Recipe of the Day: Cheddar Creamed Corn

Cheddar Creamed Corn

Ingredients
2 packages (one 16 ounces, one 12 ounces) frozen corn, thawed
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
In a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cook, covered, on low 3 to 3-1/2 hours or until cheese is melted and corn is tender. Stir just before serving. Yield: 9 servings.

Recipe found here: Cheddar Creamed Corn

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Recipe of the Day: Grilled Vegetable, Sausage & Bacon Risotto

Grilled Vegetable, Sausage & Bacon Risotto

Ingredients
4 slices Jones Dairy Farm Dry Aged Cherry Hardwood Smoked Bacon, chopped
1/2 cup shallots or onion, chopped
1 cup Arborio rice
2 1/2 to 3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth or stock
1 (7 oz) package Jones Dairy Farm All Natural Golden Brown Sausage Links or Paties, sliced or cubed
2 cups grilled or roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, bell peppers and mushrooms, coarsely chopped*
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup basil or thyme leaves, chopped
* Often found at deli or take out food counters at the supermarket. Any combination of left over cooked vegetables may be substituted.

Directions
Cook bacon in a large deep skillet or saute pan over medium heat until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel; set aside. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the drippings.

Add shallots to drippings in skillet; cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add rice; cook and stir 1 minute.

Add 1 cup of the broth; simmer until broth is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Continue adding broth 1/2 cup at a time cooking until broth is absorbed before adding more.

Continue simmering stirring occasionally until rice is firm to the bite. (This will take about 18 to 20 minutes total time).

Stir in sausage and vegetables; continue cooking 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through and rice is tender, adding additional broth if needed to keep a creamy consistency.

Remove from heat; stir in cheese and reserved bacon. Top with basil. Yield: 4 servings

Recipe found here: Grilled Vegetable, Sausage & Bacon Risotto

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Recipe of the Day: Veggie Potato Soup *National Soup Month*

Veggie Potato Soup

Ingredients
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) vegetable broth
6 medium potatoes, cubed
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1 large leek (white portion only), chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried marjoram
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 cup frozen peas, thawed

Directions
In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the first 10 ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until vegetables are tender.

In a small bowl, combine flour and cream until smooth; add to slow cooker. Stir in peas. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened. Yield: 11 servings (2-3/4 quarts).

Recipe found here: Veggie Potato Soup

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Recipe of the Day: Fried Okra *National Southern Foods Day*

Fried Okra

Ingredients
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh or frozen okra, thawed
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornmeal
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic herb seasoning blend
1/8 teaspoon pepper
Oil for deep-fat frying
Additional salt and pepper, optional

Directions
Pat okra dry with paper towels. Place buttermilk in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, seasoning blend and pepper. Dip okra in buttermilk, then roll in cornmeal mixture.

In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat 1 in. of oil to 375°. Fry okra, a few pieces at a time, for 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Yield: 2 servings.

Recipe found here: Fried Okra

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Recipe of the Day: Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

Ingredients
2 pounds red potatoes (about 6 medium), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed, divided
3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon paprika
6 bone-in chicken thighs (about 2-1/4 pounds), skin removed
6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 6 ounces)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425°. In a large bowl, combine potatoes, onion, oil, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; toss to coat. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix paprika and the remaining salt, rosemary and pepper. Sprinkle chicken with paprika mixture; arrange over vegetables. Roast until a thermometer inserted in chicken reads 170°-175° and vegetables are just tender, 35-40 minutes.

Remove chicken to a serving platter; keep warm. Top vegetables with spinach. Roast until vegetables are tender and spinach is wilted, 8-10 minutes longer. Stir vegetables to combine; serve with chicken. Yield: 6 servings.

Recipe found here: Pan-Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

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Recipe of the Day: Chickpea Potpies

Chickpea Potpies

Ingredients
1 small onion, chopped
6 tablespoons butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cups vegetable broth
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1-1/4 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry

Directions
Saute onion in butter in a large saucepan until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add broth; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in the vegetables, garbanzo beans, potatoes, cream and Italian seasoning. Divide mixture among four ungreased 10-oz. ramekins.

Unroll pastry; divide into four portions. Roll out each portion to fit ramekins; place pastry over filling. Trim, seal and flute edges. Cut slits in pastry. Place ramekins on a baking sheet.

Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Yield: 4 servings.

Recipe found here: Chickpea Potpies

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Recipe of the Day: Beef and Veggie Soup

Beef and Veggie Soup

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained, optional
1 package (10 ounces) frozen corn
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1 cup chopped fresh tomato
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips, optional

Directions
In a skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain.

Transfer to a 5-qt. slow cooker. Stir in the tomato sauce, beans if desired, vegetables and seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until thick and bubbly, stirring occasionally. Serve with cheese, sour cream and chips if desired. Yield: 8-10 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts).

Freeze Beefy Vegetable Soup in serving-size containers for quick, no fuss lunches.

Recipe found here: Beef and Veggie Soup

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