Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

Attention all crockpot owners:  make this.  I absolutely love using my slow cooker for a number of different recipes (scroll down and see my list of labels--click "crockpot" or "slow-cooker" for a number of recipes for time-starved families.  Here is just one more quick 'n easy crockpot recipe--made with hearty flavors of bacon and ranch (minus the fat, preservatives, and calories).  Dump everything together and enjoy.
This was inspired by a recipe in Cooking Light, but modified for crockpot time ease and health (I didn't use actual sat-fat-loaded bacon).


Ingredients:
4 Chicken Breasts, cut into 2" pieces (slightly thawed)
1/2 lb. Turkey Bacon, cooked and broken into bits
1 Can Cream of Mushroom or Cream of Chicken Soup (reduced sodium)
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 1/4 Cups Skim Milk
1 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Onion Powder
2 tsp. Dill Weed
1 Cup Shredded Cheese (I used Mexi-blend, Low-Fat)
Cooked Pasta (egg noodles, elbow macaroni, spaghetti, fusili, rotini, you choose) according to package directions.

Directions:
1.  Combine all ingredients (minus pasta) in crockpot.  Stir well to combine.  Heat on Low for 2-3 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.

Spoon over cooked pasta and enjoy!

Ranch Sour Cream Dip

Here is a quick and tasty alternative to ranch and other chip dips and dressings.  This recipe is easy to make, low in calories and doesn't have all the extra sodium and preservatives in store-bought dressings and dips.  I actually came up with it after making my Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and realizing I had no ranch dressing (I prefer ranch over bleu cheese, personal preference) to dip them in.  So, I looked around in my refrigerator and cupboard for what I did have and came up with this recipe.  It is really tasty and a perfect complement to the spice in the wing sauce.  You could also serve it as a veggie dip, with chips or pita, on a baked potato, or as an alternative to sour cream for tacos or other Mexican-inspired dishes.  If you prefer a "heartier" (granted, it becomes less healthy) flavor, add in a bit of (light) mayonnaise.   

Ingredients:

1 Cup Low-Fat or Fat-Free Sour Cream (Organic)
1 tsp. Dill
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 tsp. Chopped Chives (I used dried instead of fresh)
1/2 tsp. Dried Parsley
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
Sea Salt & Black Pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir together, mixing well.

Serve and Enjoy!

Cucumber Dill Salad

Looking for a healthy, quick summer salad?  This cucumber salad just takes a few minutes, is super easy, healthy, and delicious.  Serve it as a healthy side dish (and alternative to potato salad or coleslaw) for summer grilling and BBQ.  Yuumm.

Ingredients:
1 English Cucumber, Cut into thin slices
1/2 tsp. Sugar (or Substitute, I used Stevia)
1 tsp. Sea Salt
1 1/2 Tbsp. White Vinegar (or Cider Vinegar)
1 tsp. Dill Weed
Optional: Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl, stir or toss well to coat.  Let sit for a few minutes and serve cold.

Enjoy!

Tortilla Roll-Ups

With Holiday parties and the Superbowl coming up, I thought I'd post a party snack!  I made these earlier this week for a Junior League Holiday Party I attended.  They are easy to make and are a yummy finger food.  I made two different types of tortilla roll-ups, the "healthy" versions: Dill and Ham Roll-Ups and Crab Roll-Ups.

Dill and Ham Roll-Ups


Ingredients:
1- 8oz Package Neufchatel Cheese (lower in fat and calories than regular Cream Cheese)
2 tsp. Dill
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/4 Cup Chopped Green Onions
2 - 10" Flour Tortillas (or Whole-Wheat)
12-14 slices of Deli Ham (6-8 oz package)

Directions:
1.  In a small bowl, stir together the Neufchatel cheese, dill, garlic, and chopped green onions.
2.  Spread half of the cheese mixture on each of the tortillas.  Spread 6-7 ham slices on top of each tortilla.
3.  Roll up tightly.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
4.  Remove from refrigerator.  Slice each tortilla roll-up into 1" slices.
Serve and Enjoy.

Crab Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

1 - 8oz Package Neufchatel Cheese (lower in fat and calories than regular Cream Cheese)

1/4 Cup Cocktail Sauce 

8 oz Package Crab Meat (I used imitation actually)

1/4 Cup Chopped Green Onions

2 - 10" Flour Tortillas (or Whole Wheat)

Directions:
1.  In a small bowl, stir together the Neufchatel cheese, cocktail sauce, crab meat, and chopped green onions.  

2.  Spread half of the cheese/crab mixture on each of the tortillas.  

3.  Roll up tightly.  Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

4.  Remove from refrigerator.  Slice each tortilla roll-up into 1" slices.

Serve and Enjoy.  You can serve with side of cocktail sauce if you'd like.