New Recipes

So lately I have been checking out some new recipes from all kinds of cookbooks in my possession.  I have tried to use items in my refrigerator or pantry with the hope of finding some new things my family will like.  Unfortunately I have not succeeded in finding new items that they would like to have again.
I feel like my menus often feel redundant and I feel in a rut sometimes.  I love to look through cookbooks and my mother-in-law actually gave me some of hers yesterday to add to my collection!  I can't wait to sit and go through them all!
Ultimately I would like to eat healthier but darn it, healthier is not always tastier!  So I want your help!  Give me some of your BEST recipes.  I want to know what your recipe your family turns to the most.  Help me to expand my horizons!  Oh -- I like simple and quick recipes the most but you may sway me if you can convince me that your recipe is yummy!
To make this really fun, how would you like to make this into a Contest?  Yay!  So the best recipe wins and you have to submit the Entire Recipe -- not just the name!  Winner will be announced on Monday, September 12th at noon (EST).  Winner will receive ----- it's a Surprise!!!  I can't wait to read all your recipes!

A Broccoli Adventure

So Tuesdays are a busy day here and I decided to try a quick recipe I found in a Tastefully Simple cookbook.  It was Chicken and Broccoli Skillet.  Quick and simple was just what I needed.  Now my family is not big on broccoli but smothered in cheese, I thought it might work!
So the basic recipe called for chicken breasts, carrots, onions, broccoli, cream of broccoli soup, stuffing mix, and shredded cheese.  The picture, of course, made it look halfway appetizing so I thought there was hope.  It started out well and actually simple.  Then when I got to the point of adding the stuffing and the broccoli, I could tell we were going downhill. The consistency immediately changed and it was more mush than anything.  It wasn't looking like the picture anymore.  I ventured on and served it to my family.  I let them know that if this wasn't any good, there was leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator we could eat.  While it wasn't the most appetizing thing I've cooked, it surely wasn't the worse either.  My daughter ended up opting for the spaghetti while my husband and I ate the original dish.
So my adventure to get my family to eat some broccoli didn't turn out well.  Yet somehow, I don't believe it was due to anything I did.  I believe the recipe itself was somehow flawed.  At least that is what I am telling myself.
What is the worst recipe you have ever tried?

Adventures in Cooking

Look what I made last night!!!!  Herb Chicken with Honey Butter!  And yes, it mostly looked just like the picture.  It was a quick dinner too.  Here is the run down of yesterday at our house.
I picked Alex up from school at 3:30pm and headed straight across town to her Ballet Class, which was just starting yesterday!  We were at ballet until 5:30pm and then had to wiggle through traffice all the way back across town to the house.  By the time we got home, it was 5:55.  So I grabbed the chicken out of the refrigerator and got busy.  My husband helped clean up the kitchen and we had everything done by 6:50pm!  Tell me that isn't quick!  The only problem with the meal was the green beans I served with the chicken.  I didn't salt them enough.  My husband will tell you that I don't usually salt things enough.  I am scared that I will over salt things and that is far worse!  You can always add salt but you can never take it away!
Here is the recipe for those that want to try it out -- or Click HERE.

• 4 Servings
• Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

151025

Ingredients

• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 3/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 
  HONEY BUTTER:
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup honey

Directions

• Place egg in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs and seasonings. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with bread crumb mixture.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in butter for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. Meanwhile, combine butter and honey. Serve with chicken. Yield: 4 servings.

Cooking for 2: Herb Chicken with Honey Butter for Two

Nutrition Facts: 1 chicken breast half with 2 tablespoons honey butter equals 488 calories, 25 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 173 mg cholesterol, 676 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 37 g protein.