Chicken & Black Bean Rice Casserole

A couple of weeks ago on Pinterest, I saw a dish similar to this and can't find it now. So, I tried to remember everything I saw and do my own! It turned out pretty good, but I will definetly put maybe a can of corn in it next time. It needed something else. Little dude liked it!

Ingredients:

4 Chicken Breasts, chopped

1 Can Black Beans

1 Large Can Cream of Chicken or Mushroom

1 Can Corn

2 Cups Cooked Rice

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese or your favorite

Seasonings

Directions:

Cook rice according to directions.

Heat up some olive oil and about 2 pats of butter in a skillet and cook chicken. Add salt, pepper and garlic.

Add beans and cream of chicken to chicken and bring to a boil while stirring. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.

Stir in cheese

Add to rice in a casserole dish.

(I was running out of time for foosball practice, so I didn't do the next step)

Add more cheese (yes!) on top and cook for about 10-15 in a 350 oven.



Baked Apple Pies

You ever notice how when you are on a diet all you want are carbs and sweets?! Ugh. The other day I wanted a Rally's fried apple pie and I remembered a post that was along that line on Pinterest, but couldn't find it. So my willey little brain decided it was experimentation time with food. Turned out unbelievable yummy and all were eaten quickly. So here is my take on the baked apple pie.

Ingredients:
1 Can 24 oz Large Apple Pie Filling
Sugar
Cinnamon
Butter
Dough or Crescent Rolls

Directions:
Preheat oven according to the doughs instructions. Mine was 350.
Mix sugar and cinnamon to your taste

 Melt 2 tbsp butter in microwave

Cut dough to accomadate a helping of your filling. I cut 3 sections.

Place about 3-4 of the apples on one side

Fold over and press sides down with a fork

Brush the melted butter over the top of the pie and sprinkle a generous helping of the sugar/cinnamon mixture on a greased pan.

Cook for about 15 minutes or until done.

Holy cow..this will be a new addiction and it's deserving of Get In My Belly!!!

Homemade Lasagna...The Easier Way

I love lasagna and homemade is best. This is a homemade version that doesn't take hours. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare and the cook time is 1 hour. Make ahead and give yourself an awesome dinner!

Ingredients:

1 Large Container Ricotta Cheese (you can use low fat or skim)

3 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese

1 Egg, lightly beaten

1 Large Jar of Your Favorite Spaghetti Sauce

1 1/2-2 Lb Ground Beef or Turkey, browned and drained

1-2 Cups Water

12 Lasagna Noodles, Uncooked

2 Tsp Italian Seasoning or Parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Mix ricotta cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, 1/2 of the parmesan cheese, italian seasoning or parsley, and egg until well blended; set aside. 

After cooking and draining meat, pour the entire jar of spaghetti sauce into skillet. Pour your water into the jar, shake and pour into skillet. (Adding water to the meat and sauce helps cook the traditional noodles during baking, so you don't have to cook them beforehand. Saves you about 15-20 minutes of prep time!)

Mix well and let simmer for just a few minutes. Place 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of your 13x9 baking dish, this way the noodles won't stick to the pan. (I obviously didn't read my instructions!)



Depending on the size of your baking dish, place 3-4 of the noodles on the bottom and put a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Add 1 cup or so of the meat mixture and repeat until you've used all your ingredients.

After you've finished, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses on top. I'll be honest...I used 4 cups of the mozzarella cheese on top! Yummy!

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil that you have sprayed with Pam so it won't stick to the cheese. Bake 45 minutes.

Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let stand about 15 minutes if you can stand it to make cutting into it easier...this NEVER happens. My family is already at the table ready to dig in.

Get In My Belly!!! Yummy!!!!

Homemade Ranch Dressing with Greek Yogurt

After seeing posts and pins on Pinterest about the homemade ranch dressing, I thought I'd give it a try.

Ingredients:
Ranch Dressing Mix
Greek Plain Yogurt
Directions:
Mix well

As you can see, it's very simple and supposed to be better for you. I would rather make food so I know what's in it than buying it store bought if I can. And, with me training for a marathon and needing to get rid of 20 pounds, I thought this would be great. Welllll....
YUK!!! If you have never tried greek yogurt, it must be an aquired taste. It is now down the drain and I won't make it again. I do not like greek yogurt, Sam I am! But, if you do..it's a great alternative to the processed, don't-know-what's-in-it, store bought ranch dressing!

The 16 Month Terrible Twos and A Shin Splint

Good morning everyone! My weeks seem to have gotten busier and busier! And school starts on the 20th...basketball and football have already started..whew!
So far on the marathon training it has been great. Everyday gets easier and I love it now and can't wait til the next day so I can do it again. However, I think I may have a shin splint. When Thing 2 was a few months old I started running and felt an sharp pain in my shin area but just accounted it to getting older and pushing myself too hard. Then I just quit exercising, but the pain in my shin was still there and hasn't ever gone away. Last night, the pain was pretty bad and the Hubs suggested I do some research. So, I guess I will be making a doctors appointment, which I need to do anyway. I've also had these weird and extreme fatique days where I just want to sleep and I've never ever been like that. Anyway....now to the fun stuff.
Last night the kids spent the night with nana and the Hubs and I took Thing 2 to Logans Steakhouse. I must admit I had 3 rolls and don't regret it. Bread is my weakness and I love it. It was past little dude's bedtime, but we gave him a few sips of Coke and he ate french fries and bread rolls, so we thought he'd last a little while. WHAT WERE WE THINKING? We've been through this before and know better...yeah right. He threw a fit, so the Hubs took him outside to let him 'air' it out. He loves outside, by the way. The Hubs brings him back in and all heck broke loose. Since I'm 10 years older than when I had the last baby, I'm a little better and the fits don't affect me as much as they used to. So, I let him have my salad and make a mess. Worked for a little bit more, so we just decided to leave. Here comes the fun part...
Finally get him in the Hoe after he took off in the parking lot and he proceeds to let the demons loose!!! OH MY GOODNESS....it took both of us and almost 5 minutes to get him in the carseat! So....my fellow parents...PLEASE give me some ideas as to what to do! He is a very independent child and doesn't seem to listen at all...Ugh..HELP!!