Mexican (Spanish) Rice with Rotel Grilled Chicken

I decided to try something different and I pulled up a ton of recipes on Mexican (Spanish) Rice off the internet.  I mixed a few different recipes to make a kid friendly and tasty rice creation.  I pulled out all of the ingredients to get ready.  The broth was a little frozen so it took a few times of microwaving to defrost it.

I put the oil and the rice in the pan to cook.  It starts to turn white quickly but it takes a little longer to actually start to brown so make sure you wait for the color.

I used the microplaner to add the garlic to the dish and stirred quickly.  I added the tomato sauce and the chicken broth and it looked really soupy but I had faith that it was going to turn out okay.  I added the spices and brought this to a boil.  I put the lid of the container and let it simmer for 20 minutes.

I marinated chicken in Rotel tomatoes and then put them on the grill.  See the yummy grill marks already on the chicken.

Then, top the rice with chicken and cheddar cheese.  The cheese melts nicely and adds a great flavor to the rice and chicken.  The flavors nicely compliment each other and make for a yummy dinner.  If I were to make it again, I would make the rice a little spicer with some additional spices.  I hope that you try this new recipe and let me know how you like it for your family. 

Below is the recipe that I made but feel free to adjust based on your families favorite flavors.  Some suggestions are 1/4 of onion, 1/4 of green pepper, cumin, and additional seasonings. Make sure you add the veggies at the beginning to cook before adding the dry rice but add any additional seasonings with the liquids.  

Easy Mexican (Spanish) Rice

Ingredients:

·                        2 tablespoons oil

·                        1 1/2 cups rice

·                        3 cloves finely chopped garlic (I used microplaner)

·                        2 1/2 cups chicken broth

·                        1 cup plain tomato sauce

·                        1 tsp onion powder

·                        1 tsp chili powder

Directions:

In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add dry rice and cook for about 5 minutes or until rice becomes a golden brown color. Lower heat to low and add in the garlic to the rice and saute for one more minute.

Add in broth and tomato sauce. Add onion powder and chili powder.  Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes and fluff with a fork. Make sure you don't cook past when the liquid is absorbed.

Momfidence Book Review

Momfidence!: An Oreo Never Killed Anybody and Other Secrets of Happier Parenting by Paula Spencer  was a funny book that I picked up off the shelf at the library.  I was not disappointed because it was a laugh a minute and there were so many stories that I could totally relate to as a mom :)

The chapter titles speak volumes on the content of the book.  Check out this list to start:

Make Way for Momfidence
Don't Cry Over Spilt Guilt
No Experience Necessary
Too Much Advice Spoils the Confidence
You Can Lead a Child to Carrots, But You Can't Make Him Crunch
You Can Run, but They Will Find You
An Ounce of Prevention, Not a Ton
A Oreo Never Killed Anybody
Bless This Mess
Silence is Fool's Golden in a House with Kids

The author talks about her experiences raising her children and there are so many things that I can relate to (and I assume most mom's can).  I only have one so some of the stories aren't totally the same because she has four.  I am exhausted with one so I can only imagine how much it is with a house full.  She said that she has a 5th child named Hans.  He was the mystery child that was blamed for everything from all the other children.  Her stories made me laugh out loud! 

"An hour with a small child can sometimes drag like a whole day, and a day can sometimes feel like a whole week."  Isn't this something that all moms feel?  Sometimes spending another five minutes listening to them cry or whine about not getting their way seems like a lifetime.  Then, we think about how quickly they have grown and how it seems like only yesterday that we brought them home from the hospital and we start to get sad that we don't enjoy every minute of motherhood.  This is the rub in why we question ourselves and have guilt about what we are doing.  Every mom feels at the end of their rope and then they look at their adorable sleeping little ones and their heart melts all the tough times away.

If you want to hear more of the author's amusing stories, I highly recommend that you pick this up at your local bookstore or library.  It is a funny and light book that is bound to entertain!!

More shopping for things we were out of... mostly!

Last Monday, I opened the cupboard and looked around but there was no other bags anywhere!!  What was missing you ask?  I was totally out of sugar in my Tupperware container and I thought I had another bag but there were none in the cupboard.  That came as a huge surprise to me so I had to figure out where to grab a bag of sugar for a reasonable price without going to far from home. 

I went to Safeway and they had their brand for $2.69 and I was going to check out with it but I decided to head to Giant instead.  They had Domino's on sale for $2.69 and I knew that I had a coupon somewhere in my bag so I phoned my husband to look on the computer while I searched through all the coupons in my trunk.  I actually beat him and found it at nearly the same time.

Total OOP $3.94
Total Savings $2.15

Today, I went to Giant to see how much chili sauce was because I needed it for my cocktail meatballs for the Halloween party.  I saw that they still had Chi-Chi's tortillas on sale for $1.50 and they had the ones that I like finally.  They also had yogurt on sale that I know that I had some coupons for so I went to the car to grab some coupons.  I got what I needed and went back in and got 4 yogurts, 2 Chi Chi tortillas, and one Giant brand chili sauce.  My self scanner popped up and said that I got a free Pepsi Next so I was super excited to grab that so that we have some soda for the Halloween party (It will go nicely with my free Sprite Zero from the coupon I got from My Coke Rewards).  After coupons and bag credit, I had a great total that put a smile on my face.

Total OOP $1.80
Total Savings $9.03

Then, my son and I headed to Target to get milk and lettuce.  It was the last two things on my list that I needed to get (or so I thought until I looked in the cupboard and realized that I still need shortening and ground pepper so I will add those to the list but they can wait until the next time I make it to the store).  A trip to Target is not complete without spending a large amount of time in the toy section checking out all the new toys so it was a long trip even though it took ten seconds to grab our two items.

Total OOP $3.98
Total Savings $0.60 (off Target prices but $1.80 off the grocery stores that I was at in the morning)

I also had a uneventful trip to Safeway which renews my vow that I don't want to go to Safeway ever.  I never have great luck with their computers, their coupon policy/enforcement, and the staff.  I left everything at the register and left the store (AGAIN)!  I am not sure if it is my store or all of the stores but I have problems consistently with my store.  Going to grab my list and add the shortening and pepper to the list... and as I am making rolls, I realized that I am almost out of bread flour!  Goodness, this cycle never ends :)  Hope that you are having a good month and getting great sales.

Menu Plan Monday 10/22

Monday- Sloppy Joes with baby cakes and smiles
Tuesday- Rosemary Balsamic Chicken with rice
Wednesday- Taco Rice with corn chips
Thursday- Buffalo or Leftover Chicken Fingers
Friday- Sausage Penne with garlic bread
Saturday- Leftovers/Pizza or Pizza Roll
Sunday- ???

Can you believe how much of October is gone already?  I am amazed at how quickly the month goes by when it takes me so much time at the beginning of the month to plan what we are going to have for the month.  It seems like we just started and not that we are at the end!

Above is the picture of my calendar with the list of the things in the pantry and the things in the freezer.  I look at all the lists and try to figure out what to eat.  I had a lot of freezer food this month to eat through so I am going to have to take a look at the pantry and see what is left to plan for next month! 

I hope that you have a yummy week planned and I hope to hear about it!

Weekly Goals 10/21

What a week!!  I got sick and my throat hurt in addition to being exhausted.  I didn't want to do anything except lay on the couch or in bed and curl into the fetal position :(  I am super tired and had a tough week getting through everything but I did it!!  Hoping to feel better next week with lots of appointments and not a lot of free time.

This Week:

Family Goals

• Spend time with my family- Sadly, we spent a sick week together.
• Get to Preschool on time- We got to school on time all this week and got to pick up on time too!
• Haircut for the little man- We got it cut and I didn't like it much and made the woman fix some things.  Of well, all hairdressers are not the same and I will be making an appointment with the woman that we went to last time because she was awesome.
• Storytime at library- Went under protest even though he said that he didn't want to go and he loved it.  We heard Halloween stories and songs, made skeletons, and got "Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What did you hear?"  That is our new favorite book and our library didn't have it :)
• Meetup with friends at the park- We went to the park and had a long day, staying for over 3 hours.  I had a tired boy in the car who was so exhausted, he started to nod off.  I got a little bit of sleep until he realized at home that if he got up, then he got a cupcake!  NUTS! 

Personal Goals

• Cut coupons (if I ever get them)- I got them and I didn't cut anything for most of the week and finally started cutting coupons on Friday and finished the last one on Saturday with next week's coupons too.
• Get coupons at library on Friday-  They didn't have that many left but I got what they had.  Not a ton of great coupons so I am not super sad to get as many as normal. 
• Go to the grocery store!!!  Must go to store!!!- Went on Sunday and got my shopping on!!  I was super happy to get that out of the way.  I still have a few things that I need to get for the rest of the month but the list isn't really long.
• Garage Sale-  Horrible showing today and I made $10.50 but I packed up some stuff to take to Salvation Army and now I have a mess in my basement again!! UGH!!!  Mission not accomplished.
• Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy- I know I missed at least one night in my sick fog and I think that I might have missed two but I am not totally sure.  I am hoping I shut it off but after taking medicine, all bets are off.
• Pick a new book to read- I finished one book and started reading a new book and I blew the light on my nightime light.  Sniff Sniff.  I don't get a lot of time to read in the daylight hour so I am going to have to get a new light soon!!

Home Management Goals

• Clean dishes, counters and floors at least 5 days of the week- I cleaned up the kitchen at least 4 days this week.  I know that there was one day that I didn't clean the counter and another that I didn't clean the floors but I have been doing dishes at least a few times a day so that I didn't get behind.  Overall, not a bad week for the kitchen.
• Clean dishes one night and not wait until the morning-  I did clean up a lot of the dishes but for the life of me, I don't have a clue if I did clean up everything because this sickness has wiped me out.

Blog Goals

• Post one post everyday- Done
• Make a new recipe and post- Done
• Schedule at least 7 posts so that can spend more time with family- Done
• Review book reviews completed during the week- Done
• Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week- Done
• Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip- Done

This Week:

Family Goals

• Spend time with my family
• Get to Preschool on time
• Storytime at library
• Meetup with friends at the park
• Playdate at our house with friends

Personal Goals

• Cut coupons
• Get coupons at library on Friday
• Get last minute things for Halloween party
• Take stuff to Salvation Army
• Doctor's appointment
• Dentist appointment
• Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy
• Pick a new book to read

Home Management Goals

• Clean dishes, counters and floors at least 5 days of the week
• Clean dishes one night and not wait until the morning

Blog Goals

• Post one post everyday
• Make a new recipe and post
• Schedule at least 7 posts so that can spend more time with family
• Review book reviews completed during the week
• Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week
• Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip

Mississippi Kitchen Chocolate Chip Cookies

I clicked off a blog that I normally read and I found a new blog!!!  Lorie's Mississippi Kitchen has tons of wonderful recipes so make sure you check them out.  I spent another evening with my face up to the computer because I wanted to eat everything on her blog (Did I mention that she is also a photographer??) 

I wanted to try this chocolate chip cookie recipe from the minute that I read it!!  I have a chocolate chip cookie recipe but my husband and I differ on what makes chocolate chip cookies.  He likes his a little cakier and I like mine a little chewier.  I was hoping that trying a new twist would be just what we needed. 

I got out everything and started trying to make the cookies before my son woke up from his nap.  I creamed together my butter, sugar and eggs before remembering to take a picture.

Then I ran to the basement to grab the vinegar.  Yup, I have my vinegar in the basement.  I read a post on a blog about using it in the laundry to take out the tinkle smell from my little potty trainer who still has a few accidents.  Who knew it would be multifunctional for kitchen and laundry :)  I added the rest of the ingredients with the help of my little one measuring the dry ingredients.  I got a super yummy cookie dough and mixed in the chocolate chips.  The little man stole a few and told me that they were his FAVORITE!  I know...that is why we were making chocolate chip cookies silly!!!

I scooped out the cookies using my medium cookie scoop and put them on my silpat lined cookie sheets.  Normally I refrigerate the dough before scooping the cookies but this recipe tried it different ways and said that they liked them best when they were not refrigerated... I hadn't thought it made such a big difference but check out her blog for more details on the differences in the final cookie.

Look at all those cookies!!!  YUM!  Then I stuck them in the oven for 14 minutes since they were smaller than the original recipe called for.  I got out some yummy looking cookies which I tried to patiently wait for them to cool. 

Tick Tock!!  Okay, can't wait anymore :)  Check out this cookie.  It was really great and I really enjoyed it!!  I might have had to try a second one just to be sure :)

Both my husband and I say that these are going to be our recipe from now on.  He even said that he was over the other recipe so I am super excited to have a new chocolate chip cookie go to recipe.  Hope that you try this interesting recipe with vinegar and cornstarch and check out the Mississippi Kitchen blog too :)  They are both yummy!!  Here is the original recipe below.

MK's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs

2 teaspoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon vanilla
3 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (12-ounce) bag semi-sweet, milk, or bittersweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Beat the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and beat until mixed.  Beat in vinegar and vanilla.   
Mix together the flour, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Slowly add to batter and mix just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips by hand until mixed.
Drop dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheet by 1/2 cupfuls.  (I use a large 1/2 cup measure ice cream scoop.)  Leave about 2 inches in between cookies.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until cookies are set and light golden brown around.  Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Decrease time for smaller cookies.

Gingerbread Amish Bread

This recipe sounded like a perfect winter treat.  I can't wait to have this with a cup of hot tea!!  Doesn't this sound really yummy!  I luckily got a great deal on molasses that I needed for the recipe so I have two jars and I had all the spices in the recipe.  I didn't have crystallized ginger (which I love in my favorite cookies from a local bakery chain) but I was sort of glad that I tried it without waiting to try to find the ginger because it was super good.  I just heaped a little bit more spices in just in case it wasn't flavorful enough.  Can you believe how much I needed to pull out to make it!  It filled the whole counter :)

I mixed up everything per the recipe.  I used the plastic bowl and not the mixer because I was doing the chocolate chip cookies right after since I already had out all the ingredients.  Plus, you are supposed to mix the Amish starter in the metal bowls so I try to do when I know that it is something I can mix and I don't have to try to cream butter or anything too hard.  Check out the batter with all the little bubbles.

Then I greased and covered with cinnamon and sugar mixture in two loaf pans.  Since I was out of the non-stick cooking spray, I used a sandwich bag to spread the oil in the pan.  It works just as well and I hope to use it going forward instead of splurging on the spray for awhile.

I filled both pans with the batter evenly.  I was super excited to see how dark it turned out because I was certain that it was going to be tasty!

It did turn out great with two wonderful smelling loaves which I was trying to wait to dig into.

I got a few slices on the first night and then had a few the next morning for breakfast.  My husband and I agreed that it was the best bread that we have had with the Amish starter (and maybe at all).  He told me by having one piece and saying that he was going to try one more and then going back for another just one more.  This continued until I started laughing :)  It is worth just one more slice.  Do you want one??  Try out this recipe because it is one of the best tasting bread and perfect for the colder months!  I can't wait to make more because this isn't going to last long.

Update:  I made it a second time and used brown sugar instead of white sugar because I was out of sugar!!!  I wish that I could give a better comparision but since we long since finished the first batch, I thought that they were both good.

Gingerbread Amish Friendship Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16
Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients
1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
3 eggs
1 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups flour
1-2 small boxes instant vanilla pudding
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1/2 cup diced crystallized ginger, plus 2 tablespoons for topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, add ingredients as listed.
3. Grease two large loaf pans.
4. Dust the greased pans with a mixture of 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
5. Pour the batter evenly into loaf or cake pans. Top with 2 tablespoons diced crystallized ginger and sugar.
6. Bake for one hour or until the bread loosens evenly from the sides and a toothpick inserted in the center of the bread comes out clean.
7. ENJOY!

Kitchen Notes
If available, use turbinado sugar (also known as raw sugar, which has larger crystals) with the chopped crystallized ginger to top the batter. Add a dollop of fresh whipping cream for a festive dessert!

From Linda Delescale: “Use dark brown sugar in place of the white sugar, except for the pan coating and add in 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom to give the bread a little extra zing.”