TGIF

I never thought Friday would get here this week.  It has been a LOOOOONG week!  Hubby was out of town and I was busy with different things.  He got back home this afternoon, so everything can fall back into place now.  I brought chicken home for dinner, but didn't know how I wanted to prepare it.  I went through some recipes and found one I don't think I ever tried.  It was easy, quick, and very tasty!  Perfect for a Friday night!

Chicken Nacho Bake

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz. each)

1/2 cup  chunky salsa
2 drops of doTERRA Cumin essential oil

1/4 cup fat free sour cream

1/2 cup  crushed corn tortilla chips

1/2 cup 2% Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese 

Preheat oven to 400ºF.  Place chicken in a baking dish. Slice three cuts on top of each chicken breast with sharp knife.  In a bowl, mix salsa and sour cream.  Sprinkle the top of the chicken with the crushed tortilla chips.  Evenly spread salsa mixture on top of the chips.  Bake the chicken for 20 min. Remove from oven; sprinkle with cheese. Bake for  an additional 10 min.

Lazy Day Recipe

Today was a lazy, lay around kind of day.  I enjoyed every minute of it too.  Too bad I have to go back to work tomorrow.  I could do this all the time.  This is the perfect recipe for a lazy day.  You put everything in one pot to cook so you only have one pot to clean up.

I tried to take a picture, but my camera battery was dead.  Dang!

Chicken Zucchini Mushroom Pasta

4 ½ cups of water

1 lb mushrooms

2 Tb. minced garlic

1 cup of peas, frozen

Italian Seasoning to taste

2 zucchini, sliced

1 lb. spaghetti or fettuccini (I used whole grain)

salt and pepper to taste

½  cup milk

2 Tb. butter

2 tsp. flour

1/3 cup Parmesan, grated

1 diced chicken breast, if desired

In a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium high heat, combine spaghetti, mushrooms, zucchini, peas, garlic, Italian seasoning, and 4 1/2 cups water; season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until pasta is cooked thoroughly and liquid has cooked out, about 10 - 14 minutes. Mix milk, butter, and flour.  Stir in Parmesan and milk mixture.

Add chicken, if desired.  Mix well.

 

What is Heavy Cream?

Have you ever gone to the store and looked for Heavy Cream?  I have.  I couldn't find it.  It must go by another name.  I did discover that whipping cream is NOT the same as heavy cream.  I went online and found this recipe.  It sounds easier to make your own than go to the grocery store and buy it.

Heavy Cream Substitute

3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter

Melt the butter.  Pour it into the milk, and stir until blended.

Tip: If you use low-fat milk, add a tablespoon of gluten free flour to the mixture to thicken.
          Makes 1 cup of heavy cream.