Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Who doesn't love a good slow cooker recipe? This one has bumped my long-standing Teriyaki Chicken off the rotation. Indeed a crowd pleaser, it feeds everyone in my family without complaint; that's reason enough to be on the rotation. What I like about it is I can fix it in the morning then have dinner on the table by evening without extra fussing around.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 cup soy sauce
1 cup ketchup
2/3 cup honey
6 cloves garlic
2 tsp. dried basil
 Place the chicken thighs in bottom of a crock-pot. In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients together. Pour over the chicken. Cook on low for 6 hours.

We like it on rice and with a veggie on the side. Our favorite: Edamame. 

Coconut Cream Sugar Cookies

When I had a coconut sugar cookie at a local soda shop recently, I knew I had to go home and try to replicate it. Hopefully, I have done just that, so I don't wear a path between home and that shop -- because it's not close by. And I find this particular cookie to be dreamy!

Sugar Cookies

• 3 cups sifted flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 3/4 cup butter, softened

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup sour cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, then add sour cream and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture 1/3 at a time.
Wrap dough in wax paper and chill.
Roll out 1/4 inch thick. Cut out cookies in desired shapes and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 10 minutes.

Now the good stuff:

Coconut Cream Frosting 

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 
   

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 4 cups confectioners' sugar 


• 2 tablespoons heavy cream 


• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut flavoring 


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 


• 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut 


• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Beat the cream cheese and butter in a mixer bowl until light and fluffy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with heavy cream. Beat in the salt, coconut flavoring, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and spreadable. Add additional confectioners' sugar if necessary to thicken the frosting, or more cream to thin. Stir in the coconut. Sprinkle toasted coconut evenly over frosted cookie.

Kool-Aid Popcorn

I read a quote yesterday by the famous author, James Patterson. He said, "Popcorn for breakfast? Why not? It's a grain. It's like, like grits, but with high self-esteem."

What a great way to look at one of my favorite foods. We eat popcorn a lot in our house. Here's a fun way to dress it up -- and an easy way.

Kool-Aid Popcorn

 

5 qts. popped popcorn

1 sm. package Jell-0 (any flavor)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup marshmallows

3/4 cup corn syrup

2 T water

1 cube butter

 

Mix all together in a large saucepan. Bring to boil for one minute. Remove from heat and pour over popcorn in large bowl stirring gently to cover all kernels.

 

Easy Shrimp Lo Mein

Oh my goodness. We love this recipe. It is now on our weekly rotation. And I love how quick it can come together in just 15 minutes. 

Assemble the Sauce and set aside. 

Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce, or more, to taste 
• 4 teaspoons sugar 
• 2 teaspoon sesame oil 
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 1 teaspoon Sriracha, or more, to taste

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced 
• 1 green bell pepper, julienned 
• 1/2 cup snow peas
• 10 - 12 large shrimp, uncooked

• In a large pot of boiling water, cook spaghetti noodles according to package instructions; drain well. 
• In a large wok or frying skillet, heat olive oil in medium high heat. Add garlic, mushrooms, and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in snow peas about 2-3 minutes. 
• In separate frying pan, add 2 T butter, salt and pepper and shrimp for 2-3 minutes until shrimp are fully cooked. 
• In a big bowl add the vegetable mixture and the noodles together. Stir in the sauce and the shrimp. Toss and serve immediately.

Easy Taco Soup

A friend of mine once referred to this kind of soup as "dump soup;" meaning you just dump everything in. Now, if that doesn't sell you, the taste of this taco soup will for sure.

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, chopped

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 (14.5 oz.) can stewed tomatoes (undrained)

1 (15 oz.) can Great Northern Beans (undrained)

1 envelope of taco seasoning mix

1 envelope of Ranch dressing mix

1 1/2 c. water

1 can of corn or 1 cup or so of frozen corn

Brown ground beef with the onion and the chilies in a large soup pot; drain. In pot, add salt, pepper, tomatoes and beans with liquid, dry taco and dressing mixes, corn, and water. Bring to a boil; reduce and simmer about 30 minutes. Serve in bowls and top with tortilla chips and a spoon of sour cream.

Since I have the pickiest of eaters who wail at the sight of a bean, I find that if I puree the beans prior to including them, my boys won't notice and the nutrients stay the same. Try it sometime if you have a bean hater in your family :)

Let me know if you need a good corn bread recipe. Because I have one!

Chick-Fil-A Cool Wrap

 So, I don't know why it is that I seem to crave Chick-Fil-A the few times I have been in Las Vegas. And you know what? There are no Chick-Fil-A restaurants around! Why is that?

Well, in case you are in Vegas or aren't just up to driving over to sit in the drive-thru, I have a quick wrap recipe that can come together in a snap. Thinking ahead and grilling your chicken makes it even more simple. And to top it off -- or to dunk it in, rather -- a tasty Avocado Lime Ranch Recipe.

Ingredients:

• Wheat tortilla
•  Grilled Chicken
•  1 bag of romaine lettuce/salad mixture

Just assemble as you can imagine. Add as much or little chicken and lettuce as you'd like, then roll them up. Cut them in half, then dip them into the dressing below. Yum. These can pack well for picnics or ball games, too.

Avocado-Lime Ranch Dressing

• 1 avocado
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
• 2 teaspoons lime juice

Fuss Free Roast Dinner from Locally Raised Beef

Did you know that there is a great beef farm in Springville that supplies Wal Mart with locally grown beef from grass-fed cows? Jones Creek Beef raises their beef in a grass pasture with fresh air and open grazing to aid in the nutritional value of their beef. Here are some of the benefits from eating grass-fed beef:

Lower in total fat
Higher in Beta-Carotene
Higher in many vitamins

You can see so many more on their site. But, let's get to the best part: the taste. Do we have a great recipe for you to use so you can free up your time and not slave over the stove while still having a delicious meal -- whether it is Sunday dinner or during your busy week.

Fuss-Free Roast Beef (adapted from Taste of Home)

• 1-1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 bone-in beef rib roast (4 to 6 pounds)
• 1/2 cup butter, cut up in tiny cubes

Combine the first four ingredients and rub all over the roast. Place into a slow cooker and dot with the cubed butter. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.

 Wha-La! You've got dinner on its way. You can add the potatoes and carrots in later if so desired. Our family likes mashed potatoes cooked on the stove, but we thicken the juices to make a gravy to pour over it. If you do want some drippings, I would suggest adding some water to the pot when you start to cook the roast. 

Jones Creek Beef is such a friendly company. They'd like to show you around their farm. They welcome anyone to come tour their area -- a great idea for little ones who are curious about cows. Field trip? 

Check out their site and pick some up at Wal-Mart next time you're in. You probably didn't know grass-fed beef was so accesible.