Chile−Cheese Chowder

2 bacon slices 1 cup chopped carrot 1 cup chopped, seeded, poblano chiles 1 cup chopped onion 2 tablespoons minced, seeded jalapeno peppers 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 (16 oz.) cans fat−free chicken broth 5 cups diced, peeled, baking potato 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup flour 2 1/2 cups 1% milk 3/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1/2 cup shredded reduced−fat sharp cheddar cheese 2/3 cup sliced green onions In a dutch oven, cook bacon until crisp. Reserve 1 tablespoon drippings in pan, remove bacon and set it aside. To the pan add carrots, chiles, onion, jalapeno, cumin, and garlic. Saute until browned. Stir in broth and scrape bottom of pan to release browned bits. Add potatoes and salt, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Whisk together flour and milk, add to potato mixture while stirring and cook over medium heat until thickened stirring often (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat, stir in cheeses until melted. Serve in bowls topped with crumbled bacon and sliced green onions About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1/2 cup diced low fat boiled ham 1/2 cup shredded low fat Swiss cheese 1/8 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons white wine salt/pepper to taste 8 oz. plain low fat yogurt 1 tablespoon milk 1 cup crushed seasoned bread crumbs Combine ham, Swiss cheese, garlic, wine, salt and pepper in a bowl to make a filling. Preheat oven to 350F. Rinse chicken with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut a slit in the side of each breast to form a pocket. Stuff each pocket with 1/4 of filling. Press to close or secure with wooden picks. In a flat dish, combine yogurt and milk. Dip each breast in yogurt mixture; turn to coat well. Roll in bread crumbs and place in well−greased baking pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until done. Serve with pasta and zucchini. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Cajun Style Pasta

12 ounces linguine 1 teaspoon butter or olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 8−12 medium size shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/2 pound chicken breast meat, diced 2 1/2 tablespoons all−purpose flour 2 cups of 1% milk 2 tablespoons sherry 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 4 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup frozen peas Salt and black pepper to taste Prepare the linguine according to package directions. Drain and keep warm until ready to serve. Melt the butter in the center of a large non−stick skillet over medium−high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the shrimp and chicken. Pan−fry until the chicken is cooked through, 3−4 minutes. Whisk the flour, milk, sherry, and Parmesan cheese together. Pour into the skillet and bring to a boil while stirring. Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook for about 5 minutes until the mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally. Add the cayenne and fold in the tomatoes and peas. Cook until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange the linguine on individual plates and spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Bulgar Wheat and Fruit Stuffing

1 1/4 cup bulgar wheat 1/2 cup apple juice 1/4 cup dried apples 10 dried apricots 1/4 cup raisins 1 8−ounce package seasoned bread stuffing 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or pecans 1/2 to 3/4 cups fat−free and low sodium chicken broth Salt and pepper for seasoning Bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the bulgar wheat, bring back to a boil. Lower heat just enough so that the pot doesn't spill over and cook for 15 minutes. While the bulgar is cooking, pour the apple juice into a micro−safe measuring cup. Chop the apples and apricots. Add the apples, apricots and raisins to the apple juice stirring to combine. Microwave at full power for 1 minute and set aside. Drain the bulgar wheat and return to the pot. Stir in the bread stuffing, apples, apricots, raisins and pine nuts. Stir in just enough chicken broth to moisten the bread. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Heat in the microwave for 3−4 minutes. The stuffing can be made 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith

Buffalo Chicken Strips

Blue Cheese Dip: 2/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt 2 tablespoons reduced−fat mayonnaise 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese 3 tablespoons finely chopped scallions 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper Chicken Strips and Celery Sticks: 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1/2 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut crosswise into 1/4−inch strips 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons butter 1 tablespoon Frank's original hot sauce 5 celery stalks, cut into 3−inch sticks In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise and blue cheese. Stir in the scallions and pepper and set aside while preparing the chicken. Cover and refrigerate. Heat the oil in a large, preferably nonstick skillet. Season the chicken with the salt. Cook the chicken over medium−high heat, stirring frequently, until lightly browned and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the butter and hot sauce to the pan and swirl until the butter barely melts and the sauce coats the chicken. Serve the chicken and celery sticks along with the blue cheese dip. Provide toothpicks for spearing the chicken and dipping it in the sauce. About The Author : I hope this recipe and all the recipes on my blog site http://top-shelf-recipes.blogspot.com bring you and your families lots of enjoyment. Enjoy Them All, W.D.Smith