What to do with Broccoli?

It doesn't look the most appealing...sorry for the terrible picture but it really was delicious!

For dinner tonight I made just plain old BBQ Chicken with a yam.  I knew I needed something to go with it but just couldn't think of anything.  I looked in my freezer and there I saw a plain unopened bag of BROCCOLI.  I don't hate broccoli but I don't love it.  I usually eat it with some spray butter and garlic seasoning.  Well I wanted to do something different.  I looked in my cupboard and saw Cream of Chicken Soup.  Hmmm what could I create with this...

Ingredients:

• 16oz frozen bag Broccoli
• 1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup ( I used 98% Fat Free)
• 1/3 Cup of Milk
• 1/3 Cup of Cheese of your choice (I used Mixed Cheese)
• Season to taste, Tony's, garlic, onion powder, salt & pepper

Mix all the ingredients in a baking dish.  Cook at 400 for 30 to 45 minutes.
My son loved this! 

Fluffy Pancakes

I'm not a big fan of Breakfast especially pancakes, french toast, waffles, etc.  But Dave and Dexton do so I thought I would make some chocolate chip pancakes with Dexton.  You could have these without the chocolate chips or add other ingredients like blueberries, nuts, bananas. Experiment and see what you like.  Dexton loves the chocolate chips (of course) and the blueberries.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 TBS White Vinegar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 TBS Sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 2 TBS butter, melted

1.  Combine milk and vinegar in a bowl and set aside for 5 minutes to "sour". (It will turn lumpy)
2. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

   3. Whisk egg and butter into soured milk.
   4. Pour the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and whisk until lumps are gone.
   5. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, coat with cooking spray.
   6. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet and if you want top with chocolate chips, blueberries,
      or whatever you want.

Dexton was putting one chocolate chip on the pancake and eating 3.  He loves cooking with his mommy!

   7. Cook until bubbles appear on the surface.  Flip with spatula and cook until browned on the other side.

Chicken Cordon Blue

By far one of my favorite meals to cook and eat.  YUMMY but don't be on a diet while eating this :)

Ingredients:

• Split Chicken Breast Pounded
• Swiss Cheese 
• Ham Lunch Meat
• Breading I like Ritz Crackers but I used crushed croutons this time
• Butter

Hollandaise Sauce:

• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1/2 Cup Flour
• 1 Can of Cream of Chicken Soup
• 1/2 Cup Sourcream
• 2 Cups Milk
• 3/4 lb Mixed Cheese
• Salt and Pepper
• Season to taste: Garlic, Cayenne, Season Salt, Onion Powder

1.  In a food Processor blend croutons or Ritz crackers to crumbs.
2. Melt 1 stick of Butter
3. In saran wrap place each chicken breast separately and pound it about an 1/2 inch thick.
4. Roll the Cheese and Ham with the chicken
5. Dip Chicken in melted butter, then in crumbs.
6. Bake in oven for 40 minutes at 400.

Sauce:

1.  In a large sauce pan melt butter and blend flour to a smooth paste.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients together in the saucepan till bubbly and hot.
3. Pour over Chicken and Serve!

SIDES:

• Glazed Carrots
• White Rice
• Soft Rolls

(I usually serve this meal with mashed potatoes instead of the rice and as gravy I use the hollandaise sauce.  Dave prefers the mashed potatoes)

Glazed Carrots:

1. Place one bag of mini carrots in a large pot and boil till tender
2. Drain, add 1/2 stick of butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar
3. Mix well and sprinkle some parsley on top

White Rice:

• Cook as directed and serve with Hollandaise Sauce.

Taco Casserole

This was a classic dish my mom always made when I was a kid.  I decided to make it but a little different then how my mom did.

Ingredients:

1. Ground Turkey (you could use ground beef)
2. One Chopped Onion
3. 2 garlic cloves
4. EVOO
5. Tortilla Chips (I used multi-grain tortilla chips)
6. Corn
7. Kidney Beans
8. 1 (15oz) Tomato Sauce
9. 1 (15oz) Stewed Tomatoes
10. 2 packages of Taco Seasoning
11. Mixed Cheese

In a large Pan pour some EVOO into the pan, saute the chopped onions and garlic.  Add the ground turkey and cook till done.  Add the Tomato sauce, corn, stewed tomatoes, kidney beans and taco seasoning.  Mix all together.

Place the taco mix into a large baking dish.  Crumble the tortilla chips on top and sprinkle on the cheese.  Bake in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes.  I accidentally cooked mine for 45 minutes, that's why the cheese is brown.  At least I didn't burn it :)

 Top off with some shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.  (I made Ranch sour cream.  Eat and enjoy :)

BBQ Ribs with Green Beans

Alright, so I was at Macey's looking at the meats and saw these ribs.  I haven't had ribs forever so I got some.  I have heard a lot of people using coke to cook their meats so I thought I would experiment with coke...

1. I put the ribs in the crock pot with 1/2 a lt of Coke
2. Cooked it on high for 4 hours
3. Grilled the ribs on the BBQ
4. Brushed them with BBQ sauce

 Dave rated the green beans as a 10 and the ribs...not so good.  The problem was that the ribs I bought were 80% bone, 25% FAT, and 5% meat.  We both thought the taste of the meat was really good but unfortunately the quality of the ribs were horrible.  So next time I would make this I would get better ribs, maybe pork instead of beef.  But I defiantly cook them the exact same way. 

Green Beans:
Frozen Green Beans
Garlic Cloves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Seasoning

I don't measure when I cook.  I just add a little of this and a little of that.  I put approximatly 2 TBS of EVOO into a Large pan with some crushed garlic cloves.  Place the frozen green beans on top and let it cook for a few minutes without stirring.  After a few minutes I stir it until it's hot.  Make sure not to cook them too long you want them to stay crisp.  After they are done I season them with my favorite seasoning Johnny's Garlic Spread and Tony's seasoning.  I love the garlic because it's a blend of different kinds of seasonings and the Tony's too but has a kick to it.  I use both of the seasoning on so many things from soups, to pasta, to potatoes.  I love this stuff.  My husband has always hated green beans and loved these.  Like I said he said they were a 10.  He also said he always thought green beans were gross until I cooked them and the best part about it my 3 year old LOVES them too!  He was eating them like popcorn!  And another plus NO BUTTER!!! They still are healthy with great taste!  Enjoy!