Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes, Olives & Capers

I make this with chicken breasts instead.

Ingredients
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
2 teaspoons capers
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

Preparation
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

Add garlic to pan; sauté 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients; scrape pan to loosen browned bits. Return chicken and accumulated juice to pan; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until chicken is done.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 thighs and about 1/4 cup tomato mixture)

Allison Fishman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2003

Smoked Turkey, Brie, Green Apple & Watercress Sandwich

Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons mustard
1 (8-ounce) French bread baguette
6 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey breast
1/4 pound Brie cheese, thinly sliced
1 cup trimmed watercress
1 cup thinly sliced peeled Granny Smith apple
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine honey and mustard in a small bowl. Cut bread in half lengthwise; place on a baking sheet. Spread honey mixture on bottom half of loaf; top with turkey and cheese. Bake at 350° for 5 minutes or until cheese begins to melt.

Arrange watercress and apple slices onto melted cheese; sprinkle with pepper. Cover with top half of loaf, and cut into 4 portions.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 portion)

Allison Fishman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2003

Oatmeal Pecan Pie

Oh my gosh! If this is the only pie you ever make, try it. It is SO easy and it tastes fantastic. People will think you slaved over it. It takes about 10 minutes to put it together. Can you tell I only use recipes from Cooking Light?

Ingredients
1/2 (15-ounce) package refrigerated pie dough (such as Pillsbury)
Cooking spray
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2/3 cup regular oats
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.

Roll dough into an 11-inch circle. Fit into a 9-inch pie plate coated with cooking spray. Fold edges under; flute.

Combine brown sugar and remaining ingredients, stirring well with a whisk. Pour into prepared crust. Bake at 325° for 50 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Yield
12 servings (serving size: 1 wedge)


Laura Martin , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2006

Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce

Ingredients
4 ounces uncooked medium egg noodles
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken breast halves in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, stirring well with a whisk. Sprinkle flour mixture over chicken; toss to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add garlic, tarragon, and mushrooms to pan; sauté for 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates and mushrooms darken. Add white wine to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring frequently.

Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Uncover; cook 1 minute or until chicken is done. Stir in noodles; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Place about 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Yield
4 servings

David Bonom , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2006

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients
Potatoes:
2 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup half-and-half
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
Cooking spray

Topping:
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation
Preheat oven to 375°.

To prepare potatoes, place potatoes in a Dutch oven, and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until very tender. Drain; cool slightly.

Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add half-and-half, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and vanilla. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat well (mixture will be thin). Scrape mixture into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.

To prepare topping, sprinkle miniature marshmallows over top of casserole. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in pecans, and sprinkle over potato mixture and marshmallows. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield
16 servings

Julianna Grimes Bottcher , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2006

Mushroom and Parmigiano Bruschetta

Ingredients
1/2 cup chopped seeded plum tomato
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon capers
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
10 thinly sliced basil leaves
2 teaspoons butter
1/3 cup sliced cremini mushrooms
1/3 cup sliced shiitake mushroom caps
1/3 cup sliced baby portobello mushroom caps
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 garlic clove, minced
8 (1/2-inch-thick) slices diagonally cut French bread baguette, toasted
1/4 cup (1 ounce) shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation
Combine first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl; set aside.

Melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms, onions, and garlic; cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Add mushroom mixture to tomato mixture; toss well to combine.

Spoon about 1 tablespoon mushroom mixture onto each bread slice. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Serve immediately.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 2 topped bruschetta)
Nutritional Information

Sandra Granseth , Cooking Light, APRIL 2004

Spicy Peanut Noodles with Shrimp

Another Cooking Light favorite. This is a hit at parties and potlucks because it has so many fresh ingredients and so many flavors.

Ingredients
Peanut sauce:
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 to 1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 to 2 teaspoons chile paste with garlic
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided

Shrimp:
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Cooking spray

Pasta:
4 cups cooked thick udon noodles or linguine (8 ounces uncooked)
1 red bell pepper, cut into julienne strips
3/4 cup chopped seeded cucumber
1/4 cup diagonally cut green onions
3 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves
4 lime wedges (optional)

Preparation
To prepare sauce, combine the first 6 ingredients and 1/4 teaspoon salt; stir with a whisk.

To prepare the shrimp, toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté in nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side or until done.

To prepare pasta, combine peanut sauce, shrimp, noodles, bell pepper, cucumber, and onions in a large bowl; toss well. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: 1 1/2 cups pasta)
Nutritional Information

Allison Fishman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2003