Puppy Chow

Either this picture grosses you out, or it takes you back to 7th grade home-ec where you learned how to make friends by making treats.

I was so excited when my daughter told me she wanted to make puppy chow.  She is 13, and is just now starting to be interested in what goes on in the kitchen.  A little Betty in the making.  I love having her there to help with meals, and treats are even more fun to make together.

Puppy chow is a hit with everyone in our family and this big bowl disappeared pretty quick.  A perfect Sunday snack.

6 cups Crispix cereal
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar

*Pour cereal into a large bowl and set aside.  Melt butter, chocolate chips and peanut butter in a separate bowl in the microwave.  Stir well until all chips are melted.  Very carefully fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal.  Stir until all the pieces are coated, trying not to crunch them up.  Put the powdered sugar into a brown, paper grocery bag.  Carefully dump in cereal mixture and fold the bag securely.  Shake gently until all the cereal is covered in powdered sugar.  Turn out onto a cookie sheet to cool and then eat up!

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN CROCKPOT

I think the Pioneer Woman posted a recipe similar to this quite a while back, so credit for the idea goes to her. She does have some delicious and easy recipes that have never disappointed me. I love this one when it starts to get hot and you DEFINITELY don't want to turn on your oven for ANY reason.  There are endless seasonings you can use according to what flavors you like too.

1 whole fryer chicken, rinsed and patted dry

Take 3 generous pieces of aluminum foil and make them into a ball. Place these in the bottom of your crockpot. You will place the chicken on top of the foil so the chicken can roast and not cook in its own juices.

Season the outside of the chicken with any of the following, or think up your own. I used a mixture of Lemon Pepper with salt and some Italian Seasoning.  You could use Cajun or BBQ salt also. Get creative.  I used some minced garlic and put it between the skin and the meat of the chicken.  Place the chicken breast side up on top of the foil.  Tuck the legs up as good as you can so they have airflow under them.  Turn the crock pot on low and cook for 7-8 hours.  The chicken will be so tender, it will almost fall apart.  Use it any number of ways for any dish that needs chicken.  Or serve it sliced with a nice salad and some good crusty bread!

Chicken with life-changing sauce

I saw this recipe on The Girl Who Ate Everything and I almost died just looking at the picture.  I had never seen a sauce that looked or sounded so divine.  I am a sauce-loving kind of person...if it's the right kind of sauce. Well let me tell you something, this chicken, covered in this sauce is one of the best things I've ever tasted and I am not exaggerating.  I made it for my family and everyone (except my non-eater) loved it.  Clickety-click your way on over to her blog and make this dish asap.  You are so welcome.

Guacamole

 My avocados finally softened so I was able to make guacamole.  My husband and I couldn't stop eating it!  Nothing new around here.  When it comes to mexican food or ice cream we have no self-control.  I didn't use any recipe as a reference, just added ingredients that I like.  And like I said, we couldn't stop eating it.

Gaucamole

3 avocados
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped finely
4 roma tomatoes, diced
1 juice of lime
1 jalapeno or serrano chili, diced (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt, taste then add more if needed

Mash avocados then add rest of ingredients.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Carne Asada Tacos

Like I've said before, Albany doesn't have a lot of mexican restaurants to choose from.  With Cinco de Mayo being last Saturday, I was craving tacos and guacamole.  I fulfilled my taco craving but I'm still waiting for my avocados to soften to make the guac.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.  The marinade is full of flavor and spices.  It satisfied my craving for good tacos and made my husband happy.  He loves steak.  Muy bueno!

Carne Asada

• 3 pounds flank steak
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Place steak in a shallow dish or ziploc bag.  Mix all ingredients then pour over steak.  Marinate for 4 to 8 hours or overnight.  Cook on grill or grill pan.  Cut into thin slices.  Serve as tacos with pico de gallo, cheese and guacamole.

Ham Strata

I made this yummy breakfast casserole for a baby shower.  I put it together last night and baked it this morning.  Everyone at the shower loved it!  I will definitely be making this again.  

Ham Strata

3 cups shredded hash browns
3/4 cup grated cheese
1 cup cooked diced ham or bacon
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
4 beaten eggs
1 can evaporated milk (12oz)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

Grease a quart square baking dish or casserole dish.  Layer hash browns evenly on bottom. Sprinkle with cheese, ham and green onions.  In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper.  Pour over potato mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is set.

*Can be chilled or refrigerated overnight.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I haven't posted a recipe in months!  I feel like such a slacker.  But I've made a goal to do better so here's hoping I stick to it!  We were in Arizona for a few weeks and loved every second of it!  It was warm and sunny everyday!  Now we are back in Albany and it feels like winter.  Not really, but close.  Also, I came home to a kitchen with new counter tops, sink and painted walls.  Yep, my husband surprised me and I couldn't be happier about it!  I walk into my kitchen and just smile because I love it so much.

Anyways, about the recipe.  I make tortilla soup a lot and planned to make it yesterday.  I didn't have all the ingredients for the recipe I usually use so I did some googling and came up with this one.  It was easy and tasted so good!  

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 32oz box low sodium chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can green chiles (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped
3 Tbs. tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 to 4 corn tortillas, cut into small strips

Put all ingredients, except tortilla strips, in crockpot.  Cook on low all day or high for 4 to 6 hours.  When chicken is done, take out of crockpot and shred.  Add back into soup.  Add tortilla strips 30 minutes before serving.  Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and chips.