Cheesey Chicken Casserole

For as easy as this recipe was, the clean up was a PAIN!!!

The casserole came out tasting decent - definitely wasn't a favorite meal of ours BUT, it was quick and had almost all of the main food groups included! This was the first time I ever made a casserole so I didn't know what to really expect. I was really happy that I didn't have to worry about appearance since everything was all mixed together and looked pretty messy to begin with.


The clean up for a casserole was very tiring!! I had a pan to boil the noodles, a small casserole dish to cook the chicken, a larger casserole dish to put the actual meal in, a medium sized mixing bowl, measuring cups, and measuring spoons.  Really?? I seriously think it took longer to wash the dishes then to actually prepare the meal! 


Personally, I'm not a fan of the mixed veggies!! I would probably substitute the frozen mixed veggies with fresh veggies or possibly even just another frozen veggie. Broccoli will probably be used next time! Also, I always thought that casseroles were supposed to have some type of crunchy topping?!? Next time I plan on using some of those crispy onions on top - just to give it the crunch it needs!

Not bad for the first time making a casserole

Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (Regular or 98% Fat Free)

1/2 cup milk ( I used almond milk)

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1/4 of a 12-ounce package medium egg noodles (about 2 cups), cooked and drained

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese ( I used shredded parm cheese)

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese ( I used more because I was at the end of the bag)

Directions: 

• Stir the soup, milk, vegetables, chicken, noodles, Parmesan cheese and black pepper in a 1 1/2-quart casserole.
• Bake at 400°F. for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.  Stir the chicken mixture.  Sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese.

For more information:

http://www.campbellskitchen.com/RecipeDetail.aspx?recipeId=50682

 

I hope you dance...

Ever since I was pregnant, I just can't get through the Lee Ann Womack song "I hope you dance," without shedding some tears. This morning was no different driving into work.

The first time the song made me cry was after Jason and I had our ultrasound appointment and we found out that we were having a boy.  We went to Babies R' Us "just to look," at the bedding and baby BOY decor. 

I was standing in the car seat/stroller aisle looking at the products, full from a celebration dinner at Carraba's, just minding my own business. When the song came on it's lyrics just hit me.  Now, I had heard that song a hundred of times before but it wasn't until that moment that I actually listened to it's powerful message. I actually heard what the song was about, and was just so overcome with emotions. Yes, overcome with emotions in aisle 6/strollers.

I don't think there is anything that a parent could want more for their child but happiness and joy. Of course we want our children to be successful, kind, brave, smart, funny.... But the constant want for your child to be happy is what I think we want.  I constantly look down at my 8 month old baby boy, and am just amazed that I grew him inside of me. We are just such powerful creatures (women that is) to be able to grow another being inside of us. When I look at him, of course I want nothing but good things for him, but the thing I want the most is for him to be happy in life. I just hope that when given the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope he dances!!

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake, but it's worth makin'
Don't let some Hellbent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along)
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder, where those years have gone?)

Hellmann's Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Well, here it is... One of the easiest recipes out there, and also one of our favorites!!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise  (you can also use greek yogurt or sour cream-I will be doing greek yogurt next time around since it's probably much healthier than may)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I use a mixture of grated and shredded Parmesan cheese)
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
• 4 tsp. Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise with cheese in medium bowl. Arrange chicken on baking sheet. Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture, then sprinkle with bread crumbs. (After I season the chicken with S&P I sprinkled the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the chicken. Then I spread the mayo mixture which had shredded Parmesan in it. Then once again sprinkled some more of the grated Parmesan cheese. Lastly I sprinkled the bread crumbs on).
3. Bake 20 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Also terrific with Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Light Mayonnaise or Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Canola Cholesterol Free Mayonnaise.

The first time I came across this recipe I just couldn't imagine putting mayonnaise onto chicken and then adding heat to it. All I could think of is the mayo running off the chicken & the oil separating into a gooey mess leaving just the fat part left to eat. 

Little did I know that mixed with Parmesan cheese, and topped with Italian bread crumbs, this could be one of the best things ever created!!

The first time I made this chicken it was delicious!!! My husband assisted and he was the one who spread the mayo mixture over the chicken!! Did it turn out so well because he technically prepared the meal?? Maybe?

The second time I attempted to recreate this meal, it was just disgusting!! The top was soggy, and all you could do is taste mayonnaise with every disgusting bite.  Why was it so disgusting the second time?? Probably because I didn't follow directions, didn't measure anything, and applied way too much of the may mixture on top of the chicken!

The 3rd time I made it (yesterday evening), I followed the directions, measured everything, and double checked that I did things correctly.  I also had my husband with me guiding me as I spread the may mixture onto the chicken.  


And this was the end result... (We got a little lazy with the veggie and just used canned green beans with a tablespoon of vinegar - so good!)

Yaaahhh for the weekend!!!

So glad that the weekend is here! 

Long week with Alex getting his first tooth.  We had some good nights, and of some rough ones... All in all my baby did well with his first true week of teething!

I'm so glad that we don't have much planned for the weekend! We have a family friendly wedding to go to on Saturday - it's a costume wedding - Disney Princess/Prince themed!! Yep, you guessed it... They bride will probably be Cinderella!!! Of course Jason won't be dressing up and well... I'm not really sure what I'm going to do?? If I have the energy I will go to the mall tomorrow and pick up a dress -- maybe a Pocahontas?? (I'm only saying that because I can always use a brown dress since we all know it's my favorite color!!)

Hopefully the weather will remain nice this weekend and we can do some outside activities!! Alex is really enjoying the outdoors and it keeps him so entertained!

What can I say....

I have just taken a complete break from cooking... 

No excuses to be told. Just haven't taken the time to get in the kitchen!

Last night we settled for a DiGiorno Pizza. Yummmy (not so much)!

Maybe tonight I will make something fun... 

I really need to get organized and get a recipe binder or box together so I all I have to do is flip through and find something fun to make... Hummm, could be a weekend project!!

Not consistent

If you haven't already figured it out already... I am NOT consistent with cooking. 

We really go in waves when it comes to working in the kitchen... We will go days, even a week with steady cooking. Then, we will get busy and just do the convenient processed foods from Costco! Nothing wrong with taking something out the tray, preheating the oven, and cooking... right?

We are heading back to cooking again though, so stay tuned for something new... Something that just won't turn out the way I want it to!!

 

Teething Day 1

Well, the time has come for restless nights and cranky days!!

Alex started budding a tooth on Sunday and we were so excited to see it pop up. At this point it is nothing but a little white dot, but we know what it is!!

Surprisingly he is taking it well. Or at least better than what I though. Although we had a rough night last night. It's time to start going to bed when he goes to bed because I am one tired Mama today! 

Alex's restless night started at around 11:30 PM. He started stirring and moving trying to find his pacifier in his crib. He babbled for a few seconds, and then got frustrated and started his screaming. Now at this point I had only been asleep maybe 45 minutes. 

I got up, helped him find his pacifier, and then went back to sleep.  From that point on he was up pretty much every hour. Some times he found his pacifier, other times he needed assistance. I could see him through the baby monitor pulling at his diaper so we did a 12:33 AM diaper change. He thought it was so nice to be held during the night! He was so happy, grabbing my face, and squealing with delight. He went to bed on his own until we hit the 2 o'clock hour. 

At some point, I'm in a sleep daze and Alex ends up in my bed. I wake up probably no more than 45 minutes later and put him back into his crib!! He is once again asleep in his own crib when he starts babbling and screaming for his pacifier. I had already placed a few pacifiers in his crib hoping that he would find one and put it in his mouth by himself. No, Alex decides to get frustrated and throws them all out the crib!!

By 4:30 AM he is back into my bed, where he stayed until he woke up. 

Throughout all of this, not once did I think about getting some baby orajel or baby tylenol to help soothe him... It wasn't until I spoke with some other moms today that I realized there is some relief!! I can tell you this... If we have a repeat of last night, we will be using some type of medication to help soothe both of us!!! 

(Love my Baby Alex)

Happy 8 months Alex!!

Well, my baby turned 8 months old today! 

He is growing into such a nice little boy!!  Everyday it's something new! 

We had a wonderful week with Alex's MiMi! She flew in on a Friday and was able to stay with us for a little over a week. Since I had to work Monday through Wednesday, MiMi watched Alex. By the 3rd day she was glad that I was taking off Thursday and Friday! She had a great time watching him, even though she said, "This baby sure can whine!!"

I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to take some time off of work to spend with My Mom and Alex.  I was quite tired on Thursday so we stayed close to the house - and I took a nap when Alex too one! On Friday we headed to the outlets in Monroe for some shopping. Alex got some summer clothes and I got some jeans!!

Mama and Alex Shopping

After shopping we headed to a local restaurant. Alex was really good and was quite comical. He developed the gift of gab while sitting in the restaurant! He talked so much it was entertaining. We went at an off time so there were only a few people eating there. Unfortunately, it made it seem like Alex was screaming because it was so empty! He ate his lunch and then tried to eat our lunch! He tasted ketchup for the first time which he seemed to really enjoy -- even though I told him it's just empty calories and not nutritious!! He has begun using "MAMAMAMA" for when he wants something from me.

We picked up some big boy pajamas for Alex and he just looks like a little man. I can't believe we have outgrown the pjs with the little feet!! He is too cute though in his new 2 piece clothes! My Mom was holding his hands and Alex began dancing!! He would kick out his right foot and just bust a move! He would dip real low so I started saying, "drop it low Alex, drop it low!!" Now whenever I say it he dips real low, then waits for my reaction -- which is usually a giggle!!

Big Boy PJS

 Our weekend ended with playing outside yesterday!! We probably spent a couple of hours outside. We went for a walk and then just played in the back yard. This is after our walk. Alex is laughing because I kept telling him, "Mama's so tired!!" I was being very dramatic and slumping over him when I said it. He was laughing so hard he couldn't catch his breath!
My little boy is just too funny....

Last big thing is Alex is FINALLY getting a tooth. It popped up yesterday and so far, not giving us too many problems. He is a little restless at night and I have to go into his room to put his pacifier back in his mouth. But besides that inconvenience, he seems to be doing well. 


Happy 8 months Baby Boopers!!

Cheesy Potatoes Take 3

So, you would think that taking frozen tater tots out the bag, placing them in a casserole dish, adding some salt and pepper, chopping some onions and then baking it would be easy, RIGHT?? Right....

Now, I have made this dish a few times. It's quick, yummy, and takes very little effort... So I thought.

My Mom is in town so I needed to make a larger batch of my "easy cheesy potatoes."  As I'm preparing to start cooking, I preheat the oven, lightly grease the dish, and then start pouring in the frozen potatoes. Mistake # 1, more people, more potatoes, probably should have used a larger casserole dish!!

So since I didn't have a thin layer of potatoes they didn't cook as well, and definitely did not get as crispy as they should! 

Mistake # 2... Didn't chop enough onions to make it cover the potatoes. One bite would be yummy with the onions, other bites were just plain!

So, what I ended up doing, after I already ate my soggy portion, was to remove all potatoes (cheese included) and placed them on a covered baking sheet. I cooked them for an extra 6 minutes, then added some more cheese and cooked for another 2 minutes. 

My husband ended up getting the better batch, and all was good. Like I have said before... 

This Mama Can't Cook!

It's the little things...

The Jenkins' have been quite busy this past weekend with the holiday and my Mom being in town.

Alex had a rough Friday, my mom's first day in town.  He was fussy, cranky and just plain whiny!!  He had a fever (low grade) and just seemed to be in a bad mood. 

Thankfully he woke up in good spirits Saturday morning! We played and Alex was able to get to know my mom before we left him for the night  :o)  

Jason and I took advantage of our complimentary one year anniversary stay at the hotel that we got married. The hotel is tucked back in an upscale shopping district with lots of entertainment.  I of course was a little nervous to leave my baby because it would be our first time away from him. Of course everything was just fine, and we got a well needed, and overdue night out!! Aaaahh, the joys of eating a meal with no interruptions! It's the little things.

On Sunday returned home, and I needed some rest. I slept when Alex slept! You would think I partied too much but unfortunately that was NOT the case! I was so exhausted from listening to my husband snore and move all night long!!! I was just beside myself with lack of sleep! I could not wait to go to sleep! 

So, Alex and I wake up from a nap and Jason says, "do you want to go to my dad's house for dinner??" Now, of course the last I heard was that Easter Dinner was cancelled, so I assumed that I would have the day to chill out and relax... Luckily my Mom was already dressed, so all I had to do was get showered and ready. We had a very nice afternoon and my father in laws house, and Alex played himself out and took a great afternoon nap. Of course, I followed his lead and took another nap myself!! 

It's the little things in life... 

Garlic Chicken with Brown Sugar

Ok, so last night, even though we had left over pizza in the refrigerator, I decided to make something new for dinner. 

My husband wasn't feeling so great so after work he went to rest, while I hung out with our 7 month old son.  After feeding Alex his dinner, I put some toys on the high chair for him to play with, and quickly grabbed my phone to search my Pinterest recipes!

I decided on something with very little ingredients, and of course something fast!

I decided on Garlic Chicken with brown sugar. Sounded extremely simple: olive oil, minced garlic, brown sugar, and of course the chicken. So here is the recipe and of course a picture to go along with the end results.  

Ingredients:

*  4 boneless skinless chicken breasts.  

     - I had 5 left over chicken tenderloins so I used those. And added 2 chicken breasts.

* 4 garlic cloves

     - Honestly, I don't know where to even find fresh garlic cloves, and would definitely not know how to "mince" it myself. So I choose convenience and buy the pre-minced garlic in the jar.
* 4 tablespoons of brown sugar

     - who would have known that brown sugar caramelizes when it hits heat?? I surely didn't know!!

*  3 teaspoons olive oil

     - I used more because I just didn't know what the heck I was doing and it looked like the mixture was      drying up!!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 500°F and lightly grease a casserole dish.
   - Ok, well this just seemed like a high temperature, and since I'm not experienced in the kitchen, I did not go to 500°F. I went to 450°. My chicken was frozen so I cooked it for 25 minutes at 350°F BEFORE I added the oil/garlic/brown sugar mixture. Then I cooked for another 20-25 minutes at 450° AFTER I added the mixture .
2. In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender.
   - This was the first time I really had to sauté anything besides onions. It seemed to me that the heat was drying up the mixture so, I added a little more olive oil. More seasoned cookers may be just fine with what the recipe calls for.
3. Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.
   - Just a FYI, brown sugar really gets hard fast when placed into heat! 
4. Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.
   -  Just from experience, line the baking dish with foil because it gets really messy -- and burns!!
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Bake uncovered for 15-30 minutes
     
    
   I served with rice & green beans.  
    
   Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/easy-garlic-chicken-5478#ixzz1rBav4n9A
   
   
   
   
   

All You Need is Love...

Another great op-ed from Huffington Post in reference to parenting.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tammy-gold/love-and-children_b_1398191.html?ref=parents

Break from cooking...

So, I should have mentioned in the original blog that I just don't cook over the weekend! No one seems to be home at the same time, and well, Sundays are usually spent at the in-laws. Therefore, no blogging over the weekend. Tuesdays are also out for cooking since my husband plays poker with the guys that night. 

What will be on the menu for tonight?? 

Lots of new things happening....

It's just so amazing that my Alex is growing so fast! 

We had another awesome weekend visiting with family and staying busy. 

On Friday it was a rainy evening so we stayed inside and played and read books. We started making Alex hold his own bottle - with our assistance. So on Friday we practiced that with a small bottle with a little water in it. He seemed to enjoy it and looked like a little big boy (oxymoron) while trying to get the nipple in his mouth!

There was a time when Alex would wake up really early in the morning and I was able to reach down into his pack n' play and pick him up and put him into my bed. We could typically get an extra hour, sometimes more, of sleep. Well, those days are over now that he is in his own crib.  Alex was up both Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 AM. 

On Saturday I had my photography class and then I rushed home afterwards because Jason had to go to work.  Since I was a little hungry, and Alex hadn't eaten lunch yet, I decided to take him to Bob Evans. I was scared out of my mind to take him to a restaurant by myself. Alex has really only been out to eat a few times, and we have typically been surrounded by lots of family. So if he got fussy or bored with one person, he just got passed down the table to another person! Well, this time it was just the two of us!


Surprisingly he did extremely well. He enjoyed looking around (especially at the ceiling fans) and smiling at the waitresses and hostesses.  When we got to our table the hostess pulled up a high chair. Of course I look at it and cringe. Yet don't have the time or ability to clean it off with wipes!! Alex was already squirming and I had him in one arm, and the diaper bag in the other. Before I put him in the high chair all I could see were crumbs in the corner, grape jelly stuck on the left arm, and syrup dripping down the front bar. I was totally freaking out just thinking of all of the germs!!

After I got him settled at our table I pulled out some toys for him. They quickly ended on the floor with little crumbs and even some dog hair!! He was able to play with the toys long enough for me to distract him so I could wipe down the arms of the high chair! Of course he bent over and put his mouth on the table - which I didn't think about wiping down!!


Alex ate his lunch (yummm summer squash) and I was able to eat quite a bit of my breakfast! He started to whine a little bit but nothing at all what I was expecting! It was a perfect lunch date!

Alex at Bob Evans

On Sunday we went to Shipshawana on the Road (kind of like a craft show minus all of the tacky crafts) with Grandma Carol.  Alex once again was a happy little guy being really good in his stroller while we did some shopping. After that full day we went to Grandpa Jim's house for dinner. Alex just sat and played so well. Grandpa Jim bought him a walker and Alex loved playing with it. He didn't get to the walking part - actually became frustrated when he couldn't move or when we moved him. 

Alex started waving "bye bye" yesterday!! It was so cool that of course I cried a little.  Once he did it and we got so excited and screamed "yeaaahhh Alex!!" It's the little things that can make a Mama so proud!!