The Cooking Family

Zucchini Bread

 

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Zucchini Bread
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Servings: 8
Author: Linda
Ingredients
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or coconut oil)
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 2-3 cups grated zucchini
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

  2. Spray two loaf pans with cooking spray.

  3. Mix flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon in a medium sized bowl.

  4. Beat eggs, oil, applesauce, vanilla and sugars in a large mixing bowl.

  5. Add dry ingredients mixture to wet mixture and mix well.

  6. Stir in zucchini and nuts and mix until well combined.

  7. Pour into the two pans and cook at 325 degrees for 50 minutes, or until toothpick in the center of the loaf comes out clean.

  8. Cool in pan on rack for 20 minutes. Then remove and cool completely.

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Penne Chicken Alfredo Bake

 

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Penne Chicken Alfredo Bake
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 12 oz. penne pasta (cooked as on package)
  • 3 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 4 Tbsp. butter (plus extra for greasing baking dish)
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 4 Tbsp. flour
  • 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesean cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Butter a large casserole dish and set aside.

  3. Cook pasta as directed on the package.

  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

  5. Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, as well as covering with Italian seasoning.

  6. Place the chicken in the pan and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about four to five minutes per side. Remove chicken and wipe the skillet clean.

  7. Let the chicken rest for five minutes, then slice crosswise on each chicken breast.

  8. Return the skillet to the stove and heat to medium. Sauté until your butter is melted, about 30 seconds. Add garlic powder. 

  9. Whisk the flour into the butter and garlic powder and cook until the mixture is bubbling and golden, about one minute more.

  10. Gradually pour in the heavy cream (or half-and-half), whisking constantly. Bring mixture to a simmer and stir in Parmesan cheese. Let mixture simmer until the sauce thickens, about two to three minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  11. In a large bowl, combine your cooked pasta, chicken, and sauce. Spread about half of the pasta mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish then sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the top. Add the remaining pasta mixture and cover with your remaining mozzarella.

  12. Bake until bubbly and beginning to brown on top, about 20 minutes.

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Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf

Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
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Bacon Barbecue Meatloaf
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 5 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs. ground beef
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. Worcester sauce
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. pepper
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 tsp. liquid smoke
Glaze:
  • 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 3/4 tsp. smoked paprika
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Mix ingredients well and put into ungreased loaf pan.

  3. Put half of the glaze over the top of the meat.

  4. Cover the top with bacon.

  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

  6. Remove from oven and cover bacon with remaining glaze.

  7. Return to oven and cook for another 15-20 minutes until internal temperature of 165 degrees and the bacon is crispy.

  8. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

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Garlic Brown Sugar Crock Pot Chicken

 

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Garlic Brown Sugar Crock Pot Chicken
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 5 mins
 

Quick prep on this easy crock pot recipe. I recommend using the longer cook time on low to allow the flavors to fully season this dish, however the shorter cook time on high still produces a tasty dish.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 3
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 3 chicken breasts
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 4-5 slices bacon
Instructions

  1. Cover the chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder and place into the slow cooker.

  2. Sprinkle on half of the brown sugar on top of the chicken.

  3. Place the bacon on top of the chicken and sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of the bacon.

  4. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours. (I recommend the 8 hours on low for better flavor absorption.)

  5. If the bacon is undercooked, you can stick the chicken with the bacon on top in the oven and broil for 1-2 minutes.

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Barbecue Nachos

Barbecue Nachos
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Barbecue Nachos
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
13 mins
 

Tired of beef nachos, try this spin on a traditional plate of nachos. This recipe is versatile. If you want to change things up, you can also use this chicken as a topping over a baked potato.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Author: Walter
Ingredients
  • 1 bag Tortilla chips
  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp. chili powder
  • 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions

  1. Dice your chicken.

  2. Heat the oil in a pan on high heat.

  3. Season your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder and chili powder and cook in the hot skillet for two to three minutes.

  4. Add the barbecue sauce and cook until the sauce has been reduced by half, about five minutes.

  5. Remove from heat.

  6. Serve over Tortilla chips. Add the shredded cheese to the top and microwave for 30 seconds to melt the cheese.

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Zuppa Toscana

 

Zuppa Toscana
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Zuppa Toscana
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
7 hrs
Total Time
7 hrs 20 mins
 
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 28 oz. chicken broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 24 oz. spicy Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 5 medium russet potatoes, cut into 1/8 -1/4 inch slices
  • 1/2 large onion, diced
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 2 cups kale, chopped
Instructions

  1. Cook and crumble your bacon and sausage.

  2. Dice half of a large onion.

  3. Place all ingredients except for kale and heavy cream into a large crock pot.

  4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or until potatoes are tender.

  5. Chop up your kale and add it to the soup. Cook for an additional 30 minutes.

  6. Stir in the heavy cream and heat for about five minutes and serve.

  7. You can add grated or shredded Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

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Bacon Swiss Pork Chops

 

Bacon Swiss Pork Chop
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Bacon Swiss Pork Chops
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 6-8 pork chops
  • 9-12 bacon strips cut in half
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (can use slices as well)
Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°.

  2. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper and set aside.

  3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil and garlic powder.

  4. Brush your oil and garlic mixture over the tops and sides of your pork chops with a pastry brush.

  5. Cover the top of each pork chop with 3-4 half strips of bacon.

  6. Bake at 425° for about 30 minutes, or until fully cooked.

  7. Remove the pork chops from the oven and sprinkle cheese (or lay slices on top) on immediately to melt.

  8. If cheese doesn't melt fully, place back in the oven for a minute or two until melted.

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Fruit Dip

Fruit Dip
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Fruit Dip
Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
 

This dip is super easy to make and tastes delicious. It's always a crowd pleaser.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Author: Linda
Ingredients
  • 3 oz. box instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 1/2 cup milk
  • 8 oz. whipped topping
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or almond extract)
  • mixed fresh fruits, cut into pieces
Instructions

  1. Mix the pudding and milk until it thickens.

  2. Add your vanilla extract and whipped topping and mix well.

  3. Place in a bowl and serve with fresh fruit.

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Breaded Barbecue Chicken

 

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Breaded Barbecue Chicken
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 2-3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (choose your favorite)
  • 2 Tbsp honey
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

  2. Pour buttermilk into medium size shallow dish.

  3. In a large plastic food storage bag, mix flour, salt and pepper.

  4. Dip each chicken piece in buttermilk, then place in the bag with flour mixture. Hold the bag closed and shake until the chicken is coated.

  5. Place the chicken in a ungreased large baking dish. Spray the chicken generously with cooking spray. Turn the chicken over and spray other sides as well.

  6. Bake uncovered 45 to 50 minutes or until chicken is crisp and juice is no longer pink when the center of thickest pieces are cut.

  7. About 5 minutes before the chicken will finish cooking, mix the barbecue sauce and honey in a small bowl. Just before serving, brush the chicken with the sauce mixture.

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Ham Bone Green Beans

 

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Ham Bone Green Beans
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 
Servings: 6
Author: Tracy
Ingredients
  • 1 left over ham bone
  • 1-2 lbs. green beans
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion, sliced
  • 1 tsp. black pepper
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
Instructions

  1. Add olive oil to saute pan and saute your onion slices.

  2. Place all the ingredients into a pot and simmer for 45 minutes.

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