Pizza crackers and sweet potato casserole

Hello everyone,
It has been a while since I've posted- life has gotten busy and I'm trying to get healthier. I am proud to say I ran my first 5K today.

Here is what I made last night via pinterest:
Pizza Crackers
Saltines
tomato sauce
turkey pepperonis
shredded cheese
These were delicious and easy to make- stick in oven for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

I also made Sweet potatoes- I had never eaten sweet potatoes (other than fries)

2 tablespoons of brown sugar
3 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons of melted butter (Smart Balance)
Cinnamon
Marshmallows

I baked the sweet potatoes at 400 for 45 minutes- or until knife easily cuts them open.
After they were baked I scooped the centers out of the skin and mixed with the brown sugar and butter. Then sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon on them and mix. Place in a small casserole dish, place marshmallows on top and cook until marshmallows are browned.

Not my favorite but I'm a southern girl and like my meat and mashed potatoes! Go for this recipe if you LOVE Sweet potatoes!

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

1 can mixed vegetables- No salt added
1/2 can of Chicken
1/2 can of cream of chicken

Combine all in a bowl and mix.

In a muffin pan put pieces of croissant dough to line the bottom of the muffin cups. Fill the cups with the vegetable mixture and then top the mixture with another piece of croissant dough to make mini pies.

Cook at 350 until the croissant dough is starting to brown approximately 15 minutes.

Shrimp and Rice

1 cup diced onions
1 1/3 cup chopped celery
1 tsp canola oil
-saute until onions are clear

3 cups of instant brown rice
5 cups of water
3 tsp of creole seasoning- may add more later if you want more flavoring
add onions and celery to above in a large pot and cook on medium for 20 minutes

then add 1 lb of 51-60 shrimp and cook for another 15 minutes or until the water has cooked out.
OPTIONAL- add 1lb smoked sausage with the shrimp
You can top it off with a little soy sauce when serving but not necessary

Mrs. Z's Chicken Enchiladas

It's Mexican night!
Tonight I decided to make up my own recipe for chicken enchiladas that are easy enough for all.

2 cans of chicken
approx. 1/4 cup of salsa verde
approx. 1/4 cup of red salsa
2/3 cup of white Mexican shredded cheese
Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
Take flour tortillas fill, roll, and place them into a casserole dish.


Add Mexican shredded cheese on top of the enchiladas.
Bake at 325 for approx 20 minutes.

I also made white cheese dip that is comparable to Mexican restaurants.
Kroger sells white cheese with jalapenos in a box by the velveeta cheese.
Microwave the amount desired and add milk to thin because the dip will be very thick.

ENJOY!

Pork Roast

Dad and Uncle Paul are here so I am making some Pork Roast for dinner.

• 3-4 lb. pork tenderloin
• 1 tsp. Ginger
• 2 tsp. Thyme
• 2 tbsp. Dry mustard
• ½ Soy Sauce
• ¼ cup Lemon Juice

Cook at 325 for 2 hours until no longer pink in center

Sauce for topping- heat until thinned for 5 minutes

• 5 oz.   Apricot Jelly/ Preserves
• 1 Tbl    Soy Sauce
• 1 Tbl    Lemon Juice
 

I also attempted to make Chuy's Ranch dip

• 8 oz  mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup chopped jalapeno
• 1 cup green tomatillo sauce
• 1 tbsp bunch cilantro, chopped
• 1 (1 ounce) packets dry ranch dressing mix 

I did not have the tomatillo sauce or buttermilk but made do. It tastes close to Chuy's but not exactly. I made my own buttermilk (milk and lemon juice-not recommended). I also added more ranch to taste.

If you want a sweet treat with some alcohol after dinner...

Iced Bailey's

-Ice

-Bailey's Irish Cream

-Chocolate syrup

-Blend ice and irish cream the texture should be like a shake.

- drizzle chocolate syrup along the glass for presentation

Chicken and Pasta Primavera

I am trying this recipe for the first time so we will see how it goes.

-1 can of Cream of Mushroom soup

-1/2 cup of milk

-3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

-1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 bag frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots- I only used broccoli)

-1 large can of chicken

- 1/2- 1 lb. pkg of spaghetti cooked.

Combine all ingredients (except noodles) in a sauce pan and cook until vegetables are tender- approx. 10 minutes.
Mix noodles with other ingredients.
Serve.

I'm also making deviled eggs for the hubby- FYI here's how to do it...
-cook eggs- bring to boil and then reduce to 1/2 heat and cook for 10 minutes.
-Let the eggs cool and then peel.
-After peeling, slice eggs in half and remove the yellow from all eggs into one bowl.
-Add Mayo and mustard- I don't measure it so you will have to determine according to taste
-mix together and spoon back into the egg whites
-finish it off by sprinkling the eggs with Paprika

-My makeshift bobby pin while cooking ha ha

Turkey Burgers

Tonight I am making turkey burgers!

You can either use already made patties or make your own.

When grilling them put Dale's marinate or Allegro marinate on them (If you can't find either one of those Worcestershire will work). I also sprinkle some lemon pepper seasoning on them to give a little kick.

-The husband was impressed by the turkey burgers- "They are almost better than beef!"

I also fried some squash

-Cut the squash into thin slices (depending on your preference)

-In a skillet heat oil for frying-low temperature is fine and you only need the bottom of the skillet covered (add more if needed while frying).

-While the oil is heating up, mix yellow corn meal, milk and an egg together to form a batter

I did not measure so I would estimate the mixture to be approximately:

-1 egg

-1/4 cup milk

-3 tablespoons of yellow corn meal

*Per squash used

(May need to add more milk or corn meal to make the batter texture)

After mixing the batter, dip the squash pieces into the batter and then set them into the oil. Let them brown and flip to the other side.

Enjoy!