South of the Border Corn Chowder

I am on a soup kick, lately. Actually, I think I am on a crock-pot kick lately. It makes it so easy to start it in the morning and have dinner done and out of the way. Just add some corn bread or the recipe suggests just serving this with corn chips. Easy! You could leave out the jalapeno for milder flavor. This recipe is from a cook book I got at the library a while back- The Southern Living Slow Cooker Cook Book. This was an "Editor's Favorite."

3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes (about 1 3/4 lbs.)

1 (16 oz.) package frozen whole kernel corn, thawed

2 (14-oz.) cans chicken broth

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 cup whipping cream

1. Combine first 8 ingredients in 4-quart slow cooker

2. Cover and cook on LOW 8 hours or until potatoes are tender

3. Stir in cream. Using a potato masher, partially mash potatoes in slow cooker until chowder is desired consistency. (Makes 10 cups)

Turkey Meatball Soup

You can also used fully cooked appetizer-sized packaged frozen meatballs for this recipe. That is what I did and it turned out great.

2 quarts chicken broth (reduced sodium, fat free)
1 cup each chopped onion, thickly sliced carrots, and zuchinni
Turkey Meatballs
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Combine all ingredients, except salt and pepper, in slow cooker, cover and cook on high 3 to 4 hours. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Turkey Meatballs
2 pounds ground turkey
1 1/2 cups whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
2 tsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp each salt, pepper

1. Combine all ingredients; shape into 40 small meatballs.

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple

Jared got a new grill and I grilled last night, even though it is still pretty cool out. The little boy next door (age 5) was outside swinging and every time his little hooded blond head popped up he would yell over to me, "That grilling sure smells good!" or "Is it ready yet?" or when I was getting ready to take it in, "See you later! Have a nice dinner!" He also told me that his grill is old and all his dad could make on it is hot dogs! No wonder it smelled so good to him. I love this recipe for grilled chicken and pineapple. It has a great marinade, too. You could also do this with same marinade for shrimp and do them on skewers with chunks of pineapple on the grill.

Recipe: Grilled Chicken And Pineapple

Ingredients

• 1 can (20 oz.) DOLE^® Pineapple Slices
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 5 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

Directions

1. Drain pineapple slices; reserve all juice.
2. Combine reserved juice, lemon juice, oil, oregano and garlic powder in large, shallow, non-metallic dish. Reserve 1/4 cup. Add chicken to remaining marinade, turning to coat all sides. Cover and marinate 15 minutes in refrigerator. Discard marinade.
   
3. Grill or broil chicken and pineapple slices, brushing occasionally with reserved marinade, 5 to 10 minutes on one side turn over. Add pineapple slices to grill with chicken and brush with marinade 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Discard any remaining marinade.

Bow Tie Pasta with Turkey Sausage

I made this recipe tonight for dinner- I used all parmesan instead of the feta cheese, though. It was delicious with a salad and bread sticks. Use any similar size pasta you have on hand.

1 package Honeysuckle White® Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage Links, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
1 package (16 ounce) bow tie pasta
1 cup light cream
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1 package (6 ounce) garlic and herb flavored feta cheese
1 tomato, diced
2 teaspoons fresh basil, minced

1. Preheat olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat for 1 minute.
2. Cook onion and turkey sausage pieces over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 7 minutes.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well.
4. In a 2-quart saucepan, bring cream and broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium; add paprika and cheese, whisking constantly until cheese is melted and smooth.
5. Add turkey sausage mixture and stir until heated through.
6. In a serving bowl, toss pasta with turkey sausage mixture. Sprinkle with tomatoes and basil.