Lunch for the Original Copy Officer Captain Family and 270,036 OCS.
- Katherine Victoria Vananderland
- Apr 15, 2021
- 8 min read
A nice dinner party lunch it turned into a bigger lunch. I hope you enjoy this meal it was easy to put together. The weekend is almost here so schedule a time to pamper yourself if we make good enough money we'll go to the spa on Friday. Happy TGIF :)
Ingredients
6 bone-in chicken breast halves (12 ounces each), skin removed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
Hot cooked rice
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Directions
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Combine the oregano, seasoned salt and pepper; rub over chicken. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in butter; transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Add water, lemon juice, garlic and bouillon to the skillet; bring to a boil, stirring to loosen browned bits. Pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Baste chicken with cooking juices. Add parsley. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer or until meat juices run clear. Serve with rice. (If desired, cooking juices may be thickened before serving.)
Nutrition Facts 1 chicken breast half : 336 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 164mg cholesterol, 431mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 56g protein.
Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
8 cups coarsely chopped Swiss chard, kale or spinach
2 large carrots, finely chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 medium lemon, halved and thinly sliced
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon onion flakes
4 cups cooked brown rice
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Directions
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken; cook and stir until browned. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken.
Stir broth, vegetables, lemon slices, lemon juice, lemon zest and pepper into slow cooker with chicken. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender. Stir in rice; heat through.
Nutrition Facts 1-1/3 cups: 203 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 612mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
Ingredients
8 bacon strips
1 teaspoon packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 cups spring mix salad greens (about 5 ounces)
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
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Directions
Preheat oven to 350°. Place bacon on one half of a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. pan. Mix brown sugar and chipotle pepper; sprinkle evenly over bacon. Bake until bacon begins to shrink, about 10 minutes.
Using tongs, move bacon to other half of pan. Add onion to bacon drippings, stirring to coat. Return to oven; bake until bacon is crisp, about 15 minutes. Drain on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings.
In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, sugar, pepper and reserved drippings. Coarsely chop bacon.
Place a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Break eggs, one at a time, into pan. Reduce heat to low; cook eggs until desired doneness, turning after whites are set if desired. Sprinkle with salt.
Toss greens with dressing; divide among four dishes. Top with bacon, onion, cheese and eggs. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 279 calories, 20g fat (8g saturated fat), 216mg cholesterol, 730mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 17g protein.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
5 tablespoons butter, divided
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 ounces cubed Velveeta
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
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Directions
Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheeses, stirring until cheese is melted. Drain macaroni.
Transfer macaroni to a greased 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Pour cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Melt the remaining butter; add the bread crumbs. Sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden brown.
Test Kitchen TipsIt’s usually cheaper to buy cheese in blocks rather than already shredded. So purchase large quantities of cheddar, Monterey Jack and mozzarella, then use a food processor to shred it. Store the shredded cheese in the freezer so you have it when you need it. Add some sugar to the salted water when cooking macaroni or spaghetti, the noodles have much more flavor. Check out these yummy cheddar cheese recipes.
Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 309 calories, 20g fat (13g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 569mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.
Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
Ingredients
1 package (12 ounces) uncooked jumbo pasta shells
2 tablespoons olive oil
FILLING:
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
ASSEMBLY:
4 cups meatless pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced and halved
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Directions
Preheat oven to 375°. Cook shells according to package directions for al dente; drain. Toss with oil; spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
For filling, toss chicken with Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute chicken just until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in butter until melted. Stir in bread crumbs; cook until crumbs are slightly toasted, 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl, mix cheeses, milk, parsley and the remaining salt and pepper. Fold in chicken.
Spread 2 cups pasta sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Fill each shell with 2-1/2 tablespoons cheese mixture; place over sauce. Top with remaining sauce and cheeses (dish will be full).
Cover with greased foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until heated through, 10-15 minutes.
Test Kitchen tipsAvoid overcooking the pasta. Shells are easier to stuff when al dente. To fill shells easily, spoon the filling into a plastic storage bag. Cut a 1-inch hole in the corner and pipe the filling into the shells. Coating the foil with cooking spray keeps it from sticking to the cheese on top. Nutrition Facts 1 serving: 431 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 752mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein.
Ingredients
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
1 can (15-1/4 ounces) sliced peaches, drained and cut into bite-size pieces
1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
3 bananas, sliced
2 unpeeled red apples, cut into bite-sized pieces
FRUIT SAUCE:
1 cup cold whole milk
3/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup thawed orange juice concentrate
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
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Directions
In a large bowl, combine fruits; set aside. Whisk sauce ingredients until smooth. Gently fold into fruits. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts 1 cup: 218 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
Pistachio Mallow Salad
Ingredients
1 carton (16 ounces) whipped topping
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant pistachio pudding mix
6 to 7 drops green food coloring, optional
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 can (20 ounces) pineapple tidbits, undrained
1/2 cup chopped pistachios or walnuts
Additional whipped topping, optional
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Directions
In a large bowl, combine whipped topping, pudding mix and food coloring if desired. Fold in the marshmallows and pineapple. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Just before serving, top with additional whipped topping if desired, sprinkle with nuts.
Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 236 calories, 9g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 140mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
Chicken Florentine Meatballs
Ingredients
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground chicken
1 medium spaghetti squash
SAUCE:
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
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Directions
In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Crumble chicken over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls.
Place meatballs on a rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until no longer pink. Meanwhile, cut squash in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Place squash cut side down on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 15-18 minutes or until tender.
For sauce, in a large nonstick skillet, saute mushrooms in oil until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 8-10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add meatballs and heat through.
When squash is cool enough to handle, use a fork to separate strands. Serve with meatballs and sauce. Freeze option: Place individual portions of cooled meatballs and squash in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Microwave, covered, on high in a microwave-safe dish until heated through, gently stirring and adding a little water if necessary.
Editor's Note
This recipe was tested in a 1,100-watt microwave.
Nutrition Facts 1 each: 303 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 123mg cholesterol, 617mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Ingredients
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs
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Directions
In a small bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey and vanilla. Stir in the milk powder, oats and graham cracker crumbs. Shape into 1-in. balls. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
Test Kitchen TipsLet peanut butter be the star in no bake Christmas treats like this. Or, for additional cookie ideas see the favorite cookies in America, state-by-state.
Nutrition Facts 1 each: 70 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
Ingredients
3 medium carrots, peeled
2 medium zucchini
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, divided
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Directions
Using a vegetable peeler, cut the vegetables lengthwise into very thin strips.
In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add broth. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to 1/3 cup. Add the vegetable strips and 1 tablespoon parsley; cook and stir for 2 minutes or just until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with remaining parsley. Serve with a slotted spoon.
Nutrition Facts 3/4 cup: 88 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 190mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Ingredients
4 cups white grape juice
2 teaspoons lime juice
Ice cubes
2 cups coconut-flavored sparkling water, chilled
Optional: Lime wedges or slices
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Directions
In a pitcher, combine grape juice and lime juice. Fill 6 tall glasses with ice. Pour juice mixture evenly into glasses; top off with sparkling water. Stir to combine. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.
Nutrition Facts 1 cup: 94 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 13mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
Ingredients
1 large egg, room temperature
1 cup 2% milk
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
VANILLA SAUCE:
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Directions
In a large bowl, beat the egg, milk and oil. Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; gradually add to egg mixture, beating just until combined. Fold in blueberries.
Pour into a greased 9x5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
For sauce, combine sugar and cornstarch in a saucepan. Stir in cream until smooth; add butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in vanilla. Serve with blueberry bread. Freeze option: Securely wrap and freeze cooled loaf in foil. To use, thaw at room temperature. Prepare sauce as directed and serve with bread.
Editor's Note If using frozen blueberries, use without thawing to avoid discoloring the batter. Nutrition Facts 1 slice: 608 calories, 30g fat (15g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 424mg sodium, 82g carbohydrate (55g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
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