Chicken Nacho Bake 08.30.09

Well we had another culinary adventure on 08.30.09.  Top on the menu was Chicken Nacho Bake.  This recipe is from Kraft Foods.  It's pretty easy to make and it smells delicious while it's cooking. 

Here's what you need:

4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup salsa

1/4 cup sour cream

1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

1/2 cup shredded cheese

As always, I like to remind everyone that I do not follow the recipe exactly as stated.  As you'll notice I have 5 pieces of chicken and I didn't use the measurements as given.  I tend to use more than the recipe calls for.  I like to think of the measurements as guidelines. 

Here's how you put it all together:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place chicken on foil covered baking sheet.  Slice three cuts on the top of each chicken breast.

2.  Top each piece of chicken evenly with salsa, sour cream and tortilla chips. 

3.  Bake 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and top with cheese.  Bake an additional 10 minutes. 

Here's how my attempt turned out.  It smelled so good as it was baking!  Yummy!  Let me know how yours turns out!

~~ Enjoy ~~

Technorati Tags: cooking,new recipes,food

Turkey Potato Burritos 08.23.09

This is not a new recipe but one that I make quite often.  A family favorite if you will. 

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious dish:

1lb ground turkey

1 bag of southern style hash brown potatoes

1 packet onion soup mix

cooking oil

flour tortillas

Now here's how you put it all together:

1.  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Start by placing the potatoes on a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle the onion soup on top and then pour some cooking oil on top.  Toss the potatoes with the soup and oil to coat the potatoes evenly.  I use about 1/3 cup, more or less.  Use just enough to help coat the potatoes.  Bake for 30 minutes.

2.  While the potatoes are baking brown the turkey in a large skillet.  Once the turkey is browned turn on low while you wait for the potatoes to finish baking. 

3.  After the potatoes are finished baking add them to the browned turkey in the skillet.

Now you're ready to heat up your tortillas and fill with the delicious turkey and potato mixture.  We always add cheese and prefer muenster. 

Who doesn't like some chips and salsa to go with the meal?

That's all there is to it and it's really very easy to make. 

~ Enjoy!

Technorati Tags: cooking,food

Beginning my C25k program

So how many times have you started something with the best of intentions only to not follow through?  If you are like me then you've started many, many things and just lost steam/interest/energy/time to complete it.  Well folks here we go again.

I've decided to start the Cool Running Couch to 5k (also known as C25k) program again.  I've successfully completed this program in the past and for one reason or another got off track from running consistently. 

So as many of you know I have an iPhone 3Gs and they have a C25k app!  :)  Well butter my buns and call me a biscuit!  I was pretty excited about it.  All you have to do is download the app, start your iPod feature on your iPhone and click on the app, slide the bar and it starts your workout.  Pretty cool, huh?!  There's a little bell that dings and lets you know when to walk and when to run.  Couldn't be easier!!

Notice in the bottom right corner - you'll see my C25k app!  :)

Now the reasons for beginning my running program again range from obvious health reasons to just the plain fact that I enjoy running.

So here I am about to start my program - Day 1 began on 8.18.09. Don't I look all motivated and excited? 

Here's me AFTER my first workout.  Yeah, I look a little sweaty and hot but I had fun. 

As you'll surely notice I'm wearing a U.S. Air Force Mom shirt that my son bought me while he was in basic.  It's a little....shall we say....snug?  So the goal is to lose weight, get in shape and then the shirt will fit better, right? 

I hope you'll follow me as I start my running journey.....

Technorati Tags: C25K,running

Grilled Taco-Barbecue Chicken

One of the things that I really enjoy is trying new recipes.  It brings up so many questions…will they like it?  Will I like it?  Will it turn out?  How badly can I mess it up?  Sometimes the outcome is a success and sometimes it’s more like a culinary experiment.  And if a recipe doesn’t turn out I don’t blame the recipe, typically I’ve “tweaked” the recipe just a bit to help it along. 

 

The recipe I tried on Saturday was called Grilled Taco-Barbecue Chicken.  It’s from a Betty Crocker e-newsletter that I subscribe to.  It looked easy enough and I had the necessary ingredients on hand. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make 4 servings:

2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1 1/4 lb

1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 chili sauce

1 teaspoon cumin

Now here’s how you put it all together:

1.  Heat oven to 375F.  Line shallow baking pan with foil or spray with cooking spray.       

2.  In shallow bowl, mix taco seasoning mix and oregano.  Brush chicken with oil, coat with taco seasoning mixture.  Place coated chicken in pan.

3.  Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut.

Now anytime I’m cooking I must restate my disclaimer.  I have been known to not necessarily follow the recipe exactly as given.  So let me explain the things I changed. 

I used 2 whole packages of taco seasoning mix and I used 4 large chicken breasts and I feel confident they weighed more than 1 1/4 lb.  I cut the chicken into strips and placed it in a 9X13 pan and baked it at 375F for 30 minutes and it turned out wonderfully.  The chicken was moist and tender and it definitely was not too spicy.

Here’s how it all turned out…..

This goes nicely with some rice or potatoes and a veggie.  :)  Next time I try it I’m going to serve it in flour tortillas.  Mmmmm…I can’t wait!

~~ Enjoy  ~~

Technorati Tags: cooking,new recipes,food,Betty Crocker,Grilled Taco-Barbeque Chicken

WinStar Casino 08.08.09

 

Here we are about to leave late Saturday morning for WinStar World Casino.  We were ready for a weekend of fun and we were prepared to win BIG!!  :)

We arrived and found a fairly close parking space and headed into the casino for some fun.  I was told by the security guard that I could take pictures inside but couldn’t use the flash nor could I take pictures of the machines.  I could deal with that because I was there to win BIG MONEY!

We were hungry for lunch by the time we arrived so we ate at Chips N Ales.  It was okay.  ~M~ had the chicken/fish combo and I had a hamburger. 

This was our order number.  Now if you’ll notice it’s #27 and I was born on the 27th and more importantly 7 minus 2 is 5!!  This was definitely going to be our lucky day!!

Here are some pictures that I was able to take while inside.  I didn’t take too many pictures because being the high roller that I am I had to concentrate on the penny slots. 

Well I wish I could write some fabulous story about how we dominated the slot machines and came home millionaires but alas we did not.  We did have a lot of fun and plan on going again soon. 

Before leaving for the day I was able to capture a picture of the WinStar World Casino water tower.  I know, I know it is a bit random but it is one of those weird things that makes me smile.

We stayed at the Comfort Suites in Gainesville. 

In general I really like the Choice Hotel chain.  I’ve always been fairly pleased with the rooms.  One of the cool things about them is that a lot of them have a free breakfast.  And at that free breakfast they have waffles.  Sometimes you can get waffles like this:

Mmmmmm!  Yummy for the tummy!!

 

Well here we are ready to head for home after another fun weekend. 

I love my life……

Technorati Tags: WinStar World Casino,Texas,roadtrip,travel,watertower

08.03.09 Breakfast and Volleyball

We started off the last full day with the girlies by going to breakfast.  We decided to try Steak Angus in Mesquite near the Post Office.  It was delicious!  While we were there Marvin noticed several people that he recognized.  He suddenly became an ambassador and proceeded to begin a pre-retirement meet and greet right then and there!

The new Ambassador of Mesquite just moments before the meet and greet commenced.

Saying hello and introducing Judge Blackington to girlie.

The newly named Ambassador went to several tables and mingled with the patrons.

The main reason for our visit aside from the impromptu meet and greet was to eat breakfast.  The had a special and that’s what we all ordered.

After devouring our delicious breakfast we headed to play volleyball with my dad and some other seniors.  My dad is retired and plays volleyball weekly at a church in garland.

My Dad is the one in the yellow shirt, ~ A ~ is watching ~ S ~ set up the ball.  After warming up it was time to play!

We had a really fun time and got some exercise too!  Girlies are really good and Marvin had a lot of fun too!!

Technorati Tags: Mesquite Texas,Steak Angus,volleyball,family fun

“FUN”day Sunday part 2

After our fun family dinner it was time for the girlies, Aunt Gina and I to go and get our haircuts!  :) 

       ~ S ~     and     Aunt G

~ A ~  getting her hair shampooed. 

~ K ~  waiting her turn.

~ S ~ checking out how much was cut off the length.

~ K ~ telling her hairdresser how she would like her haircut. 

~ A ~ about to get her hair party started!

Now it’s my turn…..

The girlies “after” picture.  Didn’t their hair turn out great?!!

Technorati Tags: family fun