Southwest Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (8.75 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 pinch ground cumin

Shredded cheese you choose!

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Brown chicken breasts on both sides. Add tomatoes with green chile peppers, beans and corn. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Add a dash of cumin, top with desired cheese, and serve.

We served with rice... We have also cubed the chicken before cooking and mixed it in with the cooked rice for a "bowl" dinner.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Simple recipe for a yummy cake I've made twice in two weeks. It's a great substitute for a yellow cake mix!! Very much like a pound cake. I used a 9x13 pan the first time I made this. It turned out well. The 2nd time, I did 2 - 9inch cake round pans. Next time, I think I'll do 3 - 8inch cake rounds or just the 9x13 / 11x15 pan. It makes quite alot of batter. Bake time is long, but so worth it!

Ingredients

• 3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup buttermilk (1 cup milk + 1 tbs cream of tartar, microwave 30 seconds)
  
• 1 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the flour, 2 cups sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend in buttermilk, 1 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 4 eggs. Beat for 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Zucchini Brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 cups chocolate chips
  

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and chocolate chips. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched.

French Toaste Casserole

So I've been enjoying cooking while on day shift. I love breakfast foods. So here is a recipe i found (THANKS PAULA DEEN!) it's delicious.

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup

• Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
  
• Prep Time: 20 min
  
• Inactive Prep Time: 8 hr 0 min
• Cook Time: 40 min
• Level: Easy
• Serves: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Dash salt
• Praline Topping, recipe follows
• Maple syrup

Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

The Dip

Megan is a goddess. She brought this dip in once and we've needed it like crack ever since.



2 packets Hidden Valley Ranch - Buttermilk Recipe


1 small jar Best Foods Mayo


1 16oz tub sour cream



Mix it all together and it's ready to go!



It's that easy and so good.

Kid Friendly: CornDog Muffins

• 2 (8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 8 hot dogs, cut in half or pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each muffin.
3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Food Challenge: Kid Friendly

Get out your kid friendly recipes people. Let's share these ideas!

Aleena told me about Octo-dogs....
How freaking adorable is this?? So simple too.

Cut your dogs halfway up to make 8 legs
Boil them to curl the legs

Aleena serves them on a bed of ramen noodles, tinted green to resemble seaweed and puts in a few goldfish crackers for good measure.

A little mustard face completes the fun.


What are your fun kid-friendly recipes???