Creamy Ranch Chicken

I found this recipe on pinterest.  I read it and then a couple of days later I made it without rechecking the recipe.  It turns out that I was supposed to use italian dressing mix, but I used ranch dressing mix.  It was a good mistake, it turned out delicious!

Creamy Ranch Chicken

1 bag frozen chicken breasts
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup water
1 can cream of chicken soup
8 oz cream cheese

Mix water and dressing mix, pour into crock pot.  Place frozen breasts into crock pot and turn on low.  About 4 hours in I like to trim the fat from the chicken because I am lazy and do not thaw it ahead of time, this is optional.  After 7 hours, add the soup and cream cheese, let it heat for another hour before serving.  The liquids make a wonderful sauce that is great on pasta or rice.

Tacos with Corn and Black Beans

I love tacos.  If it were up to me I would have them at least once a week.  This is a variation on just seasoned meat.

Tacos  with Corn and Black Beans

1 LB hamburger
1 envelope taco seasoning mix (allergy free recipe)
1 can black beans
1 cup corn

Brown hamburger, drain.  Add taco seasoning mix and 3/4 cup water.  Rinse and drain black beans, add to meat, add corn.  Cook until heated through and water is evaporated.

Sweet Corn Bread

I always loved the sweet corn bread at Chili's with pieces of corn in it.  I bought their mix a few times to make it at home, but decided that it would be better to make up a recipe that approximates it. 

Sweet Corn Bread

1 box corn bread mix
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 can creamed corn

Mix together corn bread mix, egg, sugar, and milk. Stir in creamed corn. Pour into a greased 9x9" baking dish and bake at 400° for 45 minutes.

Peanut Butter Fudge

I love fudge!  Peanut butter fudge is my absolute favorite.  I had been looking for a long time (since high school) for a good peanut butter fudge recipe that tasted like the kind you buy on Mackinac Island.  I finally tasted some when a coworker brought it in around Christmas.  I had to have the recipe.  I asked him for it and his wife got it for me from her aunt.  Here it is, try it today.  I have frozen it (it makes a lot) and it was good when thawed.  I also like to set pieces out on the counter to dry out a bit, I like mine to have a little bit of a crunchy exterior.

Peanut Butter Fudge

3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 stick butter

Combine all ingredients except for the butter and vanilla. Cook in a LARGE pan over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture comes to full rolling boil. I used to use what I think of as my 'mac & cheese' sized pan and it always boiled over and was an annoying mess. Boil to soft ball stage, stir occasionally. Soft ball stage 234° with a candy thermometer, or when you drop in very cold water it forms a soft ball and flattens when removed from water. Add butter and vanilla, remove from heat. Beat until fudge thickens and loses its gloss, then spread in a glass 9x13" pan.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

I found this recipe through pinterest again.  I adapted it a bit to my personal tastes.  It was delicious and SO easy!  It only took 5 minutes to throw the ingredients into the baking dish!  I was a little bit nervous about leaving the croutons whole at first, thinking that they would be too crunchy and hard, but they soak up some of the tomato sauce and are just right.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

2 T olive oil
2 cloves garlic - crushed
dash pepper flakes
1 bag boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
8 oz shredded mozzarella
4 oz parmesan cheese
6oz croutons

Mix olive oil, garlic, and pepper flakes in the bottom of a 9x13" baking dish. Place chicken breasts in a single layer on top.  Pour spaghetti sauce on top, sprinkle with basil, top with half of each of the cheeses.  Spread croutons on, then remaining cheese.  Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, uncover and bake for 20-30 more minutes.

Glazed Fruit Salad

 I love fruit salad, especially glazed fruit salad.  I had tried a couple of recipes with pudding mix, but never found one that I liked.  Then my mother-in-law made a fruit salad and I asked for her recipe, and the secret was pie filling!  Wonderful.

Glazed Fruit Salad

21oz peach pie filling
fruit

Cut up fresh fruit into bite sized pieces and stir in pie filling.

For the salad above I used 2 medium apples, 2 mandarin oranges, 1 banana, and a little over a pound of strawberries.  I have made it with grapes before as well, just put in whatever you have in the house.

Honey Beer Bread

This bread is wonderful!  Super easy to put together, then all you have to do is bake!  No kneading, rising, punching, etc.  This is my new go-to bread recipe.  I found it through pinterest.  I adapted it slightly and added cornmeal - and it is my favorite part!  You can also make it without the honey if you prefer, I have seen the same recipe elsewhere without it, but I really liked the sweetness it added.

Honey Beer Bread

3 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 T baking powder
1 t salt
2 T honey (warm)
12 oz beer or pop
1/2 stick butter - melted
1 T cornmeal

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Pour in beer and honey, mix until just combined.  Spray a 9x5" pan with cooking spray, then sprinkle the cornmeal in the bottom of the pan.  Pour batter into pan and top with melted butter.  Bake at 350° for 1 hour.