Lonely Girl Nights

Kyle's shifts at work leave me home alone a lot of nights. On those nights, I never feel like cooking a huge meal for me and the kids. Typically, we'll just get the kids something quick to eat and then I'll get something to throw in the microwave. It gets old. Quick. So I'm forever trying new things to make a quick, simple meal for myself.



Also, it's a well known fact that I love honey mustard way too much.

Snap. Crackle. Pop.

This is another SUPER easy dinner, one that kids will DEFINITELY approve of. Using an old favorite cereal of mine.

Yup.

RICE KRISPIES.

Did you know there's other things you can do with them without making rice krispie treats?!

Yeah. CHICKEN.

And yes, it pairs GREAT with mac 'n' cheese.

A House Divided.

Sometimes I wonder why Kyle and I are married.

And there's one very big reason for this.

KYLE DOESN'T LIKE CHINESE FOOD.

Okay, I grew up on a fair amount of Korean food. There's a lot that I don't like, such as kimchi, bean sprouts, etc. I can't handle spicy. Hell, I didn't like Chinese food until I was about 14. Same with seafood. My palette has changed a lot throughout the years.

When Kyle works nights, I usually get simple dinners for me and the kids. The last one I got for myself was sweet and sour chicken by Healthy Choice.

Worst. Mistake. Ever.

It was horrible. The chicken was dry, there was VERY LITTLE sauce, and...it was just a fail. I was disappointed.

So I decided that while the boy was away, the girl would play.

Tastewise, it reminds me a lot more of honey chicken, but it's so good, you won't care.

Also, this is baked. It won't be crispy unless you want to do it that way.

Take A Day Off. Or 4-6 Hours.

I honestly, 100% believe that the only people who dislike slow cookers don't have one.

Or have one, tried it, and failed. I don't know how, but I guess anyone could.

There are cons to using a slow cooker, like having to clean it (because that's a royal pain to me) and having to smell the heavenly aroma of food throughout your house ALL FREAKING DAY, but there is one pro that makes it worthwhile.

IT'S CALLED NOT REALLY HAVING TO DO MUCH OF ANYTHING ALL DAY.

Some recipes, like this one, will take an additional step, but typically they're small and easy.

And, come on. Tell me that isn't worth a little extra work.

Yeah. You can't. I know.

Comfort Food = Important.

Comfort food and I go hand in hand. Especially during the cold seasons. There's nothing like curling up on the couch with a good book and a bowl of hot soup.

Except that I never tried to make soup before. 

Until now, that is.

Chicken noodle is my personal favorite.

Tomato with a grilled cheese is a close second.

Cooking + Kids = Hard

Gabe's been in and out of his separation anxiety phase. But the only time it kicks in full blown is when he knows I'm making or have food.

Boys. Growing boys. Ugh.

Ontop of that, money's been pretty tight. Christmas put anyone and everyone in a bind when added in with the economy.

(Times is hard...Times is HAAAAAAAAAARD. - Channeling Sweeney Todd)

Needless to say, I've had to try and figure out how to make a good dinner for little monies.

Alas. Soup.

No, I didn't just throw soup in a pot and call it mine.

It's simple. It's pretty cheap. It's chicken.

My favorite things all in one.

I'm pork's and poultry's worst enemy.

It's no big secret. I love chicken. It's a family thing, I think. Me and my dad could eat chicken most, if not all, of the time. Don't even get me started on some turkey. Birds must hate us.

I definitely dig on some pig, too. Bacon is good times, but sliced ham? I love it. Grilled ham and cheese sandwiches? Yum. Yum all day long.

So, you know, you just HAVE to combine the two. And throw some cheese in there.

HOW MOUTH WATERING DOES THAT LOOK?!

It's like a pot pie..but not..

I don't know how else to describe it, really. But this is a definite GO! in this house. Kids love it, I love it, Kyle loves it, that's good enough for me.

Biscuits. How do you go wrong with biscuits?

I know. This looks like a hot mess. But it's soooo good.

Our KFC Is Gone. :(

Okay, to be honest, I'm not really upset that our KFC got taken away. I prefer Popeye's, and we have one of those in the next town over. I'm not broken up about losing one restaurant in our area, especially considering it was absolutely horrible and ridiculously expensive for very little food.

So I may not miss it, but Kyle loves (er..loved) their snack bowls. He just hated how small they were. So we took it upon myself (yes WE turned into ME) to make our own rendition of it. It's definitely a family favorite. The kids are always asking for seconds or thirds.

Homemade mashed potatoes FTW!

Popcorn chicken ready!

Everything's better with gravy, yo.

My favorite. Always. <3

"Bacon makes the world go round."

Atleast, according to Kyle. *eye roll*

Tonight, I tried something completely new. As in, I've never made it before. Along with the sidedish.

Bacon wrapped chicken breasts stuffed with onion garlic cream cheese and potatoes au gratin. Let me just get my pat on the back up in here now. *pats self on back*

So, the potatoes were fantastic. But then I tasted the chicken. Let's just say, I didn't want the potatoes after that.

God bless my slow cooker.

Selena, my step-daughter helped me out tonight. She was so proud afterwards when dinner was "goooood!"

Oh good God. Oh yeah.

These Are Probably The Worst Pies In..Missouri?

While it's perhaps not the healthiest meal ever, it's still super delicious and great comfort food. The best part of chicken pot pie is that you can almost add anything to it. Any veggies you want. Yeah. GREAT way to get the kids to eat vegetables..unless you're Myriah. Then you pick out the green beans. 

Every.

Single.

One.

*sigh* This kid. She's something else. But I love her.

And now, onto the main event.

Mixing the inside goodness. *drools*

Ready for the oven. I'm WAY too impatient for this.

Italians Do It Right

I'm a huge chicken eater. I could eat chicken for every meal, every day, and not get sick of it. I get it from my daddy. ;)

I love how versatile chicken is. You can pair it with just about anything and get a whole new taste from just one main ingredient. Who can't love a food like that?!

Tonight, I made some Chicken Parmesan. Yummm..Italians sure know how to cook!

Pan frying before baking.

Mmmm I could eat it just like this!

Covered in sauce and mozzarella, ready to bake and eat! Yum!