Chicken Cacciatore

I had some chicken breasts I needed to cook, but was tired of the normal way, so I decided to try it this way. Simmered in tomato sauce and serve over spaghetti. I wasn't expecting too much, because I only had some basic ingredients, but it turned out really good and tender and the kids loved it. They were very large breasts, so they each got a half. Next time I will add some mushrooms, green pepper, buy some Italian seasoning and make more of the sauce. We barely had enough of the sauce.

4 chicken breasts
salt, pepper, oil and flour
1 26oz can tomato sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
dried oregano and basil
Parmesan cheese, grated
thin spaghetti noodles

Season chicken with salt and pepper and dredge in flour. Saute in oil in a large frying pan until golden brown, 4-5 min each side. Remove to a 9x13 pan. Saute onion and garlic for a few minutes in the same pan and add tomato sauce. Season with dried spices, ( i will use 1 teasp. Italian seasoning next time) and simmer for 5 minutes. Pour over chicken and cover. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Make spaghetti and serve sprinkling parm on top. Enjoy!

Tator Tot Casserole

I didn't feel like going to the store, but was out of most things, so I just made this recipe up with what I had already. And boy was it good! The kids gobbled it up and even asked for more. I only had a little bit left and warmed it up the next day and melted even more cheese on top. Yummy! You can totally play around with this one and add frozen peas or green beans, use chopped onion instead of the fried onions, add celery or use cream of chicken or cream of celery instead of the cream of mushroom. You get the idea. But it's a great filling dinner for the kids.

3 lbs ground beef - browned and drained of fat and seasoned(salt,pepper, and garlic powder)
26 oz can of cream of mushroom
1/2 can of milk ( 26oz can above)
3/4 of a 6oz can of fried onions
1 cup monterey jack cheese - grated
tator tots

Mix soup and milk together, add onions and beef, pour into 9x13 pan, sprinkle with cheese and top with tots. Bake at 350 degrees for 45min to an hour. Enjoy!

Sunday Rib Roast

So this was a new challenge for me. Usually rib roasts are too expensive, but I got lucky one day at the supermarket and they were 1/2 off. I payed $22 for a 4 1/2 pound one! Hubby made bacon this morning so I had the fat still in the pan and it needed to be used.

Take the roast out of the fridge 1hr before to bring to room temp. Season all sides with seasoned salt, garlic powder and seasoned pepper. Then sear all sides in your frying pan with the leftover bacon grease. Put in roasting pan fat side up at 325 degrees for 2 hours for a 4.5 lb roast, uncovered. Take out and cover with foil for 15-20 min to rest. Carve the bones off( a tasty treat for the chef, just hide from hubby) and then carve out your slices. This came out perfectly medium like I like it. I was a little worried, because I did not have a meat thermometer, but I was right on with the timing. Yeah me!

Enjoy!