Kickin Chicken Burgers

OMG!!! 

These chicken burgers are amazing!!!

Hubby was craving a good steak today and I'm not much of a steak eater, so I decided to make chicken burgers. 

I make chicken burgers pretty often, but never like this.

The recipe is super easy, but the flavor is amazing.

Do yourself a favor and try these burgers!

They can be made either on the grill or on the stove.

 

What you need:

1 Lb Ground Chicken

1 Pkg Dry onion soup mix

1/4 Cup of Frank's Kickin BBQ sauce (it's not that hot)

1 Piece of string cheese cut into 4-6 pieces, depending on how big you make your burgers.

 

 

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients together 'til well mixed. (Minus string cheese)

Shape into patties, take a piece of string cheese, place it in the middle of each patty, fold the meat around the cheese and seal well. 

Cook burgers on a nice hot grill or in a cast iron skillet on the stove 'til completely done. 

That's it! 

Simple as that!

I hope you've enjoyed this recipe.

 If you try it at your house, let me know how it turns out!

I look forward to reading your comments!   

Chicken 'n Dumplins Recipe

This is a simple recipe that can be made in the crock pot or on the stovetop.

 

What you need:

Fresh Chicken breast (amount depends on how many people you're feeding, use your own judgement)

1 Can Cream of chicken soup

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Celery salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1 Pkg Pioneer southern style gravy mix

2 1/4 Cups Bisquick

1/2 Cup of Milk 

Directions:

Boil the chicken in a large stock pot with the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper and celery salt 'til it's almost done. (you can use chicken stock if you have it on hand, I didn't and it still turned out great)

 Drain some of the water off, leaving a little more than half the volume in the pot. (you'll need room for the dumplin's)

 Add the can of cream of chicken soup to the pot and stir well. 

Add the pkg of gravy mix and stir well.

Bring to a boil.

 

In a separate bowl, Mix the Bisquick and milk 'til the dough comes together. 

Using your fingers, pinch off small pieces of dough and drop it into the pot of boiling chicken. (the dough will double as it cooks, so don't use too much for each dumplin') 

Turn the heat down to Med-Hi and let it simmer about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the dumplin's don't stick together.

That's it. 

With this easy recipe, you can make chicken n dumplin's just like grandma used to make.

Enjoy!

Super Quick and Easy Meatloaf Muffins

I love meatloaf, who doesn't?!

It's easy to mix up, the kids love it and there's usually just enough leftovers to make a sandwich with the next day.

I love this recipe, because it is super easy to throw together when it's late and you're just not really feelin' like cooking, and since it's baked in a muffin tin, it cuts down on total cooking time dramastically. 

(Yes, dramastically)

 

What you'll need:

1 pound ground meat (beef or chicken or even turkey will work)

1 Box of Stovetop stuffing (dry, straight out of the box, not prepared)

1 Envelope of dry onion soup mix

1/2 Cup of Ketchup + a little bit more (to top it before baking)

(Yes, it will hold together without an egg)

 

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients 'til well combined.

 Take a small handfull (about the size of a scoop of ice cream) of meatloaf mixture and roll into a ball, press firmly into a well greased muffin tin.

 Continue this process 'til all the meat mixture is used.

 (I yielded 9 regular sized "muffins" and 2 mini sized ones with 1 lb of meat)

Squirt a bit of ketchup on each "muffin" before you put them in the oven. 

Bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. (Check for doneness in one when you pull them out and you might need to add a minute or two depending on your oven)

Using the muffin tin method serves several purposes,

One, it cuts down on the cooking time, which saves you time as well as money, since your stove is not on as long.

Two, it helps you with portion control. (Self explanatory)

Three, it's fun for the kids to eat bite sized food, for some reason, they just get a kick out of it. 

Four, it's super portable and easy to eat when you're sitting in the hallway typing up a blog post while watching the kids play in the tub.

(Maybe that just applies to me, but you get the picture)

Try this recipe and let me know what you think!

I always look forward to reading your comments!

: )

Top 12 of 2012

I have noticed recently that other bloggers were writing these types of posts and I am nothing if not a big ol' copycat, so without further ado, here are my top 12 product reviews, recipes and posts of the last year. 

As voted on by absolutely no one and in no particular order...

 

*Favorite Recipes*

 

Homemade Coconut Chicken Nuggets

These were amazing! I found a great deal on some ground chicken and this is one of the recipes I made with it. Micah devoured them and even asked for seconds. 

 

Chicken and Dressing Casserole 

This one needs no explanation. It's chicken and dressing all snuggled up together into a nice yummy casserole.  Read it!

 

Loaded BBQ Baked Potatoes 

This is a staple in our house. It is a cheap and easy way to make the fam think you spent all kinds of time in the kitchen. Even the kids will love this one!

 

Homemade Sweet Creamed Corn 

I'd never had homemade creamed corn before trying this recipe, I didn't even know creamed corn existed outside of the canned crap you find in the stores. This is sooo much better than what you're used to, you will never go back to the other stuff and if you were smart enough to freeze some corn from this past summer, you can try this recipe now(or you can use canned whole kernal, I won't tell).

 

 

*Favorite Posts*

 

Parlez Vous Francais?!

Upon leaving the house, to run errands one day, Micah accidentally changed the default language in my car to French. This is what happens when grown ups refuse to refer to the owner's manual. 

 

Lions and Tigers and Bears... 

This is a story about neither lions, nor tigers, not even bears. It is a story about mice and spiders and how I killed one one day... like a boss... If that boss were totally creeped the crap out by spiders and a bit mentally challenged and trying to cop a squat on the potty.

 

A Little Something My Mom Shared With Me... 

This is a poem my Mom shared with me when I was in the throws of another failed teenage love affair. I didn't understand what it meant back then, but I do now and I can't thank her enough for sharing this with me. If you have a daughter, are a daughter, know someone who is a daughter, you should share this with them.

 

Another Year Older

This post is about birthdays and drinking. There's even a recipe for a cotton candy cocktail, which alone is worth the price of admission (which is free, so keep that in mind).

 

 

*Favorite Products I Reviewed*

 

D'lish Soap Factory Handmade Soaps 

They're handmade soaps that look like cakes and cupcakes! (drops mic)  

 

Squeakers

These are the cutest shoes EVER! Not only are they really cute shoes, but they also squeak when the child takes a step. Yes, after a while it can get kind of annoying, but the amount of joy Micah has when he wears the shoes is worth it! Besides, you can use it as a chance to practice your deep breathing techniques and meditation... Glass half full.  

Family Stickers

This is one of the product reviews I cherish most. Not because the product is expensive or extravagant, but because of what it means. It's a portrait of our entire family, in one place at the same time and since they're stick people, I don't have to worry about those (mumbles) pounds I've put on over the holidays. Yes, I am THAT Mom that has the stick people family on the back of her car, but I also have a few kickass tattoos too, so it balances out.

 

Build a Bear, Build a Friend, Build a Memory 

This is a gift guide post I wrote for Build a Bear. This one stands out because of how much Micah has enjoyed his Grinch he received. I (Santa) gave it to him for Christmas and he has not slept one night without it, besides the two nights we slept on a palette on the living room floor, due to the stomach flu.   

 

  

 

 

 

 

Confetti Krispie Treats.. Perfect For a New Year's Party

Using just three simple ingredients, you can make this yummy variation of the classic Rice Krispies Treats.

I call them Confetti Krispies Treats, because they look like regular Rice Krispies Treats with confetti in 'em and it just sounds more festive... I'm a creative genius, I know. It is my burden and I must bear it alone, along with being painfully beautiful, unamusingly rich and effortlessly socially eloquent. 

 

 

I digress. (a lot, ask my husband)  

 

What You Need:

1/4 Cup Butter

5 1/2 Cups of Mini Marshmallows

5 1/2 Cups of Fruity Pebbles(ish) Cereal

  

Directions:

Melt butter in a large pan, over low heat. (Don't get hasty and turn the heat up, it will scorch when you add the marshmallows and ruin the whole batch, just keep your panties on and let it melt slowly)

When the butter is melted, add the marshmallows to the pan and stir 'til they are completely melted. 

Add the cereal to the pan and stir 'til all ingredients are fully incorporated.

Pour mixture into a well greased 9x13 pan and smooth out with the back of a spoon. I find it works best if you spray the spoon with some non stick spray.

Let them set for a couple of hours before trying to cut 'em. 

Store in an air tight container or Ziploc baggie for maximum freshness.

 

These are so easy to make (and eat) and are always a hit whenever I make 'em for the kids.

If you're really crafty and adventurous (I am neither), you can use cookie cutters and cut the treats into fun shapes, but the kids probably won't appreciate it or even notice, so why bother?! 

Mazel Tov!

 

Homemade Coconut Chicken Nuggets Recipe

With the hustle and bustle of the Holidays (and everyday life in general for that matter), we (by "we" I mean "me", but I feel better if I place others into this group too)  often opt to feed the kids convenience foods... Cereal bars for breakfast or preservative laden dinosaur shaped microwave chicken nuggets for lunch. 

Moms are always looking for ways to feed our kids good quality food without spending all day in the kitchen and this recipe accomplishes just that!

I have come up with the perfect recipe that both kids and adults will love and the best part... you can actually pronounce all the ingredients!

What is this amazing new recipe I'm talking about, you ask?!

 

Coconut Chicken Nuggets!

Yes!

Coconut Chicken Nuggets!

 

 

This recipe calls for simple ingredients that you probably have on hand, but if not, no worries as it is very versatile.

 

What you need:

1 Lb Ground Chicken (or turkey)

Mrs. Dash (you could also use jerk seasoning for a nice kick)

Onion Powder

Garlic Powder

Celery Salt or Powder

1/2 to 1 Cup of Coconut. (You can omit this if you want)

Panko Breadcrumbs

Coconut Oil (For pan frying)

Directions:

 Mix all ingredients (Minus oil and breadcrumbs) well in a large bowl, adjust the spices to your personal taste.

 

 Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and flatten out slightly between your hands into a nugget shape. 

 

Coat the nuggets in the breadcrumbs and panfry in the coconut oil for 2 minutes on each side (give or take a few seconds, use your own judgement)

 

You can also bake the nuggets in the oven on 350 for about 30 mins or 'til they're cooked all the way through. Just follow the directions above and put the breaded nuggets on a rimmed baking sheet and spray the nuggets with a bit of nonstick spray. 

 

To brown them, turn the broiler on for the last minute or two of cooking and turn them as needed, but watch them carefully so they don't burn. Serve 'em up with your favorite dipping sauce & ENJOY!

 I personally think honey mustard goes great with this particular flavor profile. 

Yield: Approx.  25 nuggets (depending on how large/small you make them)

There you have it! 

Coconut chicken nuggets that the whole family will devour.

These nuggets will freeze well so you can make a batch over the weekend,  pop 'em in the freezer and then serve 'em to the little ones all week long without feeling like you're just feeding them junk.   

 

The Perfect Gift For the Foodie in Your Life

I consider myself a bit of a foodie... I love to try new recipes and discover new ingredients, find new ways to do things I might not have tried before.

 When I have free time, I love to read cookbooks and find new recipes to try (usually desserts). 

 Some work, some don't, but it's always fun to try... I know, I know, I'm such a rebel.  

When I was given the opportunity to check out "The Muffin Tin Cookbook", by Brette Sember, I jumped at it!

This book is awesome!!!

When I opened it, I knew I had found my next new cooking obsession... It's food and it's in a muffin tin, all cute and little... can it really get any better?!

There are several reasons I love Brette's idea of adapting recipes to use in a muffin tin ...

 

• If you have a picky eater at home (like I do), you know sometimes you have to get creative. I am not above cutting PB&J sandwiches into fun shapes, coloring things fun colors or renaming normal foods cool names i.e., Lance Rock doodles (Micah's pronunciation of noodles)... Whatare Lance Rock doodles you ask? Any regular pasta dish, just add the words "Lance Rock" (or whatever character your child will relate to) in front. Laugh if you want, but my son will eat "Lance Rock doodles" before spaghetti ANY day!!! To get the little one to eat, I'll do whatever I think might do the trick and the Muffin Tin Cookbook has several recipes I have added to my arsenal.  Kids love single servings and bite sized foods and snacks, it makes them feel special and it can also cut down on your amount of food waste from little appetites not eating all their meal.
• If you're like me and are NOT a picky eater, but exactly the opposite, this cookbook will be your new best friend. With the muffin tin format, your foods are pre portioned, so you don't have the temptation to overeat.  The book even has all the nutritional info per serving, which is very helpful in figuring up the number of WW points each recipe is. You can find out by using your handy dandy WW points plus calculator.  You can find them online or download free apps from you carrier's app store.  I have found this to be a pretty easy plan to stick with and not too fussy.

• I love to entertain. Especially birthday parties and holiday get-togethers. The Muffin Tin Cookbook is the perfect "go-to" book for these kinds of events, because you can make tons of bite sized goodies in a short period of time and make it look like you really spent hours in the kitchen and usually, at a get-together, nobody wants to be "the person who eats four plates of appetizers", so there will be plenty to go around... if you're lucky, leftovers.  The White Pizza and Chicken Florentine Meatloaf are already on the menu for my next shindig... and yes, I really do use the word "shindig" in real life... I told you, I'm a rebel!     

This book is very well written and very user friendly. The front of the book has an expansive table of contents, separated by category,  listing each recipe and it's page number, as well as a symbol identifying which recipes have been certified as "healthy" by a nutritionist. 

Whether you're looking for appetizers, breakfast, main dishes, side dishes, veggies or desserts, you'll find it in The Muffin Tin Cookbook. 

 Disclaimer: I received the above mentioned product to facilitate this review. My opinions are my own and yours may differ.

Photo courtesy of BretteSember.com 

Savory Saltine Seasoning (Review)

How do you turn an ordinary box of crackers into something a  little bit "ritzier"?

Three words.....

Savory Saltine Seasoning.

Savory Saltine Seasoning is exactly what it sounds like... A seasoning for your crackers. Yes, I know, it sounds like a joke. I thought the same thing when I was approached to review this product, and after a quick Google, I found out it's real. So, Me, being the "rebel" that I am, accepted the challenge. I was fully expecting to be less than impressed with this product, but I admit, I really like it. It is a zesty mix between ranch and BBQ flavor and it really does turn a plain ol' cracker into a really good snack. 

So, how does it work?

It's really simple, you get a large Ziploc bag, Savory Saltine seasoning, some oil (the pkg calls for canola, I used olive and it turned out fine), and a box of Saltine crackers (I used Town House and again, nothing in my house exploded, substitutions are ok)

 

I wasn't sure how well I was going to like this product, so I started out using only one sleeve of crackers. The directions on the package said to use five tsp of seasoning and 1/2 cup of oil. I definitely think you could cut the oil by a Tbsp or two and still be fine. So you add the oil and seasoning to the bag, dissolve the seasoning and add the crackers, turn 'em a few times and you're done. I took mine out of the bag after about an hour and put them on a paper towel to let all the wonderful yumminess soak in. The package says to let them rest for at least 4 hrs up to overnight... I made it exactly seven and a half minutes before I tried one...Don't judge me. I was delightfully surprised, it was actually good. Like if a cracker and a BBQ chip met, fell in love and had a baby, then you ate that little cracker/chip baby, yeah, it's like that. 

But wait!

There's more....

You can also use the seasoning in other dishes too. I think this would taste great in a chicken burger. Add a bit of it to the ground chicken, before making the patties then add a little buffalo sauce and fry 'em up, top with a few crumbles of bleu cheese on top of an onion roll... OMG!!! Or even in a meatloaf, to give it a bit of smoky flavor. The website has a recipe for steak fajitas using the Savory Saltine Seasoning that sounds amazing, although I would probably substitute chicken for the steak and sweet yellow peppers for the green bell peppers and add some mushrooms and shredded queso and some homemade guacamole... it would be amazing. YES! I know what I'm having for lunch. 

 

To Be Continued...     

Sweet Potato Gnocchi & Butternut Squash Sauce

This recipe is actually pretty easy, other than being a bit time consuming hand rolling the gnocchi and cleaning up all the flour on the counter.  Here's what you do...

  For the gnocchi you'll need:

1 Can of sweet potatoes

1 Cup of flour

1/4 Cup of grated parmesan

1 Clove of garlic (diced) 

1 Egg

Directions: Mash the potatoes very well with a whisk or a potato ricer.  Add all other ingredients and mix 'til the dough just starts to come together. Don't over work the dough or your gnocchi will be tough.  Grab a small handful of dough and roll it into a long cylindrical snakelike shape. Cut the snake into 1 in. bite size pieces. Using the tines of a fork and your thumb, gently roll the bite size pieces onto a floured plate. This will take a minute to get the hang of, but when you do, it will go quickly. Here's a really good Youtube video that shows how to do it. You can make these ahead and let them rest while the sauce is cooking.

How to cook the gnocchi:

 Bring a big pot of salted water to a rapid boil, drop the gnocchi in slowly, so the water doesn't splash back up on your hand... trust me on this one. When they start to float , pull 'em out with a slotted spoon and put 'em in a bowl. 

For the sauce:

1 Jar of butternut squash pasta sauce (you can also use any kind of store bought sauce, I just prefer the flavor of this one with the sweet potatoes)

1 Apple (peeled & diced)

1 Sweet yellow onion (diced)

3 Mini sweet yellow or orange peppers (sliced thin)

5 or 6 Mushrooms (rough chop is fine)

I also added a couple of cut up (skinless) smoked sausages in the sauce for extra flavor. This is totally optional though.

Add all ingredients to a medium pot and simmer on low for about 2 hrs or 'til all the veggies are fork tender. Toss the gnocchi with the sauce 'til it's all good and covered. I like to add shredded mozzarella on top while it's steaming hot,  but that step is (technically) optional. (Go ahead and do it, I won't tell) This goes great with a nice Caesar salad and some crusty garlic bread.

 This was not the fastest or least messy meal I've ever made, but it was well worth all the effort!