texasmesquite

Dinner with dash, thanks to spice maker
By SHARON THOMPSON
McClatchy Newspapers
Article Last Updated: 09/15/2008 01:42:16 AM PDT

Cooks clamor for celebrity cookbooks, but most cooks know that some of the best recipe books come from food manufacturers. After all, people have used back-of-the-box recipes for decades.
McCormick, one of the most trusted food companies, has helped consumers discover how a shake or two of spices and herbs can change the flavor of a chicken breast, pork chop or pound of ground beef.
On Sept. 23, McCormick's newest cookbook, "3-Step Cooking With Flavor" (Time Inc. Home Entertainment, $25.95) hits bookstores with more than 100 new recipes. It's ideal for anyone who is always in a rush to get dinner on the table.
If there's chicken in the fridge, some rice and noodles in the pantry, and the spice rack is full, then there's no reason to panic at 5 o'clock. The cookbook has 25 recipes for chicken — and at least 50 variations.
A money-saving tip suggests buying the economy packs of beef, pork and chicken; by using a combination of spices or a sauce mix, you can easily surprise your family with a new dish every night for a month.

Chicken-broccoli pot pie
(Makes 6 servings)
1 package chicken gravy mix
½ tsp. poultry seasoning
2 cups diced, cooked chicken breast
1 cup broccoli florets
1 package (15 oz.) refrigerated pie crusts
2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
4 oz. smoked ham, diced Steps: Prepare chicken gravy mix according to package directions for creamy gravy. Stir in poultry seasoning. Add chicken and broccoli, and toss to mix.
Unfold pie crust into pie plate. Spoon 1½ cups chicken mixture in bottom of crust. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese, cover with ham and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with remaining chicken mixture. Cover filling with pastry top. Press crust edges together to seal crust. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Variations: To make turkey and Swiss pot pie, use 6 thin slices of smoked turkey in place of ham and 2 cups diced cooked turkey breast in place of chicken. For chicken-broccoli pot pie with Cheddar, use 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese in place of Swiss cheese.

Angel hair pasta
with fresh tomato sauce
(Makes 4 servings)
3 T. extra-virgin olive oil
1½ lbs. ripe tomatoes, cored and chopped
1 T. basil leaves
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. oregano leaves
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
1 lb. angel hair pasta
Steps: Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat 1 minute. Remove pan from heat. Add tomatoes, basil, garlic powder and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, and set aside while cooking pasta. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Remove from heat and drain well. Place in serving bowl. Add sauce, tossing to coat pasta. Serve immediately.