Chicken & Rice

Let me start by saying that my husband rocks. If I make something and it's horrible...he just tells me:-) Tonight he told me that dinner was so good...I should take a picture of the empty plate and tell you guys "this is what a good dinner looks like" LOL. He is so cute. He knows how much I love to blog...

I tried chicken and rice tonight with veggies. I haven't ever made chicken and rice...I know that's hard to believe but I really haven't:-) This is what I came up with and it was YUMMY!!!

I bought the bad of frozen chicken breasts just because they are cheaper...and as long as you thaw them out the correct way they aren't too bad.

I took 2 chicken breasts and put them in a freezer plastic bag...I added some fresh lemon juice...pepper....garlic powder and a little season all. Shake the bad to mix everything together and then put it in the fridge overnight to thaw.

Preheat oven to 350. Add one cup of rice, 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth (or water) and about 3-4 tbs of cream of mushroom soup into a baking pan. Mix together well. Place marinated chicken on top of rice mixture and bake for about 30-40 minutes or until the rice and chicken is done.

For the veggies (THAT TOTALLY ROCKED) I steamed the zucchini and squash (chopped) first for about 10 minutes...just until soft but not mushy. Then I took the squash and zucchini, a handful of grape tomatoes and 1/2 onion... and sauteed them with 2 tbs butter and salt and pepper for about 6-7 minutes.

Clear as mud??? I am not good at giving directions when I didn't have a recipe to follow...lol...I just through it together...but it was too good not to share:-)

Turkey Tacos with tomato, onion & avocado salsa

Joel and I are trying to eat turkey instead of beef. So far I have found a chili recipe that is better with turkey and wanted to see if I could make a taco recipe with turkey as well. It turned out great!!! If I would have given it to the kids and not told them it was turkey they wouldn't have known.

To make the tacos...I simply sauteed some onion and a bell pepper (chopped) in a pan for about 4-5 minutes...then add one pound of ground turkey meat. Stir and brown until turkey is done. You don't need to drain the grease because there isn't any!! YAY for NO GREASE! Then I just added a taco seasoning package as normal...Stirred it and keep warm until ready to eat

Tomato/Avocado Salsa

This was soooo good!
1 ripe avocado peeled and chopped
2 handfuls of grape tomatoes sliced in half
1/2 small onion chopped
1 wedge of fresh lemon juice
salt
pepper
olive oil (maybe 1/2 tablespoon)

Mix together in bowl...add salt and pepper to taste! YUM!

Put turkey meat and salsa on flour tortilla and add any other toppings you would like. I added a little sharp cheddar and sour cream!

ENJOY!!!

Chicken Cordon Bleu

YUM!! Joel LOVES Chicken Cordon Bleu...so I figured it was time for me to try to make it. I looked up 1,000 recipes and didn't see one that sounded good...so I just decided to wing it. Boy was is good:-) Try it out!!!

Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts (thin....pound them down)
parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup of milk
butter (of course:-))
flour
2 eggs (whisked)
4 slices of good swiss cheese
4 slices of good smoke ham
olive oil
salt and pepper
garlic powder


Directions:
Pound each chicken breast until it is thin....almost too thin. place one slice of ham and one slice of cheese on the top of the breast. Roll it up and secure with a toothpick. Roll the chicken in egg mixture and then roll in flour. Brown chicken in skillet with olive oil and butter. Brown all sides then remove chicken and put on paper towel until all chicken is browned. Put in a baking dish and put in oven at 300 for about 15 minutes or until chicken is done and cheese is melted...yummy!

Sauce:
In a medium saucepan put about 2 tbs of butter and once the butter starts to bubble add 1 cup of milk...whisk until smooth. Add salt and pepper...parmesan cheese...and a dash or two of garlic powder. Keep whisking until sauce thickens. Pour sauce over chicken. mmmmmm...it's soooo good!!!

Bacon Egg and Cheese Bake

My step kids have been telling me about this for a while....I asked their Mom for the recipe and she gave it to me...thanks Lisa:-) I tried it out the other morning....it was a hit!! I didn't have everything she said to put in it...so I just used what I had and it was YUMMY! This will be made again in my house for breakfast for sure:-)

Ingredients:
1 package crescent rolls (uncooked)
6 eggs
milk
cheddar cheese
butter
cream cheese
salt and pepper
4 slices of bacon cooked and chopped up

Directions:

Cook bacon...cut up and sit to the side. Place half of the crescent rolls on the bottom of a baking pan. Poke holes in them with a fork like you are making a pie crust. Bake in the over for 5-10 minutes on 300. Pull out of oven and set to the side. Scramble 6 eggs in a bowl...add a little milk (not sure how much...less then 1/2 cup) then add scrambled eggs to a buttered skillet. Once the eggs are about done add the cooked bacon. Stir together and then add about 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese to the eggs. Stir to melt the cheese and remove from heat. Spread cream cheese on the top of the cooked crescents in the baking pan. Add eggs to baking pan. Put the other half of the uncooked crescents on top of the eggs. They don't have to be together....leave some gaps in them. Spread another layer of cream cheese on top of the crescent rolls...top with cheese and bake about 15-20 minutes until the top layer of crescents are done. DONE!!! YUMMY! Lisa also added sour cream to the eggs when scrambling....and topped the whole thing off with fresh tomatoes:-) You can mix it up however you like...use bacon....veggies...ham...etc! ENJOY!!!

Thanks Lisa for the yummy recipe:-)

Taco Salad

I LOVE this Taco Salad. It's light...yet filling...and has great flavor!!! I used the seasoning...but you could use taco seasoning if the whole cumin and chili powder action freaks you out:-) MUST TRY!!! Great EASY...healthy...(with turkey...PROTEIN) meal!!! Don't tell anyone and they will have NO idea it's turkey instead of beef:-)

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup prepared salsa
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey(or beef)
  
• 2 large plum tomatoes, diced
• 1 14-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• you can use taco seasoning instead of the above two ingredients
  
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 8 cups shredded romaine lettuce(or iceberg)
  
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Combine salsa and sour cream in a large bowl.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add turkey and cook, stirring often and crumbling with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, cumin and chili powder; cook, stirring, until the tomatoes begin to break down, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in cilantro and 1/4 cup of the salsa mixture.

Add lettuce to the remaining salsa mixture in the bowl; toss to coat. To serve, divide the lettuce among 4 plates, top with the turkey mixture and sprinkle with cheese.I added sliced avacado to the top as well:-)

Sock It To Me Cake

My friend Stacey gave me this recipe:-) It's very good...and not too sweet. I can't handle too sweet:-) Thanks Stacey!!!!

Ingredients:
1 box Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup of sugar
2/3 cup Wesson oil and fill up to 3/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 80z container of sour cream
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp brown sugar


Pour 1/2 batter in bunt pan. Sprinkle 1tbsp of cinnamon and 1 tbsp of brown sugar over batter. Pour remaining batter and bake on 350 for one hour.

YUMMY! ENJOY:-)

Ranch Tilapia

I am trying to find ways to cook Tilapia. I haven't cooked a lot of fish in my time:-) This recipe was simple and had great reviews...so I tried it out! The reviews were right. It was delicious!!! Even for those of you who don't like fish a lot would probably love this!!! Try it out!! Eat a little healthier every once in a while:-)

Ingredients:
4 tilapia fillets
3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of butter (maybe a little more for cooking)
parmesan cheese (as much as you want)

Place breadcrumbs in a bowl. In a shallow dish mix the dressing and oil to form a paste. Coat the tilapia in the ranch mixture then dredge in the bread crumbs to lightly coat. Sautee the fillets about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and easily flakes with a fork.

Put fillets in a baking dish and spinle top with parmesan cheese and a few dabs of butter. Broil until the butter is melted and the cheese is browning.

Serve!!! YUMMY!!!!

White Beans

YUM! Great fall supper when it's chilly outside:-) I usually make it with some cornbread. It's super simple...put it in the crock pot and let it cook!

Ingredients:
1 bag of white beans
1 small yellow onion
1 ham hock
1 tbsp garlic powder
pepper

Directions:
Soak the beans overnight in 6 cups of water. The next morning drain the beans and put in fridge until you are ready to cook them. I usually put them in the crock pot around noon and they are ready to eat around 5:30 that evening:-)

Put the beans in the crock pot with enough water to cover them. Add chopped onion, garlic powder, ham hock and pepper. Don't salt the beans...there is plenty of salt in the ham hock. Turn crock pot on low, cover and simmer for about 5-6 hours.

Make cornbread to go with the beans...and there you go...dinner is served!! How easy is that???

Baked Chops

I tried a new pork chop recipe tonight. It turned out great! The sauce is REALLY good on rice:-) mmmmmmm. Try it out!

4-6 boneless pork loin chops
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 soup can water
1 pkg. onion soup mix

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chops in baking dish. In bowl, combine soups with water. Pour mixture over chops.

Cover with foil and bake for 30-45 minutes, depending on thickness of chops.

This dish creates its own gravy and is great served with rice!

Turkey Chili

Ok I have to start by saying this chili ROCKS! I have been trying to find "the" recipe for me and this is it! I was a little worried that Joel wouldn't like it because it's healthy....but he is a trooper and tried it. Guess what??? He LOVED it!!! He wants me to keep making it! YAY! I FINALLY found a chili recipe that I really love! If you are looking for a healthier chili recipe that doesn't taste healthier....this is it!!

Ingredients:
1 med onio, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 package (1lb) lean ground turkey
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 (14 1/2 ounce) can salsa-style or regular stewed tomatoes..undrained
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
1 green bell pepper, diced
3/4 cup picante sauce

Directions:
Coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic, cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Crumble turkey into saucepan; sprinkle with chili powder, cumin and salt. Cook until turkey is done...about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, beans, bell pepper and picante sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes. YUMMO!!!!

Broccoli and Cheese

Yum! I love me some broccoli and cheese. I guess I am blessed that I have always liked my veggies. I am blessed to also have a son that will eat anything:-) Most kiddos that don't really care for broccoli will eat it when it's covered in goodness!!! This is another totally simple side dish and yummy!

You need:
broccoli (FRESH...NOT FROZEN..YUCK!)
1 clove of fresh garlic
salt
pepper
(2 tablespoons of butter)
A LOT of good sharp cheddar cheese!!

Preheat oven to 350-375

Clean and cut up about 2-3 heads of fresh broccoli...seriously don't even try this is all you have is frozen broccoli...you don't know what you are missing!!! Steam broccoli for about 10 minutes. You don't want the broccoli mushy...but you want it cooked.

Put steamed broccoli into a baking dish. Melt butter and choped clove of garlic in a bowl together in microwave for about 30 seconds. Drizzle butter and garlic mixture on broccoli...stir. Sprinkle with salt and pepper....then comes the goodness! Oh yeah! I say be just about as generous as you want to with the cheese...especially if you are trying to get your kiddos to eat veggies lol!! No, seriously I probably use about 1 cup of shredded cheese...but feel free to use as much as you would like.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly! Now that's good stuff!

Fried Taters

Ok...here is another one that most people already know how to make...but hey! I remember when I would look for simple recipes like this and I couldn't find them. So....figured I would put this recipe up in case anyone needs a simple potatoe recipe that is to die for!!!

You need:
Potatoes
veg oil (2-3 tablespoons)
butter (2 tablespoons)
salt
pepper blend seasoning
garlic powder

Peel and chope potatoes into cubes. Wash potatoes

I use an electric skillet for my potatoes. They always seem to turn out better for some reason! Put the skillet on 350. Put oil and butter in skillet and let it get good and hot. Add potatoes and sprinkle with garlic and pepper blend. Don't add salt to your potatoes until they are done or they will get soggy...yuck! Who likes a soogy fried potato?? NOT ME!!!

Cook for about 5-7 minutes then trun. Turn as needed for about 25 more minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through and nice and brown:-) Drain on paper towel...then salt potatoes before serving. This is one of my faves....it really doesn't get much better then some fried taters...I could eat them every day...but won't because I want to live past 50!!!!

BBQ Chicken

Such a simple yet totally yummy meal:-) I am sure most everyone has their own way to make it...but I thought I would share mine:-)

What you need:
(3) chicken breasts
a good BBQ sauce (or you can make a homemade sauce)
salt/pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Put chicken breasts in a baking dish. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Drizzle both sides of the chicken with BBQ sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is done. Once the chicken is done remove the foil and turn oven on broil. Let chicken broil on each side for 2-3 minutes...this will make the outside of the chicken a little crisp...mmmm...so good:-)

French Puffs

This is another Pioneer Woman recipe. It sounded so good and easy to make so I decided to try it out on the kids this weekend. What kid isn't going to like something that is covered in cinnamon and sugar?? DUH! They turned out super delicious!!! I will make them again no questions asked:-)

3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening (Crisco)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 sticks butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. Pray. In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening, then add eggs and mix. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. In a bowl, melt 2 sticks butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Eat. Faint.

Spicy Poblano and Corn Soup

My friend Stacey found this recipe on the line the other day and decided to try it out last night. She was supposed to take a picture....but forgot...it's ok..I forgive you Stacey:-) Any who....she brought some to work today and it's delicious...and spicy!...but not too spicy. I think she added some jalepeno's to the recipe. You guys should try this one out! I will!!!

Ingredients
1 (16-ounce) package frozen baby gold and white corn (such as Birds Eye), thawed and divided
2 cups 2% milk, divided
4 poblano chiles, seeded and chopped (about 1 pound)
1 cup refrigerated prechopped onion (or fresh)
1 tablespoon water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preparation
1. Place 1 cup corn and 1 1/2 cups milk in a Dutch oven. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat.
2. Combine chopped chile, onion, and 1 tablespoon water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and microwave at HIGH 4 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, place 2 cups corn and 1/2 cup milk in a blender; process until smooth. Add pureed mixture to corn mixture in pan. Stir in chile mixture and salt, and cook 6 minutes over medium heat. Ladle soup into bowls, and top each serving with 2 tablespoons cheddar cheese.

Beef Strogonoff

I found this recipe on the Cooking Light website. I am trying to make some lighter meals that are still tasty. Astually...I am trying to make lighter meals that Joel likes and can't tell they are lighter...he.he!! This was super simple to make and pretty tasty! It wasn't on the top of the list for Joel....but it was ok. I think adding less sour cream would have made it a little better. The sour cream took over a lot of the taste. Try it out and let me know what you think:-)

Ingredients:
1 (1-pound) top round steak (1 inch thick), trimmed
1 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 (8-ounce) package sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup beef broth
1 (8-ounce) container low-fat sour cream
2 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles (about 4 ounces uncooked)

Preparation
1. Cut steak diagonally across grain into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place steak and next 8 ingredients (though garlic) in a 3-quart electric slow cooker; stir well.

2. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Place flour in a small bowl; gradually add broth, stirring with a whisk until blended. Add broth mixture to slow cooker; stir well. Cover with lid; cook on high-heat setting 1 hour. Reduce to low-heat setting, and cook 7 to 8 hours or until steak is tender. Turn slow cooker off; remove lid. Let stroganoff stand 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Serve stroganoff over noodles.

Weekly "NEW" Recipes

I am going to start trying a new recipe every week. I love to try new things and I never push myself to do it. I just keep cooking the same old boring stuff I have been cooking....NOT ANYMORE!!! I love all kinds of food and I going to start learning how to cook it. I will be very honest about the outcome so you will be able to determine if you should even try it..LOL! Start checking out my blog weekly for new recipes!

Garden Delight Chicken

My friends Mom use to own an Italian restaurant when I was younger. Every time I would go there I would get this dish.....It's soooo good! Her Mom gave my Mom the recipe so we could make it at home...and here we are years later and it's still one of our favorites!! The picture is horrible...sorry:-( It was dark out and I had no natural light....Don't let me picture fool you though!!

Ingredients:
3 chicken breasts
1 quart of heavy cream
fresh basil (about 8 leaves) chopped
1 scallion (large) chopped
butter...lots!
salt and pepper
mushrooms (2 packages sliced)
white wine about 2 cups

Directions:
start by sauteing the mushrooms in a little butter, pepper and white wine...sit to the side once they are done.
Next...in another pot start the sauce...saute the chopped scallions in about 1/2 stick of butter until soft....take pot off the heat and add the quart of cream and fresh basil. Stir and let sit until your chicken is cooked.

Cook chicken in butter and wine until cooked through...keeping the pan moist with wine...don't let the chicken dry out. Once the chicken in done...take it off the heat and add your mushrooms and cream sauce. Cover and let heat through for about 5 minutes. I serve it will rice and a salad. It's very good...not very healthy...but good!!!

ENJOY!!!!

Easy Pork Chops

These are the easiest pork chops you will EVER cook. You will have to trust me when I say they are GOOD!!!! When I found this recipe I just laughed and thought there is NO way they are any good...but they are.

Ingredients:

3 boneless pork chops (1-1/2 inch. thick)
garlic powder
1 cup of ketchup
1 cup coca cola
salt and pepper
onions (if you want)

Directions:

Turn your crockpot on high. Put all three pork chops in and sprinkle with garlic powder and salt and pepper on each side of the chop. In a bowl wisk together the ketchup and cola. Pour misture over pork chops and let cook for 3 hours or until cooked all the way through. Don't cook too long or the chops will be a little dry:-) I know this recipe sounds crazy....but like I said...you will have to trust me on this one!! You will only need a fork for these chops because they will be falling apart and totally yummy once they are done. The sauce is similar to a BBQ sauce but without the twang...it's a sweeter sauce and it's GREAT over rice too!!!!

Oh, I almost forgot...if you want onions simply slice and layer on top of chops before cooking. They will be tender and delicious when the chops are done!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fried Parmesan Chicken

I have heard a lot of good things about the Panko bread crumbs.....so I decided to use them last night. I just kind of threw this all together but it was REALLY good!

Ingredients:
Chicken Breasts (how many you need to feed your family)
Alfredo Sauce (recipe on my food blog as well)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
3 eggs
Panko Bread Crumbs (1/2 box)
salt and pepper
veg. oil
butter


Directions:
Pound the chicken breasts until they are pretty thin...whatever you like:-) Dip each breast in egg mixer and then in the bread crumb mixture (panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper). Fry each breast long enough on each side to cook it through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain on paper towel when done. Sautee onions and make slfreado on the side. I used both of these to top the chicken......you could eat the chicken with ir without the toppings...it would be good eather way!!

ENJOY!!!

Mushroom Parmesan Chicken

My Mom us to make this dish a lot while I was growing up. Once again it's super easy and totally yummy. The best part about this dish is taking the drippings from the chicken and pouring it over the rice!!! I could eat just the rice with the drippings and be happy:-0

Ingredients:
I package of mushrooms raw..sliced

butter 3/4 stick

3 chicken breasts (or more depending on how many people are eating)

salt and pepper

Parmesan cheese (about 1 cup)

Sides:

rice

peas

(or anything else you would like.....but I am telling you the rice ROCKS with this dish:-)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Put butter in baking dish and put in oven long enough to melt the butter.

Pull dish out of oven and add chicken over melted butter and mushrooms. Salt and Pepper chicken and cover with Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes or until chicken is done.

Again, I serve this with rice and peas but you could make it with any side dish you would like.

ENJOY!!

Corn Casserole

Ok I know I am totally obsessed...oh well! At least I can admit it:-) This is The Pioneer Womans "Corn Casserole" recipe. I was rushed...so it's not very pretty...but BOY was it still YUMMY!!!!!!!! This is a great side dish and will be a nice dish for Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Link to recipe:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/fresh_corn_cass/

Chicken Enchiladas

I haven't made these before. I totally threw together what I had in the pantry. They turned out pretty good. I will change a few little things the next time I make them though. I will use corn tortillas and not flour....I will add fresh onions, cilantro and tomatoes in the chicken mixture. I think that will make them better then just OK.

Ingredients:
5 flour tortillas
chicken (shredded)
enchilada sauce (canned or dry package)
salsa
shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper
Fresh green onions

Directions:
Make or heat up the enchilada sauce. Pre-heat over to 375.
Shred cooked chicken (you can use chicken breasts, roasted chicken or even canned chicken. I used roasted chicken because I had one in the fridge:-)
Put chicken in a bowl...add enough of the enchilada sauce to make it moist. Add salt and pepper to taste and any other seasoning you think would add good flavor
Heat tortillas for about a minute in the microwave so they are soft and easy to work with. Put chicken in each tortilla, roll up and put in baking dish. Repeat until all enchiladas are in the baking dish.
Poor the rest of the enchilada sauce over the chicken filled tortillas and add a little salsa (1/2 cup or so)
Bake for about 25 minutes uncovered.
Add cheddar cheese on top for about 5 minutes:-)
Top with green onions when you pull them out of the oven.

ENJOY!!!!

Chicken Quesadillas

Wednesday night dinner: Chicken Quesadillas Chips and Salsa Corn

I think everyone knows how to heat up a can of corn and buy a bag of chips and a jar of salsa...so I am only going to put the quesadilla recipe here:-)

Chicken Quesadillas:

3 chicken breasts

salt and pepper

fajita seasoing (any kind)

tortillas (burrito size)

refried beans ( I buy the cheap ones...they are all about the same)

1 sweet yellow onion

olive oil

butter

cheddar cheese (shredded)

Ok to start...you need a griddle...if you don't have one....go get one...they are cheap and totally ROCK. I use mine for all kinds of stuff...and they are easy clean up!

Remove fat from chicken breasts and cut chicken into bite size peices. Peal and chop onion into bite size peices. Heat up the beans in a sauce pan on low-med heat. You can add a little tobasco sauce if you want a little spice to your quesadillas. Melt a little butter and olive oil in a skillet on med-med high heat and add chicken. Season with salt, pepper and fajita seasoning to your desired taste. When chicken is cooked through and browned....put chicken on paper towl to drain fat. Set aside. Add onions to the pan you cooked the chicken in and sautee until soft.....you will need to add a little butter and salt/pepper to the onions...I also added a little of the fajita seasoning:-) Heat griddle to 350 (or med-high) Once griddle is hot....put a little butter all over the griddle. Place two tortillas on the griddle. Spread a layer of the refried beans on tortillas...then on one side of each tortilla add cheese, onions and chicken. Wait until the tortillas are a nice golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is melting. Then all you have to do is fold each tortilla in half. DONE...Pull the tortillas off the griddle and cut each one into 3 triangles...repeat one more time. This recipe will feed four people. You can always add anything else to the quesadilla that you would like.

ENJOY!!!

Waldorf Salad

A girl I work with (Linda) brought this salad to work for a baby shower we were having and it was yummy! She shared the recipe with me and I decided to make it tonight for a friends cookout. If you haven't tried this you should. It's a great summer dish!!!

Ingredients:

4 apples ( I used 2 red and 2 green) - chopped

1 cup chopped walnuts

4 celery stalks - chopped

6 tbsp plain yogurt

4 tbsp honey

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 cup whip cream (you can whip your own...but I used already whipped) I am all about easy:-)

Combine first 3 ingredients. Blend next 4 ingredients and pour over apple mixture. Toss well and fold in whip cream. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

ENJOY!!! You can also add other fruit to this salad and it would be great!!!

Fettucini Alfredo

I love this recipe:-) It's easy and very tasty. Here is the recipe that I started with. Of course...I always add a little more butter and cheese. Everything is good with more butter and cheese right?

4 oz. (1/2 of 8 oz. pkg.)
Philadelphia Cream Cheese cubed
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3/4 cup of milk
1/4 (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
8 oz. fettuccine, cooked, drained
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

Mix cream cheese, parmesan cheese, milk, butter, pepper and garlic powder in saucepan on medium heat until cream cheese is melted and mixture is well blended. Toss sauce with cooked fettuccine noodles (or any other noodles you want to use)

Sprinkle with fresh parmesan and enjoy!!

YUMMY!

Pasta Salad

My friend Monica made this salad for a work function we were having. Boy was it YUMMY! I couldn't get enough of it:-) She shared the recipe with me and I decided to make it today for our family 4th of July cookout. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did:-) Joel couldn't wait to try it and he said it ROCKS!

Ingredients:

Cheese Tortellini Pasta (fresh not dried)

1/2 large red onion feta cheese (I used Kraft crumbles)

about 1/2 cup 1 yellow and 1 orange bell pepper

baby spinach

Italian dressing (Ken's Steakhouse Italian with Romano)

cherry tomatoes

1 large cucumber

Cook the tortellini until done, drain and set to the side to cool. Cut up the onion, tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers and put into bowl. Add the cooled pasta, salad dressing, spinach and feta cheese and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve! ENJOY!!!!!

Pasta and Peas

Pasta and Peas This is such a simple side dish or meal...and it's totally YUMMY! Those of you who are scared of peas...I feel sorry for ya! You are missin' out:-)

Ingredients:

Butter (YUM)

Fresh parmesan cheese

salt pepper

frozen green peas elbow pasta

Directions: Cook pasta until done Put 2-3 cups of the peas in a bowl and cover with water. Microwave for about 3 minutes (don't pop the peas) Once the pasta is ready..drain and put in bowl. Add the peas, about 3 tbls of butter (or more if you aren't scared:-), dash of salt and pepper and LOTS of fresh parmesan. I probably use about a cup....just add everything until it tastes good. It really depends on how much of the noodles you make. This is a great dish...I LOVE it!!! Hope you do too!

Pinto Beans and Corn Bread

Those of you who know me...know that I use to be a country girl. Have I ever made Pinto Beans?? Nope...DO I love them?? OMG YES!!! I found this recipe on The Poineer Womans website. Super simple to make and soooo goood!!! You know you want to take that cornbread and mash it up on those beans....don't you??? Here is the link to her website...and the recipe:-) ENJOY!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/08/beans_and_cornb/

Ravioli

Ok...this is totally not MY recipe:-) I just through a bunch of stuff I bought at the store...but it was still really good so I thought I would share! Ravioli: 1 package of ravioli (fresh...not dried) I used the four cheese Fresh Parmesan cheese Caesar salad (bagged) french bread butter garlic salt marinara sauce (roasted garlic) Cook the ravioli as directed - all you have to do is boil it for about 7 minutes and it's done...now that's what I call easy:-) Split the french bread in half and spread with soft butter. Sprinkle a little garlic salt on the butter. Add whatever cheese you like. I add grated and fresh parmigiana. Broil the bread long enough to melt the butter and cheese and you have a pretty tasty garlic bread. Heat up marinara sauce in the microwave for about 3 minutes....poor over ravioli...sprinkle with fresh Parmesan....serve with salad and bread. DONE!

Brisket Baby!!

Ok...The Pioneer Woman really rocks! I have been trying a lot of her recipes recently and EVERYTHING I have made is REALLY good! Wast till' you see the dessert I am making tonight:-) My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it...I think it might actually be something that my step-daughter. Miss Haley...will eat! I will post the recipe for it later tonight...or should I say the link...lol...Yeah it's another Pioneer Woman's recipe!

The brisket was really easy too...just throw everything together and leave it in the over for 4 hours and you have dinner! I love easy meals that are still really good....Most stuff that is super simple is super bland...not this!

Here is the link if you want to see the recipe:-) ENJOY!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/06/brisket_baby/

Apple Dumplings

Ok...seriously...I don't care what family recipe you have for apple pie, apple turnovers, or anything else apple related. This is the one you need to have! OMG....It's soooooooo good! It's not what you would call healthy.....but what is this good that is healthy...right? Again, this is from The Pioneer Woman...I am beginning to LOVE this woman....and I think Joel is too:-)

PLEASE TRY THIS!!! You will probably love me too!!!!!!!!!

Apple Dumplings:

Here is the link....

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/02/apple_dumplings/

Teriyaki Chicken

Teriyaki chicken is another simple meal that is totally yummy! This is how I make my teriyaki chicken and my family loves it:-)

Ingredients:
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut up into bite size pieces)
pepper
teriyaki sauce (any kind you like)
2 cups of rice ( I LOVE Texmati rice...it's not cheap...but it's AWESOME)
Egg Rolls (frozen)
Sweet and Sour sauce
1 tbsp butter

Preheat your over for the egg rolls. Mine cook at 450 for about 20 minutes.

Start rice...1 3/4 cups of water per cup of rice. Bring rice to boil and add a tablespoon of butter and a dash of salt and pepper. Turn rice down to a simmer, stir and cover.

After the rice has been cooking for about 15 minutes put your egg rolls in the over and start your chicken. Add chicken to saute pan heated to med-med high. Pepper the chicken...don't salt...the teriyaki sauce has plenty of salt:-)

Once the chicken is cooked through and browned about 10 min. Add about 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce. Turn stove down to low stir in teriyaki sauce and cover until egg rolls are done.

SERVE chicken over rice! Super Easy huh???

Macaroni and Cheese

This is the best macaroni and cheese I have ever put in my mouth! I guess anything with this much cheese would have to be good right? Again...The Pioneer Woman did it!!!! You MUST try this recipe! It's totally delish:-)

Here is the link for the recipe:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/04/macaroni-cheese/

Chicken Salad

I love Chicken Salad. I have only made it a few times and decided I would try it again today:-) This is what I threw together and it was super YUMMY!!!


Ingredients:
Whole roasted chicken
green onion
yellow onion
pineapple (can)
mayo
salt/pepper
celery
green grapes (or red...doesn't matter)

Buy the roasted chicken at the store already cooked. Bring it home and let it cool so you can handle it:-) Shred all of the chicken into a bowl. Chop up about 1/2 cup each - onion, green onion, pineapple, celery and green grapes.

Mix into bowl with chicken. Add mayo until it is at your desired consistency. I used about 1 cup of mayo.

Mix everything together and salt/pepper to taste. The pineapple really added a great sweet flavor to the salad. You can also add nuts....apples...anything you want!!

This was a SUPER easy recipe and really good!

ENJOY!!!

Cabbage Rolls

My mother-in-law Sheila made these for Joel and I and they were sooooo good! She shared the recipe with me and I decided to try them out! They are awesome. Any of you that think...hmmm I don't know about these...JUST TRY THEM! I promise your whole family will LOVE them:-)

I changed a few things in the recipe to my liking...but not much:-)

STEP ONE
Into a large mixing bowl
Pour one large can whole tomatoes (Italian if possible) squash with hands
then pour in one large can tomato sauce
then one can original stewed tomatoes
add at least one or two tbs Worcestershire
add a little less than 1/2 c sugar
add red wine vinegar to taste
needs to be tart and sweet
salt-pepper as needed mix
STEP TWO
Core one nice head of cabbage
place in a steamer to loosen leaves
approx 8-10 minutes
then run cold water into the core
Fun time...peel your leaves off head
set aside

STEP THREE
In medium mixing bowl Add at least one and 1/2 half lb ground beef
add sm chopped onion
add washed and dried 1/2 cup or so of uncooked rice
add Worcestershire sauce to taste then salt and pepper
Add a little of the tomato sauce to make the meat mixture moist
again mix with hands

FINALLY PUT ALTOGEHER
In lrg cooking pan pour in tomato sauce
roll meat combination and wrap in cabbage rolls
then place in pan of tomato sauce
cook about 1 to 2 hrs on low heat


The next time I make these I am going to do one thing differently. I am not going to roll the meat in cabbage (it's a pain in the butt) I will make the meat into balls and cook them in the sauce like you do meatballs. Then I will cook the cabbage and serve the meatballs and sauce over a bed of cooked cabbage:-) Same great taste but much easier to put together:-)

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheesy Potatoes

YUMMY! I decided to throw these together last night to see if they would be any good...and they were great!

Ingredients:
2-3 tbs butter
1/2 yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic minced
salt/pepper
4-6 potatoes peeled and sliced thin
1/2 cup of milk
2 tbs flour
1 cup of cheddar cheese (sharp) - maybe more depending on how cheesy you want your potatoes:-)

Peel and slice the potatoes. Boil them for about 5 minutes just to get the cooking started. Drain and cool...set aside.

In medium saucepan brown the onion in 2-3 tbs of butter and minced garlic. Once the onion are soft add the flour...stir...It will be thick...that is what you want. Add the milk to the sauce pan and stir until thick. Once the sauce thickens take it off the heat and add the sharp cheddar. Mix until all cheese is melted.

Arrange sliced potatoes in a baking dish...poor cheese sauce over the potatoes. Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes....when potatoes are done add a little cheddar cheese to top and broil for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly on top:-) Add salt and pepper to taste:-)

Serve!!! YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I must warn this is NOT healthy...but OH SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!