Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken

Do you ever have one of those days where you just need a go to, easy, comfort food kind of recipe for dinner?  If so I have just the solution.  Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken.  Yall this casserole is like crack.  I am not kidding.  It is so good!  Every time I say I am going to make it for dinner, the kids AND Trey request that I make extra and freeze it so we have it on hand.  No Lie!  Just tonight I made three!  Which is a bonus for those times when you have a friend in need, you can be there for them and drop off one of these babies with some salad and brownies!  BAM!  You have done your good deed and they will LOVE it!

My dear friend Andrea did just that for us when we were in a time of need and it brought us so much comfort and EVERYONE loved so I asked for the recipe.   When I saw how easy it was, I was like, "JACKPOT!  EASY AND DELICIOUS!"  So the next time you are having one of those days like I did today, pull this recipe up and give it a whirl.  I promise everyone will thank you!

INGREDIENTS:

1 Chopped onion (I literally buy the onion that the store chops up for you in the deli!  So easy and no tears!)

1 Can of rotel (we like the one with lime juice and cilantro)

1 can each of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup

2 cups of chopped up cooked chicken (again I take the easy road and buy the rotisserie chicken already cooked at the store and cut it up)

Corn Tortillas

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Prep:

Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish.  Cut your corn tortilla's into strips.  In a mixing bowl, mix your onion, rotel, soup, and chicken.  Next layer your strips of tortilla's, soup and chicken mixture, and cheese, repeat.  On the cheese my family LOVES their cheese so we use a ton so I always tell people use what your family likes.

Bake in a preheated oven on 350 for 25 minutes covered.  Take the foil off and cook 5 more minutes.  IF you miss this step, I promise it is no big deal.  Trust me I have missed it a number of times!  

Serve with a salad.

For those of you who want to double or triple the recipe you will freeze your casseroles and if cooking frozen you will cook on 350, covered with foil, for the normal 30 minutes plus add 45 minutes.  During the final 15 minutes you can remove the foil.  

If you do freeze, I highly suggest you allowing it time to thaw, but it is not a problem if you cannot.  Just cook like I stated above.  If you have time to thaw you will cook as if you just made it.  

So there you have it!  Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken!  Give it a try!  I would love to know if you like it!

xo,

Amy

  

Yummy Pizza Bread

Want a recipe that will knock everyone's socks off?  If so, read on, because boy do I have it!  It is my mother in laws Pizza Bread.   My first time to experience this was in January of 1992.  It was Trey and I's second date and he brought me this bread and I fell in love!  Not only with him, but with the pizza bread!   I promise you this recipe is a crowd pleaser and EVERYONE who tries it will be asking, "How can I get my hands on this recipe!"   

Not only is this recipe delicious it is VERY easy and VERY fast.  There is one TINY detail and that is you have to let the frozen dough thaw and rise, but I promise it is worth it!  

INGREDIENTS

Frozen loaves of Bread.  You find these in the frozen food section next to the sister schubert rolls.  They usually come three to a pack, but Kroger actually carries them 5 to a pack which is perfect for my family of boys!

Hard salami cut into pieces

pepperoni

mozzarella

parmesan

olive oil

salt to taste

Ranch dressing for dipping

PREPERATION

Place your frozen dough on a cookie sheet and let thaw and rise

When ready to bake, roll out your dough flat, use flour to keep from sticking to rolling pin.

Once flat layer with cheese, salami, cheese, pepperoni, and one more layer of cheese (I usually do first and third layer mozzarella, and second layer parmesan)

Roll sides up to make a big calzone like loaf

Brush with olive oil and salt and put three slits in it for air

Bake at 350 of 30 minutes

Use Ranch for dipping

I promise you, EVERYONE will LOVE this! So if you are looking for something easy to bring to a party or to feed a crowd, look no further!  Pizza Bread is the answer!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

xo,

Amy

What's for dinner

www.primalmom.com

With Thanksgiving right in front of us followed by all the Christmas parties and Christmas, I really need to be watching what I eat.  I tried another Primal Mom recipe and my family LOVED it!   I did it a little differently than she does, simply because I hate cooking meat on my stove in a pan, so I tried baking our chicken and it was amazing!  You should try it too!  It is super easy and very fresh and delish!  You can also make each kid's plate right to their liking which is always great in this house!

PRIMAL MOM TOMATO MOZZARELLA SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

4 Chicken Breast

grape tomatoes (you will plate these and can use however many each person desires)

2 cucumbers or more if your family loves cucumber

1 Tablespoon Dried Basil

1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley

2 Tablespoons real Kerry Gold Butter

4 Cups Mixed Greens or more if you have a lot of rabbits at your table

1 Cup Pistachios

Mozzarella

Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

First step in baking the most delicious chicken is brining it.  Yep you heard me.  I always brine my chicken.  It is so easy too.  Just fill a large bowl with warm water and salt and let the salt dissolve.  Add your chicken and let it sit there for 15 minutes.  I have been known to put mine in the frigelator for 6 hours and it is unbelievable! 

Next cut the chicken breast in half.  Melt your butter in a bowl and add your basil and parsley and brush over your chicken.  You can then salt and pepper to your liking. 

Now I like to cook my chicken on high, but you do what your family prefers.  I preheat my oven to 450 degrees and cook those babies for about 18 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked (160-170 degrees F).

While the chicken is cooking you can cut up your tomatoes, chop your cucumbers, and cut up your mozzarella into chunks.

When all is done you will evenly plate each plate with the greens.  Top each with the chicken, tomatoes, cucumbers, pistachios and cheese. 

And if your family is like mine, some will get greens, some will not.  Some will get tomatoes some will not.  Each plate you can build however you heart desires.  

Such a fresh and healthy meal that has something for ALMOST everyone!

Hope you enjoy! 

Tell me what you are eating that is healthy these days?  I would love to know!

xo,

Amy 

Ju Ju's Taco Soup

It's Fall Baby!  Time for the leaves to fall, the weather to change, and time for SOUP!  I love me some soup y'all!  And Ju Ju's taco soup is just the thing I needed to welcome in brisk cool air of fall!  I love it!!!!! I think you will too!  Give it a whirl and let me know your thoughts!  I bet it makes you Happy!

Ju Ju's Taco Soup

Ingredients:

1 Lb Ground beef,  Olive Oil, Onion, garlic, 2 cans ranch style pinto beans (my family prefers one with Jalapeños  and one without) 1 can corn, 1 can chopped green chilies, 1 package of ranch dressing, 1 package of taco seasoning mix, 1 can of stewed tomatoes or 2 can’s of rotel. If you do 1 can of stewed tomatoes then use 1 can of rotel (I prefer the one with lime in it) and we prefer 2 cans of rotel because the tomatoes are chopped up better. 1 can of water and 1 beer of choice (and no it is not to drink!). Pepper and Lawrys season salt.

Place 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil in a big pot, Throw in one chopped onion and as much chopped garlic as your family would like.  Let those soften a little then throw your ground beef in and brown. Next dump every can in and do not drain.  Throw in your seasoning packets and as much salt and pepper as your family would like for taste.  Add your beer of choice and one extra can of water and let it simmer.

When you go to serve garnish with Shredded Cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, and chives and serve it up with a nice slice of cornbread!  Oh so Good!  

What kind of soup do you like?  I would love to know!

xo,

Amy

Gramzee's Chili

Don't you just love the fall?  I do!  The leaves begin to change, the air is crisp, and football season is in high gear.  Whenever I think of football and fall I think of frito pie!  Boy do I love me some frito pie! Especially when the recipe involves my Mother in Laws Chili!  You guys, this Chili is so good and so easy to make!  I changed it just a tad bit in that instead of water I add a can of beer, but you can do whatever is best for your family.  Over here we like the beer!  (Ha, I am a poet and I did not even know it!)

GRAMZEE'S CHILI

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons Oil (I use olive oil)

1 Cup of Chopped onions

1 clove of garlic (I use crushed garlic and a ton)

1lb ground beef

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can ranch style beans (we like the can with jalapenos)

1 can of water (we use beer here)

1 teaspoon paprika

2 Tablespoons chili powder

Instructions:

In a large pot saute your garlic and onion in your oil.  When onions are transparent add your ground beef and brown.  Once cooked throw in your tomatoes, ranch style beans, water (or beer), paprika, and chili powder.  Let simmer until ready to serve.

FRITO PIE:

If in the mood for the frito pie you will need the following:

fritos

shredded cheese

onions

jalapenos

In a bowl place your chili and top with any and all of the above.  I promise you will LOVE it!  This is so good and so easy to make! 

I made this Halloween night for 32 plus people (I tripled the recipe) and it was easy and everyone really enjoyed it!  I hope you do too!  Let me know what some of your fall favorites are for feeding a crowd!  I would love to know!

xo,

Amy

What can we Whip up this Wednesday?

Halloween is behind us and the crash from all the sugar is upon us!  Lord help me!  If you are like me, today you are exhausted and just want something easy and healthy for dinner.  Something   that will not create a lot of mess in the kitchen and fuss amongst the multiple taste buds in your house... I HAVE IT!  I can share with you what we do in my house, because we have just that!  Multiple tastebuds to please:  Some who love this and some who love that!  So I need a dish that can be versatile and make everyone happy AND be SUPER DUPER easy for my tired body.

I got this dish from Six Sisters Stuff and it will not disappoint!  It is DELISH!  

www.sixsistersstuff.com

INGREDIENTS:  

2 LBS of flank steak, 1 teaspoon minced garlic ( I used crushed garlic) , 1/4 cup soy sauce (I used coconut aminos because I don't like soy sauce), 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, 2 Tablespoons lime juice, 2 cups COOKED rice (we do white in our family but I am sure brown is great too) 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 2 cups pico de gallo, 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, 1 cup guacamole (central market's is amazing)  1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1/2 bunch chopped cilantro for topping

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Slice steak into 1/4 inch strips

2. In a resealable gallon-ziplock bag, combine steak, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, and lime juice.  Marinade in the frigelator for at least 1 hour (it taste better the longer it marinates). 

3. Remove steak from the marinade and pan fry over medium heat until it is cooked all the way through.

4. evenly distribute the cooked steak, rice, romaine lettuce, pico, black beans, guacamole, and shredded cheese.  

5. Top with cilantro and lime juice                                                                 

MAKES 4 BOWLS.  IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND ARE FEEDING HUNGRY BOYS I DOUBLE THIS RECIPE!  SO GOOD

ALTERNATE WAY TO COOK STEAK IF DO NOT LIKE DOING IN A FRYING PAN:

 I hate the way I smell after I fry anything.....I have found an alternate way to cook the steak that I personally love!

For this you will need a cast iron skillet and do not cut the steak before you marinate it.  

preheat oven to 450.  Once at 450 put your pan empty in the oven for 30 minutes.  Once the pan is nice and hot place your marinated meat in the pan and put back in the oven for 5 minutes flip it and cook for 3-4 minutes or to your liking.  We like our meat medium rare so I usually do 4 minutes. Slice your meat into thin slices and follow the rest of the recipe.

And if your house is like mine you can make each bowl to each hearts desire.  For instance, my man/boy only likes beans, rice, meat and cheese.....so that is how he gets his....and everyone is happy!

Enjoy!

What are you cooking these days that is super easy during these busy times?  I would love to know! 

xo,

Amy

3 Ingredient Breakfast Sausage Balls

I am not an expert when it comes to cooking or nutrition. But, I read a lot about it, I hear a lot about it, I try to apply it, but the truth is I LOVE MY BUBBA'S FRIED CHICKEN!  

In all honesty, I do live my life by the rule of everything in moderation. I am not a diet nazi, but I do TRY....I use that word loosely, as I do get LAZY.

They say breakfast is your most important meal....and then some say no, do the fast. I have no idea which way is best, nor will I even try to pretend I do.  What I can tell you is.... for ME personally, BREAKFAST is important. And honestly for my family, too.

I have that condition you hear of: HANGRY.

When my blood sugar drops, well let's just say it is not pretty and my dear alter ego, Tawanda, rears her ugly head. So today I thought I would share with you and easy recipe that I got from my friend at Primal Mom....(You can find her on Facebook...tell her I sent you!)

This recipe is STUPID easy!  I mean seriously people!  ANYONE can do this...my six year old helps me!  And bonus it is only 3 ingredients!  Yep you heard me!  3!!!!!  So easy peasy lemon squeasy!  And double bonus....it is healthy!  And triple bonus you can make today and store in the frigelator (this is our John Paulism for refrigerator)!  So what are you waiting for...Let's get to cooking and you and I will both have breakfast made for the week!

Ingredients:

1lb natural pork sausage (confession time...I have used regular pork sausage)

1 cup grassfed grated cheese (here is another confession...I have been known to use regular cheese)

1 cup Almond flour

Mix all ingredients together and make little balls or put into tiny muffin pans and bake at 350 for 35 minutes.....

SOOOO FINGER LOOKING GOOD!

Bon appetit!

xo,

amy

Quick and Healthy | A 15-minute Dinner

Quick and Healthy: Music to my ears!

So as a mother of three very active boys I am always looking for quick and healthy go-to meals, and man have I found one!  

This is not my personal recipe, though, I played with it a bit for my family’s likes and dislikes, but I did get it from The Primal Mom on Facebook.  If you have not checked her stuff out yet you really should.  

The first time I did one of her 30 day Challenges, not only did my waistline benefit, but my skin and hair, and my family benefited!  BONUS!  So you really should check her out if you are looking to transform your eating habits.  I still cannot say we are strictly primal, but I can say we are much healthier, thanks in part to Primal Mom!

This recipe is perfect for those nights when you are so sick of the crockpot that you could bury it!

I don't know how I live without my crockpot, but their are days where I just want to kick that thing!  Yesterday was one of those days!  We had dance, acting, soccer, flag football and homework.  So i pulled out this recipe and started cooking around 6:30 and was done by 6:45 and everyone got a health meal! So take a look at the recipe and see if it is something your family might enjoy.  But like my mama always said:

"You won't know till you try it!"

Paleo Turkey Squash Recipe

Ingredients

1lb Ground Turkey

2-4 yellow squash (I usually do one zucchini and one squash, her recipe calls for 4 squash),

1 lb of bacon (Can I get an amen! Love me some Bacon)

8 Mushrooms (your choice)

2 small onions

2 celery stalks

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons dried cilantro

2 limes

Prep

Slice squash into thin medallions, chop bacon into small pieces, chop mushrooms, chop onion, chop celery (SECRET, you can buy your onion and celery already chopped and if you have an HEB near you they have them chopped and packaged together in the deli!)

Cooking Instructions

In a large skillet or large pot, cook bacon pieces.  When done, remove bacon from the pan and set aside. (try not to eat it all!  That is always our problem!) LEAVE THE BACON GREASE IN THE PAN.  

Next using the same pan, on medium heat, add the squash slices, onion and celery (I add mushrooms here because my family is not crazy about mushrooms and if add them early they cook down and are smaller so harder to see :)  

Saute 5 minutes.  Remove from pan and set aside with the bacon.  

Using the same pan, add ground turkey and cook 5-7 minutes, until no longer pink.  

Once turkey is cooked, add mushrooms if you have not already, plus parsley, coriander, cumin, garlic powder and cilantro.  Mix well.  

Add squash and bacon mixture that you have set aside and mix well.  Cover the pan and turn down heat to simmer for 5 minutes.  

Plate turkey squash.  Squeeze lime over the dish.  Done!  (Now with the lime, Will, Trey and I get the lime.  JP and Graeme do not....you have to do what is best for your families tastebuds.)

Hope you enjoy this dish as much as my family does.