Favorite Chicken

I have two picky kids (and one non-picky kid). This meal is very easy to make and I know my kids will eat it...hence the name "Favorite Chicken". If you have picky eaters, this may be just the recipe you're looking for.

Favorite Chicken

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 packet Good Seasons Italian dressing mix

Place frozen (or thawed) chicken in Crock Pot. Sprinkle with Italian dressing packet. Pour soup over chicken. Cover and let cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-6 hours. During the last hour of cooking, add cream cheese. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

If serving with noodles, I like to add broccoli or zucchini slices to the noodles during the last 3 minutes of cooking. They will be cooked to perfection and add a little color and nutrition to your plate. Pour Favorite Chicken over drained noodles and vegetables. Printable recipe.

Start by placing your frozen chicken in the Crock Pot. Sprinkle with Italian dressing mix. Pour two cans Cream of Chicken soup on top and let it cook on low all day. Add cream cheese and shred cooked chicken with two forks.

Pour over noodles or rice. Enjoy!

Your kids plates will be empty in no time.

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Apron In An Hour


Look what I made! I came across this blog and thought it might be false advertising. Really? An apron in an hour? We'll see about that! I went to my local fabric store and picked out some really cute fabric (fyi: cute fabric=cute apron). Then I came home and, get this, made an apron in an hour! I often like to host dinner or luncheons where I am still cooking when my guests arrive. I don't want them to see me in one of my well-worn aprons...I want to look put together so I thought this would work nicely. Plus, my sister's birthday is coming up (surprise Janette!) and I wanted to make her one. This is the perfect pattern if you are a little rusty on your sewing. Enjoy...you'll be surprised at how talented you are!

1 Hour Apron

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Superbowl Snacks part 2

The Superbowl is around the corner and I know you are all trying to decide what to feed the carnivorous men that will be watching the game in your home. I am going to be generous and post two recipes that I get requests for all of the time; in fact I had a request for the Bacon Swiss dip today. This is one of those recipes that I came across a few years ago. I got it from a caterer who swore by this recipe as a crowd pleaser. I thought I'd take her word for it and try it... it was delicious. I serve it at parties all of the time...it is a true friend that will never let me down. So many people requested this recipe that I thought I would share it with my awesome readers.

I realize you don't get the full impact of the Bacon Swiss dip with this picture but let me tell you...it is delicious on a corn chip or toasted baguette or Melba Toast etc. Truly a crowd pleaser.

Bacon Swiss Dip

12 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
8 oz. cream cheese
8 oz swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mayo
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. horseradish (optional) I never use it!
3 green onions - chopped

Combine all ingredients and put in a shallow casserole dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until bubbly and slightly brown - serve with corn chips or sliced baguette. Printable recipe.

The Sweet and Sour Meatballs speak for themselves. Another highly requested recipe in my recipe box. The great thing is you can put this baby together in the a.m., put it in the Crock Pot, and let it simmer all day...the flavors just blend beautifully. I hope you like these tried and true friends.



Sweet and Sour Meatballs (I double for big groups)

14 oz. canned crushed pineapple, with juice
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white vinegar
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
Cornstarch
Water
36 frozen meatballs

Put first 4 ingredients into saucepan on medium heat. Stir bringing to a boil.
Stir cornstarch and water together in small cup. Stir into boiling mixture until slightly thickened. Pour over three dozen meatballs (I buy mine frozen at Costco or any grocery store). Pour into Crock Pot and cover. Cook an low for 8 to 10 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours. Printable recipe.

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Bountiful Baskets

Today was Bountiful Basket day again. I love seeing what yummy produce we get to take home. Today in our basket we got:
1 green leaf lettuce,
5 apples
8 oranges
10 bananas
8 tomatoes
3 cucumbers
1 bunch asparagus
2 pomelos
1 large broccoli
1 cantaloupe
1 cauliflower
1 pkg strawberries...all for 15 bucks! What a deal! It encourages our family to try new things (ie the Cauliflower Gratin I'm making this week *wink*).

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Origami Boxes

Look how pretty these origami boxes are!


Hey all. Have you been thinking about Valentines Day? I have the perfect gift-wrapping idea. I came across origami boxes that are easy to make and dah-ling. All you need is two squares of paper (I used 12x12). You can choose paper for any occasion like Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day (filled with chocolate gold coins of course) Christmas, Birthday etc. Fold them a few times and you end up with a great way to present a gift, candies, cookies or a special note. I included a tutorial below...take a look:


Thanks to my 7-year-old son for filming...he's a rock star.

I just added doilies and ribbon to make them look Valentine-y.


This box has Oreo truffles in it. They look so festive in my little homemade box. If you haven't made homemade Oreo truffles, stay tuned and I will show you how to do it...three ingredients and BAM you're done! They are delicious.

Oreo Truffles

1 pkg Oreo Sandwich cookies
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
candy melts, your color choice

1. Finely crush cookies in a food processor or place them in a ziploc bag and crush into a fine consistency.
2. Stir in softened cream cheese. Use the back of a large spoon to help mash the two together.
3. Roll the mixture into 1″ balls and place on wax paper covered cookie sheet. Refrigerate for an hour to make the truffles firm.
4. Melt candy melts as directed on the package and then dip balls into chocolate, tap off extra and set aside on wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry. You can sprinkle the tops with cupcake sprinkles or decorations if desired.
5. Once dry, refrigerate and enjoy! Printable recipe.


Mix the crushed Oreos with softened cream cheese. You can mix it by hand or with a mixer.

Roll the "dough" into 1 inch balls. Refrigerate to make them firm.

Dip in candy melts and let dry. You can find candy melts in any cake decorating aisle at a party or grocery store. Walmart even carries them.

They are moist and delicious. Great to put in your (just-folded) origami box and ready to give as a thoughtful gift.


If you don't have the time or energy to make Oreo Truffles, make some of these:


With these: Oreo Cakesters and a 1 1/2 inch heart cookie cutter. The best thing about these is you get to eat the scraps. *our secret*

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Oatmeal Cake


This cake is one of my favorites. It is the ugly step-sister of cakes because it isn't pretty to look at but when you take a bite a little love affair will start. It is very moist and a little dense which makes it a perfect dessert to have during the cold fall and winter months. We had company over last night so I wanted to make a cake that I knew would impress. It starts with a baked oatmeal cake and a caramel glaze. After the cake is baked you pour the glaze on top and broil it until the coconut browns ever so slightly. When the cake cools the topping is a little chewy. So good. Make this next time you want to impress guests. This recipe is a keeper.
This is what the cake looks like as you put it in the oven.

When there is 5 minutes of baking time left start on the caramel glaze. Pour the glaze on the hot cake.

Cake with caramel coconut topping ready to go into an oven set to broil.




Watch the cake while it is under the broiler. Do you see those yummy caramel bubbles? Let cake broil until the coconut is slightly browned and caramel is bubbly. Fantastic!

Oatmeal Cake
*Amy W.

1 1/2 c water
1 c. oatmeal
1 cube butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. nutmeg
1/4 t. cinnamon

Directions:
1. Set oven to 350 degrees
2. Boil water and add oatmeal. Stir and let sit 15 min.
3. Mix together all other ingredients and add oatmeal. Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake 30 minutes (don't overbake). Turn oven to broil while preparing caramel glaze for cake.

Carmel Glaze
1 cube butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. evaporated milk
1 c. coconut

1. Cook top three ingredients until boiling.
2. Add coconut and continue boiling 1 minute.
3. Pour over warm cake.
4. Place cake in oven (watching closely) until coconut is lightly browned.

Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipping cream. Printable recipe.

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Twice Baked Potatoes

I love baked potatoes. I love mashed potatoes. When my husband and I go out to dinner I often have a hard time deciding between the two. This is the answer to all my potato problems. Twice Baked Potatoes...are they mashed? Yes! Are they baked? Yes! Whether you make them for Christmas Eve dinner or Easter brunch they will be fantastic! Give them a try.


Twice Baked Potatoes
*Pioneer Woman

8 baking potatoes, scrubbed clean
canola oil
8 slices bacon, fried
2 cubes butter, cut into slices
1 c sour cream
1/2 c milk
1/2 tsp Lawry's seasoned salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 c grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 green onions sliced

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 F
2. With a paper towel, rub the outside of the potatoes with canola oil.
3. Place the potatoes o a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked inside and the skins are slightly crisp. Turn the oven down to 300 F.
4. Dice the fried bacon into bits.
5. Throw the butter, sour cream, bacon, milk, seasoned salt, and pepper into a large bowl.
6. While the potatoes are still hot, hold each potato in a towel and cut in half lengthwise.
7. With a large spoon, scrape out the insides into the bowl with the other ingredients.
8. Repeat until all the potatoes have been scraped. Reserve the potato shells on a large baking sheet.
9. Use a potato masher to mix the ingredients together.
10.Stir in 1 cup of the grated cheese.
11. Slice the green onions.
12. Add onions to the bowl. Stir, taste, and adjust the seasonings as necessary.
13. Fill each potato half with the potato mixture and return to the baking sheet.
14. Top with the remaining 1 cup grated cheese.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the potatoes are hot.
*If freezing these potatoes, omit the green onions...freezing makes them taste bitter.
Printable recipe.
This is the secret ingredient for these yummy potatoes. Love 'em!

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Superbowl Snacks

Hey y'all I am getting so excited for the Superbowl mainly because this year it will be played at Cowboys Stadium in good ol' Arlington Texas. My family and I lived in a suburb of Dallas for 8 years and believe me when you hear "everything is bigger in Texas" it is so true. Every sports arena in Dallas is spectacular. Whether you're a Steelers fan (fingers crossed) or a Packers fan the game will be a lot more fun to watch if you have some yummy snacks. Add a little panache to your Superbowl snacks with these recipes and invite your friends over for a Superbowl Par-tay. They will be impressed no matter who wins.

Crunchy Putty
*Jenny C.

2 bags Bugles
2 c salted peanuts (not dry roasted)
1 c Karo syrup
2 c brown sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c butter (2 cubes)

Mix Bugles and peanuts in a large bowl and set aside. Mix all other ingredients and cook to softball stage, stirring constantly. Pour over Bugle mixture. Toss to coat. Separate and let cool on cookie sheet. Printable recipe.

Mix Bugles and peanuts and set aside. This mixture is a great salty-crunchy flavor that mixes well with the sweetness of the carmel.

When sugars are incorporated and butter is melting.

Rolling boil (10+ minutes) stirring until you hit softball stage.

Pour over Bugle mix and let cool on cookie sheet. This mix is addicting...perfect for watching the big game.



Sausage Dip
*Teresa C.

2 16 oz. Jimmy Dean sausage (1 hot, 1 regular)
16 oz. sour cream
8 oz. Herdez Salsa Ranchera ( I find mine at Fred Meyer/Kroger)
1 can sliced olives

Brown and drain sausage. Put everything in crock pot on low all day or on high if you have only a few hours. Serve with corn chips or toasted baguette slices (or alone). Printable recipe
Hold the presses. This doesn't look very good...how about if I put it on a chip like this:


Much better! This sausage dip is fantastic.

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Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa Salad

Say this with me..."keen-wah". That is how "quinoa" is pronounced. Now that that's out of the way, may I present to you another healthy dish. It can be served warm or cold. I liked it with grilled chicken for a main dish. It is healthy and packed with protein. My kids looked at it and didn't want to touch it but with a little gentle coaxing *wink* they tasted it and decided just because it is healthy it doesn't have to be gross. If you feel like it's time to eat something a little healthy, try this recipe.

Black Bean and Sweet Corn Quinoa Salad
*Melskitchencafe.com

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (less if you have picky kids)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup frozen sweet white corn
2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. When shimmering and hot, add the onions and saute for 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Add the quinoa and cover with broth. Stir in cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes (or until all the liquid is absorbed).

Stir in the frozen corn and black beans. Cover and let the pot sit off the heat until the corn and beans are heated through, about 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cilantro. Serve warm or cold. Printable recipe.


Calorie Count gave this recipe a grade A! (8 servings)
497 calories
5.2 g fat
1 g saturated fat
18.1 g fiber
33.6 g protien

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Homemade Doughnuts

I love making food with my family. Every Monday night we like to spend time together as a family. Last Monday I wanted to do a little activity with my peeps. I have been wanting to make this recipe for a long time so I thought it would be a perfect night to attempt. Let me start by saying that I didn't know doughnuts had yeast in them. I didn't know they had to rise for a few hours. Perhaps I've been relying on Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Doughnuts way too much. We thought we'd give it a try anyway. My family all participated. I cooked the doughnuts, my man glazed the doughnuts and my kids ate the doughnuts. A job for everyone! I'm thinking it would be great to serve these at a Halloween party or after a cold day of tubing...anytime a group of people congregate in your home. Start this recipe early because it needs to rise for a while. Enjoy! *Please don't be discouraged with the long recipe. These doughnuts are really easy to make.

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Valentines Day Treat Bags

I love Valentines Day. It is such a fun day to show everyone how much you love them. I love to give little gifts to my kids, siblings, friends, neighbors, co-workers, teachers you name it. As I was doing a little research I came across this blog and thought I'd died. The treat bags were so cute I thought I'd make some. The Farm Chicks has all of the cute bag templates available to download FREE. Make them this Valentines Day and impress the ones you love.


All you need are the downloaded templates printed and cut, glue, or double-sided tape, candy and Pinking shears (optional).
Download and print the template here.



After printing the template, cut around the edges of the bag leaving the top uncut.


Fold the sides in using the bottom of the bag as a guide. Glue. Actually I used the double-sided scrapbook tabs (glue didn't work out for me).


Then following the guide, cut the top of the bag. Pinking shears makes it a little more fancy.


Fill the bags with candies, cookies, rice crispy squares, brownies etc. Using the FarmChicks bags makes your Valentines gift extra special.

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Puff Pastry Pot Pie


Wow that was a tongue twister! I made these little pot pies when I realized I didn't have frozen pie crusts in the freezer for this recipe. I used the same recipe but poured the chicken mixture into six ramekins instead of a pie shell.

I pulled out my Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry (any puff pastry will do), waited the required 10 minutes for it to thaw, rolled it out and cut it into squares with my pizza cutter. After I scooped the chicken mixture into individual ramekins, I placed a puff pastry square on top. Then I adorned them with little designs I cut with little cookie cutters.

Finally, I bushed them with a beaten egg, and cooked at 350 for about 20 minutes (or until the pastry looked golden brown. De-lish.

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Bountiful Baskets

Today was like Christmas. I picked up my first order from Bountiful Baskets. It was so easy to order. I went online on Monday, ordered and paid for my basket (regular or organic) and picked it up Saturday morning. I wasn't sure what to expect but my friend has been doing it for a few weeks and she loves it. I was way impressed with the quality of the produce as well as the organization. We were in and out in about 5 minutes. Look what I came home with!
Contents of my first Bountiful Basket:
9 Bosc pears
7 Fuji apples
9 bananas
9 lemons
1 bunch asparagus
1 bunch broccoli
3 grapefruit
5 tomatoes
1 green pepper
1 pineapple
1 green leaf lettuce
1 kale
The best part of all is I only spent $15 ($25 for organic) plus tax. I'm looking forward to cooking with this yummy fresh produce. Try Bountiful Baskets. You will love them.

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Do Blond(ies) Have More Fun?

It's 3:00 and I'm getting a little craving for something sweet. Mmmmm how about classic blondies? This recipe is simple and delicious. The perfect treat to satisfy my craving.


Blondies
*Adapted from How to Cook Everything

8 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch salt
1 cup all-purpose flour

  1. Butter an 8×8 pan
  2. Mix melted butter with brown sugar – beat until smooth. Beat in egg and then vanilla.
  3. Add salt, stir in flour. Mix in any additions (ie I used milk chocolate chips and white chocolate chips).
  4. Pour into prepared pan. Bake at 350°F 20-25 minutes, or until set in the middle. I always err on the side of caution with baking times — nobody ever complained about a gooey-middled cookie. Cool on rack before cutting them. Printable recipe

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Spinach Salad with Honey Paprika Dressing

A friend invited our family over for dinner. She always serves the best food. She served this yummy salad with a delicious dressing. It was so good I think I licked my plate...or was that in my dream? Anyway, make this soon for your family or for any dinner party. What a fabulous salad to serve for a Valentines dinner. Substitute the fresh pears with fresh strawberries. The pink dressing will make it look valentine-y too.

(another) Spinach Salad

Baby spinach leaves
Crumbled Feta cheese
Craisins
Sliced pears (peeled with potato peeler)
Sugared nuts (I use these)

Mix 3-4 cups spinach (you can mix in Romaine or Iceberg too)
Sprinkle Feta, Craisins, pears and nuts. Drizzle with Honey Paprika dressing and serve immediately.

Honey Paprika Dressing
*Erin R.

2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp sea salt/kosher salt
1 tsp celery seed (I've made it without this and it is still delicious!)

Mix above dry ingredients. Set aside.

In a blender or food processor mix:
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 tsp grated onion (or dried minced onion)

Pour dry ingredients in blender. Blend to mix. While blender is running slowly add 1 cup canola or vegetable oil. Printable recipe

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No-Knead Artisan Bread


There is a place in Heaven called the Sullivan Street Bakery. It has the most amazing breads, doughnuts and sandwiches. I came across this recipe and cried. It is the actual recipe from Jim Lahey, the owner of Sullivan Street Bakery. I knew I had to try it. It is so easy to make and only calls for 5 ingredients! The one thing you need for this recipe is time. If you plan on serving it at a dinner party you need to start it the night before. I just took my bread out of the oven my home smells delicious and the bread is outstanding. Try it. Promise you'll impress even yourself.

No Knead Bread
*adapted from Jim Lahey, Sullivan Street Bakery

3 cups flour or bread flour
1/4 tsp instant yeast (yep that's all)
1 Tbs. Salt
Cornmeal or wheat bran as needed.

1.
In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

2. Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

3. Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

4. At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.

Yield: One 1½-pound loaf. Printable recipe


This is what it looks like when you combine all the ingredients. Kinda sticky. Put plastic wrap over the bowl and let it set in your kitchen for 12-18 hours.

This is what your dough looks like after it sets. Bubbly at the top and sticky...that means the gluten is working.

Pour dough onto floured surface and turn ends in to make a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 15 min. Then sprinkle corn meal, bran or flour on clean kitchen towel. Place dough on towel and sprinkle again. Place a second kitchen towel over the dough and let it rise for two hours. It should double in size.

After rising two hours. During the last half hour of rising, preheat empty dutch oven in 450 degree oven.
Put your hand under the dishtowel and carefully place the dough in the hot dutch oven. It will be upside down so the seam is on top. That is great and will look great once bread is cooked. After cooking at 450 with the lid on, remove the lid and cook 15 minutes longer until it is a beautiful brown. (I sprinkled Rosemary on my bread for a little flava)
Ta Da! This is the end product. It comes out of the pan easily and if you tap it lightly it sounds hollow. Let it cool...if you can.
Look at that gorgeous crumb! I love it with butter but it is also delicious dipped in a vinegar and olive oil mixture.

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