Easy glazed ham dinner

This is the easiest and quickest dinner ever! Here is what you will need:
Ingredients
Pre-cooked ham slices or pre-cooked porkchops
Simply Apple juice, or any apple cider
Brown Sugar
1 Bag steam fresh veggies
1 box macaroni and cheese...yea this is comfort food, so why not?!
*can substitute side dishes for what ever is your favorite, Im just a big believer in always having a green veggie with every dish. But its up to you ;)

Let's get to cookin!
Arrange ham in a glass pie dish or shallow pyrex. If using the slices keep the pieces doubled so they don't curl as bad. Pour apple juice over ham and sprinkle with brown sugar. Microwave until warm throughout. Now fix your side dishes and enjoy! See that was FAST ;D

Now I'm off to celebrate my 30th birthday with my sweet hubby!

Venison Chili in the Crock-pot

Please note

*This makes a lot, so either have a crowd to feed or be ready to freeze some. ________________________________________

1 lb ground venison (deer meat) 1 lb ground beef (get higher fat ratio, this is needed b/c venison has none and it is needed to brown the meat and for cooking)

1 1⁄2 packets of chili seasoning (can add rest of pack, per own taste) 1 can great value “fire roasted” tomatoes with green chilis (this is like rotel but a 100 times better)

2 cans of kidney beans (1 dark red and 1 light red) 1 can of Tomato sauce (the bigger one, not the little shorty) 1 medium to large onion chopped ________________________________________ steak marinade of choice (dales, moores or johnny fleemans) worchestshire sauce white sugar & brown sugar salt and pepper cumin dry mustard mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning or similar liquid smoke water olive oil or oil of choice ________________________________________

  

First brown the meats together, adding steak marinade, worchestshire sauce, Mrs. Dash & pepper. Drain and dump in crockpot. Now sauté the onion in the greasy skillet, sprinkle with a little oil if needed and a little white sugar. Once softened slightly put in crockpot. (they will finish cooking in pot, so don’t make them too soft) Now the hard part is all done...add chili season packets, beans drained, canned tomato, tomato sauce and a little water and stir. Add more water as needed because this will be a concentrate. Shake in a little worchestshire, liquid smoke-maybe 6-10 drops (Im bad about measuring, I never do it ;), more pepper and salt to taste, 1-11/2 tablespoon brown sugar, a sprinkle of cumin and dry mustard (can be left out if you don’t have on hand). Cook on low for 4hours or more. The longer it simmers the better it will be. Top it with shredded cheese and serve with frito scoops! ENJOY

Super easy lasagna

 Ingredients

1 jar of favorite spaghetti sauce

1 lbs-1.25 ground chuck or ground turkey *my fav ;)

ricotta cheese * i use the skim version

shredded cheese italian blend

1 can portabello mushrooms

1 small onion or 1/2 larger size, cut into small petals

salt and pepper, ms. dash italian seasoning, red wine for cooking, moores marinade, worchestshire sauce

lasagna noodles, usually takes 9 noodles for a 8x8 pyrex

Directions     

Boil noodles al-dente and set aside, Brown meat with onions and mushrooms (I add moores sauce, worchestshire sauce  (sp?--I can never spell this word and spell check has no answers, darn) , black pepper, and Ms. Dash Italian seasoning during this step) *if using ground turkey I also add red cooking wine , 1/4 cup water and a few chicken bullion granules to the broth. If you use turkey do not drain the meat. Beef must be drained. Mix browned meat with your jar of spaghetti sauce. Ok ready to assemble now. Layer in this order: Noodles, spread of ricotta, meat sauce, sprinkle of shredded cheese, repeat layers and top with a good cap of cheese. I use a little spray butter on the top and some pepper. But you can also place a few pieces of butter on top.  Bake on 375 degrees, until bubbling and cheese is golden. (remember everything is already cooked, you only need things to melt together) Let set for a few minutes for things to firm up and then serve. I like to pair this with a piece of garlic bread and a salad. ***this is one of those dishes that get better with time, day 2 it's even better because the flavors have married.

Roasted brussels with apple & bacon

This is a multi-step easy side dish....If you have ever said I don't like brussels, then you must try these!
Ingredients
3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 family size bag frozen Brussels sprouts, halved * thaw and remove excess moisture
salt and pepper
1 apple, diced
2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange bacon in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until browned, 10 minutes. Add Brussels sprouts in a single layer; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until they begin to brown, about 15 minutes.
Remove from oven, and toss in apple. Return to oven; roast until Brussels sprouts are browned and tender and apple has softened, 10 to 15 minutes.
Toss vegetables with vinegar, and serve immediately.
* Instead of tossing in just the vinegar, I opted for a glaze. Here is the recipe for that: 1 Tablespoon Brown sugar, 3 teaspoons red-wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar. Wisk together and microwave to melt the sugar, drizzle over top and return to oven for a few minutes.


Recipe adapted from marthastewart.com

Hearty one-pot chicken and dumplin's

Ingredients

• 14 oz. can buttermilk biscuits (do not get biscuits with butter)
• 1 rotisserie chicken ( 3 cups shredded chicken)
• 4 cups of H20
• 2 cans cream of chicken
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 1 tsp. chicken bullion granules *optional
• 1/2 cup mixed veggies or celery and carrots

Directions

In a stock pot, add cream of chicken, water, pepper and bullion granules. Cut biscuits up into small cubes and set aside. While bringing to a boil, add chicken. Once boiling drop in biscuit cubes, stir and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 min. and enjoy!

*adapted from a recipe from my momma

Super easy chicken pot-pie

Ingredients
1-2 Cup of rotisserie chicken
1-2 Cup Mixed veggies
1 10-oz can of Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Cup of biscuit making mix
1/2 cup of Milk
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1/2 teaspoon Natures Seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix chicken, veggies, chicken soup, and spices and spread in the bottom of a round baking dish.
3. Mix Biscuit mix, milk, and egg and pour on top of chicken mixture.
4. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Brown Sugar Balsamic glazed pork

Ingredients
1 (2 pound) boneless pork tenderloin (or regular pork loin)
1 teaspoon ground sage * I used poultry seasoning, works just the same and it was what I had on hand.
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 clove garlic, crushed * Used powdered garlic, read on package for 1 clove equivalent
1/2 cup water * Push meat out of the way with fork and pour along sides, so not to wash off the dry rub
Glaze
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Directions:
Combine sage, salt, pepper and garlic. Rub over roast. Place in slow cooker with 1/2 cup water. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. About 1 hour before roast is done, combine ingredients for glaze in small sauce pan. Heat and stir until mixture thickens. * or microwave in glass pyrex cup or bowl--easy and fast! Brush, baste or drizzle... roast with glaze 2 or 3 times during the last hour of cooking. Serve with remaining glaze on the side.

*thanks to candmarriagefactory.com for the recipe

Oven roasted green beans and mushrooms

8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 family size bag frozen green beans * thaw and remove excess moisture
1 1/2 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
2 T finely grated parmesan cheese * powdered kind like for spaghetti, works great!
Preheat oven to 450F
Put cut beans and mushrooms into a Ziploc bag or plastic bowl. Whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar and pour over, then squeeze bag or stir so all the beans and mushrooms are lightly coated with the mixture. Arrange on large cookie sheet, spreading them out well so beans and mushrooms are not crowded. Roast 20-30 minutes, starting to check for doneness after 20 minutes. Cook until beans are tender-crisp, mushrooms are cooked, and all liquid on the pan from mushrooms has evaporated. Season beans to taste with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with finely grated parmesan. Serve hot.

recipe adapted from on one Kalynskitchen.com

Italian turkey cutlets with cabernet cream sauce and sides

Main Dish
Crispy turkey cutlets-  Dip cutlets in water or egg wash and then coat in breadcrumbs and dry italian dressing mix
bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Sides
Simmered mushrooms- simmer clean mushrooms in a pot of moore's mariade and water
Crunchy Asparagus - Coat spears in egg wash, roll in mixture of 1 cup panko bread crumbs, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup powdered parm cheese, and salt/pepper. Bake on a wire rack placed over a cookie sheet on 425 degrees for 15 minutes.
Sauce
In a small sauce pot combine Nemans own cabernet marinara and heavy cream, stir together and simmer on low for 5 min. Use for topping turkey and for dipping aparagus.

Crock-pot Orange glazed chicken

Ingredients:
• boneless chicken breasts, chopped into small chunks
• 1/3 cup flour
• olive oil
• 1/2 T salt
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 T ketchup
• 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate (thaw or throw it in the microwave for 45 seconds)
• 4 T brown sugar
Directions:
Coat chicken in flour and lightly brown it ( do not cook it all the way) in a skillet of hot oil, set aside onto a paper towel. Then combine all other ingredients into a bowl and wisk together. Pour a small amount into the crock-pot and dump in the chicken pieces, top with remaining sauce and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with snow peas and steamed rice, yumm.
* I made this and it was pretty tasty, but seemed to be lacking something...give it a whirl and let me know what you added!
recipe obtained from pinterest.

A few of my favorite seasonings...

I thought I would do a quick note on my favorite seasonings and where to find them. First I wanna talk about my major obsession with Mrs. Dash...as most of you know I'm not a big fan of salt. So if you are a heavy salter then, know when you make my recipes you will definitely have to add some extra salt. Mrs. Dash brand has a large assortment of seasonings for almost every recipe  you could think of. My favorite ones are: garlic and herb, onion and herb and of course italian medley. These can be found anywhere...walmart, and most all grocery stores. Second staple in the spice cupboard is Natures season's, it is a one stop seasoning that can be put on everything...and I do. I literally sprinkle this stuff on everything!! It once again can be found anywhere and everywhere. And last but not least is No salt seasoning, this little guy comes from Big Lot's and it too is one you will add to everything. Oh and one other secret I keep in my cupboard is liquid smoke, it is a wonderful addition to veggies, soups, stews, etc...it gives it that cooked with bacon grease or soul food flavor without having to add any greasy fats. Need a quick dinner idea, take chicken breast or porkchop...drizzle with olive oil or spray butter and sprinkle with any of these

Chicken Cresent Bake

2 (8 ounce) cans Refrigerated Crescent Dinner Rolls
Topping >1 (10 3/4 ounce) can chicken soup, undiluted
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese or swiss cheese (or any cheese of choice)
1/2 cup milk
Filling
4-6 ounces cream cheese (very soft)
2 tablespoons butter (very soft but not melted)
1/2-1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tsp minced onion flakes or sauteed onions
2 large cooked chicken breasts, finely chopped *this is were I use a rotisserie they are already cooked and seasoned! You will notice I do this for alot of recipes....the easier the better!
1/2-3/4 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper (or to taste)
2 Tbsp. milk * splash more in if it' s too sticky
1-2 cup grated cheddar cheese (for topping)
Set oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 dish with cooking spray. Mix together milk, 3/4 cup cheese and undiluted chicken soup (can season with black pepper if desired). and set aside
For the filling --- (make certain that the cream cheese and butter are very soft) in a bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with butter until very smooth, then add in garlic powder. Add in the chopped chicken, onion and cheddar cheese; mix well until combined. Add in 2 tablespoons milk; mix to combine (add in a little more if the mixture seems too dry). Season with salt / pepper to taste. Unroll the crescent rolls. Place 1 heaping tablespoon chicken mixture (or a little more) on top of each crescent triangle, then roll up starting at the thicker end. Drizzle a small amount of soup mixture on the bottom of the dish. Then place the crescent rolls seam-side down on top of the creamed mixture in the casserole.
Drizzle the remaining sauce on top (you don't have to use the full amount of cream sauce, just use as much as desired) and sprinkle with 1 cup (or more) grated cheese, or amount desired. Bake for about 30 minutes.
*adapted from a recipe on recipezaar.com

Hey Yall!

Let me start by saying, I am by no mean one of those girls who are good bloggers...ya know those ones you go to read and get sucked into like all the tweens into a latest Harry Potter book! Ha for me it would be more like a Nicolas Sparks Novel or oh...have yall read the "Help"...that one really sucked me in!!! I often wonder when they sleep, I have yet to find that many hours in a day!  But I digress, I am creating this blog if you can really call it that...to share things I cook, recipes and other things with friends and who ever else wants to peer into the life of a recipe obsessed housewife with a dear sweet hubby that has an appetite of like 4 men---more like 4 big burly mountain men, yea he's one of those we all love & hate...Mr. my metabolism runs 90 mph all day long so I never gain a pound! uggg--- I so wish I was that way, But dont we all?! Well guess Ima gonna go and dig through the past few weeks and gather up yall some good recipes. P.S. All my recent recipes can be found on pinterest. Oh and thanks again for visiting ;D