Very Belated Pictures!

Hey everyone!  Sorry I haven't been posting pictures as often as I'd like!  Sometimes computers just aren't my best friend.

So here is the first recipe I have been meaning to share with you all.  Its called "Chicken Kiev" (or my version anyway...)

Kenz's Chicken Kiev

Here's What You Need...

4 chicken breasts 

chopped onion

1 clove of minced garlic

1/2 stick of butter

1 beaten egg

1 Tbs water

1/4 cup of all purpose flour

1 pkt of Onion Soup Mix

String Cheese

Shredded Cheddar

Alright...

1) pound the crap out of the chicken breasts

2) mix together the chopped onion, garlic, and cheddar cheese

3) add a 1/2 of a string cheese in the middle

4) fold the chicken in thirds over itself

5) top with onion soup mix and water

6) throw it in the oven at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes and it should look like this...

I added some mozzarella to the top.  NUM!

Ok, so I have to be completely and totally honest when I say that this is merely me trying to remember how I made it.  Its not even an exact recipe, AND, as you can tell I didn't use all the ingredients.  I got the idea from here  So feel free to check it out, you won't hurt my feelings, I swear!

I also tried the Tomato, Cheddar, Basil soup just recently.  It was very good!

Tomato, Cheddar, Basil Soup

Here's What You Need...

2 28oz cans of petite diced tomatoes

1 chopped yellow onion

2 cloves of garlic, chopped

1 tsp of olive oil

2 cups of vegetable broth

1 cup of plain Greek yogurt

1 cup of grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup of chopped basil

2 tsp of oregano

1 tsp sugar

salt and pepper to taste

1) put a pot on medium heat and add olive oil and onion.  Allow the onions to soften.

2) add chopped garlic and allow to soften

3) pour in the vegetable broth and tomatoes, juice and all

4) stir in basil, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper

5) cover and simmer 10 minutes

6) stir in yogurt and cheese until well blended

It said in the directions to blend the soup with immersion blender.  I wish I had one because the soup was chunkier than I would have liked.  If you do have an immersion blender though, make sure that it is deep within the soup so as not to splash all over and make a mess.  Add more cheese and basil to garnish!  After making this I will never buy canned soup again!

And NOW for my favorite recipe so far...Philly Cheesesteak Green Peppers!

Philly Cheesesteak Green Peppers

Here's What You Need...
8 oz of thinly sliced roast beef
8 slices of provolone
shredded mozzarella
2 large green peppers
1 medium sweet onion
6 oz baby bella mushrooms
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. minced garlic
Salt and Pepper

1) in a pan throw in olive oil (I never measure...) onions, and garlic and let them cook through
2) when onions are clear add mushrooms
3) cut up the roast beef and add to mushrooms, onions, and garlic
4) while the mixture is warming through cut the peppers in half and clean them out
5) fill them with the shredded mozzarella
6) add meat mixture from the pan
7) top with provolone
8) throw in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes

This is seriously one of the most tasty things I have made in a long time.  There is so much flavor and what is even better is that its only 6 grams of carbs!  Hubs and I are trying to cut back on the carbs, so I am going to be checking out this website a LOT more.  I can't wait to see all the goodies she has posted!

I also tried to cut back the carbs a wee bit by trying a recipe for Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin.  Let me just say that the world is full of trial and error and we learn as we go.  Well, I have learned a few things in the kitchen since I started cooking and because of this, I can safely say that there are recipes I like, and there are some that I don't.  I wasn't a fan of this recipe but I do want to share it just in case some of you may like spaghetti squash.  This is the first time I have ever made it so that's maybe why I didn't like it.  Try it out though!  You may like it!

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

Here's What You Need...
1 medium spaghetti squash
2 Tbs butter
1 small yellow onion, very thinly sliced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp fresh thyme
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredder cheddar cheese

1) cut the squash in half and remove the seeds
2) put it in a deep casserole dish and add some water
3) throw it in the microwave for 10-12 minutes -OR- if you have a tiny microwave like we do, throw it in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.  Keep poking at it though because it may be tender before then
3) over medium heat, add butter, onions, thyme, and red pepper and cook til onions are soft and slightly caramelized
4) scrape out the softened squash into a mixing bowl and add onions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese
5) pour the mixture into a greased casserole dish and top with cheese
6) cook at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes

Sunday I got a wee bit bored and a little stir crazy hiding from the intense heat so I decided to do a craft!  I had seen this sweet little wreath on pinterest and wanted to make one of our own in celebration of the 4th of July. SO, I made a trip to Joann's and purchased the following...

The colors are: burgundy, navy, and aran (creamy) to go with our "old country" look

You will also need a foam wreath thingy...

It was extremely easy to do.  I just decided on the thickness of the "stripe" with the first color and alternated between red and white until I had just enough room for the blue!  EASY!  And here is the finished project...

Price breakdown...

foam wreath- $8.99

yarn- $2.99/each

buttons- $5.99 

(believe it or not, buttons are PRICEY and getting the jar was much more cost effective)

the ribbon I had bought a while ago to make my niece some things but I would guess it was around $3.00

*any time you want to make something cute with some awesome fabrics I recommend going to a thrift store and checking out old clothes.  You don't have to wear them, but you can certainly use the buttons off it, and even the fabric itself!

And finally, my pride and joy and most definitely my most favorite piece of furniture we own.  Beau bought me this little gem as a Mother's Day gift at Goodwill for $14...

Before...

After...

The color is called "Guacamole" in a flat finish.  It was missing a couple pulls so I picked some cute ones out and just put them on the top drawer!  I adore this little dresser and remind the Hubs of that every day.  All together I'd say it was about $25 tops with the paint and paint brushes.  It will go GREAT in a nursery when the time comes ;)

Well, its getting about that time to get a shopping list put together for dinner tonight and the pot luck breakfast/lunch/dinner at work tomorrow.

I hope you all have a memorable and SAFE 4th of July!  Embrace your loved ones and thank our Veterans.  They've done so much for you and me...

In Gods Love,

Kenz