Monterey Chicken

Whew! I never meant to go so long between posts.  We've been a bit busy moving our family across the country.  It's been quite the adventure.

Anyway,  I found this dish on Pinterest, and I just had to try it.  I actually made this several weeks ago, before we moved.  It reminds me of an entree from a restaurant.  It was quick, easy and really yummy.  Make this when you get into a 'What else can I do with chicken?' funk.  You won't be sorry.

Monterey Chicken
from All Things Simple

4-6 chicken breasts
1/4 cup bar-b-que sauce
1 14 oz. can Rotel tomatoes (with green chilies)
1 cup shredded colby/jack cheese
4-6 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon
sliced green onions 
pepper

For the marinade:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 T  soy sauce
2 tsp McCormick Montreal Chicken Seasoning

Pound the chicken breasts to flatten.  Marinade the chicken for 30 minutes.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Season the chicken with pepper and grill the chicken breasts until no longer pink.  You could also saute the chicken in olive oil if you prefer.  Place the chicken on a foil covered baking sheet. Top each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon bar-b-que sauce, 1/4 c. cheese, 1/4 c. Rotel tomatoes, green onions and crumbled bacon.  Bake in oven until cheese is melted (about 5 minutes).
 

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I seem to be on an oatmeal kick lately...which is good considering I have three containers of it on the shelf downstairs!  I have this same problem with cheese.  I always think we may need some once I'm at the store--only to come home and find out I now have an abundance.  Oh well...

We typically buy the huge box of Quaker instant oatmeal packets from Costco.  We go through some oatmeal in this family, especially in the winter.  I have been on a mission to make more homemade meals, however, and I thought why not oatmeal.  After all, we all know that homemade is healthier and tastier, right?  And although instant oatmeal is fast, it's not like cooking it on the stove takes hours.  How hard can making a tasty bowl of homemade oatmeal be?

Well, I quickly found out that good oatmeal is not just water and oats with some sugar sprinkled in--Yuck!  I wanted something that mimicked my 1-minute microwave version.  So, I began searching for oatmeal recipes.  There are a lot of versions out there...crockpot, overnight, homemade instant packets.  I tried one crockpot version, and it was NOT good.  My crockpot tends to overcook things because it is so hot, and I spent days (or so it seemed) scrubbing burned oatmeal off of it.  I was intrigued by the instant packets, but the more I thought about it, it didn't seem cost effective at all.  The amount of time spent making them did not make sense when the amount of savings was mere pennies, at best.  Plus, I didn't feel so good about using all those baggies.

I think I've finally found the answer thanks to Blissful and Domestic.  I have made very minor adjustments to this recipe, including reducing the amount of sugar (only slightly) and cutting the recipe in half to make less.  I think I have a keeper...and it only takes about 15 minutes, of which I can be doing other things, as well (emptying the dishwasher, getting dressed, pestering my kids to get a move on, making lunches...and so on).

Buttermilk Oatmeal Pancakes with Blueberries

I came across this recipe at OAMM and thought I would give it a try.  My kids are big fans of pancakes and they ask for them often.  This version of the blueberry pancake is made with a healthy boost of oatmeal and only 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour--no white flour!  You can't beat blueberries and oatmeal for a healthy breakfast.

As I was making these babies, I began to think that my kiddos were not going to like them.  They turn out very dark--beware!  Whenever a food looks even slightly burned, my kids turn up their noses.  When I sampled them, I noticed a definite hearty texture.  Texture is a funny thing with kids, too.   However, the taste was very good, and it was too late to turn back, as this is what I was making for breakfast.

As we sat down to breakfast, no negative comments were made (I was shocked).  When my kids tried them, they liked them a lot!  Success!!  These pancakes are quite filling, so you can feel good about feeding them to your kids before sending them off to school.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since I haven't yet posted any cookie recipes, I figured it was about time.  I know, I know... not really so healthy.  However, this girl's got a sweet tooth like no other, and sometimes you just gotta give in, right.?  I'm trying hard to learn what the word "moderation" means when it comes to the sweet stuff.  Anyway... I was craving something with chocolate and peanut butter over the weekend.  Then I thought to myself...I wonder if a recipe exists for a peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  Well, silly me...there sure is a recipe for that!  Let me tell you, this cookie is oh my yum!  It is quick and easy, too!

 I found these little gems on several sites and blogs. The recipes were all very similar, but  I decided to try the version from The Girl Who Ate Everything and also Brown Eyed Baker.  I can assure you that I will be making these again and again.  I think I will try using whole wheat flour next time.  Now hurry and make these cookies.  You won't be disappointed!

Pineapple Orange Banana Green Smoothie

I have really gotten into the green smoothie craze.  It is such an enjoyable way to get extra veggies into your diet.  I started out with my Purple Monster smoothie, but I began searching for, and experimenting  with other flavors.  When I was growing up, we would splurge every once in a while on a carton of orange pineapple banana juice.  I loved it.  I recently found a blend of almond milk and coconut milk by Blue Diamond in the grocery store.  A light bulb went on.  All of these flavors together would make a great tropical smoothie.

This smoothie is refreshing, sweet, and great for breakfast!  It has a light hint of coconut, which makes me feel like I'm drinking some fancy tropical drink on the beach instead of some green vegetables in my kitchen!