Chicken Casserole

I give credit to my two friends, Aisha & Shazia. This recipe has NEVER failed me! Try it out and enjoy!

WHAT YOU NEED

1 onion
1 pd of chicken (cut into small pieces)
2 cups of cheddar cheese
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of cream of broccoli soup
3/4 cup of milk
french fried onions
1 bag of wide egg noodles

LET'S GET STARTED

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. boil water and noodles in a separate pot
2) In big saucepan, saute 1 onion. add 1 spoon of garlic and some crushed red pepper and salt. Cook for a minute.
3) add chicken, cook until done.
4) Reduce heat to low, add soups and cheese, then add milk. heat until everything is melted and one mixture.
5) Mix noodles with mixture in a 13x9 pan and put in the oven for 20 minutes.
6) Top with french friend onions and cook for another 5 minutes. remove and serve.

HINT

You can add vegetables such as corn or spinach and cook with chicken for extra flavor. I also add a spoon of thyme to the garlic.

Broccoli & Cheese Rice

A friend of mine made something like this a while back, and as I was running out of time and ideas for dinner, I decided to try it!

When my little boy eats nonstop, I know I did well. I served this with sauteed catfish, it was quick and easy.


WHAT YOU NEED: (Serving 3-4)

½ cup of broccoli
1 cup of uncooked rice
2 cups of water
2 tsp of olive oil
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter
¾ cup of milk (or ½ cup of cream)
¾ cup of cheese
2 cloves of garlic crushed
Salt & pepper
Crush red pepper (optional)
Oregano (optional)

LET’S GET STARTED

1) Stir fry broccoli & garlic in oil (add red peppers and oregano)
2) Add rice, and mix thoroughly
3) Add water, and put temperature on high until it boils, then put back to low heat covered until cooked.
4) Mix cold milk and flour, then put on a pan and bring to a simmer.
5) Add cheese of your choice, until well melted, then add the butter and mix well.
6) Add the cheese sauce to the rice, and mix with a fork!


That’s it!

Lunch Today: Mint Corn & Spanakopita

Ok, at first when I saw this on TV, I thought, are you serious? MINT CORN??? But then today, as I tried to tackle this lunch thing, I noticed I had corn, mint, and butter!

I gave it a try, and I fell in love... Oh and so did my toddler :)

WHAT YOU NEED: (Serving 3-4)

½ stick of butter
2 cups of corn
¼ cup of fresh chopped mint.
Salt
Crush red pepper (optional)
Thyme (optional)

LET’S GET STARTED

1) Melt butter in a pan
2) Add corn, and cook for about 10 minutes (you will start hearing popping noises)
3) Sprinkle with salt and mix well
4) Turn stove off, and fold in the mint

That’s it!

I added thyme and crush red pepper to the butter since I love herbs and my husband loves some heat!

Spanakopita was store bought (frozen). One day I will attempt it, and share the recipe with all of you!

Homemade Baby Food

When I first introduced solids to my son (around 5 months) It was important for me to be efficient and organized. Although I still use store bought baby food on the go, or when I am too tired to cook, homemade food is always healthier, especially that first year.

WHAT YOU NEED

Blender/Mixer
Steaming Pot
2 Average Size Sweet Potatoes
1 Medium Size Butternut Squash
3 Medium Pears
4 Cloves of Garlic
Ice Trays
Ziploc Bags

Sweet Potatoes

1) Peel and cut into small cubes
2) Put water in pot, and put potatoes and 2 peeled garlic cloves in the steamer until soft for about 30 minutes.
3) Blend vegetables, and add the boiled water slowly until you reach consistency you want.
4) Place the blended mixture in ice cubes.
5) Label 2-3 Ziploc bags with date, and vegetable name.
6) Once frozen, take out the mixture from ice trays, and place them in the Ziploc bag.
7) Each cube is about an ounce. This makes about 20 oz.

Butternut Squash

1) Follow Sweet Potatoes steps 1-6
2) This makes about 22 oz, and my son’s favorite!

Pears

1) Follow Sweet Potatoes Steps 1-6 (but no garlic here!) You may add a pinch of cinnamon.
2) This makes about 12 oz.

When ready to serve, take out as many ounces as you want, and warm it in the microwave, or in a plate over hot water. It is recommended to try one vegetable at a time for about 3-5 days, then you can start mixing the cubes together.