Renee Paj Recipes

LEMON CHICKEN ORZO SOUP

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water until partially cooked through but not yet soft, about 5 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cooled completely.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir carrots, celery, and onion in hot oil until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Season mixture with thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf; continue cooking another 30 seconds before pouring chicken broth into the pot.
• Bring the broth to a boil. Partially cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir orzo, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the broth; add chicken. Cook until the chicken and orzo are heated through, about 5 minutes. Add baby spinach; cook until the spinach wilts into the broth and the orzo is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with lemon slices and Parmesan cheese.

FANCY GRILLED PB AND J

Steps:

• Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the bacon to the skillet and cook until not quite crisp, about 2 minutes per side; remove to a plate. Add the onions to the skillet, season with a pinch of salt and pepper and cook until golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any fat. Wipe the skillet and place it back on the heat.
• Begin building the rest of the sandwich: Spread peanut butter on both slices of bread, then spread jam on both slices as well. Place the manchego on one of the slices, then cut the provolone in half and place on top of the manchego. Cut the Swiss cheese in half and place on top of the jam on the other slice. Pile the onions on top of the provolone cheese, followed by the pieces of bacon. Make the sandwich by closing the 2 filled sides of bread together and press slightly to help it all stay together.
• Spread the top of the sandwich with half the mayonnaise. Place the sandwich into the skillet mayonnaise-side down. Spread the rest of the mayonnaise on the top of the sandwich. Fry until the outsides of the sandwich are golden brown and the cheese in the middle is melted, 3 to 4 minutes each side. Cut in half and serve.