Grilled Cobb Salad and Crack

So, the other night my husband comes home from work with something cradled under his arm.  I couldn't quite see it because his jacket was draped over the mystery container.  He removed his jacket and there it was...CRACK!!  I said to him, "Are you kidding me!!!  Why did you bring crack into this house??!!"

It's been a couple of years since I walked into a Trader Joe's...for a very good reason.  I cannot resist their Crispy Crunch (Crack) Chocolate Chip Cookies or any of their other naughty delicacies.  I have no doubt that I could put away every single one of those cookies in one sitting, sprawled out on the couch with my favorite throw blanket, while watching Eat Pray Love, my latest movie addiction..and I'm not exaggerating here!  I told my husband he better hide them from me, or it's going to be ugly!

I'll just leave it at that....

This salad is the perfect meal if you have also been guilty in overindulging.  This is your go-to salad when you are needing to use up some "here and there" items in the refrigerator.  The traditional Cobb Salad is made with blue cheese salad dressing, but I really like a creamy Italian dressing, which (my "fancy" version) is no more than equal parts prepared Newman's Own Family Recipe Italian salad dressing and Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing, whisked together...fancy, right?!

Grilled Cobb Salad
Makes 4 Dinner Size Servings

1 head romaine lettuce, washed, and chopped
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled and diced
6 slices Applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese crumbles
1/2 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/2 cup prepared ranch salad dressing
Asiago croutons

Combine the first seven salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Toss with the two salad dressings.  Plate the dressed salad on four dinner plates and finish with the Asiago croutons.

If you are still hungry after this amazing salad, you can have Chocolate Chip Crack for dessert too. Enjoy!

One Year Ago: Roasted Red Pepper Soup
Two Years Ago: Pork Wellington

Wisdom...(Words and Teeth) and Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken

We are now 24 hours into my daughter's wisdom teeth surgery and her recovery.  Bless her heart she was amazing through the entire procedure.  Her first time under anesthesia and any type of surgery. She is so strong and resilient and never complained all day.

The hardest part is trying to give words of wisdom and comfort someone who is under the influence and is not making any sense.  She had a couple of good one liners during the ride home and I had to hide my laughter.  At one point she had me in tears I was laughing so hard at her off the wall comments, coming off her drugs.

Ice Packs, Meds Schedule, Guaze...check, check and check.

Leave it to me the "list lady" to write down the times of meds schedule so I wouldn't forget or get the two crossed.  The nurses were saying so many instructions as we were checking out my head was spinning and knew I had to write it all down when we returned home.

Serenity now for my patient.

When we got home, I lit every candle in the house for my little patient.  I closed the blinds, got her settled on the Family Room couch, complete with her favorite Seahawks blanket, and kept a very serene environment for her recovery.

Theo, best nurse assistant ever!  Giving his best healing love to his friend.

Her greatest friend, protector and now nurse, Theo, did a great job sharing his love and helping her heal.  I think all the serenity candles (and blanket) made for a day of napping for him as well.

So, the three of us enjoyed our "Blue Bloods" marathon on tv and we settled in for a day of rest. When everyone came home for the night, it was time for me to go from nurse, to chef.

Super easy chicken dish I found on Pinterest a few weeks ago and just got around to making it.  The Bon Appetit website had an amazing looking Eggplant Panzanella and Raisin-Pine Nut Vinaigrette to accompany it, but I was too exhausted to take that on...going to need to save that for another night.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken
Adapted from bonappetit.com

6 (6-ounce) skinless boneless chicken breast halves
8 ounces Taleggio cheese, rind trimmed, cheese cut into six 2-inch long slices
12 thin slices prosciutto

** for my own sauce:
2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbl. dijon mustard
1/4 cup heavy cream

Place chicken breasts on work surface.  Using sharp knife and starting at thickest side of 1 chicken breast, cut 2-inch long, 1-inch deep horizontal pocket, being careful not to cut through completely to other side of breast.  Insert 1 piece of cheese in pocket and press opening closed.  Sprinkle chicken with a little salt and pepper.  Place 2 prosciutto slices side by side on work surface, slightly overlapping on long sides.  Place 1 chicken breast crosswise atop center of prosciutto slices;  wrap prosciutto slices around chicken, covering completely and pressing to adhere.  Repeat with remaining chicken, cheese and prosciutto.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add 3 chicken breasts to skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes each side.  Transfer chicken to large baking sheet and repeat with other 3 chicken breasts. ** Save skillet drippings and remnants for sauce.

Roast in oven approximately 15-20 minutes (or until cooked through).  Transfer cooked chicken to cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.

**While the chicken is roasting deglaze skillet you cooked chicken in with the chicken broth on high heat.  Scrape up all the prosciutto and chicken bits with broth.  Turn heat to low and whisk in dijon mustard.  Take off heat and whisk in heavy cream.  Let simmer until chicken is done in oven.

One Year Ago: Spicy Asian Beef
Two Years Ago: Tapenade Pasta Salad

Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce and Augusta Golf Club

There is good news - bad news in our home this week.  The good news is that it is spring break here and I get an extra hour sleep for five days (and much deserved after last week's trip), since I don't need to drive the girls to school.  The bad news...when I come downstairs in the morning for my coffee time, it is 24 hours of Golf Channel, my husband and the annual Masters Tournament coverage from Augusta Golf Club.

Up until this morning the number one story for the last two weeks...what is Bubba Watson, defending champion going to serve for his Masters Club Champions Dinner with all the prior winners, a tradition since 1957.  Well the moment came and went last night and after all the hype, Bubba served the exact same menu as he did in 2013.  The menu two years ago: Caesar salad, grilled chicken breast, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn, macaroni and cheese with cornbread along with Confetti cake and vanilla ice cream for dessert.  "It's the same meal because it's from my mom" Watson said.  "Home-cooked meal and that's why I do it."  Kudos to you Bubba for sticking to your roots and the comfort of family traditions - I applaud you!!

This year's menu of Champions.

Well, for those critics who were appalled by Bubba's simple menu selection again this year, perhaps they would want to try this version of chicken with a delectable Gorgonzola sauce.

Chicken with Gorgonzola Sauce

4 boneless , skinless chicken breasts
canola oil
salt 
pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 Tbl. butter
4 tsp. all -purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbl. freshly chopped parsley
1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

Heat skillet over medium-high heat.  Pat chicken breasts so they are completely dry.  Add about 2 tablespoons of canola oil in skillet (just enough to coat the bottom).  Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides and add chicken to pan when it is hot.  Cook about 5 minutes on each side (depending on their thickness) or until cooked through.  Remove from heat and keep covered.

In same skillet, add chicken broth to deglaze the pan until almost evaporated.  Add the butter over medium heat.  Add flour and whisk constantly for one minute until all the flour taste has cooked off. Gradually add the heavy cream, stirring constantly.

Add the Gorgonzola cheese and stir until melted and well blended.

Spoon sauce over chicken and your favorite side vegetable.

One Year Ago:  The Masters Dinner

Augusta National Golf Club

BBQ Chicken Fiesta Salad and Touring The Big South

Well, we successfully made it to Atlanta yesterday.  Our first visit to the South and home of the Georgia Peach.  Everyone here has been so incredibly nice and hospitable.  I love the South!!!!  My girls and I have been non-stop with the subway, walking and being the ultimate tourists before our tournament starts tomorrow.

The final stop at World of Coca Cola - The Gift Shop!!

 Last night we were all craving Mexican food and ended it finding this great place called Martha's Mexican Restaurant downtown.  I had my first Peach Margarita - delish !!  Then this morning I searched out breakfast near the Coca Cola Museum and came across the Atlanta Breakfast Club.  Oh dear heaven, BEST breakfast ever!!!  I don't know what else to say, other than if you find yourself in Atlanta, you must find the Atlanta Breakfast Club.

Martha's Peach Margarita and Soft Tacos -
perfect end to a long travel day!!

So as I had my Italian Chopped Salad at California Pizza Kitchen by myself with a nice glass of Pinot Noir, I thought of my husband home alone with the boys, Angus and Theo and am willing to bet that he is also having salads this week, while we are away.

I made this salad for my friend Toni, during her brief visit with us...it is one of our go to favorites that we just love!!

BBQ Chicken Fiesta Salad

3 Cooked Chicken Breasts
1/2 cup Pre-made BBQ Sauce
1 small head Romaine lettuce
3 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 small jicama, peeled and diced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can mexican blend corn and peppers, drained and rinsed
4 slices cooked bacon, chopped
1/2 cup ranch flavored salad dressing
corn tortilla chips

Chop the diced chicken and toss with bbq sauce and set aside.

Wash and chop the romaine lettuce and put in large serving bowl.  Add the diced tomatoes, diced jicama, black beans, mexican corn/pepper blend, chopped bacon and chopped bbq coated chicken.

Add ranch dressing and toss salad well.

Plate salad and top with crushed corn tortilla chips.

Makes (4) dinner sized servings

One Year Ago:  Chinese Chicken Salad - Ramen Style

Chicken Tetrazinni for Comforting on Wine Down Wednesday

In the matter of one week my children have hit a milestone birthday, got their driving licenses, are now driving without me and started interviewing for jobs to save for a car...I have cried more in this one week than I care to admit and am pulling out gray hairs faster than I can keep up with coloring them.  I say a prayer every time they leave the house in our car and cannot believe how fast the time is passing before my eyes.

This, on top of the winter doesn't want to let up.  We still have lots of snow, chilled mornings and nights and icy roads mixed with wind here and there.  All I have wanted lately is comfort meals, hibernation (and wine of course)!  It's taking every ounce of resistance in me not to power down on a Blackjack Meatlovers Pizza, a bottle of Ferrari Carano Chardonnay (it is Wine Down Wednesday after all), Ben and Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream and a box of Kleenex.

I am doing my best to stay strong, trying to make the gym a few days a week and somewhat stick to a South Beach(esque) menu.  Trying....

Well, this casserole doesn't make the diet cut, but it hit my comfort zone for one night (and freezes well for individual work lunches), super easy and luscious flavors.

Chicken Tetrazinni

(1) 16 oz. package of angel hair pasta, cooked
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 chicken breasts cooked, shredded
(2) 10.5 oz. cans Cream of Chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 Tbl. fresh parsley, chopped finely
2 Tbl. parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick spray.  Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl combine melted butter, shredded chicken, soup, sour cream, salt, garlic powder, pepper and chicken broth.  Add the cooked angel hair pasta and mix well.

Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle with the chopped parsley.  Sprinkle the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses over the parsley.

Bake covered in foil for 45 minutes.  (Tip: Spray the foil with non stick spray on the side that will be near the mixture/cheeses, so it doesn't stick.)  Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes.

Sprinkle with more fresh parsley before serving.


One Year Ago:  Black and White Parfaits

Greek Chicken Salad and Grown Up Girls

Yesterday, we saw another birthday for our girls...another year older and another year they are growing to become young women.  

We hit the big city for shopping, strolling through the beautiful holiday lit streets and dined at one of our favorite special occasion restaurants...oh and don't worry, yes I got teary eyed and almost cried at dinner.  It always puts my life in perspective and reminds me just how blessed we truly are to have our family and I thank God every day for them.

Uptown Girls!

I can now breathe a sigh of relief...Thanksgiving and Christmas - done.  Husband and girls' birthday - done.  Now I have a couple weeks to try and get my life back in somewhat of an order and prepare for volleyball travel season...and then I get this...

My husband says as we are driving home last night (with very full and overstuffed stomachs), "That's it, tomorrow we start diets again and back to the gym"...ugh!!  This comes from the man who gave me a true southern cookbook (nothing diet in those pages) and a beautiful set of stainless steel cookware for Christmas.  Oh well, South Beach Diet, here we come again.

This little salad makes up really fast and is perfect as a side dish or lunch entree, really light and great Mediterranean flavors.

Greek Chicken Salad

For Dressing:
2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

For Salad:
1/2 pound orzo, cooked according to directions, rinsed in cold water, drained and cooled
3 medium size boneless, skinless, cooked chicken breasts, diced
1/2 pint (red and yellow) cherry tomatoes
1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
1 medium cucumber, diced
1/2 of a 12 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into pieces
2 ounces crumbled feta cheese

Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Combine all salad ingredients, except feta cheese in a large serving bowl and toss.

Pour salad dressing all over and toss well.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Add feta cheese just before serving.

One Year Ago: Broiled Lobster Tails

Fall's Cobb Salad

If you have been following this blog for awhile, you know how much I "love Tuesdays"...not really. Yesterday was no exception either.  What is it about Tuesdays and the mayhem that follows me on this one particular day?

Poor Angus even had a bad day.

It started off at 5 am when my husband was frantically looking for towels and he grabbed the shop vac out of the garage.  My eyes were barely open and I knew nothing good had happened.  I wanted to crawl back under my covers and hide from whatever mess was lurking out there for us to clean up.

My Theo has been having tummy troubles (most likely eating the bad crab apples that have taken over our yard as of late.  He couldn't wait for us to let him outside and I won't describe what was at the door...such a lovely aroma before my first cup of coffee.

Fast forward to a crazy, busy day complete with a migraine headache and incorporating taking the area rug to the laundromat from the morning mess and playing twins taxi in the early evening.  I was so frazzled, I resorted to take out Chinese for dinner, which if you know me, is definitely not like me.  Good thing there weren't many dishes, because "I" get hit with a homework assignment.

My younger daughter had diligently done lengthy research and typed up her report earlier in the week, as directed (or so she thought).  She was to put it into a newspaper type format, which I thought looked great, since she didn't even have a newspaper to refer to and it was just the rough draft.  Well, for the final draft, it needed to be an exact typical newspaper layout, complete with the columns, line spacing and font line up.  I have said it once before and I will say it again...as much controversy that comes from the internet, it really does come in handy sometimes.  Bless Google and their online templates, which saved us once again. Unfortunately, we didn't finish until midnight last night, which meant very little sleep and ask my husband, I am not the most pleasant person when it comes to sleep deprivation.

The good news of the week is my husband and I made a new friend and his name is Josh.  Josh Cellars has an incredible array of wines that are not only very affordable, but also beautiful taste.  I typically have not been a Cabernet fan in the past, but Josh has changed my outlook.  I also love Josh Cellars' philosophy of giving back and their philanthropic community support.  This Cab goes wonderfully with our new favorite Fall Cobb Salad.  I think I will be inviting my new friend for dinner tonight (if there's no more surprise homework).

Fall's Cobb Salad

2 cooked chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, and diced

4 slices cooked bacon, cut in small pieces

2 large hard boiled eggs, peeled and diced

5 cups romaine lettuce, cut in bite size pieces

1 pear, peeled and diced

1/3 cup Craisins (dried sweetened cranberries)

1/2 cup smoked Gouda cheese, diced

Honey Mustard Dressing (your favorite brand) or your own homemade version

To assemble the salad, plate with a layer of the romaine lettuce at bottom of serving plate or bowl. Add remaining salad ingredients and drizzle with your favorite Honey Mustard dressing.

Can be served as a meal for 2 people, or a hearty side salad for guests with a nice butternut squash soup.

One Year Ago: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Sauteed Chicken with Olives and Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic & Thyme

During our weekend visit with Steve and Leslie while the guys went golfing, Leslie and I had the pleasure of attending Sur La Table's Cooking School in Boulder.  I signed us up for their class of "Fast & Fabulous Chicken Dishes".  I feel that we can never get enough opportunities to keep learning and soaring in whatever we enjoy doing, be it our careers or hobbies.

Our chef/instructor was fabulous.  I loved her humor, personality and candor.  She told amazing stories and captured our attention at every moment. We even exchanged grease burn stories and showed our battle scars on our arms and hands...I felt like such an accomplished chef.

I worked hard for those cooking scars and there was this unspoken respect.  Okay, maybe I am exaggerating a little - but a girl can dream, right?  Back to the cooking part...we made four different chicken dishes and this one rocked it.  I loved all the flavors and it was so easy for a weeknight dish, yet impressive enough that you could serve to guests.

Sauteed Chicken with Olives
Courtesy of Sur La Table

2 Tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
4 (5-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium shallots, peeled and sliced
1 medium garlic, peeled and minced
2 teaspoons minced thyme
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pitted Kalamata olives
2 Tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

Place a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat and add 1 Tablespoon of the oil.
* Chef's Tip:  Dry the chicken really, really, really well before you put it in hot pan.
When the oil is shimmering, generously season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.  Add the chicken to the pan, presentation side down first and cook until brown, about 3 minutes.  Turn the chicken and cook on the other side, about 2 minutes longer.  Transfer the chicken to a plate, reserving the skillet.

Add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of oil to the skillet.  When the oil is shimmering, add the shallots and cook until tender, about 2 minutes.  Add the garlic and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Return the chicken to the skillet, presentation side up.  Add the broth, bring to a boil then reduce the heat until simmering and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.  Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.  Stir in the olives.

Place the sauteed chicken onto warmed serving plates. Spoon olive mixture over the top, sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.


* These mushrooms are super delicious and go with everything!!

Roasted Mushrooms with Garlic & Thyme

16 mushrooms (white button or baby bella), cleaned and dried well
3 Tablespoons olive or canola oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped very finely
3 Tablespoons butter, softened
2 Tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
5 Tablespoons Panko Japanese breadcrumbs
1-1/2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
pinch of salt 
pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Lightly fry the mushrooms, cap-side down, in hot oil for 2-3 minutes.

Arrange the mushrooms in a 9x13 cooking dish with the stalks facing upwards.

In a small bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, thyme, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Spoon a little of the garlic butter mixture on to each mushroom, then lightly press the breadcrumbs on top.

Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or golden around the mushroom cap.

Gorgonzola Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad

So here is how the conversation went during our wine time debriefing and getting dinner ready....

Me:  "Honey, since Steve and Leslie will be here next week, please make sure we have enough propane for the bbq with all the grilling that we're going to be doing."

Him:  "Oh, there's plenty of propane for the bbq, we don't need to fill it up."

Me:  "Are you sure, because we have been grilling a lot lately."

Him:  "Yes, we'll be fine."

He then puts the chicken breasts on for our Gorgonzola Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad and we continue to talk out on the patio, while the chicken cooks.  He goes to check on the chicken to see if they are almost done...

Him:  "Oh, ****, the burners and heat turned off...we are out of propane."

Me:  "Seriously!!!?"

Gorgonzola Grilled Chicken and Spinach Salad

Spinach Leaves
Baby Bella or White Button Mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
Red Grapes, cut in half lengthwise
4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
White Balsamic and Honey Salad Dressing/Vinaigrette 
(typically found on the top shelf area of salad dressing section with the specialty flavors)
6 ounce container, Gorgonzola Cheese, crumbled
Olive Oil
Butter

Preheat the grill to hot.  Rinse and dry the chicken thoroughly. Take each breast and pound gently to an even thickness. Do not pound too thin; the breast will not be completely uniform. Liberally salt and pepper the chicken and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.

Place the chicken breasts on the hot grill, with the thicker portion facing the hotter part of your grill (usually the back). Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed until char grill marks are made, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken, keeping the thick part of the chicken toward the hot part of the flame, and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the chicken reads 155 degrees F, about 3 more minutes. 

Pull cooked chicken breasts off the grill and set in a glass dish. Sprinkle chicken with the crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and loosely cover with foil.  Allow the grilled chicken to rest for 5 minutes, covered, before serving.

While chicken is resting, saute the mushrooms in equal parts butter and olive oil in a medium-high heated saute pan. 

To plate, start with the spinach leaves.  Cut the rested Gorgonzola covered chicken in evenly sized slices and place on spinach leaves.  Add the sautéed mushrooms to each plate over the chicken.  Spoon any remaining butter/olive oil from the mushroom pan over each plate, this adds an extra layer of flavor.

Add as many (or as few) cut grapes that you like to your plate and drizzle with the White Balsamic and Honey Salad Dressing.

Serve with a crusty, rustic bread (like a Garlic Olive-Rosemary loaf) and your favorite Chardonnay wine.

Here is the dressing we used for tonight's salad.

P.S.  Just make sure you have enough propane before your start your dinner venture!

One Year Ago:  Nutella Cookies

Garlic Chicken Skewers and Local Farmers

Happy Labor Day to all and hope it is a restful one as we head into a new week and the month of September.  For us we have seen more labor than rest in our household.  Summer reading assignments are due next week, laundry, house cleaning, yard work, finishing up house accessories, trying out new recipes...and of course our annual pickle making weekend.

We did however take some much needed time out and travel to our city Farmer's Market on Saturday for fruits, veggies, herbs and beautiful floral bouquets and we also visited a local farm stand, called Grandma's Produce Farm, down the road from our house.

Love Grandma's little red truck - this is their street view signage.

Here it is, Grandma's farm stand.

Only in the heartland would you find an "honor system" farm stand.

Grandma's has a little bit of everything at their stand.  There is no one tending to the stand, you just help yourself and leave money in their Honor System jar.  How great is that?!!

Since we had our new fresh vegetables, we grilled up chicken skewers for dinner.  Light, flavorful and really fresh.

Garlic Chicken Skewers

1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 chicken breasts) cut into 1 inch pieces.
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, finely chopped
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 large zucchini, sliced about 1" wide pieces, then cut into quarters
1 (8) ounce package button mushrooms
2 large red, yellow or orange peppers, cut into 1 inch pieces

8 (12 inch ) metal skewers

Lightly coat grill and heat to medium-high.

In a bowl, combine chicken, garlic, rosemary, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Stir and coat well.

Alternating the chicken and vegetables, thread the zucchini, mushrooms, peppers and chicken on skewers.

Filled and ready to grill.

Grill filled skewers, turning every 2 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender and lightly browned, about 8-10 minutes.

The dog days of summer are just too much for Theo.
He takes full advantage of his sun naps.

One Year Ago: The Flavornator

Smoked BBQ Chicken Nachos

Well, it's that time of year again...the weekend when the most grilling/BBQ/smoking happens more than any other time of the year.  I also heard today that the average person eats twice as much during an outdoor event, than if they were eating indoors...hmm.

I don't know about that because we tried out these BBQ nachos a couple weeks ago, ate them inside and I could have inhaled them all by myself, they were that awesome!!  If memory serves me, I believe I was even referred to as "Cronk" at one point during the night...can't say it wasn't well deserved.

We started with using taco seasoning blend, and grilling boneless, skinless chicken breasts.

Let chicken cool.  Chop into diced, bite size portions.  Coat with your favorite BBQ sauce.  

We are partial to Stubb's Original BBQ Sauce.

  

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with a non-stick spray.  Spread a layer of tortilla chips.  Add a layer of Mexican four cheese shredded blend.  Top with the bbq sauce coated chicken.

Add another layer of the shredded cheese.

*This next step can be done in your oven at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes 

(or until cheese has completely melted).

We used our Traeger Grill at 350 degrees for 30 minutes (turning them around, half way through), so they got equal heat and they were positively amazing.

Add your favorite toppings and serve.

We included diced tomatoes, diced avocados and green onions and sour cream.

Enjoy and have a safe and relaxing Labor Day Weekend.

One Year Ago:  Flatbread Friday

Spinach, Chicken, Bacon Pizza...Back To School Shopping

 "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"...I love it when I hear the Staples t.v. commercial with Andy Williams singing this tune in the background.  Yes, it has arrived once again!!

A beautiful sign nearing end of summer in our backyard.

Well, once again, I walked our 17 mile adventure at Flatiron Crossing Mall with my girls for our annual back-to-school adventure.  All the major places of interest were hit...Hollister, American Eagle, H&M, Forever 21, Kohl's, Sports Authority, BC Surf and Sport and of course Office Depot (well the last one wasn't very popular, but necessary).

All in all, a very successful day and happy to report we got it all wrapped up in one day.

The fruits of our labor and the "fruit of the vine" for mommy!!

After a very long and traffic packed day I needed simple, easy and satisfying dinner.  It was not South Beach friendly but I didn't care I had definitely walked off the calories this day and deserved a little indulgence.

Spinach, Chicken and Bacon Pizza

Boboli Ready Made 12" Pizza Thin Crust
10 oz. container Buitoni Alfredo Sauce (in refrigerator deli section) - I only use about 1/2 of the container.
(1) cooked chicken breast, diced
(5) slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 small jar, marinated artichoke hearts, sliced
(1) handful fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon Italian blend seasoning mix

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Put pizza crust on a pizza stone (or cookie sheet).  Spread alfredo sauce all over pizza crust.  Layer pizza toppings starting with spinach, chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts and top with Parmesan cheese.  Finish with sprinkling Italian seasoning all over pizza.

Bake approximately 12 minutes (check after 10 minutes, depending on your oven).  Continue baking until crust is golden brown and cheese has melted and bubbly.  Let set about 5 minutes before cutting.

Enjoy this luscious pizza with a
 chilled Chateau St. Michelle Chardonnay.

One Year Ago:  Flat Iron Steak Salad