Some "Get 'ya Started" Recipes

Mexican Chicken

4-5 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 can chicken broth
1 packet Taco Seasoning
1 can chopped green chilis
1 small chopped onion
1/2 C (or Less) chopped Cilantro
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. lime juice

Place all ingredients in crock pot and put on low for 5-6 hours or until chicken can shred easily.
Eat on top of tortilla chips, taco shell or wrap up in flour tortilla for a soft taco. Top with favorite Mexican toppings. We used salsa, cheese, Spanish Rice and diced avocados.


Sweet & Sour Pork

My family LOVES the Sun-Bird flavor packet that you can purchase in your local super market in the Oriental Isle. We also love the Sesame Chicken Flavor. The Sweet & Sour Flavor is common back home in California, but here in Utah, I have only found it at Kent's market and Macy's. With my 3 boys and their appetite, I usually double this recipe. Follow direction on back of envelope...SIMPLE!! Pour on top of white/brown rice, add some frozen egg rolls and it's great!! This is a nice FAST meal.


BBQ Chicken Salad

(My Best Friend Angela introduced me to this one. Have to give credit to her. She said it is similar to a salad at Famous Dave's.)

4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts OR
1 lb. Boneless Buffalo wings from WalMart Deli
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Corn
Diced Tomatoes
Grated Cheese
Torn Romain & Ice Berg Lettuce
1 1/2 C. Ranch Dressing
1/4 - 1/3 C. BBQ sauce
Fried Onion Rings (Batter for Onion Rings at the bottom)

Cook chicken in Crock Pot with favorite BBQ sauce until shredded. OR Dice up the boneless Buffalo Wings that you can purchase at a Deli or in a Frozen bag. I think Tyson has a good brand. For Dressing, mix Ranch and BBQ sauce together. Adjust BBQ sauce until it is to YOUR liking. Layer your salad and top off with hot onion rings and dressing.

Batter for Onion Rings
1 C. corn Starch
1 C. flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 egg
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. oil

Mix well, dip rings and cook in pan with approx. 3 inches oil. Drain on paper towels


Pork Chops

(Another one I have to Credit to my other Best Friend Becca. I'm hoping she will join me and help post some ideas on here. We are ALWAYS sharing dinner ideas or any other recipe for that matter.)

3-4 Thick Pork Loin Chops (average about 1 chop per person. Children would be half a chop)
2 cans Chicken Rice soup
1 Packet Chicken Gravy

(AGAIN, we are using the Crock Pot. Boy, now that I'm writing these down, I'm realizing how busy my Crock Pot has been the past week or so!!)

Place chops and soup in pot with 3/4 can water. Cook on Low 6-8 hours. Once you can shred the meat, do so and mix well. Add gravy packet. If soup seems thick with shredded meat, add a little water. Pour over rice or favorite pasta.

Always On Hand

The following items I try to always keep on hand:

Cream of Chicken/Mushroom soups
Tomato Sauce & Soup
Spaghetti Sauce
BBQ Sauce
Rice
Ramen Noodles
Corn Meal
Brown/Powdered Sugar
Cake/Brownie Mix
Onions
Bell Peppers
GARLIC GARLIC GARLIC
Carrots
Corn Starch

Spices:
S & P (Of coarse)
Seasoned Salt
Garlic Salt (I like the Lawrys brand for both of these)
Garlic Powder
Mrs. Dash (any flavor)
Ground Ginger
Bay Leaves
Meat Rubs
Old Bay
Taco Spice Packet
Oriental Packets: Sweet & Sour...etc
Oregano
Cumin
Sesame Oil
Cinnamon

WELCOME WELCOME!!

OKAY, I FINALLY STARTED! All you who keep pestering me for a cook book, blog, or a recipe packet; I finally got to ONE of them. On this blog, I will post what my home menu is going to be for the week. I usually do shopping for two weeks and within that time, there is always a night for leftovers and a fend for yourself night. On Saturdays, I just simply REFUSE to cook unless absolutely necessary. However, even though there is nothing fancy going on at my house, I will throw in a dinner idea that you can use at your own house. If any menu item changes at my house, I will post it. Some nights may not be too fancy and some recipes will also be experimental. DON'T EVER BE AFRAID WHEN IT COMES TO COOKING!
For starters, there are a LIST of things that I always have on hand and will share those with you that can help in making ANY meal. I also believe in SEASONINGS! I don't just have 1 season cupboard, I have 2 and they are FULL of almost anything you can think of! So, I will include a list of some of the seasonings I also keep on hand.
I will also post some of the cooking websites that I use and frequently get recipes from. Yes, even I run into a dead end about what to cook for dinner sometimes or get in that rut of cooking the same things over and over. If you ever come across a recipe that you would like to share, let me know. (Maybe I'll set up a separate email just for this too. Hmm.) Have patience with me, I'll get this going soon enough!