The zucchini bread that nearly ruined my life!

Remember when I was freaking out a month or so ago about dropping my phone in eggs... and oil... and sugar... haha yes.  Well this is that darned zucchini bread that nearly ruined my life.  And I'm serious.  Had my phone not survived... it would have been DEVASTATING!  It seems to be fulling functioning though so we're good.

Alright my friends.  BEST ZUCCHINI BREAD EVVVEERRR.  I don't have tons of pictures because my phone was out of commission after about the third one!

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

3 tsps ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2 1/4 cups white sugar

3 tsps vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

Directions:

1. Grease and flour two 8x4 inch pans.  Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda and cinnamon together in a bowl

3. Beat eggs, oil, vanilla and sugar together in a large bowl

4. Add sifted ingredients to the creamed mixture and beat well

5. Stir in grated zucchini until well combined

6. Add chocolate chips.  I ALWAYS add chocolate chips.  Because I love them.  It's totally optional though!  Then pour batter into prepared pans

7. Bake for 40-60 minutes or until tester inserted comes out clean.  Cool in pan until completely cool

The one picture I forgot was probably the most important...  haha we ate it too fast!  I'm serious.  It's so delicious.  MMMMM right out of the oven... with butter on it? 

Chicken Chow Mein

You've just got to trust me.  These pictures aren't great, in fact they're pretty awful.  Don't let them turn you off because this is the tastiest dinner and it's so healthy for you!  It's full of veggies, there are no creams in it and it's DELICIOUS!  You've got to try it!

Ingredients:

1 zucchini

4 mushrooms (added last)

1 onion

3-4 stalks celery

handful of bean sprouts

3 chicken breasts

Soy Sauce

Chicken Bullion

Corn Starch

Water

Brown Rice

Optional: Chow Mein Noodles

Directions:

Start off by getting some brown rice in your rice cooker

Next, start boiling your 3 chicken breasts (optional: add some chicken bullion to the water) 

While those are going:

Cut up your onion and 3-4 stalks of celery and add them to a large pot

Add enough water to the pot that the onions and celery are generously covered.  I guess every time.  It just all depends on how many vegetables you actually add.  In the end you want it to be a stew-ish consistency.  So you'll probably be adding more water later on!  By the way, turn your burner on high and get it cooking!

Optional: Add some chicken bullion for extra flavor.  As much as or as little as you want. 

Next, cut up your zucchini and 4 mushrooms.  I usually put in more because I like the vegetables!  If your chicken is done cooking you can add the zucchini and mushrooms to the pot.  You just don't want the zucchini or the mushrooms to cook too long and get all soggy.  So make sure they're added near near the end.

When your chicken is finished cooking, cut it up and add it to the pot 

Like so!  At this point,  you'll know if you need to add more water.  

You're going to add some cornstarch which will thicken the water into a stew-ish consistency.  If you've never used cornstarch before, just know it has to be mixed with COLD water.

Put about half a cup of corn starch in a 1 cup measuring cup

Add COLD water to it and whisk it together

Now slowly stir in the cornstarch and water into your pot

After a few minutes of boiling, your Chicken Chow Mein should start thickening.  If it doesn't- add more!  I have to do this a lot because the amount always changes based on how much water I have in my pot.  Because it's not like, add six cups of water, you just never know.  You can't mess this dish up though so don't worry.  If it's not thickening, just add more cornstarch and water!

After it's started thickening, add your handful of bean sprouts and some soy sauce.  I guess on the soy sauce every time too!  I just keep adding more and more until it I can taste it!

It should be thick, like a stew.  If it's not- add more corn starch.

When the Chow Mein is finished, serve it over brown rice and with chow mein noodles!

I love this dish because it's really healthy.  It's one of those feel good meals.  Plus Brian and Boston really like it.  This makes enough for Brian (who eats a TON) to get super full, me and for us both to have left overs the next day.  By the way, this makes the best left overs because in the fridge the corn starch will continue to thicken.  Mmmm so yummy!  

Seriously- have this for dinner next week.  You won't regret it!  If you do, I'd love to hear if you and your family liked it!

What's for dinner?

Chicken Divan.  Ever had it?  I like to think the dish was invented by my own momma, as I've never had it anywhere else.  It was definitely a family favorite growing up.

Ingredients:

• Stuffing mix and butter
• Rice
• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 2 cans Cream of Broccoli Cheese
• 1 thing of Broccoli.  Are they called heads?!
• Monterey Jack Cheese

Start by boiling 3-4 chicken breasts.  Feel free to add some chicken broth in the water to make it taste saltier

Get your broccoli cut up and steaming.  Don't steam it too long because it's still going to cook in the oven.  You don't want mushy broccoli!

Start your rice

Dump your stuffing mix into a bowl and add some melted butter.  Like, 1/4 cup butter

Mix the butter and the stuffing together and set aside

Get out some milk, a can or 2 of Broccoli Cheese soup, a mixing bowl and an oblong baking dish

Open the cans of broccoli cheese soup and pour in your bowl.  Start with one can, see how far it gets you.  You can always add more.  Next, add some milk.  You want the mixture to be a little bit runny.

 

Now spread some of that mixture on the bottom of your baking dish and set the sauce aside

Cut up your chicken and add it to the top of your broccoli cheese soup mixture

Add your steamed broccoli

Pour the rest of your broccoli cheese soup mixture over the top of the broccoli and chicken

I usually sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top of the Chicken Divan before I add the stuffing. It's preference though, good with or without it!  My family loves it, I just forgot to add it!

Bake in your oven at 350 until it's warm and bubbly.  Remember, everything is already cooked.  You've just got to brown the stuffing and get the cheese melted! 

Serve on top of rice!

Now that picture doesn't do the dish justice.  Mostly because I'm not a photographer and so the colors look a little weird!  This is soooo yummy though and a great way to get those kiddos to eat their broccoli!

ENJOY!  If you make it I'd love to know how you liked it!

The Monthly Pocket

This is the neatest idea!! I have the whole meal calendar that corresponds with a shopping list, but this is dang cute!! I love the "pocket" approach. Buy their system, or use it to help you create your own!  Found over at Pocket Full of Posies

Green Popcorn!

Have you noticed that everything has been about food this week?  So sad.  Maybe I'll rummage through some more awesome blogs and find a cute craft.  Wreath maybe?  For more info about these awesome St. Patties Day Popcorn Balls, check out Red Couch Recipes