Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork

I have no clue where I found this recipe so I don't know who to give credit to. This was my first time making this recipe and let me tell you something...it was finger lickin' good!

Want to try this for yourself? Well here's how.

Printable version

2/3 cup worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tomato paste
1 medium white onion, chopped (optional)
2 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 boneless pork shoulder or butt

In a 6 quart crock pot mix all ingredients except pork. Once combined add pork, turning to cover. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. Remove pork and shred with two forks. Return pork to crock pot and stir into sauce.

*Use extra sauce for dipping your sandwich into.

Just in case you need a close up. Now go make this!

General Conference Coffee Cake

I love this time of year for so many reasons. We have the pleasure to watch General Conference this weekend and hear our Prophet Thomas S. Monson speak along with so many others.

A tradition in my husband's family is that every General Conference his mom always made coffee cake. I'm not sure where this recipe comes from but it is heaven sent for sure.

I thought I would share it so if you feel so inclined you may want to enjoy its delishishness (Is that a word?)

General Conference Coffee Cake 
Printable version

 

2 ½ cups flour
½ tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
⅔ cup butter or shortening
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup sour milk* or buttermilk
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp nutmeg
2 eggs beaten

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Mix up first four ingredients until it looks crumbly. Set aside ½ cup of crumbs. Add in the rest of the ingredients to get cake batter mixture. Pour batter in 2 8 inch round pans. Sprinkle reserved ½ cup of crumbs on top of batter. Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes.

*If you do not have buttermilk on hand you can use sour milk. To make sour milk mix 1 cup of milk with 2 tsp lemon juice. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.

 

Chicken Spaghetti {Yum!}

My husband is not a fan of chicken spaghetti. Except for this recipe. It's the only recipe that I have made in our 7 years of marriage. I figured if he likes it why do I need to find something different?!? I can't remember what magazine I ripped the page out of that I have in my recipe book so I won't take credit for this.

It's seriously that good! Enjoy!

Printable version

1 lb thin spaghetti
1 can (12 oz) canned chicken
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar
1 small onion, finely diced (optional)
¼ cup finely diced green bell pepper, drained (optional)
1 jar (4 oz) diced pimientos, drained (optional)
1 tsp seasoned salt
black pepper to taste
⅛ to ¼ tsp cayenne pepper, to taste

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Boil spaghetti noodles until they are soft. Save 2 cups of the water used to boil the noodles. Place the cooked spaghetti in a sprayed 9 x 13 dish.

Add the cream of mushroom soup and 2 cups of the shredded Cheddar. Then add the onion, green pepper and pimiento if you are using those ingredients. Add the seasoned salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Take it easy on the cayenne if you can’t handle the heat.

Add the canned chicken and 2 cups of broth. Stir together well, then taste to check the seasonings.

Top with the remaining ½ cup of Cheddar. Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if desired.

I do not add the onion, green bell pepper or pimientos and it still tastes so yummy! I also add 1/4 tsp of cayenne and the spaghetti isn't too hot for my 4 and 2 year old.

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

I made this lasagna last night and it was very good! It's a fun twist on the usual taste of lasagna. Enjoy!

Image and recipe courtesy of Prevention RD

Printable version

12 whole wheat lasagna noodles, uncooked (I used oven-ready lasagna noodles)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed or shredded (canned chicken would even work)
3 cups Hunts Four Cheese Spaghetti Sauce
1 cup mild buffalo wing sauce
1 1/2 cups water
15 oz non fat ricotta cheese
1 egg
9 slices Pepperjack cheese

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken over medium high heat for 4 minutes or until almost done. Stir in sauces and water. In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and egg. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of the pan. Arrange 4 noodles over the sauce. Spread more sauce, then a layer of ricotta mixture. Add another layer of sauce, and repeat the whole process until you end with a layer of sauce. Cover and bake 70 minutes. Uncover and place cheese slices on top, then bake for another 15 minutes uncovered. Let stand 10-15 minutes before serving.

Father's Day

How many wives can say that their husband's wanted a blender for Father's Day? I can!! Our blender died last week so we needed a new fancy one. It had a good 6 year run though!

At Matt's office they bought these fancy blenders call Ninja Blenders. Matt was in love at first blend!! Even before our blender killed over Matt would say he wanted a Ninja Blender. I didn't want to get him a blender for Father's Day. Lame!! He deserved something more with all that he has done. But I asked Matt if he could choose between a blender and a leaf blower and he chose the blender.

Ok done! Your wish is my command! Behold our new blender! This thing kicks some serious blender butt. I made a smoothie yesterday morning for breakfast and it was Oh.My.Gosh.Yum-O!!!

I made Matt a delicious breakfast as well for Father's Day. It has all the necessities. Bacon, eggs, cheese, and biscuits. Doesn't get more perfect than that!

Printable Version

We went to church where Levi sang a primary song on stage by himself. I had to walk him up there but he stayed up there for the whole song. We were so proud of Levi. Amazingly, after church we were all able to get naps. Wow! That hasn't happened in a long time.

This Father's Day was a great one. I love Matt more than anything. He is a wonderful father to our children. He cares so much about all of us and will do anything for us. Matt sacrifices so much to provide for our family. We are truely blessed.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend as well.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

I made these tonight and they were so YUMMY!! You have to try these!

Printable Version

1/3 cup (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 cup green salsa
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
3 tbsp cilantro
2 tbsp sliced green onions (optional)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used 1 can of canned chicken)
1 cup grated pepperjack cheese
small corn or flour tortillas
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it.

Place 2-3 tbsp of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges.

Then roll it up as tight as you can.


Place seam side down on the baking sheet. Lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Dip ‘em in salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.

Makes 12-16

This recipe is courtesy of Our Best Bites.

{Cheater} Sesame Chicken

Printable Version

1 1/2 - 2 pounds frozen popcorn chicken
6 tbsp honey (3/8) cup
4 tbsp sugar
salt (to taste)
black pepper (to taste)
4 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp white distilled vinegar
sesame seeds

Spray a baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Then put your popcorn chicken in the dish. In a sauce pan mix the remaining ingredients except sesame seeds. Bring the sauce to a boil while stirring and simmer until sauce slightly thickens. Coat chicken with sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds over chicken. Bake in oven until chicken is cooked through.

*Note*
Depending on how much chicken you cook you may need to double this recipe. I had to make this recipe twice b/c there wasn't enough sauce to cover all of my chicken. Another way to do this recipe is to cook the chicken first in the oven and pour your sauce over the chicken after it's cooked through.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Here's a yummy new recipe that I tried last night. Matt was working late and this didn't really take too long to prepare. Especially with two kids pulling at me!! This recipe is courtesy of Organize and Decorate Everything.

Printable Version

2 cups cooked rice
3 cups cooked chicken pieces (I used one 12 oz canned chicken)
Swiss cheese
10 slices cut up ham
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
10 saltine crackers
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp parsley

Spread 2 cups cooked rice in bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish. Arrange 3 cups cooked chicken or canned chicken over top of rice. Layer Swiss cheese on top of chicken. Then layer 10 slices of cut-up ham on top of the Swiss cheese. Mix 2 cans of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/2 cup sour cream together. Spread on top of ham. Crush 10 saltine crackers then add 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp garlic salt, and 1/2 tsp parsley and mix together. Sprinkle on top of soup mixture. Bake at 350 degreese for 30 minutes.

Mexican Pork Chops

This is a nice twist on Mexican food. Another quick and easy meal for those days when you are in a hurry.

Printable Version

1 1/2 cups water
3/4 cup white rice uncooked
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
vegetable or canola oil
pork chops
salt
pepper

Preheat the oven to 350. In a sprayed 9 x 13 baking dish, combine the water, rice, tomato sauce and taco seasoning. Brown the pork chops in a large skillet with the vegetable or canola oil. Sprinkle the pork chops with salt and pepper. Arrange the brown chops over the rice and top with cheese. Cover and bake for 1 hour.

Fried Chicken & Homemade Cornbread

A good southern meal consists of something fried with cornbread. It doesn't matter if it's chicken fried steak, fried chicken, or fried catfish they all go with cornbread! So for dinner I made fried chicken with rice and cornbread. Yum!

Fried Chicken - Printable Version

1 cup flour

1 1/4 tsp thyme

3/4 tsp onion powder

3/4 tsp seasoning salt

1/2 tsp pepper

2/3 cup buttermilk

cooking oil

1 cut up chicken or chicken breasts

Combine 1 cup flour, thyme, onion powder, seasoning salt and pepper in a large plastic bag or bowl. Add chicken to bag one or two pieces at a time. Shake to coat well. Dip chicken into buttermilk and return to bag. Shake to coat.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and saute 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Golden Sweet Cornbread - Printable Version

1 cup flour

1 cup yellow cornmeal

2/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp salt

3 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 egg

1 cup milk

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray or lightly grease a 9 inch round or square cake pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking powder. Stir in egg, milk and vegetable oil until well combined. Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.

Sweet, Sticky & Spicy Chicken

This is a recipe that you will want to make 5 days in a row. Well, maybe not that much but I did make this 2 nights in a row. Matt told me this chicken was his favorite and he loved it better than Italian Chicken and that says a lot!! It's quick and easy and those are my type of meals. Enjoy!

Printable Version

2 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 tbsp garlic (I just sprinkled some garlic powder)
3 tbsp hot sauce or wing sauce
salt
pepper
2 lbs chicken breast tenders or strips

Mix together brown sugar, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and hot sauce in a small bowl. Lightly salt and pepper chicken strips. Heat pan with cooking spray, add chicken and brown on both sides for a few minutes. Once the chicken is brown but not cooked all the way through pour the sauce over the chicken. Simmer uncovered until the sauce thickens and chicken is done. Serve with rice and veggies.

**Tip**I made this two times and used different amounts of wing sauce to test the spiciness. I used 3 tblsp first and it was too spicy for my son. The second time I used just 1 tblsp and it still had a bit of a kick but my son ate it.

Crockpot Nachos

Printable Version

1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained

1 can refried beans

1 can red kidney beans, drained

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 package taco seasoning

1/2 cup water

salt and pepper to taste

sprinkle of garlic powder

tortilla chips

Mix together all ingredients in your crockpot except tortilla chips. Cook on high for about 2 hours.

Serve the meat mixture over the chips. You can add your favorite nacho toppings like cheese, sour cream, lettuce, etc...

Enjoy!

Orange Chicken

Credit: Full Bellies, Happy Kids

Printable Version

3 lbs. Chicken, cut into bite size pieces
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of cornstarch
4 beaten eggs with a little milk
oil

Sauce:
1 1/4 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of ketchup
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of soy sauce

Beat 4 eggs together and add a little milk. Mix cornstarch, flour and garlic powder together. Dip chicken pieces in the flour then egg. Fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Place chicken in casserole dish.

Sauce:
Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and ingredients are blended.

Pour sauce over chicken

Bake at 350 F, for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

Cheesy Beef & Bacon Meatloaf

Credit: Gooseberry Patch Cookbook

Printable Version

1 lb. bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled and divided
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef sirloin
1 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 Tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup catsup
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
3 Tsp Dijon mustard

Set aside 1/2 cup bacon for topping. In a large bowl, combine remaining bacon and other ingredients except catsup, hot sauce and mustard; mix well and set aside. Mix together catsup, hot sauce and mustard; set aside 3 tablespoons of mixture. Add remaining catsup mixture to beef mixture; blend well. Press into an ungreased 9"x5" loaf pan; spread reserved catsup mixture over top and sprinkle with reserved bacon. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees or 50 to 60 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 5 to 6 minutes before slicing. Serves 6 to 8

I need recipes!! Help!

I have been looking for new and yummy things to make for dinner. I seem to be having a bit of a block on coming up with ideas. I need help!! Now, you must know that I am a picky eater. According to some, I might have some sort of food texture disorder. But what does the internet know?? If you have a good recipe please let me know. I'm always up for trying new things. Just b/c I am picky does not mean I won't try. Leave your recipe in the comment section. Thanks for your help.