Day 174: Skillet Chicken Mac and Parmesan

Day 174.

I found this recipe and thought it sounded nice and simple. It was, plus it was really good!!

Here's what you'll need.

1 26 oz. jar pasta sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1 1/2 cups macaroni pasta
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese


Bring a large pot of water to a boil, cook pasta as package directs.


Drain well.


Combine the chicken and hot pasta into a large skillet with a lid.


Add in the pasta sauce.


And the Parmesan.


Stir well.


Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, until the mixture is hot and bubbly, stirring occasionally.


Sprinkle the Mozzarella over the top. Cover and let stand for about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.


As so.

Day 173: 5 Minute Microwave Granola

Day 173.

I love granola, but it can be a bit pricey to buy at the grocery. I was super excited to come across this recipe because it has common ingredients and it quick to make.

Here's what you'll need.

2 cups oats
2/3 cup chopped nuts (any kind)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla


Place oats into the bottom of a greased 9x13 glass pan.


Add the nuts. I used walnuts and pecans.


Crumble the brown sugar over the top.


Drizzle the honey and vanilla over the mixture.


Stir well. Cook for 2.5 minutes.


Stir and cook for another 2.5 minutes.


Let it cool.


Stir well to crumble, and store in an airtight container.

Day 172: Crockpot Wild Rice Casserole

Day 172.

This recipe was awesome! Rice in the crockpot? Yes, please!

Here's what you'll need.

1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain white rice
1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
4 cups water
3-4 green onions
1/4 cup butter
Dried parsley


Place the rice into the slow cooker.


Add the onion soup mix to the water.


Stir well.


Add to the rice.


Throw in some dried parsley. I used a couple teaspoons worth.


Dice the green onions.


Add those to the crockpot.


Melt the butter in a microwave-safe dish.


Add that to the pot as well and stir.


Cook on HIGH for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.


It should look something like this.


We had some leftover chicken that needed used up, so I heated it in a skillet and threw it in with the rice.


Ta-da!

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I really liked the flavor of this dish. My only issue was that some of the rice was a bit crunchy. Next time, I may not add the wild rice and just use white, as it seemed the wild rice was what was not quite finished.

Day 171: Millie's Birthday Cake

Day 171.

I usually make Millie's birthday cakes, and this year she said she wanted a mermaid cake. This was the best I could come up with! I'm not a professional by any means, but I like doing it. :)

Here's what you'll need.


A baked and cooled 9x13 cake


2 cans of icing
Food coloring
Graham crackers
and a Barbie doll


Let's start with the water. I added about 10 drops of blue coloring to one can of icing.


Stir well.


And cover the entire cake. I used the edge of my knife to create "waves" in the icing.


Place some graham crackers into a zip top bag.


And use a heavy bottomed pot to smash them to crumbs.


Use the crumbs to create a beach for Barbie.


I wrapped Barbie's legs in plastic, just so she'll clean up easier when we're finished.


Plop her down on the beach.


We decided to go for pink for her tail. I used about 6 drops of coloring.


Stir well.


Pipe stars to make Barbie's tail, and border.


Ta-da! Like I said, I'm no professional, but I have fun doing it. Amelia's not too picky, either. :)

Day 170: Chauncey Ball League Nachos

Day 170.

This is the final recipe of Chauncey Ball stuff. This cheese sauce is served with nacho chips or big pretzels. Mmmm.

Here's what you'll need.

1 lb. sausage
1 stick butter
2 lbs. Velveeta
1 can Rotel
1 jar CheezWhiz or cheddar cheese sauce


Chop the Velveeta into chunks.


Add the sausage to a hot skillet.


Place the Velveeta and cheese sauce into a crockpot. I like to use crockpot liners here, 'cause this gets messy.


Add in the can of Rotel.


Melt the butter.


And add it to the crockpot too.


Once the sausage is browned, drain it well.


Add it to the crockpot.


Stir it all together and let it melt.