We know that sometimes teeth can feel sore after orthodontic appointments.
Here are some yummy family-friendly recipes for you to enjoy!

Santa Fe Chicken Chowder
Smiley Mashed Potatoes
Melt-in-your-mouth Meatballs
Beef Enchiladas
White Pizza
Chili Chicken
Banana Cream Cake
Carrot Cake
Cream Cheese Frosting


On the go? Here are some other quick and yummy foods to enjoy:

Applesauce
Pudding
Custard
Jell-O
Canned Fruit
Macaroni and Cheese
Cheese Omelet
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Yogurt
Cottage Cheese
Soup
Pumpkin Pie
Spaghetti
Ice Cream
Milk Shake


Santa Fe Chicken Chowder
2 tbsp butter
1 med onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
½ tsp coriander
½ tsp salt
2 cups very finely chopped chicken breast
1 pint half & half
1 can (15 oz) creamed sweet corn
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 ½ cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese

In a dutch oven over medium high heat, melt the butter and saute the onion and garlic. Add the chicken broth, cumin, cayenne, coriander, salt and chicken. Stir, and over high heat, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes. Add the half and half, corn, tomatoes, and green chilies. Stir and increase the heat to medium. Gradually stir in the cheese until melted.

Serves 4-6.

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Smiley Mashed Potatoes
1 package (22 oz) frozen mashed potatoes
1 tbsp butter or margarine
2 ½ cups milk
½ pound ground beef, cooked, finely crumbled, and drained
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 tbsp sun dried tomatoes or ¼ cup finely diced fresh tomatoes with skins removed
2 oz diced black olives
½ cup sour cream
½ cup grated cheddar cheese

In large microwaveable bowl, combine the potatoes, butter and milk. Microwave on high for 8 minutes. Remove bowl from microwave oven and stir the mixture well. Stir in the last 6 ingredients, return bowl to the microwave and cook 7 minutes on high. Stir well with fork to fluff.

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Melt-in-your-Mouth Meatballs
1 lb ground beef
½ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
¼ cup milk
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp minced onion
1 tbsp very finely chopped green pepper
1 egg, beaten
¼ tsp dried oregano

Combine all ingredients and mix thoroughly with hands. Form or roll into 24 equal sized balls. Place in a well-greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish and bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Service with a smooth spaghetti sauce over soft dante angel hair pasta. 

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Beef Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
10 flour tortillas, cut into small bite-size pieces
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 can (4 oz) green chilies, chopped
1 can (4.5 oz) black olives, chopped
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes and green chilies
½ cup water

In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion and garlic. Drain and run through a food processor or blender. In a greased 9"x13"x2" casserole dish, layer ½ the mixture, tortillas, cheese, green chilies, and black olives. Repeat. In a medium sized bowl, combine the soup, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and water. Mix thoroughly and pour over the top of the layered ingredients. In a preheated oven, bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Serves 6-8.

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White Pizza
1 tube (10 oz) Refrigerated pizza dough
1 container (10 oz) refrigerated alfredo sauce
½ cup onions, finely chopped
7-8 slices bacon, crisply fried and finely crumbled
1 jar (2.5 oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
1 cup cooked chicken breast, chopped
7 oz hickory smoked gouda cheese, grated

Using a pizza baking sheet, follow the manufacturer's directions for handling and shaping the dough. Pre-bake the dough prior to the layering of the ingredients for 5-6 minutes at 425 degrees or until lightly golden brown. Evenly spread the alfredo sauce over the pre-baked dough and layer the remaining ingredients in the order given. Transfer the pizza to a preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

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Chili Chicken
2 cups cooked chicken breast, finely chopped
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of chicken soup
¾ cup chicken broth
1 can (4 oz) chopped green chilies
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimentos
8 flour tortillas, 7" diameter, cut into small pieces
2 ½ cups cheddar cheese

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Reserve 1 cup of the cheese for sprinkling on top. Pour into a greased 9"x 12" x2" casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Serves 4-6.

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 Banana Cream Cake
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs
¾ cup sour cream
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup milk
2 cups bananas, thinly sliced

Grease a 9" x 12" x 2" baking pan and lightly dust with flour. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the eggs on at a time. Beat in the sour cream. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the vanilla, milk and bananas. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Top with whip cream or drizzle with a chocolate topping of your choice.

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Carrot Cake
2 cups granulated sugar
2 sticks butter, softened
4 eggs
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp salt
1 can crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, well drained
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups carrots, very finely grated.

Grease and lightly dust a 9"x12"x2" baking pan with flour. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Gradually add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt, mixing well. Beat in the pineapple, vanilla extract, and carrots. Pour into the baking pan and bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Allow to cool completely frosting.

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Cream Cheese Frosting
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ cups powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)

In large bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter, beating until smooth. Beat in the lemon juice and vanilla. Gradually beat in the sugar and continue beating until light and fluffy. Spread evenly over the cake. Refrigerate.

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