A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners...

Rachael Ray 365: No Repeats--A Year of Deliciously Different Dinners (A 30-Minute Meal Cookbook)
I came across a link for this book on Amazon and I think I am going to buy it.  I would really really like to give it a try.  I would like to take a stab at it when I have submitted most of my recipes for this blog.  I'll see what is involved when I purchase this book.  It would be kind of like Julia & Julia, but with Rachael Ray and Sara.  I may even devote another blog to it...  Anyone want to try it out?  

What's for Dinner Tonight - Part 2

So, I totally dropped the ball on this one.  I will admit, I didn't take pictures when I was finished.  As for the recipe itself...


1.  Cooking it for one hour seemed to be a bit too long.  I would change that to be between 30-45 minutes instead.  Keep an eye on it and when it starts to brown on top, it's probably done.  


2.  The flavored Doritos were a nice touch.  I actually mixed the flavored (Salsa Verde) and regular ones.  Next time I will go with all flavored Doritos.  You could taste the difference.


3.  It seems like the liquid mixture is too much, but it actually bakes quite nicely.  Don't let it fool you into thinking it is too runny.  It will thicken up in the oven.  


4.  Don't skimp on the cheese, but add it to your preference.  This time it wasn't quite as cheesy gooey as I would've liked it to be.


Overall this was a great recipes to try.  I absolutely love this one!!  Aside from the time it takes to boil and dice the chicken, it is a fairly easy recipe.  Serve it with a dollop of sour cream and voila!!  Delicious!!

What's for Dinner Tonight?

Tonight I will be preparing the Sopa Casserole.  I have had it before and it is extremely delicious.  I will be adding my own variations, such as the Velveeta cheese sprinkled throughout the layers.  I will also use some of the flavored Doritos such as Salsa Verde.  Maybe that will give it a little kick.  I hope it comes out ok.  I will have end result pictures posted later.

Sopa Casserole

1 large whole chicken (boiled and diced)

1 chopped onion

Grated cheddar cheese

Shredded Velveeta cheese

1 lg package of Doritos
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can chicken broth

1 can Rotel tomatoes

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a greased glass casserole dish, place layer of chicken.  Add layer of onions, layer of Doritos, and layer of cheese.  Sprinkle some Velveeta in between your layers.  Repeat until full and ending with a layer of cheddar cheese on top. 

Seperately mix the mushroom soup, chicken broth and Rotel.  Pour over the casserole.  Lightly shake dish for it to settle.  Bake for about 1 hour.  Enjoy.

Asparagus & Mozarella Wrapped Chicken

My sister, Katy gave me this great idea for something to cook for dinner tonight.  I took a stab at it and this is how it turned out.


4-5 bones skinless chicken breasts
Sliced mozarella cheese
Asparagus
Salt & Pepper
Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning (optional)
Bread Crumbs
Hollendaise Sauce Mix (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Cut light ends off of the asparagus.  Cut mozarella into strips.  You need about 3-6 asparagus stems and 2-3 slices of mozarella for each piece of chicken.  Pour some bread crumbs on plate or shallow pan.  Pound chicken with meat tenderizer to flatten each piece. 



Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and Tony's (if you choose).  Place asparagus and cheese at one end of chicken and begin to wrap. 



As soon as they are covered, place another slice of cheese and asparagus and continue wrapping until complete.  Roll chicken wrap in bread crumbs until completely covered and place in baking dish.  Repeat with each piece of chicken. 



Bake for 30-45 minutes or until chicken is white.  Cook Hollandaise sauce according to package instructions as garnish for the chicken.  Enjoy.

Courtesy of Katy Val Verde - My awesome sister!!

Tried Something New #1 - Fried Catfish

So, on a regular day I don't eat fish.  It has to be very crispy and very fried for me to eat it.  And it certainly can't taste fishy.  Well, my Dad got me hooked on the fried catfish they make at our church fish frys every year.  It became the ONLY fish I would ever eat.  Naturally, if I don't like something then I won't cook it either.  It doesn't matter if other people like it, I won't cook it.  Well, I decided to do something nice for my hubby and took a stab at frying catfish because he LOVES it.  It was way way easier that making fried chicken. All it took was catfish, Tony Chacheres Fish Fry, 1 egg, some milk, and vegetable oil.  If you want the exact recipe let me know.  I have to say, for someone who never fried catfish in my life, this was amazing!!  The hub was super impressed.  I used a thermometer on the side of the pan so the oil wouldn't get too hot or cool.  The most time consuming part was the actual frying.  This is how it turned out...

Mmm Mmm Good!!

Buffalo Wings

2 lbs small chicken wings and drumsticks
1 cup hot sauce
4 ounces melted butter
2t honey

Deep fry wings in vegetable oil at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes.  Drain well.  In a seperate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.  Add wings to mixture and coat to desired taste.