Awesome Chicken, Asparagus, Portobello Stir fry

Ingredients

1 lb of asparagus (cut off fibrous bottoms, and cut remaining pieces about 2 inches each)
2 lbs of chicken cut into small cubes
1/2 pound of cherry tomatoes cut in half
1/2 pound of baby portobello mushrooms cut into pieces
2 sticks of butter
1 box of pasta
1 tsp of minced garlic
1 tsp montreal seasoning
2 tsp of lemon pepper
2 tsp salt
(other seasonings of your choice. I added a pinch of smoked paprika and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper)

in a Large skillet on medium heat add butter
when butter is half way melted add asparagus, mushrooms, tomatoes, and chicken
add seasoning and put a lid on it

stir occasionally

In a separate sauce pan start water for pasta, when it boils add noodles and cook to desired consistency

Keep an eye on the stir fry mix, once its done (chicken cooked thru and asparagus is  tender)
lower heat to warm as you wait for the noodles to be done

when noodles are done, drain and add to stir fry, mix well and serve

 

Kids asked me to do this again <3  thinking of adding some salsa verde instead of butter and lemon pepper next time for a tex mex take on it.

Classic Kid lunches or dinners

Pig in a Blanket. 

2 cans grands big biscuits
1 pk of hot dogs (we prefer the chili cheese filled hot dogs)
2 slices of cheese


Preheat oven according to biscuit directions mine said 350 degrees

open pk of hot dogs and cut each hot dog in half and set on a plate
open cheese slices and fold each slice into 4 pieces set on the plate

open biscuits, using the heel of your hand squish the biscuit to flatten and stretch it gently

Place one piece of hot dog and one piece of cheese inside and roll up biscuit pinching ends closed

repeat for all biscuits, bake until lightly brown on top, cool and serve

Biscuit Pizza

2 cans biscuits (i used flaky layers butter flavored lg biscuits)
1 small can of tomato sauce (look for the garlic, oregano, basil mix for best results)
2 bags of shredded cheese (i use Italian blend but cheddar works too
your choice of toppings, my kids love diced ham on theirs or plain cheese

preheat oven according to biscuit directions

gently squish biscuit out to flatten and stretch gently
teaspoon on and spread tomato sauce
top with cheese and toppings

bake according to biscuit directions about 10 minutes.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup

sliced bread
sliced cheese
can tomato soup
Italian blend seasoning

Heat skillet on stove (recommend using nonstick spray)
butter one side of each slice of bread you plan to use
place one slice of bread, butter side down, in skillet
while it is browning slightly unwrap cheese and set it on the bread in the skillet
when it's slightly browned on bottom add top slice of bread butter side up,
flip sandwich to brown new slice of bread
when it's done place on a plate and start on next sandwich, repeat steps above

Heat can of tomato soup in a saucepan, add Italian seasoning to taste

using shaped sandwich cutters cut the sandwiches into fun shapes they can dip in the soup!!

Meal Plan for May 2015

quesadillas
fried pork chops
chicken strips
ham
Frozen pizza
hot pockets
sauteed chicken with tomatoes, squash and green beans
sauteed chicken with asparagus and garlic
burritos
enchiladas
grilled cheese
salisbury steak
salmon patties with sliced cucumbers
chef salads
hamburgers
hot dogs
Velveeta chicken and broccoli
zatarain's jambalaya
pigs in a blanket
biscuit pizza
unsloppy joe

Instead of dates we decided to keep it simple this month with so much going on. Some of these will be repeated during the month. I will post recipes to some of these soon. If you would like the recipes for any of these just ask for it in the comments and I will happily pass it on. <3

Pork dinner with Mushroom gravy

The pork chops that usually go on sale are not the best cuts out there. However they can still be used to create great meals.

Peel and dice 4 or 5 good sized potatoes and start them to boil.
I chose fresh broccoli as our other side dish, I cut up fresh broccoli and started it to boiling.

I took a family pack of the 1.00 a pound pork chops, trimmed off the fat and bones, and cut them into chunks.

Place them in a casserole dish. Mixed some gravy using 2 pks of pork gravy and 2pks of mushroom gravy following packet instructions. I chopped up some baby portabella mushrooms and added them to the gravy.

Pour the gravy on top of the chopped up pork chops and bake at 400 for about 20-30 minutes or until done. (the larger the pieces the longer it takes to cook)

Pull the Pork and gravy from the oven and set to cool.

Drain the Broccoli and add butter to season

Drain potatoes, put in about 1/2 a cup of milk as you mash them to make them creamy, add butter and seasonings to taste (I use Mrs. Dash garlic and herb) Hint potatoes are done when fork slides gently and easily through the potato.

                                                          Plate up and enjoy

                                                 (one of the kids plates)

Simple homemade bread

Ingredients
6 cups of flour (maybe more with dusting countertop)
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups water
2 packets rapid rise yeast

In a large bowl combine 3 cups of flour, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 packets of yeast and mix gently

In another bowl combine 1/2 cup milk, 1 1/2 water, and 2 tbsp butter. Microwave for about 90 seconds until a thermometer reads between 117 and 125 degrees fahrenheit.

Pour combined liquids into the flour mixture and mix until completely mixed together. add flour by the half cup, mixing it in until it becomes a ball of dough. (I wear disposable gloves for this or hands get really gooey)

dust some flour on a clean counter space and kneed the dough. using the heel of your hand push down and away from you. pull the sides up and refold. repeat until the dough gets tight and no longer wants to stretch. press down lightly with 2 fingers if the dough regains the shape quickly its time to proof the bread. if not keep kneading.

Spray a clean large bowl with cooking spray and place the dough inside. cover the top with clear plastic and a tea towel. Let the dough rise for about 10 minutes or until it doubles (might take a little longer if the room is cold)

Pull the dough out of the bowl, Cut into two pieces, set one back in the bowl. dust the counter again with flour, using a rolling pin, roll the dough out in a rectangle shape.

Tightly roll it up, starting at the narrow end of the dough. once its fully rolled up pinch the ends to seal them.

Place the rolled dough in your Pre Sprayed  bread pans. Repeat for second half of dough.

Cover with plastic and tea towel, let rise 40 minutes. It will double in size again.

Bake at 400 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, using a thermometer check internal temp. should be 190 to 210 degrees.

Pull bread from the oven remove from baking pans. Place on cooling rack or on a clean towel.

Butter all of the outside of the bread while it is hot so it will absorb the flavor and soften the crust.

Let cool, slice and eat. If it is placed in a ziplock bag after it cools it will be good for about 3 days.

You can freeze it to preserver extra loaves for later when they will be needed.

24 Incredible Acts of Kindness to brighten your day

Having a Down Day

As everyone occasionally has, I am having a down day.

Feeling down and out emotionally. So it might be a little bit before the next recipe is posted.

Working on pulling myself up by watching my favorite shows, reading a good book in between them.

Jammed out to some great songs earlier as well. I will bounce back up. I always do.

See you soon, re energized, and thank you for supporting me and my writings.