Chicken and Dumpling Biscuits

Ingredients

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits

Campbell's Chunky Chicken and Dumplings

I'm obsessed with chicken and dumplings, even the store bought in-a-can kind. I also love biscuits! This probably isn't the most nutritious meal to make, but I'm a strong believer that every once in a while you need to have a "feel good" meal versus "good for you". ;)

I placed the biscuits on a cookie sheet and baked them according to the directions on the package. (I think it was 350 ° for 15 min) While the biscuits were cooking, I opened the soup and warmed it in a pan. About 6 minutes before the biscuits were finished cooking, I took them out of the oven, seperated the top from the bottom, and poured some of the chicken and dumpling soup on them. I then replaced the top of the biscuit and let them finish cooking. (I figured out afterwards that I probably didn't need to warm the soup prior to adding them to the biscuits.) 

I wonder how this would taste with French Onion soup....hmmm....

Simple Spaghetti Bake

Ingredients

Mushrooms

Cherry Tomatoes

Kalamata Olives

Sweet Onion

Garlic

Spaghetti

Parmesan cheese

Mozzarella cheese



So I got home from work and I was hungry. I didn't have much time until my next tutoring session, and wasn't sure what I was in the mood to eat. I had leftover mushrooms, onions, and garlic from a previous meal wasting away in my fridge, so I started to saute them in a pan (which seems to be a common method of cooking for me). I also added some cherry tomatoes and cut up Kalamata olives to the pan. I chose whipped butter instead of olive oil, for a sweet and buttery taste, although I did add olive oil to the spaghetti once it was done cooking. After draining the spaghetti, I added it back to the pan and mixed in the sauteed veggies. I then poured the spaghetti-veggie mix into a greased glass dish and sprinkled Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. I baked at 350° for 20 minutes.

My only complaint: I ate too much!

My Version of Croque Monsieur

Ingredients

Bechamel sauce

2 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

1 1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper

Brie Cheese

Sandwich

1 1/2 cups Brie cheese

Portobello mushrooms

8 slices of french bread

8 slices of ham

Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare bechamel sauce by melting butter in a sauce pan on low heat. Add the flour and stir continuously for a few minutes. Add milk a little at a time, whisking until thick and remove from heat.

Add a little salt, pepper and Brie cheese for taste.

Lay the bread on a baking sheet and toast in oven. Once toasted, remove the bread and add mustard to four of the slices. Then add ham, mushrooms, and Brie cheese. Top with the plain slices of toasted bread. Spoon the bechamel sauce on top, add a slice of Brie, and return the bread to the oven. Broil on low for 3 minutes.

Serving size: 4 sandwiches

Wine suggestions: Chardonnay or Champagne

Veggie Spaghetti

Ingredients

Sweet peppers

Portobello mushrooms

Red onions

Garlic

Almond slivers

Spaghetti

Olive Oil
Precooked frozen grilled chicken

I cut up red onions, sweet peppers, garlic and portobello mushrooms and put them in a frying pan with a little olive oil to saute. I also added almond slivers to add to the sweet taste of the red, yellow, and orange peppers (which my son called spicy...lol). While the vegetables were simmering, I prepared the pasta.

When the vegetables were almost done, I added the cut up grilled chicken. I then grated some mozzarella cheese on top.

I added the veggies and cheese to the spaghetti. The outcome: a very vibrant plate of pasta with crunchy almonds for added texture and sweetness.

Overall grade: B

 (I ended up having to add salt and pepper for added taste)



Pottery & Expression

I made this for a friend's Series of Unfortunate Events Birthday Party.

I wanted something red and Italian looking for my kitchen.

Asian inspired

There are several places in town where I can go to either make or paint pottery. I find it very relaxing and therapeutic. In addition, 40% of what decorates my house is stuff I made myself. It makes me feel like I have one of a kind decor that is simply priceless.