Potato and Double Corn Chowder (with chicken)

This recipe was found in the Betty Crocker Slow Cooker Cookbook. I went by the recipe at first, but once I tasted it when I got home from work, I thought it tasted pretty BLAH! But, not according to the recipe, I revised it. First, I had already left out the bacon and added the chicken of 2 bone in breast I had baked the previous night. Then, I added a can of chicken stock to thin it out and to spice it up a bit I added some red pepper flakes, 1/2 a pack of taco seasoning, a little more salt and pepper. I think thats about it. It turned out pretty good after all that. I used shredded potatos. Next time I will use the chunks or rather use chunks of fresh potatoes.

-6 Servings-

1 bag (16 oz.) frozen hash brown potatos, thawed (4 cups)
1 can (15 1/4 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can (14 3/4 oz) cream-style corn
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 med onion, chopped
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
*See my comments above for other additions made by me!

~Mix all ingredients in 3 1/2 to 6 qt slow cooker

~Cover and cook on low heat setting for 6-8 hrs or high for 3-4 hrs.

Chicken Beer Bake and green beans with carmalized onions

(Both fom the Ultimate Southern Living cookbook)

This was a very yummy and pretty easy recipe. My husband really liked it too! The green beans were really good also.

Chicken Beer Bake

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

6 bone-in chicken breast

vegtable oil (I used olive oil)

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 tablespoon soy sauce (I used teryaki)

1/4 cup toasted slivered almons, divided ( I omitted, but it would be better with them)

1 cup beer (I used Budweiser)

1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

~Combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge chicken in this mixture. Brown chicken in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken and place in a lightly greased 13x9 baking dish.

~Combine soup, soy sauce, 2 tblspoons almonds, beer and mushrooms; poor over chicken.

~Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour, basting occasionally. Sprinkle with remaining almonds before serving.

~Yield 6 servings.

~Per Serving: Calories 443, Fat 26.4g

Green Beans with Carmelized Onions

2 lbs fresh green beans

2 large sweet onions

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

3 tablespoons light brown sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

~Trim beans, Cook beans in boiling water to cover for 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and set aside, or cover and chill overnight if desired.

~Meanwhile, cut onions into thin slices, and cut each slice in half.

~Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large nonstick skillet over med-high heat, and add onion; Cook 8-10 min (do not stir). Continue cooking onion, stirring ofter, 15-20 minutes or until golden. Reduce hear to med. stir in remaining 2 tablespoons and brown sugar.

~Add green beans, and cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Add Vinegar, toss to coat.

~Yield: 8 Serving

~Per Serving: Calories 95, Fat 4.4 g

Mahi Mahi over orzo pasta

Tonight my Husband was not at home, so I decided to cook a piece of Mahi Mahi for myself. After all, it is really good for you and I am really trying to loose a little more weight. The fish turned out really really good. I didn't go by a recipe. I just winged it and it turned out pretty yum.

First I put the orzo on to cook. The I covered my fish in some cajun seasoning. I cooked it in a pan with a little olive oil until it was done. When the orzo was cooked, I added a little minced garlic and some salt & pepper. I served the fish over the orzo and on the side I had a great green salad.

Now I have some leftover calories for a snack later.

Southern Shrimp & Grits

I made these shrimp & grits one night last week and again this past Monday. They are really good, especially for the time it takes to fix them. They are extremely fast and easy to fix. I don't have a picture this time, but I'll be sure to take one next time.
(source: kraftfoods.com)


Prep Time:15 min
Total Time:25 min
Makes:4 servings
3 cups water
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup instant grits
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled, deveined
4 green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
BRING water to boil in medium saucepan. Add salt. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Cook 7 min. or until thickened. Stir in cheese; set aside.
MEANWHILE, cook bacon in large skillet on medium-heat heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels; set aside. Add shrimp, onions and garlic to skillet; cook and stir 3 min. or until shrimp turn pink. Add bacon, parsley and lemon juice; mix well.
SERVE shrimp mixture over grits.

WC Recipe Exchange-APPLESAUCE OATMEAL MUFFINS

I received this recipe through an online exchange. The theme was "healthy" for the new year. I would say this isn't the best muffin ever, but it is worth the small amount of calories and fat they have. Would make a good breakfast.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins (source: sparkrecipes.com)
1 cup old fashion rolled oats (not instant)

1 cup non-fat milk

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 egg whites

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. sugar

raisins or nuts (optional)

Soak the oats in milk for about one hour.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.Spray muffin pan with cooking spray. Combine the oat mixture with the applesauce and egg whites, and mix until combined.In a separate bowl measure and whisk the dry ingredients together*except sugar & Cinnamon. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until justcombined. Add nuts or raisins if desired.Do not over mix the batter or the muffins will betough. Spoon muffin mixture into muffin pan. Combine the cinnamon and sugar and top each muffin with some of the mixture.Bake for 20-25 minutes or until done.Remove from pan, cool and enjoy.These can be frozen and reheated in the microwave for a quick breakfast.

Number of Servings: 12Nutrition Info: Calories 93.5 * Total Fat: 0.5 g * Cholesterol: 0.4 mg * Sodium: 196.2 mg * Total Carbs: 20.5 g * Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g * Protein: 2.9 g