Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore

A few posts back I made Pizzadillas with a Marinara sauce for dipping. Well, I sure didn't want to waste the sauce since we only used a tiny bit of it. So, I decided to make some chicken cacciatore. I had fun with this meal because I used whatever I had in the home. :) It turned out great and Taylor really liked it!

[Johnny, this dish is easy! Sense a theme? I think you could put this on before you leave for work and all you'd have to do once you're home from work is cook the pasta. Worth a try right?! Let me know what you think. Ps. This dish is even better the next day- big plus!]

Crock pot Chicken Cacciatore 

Ingredients

4-5 chicken tenders [You can use breasts, tenders is what I had]
Rest of Marinara Sauce [1 jar of Marinara Sauce]
1 [14.5 oz] can of diced tomatoes Italian seasoned
1/2 cup white cooking wine
2-3 small garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped red onion
dash of red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Kickin' Chicken Seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
Spaghetti
Parmesan Cheese, topping
Dried Parsley, garnish

How to:

 Add frozen chicken to your crock pot.

 Add Marinara sauce.

 Add diced tomatoes and cooking wine.

Add minced garlic, onion, and spices.

[Sorry I didn't take pictures after adding the garlic... Oops!]


Cook in crock pot on LOW for 6-8 hours. 


After it's cooked, shred the chicken with 2 forks before serving. 

 Plate w/ cheese and dried parsley.


ENJOY!!

Mom's Cheesy Potatoes

Yesterday was Taylor's birthday. We celebrated his birthday Saturday with gifts and dinner, then he got his cake last night. I will be posting about his Snickers Cheesecake within the next week or so. :)

We had such a great time Saturday. I decided to do this gift every hour idea I found on Pinterest. So he opened up a gift every hour on the 24 minute mark. One of his 'early' presents was a new watch. It worked out perfect and made me laugh because it seemed like every hour on the 24 mark he would look at his watch and ask for his next gift. It was sweet!! :)

I love you Taylor Brown!

That evening I made him his birthday steak dinner with asparagus and my mom's cheesy potatoes [which is the recipe I'll be sharing today]. Taylor loves this meal. It is a high 10! ;) And can I just say, I am proud of myself for making this dish and not messing it up... my mom has been making these potatoes most of my years [we always had it with beer-can chicken.. Mmmm!] so, I was a little nervous they wouldn't turn out as good as hers, but they did!

Mom's Cheesy Potatoes

[Sorry in advance.. seemed that we were way too hungry and I forgot to take a finished picture of the potatoes... but you can kind of see them on the plate].

Ingredients
8 Hash brown patties
1 (16oz) sour cream
1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Spray the bottom of a large glass Pyrex dish, then lay out the hash brown patties.











2. Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl, then spread over top of hash browns.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until golden brown.

Easy and enjoyable!!


Yummm!

My handsome birthday man <3 

Pizzadilla

This meal is super easy, quick to make, and loads of fun. Taylor and I had a great time in the kitchen making these "mini" pizzas/ quesadillas [pizzadillas]. They worked well for us as our meal, but they could also be a fast appetizer for when guests are over, or even a side dish for Sunday games?

[Johnny, this is another meal that you can make. Pizza is a mans dish. ;) And something that can be made veggie, and/or meaty, in a matter of minutes is a great dish to make, in my opinion. I hope you make this and find it simple and fun. :)]

Pizzadillas

Ingredients:

Soft tortillas
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Pepperoni
1 small red onion, diced
1 small tomato, sliced
1 small green pepper, sliced
Jar of Marinara Sauce, for dipping






How to:

1. Spray the skillet with cooking spray.

2. Lay out tortilla and add desired amount of cheese.

3. Add veggies on one side.


[Let me just add, that was the best tomato I've ever tried! Heirloom tomatoes all the way people!]

4. Top with pepperoni [or choice of meat].

5. Fold in half. [I filled this one with too much stuff... you may want to either not stuff it as much or get bigger tortillas] :)

6. Flip and cook other side. Takes only a few minutes.

Mmmmmmm!!!!!

Cut into pieces and enjoy. Dip in marinara sauce.

ENJOY!!








I like this meal because it is so simple and you can really add whatever you'd like in it. I think a veggie pizzadilla with spinach and goat cheese sounds delicious! So many options!! :)

Hawaiian Steak Stir Fry

This is my brother, Johnny Jr. He has to be one of the funniest people I have ever known. He is passionate about life and I love him so so much!

John could eat more food than... well I don't know anyone who eats as much as he does. ;)

He has requested some "manly" meals. So, over the next little  bit I'm just going to add a whole bunch of meals with meats. Easy to prepare/cook meals for him... that my hubby gets to enjoy! :)

I hope these are "manly" enough for you brother, even though I'm not really sure what that means, I'll try!




This meal is easy! You can prep this the night before and let it sit longer or cook it right away. My suggestion if prepping the night before, but add the meat to the bag 1-2 hours before you cook it. Otherwise the meat will taste kind of soggy-like. Unless you like it that way. ;) Also, feel free to add different things to this meal, tomatoes, mushrooms, different peppers... etc. Have fun!

Hawaiian Steak Stir Fry

Ingredients

2 [or more] 8 oz steaks [we had Sirloin]
1 ripe Pineapple
1 small Orange pepper, bite size pieces
2 tbs red onion, chopped
2 small garlic cloves, minced
2 tbs Soy sauce
1 tbs Orange juice
1/2 tsp ground ginger
Dried Parsley, garnish
Rice

How to:

Cut pineapple into cubes and rings.


Cut the top off.

 Then begin cutting the sides.

 Cut about 2 cups of bite size pieces for the meal, save the rest for yourself. :)

 Cut 2-4 rings [depending on how much your making]












In a large zip-lock bag, add pineapple chunks and the following ingredients:

Cut steak into strips.

Mince garlic.

Chop pepper into bite size pieces.

Chop onion.

Soy sauce & Orange juice [no OJ picture]

Add ground ginger.

Zip bag, getting all extra air out. Massage together and let marinade for about 2-3 hours.










Cooking:

Because Downton Abbey is the bomb! ;)

In a skillet, wok, or grill pan, saute all ingredients. Continuing to stir.

Start your rice, stove top or rice cooker.

Once the stir fry is all cooked, grill the pineapple rings.










Plate:

 Rice

Pineapple ring

Stir fry

[I added some dried parsley for color :)]


ENJOY!!

Taylor really really liked this dish! WoooHoo! It looks like he licked it clean ;)

What's new??

Well, hi there blog world. I'm back... I think ;). I am sorry it has been almost a month since my last post... I'd love to give you some wonderful excuse as to why I've been gone, but honestly... I've just had a "food block" and haven't been "feeling like" taking pictures or posting about our meals.. simply because they haven't been anything special. The nights we've had meals that weren't already from a bag, well I spent those with my husband. Growing our marriage and lives together. :)

So what's new? 

The kids I nanny started school (:-D) so now I have time to think about meals in the afternoon and prep them and take pictures and all that goodness. (I am going to try and do a better job at this... and plus, I owe my brother a blog! Man-foods on the way, Johnny).

We bought a new armchair and 4 high back rush bottom chairs from Craigslist. Yippeeee!!!!! More seating :) ...shopping on a budget can be so fun when you find good deals!

We have family visiting, Jon & Julie, in a few weeks. We could not be more excited! These 2 are a huge part of our life, not just because we're family, but because we are such good friends with one another and really do life well together! :)

This handsome boy is George. He is our sponsor boy! This is one huge thing that has happened in my absence of blogging. Taylor and I have been praying and seeking God about who and where and when we can sponsor a little one. He made that happen!! My heart is full. We will be getting our first picture(s) and letter soon. (I can't wait!!!) So, more to come on this sweetie soon! :)

*Sigh* I could look at him all day. <3








Oh and one fabulous announcement, we are going to Passion2013! I have never been and it's been years since Taylor's last gone... I am too excited! Can you be too excited for passion? Ahhh!

Other than that, and not getting too personal and mushy on the web, we are doing great! God has been providing for us in more ways than I can begin to explain. He has been gentle and tender and kind and patient and loving and so much more! I seriously could not imagine doing life without my Maker, He gets me through each day!

What I'm reading?

Kisses from Katie

Seriously, read this book. This is an easy and yet incredible book about a girl, Katie, who listened to God and where He was calling her and in obedience, now lives in Uganda, a mother to 13 (+) children and spreads the love of Jesus to everyone around her. (My tiny description doesn't do this book justice.... so go read it :))

Faith On Trial

Taylor and I are reading this together. We're only in the first chapter and it's been so good. I am excited to see what God teaches us through the study of Psalm 73.














Lastly, Holiday's are on my mind. We will be doing Christmas with my family over Thanksgiving. I cannot wait to see my family again. It has been too long!!!