Comfort Food

This recipe was made for me by my friend, Remy. After we had it for the first time, I quickly acquired the recipe for myself and it is one of our faves. We even had it for Christmas Eve dinner this year! And, it was a HIT! Hope you enjoy!Chicken & Dumplings

Rotisserie Chicken

2-3 cans of buttermilk biscuits

4-6 cups of chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken

1 tsp. Nature's Seasoning (or Poultry Seasoning)

1-2 chicken bullion cubes

Pour broth in large pot. Shred chicken into broth. Add extra bullion cube(s). Add seasoning. Bring to boil. Tear biscuits into small pieces and add. Boil 15-20 minutes. Add cream of chicken. Cook on low for 20 minutes. Salt & Pepper to taste.

Not without Mammer!!!

This past weekend, our house was the last stop for our Life Group Progressive Dinner. And, as usual, I underestimated how much work it is to host something at your home! ... Thankfully, Mammer came to the rescue and helped bake, clean and play with a very busy 2 1/2 year old! :) There is NO WAY that I could have done it without her!!!...And, the menu for the desserts included a few old faves and a few new guys!!!...

We had my Gackey's {famous} brownies...
Jeff Davis Pie...
And, the oh so easy, and oh so yummy, Symphony Brownies...

Then, I decided to make my ALL TIME favorite pie. In my cook book that my mom gave me when I got married, it is titled, "Brittney's Favorite Pie!" I don't know why I haven't made it in so long! It is ridiculously good!!!...

Cherry Cream Cheese Pie

1-15 oz can of Eagle Brand Milk

1- 8oz. pkg. Cream Cheese

1 tsp. Vanilla

1/3 cup Lemon Juice

1 can of Cherry Pie Filling

1 Graham Cracker Crust

Soften cream cheese and beat until fluffy. Add milk slowly while beating. Add lemon juice and vanilla and beat. Pour filling into crust. Chill several hours and allow guests to top with cherries if desired.

Then, the cutest little addition to the menu were these Key Lime Cupcakes. I loved how they turned out and they got rave reviews. (Especially from my little man!)

Key Lime Cupcakes

Batter:

1 white cake mix

1 cup less 1 teaspoon water

1/3 cup oil

3 egg whites

1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice

2 teaspoons lime zest

¾ teaspoon green food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into 24 lined cupcake tins and bake for 19-23 minutes. Let cupcakes cool completely and frost with key lime frosting.

Frosting:

1 package of cream cheese, softened

1/2 stick of butter, softened

2-3 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoon lime zest

Lime Juice (to taste)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cornstarch (if needed)

Combine butter and cream cheese in a bowl and beat until smooth, add zest and vanilla. Slowly add sugar until all is incorporated. (I added cornstarch to thicken) Frost cupcakes and garnish with a lime wedge if desired.

A Little Misleading...{but, worth it!}...

When I saw this recipe in my Kraft magazine, I have to admit that my preggo self was pretty excited! It looked so yummy to me! So, when we had friends coming over, I felt ambitious enough to make it. But, the recipe was a LITTLE misleading. It said that it was 30 minutes prep time...BUT...that included cooked chicken and cooked manicotti shells. (which added an extra 30 minutes, at least!) Even though the whole process took longer than expected, it was SO yum, and was even yummier the next day as lunch AND dinner!!! MMMMM MMMMMM!

Chicken & Spinach Manicotti

1-1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken breasts
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained
1 container (16 oz.) Cottage Cheese
2 egg whites
1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided
10 manicotti shells, cooked, drained
1-1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (I used dried)

HEAT oven to 350°F.
COMBINE chicken and garlic in large bowl. Add spinach, cottage cheese, egg whites and 1/4 cup mozzarella; spoon into manicotti shells.
PLACE in 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with spaghetti sauce.
BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining mozzarella; bake 5 min. or until melted. Sprinkle with basil.

Bring on the COLD!...

...because I LOVE cold weather food. This potato soup, courtesy of my friend Shannon, is a fave to make this time of year. Hope you enjoy!

Potato Soup

2 stalks of celery, thinly sliced

3 Tbsp. butter

1- 14 oz. can chicken broth

3 Tbsp. flour

1/2 to full bag of diced potatoes with onion

1 1/2 cups milk

4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled

shredded cheese, optional

extra milk and salt & pepper when needed

Cook chopped celery in hot butter over medium heat for about 5 minutes until tender. Stir in flour until combined. (forms a roux) Stir in broth, bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Add potatoes. Return to boil. Reduce heat, simmer uncovered 15 minutes. Mash potatoes, stir in milk and bacon- heat. Thin with milk if necessary. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with cheese.

If you like pumpkin pie...

...then this will be right up your alley! It's a great "take to Thanksgiving" little treat! And, it is great with gingersnaps, graham crackers, or on your breakfast bagel! We love it around here! :) Pumpkin Fluff

1 can of pumpkin pie filling
1 small container of cool whip
Pumpkin Pie Spice

Mix filling and cool whip. Add spice to taste. Enjoy! Seriously easy!!!

Oh, Dishwasher...I miss you!!!

Almost 2 months ago, our dishwasher broke...and we just haven't made it a priority to get it fixed. But, after a failed attempt to make this cake for Alli's shower...and then doing it all over again for cupcakes, I was about ready to call the repair man! :) ...Needless to say, this recipe calls for LOTS of dirty dishes. But, it's worth it in the end. For whatever reason, my cake stuck horribly...but the cupcakes were perfect, yummy and a HUGE hit! ... Check out this blog for beautiful step by step pictures! .... Before baking, this is what it looked like...

And, after! SAD! Maybe i just needed to cook it longer!?!?....

Rainbow Cake (or cupcakes)

2 boxes white cake mix

24 oz of clear diet soda (I used ginger ale)

gel food colouring

16 oz whipped topping

2 oz instant fat-free sugar-free pudding mix (2 smallish boxes)

cream cheese

1/2 stick margarine

Powdered Sugar (if needed)

***

Mix the cake mix with the soda according to regular instructions on box. It will be lumpy afterward. (Use NOTHING else...just cake mix and soda) Measure the total volume then divide by 6 and measure into separate bowls. Stir color into each bowl with its own spoon. Layer the colors into your pan as you choose. (see pictures)

***
Bake the cake for however long the box tells you to bake it. Check it when the box says to, but usually it’ll need an extra 5 or 10 minutes or maybe more because of the density of the soda method. Just keep baking, checking back every 5 minutes or so until a toothpick to the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before moving to a wire rack.

***

Meanwhile, make your frosting. Just mix the pudding mix in with the whipped topping for a few minutes. (You can stop here, if you want the low fat option!...I added 1/2 stick of melted butter, softened cream cheese and some powdered sugar.) Dye if you’re into that.

***
Frost and Eat.

Tummy Ache Goodness

I got this one from Annalee! I tweaked it a bit...added Peanut Butter! And, it was GOOD! Very sticky and very sweet...but, GOOD!POPCORN MADNESS

1 bags of microwave popcorn
1/2 bag of marshmallows

Peanut Butter (as much as you'd like)
m&m's
2 T butter

Grease bundt pan. Pop the popcorn. (take out unpopped kernels) Melt the marshmallows and butter. Mix popcorn and marshmallows. Add m&m's.(and, for Halloween, I added candy corn as well!) Put in bundt pan, press it down and let it cool. Turn over & put on cake stand or serving plate.

Fun for the Kids

I decided to add a new catagory to the recipes..."fun for the kids!" When I come across a fun and kid-friendly snack/treat, I'll post it on here with that label! ... And, here are a few that have recently been devourerd at our house!!!...

The first is pretty self-expainitory! When we were having hot dogs the other night, Q wasn't feelin' it. So I made him his own form of hot dog...why not? ... PB & Banana Hot Dog

1 hot dog bun
1 banana
Peanut Butter
Sprinkles (optional but OH SO FUN!)

Assemble and EAT!

Then, after a week down of Potty Training, it was time for a special treat! And, on the back of the cupckae box, I had seen the recipe for these...So easy! So cute! And SO much easier to eat than a normal cupcake!

Cupcake in a Cone

1 box of cupckae mix (and ingredients needed to make)
Ice Cream Cones
Icing
Sprinkles
Cupcake liners

Prepare cupcakes as directed on package. Place cupcake liners in tin. Fill 2/3 full with batter. Place cone in batter (bottom side/point side up, obviously). Bake acording to package directions. Let cool. Take out of pan and remove paper liner. Cover with icing and sprinkles!

Don't knock it...

...til you've tried it! Seriously, I love the bowls from KFC! You know, the weird ones where they pile up the potatoes, corn, chicken and cheese! It's YUM to me! And, when we made them ourselves, my littlest critic loved it as well! I'm not guaranteeing gourmet, but it's quick and good!!!...

KFC Bowl (PoeFam Style)

1 pkg. of instant mashed potatoes

1 can of corn

Popcorn chicken (6-9 pieces per bowl)

Cheddar cheese

Salt & Pepper

Cook chicken. Prepare potatoes. Heat corn. Then, when all is done, layer in bowl...potatoes, corn, salt, pepper, chicken (cut in half), cheese! (And, it's even more fun if you cut the cheese into a fun shape!) Enjoy!

And, what if we add some chocolate chips?

What do you do when you have bananas that are going to go bad?

Make banana bread!

And, what do you do when you just feel the need to indulge?

Chocolate chips!!!

This was GOOD...very rich, but GOOD! You should try it! ...

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

1 cup butter, softened
4 T cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups flour
1 T vanilla
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. baking soda
3 medium bananas, mashed
3/4 c. chopped nuts, optional
1 cup (or more) chocolate chips

Grease 9x5 loaf pan. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix well. Add cream cheese, flour, soda, vanilla bananas, nutmeg, chocolate chips and nuts. Mix well. Pour into prepared loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Hot? Cold? You choose!

This recipe called for chicken, but when my chicken went past its due date, I opted to make it without. And, it was such a good accident! I LOVED this the day of and ate it cold for the next few days! Honestly, I think I liked it better cold...especially when I chopped up grapes and put them inside! It tasted like that yummy salad from Cafe Max! :) Enjoy! Creamy Pasta Primavera
3 cups penne pasta, uncooked
2 Tbsp. Zesty Italian Dressing
2 zucchini, cut into chunks
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) 1/3 Less Fat than Cream Cheese, cubed
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat dressing in large skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and vegetables; cook 10 to 12 min. or until chicken is cooked through, stirring frequently. Add broth and cream cheese; cook 1 min. or until cheese is melted, stirring constantly. Add Parmesan cheese; mix well.
Drain pasta; return to pot. Add chicken and vegetable mixture; toss lightly. Cook 1 min. or until heated through. (Sauce will thicken upon standing.)

A Jan-Kay Flash Back

Every summer my church went to Jan-Kay Ranch for church camp. It brings back such great memories. And, every year, they would serve Monkey Bread! We would all get so excited when we'd see the coffee cans full of this yummy goodness on the tables!!! The one I made seemed a little different, but I think the second recipe is the actual one we ate! :) I'll have to try it next time! All I know is that they're both YUM!!!...

Monkey Bread (or Breakfast Pull Apart Cake)
2 cans buttermilk biscuits
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 T cinnamon
1 stick butter
1 c. pecans, chopped (optional)

Put sugar and cinnamon in baggie and shake. Cut biscuits into fourths. Dip biscuit pieces into melted butter. Drop in baggie with sugar and cinnamon mix. Shake until coated. Roll in pecans, Place around bottom of Bundt pan, stacking and layering to the top. Bake at 325 for 30 to 40 minutes.
Monkey Bread
1/2 c. margarine
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. chopped nuts
1 T Cinnamon
3 cans biscuits

Spray bundt pan. Melt margarine in bowl. Mix sugars, nuts and cinnamon in another bowl. Cut each biscuit into fourths. Roll each in sugar. Place balls in pan and drizzle with butter over 1st layer. (1 can) Repeat with other two cans. Sprinkle remaining sugar over the top. Bake 30-35. Cool 1-2 minutes. Take out and serve!!!

Chocolate+Peanut Butter =GOOD!

Here's another good one from Kraft. Their picture is SO much prettier than mine...but, it was SUPER yummy, none the less! And, layered things always remind me of that Friends episode with Joey eating Rachel's layered dessert. Remember it? "Custard...good...jam...good...meat...GOOD!!!"

Enjoy!!!...

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Eclair Dessert

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
1-3/4 cups cold milk
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
24 Graham Crackers
6 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate
3 Tbsp. butter

Beat pudding mix and milk in large with whisk 2 min. Add peanut butter; mix well. Stir in Cool Whip. Layer 1/3 of the grahams and half the pudding mixture in 13x9-inch dish, breaking grahams as necessary to fit. Repeat layers. Top with remaining grahams. Microwave chocolate and butter in microwaveable bowl on high for 2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Spread over grahams.
Refrigerate 8 hours. (Or freeze for about 1 hour)

Who doesn't love a good taco salad?

Tangy Taco Salad

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen corn, thawed
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix
torn romaine lettuce
1 can black beans
tomatoes, chopped
Mexican Style Shredded Cheese (I forgot to use this!)
Thousand Island Dressing
Salsa
Tortilla Chips

Brown meat in large skillet with seasoning mix; drain, if necessary. Stir in corn and black beans. (or prepare separately and serve buffet style.) Place chips on bottom of plate. Add lettuce, meat, beans, corn, salsa, and Thousand Island Dressing. Top with cheese.

Go Cowboys!

In an attempt to get excited about football season, I made some football themed rice krispy treats for some friends that came over for the first game in the new stadium. Sadly, they did not turn out as cute as I envisioned (the outcome was about as good as the game), but they tasted EVEN better...and we had a great time! :) ...I totally forgot about the yumminess of these little treats! They're definitely under-rated! ...
Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

1 stick of margarine
1 bag of marshmallows
1/2 cup of peanut butter
Rice Krispy cereal

Melt butter in large pan on stove top. Add marshmallows and peanut butter. Stir constantly until melted. Take off heat and stir in cereal until reach desired consistency. Spread into 9x13 pan. Let cool and cut into shapes. Decorate with gel icing...or let your husband do it! :)

Matt's masterpiece with the "scraps!"...
The offical taste tester approved...

Better than a candle!

On our Apple Fun Day, Quinn and I made homemade applesauce. I always loved making this when I was a "real" teacher and loved making it with my littlest student as well. Sadly, he had more fun making it than eating it, but I think it is SUPER good! I served it over vanilla ice cream. And, I loved the way it made my house smell! :) ... So Fall! ...

No, that's not mashed potatoes with gravy! :) ...

Homemade Applesauce

5-7 apples, sliced and peeled
1 cup of water
Apple Pie Spice
1 cup (or more) of sugar

Slice and peel 5 to 7 apples. (I used mainly granny smith but threw in a gala and a golden delicious!) Pour 1 cup of water into bottom of crock pot. Add apples. Pour in sugar and Apple Pie Spice. Stir and let cook for a few hours on low heat. Stir again. After apples have softened, mash with potato masher. Add more sugar and Apple Pie Spice if needed. Eat plain or serve over ice cream!

Apple Day Breakfast

Here's what I served Q and I for breakfast on "Apple Day!" It was REALLY good, and I'll for sure be making it again!
Apple Pizza

bagels
apples
cream cheese
apple butter
cinnamon

Toast bagels. Spread on cinnamon & brown sugar cream cheese. (or whatever kind you prefer) Spread on apple butter. Top with very thin sliced apples. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

Comfort Foods, Here We Come!!!

Even though Fall is DEFINITELY not here yet (I'm still crazy sweating in this Texas heat), school being back in session has made me ready for Fall foods! And, this new recipe was quick and easy...and YUM! Matt said he'd eat it again for sure!
Super Stuffed Potatoes

4 small potatoes (2-¼ lb.)
1 lb. ground beef
¼ lb. (4 oz.) Velveeta, cut into ½-inch cubes
1 small tomato, chopped
2 green onions, sliced
½ cup Sour Cream

PRICK potatoes in several places with fork. Microwave on HIGH 14 min. or just until tender, turning after 7 min. MEANWHILE, brown meat in large skillet; drain. Add VELVEETA, tomatoes and onions; cook until VELVEETA is melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. SPLIT potatoes; mash insides with fork. Top with meat mixture and sour cream.

Add it to the list...

I got this out of the new Kraft magazine and LOVED it! It's one I'll make again, FOR SURE!

Almond Chicken & Rice

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1/4 cup KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade, divided
1-1/4 cups fat-free reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup instant white rice, uncooked
1/4 cup Sliced Almonds, toasted, divided

COOK chicken in 2 Tbsp. dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 4 min. on each side or until evenly browned. STIR in broth, garlic powder and remaining dressing; bring to boil. Cover; simmer 5 min or until chicken is done (165ºF). Remove chicken; cover to keep warm.
ADD broccoli to skillet; cook, uncovered, 3 min. Stir in rice and 3 Tbsp. nuts. Remove from heat; cover. Let stand 7 min. Serve chicken over rice; top with remaining nuts.

Is it BAD that I fed this to my TWO year old?

I guess if you ate enough, you COULD get a little drunk? Doesn't the alcohol cook out of things? Who knows? Who cares!!! It's quite possibly the best bread I've ever had! And, seriously easy! Thanks, Rachel, for sharing!!!
Beer Bread
3 C self rising flour
3 T sugar (or more if you like your bread sweet)
1 bottle of beer (I used Michelob Ultra)
1/2 stick of butter

Mix all ingredients together. Pour in greased 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Melt 1/2 stick of butter and pour over the top. Bake for an additional 10 minutes. EAT and ENJOY! I promise, you will!