EASIEST. MEAL. EVER.
Yet another freezer meal, and this one will be in my rotation FOR-EV-ER.
You're probably thinking, will this chick ever cook, and post, something other than a freezer meal? Odds are, no. Not for a while. With Chunky Monkey, finding time to simply run a comb through my hair is challenging, let alone whip up a meal day-of. Expect freezer meals on the reg. :)
Literally, all you do is throw your favorite veggies in a freezer bag with chicken breast, set aside your favorite chicken gravy, and let the crock pot do the work when you're ready for a meal. Love it.
Oh, and did I mention it's tasty?! I LOVE how tender the chicken is. And, seriously, why are crock pot carrots like crack? I would have no qualms crock potting up a batch of just baby carrots!
Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Roast Dinner
8 small red potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
2 cups baby carrots (or do like me and load up on those bad boys!)
1 cup frozen pearl onions
1 1/2 cups frozen sweet peas
3 chicken breast, thawed, fat trimmed
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 jar chicken gravy
1 gallon ziplock bag
1 small ziplock bag
1 crock pot liner
Freezer prep:
In gallon zip lock add chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions, and peas.
In small zip lock add salt and pepper.
Place salt and pepper baggie within the gallon zip lock.
Label and set aside chicken gravy for future use.
Meal prep:
Place all contents in crock pot.
Pour gravy over top of chicken and veggies.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
That's it? Yep, that's it. Fab-u-lous!
Enjoy!!
Source: Slight adaptations from Betty Crocker
5.31.2012
5.30.2012
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme - A Freezer Meal
Not too sure what makes this dish "French," or "supreme," for that matter. What does matter is that it's a freezer meal, and it's good. :) In my world, this is just a fancy title to "chicken and broccoli casserole." Whatever the title, I'll be making (and freezing) this again.
You know it's a good dish when two people plow through a 9x13 pan, leaving three very skimpy leftover portions.
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme
3 cups cooked chicken breast
Soooo, while I was prepping my shopping list for all the freezer meals I totally overlooked the poppy seeds in this recipe. I was thinking along the lines of sesame seeds, which my Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken (post coming soon) called for. I wasn't about to make another trip to the store just for poppy seeds, so I used what I had. Whoops :)
Source: French Chicken Broccoli Supreme, slight adaptations from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake!
You know it's a good dish when two people plow through a 9x13 pan, leaving three very skimpy leftover portions.
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme
3 cups cooked chicken breast
1 lb fresh broccoli
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
2 tubes Ritz crackers
1 stick butter, melted
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
In a greased 9x13 pan layer chicken and fresh cut broccoli florets.
Make cream of chicken soup according to label instructions.
Pour soup over chicken/broccoli.
Top with cheddar cheese.
Crush crackers (be sure the cracker pieces aren't crushed too finely) in a large zip lock bag.
Add melted butter and poppy seeds to crackers and mix.
Top chicken/broccoli/cheese with cracker mix.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Thaw.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Notice the Sesame seeds in lieu of poppy seeds? :) |
5.29.2012
5.28.2012
Memorial Day
We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.
~Francis A. Walker
The Angel Flight
Take a few minutes to reflect and give thanks for those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
~Francis A. Walker
To those who have given the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy this holiday, THANK YOU! |
The Angel Flight
Take a few minutes to reflect and give thanks for those who have sacrificed for our freedoms.
5.25.2012
Progress Report - 2 Months
Yesterday we had our 2 month well-baby check up. Not only did the little monkey have his weight and height measurements taken it also meant our first round of vaccinations.
Y.I.K.E.S. Not a fun doctor's visit, to say the least. I'm not sure who experienced more pain when the shots were administered, the little dude or me. And, the rest of the afternoon/evening was by far one of the most challenging. Fussy doesn't even TOUCH the description of the little man's mood.
Here are the stats for my big guy, as of yesterday:
Height: 24 3/4 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 13.4 pounds (82nd percentile)
A while back we noticed a lump on the right side of the monkey's neck. An ultrasound confirmed it is torticollis, which is a shortened neck muscle. The shortened muscle causes the little guy to have trouble turning his head to the right, and leaves the little man sleeping with his head facing the left. Five times a day we have to knock out physical therapy, which my big guy HATES. Poor little monkey. :(
Y.I.K.E.S. Not a fun doctor's visit, to say the least. I'm not sure who experienced more pain when the shots were administered, the little dude or me. And, the rest of the afternoon/evening was by far one of the most challenging. Fussy doesn't even TOUCH the description of the little man's mood.
After arriving home from our appointment... The little monkey was spent. Apparently, so was mommy. Vaccinations are rough going! |
Height: 24 3/4 inches (93rd percentile)
Weight: 13.4 pounds (82nd percentile)
A while back we noticed a lump on the right side of the monkey's neck. An ultrasound confirmed it is torticollis, which is a shortened neck muscle. The shortened muscle causes the little guy to have trouble turning his head to the right, and leaves the little man sleeping with his head facing the left. Five times a day we have to knock out physical therapy, which my big guy HATES. Poor little monkey. :(
5.24.2012
Chicken Tater Bake - A Freezer Meal
We've started dipping into our second round of freezer meals. It's become quite obvious I'm going to make a habit of making freezer meals. Life is just so much simpler.
The casserole mirrors your classic tater tot casserole with the exception of using chicken over ground beef (or, in my case, ground turkey).
Chicken Tater Bake
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
Quick cooking tip: Rather than cooking the chicken and worrying about cutting it into cubes, I boiled the chicken until it was cooked through. While hot I used my veggie chopper to shred the chicken. Saved me a TON of time!!
Source: Slight adaptations from Taste of Home
The casserole mirrors your classic tater tot casserole with the exception of using chicken over ground beef (or, in my case, ground turkey).
Chicken Tater Bake
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
Quick cooking tip: Rather than cooking the chicken and worrying about cutting it into cubes, I boiled the chicken until it was cooked through. While hot I used my veggie chopper to shred the chicken. Saved me a TON of time!!
2 cans (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 package frozen veggies (I used a blend of peas, corn, beans, and carrots)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package frozen Tater Tots
In a large sauce pan combine soup, milk, and butter.
Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
Remove from heat; stir in chicken, veggies, and 1 cup of cheese.
Pour chicken mix into greased 9x13 pan.
Top with frozen Tater Tots.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Remove casserole from freezer 30 minutes prior to baking. DO NOT THAW.
LEAVE FOIL COVER ON.
Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until heated through.
Confession: I totally thawed the casserole and let it bake for 1 1/2 hours and it turned out great.
Another successful meal with PLENTY of leftovers!!
Enjoy.
Source: Slight adaptations from Taste of Home
5.23.2012
Two Months Old!
Our Chunky Monkey is two months old today!
Smiley baby :) Notice the chunky little rolls on his legs? Love. |
Chunky Monkey is really developing a little personality.
A smile from the little man can brighten even the grayest of days.
If these eating habits are any indication of what is to come, as a teen we will be eaten out of house and home!
Nap time is crucial. For all parties involved.
For mommy, finger nail clipping is THE WORST hygienic task.
The "snot sucker" is this mommy's favorite hygienic chore; the big guy may have a differing opinion on that one. :)
Handfuls of "hot lava,"as I call it, and "showers" are pretty common occurrences around here.
Morning play time, and evenings when Daddy comes home are my two most absolute favorite times of the day. The interaction from the little monkey is so candid.
The fat lip is an extremely effective tool that the big guy has mastered.
Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for my little miracle. I couldn't imagine life without my Chunky Monkey!
Bloopers! Upper left: Wiggly little fella'. Upper right: Notice whose nose made a cameo?! Lower left: Mommy couldn't center the photo, whoops. Lower right: Lean much Big Guy? |
5.22.2012
Turkey, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Cups
Breakfast foods aren't really my thing. There are some peeps out there who live for breakfast - you know, pancakes, eggs, bacon, etc. I don't get it. A bowl of Cheerios is all I need to get me going. However, since Chunky Monkey's arrival it's been hard to get my cup pot of coffee downed in the mornings, let alone cereal. And, Scott has some crazy metabolism (he eats like five meals before noon). We both agreed we need something to get our days jump started.
Source: Slight adaptations from Multiply Delicious and Never Trust a Skinny Cook
After a little Pinterest action, a little blog following, and a few tweaks of my own, I've come up with some breakfast cups that should make breakfast quick and tasty, and keep the energy levels at their peak.
Make 'em, throw 'em in the fridge, heat 'em up when you're ready for a quick bite to get your day started.
4 egg whites
1/2 lb turkey sausage, cooked and crumbled
3 Tbsp fresh basil chopped (I used 1 Tbsp dried basil)
1/2 cups cheddar cheese (reduced fat)
12 thin slices turkey lunch meat
Preheat oven to 375.
Spray 12 regular-size muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray.
In a bowl combine eggs, egg whites, and basil. Set aside.
Line each muffin cup with turkey lunch meat.
Spoon about 1 Tbsp cooked, crumbled sausage into each cup.
Sprinkle about 1 Tbsp of cheese on top of the sausage.
Divide egg mixture evenly among muffin cups.
Top with additional cheese.
Bake 12-16 minutes, or until filling is set and edges of turkey lunch meat have browned some.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
Run a knife around the edges of each muffin to loosen; remove to cooling rack.
Serve warm.
To store:
Keep in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheat in the microwave for 15-30 seconds.
You can throw pretty much whatever you'd like in your cups. Next time around I think I'll add some broccoli and chopped onion.
You can throw pretty much whatever you'd like in your cups. Next time around I think I'll add some broccoli and chopped onion.
Source: Slight adaptations from Multiply Delicious and Never Trust a Skinny Cook
5.21.2012
Happy Marcus Monday!
Last week was all about the big guy's smile.
This week, the progression of Chunky Monkey's fat lip...
This week, the progression of Chunky Monkey's fat lip...
Having a grand old time on the play mat.
I think we're losing interest in the play mat...
Yep, interest is most certainly gone.
And there it is. The start to the fat lip.
BAM! Full blow fat lip.
Believe me, the monkey knows that fat lip gets me every time.
On a much different note... I couldn't help but throw up a photo of Monkey's kicks.
How awesome are these socks?!
5.18.2012
MORE Freezer Meals
The morning of Mother's Day Scott asked what I'd like to do...
Mani/pedis with some seriously awesome ladies - check.
Lunch with those same ladies - check.
Bulk grocery shopping - check.
Cooking 9 freezer meals - check.
Snuggle time with Chunky Monkey after it's all said and done - check.
Waaait a minute... Yep, totally wanted to prep more freezer meals (we're almost out of the first batch of 10 freezer meals). In the kitchen all evening is how I wanted to spend Mother's Day. Don't judge.
After going through the freezer meals we've eaten thus far, we whittled down a few meals we thought were re-make worthy, and I found a handful of new meals to try.
The Meal List
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme *new
Chicken Tater Bake *new
Taco Casserole *new
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken *new
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice *new
Chicken Enchiladas
Upside Down Fettuccini Bake
Lasagna
Taco Soup
Before we go on, the thought of making a bunch of meals may seem daunting, I get it. However, I found if all the ingredients are set out for each meal, and all the veggies are chopped right away, the task seems to move along quite smoothly. And, it's a must to understand - and accept - the fact that most of your day will be dedicated to prepping and making meals. Keep in mind, one day/afternoon of work will save TONS of time during the week when you just need to pop a meal in the oven, or crock pot, and BAM! Dinner is ready. That, my friends, is glorious.
Here's the run down of recipes for the new stuff...
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme (a fancy way of saying chicken and broccoli casserole)
3 cups cooked chicken breast
1 lb fresh broccoli
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
2 tubes Ritz crackers
1 stick butter, melted
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
In a greased 9x13 pan layer chicken and fresh cut broccoli florets.
Make cream of chicken soup according to label instructions.
Pour soup over chicken/broccoli.
Top with cheddar cheese.
Crush crackers (be sure the cracker pieces aren't crushed too finely) in a large zip lock bag.
Add melted butter and poppy seeds to crackers and mix.
Top chicken/broccoli/cheese with cracker mix.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Thaw.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Source: French Chicken Broccoli Supreme, slight adaptations from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake!
Chicken Tater Bake
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2 cans (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 package frozen veggies (I used a blend of peas, corn, beans, and carrots)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package frozen Tater Tots
In a large sauce pan combine soup, milk, and butter.
Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
Remove from heat; stir in chicken, veggies, and 1 cup of cheese.
Pour chicken mix into greased 9x13 pan.
Top with frozen Tater Tots.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Remove casserole from freezer 30 minutes prior to baking. DO NOT THAW.
LEAVE FOIL COVER ON.
Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until heated through.
Chicken Tater Bake, slight adaptations from Taste of Home
Taco Casserole
1 box Rotini noodles, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup (2 packets) taco seasoning
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar, or Mexican, cheese
Brown ground turkey and onions. Drain if necessary.
Mix taco seasoning and tomato sauce with turkey/onion mix.
Mix together noodles and sour cream.
Place noodle mix on bottom of greased 9x13 pan.
Top noodles with turkey mix.
Sprinkle top with shredded cheese.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Thaw.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Taco Casserole, slight adaptations from Joyful Momma's Kitchen
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/4 cup ketchup
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp veggie oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 tsp cornstarch
sesame seeds
In a large zip lock bag place chicken.
In a large mixing bowl combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, garlic, oil, and crushed red peppers. Pour mixture in to zip lock bag with chicken.
Remove as much as from bag as possible and seal.
To bake:
Thaw.
Place chicken and mixture in crock pot.
Cook on low 3-4 hours, or on high for 1.5-2.5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.
Dissolve 4 tsp cornstarch in 6 Tbsp of cold water, pour in to crock pot, stir to combine with sauce.
Replace lid and cook on high for 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened.
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, return to crock pot and toss with sauce before serving.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve over rice or egg noodles.
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken, slight adaptations from Six Sisters' Stuff
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice
4 chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
1 - 8 oz box of yellow rice mix, prepared as directed on label (cook just prior to serving meal)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 - 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
Place chicken and chopped onions in a large zip lock bag.
Remove as much air from bag as possible and seal.
To bake:
Make rice according to label instructions.
Thaw chicken/onions.
In the crock pot place the chicken and onions.
Spoon cream of chicken soup over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
Ten minutes prior to serving add cooked rice, corn, and cheese.
Stir to combine.
Serve hot.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Southern Plate
If you plan to make several of the meals be sure to correctly calculate how much of everything you need, and double check ingredients you have on hand. And, don't forget to pick up aluminum pans, zip lock baggies, and crock pot liners!
Obviously I picked easy meals to prep, as well as bake later on. When the new meals are made I'll be sure to throw up posts for each.
If you're planning to make all 9 meals mentioned, here is the list of every item needed, as well as how much of each item is needed. I printed this list off and crossed off what I already had at home.
STORAGE CONTAINERS
9x13 aluminum 5
Aluminum pie tin 1
Gallon zip lock 2
Happy cooking!!
Mani/pedis with some seriously awesome ladies - check.
Lunch with those same ladies - check.
Bulk grocery shopping - check.
Cooking 9 freezer meals - check.
Snuggle time with Chunky Monkey after it's all said and done - check.
Waaait a minute... Yep, totally wanted to prep more freezer meals (we're almost out of the first batch of 10 freezer meals). In the kitchen all evening is how I wanted to spend Mother's Day. Don't judge.
After going through the freezer meals we've eaten thus far, we whittled down a few meals we thought were re-make worthy, and I found a handful of new meals to try.
The Meal List
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme *new
Chicken Tater Bake *new
Taco Casserole *new
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken *new
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice *new
Chicken Enchiladas
Upside Down Fettuccini Bake
Lasagna
Taco Soup
Before we go on, the thought of making a bunch of meals may seem daunting, I get it. However, I found if all the ingredients are set out for each meal, and all the veggies are chopped right away, the task seems to move along quite smoothly. And, it's a must to understand - and accept - the fact that most of your day will be dedicated to prepping and making meals. Keep in mind, one day/afternoon of work will save TONS of time during the week when you just need to pop a meal in the oven, or crock pot, and BAM! Dinner is ready. That, my friends, is glorious.
Here's the run down of recipes for the new stuff...
French Chicken Broccoli Supreme (a fancy way of saying chicken and broccoli casserole)
3 cups cooked chicken breast
1 lb fresh broccoli
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
2 tubes Ritz crackers
1 stick butter, melted
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
In a greased 9x13 pan layer chicken and fresh cut broccoli florets.
Make cream of chicken soup according to label instructions.
Pour soup over chicken/broccoli.
Top with cheddar cheese.
Crush crackers (be sure the cracker pieces aren't crushed too finely) in a large zip lock bag.
Add melted butter and poppy seeds to crackers and mix.
Top chicken/broccoli/cheese with cracker mix.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Thaw.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Source: French Chicken Broccoli Supreme, slight adaptations from Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake!
Chicken Tater Bake
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
2 cans (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 package frozen veggies (I used a blend of peas, corn, beans, and carrots)
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package frozen Tater Tots
In a large sauce pan combine soup, milk, and butter.
Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
Remove from heat; stir in chicken, veggies, and 1 cup of cheese.
Pour chicken mix into greased 9x13 pan.
Top with frozen Tater Tots.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Remove casserole from freezer 30 minutes prior to baking. DO NOT THAW.
LEAVE FOIL COVER ON.
Bake at 350 for 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours, or until heated through.
Chicken Tater Bake, slight adaptations from Taste of Home
Be sure to label your meals, as well as add what ingredients will be needed to finish the meal, along with baking instructions. |
1 box Rotini noodles, cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 lb ground turkey
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup (2 packets) taco seasoning
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar, or Mexican, cheese
Brown ground turkey and onions. Drain if necessary.
Mix taco seasoning and tomato sauce with turkey/onion mix.
Mix together noodles and sour cream.
Place noodle mix on bottom of greased 9x13 pan.
Top noodles with turkey mix.
Sprinkle top with shredded cheese.
Cover and freeze.
To bake:
Thaw.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Taco Casserole, slight adaptations from Joyful Momma's Kitchen
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 cup honey
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup onion, diced
1/4 cup ketchup
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp veggie oil
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
4 tsp cornstarch
sesame seeds
In a large zip lock bag place chicken.
In a large mixing bowl combine honey, soy sauce, onion, ketchup, garlic, oil, and crushed red peppers. Pour mixture in to zip lock bag with chicken.
Remove as much as from bag as possible and seal.
To bake:
Thaw.
Place chicken and mixture in crock pot.
Cook on low 3-4 hours, or on high for 1.5-2.5 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
Remove chicken from crock pot, leave sauce.
Dissolve 4 tsp cornstarch in 6 Tbsp of cold water, pour in to crock pot, stir to combine with sauce.
Replace lid and cook on high for 10 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened.
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces, return to crock pot and toss with sauce before serving.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Serve over rice or egg noodles.
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken, slight adaptations from Six Sisters' Stuff
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice
4 chicken breasts
1 large onion, chopped
1 - 8 oz box of yellow rice mix, prepared as directed on label (cook just prior to serving meal)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 - 10.5 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
Place chicken and chopped onions in a large zip lock bag.
Remove as much air from bag as possible and seal.
To bake:
Make rice according to label instructions.
Thaw chicken/onions.
In the crock pot place the chicken and onions.
Spoon cream of chicken soup over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
Ten minutes prior to serving add cooked rice, corn, and cheese.
Stir to combine.
Serve hot.
Slow Cooker Cheesy Chicken and Rice, Southern Plate
If you plan to make several of the meals be sure to correctly calculate how much of everything you need, and double check ingredients you have on hand. And, don't forget to pick up aluminum pans, zip lock baggies, and crock pot liners!
Once you've stocked your freezer be sure to stand back and admire your work :) |
If you're planning to make all 9 meals mentioned, here is the list of every item needed, as well as how much of each item is needed. I printed this list off and crossed off what I already had at home.
FREEZER MEAL GROCERY LIST | |
PRODUCE | |
onion | 6 |
broccoli | 1 lb (one head) |
garlic | 2 |
SEASONINGS | |
Taco | 2 pkts |
Ranch | 1 pkt |
CONDEMENTS | |
ketchup | 1 bottle |
FROZEN FOODS | |
mixed veggies | 1 bag |
tater tots | 1 bag |
CRACKERS | |
Ritz | 1 box |
DAIRY, BUTTER, EGGS | |
butter | 1 box |
sour cream | 2.5 cups |
mex cheese | 1 bag |
mozzarella | 2 bags |
parmesan | 1 container |
eggs | 5 |
cottage cheese | 24 oz |
shredded ched | 3 bags |
SPICES/BAKING ITEMS | |
oregano | 1 tsp |
parsley | 5 Tbsp |
basil | 1 tsp |
veggie oil | 2 Tbsp |
cornstarch | 1/4 cup + 4 tsp |
red pepper flake | 1/4 tsp |
honey | 1 cup |
sesame seeds | 1 |
chicken broth | 1/3 cup |
PASTAS/RICE | |
fettucini | 1 box |
lasagna | 1 box |
rotini (spiral) | 1 box |
yellow rice (Zataran) | 1 box |
CANNED FOODS | |
diced tomatoes | 3 14.5 oz can |
tomatoe paste | 2 8 oz cans |
black beans | 1 can |
kidney beans | 1 can |
corn | 2 cans |
tomato sauce | 1 can |
crushed tomatoes | 1 28 oz can |
SOUPS | |
cream of chicken | 4 10.5 oz can |
INTERNATIONAL FOODS | |
green chilies | 1 can |
tortillas | 10 |
soy sauce | 1 bottle |
MEATS | |
chicken breast | 16 |
Italian turkey sausage | 2 lb |
ground turkey | 3 lb |
STORAGE CONTAINERS
9x13 aluminum 5
Aluminum pie tin 1
Gallon zip lock 2
Happy cooking!!
5.17.2012
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili - A Freezer Meal
White Chicken "Chili" may not be the best way to describe this soup, which was one of my 10 freezer meals. If it were up to me I would have named it something along the lines of "Chicken and White Bean Soup." That's not to say the soup wasn't good. It was. It's just the name was a bit off. I was expecting something more chili-ish, but my end result was reminiscent of chicken noodle soup (which, thankfully, I happen to be a huge fan).
No matter the name the soup it was good stuff. I'll make it again and I'll slap my label on it rather than the one it originally had.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (aka Chicken and White Bean Soup)
3 chicken breast, thawed
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin (up the amount on this, I couldn't taste it at all)
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
2 - 16 oz cans Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white corn, drained
3 Tbsp lime juice
1 gallon freezer bag
1 sandwich freezer bag
1 crock pot liner
Prep:
In a large mixing bowl combine onion, garlic, broth, cumin, oregano, and salt.
Place chicken in freezer bag, add broth mix in with the chicken. Seal and freeze.
In the sandwich freezer bag place the lime juice.
Seal and freeze with chicken and broth mix.
Meal prep:
Place chicken and broth mix in crock pot.
Rather than dealing with thawing it, I just dumped everything into the crock pot in it's frozen state and let the crock pot thaw and cook it - two bird, one stone.
Cook on low for 7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
Remove chicken from crock pot and shred. If your chicken is tender enough you can shred it right there in the crock pot.
Return chicken to crock pot.
Stir in beans, corn, and lime juice.
Cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes, or until the bean and corn and hot.
Be sure to keep your beans and corn on hand. You don't want to make an emergency trip to the grocery store!
It makes a lot. It tastes good. It just needs to be renamed. :)
Enjoy!
Source: Betty Crocker
No matter the name the soup it was good stuff. I'll make it again and I'll slap my label on it rather than the one it originally had.
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili (aka Chicken and White Bean Soup)
3 chicken breast, thawed
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp ground cumin (up the amount on this, I couldn't taste it at all)
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
2 - 16 oz cans Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white corn, drained
3 Tbsp lime juice
1 gallon freezer bag
1 sandwich freezer bag
1 crock pot liner
Prep:
In a large mixing bowl combine onion, garlic, broth, cumin, oregano, and salt.
Place chicken in freezer bag, add broth mix in with the chicken. Seal and freeze.
In the sandwich freezer bag place the lime juice.
Seal and freeze with chicken and broth mix.
Meal prep:
Place chicken and broth mix in crock pot.
Rather than dealing with thawing it, I just dumped everything into the crock pot in it's frozen state and let the crock pot thaw and cook it - two bird, one stone.
Cook on low for 7 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
Remove chicken from crock pot and shred. If your chicken is tender enough you can shred it right there in the crock pot.
Return chicken to crock pot.
Stir in beans, corn, and lime juice.
Cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes, or until the bean and corn and hot.
Be sure to keep your beans and corn on hand. You don't want to make an emergency trip to the grocery store!
It makes a lot. It tastes good. It just needs to be renamed. :)
Enjoy!
Source: Betty Crocker
5.16.2012
New Kicks!
Two weeks ago my doctor finally cleared me to run/workout!
So for Mother's Day we went out and promptly purchased a new pair of kicks to hit the pavement.
I'm determined to get back into the swing of things! And, to get me all sorts of excited, I signed up for the Color Run in San Diego.
Never heard of the Color Run? Oh. My. Gosh. It sounds like a BLAST! The day of the event you wear an all white t-shirt. At every kilometer mark volunteers douse you with a different color (it's only a 5k). By the end of the run you're a whole lot of tye-dyed awesomeness! The run sells out FAST, but if this sounds like fun to you (which it totally SHOULD) check out locations and dates, and if the event is sold out.
I can't WAIT to put up pics post-run!
So for Mother's Day we went out and promptly purchased a new pair of kicks to hit the pavement.
Though I struggled with the first run Chunky Monkey seemed to throughly enjoy it! |
Counter clockwise, photos courtesy: jenstrendspot.blogspot.com, audrey.buzznet.com, rentcafe.com |
I can't WAIT to put up pics post-run!
5.15.2012
Upside Down Fettuccini Bake - A Freezer Meal
I just want to take a quite second to reflect on how thankful I am that I had enough forethought to make freezer meals before Chunky Monkey arrived. If it weren't for the freezer meals I'm pretty sure cereal would become a quick dinner staple around this house.
"This tastes like something from Cheesecake Factory." Not sure I totally agree with that, but I'm not picky, I'll take that compliment!
Upside Down Fettuccini Bake
1 lb Italian turkey sausage
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 - 8 oz package fettuccini
1 - 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 tsp Oregano
2 Tbsp parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 eggs
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 aluminum pie tin
Prep:
Brown the turkey sausage, add onion. Drain if necessary.
Meanwhile, cook fettuccini according to package directions.
Add tomatoes and their liquid to sausage/onion mix. Add oregano and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
Stir in mozzarella.
Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan over tomato mixture.
In a medium mixing bowl, combing eggs, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, butter, parsley and garlic.
Toss cooked noodles in egg mixture.
Spread noodle mixture in bottom of pie tin.
Pour turkey/tomato mixture on top of noodle mixture.
Freeze (or eat immediately:).
To make from frozen state:
Thaw.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 25 minutes, or until bubbly.
This is on the rotation for future freezer meals (be on the lookout for another freezer meal post in the very near future)!!
Enjoy!!
Source: Slight adaptations from Dreaming of Poultry
5.14.2012
Happy Marcus Monday!
5.13.2012
Happy Mother's Day!
5.11.2012
Miracles and Hope
If you've never experienced Heaven, or seen the face of God, look into the eyes of a newborn. It is there you will find the truest of true miracles right here on Earth.
Here is a story filled with joy and sorrow, faith and heartache, Hope and tears, and lots and lots of love.
Five and a half years ago my best friend, Amy, and her husband, Kevin, were ready to start their family. After almost three years they finally conceived. But, it wasn't to be.
Not to be discouraged, they tried again. With the aid of several fertility treatments and visits to specialists Amy was pregnant! And, again, it wasn't meant to be. The phone call from my best friend is one I will never forget. We cried together and asked the unanswerable question, "why?"
Amy pressed on, not one to give up. Though the option to adopt had been mentioned Amy and her husband weren't giving up Hope.
After several more fertility treatments and many more trips to specialists they were pregnant. With twins! Twins! This pregnancy HAD to be "the one." How fitting it was to carry twins!
At nine weeks Baby "A" slipped away. At 14 weeks a Baby "B" was delivered. It wasn't fair. My heart broke for Amy and her family. There wasn't a better person on this planet to be a mother. Again, the impossible question of "why?"
Giving up was never an option. Amy underwent a medical procedure with hopes of a successful, full-term pregnancy.
There was good news to be had. Amy was pregnant, again with twins! Then the crushing blow... At seven weeks Amy lost Baby "B." However, Baby "A" was hanging on.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Baby A wasn't going anywhere. Throughout the pregnancy Amy recalls it never seemed to sink in, seem possible, that she could really become a mommy this time around...
At 9:29 a.m. on April 29 my best friend and her husband were blessed to meet their little miracle, their angel on Earth. Weighing in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long, Lorelei Hope made her way into her mommy's arms, and heart.
Lorelei is one incredibly lucky little lady. Not only does she have two amazing parents she has five guardian angels to watch over her.
"The child must know that he{she} is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be another child like him{her}."
Not to be discouraged, they tried again. With the aid of several fertility treatments and visits to specialists Amy was pregnant! And, again, it wasn't meant to be. The phone call from my best friend is one I will never forget. We cried together and asked the unanswerable question, "why?"
Amy pressed on, not one to give up. Though the option to adopt had been mentioned Amy and her husband weren't giving up Hope.
After several more fertility treatments and many more trips to specialists they were pregnant. With twins! Twins! This pregnancy HAD to be "the one." How fitting it was to carry twins!
At nine weeks Baby "A" slipped away. At 14 weeks a Baby "B" was delivered. It wasn't fair. My heart broke for Amy and her family. There wasn't a better person on this planet to be a mother. Again, the impossible question of "why?"
Giving up was never an option. Amy underwent a medical procedure with hopes of a successful, full-term pregnancy.
There was good news to be had. Amy was pregnant, again with twins! Then the crushing blow... At seven weeks Amy lost Baby "B." However, Baby "A" was hanging on.
At 9:29 a.m. on April 29 my best friend and her husband were blessed to meet their little miracle, their angel on Earth. Weighing in at 6 pounds 11 ounces and 20 inches long, Lorelei Hope made her way into her mommy's arms, and heart.
Welcome to the world little one! Lorelei Hope, April 29, 2012, 9:29 a.m., 6 pounds 11 ounces, 20 inches long. |
Mommy and Lorelei meeting for the first time. |
Miss Lorelei, as your mommy says, "You were always meant to be the one." You truly are a little angel. |
Amy and Kevin, thank you for sharing your journey. You have inspired so many. You have shown what it means to never lose faith and most of all, never lose Hope. |
Little Miss Lorelei, you've brought the sun shine back into your parents lives. |
~Pablo Casals
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