Snow Day & Meal Planning

Snow Day! Again, I feel like Jack and I have been home every Monday since Christmas! Oh well, I have got some great recipes this week and a new GUEST who will be sharing some of her yummies with us!

Monday~ Cranberry Flank Steak

Tuesday~ Stuffed Shells

Wednesday~ Salads w/ Steak (leftovers)

Thursday~ Chicken Curry in a Hurry!!

Pizza Friday

 Sat~ Birthday Dinner Party for Sis & Mom

Souper Sunday~ Peanut Butter Veggie Beef Soup

Easy Swedish Meatballs

This is a great and super easy/family friendly recipe. Jack loves meatballs and the turkey meatballs and a little healthier option. 

1 pkg Turkey Meatballs (HT has their brand as do Shadybrook Farms in the fresh meat counter)
2 pkgs of mushroom gravy (McCormick)
2 c water
1 sm can mushrooms
1/2 to 1c beef broth (I used Chix because it was all I had, worked fine)
4oz low-fat sour cream
8 oz egg noodles, cooked & drained
Follow pkg directions on gravy, add broth, mushrooms & meatballs- heat throughly- tastes even better if you let simmer on low for a few extra minutes! Just before serving stir in sour cream and pour mix over egg noodles. Grab a salad and poof! Dinner in less than 30mins. Add Hubby & BJ LOVED it!! Enjoy!

Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cake ~ Cooking on a WhIM

Today, as I am hopefully having a blast on my Mountain Getaway, I wanted to introduce you to my good friend B. She is a fantastic cook, Mommy to a sweet BB (15mos) and is preggers with BG due this Spring. She shares my love for food and is always coming up with fun new things to try! I am so excited she has agreed to share with us on a regular basis  "Cooking on a WhIM" Thanks B!!!

I love making cakes and sweet treats to surprise family and friends. I have a very strong conviction that EVERYONE needs a birthday cake. Having a birthday in December means that cakes are often overlooked since there are so many other sweet treats around the house but I will not accept that. My husband's birthday is three days before Chirstmas and I try to make sure we take a break from the holidays to celebrate and remember his special day. His one request for birthday cake is that he is able to a glass of skim milk with it!

This year I tried a new recipe and it was so successful, I made it again for another friend's birthday this week. She loved it as much as he did and I can see that this recipe is going to be used again. The first go round, I used almonds and the next time, pecans. I think I like the pecans better but that is really a preference that I have for pecans over almonds - both worked equally as well. While there are several steps, all are easy and the end result is well worth the effort! Enjoy!

Chocolate Toffee Crunch Cake

1 ½ cups chopped nuts (pecans, almonds or walnuts)

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (can substitute vanilla wafers)

1 ¼ cups brown sugar, lightly packed

¾ cup butter, melted

Devils Food Cake Mix – prepared to box instructions

2 cups whipping cream, whipped and sweetened with XXX sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 4 round cake pans. Mix nuts, crumbs, sugar and butter until all is coated with butter and divide equally among the 4 pans. Press crumb mixture into pans.Prepare cake mix according to package directions and pour even amounts into each “prepared” cake pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans – loosening sides after about 10 minutes.Once cooled, flip cakes out – crumb topping “up” and stack with whipped cream between each layer and on the top.

Mountain Getaway!!

Hot diggity dog!! Mountains here we come!! Tonight Hubs and I will be in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina with some of our favorite people!! We are staying at a house that truly has everything! Hot Tub, pool table, game room, movie theater!!! SIKED!! This will be the 1st time we have been away together since my besties Wedding that was a YEAR AGO in MAY! Can you say Mommy & Daddy NEED a Vaca???
Did I mention that RAY is calling for the area to "hunker down for 10-14 inches of SNOW". Holy Holly!  I mean, crap, poo, what the #%!!? 
I know anyone who isn't in the South is thinking huh? A foot of snow is alot for us!!  We don't have the equipment to deal with this much snow. Oh well, I am packing scrabble, the wii, uno cards and wine (lots of wine)!
I am in charge of Friday's dinner and since everyone will be not be arriving until around dinner I thought I would make something that would travel well and could be made ahead. G's FAV Lasagna would be perfect! A fresh salad and some garlic bread.

My Fav Salad: so simple~ mixed greens, diced pear, red onion (sliced thin), goat or gorgonzola cheese & balsamic vinaigrette.

Can't wait to post some SNOW pics!!

The Glass Castle ~ Reading thru 2010!

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is the 2nd book I have read in 2010.

To see the rest of my list go HERE.

The Glass Castle is an amazing story. I really feel like I know her. Her story at times made me so sad but her strength and strong-will made me smile. I just want to give her a hug. Anyone that questions if they have had a tough life needs to read this! I cried, I admit it, I cried at the end. I cried because I felt like I was losing a friend and I wanted to know more. What happened to Maureen?  I hope I would have been a friend to Jeanette if we had met in one of her stops.

A must read!!

What should I read next???

Taco Bake

I am really trying to save money at the grocery and everywhere in my life. I made the FIESTA CHILI last night and thought it would be great to re-purpose the chili for a TACO NIGHT!I mean heck it already has taco seasoning, green chilies, corn and beans. All I do for the taco bake is I take flour tortillas, leftover chili, shredded cheese and start layering.

4 flour tortilla (in cold section at grocery)
3 cups leftover Fiesta Chili (or whatever meat/bean/corn combo)
1 sm bag shredded mexi cheese
lettuce, tomato, salsa, sour cream (for serving with)

Then toss in oven at 400 for 20mins. ENJOY!!

Easy Potty Training!

My boy is doing so good!!

It has been days and NO accidents! Yip-eee! I am so proud of my Big Boy.

I wrote a plea for assistance a few weeks ago and I have talked with a ton of Moms and I have concluded (FOR US) that you can't wade in the pool, nope you must go head first into the deep end, bite the bullet, JUST DO IT!!
Pop the kid in underwear and have extra clothes and a glass of wine to settle your nerves. Pull-up's well, let's face it it's just a diaper. It sends the wrong message. Why learn?
I found that the first few times we "tried" that he didn't care if he had wet himself which I concluded ment he wasn't ready. A few weeks ago he announced "me not wear diapers no more" (toddler language). I put him in some Elmo under-roos and the 1st accident caused a major meltdown. I figured he must be ready. He only had 1 accident a day for 3 days and from then on he was good.
I am not one to give rewards for good behavior however, for this I was willing to give him the moon! Jack is super busy, he plays non stop and does not want to stop for anything! Which was our only problem, I told him I would give him 1 skittle for trying to go tothe potty and 2 more if he produced. Who knew candy worked so well? He would stop most anything just for a skittle!! (I didn't have m&m's). I also bought two packs of matchbox trucks and each day I have given him a reward for trying so hard. It cost me about $12 and he is so happy and proud to show anyone willing to listed that he did his business and got a prize!! Note I only had to do the skittle trick or the rewards for the 1st week.  Yesterday we went to Charlotte he made it there, back and several stops in between without any problems I am so proud!!
SO, long story short this is WHAT WORKS FOR US!
Good Luck!

Fiesta Chili~ Crock-Pot or Not~ You Decide!

Fiesta Chili was shared with me last fall while coloring my favorite Nail Tech, Pam's hair. She owns Pampered Nails in the Harris Arcade in downtown Hickory. If you need to have your nails pam- pered she is the go to girl! LOVE!! I have adapted this a bit so here goes!

1 lb ground turkey browned
1 small onion, diced
1 28oz can diced tomatoes
1 16oz can diced tomatoes
1 10oz pkg mexicorn
1 10oz can shoepeg corn
1 7 oz can green chilies
1 can seasoned blackbeans, undrained
1 can white beans, drained
1 pkt taco seasoning
½ pkt ranch seasoning

Put all in crockpot on low & enjoy!

Trader Joe's Shopping List

I have started an affair, an affair with a grocery store! I long to go there and walk through the wonderful store. It is so bright and cheery and clean they have a beautiful assortment of fresh flowers and wine. Two of my favorite things! I am so addicted that I am finding reasons to drive into Charlotte (about 45mins). Tonight I told Hubs that since j-bird has tomorrow and Tuesday off (Mommy does too!)  Maybe we should drive to Charlotte and pick up the Eric Clapton tickets he won! It's on my birthday!! And, Hubs... while we are there we should pop by TJ's and get some goodies to take on our mountain getaway!! He agreed! SUCKER! Just kidding!! He too has fallen in lust with their yogurt  and some salsa! Here are a few things I can't come home without!!!!!

Fresh Pizza Dough
TJ's yogurt (blueberry & cream, banana & cream cups)
marinara sauce
fresh sourdough bread
all beef/no nitrate hotdogs (great)
Goddess dressing
Island Soyaki sauce
Brownie Truffle Mix
Pom Limeade
Frozen Orange Chix (quick dinner much less exp than take-out)
Bambino Pizza Formaggio
Fresh Cheeses are the bomb!

I'm going again on Tues. I will continue to add to the list!! Happy Shopping!

Pepper Jelly Pork

I made a ton of Pepper Jelly this past summer and I have been trying to think of things to do with it other than just one of the most simple and yummy cream cheese and pepper jelly with butter crackers. I found some great looking pork chops on sale and my mind starting churning. Here is what I came up with.
4 pork chops

s & p to taste

1 T olive oil

2 T butter

1 T flour

1/3 c white wine

1 c chicken broth

1/2 c pepper jelly

Season chops with s&p. Add olive oil to grill pan and cook apx 10 mins flip and cook additional 8 mins. Remove chops and add butter & flour to pan cook 2 mins add wine then broth then jelly cook 2-5 mins, add chops back to pan and allow sauce to coat chops. Enjoy!

For more great recipes go HERE!!  

Meal Planning

This week I am trying to use the pantry & freezer for all meals. I am praying that I will not have to go to the store except for possibly a visit to Trader Joe's for some goodies for our weekend getaway! It might be a long week? I am so excited to getaway I can't stand it!!!

Monday~Pepper Jelly Pork

Tuesday~ Fiesta Chili

Wednesday~ Taco Bake (fiesta chili leftovers)

Thursday~ Mommy Night Out (Pizza or leftovers for boys)

Friday~ G's Fav Lasagna

G's Favorite Lasagna

This is an amazingly simple, crowd pleasing lasagna. It is so yummy! Your family & friends will love this! A few tips: 1. I use Barilla, no boil lasagna noodles 2. I use a 9x13 rectangle baker 3. my fav jarred spaghetti sauce is Ragu Organic or Trader Joe's Marinara (use whatever you enjoy!)
2 jars of your favorite spaghetti sauce
1 can mushrooms
1 tsp each oregano, basil, garlic, salt & pepper
1 lb ground turkey, browned
1/2 lb italian sausage
1 onion, diced
1 Tb olive oil
2 cups chicken broth
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed & drained
1 pkg shredded Italian cheese mix
Brown turkey & onion in olive oil, add seasonings, sauce, mushrooms. Heat broth & cream cheese, bring to slow boil & turn down to med-low and whisk until smooth. Layer dish with meat sauce, noodles, cream cheese, spinach, meat sauce, noodles, cheese DELISH!!!

Al's {soon to be} Famous Greek Dip

A dear friend, Al who resides in Charleston (now) with her adorable family makes this yummy and oh so easy greek dip for all of our Girl's Get Togethers. Al's {soon to be famous} Greek Dip is the perfect addition to any party buffet, a great weekend snack, or just a fun app for most any occasion! It is healthy but has alot more glitz than a boring veggie plate.

10 oz Sabra Hummus (I love the Roasted Red Pepper)

1 large cucumber, peeled & diced

1-2 tomatoes, diced

4 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Tzatziki sauce (recipe follows)

Layer ingredients starting with hummus and finally topping with the tatziki. Serve with pita chips and fresh veggies. Doubles wonderfully. You can make ahead. DELISH!!

Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Sauce)

8 oz plain Greek yougart (strained for an hour or 2 to remove excess moisture)

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded & excess moisture removed

1 t fresh dill

1 T fresh lemon juice

salt & pepper to taste

Toss everything in the food processor and blitz for a minute. Chill in fridge. ENJOY!!

HELP!! Fellow Bloggers!!!!

WHERE HAS THE COMMENTS LINK GONE???? I have checked and re-checked the box saying new post have comments. I tried to install disqus and it will not work! Ever since i tried to install the comments link is gone- YOU CAN"T COMMENT!! HELP!!!!

Mama's Favorite Shops!

Show us your life, show us what you like, today show us where you like to shop!!

I am always a huge fan of Target, TJ's, Marshalls, Ross but I think everyone know about them.

Here are a few that you may not know about!

For awesome kids clothes: Lolly Wolly Doodle & Just Ducky

For great invites: Amber's Announcing YOU!

Great monogramed gifts Anything Joe's

Killer RE-USEABLE BAGS: Neela Bags

BEST Toy Store in the World (or at least the South!): O.P. Taylors

Happy Shopping!!

EASY Potty Training!

J is doing so good!! 2 days and NO accidents! Yip-eee! I am so proud of my Big Boy.
I wrote a plea for assistance a few weeks ago and I have talked with a ton of Moms and I have concluded (FOR ME and MY SON) that you can't wade in the pool, nope you must go head first into the deep end, bite the bullet, JUST DO IT!! Pop the kid in underwear and have extra clothes and a glass of wine to settle your nerves. Pull-up's just pro-long and let's face it it's just a diaper.  Why learn?
I am not one to give rewards for good behavior however, for this I was willing to give him the moon! Jack is super busy, plays non stop and does not want to stop for anything! So, I told him I would give him 1 skittle for trying and 2 more if he produced. I also bought two packs of matchbox trucks and each day I have given him a reward for trying so hard. It cost me about $12 and he is so happy and proud to show anyone willing to listed that he did his business and got a prize!!
 SO, long story short this is what works for us. Good Luck!

{L's} Ladybug Cake

Thanks to my friend Karla I have some awesome pics of my Ladybug Cake!

and the cupcakes!!Don't you just want to EAT one?

Check out Karla's Photography HERE!! She does Weddings, Families, Kids & More!

Birdie's Pasta

I know, I am on this major Pasta Kick and I have all the ingredients in the fridge/pantry so tonight this is dinner! It is one of my faves! I get rave reviews everytime I fix it and it is one of Hubs all time favs. It is super easy to turn the leftovers into a yummy soup!

3/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, sliced, 2 tablespoons of oil reserved

1 pound Italian hot sausages, casings removed

2 (8-ounce) packages frozen artichoke hearts

2 large cloves garlic, chopped

2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine
8 ounces fusilli pasta
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
2 Tb chopped fresh basil leaves
2 Tb chopped fresh Italian Parsley
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
S & P to taste

Heat the oil reserved from the tomatoes in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook until brown, breaking up the meat into bite-size pieces with a fork, about 10 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a bowl. Add the artichokes and garlic to the same skillet, and saute over medium heat until the garlic is tender, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil over medium-high heat until the sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fusilli in boiling water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 6 minutes. Drain the pasta (do not rinse). Add the pasta, sausage, Parmesan, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture. Toss until the sauce is almost absorbed by the pasta. Top with goat cheese. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Check out more great Pantry Inspired Recipes HERE!

COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY

Who can't use a new cookbook? You can give it as a gift or enjoy it for yourself! ENTER ALREADY!! You may or may not know that I am OBSESSED with Nigella Lawson. I love her! I love that she is European. I love her accent and she has such a way about cooking that I can connect with.

So, I am GIVING AWAY a her recent cookbook, HOW TO EAT!!

TO ENTER:

1. If you are not one of my peeps, kindly FOLLOW! and

2. Leave a comment telling me one of your favorite things to cook.
How EASY is is that? ONLY 1 entry per person. PLEASE.
FOR A BONUS ENTRY you can link my giveaway on your blog and post the link back to you in the comments and you will get a BONUS entry! (Please leave a 2nd comment with your link!)

I will use RANDOM org to pick the winner! Winner will be announced on FRIDAY at NOON!

Look at Me!!! (a Dot com)

Mama Bird's Nest is going LIVE

we have dropped our dot blogspot and gone for the big guns!! Yipp-eee

"They" said it could take up to 3 days for it to work for EVERYONE in the world to see....

Mama Bird Nest.com

So, I ask this of you my dear friends, fellow lovers of all thinds food, stalkers....

LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND TELL ME YOU LOVE ME!

I will return the love!

Ta-Da Pasta and Parm

1/2 box of your favorite pasta (I like Angel Hair)
1 cup parmesan
1 cup pasta water
3 T butter
Nutmeg (how much ever you like)

Boil pasta as suggested. While the pasta's cooking, grate 1 cup of parmesan into a bowl. You must do this is because if you do it over the pasta you'll never add enough Parmesan.  Now this is key. RESERVE 1 CUP of the pasta water and then drain the rest. Melt butter in the pasta pot. Then add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup (depending on what you like) of the pasta water. It will sizzle. Let reduce for a few seconds and grate fresh nutmeg over it. Now add the pasta, toss around, and add the cup of Parmesan. Stir and EAT! DELISH and oh so comforting after a long day at work!

COOKS NOTE: Tonight I am trying out another new item I picked up at Trader Joes it is Lemon Pepper Pappardelle. It is super lemony. I love, love, love lemon but to me it was a FAKE tasting lemon. Not my fav. Did however, love the pappardelle and will try another one on my next trip.

Menu Planning

Sunday~ Souper Sunday

Monday~Stir-Fry Chicken
Tuesday~ Ta-Da Pasta & Parm
Wednesday~ Chili
Thursday~ Spaghetti & Mariana Sauce
Friday~Pizza Friday

Chicken Stir Fry

I am trying so hard to eat from the pantry/freezer, stop spending money on "to-go" food, conserve, reduse, re-use. I went to Trader Joe's (one of my favorite places!) over the weekend and got some fun/new things for said pantry and freezer! I came home with Soyaki Sauce which I marinated some chicken with, broccoli slaw (love this stuff) put about 1 Tb on 1/2 bag. Just before tossong it with the chicken. Rice in the rice cooker and Veggie Egg Rolls (also from TJ's) in the oven. Dinner in about 30mins for under $10. YIP-EEE

I cubed my chicken and put it a hot wok, tossed it so it would get a great sear on the meat (b/t 350-400) then turned it down to about 225 loosely covered and let it go (about 20 mins deending on the size of your cubed chicken, the smaller the quicker it will cook). I tossed in the broccoli slaw at the very end just to wilt it a bit. Served with steamed rice and the Veggie Egg Rolls. That I DO NOT reccomend, they are not that great. Can't really pinpoint why just nothing I would buy again.

Is there a Secret or is it all Luck?

You may remember I was asking for wisdom from other Moms as to the Secret of Potty Training.
Read HERE  Is there a secret or is this all luck?

He went to his Pop-pop & Ka-ka's house to spend the night on Friday. I told him before he left, actually kidding, that his Pop-pop (my Dad) said "if he would poo-poo in the potty so that Pop didn't have to change a stinky diaper that he would buy him a new Truck". IT WORKED!!! I mean really...
he came home with a new truck and did his buisness in the toliet!
Dang, Grandparents ALWAYS seem to get LUCKY!!

Today, he is wearing Big Boy underwear and is getting stickers for each trip to the potty. Glad tomo is a holiday and we can continue working!! Guess I need to head to the store for Pull-ups for pre-school. They will be excited. NOT!

Souper Sunday

This morning I was watching Giada and she was making a soup with leftover lettuce and potatoes. I thought umm, I have a large baking potato in my fridge as well as 1/2 bag of fresh spinach, think I am going to make my version of this soup.

EVOO

1 onion, diced

1 lg baking potato, diced

4 small red potatoes, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 box (4 cups) chicken broth

1 tsp dill

dash of nutmeg

s & p to taste (be sure to salt potatoes as your cooking or it will way more once it's cooked)

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 c cream

Goat Cheese for garnish

Soften onions in evoo, add potatoes & carrots, cook 2 mins then add broth  and spices cook apx 20 mins till potatoes are fork tender. Add spinach to wilt. Add cream and blend with imersion blender or put in your blender serve with a dallop of goat cheese or sour cream.

Ina's Indonesian Chicken

I recently joined the Barefoot Bloggers, a cooking club ALL about INA! The Barefoot Contessa, I love her and I am so excited to be a part of this. Their concept is memebers of the club pick a recipe and everyone cooks it and then blogs about it. I love it. I love to critique and I LOVE to doctor up/switch around recipes and this will be fun. Thus far I have loved everything I have ever made of Ina's. This weeks pick was from Todd at  A Cooking Dad. Thanks as this looks great and I am happy to make it!

Ina's Indonesian Chicken (the exact recipe)

1 c honey
3/4 c soy sauce
1/4 c garlic (8-12 cloves)
1/2 c ginger root
chicken
Note she uses a lot of chicken I am using 3 split breast and therfore I am cutting the marinade in half.
Cook all ingredients in a small sauce pan and pour over chicken and marinate overnight. Bake covered at 350 for 30 mins, remove foil raise temp to 375 and cook additional 30 mins.

I am serving mine with cous-cous and a spinach salad. Sounds good.

THE VERDICT:
Ok, I marinated the chicken last night, boneless/skinless breast. Left instructions for Hubs on how to cook it and got in late from work to find that I am not so sure he followed the directions and I wasn't thrilled. This is the most blah, chicken of Ina's I have ever had. Maybe, I am sure it would have been much better if I had used bone-in breast but, I didn't have any on hand and really if the marinade was that great it would have still tasted yummy. I just wasn't thrilled.
Onto, the next dish.  Shrimp Bisque

Carrots, carrots & more carrots

Fan-tab carrots! I, who would tell you that I do not even care for cooked carrots have found & of course adapted to fit my fam a terrific and oh so easy little side dish that goes with practically everything.
1 lb bag of mini carrots
1 Tb butter
1 Tb brown sugar
2 tsp fresh grated ginger
sea salt & fresh ground pepper
In large preferably non-stick skillet, melt butter, add sugar then ginger & carrots. Season with salt & pepper saute for 2 min then add 1 cup water bring to boil and cook until fork tender. Liquid will reduce a make a syrup. They are yum-eeee. My 2 yr old LOVED these, he kept asking for more!

For more great VEGGIE Recipes GO HERE!!

Mrs. B's Shaker Chicken Noodle Soup

SUYL

 so excited to be sharing one of my most favorite soups with kelly and all her friends today!! How fun!! This is by far one of the most popular soups on my site. I love yummy one pot measl ona cold day and SNOW has hit NC so this is perfect! It is perfect to share with a sick friend, new mom, neighbor, family lunch it is great!!

This dish was described to me "as an OLD, old recipe" that was shared by a dear friends Mom, Anne Beach, who happens to be one of the best cooks I know! EVERYTHING Mrs. B makes is divine, I can remember shortly after moving to H town back in the 90's sitting in Mrs. B's kitchen and watching her make homemade Lemon Bars. She cooks with LOVE. Love of the ingredients, love of those she is cooking for and love  in the sharing a bit of herself with all those who are lucky enough to know her! She is a great lady!
Back to the recipe!

Shaker Chicken Noodle Soup:

13 cups chicken stock

1 stick of butter

1/4 c dry vermouth

1 c cream

1/2 c flour

1 c water (warm in micro and flour will not clump)

2-3 cups chicken, diced or shredded whatever you like

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp white pepper

1 tsp dill ( I love dill so I add a ton!)
 

Melt butter, vermouth and 1 cup stock. Bring to a boil and reduce down to apx 1/2 c. Stir in cream and sit aside. Add remaining stock to dutch oven and bring to a boil add noodles and cook. Add flour/water mix stir, cook 1-2 mins, add cream mix, spices and chicken and cook a few more mins. Serve
It is the closest thing to Chicken and Dumplings I have ever had and is DELISH!


 

Deb's Gourmet Chicken Spaghetti

In college, my roomate, Red, never cooked more than warming up canned veggies, one day announced that she was going to make her Mom's Gourmet Chicken Spaghetti. I, at this point had never had chicken spaghetti and wondered what it was. Well, let me tell you this is a dish that is GOOD! There isn't too much gourmet about it other than the name but, boy she would surprise all of us girls every so often with this dish made full of love and I am sharing it today. It is comfort food at its best. Hope you all enjoy!!
3 chicken breast
1/2 lb thin spaghetti
4 T butter
4 T flour
1 c cream (I use 2% milk)
1 c chicken broth
1 c sour cream
1 c parm cheese
1/8 c lemon juice
1/3 c white wine (opt you can use more lemon juice or broth)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp salt
8 oz mushrooms
Boil chicken, cook spaghetti, make white sauce, melt butter add flour, until bubbly, slowly add warm broth, and all remaining ingredients. Mix chicken & spaghetti in sauce. Pour in 3 qt casserole dish, sprinkle with parm cheese & paprika. Bake 350 30-40 min.

For more great recipe ideas GO HERE!