White Chocolate Popcorn

White Chocolate Popcorn
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs of white almond bark
1 bag almond slivers (optional)
3 bags fat free popcorn (reg works but is more yellow)
Confectioners sugar
1-2 T shortening (optional)

Directions:
Pop popcorn in microwave and place in large bowl. Melt almond bark in microwave according to the package’s directions. If bark is not smooth after melting, stir in shortening until mixture is smooth and loose enough to coat popcorn. Mix over popcorn and almond slivers unit well coated. Sprinkle confectioners sugar over all and mix until the sheen is gone from chocolate. Add more sugar as needed.

Steamed Wonton Purses

Steamed Wonton Purses

Ingredients:
WONTONS
1/2 lb. ground turkey or beef
1 egg
2 T soy sauce
1 1/2 T asian seasoning mix
1 T plain dry bread crumbs
1 garlic clove, pressed
16 square wonton skins

SAUCE
1/4 C rice vinegar
2 T soy sauce
1 T asian seasoning mix
1 garlic clove, pressed


Directions:
For wontons, combine all ingredients except skins. Spray steamer with cooking spray. Place wonton skins on smooth side of cutting board. Scoop about 1 T into the center of each wonton. Lightly brush outer edges with water. Bring corners up toward center. Pinch centes to seal and place into steamer. Boil 3 C water in skillet. Reduce heat to simmer and place steamer into skillet. Cover. Cook wontos 5-7 minutes or until thermometer reads 160 degrees. For sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well. Transfer wontons onto serving platter. Add sauce if desired.

Cooks tip:
Asian Seasoning Mix substitution
1 (1 inch) fresh ginger root, peeled and finely grated
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Seasoning mix in the sauce
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger root
1 tsp. toasted sesame oil

(Recipe from Pampered Chef: Season's Best~ Spring Summer 2009)

Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

Ingredients:
4 garlic cloves, peeled 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes 3 cups uncooked mezze penne pasta 3 cups chicken broth 3/4 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay		1/2 tsp each salt and coarsely ground black pepper 1 1/4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided 1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed) 2 cups diced grilled chicken breasts Additional grated fresh Parmesan cheese and coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

Directions:
1.	Spray microwave safe dish with olive oil. Slice garlic into dish. Add tomatoes. Cover; microwave on HIGH 4-5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes using. Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper.
2.	Return baker to microwave; cover and microwave on HIGH 16-18 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring after 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop basil. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish. Grate cheese.
3.	Carefully remove dish from microwave and remove lid, lifting away from you. Add remaining basil, cheese and chicken to dish; mix well. Garnish with reserved 2 tbsp basil, additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper, if desired.
Yield: 8 servings Cook’s Tips: An additional 3/4 cup chicken broth can be substituted for the wine, if desired. Any tube-shaped pasta requiring 9-11 minutes cook time, such as penne or rigatoni, can be substituted for the mezze penne pasta. To grill chicken in the Grill Pan, season 2 chicken breasts, about 6 oz each, with salt and black pepper. Heat Grill Pan over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Spray pan with oil. Cook chicken 4-6 minutes or until grill marks appear. Turn chicken over; cook 4-6 minutes or until center of chicken is no longer pink. ©The Pampered Chef, Ltd. 2009