Perfect Pasta Salad

Today I whipped up an easy pasta salad out of the things that I had in my pantry and fridge. The thing I love about this pasta salad is you can make it your own. You don't like olives? Omit them. You want to add salami? Perfect! You want to home make your dressing out of olive oil and vinegar, go for it!! It's all yours to design. Let me show you how I made mine (and let me just say the dressing is what makes it!).

Here are the ingredients you will need: *note for some reason I forgot to put the tomatoes in the pic:)

While your pasta is cooking, according to its package, cut up your add ins.

I like to add my pepperoncini in whole at the end. You can slice them or omit them. It's perfect either way. Mix in your ingredients and then add about 1/2 cup of the Robusto Italian dressing. ***Note that the dressing is Wishbones Robusto Italian...it totally makes the dish and you have to try it!

This makes a perfect lunch or side dish and the best part is it's mayo free!!! So you can take it to a picnic or party and not worry about keeping it cold! Make it today:)

Perfect Pasta Salad

Tri Color Pasta
Grape tomatoes
Black olives
Mozzarella cheese (all I had was cheddar and mozz string cheese so that's what I used but you can use the mozzarella balls you find in the fine cheese case)
Pepperoni
Wishbone Robusto Italian Dressing (I just eye balled it, but I'd say about 1/2 cup)

Cook pasta according to package. While pasta is cooking slice up your add ins. Drain pasta and run cold water over the  pasta to cool it down. Add your add ins to the pasta. Pour in dressing and mix well. Enjoy!! Refrigerating prior to eating will enhance the flavor:)

Boy Mom

"Please don't jump on the couch!" "Oh you mean like this mommy?" UGH!! Boys!! Boys are loud, smelly, and let's face it, they find humor in some of the grosses things. The other day I was sitting on the couch and my 2 year old ran up to sit down next to me. I thought, oh how sweet he wants to cuddle!!, um no...he looks at me and then proceeds to spit in my face!! SPIT!! I give him "the look" and he says "oh that's not funny?!" No, precious, that's.not.funny!! Am I alone? Please tell me that I'm not!

I can remember the day, 6 years ago, when I was on my knees in my bedroom, screaming and crying to God asking him why? Why did I not have a baby? What did I do wrong in my life to not deserve to have a little bundle of joy to love? That time in my life was very sad for me and I know that I was not the only one going through the same thing. Through the process of fertility we were able to get pregnant with our first, a boy! Then by the grace of God we had our second one 3 years later, all by ourselves!!! Again, a boy!

Now let's be honest, I had no idea what was entailed with boys. I just knew to love them, show them how God loves them, and take them to baseball practice. I thought a mom who has boys is so easy. No prom dresses, nail and hair apts, no drama. No big deal, or is it? I have been thinking a lot lately about my boys. I've been thinking, "will they come back to see me when they're married?, will they call me on the phone just to say hi?, they have their father, do they even need me?"  I've been thinking so much to the point that I heard God say "your boys need you more than you think." When I heard those words I thought, "really God? They have their dad. They have that father figure to look up to and who to look at as a role model." However, what I haven't thought about is that they need their mom more than I know. They need me, as the female figure in their life, to show them how to show respect to other girls, how to cook a meal, how to show their feelings. My boys need me to kiss their boo-boos and to hug them everyday. They need me as their encourager and supporter.

      Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

Moms of boys, don't be discourage!! Your boys do need you! You are a huge part of their life!! And know that you are not alone, boys are not easy but God chose you to raise them to be great leaders, husbands, fathers, and followers in Christ.
So, I will take hulk smashes, baseball throwing in the living room, giggles they have when making farting noises on their arms, and the comfort in knowing that I'm a mom of boys.

 

 

 

Spanish Rice

I'm a Mexican food fanatic! I can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner and I have:) My King Ranch Chicken post was a huge hit. So I wanted to share with you what I serve on the side. This rice is super simple and delicious.

 

Here is what you need:

First you will pour about 2 turns of the pan of olive oil (if you're not an olive oil fan you can use 2 tbs. butter, melt) and pour in a cup of rice. Sauté for a few minutes.

Then add in your diced onion and bell pepper. Cook till veggies are soft. Make sure your rice doesn't burn. A little color is good! It adds a great nutty flavor.

 

Once your veggies are soft add in your canned tomatoes and 1 can full of water. Sprinkle in salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Turn down to simmer, cover and cook for about 20 min or until rice is fully cooked.

 

Spanish Rice

1 cup rice
1/2 diced bell pepper
1/4 diced onion
1 can diced tomatoes (I prefer the chili style. I feel it give it a more smoky flavor)
1 can water
olive oil (or 2 tbsp. butter if you prefer)

Pour your olive oil in the pan. Add rice and sauté a couple of min. Then add in your diced bell pepper and onion. Sauté till veggies are soft. Add in 1 can diced tomatoes and 1 can of water, sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover, turn to simmer and cook for about 20 minutes or until the rice is nice and soft.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

It's Monday...This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it...however why are Mondays always dreaded? Is it because we had that fabulous weekend and now it's back to work time, or for those stay at home moms the laundry is staring you in your face saying "it's me again!!" Well whatever your situation don't you fear because I have a meal for you that is a fix it and forget it!!

My SIL (sister in law) sent me this recipe that she found on Pinterest and said "Traci you have got to try this!" So I did! And let me tell you, this is one yummy and versatile meal. You can serve it up with mashed potatoes and a veggie or shred it and place it on a bun. Whatever your fancy you'll want to make this meal over and over! So get out your slow cooker ladies and/or gents and fix it and forget it.

What you will need:

Place you chicken breast into the slow cooker (recipe calls for 4 but mine were huge from Costco so I just used 2)

In a small bowl, mix all your ingredients

Pour over your chicken. Put on a lid and forget about it!

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Pinned from here

4 chicken breast
1 bottle of BBQ sauce
1/4 c white vinegar
1/2-1 tsp. red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp. garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and then pour over chicken in the slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. I usually will start on HIGH for 1 hour and then turn it to LOW for 6. Enjoy!!

Mosquitos and a Sweet Treat

I dislike mosquitos with a passion!! They are so sneaky that you think you've gone outside and are in the clear until you go inside and see that you have been bit multiple times. UGH!! Well if you're planning on having a party with several people over, or are just planning on being in the backyard for a while, I have found many ways to keep those sneaky pest away!

First we have our typical spray and candle:

Then, did you know that there are certain plants that you can have around that will do the same thing! Isn't God good:) After investigating pinterest and our local garden store, these are the 2 that we decided to use. They not only smell great but are pretty too.

First we planted citronella. I mean if we're going to light it we might as well have it setting on the ground too :)

Next what we planted you may already have in your garden and didn't even know it was repelling those pest. It's rosemary!! I love the smell and taste of rosemary and now I love that it can help in the prevention of mosquitos.

 

So the next time you are in a need for some pesky repellent be sure to check the plant section as well!

Now for my sweet treat!! Today I have made one delicious chocolate sheet cake!! It is great for birthday parties and get-togethers and is always a huge hit. Now I wish I could take credit for this great cake but I have to give it to my girl, Pioneer Woman. She is one of my favorite cooks and seems to never disappoint.

Click here to find the recipe and step by step instructions to this great cake! (The one I made today is nut free)

Enjoy!!

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

Creamy jalapeno dip is one our family favorites. This dip is not only great with chips, but it also makes a great dressing on salads or sandwiches...oh and if you drizzle it over drip beef tacos (recipe to come soon) it takes them to the next level!!!

Here are the ingredients you will need:

 

If you love cilantro then I would add a handful of it as well. We had a few non-cilantro fans so we made it without this go round. Both ways are delicious!

Add sour cream, a couple spoonfuls of pickled jalapenos, 3 tbsp. of ranch dressing mix (or one envelope you buy in the store) and a little of the jalapeno juice to a blender.

Blend til smooth. Enjoy!!

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

16 oz. sour cream
1 dry ranch dressing pkt. or 3 tbsp.
pickled jalapenos
*optional: a handful of cilantro

Combine all ingredients into a blender. Add a little of the jalapeno juice. Then blend til smooth. Taste to check for the heat level. If it's not hot enough for your liking add more jalapenos.

Make it today!!

King Ranch Chicken

Are you a cheese fan like me? I mean come on, who can resist the ooey gooey yumminess melted on a burger, Panini, baked potato or the added flavor it adds to quiches, casseroles, and pasta?! Oh I could go on and on about this wonderful stuff called cheese. I love it all from the stinky kind to the liquid gold we know as Velveeta. Today I am using this "liquid gold" to make a crowd favorite (and freezer favorite), King Ranch Casserole.

Here are the ingredients that you will need

Before you start the casserole you will want to take your chicken breast and boil them in water til cooked through. I like to add half a diced onion, salt and pepper to my water.

Once your chicken has cooked through, shred it, add seasonings and set aside.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then take out your favorite sauce pan and melt 1 stick of butter.

Once butter has melted, add your diced bell pepper, garlic and onion. Sauté til soft and onions are translucent.

Next, you will add in your canned ingredients (cream of mushroom and chicken, Rotel, diced tomatoes, and half a can of green chilies.)  Stir to combine.

Then add in your "liquid gold" and cook til all has melted. You may need to add a little chicken stock to your mixture if you feel it is too thick.

Cut your tortillas into these cute little triangles. Why? Well because it's cute :)

Now it's time for the assembly. Grease a 9x13 baking dish. Start with your cheese sauce first. Then add your chicken.Then your tortillas. Repeat til you have filled your casserole dish and you have ended with the ooey gooey deliciousness I like to call cheese...aka liquid gold...aka yumminess!

And just because I love cheese so much and it gives it that extra little pop. You will want to add some grated cheddar on top!! Yum!

Bake at 350 for 45 min or until it is bubbly hot. I hope you enjoy this crowd pleaser as much as my little crowd did!


King Ranch Casserole

4 chicken breast (boiled and shredded)
1 pkg. tortillas (cut into cute wedges)
1/2 med. onion - chopped
1/2 bell pepper - chopped
1 clove of garlic -minced
1/2 lb Velveeta - cubed
1 can Rotel
1 can diced tomatoes
1/2 small can of green chilies
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can cream of chicken
1 stick of butter
chicken stock


Preheat oven to 350. In saucepan, melt stick of butter. Once melted, add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook til veggies are soft and onion is translucent. Add in cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, Rotel, diced tomatoes, and green chilies. Then add cubed Velveeta and cook til melted. Use chicken stock if you need to thin out the sauce a bit. Assemble casserole. Top with grated cheddar. Bake at 350 for 45 or until bubbly. If you want to freeze this meal you can stop before the baking process, cover with foil and freeze.