Well....

This blog turned out to another one of my "failures". I had intended to share all my recipes with the blogging world. Well, I soon found myself repeating the same recipes over and over. Not really a good way to share. So, I am changing it up a little bit. I have given the blog a new name and a new purpose. I will still share my recipes with you, but I will also be posting about any and all food related topics. I also won't feel pressured to come up with new recipes each and every day just to have something to share. I hope you enjoy the new and improved, The Cookin' {Italian} Bella! 

Day 15: Chicken Noodle Soup

Tonight was my first attempt at Chicken Noodle Soup. Sure, I'm a pro at popping a top off a can and heating soup up. I've been doing that for oh, about 20+ years now. This was my first attempt at home made, from scratch Chicken Noodle Soup. It wasn't that bad. The kids said it was even better than Campbell's.

Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients:

• 4- 16 oz containers chicken broth
• 2 lb chicken breasts (you can cut them up before or wait until step 5)
• 1 lb baby carrots, rinsed
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 package Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup Seasoning
• 1 c uncooked egg noodles

Directions:

1. Place Chicken and vegetables in slow cooker.
2. Pour 3 containers of chicken broth over chicken and veggies.
3. Add seasoning mix.
4. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
5. Take chicken out and cut it up. Return pieces to slow cooker.
6. Continue cooking on LOW for for 2 hours.
7. Add noodles. Use 4^th container of broth to replace liquid as needed.
8. Cook on HIGH for 10 minutes or until noodles are tender.

Day 14: Tony Chachere's Dirty Rice

I usually make Dirty Rice from scratch. But, every now and then I need something quick and easy, requiring little work and that I know my family will eat. So, when I am not in the mood to cut and chop and oversee, I turn to a box mix. I usually buy Zatarain's for this and add  ground beef, ground andouille sausage and extra Cajun seasoning. But, one day I found the Tony Chachere's brand of Dirty Rice on sale for $1/box at Dollar General. I immediately bought all they had.

Tonight was one of those "Mama's tired and doesn't feel like cooking a large made from scratch meal" nights. So, I pulled out those boxes and decided to give it a try. I honestly liked it just as much as the Zatarain's. I usually spice it up extra on my own anyway. Of course, nothing compares to the real deal, but this boxed mix is just as good for a quick meal or a side. I would definitely purchase it again. I do check every time I go into the Dollar General but I haven't seen anymore since.

When I make Dirty Rice as a main dish, I always add extra meat to it. This particular night, I served it with green beans and carrots (for the kids).

Check back for my recipe for home made Dirty Rice. It should be listed soon.

**I received no money, product or service from any company listed. I bought this product on my own and decided to use my opinion in a blog.**

Day 13: Pork Mango Cubano

Pork Mango Cubano

Served with Macaroni and Cheese

This was a "off the top of my head" recipe. Overall, it wasn't too bad. The orange juice gave it a sweet flavor which was interesting with the salsa flavor. I served it with macaroni and cheese, but I think it would be much better with rice and maybe a "sweet" vegetable like peas or corn. Maybe a side salad as the vegetable.

Pork Mango Cubano

Ingredients:

• 1 whole pork tenderloin, butterflied (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 lb chorizo sausage
• 1 Jar Chunky Salsa
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 ripe mango, seeded and chopped
• ¼ c packed brown sugar
• 2 c orange juice

Directions:
1) Place the pork in the bottom of a slow cooker.
2) Meanwhile, in a skillet brown up the chorizo. Drain the grease.
3) Put chorizo in slow cooker around pork. Pour salsa over meat. Sprinkle cilantro leaves on top. Add mango.
4) Cook on high for 4-5 hrs. Pork should be done but not easily able to be shredded.
5) After the pork is done, place on a plate for slicing.
6) In slow cooker add brown sugar and orange juice. Stir together and serve as “gravy” over pork.

Macaroni and Cheese Recipe found here.

Day 12: Steak Italiano

We ate out again tonight for some reason. So, I had to look for another trusted recipe. I used to cook this one all the time. I have even done it in a slow-cooker on occasion. But, it is best on the stove. It is based on this recipe from Campbell's Kitchen.


Steak Italiano

Ingredients:
*1 tbsp vegetable oil

*1 beef flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into strips
*2 medium onions, sliced (about 1 cup)
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 tsp Italian seasoning, crushed
*2 c of your favorite spaghetti sauce


Directions:
1) Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef strips and cook for 10 minutes or until it's well browned on both sides. Remove the beef from the skillet. Pour off any fat.
2) Add the onions, garlic and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Cook until the onions are tender. Return the beef to the skillet. Stir in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low.

I just serve this with noodles and a veggie.

                                                                               

Day 11: Hamburger Stroganoff

We actually ate out to celebrate my daughter's 8^th birthday tonight. She had requested a buffet but it was so late when we got moving (hubby works midnights Mon - Thurs), that we opted to splurge on Wendy's instead. So, back into my archives I had to go. I actually made this about a month ago back before I got the idea for this blog.


Hamburger Stroganoff

Ingredients:
2 lbs Lean ground beef
1 med onion, chopped
1 clove Garlic, finely chopped ( I use mined garlic)
3 cans (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp pepper
16 oz Sour cream

Directions:
1) Cook beef, onion and garlic in skillet over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain off any fat.
2) Stir in soup. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes stirring occasionally to keep soup from sticking to bottom of skillet. Stir in sour cream and cook until hot.


I serve this with egg noodles. I also doubled this to make enough for my family of 8 (well 9 but one doesn't eat table food yet).

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I can share a picture of our dessert. The store didn't have the Mint Chocolate Chip Cake that she really wanted, so Daddy picked this one out instead. The first thing she said was "Yay, it has ALL my favorite colors!" (pink, purple and baby blue)

Day 10: Cajun Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy and Rice

Cajun Pork Chops with Mushroom Gravy and Rice

Also served with Green Peas

Cajun Pork Chops
Ingredients:

• 8 Pork Chops
• Cajun seasoning
• Flour
• Olive Oil

Directions:

1. In a plate mix flour and cajun seasoning together. The ratio between the 2 is to your liking.
2. In a skillet, coat the bottom  with Olive Oil.
3. Coat both sides of chops with the flour mixture. Cook on both sides until done.

Mushroom Gravy
Ingredients:

• 1 c. chicken broth
• 1 can Golden Mushroom Soup
• 1 package Mushroom gravy mix
• 1 can mushroom pieces

Directions;

1. In a skillet, sautee mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
2. Add in soup, gravy mix, and broth.
3. Cook until bubbly.

Broth Simmered Rice
Ingredients:

• Rice
• Broth (chicken broth pairs well with pork)

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to package, using broth instead of water.