easy recipes

Cheater’s Chili Recipe

Lifestyle

As a bitter, “never forget Deflate-gate” Seahawks fan, I’m calling this recipe Cheater’s Chili in honor of the Patriots being back in the Super Bowl yet again!  Super fast and easy and tastes delicious even with the seasoning shortcuts and canned beans! This recipe does not require long hours stewing away in the slow cooker. You can make this right before the game or in advance!

 

Ingredientschili1

1 pkg. McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix (I use the mild variety; Jake adds cayenne and hot sauce to his servings)

2 lbs. lean ground turkey (I like Butterball brand) or lean ground beef, or a mixture of both

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cans (16 oz. ea)  Bush’s Chili Beans, undrained

2 cloves garlic, minced

Assorted toppings as desired:  shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onion, corn chips (we like Frito’s or Dorito’s), hot sauce, cayenne, diced jalapenos

Directionschili4

  1. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Drain fat.
  2. Toss garlic in with meat and cook for 1 minute more.
  3. Stir in seasoning mix, tomatoes and beans.
  4. Cover.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve with toppings as desired

You can also add ½ cup beer or cola (I prefer Dr Pepper or Root-beer) or a teaspoon cocoa at step 3 to bring out additional flavors.

Serves 8.  We like to serve cornbread  with butter and honey alongside.  If also goes great in mac and cheese or on nachos, fries or a hot dog. Of course a cold beer is the perfect  beverage accompaniment.  For game day you can prepare this early and then transfer to a crock pot on warm or lowest heat to keep for game time.  Enjoy!

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Seahawks game against the Rams (ironic) in 2015!

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken

Lifestyle

I work full time, five days a week, plus an hour commute each way. Let me tell you, once I get home, there is very little I want to do…. least of all cook dinner. It is usually around 6 pm when I finally get home and feel like I do not have the time or energy to create an elaborate meal. To combat this, I have collected some “go to” recipes that are easy to make, home-cooked, but still taste great (in me and my hubby’s opinion.)
One meal my husband and I make almost weekly is Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken with Rosemary Potatoes. I personally don’t eat a lot of red meat, so I’m always trying to reinvent the average baked chicken by making different marinades or using a variety of spices and seasonings. The glaze for this recipe is great because it uses ingredients that I typically have on hand in our pantry, and you just toss it all together in a bowl and mix it up! The potatoes are even easier, but first lets tackle the chicken!

You will need:
2 baking sheets
Nonstick spray

Honey Garlic Chicken Glaze
2 lbs. boneless chicken breast
2 tablespoons olive oil
Half a stick of butter (2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 HEAPING tablespoons minced garlic (less if you aren’t a garlic lover!)
1/2 teaspoon basil (dried)
Pinch of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
First melt the butter in the microwave, then combine the rest of your glaze ingredients, mixing well so the sugar dissolves. Boom. You are done with the glaze! Now spray your baking sheet with nonstick spray and arrange your chicken. Brush or spoon the glaze on to the chicken so that it is coated. Once this is done you are ready to place it in the oven! Bake the chicken until it is completely cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature of your chicken reaches 165 degrees F. (I suggest using a digital thermometer.) And that’s it! So quick and easy! If you do not have time (or if you are not feeling potatoes), you can serve this with rice or steamed veggies or just on its own! YUM)

Simple Rosemary Potatoes
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 lbs. baby Red or Yukon Gold potatoes (I leave the skins on)
1-2 tablespoons Rosemary (I honestly eye-ball it!)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Wash and pat dry the potatoes and cut them into medallions. You can cut them into cubes or quarter them, but I find that the potatoes do not cook as evenly or crisp up as well. Spray your second baking sheet with non-stick spray, arrange potatoes in a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over potatoes then sprinkle on salt, pepper and rosemary as desired and give a good stir. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until you can easily pierce potatoes with a fork. The edges should be slightly crispy. That’s all, folks!

I usually stick the potatoes in the oven first, and about 20 minutes in I add the chicken so it all finishes around the same time. I usually serve this meal with steamed broccoli. Since I’m all about home cooked AND convenient, I use “steam fresh” veggies that are ready after five minutes in the microwave –I always have at least 5 of these in my freezer!

Since this meal serves my husband (who basically eats 2 servings) and me with some leftovers, I would approximate that this meal yields about four servings.

Enjoy!

XOXO, Cait B.

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Santa’s Speedy Christmas Cookie Plate

Lifestyle

I cannot believe that Christmas is just days away! If you are like me, you have finished your last minute shopping but you still need to complete (or start!) your holiday baking. Baking is always the last thing on my checklist because one, I want it to be fresh for my guests, and (mostly) two–I generally don’t have time to spend during the week for baking! I have compiled four easy treat recipes fit for Santa’s Christmas plate that fit into my “last minute baking” time slot. These recipes are great for anyone short on time, or those who are not very comfortable baking!

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods
I have always loved chocolate covered pretzels. The mix of salty and sweet is absolutely delicious and is a classic combo. Making chocolate covered pretzel rods is one of the easiest and quickest treats to make.

You will need:
Pretzel Rods (amount will vary depending on how many guests. I generally buy two bags baking_3of rods to account for breakage (and since I will nibble on some as I go!)
Chocolate Candy Melts- these are not chocolate/baking chips. I used milk chocolate and white chocolate for mine, but they also come in a variety of colors like green and red
Sprinkles to decorate
Wire cookie cooling rack, paper towel for under rack
Foiled lined baking sheet

Heat your chocolate candy melts per package instructions. Once your melts are melted, start dipping individual rods. I use a spoon to make sure the pretzels are coated evenly. Once they are dipped place cookies on wire rack to let excess Baking_1chocolate drip off. Once the chocolate is tacky (not completely dry) you can add on your sprinkles! Make sure to transfer the pretzels from the rack to the foil-lined baking sheets before they cool completely. If you don’t, the chocolate will harden around the rod making it difficult to remove without breaking them. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet, then remove and keep at room temperature.
That’s it! Quick but yummy and festive! You can be as elaborate as you would like with your decorations. I have been known to add bacon bits to my milk chocolate rods, to add another layer to the sweet and salty combo. If you have more time, you can melt different color chocolates and drizzle them over your rods!

Choco-Scotch Bars
The second easy Christmas treat is a riff on your traditional Marshmallow Krispy Rice treats. Whether you call them Scotch-A-Roo’s or Choco-scotch bars, these little treats are addictive! My grandmother used to make these all the time and they have continued to be a family tradition!

You will need:
Cooking spray
9″ x 13″ pan
6 cups crispy rice cereal (Kellog’s Rice Krispies or store brand)baking_6
4 tablespoons salted butter
1 16oz. bag mini marshmallows
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
Sprinkles (optional)
Spray a 9″x 13″ pan with cooking spray

Although the normal recipe for marshmallow treats tells you to melt the butter over the stove, I utilize my microwave–after all we are trying to save time! In a microwave safe bowl, melt your butter. Add in your marshmallow and heat for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each time until the marshmallows and butter have combined and marshmallows are smooth. Next, gradually stir in cereal until all is combined. I use a spatula that I continually spray with cooking spray to make it easier to stir. Once the ingredients are combined, spoon mixture into your prepared pan and squish it down until it is even. Next, melt chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between times, until melted. Pour choco-scotch mixture over marshmallow rice and spread to cover surface evenly. Add on sprinkles to make your treats more festive. Let the chocolate set at room temperature, then cut and serve!

Christmas Crack
The next recipe that is a Christmas tradition in my family is Christmas Crack! It is given such a “loving” name because this is another addictive sweet! It is slightly more time consuming than the other recipes but is totally worth it!

You will need:
Foil lined baking sheet (standard full size)
Cooking spray
1 sleeve saltine crackers
1 cup salted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional toppings (chopped pecans, sprinkles, mini M&Ms, toffee morsels)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spraybaking_10
Place crackers on baking sheet in a single layer. Next, melt the brown sugar and butter in sauce pan over medium heat. Bring to a low boil and stir constantly for three minutes, watching the mixture closely. Do not overcook the ingredients they will crystallize and you won’t be able to pour over the crackers. Pour melted sugar over crackers, be very careful as this mixture is extremely hot and will cause severe burns! Once your crackers are covered, bake Baking_11them for 8 minutes. Once they are done baking, sprinkle chocolate chips on the top and let them melt. Once they have started to soften, use a spatula to spread chips into a smooth layer. You can leave your toffee like this or at this point you can add your toppings! Place your baking sheet in the fridge (or freezer if you are trying to speed up the process!) Once your crack is solid, gently break it into pieces. This is really cute as a gift for friends or neighbors when it is packaged in a cute holiday tin! If you do not have saltines you can substitute these for regular graham crackers, chocolate graham crackers, or Ritz crackers.
Buckeye’s
The final easy Christmas treat is the always popular delicious peanut butter and chocolate Buckeye! If you are a fan of Reese’s peanut butter cups, you will love these!

You will need:
Wax paper
Toothpicks
Baking sheet
1-1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups powdered sugar
4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chipsbaking_12

Mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar. The dough will look crumbly and dry. Using your hands, roll dough into 1 inch balls and place them on wax paper lined baking sheet. Place a tooth-pick into each ball. (This makes them easier to dip later!) Chill the balls in the freezer for 30 minutes or until the balls are firm. While the balls are cooling, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 seconds at time, stirring between each time. Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate using the toothpick as a holder. Leave a small bit of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like buckeyes. Once they are dipped, place the buckeyes back in the fridge and keep them in the fridge until it is time to serve. You can roll your buckeyes in sprinkles before the chocolate dries to make them more festive. Then enjoy!

 

 

These are just some of my quick and easy treats to get you through the holiday craze! Let me know if you attempt any of these recipes. What are some of your holiday treat traditions? Are you interested in more complex baking recipes?

XOXO, Cait B.