Let's Take a Breather

On the Lighter Side… And I do NOT mean nutritionally! I have been meaning to write something where we can catch our breaths for a minute. So, here it is!

Last night, I made what was quite possibly the best dinner of all time. I know not everyone enjoys cooking as a pass time, but for those of you who do or for those who are interested in tickling someone’s taste buds, I have included the recipes below. By the way, Tim said this was his new favorite meal, so not bad for a nights work.

*For my readers who do not often cook, you might want to prepare your meal in the following order so every dish is hot and ready at the same time… Put the potatoes in the oven 1^st, move to preparing and cooking the chicken 2^nd, prepare biscuit mixture and cover loosely with saran wrap until ready to bake 3^rd, chop veggies & mince/sauté garlic for veggies 4^th, SET TABLE including toppings for potatoes 5^th, spoon out biscuit mixture and put into oven 6^th, finish final stage of sautéing veggies 7^th, serve and enjoy!!!

Chicken And Bacon Wrap

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, skinless, boneless
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces of mozzarella shredded cheese
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups of raw spinach, chopped
• 2 Tbsp diced jalapeños
• 8 slices bacon
• Season-all to taste

Directions:
Put Spinach with a little bit of water in the microwave for 30 sec. or until limp.

Mix cheese, garlic, spinach, and jalapeños together.

Pound the chicken breasts with mallet, but make sure you use wax paper underneath and on top of the chicken before pounding the chicken.

Spoon cheese mixture into chicken and wrap chicken around mixture. Then wrap chicken with two slices of bacon on each breast using toothpicks to hold the chicken wrap together. Sprinkle seasoning (salt & pepper) all over the chicken breasts.

Put the chicken in a baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and cook at 375 for 45 minutes.

Kathrin Y./Paula Dean Cheddar Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 stick butter, melted
• 3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cup self-rising flour *(Newer cooks - this is different than regular All-Purpose Flour).

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt together using a fork; cut in shortening until it resembles cornmeal. Add cheese. Stir in buttermilk all at 1 time just until blended. Do not over stir. Drop by tablespoonfuls, or use an ice cream scoop, onto a well greased baking sheet. Brush dough with melted butter. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

Sides:

Baked Potato

Wrap in foil and bake for 3 hours at 350 degrees F.

*Serve w/ butter, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced green onions!

Broccoli & Asparagus (LaDuni Style)

Ingredients:

• 4 cloves of garlic
• ½ tsp. of crushed red pepper
• 1 bunch of asparagus
• 1 bunch of broccoli
• ½ fresh lemon

Directions:

Mince 4 cloves of garlic, sauté w/ olive oil and a few dashes of crushed red pepper for 1-2 min., move skillet to back burner & proceed with the following: wash and slice both broccoli & asparagus, boil for 3 min. (or until barely bright green but crisp), drain & remove to skillet, sauté for 2 min. in garlic mixture, sprinkle with fresh lemon juice, salt & pepper to taste.

Dessert:

Have Tim come over and make his delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies (Santa & Mrs. Claus Style… Milk Chocolate for Him, White Chocolate for Her)!!!