Tomato Feta Baguettes

We had a family get together tonight at the Jano's house and I made these delicious baguettes for appetizers. They are also very easy and no baking required (anyone notice a trend yet?) I'll be posting lots of recipes next weekend...it is my best friend's baby shower and I'm making all of the food, so I can't wait to share! Also, if you've tried any of my recipes...please let me know! I would love to hear how they worked for you! I've had over 500 views in less than two weeks so I hope someone has tried something!

Ingredients:
Cherry Tomatoes
Sliced Baguette Chips (found in the bakery area pre-sliced)
Feta Cheese
Gia Russa Balsamic Glaze


3 Easy Steps:


1. Slice cherry tomatoes in half and top baguette chips.


2. Sprinkle baguette chips with feta cheese.


3. Drizzle balsamic glaze over baguette chips.

Baked Sesame Chicken Tenders

Enough with the sweets...time for a dinner post! I love sesame seeds, so when I saw this recipe, I had to try it! Your hands will get a little messy but they don't take that long to make and they have a kick to them!

 

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp Chili Oil (found in ethnic aisle with Asian products)

3 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds

1/2 Cup Panko bread crumbs

1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

2 Chicken Breast

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Cut chicken into slices for chicken tenders. 

3. In bowl, mix soy sauce and chili oil, set aside.

4. In a separate bowl, mix sesame seeds, panko crumbs, and cayenne pepper.

5. Dip chicken in oil/soy mix, then coat chicken with breading mix and place on pan.

6. Bake for 6 min., flip and bake an additional 6 min. or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Smores Brownies

I know I just posted a smoresesque recipe not too long a go...but if you have leftover ingredients, now is the perfect time to try this dessert! Most people don't know that I'm also a couponer, not the crazy kind-but I like getting good deals! I recently got a really good deal on brownie mix so, I will be cheating and this recipe won't be entirely from scratch (not that that's a bad thing!)

 

Ingredients:

1 Box Brownie Mix

1 cup crumbled graham crackers

1 cup marshmallows

Directions:

1. Mix brownies according to box instructions.

2. Before pouring into pan, mix in graham cracker crumbles.

3. Pour mix into pan and top with marshmallows. Bake according to box instructions (or a few minutes shy if you like them chewy like I do!)

3 Easy Steps and you have "Gourmet Brownies"

Breakfast Cups

I'm usually not a fan of most breakfast foods...but these breakfast cups are pretty good and are ready in less than 20 minutes!

Ingredients for 2 Breakfast Cups:

2 slices of bread

2 eggs

1 slice of any deli meat (I used turkey but anything will do)

4 Tbsp shredded cheese

Salt & Pepper

1. Spray muffin pan with cooking spray & preheat oven to 350F.

2. Remove crust from bread and tear slice into circular shape to fit muffin pan. Mold bread circles into muffin cups and put in oven for 4 min. to lightly toast.

3. Remove tray from oven and place 1/2 slice of deli meat in cup and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

4. Crack egg and separate out half of egg white. Pour egg over the top of each cup.

5. Bake for 8-12 minutes depending on how you prefer your eggs. Top with Salt & Pepper to taste and enjoy!

Lemon Balsamic Chicken Pasta

I promise to give credit where credit is due and this recipe originated from a recipe on the box of Publix brand pasta. It pays off to buy Publix brand sometimes! I've made lots of changes from the original recipe and this was one of my favorites to cook with one of my old roomies, Ashley. I wish I could see this girlay again to cook with her but she is off to Cali! Can you tell I'm proud? Also, just to warn you: I love garlic so feel free to cut back a bit if you don't/substitute for other seasonings!

Ingredients:

1 Box Pasta (I used Penne Rigate, but any type will do)

Chicken breast

Garlic Powder

Garlic Salt

1/2 fresh lemon

1/4 cup Balsamic Glaze (I used Gia Russa brand)

1 box frozen chopped spinich

1 cup white wine

1 cup flour in a Ziploc bag

Olive Oil & Cooking Spray

Directions:

1. Cut chicken into small strip pieces and place in ziploc bag of flour. Shake bag to coat chicken in flour.

2. Bring pasta to boil and cook according to instructions on box (drain, etc.), as you begin to cook the chicken. Also, place spinach in the microwave to thaw stirring every 2 minutes.

3. Spray pan with cooking spray and add chicken on medium heat. Cook a few minutes until chicken is browned.

4. Once chicken is cooked, pour 1 cup white wine into pan and let simmer for 8 minutes.

5. Squeeze 1/2 fresh lemon over chicken and drizzle with Balsamic Glaze, flip chicken and repeat.

6. Once spinach is completely thawed, drain water from spinach and mix with pasta. Add garlic powder, garlic salt, olive oil, and any other seasonings that you would like. I also added a lemon garlic finishing butter this time!

7. Top with completed lemon balsamic chicken & serve.

I suggest enjoying with a glass of Chardonnay!

I'm going to try to keep the recipes coming...but I can only cook so fast and tonight is Gordita night (from a box...but it is so delicious) so I won't be sharing anymore for at least a day or two. 

Thanks for reading & let me know if you try it out!

Peanut Butter Smores Squares

Last night I needed a quick treat to prepare for a food day at work that was sure to impress my coworkers! This recipe was the perfect answer and it has one of my favorite ingredients: pretzels. These Peanut Butter Smores Squares are easy to make and no baking is required!

Ingredients:

1 box of Graham Crackers (broken into 24 squares)

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips

2 cups crushed pretzels

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter

2 tbsp. milk

1. Using wax paper, line a cookie sheet and spread graham crackers evenly.

2. Mix crushed pretzels, marshmallows, and milk chocolate chips in a bowl and set aside. 

3. On low heat, melt white chocolate chips and peanut butter.

3. Spread melted mixture evenly onto crackers (saving about 1/4 of mixture for drizzle)

4. Immediately, top crackers with the pretzel, marshmallow, chocolate chip mixture.

5. Drizzle remaining melted peanut butter white chocolate on top.

Let cool and enjoy! See how easy that was?

Getting Started...

To get started & give fair warning...this blog is a work in progress and I'm sure it will be a valuable learning experience the more I actually post! I'm going to attempt to try new recipes, share some of my favorites and successes, and have fun in the kitchen! So...bear with me as I figure out how to design my blog, photograph my food and discover awesome recipes. I'll be keeping it simple at first. Let's Begin!!!

PS- Let me know what you think!