FOOD FRIDAY # 7

Chicken Bake

6-8 chicken tenders or 3-4 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup sour cream
1 16oz bag of mixed frozen veggies (or I like to mix just frozen peas and corn)
(you can also use 1 can of veggies if that's all you have)
1 box stuffing mix

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare the stuffing as directed on the box. In a separate bowl combine the soup, sour cream, veggies and chicken. Grease a 9x9 pan. Pour the chicken/sour cream/veggie/soup mix into pan and spread evenly. Top with prepared stuffing. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes.

Note: I've always used a glass pan, so cooking time may vary if you use a dark non-stick pan. If you use another type of pan, cook it until the chicken is done and the sauce has thickened.

Boys walk girls to their cars. . .

It was our nephew's birthday yesterday and I went to visit. He turned 4. As I was walking out the door to leave, my brother told my nephew to walk me to my car. He hesitated so I said goodbye and left. Just as I pulled out of the driveway and started to pull down the street I saw him run out the door. He ran down the steps, stopped by the driveway, looked up at me and then hung his head down as he saw I was already in the car. I rolled down the window and asked him if he was leaving to go out to dinner with his parents. He didn't answer. Then, he said to me, "Boys are supposed to take girls to their cars." I told him it was OK and he said, "But you already got to your car." He had the saddest face ever and his head was still hanging. I asked if he wanted me to get out of my car, go back in the house and have him walk me to my car? His face lit up and he yelled "yeah!" So, I got out of the car, walked back into the house and then he proceeded to walked me to my car. . . .because "Boys are supposed to take girls to their cars."

FOOD FRIDAY #6

Enchiladas (easy and tasty)

Chicken:

8 chicken tenders or 3-4 chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2-1 (small) can green chiles (to your taste)

Cook chicken in crock-pot with tomatoes and green chiles for about 6 hours, until cooked and will shred. Shred chicken. Note: When I cook my chicken I always make sure there is liquid covering it completely before I start it so it doesn't dry out. So, once you pour the tomatoes and chiles (including juice) over it . . .if it doesn't cover the chicken, add a little water until the liquid does cover chicken completely.

6 large flour tortillas (I like the Costco ones that are raw)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 can enchilada sauce (or use 1 1/2 cups of your own) I like Old El Paso Brand, red
shredded chicken from above

Cook your tortillas (or warm them if using pre-cooked). Grease a 13x9 pan. Use 1/4 cup sauce and 1 cup cheese to fill all six tortillas evenly. Fill each tortilla evenly with chicken, cheese and enchilada sauce. Fold in top of tortillas and then fold over the sides and place fold side down in pan. Cover with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until cheese melts and warmed through.

You can do variations of this recipe by adding tomatoes, peppers, olives, a little salsa verde or anything else you would like inside.

Don't forget to look at Food Friday #5 (below) too!

Brady said I had to see Avatar. I resisted for months, but last weekend we went with Brooke & Cody. It was only playing in 3D at Hollywood Connection so we headed out there. I think we look pretty good in our 3D glasses, don't you?

And, guess what? My husband was dead on and yes, he does know me very well. He said he knew I would love it if I just gave it a chance.

And I DID!!! I LOVED AVATAR. There, I admit it.

FOOD FRIDAY #5

A little story comes along with this recipe. Those of you who know me well know that I am kinda picky about what I eat. As I am getting older, ha ha, I am broadening my horizons of food.

Yet, I still have some things I just can't stand.

From a poem Linda, my mother-in-law, read at our wedding she captures my odd eating habits.

"Now, there is one subject, Brady has no intent of being rude

But he says you don't have much in common when it comes to food

Becca does not eat eggs, seafood, salad dressings of any kind

No sauces, condiments or tomatoes on her sandwiches you'll find."

Now, guess what? There is a salad dressing I will eat. And it comes from the recipe I will share today.

My friend Kaci made this salad for the wedding shower she did for me and I loved it!

Life changing, I tell you what!

So, thank you Kaci for changing my life.

She says this recipe is from her mom, but let's give both of them credit.

Thanks Bobbi Green and Kaci for this amazing recipe.

Cran Raisin Salad

2 pkg European blend lettuce (also called Spring Mix)

1 head iceberg lettuce

1 cup craisins

1 cup sugared almonds

1 cup mozzarella or jack cheese (finely shredded)

1 lb bacon (fried and crumbled)

5 chicken breasts or 12 chicken tenders (optional)

Notes:

Costco has a spring mix lettuce that works great. Use half the pack for one recipe or the whole box for double the recipe.

I sugar my own almonds. Super easy. Put them in a bowl and run hands under water and then through the almonds so they become wet. Pour about 4 tbsp sugar over them and coat evenly. Heat skillet to medium, spray with Pam and cook 1/2 cup almonds at a time, just until lightly browned. You know they are done when they cool and they are crunchy.

I boil the chicken for this salad. Boil in an 8 quart pan (or whatever you have) with 1 cube chicken bouillon for 45 minutes. Drain, let cool and shred.

Dressing

1/2 red onion (chopped up slightly)

1 cup sugar

2 tsp dry mustard

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1 cup vegetable oil

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. (It looks like a smoothie when done)

This is great for parties and showers. Everyone seems to love this salad. I will usually prepare the almonds, cheese, bacon and chicken the day before and put them in the refrigerator overnight. I make the dressing and chop lettuce a couple hours before and refrigerate it until ready to serve. This way all the ingredients are cool when you put it together. Just before guests arrive mix all ingredients and put dressing on as close to serving as possible.

My sister in law suggested I start adding pics to the food blogs. This is the salad the the last shower I threw. Sorry, the salad is tiny, but at least there is an example!

Peaches

Last night we ate dinner with Peaches and her family.
In case you don't know, Peaches is my brother and sister in law's new baby.
But, her name isn't really Peaches. . .it's Whitney, long story.
Anyway, I bought Chuck a ring pop at Walgreens.
We had to run an errand for his mom.
We ran like crazy back and forth to the car in the sleet.
And I got sopping up to my calves anyway.
Brades and I got home and plopped down to watch the Jazz game.
Brady Jay said. . ."You'll be asleep within an hour guaranteed.
It's one of those nights, I can tell."
It was 8pm.
And, he was right. I was asleep by 8:30pm
Maybe me and Peaches should hang out more. . .
Cause we love to sleep.

Yes, I realize my grammar is incorrect in this post. I guess I speak that way in real life sometimes.

FOOD FRIDAY # 4

Gotta explain this recipe real quick. My mom ALWAYS made tacos like this growing up. . .I didn't know there was any other way they came (ha ha). I love them this way! And, Brady has become a real fan too (cause this is the way I make them for him, naturally). So, here's a little twist for your tacos.

TACOS (Chris's Style)

1 lb ground beef
1 package Taco Seasoning
1 can refried beans (I use vegetarian, fat free)
1/2 cup water

Brown ground beef and pour off fat (My mom taught me a sweet way to do this. If you make corn with this meal, which I do, pour your fat into the empty can so it can solidify then throw it in the trash. You save your sink and a big mess!). Add refried beans, taco seasoning and water slowly. Mix thoroughly. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. Add more water to desired consistency, this is a thick mixture. Serve on soft or hard shell tacos with desired toppings.

Now, here's a challenge. Trust me on this one. Try it with ketchup on top instead of salsa. Come on, just try it! You just might like it.