Asian Chicken Salad

I have been loving this salad recently. I like to add some chicken to it, but you could certainly skip the chicken and it would still be filling and tasty.

Click here for the printable version.

 You'll need: melted peanut butter (not pictured), rice vinegar, soy sauce, vegetable oil, sugar, roasted almonds, sesame seeds, chow mein noodles, napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, carrots, basil, sweet sweet peppers.

Whisk together 1/4 C veg oil, 2 T soy sauce, 2 T rice vinegar, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 1 1/2 T melted peanut butter to make the dressing.

 Thinly slice the napa cabbage.

 Thinly slice the romaine lettuce.

 Use a vegetable peeler to shave the carrots.

 Slice the peppers and basil and mix with the cabbage, lettuce, carrots, sesame seeds. Don't forget the almonds and chicken like I almost did when taking these pictures.

 Add prepared dressing to the salad and toss thoroughly.

Top the salad with chow mein noodles and, if desired, mandarin oranges. Enjoy!

Click here for the printable version


What's your favorite salad?

Garlic Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables

This is one of my favorite ways to cook a whole chicken. It's so simple and delicious all at the same time. I also love the flavor combination of these vegetable. If you've never had parsnips, this is a good way to start.

printable version

 you'll need: 3 parsnips, 5 carrots, 6-8 potatoes, 2 onions, 2 tsp minced garlic, plus liquid from the jar, 2 tsp broth base, 3/4 C water (not pictured), 5 lb roasting chicken, kosher salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 F

 Combine the broth base with the water (or use 3/4 C chicken broth). Set aside.

 Cut the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and onions into bite size pieces.

 Toss the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and onions (reserving 1/2 of one onion for the chicken cavity) in a roasting pan with broth and 2 tsp garlic.

 Season chicken cavity with salt and pepper, then stuff with reserved onion. Place chicken breast side down, season with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil.

 Bake 30 minutes. Turn chicken over, season, brush with oil and some of the garlic juice from the jar, and continue cooking until fully cooked and juices run clear (about 1 hour).

Serve and enjoy!

If you'd like a printable copy of this recipe, click here.

Have you ever tried parsnip?

Chicken and Sweet Pepper Quesadilla and Tasty Tuesday Linkup

I love quesadillas. I mentioned in my Chicken and Broccoli Quesadilla recipe, that I made and ate them a lot back in college. These days, I make them when we need a quick meal. The kids usually love them and I can sneak in quite a few things without anyone really noticing or caring. I finely diced the peppers in these and it took several bites before David (aka: Mr. I don't like peppers) noticed and he ended up not even minding. Score one for me (aka: Mrs. eats peppers like candy).

The ingredient amounts are suggestions. When I make quesdaillas, I just grab the ingredients and put them on until it looks good. I rarely measure anything.

2 8-inch tortillas
1/2 C shredded colby jack cheese
1/4 C chicken, shredded or diced
1/4 C sweet pepper, finely diced
1 T medium taco sauce 

Preheat a 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Place 1 tortilla on a clean, flat work surface.
Sprinkle half the cheese evenly over tortilla.
Evenly sprinkle chicken, peppers, and taco sauce.
Top with remaining cheese and 2nd tortilla.
Place on skillet and allow cheese to melt.
Flip the tortilla after 2-3 minutes or when bottom tortilla is lightly browned.
Quesadilla is done when cheese is melted and both outer sides of tortilla are lightly browned.
Enjoy!

Tammy from Creative K Kids is the host of this party every week! This month, Anna from Family Living on a Budget and Sydney from Tastefully Frugal are also running this party on their blogs!    

 

We would love to have you link up to three of your old or new food posts!   Here are  just a few requests for this linky

• PLEASE follow the hosts and co-hosts of this party through one of their social media listed below.  They visit your post, leave a comment, and pin your post.  Just pick one (or more) of the options below and please follow them.

**Tammy at Creative K Kids (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Anna at Family Living on a Budget (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Sydney at Tastefully Frugal (Blog)**  Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram

• Try to visit a couple of blogs and leave a comment or share their posts.
• Please make sure you link up only food-related posts that have never been linked up here before or they will be deleted.  Non-food posts can always be linked up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!
• Place this button or a link to this post somewhere on your site--either on the actual post or on your sidebar or on your party page.

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<a href="http://creativekkids.com/category/tasty-tuesdays/" title="Creative K Kids"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE86aXOEGliJ_vu07dkN1pQLUPBiDyc3ORKQLxK5YEHerZlYFU6odNLQNrPe9aFWwrAtxvuKCwT6UIeGWPoMM3rR_k87YOaFIFdsLrwOUknmiaMFGZoJj690ScMWAbhH6uR4b6SAzxK52/s1600/tasty+tuesdays.jpg" />" /></a></div>

• As a thank-you for linking up, we will pin your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays at Creative K Kids Pinterest board.  Please follow the board to see all the great food recipes!  
• By linking up, you agree to let any of the hosts or co-hosts  use your pictures and links if they decide to feature your post.   Your photo may also be used for promotion on any of their social media outlets.
• If you include your e-mail in the linky form below you will be added to a weekly reminder e-mail when the link party goes live. Your e-mail will not to added to any other lists or given out.

An InLinkz Link-up

Mini Cheesy Chicken Pitas and Tasty Tuesday Linkup

This is one of those recipes that just sort of happened when I was making lunch one day. I didn't plan it out, but it was delicious and the mini pitas just make it that much more fun. This would work well as I full size pita or a sandwich too.

Ingredients:
1 T butter
half stalk celery, diced
1 T flour
1 C milk
2 C shredded chicken
1/2 C italian blend cheese (mozzarella is fine)
mini pitas
baby kale
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced


Place butter and celery into a medium sized saucepan over medium/high heat.
Allow butter to melt and celery to soften.
Stir in flour. The mixture should be thick and is likely to look a little gritty.
Whisk in milk until smooth and bring to light boil 4-5 minutes or until sauce thickens.
Stir in chicken and cheese and allow to cook until warmed through.
Assemble pitas by placing kale in pita, adding chicken and topping with tomatoes.
Enjoy!

Tammy from Creative K Kids is the host of this party every week! This month, Anna from Family Living on a Budget and Sydney from Tastefully Frugal are also running this party on their blogs!  

We would love to have you link up to three of your old or new food posts!   Here are  just a few requests for this linky

• PLEASE follow the hosts and co-hosts of this party through one of their social media listed below.  They visit your post, leave a comment, and pin your post.  Just pick one (or more) of the options below and please follow them.

**Tammy at Creative K Kids (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Anna at Family Living on a Budget (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Sydney at Tastefully Frugal  (Blog)**  Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram

Try to visit a couple of blogs and leave a comment or share their posts.

Please make sure you link up only food-related posts that have never been linked up here before or they will be deleted.  Non-food posts can always be linked up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!

Place this button or a link to this post somewhere on your site--either on the actual post or on your sidebar or on your party page.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://creativekkids.com/category/tasty-tuesdays/" title="Creative K Kids"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE86aXOEGliJ_vu07dkN1pQLUPBiDyc3ORKQLxK5YEHerZlYFU6odNLQNrPe9aFWwrAtxvuKCwT6UIeGWPoMM3rR_k87YOaFIFdsLrwOUknmiaMFGZoJj690ScMWAbhH6uR4b6SAzxK52/s1600/tasty+tuesdays.jpg" />" /></a></div>

• As a thank-you for linking up, we will pin your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays at Creative K Kids Pinterest board.  Please follow the board to see all the great food recipes!  
• By linking up, you agree to let any of the hosts or co-hosts  use your pictures and links if they decide to feature your post.   Your photo may also be used for promotion on any of their social media outlets.
• If you include your e-mail in the linky form below you will be added to a weekly reminder e-mail when the link party goes live. Your e-mail will not to added to any other lists or given out.

An InLinkz Link-up

Easy Chicken Pot Pie and Tasty Tuesday Link-up

I love pot pie and this one allows me to have it very quickly. If you're going to make the cream of celery or pie crust yourself, you could make several pies at once and freeze it. The filling also freezes well in a bag on it's own too.

1 box refrigerated pie crust (or make your own)
1 1/2 C chicken or turkey, chunks or shredded
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of celery (or make your own- recipe to come soon)
12 oz frozen vegetable soup mix

Preheat oven to 425 F.
Unroll one sleeve of crust and line the bottom of pie pan.
Mix together chicken, cream of celery, and vegetables in a bowl. Transfer mix to pie pan.
Unroll second crust and place over pie. Trim excess crust and seal edges together. Slit the center of the top crust to vent.
Bake in oven for 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown. If edges start to brown too quickly, place foil strips around them.

Enjoy!

A note on cream of celery: You can buy cream of celery at Aldi's for $0.59 a few months out of the year. If you can't get it this cheap, you could substitute cream of chicken, which you can easily get for $0.50. Or, you can make your own for a mere $0.10 (give or take)- recipe coming soon.

This recipe originally appeared on 11/17/11 @ oneincomefamilyliving.blogspot.com. I wrote it, edited it, and transferred it here.

This month, Tammy from Creative K Kids, Dina from My UN-Entitled Life, and I are running this party on our blogs!    

We would love to have you link up to three of your old or new food posts!   Here are  just a few requests for this linky:

• PLEASE follow the hosts and co-hosts of this party through one of their social media listed below.  They visit your post, leave a comment, and pin your post.  Just pick one (or more) of the options below and please follow them.

**Tammy at Creative K Kids (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Dina at My UN-Entitled Life  (Blog)**  Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Anna at Family Living on a Budget (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram

• Try to visit a couple of blogs and leave a comment or share their posts.
• Please make sure you link up only food-related posts that have never been linked up here before or they will be deleted.  Non-food posts can always be linked up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!
• Place this button or a link to this post somewhere on your site--either on the actual post or on your sidebar or on your party page.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://creativekkids.com/category/tasty-tuesdays/" title="Creative K Kids"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE86aXOEGliJ_vu07dkN1pQLUPBiDyc3ORKQLxK5YEHerZlYFU6odNLQNrPe9aFWwrAtxvuKCwT6UIeGWPoMM3rR_k87YOaFIFdsLrwOUknmiaMFGZoJj690ScMWAbhH6uR4b6SAzxK52/s1600/tasty+tuesdays.jpg" />" /></a></div>

• As a thank-you for linking up, we will pin your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays at Creative K Kids Pinterest board.  Please follow the board to see all the great food recipes!  
• By linking up, you agree to let any of the hosts or co-hosts  use your pictures and links if they decide to feature your post.   Your photo may also be used for promotion on any of their social media outlets.
• If you include your e-mail in the linky form below you will be added to a weekly reminder e-mail when the link party goes live. Your e-mail will not to added to any other lists or given out.

An InLinkz Link-up

Chicken and Broccoli Quesadilla and Tasty Tuesday Link-Up

One semester in college, I practically lived on quesadillas. I even had a quesadilla maker. So in honor of David's fall semester starting, I thought I'd share an old favorite quesadilla recipe from college. I've given suggestions on the amount of each ingredient to add to the recipe, but they are only suggestions. When I make these, I just grab some and toss it on until  it looks good. Feel free to use more or less of each ingredient or just don't even measure.

Serves 2

1/4 C frozen broccoli florets
2 8-inch whole wheat tortillas
1/2 C mozzarella
1/4 C cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 tsp lemon pepper


Preheat a 10 inch nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Thaw broccoli either under warm running water or in the microwave. Dice and set aside.
Place 1 tortilla on a clean, flat work surface.
Sprinkle half the cheese over tortilla.
Add chicken, lemon pepper, and diced broccoli.
Top with remaining cheese and 2nd tortilla.
Place on skillet and allow cheese to melt. If you have a press, use it. If not, flip the quesadilla after bottom tortilla is slightly browned roughly 2-3 minutes (kitchens vary, so yours may take more or less time).
Quesadilla is done when cheese is melted and both outer sides of tortilla are lightly browned.
Enjoy!

This month, Tammy from Creative K Kids, Dina from My UN-Entitled Life, and I are running this party on our blogs!    

We would love to have you link up to three of your old or new food posts!   Here are  just a few requests for this linky:

• PLEASE follow the hosts and co-hosts of this party through one of their social media listed below.  They visit your post, leave a comment, and pin your post.  Just pick one (or more) of the options below and please follow them.

**Tammy at Creative K Kids (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Dina at My UN-Entitled Life  (Blog)**  Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Anna at Family Living on a Budget (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram

• Try to visit a couple of blogs and leave a comment or share their posts.
• Please make sure you link up only food-related posts that have never been linked up here before or they will be deleted.  Non-food posts can always be linked up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!
• Place this button or a link to this post somewhere on your site--either on the actual post or on your sidebar or on your party page.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://creativekkids.com/category/tasty-tuesdays/" title="Creative K Kids"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE86aXOEGliJ_vu07dkN1pQLUPBiDyc3ORKQLxK5YEHerZlYFU6odNLQNrPe9aFWwrAtxvuKCwT6UIeGWPoMM3rR_k87YOaFIFdsLrwOUknmiaMFGZoJj690ScMWAbhH6uR4b6SAzxK52/s1600/tasty+tuesdays.jpg" />" /></a></div>

• As a thank-you for linking up, we will pin your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays at Creative K Kids Pinterest board.  Please follow the board to see all the great food recipes!  
• By linking up, you agree to let any of the hosts or co-hosts  use your pictures and links if they decide to feature your post.   Your photo may also be used for promotion on any of their social media outlets.
• If you include your e-mail in the linky form below you will be added to a weekly reminder e-mail when the link party goes live. Your e-mail will not to added to any other lists or given out.

An InLinkz Link-up

Creole Chicken and Tasty Tuesday Link-Up

I've got a treat for you all today. Not only do I have a fast and fresh recipe for you, but I'm also co-hosting the Tasty Tuesday link-up!
First things first: This recipe actually comes from my mom. It's one of her go-to recipes and I love it! Unfortunately, David isn't too fond of peppers or cooked tomato chunks, so I rarely make this dish at my house. This is a great recipe for stretching your budget, it uses things I usually have on hand. However, I realize not everyone always has creole seasoning.

 Warning: Creole seasoning is spicy, so don't use too much. If it's too spicy add a little sugar to tone it down a little.
Edited to add: The amount I have specified gives it a kick, but in my opinion is a family friendly spicy, if you like things really spicy, I'd add a bit more.

Serves: 4-6

1 1/2 C boneless/skinless chicken, chopped   
2 stalks celery, chopped  
2 C sweet pepper, chopped   
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes 
1 ½ tsp Creole seasoning (or to taste)   
1 TBSP lemon juice   
3 C rice, prepared   

Cook chicken in a large skillet over medium heat 4-5 minutes.
Add chicken, celery, pepper, and onion and sauté for about 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes, seasoning, and lemon juice. Simmer 10 minutes.
Serve over rice.

Enjoy!

Ideas to save you money on this recipe:
Canned tomatoes can get pretty expensive at most grocery stores, so when I need more and can't find a sale, I go to Aldi where they are usually cheap enough. They used to be $.55, but are now $.59.
Use leftover meat from another meal, or buy bone-in chicken and de-bone it yourself.
The pepper and celery can be purchased in frozen bags for $1 (or you can freeze them yourself when you find a great deal).

This month, Tammy from Creative K Kids, Dina from My UN-Entitled Life, and I are running this party on our blogs!    

We would love to have you link up to three of your old or new food posts!   Here are  just a few requests for this linky:

• PLEASE follow the hosts and co-hosts of this party through one of their social media listed below.  They visit your post, leave a comment, and pin your post.  Just pick one (or more) of the options below and please follow them.

**Tammy at Creative K Kids (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Dina at My UN-Entitled Life  (Blog)**  Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram **Anna at Family Living on a Budget (Blog)** Pinterest/Facebook/Google+/Twitter/Instagram

• Try to visit a couple of blogs and leave a comment or share their posts.
• Please make sure you link up only food-related posts that have never been linked up here before or they will be deleted.  Non-food posts can always be linked up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party!
• Place this button or a link to this post somewhere on your site--either on the actual post or on your sidebar or on your party page.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://creativekkids.com/category/tasty-tuesdays/" title="Creative K Kids"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaE86aXOEGliJ_vu07dkN1pQLUPBiDyc3ORKQLxK5YEHerZlYFU6odNLQNrPe9aFWwrAtxvuKCwT6UIeGWPoMM3rR_k87YOaFIFdsLrwOUknmiaMFGZoJj690ScMWAbhH6uR4b6SAzxK52/s1600/tasty+tuesdays.jpg" />" /></a></div>

• As a thank-you for linking up, we will pin your recipe to the Tasty Tuesdays at Creative K Kids Pinterest board.  Please follow the board to see all the great food recipes!  
• By linking up, you agree to let any of the hosts or co-hosts  use your pictures and links if they decide to feature your post.   Your photo may also be used for promotion on any of their social media outlets.
• If you include your e-mail in the linky form below you will be added to a weekly reminder e-mail when the link party goes live. Your e-mail will not to added to any other lists or given out.

Strawberry Salad with Apple Basalmic Vinaigrette

It's strawberry season around here, so that means not only are they tastier, but they are cheaper too! My kids and I absolutely love this time of year. Most of the time we just eat the berries as is or with some whipped cream, but this simple salad is a great way to enjoy them too.
This vinaigrette is pretty strong on its own, but it totally works in this salad. I wanted to make a vinaigrette that I could make anytime, from pantry staples, without a bunch of extra sugar. I hope you like the result as well as I do.

Serves 4

For the Vinaigrette:
2 T apple cider vinegar
2 T basalmic vinegar
1/4 C apple juice
1/2 C vegetable oil
1 pinch (about 1/16 tsp) kosher salt
1 pinch (about 1/16 tsp) onion powder
2 turns of a pepper shaker

For the Salad:
4 cooked chicken tenders, sliced
4 handfuls Mixed Baby Greens
1 lb Strawberries, cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 C red onion, cut into bite-size pieces
2 T honey roasted sliced almonds (or sunflower seeds)

To make the vinaigrette:
Whisk all ingredients together.

To make the salad:
Toss all ingredients together with 1/3 C vinaigrette.
Divide between 4 plates.
Drizzle with more vinaigrette if desired.
Serve and enjoy!


What's your favorite way to enjoy strawberries?