Fall brings opportunities for new seasonal dinner menus. To help our residents at Candlewood North apartments in Northridge manage their busy schedules while turning out great dinners, we supply a head start in the form of a collection of recipes for entrees that can be prepared quickly. Here are two delicious and easy-to-make seasonal dishes.
Baja Chicken Bowl
This colorful, refreshing, nutrition-packed dinner serves two. (Prep time: about 20 minutes)
Ingredients
4 ounces cooked chicken, diced
1 cup brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup salsa (your favorite pre-made brand)
1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 tbsp. olive oil
Sea salt
Ground black pepper
Directions
Heat oil in a skillet. Stir in diced chicken, corn and diced red pepper. Cook over medium heat until mixture is heated thoroughly and red pepper is slightly softened (approximately 5 minutes). Salt and pepper to taste.
Spoon warm rice into two bowls. Then, spoon chicken mixture on top of rice in both bowls. Top each bowl with salsa. Generously spread Monterey Jack cheese on top of each bowl.
Shell Goulash
Dress up the standard goulash recipe with shell pasta replacing elbow macaroni and adding pretty garnishes.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 1/4 cup low sodium beef broth
1 (15-oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15-oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 cups medium-sized shell pasta, uncooked
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Cherry tomatoes cut in halves for garnish
Directions
Heat oil In a large skillet. Add onion, and cook over medium heat until slightly softened (approximately 5 minutes). Add garlic. Cook about 1 minute more, or until garlic fragrance is expressed.
Add ground beef. Add salt and pepper. Cook until meat is no longer pink (approximately 8–9 minutes). Drain fat.
Stir in tomato paste. Pour in broth. Add diced tomatoes.
Season with paprika and Italian seasoning.
Stir in shell pasta.
Simmer, stirring the mixture occasionally, until pasta is tender (approximately 15 minutes).
Fold in cheese, and remove from heat. Garnish with parsley and cherry tomato halves.
Candlewood North, Northridge, CA
Beautiful Candlewood North apartments in Northridge, CA, are within walking distance of California State University and offer a resort-style swimming pool, controlled access, pets allowed, patios and balconies, wood-style flooring, and more. Call our office today at (866) 796-2183 to see which floor plans are available.