Creamy Chicken Piccata

A simple, delicious, meal that will brighten your taste buds on a cold winter's day!

 

Creamy Chicken Piccata
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoons Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
¼ teaspoons Wildtree Rancher Steak Rub
1 ¼ teaspoon dried basil, divided
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
2 chicken breasts (about 8 ounces)
2 cups penne
½ cup Wildtree Perfect Piccata Sauce
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons capers
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Whisk together the lemon juice, Grapeseed Oil, Rancher, ¼ teaspoon dried basil, and dried oregano. Add the chicken breast to a resealable bag; add the lemon juice mixture and close the bag. Use your hands to move the chicken around in the marinade. Marinate for 20 minutes. Preheat a medium nonstick skillet over medium high heat; spray with pan spray. Add the chicken and cook until cooked through. Meanwhile cook the pasta according to package directions. Once the chicken is cooked, transfer to a cutting board and tent with foil. Add the Piccata Sauce to the now empty skillet over medium heat. Add the cream, capers, and Parmesan; stir to combine. Add the cooked, drained pasta to the sauce. Toss to combine; cook until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the pasta, about 5 minutes. Serve with chicken.

 

To order Wildtree's Perfect Piccata Sauce, Rancher Steak Rub or Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil please go to www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com.

Dinner's in the Bag!

Wildtree Ziploc Bag Meal Ideas 

The whole idea is this...
DUMP, SMUSH, SQUISH, FREEZE, THAW, COOK. 

A picture from Mandy's Workshop!

Basic Directions: 

• Take gallon Ziploc bags 
• Put family portion of protein and/or vegetables in bag and/or all other ingredients  
• Sprinkle few teaspoons of Grapeseed Oil on protein/veg 
• Sprinkle few teaspoons of any blend 
• Squish 
• Label & throw in freezer 
• When ready to use, pop in fridge to thaw, then cook in 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or grill, or stovetop skillet sauté for 20 minutes (see individual recipes)

Thirteen recipes to put in your freezer!

Chicken & Veggies #1

4 chicken breasts 
4 -6 red potatoes cut into cubes/slices
½ bag frozen green beans or asparagus
2 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Rancher’s Steak Rub

+  +  +  +  +

Chicken & Veggies #2
4 chicken breasts 
4-6 red potatoes cut into cubes/sliced½ bag frozen green beans or asparagus
2 tbsp Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Lemon Rosemary blend
1 tsp salt (sea salt is the healthier choice!)

+ + + + +

Chicken & Veggies #3
4 chicken breasts4-6 red potatoes cut into cubes/slices
½ bag frozen green beans or asparagus
2 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Garlic & Herb blend
½ tsp black pepper (optional)

+ + + + +

Southwestern Chicken Meal
4 chicken breasts – cut into small pieces
1 can rotel tomatoes – undrained
1 can green chiles
1 can black beans, drained & rinsed!
1 cup frozen corn
½ cup chopped onion
1½ tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Fajita seasoning

COOK THIS ON THE STOVE TOP – then serve with tortillas and shredded cheese

+ + + + +

Cajun Chicken & Sausage Meal 3 chicken breasts – cut into small chunks
1 lb andouille sausage (or other smoked sausage) preferably nitrate free (avail at whole foods – or other natural grocer)
3 red potatoes, cut into small chunks/pieces
1 cup frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes – half the juice drained
1 can chicken broth
½ cup chopped onion
1 tbsp Wildtree Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Cajun seasoning
1 tsp sea salt (optional)
1 cup rice

COOK THIS ON THE STOVETOP – DUMP, BRING TO A BOIL, THEN COVER AND SIMMER 15-20 MIN. until rice is cooked to desired consistency.
+ + + + +

Easy Italian Chicken & Roasted Potatoes 
1 whole cut up chicken4 -6 red potatoes, cut into wedges
2 tbsp Wildtree Garlic Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Hearty Spaghetti blend
1 tbsp Wildtree Rancher’s Steak Rub

This one needs to bake for 30 min per side, at 350 degrees in a pyrex dish.

+ + + + +

Southwestern Ground Beef Hash
1 lb ground beef, broken into small chunks
4 red (or your choice) baking potatoes – cut into small pieces
½ cup chopped onion
1 cup frozen corn (the other ½ of the bag from the meal above!)
1 can rotel tomatoes – undrained
1 can green chiles
1 ½ tbsp Wildtree Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Fajita seasoning
1 tsp sea salt (optional)

COOK THIS ON THE STOVE TOP! Can also be served with tortillas, shredded cheese, sour cream, etc.

+ + + + +

Meat & Potato Meal
1 lb ground beef – broken into chunks/pieces – OR – 1 lb sirloin cut into chunks (if you do this one, I’d skip the corn)
4-6 red potatoes cut into small pieces
1 cup yellow onion – chopped into pieces (smaller pieces for the ground beef hash, larger chunks for the sirloin bake)
Optional – 1 cup frozen corn
2 tbsp Wildtree Garlic Grapeseed Oil
3 tbsp Wildtree Rancher’s Steak Rub

COOK THIS ON THE STOVE TOP if you do GROUND BEEF – makes a ‘hash’ of sorts – good for colder weather. 

COOK IT IN THE OVEN ON A COOKIE SHEET/BROILER PAN IF YOU DO THE SIRLOIN – allow an extra 10 minutes for the potatoes. (so in other words, spread them separately onto the cookie sheet, and either put the potatoes in first, or take the beef out early).

+ + + + +

Simple Steak Fajitas – (or chicken)
4 sirloin steaks, or 4 chicken breasts, cut into slices
1 bag frozen tri-color peppers
1 large white onion, cut into slices
½ cup water mixed with 3 tbsp fajita seasoning to make a ‘liquid’
2 tbsp natural grapeseed oil
1 tsp salt (optional)
Mix all together

COOK ON THE STOVETOP IN A SKILLET. Serve with tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheese

+ + + + +

Salmon with Dill & Potatoes
4 salmon filets
4 red potatoes cut into small pieces
2 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Dill Dip blend

This one is best on the grill in the summer (*use a grill pan for the potatoes*) and in the oven in the winter. Allow extra time for the potatoes. Serve with Caesar salad.

+ ++ + +

Garlic and Herb Fish with Pasta Alfredo
4 fish fillets (Mahi, Halibut, Salmon)
2 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Garlic & Herb blend
Bake or grill

Prep the Alfredo Pasta separately while the fish is baking/grilling. Follow the directions on Wildtree's Alfredo jar. Excellent with a Caesar salad too.

+ + + + +

BEST Fish
4 fish fillets – your choice – (halibut or mahi work great)
1 tbsp Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Rancher’s Steak rRb

Serve with “Rice Alfredo” – prep rice normally, then prep Wildtree's Alfredo  Sauce. Mix together to make a ‘healthy’ “lipton rice side” – so good!!

Serve with a simple salad – lettuce, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and any vinaigrette (Wildtree's Wildberry or Balsamic Vinaigrette are both great!)

+ + + + +

Lemon Rosemary Pork Chops & Potatoes
4 boneless pork chops
4 red potatoes cut into pieces
1 bag frozen asparagus – or green beans
2 tbsp Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil
2 tbsp Wildtree Lemon Rosemary blend

THIS ONE IS BEST ON THE GRILL – but works well in the oven during winter.

To order any of the Wildtree products referenced above, please go to www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com and place an order any time day or night!

Summery Caesar Pasta Salad

Caesar Pasta Salad

Serves 8

1 pkg Wildtree Caesar Dressing mix

½ cup Wildtree Natural Grapeseed Oil

¼ cup white wine vinegar

4 cups penne pasta, cooked, drained, and chilled

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

½ cup red onion, sliced into half moons

2 cups baby spinach

Pour Grapeseed Oil, white wine vinegar, and Caesar Dressing mix into small container or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake thoroughly for 1 minute until combined. In a large bowl, toss remaining ingredients with the mix from the container/jar until well coated. Chill in refrigerator for at least one hour to allow flavors to develop.

Cheesy Noodle Bake

This yummy casserole can easily be made ahead of time and frozen for another day!

Cheesy Noodle Bake
Serves 8

8 ounces elbow pasta
10 ounces frozen broccoli, chopped
7 ounces ham steak, cubed
1 pkg. Wildtree Cheesy Cheddar Soup Mix, prepared according to package directions
Salt and black pepper
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Add the pasta to a large pot of boiling water and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well. In a large bowl, mix together the broccoli, cubed ham, pasta, and the prepared Cheddar Soup; season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a casserole dish and top with Parmesan and cheddar. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

To order any Wildtree products please go to www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com.

Goulash

Goulash? What is goulash you may ask...well it's one of my husband's favorite go-to meals, or at least he just loves to say the word...goulash! It is a simple, hearty meal of meat, pasta, tomatoes and cheese. This version I found on Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice has an Italian twist with some veggies added in and it's even better the next day! I highly recommend doubling the recipe to freeze for a busy night.

Italian-style Goulash (by Reeni but adapted to Wildtree by Jen)
1 pound ground beef

1 onion, diced
 1/2 green bell pepper, diced or sliced in short, thin strips
Garlic Grapeseed Oil, for sauteing
1 large zucchini, thinly sliced into coins
kosher salt and fresh black pepper to taste
1 TBSP Wildtree's Hearty Spaghetti Blend
1/2 TBSP Wildtree's Garlic Galore
1 teaspoon Wildtree's Basil Pesto Blend (or some fresh chopped basil)
14 ounce can diced tomatoes
8 ounces gemelli or elbow pasta
2/3 cup Romano or Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving

1. In a large skillet brown ground beef over medium heat. Remove cooked beef, set aside, drain grease.

2. Saute onion and bell pepper in two TBSP Garlic GSO over medium low heat until tender. Add garlic and saute until fragrant. Add zucchini, season with salt and pepper, add herbs, saute until zucchini start to soften around the edges. Add hamburger back in and tomatoes. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.

3. Meanwhile cook pasta to al dente according to package directions in plenty of salted water.

4. In a large mixing bowl toss pasta, ground beef and cheese together. Serve immediately with crusty Italian bread and extra cheese for sprinkling over top. Serves 4-5.

To order your Wildtree groceries, please go to www.jenwarr.mywildtree.com.

Slow Cooker for the Freezer Series Part 2 ~ Hearty Spaghetti Sauce

All the meals listed in this series can be made ahead and put into your freezer for another night or made the same day. It's a great way to make sure your family is eating a healthy & hearty meal during this hectic holiday season!

Hearty Spaghetti Sauce

In freezer bag combine:

two 28 oz cans of ground tomatoes

3 Tbsp Hearty Spaghetti Blend

1 tsp salt (optional)

pre-cooked sausage or meatballs (optional)

Instructions:

Defrost. Pour all ingredients into crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve over pasta of your choice. Toss an arugula salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and bocconcini and warm Italian garlic bread made with our Scampi Blend.

What's for Dinner? Cheddar & Herb Chicken, Cuke & Pear Salad and Garlic Naan

I don't know about you, but my life has been a little hectic lately and I have not been good about meal planning which means we have been eating out a lot! More about how I am going to remedy that to come...but in the meantime, I thought I would post what we are having for dinner as I try to pull it together!

Last night I made Cheddar & Herb Chicken with broccoli. I realized that I am always talking about Wildtree's great skillet meals - how quick & easy as well as delicious they are, but I wasn't taking advantage of cooking them!

I browned 4 chicken breasts in some Garlic GSO which I cut up into bite sized pieces when done. I added one seasoning packet, 2 cups of water, 1 cup of milk, 2 heads of broccoli and a little over 2 cups of uncooked whole wheat penne to a large skillet. Brought it all to a boil, covered it and then simmered it for about 15 minutes. I served it with toasted Naan bread, and a quick salad I improvised using an English cucumber, a bosc pear and some red wine vinegar. This quick meal served 5 people and it was devoured!

Weekly Meal Plan #1

I often talk about how much I value meal planning. I save money, waste less food, stress less over the old question, "What's for dinner?", and feel like something can be checked off my crazy to-do list! I only plan for 5 dinners, figuring that there will be leftovers for a couple nights or perhaps we will eat out one night. I also take into account if we are all home or if there will be late nights and I need to have the crockpot ready for a night when I will not have any time to cook!. I've decided to post them on my blog to help you out and take the stress out of planning your busy weeknights. These are just suggestions, so feel free to make any changes and please share your thoughts and ideas! If you need the recipes - just let me know!

 

Monday - Short Rib Ragu with Chiocciole and broccoli. (I freeze extras for another week.

 

Tuesday - Chicken & Onion Stew served over Rice. Sauteed Red Chard on the side. (Normally I would freeze these extras too but there never seem to be any!)

 

Wednesday - Enchiladas and a side salad (These can be made ahead and frozen.

 

Thursday - Roasted Chicken Breasts with root vegetables and mashed potatoes.

 

Friday - Turkey Meatballs (with all kinds of veggies hidden inside), red sauce and penne.