Teriyaki Chicken and Mushroom Rice

If you're looking for something simple, hearty, and savory, you've found it! Just keep some teriyaki glaze and a can of beef consomme on hand and you'll be set. Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

Marinade Recipe
(courtesy of Lydia!)
1/2 cup teriyaki glaze
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup crushed pineapples with juice
1/2 cup brown sugar divided (some to rub into your meet, some for the marinade)
1 tsp garlic (optional)
Mix it all up and let meat marinade. Then throw it on the skillet!


Mushroom Rice
1 cup rice
1 can Consomme soup
1 can onion soup (I used French Onion)
1 8-ounce can mushrooms, undrained
1 stick butter
Put all ingredients in a 2 quart covered casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

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Strawberry Dessert

This dish is a big hit with everyone...unless they don't like strawberries...or nuts...or gelatin...who invited them anyway?! It takes a little bit of prep work, but it's so worth it. Perfect for summer time!


1st Layer:
Pre-heat oven to 325.
1.5 cups plain flour
1.5 sticks melted butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Mix and spread in 9x13 inch glass pan. It should be a thin layer. Bake at 325 until golden brown (about 15 minutes). Cool the crust in the fridge.

2nd Layer:
8oz package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar 
1 cup Cool Whip (defrosted most of the way)
1 tsp vanilla (that's a trick from Momma Omi)
Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar together. Add vanilla to the Cool Whip and mix. Fold in the Cool Whip to the cream cheese mixture. Once the crust has cooled all the way, spread the mixture on top of it. Keep it in the fridge while working on the strawberries.

3rd Layer:
1-2 quarts of fresh whole strawberries
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 can of 7-up
3 oz strawberry gelatin powder
1.5 tsp red food coloring (optional)
Remove stems from berries and arrange them, tips side up, on the second layer of pie. Mix the sugar and cornstarch in a large saucepan. Pour in the water while heating up. Add 7-up and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes or until it thickens like syrup (make sure it's thick enough so it's not runny!). Next, add gelatin and food coloring. Pour this over the strawberries on the pie. Let it sit/thicken in the fridge for at least about 30 minutes before serving.


As you can see, I probably should have poured in less of the gelatin mixture so more of the strawberries could be seen. To make it even prettier, spray some readi whip around the edges.

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Shrimp Parma Rosa

1/4 cups butter
3 cloves (or 3 Tbsp) minced garlic
2 cups 1/2 & 1/2
1 1.3-ounce envelope of Parma Rosa Sauce Mix
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
2 3-ounce packages of refrigerated Parmesan cheese
1 generous pound cooked, frozen, de-veined, peeled shrimp
1 8-ounce package of angel hair pasta, cooked
1 can of lump crab meat, drained

Melt butter in skillet, add garlic and saute. Stir in the 1/2 & 1/2 and cook over low heat, just until the milk is heated. Make sure it doesn't curdle! Whisk in the sauce mix, parsley, salt and pepper. Cook for 5-8 minutes, whisking occasionally. In the meantime, cook the pasta. Add one package of the cheese to the milk, (not the pasta), and stir until melted. Stir in the shrimp and crab. Cook over medium-low heat until shrimp are cooked. Pour over hot, strained pasta. Top with remaining cheese. Be ready to impress your guests with a delicious meal!
Yield: 6 servings


Right after my friend Camille was born, I made this for the Sumner's. Served it with some warm rolls and a ready-made salad. Finished it off with Strawberry Dessert! What a fun night!

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Chocolate Sheet Cake

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Chicken Fried Rice

1 1/2 tsp sesame oil (important ingredient!)
1 small onion
2 (or so) chicken breasts, cooked, cubed
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 cup frozen peas
1 bag frozen veggies (carrots, peas, beans etc)
5 cups cooked white rice (cooled)
2 eggs, mixed with a fork
1/3 cup soy sauce

Cook the rice first, and then make sure it's cooled all the way, otherwise your fried rice will be mushy...no bueno. You can add what ever vegetables you like...bell peppers, carrots, celery, peas etc. I like using the frozen kind because they're convenient and require no prep work. Let them thaw out a little bit before adding them. Ok, onto the directions.

Heat oil in a large skillet (or a wok as pictured below) over medium heat. Add the chicken and 2 tbsp of soy sauce. Stir fry for 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the veggies and stir fry for another 5 minutes. Then add rice and stir thouroughly. Finally, sir in scrambled eggs and 1/3 cup soy sauce.  Heat through and serve hot. Makes PLENTY of delicious leftovers!

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