Lemon-Sage Chicken Breasts

This one was really good and gets extra points because it was sooooo easy!

4 bone-in chicken breasts, skin and excess gat removed (I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts and it worked just fine!)
1/2t kosher salt

1/4t black pepper

1t dried thyme

16 fresh sage leaves

1-2 lemons, thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and coat the foil with cooking spray.

Place the chicken on the foil, bone side down.

Sprinkle the salt, pepper and thyme over the chicken. Place 4 fresh sage leaves on top of each chicken breast then place 2 or 3 lemon slices on top of the sage.

Roast on the middle rack of the oven for 40-50min until it is no longer pink.

**I served it with steamed broccoli, carrots and red pepper seasoned with black pepper and fresh lemon juice.

Mason's Birthday Cake!

food coloring dyed cake batter

spooned and drizzled into the pan

frosted and starting the tie dye decorations

decorated!!

Happy 6th Birthday to Mason!

the inside

Alyssa's birthday cake!

The cake and pan, frosting

Decorated.......... EAT!!!! Happy 2nd birthday Alyssa!!

Chicken Taco Mac

This was pretty good, I think next time I'd substitute taco seasoning for the chili powder. Maybe cheddar for the pepperjack too:) It would also be easy to add corn, black beans or cilantro.

1lb boneless chicken breast halves, cut in half horizontally if large

1box (12oz) garden rotini pasta

1 red pepper, diced

1T unsalted butter

1T flour

1 1/2t chili powder

1/2t salt

1 1/4c milk

8oz pepperjack cheese, shredded

3 scallions, trimmed and sliced

1 1/2c crushed lime-flavored tortilla chips

Bring a lg pot of water to boiling. Add chicken and simmer until done. About 12 min. Remove chicken from water and bring back to boiling; add a little salt to water.

Add pasta to boiling water and cook as per package directions, about 9min. Add red pepper during the last minute. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium size sauce pan over med heat. Wisk in flour, chili powder and salt. Add milk in a thin stream, wisking constantly. Bring to a simmer over med-high heat; simmer 2 min. Remove from heat and wisk in shredded cheese.

Shred chicken into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl combine pasta and pepper, chicken, scallions and cheese sauce. Stir until blended; top with crushed tortilla chips.

S'mores Bars

This dessert was a hit with everyone......even Logan! That boy definitely knows when something is dessert:)

7 graham crackers (full rectangles)

2 1/2c mini marshmallows

120z bag semisweet chocolate chips

2/3c light corn syurp

3T butter

1/2c crunchy peanut butter

3c rice krispies

Coat 9x13 in microwave safe dish with cooking spray. Arrange graham crackers in a single layer- breaking if necessary to fit. Sprinkle marshmallows evenly over crackers.

Microwave on High 1 min or until marshmallows are puffy. Cool completely.

In 2 quart microwave safe mixing bowl, combine chocolate chips, corn syrup, and butter. Microwave on High about 1 1/2 min or until chocolate is melted, stirring every 30 sec. Stir in pb. Add rice krispies, mix until combined.

Spread evenly over marshmallows. Cover and refrigerate about 1hr or until firm. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Strawberry French Toast

I'm definitely more of a fan of breakfast for dinner than Chris so when he's working late we often have pancakes, eggs, etc! Also, I'm not motivated to make something spectacular in the mornings so breakfast for dinner it is!

Strawberry French Toast

8oz softened cream cheese

2T sugar

2T light sour cream

1/2t vanilla extract

2c chopped strawberries (plus extra sliced berries for the top)

8 slices bread

4 eggs

1t pumpkin pie spice

1T butter

Beat together cream cheese, sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Fold in strawberries.

Dip bread into beaten eggs and pumpkin pie spice; fry on a hot buttered griddle for about 2 min per side. Top with cream cheese mix and extra strawberries.

Brie, Apple, Arugula and Spinach Quesadillas

Let's start out tonights meal by saying there were definitely mixed reviews in the Sheldon home. I loved it! Chris, well, took a bite and ran over to his Diet Dr Pepper with his mouth full yelling "I can't do it!" and used his pop to choke it down. He's blaming his actions on the fact that he has a cold and couldn't handle the smell. Whatever. Now we know where Logan gets his eating habits from:) So I guess the next time I make this it will be a single serving for lunch!

Here's the recipe if you're brave enough......:)

1T dijon mustard

2t apple cider

3 (10 in) flour tortillas

6oz Brie cheese, rind removed and cut into 1/4in thick slices

1 Fuji (or honeycrisp or ambrosia) apple, cored and cut into 1/4in thick slices

1 1/2c arugula

1 1/2c spinach

3/4t freshly ground black pepper, divided

Combine mustard and cider in sm bowl; stir well

Heat lg skillet over med heat. Spread each tortilla with 1 1/2t mustard mix. Place 1 tortilla with mustard side up in pan. Arrange 1/3 of the cheese slices over half of the tortilla. Cook about 1 min until the cheese begins to melt. Arrange 1/3 of the apples over cheese and top with 1/3 of the arugula and 1/3 of the spinach. Sprinkle with 1/4t pepper and fold tortilla in half. Press gently with spatula. Cook 2 min on each side or until golden brown.

Repeat for two more quesadillas.