Donut Acorns

I love things that have to do with squirrels (it was my sorority mascot!) so when I came across this adorable snack idea a couple years ago I knew it was for me! I've made this recipe the past two years for the Thanksgiving lunch at my son's preschool and it was a big hit each time (I'll be making it again this year for youngest son's lunch!). These are ridiculously easy to make. I mean, shhh-don't-tell-anyone-how-easy-these-were ridiculous! And really, who can resist cute little acorns?

Ingredients

old fashioned donut holes
tub of chocolate frosting (or Nutella if you want to be healthy...I don't)
chocolate sprinkles
mini pretzel sticks

Directions

1. Spoon some of your frosting into a bowl and microwave it for a few seconds so its softer and easier to work with.
2. Pour some chocolate sprinkles into a bowl.
3. Pick up a donut hole. Dip one end into the chocolate frosting. Give it a little twist.
4. Dip the chocolate side of the donut into the chocolate sprinkles and roll it a little so the sprinkles cover the frosting.
5. Break a pretzel stick in half and stick a piece in the top of your donut.

Volia! You are done! Yes, its that easy. Now just repeat it over and over until you make as many as you need.

Easy Peasy Chili

So my gorgeous Great Smoky Mountain calendar on the wall says its now fall and the Georgia temps are actually starting to cooperate (I've worn my jeans and my boots...I'm happy happy happy). What do I have to make as soon as that season changes and I can step outside in jeans and not feel like I'm going to die of heat stroke? Well, make chili of course! This is a really easy recipe and (like a lot of my recipes) you can kinda add and take away to suit your family's tastes. This one uses some Tastefully Simple products but if you don't have them (and why don't you????) I have listed the substitute.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 can petite diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce (or 2 small cans)
1 1/2 Tbs Onion, Onion (or some chopped up onion)
3 Tbs Wahoo! Chili Seasoning  (or a packet of chili seasoning)
salt and pepper to taste
dash of sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Brown ground beef with your onions until beef is done and drain grease.
2. Add salt and pepper to taste and the chili seasoning. Stir.
3. Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Stir. (You can add a dash or two of sugar here if you like to cut the acidity of the tomatoes but this is optional.)
4. Let it simmer on the stove for at least 20-25 (longer is always better), stirring occasionally and giving it a taste to see if it needs any more seasoning to your liking.

Can serve with rice or cheese or cornbread or whatever you want. :)

* I like to use my left over chili for chili dogs the next day.

Crunchy Fiesta Chicken

First, I'll apologize again for not so great pictures. I just use my camera phone and I am certainly NOT a professional photographer! :)

This chicken dish, while it took a little longer than some of my other recipes, was really, really tasty and I can't wait for the leftovers. This one DOES require a Tastefully Simple product, though! I have to say, I kept picking all the extra chip pieces off the baking dish (that had the dip mix and cheese on them) because it was so tasty! I think I'm going to make a layer dip based on this recipe...

Ingredients

1 1/2 Tbsp to 2 Tbsp Fiesta Party Dip Mix
1/4 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups crushed tortilla chips
shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil and then spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine the first 3 ingredients (the Fiesta Dip Mix is spicy so base how much you add on how spicy your family likes their food!) and spread on both sides of the chicken breasts.
3. Roll the chicken breasts in the crushed up tortilla chips (some is going to fall off, don't panic).
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of each chicken breast for the last 5 minutes of cooking. (some of the "breading" is going to come off, don't panic)

*I can't take credit for coming up with this recipe! I modified it a bit from the one found on the TS website!

Nutella Stuffed French Toast with Macerated Strawberries

I love French toast. Love it. Probably my favorite breakfast item. I make it a lot and I like to play around with it, making different versions (can't wait to make Egg Nog French Toast!). I'd seen recipes for stuffed versions but they all used cream cheese, which my lactose intolerant hubby can not eat. I really wanted to make some stuffed toast so I opened the pantry and what was right before my eyes? My hubby's beloved Nutella. Ding ding ding! We have a winner! Please note that I have NEVER measured when I make French toast, I just add the amount that I like and that works for how many of us are eating that morning. :)

Ingredients

sliced sourdough bread (I got some from a bakery)
eggs
milk
cinnamon
sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract (the REAL stuff)
Nutella
strawberries
orange juice (or lemon)
butter (for the pan)
powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Cut up your strawberries and put them in a bowl with a few tablespoons of sugar and a few tablespoons of orange juice. Stir them up and sit in the fridge while you make your toast.
2. Heat your griddle (or flat pan or whatever you use!). Don't go higher than medium.
3. Mix eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla together. (use amounts that work for how many you're serving and how sweet/unsweet you want your toast to be)
4. Make Nutella sandwiches! Really. Spread the Nutella on a slice of sourdough and plop the other piece on top. Put as much or as little as you like.
5. Throw a little butter on the pan to melt. Dunk your sandwiches in the batter, coating both sides. Once the butter is melted, put them on the griddle.
6. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes per side (until it reaches your desired level of brownness) and then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes.
7. To serve, put a sandwich on a plate, sprinkle with some powdered sugar, and top with your macerated strawberries.

Crispy Cheddar Chicken

This is another recipe I saw floating around on Facebook and Pinterest (aren't they helplful? lol). I made a few changes to the recipe when I fixed it. I added a little something extra to my sauce to give it a slight kick (not much!). The chicken came out of the oven SOOO wonderfully crispy! Not a great picture (sorry); I'll try to get one of just the chicken the next time I fix it.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
salt
pepper
1/2 cup milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 (10 oz) can Cream of Chicken soup
2 Tbs butter
1/2 shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbs milk
Tastefully Simple Fiesta Party Dip Mix (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2.  Cut the chicken breasts in half length wise.
3. Put the crackers in a food processor and grind those babies up!
4.  Put the milk, 2 1/2 cups cheese, and cracker crumbs into 3 separate dishes. Add a dash of salt and pepper (to taste) to the crumbs and stir it up.
5. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk, then the cheese (press the cheese onto the chicken, some will come off, don't panic!), and then into the cracker crumbs. Press it all onto the chicken (again, some will probably come off) and then place into the baking dish.
6. Cover with foil and bake for about 35 minutes.
7. While the chicken is cooking, in a medium sauce pan combine the Cream of Chicken soup, butter, and 2 Tbs of milk. Stir over medium heat until hot and then stir in the 1/2 cup of cheese and 1 Tbs of Fiesta Party Dip Mix (the dip mix is OPTIONAL). Let it bubble for a minute and then serve it over your chicken.

Easy Chicken-Potatoes-Green Beans

I saw this recipe all over Facebook and Pinterest for awhile before finally trying it. OMG it is soooo easy to throw together (always a plus when you have small children running around the kitchen not listening to your pleas of "get out!!!"). I used different potatoes than what I saw in recipes on the internet because, well, because I like Yukon golds! I also used one of my Tastefully Simple products to add a little something "extra."My house smelled amazing while it was cooking and the 6 year old enjoyed it.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can of green beans (mostly drained)
2-3 large Yukon gold or yellow potatoes (depends on size)
1 package Italian dressing mix
1 stick of butter, melted
Tastefully Simple Roasted Garlic Infused Oil (optional)

Directions

1. Heat your oven to 350.
2. Arrange the food in a 9x13 baking dish with the chicken in the middle.
3. Sprinkle the packet of Italian dressing mix over top of the entire dish.
4. Drizzle a little Roasted Garlic Infused Oil over the top. (optional step)
5. Carefully pour the melted butter over the entire dish.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 50-60 minutes (until the chicken is done and the potatoes are fork tender).


*You can use half a stick of butter and sub some olive oil for the other half.
*Fresh green beans will work as well.
*Broccoli is good, too!

Monte Cristo Sliders

These little sammies would be perfect for tailgating, parties, or just quick snacks! They're super easy to make! I absolutely LOVE them!!! I've always thought raspberry on a hot sandwich was a bit...weird...but this is oddly delicious! It got two thumbs up from the boys and it will be a frequent item on our table from now on!

Ingredients

12 bakery rolls
vegetable oil
thinly sliced ham
thinly sliced turkey
sliced Swiss cheese
raspberry spread/jam

Directions

1. Put a piece of aluminum foil on a large baking sheet.
2. Leave the big block of rolls connected and just cut them in half so you have a big top and a big bottom. Set the top aside.
3. Brush the bottom of the bottom piece with some veggie oil and place it, oiled side down, on the aluminum foil.
4. Spread the raspberry jam on them. It can be as thick or thin of a layer as you like but I went with a thinner layer because I didn't want it oozing out all over the place!
5. Layer the turkey, ham , and Swiss cheese evenly across the bread.
6. Put the top piece on and brush the top with some more veggie oil.
7. Cover with another piece of aluminum foil and SEAL the two pieces of foil together (so your sammies are in a cozy little pouch!).
8. Put in a 400 degree oven for 8 minutes, remove and (carefully!) flip the pouch over. Put back in the oven for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
9. Cut them into 12 yummy little sammies to devour!

*I got the recipe idea from Publix grocery store.