"The Chicken"

Without a better name for what I created today, I have labeled it "The Chicken" due to the fact it is so versatile. This shredded chicken dish can be used on toast, rice, salad, even as a sandwich. It is just that versatile! Since it was made in a crock pot, it was easy too!

"The Chicken"

Ingredients

• 1/2 Cup of vinaigrette or Italian dressing
• 1 sliced pepper
• 1 bag of fresh mixed carrots and broccolli
• 1 can of Italian diced tomatoes
• 3 boneless chicken breasts, from frozen is fine.

In the morning place chicken, vinaigrette, and fresh broccoli and carrots in the crock pot on low.Stir so that the dressing covers everything. Add a little extra water or dressing if it seems dry.


Later that day use a fork to shred the chicken. An hour before serving stir in the can of tomatoes and the peppers. When ready to serve, stir once more.

See, easy!

I made some extra crunchy, baked and buttered toast to go with it. I also tried it on my salad, both delicious.

Chicken and Dumpling Turnovers & Broccoli Casserole

This one came completely out of my head, so my ingredient measurements are estimated. This is probably the dinner I'm most proud of this month!

Chicken and Dumpling Turnovers

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups of flour
• .5 cup of butter or margrine
• 1/3 cup of milk
• tablespoon of olive oil
• cream of chicken soup
• can of chicken breast
• 1 cup of shredded cheese
• season to taste ( I used basil and oregano, onion powder, and salt)

1. Preheat oven to 375. Mix flour, butter, milk, and seasoning in a bowl. As if firms kneed with hands, adding olive oil until the dough can be rolled.

2. In a bowl mix cream of chicken soup, chicken, and shredded cheese.

3. Roll the dough into 2 inch balls and flatten into larger circles.

 4. Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture onto each one and fold over.

5. Push down the edges of the turnovers with a fork.

6. Bake in oven for 10-14 minutes until bread begins to golden.

Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients

• Leftover mixture from the turnovers
• bag of frozen broccoli
• 1tablespoon of butter or margrine
• breadcrumbs

Mix the broccoli and chicken mixture and place in casserole dish. Lightly cover with breadcrumbs and drizzle with butter. Bake.

 Enjoy!

What's For Dinner?: Chicken & Cheese Burritos

I am so excited to start this month's theme, "What's for dinner?" My husband has been bugging me for sometime to do this theme. I am often very creative with my pantry. I love casseroles and one pot meals. I also enjoy playing with ideas inspired by recipes.

Today I will be sharing something that is completely my own creation.

Chicken, Bean, and Cheese Burritos with Homemade Mexi-corn

 Ingredients

•  2 cups cut bell peppers
• 1 can of white chicken breast
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can of chili hot beans
• shredded cheese
• tortillas
• 1 can of corn
• 1 packet of burrito seasoning
• 1 diced tomato

In a big skillet cook chicken and 1.5 cups of peppers until peppers are soft.

Add seasoning packet and mix. Add water as directed by packaging. Drain black beans, but leave the hot beans. In a separate bowl, slightly mash both cans of beans.

Add beans to the meat and pepper mixture and heat until warm. Stir often. Preheat oven to 350. When the mixture is hot, fill tortillas. I like to put the cheese first because it makes rolling the burritos easier.

Place rolled burritos on a baking sheet and bake until cheese melts. (About 5-8 minutes)

While the burritos are in the oven cook the corn, tomatoes, and left over bell peppers over medium heat. Add seasoning to taste. Stir frequently.

Remove food from the oven and serve immediately or cool to freeze and use later.

My children ended up liking this fine, but my hubby loved it. I served to with apple sauce and some left over cranberry sauce from another meal. It could also be served with rice, refried beans, or a salad.

Smothered Chicken & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

You may can call me "Queen Forgetful". I have barely made it through today. I keep forgetting all kinds of things. This morning I sat my lunch on the back of the car to buckle my son in and then drove off with it still sitting there! Needless to say, it ended up being "beanie weenies a la road" as my husband joked. I don't even know where I left the tiny notebook I keep notes in went! Now I need to attempt to remember everything I wanted to cover tonight. I'm doomed!

Thinking... Thinking... Thinking...

Smothered Chicken & Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

I wont lie;  I adapted both these recipes big time. I cut the broccoli down drastically and used frozen, bagged broccoli. I baked it on lower heat (350) and adjusted some of the seasoning to what I had available. Doing this cut the cost down at least ten bucks. I also adapted the smothered chicken by using frozen spinach and jarred mushrooms. Again, I cant afford to buy EVERYTHING fresh. I also rarely use fresh spices. So, if it calls for spices I am usually using dried. It works out fine in the end. I added more onions to the mix to cater to my family. Everyone enjoyed dinner, but no one will enjoy cleaning up. This meal used a large number of pots and pans. The sink is as full as our stomachs.

I put the chicken on a bed of rice, making the dish very filling! Even my two year old son enjoyed it.

Cooking, The Week Ahead

My list for this week is an enormous task, I hope I can do it! Below are the things I hope to complete by Sunday evening.

• Tomato basil Parmesan soup
• Carmel Cake
• Rosemary Olive oil bread (which I may change to basil olive oil bread)
• Individual beef pot pies
• Honeyed Pears in puff pastry

Please feel free to keep me on task!

Self Exploration

During the past month since I have become active in my blog, I have really learned a lot about myself. The confidence I've gained is amazing. There is a lot of things going on around me right now, that writing is helping me through. It has been a great blessing to have all this support of my family and readers as I continue to search out myself. I am more than just a mom, employee, or wife; I am Amanda and I am getting to know me again. Its interesting how sharing your life with the world can really dig down deep into the depths of you. I know that the road ahead of my family and I is going to get really bumpy for a while, but I'm glad to share it with you. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Homeschooling To Dos

Neither of my sons are old enough to really get into what I'm about to share, but I really loved it when I heard it. I currently work in a Kindergarten class. They were doing handwriting today. I think the teacher I work with has a great way of teaching how to write letters correctly (keeping them where they should be on the line). Below is my terrible drawing of  the basic idea.

When explaining to kids how letters are formed on the lines you can describe each section like above. Letters never go to outer-space, only letters with "tails" play in the dirt, tall letters go in the sky, etc. This makes the whole process easier for them to understand. Over my years working with children I found a great website for creating your own coloring/handwriting worksheets. Twistynoodle has helped me cover many topics over the years.

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

BTW

Thank you everyone stopping by from Bloggy Moms and The Ultimate Blog Party!

Cajun Chicken Pasta

 I have to admit that I made this light recipe for Cajun chicken pasta, un-skinny. I made a large number of substitutions to cater to the group I was feeding and in order to buy what was on sale. I used mini yellow and orange peppers, rather than large green ones. I used canned diced tomatoes (strained), and jarred mushrooms(strained). I used 2% and full fat cream cheese because I don't like low fat. I also created my own Cajun seasoning using paprika, onion power, garlic powder, salt, and oregano. Truthfully, I have no idea if thats Cajun, it just smelled and looked right. I needed to take away the spice. Lastly, I forgot chicken broth, so I just added extra water. That is one substitution I would NOT recommend. I think it needed it. Otherwise, it was very good and colorful. It is a dish I'd love to play with and try again.

Cooking this meal was a SEVERAL step process. I would recommend cutting all the vegetables and chicken the day before to make it easier.

My Outfit

Outside

Inside

The earrings are my turquoise dangles I got in a small little shop in Port Jefferson, NY. I'm pretty sure they are homemade. I adore them. The top is Target. I love sheer flowy clothing. Somewhere deep down it makes me feel like a princess of a fairy. I paired these with my basic LB jeans and Payless black flats. I need to break out of the rut with these flats. I have a collection, I should wear something new!

A better look at my earrings

Portraits of Me

I have never felt bolder or more powerful than I did when I decided to cut my hair off. I told myself that there is so much more to me than others can see. So, I decided to show off my new due.

I got looks all day! I still have to go get my wig out of storage. Until then, let them stare!

Contest Reminder!

 Remember the contest ends April 13th at 8pm. See here to find out how to win a box of my favorite things!

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