Exciting News!

I have been seriously neglecting my wifely duties lately.  I can't say that anything blog worthy has come out of my little kitchen in the past several months.  I'm hoping that will begin to change soon!  I have just been feeling very tired and sick all the time.....because we are HAVING A BABY!!!  Yes, I can't even believe it.  We are expecting our first little one in October.  A sweet baby BOY!  

I have been feeling a little better these past two weeks.  Now that I'm on into my second trimester (23 weeks to be exact) most of my sickness has faded, and I am beginning to get a little energy back.  I have tried a few new recipes this week....and if I can figure out how to upload photos from my new camera I will post them soon.  :)

Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken

Yuuummm!  This recipe might not be the best looking dish you will ever prepare, but it sure is good.  It's a great recipe for when you are short on time (for me that's every single day) and it only has a few ingredients.  It got major bonus points for being a slow cooker recipe....but.....you can also just throw your chicken in frozen!  Insert happy dance ;-)
I served mine over some white rice, and my hubby went nuts over it.  I usually have these ingredients on hand, so I can throw this together anytime I'm having a busy week. (Which is more often than not)


I originally found this recipe from one of my favorite bloggers (Christy, The Girl Who Ate Everything).  You can find the link to her original recipe HERE!  


4 chicken breasts, frozen or thawed
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can corn, drained 
1 (15 oz) jar of your favorite salsa
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese


Place chicken in slow cooker.  Add black beans, salsa, and corn.  Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until chicken is cooked.  Once chicken is cooked, remove from slow cooker and shred it using two forks.  Return shredded chicken to slow cooker.  Add 1 package cream cheese.  Seriously, just throw it on top of everything!  Cover and cook for 1/2 hour.  Don't worry if things look a little strange at this point.  Just stir in the cream cheese and everything will come together.  
Serve over rice, or in warm four tortillas!

Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken

I'm not really sure how I'm the last one to know about this recipe?!  But on the off chance that you guys have not tried it, I'm passing it along!  

I'm all about meals that are easy to prepare...you get bonus points for being able to throw it in a slow cooker.  This recipe is not only easy, it's creamy and super yummy.  I found this recipe on several different websites, but I ended up using the recipe from one of my fav bloggers...Christy from The Girl Who Ate Everything.  You can see her original post HERE!   I also used the bowtie pasta becuase I think it's prettier than other pastas :)

4 Chicken Breasts  (I used tenderloin strips because it's what I had on hand. One package has about 10 strips)

1 Packet Dry Zesty Italian Dressing Mix  (trust me...use the zesty!!)

1-8oz Pkg Cream Cheese, Softened

1-2 Cans Cream Of Chicken Soup  (I used 1.5 cans)

Place chicken is slow cooker and sprinkle whole packet of italian seasoning over it.  Combine cream cheese and cream of chicken soup in small pot over low heat.  Let cheese melt and pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on low for at least 4 hours.  When ready to eat, take out chicken and shred with forks.  Place back in slow cooker and stir to combine.  Serve over pasta or rice.  If you feel your sauce is too thick, you can thin it to desired consistency with a little milk.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Thank You so much to The Hungry Housewife (Leslie) for letting me pass this wonderful recipe along to you guys!  I am a huge fan of her blog.  When I saw this recipe..I immediately ran into the kitchen and tried it out.  Hope you guys enjoy this yummy concoction as much as I did!  I have also included the recipe for her homemade whipped cream.  Yuuuummmmm.... :-)

*Find the original blog post from The Hungry Housewife here!

Nutella Hot Chocolate

1 cup milk (I used whole)
2 1/2 Tbsp Nutella
1 Tbsp cocoa
Tiny pinch of salt

In a small sauce pan over medium heat, whisk together all ingredients until well blended and hot.
Pour into cup or mug and top with whipped cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Place a medium bowl and beaters from your electric mixer in the freezer for 10 minutes (this helps the whipped cream stiffen faster)
Pour all ingredients into chilled bowl and start to beat.  Start off slow and gradually work your way up to high speed.  It will be done when it has the consistancy of...whipped cream.  Do not over beat.

HOT SAUCE!!

Ok!  Let me introduce you guys to my new best friend, Cholula!  It is my new favorite hot sauce.  Thats right...move over Tabasco.  I discovered this little gem while enjoying breakfast with my hubby at IHOP.  I'm not a huge fan of eggs, so I have to add a little something to make myself eat them.   

It is just the perfect amount of spice.  Not too overpowering...but not too bland.  Plus I kinda like the cute little wooden top on the bottle.  lol  Not many restaurants in my area use this condiment.  So I have been gently suggesting that they carry it.  Now when we go out for breakfast I have been known to hide my own little mini-bottle in my purse!  I know, I know...it's kinda embarrassing.  But if certain eating establishments near my home (lookin at you Cracker Barrel) would just start carrying it I would not have to resort to such drastic measures.  ;-)

Wassail

*My favorite wassail spice blend!

*A snowy evening outside the Biltmore Home in Asheville, NC!

Fall is here!! I'm so excited that the weather has finally gotten a little cooler...and the leaves are starting to change colors. It just makes me want to surround myself with pumpkins and the smell of cinnamon and cloves. Since I have been a little under the weather this week I decided to break out the slow cooker and steep some wassail. It is so warm and comforting to a sore throat...and the cinnamon is a great antioxidant!
On our vacation to the Biltmore Home in Asheville, NC we picked up a bunch of their wassail mix. It is a really great blend of mulling spices with a little extra orange zest flavor. I usually mix several tbsp fulls with apple juice or apple cider (my fav is the Simply Apple Juice) and let it steep for a few hours on low in the slow cooker. You can also just pick up a package of mulling spices at your local grocery store to blend with the apple juice/cider. I still place a few extra cinnamon sticks in...just for a little added cinnamon~ey taste :)

Baking For The Ladies At Church!

*Four dozen (minus one or two) Double Chocolate Chip Cookies*

*Four dozen Fall Oatmeal Cookies*

**8 dozen cookies all packed up and ready to go to the church**

This past week I had the honor of bringing some yummy baked treats for our monthly woman's ministry meeting at church. I really love these ladies...and most of them are wonderful cooks...so I was really feeling the pressure! I decided to make one "fall" cookie (since the weather is finally cooling off) and one chocolate cookie (I mean...what woman does not like chocolate). I finally decided on my friend Monica's Double Chocolate Chip Cookies...and a new recipe for Oatmeal Cranberry and White Chocolate Chip Cookies. Both the cookies were a big hit...and I have even received an invitation to bake for next months meeting :)

The recipe for the Double Chocolate Chip Cookies was in an earlier post...but you can find it HERE!

Fall Oatmeal Cookies

3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 large egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups quick cooking oats (not instant)
3/4 cup dried cranberries
6 oz white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl using electric mixer combine sugar, brown sugar, and butter and cream together.
Add in eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined.
Add cinnamon, baking soda, salt and flour and mix well.
Fold in the oatmeal, cranberries and white chocolate chips. Make sure all ingredients are well distributed.
Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place 2-3 inches apart onto a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.

**I added slightly more cinnamon and a good sprinkle of nutmeg to the batter for a more "spicy" flavor!

Each batch will yield approx 24 cookies!

recipe adapted from Julesong on Food.com!

Senseo Giveaway!

Check out my new blogger friend "Truthful Mommy". She is giving away a Senseo in honor of her upcoming birthday! Stop by her blog for a chance to win...and if you do...you owe me a cup of joe :)

Click For Link!

Crockpot Cajun Boiled Peanuts!

This is another recipe from my fall cooking that I forgot to post! Sorry again!!

I am from the South. And being from the South I LOVE me some cajun boiled peanuts! They are such a great snack. But they can really be a labor of love. I found this recipe while searching around on Recipezaar.com. I added a good bit of cajun seasoning and hot sauce to spice things up a bit! I have a large crock pot with a lid that locks in place for transporting. It really came in handy with this recipe. As the peanuts cook and water fills the shells...it will begin to lift the lid!
**Original recipe from PugsandHugs on Recipezaar.com**

1 1/2 quart green uncooked peanuts (I used 1 lb peanuts in shell)
1/2 cup salt
2 1/2 quarts water (I just added enough water to cover the peanuts)
*4 tablespoons cajun seasoning
*hot sauce to taste (I like things spicy so I added just over 1/2 cup of Franks Red Hot)

Wash peanuts until water runs clear. Place peanuts in crock pot. Add salt, seasoning, hot sauce, and water. Cook on high for 6 hours. Then cook on low an additional 4-5 hours.
Add additional water during cooking to keep peanuts covered.

Super Easy Pumpkin Bread

I would like to start by saying...I know I am super behind on this one! My apologies in advance!

I started (finally) clearing the memory card on my camera the other day. I found the pics of these muffins and realized I never posted this recipe! So I am taking a few steps back to October of 2009. These were so super easy to make. Instead of making a loaf...I made mini muffins. The recipe made about 24. I made two batches so I could share with my neighbors...and friends at work :)
**This recipe came from Mrs. English on Recipezaar.com**

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup pumpkin puree (I used canned pumpkin)
1/2 cup olive oil (I used canola)
2 eggs beaten
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 cup walnuts (I omitted)
**I doubled all the spices in this recipe. Since I like a very strong nutmeg/cinnamon/allspice flavor**

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, salt, sugar, and baking soda. In a separate bowl combine pumpkin, oil, eggs, water, and spices. Then combine with dry ingredients. Do not mix too thoroughly. Add walnuts. Pour into well buttered 9x5x3 inch loaf pan. Bake 50-60 minutes until a thin skewer poked into the middle comes out clean. Turn out of the pan and let cool on rack.
Makes one loaf.

If desired you can make them in a muffin tin as well. They come out just as moist! Just bake for 12-15 minutes! (mine came out perfect at 12 mins)

Food & Family

I just got my spring Food & Family mag in the mail today! WooHoo :)

I love**love**love the Kraft Food & Family magazine! It is just filled with all kinds of fun and easy recipes...and neat little cooking tips. I have been enjoying this little magazine for close to five years. So it shocked me to find out that most of my friends had never seen it....**gasp** So...for my friends and work peeps...here is the info!

The magazine is sent out quarterly. It is seasonal...so most of the recipes focus around that specific time of year! It is very cost~friendly. A two year subscription is only $13.98! You can go to www.KraftFoods.com to subscribe!

Ok girls! No more excuses...go sign up :)

A Trip To Marietta!

Since I have had a rough week with recovering from oral surgery. My hubby decided to surprise me and take me on a quick trip to GA...to eat at the famous Marietta Diner! I have wanted to visit for a while...and it just so happens that an episode of Diners Drive-In's and Dives that featured the restaurant had just aired the night before.

As soon as you walk in you are mesmerized by glass cases filled with amazing looking desserts of all colors...shapes...and sizes! The place actually has a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Since there was a pretty long wait...the owner opened a huge bottle of wine and started passing out glasses to guests that had been waiting for a table! Everyone goes above and beyond to make you feel like a member of the family!

For dinner I tried the baked pastichio...a Greek specialty. It kinda reminded me of a Greek version of lasagna. All baked in cheesy goodness :) All dinners are served with warm house made bread...a Greek salad or soup...and a huge slice of spinach pie! For dessert....there is anything and everything you could ever want..lol! We tried the carrot cake cheesecake....and it was so good....it will make you slap yo' momma :P

The joint is open 24 hours a day. So no matter what time you find yourself in the ATL area....you can always enjoy a great meal :)

Neely's BBQ

Anyone who knows me...knows I love me some Food Network! I could just sit on my couch for hours on end and watch their shows....and just be as happy as a pig in the sunshine..lol!

The hubs and I decided to take a quick weekend trip to Memphis. It's not that far and it would allow me to finally eat some good 'ol Memphis BBQ.....at the original Neely's! I love some good Southern BBQ...and I also enjoy watching Down Home With The Neely's. It was a win-win situation for everyone :P

It was a bit of a difficult time trying to find the place. We decided to take the trolly....then took the wrong trolly....got lost....got off at the wrong stop.....had to walk forevah in the rain!!! We finally made it...and let me tell you....it was worth all the hassle!

The BBQ starts off with a dry rub to give the meat tons of great flavor while it cooks. The BBQ and BBQ chicken were both so amazing. Tons of flavor! Their baked beans had pork cooked in with the beans for added bits of yumminess. Mark had their chicken fingers...and there was enough to feed a small army! The food was great and the service was even better! If you find yourself in the Memphis area.....check them out :)

**Just a note! The plate in my pic was the SMALL plate! Holy Smokes!!**

If you need a link to their site......http://www.neelysbbq.com/

My New Favorite Snack!!

Now that I am working night shift again I have not had much time to blog. I also have not really cooked or tried anything new that was "blog worthy"....that was...until Sunday night! It was one of the longest night shifts of my life...seriously. As the night drug on I developed the raving munchies. I noticed one of my work peeps eating these pretzel looking things. She offered to share.....big mistake on her part ;) I fell in love with the Andersons Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels! I stopped by two different stores on my way home that morning in search of these little gems. I bought two containers and hid one of them from my hubby (just in case he liked them even more than me!)!! They are seriously good snacking....and taste even better after midnight :P

My Mother's Quick Chili

When I was growing up I can remember my Mom making the best chili in the world. It was nothing fancy..but it would fill you up...and warm you up when the weather was cold! After spending way to much time trying to figure out meals for this week...I thought I would make this and see what my hubby thought. Well....it was a huge hit! Thanks for coming through in a pinch Mom :)


1 lb. ground chuck
1 pkg. Frenches Chili~O mix
1 can Bush's chili beans
1 can dark kidney beans
1 can chili ready tomatoes
1/2 cup water

Brown and drain ground chuck. Drain and rinse kidney beans. Toss in slow cooker with remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4 hours. Enjoy :)

**Like I said...short and sweet!**

Hershey's Deep Dark Chocolate Cake!!

Oh My Goodness! This has got to be one of my favorite cakes ever! Thanks so much to my AL nestie bud...lilcrablegs...for posting this recipe in her blog. It is not too sweet....just enough richness from the dark chocolate..without being bitter....it's just the perfect dark chocolate cake!

**note...even though the recipe says to cool your cakes on a wire rack...I always cool my cakes just slightly in their pans...then I always begin to ice them when they are still warm. My mom always made her cakes this way...and I think it turns out a much more moist cake!**

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa

1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

*Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or one 13x9x2-inch pan!

*Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour into prepared pans.

*Bake 30-35 minutes for round pans. 35-40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (cake may be left in rectangular pan if desired) Frost with One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting (recipe below)!

One Bowl Buttercream Frosting!

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2-2/3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup Hershey's Cocoa or Hershey's Dutch Pressed Cocoa

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Beat butter in medium bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed). Stir in vanilla. Makes about 2 cups.

Christmas Brunch Casserole

This week my hubby and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. I really wanted to make a special breakfast to surprise my hubbs...so I headed off to one of my fav sites...allrecipes.com! I found this recipe...and I made a few alterations....and the husband loved it! It was not my favorite...It tasted a little to "egg" for me...but he loved it..so that's all that really matters :) Mission Accomplished!

1 pound bacon **I substituted 1lb. sausage**

1 tablespoon butter

2 onions, chopped **I only added 1 large onion**

2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms **omitted**

4 cups frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese **I added 2 cups**

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

Place bacon in large, deep skillet. Cook over med high heat until evenly brown. Drain and set aside. In skillet, melt butter and fry onions and mushrooms until tender.

Mix potatoes, onion, mushrooms, bacon, salts and pepper and place in prepared casserole dish.

In a large bowl, beat eggs with milk. Pour over casserole. Top with cheese. **if making the night before..cover and refrigerate**

Cover with foil and bake in oven for 1 hour or until set. If preparing and baking the same day, cook for 45 minutes.

Nicole's Cheese Ball!

One of my best gf's Nicole always makes the most wonderful cheese ball. There is never a bite left of this at the end of any party! After hunting for the recipe for months....I finally found it in an old cookbook my mom had passed down to me. Seriously..the most amazing cheese ball...ever!!

2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese
1/4 or 5 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup each finely chopped bell pepper and green onion
2 cups pecans, chopped
1 dash seasoned salt

Whip up cream cheese with fork until creamy. Put in all ingredients except 1 cup of pecans. Wrap in plastic wrap and let it set overnight. ***this is very important, so onion and bell pepper taste will not be so strong*** Roll cheese ball in leftover pecans to coat right before serving!

Magic Cookie Bars!

These are one of my favorite fall treats! I can remember my mom making these and packing them in my lunch when I was a kid. The butterscotch chips add a nice flavor :)

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup semisweet chips

1 1/3 flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans (or your fav nut)

Melt the butter in a 9x13-inch pan in a 350-degree oven. After butter is melted...sprinkle with the graham cracker crumbs. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crumbs. Sprinkle with the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts; press with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until light brown. Let stand until cool. Cut into bars. Store covered, at room temperature. Makes about one dozen!

Oh The Cuteness :)

On my trip to the beach~ shopping adventure I ran across the cutest thing ever!! I needed a new pair of oven mitts....but oven gloves trimmed in leopard fur....sign me up! My husband just laughs at me...and makes some obnoxious "redneck" jokes...but I love them. I think it adds some spice to my everyday cooking..lol! I contemplated buying the matching apron for a hot minute...but decided to pass on the fear that it might look a little ridiculous (or make my butt look even bigger)!