Appetizer Idea

Cherry tomatoes and black olives make really cute lady birds. Base is made up of sliced bagettes, cream cheese, smoked salmon and flat leafed parsley. Sprinkle ground black pepper on tomato and using a toothpick dot some cream cheese on the olives for the eyes.

Brushetta Chicken Bake

This one was a different twist to stove top stuffing. It would probably also be good as a pasta bake. Important lesson learned: Brown the chicken first! Recipe didn't specify, so I've added that line.

Makes: 6 servings, 1 cup each
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: ~40 min

Ingredients:
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 pkg (6 oz) Stove Top Stuffing mix for chicken
1/2 cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tsp dried basil leaves
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400.

Brown chicken in a frying pan on the stove.

Mix tomatoes, stuffing mix, water and garlic until stuffing mix is moistened.

Layer chicken, basil and cheese an a 3 qt casserole dish.

Top with stuffing mixture and bake 30 minutes.

Nutrition:

300 cal, 7g total fat, 2g fiber, 75 mg cholesterol

Grilled Salmon with Tomatoes and Basil

I haven't actually tried this one since my husband doesn't like us cooking fish at home (smell), but I think it sounds really good. The recipe is another one that I found at the Commissary, image is from http://www.cooking.com/.

Makes: 4 servings

Active and Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp salt, divided

1 tbsp olive oil

1 whole wild salmon fillet (about 1.5 pounds)

1/3 cup plua 1/4 cup fresh basil thinly sliced (see photo), divided

2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat grill to medium.

Mash minced garlic and 3/4 tsp salt on a cutting board with side of chefs knife or a spoon until a paste forms. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in oil.

Check salmon for pin bones and remove if necessary. Measure out a piece of heavy-duty foil (double regular foil) large enough for the fillet. Coat foil with cooking spray. Place salmon skin side down on the foil and spread garlic mixture all over it. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup basil. Overlap tomato slices on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 tsp salt and pepper.

Transfer salmon in the foil to the grill. Grill until fish flakes easily, about 10 mins. Use two large spatulas to slide salmon from foil to serving platter. Serve topped with remaining basil.

Nutrition:

248 cal, 10g fat, 1g fiber, 80 mg cholesterol