Garlic Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• *3 tablespoons butter
• *4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• *2 teaspoons garlic powder
• *1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• *1 teaspoon onion powder

METHOD

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken and sprinkle with garlic powder, seasoning salt and onion powder. Saute about 10 to 15 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

VERDICT

Simple, easy and very tasty! Also because this one doesn't need very many ingredients it is good for cooking when you have nothing else in the house.

Score: 89/100

Lemon-Rice Soup

INGREDIENTS

*3 c. chicken broth
*2 to 3 oz. uncooked regular rice
*2 eggs
*3 tbsp. lemon juice
*Dash of salt
*Dash of white pepper

METHOD

In 2-quart saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Reduce heat, add rice, cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. In small bowl, beat eggs and lemon juice. Stirring constantly, add 1 cup of hot soup, a little at a time. Stir mixture into soup in pan and heat. Do not boil! Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

NOTE: 2 oz. rice makes thinner soup; 3 oz. rice makes thick soup. Weight instead of measurement gives the option of using medium grain rice.

Source: www.cooks.com

VERDICT

This one wasn't too bad. At first taste it seemed a bit too lemon like (yes, yes I know it is Lemon-Rice Soup) but after a few bites it seemed just about right. So a simple, quick and pretty tasty soup...but not my favourite. :)

Score: 75/100

Slow Cooker Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

*675g minced beef
*140g dried breadcrumbs
*1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
*4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*1 medium onion, chopped
*1 egg, beaten
*1 (737g) jar pasta sauce
*1 (400g) tin chopped tomatoes
*1 (400g) jar passata

METHOD

1. In a bowl, mix the mince, breadcrumbs, Italian herbs, parsley, garlic, onion and egg. Shape the mixture into 16 meatballs.

2. In a slow cooker, mix the pasta sauce, chopped tomatoes and passata. Place the meatballs into the sauce mixture. Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Serve with spaghetti.

VERDICT

This recipe was super quick and super easy. I found the sauce was very yummy but I think that there will be some variation depending on the type of pasta sauce you use within the recipe. The meatballs seemed to be missing a bit of flavour, even with the addition of some salt and pepper but experimenting with this might help. A recipe that has potential especially because of how easy and quick it is to prepare.

Score: 76/100

Chili

INGREDIENTS

*2 pounds lean ground beef
*1 (46 fluid ounce) can tomato juice
*1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
*1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
*1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
*1 1/2 cups chopped onion
*1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
*1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
*1/2 teaspoon white sugar
*1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
*1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
*1 teaspoon salt
*1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
*1/4 cup chili powder

METHOD

1. Place ground beef in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, and crumble.

2. In a large pot over high heat combine the ground beef, tomato juice, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, onions, bell pepper, cayenne pepper, sugar, oregano, ground black pepper, salt, cumin and chili powder. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

Yields 10 servings!

Note: If using a slow cooker, set on low, add ingredients, and cook for 8 to 10 hours.

VERDICT

This recipe was super easy and smelled soooooo good while it was cooking. The taste did not disappoint either, although it was a tiny bit too spicy (we made only 2 servings worth) so for future makings will add a little less chili pepper. A great recipe if you need to feed quite a few people or just for a warm meal on a winter evening.

Score: 91/100

Basil Chicken with Vermicelli

INGREDIENTS

*250g (8 oz) vermicelli pasta
*1 dessertspoon olive oil
*1 small onion, finely chopped
*1 clove garlic, chopped
*2 (400g) tins chopped tomatoes
*4 boneless chicken breasts fillets - cooked and cubed
*1 small bunch fresh basil, chopped
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 dried crushed red chillies (optional)
*4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

METHOD

1. Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Drain, and set aside.

2. In a large frying pan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Sauté the onions and garlic. Stir in the tomatoes, chicken, basil, salt and chillies. Reduce heat to medium, and cover frying pan. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

3. Toss sauce with pasta to coat and heat through. Serve with Parmesan.

VERDICT

I have just one word for this recipe....BORING!!!! It tasted okay but it was no different to something you might throw together when you have nothing left in the kitchen. I don't think we will be making this one again unless we are desperate.

Score: 49/100

Pork Chops with Soured Cream and Paprika

INGREDIENTS

*100g (4 oz) butter
*1 onion, chopped
*1 clove garlic, minced
*6 pork chops
*salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
*175ml (6 fl oz) chicken stock
*1 bay leaf
*1 (200ml) pot soured cream
*1 dessertspoon paprika

METHOD

1. Sauté onion and garlic in hot butter. Remove from frying pan and set aside.

2. Trim excess fat from chops and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brown chops in frying pan; pour off any dripping. Lower heat, add bay leaf and chicken stock. Cook covered over low heat for 1 hour. Transfer chops to a serving plate, and cover with aluminium foil to keep warm.

3. Heat juices in frying pan and reduce to half. Add the soured cream, onion mixture and paprika, blending thoroughly. Heat through, but don't boil. Pour over pork chops and serve.

VERDICT

Yum! I am not usually a huge fan of pork but this recipe came out really nice and the sauce is great not only on the meat but also on anything else you serve with it (like vegetables and potatoes). We will definitely be making this one again!

Score: 90/100