More coming tomorrow

Hey yall as you can tell I was away from the site for a while...sorry about that ( I have told ya about my attention span being that of a gnat, right?). But I did add a bunch more new things today. Gotta go get my exercise in for the day...and breath in about a ton of pollen, LOL. But I just wanted to let yall know to check back tomorrow or Friday because there will be even more added by then. Hope your enjoying this offical spring weather...even though it's been fairly springy before now. We sure have! ---started prep'n the garden and even squeezed in a fishing trip. But more on all that later.

Spoonful of Love, B

Rotisserie to the rescue!

Seriously what on earth did we ever do before these little guys were invented? 
*Here is a quick hint if you cant get a rotisserie or just want to have some quick protein to add to a meal. When those big packs of chicken go on sale grab one and boil it on the stove with water and bullion cubes, seasoning and liquid smoke. Drain off the broth and save for later or put it up for use in recipes later on. Ok, so shred that chicken and spoon in a little broth. Package in freezer safe bags or containers and thaw it out when needed.  Make sure you get all the air smooshed out before freezing.

*quick hint number two--- don't have time to boil that big pack of chicken? Girrrlll, you aren't alone. Here is another easy way. Dump it in a crock pot, add water and bullion or canned broth, seasoning and OOil. Let it go on low all day or at least for 6 hours. Then do just like I said above.

Ok, back on track here...I'm so A.D.D.- I swear I have the attention span of a gnat!

Chicken Risotto
Ingredients

• Minute Rice (must be minute)
• Rotiss. Chicken any flavor
• 1 Bag of Italian shredded cheese
• Chicken broth or water and 1 can of Cream of chicken, mushroom, herb...you choose
• Milk- splashes as needed for consistency
• Water
• petite diced tomatoes - add as many or as less as you want...or omit.
• Mrs. Dash Italian seasoning, garlic herb- just shake some in to taste.
• 1 can diced portobello mushrooms

Directions

Cook rice as box says...then add all other ingredients. Using med-low heat....then let it simmer, stir occasionally to avoid sticking. 

Serve with

Steamed asparagus, brussel sprouts, green beans, or a salad and garlic bread! Enjoy ;)

A side dish your granny never made!

Talking about easy side dish options on my last post made me start thinkin' about a few other quick and easy side dishes I make....heck I guess all the ones I make are. So here's the details and promise me...even your granny will think you make this from scratch!! --ssh we won't tell ;)

1. Canned green beans
2. Canned greens the skillet way
3. Creamed potatoes
4. Black eyed peas
5. Lima Beans
6. Garlic peas & mushrooms
7. Corn on the cob
8. Creamed corn
9. Parmesan risotto
10. Butter Herb New potatoes
11. Seasoned steamed Broccoli
12. Sweet potato fries
13. Oven "Fries"
14. Mixed Veggies with butter herb sauce

Green beans, & greens- see previous post

Creamed potatoes - Steam in the bag potatoes or instant. Use milk or cream, butter, & chicken broth **never water! Also you can stir in some ranch dsg, or mayo if desired. Season with natures seasoning and pepper to taste. Whip with hand mixer or for even easier shortcut...use a potato masher for rough mashed taters. A potato masher is found where they sell spoons and spatulas. It looks like a curvy S shaped thingy with a handle.

Black eyed peas & Lima beans - Simple picsweet frozen peas with snaps that are seasoned...or frozen plain ones and add butter, seasoning, LSmoke...just add a dash or two of what ever seasoning you like.

Corn on the cob & Garlic peas n mushrooms - Steam fresh bag, pop into microwave for 5 min and done. Add butter and serve. Who woulda ever thought you could have corn on the cob in 5 mins from the freezer! 

Creamed Corn - 1 can whole kernel, 1 can cream or 1 frozen tube of cream. Add S/P, 1/2 - 1 tablespoon sugar, Natures seasoning.

Parmesan Risotto - Minute rice (must be minute), 1 cup shredded Italian cheese, Mrs. Dash Italian- shake in a little to taste.

Butter & Herb New Potatoes - Little red skin potatoes, washed and eyes removed (Do not peel). Place in boiling water or in steamer until softened. Place in a bowl and toss with butter, lemon juice and dill. Can sub any seasoning you like for the dill. But try it at least once it's soo yummy!

Seasoned Steamed Brocoli - Fresh brocoli or frozen (thawed), add spray butter and natures seasoning. Place in steamer for 2-3 minutes.

Sweet potato fries - frozen in a bag...get some they are yummy. Try the chipotle kind too! They have a low glycemic index. 

Oven "fries" - Slice washed semi peeled (peel strips of peeling off, or all if desired)potatoes in half lengthwise and then in long chunky fry like pieces. Place in a ziploc bag...add OO(olive oil), powder parm cheese*optional, Seasoning of choice, and some S/P. This is where you can get creative...toss in anything yummy you can think of....like what you say?...humm try OO and some dry italian dressing mix or some dry ranch dressing mix! See easy now get creative! Coat potatoes in the bag and then dump them out and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven on 425 for 35 minutes or until browned and crispy.

Mixed Veggies - Get a bag of frozen, place in a dish, add water or chicken broth, butter pats, natures seasoning....microwave till softened and hot.

There are many other sides I make, but these are a few to get you started! 

Why yes canned green beans can taste homemade!

Have you ever wanted a quick side item, but didn't have the time to slave away in the kitchen all afternoon. Well try these...
Ingredients

• 1 can Italian cut, or kitchen cut green beans. Also makes for some tasty greens as well!
• olive oil -OO
• liquid smoke - LS
• mrs. dash of choice or Natures seasoning
• chicken broth or double the water and use bullion powder or granules
• *optional- pre-cooked smoked minced ham...minced--this means really tiny tiny pieces, yall!

Directions

Open beans and drain the juice. Refill half way with water. Add a splash of OO, liquid smoke, seasoning to taste and half a can level of chicken broth. If using powder or granules add half can water and your chicken bullion. Toss in a few pieces of minced ham if desired.

Microwave until heated 

For greens, place them in a skillet and add OO, LS, and seasoning. Stir in a little ham if desired.

Enjoy!

Italian Pork or Chicken

This dish can be made with either a pork roast or any boneless chicken you have on hand. If using chicken it can be made in the crockpot or in the oven.

Ingredients

• One marinated pork roast or boneless chicken breasts
• One can stewed tomatoes *either regular or italian
• A splash or two of red wine
• Mrs. Dash onion herb, Italian,  or garlic herb *if your just tuning in I use these in everything! So start building your stock pile today ;)

Directions

Place into crock pot and cook low 4-6 hours. For chicken option baking in Oven: Place into a pyrex dish and bake 375 until chicken is done. To reduce cooking time pound chicken out thinner or butterfly the breast. Also cut breast into 2-3 smaller pieces. This will drastically reduce to cook time often to about 20 minutes. Depending on how thin and small the breast are.

Serve with 

Parmesan rice, and asparagus. Other options: steamed broccoli, steam in the bag garlic peas and mushrooms, Canned Italian cut green beans (check out my recipe to spice them up), risotto, butter herb noodles...

Simply Simmer Potato ham Soup

Ingredients
4 cups chicken broth
1 bag frozen diced potatoes * country hashbrown or steam and mash kind
1 cup cheddar cheese
1 cup instant potatoes *one envelope = this amount
1 cup heavy cream
1 onion, diced
1 cup or more diced smoked ham
s/p to taste

Directions
Pour broth in soup pot over medium heat, add onions and potatoes. Stir and add ham, s/p to taste.
Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered 10-15 minutes so potato cubes can get soft.
Remove lid and add potato flakes, cream and cheese...let it simmer to combine last ingredients then serve! Top with some crumbled bacon and cheese or anything else you like. Enjoy :)

Cherry Coke Pork Roast

Yesterday I threw together this yummy creation. It can be enjoyed roast style, pulled pork style, or placed on a bun or topping on a potato. It's up to you but...better make a bunch, cause you will be wanting the leftovers for sure!

Ingredients

• Pork Roast, loin, etc. *My flavor of choice was Garlic herb ( the kinds that are in vac-pacs and have all the yummy marinade)
• Brown Sugar- about 1/4 cup
• Poultry seasoning-light dash this can be stong
• Mrs. Dash Onion and Herb-dash or two
• Garlic-dash of dried kind
• 1 cup or so Diet Cherry Cola * My personal fav. Publix brand its has splenda in it!

Directions

Place all of the above in crock pot and cook low for 4-6 hours. The End! --see super easy :)

Serve With

Sweet potato fries, steamed veggies, tossed salad, etc.

Hobo Sacks...aka...Cowboy buckets

Ok So it's been FOREVER since I posted, so I thought I would share a quick recipe first them tell ya a little about what I've been up to. These are super easy and can be customized for those who like one veggie over the other. Here is what you need to gather up...

Ingredients- there are only 4!!! see SUPER EASY ;)

• Ground beef, I get ground chuck.
• Baby carrots
• 1-2 potatoes, depending on how many you are making.
• 1 large sweet onion, believe me even if you dont like onions...put them in and rake them out later. It makes the flavor so much better to have them cooked in there.
• **optional- sometimes if I have them on hand I will add a few fresh mushrooms. But for everyday fixin, I dont bother. Just thought I would add that, cause they are good in there.

Directions

Preheat oven to 375, after prep they will cook for 55 min and rest/cool for 10-15. Yea these lil boogers are HOT HOT when they come out and boy do they hold the heat! Place them on a plate or bowl and eat right out of the little foil sack. --oh did I mention how super easy the clean up is too? yep EASY!

Assemble

1. Foil sheet
2. Meat patty
3. Sprinkle with seasoning(natures or dash), or just pepper *sometimes I put a little spot of A1 sauce on the pattys
4. Layer veggies: onions...potatoes...carrots
5. Add 1-2 tablespoons Dales sauce. * I use Moores sauce or Johnny Fleemans = Less Sodium
6. Cup up the foil around contents if you haven't already and close it up tight! this lets the veggies steam on the inside. 
7. Place on a baking sheet, pop 'em in, set the timer....and go do something fun!

Once the timer goes off, set them out and let them cool for about 10-15 minutes ( keeping the bags closed) 

Do yourself a little happy dance, cause dinner is all done-well unless you wanna make a quick salad!
**This recipe is from southernplate.com ... with my personal spin on it. Go on over and check out her site it is AMAZING! Love me some Christy Jordan. Yea I'm kinda a groupie...her retro/antique pyrex collection is out of this world!**

Enjoy!!