Shrimp Salad on Cucumber Slices

I opted to bring an appetizer to this month's book club. In an endeavor to eat healthier, and knowing it would be good for all of us to eat healthier, I wanted to find something that was quick, simple yet delicious.

I think I've mentioned before that SkinnyTaste.com is one of my go to websites for healthy, delicious recipes.  She did not disappoint this time either.  I found this recipe based entirely on the photo and thought it fit the bill perfectly.

And let me tell you, this was delicious, refreshing, and oh so good. The general consensus was it's a keeper.

You can go here to find it on her site, but if you'd rather, I posted it below.

Shrimp Salad on Cucumber Slices

Photo courtesy of SkinnyTaste.com

Recipe from SkinnyTaste.com

3/4 lb cooked shrimp, peeled (weight after peeled)
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 tbsp red onion, chopped
2 tbsp light mayonnaise (I used Hellmann's)
1 tbsp fat free Greek yogurt
Goya Adobo (I used season salt instead. If you read her blog on this she mentions that season salt is just fine).
salt and fresh ground pepper
30 thin slices cucumber (about 1 large)
chopped chives for garnish

Combine shrimp, celery, onion, mayonnaise, yogurt, and season to taste with adobo and pepper. Arrange cucumbers on a platter, season with salt and top each slice with a heaping tablespoon of shrimp salad. Top with chopped chives for garnish.

Chicken Cacciatore Stoup

Happy October 1st everyone!  It's Fall!!! Which makes me happy because I can whip out my soups and stew recipes.

I thought I'd celebrate fall by cooking up this recipe. It was a rainy, chill-esk day here in Seattle and a warm bowl of soup did just the trick.

I made no adjustments to this recipe, but didn't include the 4 ingredients. Not a fan of rosemary and didn't have the other items on hand. It's quick, easy, and oh so flavorful. It made enough for 6 servings (2c each give or take).

It's a Rachael Ray 30 minute meal and one that will be added to the favorite category in my list of recipes.

Chicken Cacciatore Stoup
Recipe from Food Network, Rachael Ray 30 Minute Meals
Serves 4

1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 1 to 1 1/3 pounds, diced
Coarse salt and black pepper
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3 to 4 T extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan
2 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1-inch squares 

16 cremini mushrooms, sliced or chopped
4 ribs celery hearts, chopped
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered lengthwise then thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 c dry Italian red wine, eyeball it
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
2 c chicken stock
3 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped, 3 or 4 sprigs
1 c basil, arugula or baby spinach leaves, shredded or torn
Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano, to pass at table
Crusty bread, to pass at the table

Heat a deep skillet or a medium soup pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, and the chicken. Season it with coarse salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.

While the chicken cooks, chop up the veggies.

When the chicken is evenly and lightly browned all over, 3 or 4 minutes, remove it to a plate and reserve. Add another tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, 1 more turn of the pan. Add the potatoes to the pan. Cook a couple of minutes, then add in the mushrooms, celery, and onion and cook another couple of minutes. Add in the peppers and garlic and cook another 1 to 2 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper. Add chicken back to the pan. Toss it with the vegetables. Add red wine to the pan and deglaze it, picking up drippings. Add tomatoes and stock to the stoup and stir to combine. Stir in rosemary and reduce heat to low. Cover and cook 8 to10 minutes.

Turn off stoup and ladle into shallow bowls. Top with basil (for a sweet finish and balance to the spice in the soup) or arugula (for a peppery finish) or with spinach (for a woodsy finish). At the table, pass grated cheese for sprinkling on top of the stoup and bread for mopping up the bowl.