Love My Philly

As the weather cools down I’ve definitely found my self in search of cozy, warm comfort foods for dinner.  There are loads of recipes out there for experimentation.  From deliciously creamy soups to filling and satisfying pasta dishes, here are my top three warm comfort food dinners.  What is your favorite cool weather dinner?

Farmhouse Chicken Dinner- This recipe is sure to make you feel at home at your dinner table . With sweet carrots, zesty chicken and rice, you’ll easily settle into a comfy night.

Creamy Rice, Chicken and Spinach Dinner- Combine brown rice, chicken, spinach and tomatoes and you’ve got one healthy, satisfying and delicious dinner!

Foil Packed Fish Florentine-  While this recipe might not sound completely glamorous, it’s absolutely delicious and won’t leave your whole kitchen smelling like fish for days on end.  With this recipe, clean up is super easy and dinner is on the table is less than 30 minutes!

How cool is this!? Philadelphia Cream Cheese wants to host your next Pre-holiday party! They’ll send you recipes and cream cheese samples, all you have to do is create the mouthwatering dips and desserts. There’s also a recipe contest with some serious cash prizes. Check out the details below!

Philadelphia Cream Cheese is inviting all Philly fans to apply to host a Pre-Holiday party – you supply the party, and they’ll supply an amazing party pack, complete with plenty of Philly!

On November 15^th, 2008 Philadelphia Cream Cheese will be hosting 2500 Pre-Holiday parties across the country. Philly will supply 75 scrumptious holiday party recipes to share with your guests, free Philadelphia Cream Cheese samples to create appetizers and desserts for your party, free Festive Holiday CDs from TARA LEIGH MUSIC PARTY and special offers from Aerobed! If you’re selected to host a party you’ll also get to enter a recipe contest for the chance to win one of three $1,000 gift certificates – just in time for Holiday Shopping!

Don’t miss out on the chance to host your best Holiday party yet! Find out more and apply here.

Here’s the week’s best Philly recipes. From comfort food to Halloween treats, Philadelphia Cream Cheese makes every meal just that much better. Here’s all the inspiration you need to bring comfort and smiles into your home this Fall. Enjoy!

Great Pumpkin Cake

Pumpkin Pie Bars

Comfort Food Couture

Halloween Sweet Treats

Get In the Kitchen with the Kids

I’m definitely in the mood for Mexican food this weekend.  My usual dives don’t seem all that thrilling so for the sake of variety, I’m going to throw some Mexican food together at home.

I do have a few menu stipulations.  I want fun Mexican food on a budget.  Lucky for me, things like refried beans, tortillas, cream cheese and salsa come at bargain prices.

Here’s what I’m going to prepare:

Tortilla Triangles-  These triangles are delicious take on the traditional quesadilla.  Simple and super yummy.

Black Bean Pinwheels-  Never thought of pairing black beans with cream cheese?  Well, now is your chance.  With a chunky salsa dip, these pinwheels are the perfect quick dinner to eat on the couch watching a movie.

Make Ahead Mexican Salad-  This salad is so loaded with goodies that you won’t even notice that you’re eating something that’s good for you.

You probably have everything you need for this pasta waiting in your fridge. If you don’t feel free to substitute these veggies with whatever you have on hand! With this easy recipe, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time!

Creamy Vegetable Pasta

The weather around these parts is finally starting to cool down. Just this weekend I pulled my heavy coat out of the closet. I was super snug walking around the city last Saturday night feeling the cool wind against my face. I couldn’t help but smile at the people that were still convinced that their Saturday night summer wear was still the way to go.

As the weather seems to be cooperating with cozyness, it’s naturally time for comfort food.

Chicken Pot Pie just screams home to me. I’ll admit, the flaky crust is, without a doubt, my favorite part.

Chicken Alfredo Pasta is the perfect cool weather meal. Between the pasta and the rich cream sauce, you’re sure to be satisfied.

Santa Fe Chicken Fajita Soup is warm, creamy and absolutely delicious. Perfect with a piece of fresh bread for dipping!

I’m totally addicted to the barbecued chicken I made with my crock pot last week. It’s unbelievably easy to throw together and delicious enough to serve a thousand ways. Sure, you can throw it on a bun and call it lunch, but you might also pile it into a flour tortilla with chive and cream cheese spread and fry it up as a quesadilla. Delicious!

Easy Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches with Cream Cheese Chive Spread

• 1-2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 (18 ounce) jar of your favorite barbecue sauce (I love K.C. Masterpiece!)
• 1 medium sweet onion, sliced
• 4-6 tortillas

1. Remove all visible fat from the chicken and toss it in the crock pot.
2. Place the onion slices on top of the chicken.
3. Pour the barbecue sauce over top.
4. You may not need the entire jar, just enough to cover the chicken.
5. Cook it on LOW for 8 hours or until the chicken is nice and tender.
6. Shred the chicken with a fork and knife; scoop the mixture onto a flour tortilla spread with chive and cream cheese spread and try in 1 Tablespoon of oil until browned on both sides. Cool for 3 minutes on cutting board. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa.

Cream Cheese Chive Spread

4 ounces (1/2 block) cream cheese, softened

1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Mix chopped chives into softened cream cheese. Spread onto flour tortillas and top with barbecued chicken. Fry in a sautee pan until browned and warm.

A burger for lunch is so satisfying. Try this great recipe for Barbecue Veggie Burgers. Get all the satisfaction of a burger for lunch without the weight of beef. You be full well until dinner, but you won’t need a nap just after your lunch hour. That’s a winner!

Barbecue Veggie Burgers

Serve this rich sauce on special occasions. Be sure to balance each serving of this tasty entree with a serving of hot steamed vegetables and a whole wheat roll.

Prep Time:
10 min

Total Time:
40 min

Makes:
4 servings

This dish is great for two and easy to double if you want a larger serving. Whether making this shrimp for two or twenty, everyone will fall in love with this dish, and you for making it.

Prep Time:
10 min

Total Time:
25 min

Makes:
2 servings