Cool your tastebuds

It's H-O-T outside!! Cool your tastebuds with this simple summer pasta salad!
1 16 oz box of rotini pasta
1 cucumber,chopped
2 plum tomatoes,chopped
1 small can sliced olives(2-3oz)
1 cup cheddar cheese,cubed
1 8 oz bottle of Italian dressing
Pepper to taste
In pot,cook pasta according to package directions,drain

Combine all ingredients into bowl and gently toss. Chill before serving

Yummy!!

Southwest chicken wraps

My kids love these. It's a great way to get a veggie and fiber into their diet!!
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts,diced
1 15 oz can of black beans,drained
1 15 oz can of corn,drained
1 cup of chunky salsa
Flour tortillas
Olive oil cooking spray
Garnish
Sour cream
Shredded cheese
Tomatoes,chopped

Spray non stick skillet w/ cooking spray. Add diced chicken and cook over med-med high heat for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through. Add beans,corn,and salsa. Cook 10-12 minutes or until heated through. Heat tortillas on stove top burners or heat up in microwave. Scoop mixture on to tortillas and garnish. Fold in both ends and fold into burritos. Enjoy :)

I''ll take it,thank you very much!

Don't you just love when unexpected things happen for the good? I have not worked at my old job since my twins,who are 2,were born. I had worked there for almost 5 years. I was cleaning out some files and papers the other day and realized that I never closed out my 401K acct. Well,I called my old boss and got the paperwork filled out and she took care of it for me. I received it today and boy,I am happy I found those papers!! You just never know when great things are around the corner! Stay positive everyone!

Dumplins,anyone??

I told you there were going to be alot of recipes on here. This recipe is so filling,you might want to have a very light lunch before preparing this for dinner. Here we go--
Spanish chicken and dumplings

1 quart chicken stock
2 pinches of Saffron
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3-4 links of chorizo(casings off,chopped)
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts(diced)
15-20 large white mushrooms(cut in fours)
1 large white onion(diced)
3 large cloves of garlic(diced)
1 bay leaf
Salt
Pepper
2 tbsp fresh Thyme,chopped(or half the amt of dried)
3 tbsp flour
1/2 cup sherry
1 sm box of biscuit mix(enough for 8 biscuits)
1/4 cup fresh parsley(chopped)
1 tsp paprika(I like spanish paprika)






In a small sauce pan,bring stock and saffron to a boil.Reduce heat and simmer.
In a large,deep skillet or dutch oven,heat olive oil over med heat,add chorizo and cook for 2-3 minutes.Add chicken and lightly brown. Stir in mushrooms,onions,garlic,bayleaf,salt and pepper(to taste),and thyme.Put the lid on,increase heat to high for about 5 minutes.Stir in flour,then add sherry and stir. Add saffron infused broth. Put biscuit mix in bowl,stir in parsley and paprika. Add the liquid to package directions for the biscuits. Drop 8 balls of biscuits into top of cooking mixture. Put lid on and cook for 6-8 minutes(or until biscuits are cooked through).

Happy Father's Day

Today is Father's Day and I just wanted to say I love you to 2 important men in my life,my father and my husband. I love you dad,I am so lucky to have you in my life. You have so many health issues right now,but always want to know how myself and your grandkids are doing. You have been the best father that anyone could ever ask for!!
And to Tony,you are the best daddy! You work so hard everyday,and yet still have the time and patience to do anything for your kids.
I love you both beyond any words!!

Get them to the Greek--chicken that is!

I told you that I love to cook,so here is a yummy Greek chicken recipe that I cooked for dinner tonight.
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
-Marinade-
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lemon
1 Tsp pepper
1/2 Tsp salt
1 Tbsp dried Rosemary(or substitute fresh)
1/2 Tbsp dried Thyme(or substitute fresh)
1/2 Tsp dried Oregano(or substitute fresh)
2 cloves of garlic(grate,add salt,use spatula to press into a paste)

Mix all components of marinade together,put chicken in and coat. Let sit for 10 minutes.
Cook on Med/Med-high on a grill pan for 8 minutes each side,or until cooked through. Cook time depends on the weight and thickness of chicken. Right before you take off the heat,squeeze a bit of lemon juice on chicken.

Feeling spicy!!

I think I will start things off with my recipe for salsa.
5 large tomatoes
1 small clove of garlic
1 large onion
1 bunch of cilantro
2 jalapeno peppers
1 habanero pepper
sea salt

Mince or grate garlic. Chop (in large pieces) tomatoes,onions,jalapenos,and habaneros(If you want it spicy,add seeds. I do,it's yummy). De-stem cilantro. Add everything to a food proessor or blender. Add salt to taste(I usually do about 5 cranks out of my sea salt grinder). Pulse until you reach your desired consistancy. For a different taste,you can also add a couple squeezes of lime juice. Serve with pita or tortilla chips.

This is the freshest tasting salsa that I have ever had. We generally make a fresh batch every weekend. Please leave me a comment and let me know if this is something that sounds appealing!!

First Post!! :)

I am super-new to this bloggy world! Please bear with me! I am not too sure how this is going to go. I love to cook,so there may be alot of recipes on here. I am also mommy to a 14 yr old and 2 yr old twins,so there may be alot of venting going on. Whatever it is,I'm sure we will all be entertained!