Pinterest Challenge - Day 5 - New Mom Freezer Meal

Day 5 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin.  

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from Money Saving Mom.

My Version - Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole and BONUS Nutella Cookies :)

I can't tell you how appreciative I was when someone brought us a meal after Addison was born.  It even made eating one handed better :)  So I now use this as my excuse to pop in and meet their new little ones.  I am in that phase in life where it seems like everyone is having babies and I'm always looking for new somewhat healthy freezer friendly meals that I can drop by.  I came across this one on pinterest and it just so happened I have a few friends that just had sweet little ones.  Watch out Mike...I already have baby fever and holding those sweeties makes me want another one even more.

I modified Money Savings Mom's Recipe a little bit - here is what I did:

Cheesy Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole

4-5 Servings

4 cups cooked white rice

2 boneless skinless chicken breast

2 small broccoli bunches

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup with herbs

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup milk

Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1.  To cook the chicken, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Place chicken on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Cook for approximately 35 minutes (until juices run clear).  *This is my FAVORITE way to cook chicken for any casserole, chicken salad recipe - it stays moist and has great flavor (thanks Ina Garten for the method)

Doesn't that look so much better than boiled chicken?

2.  Steam your broccoli and rice according to the packages.

3.  Combine all the ingredients in a bowl (leave about 1/2 cup cheese for sprinkling on top).  Season with salt and pepper.

4.  Pour into a 9 x13 disposable (for new moms) or glass casserole.

5.  I typically bring it to moms without freezing it...that way if they want to eat it pretty quickly it's ready to go. Or they have the option to place it in the freezer.

To freeze - cover tightly with plastic wrap.

To serve -  thaw overnight in the refridgerator.  Bake at 350 degree for 25-30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly.

I also like to bring along some yummy bread and something sweet.  And if you are a really nice friend and your friends like to drink like mine do - a nice bottle of wine is always a good accompaniment :)  I also made Nutella cookies for this sweet family.  Here is a link to the pin.  

And of course Ms Addison had to do a little taste test of the cookies :)

Trust me this meal will be greatly appreciated by any new mom :)

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day

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Pinterest Challenge - Day 2 - Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Day 2 Pinspiration - Click here for a link to my pin.   

Gotta give credit where credit is due - this pin came from Elizabeth's Edible Experience.

My Version - Cream Cheese Pound Cake with Strawberries & Whip Cream

I am not normally a baker...I have problems following directions :)  I would much rather cook where I can add a little of this and a little of that to taste.  But I volunteered to bring dessert to a Labor Day Party that we went to today and pound cake with strawberries and whip cream is always a fav of mine.  This one turned out great - just the right amount of sweetness and richness with the cream cheese.  Anything with cream cheese is worth trying in my book.

I followed Elizabeth's recipe exactly - except for the part where I didn't follow directions and added the sugar to the flour and had to try and separate them back out.  And no it wasn't easy, but it turned out okay.

Here is my little baking assistant helping me put everything together...she is a great helper especially when she gets to lick the spatula when it's done :)

I love pound cake with either lemon glaze or strawberries and whip cream....I decided to go with the 2nd option.  I macerated (fancy word for soften and get sweeter) the strawberries in sugar and let them sit in the fridge and then made homemade whip cream (yummo)!

Mascerated Strawberries & Whip Cream

Strawberries - 1 lb

2-3 Tablespoons of sugar

1 cup Heavy Cream

3 Tablespoons powdered sugar

1/2 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Directions:

1.  Slice strawberries and place in an airtight container.

2.  Sprinkle the sugar on top and stir until strawberries are coated.

3.  Cover strawberries and put in the refrigerator for a few hours.

4.  When ready to serve, pour heavy cream in a glass or metal bowl.

5.  Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.  I usually give it a little taste test and add more sugar if needed about half way through.

6. Whip using a hand mixer on high until you form stiff peaks.

Cut your pound cake, top with whip cream and strawberries and enjoy!

This combo is always a crowd favorite and everyone loved it...hope you enjoy.  

Don't forget - One lucky reader will win a $30 gift card to Target.  All you have to do is follow my blog (click on the “Join my site” button under My Followers) and comment on one of my 30 day Pinterest Challenge posts.  Each comment will get you one entry for the gift card…so comment one time or every day.

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As Seen On TV - Tortilla Bowl Fakes

I am not one to order things off TV BUT I was so close to buying the As Seen on TV Tortilla Bowls (see below).  I could literally eat Mexican food every day...there isn't much tex mex that I don't love. And have you seen the infomercial with the cinnamon sugar tortilla bowl sundae...yummy!

But before I bought them...I found a fake tortilla bowl recipe on the internet.  And they are so easy and so yummy :) Doesn't this look AH-MAZING!

And you know me...I had to try and cut a few calories out.  Have you seen the Ole' Spinach and Herb wraps...only 74 calories for one where regular flour tortillas have 150 calories each.  That means you can have a glass of sangria with dinner :)

Here's the super simple recipe:

Tortilla Bowl Fakes

1 Serving

1 Flour Tortilla (Regular and Ole both work)

Pam

Muffin Tin

Tortilla Bowl Fillings

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2.  Turn your muffin tin upside down and mold your tortilla into a bowl shape. (see pic above)

3.  Spray lightly with Pam.

4.  Pop in the oven for 8-10 minutes.

5.  Stuff with your favorite fillings - Hubby's favorites are rice, refried beans (fat free), grilled chicken, and queso.  I typically go the healthier route with lettuce, tomato, grilled chicken, 2% cheese, light sour cream and salsa.

Pour yourself a glass of sangria and enjoy :)  And if you like my recipe - make sure you pin it :)

Calories (according to my count): 

1 - Tortilla Bowl (no fillings) - 150 calories (Flour Tortilla), 74 calories (Ole - you won't miss the calories)


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Yummy Pinterest - Garlic Chicken

Pinterest has become a new obsession for me!  I even found a way to add a Pin It button on my blog :)  I especially love the links to all the new recipes - here is one we tried this week and it was pretty yummy.  It is only 7 ingredients and takes 35 minutes from start to finish - which is always a plus in our house.   

Garlic Chicken

4 Servings

2-4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts

4 Cloves of Garlic - Pressed or Minced

3 T Olive Oil

4 T Brown Sugar

Salt & Pepper

Cooking Spray

3 Cups Hot Steamed Rice

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 500°F

2.  Cover a casserole dish in foil and lightly spray with cooking spray (helps with clean up).

3.  Cut all fat from chicken and pound out to an even thickness.

4.  In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender about 4-5 minutes

5.  Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.

6.  Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and salt and pepper to taste.

7.  Cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.

8.  Bake uncovered for 18 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.

9.  Serve with hot steamed rice.

This would be great with a veggie on the side too but I just didn't have anything in the refridgerator tonight. 

Calories (according to my count): 

1 Chicken Breast - 486 calories
1 Cup Rice - 204 calories

Recipe courtesy of http://www.food.com/.

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