Bob and I discovered Asiago cheese while crusin' the Mediterranean earlier this year. Many nights on ship, we snacked on that to-die-for Italian classic, crunchy breadsticks, a Dirty Martini (Bob) and Prosecco (me) before dinner. What a way to live!
Once home, we stocked up on our new addiction. So naturally, we couldn't wait to try this Asiago-laced casserole from Donna-Marie Pye's Easy Everyday Slow Cooker Recipes (Robert Rose Inc., June 26, 2014, $24.95). This simple, crockpot delight features cooked chicken, artichoke hearts, green onions and red pepper in a cheesy Alfredo sauce with a crunchy-crouton topping.
Thanks to Bob's advance cooking, I used grilled chicken breast from our freezer. If you don't have that option, try boiled or deli white meat. I shredded the chicken because we like that texture much better than dicing. I also grated the Asiago since I've yet to find pre-shredded packages of that Parmesan-only-better hard cheese. Then I chopped veggies and crushed croutons but there's no real work involved here.
Although the recipe calls for Alfredo sauce and mayo, I used light versions of both to save a few calories. You combine everything except the croutons in a big bowl, pour the mixture in the crockpot, sprinkle on the croutons and go on your way while it cooks for 2 1/2 hours (on High) to 6 hours (on Low).
Great for busy weeknights, this Italian-inspired treat is tasty served with multigrain bread and sliced fresh tomatoes or a simple green salad. And it's even better when enjoyed with a glass of Prosecco!
4- to 6-quart slow cooker, stoneware greased
In a large bowl, combine red pepper, chicken, Asiago, green onions, artichokes, Alfredo sauce and mayonnaise. Transfer to prepared slow cooker stoneware. Sprinkle with croutons.
Cover and cook on Low for 5 to 6 hours or on High for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until bubbling. If desired, sprinkle with sliced green onions.
Tip: You can substitute light Alfredo sauce and mayonnaise for the regular versions called for in this recipe.
Recipe* from Easy Everyday Slow Cooker Recipes
Author: Donna-Marie Pye
Other Works: Canada's Best Slow Cooker Recipes, The Best Family Slow Cooker Recipes and 300 Slow Cooker Favorites.
Publisher: Robert Rose Inc.
Penned: June 26, 2014
What's Inside: 200 slow-cooker recipes featuring the best of North American cuisine as well as globally inspired dishes representing cultures from around the world. Created with convenience in mind, most of these ideas focus on fresh ingredients and need some preparation before going in the crockpot. They also serve four to eight people so they're great for families.
However, chapters like "Meals for Two" and "Big-Batch Dinners for a Crowd" include delicious ideas for any size group. And "Double-Duty Dinners" shows how to cook extras that simplify making a second meal without it feeling like a repeat (for example, Cubano Pork Roast becomes South Beach Pork Panini the second day ... Yum!) In addition to offering handy tips with individual recipes, this sensational slow-cooking resource reveals tricks for getting the most from your crockpot (resist the temptation to lift the lid!), adapting conventional recipes for slow cooking (ah ha, 15 to 30 minutes in the oven equals 3 hours on Low) and much more.
Time Out: 352 pages
Available: $24.95 at Amazon and most book retailers
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Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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