Peach State says: It’s Time for a Little Light Cooking!

Here we are…at the first of the month and the beginning of a different season. It is time to leave behind the heavier comfort foods of the winter and bring out the lighter recipes!
I was cleaning up the kitchen first thing this morning because of the grocery shopping later today. I got a little side tracked and began sorting through my recipes and doing a little menu planning. It’s Time for a Little Light Cooking!

Sauces and Dressings add so much to a meal and help me keep dinner different.
Some of my favorite Sauces and Dressings are:

Broccoli Yogurt Sauce
I use this sauce over a Cajun Pan Fried Chicken…(see picture above) My family loves this recipe! I serve with Asparagus and Bruschetta topped English Muffins.

Whisk together 3/4 cup of water, 3/4 cup of plain Greek or regular Yogurt, and 1 packet of Broccoli Cheese soup mix in a small saucepan. Bring to a slow boil on medium heat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.
(green chilis may be added for extra kick)

Homemade Balsamic Dressing
This recipe can be altered to different recipes! This is the basic one my family uses.

1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1tsp minced garlic
1tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 cup Olive oil (I use extra virgin)
1/4 tsp salt( I use a light salt or Sea Salt…and only half of this amount…to taste)
1/4 tsp white pepper (regular pepper may be used)

Lime juice can be added to this recipe as well as Mandarin Orange syrup or juice…separately of course!

I use this dressing over my Pulled Bar-B-Que Chicken Salad! I boil the chicken until tender…and then pull and shred it. I then add bar-b-que sauce to the chicken. The chicken will be placed on top of the salad. This is a huge main course salad with tomatoes and Mozzarella Cheese and pretty much anything you like on a salad. I make fried onions to garnish the salad by coating sliced red onions in flour and Cajun seasoning and frying until lightly brown.

Light Lime Dressing
I love salads…it’s probably a good thing because of my dieting! With all of the fresh tomatoes and herbs I have growing on the deck…this recipe will be a great addition.
This recipe is for an individual serving!

2Tbls Olive Oil
1 whole lime…squeezed(pulp is good!)
Add Vinegar to your desired consistency
Italian seasonings
Fresh diced mint
Salt to taste

Orange Sauce
This is a new one for basting chicken. I love to roast chickens and this sauce is very easy!

1/4 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
Cook over medium heat until the marmalade melts…set aside

Pat the chicken dry and season with Italian seasonings and salt and pepper…half way through your cooking time baste the chicken with 1/3 of the Orange Sauce and continue roasting. I serve with rice accented with the remaining Orange Sauce and Green Beans…and a lovely salad!

Well I have some coupons to gather…and need to complete my menu planning …after all…It’s Time for a Little Light Cooking!

What are some of your favorite spring and summer menus? Please share…I do love to try new things…on my family! Have a great day!

Peach State