Return of da dip

Matt had a craving for pretzels and dip, so we tried this one again with some modifications. We think it turned out too salty (from the packet) but overall very good.

Garlic Cheese Dip Part 2

Serves: A family

1. In a medium bowl, mix together:
-1 block softened cream cheese (regular, light, or fat free)
-1 packet Good Seasonings Salad Dressing mix in the Garlic Herb flavor
-3-4 Tablespoons of tomato sauce (this is not spaghetti sauce!)
-1 Tablespoon (or more) dried italian seasonings
-3+ teaspoons of dried cheese topping (like you use for popcorn), found in the spice aisle

2. Serve with pretzels, crackers, probably even veggies. Make sure to keep it cool.

New Plates!!

Yay for finally opening and using fun stuff from our wedding! We picked out Corelle's "Simple Lines" collection and thanks to my mom, Matt's aunt, and my friend Molly.... we got all our dishes. Plus we got lots of cool bakeware and matching stuff from other family and friends. I guess we owe you all a meal on our fabulous new stuff!

By the way, that's the spaghetti we eat every week. No recipe so you won't ever see me blog about it. It is made from 1/3 pound meat with seasonings put into a can of ... Chef Boyardee spaghetti sauce! Matt has been eating it since he was little and it can be hard to find. We like it because it is exactly the right amount of sauce for two. =)

Cheezed up Chicken and Rice

This is a combo of two recipes. I had everything on hand and we needed a quick easy meal. It wasn't the best thing I ever ate but it was good.... and easy.

Cheezed up Chicken and Rice

Serves: 4

1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. In a 9x13 pan, mix 3/4 cup uncooked regular long grain white rice and 1 1/3 cups water.
3. Melt 1/2 cup butter in a shallow dish. In another dish mix 3/4 cup italian seasoned bread crumbs, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, palmful of dried parsley and oregano, generous shakes of salt and pepper, and a tablespoon of paprika.
4. Dip a chicken breast into the butter and then into the bread crumbs. Place in the pan over the rice. Repeat with 3 more breasts.
5. Pop into the oven for about 35 minutes. Then take out, top with handfuls of colby jack cheese and put back into the oven for 10 minutes, or until cooked all the way through.

6. Serve!

Peas and Carrots

Eat your veggies!! You know you want to. We had ours with roast beef and mashed potatoes (nope, didn't make those haha).

Peas and Carrots
Serves: 4

1. Bring a medium/large saucepan of salted water to a boil.
2. Add 2 cups of sliced carrots. I like to use leftover cut up carrot sticks or whole baby matchstick carrots. Boil for 7 minutes.
3. Add 1/2 pound of snow peas (trim off the tips first). Boil for 3 minutes.
4. Drain and set aside veggies.
5. In the same pan, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Then add 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch to thicken. Return veggies to the pan and stir in 2 tablespoons honey. Cook over medium heat until heated thru.
6. Eat 'em!

Post Honeymoon Recovery Potion

You know you laughed at the title... Otherwise known as Chicken Soup. Matt and I returned from our amazing Jamaican honeymoon to crappy Michigan weather and we both caught colds!! So the only thing I have made from scratch as a wife is this soup. It is super easy and fast, but oh so good. So hopefully you have the chance to make this because you want to, not because you are sick.

Chicken Noodle Soup
Feeds: 3-4

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons butter
1 small chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 box chicken broth
2 chicken boullion cubes
2 cups water
2 full cups wide egg noodles

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chicken chunks, onion, and garlic salt and cook until chicken is done. Add the celery and carrots, basil, oregano, and pepper. Cook for another 3 minutes or so.

2. Add the boullion cubes, water, and broth. Crank up to high heat and bring to a boil.

3. Once boiling, add the egg noodles and reduce to medium/ medium-low heat, but continue to simmer for about 20 minutes.

4. Serve with saltines or crescent rolls... or whatever will make you feel better!


Tips: I like to use kitchen scissors to cube up chicken breasts, so much easier! Also, I am lazy and like to buy the pre-cut into sticks carrots and celery that come in a container by the salad at the store. I have also used a small can of sliced carrots, just add them during the simmering part so they don't get too mushy. Hope that helps!

Hello my lovelies!!!!

I'm back... and married!!! Thank you for your patience over the last couple weeks. Hopefully I can get around to cooking and blogging more.... since ordering pizza doesn't really count. Let me know if you have any requests... I'll take new ideas any way I can get them. If you want to see some pretty sweet teaser pics from our fabulous photographer... go here.