Sweet-n-Spicy Chicken

1 lb. chicken, cut into 1/2" cubes
3 T taco seasoning
1-2 T EVOO
1 jar (11 oz) chunky salsa
1/2 cup peach preserves
Hot cooked rice

Place chicken in bag and coat with taco seasoning. In skillet, brown chicken in EVOO. Combine salsa and preserves, stir into skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 2-3 minutes. Serve over hot rice.

*This recipe was so easy to put together and had the perfect amount of sweet and spicy (hence, the name of the recipe!) We loved it and will definitely make it again soon!*

Peanut Butter Fingers (like school lunch)

Crust:
1 1/2 sticks butter 1/2 cup sugar
1 heaping cup brown sugar 1 egg
2/3 cup peanut butter 3/4 t baking soda
1/3 t salt 1/2 T vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour 2 cups quick oats

Mix butter, sugars, egg, peanut butter, baking soda, salt and vanilla. Add flour and oats and mix well. Spread on large greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 min.

Meanwhile, whip 2/3 cup peanut butter (a different 2/3 than what you already added). When crust is done baking, spread whipped peanut butter over crust.

Ice bars with Chocolate Frosting:
1/3 cup melted butter 1/4 cup cocoa
1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup evaporated milk

Mix butter and cocoa in a saucepan. Add brown sugar and evaporated milk. Cook two minutes stirring constantly. Cool frosting and pour over two pounds of powdered sugar. Beat well, until smooth and silky. (I half this recipe for frosting when I make it because I think it makes too much chocolate.)

Honey Mustard Pretzel Pork Chops

16 oz. pretzels processed fine (I let my kids smash them in a plastic bag with their hands or a rolling pin, they love it)
4 Pork Chops
1/2 cup Dijon or honey mustard
1/4 T oil
6 oz. Honey to drizzle

Coat chops in mustard. Coat with pretzel crumbs, add to lightly oiled skillet. Medium high heat 4-5 min per side, until temp. reaches 160. When chops are done, place on paper towel to drain - 30 sec. Place on serving plate, drizzle with honey and serve.

Ridiculously easy Shepherds Pie

I got this recipe from one of my bestest friends mom.  SUPER easy and SUPER good.  And my husband loved it which means most kids will also really like it. ;)

Ingredients

(Really these ingredient amounts are just what I used for the specific occasion.  They can vary depending on the situation, or what you feel like.)

• 1 1/2 lb. Hamburger meat (really it just depends on how much you want)
  
• 1 can of green beans (you can add different or more veggies if you want)
  
• 1 can of tomato soup
  
• Mashed potatoes 
  
• Shredded cheese
  
• Onion Salt
  

Brown the hamburger meat and season with onion salt.  Mix green beans, tomato soup and browned meat together.  Spread into bottom of a 9x13 pan, spread mashed potatoes on top (just enough to cover meat, or more if you want!) and then sprinkle cheese over the potatoes.

Bake at 400 Degrees for 30 minutes.  Broil for the last 5 minutes or so if you want the cheese a bit crispy.

Caesar Chicken

This goes great with the Cheesy Crock Pot Potatoes!!!

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins
1 (16 oz.) bottle Creamy Caesar Salad dressing (Kraft works best)
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, pressed
Fresh grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 45 minutes (30 min for tenderloins). Makes a great chicken Caesar salad. (The oils from the dressing will separate a little as this cooks).

*Makes a great freezer meal. Put frozen chicken, dressing, garlic in freezer bag. Thaw in refrigerator before cooking

Cheesy Crock Pot Potato Casserole

We had these at book club the other night and they are divine!!! I made some tonight and they were a big hit, super easy and super yummy.

7 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 small onion, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of mushroom soup
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Topping:
1 pkg (6 oz) herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Place potatoes in greased 4 1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker. Add butter, onion, salt, sour cream, soup and cheese. Mix well. Pour stuffing mix evenly over potatoes and drizzle with butter. Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or on high heat 3-4 hours. Makes 8-10 servings.

Spaghetti Carbonara

I found this recipe on one of my favorite food blogs (http://abountifulkitchen.blogspot.com/). I tried her Spaghetti Carbonara recipe and we all loved it. It's so simple and tastes just like you sat down at Olive Garden for dinner. :)

1/2 lb spaghetti
4 tablespoons butter (if you double, I leave the butter at 4 tbsp total)
1 cup whipping cream
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese (No green cans)
4 slices bacon, cooked, drained and chopped

Heat water in large pot to boil. Cook pasta al dente, as directed on package. Meanwhile, cook bacon in sauce pan, remove and chop. Drain off all grease from pan, and wipe inside of pan with paper towel. Melt butter in saucepan. Add cream and cook for about 10 minutes until reduced a bit. Remove 1/4 cup cream to small bowl, mix 4 egg yolks to the 1/4 cup cream mixture with a fork. Return the egg and cream mixture to the pan with the remaining cream. (I added some ground pepper, garlic salt, parsley and oregano - added a great taste.) When pasta is done, drain and pour into heated bowl. While pasta is still hot, pour egg mixture over pasta, toss to cook egg slightly. Add the chopped bacon and grated parmesan. Serve immediately.