A Hand In The Kitchen Part 2 {A Review of Cooking Planit}

Monday I introduced you to my new favorite assistant in the kitchen, Cooking Planit! Their site and their app are a home cook's best friend. (If you missed Monday's post, click here to read all about it!)

Today I'm sharing a delicious sandwich that if it weren't for the step by step instructions provided by Cooking Planit, might seem a little over whelming to an inexperienced cook. Or heck, even one like me who spends a lot of time in the kitchen! But I promise you, it's very simple, and the end result is very worth it.

Now, just like the Bowtie Pasta Salad I shared the other day, I made a few adjustments to this recipe to better suit our taste buds. To see the original, click here. One of the things that caught my eye about this sandwich was the avocado mayo...but then I remembered Mr. Everyday does not care for avocados in the same loving way I do, so I decided to substitute my herb mayo that I've been making for years.

Also, while I love arugula, I was already buying the spinach for the pasta salad, so I thought why not get double duty out of it, and include it as the green in the sandwich instead. That's just my budget conscious self shining through. I think the arugula would be 100% yummy too.

But without a doubt, the star of this sandwich, and the one thing I knew I could not mess with, is the Pickled Red Onions. Talk about taking a simple ingredient and with almost no effort transforming it into something new, unique and delicious! Once you make them, you will find a hundred more ways to use them, I know it!

A simple sandwich supper is always welcome in this house. If it is in yours too, try this one tonight, and maybe that scrumptious pasta salad too. Oh, and don't forget to check out Cooking Planit, and scroll down for the fabulous giveaway they are offering EMM readers too!

Roast Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Red Onions and Herb Mayo Adapted from Cooking Planit
1 (1.25 lb.) package chicken tenders
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 TBS olive oil
1 c. baby spinach, stems removed
1 small cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 Hoagie buns

Preheat oven to 375. Place chicken on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion, powder, salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Roast for 20-30 minutes until cooked through. Spread each bun with herb mayo. Layer spinach, cucumber and chicken. Top with pickled onions.

Pickled Red Onions:
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 c. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 dried bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
3 black peppercorns
2 TBS sugar

Fill a small saucepan 2/3 with water. Bring to a boil. Cook onions for 1 minute to soften. Drain. In the same pot, combine vinegar, mustard seed, bay leaf, salt, peppercorns and sugar. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Cook onions for 8-10 minutes until pink in color. Drain and reserve.

Herb Mayo:
1/2 c. mayo
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. dried parsley

Mix all ingredients well and chill until ready to use.

Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 30, 2013

Sandwich at Very Good Recipes



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday I introduced you to my new favorite assistant in the kitchen, Cooking Planit! Their site and their app are a home cook's best friend. (If you missed Monday's post, click here to read all about it!)

Today I'm sharing a delicious sandwich that if it weren't for the step by step instructions provided by Cooking Planit, might seem a little over whelming to an inexperienced cook. Or heck, even one like me who spends a lot of time in the kitchen! But I promise you, it's very simple, and the end result is very worth it.

Now, just like the Bowtie Pasta Salad I shared the other day, I made a few adjustments to this recipe to better suit our taste buds. To see the original, click here. One of the things that caught my eye about this sandwich was the avocado mayo...but then I remembered Mr. Everyday does not care for avocados in the same loving way I do, so I decided to substitute my herb mayo that I've been making for years.

Also, while I love arugula, I was already buying the spinach for the pasta salad, so I thought why not get double duty out of it, and include it as the green in the sandwich instead. That's just my budget conscious self shining through. I think the arugula would be 100% yummy too.

But without a doubt, the star of this sandwich, and the one thing I knew I could not mess with, is the Pickled Red Onions. Talk about taking a simple ingredient and with almost no effort transforming it into something new, unique and delicious! Once you make them, you will find a hundred more ways to use them, I know it!

A simple sandwich supper is always welcome in this house. If it is in yours too, try this one tonight, and maybe that scrumptious pasta salad too. Oh, and don't forget to check out Cooking Planit, and scroll down for the fabulous giveaway they are offering EMM readers too!

Roast Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Red Onions and Herb Mayo Adapted from Cooking Planit
1 (1.25 lb.) package chicken tenders
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 TBS olive oil
1 c. baby spinach, stems removed
1 small cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 Hoagie buns

Preheat oven to 375. Place chicken on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, onion, powder, salt and pepper. Stir to coat. Roast for 20-30 minutes until cooked through. Spread each bun with herb mayo. Layer spinach, cucumber and chicken. Top with pickled onions.

Pickled Red Onions:
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 c. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. mustard seed
1 dried bay leaf
1 tsp. salt
3 black peppercorns
2 TBS sugar

Fill a small saucepan 2/3 with water. Bring to a boil. Cook onions for 1 minute to soften. Drain. In the same pot, combine vinegar, mustard seed, bay leaf, salt, peppercorns and sugar. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Cook onions for 8-10 minutes until pink in color. Drain and reserve.

Herb Mayo:
1/2 c. mayo
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. dill weed
1/2 tsp. dried parsley

Mix all ingredients well and chill until ready to use.

Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 30, 2013

Sandwich at Very Good Recipes



a Rafflecopter giveaway

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Football and Soul Food { A Review and Giveaway with KYVAN }

"Cooking is a way of life in the South, and nobody knows that better than NFL Pro Reggie Kelly, owner of KYVAN Soul Food Selections." 

The above line is the first in the "about" section of the KYVAN website. I couldn't introduce today's new products to you any better than that, so I decided to allow them to do it for me. For those of you who don't follow NFL football like we do, Reggie Kelly played 13 years professionally with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons; and even though he has traveled the world, he never forgot where he came from.

 "Since I was a little boy, cooking in my household has been an event within itself and my family is a big reason why I love to cook.  Growing up, they would always tell me, "Reggie, when you cook, make sure you do it with love."  "My family believed  that great meals should be prepared  in such a way that once eaten,  it would touch your "SOUL". I gathered that I should cook in such a way that first time visitors would feel welcomed..feel as though they are a part of my family."

Named after his children, Kyla and Kavan, KYVAN is truly a family owned and operated business. And I love that! From barbecues sauces, to salsa to seasoning mixes, they have a little something soul for everyone! So I was honored when Reggie's wife, Sheila contacted me about trying some of their delicious products in my kitchen and then sharing with you!

I decided on the Sweet Barbecue Sauce and the Blackberry Honey, and I can tell you right now I made a very wise, and yummy, choice. I am a barbecue sauce snob. I'm the first one to admit that. I have to love it from the first bite, or I won't enjoy it. And with KYVAN's...I certainly did. It's sweet but not too sweet. It really allows the flavor of the meat (or in this case seafood) still shine through. It compliments without overpowering. 

And the Blackberry Honey...well, let's just say that I could drink that stuff with a straw! It is truly some of the best honey I've ever had. (Oh, and after you use it in this recipe, try it on some cornbread still warm from the oven. We did and Oh My-lanta...it was to die for!) 

I didn't just taste quality, I could taste the love and attention that goes into every single KYVAN product. You can tell they enjoy what they are doing, and want to bring the very best products to their consumers. 

I thought the flavors of the barbecue sauce and honey would actually compliment each other very nicely, so I decided to feature them both in a light summer time salad, perfect for lunch or supper. The crunch, fresh veggies, sweet barbecued shrimp and tangy yet sweet dressing all play off each other so well, it's a real flavor extravaganza for your taste buds! 

We love a big salad meal during these dog days of summer, and if you do too, you are gonna love this one. Plus, you have the chance to win your very own samples of the same things I used in this recipe. Just keep scrolling down for the GIVEAWAY! And be sure to check out KYVAN on all their social media outlets (Listed below) for more info!

Barbecued Shrimp Salad with Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette

14 medium shrimp, tail on
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 TBS lemon juice
3 TBS olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4. KYVAN Sweet Barbecue Sauce
1 (5.5 oz) container field green lettuce mix
1/4 c. sliced almonds
1/2 c. red onion, sliced thin
4-6 medium radishes, sliced thin

Dressing:
2 TBS Dijon mustard
2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp. KYVAN blackberry honey

In a medium bowl combine shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Marinade 1-2 hours in fridge. When ready, preheat grill to medium-high. Spray with cooking spray. Skewer shrimp. Sear on both sides for about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Baste shrimp with barbecue shrimp until cooked through and pink. About 5-7 minutes.

To make dressing, whisk together all ingredients until well combined. To assemble salads, divide lettuce, onions, radish and almonds evenly on 2 large plates. Top each salad with 7 shrimp each. Serve with dressing on side. Makes 2 dinner size salads.

Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 2, 2013

Shrimp at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

********Giveaway********

Rules:

1. This contest is open to US Residents 18 and older ONLY.

2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org 

3. The winner will be notified by email and Facebook. He/she will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. I will then pass on your address to the sponsor for shipping.

4. When leaving comments for entries, they MUST BE SEPARATE ones AND include an email address so it's easy for me to find the winner. If entries are together, it will only count as (1) and if no email, entry will not be considered.

5. If any of the extra entries are items you are already doing, please just remind me!

6. Contest Ends: Friday Aug. 9, 2013  

One Lucky Winner Will Receive:

(1) Sweet Barbecue Sauce
(1) Blackberry Honey

Mandatory Entry:

1.Become a fan of KYVAN on Facebook. Leave a comment when you have.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow KYVAN on Twitter. Leave a comment when you have.

2. Follow KYVAN on Pinterest. Leave a comment when you have. 

3. Follow KYVAN on Instagram. Leave a comment when you have.

4. Take a look around the KYVAN site. Tell me what other product you would love to try.

That makes up to 5 entries per person!!!

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided with free product for this review, and an extra one for a fan giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"Cooking is a way of life in the South, and nobody knows that better than NFL Pro Reggie Kelly, owner of KYVAN Soul Food Selections." 

The above line is the first in the "about" section of the KYVAN website. I couldn't introduce today's new products to you any better than that, so I decided to allow them to do it for me. For those of you who don't follow NFL football like we do, Reggie Kelly played 13 years professionally with the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons; and even though he has traveled the world, he never forgot where he came from.

 "Since I was a little boy, cooking in my household has been an event within itself and my family is a big reason why I love to cook.  Growing up, they would always tell me, "Reggie, when you cook, make sure you do it with love."  "My family believed  that great meals should be prepared  in such a way that once eaten,  it would touch your "SOUL". I gathered that I should cook in such a way that first time visitors would feel welcomed..feel as though they are a part of my family."

Named after his children, Kyla and Kavan, KYVAN is truly a family owned and operated business. And I love that! From barbecues sauces, to salsa to seasoning mixes, they have a little something soul for everyone! So I was honored when Reggie's wife, Sheila contacted me about trying some of their delicious products in my kitchen and then sharing with you!

I decided on the Sweet Barbecue Sauce and the Blackberry Honey, and I can tell you right now I made a very wise, and yummy, choice. I am a barbecue sauce snob. I'm the first one to admit that. I have to love it from the first bite, or I won't enjoy it. And with KYVAN's...I certainly did. It's sweet but not too sweet. It really allows the flavor of the meat (or in this case seafood) still shine through. It compliments without overpowering. 

And the Blackberry Honey...well, let's just say that I could drink that stuff with a straw! It is truly some of the best honey I've ever had. (Oh, and after you use it in this recipe, try it on some cornbread still warm from the oven. We did and Oh My-lanta...it was to die for!) 

I didn't just taste quality, I could taste the love and attention that goes into every single KYVAN product. You can tell they enjoy what they are doing, and want to bring the very best products to their consumers. 

I thought the flavors of the barbecue sauce and honey would actually compliment each other very nicely, so I decided to feature them both in a light summer time salad, perfect for lunch or supper. The crunch, fresh veggies, sweet barbecued shrimp and tangy yet sweet dressing all play off each other so well, it's a real flavor extravaganza for your taste buds! 

We love a big salad meal during these dog days of summer, and if you do too, you are gonna love this one. Plus, you have the chance to win your very own samples of the same things I used in this recipe. Just keep scrolling down for the GIVEAWAY! And be sure to check out KYVAN on all their social media outlets (Listed below) for more info!

Barbecued Shrimp Salad with Blackberry Honey Vinaigrette

14 medium shrimp, tail on
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 TBS lemon juice
3 TBS olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4. KYVAN Sweet Barbecue Sauce
1 (5.5 oz) container field green lettuce mix
1/4 c. sliced almonds
1/2 c. red onion, sliced thin
4-6 medium radishes, sliced thin

Dressing:
2 TBS Dijon mustard
2 TBS red wine vinegar
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp. KYVAN blackberry honey

In a medium bowl combine shrimp, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Marinade 1-2 hours in fridge. When ready, preheat grill to medium-high. Spray with cooking spray. Skewer shrimp. Sear on both sides for about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Baste shrimp with barbecue shrimp until cooked through and pink. About 5-7 minutes.

To make dressing, whisk together all ingredients until well combined. To assemble salads, divide lettuce, onions, radish and almonds evenly on 2 large plates. Top each salad with 7 shrimp each. Serve with dressing on side. Makes 2 dinner size salads.

Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 2, 2013

Shrimp at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

********Giveaway********

Rules:

1. This contest is open to US Residents 18 and older ONLY.

2. The winner will be chosen by Random.org 

3. The winner will be notified by email and Facebook. He/she will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. I will then pass on your address to the sponsor for shipping.

4. When leaving comments for entries, they MUST BE SEPARATE ones AND include an email address so it's easy for me to find the winner. If entries are together, it will only count as (1) and if no email, entry will not be considered.

5. If any of the extra entries are items you are already doing, please just remind me!

6. Contest Ends: Friday Aug. 9, 2013  

One Lucky Winner Will Receive:

(1) Sweet Barbecue Sauce
(1) Blackberry Honey

Mandatory Entry:

1.Become a fan of KYVAN on Facebook. Leave a comment when you have.

Extra Entries:

1. Follow KYVAN on Twitter. Leave a comment when you have.

2. Follow KYVAN on Pinterest. Leave a comment when you have. 

3. Follow KYVAN on Instagram. Leave a comment when you have.

4. Take a look around the KYVAN site. Tell me what other product you would love to try.

That makes up to 5 entries per person!!!

Good Luck!

Disclaimer: I was provided with free product for this review, and an extra one for a fan giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Little Cheese Fiend

My son loves food, we all know that. But there are a few specific things he does become fiendish for, and one at the top of the list is cheese. It's not his fault. He comes by it naturally. Both of his parents are also cheese lovers, and so are both of his grandpas. We are a cheese loving family.

My son will eat cheese as a snack. One of his favorite lunch staples is a cheese sandwich...bread and American cheese, that's it. Until the age of 6 his favorite pizza, and the only one he would eat, was plain cheese. From cheddar, the sharper the better, to Colby, to Swiss, he loves every kind, any way he can get it. We even have a picture when he was about 2 at Thanksgiving sneaking food from the table. What was it? Not pie. Not candy. Cheese!!

His most recent cheese addiction is actually feta. Now he thinks it's goat cheese, but for those of us who eat feta on a regular basis, we know most of the time it's made with a mix of both sheep's and goat's milk. (But that's okay, we will let him think it's goat. It makes him feel like a real foodie.) And for those of you who have never had it, feta is a brined cheese with a salty and tangy flavor. Most of the time it's in crumbled form and a staple in Greece.  In fact, it was on a Greek salad that Alex first fell in love with his new favorite cheese.

So when I had some fresh green beans in the fridge (Yay for produce sales!!) and knew I wanted to make a salad instead of just boiling them, I was so excited when I came upon this. It had some of his favorite things! Beans, tomatoes, and plenty of feta!

If your side dish rotation has gotten a little tiresome, or maybe you have plenty of green beans coming from your garden, this salad is a fantastic, unique side dish for any meal. Full of color and flavor, it's so pretty for summer too.

My little cheese fiend isn't going to give up his addiction any time soon. That's okay though. It could be much worse! I will take him sneaking cheese over candy any day of the week!

Balsamic Green Bean Salad From Taste of Home
2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
4 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
1 c. crumbled feta cheese
1/4 c. olive oil
3 TBS lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground mustard

In a medium pan over high heat, place green beans covered with water. Bring to a boil. Cook 8-10 minutes until crisp tender. Drain and place in ice water to stop cooking. Pat dry. Place in large bowl. Add onions. In a small bowl whisk together oil, lemon juice, and seasonings. Mix well. Pour over green bean mixture. Chill for at least 1 hour. Stir. Add tomatoes and cheese just before serving.

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box July 30, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 2, 2013

Green Beans at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

My son loves food, we all know that. But there are a few specific things he does become fiendish for, and one at the top of the list is cheese. It's not his fault. He comes by it naturally. Both of his parents are also cheese lovers, and so are both of his grandpas. We are a cheese loving family.

My son will eat cheese as a snack. One of his favorite lunch staples is a cheese sandwich...bread and American cheese, that's it. Until the age of 6 his favorite pizza, and the only one he would eat, was plain cheese. From cheddar, the sharper the better, to Colby, to Swiss, he loves every kind, any way he can get it. We even have a picture when he was about 2 at Thanksgiving sneaking food from the table. What was it? Not pie. Not candy. Cheese!!

His most recent cheese addiction is actually feta. Now he thinks it's goat cheese, but for those of us who eat feta on a regular basis, we know most of the time it's made with a mix of both sheep's and goat's milk. (But that's okay, we will let him think it's goat. It makes him feel like a real foodie.) And for those of you who have never had it, feta is a brined cheese with a salty and tangy flavor. Most of the time it's in crumbled form and a staple in Greece.  In fact, it was on a Greek salad that Alex first fell in love with his new favorite cheese.

So when I had some fresh green beans in the fridge (Yay for produce sales!!) and knew I wanted to make a salad instead of just boiling them, I was so excited when I came upon this. It had some of his favorite things! Beans, tomatoes, and plenty of feta!

If your side dish rotation has gotten a little tiresome, or maybe you have plenty of green beans coming from your garden, this salad is a fantastic, unique side dish for any meal. Full of color and flavor, it's so pretty for summer too.

My little cheese fiend isn't going to give up his addiction any time soon. That's okay though. It could be much worse! I will take him sneaking cheese over candy any day of the week!

Balsamic Green Bean Salad From Taste of Home
2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
4 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
1 c. crumbled feta cheese
1/4 c. olive oil
3 TBS lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. ground mustard

In a medium pan over high heat, place green beans covered with water. Bring to a boil. Cook 8-10 minutes until crisp tender. Drain and place in ice water to stop cooking. Pat dry. Place in large bowl. Add onions. In a small bowl whisk together oil, lemon juice, and seasonings. Mix well. Pour over green bean mixture. Chill for at least 1 hour. Stir. Add tomatoes and cheese just before serving.

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box July 30, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Aug. 2, 2013

Green Beans at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

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He's Starting To

So I've shared the fact that my child is an amazing eater so many times, I'm sure those of you out there struggling at meal time every day are incredibly tired of hearing it. Well, guess what...there are  a few things he doesn't really "groove" on. And most of them have the word "salad" in them. No I'm talking about a side or tossed salad. (Although, he did just start to eat those about a year ago when he discovered he didn't have to have dressing on them. Yeah, my kid is the one who hates salad dressing, even ranch!! He's weird, I know!) What I'm talking about are the salads that begin with the words potato or pasta, both of which he absolutely love, so for a long time I didn't understand. But finally I realized why...he associates something with both of these...mayonnaise or sour cream.

Alex has never been a fan of either. Both of which I cook with, especially in potato and/or pasta salads, a lot. I really don't remember what we were eating when the light bulb went off in my head, but one day I finally realized what the things he would turn his nose up at had in common. 

I'm happy to report though, he has started to branch out and he is eating more and more sour cream. One reason is he has discovered that, like his Daddy, he loves spicy food, and in some things the sour cream really helps to relieve his tongue from fire. Two, I started fibbing to him when he would be eating dishes containing it, and afterwards after he gobbled it down, say "Oh by the way, you just ate sour cream." He finally realized that in 99% of the foods I make with sour cream, he can't even taste it. 

But mayo has been a little trickier. He has eaten a few things containing it, but it hasn't been as easy to win him over with as sour cream. So I started thinking about making a couple things that in other recipes contained mayo, but finding ones that didn't. In this case, a delicious pasta salad that contained no "creamy" dressing whatsoever. That way, he couldn't even question if I were trying to  trick him. And guess what...he loved it! He said he was so excited to "eat pasta salad and not worry about mayonnaise." 

With the graduation party, wedding reception, backyard barbecue, pool party season upon us, or at least getting closer, this is a great idea for any of those. Filled with veggies and great flavor, and with no mayo, less worry about sitting out! 

I'm glad my little guy is branching out and starting to try those last couple things that were on his "I don't like list". Little does he know I'm going to continue to slip them in whenever and wherever I can...and he's gonna eat them and like them!

Black Eyed Pea Pasta Salad Adapted from Lady Behind The Curtain

1 (15 oz.) can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed with cool water

1 lb. garden rotini pasta, cooked and drained

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 c. red onion, finely chopped

3/4 c. cucumber, finely chopped

15 grape tomatoes, halved

3 TBS vegetable oil

6 TBS cider vinegar

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. Italian seasoning, extra for garnish

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. seasoned salt

Salt and Pepper to taste

While pasta is cooking, in a large bowl combine peas, pepper, onion, cucumber and tomatoes. Toss to combine. In a medium jar combine oil, vinegar, sugar, Italian seasoning, chili powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine. When pasta is done and drained well, combine with veggies. Toss again. Pour dressing over. Stir well. Chill at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals May 6, 2013
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box May 7. 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage May 9, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook May 10, 2013

Salad at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

So I've shared the fact that my child is an amazing eater so many times, I'm sure those of you out there struggling at meal time every day are incredibly tired of hearing it. Well, guess what...there are  a few things he doesn't really "groove" on. And most of them have the word "salad" in them. No I'm talking about a side or tossed salad. (Although, he did just start to eat those about a year ago when he discovered he didn't have to have dressing on them. Yeah, my kid is the one who hates salad dressing, even ranch!! He's weird, I know!) What I'm talking about are the salads that begin with the words potato or pasta, both of which he absolutely love, so for a long time I didn't understand. But finally I realized why...he associates something with both of these...mayonnaise or sour cream.

Alex has never been a fan of either. Both of which I cook with, especially in potato and/or pasta salads, a lot. I really don't remember what we were eating when the light bulb went off in my head, but one day I finally realized what the things he would turn his nose up at had in common. 

I'm happy to report though, he has started to branch out and he is eating more and more sour cream. One reason is he has discovered that, like his Daddy, he loves spicy food, and in some things the sour cream really helps to relieve his tongue from fire. Two, I started fibbing to him when he would be eating dishes containing it, and afterwards after he gobbled it down, say "Oh by the way, you just ate sour cream." He finally realized that in 99% of the foods I make with sour cream, he can't even taste it. 

But mayo has been a little trickier. He has eaten a few things containing it, but it hasn't been as easy to win him over with as sour cream. So I started thinking about making a couple things that in other recipes contained mayo, but finding ones that didn't. In this case, a delicious pasta salad that contained no "creamy" dressing whatsoever. That way, he couldn't even question if I were trying to  trick him. And guess what...he loved it! He said he was so excited to "eat pasta salad and not worry about mayonnaise." 

With the graduation party, wedding reception, backyard barbecue, pool party season upon us, or at least getting closer, this is a great idea for any of those. Filled with veggies and great flavor, and with no mayo, less worry about sitting out! 

I'm glad my little guy is branching out and starting to try those last couple things that were on his "I don't like list". Little does he know I'm going to continue to slip them in whenever and wherever I can...and he's gonna eat them and like them!

Black Eyed Pea Pasta Salad Adapted from Lady Behind The Curtain

1 (15 oz.) can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed with cool water

1 lb. garden rotini pasta, cooked and drained

1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 c. red onion, finely chopped

3/4 c. cucumber, finely chopped

15 grape tomatoes, halved

3 TBS vegetable oil

6 TBS cider vinegar

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. Italian seasoning, extra for garnish

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. seasoned salt

Salt and Pepper to taste

While pasta is cooking, in a large bowl combine peas, pepper, onion, cucumber and tomatoes. Toss to combine. In a medium jar combine oil, vinegar, sugar, Italian seasoning, chili powder, seasoned salt, and pepper. Shake well to combine. When pasta is done and drained well, combine with veggies. Toss again. Pour dressing over. Stir well. Chill at least 3 hours before serving. Garnish with extra Italian seasoning.

Shared on Make Ahead Meals May 6, 2013
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box May 7. 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage May 9, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook May 10, 2013

Salad at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Packaging Dilema

Today you are going to take a little trip. A trip inside my head during my random thoughts at the grocery store. Hey, what can I say? Sometimes I do my best thinking while wandering the aisles. This wasn't really a pondering moment as much as a rant. A rant that occurred totally in my head.

I found myself once again standing in front of the chicken selection, feeling irritated. Why? Because of the packages of boneless chicken breasts. I don't know how it is at your store, but at 99% of the ones I shop at, if I want them here are my choices. Three per pack or seven per pack. Really? Can't we find a happy medium? Yes, there are only 3 members in my family, but I have a growing boy on my hands! And yes, I could buy the bigger pack and then freeze the extras, which I will, when they are on sale, but that doesn't always happen or isn't always in the budget. So there I was ticked off I was only getting three in the pack, knowing they weren't going to be enough for the meal I had planned. Solution? I just added extra side dishes, and we still had enough to eat. So I guess in the end, it wasn't that big of a deal, and we survived, but at the time it was annoying.

You can imagine my excitement then, when my friend shared this recipe with me. The first ingredient on the list? THREE boneless skinless chicken breasts! How perfect! I could buy one package and have it be exactly enough! In fact, I knew by shredded it, it would really stretch and might even end up being more than enough...and I was correct!

If you love Mexican food, and also love your Crock Pot, you are going to enjoy this just as much as I did. It literally took about 5 minutes to put together, cooked all day while I was busy and then was ready to serve at dinner time. Deep in flavor, moist and tender, those three chicken breasts are definitely the star!

If there is a petition out there to demand companies start putting 4 chicken breasts in a package, please let me know where I can sign! Or maybe I'll start one! Oh heck, I'm too busy to lead that movement. I'll just keep making this recipe using the three they want to give me!

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas From Pinterest
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 bell peppers, green, yellow and red, thinly sliced
1 packet Fajita seasoning
1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
1/2 a medium red onion, thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Place peppers and onions in Crock Pot. Toss to combine. Lay chicken on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with seasoning packet. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours. (Mine were done after 6.5) Remove chicken and slice or shred. Serve with warm tortillas.
*NOTE* I removed the peppers and onions with a slotted spoon. I sliced the chicken and placed everything on my cast iron crepe pan. I then set it on the stove on LOW until I could hear it sizzle. It created that restaurant wow factor!

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Feb. 5, 2013
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Feb. 6, 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Feb. 7, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Feb. 8, 2013

Chicken at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

Today you are going to take a little trip. A trip inside my head during my random thoughts at the grocery store. Hey, what can I say? Sometimes I do my best thinking while wandering the aisles. This wasn't really a pondering moment as much as a rant. A rant that occurred totally in my head.

I found myself once again standing in front of the chicken selection, feeling irritated. Why? Because of the packages of boneless chicken breasts. I don't know how it is at your store, but at 99% of the ones I shop at, if I want them here are my choices. Three per pack or seven per pack. Really? Can't we find a happy medium? Yes, there are only 3 members in my family, but I have a growing boy on my hands! And yes, I could buy the bigger pack and then freeze the extras, which I will, when they are on sale, but that doesn't always happen or isn't always in the budget. So there I was ticked off I was only getting three in the pack, knowing they weren't going to be enough for the meal I had planned. Solution? I just added extra side dishes, and we still had enough to eat. So I guess in the end, it wasn't that big of a deal, and we survived, but at the time it was annoying.

You can imagine my excitement then, when my friend shared this recipe with me. The first ingredient on the list? THREE boneless skinless chicken breasts! How perfect! I could buy one package and have it be exactly enough! In fact, I knew by shredded it, it would really stretch and might even end up being more than enough...and I was correct!

If you love Mexican food, and also love your Crock Pot, you are going to enjoy this just as much as I did. It literally took about 5 minutes to put together, cooked all day while I was busy and then was ready to serve at dinner time. Deep in flavor, moist and tender, those three chicken breasts are definitely the star!

If there is a petition out there to demand companies start putting 4 chicken breasts in a package, please let me know where I can sign! Or maybe I'll start one! Oh heck, I'm too busy to lead that movement. I'll just keep making this recipe using the three they want to give me!

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas From Pinterest
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 bell peppers, green, yellow and red, thinly sliced
1 packet Fajita seasoning
1 medium white onion, thinly sliced
1/2 a medium red onion, thinly sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Place peppers and onions in Crock Pot. Toss to combine. Lay chicken on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with seasoning packet. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours. (Mine were done after 6.5) Remove chicken and slice or shred. Serve with warm tortillas.
*NOTE* I removed the peppers and onions with a slotted spoon. I sliced the chicken and placed everything on my cast iron crepe pan. I then set it on the stove on LOW until I could hear it sizzle. It created that restaurant wow factor!

Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Feb. 5, 2013
Shared on Lady Behind The Curtain Feb. 6, 2013
Shared on Miz Helen's Country Cottage Feb. 7, 2013
Shared on The Country Cook Feb. 8, 2013

Chicken at Very Good Recipes
Pin It

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