Monday, October 24, 2011

Mushroom, Onion, and Chicken Pasta

I didn't used to be a mushroom fan. Turns out, if you use cruddy mushrooms, they don't taste good. And canned mushrooms.....*shudder*.
This is a variation on a Rachel Ray recipe, and it is super super good. The original recipe calls for orzo pasta and more meat than we normally eat in stuff. We use a bigger noodle and add a dash of salt. Hope you like it!
Mushroom, Onion, and Chicken Orzo Pasta
1. Heat water to boil. Salt and add orzo pasta.
2. Preheat skillet to med-high heat. Add 2 tbsp. olive oil. Season chicken breasts as desired (we just grill ours without any seasonings). Cook chicken. Remove from heat. Cover with foil on plate.
3. Add 2 tbsp butter to skillet and add mushrooms. Cook until brown. Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp. dried thyme, and 1-2 onions (as desired). Cook until onions wilt.
4. Add 2 tbsp. flour. Whisk in 1 1/2 c chicken broth, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, and 3 tbsp. heavy whipping cream.
5 Simmer until thickened. Add chicken and orzo pasta. Add 1/4 c. fresh parsley.
6. Serve.
7. Eat.
8. No, seriously. Stop reading this recipe and go eat!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Fridge Help

Is it weird that I want my fridge organized? So I need help. The bottom right hand side is Aaron's so that's no problem, but it's the rest of the fridge that needs help. Anyone have a great system?

Monday, October 3, 2011

Gooey Butter Cookies

These. Are. Amazing.
Word to the wise, as hard as it may be, wait until these are completely cooled, cold even. Now, I'm one of those people who don't like warm desserts. Warm apple pie? No way. Put that puppy in the fridge. I'tm not even going to get started on the saddness that is...gulp...HOT fudge on ice cream. But even my husband, who loves warm cookies, agreed that these needed to be cool.  Cold, they are addictive, incredible, delicious, buttery....amazing!


Gooey Butter Cookies

1/2 c butter, softened
1 egg
1 butter yellow cake mix
8 oz softened cream cheese
1/4 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c powdered sugar

Beat butter, cheese, egg, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Blend in cake mix. Cover and chill for 30 minutes. Drop by teaspoonful balls of batter into powdered sugar and mix to coat. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes. Makes 4 dozen.

*I made them a bit bigger and still just cooked for 13 minutes or so. Don't overcook these!