Happy New Year!

We all start the new year with resolution to be better.  I am no different.  I am going to be thinner, stay on top of my laundry and make my bed every single day....... for 2 weeks.  In addition, I am going to be more diligent in making sure my family has home cooked meals.  Especially since Colton apparantly keeps track of when I cook and when I don't!

So in the spirit of welcoming 2011, I got with one of my bestestest friends, Taryn and we prepared our meals for the next two weeks.  Taryn and I have done this for about the last 2 years and it always makes me smile.  This is how the day goes.  I prepare our menu (she never complains), then we go grocery shopping together (This is my favorite friend time... I get her all to myself!)  Then we unload the groceries!  While we unload the groceries, her teenage sons, Garrett and Grant, always go YES!  Jennifer is here to cook!  As long as they keep smiling and getting excited when I come to cook, I will keep on keeping on!  Then we start the process of preparation.  It is total mayhem of where is this?  I can only find one can of soup!  Crap!  Do we need to go back to the store.... Nope.. here it is!  It really is quite comical!

I still can't believe that she allows me to come back to her home every two weeks to cook.  Why, I'll never know.  I am the worlds messiest cook.  I think her husband goes into encephalitic shock when I come in because he knows he will need to sandblast the floor, walls and ceilings.  I can't help it people - I'm like the mad professor of cooking!

Here is our menu for the next two weeks:

Poppy Seed Chicken

Spaghetti

Magic Pot Chicken

Meatloaf

Enchiladas

Penne ala Shrimp

Lasagna

So like a good girl (bragger), I posted my accomplishment on Facebook and I was totally surprised by the amount of applause and accolades I received!!  I was also completely flattered that people wanted my recipes - So - if your new year resolution was to provide more home cooked meals for your family, I will share with you a recipe that has become a staple and classic in my home..... brace yourself... wait for it.....

Poppy Seed Chicken

4-6 Cooked, diced chicken breast (be sure to season it with black pepper and Tony C's)

2 cans - Cream of Chicken soup

1 Cup sour cream

2 Cups Grated Monterrey Jack cheese

1/4C - 1/2C white wine (use water if you are a sissy)

3T poppy seed (divided)

2 rolls Crushed Ritz Crackers

1 stick melted butter

Angel Hair pasta

1. Place the chicken in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish
2. In a medium sauce pan, combine the soup and wine over medium heat.  Cook until all lumps are gone.
3. Add sour cream, MJ cheese and 1 1/2 T of poppy seeds.  Cook until cheese is     melted.
4. Pour sauce over chicken - is it just me or did you just hear the Hallelujah chorus?
5. Melt your butter in the microwave and then add crushed Ritz crackers and remaining 1 1/2 T poppy seed
6. Sprinkle over the top...... The chorus is getting louder
7. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top!
8. While the dish is cooking prepare your angel hair pasta according to the directions
9. Serve over pasta with a yummy tossed green salad
10. Take a bite and sing!

This delicious recipe is especially wonderful left over after spending the night in the fridge.  No telling what goes on in there when you close the door and the lights go out.... but I think the flavors "do it" because they certainly taste like they have been married!

Helpful hint from Huie - If you think you might be tested for drugs, don't eat this the night before.  Poppy seeds tend to show up as Opium.... But don't let that stop you!

It hasn't stopped me!