Pesto Feta Chicken Casserole

Pesto Chicken Casserole with Feta

3 chicken breasts

salt and pepper, to taste

2 T butter 

1/3 c pesto

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 c whipping cream

2 cans olives, drained and chopped

2 cans French-cut green beans, drained

8 oz feta cheese, cubed

 

1. Preheat oven to 400*.

2. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a large pan and fry chicken, in batches, over medium-high heat until golden brown.

3. In a small bowl, combine pesto, garlic, & whipping cream.

4. In a 9x13 pan, place chicken, olives, & feta; pour in pesto mixture.

5. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly and edges are slightly browned.

Mediterranean Quinoa Wraps

Mediterranean Quinoa Wraps
1 1/2 c prewashed quinoa
2 1/4 c water
salt and pepper, to taste
4 oz feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1/2 c plain [greek] yogurt
1/4 c fresh mint, minced
3 T red wine vinegar
2 T fresh oregano, minced
1/2 c olive oil
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
1 shallot, minced
1- 6 oz can black olives, chopped
romaine lettuce

1. Toast quinoa in a large pan over medium heat, stirring often, until quinoa is lightly toasted and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Stir in water and a pinch of salt and bring to a simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Spread quinoa out on a baking sheet to cool.
2. Meanwhile, in a blender, blend feta, yogurt, mint, vinegar, oregano, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper until smooth. With blender running, slowly add olive oil until well mixed.
3. In a large bowl, toss quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, shallot, olives, and 2/3 cup of the dressing to coat well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
4. Place quinoa mixture in lettuce leaves and drizzle with remaining dressing.

Roasted Red Pepper Chicken

Roasted Red Pepper Chicken
2 chicken breasts
4 T + 3/4 c greek yogurt (or [light] sour cream), separated
8 T mozzarella cheese, separated
3/4 c roasted red peppers, separated
1 egg
6 T panko breadcrumbs (I use Italian style)
1/4 c feta cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375*; line with foil and grease a cookie sheet or 9x13 pan.
2. You can either butterfly the chicken breasts or pound them (in a baggie or between two sheets of plastic wrap) until they are about 1/4-1/3" thick. [I butterflied them and then took a mallet to them.]
3. Combine 4 Tablespoons yogurt, 4 T mozzarella, and 1/2 cup peppers; halve mixture and spread on either breast; roll up chicken and secure with toothpicks.
4. In a shallow dish, whisk egg; in another shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and remaining mozzarella; dip chicken in egg wash and then in breadcrumb mixture.
5. Bake for 30 minutes.
6. In a food processor, combine remaining 3/4 cup yogurt and 1/4 c red peppers; drizzle over chicken and top with feta cheese.

Mediterranean Couscous

Mediterranean Couscous
1 1/2 c water
1 t + 2 T olive oil
1 c uncooked couscous
juice from 1 lemon
1 t salt
pepper, to taste
1 c cherry tomatoes, halved
5 T diced kalamata olives
5 T chopped parsley
1/2 c feta cheese

1. In a medium pot, bring water and 1 teaspoon oil to a boil; stir in couscous.
2. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 2 minutes; uncover and fluff with a fork.
3. In a small bowl, whisk remaining oil with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
4. To the couscous, add tomatoes, olives, parsley, and feta; toss in dressing and serve warm.

Mediterranean Orzo

Mediterranean Orzo
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 t (or 2 cloves) minced garlic
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t salt, plus more as needed
1/4 t pepper
1/2 t sugar
1 c orzo
1/4 c packed, or 1/2 c loose, golden raisins
1/4 c chopped black olives
1/4-1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/4 c thinly sliced fresh basil
1/4-1/2 c crumbled feta cheese

1. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar in a medium bowl.
2. Fill medium pot about 2/3 full of water and bring to a boil; add salt (I used about a tablespoon) and bring back up to a boil.
3. Add orzo and cook a little past al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
4. Drain orzo well; while still hot, add to dressing and coat well.
5. Let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally; stir in raisins, olives, onions, and basil.
6. Add feta and toss lightly. Serve at room temperature.

Baked Stuffed Jalapenos

Baked Stuffed Jalapenos
15-20 jalapenos
8 oz cream cheese
1 c Cheddar cheese
1 c Feta cheese (opt)
2 tsp herbs de providence
2 tsp garlic salt
eggs and breadcrumbs (opt)

1. Preheat oven to 425*. Put on gloves. I cannot stress this enough.
2. Cut the stems off of the jalapenos, cut in half length-wise, and remove seeds.
3. In a medium bowl, combine cheeses and seasonings. Spoon mixture into jalapenos.
4. If desired, dip jalapenos in beaten eggs, then coat in breadcrumbs. (Personally, I prefer them without the bread crumbs because they have more of a kick without.)
5. Line jalapenos up on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes.

Without coating:

 With coating:

Bruschetta

I don't like paying for food I can make myself, especially when it's a pricey appetizer that I love!

Bruschetta
1 loaf french bread, cut width-wise into about 36 slices
2 T olive oil, separated
2 1/2 c chopped tomatoes
1 (4 oz.) pkg. feta cheese (Athenos brand, with basil & tomato, is what I use), finely crumbled
1/2 c red onion, finely chopped
3 T fresh parsley, chopped
1 T olives (black or green, or both), finely chopped
1/4 t ground black pepper

1. Preheat broiler.
2. Place bread slices on foil-lined cookie sheet and broil each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until lightly toasted.
3. Brush each side of toast slices with 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil.
4. Mix remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil with the rest of the ingredients; spoon on to toast just before serving.
Refrigerate leftovers.