casseroles · Chicken · comfort food · Dinner · rice · Uncategorized

Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

I saw this on Instagram from @momontimeout.  She has some amazing recipes.  I found this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli and Rice Casserole recipe on her website, and decided that we needed something comforting.

I modified it a bit…but these are the ingredients I used:

2 cups of Rotisserie Chicken – chunked
2 cups broccoli – frozen
2 cups cooked rice
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheese
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cups Ritz Crackers, crushed
1/4 cup of dried, chopped onions
2 teaspoons of unsalted butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9×13 pan with non-stick cooking spray.Mix all of the ingredients but the crackers, dried onion and butter.  Spread into the 9×13 pan.Sprinkle the crackers over the top, and drizzle the melted butter.Bake at 30-35 minutes until cooked through.Sprinkle with the cut parsley. Serve and enjoy.David’s plate, and he had seconds and thirds.My plate and I didn’t eat all of it, as it was warm, hearty and creamy. It is definitely more of a Fall or Winter meal.

Blessings.

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comfort food · Dinner · FoodTV · Potato · The Kitchen · Uncategorized · Vegetables

Salt Potatoes

I am in love with these potatoes.  The Kitchen showcased these last week, and we had small potatoes so I had to make them, right?

Wash and place potatoes in a pot.  Cover with cold water.Add one cup of Kosher Salt (yes, a whole cup).Bring to a boil, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are fork tender.They used fresh chives, and I had dried chives so that is what I used.  1/4 cup of chives, and a stick of unsalted butter melted.When the potatoes are done (fork tender), drain, and let dry on a sheet pan for about 5-8 minutes (do not pat dry or wipe off the salt).Place potatoes in a bowl (they should still be hot).  Pour butter and chive mixture over the potatoes.  Gently stir to coat the potatoes.These are NOT salty at all.  I will add black pepper next time, and fresh chives, but for items we had on hand–supper yummy.  I served these with a rib-eye steak and salad.

Blessings.

Appetizers · Chicken · comfort food · dips · Uncategorized

Jalapeno Chicken Dip

I had a friend bless me with a home grown jalapeno, several actually.  I gave most of them to co-workers, but kept one medium sized for me.

David doesn’t like jalapeno’s at all, so this was a selfish treat for me.

I had made it years ago, and it is super easy.

1 small can chicken, drained
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, and chopped
1 brick of cream cheese
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

Soften the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds to a minute.  Add the rest of the ingredients. Thoroughly combine the ingredients, and microwave for about 2 minutes (to cook).If you prefer, you can bake for about ten minutes at 400 degrees in a oven safe dish.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!

comfort food · FoodTV · Mom · pasta · Uncategorized

Macaroni Salad

My Mom used to make this macaroni salad when she didn’t make her German Potato Salad.  Food Network published this recipe.

Well…once again cravings took over. I made my salad and was quite pleased with how it turned out.  Elbow noodles – cook per box instructions leaving al dente, drain and cool.Chopped three stalks of celery, and green onions.  I sliced four radishes as well.Add a quarter cup of apple cider vinegar, half of cup of mayonnaise, and yellow mustard to taste.   I also added two boiled eggs, chopped.  Mix all of the ingredients together, and add salt and pepper to taste.It was not my mother’s, and certainly not the recipe from the Food Network, but it was so good.Sprinkle with paprika…or not.  Just eat it.

Let me know if you try it?

Blessings.

 

Appetizers · comfort food · dips · FoodTV · Junk food · Uncategorized · Vegetables

Baked Artichokes and Ricotta

Geoffrey Zakarian showcased this recipe on the Kitchen.  I didn’t follow the recipe completely, but it turned out really nice.

I varied the recipe with what I had:

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 cup olives, pitted

1 cup white wine

1/4 cup capers

6 artichokes (from a jar stored in water)

1 to 2 cups of marinara sauce

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft but not browned, about 5 minutes. Add the olives, white wine and capers and cook about 2 minutes.  Add the artichokes, and stir.   Place in a oven safe dish.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Add about two cups of the marinara sauce to the top of the mixture.  Bake for about ten minutes then drop dollops of the ricotta cheese on each artichoke, then top with the grated Pecorino. Bake in the oven covered for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.I really thought this was going to be salty, but it wasn’t.  The ricotta made it creamy, and the white wine, and olives made it tangy.  It was good.

David didn’t think he was going to enjoy this dip at all, but he did.  So, I think I will make it again.

Blessings.

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Chicken · children · comfort food · Uncategorized · WLS

Roasted Cornish Hen

Comfort food, but simplified.  One Cornish hen, cut in half, patted dry.

Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Use very little olive oil and brush both sides. Lay them in an oven safe dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes rated until done.

You don’t have to turn them or baste. Just don’t over cook them as they will become dry.

My plate with a spoon full of cauliflower rice. These are indulgent for me as it seems as though I am eating a lot of chicken. I couldn’t even eat all of this piece.

Blessings.

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · cheese · Chicken · comfort food · food · FoodTV · friends · Fruit · Ham · Lamb · Pork · Recipes · Sauce · Uncategorized · WLS

Cherry Bourbon Sauce

I had gotten several quarts of Bing cherries at the store the other day, and I am the only one in the house that eats them.  I can’t eat very many, so I needed to look for something to do with the majority of them.  I came across several recipes from Michael Symon, and decided to try the Cherry Bourbon Sauce.

I first had to figure out how to get the pit out of the cherry first, because I don’t own a cherry picker.  I know, most people don’t own one of those either.  I discovered that you can use a large paper clip (opened up).  It worked.  It was messy, but it worked.And, yes my fingernails are still stained! So, the recipe called for the following:  cup of bourbon, 1/4 red wine vineager, orange peel, juice from orange, salt and pepper.  David had exactly one cup of Bourbon left…it was a sign…it was meant to be used for this recipe! Bring to boil the bourbon, vinegar, juice from the two oranges (and peels).  Note: I added an additional 1/4 cup of vinegar, and cinnamon stick, and a bay leaf.  Simmer for ten minutes or reduced by half, then add the cherries.Let cool, and place into jars.  I partially filled two jars.  One will be a gift (birthday), and the other to be served over chicken or pork…whatever I can come up with in the next couple of weeks.  This will keep in the refrigerator for over a month, and can be served with cheese, or meat.

I am super excited to try this…with another post.

Blessings.

 

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · comfort food · football · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Pigs in a Blanket

Saturdays are football days, and even with my weight loss surgery I still like to have not so great for me food.  Pigs in a Blanket are yummy, little snack bites that are really easy to make.  One container of crescent rolls, and a package of lil’ smokies.  Roll out the dough, and press the seams together, then cut into smaller strips.  Place the sausage in the middle and roll.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until done.  My plate with some of the ones with not a lot of bread on them.  Had to have them with Dijon mustard.  David loves his with Ketchup.  Satisfied my craving, and on the cool day, something warm.

What are your go to snacks for Fall?

Blessings.

comfort food · fried noodles · Recipes

Comfort Food

Everyone has a comfort food.  Many of us have several comfort foods. 

Leftover noodles is one of mine, but they have to be fried. 
I know not the healthiest, but it is something my Mom always did.

Leftover wide egg noodles (that were served with Rouladen).
Place the noodles in a hot pan, add some butter and season salt.
And cook, leave them alone and hear the sizzle.
After about 8 to 10 minutes, turn over the noodles, browning or crisping the other side.
Add eggs.  (I generally use two for a larger amount of noodles.)
Stir quickly to coat the noodles with the eggs.
Cook until the egg is done.
I served this with some leftover Rouladen.  
But sometimes just fried noodles are perfect.
Enjoy!