Thursday, April 24, 2014

Bacon Cheddar Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are an Easter tradition at our house. I absolutely love them and have no idea why I don't make them more often.  Every holiday I try a new recipe.  Not because I haven't found one I like, but because there are so many amazing recipes out there.  This one was probably a personal favorite.  It's the first time I've made them with bacon and I don't think I'll go back from here.  Hubs agreed.  We definitely won't be waiting until Easter to make these again. Enjoy!


Bacon Cheddar Delived Eggs
Courtesy of Kitch Me

Ingredients Serves 24

  1. 12 egg
  2. 12 cup mayonnaise
  3. 4 slice bacon
  4. 2 tbsp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  5. 1 tbsp mustard

Directions

  1. Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, and cool. To cool more quickly, rinse eggs under cold running water.
  2. Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Alternatively, wrap bacon in paper towels and cook in the microwave for about 1 minute per slice. Crumble and set aside.
  3. Peel the hard-cooked eggs, and cut in half lengthwise. Remove yolks to a small bowl. Mash egg yolks with mayonnaise, crumbled bacon and cheese. Stir in mustard. Fill egg white halves with the yolk mixture and refrigerate until serving.


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

{Healthy} Chicken Salad

I've been on a cold lunch kick lately.  Lots of salads and wraps, anything that doesn't have to be heated up or reheated. I had picked up a rotisserie chicken for dinner one night and we ended up eating something different.  So the next day, I decided it would be perfect to use to make chicken salad for lunch for the week. It took me about a half hour to make and provided me lunch for the entire week.  I was surprised how good the dish was with greek yogurt instead of mayo. I didn't miss it at all. Hubs even took it for lunch one day and didn't miss it either.  Win! I had it with pita chips twice and made toasted sandwiches the other three days.  I will definitely be making this again.  It's perfect for spring and summer. Enjoy! 


Ingredients:

1 whole rotisserie chicken, pulled and shredded 
1-2 cups chopped celery
1 cup grapes (quartered)
1 cup apple (peeled and diced)
1/2 cup plain greek yogurt (possible a little more depending on your taste)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
Juice of one lemon (1-2 tbs)


Directions: 
In a large bowl, stir all of the ingredients together.  Adding salt and pepper to taste if needed.  

Monday, April 21, 2014

parmesan pork chops with lemon caper sauce

I fell in love with capers when my husband and I honeymooned in St. Lucia.  There was an italian restaurant on the resort that used them in a dish I fell in love with.  I remember coming home and searching for recipes that used capers.  The only problem was, hubs didn't like them.  So after making a few meals that he wasn't impressed with, I stopped using them.  With this pregnancy I have crave salty things, not sweets. Completely different from the first time around! Anyhow, I've been eating olives and pretzels like they're going out of style.  When this recipe popped up in my inbox from Emeals, I decided to add it to the menu.  I figured hubs could eat the chops without the sauce if he didn't want the capers.  

Results:  What I loved the most about this meal is how quick it was to make.  20 minutes was all I spent in the kitchen from start to finish. My favorite part of the meal was the lemon caper sauce.  It satisfied my salty craving, while not being too over the top. I served it with quinoa and steamed broccoli.  Enjoy! 


Parmesan Pork Chips with Lemon Caper Sauce
Courtesy of Emeals 

Ingredients: 
1/4 cup whole wheat panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
6 boneless pork loin chops
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoon capers

Directions: 
Combine panko and parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Dredge pork in panko mixture, pressing to adhere. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add pork chops. Cook pork 4 minutes on each side or until done; remove pork and keep warm. Add chicken broth and lemon juice to skillet, stirring with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits from bottom. Cook for 3 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 1/2 cup. Add capers to skillet and spoon sauce over pork.  


 eMeals is a subscription service that sends weekly meal plans to your inbox based on information you provide. We've been very happy with the recipes so far! 

Sign up in just 4 simple steps:
1. Pick your meal plan (I have the clean eating plan)
2. Recipes for the WEEK along with sides will be emailed to you.  
3. They even give you a grocery list to take shopping.  
4. Enjoy an easy dinner that your husband will think took hours to make! 


Thursday, April 17, 2014

Baked Potato Chicken Casserole


This week I was determined to cook every night. No more eating out for this family! I went directly to my Recipe Pinterest board and started meal planning again. This is one of the first recipes I added to my list.  It looked like one that would please the entire family. 

Results:  I made a few minor changes to lighten up the recipe from the original. I also omitted the green onions because hubs doesn't like them. Other than that, I followed the directions and this meal was a hit. Hubs said I could make it every week and he wouldn't complain. From him, that is a big compliment and an even bigger thumbs up! Enjoy.

Baked Potato Chicken Casserole

Adapted from First Yum

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 medium russet potatoes, scrubbed and diced
  • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1/3 cup bacon bits (or cooked diced bacon)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • salt and pepper to taste 
  • serve with a dollop of sour cream if desired 
Instructions
  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9" x 9" casserole dish
  2. Spread half of the potatoes in the bottom of the dish. Top with all of the chicken. Season it with salt and pepper. 
  3. On top of the chicken, sprinkle with half the bacon bits and 1/2 cup of the cheese. 
  4. On top of the cheese, spread the remainder of the potatoes followed by the bacon bits and another 1/2 cup of cheese.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper. 
  5. Pour the chicken stock over the casserole. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. After the hour us up, uncover it and bake for another 30 minutes. In the last 5 minutes of backing, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Bake until the cheese is completely melted.  

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

{Crock Pot} Sticky Chicken

Be ready to see lots and lots of slow cooker/ crock pot meals over the next few months.  They are a life saver right now. Not a lot of time required to prep, hands free cooking time and minimal clean up.  Perfection.  

I've been trying to find some new crock pot recipes, for the sake of my husband. 
I'm sure he's already tired of our favorites.  

Results: We were all a fan of this recipe.  I am a big dry/ cooked onion fan so the onion soup mix in it was perfect.  Hubs was a fan of the BBQ & Apricot sauce.  All in all, a hit with the family.  Even the mini.  This would also be delicious in a wrap or on a bun the next day.  Enjoy! 


Sticky Chicken


Ingredients:
4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (mine were frozen)
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 cup apricot jam or preserves
1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix
2 tablespoons water
Directions:
Spray your slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken breasts inside and pour barbecue sauce and preserves on top. Sprinkle the dry soup mix over the top, add the water and cover with the lid. Cook on low for 6-8 hours (a little less if your chicken is not frozen). You can serve this over rice if you would like to.
Makes 4-5 servings.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Mini Meatball Sliders

If you have been following this blog for a while, you'll notice that I've been quite absent for the past few months.  That usually means one thing around here….we're having a baby!  Cooking while pregnant for me is difficult. I usually want nothing to do with food.  This time around the sickness is much worse than with my daughter. Another difference is that I have a toddler to feed (along with my husband.) I don't want to spend the money eating out all the time but I especially want my daughter to continue eating healthy, even though I don't want to cook.  So, I started searching for quick and easy meals.  This one was found on The Pioneer Woman's site under 16 minute meals.  

The recipe was as easy as it looks.  Took no time to make. We all gave it two thumbs up.  These would also be great to make for spaghetti and meatballs one night and use the following night for sliders.  Two meals done!  


Enjoy!

Mini Meatball Sandwiches 

Courtesy of The Pioneer Woman 


Ingredients

  • 1 pound Ground Chuck Or Ground Beef
  • 1/2 cup Panko Or Other Bread Crumbs
  • 1 clove Garlic, Minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  •  Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/2 cup Milk
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced
  • 1 jar (large) Marinara Sauce
  • 12 whole Dinner Rolls (or Slider Rolls)
  • 4 slices Provolone Cheese, Cut Into Four Wedges Each

Directions

Mix meat with bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and milk. Knead together with hands. Roll into heaping tablespoon-sized rolls.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for one minute. Add meatballs between the onions and brown for one minute. (You might have to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your skillet.)
Pour in jar of marinara; shake pan gently to mix. Put on lid and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
When ready to serve, cut each dinner roll in half. Place a wedge of Provolone on the top and bottom of each roll. Spoon a meatball with the sauce onto the bottom bun; top with the top bun.
Serve immediately!

Monday, March 31, 2014

{crock pot recipe} Sweet Glazed Pork

This recipe reminds me of the sweet and sour meatballs my mom makes every year for our Christmas Eve party. They cook all day in the crock pot and are always a hit at the party.  When I came across the same ingredients with pork chops for dinner, I knew they would be good. The only change I made to the recipe was adding a few teaspoons of minced garlic.  I served the pork chops with jasmine rice and broccoli. I'll definitely make this recipe again, next time putting a twist on it using jellied cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly. 

Sweet Glazed Pork

Ingredients:
4-6 boneless pork chops
1 (12 oz) bottle chili sauce
1 cup grape jelly
Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place pork chops at the bottom. In a bowl, mix together the chili sauce and the jelly; pour on top of pork chops. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours (do 8 hours if your pork chops are frozen) or HIGH for 3-4 hours (I prefer the low and slow method for these).

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Easy Baked Ravioli

I made this dinner last week and couldn't wait to share it with you.  The ingredients are inexpensive and it took me 10 minutes to prepare. That was it.  Ten minutes in the kitchen, a few items in the trash and dinner went into the oven. My kind of meal.  The fabulous thing was how delicious it was. Not only for dinner but leftover for lunch the next day. This would also be a perfect meal to freeze or make for friends who could use a home cooked meal. Save this recipe, you'll thank me later! 

Easy Baked Ravioli

Courtesy of Betty Crocker


          Ingredients

1 jar (26 to 28 ounces) pasta sauce (I used tomato basil)
1 package (25 to 27 1/2 ounces) frozen cheese-filled ravioli
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp italian seasoning 

Directions

1.  Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of rectangular baking dish 13x9x2-inches, with cooking spray.

2. Spread 3/4 cup of the pasta sauce in baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in single layer over sauce; top with half of the remaining pasta sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once, starting with ravioli. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and italian seasoning.

3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot in center


Sunday, March 9, 2014

Sausage & Cheese Muffins


This year we decided to have a last minute get together for the Super Bowl.  Usually I spend a good amount of time planning our get togethers or parties.  In this case, I had about 48 hours. I immediately headed to Pinterest to look for some quick and easy recipes that wouldn't have me spending a fortune. 

I chose these sausage & cheese muffins because they would be a great compliment to the rest of the menu I had planned.  We were also having chicken wings, chips and queso, seven layer dip and buffalo chicken dip.  I also knew the boys would eat these up.  

Results: A hit of the party, not only with the men but with the ladies as well.  I loved that they were bite sized and full of flavor.  I had a few left over and enjoyed them for breakfast reheated the next morning.  Enjoy! 



Sausage & Cheese Muffins
Courtesy of Plain Chicken 

Ingredients: 

  • 1 lb. hot ground pork sausage
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3 cups all-purpose baking mix
  • 1 (10.75 oz) can condensed fiesta nacho cheese soup
  • 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk (water or milk will work too)

Directions: 
Cook sausage and onion powder in a large skillet over medium to med-high heat, stirring until it crumbles and no longer pink. Drain and cool. 

Preheat oven to 375. Combine sausage, baking mix, and shredded cheese in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Stir together the soup and buttermilk; add to sausage mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon until lightly greased mini muffin tins, filling to tops of cups. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Turtle Cheeseball

I'm way behind on posting the recipes I've been making these past few months.  Life around here seems to get busier and busier…this blog always seems to fall on the back burner.  

Anyhow, we traveled home to FL for the holidays this past year.  Every year my parents host a Christmas Eve open house.  They've been doing it since we moved to FL over 20 years ago.  Neighbors and friends stop by throughout the night, enjoying food, friends and some delicious drinks.  It's a night I look forward to all year long.  

One of the recipes I added to the sweets menu for the party was a turtle cheese ball.  I found it while going through my appetizer board on Pinterest.  It looked easy enough to prepare ahead of time, wouldn't take up too much space in the already full fridge and how could you go wrong with caramel, chocolate and cream cheese? 

This sweet treat was a hit of the party.  Many guests asked for the recipe.  It was very rich, so you didn't need a lot to satisfy your sweet tooth.  And it was just as good the left over.  My mom has requested this be added to menu again for next year.  Will do, mom! Enjoy. 




Turtle Cheeseball
Courtesy of Shurgary Sweets 


Prep Time: 1 hour
Yield: serves 8-10
Ingredients
  • 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 Tbsp caramel sauce (found with ice cream toppings)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar, packed
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup Kraft caramel bits 

  • Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese with butter until fully blended. Add caramel sauce and sugar and beat until combined. Add 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.
  2. Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on counter. Drop cheeseball onto plastic wrap and cover cheeseball completely. Once covered, shape into a ball. Refrigerate for one hour.
  3. In a bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips, pecans and caramel bits. Unwrap cheeseball and roll into bowl of chocolate chip mixture. Press toppings gently into the cheeseball. Rewrap in plastic wrap (a new piece) and refrigerate until ready to serve.  Once it's on the serving plate, drizzle some additional caramel syrup over it.

    ENJOY.

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Banana Pancakes {Toddler Approved}

I'm constantly on the search for toddler approved recipes.  As soon as my little one turned 15 months she became super picky with her food.  One day she LOVES something, the next she wants no part of it.  It's frustrating considering I usually spend a lot of time preparing food for her.  

Lately, I've been looking for recipes I can freeze.  That way if she likes it one day, it will be there.  If she decides she doesn't the next, I can freeze it until she likes it again.  Pancakes are so easy to make and freeze well, so I've been trying lots of different variations.  This is the most recent.  The little one liked them for two days.  Hubs and I enjoyed them for dinner one night (yes dinner.)  They are fill of flavor and actually taste just like banana bread! 


Ingredients: 
1 cup white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tbs sugar 

1/8 tsp salt 
1 1/4 cup milk (I used almond) *If the batter is too thick for you, you can add more milk*
1 egg 
3 tbsp melted butter (cooled) 
2 ripe bananas 

2 tsp cinnamon (more or less if preferred) 

Directions: 
1. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a  small bowl.  Mix well.  
2.  In a separate bowl, mix egg, milk and cooled butter.  Mix until the batter is free of  lumps.  Let this mixture sit for about 10 minutes.  
3. After 10 minutes, mix in the bananas.  It's easiest to mash them with a fork in a bow and mix them in.  
4.  Heat your cooking surface for the pancakes and spray with cooking spray.  I use a griddle for all of my pancakes.  
5.  Scoop batter onto heated surface.  I use a large cookie scoop to make the perfect toddler size pancakes.  
6.  Flip the pancake when one side is cooked. The key to well cooked pancakes is to flip them when you see little bubbles appearing on the surface.  You want a golden brown look on both sides.  
7.  Serve slightly warm with syrup if you choose.  If you're going to freeze them, make sure they are completely cooled before going in the freezer in a sealed freezer bag.  

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

10 Game Day Snacks

The Super Bowl is just a few days away. 
Hubs and I decided to throw a last minute Super Bowl get together.  
Since we only have a few more days to plan, I started looking for things to make immediately.  
I put together a list of things that are either tried and true or looked perfect for the big game.  



Buffalo Chicken Kabobs from A Night Owl Blog

Nieman Marcus Dip from Simply Made with Love



Artichoke Dip from Simply Made with Love

Buffalo Wing  Hummus from Skinny Mom

Twisted Pretzel Bites from Six Sisters Stuff


Cheesy Spinach and Bacon Dip from Simply Made with Love

Buffalo Chicken Nachos from The Girl Who Ate Everything 

Sweet Potato Pulled Pork Sliders from Lauren's Latest


What is on your menu for the big game?  










Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Nieman Marcus Dip

While planning our super bowl menu I realized I never posted this dip I made back in September.  When we first moved we had my parents in town along with friends visiting for the weekend.  It was also one of the first weekends of football season. This dip had rave reviews all over the WWW.  

It was easy to make and a big hit with our family and friends. It was VERY rich, I could only have a little bit at a time.  Nonetheless, it was full of flavor.  Definitely worth making, especially for a game day party. Enjoy! 




Ingredients: 
5 - 6 green onions
 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 jar Hormel Real Bacon Bits 
1 pkg. slivered almonds

Directions: 
Chop the green onions.
Shred the cheddar cheese.

Mix the onions, cheese, mayo, bacon bits,
 and slivered almonds together.
Chill for a couple hours.

Serve with Ritz crackers.




Friday, January 24, 2014

Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

A friend posted this recipe on her blog this week, I knew I had to make it.  I already had leftover rotisserie chicken in the fridge, so it was a quick trip to the grocery store for the remainder of the ingredients. The original recipe was stove top, but looked easy enough to be done in the crock pot. The dish turned out more like a soup but it was delicious.  I knew it would be a repeat winter meal when hubs finished his bowl in no time.  We had it the next night for leftovers, I looked forward to it all day.  It was still just as good! Enjoy!


Crock Pot White Chicken Chili

Adapted from Gimme Some Oven

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 2 (15-oz) cans Great Northern beans, drained
  • 2  7 oz cans of salsa verde 
  • salt and pepper to taste 
  • 1 avocado (sliced)
  • 1 cup mexican cheese mixture 
  • chopped cilantro (about 1 TBS)
  • tortilla strips (I used Archer Farms southwest tortilla strips (salad toppers) 

Directions

Place chicken broth, chicken, beans and salsa verde in the crock pot, stir to combine.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  When it's time to serve top with cheese, avocado, cilantro and tortilla strips.  


**I added my cheese to the bottom of my bowl and poured the soup/chili over the top.  It melted and mixed in perfectly that way**

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