Side Dish Search

 If you've been reading this blog for a while, something you've heard me mention numerous times is that when I meal plan, side dishes are usually the thing I struggle with the most. That category is where I find myself falling into a rut more than any. 

Now, like most families, we have certain meals that the same sides have to go with it, no matter what. These boys like what they like, and there are certain combos I can't stray from or they will riot. For example, if fish sticks are on the menu, a blue box of mac and cheese is a must. No questions asked. If I am making a meatloaf, there better be some mashed taters on the plate too. 

But for other meals, I can switch it up, try new things and create new meal combinations, especially if I make something we already love, just in a new way.

A friend gave me this recipe years ago and I forgot all about it, until this past week. I wanted rice to go with some oven-roasted barbecued chicken, but was tired of wild rice and rice pilaf. Somehow I remembered this easy, five ingredient, pantry friendly dish she had shared. 

Souper rice has been around forever, but was 100% new to us. The best way to describe it is a "poor man's risotto." It's creamy and flavorful like risotto, but takes about 1/10 of the work. (If you are making risotto from scratch on a busy weeknight, my sincere respect!) Once you learn the method you can flavor it any way you like and have a tasty side that goes with so many main dishes. 

If you're looking for some new side dish inspo too, I hope you will try this soon and share with your friends!

What Is Souper Rice

This is an easy side dish made from instant white rice, cream of celery soup, chicken broth and some seasonings. It has a similar creamy texture of risotto, but is easier and cheaper to make.

What Kind Of Soup To Use 

I used cream of celery, but any condensed cream soup would work too. Cream of chicken, mushroom or broccoli would be my choices.

What Kind Of Rice To Use

This is a quick cooking recipe that uses instant rice. Using a rice that requires longer cooking will not work the same way.  

What To Serve Souper Rice With

Here are some great dishes this rice would be perfect with!   

Air Fryer Salmon 

Oven Roasted Whole Chicken   

Crock Pot London Broil   

Oven Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken  

Crock Pot Salisbury Steak

 

Souper Rice 

1 1/2 cups instant white rice

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 can cream of celery soup

1/4 cup grated Parmesan/Romano cheese

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. dried parsley

Salt and pepper, to taste

In a medium pot, whisk together broth and soup over medium high heat. Add garlic powder and stir well. Bring to a boil. Add rice, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir well. Remove from heat and cover. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Add parsley. Stir well and serve immediately.

Best Tips

This recipe is made for instant rice. Regular medium or long grain will not work the same.

Swap out any condensed cream soup you want. I think I will try cream of broccoli next.

Use chicken stock for even more flavor.

You won't need as much salt as pepper. Start with a pinch and add more if needed. 

If the rice sits too long, it will become very thick. Simply add extra broth over low heat to thin out.

More Side Dish Recipes To Try Next

Loaded Pierogi Skillet

Pub Mac & Cheese

Creamy Cajun Noodles 

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

Broccoli & Grape Salad 

French Onion & Parmesan Rice 

Lemon Roasted Potatoes

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots 

Praline Roasted Acorn Squash

 

 

 

Take Out Woes

 It has been a busy day, you're exhausted, want something delicious for supper, but don't want to lift a finger. Oh look, that take-out menu from your favorite Chinese restaurant is staring at you from where it hangs on the fridge. Yes! Problem solved. 

So you get everyone's orders, call it in and tell the hubby to pick it up on his way home from work (This is how it works in my house, you can mold the details to fit your story...) Yay! He's home! Bring on the hot and sour soup, noodles, crab ragoon....oh I'm drooling just thinking about it. 

But you know what takes the joy out of this tale? The total! Whew...even our "hole in the wall" Chinese place has had to raise their prices in today's economy and the cheap take-out isn't so cheap anymore. 

I am in no way complaining about them having to do what they need to, we are all feeling the pinch in our wallets. The price of everything is going up every single day, and nobody is immune. I completely understand why that container of Pad Thai is a few dollars more than it was just a few months ago; but it makes me sad. Sad for the restaurant, because you know they are probably struggling, still feeling the effect of the pandemic on top of everything else. Sad for us because we can't support them as much as we would like to. Sad for my stomach because I can't fill that craving as often as I want! 

One way to enjoy the take-out dishes we love and stay on budget is to make them at home. It's not a new concept, just something many people are getting back to lately. I know the restaurant copycat recipes on this blog have been getting a LOT of views! 

My Shrimp Fried Rice has always been a popular recipe, so I know this sweet version will be a hit too! Pineapple Fried Rice is a great side dish with some store bough frozen egg rolls, or add some protein (chicken, shrimp or pork) for a full meal. 

The sweetness of the pineapple really adds a depth of flavor to a savory dish. If you're a fan of sweet and salty, you know what I'm talking about!

Put that take-out menu back in the junk drawer. I promise this is almost as easy as picking up the phone, and will definitely save you a few bucks in the long run. 

Pineapple Fried Rice

3 cups cooked brown rice

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 green onions, chopped

1 (12 oz.) bag frozen peas and carrots, partially thawed

1-2 TBS sesame oil

3 TBS soy sauce

1/2 tsp dried ginger

2 TBS olive oil

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple tidbits, well drained

Black Pepper, to taste

In a small bowl whisk together soy, sesame oil, ginger and black pepper. Set aside. In a large skillet or wok over medium hit heat, sauté onions and garlic in oil until soft, about 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Add peas and carrots and cook 2-3 minutes. Add cooked rice and soy sauce mixture. Stir well and cook 7 minutes until flavors combine. Lower heat to medium low. Add pineapple and green onions. Stir gently to combine. Serve immediately with extra soy on the side. 

Silver Linings

 Are there things that changed in your life over the last two years due to the pandemic that you don't see changing soon? Silver linings that came from a horrible shared situation for all of us that you can see the value in and are thankful for? With how hard these past 24 months have been, I know it's hard to see the good sometimes, but I truly believe they can be found if you look.

One of the things that came about because of the pandemic in my world is a new Facebook page for our community that has grown into something nobody could have ever imagined. In March of 2020 when the governor announced all restaurants had to shut their doors to dine-in customers, for hopefully 2 weeks, a group of people in our city immediately started a public page aimed at supporting local restaurants for take out/curbside business. Many were trying to quickly adapt to focus on carry out orders, and some that had never even offered carry out were trying to figure out how to implement it so they could keep the lights on.

The idea of this page was simple. Share pictures and shout outs to local restaurants and spread the word about their food, staff and support this new world of carry out as much as possible. Well, I am here to tell you this page exploded! By the time restaurants could reopen their dining rooms in May, there were thousands of followers and local joints saw their carry out business double or even triple. 

Now here we are almost 2 years later, and the page is still going strong, and has turned into this amazing place for the community to come together to share restaurants recommendations, ask questions, share terrific meals, give shout outs to the servers, staff and owners who are working so hard, and in some ways still struggling. 

Our city has a pretty amazing foodie community, and this Facebook page has shone a light on it in a way I don't think any of could have imagined. There is no doubt it will stick around long after we say good-bye to this pandemic once and for all.

With all that being said, I still love finding ways to enjoy great take out quality recipes at home. This Korean Beef and Cabbage is a quick cooking stir fry with simple ingredients that is full of flavor and can be on your table in almost no time! In about the time it takes to steam some rice to serve it over! 

Oh, that reminds me of another great thing about the last 2 years. If your local grocery store is out of things you need, have you ever stopped by an Asian market? We have quite a few around us, and while we've always shopped them, they became a God send when we couldn't find things in our other stores. In fact, the soy sauce and sesame oil I used in this recipe game from our favorite Asian market! (Hence the total random thought at the end of this post.)

 The world has been put through the ringer over the last two years, but I bet if you look closely, and think really hard you might be able to find a silver lining of your own that was a blessing in disguise. Something you've decided to keep around once you throw your mask away once and for all; and years from now when you look back, you can actually be grateful for. 

 

Korean Beef and Cabbage

1 lb. ground beef

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 TBS sesame oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1 cup carrots, shredded

2 cups cabbage, coarsely chopped 

1 (14 oz.) can bean sprouts, drained, rinsed and patted dry

Cooked white rice for serving

In a small bowl whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and ginger. Set aside. In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown beef until no longer pink. Add cabbage and carrots and sauté for a few minutes until they just begin to soften. Add bean sprouts and sauce. Stir well and sauté about 5 minutes for flavors to develop. Serve immediately with cooked rice and extra soy if desired.

Sushi With A Spoon

We are huge sushi lovers. Like boarder line obsessed. In fact, my birthday is next week and I've already declared I want to go to one of our favorite Japanese restaurants for my special day! (On a side note, if you aren't a sushi fan, and find yourself avoiding Japanese restaurants, check their menu because most of the ones we love offer many other dishes as well. So you can enjoy something else while those who want sushi can partake.)

Sushi is definitely one of those foods people either love or hate. There doesn't seem to be much gray area. I get it. The thought of eating raw fish doesn't appeal to everyone. A couple things though- if you want to try sushi and you're afraid of raw, there are plenty of options that include cooked seafood as well. 

I had never had sushi until about 15 years ago when Mr. E convinced me to try it. I was very leery of raw fish, so I stuck to California rolls for a long time. But then I branched out...and the minute I tasted raw sushi grade tuna for the first time, it was love at first bite! Now the raw varieties are definitely my favorites. 

Both of our boys are big sushi lovers as well. They each had tried it by the age of 2, and were instant fans. We have a rule though. Nothing raw until your older. So they too stuck to a California roll (since it uses imitation crab). Alex being older now eats all the raw and "weird" stuff, but Max is still limited to that Cali roll. But he doesn't care. He LOVES them! You should see him use his panda chopsticks with sushi. It's about the cutest thing ever. 

So you can imagine the major mom points I scored when I declared we were having California Roll Sushi Bowls for supper one night. I had some excited boys on my hands! 

These give you all the familiar flavors in a simple, fork friendly form! We couldn't get enough! They are already asking me to make them again. 

If you've never made sushi rice, join the club. I was a little imitated, but it was super easy. Read my notes below AND the directions on the package you buy. Where to buy it you ask? I found mine at Walmart in the Asian food aisle. Easy peasy! 

Don't like it spicy? Just leave the sriracha mayo off. I didn't put any on Max's either. It is nice to serve it alongside though for those who do. 

You could easily add veggies you like, omit ones you don't. I kept it pretty basic to the traditional California Roll, but you could easily switch it up. 

If you aren't a sushi lover, but these ingredients look yummy, I encourage you to give this a try. It might be a great introduction to a whole new world!

 California Sushi Roll Bowls

1 lb. sushi rice, rinsed and drained well

1 lb. flake style imitation crab meat, chopped

1 English cucumber, diced

3 carrots, peeled and grated

1-2 avocado, diced

1 (.14 oz.) package nori sheets

5 TBS rice vinegar, divided use

2 TBS sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 c. mayo

1-2 TBS sriracha

1/4 c. soy sauce

Sesame Seeds

After rice is rinsed very well and drained, cook according to package directions. (mine was cooked with 2 1/2 cups water, brought to a boil, simmered on low for 15 minutes, stirring often. Then covered and allowed to sit off heat for another 15 minutes.) While rice cooks, in a small bowl mix 4 TBS vinegar, sugar and salt. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Stir. Allow to cool down a little. When rice is cooked, add vinegar mixture and stir well. In another small bowl combine soy sauce and remaining vinegar. In another small bowl combine mayo and sriracha. 

When ready to serve, divide rice among 4 bowls. Top with shredded imitation crab, diced cucumber, shredded carrots, and diced avocado. Drizzle each bowl evenly with soy sauce mixture. Drizzle with sriracha mayo. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and broken nori.

 Inspired by Cooking Classy

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Valentine's Day At Home

You and I both know restaurants across America can't keep up with the reservations being made for Cupid's special day, especially with it being on Friday night. I am sure most are booked by now, and there are many men out there who waited too long trying to figure out what they are going to do now!

Mr. E and I have learned many things after being together so many years. One of them being Valentine's Day at home can be just as special as a fancy dinner out. Sure, I love to go out to eat. Someone else cooks. Someone else cleans it up. It's a great treat for me, but it also means finding a sitter for Max, getting dressed in real clothes, doing my hair, my makeup...sometimes I'm just not feeling it.

Plus, ever since we had Alex, and now with Max too, we make the day more of a family time. We have gifts for each other, for the boys, they have them for each other, I make a nice meal, complete with something sweet, and we just hang out.

Since all of my boys love Asian food, this would be a fantastic idea for Valentine's Day. And if you're looking for something special to make your sweet heart, this simple dish would be a great place to start planning that menu!

Thai food can sometimes be really spicy, but this isn't, so don't worry if you're feeding little ones, or wimps like me. However, if you do like it hot, like my husband and oldest, you can serve some hot sauce or chili paste on the side they can add as they like.

Filled with unique flavors, this is spot on for dishes I get when we do go out for Thai food. I love the cool crunchy cucumber on top. They really add a little something extra to a meat and rice supper.

If you're staying home this Valentine's Day, Easy Thai Beef would be a simple, tasty way to enjoy a nice meal with your special someone. Or if you are getting treated to a night out, add this to your meal plan for the week anyway!

Easy Thai Beef

2 lbs. ground beef

2 red bell peppers, diced

1/2 c. + 1 tsp. soy sauce

1 TBS sugar

Juice of 2 limes

5 large garlic cloves, minced

2 TBS Thai basil, finely chopped

1/4 tsp. dried red pepper

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced

Pinch of salt 

Pinch of pepper

Cooked White Rice

In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown beef until no longer pink. About half way through cooking, add bell pepper and garlic.  In a small bowl whisk together 1/2 c. soy sauce, lime juice, sugar and dried red pepper. Set aside. In a medium bowl combine cucumbers, 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 TBS basil. Stir well. Set aside. When meat mixture is browned, add soy sauce mixture and 1 TBS basil. Stir well. Reduce heat to simmer and cook 10 minutes until reduced. Serve beef over cooked rice and topped with cucumbers.

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Flavor Tip

If you're making a homemade chicken and ___ soup, how do you prepare the chicken? I bet many of you are thinking, "I boil it, then shred it...how else am I supposed to be making it?"

There is nothing wrong with that method. Not one bit. It is the traditional way all of our moms and grandmas used, and it's worked for this many years, so why change it? Let me explain!

I have a ton of chicken soup recipes, and in 99% of them, I choose to roast the chicken instead. Even recipes that call for that old school method have been adapted in my recipe box.

I started doing this years ago, for a few reasons. First off, I find roasting the meat gives it an extra flavor boost that really adds another level to whatever soup it's going into. Secondly, I like to "work ahead" on meals, even if I'm home all day. I can easily roast the chicken earlier in the day, shred it, and stick in the fridge where it's waiting on me when dinner time rolls around. You could even roast it the night before, or on the weekend and freeze it until you're ready for it later in the week. It really frees up some time. And finally, roasting the chicken also lets me double up on recipes. I can prepare extra, use some for today's soup and then freeze some for another soup or casserole later on.

This soup is a perfect example of how cooking the chicken like this will free up some extra time. If the chicken is done ahead of time, you can throw everything (well, almost) in the slow cooker and it's going to take care of itself without you having to come back and deal with the chicken mid-cooking.

The hubby loves the chicken and rice soup they serve at his work, so I was simply trying to treat him to something at home, and boy did I earn some wife points with this one! It's one of those that you can't wait to come home to on a cold day, and tastes great the next day too. (Be sure to add some extra liquid when reheating thought because that rice is going to soak up every last drop!)

Oh, and to anyone reading this who has the sniffles, or that nasty yuck that is going around, EVERY WHERE, this would taste so good!

If you are willing to think outside the box and trust me, switching out some roast chicken for the classic boiled/simmered version might just be the new kitchen hack you've been looking for!

Crock Pot Chicken & Rice Soup

2 lbs. boneless chicken tenders

2 TBS vegetable oil

2 (32-oz) boxes chicken broth

3 carrots, peeled & diced

3 celery ribs, diced

1 medium white onion, diced

1 c. white rice

3 cups water

3 cubes chicken bouillon

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. dried thyme

1 tsp. dried parsley

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Baste chicken with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30-40 minutes until juices run clear. Let cool. Shred. 

To Crock Pot add chicken, broth, vegetables, water, bouillon, garlic powder, thyme, parsley salt and pepper. Cook on LOW 5 hours. Add rice, increase heat to HIGH and cook 1-1.5 hours until rice is tender. 

*NOTE* Want to save even more time? You could easily use a rotisserie chicken for this. Discard the skin, shred it and you're good to go! 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Post Turkey

So, how many days are you planning on eating those turkey leftovers before you say "NO more!" I will be honest, I love leftovers, and will usually make sandwiches with them for a few days, and then plan one night where we eat all the leftovers and have another mini holiday meal. But after that? I'm done.

Sure, there are a ton of ways to re purpose them too. You can substitute that tasty roasted bird in almost any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, like my Chicken, Broccoli Rice Casserole and Roasted Chicken Noodle Soup.

But after all that turkey, if you're taste buds are calling out for something completely different, these burrito bowls will be such a welcome change. Plus, they will come in handy when you've still got company hanging out for a while. (Or the ones that are coming back in just a few weeks!)

Keep the meat and rice warm, and put out a huge toppings bar! Your guests will love it! And of course, they are perfect for a busy weeknight meal too!

We look forward to that huge holiday meal all year long; and that includes leftovers too. But after that love affair is over, and you want something that doesn't include the words turkey or dressing, reach for your Crock Pot and have a Mexican night at home! 

Crock Pot Smothered Burrito Bowls

2 lbs. ground beef

1/4 c. dried minced onion

1 (10 oz.) can Rotel

2 (15 oz.) cans mild chili beans*

1 tsp. cumin 

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

1 packet burrito seasoning*

1/2 c. water

 Hot White Rice

Shredded Mexican cheese

Diced Onion

Diced Tomatoes

Pickled Jalapenos

Sour Cream

Salsa

Salt and Pepper 

In a large skillet brown ground beef until no longer pink. Drain if necessary. Spray a Crock Pot with nonstick spray. Add ground beef, dried onions, chili beans, tomatoes,  seasonings, water, seasoning packet, salt and pepper. Stir well. Cook on LOW 5 hours. Serve over white rice with suggested toppings. *NOTE* Use hot chili beans for more spice. Burrito seasoning packets can usually be found with the other packets, but taco works well too. 

Inspired by Sweet Little Bluebird

Shared at Weekend Potluck 
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

My Baby Is 15

September 16, 2004 6:31 p.m. That is the exact moment my world became complete. My life changed forever. I was finally what I had always wanted to be. For in that moment, I became a mommy. From the second they placed Alexander Lee in my arms, he looked into my eyes, and I knew our love was one for the ages. He was my first, and every day since has been finding ways to fill me with happiness, make me laugh and burst with pride.

And now that 8 lb. 15 oz. 21.5 inch bouncing baby boy is a 6 foot tall, 15 year old Freshman in high school. Everyone says it, but I don't think you understand just how fast kids grow up until you are a parent. I heard once "At times the days might be long, but the years will always be short." I think that sums it up perfectly. I truly feel like I blinked and now he's just a few short years away from adulthood, leaving the nest and being on his own. But we aren't there yet, and I refuse to talk about it. Yes, denial is a wonderful thing.

But alas, he is indeed 15, and I couldn't let the day go by without sharing a recipe that was 100% made with him in mind. Like his dad, Alex has a true love for all Asian foods. So anytime I can make a take out quality dish at home, I score major points with them both.

If you've never had Korean food, take it from someone who waited way too long to try it,, if you enjoy other Asian cuisines, you will like Korean too!

This comes together in almost no time, so it's perfect for a busy weeknight! Seriously, you can have this on the table in less time than it would take to pick something up from the drive thru! I also love that it can be adapted to feed a few or a crowd easily!

There are days when I look at Alex and have trouble remembering when he was tiny. But then he smiles or giggles, and it's the same exact smile from that chubby cheeked baby; or the same laugh I would hear after that toddler would make up a silly joke. I have treasured the past 15 years, and know without a doubt he is only going to get more amazing as time goes on!

Korean Beef

2 lbs. ground beef

2/3 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. soy sauce

6 large garlic cloves, minced

2 TBS sesame oil

 1 tsp. spicy Asian chili oil

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

Cooked White Rice

Chopped Green Onions

Brown beef over medium high heat. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oils, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. When beef is browned, drain fat if necessary. Add oil mixture and stir. Bring to a simmer and reduce heat. Cook for 5-10 minutes. Serve over cooked rice and garnish with green onions. *NOTE* If you can't find the chili oil, 1 tsp. red pepper flake can be substituted. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

One Month

One month. 4 weeks. 20 days. Of what? SCHOOL! We have almost made it. We've been checking those 180 days off the calendar and it's almost time to put our Sharpie away.

I know many of you will actually see your school year come to an end before us, but I am okay with going until May 31st. Why? Because come August, we get an extra week of fun!

While we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we can't shift into coast quite yet. There is SO much to do. Let's see, Adam and Alex just got back from a week in DC for the 8th grade class trip. Next week Alex will be confirmed into our church. There is Mother's Day. Alex's first school dance. An award ceremony for an academic award he's received (YAY!!!) Memorial Day and then finally Graduation. Whew...I'm tired just thinking of it all. And that's not to mention the every day homework, finals to study for, and you know, life.

Time for mommy to bust out some easy meals so supper time doesn't become ham sandwiches every night. And for me, that means casseroles! I have a hundred of them, and would love a hundred more. This one has three of our favorite things included. Sausage. Mushrooms. Rice.

Seriously. These boys I live with could eat rice every single day. From the oldest to the baby, it is basically a food group to them. Hence why I knew this would be a hit; and boy was I right.

If you're winding down the school year, but it is busier than ever, maybe you can use a simple casserole supper too! 

Sausage & Wild Rice Casserole

1 lb. bulk pork sausage

8 oz. white mushrooms, sliced

1 red bell pepper, diced

2 celery ribs, diced

1 medium white onion, diced

1 tsp. dried thyme

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 (6 oz.) box wild rice mix

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 3/4 c. chicken broth

1 c. finely shredded cheddar cheese

Black Pepper to taste 

Dried Parsley

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large skillet, brown sausage until no longer pink. Drain off excess fat. Add veggies, thyme, garlic powder, seasoning packet from rice and pepper. Cook until veggies are crisp tender, about 5-7 minutes. Add broth, soup, rice and 1/2 cup cheese. Stir well to combine. Transfer to baking dish. (It will be wet!) Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour until rice is tender. Add remaining cheese and parsley. Cook for 5 minutes to melt. Stir well before serving.

No Peeking

I love when a recipe is so similar to something we already love I can feel pretty confident it will be a success, but still different enough I don't feel like I am falling into a meal rut.

I have been making my Grammy's Chicken on Rice Casserole for years, and it is not only a tried and true one pan wonder, it is a favorite we look forward to every time.

So when a friend gave me a recipe her family had been raving about, and I saw it was pretty much the same concept with a few different flavors, I just had to try it.

Now, usually when a recipe says not to look while cooking, I totally ignore it. I look. I peek. I can't help myself. I guess I am just a rebel like that. But not this time. I followed the directions, and did not open that oven door until the timer buzzed!

It's very important you do the same. With the rice cooking, any change in temperature (like when you open the oven door) can cause it to not cook evenly, or be underdone altogether.

If you're looking for more one pot/pan wonders, make sure this one goes to the top of the list. It has huge amounts of flavor, with only a little effort, which is a win win! Just remember, NO peeking!

No Peek Chicken

2 lbs. boneless chicken tenders

2 c. long grain rice

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 c. water

1 TBS dried parsley, extra for garnish

1 envelope onion soup mix

Garlic Powder

Salt and Pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. In a large bowl combine water, soups, rice, salt, pepper and parsley. Stir well to combine. Transfer to baking dish. Lay chicken on top. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with onion soup mix. Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes until rice is tender. Garnish with extra parsley and stir rice before serving. *NOTES* My package of chicken had 12 pieces in it. For extra flavor, swap out the water for broth or stock!

Shared at Weekend Potluck 
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Last One....Hopefully

So, it snowed this weekend. Blah. I seriously have no other words for it.

I am over it. I am done. I am in no mood for Mother Nature's sick jokes. I know it's March in Indiana, and even though the calendar will say it's spring this week, a switch doesn't flip to automatically make it warm. But seriously. Can't we at least get rid of the snow and maybe, just maybe climb our way out of the 30s?

I have done my best this winter to make sure we've had plenty of yummy, warm soups to make those dreary days better. We've enjoyed all of them, and I hope you have too.

But now I'm ready to move on. I want backyard barbecue foods. I want summer picnic foods. I want sitting by the pool foods...after this, of course.

Yep, I had one more soup up my sleeve. And if we're being honest, we still have plenty of chilly, wet days left this spring that soup is going to taste pretty darn good! Those spring showers can bring some downright miserable weather before they bring those spring flowers!

This takes the deliciousness of Cream of Broccoli Soup and ramps up the flavor and veggies. It's hearty but still light. Add some crusty bread on the side and dinner is done.

Spring and summer are knocking on the door, but they need to knock a little louder because I can't hear them quite yet!

Creamy Broccoli & Rice Soup

7 c. water

1 (4.3 oz) box wild rice mix

3 c. broccoli, finely chopped, about 3 crowns

2 large carrots, peeled and diced

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1 tsp. onion powder

1 can cream of chicken soup

8 oz. cream cheese, at room temp and cubed

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a large pot over medium heat combine water, bouillon, rice mix (with seasoning packet), broccoli and carrots. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer about 15-20 minutes Add remaining ingredients, stir well until cream cheese is melted and combined. Cover and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender. Turn heat off and let stand about 10 minutes before serving. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Holiday House Guests

Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? If so, hopefully you've got your menu planned, that shopping list made and a schedule of cooking times. Now, the next question is, are you holiday guests "meal only" people, or are they extended stay? If your house is about to get really full, you're going to need some extra meals too!

Did you just freak out a little? It's okay. Take a deep breath. If you're going to have extra mouths to feed for the entire week, I am here to help. Sure, you will have the leftovers for Friday, and maybe even Saturday, but you're going to need more than that!

Soup!! What a better way to feed a crowd, and maybe even have some leftover to do it again the next day! Oh, and if you, and/or some of your guests are planning on hitting the stores on Black Friday...this would be wonderful to come home to after standing in those long, sometimes cold lines!

We love stuffed peppers. I have a terrific, simple recipe for them I make whenever green peppers go on sale. But this time of year, that isn't often. So what's great about this is that is has all those same classic flavors, and only 2 peppers, so it's super budget friendly too!

Holiday house guests are what Thanksgiving and the holiday season are all about! (As long as they aren't like Cousin Eddie and camp out until New Years!) And there is nothing wrong with feeling a little stressed about feeding them, showing them a good time, and being a good hostess! So be sure to have some simple, delicious meals ready to go...starting with this soup!

Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup

1 lb. ground beef

1 medium white onion, chopped

2 medium green bell peppers, chopped

2 (8.8 oz) pouches ready to serve brown rice

3 TBS brown sugar, packed

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce

2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, with juice

1 (32 oz.) box + 1 (15 oz.) can beef broth

Salt and Pepper to taste 

Shredded cheese for garnish, if desired

In a large skillet, brown beef with onion. Drain if necessary. Transfer to slow cooker. Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook on LOW 5-6 hours. Serve with shredded cheese on side.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Asian Saturdays

That title actually comes from something Mr. E says all the time. Why? Because he loves Asian food, and on the weekends when lunch rolls around, he is usually in the kitchen making some for himself. Could be as simple as a pack of ramen noodles, or a really tasty dish filled with exotic ingredients. And every time he sits down at the table to eat he will declare "Oh look, it's Asian Saturday!"

It is no secret how much we love Asian cuisine in our house. All of us. Heck, Max would be happy if I gave him rice for every meal, every day. We can't get enough of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai...all of it.

Most of the time when we reach for a take out menu, you can bet it is going to be Chinese. We have a few different places in town we love, and we tend to rotate our trips to them. Oh, and let's not forget the buffets too! That is actually where Alex had this dish for the first time. On the Asian buffet we've been going to for years, but this was a "new" dish to him.

So the next time we were getting take out, he said to me, "Mom can I see if they have that dish I had at the buffet last time?" Sure enough they did and this was even better than the first.

Well, we can't be ordering take out or visiting the buffet all the time, after all private school and diapers aren't cheap! So it was time for mommy to come up with a make at home version he could enjoy just as much, anytime!

Black Pepper Chicken

2 lbs. boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces

5-6 stalks celery, chopped (about 2 cups)

1 medium white onion, chopped

1 TBS corn starch, divided use

3 1/2 tsp. black pepper, divided use

3/4 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. soy sauce

4 TBS vegetable oil, divided use

3 TBS white vinegar

Salt to taste

Cooked White Rice 

In a large bowl, combine chicken, 1/2 TBS corn starch, sat and 2 tsp. black pepper. Mix to coat. In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, soy sauce, vinegar, 2 TBS oil, 1/2 TBS corn starch and 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper.  Heat 2 TBS oil over medium high heat. Saute onions and celery until soft, about 5 minutes. Add chicken and saute', stirring often for 5-7 minutes. Add sauce into the pan. Stir well. Bring to a simmer, and reduce heat to medium low. Cook for additional 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and slightly thickened. Serve over cooked rice and extra pepper.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Rice Loving 8th Grader

Actually, that title leaves out a very important detail. It's not just Alex who loves rice, but his dad, and little brother too. Seriously, they will eat the stuff any way they can get it. We even tease Adam he must have been Asian in another lifetime, because it is hands down his favorite cuisine, and it revolves around rice.

But the title came to be because Tuesday is the first day of school. (Insert very sad mommy tears here.) You all know how much I adore having my boy home with us all summer long, and apparently June and July were only scheduled to last 10 minutes this year. I swear it was just Memorial Day and we were gearing up for the last day and awards, and here we are loading up the backpack and pencil pouch again.

With back to school comes even busier schedules. Pick up is at 3:15, and without a doubt he is going to come to the car starving every single day. We'll come home, start homework, get a small snack, I will blink and it will be time for supper. And that will be our lives for the next 9 months...except when basketball starts, and it is even more hectic.

So it is vital I have some hearty, filling, delicious meals in my back pocket to make sure the growing boys are fed and happy. My trusty friend Mr. Slow Cooker can help me with that. A comforting, stick to the ribs meal can cook all day while I'm busy with Max, and come 6:30 I look like a rock star! In this case, make some rice and dinner is done!

I can't believe my first baby boy is an 8th grader this year (and by the way, turns 14 next month, which is a whole other level of mommy trauma I'm in denial about still). It's going to be a busy year, with lots going on, and mommy will make sure really good food too!

Slow Cooker Stewed Beef & Rice

2 lbs. sirloin steak, cut into 1 inch pieces

2 envelopes onion soup mix

1 c. beef broth

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of celery soup

8 oz. white button mushrooms, sliced

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dried Parsley for garnish 

White Rice

Place meat in slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper. Layer mushrooms over meat. In a medium bowl mix together broth, soups, and soup mix. Pour over mushrooms and meat. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. About half way through, stir to combine. When ready to eat, cook your favorite white rice. Serve meat mixture over rice and sprinkle with parsley. 

Shared at Meal Plan Monday
Shared at Weekend Potluck

Taco Tuesday

Do you do "Taco Tuesday" at your house? I have to admit, I really don't. Yes, I'm sure at some point in the annals of history I have served tacos at some point on a Tuesday night, but it wasn't intentional or planned. 

But today, I am jumping on the bandwagon...sort of. I'm offering up something for you to switch up your routine, even thought I'm almost positive I served this on a Thursday! 

Mexican food is one of my Top 5 cuisines. Seriously, I can't get enough of the stuff. It is one of the things I choose to eat out the most, and never tire of. I've heard it said "You think you have self restraint, until they sit the free chips n salsa down in front of you at a Mexican restaurant." That is our family summed up in one sentence! We are the ones getting to-go boxes at the end of our meal because by the time the entrees came, we had stuffed ourselves with so many chips n salsa, we are full. 

So when I get the chance to add some Mexican food to our meal plan, it's something new, and includes our favorites flavors, win...win...win! 

This simple, budget friendly and super yummy supper is like an entire Mexican meal in one dish! Each bite tastes like a taco with a little rice on the side. Plus, it has one of my favorite ingredients of all time too...green chilies! 

If you were already planning on tacos tonight, you might have a lot of these ingredients on hand, so you're half way to a new meal, but still familiar and oh so good!

Fiesta Taco Rice Bake

1 lb. ground beef

1 1/4 c. long grain rice

1 (14 oz.) can diced tomatoes, with juice

1 (4 oz.) diced green chilies

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 oz.) corn, drained

1 c. chunky salsa

1 c. chicken  broth

1 package taco seasoning

1 c. Mexican style shredded cheese, divided use

2 green onions, chopped

Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. In a large skillet brown beef and drain if needed. Add salsa, taco seasoning, corn, beans, green chilies, rice, broth, tomatoes and 1/2 cup cheese. Stir well. Transfer to baking dish. Cover. Bake for 50 minutes until rice tender. Uncover, add remaining cheese and bake for 5 additional minutes. Garnish with green onions. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

New Sides Please

When I am meal planning, sometimes the hardest part is finding new side dishes. Sure, we have certain things we have together all the time, those tried and true go-to's we love; but I like to add new things to the rotation too. Try to keep it fresh!

Meal ruts are something we all deal with (Yes, even us food bloggers who are always trying new things!) but we don't have to let them get the best of us! We can enjoy the classics we love, the things we grew up on, our fall backs that are so comforting. But we can also find new ways to enjoy dishes we love anyway.

We love mushrooms. We love rice. So a dish that has both in one place...well that's a taste bud party! I served this with a beef roast, but it would be perfect with pork or chicken too. Really, anything you've got coming off the grill this summer!

New sides are always welcome at our house. If they are at yours too, maybe this is your next one!

Mushroom Rice Bake

1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, dry

1 (10 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup

1 (10 oz.) can condensed beef broth 

4 TBS butter, melted

8 oz. button mushrooms, sliced

1 tsp. onion powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dried Parsley, for garnish

Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. In a medium bowl combine all ingredients except parsley. Stir well. Pour out into dish. Bake for 50-55 minutes until rice is tender. Sprinkle with parsley and stir before serving. *NOTE* We like the crispy edges this has, but if you don't, cover dish before cooking. 

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Be Adventerous

Before my husband came long, I wasn't the adventurous eater I am today. I was always a good eater, mom and dad made sure of that, but I just didn't have the opportunity to try so many new things until Adam shared them with me. He loved all different cuisines and forced me to try things I had never dreamt of. And for the most part, I discovered I loved them too. Sushi, Calamari, Raw Tuna, just to name a few. Oh, and of course Korean food, which is where today's recipe comes in.

We have this little Korean restaurant here in town, a little "hole in the wall" if you will, and the first time he took me there I was not impressed. That will teach me not to judge a book by its cover! I had NO idea what to order, but he guided me to something he was pretty sure he knew I would love, and he was right! 

If you've never had Bibimbap, it literally means "mixed rice." It is this huge rice, meat, veggie mixture, and then...here is my favorite part...it has an ooey gooey fried egg served on top. Why? Because the minute you cut into it, the warm yolk covers everything making it's own sauce. I know it might sound weird, but you have to take my word for it...one bite and you will be hooked. 

Every time we go, I order the same thing, savor each and every bite and am always sad when it's gone. So it was about time I made a version at home we could enjoy any time. 

You can easily adapt this to include veggies you love, these are what I had on hand. You can also add some sriracha or garlic chili paste if you like it hot! 

And don't get overwhelmed! It really isn't a complicated recipe, it just has a lot of steps. But you can prep the veggies, and even pre-cook the rice too! Then all you have to worry about is the beef and frying up some eggs. Just take your time and take it one step at a time. No lie- I made this on a Monday night, with 1 hour until dinner had to be ready for Alex to eat before Tae Kwon Do, and Max was at my feet the whole time! My point? If I can do it, YOU can too! 

If you aren't a very adventurous eater, or maybe your kids won't touch anything that isn't a chicken nugget or hot dog, I urge you to start small. Try something like this that has things that are familiar, and then go from there!

Korean Beef Bowl

2 lbs. ground beef

6 garlic cloves, minced or grated

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. low sodium soy sauce

4 tsp. sesame oil

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4-1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Black Pepper to taste

1 medium cucumber, sliced thin

3 medium carrots, grated*

1 bunch green onions, chopped*

6 cups cooked white rice*

4 eggs, cooked over easy or sunny side up

Sesame Seeds for garnish 

Prep ALL veggies, and set aside. In a large skillet brown beef with garlic until no longer pink. Drain well, return to skillet.  In a medium bowl whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper and black pepper. Pour over beef. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes until sauce reduces a little. To assemble, place rice in bottom of bowl. Top with beef, cucumber, carrots and green onions. Place 1 cooked egg on each bowl. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. *NOTES* When grating carrots, use the large hole on a box grater. You only want the dark green parts of the green onions. Don't stress over using "fancy" rice. Save yourself some time and energy and use minute rice! Brown can be substituted too. 

Inspired by The Recipe Critic  

 Shared at Weekend Potluck
Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Max Time

It's no secret that since our baby Max joined our family, the blog has suffered. New recipes aren't really on the top of my priority list. Some days I barely have time to throw some frozen fish sticks in the oven, let alone test a new recipe, play around with it, photograph it and blog it. This little cutie pie keeps me way too busy.

I'm not complaining. See, when I started blogging it was because Alex was getting older and didn't need me as much, so I needed an outlet. A way to contribute to our family and keep me busy. Those needs haven't went away, they have just shifted to the back burner so to speak because for the last 12 months my time has been Max's. And honestly, I don't see it changing any time soon.

This little guy turned 1 on the 11th, and I can't believe an entire year has gone by. The craziness of having a newborn and tiny infant is gone, but it's been replaced with the whirlwind of having a walking, talking, and yes most of the time, running toddler who doesn't let me get much rest.

But that's my job. Him and his big brother. My life revolves around them. My schedule is set to theirs. My days are planned with them in mind every single minute. I am mom and I wouldn't trade that for anything in this world.

But every once in awhile, the stars will align and I can try something new in the kitchen. I will have the time to test a dish I've been cooking in my mind. (I still develop recipes....in my head...usually when I'm giving Max a bottle or rocking him!)

That's what happened last week with this meal. I had been given some beautiful green bell peppers from a friend's garden and I was craving stuffed peppers. And even though I have a super simple recipe for them, they still take over an hour to cook. I wasn't going to have that kind of time, so I wanted to find a way to have the same flavors, in the time Max allowed me. 

A one skillet meal that can be on the table in about 30 minutes....every busy mom's (or dad's) dream! Both of my big boys said this was one of the best things I had made in a long time. (Yeah, I think they are noticing the dinner rut around here too!) I have to agree. It was not only easy, but super delicious.

Max is still occupying most of my time, and I thank God for that every day. But maybe now in his second year I can find time to try a few more new recipes...we can hope!

 Stuffed Pepper Skillet

1 TBS vegetable oil

1 lb. ground beef

2 green bell peppers, diced

1 ( 4 oz.) can diced green chilies, undrained

2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup beef broth

1 1/2 cups instant rice

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. dried roasted garlic*

1 cup Mexican style shredded cheese

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh Cilantro Leaves, for garnish

In a large skillet over medium high heat oil. Saute beef and peppers until brown and tender. Drain any excess fat. Add seasonings. Stir to combine. Add broth, tomatoes, chilies and rice. Stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until rice is tender, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add cheese. Cover until cheese is melted, about 3 minutes. Garnish with cilantro. *NOTE* Regular garlic powder would work fine too. If you want to use fresh, about 2 cloves. 

Shared at Meal Plan Monday

Shared at Weekend Potluck

Recipe Inspired By Damn Delicious

Lunch Break Recreation

Most days of the work week I am at home with Max, all day. Well, besides having to pick Alex up from school. And that is exactly how I like it. It's what I signed up for. In fact, during these cold and dreary months, I LOVE not having to go anywhere. Comfy clothes, no make up, and me and my baby boy hanging out all day. I was the same way when Alex was a baby too. My favorite days were when we had no where to be and could just enjoy the day.

However, some days there is one thing that becomes a tad difficult; and I'm sure other stay at home parents would agree with me. Lunch. First off, most of the time I have to plan when I eat around when Max sleeps, so I'm usually eating lunch around 10:30 or 11:00 am. And that's fine. I'm up so early I'm starving by then. But then you have the days when it just doesn't happen because he doesn't nap, or he is fussy, or he wants to play or be rocked. And pretty soon it's 3pm and I'm sucking peanut butter off spoon! 

But even when I am able to eat, it's nothing exciting, believe me. We're talking either leftovers or a sandwich and chips. Simple. Fast. Again, that's fine...but here is where Mr. E comes in.

See, he works in the real world; and thank God for that. Better yet, he works in the medical field; and as I or anyone else who has ever worked in that field can tell you, depending on the job, there is usually some pretty yummy food around. Drug reps and companies are always having meals catered in, and he comes home telling us about what he had. All. The. Time. Sure, I'm happy he is so well fed, but when he's going on about his sushi lunch, or how one of my favorite restaurants brought in huge pans of pasta, and the highlight of my day was my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, well, let's just say it doesn't always go over well. Ha! 

Plus, even on days when there isn't any food brought it, which are few and far between, they have an excellent cafeteria where he can also go for some delicious lunch. And that is what inspired this recipe. He came home a few times raving about a chicken and rice soup, which sounded so good to me too, so I had to try to recreate it. 

This isn't your typical chicken and rice soup. This one is creamy, and thick. It's a stick to your ribs, come home to after a long cold day and thaw out kinda soup.

I love being a mommy, and all the perks that come with it. Even when I'm starving or having to eat fruit snacks and call it a meal; but if anyone out there wants to bring me a catered lunch, feel free to ask for my address!

Creamy Chicken & Rice Soup

2 TBS vegetable oil

4 boneless chicken breasts

2/3 c. long grain white rice

2 (32 oz. ) boxes chicken broth

1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

2 medium carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

6 white button mushrooms, diced

1 medium white onion, diced

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. dried basil

6 TBS flour

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cooking Spray

Preheat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place chicken on it. Spray with cooking spray and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30-45 minutes until juices run clear. Allow to cool enough to handle, then shred. Set aside. In a large stock pot  heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots, onions, celery and mushrooms. Saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Add garlic, basil, salt, pepper, rice and broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook about 15 minutes until rice is tender. In a small bowl, whisk together evaporated milk and flour until smooth. Add to soup. Bring back to a boil and cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Add in chicken, stir and heat until warmed through. 

Your Holiday Guests

So we are only 10 days away from Thanksgiving. Are you ready? Or was this a rude awakening and now you're having a panic attack? It's going to be okay. Take some deep breaths. I'm here to help.

Did your stomach just jump into your throat because you are going to have a house full of people come next week? I understand completely. Did you just remember you need to feed all of them for multiple days, and not just the big one? Sure, you will have leftovers after Thursday, but what the heck are you gonna do until then? Again, don't worry, calm down, EMM is here.

This is actually a tried and true recipe from my Grammy. It's something I've been making for years, and is perfect for any busy weeknight. So why not plan it for those couple days when you're still working before the holiday, but have to come home to a house full of people asking "What's for dinner?" Let's face it, if you are going about your normal day of work, school and life, plus prepping for Thanksgiving, coming up with dinners every night that week isn't going to be too easy. But this is!

Now, heads up! When you read the recipe, and see it calls for margarine, many of you are going to be inclined to say "Oh I can use butter instead." Don't do it. Seriously. I did the same thing once and regretted it. I don't know why, but the flavor completely changes and I don't like it. It's about the only recipe I have that flat our calls for margarine. Most of the time I am an all butter all the time girl, but not with this.

This feeds the 3 of us quite comfortably with a good sized portion each. So, if you're cooking for a big crowd, I suggest making two pans of it. It's going to go quick, I promise.

But if you aren't expecting house guests, don't feel like this isn't for you. It makes a terrific comfort meal any time, and once you make it once, it will become a part of your regular meal rotation, just like it did in my house!

Don't worry if you aren't quite ready for Thanksgiving. You still have time...just not too much, so start planning those meals now and cross one thing off that to-do list!

Chicken on Rice Casserole

2 lbs. boneless chicken tenders (about 8-9)

1 1/2 c. instant rice, uncoooked

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 stick margarine, melted

1 tsp. sugar

1/4 c. lemon juice 

Garlic Powder to taste

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dried Parsley for garnish

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish. In a large bowl combine rice, soups, salt and pepper. Stir well. Transfer to baking dish and spread evenly. Lay chicken on top of rice. In a small bowl whisk together melted margarine, sugar and lemon juice. Pour over top of chicken. Season chicken liberally with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Bake for 1 1/2-2 hours until rice is tender. Stir well before serving. Garnish with parsley.