Menu June 28-

Sun- Hamburgers, spinach salad with mandarin oranges and almonds, cheesecake

Mon- Spaghetti and steamed zucchs

T- chicken caesar salad wraps

W- Southwest taco salad

Th- corn chowder

F- breakfast for dinner

Sat- Happy Fourth of July!!

Chicken Pizzaiola

This recipe comes from one of my most favorite cookbooks - The Best 30-Minute Recipe (from the editors of Cook's Illustrated). I thought it sounded like an interesting take on your standard baked chicken recipe, so I wanted to try it out. Turned out pretty good, if I don't say so myself. And now for the recipe...

Chicken Pizzaiola

Almost any of your favorite pizza toppings can be substituted for the pepperoni. This dish is great served over pasta or with a salad and a loaf of crusty bread.

3 cups tomato sauce

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

salt and ground black pepper

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

20 slices pepperoni (2 ounces)

1. Heat oven and prepare baking dish: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Spread tomato sauce into 13 by 9 inch baking dish.
2. Coat chicken with parmesan: Spread parmesan into shallow dish. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Working with one breast at a time, dredge in parmesan. Press on parmesan to make sure it adheres. Lay chicken in baking dish, smooth side facing up.
3. Bake chicken: Place chicken in oven and bake 15 minutes.
4. Increase oven temperature, add toppings, and finish: Increase oven temperature to 475 degrees. Mound 1/4 cup of mozzarella on top of each chicken breast, then shingle 5 slices pepperoni over cheese. Continue to bake until cheese melts and until thickest part of breast registers 160 degrees on instant-read thermometer, 5 to 7 minutes. Serve.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

I'd be willing to bet that everyone has their own slightly different version of this recipe, but this is ours. It is definitely a classic and a Bradshaw family favorite.

Broccoli Chicken Casserole

2 pkgs. frozen broccoli

2 pounds chicken

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 pint sour cream

1 c. mayo

juice of 1 lemon

parmesan cheese

buttered bread crumbs

2 c. grated cheese

Cook broccoli slightly. Cook chicken and cut into bite sized pieces. Mix soup with sour cream, mayo, and lemon juice. Place broccoli in bottom of large, well-greased casserole dish. Pour 1/2 soup mixture over broccoli. Add chicken. Sprinkle 1/2 the cheese over the chicken. Add remaining soup mixture and remaining cheese. Add a thick layer of buttered bread crumbs and sprinkle with parmesan. Bake at 325 for 45 minutes.

Menu June 21

 

I don't know who would have more fun with these plates, me or the kids. (Me.)

Here's what we're having for dinner this week:

Sun: kalua pig, pineapple ginger rice, Emma's rolls, garden tomatoes, roasted asparagus, and root beer floats

M: California club pizza

T: corn chowder

W: teriyaki chicken and veggies

Th: chicken pot pie

F: out

Sat: we'll cross that bridge when we come to it

Dad's Day

 

Maren, or Mom, or Emma, which one of you wants to make these for Sunday?

Find all the directions and templates on Bakerella.

Chicken Georgia

I hardly ever make anything with mushrooms, but since my husband loves them I thought I'd be nice and find a dish that included them. This was so good and so flavorful! Recipe from Paula Deen.

Chicken Georgia

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Melt butter over medium heat. Add mushrooms and shallots and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes. Add chicken and cook 10 minutes on each side, or until tender. Transfer chicken to platter and sprinkle with grated cheese. Top with mushroom mixture. Cook and let stand 5 minutes or until cheese melts.

June 14 Menu

Candice's:

Sun- Chicken rolls, Tatum's veggie salad with freshmade ranch dressing, blueberry crumb bars and ice cream

M- breakfast for dinner

T- chicken cordon bleu casserole, spinach strawberry salad

W- shredded beef tacos

Th- teriyaki chicken n rice, steamed carrots and broccoli

F- BBQ beef sammies, corn on the cob

Sat- leftovers


C'mon Maren, I KNOW you have a menu this week.

California Club Pizza

 


California Club Pizza

Inspired by Maren's birthday lunch at CPK. This may be the very best way to use those tomatoes from your garden.

2 chicken breasts, browned in skillet and cubed
2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 C cooked thick bacon, crumbled-about 6 slices
2 C chopped iceberg lettuce
1 C chopped romaine lettuce
3 T. mayonnaise
2 large garden tomoates, sliced
2 avocados, sliced

Preheat oven to 450. After letting dough rest on countertop for 30 minutes, roll out onto lightly greased baking sheet or pizza pan. Sprinkle cheese, chicken and bacon on dough. Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through and crust is lightly browned. Toss lettuces with mayonnaise. Slice pizza and place lettuce mixture on top. Finish each slice with tomato and avocado.

* I undercooked both the chicken and bacon the first time around, as they will finish cooking atop the pizza.

Please make this and find happiness.

Code's Famous Bundt

Confession: I've never made this cake myself, but I've eaten it MANY times, and I can easily say without any hesitation whatsoever that it is the best chocolate cake (bundt or otherwise) that I have ever sunken my teeth into. Honestly, words cannot describe. Thanks to Code for sharing the recipe and giving me permission to post it here!

Code's Famous Bundt

1 yellow cake mix
1 3oz. pkg instant chocolate pudding (I use chocolate fudge)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs

Blend on low speed--cake mix, sugar, & pudding. Add water, oil and sour cream and blend well. Blend in one egg at a time and mix well.

Make sure you grease your bundt pan with Crisco and then dust with flour. Bake at 350 degrees 50-55 minutes (each oven varies so be sure to check it--the toothpick trick works).

Let it cool for about an hour before flipping it over. Best served with your favorite ice cream flavor.

(note: If you're really looking to impress your friends and family, sprinkle powdered sugar on the completed bundt before cutting and serving--mmm lookin' good!)

Menu June 7

 

(Above is another gem found on the same website as the party loaf...)


When I asked my family what they wanted to have for dinner this week, their responses were as follows:

Chris- "Broccoli chicken calzones"

Maya- "Cream of Wheat with grapes and cheese in it"

Adam- "pineapple"


I will go ahead with two out of the three.


Sun- California club pizza, fruit salad, strawberry crunch

Mon- couscous with steamed zucchini and carrots & cantaloupe

Tues- lemony chicken over mixed greens & pineapple

Wed- broccoli chicken calzones

Thurs- linguini with spring vegetables

Fri- almond chicken & sweet potato fries

Sat- somethin super yummy

Foods from Yesteryear

 
 
 

Today I came across this photo gallery which shares photos of less-than-appetizing foods from the 50s and 60s. I am especially intrigued with this "party loaf", where they take an unsliced loaf of white bread, slice it
horizontally, spread each slice with a different filling (pimiento cheese spread, egg salad, tuna salad, etc.), then frost the whole thing with cream cheese, and garnish with parsley and radish slices. UNREAL. I am thinking these would be the perfect dishes to serve for Mom n Dad's birthdays this year.

Piano Cake

This was Maya's 5th birthday cake. It was a hit- and it is easy as all get out. I made two cakes (one pink and one chocolate per her request) in 2 9x13 pans. Make sure to grease the pans very well. After the cakes baked and cooled, I turned them out onto cookie sheets and trimmed the edges to get them the size I wanted. Then I placed them end to end on a covered board and frosted the whole thing with cream cheese frosting. I made the lines to separate the white keys with dental floss, and the black keys are obviously Kit Kats. This is the third time I've made the piano cake, the other two were for piano recitals. It is always a hit and the kids always try to "play" it before eating it.

My favorite cream cheese frosting comes from the one and only Paula Deen:

Cream Cheese Frosting


2 blocks cream cheese, very soft
1 stick butter, very soft
1 tsp vanilla
4 C. sifted powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla with electric mixer til smooth. One cup at a time, add the powdered sugar. Beat til smooth.

*I guess I've got Paula on the brain as Kelli and I will be paying her a visit at The Lady and Sons Restaurant this fall. Happy Day!!!

Free Float Night

 

Wednesday, June 3rd, 8 pm- midnight, Sonic is giving out free root beer floats, coast to coast. See you there!

Thanks for the tip, Rachie!

Cuppy Cakes

Just a few cupcakes I want to try someday...

 
 
 
 

Jam Butter

 

Came across this beautiful blog called Sunday Suppers. The second I saw the picture of the jam butters, I thought, "I have to make that this very instant".

To make your own, all you need is:

one stick very soft unsalted butter
5 Tablespoons jam/preserves

Combine by hand or in electric mixer. Spread into small bowl or ramekins and serve with these heavenly biscuits. My mind is running away with all the occasions I am going to be making these for. Yikes!

May 24 Menu

Here goes nothin-

Sun: Chicken Cobb Salad, garlic bread, and frozen key lime pie

Mon: Burgers, dogs, salad, watermelon, beans, popsicles, the usuals

T: Taco salad

W: BBQ chicken and veggies

Th: Chicken salad croissants

F: out

Sat: steaks, potatoes, salad, cowboy bars

Happy Memorial Day, one and all!

Pancake Portraits

 

I think these are pretty fun... they also did likenesses of Paula Deen, Bobby Flay, and the guy from Ace of Cakes.

See here for the how-to.

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon-sugar Chips

Last week I gave a bridal shower for a cute girl in my ward, Kelli. On the menu: rolled tacos, fresh chips and two salsas (all from Tia Rosa's Taqueria), Amanda's guacamole, corn on the cob with lime butter (just zest a couple limes into the softened butter and roll the cobs in it- SO good), homemade chocolates from friend Jen, and fruit salsa with cinnamon-sugar chips. The only thing missing was sweetened whipped cream. MUST have this to serve with the fruit salsa. Also make sure whatever else you're making can be prepped ahead of time, because the salsa has to be prepared just an hour or two before eating. The chips can be made the night before. D-lish!

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon-sugar Chips

4 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 Gala apples - peeled, cored and diced
1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and diced
2 lbs strawberries
4 T. white sugar
4 T. strawberry jam

juice of one lime

24 flour tortillas
1 stick butter
1 C. sugar and 2 T. cinnamon

In a large bowl, mix kiwis, apples, pineapple, strawberries, lime juice, sugar and jam. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for an hour.
Preheat oven to 350. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with fruit salsa and sweetened whipped cream.

May 17 Menu

Last week, Dad made us all breakfast for dinner on Mother's Day. It was wonderful! He asked us repeatedly if he and his meal were going to make it on "the blog". Your wish is our command, Dad!


It seems I am always renewing my efforts in healthy cooking because- it's been a CRAZY busy week, or somebody was sick, or we were out of town, etc. I guess that's life, so this week is another one of those get-back-to-business veggie-loaded menus:

Sun- Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, corn on the cob, fruit salad, Maren's chocolate cake (Clay's b-day!)

M- Caprese sandwiches

Tues- lasagna primavera

W- chicken and veggie kabobs with pineapple ginger rice

Th- steak and potatoes

F- broccoli chicken calzones

Sat- who knows?

Cowboy Bars

These 7-layer bars reminded Chris of a yummy dessert we had at a fun place in Northern Cali called Comforts (a favorite of Sean Penn's). They are also highly addictive. Recipe from America's Test Kitchen.

Cowboy Bars

Makes 18

1 C. sweetened flaked coconut
1 stick unsalted butter
9 graham crackers, crushed in a large ziploc bag
1 C. finely chopped walnuts
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. white chocolate chips
1/2 C. swirled chocolate chips
(or butterscotch chips, but i don't like those)
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350. Spray a 9 by 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fold two pieces of foil or parchment paper so that one measures 13 inches wide and the other 9 inches wide. Lay sheets in pan, perpendicular to each other, pressing into the corners, then spray again.

Spread coconut onto baking sheet and bake til just beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Set aside. Melt butter and mix with crushed graham crackers. Spread crushed crackers in pan. In order, sprinkle the walnuts, semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, swirled chocolate ships, and coconut over the graham cracker crumbs. Pour the condensed milk over the entire dish.

Return pan to oven and bake til top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool on wire rack to room temp, about two hours. Remove bars from pan using the foil handles and transfer to cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into 2x3 inch bars.

Chicken Cobb Salad

This salad is too good to be true. A MUST-try. And in the words of Lavar Burton, "But don't take my word for it!" Recipe from Everyday Food.

Chicken Cobb Salad

6 bacon slices, cut into 1-inch pieces
romaine lettuce
seasoned grilled chicken, thinly sliced
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
2 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 1/2 inch thick
1 avocado, thinly sliced
coarse salt and ground pepper
vinaigrette

In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, til crisp, 8 minutes. Drain on paper-towel-lined plate. In a large bowl, toss lettuce with vinaigrette. Place lettuce on platter. Arrange bacon, chicken, goat cheese, tomatoes, and avocado on top. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

Vinaigrette:

In small bowl, whisk together

2 T. white-wine vinegar
2 T. honey
salt and pepper

Add 1/4 C. olive oil, whisking as you pour. Store in airtight container or jar and refrigerate up to two weeks.

Wow.

I can't wait to make these for dinner next week just to see Chris and the kids' reactions. This discovery made my day.

Found on Plum Pudding.

Fried Ice Cream

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!



Fried Ice Cream

3 C. crushed "Honey Bunches of Oats"
3 C. sweetened coconut
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 half gallon of your fave vanilla ice cream
honey

Toast the coconut on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes, stirring once 1/2 way through. Coconut should be just BARELY starting to get some color. Combine coconut, crushed cereal and cinnamon. While coconut cools, soften ice cream on counter. You can scoop ice cream balls and roll them in the cereal mixture and re-freeze, or if you are making it for a Bradshaw Sunday dinner, table of twenty, then you can just spread the ice cream in a casserole dish or two, and top with the cereal topping. Drizzle a few Tablespoons of honey over the whole thing, and re-freeze a few hours, til firm again. FIESTA!

Vegetable & Hummus Wrap

Does anyone else think of Joey Tribiani whenever they hear the word hummus? It has only been in the last couple years that I have opened my mind to the idea of it. And, of course, now I love the stuff, just like Joey. I found this recipe in Everyday Food, and it is my new favorite lunch.

Vegetable & Hummus Wrap

flour tortillas
cucumber
avocado
tomato
hummus
bell pepper

Chop all veggies into strips. Spread a couple tablespoons hummus down the center of tortilla. Top with chopped veggies, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and roll it on up. Tasty, tasty!

May 3 Menu

Here's my Mostly Mexican Menu for the week:

Sun- spicy chicken enchiladas, spinach salad, corn and tomato salad, and "fried" ice cream

M- Green pizza

T- Shredded beef tostadas and homemade guacamole

W- 7-layer bean dip and corn on the cob with cheese and lime

Th- spinach and ricotta ravioli

F- Fast chicken fajitas

Sat- Missionary open house (Elder Jeff Drew returns from Columbia!) - I'm making lemon blossoms, 7-layer bars, and mini strawberry cheesecakes