Skillet Tex-Mex

A few months ago I bought a bunch of old cookbook magazines.  In one of them was this recipe...well the basic recipe, before I got ahold of it.  I don't know what it is, but I always change them up.  Anyways, here is what we had...and it was delicious!

Ingredients:
3 Chicken breasts
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 Cups corn, frozen
1 Can Bush's chili beans, undrained
1 Can Rotel, undrained
2 Cups broken up tortilla chips
1/2 Cup water
1 1/2 Cheese
1 Can black beans, rinsed, if you want them

Directions:
*Cut up your chicken into bite sized pieces.

*Put chicken into a skillet with 2 tbsp's oil.  Put the garlic powder on top of it.

*Cook the chicken until it is done.

*Add the corn, water (if your chicken is watery, use less than 1/2 cup water), beans, and Rotel.

*Cover your skillet and cook on medium for 8-10 minutes.

*Put your cheese and tortilla chips into the skillet and mix until cheese is melted, and chips go soggy.

*Serve with salsa, chips, sour cream, and any other toppings you like!

Hasselback Potatoes

I have seen these countless times while recipe searching online.  I've had them saved in my "to do" file for years too!  Funny thing is, the second Nick saw them he decided they looked delish and wanted to make them.  Tonight he cooked dinner, and these were on his menu.  I'm sorry I haven't made them sooner!  They were so easy, and they were so so so good!  Nick and I both agreed that these are a "must make again."

Ingredients:
2-4 Russet Potatoes (depending on the number of people you are cooking for)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Cloves of garlic (fresh cloves are so much better in this one than garlic pwdr)
2 Tbsp garlic oil
Sea salt
Pepper

Directions:
*Clean the skins of your potatoes.

*Take your potato and cut a bit of one side off so that it lays flat if need be.  If it doesn't need to be trimmed don't worry about it.

*Take 2 wooden spoons and place one on each side (long ways) of the potato.

*Take a sharp knife, and cut the potato every 3-4 centimeters so that it is in small slices, but still all attached at the bottom part.  This is what the spoons are good for; ensuring you don't cut all the way through.

*Spray a baking sheet with baking spray.

*Put your potatoes on the baking sheet.

*Put the butter over the tops of the potatoes.

*Cut your garlic into tiny slices.

*Stick the garlic slices into the potato slices here and there.

*Take your oil and spread it over the tops of the potatoes.

*Put salt and pepper over the tops of the potatoes.

*Bake in a pre-heated oven at 425*F for 40 minutes.

*After 40 minutes, broil the tops for about 5 minutes in the oven to make them a bit crunchier.  So yummy!

Mandy's Mexican Macaroni

My cousin-in-law (hmmm...not sure if that's correct terminology, but I like it) gave me this recipe earlier this week.  I had everything in the pantry which made for a really easy, and delicious, meal.  I wasn't sure what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised that it had a creamy taco flavor!  SO good!!!  This is a definite make again!  Hope you guys like it!

Ingredients:

8 Ounce box of shell pasta (I only had mini bow tie's so I used them instead...about 1/2-3/4 a box)

2 8 ounce cans of tomato sauce (or 1 15 ounce can plus 2 Tbsp's water)

1 Pkg taco seasoning

1 lb ground beef

1 Block of cream cheese

1.5 Cups sour cream (one of the bigger tubs)

2 Cups sharp cheddar shredded cheese (one of the smaller bags of shredded cheese)

Directions:

*Cook your ground beef in a skillet.

*Drain oil once it is cooked.  Pour tomato sauce and taco seasoning onto the meat.  Stir well, then simmer for 20 minutes.

*While your meat and sauce is simmering, cook your pasta according to the directions on the package.

*Spray a 9x13 pan down with cooking spray.

*Drain your pasta once it is cooked, then pour it onto the bottom of the baking dish.

*In a small bowl, mix the sour cream and cream cheese with a whisk until smooth.

*Pour the cream cheese mixture by dollups onto the pasta.

*Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over your pasta.

*Now pour your meat mixture over the top of the cream cheese.  Layer it evenly also.

*Pre-heat your oven to 375*F.

*Sprinkle your shredded cheese over the top of the meat layer.

*Bake for 30 minutes in the oven being careful the cheese doesn't burn during the last 5-10 minutes.  

*Let cool for a few minutes before serving!

*It passed the baby test too!

Tuscan Chicken

Here's another easy recipe...oh wait, ALL of my recipes here are easy!  :)

Ingredients:
3-4 Chicken Breasts
Pepper (to taste)
2 Tbsp oil
1 Green pepper
1 Red pepper
1 Yellow or orange pepper
1/2 Onion
2-3 Slices of prosciutto or deli ham, chopped up (only if you want to add it)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 Can diced tomatoes, undrained
1/4 Cup chicken broth (or 1/2 bouillon cube diluted into 1/4 cup water)
2 tsp's dried basil

Directions:
*Dash pepper onto both sides of each chicken breast.

*Put your oil into your skillet, add your chicken breasts, then turn on your skillet to medium-high heat.  Cover and cook for 4-5 minutes per side (careful not to burn).

*While your chicken is cooking, slice all of your peppers and onion into tiny slices.

*Take the chicken out of the skillet and put then onto a plate.

*Put your peppers, onion, and garlic powder into the same skillet with a bit more oil on top of it all.  If you are using deli meat, add it now also.

*Cook the peppers and onions until they are cooked for about 4-5 minutes.

*Add the chicken, can of tomatoes, chicken broth, and basil to the onion and pepper mix in the skillet.  Simmer it all for 12-15 minutes covered.

*I would make up some white rice and serve this over the white rice next time.  Tonight I served it with boiled potatoes and think it would have been better with white rice.  The rice would be easier too if your doing the instant rice.

(I got this recipe from Taste of Home's Healthy Cooking magazine's Aug/Sept 2011 issue.  Of course this is my changed up a bit version...)

Raspberry Pocket Pie

I saw the neatest gadget while at Target today that I couldn't live without!  Hah.  Anyways, I bought it and then I made the raspberry pie recipe that was on the back of it.  If you don't have one of these things, go buy one!  It was so easy to use, and Cooper and I had tons of fun making the pies.  PLUS...this little gadget was only 5 or 6 dollars!  I'm going to try some chicken/broccoli/cheese pie's soon!  Oh the possibilities!

Ingredients:
1 Refrigerated pie crust, thawed
1/3 Cup sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1 Cup of raspberries
1 Egg

Directions:
*Unroll your pie crust onto a slightly floured surface.

*Take your pie mold and open it up.  The edge's of mine are sharp so I used that to cut out my circles of pie dough.

*Cut out 3 pie crusts.  If you need to, you can mash up your dough, then roll it out again.  I could only cut out 2 circles of dough before having to re-roll it out.

*Mix your sugar and cornstarch in a small bowl.

*Put one of your pie doughs onto your pie mold.

*My mold lets me bend one side up a bit so that  I don't have the entire circle laying out flat (if that makes sense).  I pulled one of the sides up a bit so I knew where my center was.

*Pour a few raspberries into the mold slightly off center on one side.

*Pour 1 Tbsp of the sugar mixture over the berries.

*Take your egg in a small bowl and mix it up.

*I don't have a pastry brush so I used a paper towel to dip into the egg, then rub around the sides of the dough in the pie mold.

*Close your mold and press firmly so that it shuts and is pressed together.

*Pre-heat your oven to 400*F.

*Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

*Take your pie out of the mold and place it on the parchment paper.

*Make the other 2 pies the same way.

*Once your pies are on your parchment paper, brush the tops with remaining egg.

*Sprinkle sugar onto the tops of each pie.

*Bake for 15 minutes.

Fried Eggplant

I'm impressed!  I have never tried eggplant before and now that I have...I love it!  This recipe is so easy, and so yummy you have to try it!  It tastes like something you would get at a classy, posh little restaurant.  I bought 2 eggplants yesterday from Sprouts (a local produce grocery store).  They were cheap, and beautiful.  Honestly they looked so nice I had to buy them!  I started searching for recipes and Emeril Lagasse had this recipe on the food networks website.  I changed it a tiny bit (not measuring my spices and all).  He makes his spices into something he calls "Essence."  I just sprinkled the spices into my breadcrumbs.

Ingredients:
1 Eggplant
1/2 Cup flour
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups breadcrumbs
Dash (1-2 shakes):
*salt
*pepper
*onion powder
*garlic powder
*cheyenne powder
*paprika
Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:
*Put your flour in a bowl.

*Put your eggs in a separate bowl.  Put a dash of salt into the eggs then whisk the eggs.

*In a third bowl, put your breadcrumbs and all of the spices.  Mix well.

*Cut your eggplant into 1/4 inch round circular pieces.

*Dip the eggplant slices into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs.  Set onto a plate.  Do the rest of the eggplant slices.

*Heat your oil to about 375*.  It took our oil about 5 minutes on medium heat to get there.

*VERY carefully drop the eggplant slices into the oil.

*Let each side cook about one minute, then flip.  Don't overcook, they will burn easily too!

*Remove the slices and place them on a plate that has been covered in paper towels to absorb the oil.

*Serve with marinara sauce or a garden flavored spaghetti sauce.

DELICIOUS!!!

Spice Mix for Chicken

Since I bought Nick his smoker for fathers day he has really been researching "rubs" and spices for his meats.  This one is for chicken.  This batch is enough for two full 5 pound chickens.  Its yummy!  Easy to make if your  wanting a good spice rub.

Ingredients:
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/4 Cup paprika
3 Tbsp's kosher salt
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp onion powder
1 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp black pepper

Directions:
*Pour all ingredients into a mixing bowl, then mix well.   Store any leftovers until next time.

*To put on a whole, giblets removed chicken, simply wash off your chicken under water, then pat it dry with a paper towel, and then pour the spices all over it.  Bake or grill your chicken as usual until done.

Cranberry-Orange Chicken Casserole

I found this recipe at kraftrecipes.com last night and had all the ingredients in my pantry.  :)  That made for a really easy dinner!  The idea of having fun flavors while using all typical ingredients was awesome.  I made mine in a round casserole dish with one small ramekin on the side for Cooper.  I also changed the recipe some so  this is my version.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
3 Chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 Pkg Stove Top Stuffing mix for Chicken
1 Cup orange juice (see bottom note)
1/2 Cup water
4 Tbsp butter
1/2 Cup dried cranberries
1/3 Cup Chopped pecans (I used walnuts instead)
1 Can cream of chicken soup
1 Bag frozen mixed veggies, cooked
1 Cup shredded cheese (see bottom note)

Directions:
*Cook the chicken on your stove with a bit of oil until cooked.

*In a separate saucepan, pour the orange juice, water, and butter.  Bring to a boil.

*Once it has come to a boil, put in the stove top, cranberries, and pecans (or walnuts).  Stir quickly, then cover.  Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.

*Once the chicken is cooked, pour the vegetables, shredded cheese, and cream of chicken soup mix.  Mix well.

*Turn oven on to 400*F.

*Spray down 6 ramekins or a 13x9 or a round baking dish.  (I used one round and one ramekin).

*Pour the chicken mixture into the dish/s you have chosen to use.

*Pour the stuffing mixture on top.

*Cook in your oven for about 20-25 minutes.  I did 30 and it was a bit dark (not burned, but the pictures look like it).

(NOTE:  If you don't have any orange juice, you can use one cup of water in place of the 1 cup of orange juice.  So you would have 1 1/2 Cups of water.  Also, I added the shredded cheese so you can skip it if you want too...we just love shredded cheese at our house!).

Chewy Banana Bars

YUMMY!  These were so easy to make!  I found this box of banana muffin mix by Jiffy at the store and figured I would test it out.  Once I got it home however, I noticed that the box had other recipes on it (including this one for these chewy bars).  I had all the ingredients in the pantry so voila, Banana Chewy Bars for dessert!

Ingredients:
1 Pkg Jiffy banana muffin mix
1 Cup of quick oats
1/4 Cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 Cup melted butter or margarine
1/4 Cup honey
1 Egg

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350*F.

*Grease a square glass baking dish (I used Butter flavored PAM.)

*Mix the Jiffy mix, oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon together in a bowl.

*Add the melted butter, honey, and egg to the mix and mix all the ingredients well.

*Pour the batter into the baking dish and smooth it out so that the bottom of the dish is covered in batter.

*Bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

*Once you pull out the bars, let them cool for only 5-6 minutes before cutting them.

(NOTE:  These have a very strong banana taste to them.  It is by far the best "fake" banana we have ever tried.  Nick said "these are good enough I might let you make them again."  Pretty darn good compliment coming for a guy who only likes items homemade!)

Sugar Hug Cookies

Here is a basic recipe I got from Southern Living that was on a cookie blog.  Everyone talked about how yummy it was and I have to disagree.  My husband and I tasted the cookie dough and it tasted like flour!  SO...we fixed it a bit and got these, which are worth writing about.  Super simple to make, and you probably have everything at home (except maybe the Hershey Hugs).

Ingredients:
1 Cup shortening
1 1/2 Cups sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tsp's vanilla extract
2 1/2 Cups flour
2 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
extra sugar for rolling dough in (1/4 - 1/2 cup)

Directions:
*Cream shortening and 1st sugar at medium speed until fluffy.

*Add the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla to the shortening.  Mix well.

*Now put all the remaining ingredients (except the extra sugar) into the shortening mix and mix well.

*Chill in fridge for about one hour.

*Take the dough out of the fridge and roll it into one inch balls.  I used an ice cream scoop to do mine and it worked PERFECTLY!

*Turn your oven onto 350 and get it pre-heated for your cookies.

*Line a baking sheet (or two) with parchment paper.

*Take your ball of dough and roll it into the extra sugar (I put it in a small bowl to make it easier to roll the dough in).

*Once you have rolled as many balls as will fit onto your baking sheet/s (leaving a bit of space in between each), put them into the oven and bake for 8-9 minutes.

*While they are cooking, remove the wrappers from your Hershey Hugs or Kisses.

*Take your cookies out of the oven and immediately put a Hug/Kiss on top, gently pressing them down.

*Leave the cookies on the baking sheet about 2 minutes before moving them to a wire wrack to finish cooling.  The Hugs/Kisses will take a few hours to harden up after being put into those yummy warm cookies, so be careful!

(Original cookie recipe is a Southern Living recipe found on http://www.cookiedoc.blogspot.com.  The original cookie name is Sugar Crinkle Cookies).