Barbecue Chicken Pizza

So this one is definitely not rocket science, and it's probably not new to most of you, but if anything it's an idea of something to try. I've tried this a few different ways and so far this has been my favorite combination, so give it a try!

Not the prettiest, but it taste better then it looks

1 can refrigerated pizza dough-such as Pillsbury
1 green bell pepper chopped
1/2 medium onion chopped
3-4 pieces bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into bite size pieces (the best way to cook this is in the crock pot, or brown in oil on your stove-anyway really that will keep it moist because after you put it on the pizza and cook it more it tends to dry a little)
1 c. barbecue sauce- I use Sweet Baby Ray's
1 1/2-2 c. cheese

Preheat oven to 400. I chose to use Pillsbury's pizza crust which had me precook the crust for 5 minutes, but follow whatever directions your pizza dough says. Meanwhile, fry bacon until it starts to brown. Add green pepper and onion and cook for another couple minutes until tender. Drain any excess grease, then add chicken and about 1/2 c. barbecue sauce. Mix until fully covered in barbecue sauce. Pour remaining barbecue sauce on crust and evenly spread over crust. Add chicken mixture and top with cheese. Cook for another 6-8 minutes, again following whatever your crust instructions say.

Grilled Chicken Tostadas.. or Tacos

So I've been kind of slacking lately on the posts. Not that I haven't been cooking, just nothing worth posting sadly. I'm kind of in a funk lately with recipes. Every so often I get where nothing sounds good and I feel like I've tried just about every recipe possible. I don't know if it's a Spring thing, or just I'm just stuck in a rut. Either way this recipe is a tried and true recipe that I've used many times since I discovered it a couple summers back. It's great for a quick and easy dinner. I usually serve it taco style, but I actually prefer it as a tostada it can be a little messier to eat, plus I choose to make the tostadas using corn tortillas which is an extra step I usually choose to skip. As much as I enjoy cooking if I can cut corners and get the same results I'm all about it. Either way you choose to serve these they are super delicious so I hope you enjoy!

2-4 chicken breasts
1/2 c. lime juice (I ran out and tried to use lemon juice and it just wasn't the same, if you don't have any lime juice and don't want to buy a whole bottle, limes are in season and are super cheap)
1/4 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 T. honey
2 t. minced garlic
1 1/2 t. chili powder

Combine all ingredients and marinate for 4-5 hours. Grill chicken on medium to high heat until completely cooked through, abound 6-7 minutes on each side. Slice chicken and serve either as taco or tostada.

Food For Thought..

So I haven't posted any dinner ideas for a few days, not because of lack of trying new recipes, but for the lack of anything worth posting. I'm really starting to realize how different people's taste buds are. The last few recipes I've tried have come from really popular food blogs and have been kind of big flops in our house. I tried a ham and macaroni skillet dish that was just kind of bland and just overall not very good, I did a honey glazed chicken which I expected to be sticky sweet and yummy and ended up being kind of a funky tangy, just didn't work for me, and there's been a couple others, these are just the ones that come to mind. Anyway needless to say it makes me wonder what everyone thinks of the recipes I've posted. I've gotten some positive feedback on a few of the recipes like the Chicken Broccoli Braid, Chili Lime Tostadas, and the Crock Pot Chicken Marinara. Anyway I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions in types of recipes or recipes containing certain ingredients. I hate the recipes where it uses things you never have or would never use again and I know there's maybe a few on here that have things that not everyone keeps on hand. So once again I'm just looking for feedback, which recipes sound good, or what kind of ingredients you keep on hand and would like to see in recipes. Anyway any feedback would be great.

Strawberry Shortcake

I couldn't go through strawberry season without posting this one. This is the best cake for strawberries and whipped cream! Me and Frank can devour it in days..I know it's kind of sad. One year we literally made this week after week, yes it's that good! I haven't made it yet this year, but I have extra strawberries so this might be the week. If I do I will post a picture, but don't expect too much, the cake itself isn't overly pretty, but it makes up for it in taste. The best part of this cake is it is super easy. In fact usually when it is made in our house Frank is the one making it. So if Frank can make it anyone can:) Oh and by the way this is Frank's grandma's recipe, another one of her famous dishes!

Before- like I said not the prettiest cake

After-Yum!

1 yellow cake mix that has pudding in it (I think most of them do now and sometimes it's hard to find on the box, it's been awhile since I've bought one, but I'm pretty sure they all do now)
1 stick of butter
4 eggs
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar

Heat oven to 350. Cut butter into chunks and place in cake pan, stick pan in oven until butter is melted. While butter is melting mix the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 2 eggs until smooth. This next step sounds really strange but trust me it works. Pull out cake pan and sprinkle cake mix over melted butter and add 2 eggs. Give a quick mix until completely moiste (don't over think this just give it a quick mix not worrying about every little lump.) Pour cream cheese mixture over cake mix and butter mixture. Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean. Serve with fresh strawberries and whipped cream..yum!

Easy Chicken Taqiotos

These are really quite easy the only thing that takes a second is just heating the tortillas in oil and putting them together but even then 15-20 minutes to put together and they cook for 15 so pretty quick to make, and they're really good! Hope you enjoy!

Sorry not the best picture I was in a hurry, but you get the point:)

2 c. cooked and shredded chicken (you can use canned chicken as well)
1/2 c. minced onion
1 4 oz. can green chilies
1 10 can enchilada sauce
3/4 t. garlic salt
1 c. Mexican blend cheese- I always just use Colby and Monterey
24 corn tortillas (depends on what size you use, I had half small and some larger ones and made about 17 or 18)
3/4 c. cooking oil such as veg. oil

Combine first 6 ingredients. Heat oil on medium high heat (I only pour in a little at a time just enough to kind of cover the bottom of the pan.) Add one tortilla at a time heating about 5 seconds on each side, your only wanting them to be pliable not cooked crispy like a tostada. Remove from pan and lay on paper towel to drain off excess oil. I get a couple tortillas ready at a time and then put them together by adding 2 T. of chicken mixture down the side and roll up like an enchilada seem side down. Cook on a greased cookie sheet at 400 for 15 minutes.

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze

So I just barely got done making this and yum! This is another recipe from ourbestbites.com so delicious so check it out http://www.ourbestbites.com/2010/04/coconut-banana-bread-with-lime-glaze.html

Lazy Day Mexican Casserole

The title says it all on this one. If you want something quick and easy but different from the usual tacos this is it. I'm not sure if this can even be called a recipe or just a made up concoction, either way it works!
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion chopped
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1/2 c. water
1 c. enchilada sauce-about half of a 10 oz can
1 can refried beans
1/2 large bag of corn tortilla chips, lightly crushed
taco toppings-lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream, salsa, or guacamole

Cook ground beef and onion until completely cooked through. Add taco seasoning and water and cook for for another minute until seasoning is thoroughly mixed in. Add enchilada sauce and refried beans and mix until completely incorporated. Meanwhile pour 3/4 of your chips into greased 9x13 pan (this is where I just take my hands and lightly crunch the chips.) Top with ground beef mixture and top with remaining chips. Cook at 375 for 20 minutes topping with cheese in the last 5 minutes. Serve with taco toppings.

Best Macaroni Salad

So you know how everyone kind of has their designated dishes they bring to every family get together? Like my husband's grandma is always expected to do a potato salad or baked beans, rain or shine, barbecue or banquet, it's always there. And my mother-in-law is like queen of anything fruit and pudding salad. And now I am officially in charge of bringing this macaroni salad. Honestly macaroni salad is macaroni salad, but if you want the best macaroni salad this is it!

1 lb cooked elbow noodles
1 red pepper minced
1/4 c. onion minced-you won't even notice the onions if your not a fan
1/2 c. celery minced
1 c. coleslaw dressing
1/2 c. mayo
2 t. mustard
1 t. cider vinegar
1/4 c. sweet relish
2. t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
1 T. celery seed (I've made it without and it still turns out good)
1/2 lb cooked bacon, chopped (I used precooked and just quickly do it in the microwave)

In a medium size bowl combine pasta, red pepper, onion, and celery. In a separate bowl combine
the next 9 ingredients- ending with celery seed. Pour over pasta and mix. Fold in bacon and voila!