I made this one about a week ago. My sister was a little skeptical, but tasted it and absolutely loved it!! It's a great one to do if you don't have a lot of time to prepare a meal. You can do everything in advance, then throw it in the oven an hour or so before you eat! You can also interchange ingredients to make it fit your family.
INGREDIENTS:
1-2 lbs chicken- any kind you like- I do chicken breasts- Cut up into bite size pieces
1/2 small red pepper- chopped
1/2 onion- grated or chopped
2 celery ribs- bite size pieces
4 carrots-peeled and chopped into bite size pieces- or use about 12 baby carrots, chopped.
3 potatoes- peeled and chopped into bite size pieces
1 can diced tomatoes
2 garlic cloves- minced
2 TB butter cut into small pieces
salt, pepper, basil- or any kind of spice you like.
DIRECTIONS:
*Line a 9x13 baking dish with foil.
*Place all your ingredients into it, and mix well
*Cover pan with foil
*Roast for 1 hour or until the chicken is done and veggies are tender.
*375 degrees serves well over six.
Monday, May 25, 2009
CHICKEN PARM PASTA TOSS
This one is really SUPER simple, and SUPER delicious. Everyone that tried it really loved it.
INGREDIENTS:
1LB CHICKEN- Cut up into bite size pieces
1 C. GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE- I actually used Mozzerella as well.
3 TB OLIVE OIL
1 POUND PENNE PASTA
2 TSP. POULTRY SEASONING
SALT AND PEPPER
2-3 GARLIC CLOVES- Grated
1 RED ONION-I grate it with the largest size hole, so that my kids who "dont like onions" cant tell they're in it.
2 PINTS GRAPE TOMATOES
LOTS AND LOTS OF FRESH CHOPPED BASIL- dried is fine too.
DIRECTIONS:
*Cook pasta to Al Dente - Remember to put lots of salt and some olive oil into the pot.
*Drizzle your Olive Oil in a LARGE skillet, once the oil is heated, cook chicken with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning until cooked through- til there's no pink left in the center- about 4 minutes.
*Once the Chicken is cooked, place the garlic and onion into the pot, and cook until soft- about 5 minutes.
*Once this is done, add the tomatoes, and cover. Let this simmer until the tomatoes burst. (You can help stragglers along with a potato masher or a whisk. Once this is done, add the cooked noodles and cheese, then toss. THEN YOU ARE DONE!
This was a Rachel Ray recipe that I alternated a little bit.
I made some garlic bread, and green beens to go along with this, and it was SO SUPER GOOD!
INGREDIENTS:
1LB CHICKEN- Cut up into bite size pieces
1 C. GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE- I actually used Mozzerella as well.
3 TB OLIVE OIL
1 POUND PENNE PASTA
2 TSP. POULTRY SEASONING
SALT AND PEPPER
2-3 GARLIC CLOVES- Grated
1 RED ONION-I grate it with the largest size hole, so that my kids who "dont like onions" cant tell they're in it.
2 PINTS GRAPE TOMATOES
LOTS AND LOTS OF FRESH CHOPPED BASIL- dried is fine too.
DIRECTIONS:
*Cook pasta to Al Dente - Remember to put lots of salt and some olive oil into the pot.
*Drizzle your Olive Oil in a LARGE skillet, once the oil is heated, cook chicken with salt, pepper and poultry seasoning until cooked through- til there's no pink left in the center- about 4 minutes.
*Once the Chicken is cooked, place the garlic and onion into the pot, and cook until soft- about 5 minutes.
*Once this is done, add the tomatoes, and cover. Let this simmer until the tomatoes burst. (You can help stragglers along with a potato masher or a whisk. Once this is done, add the cooked noodles and cheese, then toss. THEN YOU ARE DONE!
This was a Rachel Ray recipe that I alternated a little bit.
I made some garlic bread, and green beens to go along with this, and it was SO SUPER GOOD!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
SWEDISH MEATBALLS
If you like Swedish Meatballs, this is a pretty good recipe. (I'm not a huge fan of swedish meatballs, and I'll eat them.)
INGREDIENTS:
*1 egg, beaten
*1/4 c. milk
*3/4 c. breadcrumbs
*1/2 c. finely chopped onion (one small onion)
-I grate mine with a large cheese grater because I don't like the crunch
- You can also use dried minced onion
*1/4 c. fresh chopped parsley
- again, you can also use dried, just use half the amount, and make sure you rub it between your palms to get the flavor out.
*1/4 tsp. black pepper
*sprinkle italian seasoning
*1/4 tsp. salt
* a few dashes of worshestershire sauce
*1/2 lb. ground beef
*1/2 lb. ground pork
- I usually just use one pound of ground beef.
- You can also use ground turkey or chicken if you'd rather.
*1 TB butter
*2 tsp instant beef boullion granules
*2 cups milk
*1/2 cup beef broth
*3 cups hot cooked noodles- I use egg noodles.
INGREDIENTS:
*1 egg, beaten
*1/4 c. milk
*3/4 c. breadcrumbs
*1/2 c. finely chopped onion (one small onion)
-I grate mine with a large cheese grater because I don't like the crunch
- You can also use dried minced onion
*1/4 c. fresh chopped parsley
- again, you can also use dried, just use half the amount, and make sure you rub it between your palms to get the flavor out.
*1/4 tsp. black pepper
*sprinkle italian seasoning
*1/4 tsp. salt
* a few dashes of worshestershire sauce
*1/2 lb. ground beef
*1/2 lb. ground pork
- I usually just use one pound of ground beef.
- You can also use ground turkey or chicken if you'd rather.
*1 TB butter
*2 tsp instant beef boullion granules
*2 cups milk
*1/2 cup beef broth
*3 cups hot cooked noodles- I use egg noodles.
*Mix together- egg, milk, breadcrumbs, onion, spices.
*Add to meat. Mix well
* Shape into teaspoon size meatballs.
*In a large skillet cook half the meatballs at a time, in hot butter, over medium heat. This will take about ten minutes.
*Remove meatballs from skillet, set reserving drippings, and measure two tablespoons for your sauce. If you don't have enough use olive oil or cooking oil to make two tablespoons.
*Stir flour, boullion granules, salt and pepper into your two tablespoons of drippings. Cook one minute, wisking constantly.
*Add in your two cups milk and 1/2 c. broth. Stir until bubbly and thickened. It will thicken more as it cools.
*Return meatballs to sauce, and heat through.
*Serve over noodles.
- I made these last night, and thought that the sauce recipe didnt make enough to cover the noodles, so if you like sauce, double it.
-This will serve around 5 or 6 people, and takes about 45 minutes to make from start to finish.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
CHICKEN WITH APPLE GRAVY
INGREDIENTS
*1 TB Olive Oil
*2 TBS Butter
*1 TB Flour
*1/2 C. Apple Cider- Apple juice will work fine if that's what you have.
*2-3 TB Apple Sauce
*Salt and Pepper to taste
*4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves. -cut up in strip size pieces.
*1 C. chicken stock
DIRECTIONS
*Heat Olive Oil in a large fry pan over med-high heat.
*Add your pre cut chicken, salt and pepper and thyme.
*Cook until cooked through. (The center should be white- no pink left)
This should only take 5 or so minutes for each side.
*Remove chicken and wrap in tin foil. (This will keep the chicken warm)
GRAVY:
*In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, melt your butter. (Leave the pan as is, you'll want the flavor from the cooked chicken)
*Add your flour and cook for one minute over medium low heat. This will be your thickening agent for the gravy. Wisk continually until it looks golden brown in color.
*As you are wisking, add the cider, apple sauce, salt, pepper and chicken stock. Continue to wisk until the gravy has thickened up, and is the desired consistancy.
Pour the gravy over cooked chicken, and serve immediately.
This chicken should take approx. 30 mins from start to finish.
*I like to double the gravy and use it for potatoes or rice.
*Also, I usually just cook as much chicken as I know we'll eat.
*1 TB Olive Oil
*2 TBS Butter
*1 TB Flour
*1/2 C. Apple Cider- Apple juice will work fine if that's what you have.
*2-3 TB Apple Sauce
*Salt and Pepper to taste
*4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves. -cut up in strip size pieces.
*1 C. chicken stock
DIRECTIONS
*Heat Olive Oil in a large fry pan over med-high heat.
*Add your pre cut chicken, salt and pepper and thyme.
*Cook until cooked through. (The center should be white- no pink left)
This should only take 5 or so minutes for each side.
*Remove chicken and wrap in tin foil. (This will keep the chicken warm)
GRAVY:
*In the same pan you cooked the chicken in, melt your butter. (Leave the pan as is, you'll want the flavor from the cooked chicken)
*Add your flour and cook for one minute over medium low heat. This will be your thickening agent for the gravy. Wisk continually until it looks golden brown in color.
*As you are wisking, add the cider, apple sauce, salt, pepper and chicken stock. Continue to wisk until the gravy has thickened up, and is the desired consistancy.
Pour the gravy over cooked chicken, and serve immediately.
This chicken should take approx. 30 mins from start to finish.
*I like to double the gravy and use it for potatoes or rice.
*Also, I usually just cook as much chicken as I know we'll eat.
RECIPES FOR MY FRIENDS
Hello Friends!
This blog is essentially, for you. :)
I decided I'd get started right away with creating this blog, so that you can enjoy your kitchens and home made family dinners. (I sound like my grandma...)
Really quickly, I just want to tell you my experience with my kitchen.
When I first moved in with Cameron, we ate out a lot and had frozen, pre made dinners quite frequently. I didn't know anything about cooking. I could barely boil pasta. But, money was tight, and we had Michael and Madison full time, so I had a full time family of five to feed. I found that making things from scratch, or almost scratch was a lot more cost effective than any other option we had tried.
I started with recipes I knew I liked when I was growing up. I asked my mom and grandma for recipes, and tried those.
Then I started watching the Rachael Ray show in the mornings. She made things look really easy, so I picked and chose recipes I thought the kids would like, and found quite a few keepers.
Now, I'm really confident in my kitchen and love to try new things. It's also a huge stress relief for me. (Something about chopping vegetables...)
So, I'm giving these recipes to you, my dear friends. All the ones I will be posting are pretty easy, and if you have any questions, we can always make it together! :)
If you are worried about introducing new things to your kids-- Don't be. Just be excited about the meal, and 9 times out of 10, your kids will be too.
The saying "happiness is homemade" really reminds me of my grandma, and I've found it's true. I believe in the family dinner, 100%. I think it makes kids secure, and gives them healthy eating habits.
So, friends, enjoy these recipes with your families.
This blog is essentially, for you. :)
I decided I'd get started right away with creating this blog, so that you can enjoy your kitchens and home made family dinners. (I sound like my grandma...)
Really quickly, I just want to tell you my experience with my kitchen.
When I first moved in with Cameron, we ate out a lot and had frozen, pre made dinners quite frequently. I didn't know anything about cooking. I could barely boil pasta. But, money was tight, and we had Michael and Madison full time, so I had a full time family of five to feed. I found that making things from scratch, or almost scratch was a lot more cost effective than any other option we had tried.
I started with recipes I knew I liked when I was growing up. I asked my mom and grandma for recipes, and tried those.
Then I started watching the Rachael Ray show in the mornings. She made things look really easy, so I picked and chose recipes I thought the kids would like, and found quite a few keepers.
Now, I'm really confident in my kitchen and love to try new things. It's also a huge stress relief for me. (Something about chopping vegetables...)
So, I'm giving these recipes to you, my dear friends. All the ones I will be posting are pretty easy, and if you have any questions, we can always make it together! :)
If you are worried about introducing new things to your kids-- Don't be. Just be excited about the meal, and 9 times out of 10, your kids will be too.
The saying "happiness is homemade" really reminds me of my grandma, and I've found it's true. I believe in the family dinner, 100%. I think it makes kids secure, and gives them healthy eating habits.
So, friends, enjoy these recipes with your families.
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