Chicken Taco Soup

This another recipe I can't believe hasn't been posted yet. This one is the EASIEST to make, not quite as good as the white chicken chili, but it's close! Use the recipe found here.

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans (I use kidney beans)
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer (I obviously use chicken broth instead :)
• 2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
• 3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I use 1/2 can of Costco canned chicken)
• shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
• sour cream (optional)
• crushed tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, broth, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.
2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

I chop my onion and saute it in a little oil in a big pot. Then I add the beans, corn, sauce, broth, tomatoes, taco seasoning, chicken until it heats through. The optional sour cream, cheese and chips are really not optional. :) It is YUMMY!

Vegetable Cheese Soup

We had this soup at a Relief Society activity awhile back and I've made it a few times since, it's good, but not the healthiest of soups. :)

I cut this recipe in half and it still makes a lot-

Cook till tender in 3 quarts water:

4 large sliced carrots

6 sticks celery with leaves chopped

1 large onion chopped

3 large potatoes diced

12 – 13 chicken bouillon cubes (I use McCormick’s chicken soup base – ½ tsp per cube)

Melt ¾ lb butter in different pan. Blend in well 1 ¼ cups flour and stir slowly into soup. Add 16 oz Cheese Whiz. May add some grated cheese also.

About 20 minutes before serving, add:

1pkg frozen broccoli or fresh broccoli

1 pkg frozen peas (I put in a can of corn instead)

Served great with bread bowls. This soup freezes well.

I never have cheese whiz. Sometimes I just use cheese and a little milk or sour cream, this time around I actually had some fake nacho cheese in a jar I put a little in. I top with shredded cheese, salt and pepper!

BBQ Chicken Salad

Slight variation from a taco salad.

Lettuce

1 can black beans

1 can corn

red onion

cheese

chicken nuggets coated with BBQ sauce

ranch dressing

additional bbq sauce as you like

I topped mine with crushed corn chips and pineapple. Yummy and Easy!!

Black Bean Tacos

Black beans are my best friend. That is no surprise. So it mexican. So to combine the 2 gives you a great cheap, meatless, fast meal!

There was an awesome recipe I used from a book I got from the library, but I didn't have it and never wrote it down, so I used one found here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/black-bean-soft-tacos/detail.aspx It's definitely not as simple, but still yummy.

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 can diced tomatoes with green chiles (I had 1/2 can in my fridge. You could use more if you wanted probably)
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 8 (6 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
• 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and sliced (optional)

Directions

1. In a nonstick skillet, saute onion and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in the beans, tomatoes, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-5 minutes or until mixture begins to thicken. Spoon about 1/2 cup off center on each tortilla; sprinkle with cheese. Fold one side of tortilla over filling. Garnish with avocado.

We ate ours on corn tortillas with sour cream!

Alfredo Mesquite Chicken Pasta

Oh my goodness, this was SO GOOD! But warning, so not healthy. That shouldn't be surprising though right? :)

I didn't feel like cooking and Jack offered to make dinner while I took a nap. I said I left the recipe open on the computer, he couldn't find it, so instead of waking me up made up his own and it was divine! I need to ask him again what he did, but it was something like this-

Half block butter

Half block cream cheese

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

some milk

mesquite seasoning

melted and poured over pasta with cut up chicken nuggets :)

Chicken Souvlaki

This is one of our favorite meals. But a MUST is the tzatziki sauce to accompany it

Use recipe found here - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-souvlaki-gyro-style/detail.aspx

• Souvlaki Marinade:
• 3/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• • 4 large pita bread rounds
  • 1 heart of romaine lettuce, cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tomato, halved and sliced
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini (I use sometimes)
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (let's face it, rarely have, but still yummy!)

  Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the balsamic vinaigrette, juice from 1/2 lemon, oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Place chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour marinade over the chicken, seal, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  2. Remove chicken from marinade and place on prepared grill. Discard remaining marinade. Cook chicken until juices run clear, about 8 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from heat, and allow to sit about 10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
  3. Place pita rounds on the grill, and cook for about 2 minutes, until warm, turning frequently to avoid burning. Arrange warmed pita, sliced chicken, lettuce, onion, tomato, and pepperoncini on a serving platter. Serve tzatziki sauce and feta cheese in separate bowls on the side. Stuff pita pockets with chicken and toppings to serve.
  4. 
     

  

White Chicken Chili

I can't believe I haven't posted this recipe yet. It is by far my favorite 5 minute meal. Open a few cans, a dash of seasoning and you have a delicious meal.

Use variation of recipe found here - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cha-chas-white-chicken-chili/detail.aspx

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chiles
• dash of ground cayenne pepper
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 can of Costco canned chicken
• 1 can white beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can corn
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Slowly cook and stir the onion until tender. Mix in the garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano and cayenne. Continue to cook and stir the mixture until tender. Mix in the chicken broth, chicken and beans, and corn. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. *BUT if you don't feel like waiting, eat right away and enjoy!

I don't think this tastes nearly as good without sour cream, cheese, and a little salsa mixed in then served with chips. You won't be disappointed! ;)

October Dinners

1- out of town

2- out of town

3- chili and chips

4- meatballs and rice w/ gravy

5- white chicken chili

6- chicken enchiladas

7- chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and gravy

8- hamburgers

9- grilled chicken with roasted carrots and mashed potatoes

10- pastrami sandwiches

11- stir fry

12- ?

13-chicken soulvaki pitas

14-Brick Oven

15-chicken sandwiches

16-bbq chicken and pineapple french bread pizza

17-alfredo mesquite chicken pasta

18- black bean tacos

19- BBQ chicken salad

20- fish sticks

21- vegetable soup and bread

22- hamburgers

23- leftover soup and BLTs

24- block party-sloppy joes

25- rice-a-roni meal

26- taco soup

27- spaghetti and meatballs

28- Halloween party

29- Toquerville

30-pancakes and spam

31- chili dogs

Rice Pudding

Jack really likes rice pudding. I decided to do something nice for him so made it. :) Used recipe found here.

• 3/4 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cups milk, divided
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2/3 cup golden raisins
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. In another saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk, beaten egg and raisins. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and vanilla. Serve warm.

Pretty simple. I omitted the raisins. Served it cold. And Jack liked it. :)

5 Minute Meals

These don't fall under the meatless category, but they are still super quick to make so don't get their own posts either. So that they don't get ignored by labels, here they are!

Fajitas - Cook your chicken or beef with some fajita seasoning and mix in some peppers and onions. Serve on a tortilla. That simple.

Meatball Sandwich- I love Costco meatballs and they can be used for quick fixes so easily! If no time to cook, throw in the microwave and serve on a hot dog bun with some spaghetti sauce and cheese. Wa-lah!

Hamburgers - We all have frozen hamburger patties in our freezer. Throw a couple on your foreman and you're done in a few minutes.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches- Love Costco's canned chicken for quick meals. Mix it with mayo, celery, onion and serve on bread, rolls, or canned crescents!

Ribs - throw some in the crockpot with BBQ sauce (okay, okay. They don't take 5 minutes to cook, but only 5 minutes to prepare!)

Meatless and/or 5 Minute Meals

I'm getting around to tagging my recipes, but when I list my dinners for the month, I don't always include every one in it's own separate post if recipes are simple. Meatless is usually my 5 minute I don't feel like actually cooking meals. So if you're looking for those, you won't be able to see them if they aren't tagged in their individual posts. So... here is my list-

Sweet and Sour Rice w/ Veggies - basic recipe, leave out your chicken or meatballs

Tostadas-shell with refried beans, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, etc

Spaghetti - pasta and red sauce

Pasta Alfredo - pasta and white sauce (use the packet when I don't feel like making it)

Baked Potatoes - I grew up on baked potatoes as a meal with some green beans or corn. Jack thinks he needs chili or sour cream and cheese on top. Whatever. It's still a very cheap meal however you do it.

Fish Sticks & Fries - no explanation really needed :)

Mac and Cheese - Kid Dinner if I'm not really hungry

Tuna Melts or Grilled Cheese - really, any kind of sandwich can do if it's one of those days

Pancakes -I usually like spam and toast with it if I'm doing it for dinner

French Toast, Omelets, lots of breakfasts are meatless so go with that!

My fake meatless foods-

(They actually have meat, but I still consider them cheap [which is why I mainly do meatless] if they're fake meats :)

french bread pizza - I usually put our lunch meat (ham) and pineapple on it. Of course, you can always make any pizza vegetarian style

Chicken Sandwiches - you know, the cheap patties on a hamburger bun. Toppings are endless, seriously so many varieties you can make!

Chicken Strips & Pasta-roni

hot dogs

chili dogs

pigs in a blanket

Baked Pork Chops w/ sauce

This was Jack's birthday dinner. He loves these and they are a great company-serving meal. I adapted the recipe found here - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-pork-chops-i/detail.aspx

• 6 pork chops
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 2 egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/3 cup chicken broth

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Rinse pork chops, pat dry, and season with garlic powder and seasoning salt to taste. Place the beaten eggs in a small bowl. Dredge the pork chops lightly in flour, dip in the egg, and coat liberally with bread crumbs.
3. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the pork chops 5 minutes per side, or until the breading appears well browned and very crispy. Transfer the chops to a 9x13 inch baking dish, and cover with foil.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. While baking, combine the cream of mushroom soup, milk and white wine in a medium bowl. After the pork chops have baked for 45 minutes, cover them with the soup mixture. Replace foil, and bake for another 20 minutes.

These really are delicious. I didn't have bread crumbs so substituted some crushed croutons and Ritz. I wish I would have snapped my own picture after I cooked them with the sauce because it looks just as good as it tastes (and I'm usually not a pretty food person), but I did take one while frying them. I ended up making 8 pork chops and doubled the sauce. Enjoy!

Taco Salad

Simple, fast, cheap meatless meal!

lettuce

black beans

corn

taco seasoning

cheese

salsa

corn chips

french dressing OR ranch dressing

Mix together, enjoy! :)

Tortellini Caesar Salad

I first had this several years ago and it's my go-to to impress whenever a salad is needed. :) I was hosting a play date lunch and used the leftovers for dinner with some yummy bread!

1 package of (9 ounces) frozen cheese tortellini
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup plus 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese,
divided
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 cups torn romaine
1 cup seasoned croutons
halve cherry tomatoes, optional

cook tortellini according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a samll bowl, combine the mayo, milk, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, lemonjuice and garlic; mix well. Drain tortellini and rinse in cold water; place in a large bowl. Add the romaine parmesan. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Top with croutons and tomatoes if desired.

And I love my garlic so usually put 5-6 garlic cloves instead, YUM!

Shake and Bake Chicken

I really liked this! I used the recipe here - http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/easy-shake-and-bake-chicken/detail.aspx

adding slight alteration using recipe found here - http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/shake-n-bake-spicy-74651.aspx

• chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce*
• 1/2 Tbsp mustard*
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon sage
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
2. Mix together BBQ sauce and mustard. Lightly brush the chicken breasts. *came from 2nd recipe
3. Mix flour, salt, paprika, sage and pepper together in a bag. Add chicken in a bag and shake until well coated.
4. Melt butter/margarine in a 9x13 inch baking dish in the preheated oven. Place chicken in the baking dish skin side down and bake for 20 minutes. Turn pieces and bake another 20 minutes until tender and juices run clear.