Bruschetta chicken and potatoes

Maybe one of the easiest dishes I've made and all in one so clean up is easy!

4 red skin potatoes, cubed
1 chicken breast, cubed
1 package McCormick seasoning
2 medium tomatoes, cubed
Oil olive

Place all the ingredients, except tomatoes, in a deep dish pan and stir in oil olive. Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. At the timer, stir and add tomatoes for 5-7 minutes. Serve!!
So easy!!

Garvin County Extension Cookbook: Spicy Shrimp Creole

This recipe is so easy and terrific I made it two days in a row! Possibly one of the simplest recipe I've made. I've attached the original recipe as a picture and will show my adaptations.
1. Sauté green bell pepper, onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons of butter until soft.
First recipe I didn't do this long enough and the peppers were still crunchy. PictSweet had pre-chopped onion and green pepper in the frozen foods section.
2. Start a separate saucepan with 2 cups water and 1 cup rice. Add 2 tablespoons of butter. Bring to a boil and then simmer covered until all the water is absorbed. Around 10-15 minutes.
3. To the sautéed veggies, add two small cans of tomato sauce and two cans of chicken broth. Salt, old bay seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes.
4. When the rice is done, add to veggies and add one can of corn.
5. Simmer on stove about 10 minutes and then add shrimp and smoked sausage.
6. Eat now or continue to simmer on low until ready to eat.

Garvin County Extension Cookbook: Burrito Cups

Our county has produced a cookbook for as long as I can remember. In an effort for inspiration, I'm cooking my way through several of the old time recipes. Today's recipe, is burrito cups. This recipe was so easy! I keep browned ground beef frozen in my freezer all the time. It's one of my favorite time saving tips! Mix browned ground beef with one packet of burrito seasoning mix and 1 1/4 cup of water. Simmer 10 mins. Roll and flatten biscuits in muffin tins along the sides and bottom. Spoon mixture into cups. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake @ 375 until brown and cheese melts.
And look!!! 155 calories!!!

An Impromptu Christmas Dinner

December 25, 2012.
Ice and snow welcomed the Christ child's birthday.

The boys and I were supposed to be on our way to my sister's, about 80 miles from here, however the weather made other plans for us. She had the turkey and all the trimmings. I had the desserts. Stuck at home with two boys and a mother next door to feed, what could I make from my pantry that would be special enough to call Christmas dinner? Here's what I came up with:
I had chicken breast. I had store bought stuffing. I did have crescent rolls. I had pretty decorations. How could I put it all together.......

First I took the chicken breast and beat them flat. I seasoned the inside before I filled with stuffing.

For the stuffing: my mom had cranberries. So, I took about a cup of cranberries and boiled with water, sugar and cinnamon. When softened, I removed the berries to cool. I added this to the stuffing, prepared per package directions, along with chopped walnuts.

I rolled about two spoonfuls of stuffing inside each breast and pinned with toothpicks. Season the outside with olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme.

Our menu:
First course: broccoli and cheese soup

Second course: green salad

Main course: Chicken breasts with cranberry and walnut stuffing.
Fresh broccoli and cheese.
Crescent rolls.

Dessert: assorted cookies and hot chocolate.

All and all a good day and a good meal. I'm calling it, 'The Year I had my mom all to myself for Christmas!'

Christmas cookies and candies, Part 2

Round 2 of fun holiday ideas.

Christmas cookies and candies, Part 1

Hopefully these fun cookies and candies will inspire you. I use white and chocolate almond bark because its so easy to work with and forgiving. Just be careful not to over heat it. Just a few seconds in the microwave at a time. Questions or how to's, just ask.

Cupcakes Round 2

See some more of my creations. Hope you are inspired to bake!