PARMESAN RANCH CHICKEN

PARMESAN RANCH CHICKEN

From I {Heart} Nap Time

3/4 c. crushed tortilla chips (you could also use ritz, corn flakes, breadcrumbs…)

3/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1 1oz. package ranch dressing mix (dry)

4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pound to even thickness)

1/2 c. melted butter 

1. In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed tortilla chips, parmesan cheese and ranch. 
2. Dip chicken in melted butter 
3. Roll in cornflake mixture to coat. 
4. Place on a greased glass 9×13 casserole dish. 
5. Drizzle remaining butter and crumbs over all. You don’t have to drizzle the remaining butter, but at least a little of it… (Butter make EVERYTHING better!)
6. Bake, uncovered, @ 375 for 40 minutes.
7. Serve over brown or white rice or with pasta

The crumb mixture made plenty so I only used half and stuck the rest in the cupboard for next time.  I also didn't use a full 1/2 cup of butter.  The ranch flavor was pretty strong so next time I might not use a whole packet but it was still good and passed the husband test.  

Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of parsley flakes

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
2. Mix the first 3 ingredients together until its blended well. Don't over mix. 
3. Spoon out onto a ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes.
5. While they are baking, melt the butter in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then stir in your garlic power and parsley flakes.
6. Once they come out of the oven, brush the butter mixture on top while they are still hot.

Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Breakfast Casserole

Sausage Biscuit and Gravy Overnight Breakfast Casserole

6 frozen biscuits
1 (12 ounce) package ground sausage (I used a full pound and it was a little too sausagey)
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided use
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk
1 package country gravy mix
3 tablespoons butter, melted

1. Bake frozen biscuits according to instructions on package. Cool slightly. Cut across center to create top and bottom. Set aside.
2. Brown crumbled sausage in skillet over medium heat. Drain.
3. Layer biscuit bottom halves in 11 x 8-inch baking dish that has been lightly coated with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Sprinkle sausage over biscuits. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the cheese over top of sausage.
5. Whisk eggs, milk and gravy mix. Pour over cheese. Layer biscuit tops browned side up.
6. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
7. Bake uncovered at 325 degrees F for 40 minutes, sprinkle with remaining cheese and return to the oven for 5 minutes or until a knife is clean when removed. Drizzle butter over biscuits. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Banana Bread

This recipe is straight from my mom's kitchen.  Its simple and easy but doesn't disappoint.  For some reason, we don't have a bread pan so I make mine in whatever baking dishes are clean. 

Banana Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
6 mashed bananas (can use frozen or fresh)
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
OPTIONAL: nuts/chocolate chips etc 

Directions:

1. Cream butter and sugar together, add eggs, vanilla and bananas.  Mix well.
2. Mix dry ingredients together 
3. Add dry ingredients and mix well.
4. Add optional ingredients 
5. Pour into 2 loaf pans (or whatever type of pan you desire ie: muffins, cake pan etc) 
6. Bake at 350* for 50-60 minutes (if using a different pan, adjust time accordingly.

NOTE: Can substitute 2 cups grated zucchini for bananas to make Zucchini bread

PB Banana Smoothie

What should you do when your bananas start to turn brown and you know that no one is going to eat them?  Stick them in the freezer because they taste so yummy in this smoothie recipe!  You'll want to avoid the ones that are too brown or have been in the freezer for too long.  

Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie 

2 frozen banana, cut into chunks
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon honey
1 cup milk

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Serves 2 

Cookie Bars

We had a craving for something sweet the other night so I searched my cupboards for something to make.  I try not to keep too many sweets in the house so it proved difficult.  We did have a couple boxes of cake, but that didn't sound good.  Instead I used some random ingredients to make cookie bars.  The recipe was based loosely on one I found here.  

Original Recipe:

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. crushed graham cracker crumbs

1 can condensed milk (Eagle Brand)

1 c. coconut flakes

1 c. chocolate chips

1 c. chopped almonds

Melt butter in microwave then pour into a 9x9 square pan. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter. Evenly pour the condensed milk over the crumbs. Then sprinkle on the coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. Let pan completely cool before removing bars.

My Adjustments:

I didn't have any coconut, which was rather unfortunate, so I made do without.  I mixed the butter and crumbs and then pressed them into the bottom of the pan.  I added mini chocolate chips, almond slivers, and toffee bits.  I then poured the sweetened condensed milk over it all.  I topped it with some more graham cracker crumbs and stuck it in the oven for about 25 minutes.  

We ate them warm when they first came out, and they were good, but a little too gooey.  They have gotten better over the last few days as they have cooled and hardened up to be more cookie-like.  I think the coconut would be yummy, but the extra crumb topping was a good substitute.