What's for Supper?

Tonight we tried a new recipe from Pioneer Woman Creamy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

My changes are in RED

Ingredients

• 1 whole Cut Up Fryer Chicken I used a Rotisserie Chicken
• 1 stick 1/2 Cup Butter
• 16 ounces, weight White Mushrooms, Sliced I used around 8 ounces and it was plenty for us
• ¼ cups Dry White Wine
• Kosher Salt And Pepper
• ¼ cups Flour
• 2 cups Chicken Broth (reserved From Chicken Or Canned) I used Canned Chicken Broth
• 1-½ cup Whole Milk I used 2% because that is what we had :)
• ¼ cups (additional) Dry White Wine
• 1 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 cup Whole Black Olives, Chopped I bought chopped black olives to save time. :)
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, Or To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Extra Cheese, For Sprinkling
• 1 pound Thin Spaghetti I really like the thin wheat spaghetti

Preparation Instructions

Place chicken in a pot of water and boil on medium-low heat for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and allow to cool slightly. Keep broth in pot. We eliminated this step and just put chicken broth in a pot.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Throw in mushrooms, add 1/4 cup white wine, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until liquid has totally evaporated. Remove mushrooms from skillet. Set aside.

Bring broth to a boil. Break spaghetti into thirds (shorter pieces). Add spaghetti pieces to boiling broth and cook. Drain when al dente. Remove meat from bones and shred until you have 2-plus cups of shredded chicken. In this future I will make sure that I cut into small pieces

Return large skillet to medium-low heat. Add 6 tablespoons butter. In the future I will probably add garlic here. Sprinkle flour over butter, whisking to combine. Cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Pour in 2 cups broth and whisk to combine. Pour in milk, additional 1/4 cup wine, salt and pepper to taste, then cook and bubble until thick. Turn off heat, add Parmesan cheese, and stir.

Add mushrooms, chicken, and chopped olives. Stir to combine and check seasonings. Add cooked spaghetti and stir.

Turn into a 9 x 13 casserole pan. Bake at 350 degrees or until golden brown and bubbly. Serve with salad and warm, crusty bread.

Here are some pictures from our journey! I served it with garlic crescent rolls. It was yummy!  

Projects

We love old windows!

Mr. C and I have created two things out of the old windows that we have.

What have you created with old windows? I would love to see some other ideas!

Savannah, GA

On our trip last year to Savannah we at Uncle Bubba's which as you all know if Paula Deen's brother. The food was amazing! This was definitely one of the best meals that we had while there! The atmosphere was great on the back deck with live music. We both chose to get the Low Country Boil. It was amazing definitely the best I have ever had!!! But that did not even compare to the keylime pie! I still have dreams about that pie. It was so good!!!! Many people that I have talked to have never ate at Uncle Bubba's and as much as I love Paula Deen Uncle Bubba's blew her restaurant away! Loved it!!!

What is your favorite restaurant in Savannah?

Valentine's Dinner

On Saturday night my wonderful husband made us reservations at the Oar House in Dahlonega, GA. This is one of our favorite restaurants for special occasions. Since I do not like to have plans on week nights because of school he planned our dinner for Saturday night which I loved!!!

One of the best things about the Oar House is the cozy atmosphere. It's just a small little house on the river that has been converted into a restaurant that serves excellent food.

We both ordered the Prime Rib meal which to be honest is what we always order. The meal comes with bread and a salad. The Prime Rib comes with veggies and potatoes.

I always like to be completely honest with our experiences at a restaurant and I have to say this was not one of our best experiences as my prime rib was ordered to be medium well and was beyond rare when brought out. I must add that the manager did give us a free prime rib meal for our next visit. I did not really expect anything to be done as I normally do not complain at restaurants but he noticed that I had not eaten very much and asked why. I was pleased that he gave us the coupon for the next visit. Most people would have expected the meal to be taken off the ticket but considering I did not complain when we I received the prime rib I was fine with this option. Of all the times we have dined at the Oar House this is the first not so great experience that we have had. I will definitely be returning!!!

TV

Who has time for television these days? Well when I do these are my favorite new and semi-new shows.



I love the new show Off The Map on abc at 10pm! I have been watching since the series premiere and I thought it would be just another one of those shows that if you watch it great but if not then that's ok too. As of a couple of weeks ago Off The Map is set to record every Wednesday night. Of course I say it is set to record because 10pm is after this girl's bedtime. :)

I also love The Good Wife on CBS on Tuesday at 10pm. I do not really agree with all the poilitical views but the overall show is great! Why is it that all the good shows come on after my bedtime? Well that's ok because then I get to skip the commercials.

I know this is not really a food or even a southern thing but just thought I would share. :)

What is your favorite show this year?

Blue Mason Jars

I love blue Mason Jars! I started my collection this summer. My wonderful mother found some online and was able to get them for me. I just have a few but they really make me smile when I see them sitting in my kitchen! There is just something about Mason Jars. :)

SL's Praline Apple Bread

I came across Southern Living's (my favorite magazine) Praline Apple Bread recipe two fall's ago. I love anything apple and add that extra sweetness of Praline and I am in!!! This bread turned out to be amazing! I love it! It is great as a dessert, snack, or breakfast! This is a must try recipe!

Here is the recipe:

Sour cream is the secret to the rich, moist texture of this bread recipe. There's no butter or oil in the batter—only in the glaze.

Yield: Makes 1 loaf

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  cups  chopped pecans, divided
• 1  (8-oz.) container sour cream
• 1  cup  granulated sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 1  tablespoon  vanilla extract
• 2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons  baking powder
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1 1/2  cups  finely chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples (about 3/4 lb.)
• 1/2  cup  butter
• 1/2  cup  firmly packed light brown sugar

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 1/2 cup pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 6 to 8 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring after 4 minutes.

2. Beat sour cream and next 3 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until blended.

3. Stir together flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to sour cream mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in apples and 1/2 cup toasted pecans. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 9- x 5-inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chopped pecans; lightly press pecans into batter.


4. Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, shielding with aluminum foil after 50 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.

5. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil in a 1-qt. heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, and spoon over top of bread; let cool completely (about 1 hour).
Note: To freeze, cool bread completely; wrap in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Recipe from Debbie Grusska, Hobart, Indiana

Debbie Grusska, Hobart, Indiana, Southern Living, SEPTEMBER 2009

Next Anniversary Trip

We have been trying to come up with a new place to visit that is close by (meaning not more than 4-5 hours). We have a list of places that we want to travel to and we have already marked two off of that list with our 1st Anniversary in Savannah and the 2nd in Charleston. We love the Southern Charm of both places. I would go back to both places again and again but we like to try somewhere new on our yearly trip. We have thought about New Orleans and even Maryland (much longer drive). We have also considered staying on one of the islands just outside of Charleston but that would not really count as a new place. Oh but I would love the have some Shrimp and Grits from Amen Street! I have craved those since we left.

Our Bucket List of places to visit in no particular order include:
Savannah, GA
Charleston, SC
New York City for the Macy's Day Parade (this is really just me Mr. C really has no desire to go but would for me.)
California I mean really who does not want to visit the coveted 90210 :)
Alaska
Ireland
Maryland/Delaware - this is where my grandfather was from and we still have family there

Someday we will get to see all of these place but until then I am proud that we have marked two off of our list in the first two years of marriage.

Our yearly trip is to Destin, Florida in June. We go with the family and have been blessed that my grandparents have a vacation home there. We absolutely love Destin and always have even before it got so big!

Pictures make every post better so enjoy! And please tell us your suggestions!

 Savannah, GA

 Folly Beach

 Charleston

Destin, Florida

Supper

Wow three post in one day...

Tonight we needed something simple. So... we decided on nachos. As easy as they are to make we hardly ever do. Here is the picture version of our supper.

 Can of Black Beans

 Brown Ground Beef

 You cannot beat Kraft Mexican Cheese

 Cilantro

 Lettuce

 Onions (for Mr. C)

 Gotta have a dollop of Daisy! :)

 Simple is the plan!

 Again for Mr. C

 Multigrain Chips trying to make it a little healthy :)

 Mr. C's pile of Nachos



My more of a taco salad idea!

An easy delicious meal!!! Yum!

Mr. C's Birthday!

Well the hubby turned 26 today! We celebrated his birthday at the Porter House in Dahlonega and Mom made his favorite cake which just so happens to be my dad's favorite birthday cake. I am lucky that we get to celebrate with it twice a year because it is delicious!

As for the snow it is still hanging around and I am ready for it to melt now. Our driveway and road look like we have advertised for mud boggin party. Living on a dirt road has many advantages such as less traffic and less people. However, after a heavy rain and snow it is a huge mess!!! Tomorrow I will be learning how to drive the Jeep because the little Honda will not be gracing our road with her presence this week. I have never been very successful at learning a stick shift but I am determined that I can do this! Hey I built my own fire last week surely I can drive a manual! Haha! We shall see! Wish me luck!

Pasta

Day 4 of being home without leaving at all except if you count that one trip on the 4 wheeler on Monday which I don't. Well, since I have been at home this week I wanted to cook a good supper. So tonight I created our version of Pioneer Woman's Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce. Her version is really good and that is the one we tried the first time. The second time we decided to put our own twist on it. I will add our changes.

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 1 whole Green Bell Pepper
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced (we went the easy route and used the ready to cook garlic in the bottle about 1 tablespoon)
• 4 cups of Marinara (we used traditional Prego)
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• Grated Parmesan Or Romano Cheese, To Taste
• 1-½ pound thin wheat spaghetti
• 1 pack of Italian Sausage

Preparation Instructions
Brown Italian Sausage.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
Heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions, pepper, and garlic and saute. This will take a couple of minutes. Pour in marinara and add salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook over low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and stir in cream. Add cheese to taste, then check seasonings. Stir in pasta and italian sausage and serve immediately. (Thin with pasta water before adding basil if needed. **We didn't need it)

We also baked some sour dough bread with butter and garlic.

This was delicious!!! We had a lot left over because there are just two of us. Mr. C and I will be taking the leftovers for lunch tomorrow plus we will still have a little left.

Well I have to say with the pasta, heavy cream, and garlic bread are not really sticking to many people's New Year's Resolution but I love finding a new good recipe. And hey the pasta was whole wheat thin pasta. :)

Anyway, I think this week has taught me that I could totally be a hermit. I have been perfectly content here in my little house. Of course I had Lucy to keep me company but I would be just fine staying here another week or two as long as we had groceries. I know I am weird.... but content.

And because I do not think I have introduced you to my Lucy yet here she is...

Snow...

We have been snowed in since Sunday. We very rarely get a snow like this in Georgia. I actually doubted the weather man all weekend up until the snow began to fall but oh when it finally started I knew we were in for a suprise. Within five minutes Sunday night the ground was completely covered! Monday morning we woke up to a winter wonderland! Mr. C was actually off work with me on Monday which is very rare! We had a blast rode the 4 wheeler and played in the snow. We are kids at heart. I also got a couple of pictures. I love the snow. Then we spent the afternoon sitting by the fire. This was a great snow day!!!

Happy Snow Day!