Impress. Impress. Is that what you think of when you think of a potluck dinner? That you have to impress everyone there with your creative meal or dish...made with the finest ingredients! Will they like it? Will everyone eat it? Will the dish be empty by the time the dinner is over? What if no one eats it and people figure out that it was me who made it? Been there. … [Read more...]
Ranchero Black and Pinto Beans
At this point, we're just throwing things together...a little of this from the freezer with a little of that from the pantry! But I must say...this is a WINNER!!! (You know it's a winner when you arrive at the dinner table half full because you've been sneaking bites from the skillet!) Video Disclaimers Please excuse the t-shirt and sweatpants (just keepin' it … [Read more...]
Cranberry Chicken and Rice
So this meal was pretty good. Came out a little on the bitter side, so I just sprinkled a little sugar over the cranberries on everyone's plate and we were all happy! So...you could add a little extra sweetener in before you bake it, or you could do as I did. It really was tasty...after it was properly sweetened. And boy am I glad that I froze some fresh produce from … [Read more...]
Honey Ginger Salmon
Several times in 2009, I found fresh Atlantic salmon on sale for $2.99/lb...regularly $7.99/lb! This great deal never appeared on the front page of the store circular...but was hidden on the inside pages! I asked for a pound. Brought it home. Cut it into 4 4 oz. portions. Added the marinade. And froze. Saturday night, it went straight from the freezer to the oven to … [Read more...]
Chicken Zucchini Stew on Rice
Tonight's dinner is straight out of the freezer! From the freezer: 2 cups of shredded chicken, 1 container of chopped up summer veggies, about 2 cups of homemade chicken stock, and blanched broccoli. Toss into pot. Stir occasionally. Eat! Chicken Zucchini Stew on Rice A great way to use up extra veggies and leftover chicken! 2 tsp 2 tsp olive oil1 … [Read more...]
Cheeseless Chicken Enchiladas
Cheeseless??? What? There's cheese in the picture! Right. Right. I topped the enchiladas that I served to the Hubs with some cheese. This is, of course, optional! The inside of the enchilada and the top does not NEED cheese. These were quite zesty, zippy and zanny without the cheese!! And for the record. I made these before baby was born. Most of what you … [Read more...]
Slow Cooker Apricot Chicken
I found a jar of apricot preserves in my pantry. And there's not a better way to use it up than this! I used the Apricot Chicken recipe from the Make it Fast, Cook it Slow Cookbook! Hello, delicious. Ingredients 3 large or 4 small chicken breasts ($2.57) About 2/3 cup apricot preserves ($.75) 1 tsp dried minced onion flakes ($.05) 1 Tbsp dijon mustard ($.05) 1 … [Read more...]
Garlic Chicken Risotto
Tonight's guest recipe comes from Susie at Susie's Homemade. She is a thriving stay-at-home mom of two wonderful girls (5 and 19) and a caretaker of my 67 year old live-in mother. On her blog, Susie's Homemade, she shares her adventures in baking, cooking, gardening, homemaking and entertaining. Garlic Chicken Risotto Garlick-y and creamy … [Read more...]
Black Eyed Pea Casserole
Jeannine emailed this great gluten free Black Eyed Pea Casserole recipe to me a few weeks ago and I knew we had to try it! It's not dairy free, but the cheese could certainly be omitted, or just added to individual servings! And although we are not eating entirely gluten free at the moment, I do try to keep the gluten to a minimum! It's so easy to get in a rut or feel like … [Read more...]
Sweet and Sour Chicken
I had every intention of serving this over brown rice. But I got a little distracted by the Balloon Boy story this afternoon (so glad he was found...but boy I wasted a bunch of "what if that was my kid" emotional energy because of the whole ordeal). By the time I realized that the dinner hour was fast approaching, it was too late to get the brown rice going! So white rice it … [Read more...]