30 minute meal

One meal I absolutely love is fish, potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms (for my husband). Below are pictures of the meal I created last week. It is very simple. Buy your favorite type of fish. Dip it in flour. Heat a skillet on the stove with a spoon of butter. After butter is melted, place fish in skillet. Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs such as parsley, garlic salt, and all seasoning on the fish. Cook for a few minutes, flip, repeat the seasonings. Cook until done.

While fish is cooking, have potatoes boiling. Cut up as many potatoes as you would like. Boil them for about 10 minutes. After they have boiled, drain. Melt a stick of butter in the bottom of the pan. Place potatoes back in the same quart pan. Add salt, fresh parsley, fresh rosemary, and fresh cilantro. Cook about 8 minutes, stirring occassionally.

While potatoes are boiling (since you don't have to do anything but watch), melt butter in a smaller skillet. Add garlic (I like to use the kind you get in a jar that is already chopped) and onion (can be pre-chopped or onion powder). Stir garlic and onion around in the melted butter. Add washed mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms turn golden brown.



This meal probably takes about 30 minutes to make...maybe a little longer, but no matter how much time, it is yummy.

Microwave Chocolate Cake in 5 Minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 Tablespoons  flour (not self-rising)
• 4 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder (not all recipes call for this)
• 1 Egg
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 3 Tablespoons oil
• 1 Mug

Instructions:

• Lightly spray coffee mug with non-stick spray
• Mix flour, sugar and cocoa:
• Spoon in 1 egg
• Pour in milk and oil, and mix well
• Put in microwave for 3 minutes on maximum power (1000watt)
• Wait until it stops rising and sets in the mug
• Leave in mug or tip contents out into saucer and enjoy!

If you have a whip cream, cherries, chocolate chips, or chocolate syrup/sauce, add it to the cake for an extra touch of delicious!

Picture compliments of grouprecipes.com

This is a wonderful and quick snack or dessert! Buy a cute mug, make the cake, and give it as a gift! Everyone loves this one!

 

Quick and Easy Egg Sandwiches

If you are looking for a quick meal or snack, try an egg sandwich!

1. Spray coffee cup with non-stick spray.
2. Crack an egg in the cup.
3. Scramble egg with a fork.
4. Microwave for 1 minute.

While egg is cooking in the microwave, stick two pieces of bread in toaster. When bread is done toasting, butter both pieces on one side. Place cooked eggs between the bread and enjoy!


*If you cook more than one egg at a time, allow 1 minute cook time per egg.

Spaghetti in 30 minutes or less

Almost everyone should be able to make the easy dinner of spaghetti, but just in case, I am going to tell you how. One thing I love doing is using fresh herbs from my garden. I used parsley, cilantro, rosemary, and chives.

Rinse and chop the herbs before using them. If you are using bottled herbs, just sprinkle in whatever kinds in whatever amount you like. Put your spaghetti noodles in water and boil for about 20 minutes or until you can cut easily with a fork. I always add a basil leaf to my noodles while they boil.

 Next, add your 1 lb or so of ground meat (I used beef) to your skillet. Add herbs/seasonings. Cook meat thoroughly. The meat in the picture is NOT done. I continued cooking it after the picture was taken. I add garlic salt to the meat as well.



Not finished cooking!!!!



When meat is thoroughly cooked, drain water from spaghetti noodles, add meat, your favorite pasta sauce, and stir. It is as easy as that!

Finished Product

ENJOY!

Herb-tastic

A great way to add flavor to the meals you make is to grow your own herbs! A simple, inexpensive way to do this is to buy seeds or small plants. If you have an old tire, drag it into the yard, fill with dirt, plant the seeds/plants, water, and watch them grow!

Our garden is done partially with plants and seeds. We love it! Fresh herbs add so much more flavor to your food than prepackaged. Doesn't it make you want to do some gardening?

Mother's Day- Apple Pie and Bananaless Banana Pudding

In honor of Mother's day, I baked an apple pie for my mother-in-law, and made bananaless banana pudding for my mom. I do not have a picture of the pudding, but I will include one of the apple pie. Both desserts were a hit.

Easy Apple pie

1 pkg ready made pie crust-buy the crust from the bisuit department that is ready-made. All you have to  
do is unroll it, place it in your pie dish, put filling in, and bake. Simple as that.
1 can apple pie filling

Spray pie pan. Add 1 layer of pie crust. Mix apple pie filling with extra white sugar, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a bowl. Add to pie pan. Place 2nd layer of crust over top of pie whole, or cut in strips. Bake on 450 degrees for 25 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

*Filling can be subsituted for cherry, blackberry, or any other flavor you like.

Unfortunately, the crust isn't perfect, but it gives the pie more character!

If you like the taste of banana pudding but do not like bananas (it is a texture issue for me), then this next recipe is for you!

Wonderful Bananaless Pudding

4 small boxes or 2 large boxes of vanilla pudding
5 cups of milk
1 can Eagle Brand
1 8 oz. container of whipped topping
1 box Nilla wafers
*bananas are optional

Mix first four ingredients together. Layer bottom of dish/bowl with Nilla wafers. Put layer of pudding over wafers. Repeat until all pudding has been used. Chill until ready to serve. It is a rich and creamy dessert that everyone will enjoy!


There's no need to wait to make these until a special occassion arises. Go ahead! Make them today!



Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

I love chicken noodle soup. It is a great food to eat on a night that is cold, when you are feeling blue, or you just want some homemade comfort food.

Ingredients:

Chicken (I usually use 2-3 chicken breasts)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Wide No Yok noodles
Chicken bouillon cubes
Chicken seasoning
Parsley
Garlic Powder
Salt
Pepper


Boil the chicken in about 8 cups of water. Add chicken seasoning, parsley, garlic powder, and 2 chicken bouillon cubes to the water. It takes about 30-45 minutes to boil chicken until it is done. You can add a small amount of milk to the water if you would like.

While chicken is boiling, go ahead and boil the noodles. When both the chicken and noodles are done, drain the noodles and add to the pot with the chicken. It is  'Mmmm, 'Mmmm good!

Meatloaf Made Simple

This recipe was given to me by a lady in our church. I have made it, and enjoyed it, on several occassions. Even those who do not like meatloaf usually enjoy this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
Salt
Pepper
1 egg
1 can tomato sauce
2 cups crumbled crackers

Optional:
Green peppers

Mix everything together in a cassarole dish.
Cover the top with ketchup.
Bake one hour on 375 degrees, or until done.

It's as simple as that!

Crockpot Lasagna

Here is a really good, easy recipe that you can throw together, go to work, and come home to a delicious, already prepared meal. It is another meal that is a family favorite.

Ingredients:

1 lb of meat (we usually use beef or deer)
1 large can of spaghetti sauce
24 oz container of cottage cheese
1 egg
8-10 lasagna noodles, uncooked
2-3 cups (or 1 bag) mozerella cheese

I usually add garlic powder, parsley, garlic salt, and onion salt to my meat/spaghetti sauce for a little extra flavoring.

Combine cooked ground beef and spaghetti sauce.

Combine egg and cottage cheese.

Layer half of the ground beef/sauce mixture, dry noodles, cottage cheese mixture, and mozerella cheese in the slow cooker. Repeat layers.

Cover and cook on high 4-5 hours or on low 6-8 hours.

I promise you will not be disappointed with this meal!

*Just a note: If you use fat free cheese, it does not melt as well.

Mmm mmm good chicken and rice

Have you ever wanted an easy recipe that would keep your chicken moist? More times than not chicken dries out when baked in the oven. I have a recipe that will not do that (unless you overcook it). In fact, we had it for dinner tonight.

Ingredients:

Chicken tenders or breasts
Rice (I tend to use white)
1 tub sour cream
1 can chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
*shredded cheese is optional

Spray cassarole dish with non-stick spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover bottom of cassarole dish with rice. Pour can of chicken broth over rice. Place chicken on top of rice. Add mixture of sour cream and cream of chicken to top. Cook for 2-2 1/2 hours. Add shredded cheese and cook for another 10-15 minutes.

Bacon can also be wrapped around chicken and cooked with it as well.

This recipe is so good! Just ask my husband- we never have leftovers! I like to sprinkle some garlic powder and chicken seasoning on top, as well.  If you try this, let me know what you think.

Now that my tummy is full it is time for bed. Goodnight!

I have a confession to make....

Like everything else in life, looks can be deceiving. Tonight's meal was very....different. I enjoyed the chicken, but he did not like the outside, which resulted in him picking it off. The dumplings were a little twangy (probably the buttermilk), and though he liked the macaroni and cheese, I did not. That is what cooking is about: experimenting. If it doesn't turn out all that great, don't worry about it. There's always tomorrow to try again. Unfortunately, there was no time to bake an apple pie. This was a very time consuming meal to make, but at least I know how not to make it next time... if there is a next time to make it. One thing that you can always count on being great is the typical and great southern drink of sweet tea. Ahh. Refreshing.

Another confession about this meal is that is was not as healthy as I would have liked. Some ingredients still need to be substituted and tweeked.  If anyone has suggestions, feel free to comment!

:-)

Until tonights meal,

The Confessing Cook

Dinner for Two, please.

After a mad dash to the store on my way home from work to finish getting the few ingredients for tonight's dinner that I did not have, I am ready to begin cooking. The first thing I am going to make is the main dish: oven fried chicken. I have never made this before, so I am not sure how it will turn out. My husband and I are attempting to eat a little healthier- not that we were unhealthy before today. The side dishes will consist of Cracker Barrel style dumplings and macaroni and cheese. For dessert, a nice apple pie (if I have time). The best thing to do while cooking is to focus on one thing at a time. Understandably, we feel rushed at times so we try to throw more than one thing together at once. This works at times, and other times it doesn't. I am choosing to focus on one thing at a time since I am trying new recipes. Tonight will definitely be a work in progress.

Step 1: Thaw chicken
If you don't have fresh chicken, use frozen! It is ok! Just set it in the frigerator to thaw while you're at work or pop it in the microwave on defrost when you get home.

Ingredients:

4-6 chicken pieces (use chicken breasts and cut into pieces if you don't have thighs, legs, and wings)
1/2 cup all-purpose flower
Kosher salt and pepper (I love sea salt)
4 cups cornflakes
2/3 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons paprike
3/4 teaspoon ground sage

The great thing about a recipe is that you can tweek it to your liking. For me, I will probably add extra seasonings once I get started. I love smells. If it smells like it belongs in the dish, it goes in.

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place a rack in a roasting pan or on a baking sheet.

Rinse the chicken in cold water; pat dry. In a wide bowl or on a plate, season the flour with salt and 1/3 teaspoon of pepper. Dredge each chicken peace through the flour so that it is evenly and fully coated. Shake the excess off. Discard the flour.

Crush the cornflakes by placing them in a resealable plastic bag, carefully pressing to get rid of any air. Seal the bag up, and run over the flakes with a rolling pin (or use your fists to crunch flakes). Open the bag and pour the flakes into a bowl.

In a different bowl, mix buttermilk, mustard, cayenne pepper, paprika, and sage. Give each piece of floured chicken a bath in the buttermilk mixture, and then roll in cornflake crumbs.

Arrange the pieces on a rack and place in the preheated oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes, lower the heat to 375, and cook for another 25-30 minutes. You want to make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly and crispy. The juices will run clear when it is ready.

Confession number 1: I don't have a rack. My chicken was placed on aluminum foil on a pizza pan.

Next on our menu of delights: Cracker Barell Dumplings

Dumpling Ingredients:
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 c whole milk (or substitute)
4 tbsp vegetable oil (or substitute)

Mix the ingredients and turn out on a floured surface. Knead 4 or 5 times and divide mix into two parts. Roll out on piece of dough to 1/8 in" thick and cut into 1"x 1 1/2" stips. Place into large sauce pan that you have placed 8 cups of water and 3 chicken bouillon cubes that has been brought to a boil and the cubes have dissolved. Cook half of dumplings until just about done and strain and set aside. Finish the other half the same way. While cooking dumplings, prepare the sauce.

Dumpling Sauce:
3 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
1 c whole milk (or substitute)
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2-3/4 dumpling cooking liquid (liquid from cooking the dumplings)

Place butter in a medium sauce pan and melt, add salt and flour, and stir until thick. Mix sugar with milk, and add to flour mixture a little at a time. Stir constantly. Remove from heat when thick and smooth. Place cooked dumplings in sauce and add 1/2 cups of cooking liquid in which the chicken bouillon cubes have been added. Stir gently. Simmer dumplings until blended on low heat. Add more cooking liquid if necessary.

Confession 2: My floured surface was a piece of wax paper with flour on top. Easy to use and easy to clean.

The sauce will be thick like gravy when finished.

Mmmm. The chicken and the dumplings are smelling absolutely delicious!!! I am actually glad my husband worked late tonight so that I could prepare this meal. It makes you feel good to know you are creating something satisfying (we hope).


Final side dish: Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup cream
2 1/2 cups shredded colby cheese
2 1/2 cups uncooked pasta
1 tsp salt

Melt butter in a saucepan on medium low heat. Add the flour a little bit at a time while whisking to make a roux.

Heat the broth. Add the broth to the roux and stir with whisk. This will thicken as it heats.
Add a lttle cream. Wait for the desired consistency. Add shredded cheese 1/4 of a cup at a time while stirring with the spoon. When you have about one cup of cheese, you can add the rest of the cheese.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a separate pot. Add salt and pasta. Cook the pasta until al dente. Strain and combine with the cheese sauce.

Pour the mix into a casserole dish and bake uncovered in a preheated oven set to 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it. You want it to brown around the edges and in patches on the top. Remove and let stand for a few minutes before serving.



I have to admit, the chicken looks pretty good :-) And so does everything else! Let's eat!

Confessions of a Cook

Hello! Welcome to my new blog! This is going to be about my journey as a wife and cook. I will be posting menus, recipes, and pictures, as well as making confessions about the food I create. I hope you will follow and be inspired.