Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

When it's cold outside, nothing makes me happier then a bowl of soup.  My wonderful husband still argues that soup is not a meal.  But he still eats it and then some more....  One of my favorite soups has to be Chicken Noodle soup.  Last night I made Chicken Noodle Soup with a twist.  I made a creamy version of this soup and it was heavenly.  I don't know if I will ever go back to the normal (noncreamy) version of Chicken Noodle soup because this was so tasty! Granted, heavy whipping cream isn't real healthy, but every once in a while never hurt anyone.  There are a lot of dimensions to this recipe because you have to cook this in that pot and then cook the noodles in a different pot and then you have to make the cream sauce in a different pot.  Be ready to do some extra dishes with this meal.  I promise you, it will be worth the extra dishes! If you are snowed in or just looking for a new twist to Chicken Noodle soup, I hope you will give this one a try! 

Recipe:  Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Egg Salad BLT

One of my favorite foods are sandwiches.  I love bagel/egg sandwiches for breakfast and I could eat a sandwich or hoagie of any sort for Lunch and Dinner.  There is just so much you can do with sandwiches because the ingredients are endless.  You can even put the ingredients into a wrap or on flat bread.  I haven't made Egg Salad in a long time, so it was time to use this new recipe.  This was an easy meal that you can make for both lunch or dinner.  Best part, my husband got to take leftover egg salad to lunch today.  I also tried making the bacon a different way as well.  I've always made my bacon on the stove.   I've heard that if you cook bacon in the oven, it cooks more evenly and it doesn't burn.  I tried making the bacon in the oven and it turned out great!  I think from here on out when I need to make bacon for a dish, I will bake it in the oven!  Another first for me was adding Sour Cream to my egg salad dressing.  I've always used mayo and mustard with added spices.  It did add creaminess to the salad dressing!  If you are looking for an easy meal and like sandwiches as much as I, I hope you will give this one a try!

Recipe:  Egg Salad BLT

One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you put chili and mac n cheese together in the same dish; what it would taste like?  I have one answer for you, "Yummy!"  I really like chili and I like homemade Mac N Cheese, so I really wanted to try this recipe. This wasn't spicy either.  Chili can be made to be mild or spicy.  I like mine in between.  I followed the recipe but added two ingredients to add a little extra something, something.  I added Paprika to the seasonings.  When I make chili, I like the depth of flavors you get when you combine chili powder, paprika and Cayenne pepper. I didn't add the Cayenne Pepper because I didn't want the added heat.  Then I added some mozzarella cheese to the Cheese part of the recipe.  When I make Mac N Cheese from scratch, I find it tastes a lot better if you use two different types of cheeses.  I applied the same to this recipe. I also added more Macaroni then it called for and it turned out fine. However, if you want more broth to your chili, I would stick to the recommended amount.  My husband and kids scarfed this down.  I don't think I've seen my Son wolf down a dinner that quickly ever.  Apparently, he really enjoyed it.  We also have left overs for lunch today!  I hope you will try this recipe because it was enjoyed by all and the kids especially liked it!  Happy Tasting!

Recipe:  One Pot Chili Mac and Cheese

Italian Drip Beef

Last night, I made a recipe that was not a new one. I've made this recipe before, however, the last time I made this meal, my husband had the flu and was unable to enjoy it.  So he asked me to make it again.  This is a popular Pioneer Woman Recipe and everyone knows that she is my favorite cook.  This is most definitely an adult and older child recipe.  There is some spice to it that my children did not care for.  I personally don't like really spicy meals either, however this isn't too bad for me to handle.  I will say that the Pepperoncini Peppers are a little hard to locate in the grocery store.  I think I found mine near the Italian section of the grocery store.  It may be different for each store. These peppers are a cross of a Banana Pepper and a Jalapeno Pepper.   I hope you will give this recipe a try.  It is actually very easy to make.  I threw mine into the crock-pot for the day. Don't forget to put the cheese on top because it just brings it all together at the end as far is flavor is concerned!

Recipe:  Italian Drip Beef

Dorito Chicken Casserole

Have you ever stumbled onto a recipe and thought to yourself, "That look's interesting?"  Well, I stumbled upon this recipe and wanted to give it a try.  I know a lot of people like chips as a snack.  I like them but I don't love them like my husband.  I would rather have a sweet treat for a snack as a opposed to a salty snack.  My husband is the opposite of me in snacking habits.  He really like's salty snacks.  The meat market we've been going to has great prices on whole chicken breasts, so I've been on the look out for new chicken recipes.  If I had to explain this recipe, it would be: If Chili Fritos and a taco had a love child, this would be the result.  This was a yummy new twist to a chicken casserole.  One child loved it and the other did not.  My husband will eat anything I put in front of him but her really liked this too!  If you're up for something new for your taste buds to experience, give this yummy recipe a try!  

Recipe:  Dorito Chicken Casserole

Chicken Spaghetti

I think sometimes as cooks, we get into a routine where we cook the same meals/recipes over and over because they are easy or we don't have time to find something new to try.  For the longest time, we had the traditional spaghetti recipe with a tomato based meat sauce and spaghetti noodles.  I finally decided to step outside my spaghetti shell and try a different take on spaghetti. Who do I turn to for my new favorite spaghetti recipe? Pioneer Woman.  She has an easy and yummy Chicken Spaghetti recipe that we have had several times over the last year.  It is one of my favorite recipes and it really is different and tasty.  If you're like me and you want to put a twist on Spaghetti, give this recipe a try.  By the way, our kids like this better then the traditional spaghetti recipe!  

Recipe:  Chicken Spaghetti

BBQ Chicken, Pineapple and Red Onion Pizza

I've never stepped outside my comfort zone when it comes to pizza.  I have my favorite pizzas however, none of them include chicken as a main ingredient.  I decided to try a new pizza last night that had chicken in it.  I also wouldn't naturally think that BBQ Sauce would make a great addition to pizza but I was gladly corrected in my assumptions!  This also closely resembles one of my favorite pizzas, Hawiian Pizza; therefore, it was a win over for me as well!  I will say that using a good/favorite BBQ Sauce is key in this pizza.  I have purchased a couple of brands of BBQ sauce that were horrible.  Make sure you stick with a trusted favorite.   I was surprised that my kids liked this pizza because they usually only like Cheese Pizza.  Will you step out of your comfort zone and try this easy pizza recipe?  I really hope you do......

Recipe: BBQ Chicken, Pineapple and Red Onion Pizza

Smoked Sausage with Rice Skillet

One of my favorite meats is Sausage.  When I find recipes that I want to try with Sausage, I jump at the opportunity.  This was an easy and quick dinner to make.  Of course, the one ingredient that makes a great Sausage meal is the quality of the Sausage.  As  I mentioned in a previous blog post, we started purchasing our meat from a Meat Market and the quality and taste of their Sausage was significant.  I don't think I will purchase Sausage from any where else!  If you are looking for a quick meal during the week, give this one a try! My whole family scarfed it down and wanted seconds.....

Smoked Sausage with Rice Skillet

German Skillet Dinner

One of my favorite meals includes cooked cabbage.  While I enjoy coleslaw, I'm not as big of a fan of raw cabbage as I am of cooked cabbage.  I especially love it with Corned Beef!  Last night for dinner I tried this German Skillet which calls for cabbage.  This was a very easy recipe to make.  You basically throw everything in the pot and let it cook for 30-40 minutes.  It didn't even ask you to brown the ground beef first but I did it anyway.  We all really enjoyed this meal.  My son was a little hesitant but once he took a couple of bites, he finished his entire plate.  When we try something knew, I really try to encourage our kids to try a couple of bites and then if they don't like it, I will make them a sandwich.  To date, I've never had to make them a sandwich.  I know we all know family or friends who have picky eaters or you may have some of your own.  I think eating food is a psychological endeavor.  If my kids look at the food and it doesn't look appetizing, they complain about trying it.  If the food looks yummy and colorful, they are more likely to try it. I can't tell you some meals we've tried that look like dog food but turned out tasting really yummy! That's why encouraging them to at least try a couple of bites, might help them more into trying more new food! This is a great time saver meal.  It only took 10 minutes to prep and put into the pot. 

Recipe: German Skillet

Bacon and Egg Savory Cupcakes

There is been a trend lately where cooks make dishes in cupcake pans.  Mini Meatloafs, Mini Potpies and so on.  I came across this recipe and it looked really simple.  We like to have breakfast for dinner once every couple of weeks and I thought this would be a great substitue for our usual breakfast meal.  I'm glad I tried it because it was really good and VERY easy to make.  It could also be something to add to your breakfast routine too in the morning.  I know some of us parents are looking for something to replace the usual cereal or oatmeal in the morning.  I hope you like this as much as I do.  

Recipe:  Bacon and Egg Cupcakes

Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake

One of my favorite dishes to order when we go out to eat is Chicken Brocolli Alfredo.  My husband isn't usually a big fan of Alfredo but I do make it every great once in a while.  I found this recipe online and wanted to try it because the picture drew me in! Yes, the picture grabbed my attention!  The name says it's Spicy but I took out the spicy elements to this recipe because of my younger children and it still tasted amazing (i.e. Cayenne Pepper and Red Pepper Flakes!)  We also purchased Smoked Sausage from our local meat market and I can't tell you what a difference in taste there was from store bought Smoked Sausage.  We recently started purchasing our meat from a meat market because we discovered it was 1/4 of the cost then store bought meat.  They don't use all the hormones in procuring the meat, making it healthier for you.  You can also tell a difference in taste too!  Anyway, back to our Saussage Alfredo Bake.  This recipe does require some multi-tasking as often you will find in more involved ingredients and steps.  If you like Alfredo Sauce, give this recipe a try! My husband who isn't a big fan of Alfredo said that this was a definate repeat!

Spicy Smoked Sausage Alfredo Bake

 

Cherry Cheesecake Dip

I grew up in a house where football was a big deal. On the weekends during football season, our Dad had football on Saturday and Sunday.  He officiated high school football for a number of years and taught us what all the different plays meant.  I remember going to High School footballs games with him to watch him officiate.  One of my older brothers also played football in high school and college.   Growing up in Colorado, I'm obviously a Denver Broncos fan.  Yesterday they had a playoff game and it was a wonderful opportunity to try some new appetizer recipes.  I tried this new dip that looked yummy!  Look at that photo...  May I say that it will be a repeat at future parties!  It was also very easy to make too.  So if you are having a Super Bowl party or an office party, give this recipe a try!  You won't be disappointed!

Recipe:

Cherry Cheesecake Dip

Hamburger Soup

One of my favorite meals in winter is a good bowl of soup.  It just warms you from the inside out.  If you ask my husband, he would tell you that soup is an appetizer and not a meal.  Nonetheless, I still make soup in the winter and last night I tried a Hamburger Soup recipe from none other then my favorite recipe author, Pioneer Women.  This was a hearty, full, robust and colorful soup.  It had so much flavor and depth to it.  I hope you will take the time to make this yummy soup!  Sourdough bread also goes along with this soup nicely!

Recipe:

Hamburger Soup

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

About 8 years ago, I swore off making chicken in the crock pot.  I had tried a chicken recipe and it turned out horribly and smelled aweful.  After that, I was terrified to try any sort of chicken recipe until yesterday.  I'm so glad I did because it turned out FABULOUS!  I'm talking about trying Chicken Tacos.  I've always liked the traditional beef tacos but there comes a point where we have to step out of our comfort zone and try something new! 

This recipe is soooo easy too.  You don't have to be proficient in the kitchen to make this recipe.  This is beginner approved!  This meal also makes the house smell womderful all day.  You will walk around the houseday dreaming about Chicken Tacos.  This was also a BIG win with our kids!  I hope you will try this easy and yummy dinner!

       

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf Recipe

I know you probably think I'm crazy for posting another Meatloaf recipe within a week of another posting, however, I was without my internet for a couple of days and therefore had to come up with something for dinner using Ground Beef.  I obviously own all of Pioneer Womans cookbooks! (which I highly recommend investing in)  I looked up her meatloaf recipe and made it.  I really like her meatloaf.  I also appreciate how she prepares, cooks and photographes her recipes.  There is a huge love right now for Bacon and guess what is wrapped around this meatloaf?  You got it, BACON!  The other ingredient that I like in her recipe is that she adds a little bit of hot sauce in her Ketchup glaze that is lathered on top of the meatloaf.  If you like meatloaf, this is a MUST try!  ENJOY!

Pioneer Woman Meatloaf

Chicken Enchiladas

While I enjoy trying new recipes, not all recipes that I try do WOW and AMAZE me.  This was one of them. I guess I've always been pretty particular when it comes to Mexican food. Living in Colorado, we have a wide variety of Mexican Restaurants.  From sit down to fast food Mexican restaurants. I know of 3 Mexican Restaurants in my county.  I have always liked Enchiladas and have tried different recipes over the years.  This recipe was good and cheesy however it wasn't my favorite Enchilada recipe I've tried.  My husband and kids really liked it.  I did not make the Enchiladas sauce.  I just used some Old El Paso Enchiladas sauce from a can.  It wasn't real spicy and the kids didn't complain.  I enjoy Mexician food however when I make it for my family, I have to remember not to make it too spicy because my kids can't handle it yet.  Try out this recipe, maybe it's something you can add to your recipe book for keeps.  Happy Eating......

Recipe:

Chicken Enchiladas

Porcupine Skillet

Last night I had my kids convinced that we were trying Porcupine for dinner.  I didn't tell them that but my Son asked why it was called Porcupine Skillet and I had no response.  This was a crowd pleaser.  My husband and kids really enjoyed it.  It is also a a budget friendly recipe and VERY easy to make.  If you are looking for a quick and easy meal to make on a weeknight after a busy day at the office, this one is for you.   Feel free to substitute the Ground Beef for Ground Turkey if that is your preference.  ENJOY

Recipe:

Porcupine Skillet