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Spicy Chicken Tenders With Crispies!

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This page may contain affiliate links. So, I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a Spicy Chicken Tenders With Crispies!

Spicy Chicken Tenders with purple potato in the background

Crispy fried chicken tenders is hands down one of the best fried foods you can enjoy! Sorry…I think it’s one of the most delicious of all foods, not just fried!

They are also super simple to make! You only need a few ingredients and some marinating and frying time, and you can create these delicious tenders for your entire family to enjoy!

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Chicken Sandwich Inspired By Pam’s Hateful Hussy Diner

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This page may contain affiliate links. So, I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a Chicken Sandwich inspired by a trip to Pam’s Hateful Hussy Diner!

Grilled Chicken Sandwich with bacon, pepper jack cheese, tomato, lettuce, honey mustard dressing in a kaiser roll

Road Trip To Southeastern Oklahoma

Just about a year ago Steve, Toby, and I took a road trip from TX where we live to Oklahoma. We stayed in Southeastern Oklahoma in the town of Clayton, near a massive lake called Sardis Lake.

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How To Make Delicious Home Made Tater Tots!!!

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This page may contain affiliate links. So, I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about making your own delicious Home Made Tater Tots!

Tater Tots in a frying basket

Frozen tater tots are good, but homemade tater tots are better!

My husband Steve turned me on to these. For instance I was a skeptic. I had thought that homemade tater tots wouldn’t be worth the trouble to make, but boy was I wrong!

The first time Steve made tots, he and Toby ate most of them and only left a few for me.

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Soul Surfer Film and Food Pairing – Delicious Healthy Bowl and Banana Bread!

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about a film and food pairing evening watching Soul Surfer!

Poke Inspired Bowl, Banana Bread, and sliced Blood Orange

Soul Surfer Film and Food Pairing Night

Last Sunday we enjoyed a “Soul Surfer” Film and Food Pairing night. The film is based on American surfer and athlete Bethany Hamilton’s autobiography “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board.” Bethany lost her left arm in a horrific shark attack when she was 13 years old. She miraculously survived, and INCREDIBLY and BRAVELY decides to get back in the water, and return to competitive surfing. This is an amazingly inspiring film, and I hope you will take the time to watch it if you haven’t already.

Poke Inspired Bowl

On movie nights I cook a meal that is somehow inspired by the film. In this case, as it is set in Hawaii, I decided to make a Poke inspired bowl for our main meal. I say “inspired” because I used Foppen smoked and cooked Norwegian salmon instead of raw fish. It also included edamame, mango, pickled cucumber and ginger, green lettuce, carrots, avocado, and radishes. Super healthy, which I hope Bethany would approve of! Please refer to the recipe below to create your own Poke inspired bowl!

Poke Inspired Bowl

Banana Bread

I also did something I hadn’t done in years…bake! Actually this is my first post where I’ve included something I’ve baked (banana bread) so I’m very proud of myself. 😃 I got this recipe from LoveMischka.com, and you can be assured that it is an easy recipe and the results are oh so delicious!

3 loaves of banana bread
Sliced Banana Bread

I usually make a short video about each Film and Food Pairing night (with the film and dinner explained). I included that here, and if you watch you can see I nonchalantly say that there’s a scene in the film in which Bethany bakes and serves banana bread to her family, hence why I made the banana bread. But I didn’t realize that she made her delicious bread with ONE ARM ONLY. Just imagine.

Bethany becomes well known and a celebrity. At the end of the film, a reporter asks Bethany what she would do if she had the chance to undo the loss of her arm. She states that she wouldn’t change anything, because she could embrace more people now than she ever could with both.

I’ll end on that. 🙂

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Some Other Film and Food Pairing Ideas!

Ram-don From the Film Parasite

Ram-don in a bowl with chopsticks

Florida Cuban Sandwich and “Chef”

Cubano Sandwich

Cheers!

Grace

Poke Inspired Bowl

Poke Inspired Bowl

Grace
This delicious Poke inspired bowl is also supremely healthy! Made with smoked salmon and lots of colorful veggies, you'll enjoy every bite!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Hawaiian
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pks Smoked Salmon 1 used Foppen Hot Smoked Salmon Fillets (1 4 oz package per person)
  • 2-4 cups hot cooked rice
  • 1/4 cup edamame cooked and shelled
  • few leaves green lettuce cut into ribbons
  • 1/4 cup mango diced
  • 4 radishes sliced
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 1/4 cup carrots peeled into ribbons
  • 4 green onions sliced
  • 1/4 cup pickled cucumber or sliced cucumber Recipe can be found on this site: https://explorecookeat.com/japanese-pickled-cucumber/
  • pickled ginger few slices
  • Furikake optional, for sprinkling on top

Sriracha Wasabi Mayo

  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/2-1 ts wasabi paste amend according to your tolerance for wasabi!
  • 1 ts sriracha

Instructions
 

  • Prep your salmon by cutting it into bite sized pieces.
  • Prep all your veggies (peel, slice, dice, etc.) ready to add to your bowl.
    Mango, avocado, pickled cucumber and ginger, green lettuce, hot smoked salmon, radishes, green onions , edamame, carrots
  • Mix your Sriracha Wasabi Mayo and place in a condiment bottle, for easy drizzling. If you don't have a condiment bottle no worries..you can just drizzle it with a spoon!
  • Layer your bowl the following way: hot cooked rice on the bottom, then all the other ingredients on top! Drizzle with Sriracha Wasabi Mayo as the finishing touch, and also furikake if you are using!
    Poke Inspired Bowl

Notes

This recipe is only a guide!  Feel free to switch out some of the veggies with others that you enjoy, or use what you have!  I highly recommend adding the Japanese Pickled Cucumber it’s super delicious!  Enjoy this anytime you desire a delicious and healthy meal!
Keyword poke, poke bowl

How To Make Delicious Mississippi Hot Tamales

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about Mississippi Hot Tamales!

Mississippi Hot Tamales

Tamales are a South Texas Christmas Tradition

I live in South Texas (San Antonio), and here tamales are a Christmas tradition. I have always thought of them as Mexican. Although they are available year round in restaurants and grocery stores, I usually dined on them at Christmas. Tamales made easy…the ones I bought were from the grocery store. 🙂

Whereas my annual Christmas dinner included store bought tamales, it’s a totally different situation for Hispanic families. For many Hispanic families, they gather together on Christmas Eve to make them. Over the years this gathering turned into a big social event called a tamalada. There’s a great article from NPR called “Tamales For Texas Are a True Texas Tradition” which I urge you to read for great background information.

Mississippi Hot Tamales
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Roasted Rutabaga and Carrots

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about delicious Roasted Rutabaga and Carrots!

Roasted Rutabaga and Carrots

What is a Rutabaga?

What is a rutabaga you ask? It’s a swede! What’s a swede? 🙂

In North America we call this vegetable, which is a cross between cabbage and turnips, rutabaga. My husband knows it as a swede, which is what they call it in England, where he is from.

Wikipedia has a fascinating article on rutabaga’s etymology, history, use in cuisine, and other uses which you can read here.

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Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post is about how to make Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Are you stuck at home and not sure what to cook for dinner tonight? Then pantry cooking it is! Pantry cooking is cooking meals from items that are in your pantry. I have seen some very extremely creative dishes that others are coming up with. It’s a true joy to see people doing the best with what they have on hand.

The ULTIMATE Pantry Dish – Tuna Noodle Casserole

Are you in need of a delicious dish that is super easy, quick, budget friendly, and uses items you most likely have in your pantry? Then please consider this Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole.

Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ULTIMATE pantry dish. All you will need is egg noodles or other pasta, and these canned foods: tuna, cream of mushroom soup, and peas. You will also need some oil to grease your pan, and some seasonings. This is the most basic version, however, if you have some CHEESE (yum!) then by all means add that in as well!

Please note that I am including links to Amazon for some of the ingredients in this dish. The links may be a substitution for the ingredients you see pictured in my post, if I could not find the same ingredient on Amazon. The links are simply included for convenience if you choose to order on Amazon.

cream of mushroom soup, peas, cheddar cheese, tuna and Pam spray

How To Make Super Easy Tuna Casserole

tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and cheese in a bowl with a stirrer

I call this Super Easy because all you need to do is grease a 9x13 oven safe dish, mix tuna, drained peas, the cream of mushroom soup, and cheese (if using) and place it in your dish! I used Pam cooking spray to grease my dish. You could also use a little vegetable or olive oil. Add cooked egg noodles, give it a stir and season with some salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then place in an oven that has been preheated to 375F for 25 – 30 minutes.

Tuna Noodle Casserole

You can use tuna packed in water, however, I think tuna in oil adds a depth of flavor that can’t be beat! If you use tuna in water, please drain the water. Otherwise when you add the tuna in oil add everything to the mix!

The Finishing Touch

panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning

If you happen to have some Panko in your pantry, I recommend you use it to put the finishing touch on this Super Easy Tuna Casserole!

All you need to do is add a little olive oil and some of your favorite seasoning to the Panko, and stir. I used Goya Sazonador Total. Then, after the casserole has been baking for 25 minutes, remove from the oven. Add the panko mixture spreading it evenly over the top, and bake for another 5 minutes.

Panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning

After 25-30 minutes in the oven, remove and behold how beautifully browned the top is, and get ready to DIG IN!

Tuna Noodle Casserole

This recipe is enough for around 4-6 people, and costs about $9.00 to make (with the brands that I used). So as mentioned it is budget friendly, super easy, and you’ll just have to trust me on this until you can verify for yourself…utterly creamy and delicious! It’s great to garnish with green onions if you have them!

Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad and Tabasco

I hope you will enjoy this Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole soon! Oh and by the way…it is the PERFECT COMFORT FOOD AS WELL.

Some Other Dishes You Many Enjoy!

Borracho Beans

Borracho Beans

Belizean Rice and Beans

Belizean Rice and Beans in a bowl

Colorado Green Chili

Colorado Green Chili

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Take care and stay safe.

Grace

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Grace
This Super Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole is the ULTIMATE Pantry Dish! Delicious and creamy your whole family will love it!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • Pam spray, olive or vegetable oil for greasing your baking dish
  • 12 oz egg noodles (or your pasta of choice) cooked according to package directions
  • 26 oz cream of mushroom soup canned OR 3 x 10.5 oz cans of cream of mushroom soup
  • 15 oz peas canned, drained
  • 15 oz tuna (in oil) 3 cans of 5 oz each
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • garlic powder to taste
  • 2 green onions optional for garnish

Crumb Topping – Optional

  • 1/2 cup panko Japanese breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • seasoning your seasoning of choice!

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375F. Grease a 9x13 oven save baking dish. I used Pam olive oil spray, you can also use vegetable or olive oil.
    egg noodles, tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and Pam spry
  • Mix in a large bowl the following ingredients: tuna, cream of mushroom soup, drained peas, and cheese if using. Place the mixture in your 9"x 13" baking dish.
    tuna, cream of mushroom soup, peas, and cheese in a bowl with a stirrer
  • Cook the egg noodles or your pasta of choice, according to package directions. Drain and add to the mixture in the baking dish. Stir well, and add some salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
    Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • Place in your 375F oven, and bake for 25 minutes if using crumb topping. If not using crumb topping, check if nicely browned and heated through after 25 minutes and remove, or cook for 30 minutes total.
  • IF ADDING THE CRUMB TOPPING, then mix together the panko, olive oil, and your choice of seasoning. Remove the dish from the oven after the 25 minutes, sprinkle the crumb topping evenly on top, then bake for an additional 5 minutes.
    Panko, olive oil, and goya seasoning
  • Add green onions for garnish (optional) and serve!
    Tuna Noodle Casserole, salad and Tabasco

Notes

You can use tuna packed in water, however, I think tuna in oil adds a depth of flavor that can’t be beat!
One lovely thing about this dish is its versatility!  The recipe is for a basic and easy tuna casserole, but feel free to add some chopped onion and celery that has been lightly sautéed to the mixture if you like!  You can also substitute other cream of soups such as cream of jalapeno.  Enjoy! 
Keyword casserole, pantry, tuna casserole, tuna noodle casserole

Borracho Beans

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This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. This post raves about Borracho Beans!

Borracho Beans

Recently I’ve been thinking a lot more about pantry style cooking and Borracho Beans is the first thing that came to mind. My recipe does call for some fresh vegetables (onion and cilantro) and pork hock to be thrown in, but you could omit these for a true pantry meal!

What Are Borracho Beans?

Borracho Beans aka Frijoles Borrachos aka Drunken Beans. So called because these beans are made with beer! Borracho beans are a South Texas favorite. So, you can find these at many Mexican restaurants in South Texas. By the way, they differ from charro beans, in that charro beans are the version made without beer.

In goes the Beer!

I usually make a huge batch to serve at Christmas and had really been craving these lately. Now we have a huge batch for mostly Steve, Toby, and myself…it will be fun around our household over the next few days. 🙂

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Borracho Beans?

Pinto beans are used in this dish, and traditionally you will add a Mexican style beer. I used a 12 oz bottle of Lone Star beer which is what I had on hand (TX beer!), and added it to beans and pork hock that had been simmering for an hour. I then added diced tomatoes, and onion. Throw in a generous handful of cilantro toward the end of cooking, and you will have the most delicious beans ever! Strong and bold statement but really they are good!

Pork hock, pinto beans, onion, pinto bean seasoning, diced tomatoes, cilantro, lone star beer

Oh, and the seasoning! It’s got to be Fiesta Brand Pinto Bean Seasoning! Made here in San Antonio, it’s my go to seasoning for whenever I make the these delicious beans. This seasoning is just the best and I absolutely love it! Click here to purchase this most delicious pinto bean seasoning on Amazon.

Pinto bean seasoning, lone star beer, and pinto bean package
Pantry Ingredients Needed For Borracho Beans
Borracho Beans
Scrumptious Borracho Beans!

Don’t they look absolutely scrumptious? I generally eat borracho beans accompanied by rice or sometimes with tortillas. You can also serve as a delicious side to any Mexican main dish, or any dish for that matter! I hope you might give this a try sometime!

Here Are Some Other Dishes You May Enjoy!

Belizean Stewed Beans

Stewed Beans ham hock and bay leaf

Chalupas Poblanas

Chalupas Poblanas

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Cheers! Grace

Borracho Beans

Borracho Beans

Grace
Borracho Beans are beans made with beer! Super delicious and makes enough to feed an army, enjoy with rice or tortillas, or serve as a side to your favorite Mexican dish!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 10 mins
Overnight soak of beans 8 hrs
Total Time 10 hrs 20 mins
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Mexican, South Texas
Servings 12 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pinto beans dry
  • 3 tbsp Pinto Bean Seasoning I used Fiesta Brand! add additional seasoning at end to taste if desired
  • 12 oz beer dark Mexican beer is preferred but I used Lone Star
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes canned
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1-2 pork hocks can substitute 4-5 strips of cut up bacon if preferred
  • 1 bunch cilantro chopped
  • salt to taste (optional)
  • pepper to taste (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Rinse and sort the beans, and cover with water to soak overnight in a large pot.
  • Drain and rinse the beans, then add water to cover the beans about one inch above surface of the beans. Add pork hock.
    Pinto beans and pork hock in a pan
  • Bring the beans to the boil, and skim off any scum that might rise to the top.
  • Lower the heat to where it will simmer (around med low or so), add 3 tbsp of Pinto Bean Seasoning, stir, cover and simmer for 1 hr.
  • Add your beer! Also add the diced onion, and tomatoes at this time. Stir, and bring back to the boil, then lower again to a simmer and simmer 1 additional hour.
    onions, beans, diced tomatoes and broth in a pot
  • Taste your beans to make sure they are tender. If not, continue cooking until tender. Add chopped cilantro at the end of the cooking. Add salt and pepper, or additional pinto bean seasoning to taste.
    cilantro and lone star beer

Notes

These pinto beans are so delicious served with rice or tortillas!  You can also serve these as a scrumptious side to accompany your favorite Mexican dish or any dish!  Enjoy!!
Keyword beans, pinto beans

Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder

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Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder

I was given 2 hams for Thanksgiving. These were not used at our feast at my sister’s house (she hosted yay!), so here I am with a huge amount of ham and what to do with it? Make Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder of course!

The chowder also includes onion and garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream. I used cheddar in the soup, and parmesan shavings to top the soup. Cheese and more cheese is a fabulous thing. 🙂 This really was absolutely delicious and was accompanied by a light salad and a French demi baquette.

Cauliflower, ham, chicken broth, garlic, onion, heavy cream, and potato
Some Ingredients for Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder

The ham imparted such an amazing flavor to the soup and I’m happy that I have more ham so that I can whip up this soup again!

Benefits of Eating Cauliflower

Cauliflower
Healthy and Nutritious Cauliflower!

So turns out this soup is pretty good for you! It includes cauliflower, which is on a list of Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables from the CDC. I just discovered this list of produce ranked by nutrient density. These are supposed to be some of the best foods you can eat to help prevent chronic disease. Cauliflower is #24!

Cauliflower is a great source of fiber and vitamins, including the B-vitamins, C, and K. It also contains cancer fighting antioxidants. I’m going to work on incorporating more cauliflower into my diet after learning this!

Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder and Bread

You will absolutely love this soup! And you may also enjoy these soups as well!

The BEST Spicy Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Broccoli and Cheddar Soup and bread

New Hampshire Inspired New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder

Cheers!

Grace

Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder

Creamy Cauliflower, Potato, and Cheesy Ham Chowder

Grace
So creamy and delicious, this is perfect for using up leftover Thanksgiving ham, or anytime you desire some serious comfort food!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 21 mins
Total Time 31 mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 3 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 small potato peeled and cut into small pieces
  • 1/4-1/2 lb diced ham
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 head cauliflower cut into small pieces
  • 32 oz chicken broth you may have some left over
  • 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
  • parmesan cheese shavings as soup garnish (optional)
  • cayenne pepper to sprinkle on top (optional)
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat up your olive oil in a large sauce pan on med – med high heat. Add your onion and garlic, and saute until softened, around 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the ham, and stir fry for around 3 minutes. Then add the cauliflower and potato and give it a stir.
  • Add enough chicken broth to cover the mixture and then bring to the boil. Cover, then lower to a simmer and simmer for around 15 minutes, or until the potato and cauliflower are tender.
  • Turn the heat down to low. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and heavy whipping cream. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Top this deliciously creamy soup with parmesan shavings and some cayenne pepper to give it a kick if you like!  Serve with a side salad and some French bread for a completely satisfying meal!
Keyword chowder, creamy, ham, Soup

The BEST Tomato Basil Chicken

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Tomato Basil Chicken

I have a folder that I keep printed off recipes and recipes from newspaper clippings. It’s a pretty thick folder, and I hope one day I will be able to work my way through each recipe. Some of these recipes I’ve had for years, and the recipe for The Best Tomato Basil Chicken is one of these that I come back to time and time again. Why?

Tomato Basil Chicken

Because it is a DIVINE combination. 
I cannot remember where I got this recipe, but please know I assure you it is EASY. DELICIOUS. QUICK. 5 STAR.

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