pepper jack bbq chicken

August is a busy month for us. Lots of birthdays to celebrate, way too much shopping for school clothes and supplies and last minute getaways and activities before summer ends. I find that I'm not in the mood to figure out a dinner plan or even put together a shopping list. I need someone to do the thinking for me.



Light. Bulb. (Despicable, Me reference. tee hee)! I headed over to Eat at Home and left the work to Tiffany. Eat at Home is such a wonderful blog. There are weekly menus to choose from that include a complete shopping list and recipes for each meal. Each meal is economical and easy to prepare with easy to find, everyday ingredients. Right up my alley! I couldn't get over the savings at the market either. I had a few things at home already, which was great. I shopped at a large warehouse grocery near me for 2 weeks worth of menus and picked up other things I needed as well and only ended up spending around one hundred thirty-five bucks. Awesome!

One of our favorite recipes so far is this fantastic Pepper Jack BBQ Chicken. It's quick and delicious and I love that there are only 4 ingredients. Four! How great is that?!

Barbecue Pepper Jack Chicken
from Eat at Home

-Boneless skinless chicken breasts
-Seasoned salt
-Sweet Baby Ray's or another BBQ sauce
-Pepper Jack cheese slices (I used Tillamook)

Sprinkle chicken with seasoned salt and place on the grill. Cook them until they are nearly done. Baste with BBQ sauce. Top each chicken breast with a slice of cheese, letting it melt before removing the chicken from the grill.

Tiffany suggests serving this chicken with roasted potatoes and a favorite steamed vegetable and that's just what I did.

Note: I learned a cool trick from Chef Ira on preparing roasted potatoes. Parboil the potatoes before roasting. They come out tender in the center and crisp on the outside. I always do it this way now.

Go on over and check out Eat at Home. I know you'll love it!!





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Friday's try a bloggy friend recipe- Zucchini Bars

It's been a few weeks since I posted a bloggy friend's recipe! This is such a busy time of year isn't it?!

Well, this week I bring you a fabulous zucchini bar from Kathie at The Garden of life. I love Kathie's blog. She is a wonderful photographer, a fabulous cook, a great mom to three very handsome young men, and she has the cutest doggy! Oh yes, and she is also just adorable!

I have been wanting to make these bars ever since I saw them. Kathie says that she has been making them for as long as she can remember and that the recipe is from her mom.



I had to change Kathie's recipe just a touch as I was missing a couple of the ingredients. Here is the way I did it:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups zucchini, shredded
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
• 1/2 cup coconut

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Cream sugars, vanilla, and butter. Stir in the eggs, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Then add the zucchini, coconut and almonds to the mix. Stir to combine.

Spread mixture into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting I used:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp butter, softened
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp coconut extract

In a large bowl combine the cinnamon, milk, butter, and extracts. Stir in the powdered sugar a bit at a time until desired consistency is reached. Spread evenly over bars.

Cut into equal squares and enjoy.

These are so fabulous! You must try them ASAP!!

Please go say hello to Kathie and check out the original recipe.

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Friday's Try a Bloggy Friend's Recipe Day and a Couple of Awards

Today's recipe is from a super terrific blog called Eats Well with Others. The proud owner of this blog is Joanne. Joanne resides in the Big Apple and is studying to become a doctor. She is bright and ambitious, a devoted runner, a fabulous cook, and such a beauty. What a catch! ;0)

I saw this Summer Squash Casserole recipe over at Joanne's place and I knew I would LOVE it!

I only made a couple of changes to this fabulous recipes. I added some chopped garlic to my cheese sauce and I used Panko bread crumbs in my topping. Please click HERE for Joanne's recipe!

I could NOT stop eating this! I kept sneaking back into the kitchen and eating it right from the baking dish. It is so cheesy and delicious! You must try it!

Be sure to hop on over to Eats Well with Others!


I also wanted to send out a very big thank you to Stephanie for this sweet award. Stephanie is such a sweetheart. Her blog is called The Creative Side of Me and it is full of wonderful recipes and great giveaways. Please hop over and say hello to her as well!

This award is from a very Cool Cat that goes by the name of Doggy Bloggy! You will find him over at Chez What?, which is one of my new found favorite blogs. Me thinks he has missed his calling. He really should have his own restaurant. Go check out the wonderful Julia Child videos Doggy Bloggy has in his last couple of posts!

I am supposed to share 7 or so things about myself. I really prefer to toot other people's horns, but since I haven't really played along in a while I thought I would give it a shot.

1. I have a huge crush on Johnny Depp. (How lame is this?!)
2. I have only been to one big concert and that was Alan Jackson and Martina McBride.
3. I was a PK. (Preacher's Kid)
4. I have Raynaud's Syndrome so I really hate the cold.
5. I lived on a houseboat for a while in my twenties. I loved it.
6. When I was in high school I had a guinea pig named Benny.
7. I would love to get a cupcake tattoo.

I would like to pass these two awards on to all of you! Thank you so much for stopping over my way every day. It's such a pleasure getting to know all of you! :0)

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Friday's Try a Bloggy Friend's Recipe Day!

Today's recipe is from Pam's fabulous blog, For The Love of Cooking. I've been wanting to make this Chimichanga recipe from the moment I laid eyes on it!

Pam's Blog is one of my very favorites. She is a fellow Oregonian which is really fun for me because a lot of the brands she uses are local to us. Pam cooking is healthy and fresh. She likes to make lots of Mexican Dishes which is right up my alley. I would also love to try THIS recipe from her blog.

In addition to the delicious Mexican food, there are also a ton of yummy salads, soups, sandwiches, side dishes, and muffins. Speaking of muffins, I am planning on trying out THIS muffin recipe very soon!

I changed the recipe just a little to work with what I had available. I had a cooked chicken breast from last night so I shredded it and threw it in too.

I used chopped green chilies instead of whole and I didn't have any onions so I had to leave those out. I also decided to toss the black beans, chicken, chilies and green taco sauce (in place of the salsa verde which I was also out of) into a bowl and warm it up a bit.

I then layered sour cream and the bean mixture onto a flour tortilla and wrapped it up tightly.

I browned each side in a bit of oil. I didn't have guac makings or cojita cheese so I just topped my Chimichanga with a dollop of sour cream. I also added a little cheddar cheese after I took this photo.

These were every bit as fabulous as I knew they would be!

If you haven't met Pam yet, please go NOW and check out her wonderful blog! :0) Please check out the original recipe while you're there!


~Happy Bloggy Friend Friday! ~

BTW I plan on grilling up cupcakes tomorrow so stayed tuned!

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friday's try a bloggy friend's recipe day!

Tonight we had some really terrific taco burgers for dinner! I got the idea for these from Heidi's blog, Tried and True Cooking with Heidi. Heidi always has something good cooking in her kitchen. Her recipes are easy to follow and kid friendly. She makes some wonderful desserts as well!



I decided to turn my taco burgers into wraps. (You know me.)



For the burgers you'll need these ingredients:

1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips
1/2 cup shredded jack and cheddar cheese mix
1 clove chopped garlic
1 tsp kosher salt
cracked pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients well and shape into oblong patties. Place into the freezer until your grill is hot and ready. (A tip I learned from Heidi.)

Place patties on the grill and cook to desired temperature.

For garnish you will need shredded lettuce, slice tomato, chopped onion, and salsa.

I also whipped up a little zippy mayo for these burger wraps.

For this mayo I used:

1/2 cup light mayo
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 clove chopped garlic
juice from 1 small lime

Combine all ingredients into a small bowl and give it a good stir. Refrigerate while the burgers are cooking.



I place the patties on tortillas and topped with the mayo, salsa, lettuce, tomato and onion. Then I wrapped them up tightly and cut in half.

These were so fun and yummy with the chips inside and the mayo really added extra zippiness!

Please visit Heidi's blog for the original recipe! Thanks Heidi! :0)

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friday's try a bloggy friend's recipe day

I have been so tired this week and I'm having trouble keeping up with what day it is for some reason. I realized last night that I hadn't found a recipe for my Friday post. I searched through several of your blogs trying to find a recipe that I had all of the ingredients for already. (I am trying very hard not to run to the store everyday this week.)

I found that Pam at Sidewalk Shoes has a beautiful pesto recipe.

Pesto!

I have tons of basil right now that really needs to be used. This is the first time I have made pesto. It's easier than I expected. I can't wait to make more!

I didn't have any pine nuts though so I had to leave those out. I also added some fresh squeezed lemon juice to my pesto. You must go visit Pam and see her Pesto Post. It's incredible and her pictures are gorgeous!

I decided to use my pesto in this baked chicken recipe. I also used some zucchini and green beans from my garden. I can't tell you what a blast I'm having running out each day to grab things for dinner. I'm hooked on this gardening business!

Lemon Pesto Chicken

• 10 chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• salt and cracked black pepper
  
• Pesto (See Pam's Blog)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup sliced zucchini
• cracked pepper

Marinade the chicken tenders in 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, salt and cracked pepper for at least an hour. Place chicken in a lightly oiled baking dish. Top chicken with zucchini slices, mozzarella, and pesto. Crack a little black pepper over everything. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for about 35-40 minutes until chicken is cooked through. This was a perfect dish for today. It wasn't too heavy and it had a wonderful fresh summer flavor. My husband said it was terrific as well, so I will definitely be making it again.

Thanks Pam!

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~Pesto is Good~

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my first strawberry jam and some lovely awards

Thursday was the last day to get in on some local strawberry picking. The kids and I headed on over to Albeke Farms and filled our bucket with warm, sweet berry goodness.

My son and I spotted these adorable sleeping kitties at the farm. Of course, he wanted to take all of them home!

First I washed and hulled my strawberries. Then I hopped over to Canning Jars Etc. to gather some safety information before I started on my yummy jam.




Then, I put on my apron, rolled up my sleeves, turn up my Ipod and got to work.

This is what I used for my jam:

• 6 pints of strawberries
• 4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 package of pectin

I am going to let you head on over to Canning Jars Etc. for some excellent instruction.

Just look at this mess! I wish I had some of those Brawny paper towels right now, or even better, I wish that Mr. Clean guy would come over and clean my mess for me.

My jam did separate just a little but that's okay we'll just give it a little stir.

I really had a fun time making my jam. We had some on toasted Oregon Hazelnut bread with our breakfast this morning and it was fabulous! I think I'm ready for veggies next.

I also wanted to send out a great big thank-you for three lovely awards I recently received.

Thanks to dustjacket attic! Your blog is breathtaking!

Thanks to Kathy from Three on Food! I love reading all of your Yummy recipes!





Thanks to Krista from Krista's Kitchen, one of my new found favorite foodie blogs!


~Strawberry Jam is Good~

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Friday's Try a Bloggy Friend's Recipe Day!

Today's recipe is from one of my favorite blogs, Food For a Hungry Soul. I have never met Katy personally but I know if I did, I would love her! She is a gentle, kind and sweet soul.

Katy's recipes are fabulous! The moment I got a look at her Blueberry Sauce I thought I had died and gone to Blueberry Heaven!



Katy actually paired her sauce up with a scrumptious Sourdough Waffle. I wasn't that organized so mine is just a simple buttermilk waffle recipe.

Katy's recipe calls for blueberries, sugar, nutmeg, salt, cornstarch, water and lemon juice. I discovered after I began to make it that I was out of cornstarch so I substituted all purpose flour. It turned out just fine. I also topped it off with a little dollop of Greek Style Honey Yogurt.

I have to tell you this sauce is outstanding! Full of the bright, fresh flavors of summer. I'd say it's Summer in a Sauce!

Please click here to view Katy's wonderful recipe and make sure you stay and have a look around. There is a lot of great stuff on there!

Happy 4th Everyone! God Bless America!!

~Blueberries are Good~

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Friday's Try a Bloggy Friend's Recipe Day - Week 4

I am having so much fun snooping around all of your blogs to find my Friday recipes! This week I discovered a wonderful and yummy blog called Krista's Kitchen. This blog is full of delicious recipes and weekly meal plans. Krista says that she is a farm girl, turned city girl, turned suburban mom. She holds a degree in Family and Consumer Science Education. Krista credits her talents in the kitchen to years spent cooking with her mom and many years spent in 4-H. If you haven't been to Krista's blog yet, make sure you do so! I know you will love it!



Krista's Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage really caught my eye. I, of course, never can follow a recipe so I just had to put my own little spin on it.

Here is the grocery list:

• 3/4 cup brown rice
• 1 15 ounce can of red beans, drained
  
• 1 10 ounce can of Rotel diced tomato with green chilies
• 1/2 cup smoked Andouille sausage, diced
  
• 1 tsp beef bullion granules
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
• 1 1/2 cups water

For garnish:

• sharp cheddar and/or jack cheese
• chopped cilantro
  

Heat 1 tbsp of oil. Add the brown rice and brown for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the cheese and cilantro). Bring to a boil. Turn heat to low, cover, and cook for 45 minutes.




Serve this garnished with shredded cheese and fresh chopped cilantro.

I was hoping to have leftovers but my husband finished off every last bite!

This dish was easy to prepare and full of wonderful spicy, smoky goodness. A perfect weeknight meal.

Thanks Krista for sharing your recipe!

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~Cajun is Good~

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Friday's try a bloggy friend's recipe day Week 3

This week I am trying a recipe from A Blog About Food. I just love Teresa and her blog! She is down to earth and fun and has so many wonderful recipes! If you haven't visited Teresa's blog, you really should make a point of doing so. I know you will find something terrific to cook for the ones you love!

I saw Teresa's recipe for baked taquitos and I thought they looked so tasty. I used to work at Taco Time when I was a senior in high school and I can remember rolling hundreds of taquitos to put into the fryer. This version is much healthier.

Teresa said that she grilled some of these as well and that is actually the way I chose to do it as well. I didn't feel much like turning on the oven today. Thank goodness for good ol' George Foreman and his amazing grill! :0)

I didn't have the exact ingredients so I had to improvise a bit.

Here is what I used:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can refried black beans
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup jack cheese
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup salsa verde
• 1 tsp minced garlic
  
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• juice from 1/2 a lime
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp white pepper
• 10-12 flour tortillas
  
• light sour cream for garnish
• lettuce and tomato, if desired
  

Saute the garlic in a tbsp of oil for a minute or two.

Add the ground turkey, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook thoroughly.

While the turkey is browning, place the cream cheese, salsa, cilantro, jack and cheddar into a large bowl. Stir to combine.

Add the ground turkey and the black beans and give it all a good stir.

Place about 1/2 cup of this mixture onto a flour tortilla.

Roll up tightly and place on the grill for about 5 minutes or until heated through. You can also bake these on a lightly oiled foil lined sheet pan at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes until they are crisp on the ends and nice and melty inside.

You can serve the taquitos up with a little lettuce and tomato and light sour cream.

Be sure to click over to Teresa's blog for the original version of this tasty dish!

This is a great quick and easy recipe for summertime.

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~Enjoy~

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