Harrell's Haven : February 2014

February 23, 2014

Busy Time Means Simple Meals

I missed blogging last week because I was so busy with birthday parties, events, conferences, and just life in general. Last week, it seemed like everyone had something to do or somewhere to be; I did not want to eat out every day, so I decided to make meals that could definitely be leftovers. Last Monday, I made a beef roast a little different than I normally do and it came out fabulous. My brother was calling me at work asking if we still had roast left lol. It didn't take long to prepare, but it did take a few hours to cook. It was actually even better the next day. I made it with a baked potato soup (a Pampered Chef recipe I found online). I am calling the recipe Semi Pan Cooked/Semi Oven Cooked Roast! I have also listed our menu plan for the week. I hope you all enjoy! Have a great week of cooking and baking!

Recipe: Semi Pan Cooked/ Semi Oven Cooked Roast

Ingredients:
Beef Roast
3tbsp of canola oil or olive oil
2tbsp of sugar
Season All
Garlic Powder
Black Pepper
Paprika
Cooking Spray

Directions:
In a large skillet, heat canola oil or olive oil over medium heat (about a five). While pan/oil are getting hot, start seasoning your roast.
Season the roast with season all, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika. I even take a knife and place holes in the roast so that I can add seasoning inside them. After the roast is fully seasoned. Sprinkle with the two tablespoons of sugar. Rub the sugar all around the roast.

When the oil is heated, brown all sides of the roast. You are not going to leave in this pot; you just want the roast to get to a pretty brown color.

Remove roast from the skillet and place in a greased (cooking spray) pan. Add about 2/3 of water, couple of tablespoons of butter to the pan. Cover the roast and bake on 375 for 2-3 hours (Until the roast is at the desired temperature you like). I checked on my roast every hour and based it with the juices. You don't want your roast completely brown (well done) because it will become tough the next day if you try to reheat or serve as leftovers.

Slice and serve with some type of vegetable and a side! Biscuits or some type of roll would be great with it too. Enjoy!

Weekly Menu Plan: February 23-March 1st
Sunday: Oven cooked sweet and spicy BBQ Ribs, salad, and baked beans
Monday: Leftovers
Tuesday: Dr. Pepper Pork Chops, Corn (I like to mix cream style corn with regular corn), and something green
Wednesday: Leftovers
Thursday: Taco Casserole (saw on Pinterest and I am so excited to make)
Friday: Pizza Night
Saturday: Chicken Pasta with sun dried tomato and basil cream sauce

February 10, 2014

Garlic and Herb Chicken

So, because I am trying to stay away from fried food, but still want the texture of fried chicken, I decided to make some oven fried chicken. This isn't just any fried chicken, it's a garlic and herb seasoned oven fried chicken. When I was visiting my parents, my dad made some really good chicken wings in the oven and I asked him what he used. He pulled me to the side to tell me about a secret ingredient; it was a packet of McCormick garlic and roasted potatoes seasoning mix. Those chicken wings were really good, so I figured it would make a great seasoning for my oven fried chicken. This has got to be the best oven fried chicken I have ever had. It was so good that we did not have leftover. I served it with a garlic and herb rice as well as mac and cheese. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did. I have also included a recipe for my FAVORITE chocolate chip cookies too. When we were in Charleston, a friend of ours would always make chocolate chip cookies when we would go over to her house. Nick LOVED her cookies and I wanted in on the secret. She told me she just bought the dough from the store and put them in the oven. So, I went to Sam's Club to buy the dough and let me just say how wonderful and amazing these cookies are. Happy cooking and baking everyone!

Garlic and Herb Oven Fried Chicken

Ingredients:
Garlic Powder
Season All
Black Pepper
McCormick Garlic and Roasted Potato Seasoning packet (you will only use 1/4 of the packet)
Italian Bread Crumbs
Cooking Spray

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Wash your meat and then pat dry. Season the top and bottom of your meat with all of the seasonings listed above.

2. Get a long baking pan ready. Spray with cooking spray. Next thoroughly coat both sides of the chicken in the Italian bread crumbs. Place the coated chicken on the sprayed pan.

3. When all chicken is coated and placed on the baking pan. Spray the top of the chicken with the cooking spray. Bake in the oven for 45-60 minutes.

4. Serve with whatever side orders you like and ENJOY!

Dessert: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
Baking pan
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (from Sam's Club)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take a spoon and scoop the desired amount out of the container. Roll in a ball and place on the baking sheet.

2. Bake in the oven for 16-18 minutes. When you take them out of the oven. Let them cool for 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately or place in an air tight container. Enjoy!

Weekly Menu Plan for February 10-16
Monday: Leftover Roast and Loaded Baked Potato Soup (this soup was SOOOOO good)
Tuesday: Dinner with a friend (It's Pasta Night and she is making a Chicken Tuscan Pasta)
Wednesday: Chili Con Queso Pasta Bake (saw Rachel Ray make this and knew I had to try it)
Thursday: Homemade Sesame Chicken with rice
Friday: Leftover for kids and dinner out for mommy/daddy (Happy Valentine's Day)
Saturday: Chicken Drumsticks (in the oven), Crock pot mac and cheese, Hawaiian rolls, fruit
Sunday: Shrimp Spaghetti

February 2, 2014

Pasta...it's what's for dinner!

Pasta has been a huge hit in our house. The kids love it, it doesn't take long to make, and every pasta dish has been delicious. Today's featured recipe puts together two of my favorite ingredients: chicken and spice! This Cajun chicken pasta took about 20 minutes to make and it is even better the next day. If you don't like spicy food, this is still a great dish (just leave out the spice). This is a dish everyone is sure to love. I have also included my weekly menu plan for February 3-7th. Happy cooking and eating :).

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

Spaghetti Noodles (although you can use whatever type of pasta you would like)
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces or 1 package of chicken tenderloins cut into 1 inch pieces
Cajun Seasoning
2 tbsp of butter
1medium onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
3-4 tbsp of minced garlic
1/2 cup White Cooking Wine
1 container of chicken stock
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
2 oz cream cheese
season all, garlic powder, and black pepper
1 large Roma tomato, diced
Parmesan Cheese

Directions:
1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions.

2. Wash your chicken thoroughly. Pat dry. If you are using chicken breasts like I did, then cut your chicken into strips and then 1 inch pieces. Then season with season all, garlic powder, and black pepper.

3. In a large pan heat 2 tbsp of butter over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with enough Cajun seasoning to coat lightly. Place half the chicken in the pan (making sure not to crowd the chicken), let the chicken brown on one side for 2-3 minutes then flip over and finish browning on the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove chicken with a slotted spoon to a clean plate. Repeat with remaining chicken.

4. Turn heat up to high and add the remaining tbsp of oil. Toss in the onion, red bell pepper and garlic. Sprinkle with a little more Cajun seasoning. Remove the veggies to the plate with the chicken.

5. Back in the pan add 1/2 cup white cooking wine, chicken stock concentrate and water. Bring to a boil and scrap any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Let the mixture cook for a bit and reduce in size by half.

6. Turn the heat down to medium and add the heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir with a whisk until mixture is smooth and creamy.

7. Add the chicken and veggies back to the pan and stir to coat, cooking until mixture thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

8. In a bowl, place some cooked pasta. Then add some sauce/veggies on top. Serve topped with the diced tomatoes, Oregano seasoning, and a little Parmesan cheese.