I made this last night for dinner. I served it with lemon-thyme rice and a greek salad. Yum! I did change a few things. I fried up the bacon before (leaving it soft enough to wrap around the chicken). I chopped up fresh spinach because it was what I had on hand. I sprinkled olive oil and lemon pepper on the outside of the chicken too. I baked mine at 425 for 20 minutes. This always bakes my chicken perfectly (keeping it nice and moist!). My husband loved it! Enjoy!
Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
4 slices bacon
Directions
In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, spinach, feta cheese, and garlic until well blended. Set aside.
Carefully butterfly chicken breasts, making sure not to cut all the way through. Spoon spinach mixture into chicken breasts. Wrap each with a piece of bacon, and secure with a toothpick. Place in shallow baking dish. Cover.
Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until chicken is no longer pink.
I am...
- Ashley Ray
- Orem, Utah, United States
- I am a lover of my husband, adorable children, and last but not least food. I first started baking when I was just a little girl. My mom always had an amazing home-cooked meal on the table and she always encouraged me to help. Much of what I know has come from watching her in the kitchen. I used to love to pretend I owned a restaurant and cook things up for my siblings and their friends. Not much has changed :) Now my sweet husband and kids get to be my taste testers. I love exploring new ingredients and am always looking for the best of the best when it comes to recipes. I hope you enjoy the site as much as I do. Through this blog I will share just a few of my favorite things- my passion for child development, my wonderful family, and my love for food :) Happy blogging!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Absolutely the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
I have had many great chocolate chip cookies in my lifetime. None top this one. They are as close to my mom's recipe as I can come up with. Make sure you get butter-flavored shortening. Using regular vanilla extract is fine. Cheap chocolate chips are too. But.... if you want some super good cookies go for the real mexican vanilla and grab a bag of ghiradelli milk chocolate chips. YUM!!!!! My mom always has a bag on hand for cookies.... or to just hide from everyone else and eat by the handfuls :)
Ingredients
1 cup butter flavored shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla .Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen.
Ingredients
1 cup butter flavored shortening
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons Mexican vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large bowl, cream together the butter flavored shortening, brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition, then stir in the vanilla .Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until light brown. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Chocolate Frosting
I will admit that I'm a huge fan of canned frosting ready-made from the store.... but when I get ambitious or just in a bind... I whip out this fabulous recipe. I have never tasted better homemade chocolate frosting.
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter (softened)
2-1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk
Directions
Blend all with hand mixer. Enjoy! (frosted a regular 9x13" cake)
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter (softened)
2-1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup and 2 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup milk
Directions
Blend all with hand mixer. Enjoy! (frosted a regular 9x13" cake)
Monday, January 10, 2011
Thrush in babies | BabyCenter
My Baby's Bout With Thrush
A few weeks ago my infant began a nursing strike. When she did eat it would only be for five minutes at a time. She then became squirmy and fussy if I tried to force anymore. An hour later she would want to eat for another five minutes. This brought much frustration to the both of us. I finally took her into the pediatrician because her fussing was getting out of control. As soon as he spotted the white spots on the insides of her cheeks he had the answer. Thrush. It can be easily taken care of but can make you and your baby's life miserable. Check it out.
Thrush in babies BabyCenter
A few weeks ago my infant began a nursing strike. When she did eat it would only be for five minutes at a time. She then became squirmy and fussy if I tried to force anymore. An hour later she would want to eat for another five minutes. This brought much frustration to the both of us. I finally took her into the pediatrician because her fussing was getting out of control. As soon as he spotted the white spots on the insides of her cheeks he had the answer. Thrush. It can be easily taken care of but can make you and your baby's life miserable. Check it out.
Thrush in babies BabyCenter
Friday, January 7, 2011
Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music
Listen to your favorite music for free! With Pandora you can type in any artist genre or song and a playlist will automatically be created for you! You get 40 hours of free music each month. Great for easy listening when I am cleaning up the house. So grab your broom and ROCK OUT! :) Pandora Radio - Listen to Free Internet Radio, Find New Music
Homemade Oreos
-These are a family fave. They can be time-consuming so somehow I am the one who always ends up with the job of making them.... More for me to sample I guess! I have seen many variations of this recipe. TRY THIS ONE! You will not be disappointed. Enjoy! Makes quite a few.
Ingredients
2 (18.25 ounce) packages devil's food cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. butter (soft)
1 tsp. vanilla
Frosting:
1/2 c. butter (soft)
8 oz. cream cheese (soft)
1/2 bag powdered sugar (add to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Blend cake mixes eggs 1/2 cup butter and vanilla in a standing mixer. Dough will be very thick and sticky. Grease your hands and roll in balls about the size of a quarter and place on grased baking sheets. Make an even number of balls. Bake for 7 minutes. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet a few minutes before removing them to cooling rack. After cookies have cooled, put Frosting between two cookies, putting bottom sides together. You can be pretty generous with the frosting so DOUBLE STUFF! :) These are addicting...
Ingredients
2 (18.25 ounce) packages devil's food cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 c. butter (soft)
1 tsp. vanilla
Frosting:
1/2 c. butter (soft)
8 oz. cream cheese (soft)
1/2 bag powdered sugar (add to taste)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Blend cake mixes eggs 1/2 cup butter and vanilla in a standing mixer. Dough will be very thick and sticky. Grease your hands and roll in balls about the size of a quarter and place on grased baking sheets. Make an even number of balls. Bake for 7 minutes. Let cookies stand on cookie sheet a few minutes before removing them to cooling rack. After cookies have cooled, put Frosting between two cookies, putting bottom sides together. You can be pretty generous with the frosting so DOUBLE STUFF! :) These are addicting...
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Mom's Butterscotch Sticky Buns
-My mom makes these often for brunch get-togethers. I am having my in-laws over for the weekend and thought they would be a perfect Saturday morning treat :) I like to use Rhoades Texas Rolls rather than their regular dinner rolls. In this case use 12 rather than 18 because they fluff up a lot more. These are so addicting to me. As always.... Enjoy! :)
Ingredients
1/2 cup pecan halves (chopped)
18 frozen dinner rolls
1 (3.5 ounce) pkg. cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
Directions
Grease a bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the pecans in bottom of pan. Place half the frozen dinner rolls on top of pecans. Sprinkle half dry pudding mix over the top. Repeat all. Combine butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until boiling then pour over rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Ingredients
1/2 cup pecan halves (chopped)
18 frozen dinner rolls
1 (3.5 ounce) pkg. cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
Directions
Grease a bundt pan. Sprinkle half of the pecans in bottom of pan. Place half the frozen dinner rolls on top of pecans. Sprinkle half dry pudding mix over the top. Repeat all. Combine butter and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Heat until boiling then pour over rolls. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to stand overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Company Chicken-Artichoke Bake
-I first tried this while I was out nannying in Virginia a few years back. When the family was busy I would search through the mom's AMAZING cookbooks. I don't own the cookbook so it took me a while to relocate the recipe. Here it is! My husband and I LOVE this meal. The chicken is so tender and yummy! Enjoy!
Ingredients
-1/4 c. butter
-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
-1 c. chopped onion
-1 clove garlic, minced
-3 T. flour
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1 1/4 c. dry white wine
-1 c. chicken broth
-1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese
-1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and halved
-1/2 c. sliced almonds
Instructions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, and cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from skillet, reserving pan drippings; place chicken in a 2-quart casserole. Set aside. Saute onion and garlic in reserved pan drippings until tender. Add flour and salt, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add wine and broth; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. add cream cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat; set aside. Arrange halved artichoke hearts over chicken. Spoon cream cheese mixture over chicken and artichokes. Top with almonds. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly.
Ingredients
-1/4 c. butter
-6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
-1 c. chopped onion
-1 clove garlic, minced
-3 T. flour
-1/4 tsp. salt
-1 1/4 c. dry white wine
-1 c. chicken broth
-1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese
-1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and halved
-1/2 c. sliced almonds
Instructions
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, and cook 5 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from skillet, reserving pan drippings; place chicken in a 2-quart casserole. Set aside. Saute onion and garlic in reserved pan drippings until tender. Add flour and salt, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add wine and broth; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. add cream cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat; set aside. Arrange halved artichoke hearts over chicken. Spoon cream cheese mixture over chicken and artichokes. Top with almonds. Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until bubbly.
Devil's Float
-My mom used to make this when we were kids. Usually on Sunday nights after church :) We are having some friends over Monday night so I was looking for a good dessert recipe. I remembered this and went searching the web for anything like it. I finally found it! This is a good change to your normal chocolate dessert recipe. Not too rich and nice and gooey :) Enjoy!
Ingredients
1 1/2 pkg. Marshmallows; quartered (small size packages)
1 c. Sugar (divided)
1 1/2 c. Water
2 oz. Chocolate (or you can substitute 6 T. cocoa & 2 T. shortening or butter)
2 T. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 c. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 c. Milk
1/2 c. Chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
Place marshmallows in square baking pan. Bring 1/2 cup sugar and water to a rolling boil; pour over marshmallows. Melt chocolate and butter in saucepan; add remaining sugar, vanilla, flour, salt, baking powder and milk. Drop batter by spoonfuls over marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle nuts over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
1 1/2 pkg. Marshmallows; quartered (small size packages)
1 c. Sugar (divided)
1 1/2 c. Water
2 oz. Chocolate (or you can substitute 6 T. cocoa & 2 T. shortening or butter)
2 T. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 c. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 c. Milk
1/2 c. Chopped walnuts or pecans
Directions
Place marshmallows in square baking pan. Bring 1/2 cup sugar and water to a rolling boil; pour over marshmallows. Melt chocolate and butter in saucepan; add remaining sugar, vanilla, flour, salt, baking powder and milk. Drop batter by spoonfuls over marshmallow mixture. Sprinkle nuts over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe - Food.com - 39087
Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe - Food.com - 39087:
Recipe to try out this week. I'll let you know how it is! Look delish!
Recipe to try out this week. I'll let you know how it is! Look delish!
P. F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe - Food.com - 15865
P. F. Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe - Food.com - 15865
I LOVE these. They are a little time-consuming but totally worth it! Enjoy!
I LOVE these. They are a little time-consuming but totally worth it! Enjoy!
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