Julie's Chicken Fajitas

3-4 chicken breast
1- chicken fajita seasoning pack
1/2 yellow bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
1/2 green bell pepper

Use a large skillet that has a lid.  Cut the thawed chicken into strips. Spray the skillet with Pam type spray. Add the chicken to skillet. When it begins to make its own juice sprinkle in the fajita seasoning packet and stir. Cook the chicken until no longer pink. Cut the peppers into strips and add to the chicken.  Cook until the peppers are to your desired crispness.  Serve on flour tortillas with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream and salsa. Makes enough for 2 people to have 2 each.

Homemade Flour Tortilla

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt (sea salt is very good)

1 teaspoon baking powder

2 Tablespoons shortening

1/2 to 3/4 cup warm water

In a mixing bowl stir together flour, salt, and baking powder.  Break up shortening until it is very small or use a mixer to break it up.  Gradually add warm water and mix till dough can be gathered into a ball.  Knead the dough 15-20 times.  Divide dough into 12 equal portions.  I like to roll it into a long 'snake' and cut in half, then cut each half into six equal parts.  Roll into balls.  On a clean surface (I wash the counter then sanitize it by washing it with white vinegar), roll each ball into a circle that is small enough to fit into the skillet you intend to cook it on or about 7 inches.  Cook in a medium -hot ungreased skillet about 20 seconds on each side.  Makes 12 tortillas.   (These are so good but pretty time consuming.  I mostly make them when it's just Doug and I.)

Baked Potato Soup

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups milk
3 cups hot tap water
1 can cream of chicken soup
5 large baking potatoes or 8 small potatoes
1 package real bacon pieces (near the salad dressing at the store) 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
canned chicken broth
sour cream (optional)
cheese (optional)

Wash the potatoes and wrap in a paper towel or napkin and put in the microwave in a circle.  (There are no potatoes in the middle of the circle) Microwave about 5 minutes.  Squeeze the potatoes to see if they are soft (use a pot holder-they are hot) If they aren't soft, then turn them over and add 1 minute at a time until they are.  While potatoes are cooking you can start the soup.

Melt the butter, remove from heat and add the flour all at once and stir quickly until smooth with no lumps.  Return to heat and add the milk and water.  Cook about 5 minutes, add the soup and stir with a whisk until smooth.  When the potatoes are done hold them under cold water and peel.  Add potatoes to the soup whole and then mash with a potato masher, (or whisk or large spoon).  Leave some potato chunks.  Add the salt and pepper and bacon pieces.  Taste the soup and add chicken broth until desired consistency.  Add more seasoning if needed.

Soup can be served plain or with sour cream and cheese.

Julie's Fried Chicken

3 pounds boneless skinless chicken pieces
      or chicken tenderloins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup butter or margarine (one stick)

Take 1/4 cup of the butter/margarine (half the stick) and melt in the microwave.  While that's melting, mix your flour, salt, and pepper together.  Take your chicken pieces and dip them in the melted butter and then cover them completely in the flour mixture.  Use the other half of the stick of butter/margarine and put it in a skillet on med/high to melt.  Once that's melted, put your battered chicken in the pan.  Try to not move the pieces around too much or you'll lose your batter.  Let pieces cook, uncovered approximately 5 minutes on each side, or flip when it's a nice golden color.  Larger pieces will take longer.  Stack 2 pieces together and insert meat thermometer in the thickest part, chicken is done when it reaches at least 165 degrees.  If its not done after each side is golden brown cover the pan and check chicken every 5 minutes. Makes about 6 servings

Kelli's Chicken Bowl

This recipe was inspired by KFC's chicken bowl, but this is much cheaper!

Breaded Chicken Fingers
Mashed Potatoes (potato flakes are quick and easy, follow directions on box)
1 Can of Corn (drain and put in a microwave safe bowl, 3 minutes power level 6 or heat on the stove top)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Brown Sauce

Bake Chicken finger according to package directions.  Make mashed potatoes according to package directions.  Heat corn.  Make Brown Sauce.

To serve - Each person can layer all the ingredients into a bowl.  Ladle "Brown Sauce" over the top.

Brown Sauce

4 Tablespoons margarine

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon beef-flavored bouillon granules or 2 beef bouillon cubes

2 cups water

¼ teaspoon pepper

Melt margarine in saucepan on medium heat, add flour, stirring until smooth.  Cook one minute.  Add water, beef bouillon and pepper.  Stir until smooth, then cook about 5 minutes. 

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

1 bag 'steam in bag' broccoli or 1 bunch of fresh broccoli

2 can of chicken OR

2 pieces chicken breast (cooked) if using fresh I like it baked

1 can cream of chicken

2 tablespoons mayo

2 tablespoons miracle whip

¼ cup milk

1 Tablespoons lemon juice

4 ounces (about 1/2 cup) shredded cheddar cheese

4 slices loaf bread
butter or margarine

Cook chicken and cut into cubes or if using canned, drain and break into small pieces.  Cook broccoli and drain well.  Layer the chicken in the bottom of a casserole bowl or pan, then layer the broccoli on top of chicken.  Mix the chicken soup, mayo, miracle whip, milk, lemon juice and cheese in a microwave safe bowl and heat until hot and steamy. Pour evenly over the broccoli.  Toast 4 slices bread in toaster and butter one side.   Cut into cubes and put on top of casserole.  Bake 20 minutes at 350 or until hot. Serves 2-4

Fried Rice

12 oz. can Spam Low sodium

1½ cups rice

3 cups water

1 egg

1-2 tablespoons soy sauce

Cut Spam into small cubes.  Spray a skillet with cooking spray and cook Spam on medium/low heat about 10 minutes or until lightly brown.  Add rice to a saucepan with water.  Bring to a boil.  As soon as it boils turn down to low and cover.  Cook 15 minutes.  When spam is cooked use your spatula and move the meat to the outside edges  of the pan and scramble the egg in the center.  When egg is cooked, add rice and stir all together.  Stir in soy sauce to taste.

Chili

1-2 pounds ground beef

½ teaspoon onion powder or

½ of fresh onion

½ teaspoon cumin

3-15 ounce cans tomato sauce

15 oz can whole tomatoes

½ teaspoon garlic powder

3 teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 can chili beans 

Cook ground beef with onion and drain.   Cut up tomatoes and add to meat with tomato sauce, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper and chili beans. Heat until hot and steamy either on a stove top or in the microwave.  If using the microwave only use power level 60 and stir after 5 minutes.

Good served with grilled cheese. 

Chicken Noodle Soup

½ gallon water

3 chicken bullion cubes

1/2 pound of egg noodles or 1/2 pound Fettuccine noodles broken into small pieces

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 large can chicken, drained

1 can cream of chicken soup
pinch celery seed
1/8 teaspoon pepper

pinch poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Bring water to a boil and add bullion cubes and break up.  Add egg noodles and cook 10 minutes.  Add onion powder, chicken and cream of chicken soup.  Stir until soup is blended in and chicken is slightly broken up.  Heat uncovered, over medium heat until hot.

Hawaiian Haystacks

1 cups rice

2 cups water

2 Tablespoons margarine

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cups milk

1 can cream of chicken

1 large cans chicken

Salt and pepper to taste

Here are the toppings which can vary according to tastes and/or budget:

Chow Mein noodles

Coconut

Grated cheese

Pineapple

Tomatoes

Green Onions

Peanuts or cashews

Put rice and water in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil and immediately lower heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. 

Melt margarine in a saucepan and add flour, using a whisk, stir together until smooth and immediately add milk. Whisk to blend milk with flour.  Cook about 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Whisk in cream of chicken.  Stir in canned chicken.  Serve Chicken mixture on rice with toppings as desired. Serves 3-4