Thursday, April 25, 2013

Chicken Parmesan

"Southern Chic Chicken Parmesan"
 
This recipe takes about an hour from prep to plate. It can also be done as a freezer meal to cut down on prep time on busy week nights!
 
What You Will Need:
 
Approx. 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
flour and eggs for breading the chicken
Seasonings for chicken (garlic powder, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt, and black pepper for a little kick)
 
Approx. 1 16oz. box of pasta (I used spaghetti pasta but you can use any kind you like)
 
Oil for frying chicken
 
Marinara sauce of your choice here is my homemade sauce recipe if you want to try it out!  
 
What To Do:
Slice your chicken breasts in half the long way. This will make for a quicker cooking time as well as provide more portions.
Next, you need to preheat your oil to medium high heat and set up your "frying station" by putting flour in one dish and crack about three eggs into another dish. This is going to be the breading for your chicken. I like to season the chicken, the flour, and the egg to achieve layers of flavor. You can use the seasonings listed above or you can add your own as well.
 Next, once your oil is good and hot you want to dredge your chicken in this order: into the flour, into the egg, and back into the flour. Once it's good and coated like in the photo below, carefully place it in the hot oil.


The above photo is what it looks like once it's in the pan. My pan holds about three pieces of chicken at a time. Let it cook 10-15 minutes turning over occasionally.
 
Also, while the chicken is frying go ahead and start the water for your pasta. Once it's boiling, throw your pasta in and cook until it's just "Al Dente" (that means it still has a little "bite" to it because it will continue to cook even after you remove it from the heat.
 
Once your chicken is nice and golden brown and has floated to the top of the oil, it's done and can be removed and placed on a plate to drain the excess grease.
This is the chicken all done! You can always check the internal temperature just to be sure. (It should be around 180 degrees)
So, when the chicken is done and when your pasta is done, drain the pasta heat your sauce. Below is a photo of my sauce from the link provided above!
 
This is my homemade sauce! Yummy!
 
So now you are ready to plate!
Put a mound of pasta on your plate, then add a piece of chicken, then pour sauce over your pasta and chicken. You can add a little or as much as you like! And this is how it should look!
And here you have it! I call it "Southern Chic Chicken Parmesan!" This got my husband's and my children's stamp of approval!!
 This is the "after!"  LOL This is my son enjoying one of his favorite foods!!
 
I hope you all enjoy this dish as much as my family! Please leave comments and feedback! I would love to here from you! Post photos and let me know how yours turns out and if you have any questions, please let me know!
 
ENJOY!
 
~The Happy Homemaker~


Homemade Shaghetti Sauce

* Homemade Spaghetti Sauce *
 
This recipe makes approx. two quarts. It can also be frozen or canned for later use
 
Ingredients:
1 Large can tomato sauce
 
1 medium can stewed tomatoes (optional, I omitted this because my hubby doesn't like chunky sauce)
 
1 small can tomato paste
 
1 tsp. oregano
 
1 tsp. basil
 
1 tbsp. parsley
 
1 tsp. garlic powder
 
1 tsp. onion powder
 
1/4 tsp. salt
 
1 tbsp. sugar
 
3 cloves fresh garlic
 
1/4 cup oil (I used vegetable oil but you can also use olive oil)
 
 
What To Do:
 
In a large pot brown the fresh garlic in the oil.
 
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce and stir until incorporated.
(you can also add ground beef or turkey if you want a meat sauce)
 
Then add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 1-4 hours.
 
Serve over your favorite pasta and enjoy!


Monday, April 22, 2013

How To Grow An Avocado Tree

How To Grow An Avocado Tree
 
 


 
Use the photo above as a reference.
 
First take the pit from the avocado and rinse off any remaining flesh that may be still on it.
 
Insert toothpicks into the pit and suspend it over the top of a small glass or jar with the pointed end of the pit facing up.
 
Fill the glass/jar with water until about two thirds of the pit is submerged in the water.
 
Change the water every few days so it doesn't get dirty.
 
This process takes patience, but I promise it will work.
 
In the photo above, it shows the top photo that's when I first put it in the water, after about a month or so, the pit began to split (bottom left of the photo)
Now, after a few more weeks it has started to sprout roots!
 
This is as far as I've gotten but I will update when as soon as there is a change. Next, a stem should sprout from the top of the pit pretty soon!
 
This is such a fun project especially for the kiddos!
 
Have fun and please feel free to post a comment if you have any questions!


Peanut Butter Delights

Peanut Butter Delights
 
 
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups quick oatmeal
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 stick butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 tbsp. cocoa
 
 
Here's What You Do:
 
Measure oatmeal and peanut butter in a bowl and set aside.
Put butter in pot and melt
Add sugar, mil, and cocoa and boil for approx. 1 1/2 minutes
Remove from heat and quickly add oatmeal, peanut butter, and vanilla.
Stir until mixed.
Pour into buttered pan.
Let cool and cut into squares.
 
Enjoy! 

Monday, April 8, 2013

† SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013 †

† Scripture Of the Day: Matthew 11:28-29 †
 
 
"I'm Tired!!"
 


† SCRIPTURE OF THE DAY: Matthew 11:28-29
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. † ** Thoughts On This Verse: I'm not sure about anyone else, but lately I just seem tired, worn out, and just plain lazy at times. Sometimes I find it hard to g...et going and the simplest tasks just take forever for me to get them done. Sometimes the day-to-day grind just seems to grind me down. So I guess when we're that "down" stage that's probably a perfect opportunity to look up and to pray, and when I pray for strength Matthew 11:28-29 is usually the verse that the Lord lays on my heart. A passage in His Word that tells me that this "weary" or tired state that I'm in right now won't last forever. It's also a reminder for us to not try to carry everything on our own shoulders but to come to Him and let Him help us carry the load. That is exactly what He desires of His children is for us to come to Him and hand Him our burdens and simply rest. **

I hope if you've taken a few moments out of your day to read this little devotional, that hopefully you've gotten something out of it that you can take with you. I hope the Lord somehow used these words to speak straight to your heart and somehow He has given you just what you needed to get through this day.

Much Love And Prayers,
Kelly-- "The Happy Homemaker"



Friday, April 5, 2013

† Scripture Of The Day †

† Scripture Of The Day †
 




Good Afternoon, Friends!! I feel led to start doing a
"Bible verse of the day" on my page.
Also, April is Child Abuse Awareness Month so I wanted to share a this with you all: 
 
†Psalm 127:3- Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. †

Thoughts on this Scripture: Our children are one of God's most precious gifts and God's gifts are meant to be cherished a
nd protected. We are to hold our children close to us and keep them from harm. Those who abuse their children, not just physically but emotionally, mentally, verbally or any other way are in direct disobedience of God's commandments. So as we observe Child Abuse Awareness Month, lets hold our own children a little closer and give them an extra hug or two and remember just how precious they are and how blessed we are for God to have chosen us to be their parents! ♥

I hope someone who reads this will get something out of it that they can take with them today. I hope someone will be touched and inspired today. Please feel free to comment and share your own thoughts on today's Scripture. Let's also remember to uplift those children who are living in abusive homes and pray for their safety and deliverance in Jesus' Name!
 
 
 


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

My Testimony

*How I Came Back To Jesus: My Personal Testimony*
 
 
So earlier tonight I was sitting alone in the peace and quiet (which is rare around my house). As I was sitting there just pondering, I very strongly felt the Lord begin tug at my heart. The Holy Spirit began dealing with me and spoke to me clear as day to "stop wandering around in the dark". I had let the Devil lead me right into the darkness and there I was...alone. I, of course, had to argue with the Lord for a minute as most of us do. I said that I had developed too many bad habits to come back to him now, I have too many psychological conditions to come back to him now, I can't control my attitude enough for you Lord. Then He began to bring Scripture to my mind "James 4:10-Humble yourself in sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.", Matthew 11:28- Come all ye who have labored and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.", "Matthew 11:30-...My yoke is easy and my burden is light..." The Lord was telling that I didn't have to "fix" everything before coming to Him. Just come to Him and HE will carry my burdens and deliver me. Then I wondered how I let myself drift so far from Him and from His Word, but the important thing is that I asked Jesus back into my heart and asked Him to light my way again. I know it won't be easy but I will have Him to turn to and He will always make a way and He will never leave me in darkness. He will help me with all my flaws and imperfections because I am wonderfully made in His image. I have a long way to go but I know He will be with me the entire time. I'm not sure why the Lord led me to post my testimony but I did it out of obedience and I pray that the Lord will use it to somehow help someone else. Hope everyone has a blessed night and God Bless!!


*Quick And Easy Cheesy Mac n Cheese Bake*

*Easy Cheesy Mac n Cheese Bake*
 
Here's what you need to do:
My hubby made dinner tonight and it was delish!
It's just mac and cheese, two 10 oz. cans of chicken(drained),
 Cook your mac and cheese and put it into a long baking dish,
 then add chicken and shred a layer of cheddar and some Italian herbs on top and pot it in the oven until it's melted and bubbly! Simple and delish!