Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

Back in August I posted a recipe for Parmesan Orzo that I absolutely love and have made multiple times. So I thought when I found this recipe that it would be a no brainer......I would love it! Surprisingly enough, I did not. The dish really lacked flavor and I even put some extra cheese in mine after I tasted it and it still didn't help. I would have that it would have tasted just like cheddar and broccoli, but sadly it just tasted like broccoli with a very watered down, faint cheddar taste. If you try this one, you might need to play around a little bit. Try boiling the orzo in a broth or use more cheese. I don't really know. I'm kind of at a loss with this one! Let me know if you try anything different and how you liked it! Enjoy? :)

Broccoli Cheddar Orzo

Ingredients
1 cup orzo
1-1/2 cups chopped broccoli florets
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon butter
1/4-1/2 cup 2% milk
salt for boiling water and to taste if needed

Fill a medium saucepan with water and a dash of salt and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and cook for 3 minutes. Add broccoli and cook for 2 additional minutes, or until orzo is tender.

Drain very well then return to the saucepan. Add cheeses, butter, and 1/4 cup of the milk. Stir well and add more milk if needed. Season with salt to taste.

Crockpot Pulled Chicken with Jalapeños

I love, love using my crockpot, especially this time of year. It is so simple to just throw everything in and let it cook for hours and it seems like you have slaved all day in the kitchen. Plus, your house (usually) smells wonderful and with us, we have a ton of leftovers for lunches and dinners or to freeze for the oncoming winter when the weather might be too bad to get out. This recipe, found here, was especially fun because it was a crackpot recipe with a little pizzazz. To the crockpot pulled chicken you add a delicious crispy panko that adds a wonderful toasted crunch to the sandwich. Then, you also add an extra creamy cheddar cheese sauce and top that with jalapeños (optional of course). It seems like such a gourmet sandwich to have been made primarily in your crockpot! When I initially made it, I did as the original recipe indicated and drained all the juice off the cooked chicken, but then the leftovers, while still great, were a little dry, so I recommend draining the meat as you go unless you are serving it all. I also scaled it back a little and took out the chicken thighs that the original recipe had. If you are like me and love using your crockpot in the fall or are looking to stock that freezer a bit for the winter, try this delicious sandwich right away! Enjoy!  

Crockpot Pulled Chicken with Jalapeños 

Ingredients

Pulled Chicken
2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can Ro-Tel with green chilies
1 Tablespoon red chili powder
1/2 Tablespoon cumin
1 cube chicken bouillon of a couple chicken stock ice cubes

6 Kaiser Rolls

Crispy Panko Topping
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 Tablespoons butter

Cheese Sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Optional
jalapeño pepper sliced, jar or fresh


Pulled Chicken
In your crockpot place the onion and garlic in the bottom. Put the chicken on top of that and pour Ro-Tel over the chicken. Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over top. Place chicken stock ice cubes or bouillon cube in. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours, or low for 8 hours.


Crispy Panko Topping
In a small skillet melt the butter. Add the panko, stir occasionally until lightly toasted. Set aside.

Cheese Sauce
In small saucepan over medium to medium-high heat, pour the heavy cream in and bring to an almost

boil, stirring constantly. Whisk in the cream cheese and stir until melted. Then add the cheddar, stirring until smooth and combined.

Sandwich Assembly
Using a slotted spoon, place chicken on a bun (you don't want your sandwich soggy, but the juices with help if you have leftovers, otherwise you can drain all the juices after cooked). Top with cheese sauce, crispy panko, and, if desired, sliced jalapeños.