Chicken Mole

We became addicted to this wonderful dish while participating in a cooking group at our last long term RV park. Now I know this is not the same recipe that the lady in our group used because I know the seasoning she used was made by Knorr, not Goya; but I was shopping one day and saw the jar of goya mole on the shelf and grabbed it. Then I had to figure out how to use it. So I decided to visit the Goya website and found This Recipe and decided to give it a try. The original recipe calls for using a whole chicken but we prefer chicken breasts but other than that I stuck with their recipe.

9 oz jar mole
3 cups water or chicken broth
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 - 2 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 tsp adobo seasoning with pepper, or to taste
tortillas (flour or corn, whatever your preference)

In saucepan over low heat combine mole and broth. Stir constantly until mixture is well combined and comes to a simmer. Remove from heat and keep warm.

Cut chicken breasts into thick pieces and season. Heat oil in skillet and add the chicken.

Cook chicken in oil just until it turns white on the outside. Add the sauce and stir so that chicken is completely covered with sauce.

Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. Simmer the chicken, with pan partially covered, until chicken is completely done, about 10 minutes.

Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite Mexican sides and enjoy!

Shared with:

Menu Plan 022513

What a crazy week! We have been driving all over Texas, mostly south Texas. Finally arrived home Friday night. We will spend the weekend relaxing then later this morning we will load up the RV and move back to the San Antonio area. We will have a simple meal this evening after the long drive I doubt I will want to cook anything much. Also, we have eaten out so much this past week I don't even want to think about going out for dinner. That may change by next Saturday, but I have my doubts.

Monday
Chili Dogs with Onion Rings

Tuesday
Jalapeno-Lime Chicken Salad

Wednesday
Seafood Pizza

Thursday
Chicken Mole* with Beans

Friday
Spicy Tuna Melts with Salad

Saturday
Jalapeno Sausage Pasta or Dinner Out?

Sunday
Pasta with Quick Spaghetti Sauce and Garlic Bread

Molten Chocolate Cakes

This has been a favorite dessert around here for years! I don't know how it has never been posted on this blog before now! Well, I made it this year for our Valentine's dessert, yummy ending to a great meal! (I'll share the meal, or at least the main course, at a later time.) This month's Improv Challenge over at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker called for Hearts and Flours -Cute! so I thought this would be the perfect dish to share. You can see the original recipe HERE, the only change I have made is to cut the recipe in half.

2 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp flour
whipped topping

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Butter two small custard cups (mine are actually one cup prep bowls that are oven safe) and place on baking sheet. Microwave chocolate and butter in large bowl for one minute on high or until butter is melted. Whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar.

Add egg and egg yolk, mixing well. Stir in flour. Divide evenly into prepared cups.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes, sides should be firm but center should still be soft. Let rest for one minute. Carefully run a small spatula around the edge to loosen. Even more carefully invert onto serving dish.

Top with whipped topping. Serve and enjoy!


 document.write('

Hearts and Flours

(Submissions start February 21, 2013, 7:00 am)

Link tool by inlinkz.com

');

Leftovers Done Up Right!

I am posting this instead of my usual menu plan. I will be going out of town with my honey for work, moving equipment around and don't know exactly when we will be back. Right now I am not sure when we will be leaving either. I am writing this on Sat, we will leave either Sun or Mon for Tyler. From there we will go back over to South Texas for a few days.

I had several items leftover from different recipes. We don't normally use many corn tortillas, but they were leftover from some beef enchiladas. Then the cooking creme was left from the last time we had seafood pizza. Then there was that little bit of sour cream and extra mushrooms and green onions. Any way, you get the idea, not just the chicken was leftover, most of the ingredients here were purchased for use in other recipes. Not wanting to waste any of it, I threw it all together to make this wonderful meal!

5 corn tortillas
canolla oil
Italian cooking creme
sour cream
1 chicken breast quarter, deboned and shredded
2 baby bella mushrooms, sliced
1 green onion, sliced
shredded cheese
cilantro

Fry tortillas in canolla oil until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels and and add a light sprinkling of sea salt. Drain off all but about one Tablespoon of the oil. Then add the chicken to the pan.

After about one minute add the mushrooms and green onions, cooking until chicken begins to brown. Meanwhile in small bowl mix together about two Tablespoons of cooking creme and about three Tablespoons of sour cream.

Spread on the five tortillas. Top with the chicken mixture, shredded cheese and cilantro.

Serve and enjoy!

Butterflied Baked Chicken

I have seen many versions of butterflied chicken that are grilled. The Kitchen Cookie however, shared a recipe that is baked instead of grilled. Also, instead of referring to this method of cutting the chicken as butterflying, it is called "spatchcocking". I did not use her recipe (although it looks amazing and I will probably be making it in the future) but did use her idea for baking instead of grilling. Instead I used a cajun rub that my friend Mamie over at Chewin' The Fat In The Kitchen made and gave me a sample of. It is GOOD stuff! The chicken turned out moist and had lots of flavor.

whole chicken, 3-5 lbs
cajun seasoning/rub or whatever your favorite seasonings are

First you need to remove the backbone from the chicken.

Do this by cutting down each side of the backbone from bottom to top using kitchen shears. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (RV ovens 400). Line baking sheet with foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Lay chicken flat on the foil.

Rub with seasoning, making sure to rub some under the skin on the breast as well. Bake for about 40 minutes for a three to four pound chicken or until temperature in thickest part of the thigh shows to be 180 degrees.

For larger chickens you will need to cook them longer. Mine was a little over five pounds and I cooked it for an hour.

Serve and enjoy!

Best Ever Cheese Dip

This was just going to be a quick easy side for some beef enchiladas. (Yes, we have appetizers as side dishes around here.) It is now my go to recipe for cheese dip. The cream cheese was a last minute idea, I saw it in the fridge and thought I had better use it up before it spoiled. (I really hate wasting food!) This is what made this dip stand out. Extra creamy, extra yummy goodness!

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp chopped red onion
1 small serrano pepper chopped
1 lb processed cheese, like velveeta, cubed
8 oz whipped cream cheese
1/2 cup of your favorite salsa
tortilla chips

In large saucepan melt butter.

Add the onion and serrano pepper. Saute until onion is tender.

Add the cheeses and the salsa. Continue cooking over med-lo heat, stirring frequently, until cheese is completely melted.

Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

The Liebster Award

Since the beginning of the year I have received four nominations for this award from different bloggers. I am truly honored to receive this award and a little shocked to have received it FOUR times in just over a month. WOW! Better be careful, I could end up with a big head, lol.

In the same order as the nominations were received in here are the four amazing bloggers who considered me worthy of receiving this award:

Niki at Dreaming is Believing

Lynn at Turnips 2 Tangerines

Samantha at Florassippi Girl

Michelle at Ms. enPlace

A great big thanks to each of them! If they are not already on your reading list, you should go by and check them out!

Now receiving this blog has some rules to it. 1) I have to post 11 random things about myself. 2) I have to answer 11 questions from the nominator(s). 3) Nominate 11 blogs to pass on the love and make sure to notify them of the nomination. 4) Post 11 questions for them to answer or you can have them answer the same questions that you did.

Eleven Random Facts About Me

1) I am extremely ADD and rely on lists and schedules to help me stay focused, otherwise everything I started would end up only half done.

2) I love being a granny.

3) Life in an RV suits me very well: less to clean, very mobile and just right for two!

4) I love cats but won't have another one because I hate the litter box!

5) I was 21 years old before I got my driver's license even though I took drivers ed at 16.

6) I attended business school for accounting but did not go into a career in accounting. However I have had jobs in which having this education was beneficial, so I wouldn't say it was wasted.

7) I am terrified of snakes, don't care if they are poisonous or not.

8) I enjoy hiking.

9) Attempted selling handmade jewelry for a while, sold very little except to family.

10) The first job I ever received money for was clearing brush and stacking firewood.

11) My husband is my bestest friend ever!!

Eleven Questions from Dreaming is Believing

1) If the world was ending, what would be the last thing you would want to do? 

Spend time with my family.

2) Favorite person in the world?

My husband - John Duncan

3) If you could be someone for one day, who would you want to be?

Good question, never thought about it. The queen of England - I think it would be fun to be royalty for a day.

4) Favorite song?

Wave on Wave by Pat Green

5) Favorite part of the day?

Any time I get to spend with my honey!

6) Best food you have ever had?

This changes according to my mood but I would have to say the Enchiladas Suizas at Rosario's in San Antonio.

7) Biggest mistake you ever made?

My second husband. The only reason I don't say the first is at least I got two beautiful kids out of that marriage.

8) Favorite beauty product?

Olay Total Effects Wet Cleansing Cloths.

9) Favorite TV show?

NCIS

10) Magazine or good book?

I'd much rather curl up with a good book if I have the time, but I like browsing through magazines for good recipes.

11) Laptop or tablet?

Laptop! Had a tablet - hated it.

Eleven Questions from Turnips 2 Tangerines

1) If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

Hawaii!

2) What food do you dislike?

Green Peppers! Icky!!

3) What is your favorite movie?

Double Jeopardy.

4) What is your favorite thing to eat?

Chips and dips.

5) Do you have any tattoos?

No, I like them on others but have had no desire to get one myself.

6) Do you speak a foreign language?

Not well enough to have a conversation.

7) Do you grow your own herbs or vegetables?

No, I definitely did not inherit my grandfather's green thumb.

8) Who is/was the most influential person in your life?

My grandmother.

9) What can you do best, sing or dance?

I don't do either well, but I think my singing is a little better.

10) What is your favorite smell?

Baking bread.

11) Any regrets?

No, it is the mistakes as well as the successes that have brought me to where I am today.

Eleven Questions from Florassippi Girl

1) Why did you start blogging?

As a way to keep up with my recipes.

2) What is your favorite season?

Spring.

3) What is your favorite pastime?

Playing games on the computer.

4) When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A teacher.

5) What is your favorite movie or type of movie?

Movie: Double Jeopardy

Type of Movie: Something with a lot of action and maybe a little romance.

6) Do you prefer hot or cold weather?

Hot - but that is changing more as I get older.

7) Do you have any odd habits?

When I wash dishes, I always do them in the same order. I don't like it if I forget something and have to wash it out of order, lol.

8) Coffee, tea or soda?

Coffee.

9) What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving.

10) How many states have you stepped foot in?

Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas - 8

11) If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, who would it be?

My grandmother.

Eleven Questions from Ms. enPlace

1) Favorite Book?

Bible - the one book I go back to over and over.

2) Cats or Dogs?

Dogs - no litter box.

3) Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Still happily married to the most wonderful man in the world. Enjoying life with family, good friends, good food and refreshing beverages.

4) What is your favorite form of social networking?

Facebook - best way to keep in touch with my girls.

5) What are you most excited about in 2013?

Our next move.

6) Favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving.

7) Coffee or tea?

Coffee

8) What do you do in your spare time?

Blog, play computer games, exercise (rare lately), read, watch tv, go for walks, surf the web, probably other things I can't think of right now, it all depends on weather, mood and who I'm with or if I'm alone.

9) Any weird habits?

When I wash dishes, it has to be done in a certain order; I have been following close to this same order since I started washing dishes as a kid.

10) What's your favorite smell?

Baking bread.

11) How many siblings do you have?

Three sisters; two step-brothers.

Eleven Blogs I Nominated

Mamie at Chewin the Fat in the Kitchen

An awesome cook who is just getting started as a blogger. She was one of my neighbors at the last RV park that participated in our cooking group. So yea, I know first hand this gal can cook!

Christy at The Girl Who Ate Everything
Like me, she didn't start cooking until she married and had someone else to feed. I have been following her blog for over a year and have pinned many recipes and tried several as well.

Rekita at Her and Nicole
I have not been following this blog long, but her posts are always interesting. It is not the typical food blog that I normally follow, it is more of a life blog. Most recently she has shared interviews with her husband and her four year old son. She recently changed the name of her blog, so you may recognize her as "The Lovely Army Wife".

Marguerite at Cajun Delights
This is a blog I have been following for about six to eight months. It was one of two blogs I go to if I want to spice things up with a little Cajun rather than the usual Tex-Mex we have around here.

Evelyn at My Turn For Us
I don't really know how long I have been following this blog. Evelyn is one of those people that is so kind and so open you just feel like you've known her forever.

Beth M at Budget Bytes
This is another blog I have not been following for long. I love the way she takes the time to break down the cost of each recipe. Very helpful when your on a budget, which I think we all are these days.

Katherine at Katherine's Corner
I have been following this blog for some time now. I actually discovered it when one of her co hosts invited me to participate in her linky - Thursday Favorite Things. She is very supportive and helpful to new bloggers. There is even a Blogging Tips section on her blog.

Mrs. Schwartz at Mrs. Schwartz's Kitchen
This blog is fairly new to me but I have already tried a couple of her recipes and loved them. She gives detailed step by step photos for her recipes, which is great for those who are more visual; as well as clear written instruction.

Jamie at Love Bakes Good Cakes
Don't let the name fool ya', there is a lot more to this blog than cakes. Jamie is a homeschooling mom to five kiddos who still manages to find the time to whip up great meals for her family AND share them with us on her blog. That should get her a time management award!

Ladies Heidi, Katie and Sarah at Crock-Pot Ladies
These ladies share recipes for the crock pot that I never would have imagined possible - like bread and cakes. I love my crock pot for no hassle meals and here you can find just about any recipe and it's already adapted to the crock pot for you, no guessing!

Ashley at Kitchen Meets Girl
This is another blog that I have been following for about as long as I have been blogging. For a reluctant cook, she turns out some great recipes. She also shares some funny stories about her family, always great to read, you feel like your catching up with an old friend.

My Eleven Questions for My Nominees
1) Why did you start blogging?
2) What one person has had the most influence on your life?
3) If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
4) Do you have any pets?
5) When did you learn to cook?
6) Do you enjoy cooking or do you consider it a chore?
7) What is your favorite type of food?
8) What is your favorite holiday?
9) What is your favorite season?
10) What was your first job?
11) What is your favorite TV show?

Menu Plan 021113

Ok, I normally have a sketchy idea of my menu plan by the previous Friday. Here it is Monday morning - shopping day - and I have nothing! So I've been racking my little brain for menu ideas and trying to put together a grocery list accordingly. I think I have the plan figured out - now to get the grocery list done and go shopping! Uggh! I hate waiting till the last minute, that's usually when I forget things. Anyway, here is this weeks plan:

Monday
Butterflied Baked Chicken* with Salad - I've finally given up on the Drunken Chicken that has been on the menu since New Years Eve, lol, something always seems to happen and right now some rainy weather is working against us for grilling anything.

Tuesday
Beef Bean and Cheese Taquitos with Chips, Salsa and Guacamole

Wednesday
Leftovers

Thursday
Stuffed Fillet Mignon* with Cheesy Broccoli
Molten Chocolate Cakes* for Dessert!

Friday
Chili Cornbread Pie with Salad

Saturday
Dinner Out

Sunday
Sausage Wraps with Beans

*New Recipes

Parmesan Coated Tilapia

Okay, the original recipe for this (which can be found HERE) called it Parmesan-Crusted. To me the word crusted implies that it should be crispy or crunchy on the outside. It's not. It is very yummy. I actually forgot to serve it with the lemon wedges, I also forgot to season with salt/pepper. It was still fantastic! The hubby said it was great just the way it was, but we are not big on eating salt anyway. I am going to try to remember the lemon next time though, think it will make it that much better. It was also quick and easy! Combine those - quick, easy and tasty - and you have a definite keeper in my book!

3/4 cup fresh parmesan, grated or shredded
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried parsley
2 tilapia fillets, about 3/4 lb
olive oil
1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (375 for RV ovens).

In shallow dish or pie plate combine parmesan, paprika and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper (for us that's none at all).

Brush fish with olive oil. Dredge fish in the parmesan mix. Place on foil lined baking dish. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish is opaque in the thickest part.

Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!

Shared with:

Menu Plan 020413

What a great weekend! We went to Lake Jackson and spent the weekend with friends there. Had a lot of fun. Hopefully we will be able to get together again before we leave this area. With it being only a 1.5 hour drive instead of a 4.5 hour drive, I'm sure we will. We are also only about an hour away from our oldest daughter and granddaughter, so I plan to make visits there as well. Lots of yummy food this week but nothing new. This will give me a chance to catch up on a couple of older posts and enjoy some tried and true dishes. Odds are good that this weeks plan will change since my hubby my have to go out of town for a day or two and will be staying overnight, so I'll be cooking for one unless I decide to go with him. This is the plan, maybe the drunken chicken will actually happen this time, I think it's been on the plans for over a month now, lol.

Monday
Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Salad

Tuesday
Cheesy Beef Enchiladas with Chips

Wednesday
Chopped BBQ Chicken on a Bun with Spicy Baked Fries

Thursday
Seafood Enchiladas with Beans

Friday
Leftovers

Saturday
Dinner Out

Sunday
Drunken Chicken with Cream Cheese Corn