Chicken Enchilada Pasta

I found this recipe on a cool blog -myfavoritethings-miranda.blogspot.com

1-1/2 oz. pkg. dried jumbo shell macaroni ( I use elbows, 1/2 a box)

3 large green or red peppers ( I used 1 green pepper)

1-1/2 cups chopped red onion ( used regular yellow onion)

1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped ( used 2 peppers plus added some seeds)

2 Tablespoon vegetable oil

2 cups chopped chicken

1 16 oz can refried beans

3 Tablespoons taco seasoning mix *

2 10oz can enchilada sauce **

1 8oz Mexican style four cheese blend shredded

1 cup sliced green onion

2 cups nacho cheese flavored tortilla chips crushed ( didn't use)

my addition was Chili Garlic Sauce to taste***

Oven 350 degrees

cook pasta, drain, set aside

Cook peppers, onion, jalapeno in hot oil over med. heat for about 5 min. or until tender.Stir in Chicken, beans, taco seasoning , 1/2 cup enchilada sauce. Cook and stir 5 min. Add cheese and green onion

Mix the pasta (or fill the shells) spread 1 cup of the remaining enchilada sauce in a 3 quart rectangular baking dish. If using shells arrange shells atop sauce. Drizzle with remaining enchilada sauce.

Bake covered for 30 min. ( I baked for 45 min uncovered) Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese ( I added additional 4 oz of cheese). Bake 5 min more or until cheese is melted.. Sprinkle with chips and remaining green onion. Serve with avocado dip or soup cream.

Makes 8 to 10 servings

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*recipe for Taco seasoning mix

from allrecipes.com

Mix all together and store in a airtight container

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 Tablespoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

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**Target has the best price for enchilada sauce. Their own brand was about 79 cents a can

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Taste great reheated! 

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken

This recipe is from my go to crockpot site- Crockpot guys.
I made it on March 10, 2012. We were going to the Quilt Show in Trenton and wanted to have dinner done when we got home.

2 to 4 pounds of chicken
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar ( I used 1/3 cup)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 TBSP red wine vinegar
2 TBSP oil(olive is better)
Place chicken in crockpot.
Mix up the rest in a small bowl and pour sauce over chicken. Cook on low for at least 6 hours- longer won’t hurt it on low.

Only thing I did differently was I turned the chicken pieces over to make sure both side absorbed the sauce. The chicken was in the crockpot about 3 hours when I turned it.

Stains be gone

Some ideas for natural,stain pre-treater/pre-soak for stains

 http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2011/12/homemade-shout-stain-remover.html
for homemade shout

Baking soda paste: mix baking soda with a small amount of water,apply to stain and let set for 5 minutes. You could also use dish soap on the stain also and let set for 5 minutes.

I read that Bac-out works well. I haven't used it so not sure but from what I saw on various post it it suppose to be pretty good.

Hydrogen peroxide for stains like blood and grass.

The old fashion Naptha bar soap works well also. Rub it in using a washing soda/borax combo.

Éirinn go brách-- Prata

Potatoes are a staple in our home and always looking for new and good recipes. Hope you enjoy these as much as we did.

Mashed Potato Balls ( from
http://forkfulofcomfort.blogspot.com/)
2 Cups mashed potatoes (let them come to room temp)
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese ( I used mexican four cheese)
1/2 cup green onions, chopped
1/2 cup real bacon bits ( did not use)
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
Oil for frying

In a medium bowl add mashed potatoes, stir in egg, cheese, onions and bacon. Shape into 1 inch balls, roll in bread crumbs. Let stand for 15 min. In the meantime heat a med. skillet over med. high with 1 inch of oil. When hot, fry potato balls, a few at a time for 2-3 min-till golden brown.
Remove with slotted spoon and let them drain on a paper towel.
Serve warm

Buffalo Potatoes   from Taste of Home.com

Ingredients:
4 Large Idaho Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut in wedges. I leave the skin on.

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup dry parmesan cheese                                      

1 cup instant flaked mashed potatoes

2 tsp Old Bay seasoning

1 pinch cayenne pepper

pan spray coating

salt to taste
1. Blanch potato wedges in salted water. Drain. While hot, toss with half the oil.

2. In bowl mix cheese, flaked potatoes, Old Bay seasoning and pepper. Toss with warm potatoes to coat well.

3. Spread potatoes on pan sprayed with coating.

4. Bake at 450 18 to 20 minutes, or until cooked through.

5. Seson with salt.


I baked them at 400 for 30 min.

Little River

This park is 30 miles from the house and a favorite place to dive.

The dark area in the center on the photo is the opening to the cave

 Divingabe

Trenton Quilt Show

Divingabe and I have been visiting High Springs, four years including this year. The first year we were here he saw a sign that advertised the quilt show and knew I would like it so Divingabe,Rip and I were off to see the quilts. The quilts were abundant that year. Everywhere you looked there was a quilt and they were so colorful and I couldn't take enough pictures. Rip was also a big hit with the ladies. Divingabe walking him, Rip was his chick magnet!

This year there weren't as many quilts and they were all beautiful but the colors were darker and I also noticed that they weren't as big.

I don't know any history of the three butterfly quilts but did hear about the above. The lady made it as a barter. She needed new dentures and in exchange for her new teeth she made this for the dentist.

If you are into frogs this one is for you!This quilt was so cute and all the frogs had cute little button eyes

A truly unique piece. The photo doesn't do it justice because there is so much detail. It's a punch wool project.

Four Minute Smile

I found this a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Hope you enjoy it also.

Piggy - 6 meals - 2 recipes

Pork is so good in florida. I rarely buy it at home because it's never tender and always chewy. Hitchcock's had a pork loin on sale for 1.99 a pound.


The first recipe I made was

Pork Loin with Cranberry Sauce   recipe from The Other Side Of Fifty 

2   1/2 - 3 pound pork loin
     Montreal Grill Seasoning ( looked for a pork seasoning,couldn't find one -used steak one)
Sprinkle roast with seasoning, place in crock pot and set temp. to high. Cook 2 hours then reduce heat to low for another 2 hours. ( internal meat temp 165 degrees)
        
Meanwhile, in saucepan combine the following:

1/2 can jellied cranberry sauce
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. mustard
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. liquid smoke ( didn't use)
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
couple splashes of Tabasco( didn't use)
salt and pepper
I added  Chili Garlic Sauce, it's spicy so add to taste if you use it

Whisk together above ingredients. Heat thoroughly. Serve atop of pork or recipe called said you could also put this on chicken.

Both of my guys loved this and said it was a make again they gave it 4 stars. With the Garlic Chili sauce it's very spicy.

I also made baked pork chops and Gabe grilled one night and also made fajitas

Another recipe I made using the pork loin was

Sautéed Pork Medallions with a Ginger-Infused Balsamic Reduction

1 lb. boneless pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices (Err on the side of thicker for this.) –
2 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large shallot, minced (about 2 Tablespoons) –
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 1/2 teaspoons packed, light brown sugar
2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
1 cup Balsamic vinegar

salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Add the vinegar and mustard to the onion mixture. Bring to a boil and cook at a high simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced by half; about 10 minutes. The liquid will thicken to a syrup-like consistency. Set aside.
2. In a large sauté pan, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pork medallions and cook for about 2 minutes on each side. (If the slices are thicker than a ½-inch, adjust the cooking time accordingly.)
3. Stir in the Balsamic reduction, coating each medallion. Transfer to a platter and serve immediately.

recipe from: http://feastonthecheap.net/sauteed-pork-medallions-with-a-ginger-infused-balsamic-reduction/

Crispy Baked Chicken & Crack Slaw



Crispy Baked Chicken

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup cornmeal

1 1/2 teaspoon salt ( only added a pinch)

1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup milk

1 broiler/fryer chicken ( 3-31/2 pounds) cut up

1/3 cup butter, melted

I added a few sprinkles of Tony Chachere's to the cornmeal mixture for added spice

In a shallow bowl add the first six ingredients. Pour milk in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in milk and then roll in the cornmeal mixture.

Place chicken in a greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Drizzle with butter. Bake uncovered at 375 degrees for 50-55 minutes or until juice runs clear,

Recipe from www.tasteofhome.com

I found the recipe on the taste of home community bulletin board

Chicken was very moist and coating was better than any shake and bake.

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I love this coleslaw! Great time to make it since St. Patty's day is not far off and cabbage will be ultra cheap. I also found a great buy on sesame seeds. I saw them in Winn Dixie and the only brand they had was McCormick and a small bottle was 6.99. I put it in the cart then had to put it back because 7 bucks for a tiny bottle of sesame seeds is ridiculous. I was going to make it without the sesame seeds. I had to go into Alachua and stopped at Hitchcock's and found a large bottle for 4.99!

 I found this recipe on www.eastvillagekitchen.com

Crack Slaw (Asian Cole Slaw)

1 bag cole slaw mix ( 14 oz)
5 scallions, sliced
3 tablespoons butter ( didn't use)
3 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 cup slivered almonds ( didn't use)
1 package ramen noodles (minus the flavor pack)**

Dressing

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sugar ( you can use less)
2 tablespoons soy sauce ( used low salt )

Whisk the oil, sugar and soy and add to the Cole Slaw mixture. I use the magic bullet to blend, very easy that way.
* I brown the sesame seeds in the oven on a small oven proof tray. Put them in the oven and turn the broiler on HIGH. No messing around with these. You have to WATCH very carefully. Checked and took the seeds out, with my pot holder and gave them a quick toss and back in the oven to be watched closely.

**Did the same for the ramen except gave them a quick spray with Butter Pam, in the oven on a cookie sheet under the broiler, watch like a hawk and take out ( use a oven glove) a good toss and you are ready to go.

If you aren't serving right away, save the ramen and seeds to add right before serving, you want crisp not mushy noodles.

WOW! Loved this. Top of the make again list.

Note: My friend Carol adds chicken to this so can be made for a nice light summer meal.