Hey everyone, who doesn’t get tired of cooking sometimes and don’t we always look for the easiest thing to prepare for our family.  I really like casserole’s myself because, when your tired and really don’t want to be in the kitchen a casserole is really your best friend.  There so easy who wouldn’t love them  mix everything together and throw it in the oven.  

This recipe  has been passed down through the neighborhood where the ladies get together and swap their best of the best recipe’s  how cool is that so you know, it has to be a good dish or it would have gotten pitched in the trash can.  This recipe for spicy chicken noodle casserole is so satisfying , I really have to add it to my comfort food list and it really taste better the next day when all the ingredients have had a chance to meld together.  So we hope you  give it a try and hope you like it as much as we do.

 2  Roasted Chicken Breast

1  Small package of Egg Noodles

2-3  Stalks of Chopped Celery

1 1/2 Cups shredded carrots

    1     Medium Onion chopped

2 TB Minced garlic

 8 oz  Sour cream

1 Can cream of chicken soup

1 Can Rotel tomatoes

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 Cup butter

1 Sleeve Ritz crackers

Boil noodles saving 1 cup of liquid.  Butter the noodles with 1/3 cup butter.  Dice chicken breast.  Boil celery and carrots till all is fork tender and drain.  Saute onion in olive oil or in butter.  Add minced garlic to onion and saute another 2-3 minutes.  Mix 1 cup of reserved liquid with onion, garlic, celery and carrots.

Add sour cream, cream of chicken soup, rotel tomatoes, chicken, noodles and cheddar cheese.  Mix all these ingredients together pour into a greased casserole dish.  Layer the top with Parmesan cheese and crushed Ritz crackers and pats of butter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes the crackers should have a golden brown color.

This recipe is definitely for my beginner cooks and it’s a great one to get introduced to learning to make casseroles.  So, have fun and always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

As you all know, I have been chosen to be a General Hospital Brand Ambassador.  This is so cool because, I kinda get all the inside scoop on whats going on and you get to hear cool  interviews with some of the characters.  Mom’s Central is having a really cool sweepstakes going on right now where one lucky winner gets a chance to visit the set and have a walk on roll how cool it that.  I have been watching General Hospital since I was 15 back in the Luke and Laura days and trust me, that is a very long time ago.

So what are you waiting for you need to head on over to http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A5X5XEZD9 and get signed up you never know, you could be the luck winner.

So, this week the questions are Do you think that Dante is going to do the right thing and tell the truth about what happen? or, is there going to be something new pop up.  What about his little brother is Dante going to realize that he was the one who killed Claudia instead of Sonny.  Better yet, is Michael even going to confess that he killed Claudia.

I tell ya this week is going to be quite interesting.  I really wish Sonny and Dante would get their stuff together and act like normal father and son’s do. I have to be honest though, I wouldn’t want to be in Dante shoes I believe blood is thicker than water but geez  what do you do be loyal to your dad or to your brother.  Better yet, your a cop your suppose to be honest so doesn’t  that mean do the right thing?  Well, we’ll just have to wait and see.

So hope you General Hospital fans keep stopping by so you can get all the inside scoop.  And always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.

Hey everyone hope all is well. You know, back in November, when I was packing to move I posted some Pictures of my Holiday Dinner that I cooked for my kids.  Yes pictures and no recipes.  I really had forgotten about them.  So, I decided what better time than now to post them.  Their great side dishes to accompany and dish.  First, we’ll start with dressing.  I never could make dressing it actually was an embarrassment and to this day, I still don’t know what I was doing wrong.

So, if your having trouble making moist dressing this will solve all your problems.  The one thing that I do is follow the recipe for cornbread on the back of the cornmeal  bag maybe just adding a little bit more sugar.  Do this the night before and then crumble the next day.

Ingredients

1 Can cream of mushroom soup

1 Can cream of celery soup

2 boxes of stove top stuffing

1 Tablespoon sage

3 Can of Chicken Broth

1 Can of water

2 Eggs

Combine all of your wet ingredients and then add to the dry ingredients.  Season to taste.  The seasonings that I use are  garlic powder, salt, pepper.  And if I’m in a good mood, I will saute celery, green peppers and onion lightly and then add to the dressing.  About 2 cups each.

Spray your pan with a non-stick spray.  Put into the oven and cook for about 45 to 1 hour until golden brown on 350 degrees.  If you need to add more water or chicken stock, feel free to do so .  I have been making this dressing for the last four years, without any complaints and trust me, it’s very quick and easy so, it’s the first thing I knock out.  Having some good gravy on the side, just makes it all the better.

Candied yams, who doesn’t love them.  The one thing that I am learning since I’ve move down south is, they eat sweet potatoes anytime especially turning them into sweet potato fries.  That was one thing I had to get use to.

So up North, we basically ate sweet potatoes during the holidays.  What a big change for me but, one that I can get used to.  Below, you will find my personal recipe for candied yams  and you can add and take away from it.

Ingredients

6 Yams

1 Cup white sugar

1 Cup brown sugar

1/2 Cup Karo syrup

1 Stick butter

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

Wash the yams really well and boil them for about 30 to 45 minutes depending on how large they are.  After they cook, peal the skin off and cut into bite size pieces I just like to cut mine into circles and place into a medium casserole bowl.

In a seperate sauce pan, add the one stick of butter and all the sugars and karo syrup.  Once everything is disolved and you have that syrup effect, pour over the cut up sweet potatoes place into the oven on 350 degrees and bake for about 45-1 hr till browned.  These are my two favorite recipes during the holiday but, you know it’’s not about that you eat it when you want it.  I love the dressing with backed chicken using the drippings to make the gravy.

Well, I enjoyed sharing these recipe’s with you even though, I should have done it four months ago.  LOL you know how we get busy some time but,  I hope you enjoy them and always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

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During Lent, many people change their diets and they may or may not eat certain foods on certain days. Some people fast to cleanse the body as a sacrifice and as a way to get closer to a spiritual power. Lent last for 40 days starting Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter.  For observant families that give up meat, on Friday nights during Lent, the dietary restriction does not mean restricting flavor.

The seafood available to you at this time of year are oysters, shrimp, and crab meat.  Now their quite expensive at this time of year but, if your willing to pay you can get them.   After doing some research, I found some food that you can serve your family during Lent.

1.  Potato Pancakes

2.  Shrimp

3.  Salmon

4.  Crab Cakes

Vegetarian Chili often has ground beef or turkey mixed in with a tomato sauce base and kidney beans, but this isn’t a requirement. You can make a yummy, filling chili by substituting different varieties of beans for the ground meat. In addition to your staple kidney beans, throw in a can of Great Northern Beans or black beans. To add more fiber, chop up some celery. Experiment with what your family likes; maybe chop up some carrot or even add diced potatoes. 

Below you will find a great recipe for Shrimp  that I found at Food Editorials hope you like it as much as my family and I did.

Tangy Lemon Pepper Shrimp

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 8 minutes

1 12-ounce carton SeaPak® Shrimp Scampi (frozen)                                                                                                                        

1 tsp. lemon pepper

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 cup dry white wine

HEAT large saute skillet on medium for 1 minute.

ADD frozen shrimp to pan and saute 6 minutes.

WHISK lemon pepper, Dijon mustard and wine in a small bowl. Pour mixture over shrimp. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. Simmer for additional 3-5 minutes (or until shrimp are fully cooked), stirring frequently.

SERVE shrimp over pasta or rice. Makes 2-3 servings.

So these are just a few suggestions that might can help you in preparing dishes during the Lenten Season.  And as always

KEEP IT SIMPLE
 
 

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The other day, I made a chocolate pound cake, which turned out pretty good.  This was my first time making a chocolate pound cake I normally will make a lemon pound cake.  This cake turned out pretty good so I though I would pass it on to you.  Unfortunately, I didn’t take my pictures like I normally do but, I will next time.

I thought I would try to get back to some basics after all, that is what my blog is all about.  Basic cooking for the beginner cook. This chocolate poundcake  is very basic and very easy.  We all like sweets but we sometimes,  will go out and buy them instead  of trying to make them our selves.  Cooking is suppose to be enjoyable but, the only way you can make this happen is to get into the kitchen and make mistakes.  This is how we learn by our mistakes.

I have never been a baker but  just recently in the last two months, I have tried my hand at baking. some  good and some bad you know those dog gone biscuits which by the way I haven’t forgotten about still working on them.  So give it a try what do you have to loose just a bunch of ingredients yea right!

Ingredients:

1 Cup of butter or Margarine

1/2 Cup of Shortening

3 Cup of granulated sugar

5 eggs

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

3 Cups flour

1/2 Teaspoon baking powder

1/2 Teaspoon salt

5 Tablespoons of cocoa

1 to 1/2 Cup of Carnation Milk

1/4 Cup of Sour Cream

Now don’t be scared this is all going to work out very well.  Beat butter and shortening; add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in vanilla and sour cream. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add alternately with milk to creamed mixture.

 Bake chocolate pound cake in a greased 10-inch tube pan at 325° for 80 minutes, or until chocolate pound cake bounces back when touched lightly in the center with finger.

 You just gotta try this cake if not this cake the cake of your choice.  Everyone love sweets and a meal is  not complete without them.  Step it up a notch and do something different and always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Hey everyone a couple of weeks ago, I was selected to be a General Hospital Brand Ambassador. I’m very happy to have been selected and hope, that I can fill those shoes well.

 I have been watching this soap opera since I was 15 years old and trust me, I’m up in age now so I’ve been watching this show for a very long time. I’ve seen charactors come and go and come back again.

General Hospital has a sweepstakes that is running on the Mom Central Website and one winner will be choosen to fly to Los Angeles to visit the set and have a walk on role. How cool is that. So if your a General Hospital fan, don’t forget to enter the sweepstakes. http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A5X5XEZD9 .

If your a General Hospital fan, email me and maybe we can chat a bit cause there’s a lot of stuff going on now.

“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other General Hospital branded items to facilitate my review.”

Hi everyone happy Fat Tuesday to you. What a surprise I got this morning when, I opened my mail and had received the Beautiful Bloggers Award from Stephanie of Adventures In Mommyville. Gee I just don’t know how I do it but, I hope that I can keep it up. Make sure you check out Stephanie’s blog she has a lot of great recipe’s and very interesting article’s. Thanks again Stephanie for nominating me.

Of  course there are rules to accepting the nomination:

1.  Thank the person who nominated you

2.  Copy the award and paste it on your blog

3.  Link to the person who nominated you for the award

4.  List 7 interesting things about yourself

5.  Nominate 7 beautiful bloggers

Now I don’t honestly know if I’m that interesting and if I ask my children they will never shut up going on and on so, I will have to wing this one by myself.

1.  I really like to cook when I’m upset or have a lot of things on my mind

2.  If it’s time to go fishing nothing can stop me I’m Out!

3.  I’ll read a cook book like some people ready the daily newspaper

4.  I’m not prissy and don’t have a problem with getting dirty.

5.  I love to shop at antique shops for old and odd things

6.  I hate to walk cause the old feet aren’t what they use to be

7.  I’m addicted to certain cooking shows

Well that wasn’t too hard now I must pass the award on to 7 beautiful blogger’s

1.  My Savoury life

2.  Through Clouded Glass

3.  My Real Review

4. Coupon Clippin Mommy

5.  Second Time Around

6.  Thrifty And Frugal Living

7.  Allen Ramblings

Well, these are my seven choices and I hope that you all will have time to stop by and pay them a visit.  Their all quite interesting to read and I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do.  Have a good one and always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Hi everyone I hope that everyone had a great Valentine’s Day. Today, I decided that I would talk about the 15 bean soup that I cooked the other day. It was totally awesome. The one thing I like about the this soup is you can put just about whatever you want into it ham, ham hocks or you can eat it with no meat at all creating the textures and flavors that you are looking for.

Ingredients:

1 bag of 15 beans
1 medium onion
1 Clove of garlic
2 Celery stalks
1 Bay Leaf
1 Teaspoon cumin
1 Teaspoon white pepper
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon Thyme
1 Teaspoon Oregano

I always like to soak my beans over night. In a large pot, add six cups of water and add the beans and bring to a boil then turn down the heat and cook for about 2 1/2 hours till the beans are almost done.

In another pot, add two tablespoons of olive oil and saute the onions, garlic and celery until they become soft and if your adding meat, you can add the meat also. When the beans are almost done, add the onions garlic and celery and all your dry seasonings.

Make sure you do your taste test to make sure it is seasoned well. Cook for about another 30-40 minutes slowly stirring so they don’t stick. If at any time you feel you need to add more water, do so. The beans will start to get thicker which is what you want because you want them to be a little thicker than a watery soup.

Then I like to cook up a pan of cornbread in my cast iron skillet and serve with the beans.  So if you have never tried the 15 bean soup. I really would recommend it they just have a totally different taste.  And always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

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Hey everyone I know the weather has probably got stuck in the house but this is the time I try to cook what are comfort foods to me.  I love roasted chicken I like it  just as much as I like fried chicken and on a certain day, it will win hands down.  I enjoy when the chicken has a nice crust on the skin and when you cut or bite into it, it’s nice and juicy.

Roasting a chicken is quite simple nothing hard at all. The whole prep time should take about 10 minutes or less.  The total cooking time, will take about 1 1/2 hours.  And the final product will be a juicy piece of bird you can’t resist.

Ingredients

1 5-6 pd Chicken

1 Head of garlic

1/2 Leamon

Salt and Pepper

1 medium Onion

1/2 Stick of butter

Remove giblets and rinse the chicken in cool water. Pat dry with paper towel and season the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Cut the onion and lemon in quarters. Cut the garlic in half.

Stuff the inside of the chicken with some lemon, garlic, onion and butter.  Tie up the legs and place the chicken in the roaster.  If you have any left over garlic, onions you can always put it in the bottom of the pan.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, and cook for  1 1/2 hours or until the juices run clear.  Now if you want to take it a step further,  you can take the juices that are in the bottom of the pan and make a very nice gravy.  I think we will cover that in another post.

So, this is what we had for dinner tonight roasted chicken with greens, cornbread and 15 bean soup  and believe me I’m so stuffed but, it’s not over yet cause now we have to talk about desert.

Apple Pie who can’t resist.  Now you know why I’m so stuffed.  This was the best apple pie I’ve had  in a very long time.  So, let me tell you a secret.  STORE BOUGHT but, to dress it up a little, sprinkle the top with brown sugar and cut small pieces of butter and add to the top. 

 Throw it in the oven until the brown sugar melts and OMG the crust will be so crispy and yummy you won’t be able to eat just one piece.  Trust me.  Serve this with some ice cream and your meal will be complete.

 Well I’m really too full and too sleepy to say anymore but, I’m quite sure you get the story on this dinner totally one to send you to sleep as I’m about to do BUT, always remember,

KEEP IT SIMPLE

I received an award from Lola @Lola’s Diner  And with this honor, I have to list ten things that make me happy.  Now this should be really easy for me it’s the next part I’m worried about.

10 Things That Make Me Happy:

1.  I love to eat crab legs with plenty of hot butter

2.  I love to pack a lunch and go fishing all day

3.  I Love to just sit by the water and relax

4.  I love to sleep late as possible

5.  I love to cuddle up with a good book

6.  I love to do experimental cooking and see what happens

7.  I love all kinds of pets

8.  I love to Work in my garden

9   I love to grow different flowers

10 I love working on my blog and meeting new people

Those I want to pass this on to because they make me happy:

I don’t know about making me happ but I have read some blogs that have made me laugh.  I really don’t  know anyone to pass this award on to because I’m really still new around here. So, as far as I’m concerned this award goes to everyone who comes by my blog cause everyone deserves it.   And this is where I leave it.  Thanks again Lola.