Sticky Chicky

This month's menu includes a chicken dish that I called Heinz Balsamic Chicken. It is one of the best chicken recipes we've tried. When looking for the recipe on my site, I realized that I previously called it sticky chicky. I'm going to leave it posted that way, so in order to find it, look under the chicken label for the recipe called "sticky chicky"...Believe me, you won't regret trying this recipe!

Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
(recipe from Busy Mom's Slow Cooker Cook Book)

2 lbs chicken breast tenders (or 2 lbs cut-up chicken breasts)
1 1/2 c. bottled bbq sauce
1/4 c. honey
2 tsp. mustard
1 1/2 tsp. worcestershire sauce

Mix sauce, pour over chicken in crock pot. Cover and cook on low heat for 4-5 hours or high heat for 2-2 1/2 hours.
***This recipe works equally well in a baking dish in the oven. Cover baking dish with foil to keep juices in, bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 min.

February Menu

Can't believe that I didn't post anything other than the menu last month...I'm going to try to do better, but this is a short month, so.....we'll see! Hope you enjoyed some of the recipes from last month's menu. But, if you're like me, you might not have gotten to all of them. I make the menus with every intention of making every recipe for that month...but, sometimes things don't go on sale, or I just don't feel like making a particular recipe. So, I hope you all read the menus, get some good ideas, and then tailor it to fit your needs. I know that I definitely like having a plan! It has helped tremendously to keep my grocery bill down...I now go to the store with a plan...which is better than just going and hoping to get inspired at the store.

1. Pick a leftover from last month's menu
2. Baked Potato Soup: I found this recipe on the menus4mom.com website (which is a great website, by the way). You can get the detailed recipe on that site, but if you're like me, soup doesn't have to be real exact. Here are my "condensed" instructions: Make a roux with 2/3 c. each butter and flour. Add 6 c. milk, stirring to thicken. Add the pulp from 4 large baked potatoes (previously baked). Add salt/pepper to taste and 12 slices cooked, crumbled bacon. Add 1 1/4 c. cheddar cheese (shredded). Add 8 oz. sour cream just before serving. ***I'm thinking that you could add instant mashed potatoes or leftover mashed potatoes as a substitute for the baked potato pulp.
3. Honey BBQ chicken tenders: A crockpot recipe. I've posted the recipe before. I will try to post the link tomorrow.
4. Quesadillas: These are always a quickie meal that the kids love. We prefer using cooked chicken, salsa, and cheddar cheese. Just fill with whatever filling your crowd loves, fold in half, and microwave (or grill in skillet or panini maker). Serve with sour cream, if desired.
5. Leftovers/out (Shane's birthday...hoping to go our:))

6. Dinner at the inlaws to celebrate Shane's birthday!
7. Spaghetti and Meatballs, bread, and salad
8. Chipped Beef Gravy over biscuits: I prefer to use Eskay brand chipped beef in the dairy section of the store (I've heard it comes in a jar, too, but I have never used that). I chop the beef into small pieces and fry it in some Crisco shortening. I use about 3-4 Tbsp. of shortening. You want to have enough fat in the pan to make a roux for your gravy. After a few minutes of frying, add 1/4 c. to 1/2 c. flour to the meat and fat (my grandma always told me to add enough flour to absorb all the fat...if that helps ya!). Let the flour cook for a few minutes (this will help prevent lumps in your gravy later). Add 1 can evaporated milk, stirring, and cooking until thickened. If the gravy is too thick, add milk until desired consistency. Serve over biscuits or toast.
9. Heinz Balsamic Chicken: I got this recipe off the back of the ketchup bottle, and I'm telling you...It is the best chicken recipe ever!! Everyone should have this recipe!!! I will post this recipe (hopefully tomorrow).
10. Taco Salads: taco meat over tortilla chips, with cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes
11. Paninis: best with a panini maker, but will work in a grilling pan. We prefer ham, mozzi cheese, pepperoni, and pizza sauce, but make whatever your family likes.
12. Leftovers, or baked chicken potpie. Might be feeling like a comfort food at this point. I use a homemade double crust or you can buy a pie crust in the dairy section of the store. Make the filling out of roux, cooked chicken, and mixed veggies. My favorite recipe is from Southern Living. You can find it in their cookbook, or online. I may have it posted here on the site as well, will have to check.

13. Stuffed Shells (or a Valentine's Day Dinner out, if I'm lucky): You can make this from scratch, or just use the frozen stuffed shells with spaghetti sauce and mozzi cheese on top.
14. Make a special meal for your hubby!....or for another idea, sloppy joes and french fries.
15. Ham Steak, rice, green beans
16. Meatloaf Minis: why mini? they cook faster! You can use whatever recipe you like or find my recipe on this site.
17. Shortcut Chicken Cordon Blue: another recipe from the menus4mom website. 2 c. cooked chicken, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 2 Tbsp. each water and chicken broth, 1/2 c. each shredded swiss cheese and cubed cooked ham. Mix together, heat, and serve over cooked egg noodles.
18. Pizza
19. Leftovers

20. Chicken Lasagne: yet another recipe from menus4moms (detailed recipe on their site). I will have to post the recipe later since it is very long and involved. It sounds really yummy and I can't wait to try it!
21. Sausage Potato Quiche: a family favorite. a quiche that is not too fussy or fancy. It has a potato crust, with eggs, sausage, and cheese on top. I've posted this one before, will try to link it tomorrow.
22. Chili Mac or Chili over Rice: not sure what I'll be feeling like by this time of the month. I will either add macaroni to my chili recipe or just make it and serve it over rice.
23. Turkey Rice casserole: I don't have a "set in stone" recipe for this one yet, but I have seen a few on myrecipes.com. I will be using one of them.
24. Tator Tot casserole: There are lots of different recipes for this, especially in Taste of Home magazines. I prefer to make it with ground beef (browned with onions), mixed with a package of brown gravy. Put the beef mixture in the bottom of 9x13 dish, top with shredded cheddar cheese and a bag of tator tots. Bake at 375 degrees until the tator tots are browned.
25. Soup and Sandwiches
26. Leftovers

27. Hamburger Supper: This recipe uses brown gravy (again!!) and it is one of our family favorites! I have posted the recipe before, will need to locate and link. Basically, it is ground beef, potatoes, carrots, diced onion, brown gravy, and cheddar cheese. Yummy!
28. Slippery Potpie (ham or beef): another recipe to locate and link!

That's it folks! I will do my best to get these recipes posted and linked as soon as possible...but for now, it is really late. Hope you're willing to try a few of these recipes...Enjoy!

New Year, New Menu

Welcome to the New Year! I'm still a little sleepy since 3 of the 4 kids managed to stay up past midnight...thanks to a kind neighbor who invited us over! No seriously, we had a great visit with them and lots of laughs playing "Apples to Apples". But now, it's time to get back on track for an organized year. The new menu is made, and after looking it over, seems to contain a lot of Mexican dishes. So, sorry to those of you who don't like Mexican...but my family loves it! Hopefully you will get some good ideas of new things to make...we'll try a few new things together. If they are good or bad, I'd love to have comments. I DO NOT like to pass on bad recipes, so I'd rather prevent culinary disasters from hitting someone else's house if possible!

Jan 1-8:
1. Leftovers: sorry, Saturday is my leftover day...although, this is New Year's, so if I can get out to get a pork roast, I might make pork and sauerkraut!
2. Country Gravy Beef & Pasta Soup: I found this recipe in an advertisement in a Paula Deen Magazine. It is meant for layering in a jar as a gift...you've seen those, right? Well, they seem quick enough, so I'm going to try two of them this month! This one combines 1 lb. browned ground beef, onion, and celery with 2 Tbsp. beef bouillon granules, 1 package Country Gravy Mix (found in the gravy aisle), 1 package Brown Gravy Mix, parsley, 3 cups uncooked small pasta (any variety), 7 cups of water, and one can of diced tomatoes. Heat to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer 5-7 min until pasta is tender. How simple is that?? I hope it's good. As an option, you can add 1 cup frozen peas or greenbeans. I'm not sure if I will till I see how it looks.
3. Chicken Bruschetta: (from the Kraft magazines) Combine 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 box Stovetop Stuffing mix (6 oz.), 1/2 c. water, and 2 cloves garlic in a medium bowl. Place 1 1/2 lb. diced chicken breasts in a 13x9 baking dish. Sprinkle chicken with 1 tsp. basil and 1 cup shredded mozzarella. Top with stuffing mixture and bake 30 min at 400 degrees.
4. Burritos: store-bought or homemade. I make mine with 1 lb browned, ground beef, 1 can refried beans, and 1 jar salsa. Combine ingredients, add 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Place in tortillas and roll up. You can eat immediately, or bake them in a casserole dish with more cheese on top. Save the leftover fillling for Friday's meal.
5. Baked Ravioli, garlic bread: Layer frozen ravioli, spaghetti sauce, and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and ravioli are heated through (about 25 min.).
6. Ham slices, fried potatoes
7. Mexican Pizza: use the leftover filling from the burritoes to make a fast pizza. I spread the leftover filling on a store-bought pizza crust (the ones in the can). I top with mozzarella and cheddar cheese and bake at 400 degrees for 20 min (or until crust is starting to brown and cheese is melted). I serve a slice with lettuce, tomato, and sour cream on top.
8. Leftovers
Jan. 9-15
9. Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes
10. Chicken Tetrazzini: (a Campbell's recipe) Cook 8 oz of spaghetti and drain. Combine two cans of cream of chicken soup with one soup can of milk. Add cooked diced onion, if desired. Add cooked spaghetti to soup mixture. Add 2 cups cooked, cubed chicken, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, and 2 Tbsp. dried parsley. Toss lightly to coat spaghetti, heat through.
11. Bacon Cheeseburger Roll-ups (Taste of Home): Cook 1 lb. ground beef, onion, and chopped bacon (6 slices) in a frying pan; drain. Add 8 oz. velveeta cheese, stir until melted. Flatten a jumbo biscuit (from a "Pillsbury" can) into a 5 inch circle. Spoon 1/3 c. of the meat mixture onto the biscuit. Fold the dough in half and use the end of a fork (the tines) to crimp the biscuit dough shut. Bake at 400 degrees for 18-20 min or until golden brown. Serve with a mixture of ketchup and mustard. These are basically like hotpockets, so you could put any filling in them you want, but I love bacon, so this one is for me. You can also freeze these for quickie lunches later.
12. Country Gravy Chicken Soup (Paula Deen Magazine): another quick meal "from a jar". This is meant to layer in a jar and be given as a gift, but the recipe is so quick, I had to try it. One Package Country Gravy Mix (in the gravy aisle), 2 Tbsp. chicken bouillon granules, minced onion and celery, parsley, 3 cups uncooked egg noodles, and 8 cups of water. Combine in large pot, heat to boiling. Reduce heat and add 1 10 oz can of cooked chicken or 1 1/2 cups cooked, cubed chicken. Cover and simmer 5-6 min or until noodles are tender. Could also add frozen peas to this as an option.
13. Creamy Ham and Noodle Casserole (Taste of Home): 3 cups tricolored spiral noodles, cooked. Sautee a handful of onion and celery in butter till tender. Stir in 1 can cheddar cheese soup and 1 soup can of milk. Add 2 cups cooked, diced ham (leftovers, or you can buy diced ham in packages at Walmart). Toss the cooked pasta with the soup mixture, place in greased 9x13 casserole dish, top with crushed Ritz crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min. This is a make-ahead recipe as well, so you can freeze the casserole for later use.
14. Chicken Nuggets and boxed macaroni & cheese
15. Leftovers
Jan.16-22:
16. Meatroll (from the back of the Jiffy Mix box): my mom made this for us when we were kids, and I get hungry for it every once in awhile...kind of like "Spam"...only I don't ever make that! You can use any type of meat in this, but I have always had it with ground beef, so I'm going to stick with that. Brown 1 1/2 lb ground beef and onion in a frying pan; drain. Add salt and pepper to taste. In separate bowl, mix 2 cups Jiffy Mix (I'm sure Bisquick would work as well) with 1/2 cup of milk. Combine into a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a rectangle (9x12). Cover with meat mixture and roll up (jelly-roll style). Place onto a lightly greased baking sheet, seam side down. Slash top several times to vent. Bake 20-25 min at 400 degrees. Serve with gravy (mom usually used a mixture of leftover beef gravy and tomato soup--sounds weird, but was delicious!). You could use brown gravy if you don't have any leftover beef gravy.
17. Pork BBQ sandwiches, baked beans: I'll cook boneless pork chops in the crockpot and then add BBQ sauce after shredding.
18. Stuffed French Toast and Bacon: Spread two slices of thick bread with strawberry cream cheese spread. Top with bananas or blueberries (or any fruit, if desired). Put bread together, like a sandwich. Dip in egg mixture (standard French toast mix of eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla). Fry in buttered pan (like a grilled cheese). Serve with syrup and powdered sugar.
19. Chicken Tucson (Meals for a Month): Spread 1/2 cup salsa in bottom of 9x9 baking dish. In separate bowl, combine 2 cans drained and rinsed black or pinto beans (or combination), 2 cups cooked chicken, and remaining salsa (from a 20 oz. jar). Place 3 tortillas on top of the salsa in the baking dish. Top with 1/2 of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Repeat tortilla and chicken layers. Dollop 1/2 cup sour cream on top and another cup of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 min.
20. Brown Gravy Patties: make hamburger patties out of standard meatloaf recipe (meat, egg, onion, salt/pepper). Brown patties on both sides in a frying pan. Add 2 packages of brown gravy (mixed with water, according to package directions). Simmer the patties until cooked through. Serve with mashed potatoes.
21. Sandwiches or Hoagies
22. Leftovers
Jan. 23-31
23. Ham and Bean Soup with hushpuppy muffins: Hushpuppy Muffins (Southern Living): Combine 2/3 cup cornmeal, 1/3 cup flour, 1 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 tsp. salt in mixing bowl. Add handful of diced onion, 1/3 cup milk, 1 large egg, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, and 1/8 tsp. pepper. Stir just until moistened. Spoon batter into greased miniature muffin pan. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 min or until golden brown.
24.BBQ Beef Tips over Rice: Roll 1 lb. beef tips/cubes in mixture of flour/salt/pepper. Brown in small amount of oil in skillet. In a crockpot, combine the following: the browned beef, 1/2 c. diced onion, 1 tsp. EACH salt, paprika, and mustard, black pepper to taste, 1 Tbsp. worchestershire sauce, 1 cup ketchup, and 1 Tbsp. EACH lemon juice, vinegar, and brown sugar. Cook on low heat 6-8 hours. I usually double the sauce ingredients so that we have more to put on our rice.
25. Chicken Parmesan over spaghetti: I will probably just use chicken patties instead of breading chicken breasts. This is my quick version.
26. Porcupine Meatballs: Mix 1 lb. ground beef, 1/2 cup rice (regular or instant), diced onion, 1/2 tsp. celery salt, 1/8 tsp. garlic powder, and salt/pepper and 1/2 cup water. Shape into meatballs. Brown in a skillet, drain if necessary. Pour 15 oz. can of tomato sauce and 2 tsp. worchestershire sauce over meatballs. Heat to boiling, reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 min (add extra time if using regular rice). Add water if necessary. This dish can also be baked (place unbrowned meatballs in baking dish, cover with sauce and bake at 350 degrees 45 min covered/15 min uncovered.)
27. English Muffin Pizzas
28. Taco Chili (Taste of Home): 2 lbs ground beef (browned), 2 cups water, 1 can refried beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can chili beans, 1 can whole kernel corn, 1 can stewed or diced tomatoes, 1 cup salsa, 1 envelope taco seasoning, 1 can black olives (optional). Bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 10 min. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheddar cheese. I like to serve it with crushed tortilla chips as well.
29. Leftovers
30. Pancakes and Eggs
31. Honey Apricot Chicken (Taste of Home): 4 boneless chicken breasts (cooked in oil in skillet). When cooked through, pour following sauce over chicken: 3 Tbsp. apricot or peach preserves, 2 Tbsp. orange juice, and 4 tsp. honey. I like to add a little ginger to mine. Cook for 2 min until heated through.

December Menu

I'm running a little late on posting this month's menu...I hope this isn't a sign of the times to come for the rest of the month. And I really have no excuse since this month is a "guest menu" from my cousin! She's been making menues long before I decided to post mine, and she actually inspired me to get my act together for making a menu in the first place! She actually made this menu for November, but I had already posted my November menu. So I decided to make a few changes and make it my December menu. My cousin seems to have a very busy schedule with running her girls here and there for sports and school events, so I thought her menu would work great this month (since we are all running around like maniacs!). She keeps things very simple during the week, but likes to cook bigger meals on the weekends. I hope the menu works for you all, but if it doesn't, just do what I do: make adjustments!! You know what works for your family, what they eat, when you are out, or when you feel like a big home-cooked meal. Re-work the menu items to fit your needs! But definitely get yourself organized in the kitchen with a menu...it will help in the chaos of this season! Thanks, Jen, for the ideas!

Dec 1: Pick an item from last month's menu that you didn't get to make
Dec 2: Steamers, Mac-n-cheese, veggies
Dec 3: Stromboli: I use canned pizza dough layed out flat, filled with pizza sauce, mozzarella, ham, and pepperoni. Roll up, seal edges, and bake according to directions on can.
Dec 4: Leftovers
Dec 5: Roast Chicken, Stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn
Dec 6: Ham Steak, Rice or Fried Potatoes, green beans
Dec 7: Chicken Corn Soup. Use the leftover chicken from Sunday night.
Dec 8: Salisbury Steak. She uses the store-bought Banquet brand, but you could also make hamburger patties and cook them in mushroom soup or brown gravy.
Dec 9: Paninis. Italian Grilled Cheese and Meat sandwich. Works best on thicker bread. If you don't have a panini maker, just make grilled ham and cheese or grilled turkey and cheddar.
Dec 10: Pizza (homemade, frozen, or chefboy R dee)
Dec 11: Leftovers
Dec 12: Country Fried Steak. Can buy the Tyson frozen brand or make your own. Serve with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Dec 13: Quickie Chicken Potpie. Chicken, cream of potato soup, veggies, baked with stuffing on top.
Dec 14: Goulash (this was on October's menu, so if you want something a little different you can make hamburger, macaroni, and tomato soup. Just add beef broth to your desired thickness and season with Italian seasoning.)
Dec 15: Shake and Bake Pork chops, boxed Au Gratin potatoes, veggie
Dec 16: Chili
Dec 17: Out
Dec 18: Leftovers
Dec 19: Chicken Casserole. This is a quick casserole that my cousin came up with. She uses tri-colored noodles, cream of celery soup, and diced chicken breasts (cooked). Bake until warm. I think it would be good with some cheddar cheese on top, too.
Dec 20: Hamburger Helper
Dec 21: Fish Sticks and Fries. I won't be making this because I don't make fish, but some of you might.
Dec 22: Tacos
Dec 23: Chicken Patties, tater tots
Dec 24: Christmas Eve get-together/party food (meatballs, finger sandwiches, chips, etc.)
Dec 25: Christmas Dinner at the in-laws
Dec 26: Christmas Leftovers or Hot dogs
Dec 27: Soup and Sandwiches
Dec 28: Beef Stroganoff
Dec 29: Hot Turkey Sandwiches and Gravy Fries
Dec 30: Vegetable Soup
Dec 31: Subs or get-together for party foods

xmas 2010

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Christmas is coming...

I can hardley believe that Christmas is just around the corner! It's time to start thinking about gifts, Christmas cards, and cookie exchanges! I LOVE cookie exchanges! No doubt you've started thinking about some of these things...a walk into any store will tell you that Halloween items are on the clearance rack and Christmas things are on the frontlines! It's a call to action...a call to get organized and ready. Black Friday will be here in just a week and a half. The sales flyers will help you get organized for store purchases, but where can you go to get ready for the daunting task of dum dum dum dum (dramatic music)....Christmas cards?? Have you taken a look at Shutterfly's selection this year?? http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery They have some really cool designs. I was looking through them the other day and I was really impressed! First of all, there are so many designs that you most likely won't be picking out the same one as someone else...and even if you do, the pictures make them so personalized that it hardly makes a difference! I love the new "story" cards that they are offering, as well. These cards give you plenty of room for lots of pictures and even short little snippets from the past year...I think it would be cool to make one of these for relatives and friends that don't get to see my kids very often. They give a "newsletter" feel to your Christmas card. http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards
So, Shutterfly has you covered for Christmas and Holiday cards, but what about helping you out with gifts? They have plenty of personalized gifts too! I love making Calendars for the grandparents (http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/wall-calendars ). It's so much fun looking at all the pics throughout the following year. And the picture quality is so much nicer than the calendars you get at WalMart or drug stores. They also have lots of other options to put your kids' faces on to show off to the world...everyone loves a personalized gift!
Using Shutterfly couldn't be any easier. I've tried other sites, and Shutterfly's quality and selection is by far the best I've seen. Plus, they are always running a sale on something! What could be better?.........well, maybe a cookie exchange!

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