Marinated Chicken w/ Creamy Penne Pasta

For those of you who like chicken on the grill. Try this out. I know there are millions of different kinds of marinade. I've found this brand and Lawry's are the best. They have a ton of different kinds. I've tried Lemon Pepper, Herb and Garlic, and now this Mesquite. So far its been my favorite. All you do is marinade your chicken breasts over night. Throw them on the grill and they are perfect.

With the chicken I had this pasta. I know Teri and Jen you have this recipe. So this is for you, Jill and Tam.

Creamy Penne Pasta

8 oz penne pasta
1 can diced tomatoes
1 T. dry basil
3/4 c. whipping cream
1/3 c. Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta. In separate pan heat tomatoes for 5 minutes. Reduce heat add basil & cream heat through, don't let it boil. Add cheese, cook till melted.

This is a meal I swear we have all the time. Great summer meal. Try it out.

Char Chicken Tacos

I have only got about a bazillion recipes to post on here, I am a little behind. I will start with this one, cause it is my favorite.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 4ths (the long ways, to make strips)
1 ripe avocado, peeled
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus a little more for garnish
2 limes
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 large yellow onion
1 can black beans
tortillas

1. Start with the guac...In a mixing bowl, combine the avocado, garlic (minced), cilantro and juice of 1 lime. Mix thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. (Holy smokes, the flavor is out of this world)
2. Preheat grill. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and then rub them with the cumin and chili powder. Salt and pepper. Grill
3. Carmelize the onions (slice in rings) over medium heat in frying pan with olive oil.
4. Warm can of black beans and 1 clove of minced garlic in sauce pan. With just a tich of olive oil.
5. Serve over warmed tortillas.

Oh, it was sooooo good. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Even if you don't make the whole meal. Make the guac, and eat with tortilla chips and salsa. Me and Theo couldn't get enough.

Poor Man's Egg McMuffin

While lonely little Eric was in DC he lived off hot pockets, microwave dinner and chicken pot pies. However there was one recipe that he would make for himself on a particularly trying day -- the Poor Man's Egg McMuffin. When I went out to DC in April he made this for me a few times in the mornings before heading off for our fun filled days. Now that he is back home, he continues to make these quite often for himself. I mostly just want this recipe on here to remind me of my little sweetie and his adventure at Georgetown......

You need:

bread

eggs

deli meat

mayo or miracle whip

and if you are Eric mustard but none for me thanks!

and the winning ingredient CHEESE!!

By Jenny courtesy of Eric

STOP AND CLOSE YOUR EYES...

If you could eat anything in the world right this moment, what would it be? What's your craving? What sounds delicious to you? This is mine.

By Tammy

Wingers Sticky Finger Salad

Do you eat at Wingers? Do you like their Sticky Fingers Chicken?

Well if you do, this is the recipe for you, I don't know if it is exact but it is pretty darn close and pretty darn spectacular. We all know salads are considered "girl food" but Eric had second helpings of this and said "wow put this on the remake list". I love the flavor of the chicken a little spicy but paired with ranch dressing it is just a perfect flavor....try this great knockoff!

4 chicken breasts, cut into strips (do you know Tyson's makes boneless skinless chicken strips now in the frozen food section, well they do---try them!)

1/2 c sour cream

1 cup bread crumbs

2 heads romaine lettuce chopped or bagged lettuce if you are lazy like me

2 tomatoes

croutons

cheddar cheese, grated

ranch dressing

craisins

2 1/2 cups brown sugar

1/3 cup Frank's hot sauce

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Dip chicken strips into sour cream and then into bread crumbs. Place on sprayed/greased sheet pan (spray good they don't call this stuff sticky for nothing). Bake for 20-30 minutes until chicken is cooked and crispy. While the chicken is baking prepare salad and make the dressing. To make the dressing combine brown sugar, hot sauce and vinegar in a pot. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let boil for one minute and no longer, otherwise it will burn. When the chicken is done dip into sticky sauce and place on plate. To serve place strips on top of salad with any additional toppings and drench with dressing. Enjoy!

By Jenny

Golden Chex Mix

I know we have all had this, but maybe some of you out there don't have the recipe. I have been a slacker in the new recipe department lately so this is all you get from me for this week.

3/4 box golden grahams
1/2 box rice chex
1 cube butter
1 cup Karo syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup coconut
1 7 oz bag of slivered almonds

Melt butter, karo syrup, and sugar in medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to slow boil and let roll for 2 min. Mix cereals in bowl and poor mixture over top. Carefully stir in until cereal is coated. When slightly cooled add almonds and coconut.

Just a fun little tip, you could add colored M & M's to the mixture depending on the season and holiday. I meant to add red and blue to mine to jazz it up for the fourth. However I forgot. Would have been pretty cute though right.

Jen and Ash this mixture is coming your way tomorrow. Tam and Jill, love you and will miss you tomorrow.
By Teri

Orange Chicken

Here you go Jen I finally made it and I might add it was delicious. Different, but really good. It is such a nice meal to have on a day full of cleaning. Especially a dreary day like today. What's with the rain.

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp. chicken bouillon
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup orange marmalade
2 cups water
6 green onions, chopped
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped ( I left them whole and it was good.)

Place chicken breasts in crock pot and sprinkle with bouillon. Blend remaining ingredients except walnuts together and pour over chicken. Cook on high 4-5 hours or low 6-7 hours. Add walnuts right before serving. Serve with white steamed rice. This is a keeper.

M & M Cookies

I have yet to find a better chocolate chip cookie recipe than this one, it is my go to recipe for everything. You know how everybody has a famous dish that they are just known for Ash and her pasta salad, my mom and her cheese potatoes, Tam and Tammy's famous, you get the idea.....well I like to think these little beauties are what I am famous for. I got this recipe from my friend Holly in Kentucky and I have been making them ever since. It's a must this holiday weekend, try them.....and happy 4th I love you all!

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 whole eggs
1 egg white
2 t vanilla
4 c flour
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 bag chocolate chips

Mix ingredients and bake for 9-11 minutes at 375

Immediately upon pulling cookies from the oven stick 3 M & M's in each cookie, pressing lightly to allow them to stick. If you want to try something really great use peanut butter M & M's, the only way we make them around here!!

By Jenny