Teriyaki Chicken Noodles

We go gaga for anything Chinese or Asian or whatever you want to call it. I found this recipe over at Jamie Cooks it up and adapted it a little to my families taste buds. It was so yummy and easy to put together. You can add any veggies that your family likes to it. I love one bowl dishes and thank goodness I don't have any picky eaters in my house. My little ones will eat pretty much anything I put in front of them as long as it isn't spicy and they absolutely love Chinese type dishes.

Teriyaki Chicken Noodles adapted from Jamie Cooks it Up

2 -3 chicken breast cut up ( I used 2)

1 T. olive oil

1 small onion, sliced

1 T. minced garlic

9 sweet mini peppers, sliced or one red or orange bell pepper sliced

Steamed broccoli and carrots(use any veggies you like such as zucchini, peas, etc.)

1 (16 oz) pkg linguini or spaghetti noodles(use whole wheat to bump up the fiber content)

Teriyaki Sauce:

1 1/2 cup cold water

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 tsp. granulated garlic or garlic powder

3 T. cornstarch

1-2 tsp Sesame oil

Heat the oil in a skillet, add the chicken and cook until browned and no longer pink. Remove from the skillet. Add the onions, peppers, and garlic and cook until crisp tender. Remove from skillet. Mix all of the teriyaki sauce ingredients and pour into the hot skillet and let cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile cook pasta according to package directions. Drain the noodles then mix the noodles with the thickened sauce and with the steamed veggies. Serve immediately.

Note: I like mine spicy so I added a little Siracha chili sauce to mine( you can find this in any grocery store on the asian food isle)

Note: I didn't specify the amount of steamed veggies because you can add the desired amount that you like and that suits your family.

York Peppermint Patties

My hubby could eat his weight in peppermint patties and they are so expensive to buy. I found this recipe for homemade ones and knew I had to give it a try. I can't remember where I found this but thank you to whomever it was. These are delicious, simple, and taste(if you ask me) just like the real thing. My hubby and kids gobbled them up. And with 5 simple ingredients what isn't to like about that?

Peppermint Patties

1 can sweetened condensed milk

5 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2-3 tsp peppermint extract

3 cups semi sweet or milk chocolate chips

3 T. shortening

Mix the sweetened condensed milk, 2 cups sugar, and the extract on medium speed using the paddle attachment until all ingredients are well incorporated. Add more powdered sugar, a half cup at a time until well incorporated and dough is pliable like firm modeling clay. Divide the dough in half and roll each half into a log, wrap in plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the shortening in the microwave in 30 second increments until melted and smooth. Take logs out of the freezer and cut in slices. dip each slice in the chocolate until covered. Place on a cookie sheet and let sit till set. Will work faster if you put them in the fridge. Enjoy!!

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

So do you ever crave pizza but don't want to take the time to make it. Well I have a recipe for you then.I found these over at Coleen's recipes and knew I had to give these a try. I made them awhile ago and am finally blogging about them. Now pizza is still better but these are easy to make when you are short on time and want that pizza flavor. Give these a try!!!

Pepperoni PIzza Puffs
3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 T. Italian seasoning
pinch of salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
3/4 cup milk
1 egg slightly beaten
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 cup chopped pepperoni
Pizza sauce and ranch for dipping

Preheat oven to 375. Grease a muffin tin either mini one or regular one. I used both kind. Mix the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Whisk in the milk and beaten egg till smooth. Stir in cheeses and pepperoni. Let this sit for 10 minutes(this is important don't skip this step) At then end of 10 minutes, stir again and fill the muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake until puffed and golden, about 20-25 minutes. Serve with your favorite pizza sauce or ranch for dipping.

S'mores Cookies

Who doesn't love s'mores and who doesn't love cookies? Well this mix the two together and they are amazing. So so yummy. I found the recipe over at YOur home Based MOm. She has some really great recipes so go check her blog out. Next time you are in the mood for a cookie you must give this one a try.

S'mores Cookies adapted from Your home based Mom

2 cups butter

2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs

2 T. vanilla

1 1/2 cups chocolate pudding mix

1/2 cup baking cocoa

2 tsp baking soda

5 cups flour

2 cups chocolate chips

2 cups marshmallow plus extra for topping

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs. Add the pudding mix and baking cocoa and mix well. Add the flour and baking soda and mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips, graham crackers, and marshmallows. Roll cookie dough into 1to 2 inch balls on a greased cookie sheet. Press 3-4 marshmallows into each cookie dough ball. Place in Oven and bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Cool completely on cookie sheet. and Enjoy!!!

Potato Tacos

So have you ever wondered what to do with leftover mashed potatoes? I hate leftover mashed potatoes. If you are like me and never know what to use them for I have a yummy recipe for you that will take care of them so you don't end up just throwing them out. They are potato tacos. I got this idea from my mother in law. Believe me they are yummy and my kids usually prefer them over beef tacos and even if you don't have leftover mashed potatoes and want to have potato tacos you can do these with leftover baked potatoes or even raw potatoes you just dice the raw potatoes up and cook till tender and crispy.

Potato Tacos
left over mashed potatoes(doesn't matter the amount just whatever you have)
2 T. olive oil, oil, or butter

Heat the oil or butter in a large skillet. Place mashed potatoes in the pan and cook on medium heat until starts to brown. Stirring and flipping the potatoes frequently until nicely browned all over. Serve in corn tortillas with your favorite taco toppings.
Here is what the potatoes should look like when done cooking:

Healthy and Hearty Chicken Quinoa Stew

I found this recipe awhile back over at Picky Palate and knew I had to try it out. It was so yummy and good for you!!! Quinoa(keen-wah) is very good for you and for those who don't know what it is google it and read all about it and its benefits. I will not bore you with a history lesson on it. Anywho, I know I have posted a lot of soup recipes but the winter is what soup is for. Go ahead and give this soup a try you won't be disappointed believe me!!!

Hearty &Healthy Chicken Quinoa Stew adapted from Picky Palate

2 T. olive oil

2 T. minced garlic

1 large onion, chopped

5 stalks celery, chopped

5 large carrots, chopped

2 cups mini sweet peppers, chopped (or 2 red orange or yellow bell peppers)

1 large zucchini, chopped

64 oz chicken broth

3 cups water

3 T. chicken bouillon or 3 bouillon cubes

15 oz can diced tomatoes

3 cups cooked Quinoa

3 medium chicken breast cooked and shredded

2 T. spicy brown mustard

1/2 tsp black pepper

salt to taste

1-2 T. parsley

Heat oil in a large pot. Saute the garlic, onion,peppers and zucchini until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer gently for about 1 hour. Serve with homemade bread or rolls!!!

Overnigh Apple Cinnmon Oatmeal

This oatmeal is really yummy and good for you!! What could be easier than dumping things in a crockpot the night before and having a yummy warm breakfast the next morning. Give this a try it is tasty!!

Overnight Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
4 cups water
2 cups apple juice
1 cup rolled or steel cut oats
1/2 cup pearl barley(not quick cooking)
1/3 cup flax seeds
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger(optional)
1/4 tsp salt
1 apple (chopped, you can peel if you want but I didn't)
1/2 cup brown sugar

Place all in a crockpot and cook on low for 6-7 hours. Serve with any toppings you like:milk, cream, nuts, chopped apple, honey, etc.

Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
1 T olive oil
2 T garlic
1 onion, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
6 carrots, chopped
9 sweet mini peppers, or 1 bell pepper
6 cups chicken broth
3 cups water
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 cups cooked wild rice
2 tsp basil
2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 T parsley
1/2 tsp pepper
1 T chicken bouillon
1 small can cream of chicken soup

Saute the onion, celery, carrots, peppers, and garlic in the olive oil for 5-7 minutes. Then add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil and simmer for a few hours. Serve with warm bread or rolls.

Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars

These bars are so yummy and easy. They would be great for a potluck or a get together with friends. Way easier than making cookie after cookie and taste just as good. I saw this recipe over at Jamie cooks it up and Mels Kitchen cafe and knew I had to try these out. Please don't judge them by the picture because I had friends over for dinner tonight and took a fast picture while trying to get these on the plate fast enough for our kiddos. Give them a try you won't be disappointed!!!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

2 1/8 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

12 T. butter (1 1/2 sticks)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

2 tsp. vanilla

2 cups chocolate chips

Stir dry ingredients all together. Melt butter in microwave. Whisk in the sugars, egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and whisk till well combined. Pour butter mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Line a 9x13 inch pan with tin foil and spray with cooking spray. Press the dough into the pan.(the tin foil is going to make it super easy to pull these out of the pan and cut them) Bake at 325 and bake for 24-28 minutes. Let your pan cool and then cut into bars. Enjoy!!!

Cafe Rio Pork

For those of you who have lived or live in Utah this is the knock off of Cafe Rio's pork they use in their burritos and salads. It really is to die for and oh so easy to make. If you make a salad out of it it is pretty healthy for you as well(if you limit the dressing you put on it). Most recipes I have seen use a fattier piece of pork like the pork butt but I use the lean Pork loin roast and it works out great. If you love Mexican food you need to give this a try.

Cafe Rio Pork

3- 4lb pork loin

3 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cups dr pepper, pepsi, or coke, root beer would even work

1 1/2 cups salsa

Place pork loin in a crock pot. Rub the pork with cumin, pepper, and salt. Mix the salsa, brown sugar, and soda together then pour over the spiced rubbed pork. Cook on high for 5-6 hours until the pork can easily pull apart and be shredded. Drain the Liquid off the pork but save it, you will dump most of it back over the shredded meat. Shred the pork and dump enough of the juices back on the pork to your liking.

Serve the pork in tortillas with black beans or refried beans or our favorite way is to make a salad. We use lettuce and fresh spinach, then add a little shredded meat, black beans, tomatoes, avocadoes, tortillas strips(for a little crunch) shredded cheese, and tomatillo ranch dressing.

Tomatillo Ranch dressing

1 ranch dressing mix packet

1 cup mayo

1 cup milk

2 tomatillos(found by the jalapenos and they look like a little green tomato)

1 jalapeno

juice of 1 lime

2 cloves fresh garlic

1 bunch of cilantro

Place all in a blender and mix until well combined. Serve with above pork on a salad.