Honey Mustard Pretzel Baked ChickenTenders is flavorful, tender and delicious! The pretzel coating provides a nice bit of crunch and color. Serve with the honey mustard dressing for full flavor to brighten any meal. Don’t skip that part because the flavor is phenomenal over the baked chicken! You could pulse the pretzels in the food processor. Or put them in a zipper bag and smoosh them with a heavy drinking glass or the rolling pin. I opt for the second method. In this house, that’s faster than getting out the food processor and way more satisfying! You want to stop beating on the pretzels while there are still recognizable pretzel pieces though – no matter how great it feels to take out the day’s frustration. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and set aside at least half ... [Read More]
Make Ahead Freezer Cooking
Chicken Taco Chili
Chicken Taco Chili was a unanimous thumbs up the first time I made it. And every time since. Before I found this recipe I was definitely not a chili fan. Chili always seemed "heavy" and unappetizing. This one, with chicken and taco seasoning, is light and flavorful and full of good stuff. When Bytes and his big brother turned up their toddler noses at something, I'd wait a couple of weeks or so to bring back the objectionable food. When they protested at food they'd already rejected, I told them that they didn't like it when they were little but now that they were "big" boys it their taste buds just might like it. Worked 99% of the time! Obviously, my taste buds have finally matured. You'll like it too!! Chicken Taco Chili is very simple to make ahead and freeze for later ... [Read More]
Cheesy Ravioli and Italian Sausage Bake
Please Pin! Thanks!! Hearty and family friendly, Ravioli and Italian Sausage Bake, goes together in about 20 minutes. Slide it in the oven and do whatever else you need to do until it’s ready for the table an hour later. Add a vegetable salad, and a simple dessert – apple slices with peanut butter or sliced peaches and yogurt. Healthy and filling dinner that pleases kids and grownups alike. I always like to have a back up plan. Fresh garlic is not often in my pantry. Actually, come to think of it, I’ve never bought fresh garlic. I have a hard enough time keeping up with a small bag of fresh onions and a medium bag of potatoes before they start winding sprouts around the basket handle and then around the ankles of all who enter. I keep a jar of minced garlic in the fridge – ... [Read More]
Sweet n Tangy Barbecue Pork Chop Bake
Sweet n tangy barbecue pork chops are quick, easy and sooo good! The first time I made them both Wheels and Bytes spoke after the first couple of bites. “You can make these any time” was Wheels opinion. Bytes said, “These are really good. I’d eat them again. And again.” Nice to know the dish was appreciated and enjoyed. However, the recipe is easy – they can make these barbecue pork chops for themselves! :-) ‘Course both of them are really good about painting and executing some of my wilder ideas, so maybe it’s a fair trade, after all. Use your favorite or a plain store bought barbecue sauce as the base. There is only a hint of tang from the onions and mustard. If you have some handy, add just a single tablespoon of sweet pickle relish for a bit more tang! No one would ... [Read More]
Roja Chicken Enchiladas
Roja Chicken Enchiladas take their name from the red enchilada sauce used over top the filled tortillas. If it were green enchilada sauce, they would be verde enchiladas. Everybody else probably knows that -- but me. :-) Yes, I knew the names meant red and green in Spanish -- but never got close enough to realize they were attached to different kinds of enchilada sauce. Verde gets its green color from tomatillos. Red sauce is -- of course -- tomato based. You probably knew that too. In this case, choose the type of red sauce you like -- mild, medium or hot. You know I'm wimpy about things that just might include heat so I went for the mild. I am making a conscious effort to broaden my cooking/eating experiences. Not sure "hot" is ever going to happen though. :-) Shred the ... [Read More]
Italian Meatball Soup
A healthy, full flavored, main dish soup, Italian Meatball Soup is so quick and easy that it is ready to eat in thirty minutes! Cannellini beans (aka white kidney beans) are fiber rich – about 7 grams of fiber per half cup. They also contain 7 grams of protein per half cup, which added to the 13 grams of protein in a serving of six meatballs, accounts for 20 grams of protein. Rather impressive in a bowl of soup. Add the many vitamins and minerals found in spinach, plus the tomatoes and you have a nutritious dish with little effort. This is very straightforward to make. Measure seasonings while the broth is coming to a boil. Add them as you measure and whisk when all have been added. Open the beans and pour into the colander to drain. Open remaining cans so they are ready ... [Read More]