both sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Add remaining dressing and all remaining ingredients except basil to skillet; mix well. Bring to a boil on med. heat. Top with chicken and cover. Simmer on med.-low heat for 9 min. or until chicken is done (165 degrees), stirring after 5 min.
Remove from heat; let stand 5 min. Top with basil (I like to hand tear instead of chop*).

Keep your chin up and Keep SMILING!!

Love,

MM

Blueberry Muffin Cookies

"Morph a morning classic into an anytime treat with an assist from a pantry mainstay". Saw this in the paper, and just had to share!! Remember, when you see I have used an asterisk, it denotes any changes or suggestions I would make to the original recipe. Bon Appetit!!
(makes 20-22 cookies)

1 box blueberry muffin mix
Coconut* oil cooking spray or 2 sheets parchment paper
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup plus 2 T. canola or veg*. oil
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg, beaten
2 T. whole* milk, plus 1-2 T. more, divided
1&1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 T. Kerrygold* butter, melted
1/2 t. lemon zest
2 T. fresh* lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Stir together blueberry muffin mix, oats, oil, sugar, egg, and 2 T. milk in a large bowl until a dough forms. Drop rounded tablespoons onto baking sheets. Bake 8-10 min. until tops are light golden brown and  enters appear just set. Cool on baking sheets. Whisk together powdered sugar, melted butter, lemon zest and juice, plus 1-2 T. milk until glossy and pourable. Drizzle over cookies. Allow glaze to set before serving.

"If the grass looks greener on the other side.....stop staring, stop complaining, and start watering the grass you're standing on!"

Love,

Machete Milletti (aka chef Deb)

Bacon and Egg Potato Boats = Super Spuds!!

This recipe transforms baked potatoes into a DELISH and hassle free meal with a few creative additions.
Here is a tip: if the potato halves don't sit upright, cut a thin slice off the bottom.

Coconut* oil cooking spray
Pre-baked and cooled potato (I would use russet*)
1 T. Kerrygold butter
1 T. 2%* milk
1 T. shredded Italian blend cheese
1/2 T. chopped green onion
1 slice smoked* uncured* cooked bacon, chopped
1/4 t. Kosher salt plus 1/8 t., divided
1 large* egg
Cracked* black pepper
Finely chopped flat-leaf* parsley

Preheat oven to 400. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Cut the potato in half lengthwise. Scoop pulp into a bowl, leaving about 1/4" around the edges. Mash pulp with a fork. For each half potato half add butter, stirring unto melted, milk, cheese, onion, bacon and 1/4 t. salt. Stir well. Sppn back into skins. Wit the back of a spoon create a deep well (you may have some pulp left over). Place on baking sheet. Crack the egg into each well and sprinkle with S&P. Bake 35-40 min., until the egg whites are set.
Sprinkle with parsley.

"Not all rewards are immediate or visible."

Love,

MM

Pan Bagnat

"The Cafe de Paris, Place du Casino in famed Monte Carlo is probably the only cafe in the world to present live Bach and Beethoven via a string ensemble for midday luncheon guests. 'Pan Bagnat' (translated literally means 'soaked bread') is their international specialty currently being enjoyed by a great many on the Cote d'Azur." And, I am French, so I say, Oui Oui!!
(makes 1 sandwich)

2 slices of your fav. bread* (they used Bran'nola)
1 firm tomato, thinly sliced (I would use Campari)
1 t. plus 1 T.  GOOD* olive oil, divided
1 canned artichoke heart, sliced
2 scallions sliced lengthwise
1/4 green pepper, sliced and seeds removed (I would use a red bell pepper*)
1/2 hardcooked egg, sliced
1/4 cup flaked tuna in oil
4-5 black olives, sliced and pitted (I would use Kalamatas*)
2 anchovy fillets (I would use anchovy paste*)
1 fresh, crushed basil leaf (I would use lemon basil*)
Kosher* salt and cracked* pepper, to taste

Place the bread slices on a serving plate. On one slice place the tomato. Pour 1 t. olive oil over tomato. Cover with the rest of the ingredients through S&P. Sprinkle the remaining 1 T. olive oil over all. Close with the second bread slice. Press down so bread absorbs oil.

"I am a vibrant soul radiating a healthy body. My physical temple is beautiful, strong, and well."

Love,

Machete Milletti (aka chef Deb)

Glen Millett's Bean Salad

This recipe from my beloved and dearly departed Beautiful MOM just resurfaced in my room!!! She pronounced it Deeeeelicious!!

1 can cut or whole green beans
1 can yellow wax beans
1 can red kidney beans
Diced green sweet bell pepper (I would use a combo of red, orange, and yellow)
Sweet onion, diced
Celery, diced
Unfiltered apple cider vinegar (I like the one from Trader Joe's)
Veggie oil
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw)

Drain and rinse beans well in a collander. Put first 6 ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Whisk together the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Pour over the beans and veggies, secure lid, and shake well. Leave in the fridge for several hours or overnight.

Mom, I am gonna make this today, in your honor!!

Love,

Chef Deb (aka Machete Milletti)

Avocado-Egg in the Hole

Funola and Yumola!! Serve with sliced tomatoes, fresh melon balls, and a smile.

2 slices Multi-grain bread
1 T. Kerrygold* butter
1/4 of a med. avocado cut lengthwise into 4 slices
2 large eggs
1/8 t. kosher* salt
1 oz. Gruyere cheese, shredded (1/4 cup)
Cracked black pepper - a few grinds - to taste*

Cut a 3x2" oval out of the center of each slice of bread. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet heated over med. heat. Add bread to the skillet. Cook over med. heat about 2 min. or until the bottom of the bread is golden brown. Carefully flip bread slices. Arrange 2 avocado slices on the perimeter of the hole in the bread. Break an egg into a custard cup, then slip into the center of each oval. Season with salt. Cook over med. heat for 2 min. Sprinkle cheese over toast and eggs. Cover and cook 1/2-2 min. more or until the egg is the desired doneness and the cheese is melted.

"Trade anxiety for trust. God will guide your way."

Love,

Chef Deb (aka Machete Milletti)

Orange-Ginger-Glazed Carrots

Talk about a Healthy/WAY good for you easy recipe!!
(serves 6)

1 (1 lb.) package organic* baby carrots
1 t. grated orange rind
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 t. Kerrygold* butter
2 t. honey
1-3 t. freshly grated ginger root, to taste
1/4 t. kosher* salt
1/8 t. freshly* ground black pepper (white pepper contains Gluten*)
1 cup water

Stir together all ingredients in a med. saucepan over med. heat, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, 30-35 min. or until liquid evaporates and carrots are glazed.

"Lord, no matter my circumstances, help me to find joy in You."

Love one another, and have FUN today!!

MM