This supremely satisfying Creamy Wild Rice soup is comfort food. The wild rice is filling, while the finely minced and chopped vegetables give the soup consistent flavor. Healthy, nutritious and earthy good. Beans aren’t usually on the menu at Chez Charlene’s. Hearty Calico Beans, of course, which uses kidney beans, lima beans or navy beans. Tacos or taco salad with black beans or refried beans. I had to look up Cannellinni beans when I saw this recipe. It is one of four types of white beans -- Navy beans, Great Northern beans, Cannellini beans, or Baby Lima beans aka butter beans. I’ve heard of the other three and used them in cooking. How did I miss Cannellini beans? Cannellini beans are the largest of the group and because of their traditional kidney shape, they can also be ... [Read More]
mushrooms
Chicken, Mushrooms and Bacon in the crockpot
Chicken with mushrooms and bacon makes a tender, juicy and surprisingly flavorful chicken dinner. The chicken breasts are dredged in flour and browned in a skillet to keep them juicy on the inside. The mushrooms, and bacon are quickly sauted and added to the chicken in the crockpot where they simmer for only four hours. Put them in the crockpot at lunchtime and come home to a wonderfully aromatic dinner. Serve with brown rice, pasta or potatoes with vegetables on the side. Have fruit or ice cream for dessert. (Even better ice cream with fruit.) Use chicken breasts that have been flattened or sliced to about an inch thick. They will cook more evenly than the chunky chicken breast. This slow cooker chicken recipe is a simple meal and takes less than 15 minutes and one skillet to ... [Read More]
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Beef Stroganoff is a simple dish of meat and mushrooms with a sour cream sauce that literally has been around for centuries. Eventually it was given the name of the Russian Count Pavel Stroganoff. Stroganoff, was a celebrity in turn-of-the-century St. Petersburg, a dignitary at the court of Alexander III and a gourmet. He entertained frequently and beef, onions and mushrooms in a savory sour cream sauce became a signature dish bearing his name. However, his Beef Stroganoff was likely served over potatoes rather than noodles. Beef Stroganoff has many variations and here is one more! This is a quick and easy version of Beef Stroganoff for families on the go. It takes about 10 minutes to put together, using cubed stew meat. You can use frozen diced onions to shave off a couple of ... [Read More]
Quick and Easy Chicken Marsala
Quick and Easy Chicken Marsala begins with chicken breast fillets. That is chicken breast cut into half inch slices the full length of the chicken breast. If you can't find them in the frozen food area or the butcher shop in the grocery store, you can cut them yourself from chicken breasts. The even thickness allows for more even cooking and result in a tender, juicy finished product. Another essential is Marsala wine simmered together with heavy cream to make the sauce. And, of course, sliced mushrooms. Even Bytes eats the mushrooms in this dish without grumbling about "fungi". Dredge the chicken in flour lightly and add to preheated skillet with 2-3 tablespoons of oil -- enough to coat the entire bottom. Saute each piece 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. I check to ... [Read More]
Creamy Wild Rice and Chicken Bake
Creamy Wild Rice and Chicken Bake is delicious, filling comfort food. It is easy to assemble in about 5 minutes. Make the rice mixture in the morning to refrigerate with the thawed chicken in a separate bag. The minute you walk in the door, put the chicken on top of the rice, add the slivered almonds and it is ready to pop in the oven. Sit down for the next forty five minutes or put in a load of laundry, clean the cat box, referee homework and sit down for five minutes! Whatever you need to do! With ten minutes left on the timer, fill bowls with a salad mix from a bag, microwave a steam in the bag vegetable and set out a plate of cookies. Very happy tummies for not much time invested. I use Uncle Ben's Long Grain and Wild Rice with a seasoning packet. The package says it will ... [Read More]
Cheesy Crescent Scrambled Egg Casserole
Cheesy Crescent Scrambled Egg Casserole is perfect for a holiday brunch. It is a nice alternative to the usual Egg and Bread Breakfast Casserole. The Cheesy Crescent Scrambled Egg Casserole is a party animal, especially if you use the optional egg wash to “make it pretty.” Serve with mixed fresh fruit, yogurt parfait, a light crispy pastry roll and a beverage bar. Beautiful and filling for a day of celebrating. This is a little “busy” to make, but so worth it. If you have hearty appetites – that’s this house! – plan on 9 servings instead of twelve. You might want two of these delicious casseroles for a brunch buffet because they will be back for more! You could brown the sausage ahead of time to make things a little easier. Also, buy the crescent sheets if you can find them. I don’t ... [Read More]
