Good Eats...

I hope everyone had a FABULOUS Valentine's Day! We sure did. Our heart pizzas were fantastic (we had a bbq chicken pizza with shredded chicken, cilantro, red onions, bacon and cheese, as well as a fresh mozzarella--key ingredient--pepperoni, tomato pizza). It was fun to have the Noorda's over as cooking partners-again. :) And now, here's another week of yummy dinners that we'll be having here in Chicago...

*Monday: White Chili (see recipe below) with cornbread (I've tried many recipes, but one of my favorites is the $0.39 Jiffy cornbread. It is so quick and easy...and CHEAP! And for some reason, it tastes SOOOOO good! You can find it in the baking isle by the cake mixes)

*Tuesday: Black beans and Rice (with all the yummies to go with!)

*Wednesday: Pasta with Proscuitto & Peas (Ryder has a fascination lately with Prosciutto...so we'll give this recipe a try...) & toasted baguette

*Thursday: Leftovers

*Friday: Steak & Onion Sandwiches (these are AMAZING!!!) with Iceberg Wedges (see recipe below)

*Saturday: Leftovers OR possibly date night/out to eat?!

*Sunday: Chicken Curry (we didn't end up making this last week, and I really want to try this recipe...so here's take II) with rice


WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

- white beans (approx. 45 oz/3 cans of your favorites--Great Northern's, Chickpeas, Cannellini's, etc.)
- 2 cans (15 or 16 oz.) chicken broth
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 TBLSP olive oil
- 2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chilies
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp. oregano
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 4 c. cooked chicken, boned and diced/shredded
- 3 c. Monterey Jack cheese, grated
- corn (I just like to throw some in...it's not in the recipe, but I think it makes it extra tasty)

Saute' onions in oil until tender. Add chilies, cumin, oregano and cayenne pepper and mix thoroughly. Place in large pot or crock pot and add beans, broth and chicken. Mix thoroughly. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Stir in cheese just before serving.


ICEBERG WEDGES WITH THOUSAND ISLAND DRESSING

- 1 c. reduced fat mayonnaise
- 1/4 c. tomato-based chili sauce
- 1/4 c. milk
- 2 TBLSP red-wine vinegar
- 2 TBLSP sweet pickle relish
- 1 TBLSP chopped fresh parsley
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- coarse salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, cored and cut into 8 wedges

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, chili sauce, milk, vinegar, relish, parsley, scallion, and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper.
Place the iceberg wedges on a platter or divide among 4 plates; drizzle with the dressing, as desired. Serve immediately.