Hot Dish # 2

Winter has definitely settled in at our house. I find us craving warm cozy food that warms the soul after coming in from the frigid temperatures outside. While January has been milder this year, than last, it is still colder than I typically like a winter to be. To help take the chill off after a long day at work and school, I find myself looking to old favorites like chili, spaghetti, and hotdish in disguise. Remember, my family doesn't know what a real hotdish looks like!  While Doodle claims she doesn't like this hotdish, I made it last week and she ate every last bite...maybe she does like hotdish after all!

Chicken & Pasta Hot Dish with Sundried Tomatoes

1/2 Package Tinkyada Brown Rice Spirals
8 oz Prosciutto
4 Tbsp Olive Oil, divided
1/2 Cup Sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)
2 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into 2 inch strips
1 Clove Garlic
Red Pepper Flakes to taste
1/2 cup white wine
1 Cup Chicken Broth
1 Package Rich's Dairy Free Creamer
1 Package Rich Whip
2 Tbsp Corn Starch
1/8 Cup Chicken Broth
Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Cook Pasta according to package directions just until it is slightly al dente (still a bit firm).
2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute Chicken in Tbsp Olive Oil until fully cooked. Remove from skillet.
3. Add remaining Olive Oil and saute Prosciutto. Once slightly crispy, add in Sun Dried Tomates and cook 1 minute longer.
4. Deglaze pan with White Wine. Add in Chicken Broth, Dairy Free Creamer and Rich Whip. Bring to a simmer.
5. In a small bowl, place corn starch. Mix with 1/8 Cup Chicken Broth, stir until smooth. Add to skillet and simmer until sauce is thickened.
6. Add back in chicken. Drain pasta and add to hot dish. Season with Salt & Pepper and Red Pepper Flakes to taste. Serve immediately.

On a positive note, Doodle received her first report card for Kindergarten. She ranks in the top of her class for both reading and math! Great progress as she learns to read and recognize words. She received encouraging comments from her teacher, however she continues to struggle with focus. If anyone has some great ideas on how to help my child focus, I would love to hear what has worked for you! I'm resistant to putting her on medication and would love to work on ways to control through diet and supplements.

To (Hot) Dish or Not to (Hot) Dish

Ok, being a MN native, I grew up on hot-dish. You know what I mean, a conglomeration of whatever is left over in the fridge plus some cream of mushroom soup to mask the taste. Minnesotan's are famous for it! My husband and kids, however, have never had the pleasure (or not) of tasting a true MN hot-dish. When I mentioned this fact, my oldest daughter looked at me and stated "Mom, what's a hot-dish?" Imagine, a girl living in MN who has never tasted genuine hot-dish. I'm sure the state will stop by to send us packing any minute now! My husband, on the other hand, thinks his palette is far too sophisticated to indulge in eating hot-dish.

So, the other night I set out on a mission to create a true MN hot-dish that was dairy free. I believe that I have succeeded. To mask the truth that this dish was in fact a hot-dish, I referred to it by the beloved name my mother used when she didn't know what to call some made up meal - "kill-em-quick". She used to tease us that it would taste so bad, it was sure to kill-em-quick!

I can assure you, this dish is mighty tasty. Just don't tell my family they are enjoying a hot-dish!

Dairy Free/Gluten Free Hot Dish (aka Kill-em-Quick)

2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - cut into strips
1 tsp Creole Seasoning (gluten free)
2 T Olive Oil
1 Package AmyLu Sausage (any flavor) sliced and cut into half moons
1 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Onion, diced
2 Cloves Garlic - minced
1/2 Package GF Pasta
1 16 oz Package Rich's non-dairy creamer (or substitute 2 cups non-dairy milk)
1/4 cup GF Chicken Broth
2 tsp Corn Starch
1 Cup Frozen Peas (or mixed vegetables)
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Bring large pot of water to boil. Once boiling, add GF pasta. Cook according to package directions.
2. Saute Chicken breast strips and Creole seasoning in 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil. Remove from pan.
3. Add sausage, bell pepper, onion, and garlic to pan. Cook until onion is translucent and sausage is heated through.
4. Add non-dairy creamer.
6. In a small dish combine Chicken Broth and Corn Starch. Stir until Corn Starch is completely dissolved. Add to pan.
7. Return chicken to pan.
8. Meanwhile, once pasta is cooked, drain pasta water and add pasta to pan.
9. Add in frozen peas or mixed vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Voila - the dairy free hot-dish is ready for dinner. Serve with a fresh salad and dinner is complete.

For an even easier version, I sometimes cheat and use Schwan's oven roasted chicken bites for the chicken. I cook up 10-12 pieces (which only takes 3 minutes in the microwave), chop them into smaller pieces, and add to the sausage mixture. I throw in some Creole seasoning and dinner is done in no time flat. What more could a busy mom want?