Broccoli Chicken and Rice...The Easy Way

It has been a long time since I made chicken and rice.  I don't know why because we love it!  Well, hubby and I do anyway.  The boys can be picky at times and not exactly happy about what is cooked.  They eat..anyway.  ;D

My boys have been sick with the flu since Saturday.  Temperatures have been as high as 104.5 degrees with my younges and a steady 103 for 24 hours, for my oldest.  It was bad.  Thank the good Lord, the fevers are gone.  With their passing they left coughs, aches, sore throats and snuffy/runny noses.  Even so, I am glad.  I'll take those any day in the place of frightful fevers.

Back to the rice.  Hubby bought a rotisserie chicken yesterday, since I have been feeling bad myself and oh so tired,  but nobody felt like eating it.  I decided to make chicken and rice with it.  It couldn't be easier!  Take the meat off the bones and throw them, and the skin, in a pot, cover with water and Ta Da...easy chicken broth.  The next time you buy a whole cooked chicken...save the skin and bones to make a big pot of chicken and rice.  Enjoy!  <3 and hUgs!

Broccoli Chicken and Rice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed, meat chopped

1 1/2 cups brown rice

1 12oz bag broccoli, chopped, fresh or frozen

1 to 2 teaspoons seasoning salt or kosher salt

pepper to taste

Take meat off the bones.  Save the bones and skin.  

Put in a stock pot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and simmer at least 30 minutes.  

Remove skin and bones from pot and strain broth.  De-grease if needed.  

Return broth to pot and bring to boil.  Add rice and broccoli.  Cook 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

Chocolate Souffle Cookies

I've never made a chocolate souffle, or any kind for that matter.  I wanted to try today..and went on a cyber hunt.  Finally, I found something that would work for us.  Chocolate souffle cookies!  They were easy to make and very good!  A light, crisp, yummy cookie with a big chocolate taste!  Enjoy!  <3 and hUgs!

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Strawberry Skillet Biscuit-Cake

When you have only two people wanting strawberry shortcake, what do you do?  You grab a cast iron skillet and a tube of big biscuits!  Only Lucas and hubby wanted a strawberry shortcake.  As always, I try my best to oblige.  ~smile~  Here is a simple way to make just one or a few, shortcakes. Or, biscuit-cakes as the case may be.  Enjoy!  <3 and Hugs!

Strawberry Skillet Biscuit-Cake

1 tube big honey butter flaky biscuits

strawberries, sliced

whipped topping, store bought or your own

Spray skillet, I use a cast iron skillet for just about everything!  Heat to medium on stove.  Once hot put biscuit(s) in the pan.  Turn heat down to a lower setting.  You don't want this to brown too much before they are ready.  

Flip over when the biscuit starts to rise and the bottom is brown, 3 minutes more or less.  Cook until done..the biscuit will have risen, the layers flaky and browned.  I think it took around 5 minutes from start to finish.  

Get the kids in and let them split the biscuit-cakes into, top with strawberries and whipped topping.  They love it!  <3 and hUgs! 

SunnyD Cake....Only 3 Ingredients

The boys don't get SunnyD very often.   Ted bought them a jug of Orange-Peach the other day.  I looked at it sitting the fridge, taking up space.  Thinking about how sweet it is and not really wanting the boys to drink a lot of it...I decided to make a cake using it.

The other day, I repinned a cake made with a mix and diet soda from our sweet Marsha Baker, A Better Baker  That's how I was going to make!  I did, and it turned out great!  The SunnyD was not very strong..just a hint of it was enough for us.  I made whipped cream flavored with peach jello and it was soooo good!  I sent Ted to the store, since Reid has the flu, to get sugar free jello in peach and orange flavors.  Here's a simple, yet yummy, cake!  <3 and hUgs!

SunnyD Cake

1 cake mix, any flavor, I used white

12 oz SunnyD, any flavor

2 teaspoons meringue powder, this is what I used or 1-2 beaten egg whites

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray 8x11 pan with cooking spray.

Stir meringue powder in the cake mix. Add SunnyD, starting with 10 oz and add more if needed.  I whisked it by hand for 2 minutes.  Put in pan.  Cook for 15 minutes.  Turn pan around.  Cook another 10-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle, comes out clean.  Cool in pan on rack.

For a fast topping for 2-4 pieces.  Increase amounts for more servings.

Whip 1/2 cup heavy cream with 1 Tablespoon and 1 teaspoon peach or orange, jello until peaked.  What could be easier?  Use fat free cool whip in place of heavy cream.  Enjoy!  <3 and hugs!

Giant Birthday Tissue Flowers

I used half pint canning jars as a vases.  I put them on the table to take a picture.  They were actually placed around the dining area.
These were made a few days ago, a little bit touched by the boys.  ;D  

Instead of balloons for the twins birthday, I wanted to do something that will won't be gone in a few days.  Something that can be used again and last for a long time.  Well, as long as two 5 year old boys will let them, that is.

I looked around the net and saw tissue flowers.  Perfect!  They will be lasting and still have the round concentric appearance of balloons.  Hung on the wall or from ceiling fans.  Placed in vases or attached to a stake and stuck in the ground outside, they will be ideal.

I'm afraid the pictures are complete and will update as I make more.  This is my first one, not to shabby for a beginner,  me thinks.  ~smile~  I'm going to see if the boys would like to make some also.  I hope they do!

What you need....

tissue paper, I used a package for one

scissors

pipe cleaners

that's it!!

Fold the tissue paper accordion style length wise.

Fold in half to find your center, this is where you will put the pipe cleaner.

Cut ends round or in points. 

Starting towards the center, gently pull tissue paper trying to keep the pleats as you go.

Once done with one side..do the same with the other.

I taped the two the open ends together to make the flower full.

Instant Oatmeal Pancakes for One!

An easy way to make pancakes that are healthy and yummy!  By using one package of instant oatmeal, you can have pancakes in minutes!  Use any variety and your flavored pancakes possibilities are endless!  May also be viewed here: http://www.examiner.com/food-in-orlando/healthy-instant-oatmeal-pancakes-for-one   Enjoy! <3 and hugs!

Please check the Coupon tab to see if Instant Oatmeal, and other favorites, are there.  ~smile~

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Three Cheese Garlic Grits

Grits!  There isn’t a Southerner around that hasn’t had a bowl of grits.  With nothing added to them, they are plain, blah and just not good at all.  When you add salt, garlic, cheese, bacon and/or butter..you are in for a southern delight!  Something to keep in mind…when grits boil, they hurt you if they land on you.  They will pop out of the pot like crazy if they are cooking too high.  When they get on you….they stick to you and burn.   Just keep them simmering and you’ll be fine.  ~smile~

3 Cheese Garlic Grits with Shrimp

Three Cheese Garlic Grits

4 cups water, chicken broth is Great

1 cup grits, old fashion

1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons minced garlic, I used bottled in water

1 medium to large bay leaf

1- 2 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste

fresh ground pepper to taste

3/4 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded

3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2  - 3/4 cup parmesan cheese

Bring water, or chicken broth, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and bay leaf to a boil.  Stir in grits, cover and reduce heat to a simmer.  Cook according to directions.  Add cheese, change the amounts to suit your taste, when done.  Taste and add more seasoning if desired. 

Serve with sautéed or fried shrimp, eggs, ham…you get the idea!