Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken over rice

This is definitely a one pan wonder!!! This was the first time I had ever made this specific recipe...So I thought oh my chicken and pineapple...what could go wrong with that!  There are all types of recipes out there for grilled chicken with pineapple...of course and is totally wonderful but I wanted something easy that I could prepare before church that wouldn't take a long time..15 minutes prep time...and cooked for about 30 minutes then turned the oven off...pretty simple!

The sauce at a bubble

Adding pineapple 

Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken

 4 boneless chicken breasts

1/2 stick of butter

1/2 cup ketchup

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

4 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 Tbsp. corn starch

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1- 20 oz can pineapple chunks(not crushed)

1 green bell pepper (sliced in strips)

Adding chicken to the sauce

I used a pan that can be used on the stove and in the oven...(less clean up) If you don't have a pan like this use a sauce pan to make the yummy sauce and a 9x13 casserole dish for baking. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On medium to low heat,  melt your butter, add the ketchup and light brown sugar until combined and starting to slightly bubble..add Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and salt and pepper.  In a cup stir together the vinegar and corn starch until well mixed and add to the sauce. (this will make your sauce thicken) At this time add the can of chunky pineapple juice and all to your sauce. Stir all together. I had 4 large chicken breasts so I cut them in half long ways...Add the chicken to the sauce. Spoon over all the yummy sauce coating the chicken very well. Transfer your pan or dish now to the preheated oven, cook for 30  to 40 minutes until juices run clear from your chicken. Add the green pepper the last 10 minutes of cooking. This will keep your green pepper a crisp but tender! I made a pot of white rice and served the Hawaiian pineapple chicken on top!

After it came out of the oven

Now of course you can make this with chicken strips, make large chunky pieces, use a toothpick and add a piece of pineapple and sit it in the sauce...yummm ... will make an awesome appetizer for a party! You could really make it a fancy by grilling your chicken, making the sauce on the stove and pouring it over top of your grilled chicken and top it with a beautiful piece of grilled  pineapple... Just so many ideas you could take from this awesome simple recipe...Oh and I have made this sauce and used it to dip beer battered chicken in ( the sauce is similar to Asian sweet and sour sauce! 

Try this you will love it!!!

Yummy Pineapple dishes...

Blessings,

Tamara 

Easy Uptown Cowboy Caviar

Easy Uptown Cowboy Caviar

Oh my goodness friends...If you are looking for a dish to take to ANY kind of gathering....here it is.... UPTOWN COWBOY CAVIAR!!!  I have had this at many parties and never knew what it was called...I have heard many different names until a friend of mine, Angela.. back last Christmas said "Girl you have to make Uptown Cowboy Caviar"...I thought what a name..what is it? She began telling me and I thought Ohhhhhh I have had this and of course it is amazing!!! You should have seen me running through the grocery store getting the rest of the

ingredients to make this....and Lordy it was a HIT!!!! Glad I bought EXTRA chips...cause once you start you can't stop!!!

The best thing about this recipe is...once I had the original recipe...I put other ingredients in to make it my own...YOU do that too!!! Once you get the taste of it...You will be saying "Oh you know what else would be good in this"? So put it in!!!! Have fun with this dip...I know I do!

Fresh produce

Drained canned beans

Easy...UPTOWN COWBOY CAVIAR

1   15 oz can black beans drained

1  15 oz can black-eyed peas drained

1  15 oz can pinto beans drained

1  15 oz can dark red kidney beans drained

1  15 oz can garbanzo beans drained

1  15 oz can sweet yellow & white corn drained

1 1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1 medium red bell pepper diced

1 medium yellow bell pepper diced

1 shallot diced ( or use 1/2 of a  purple onion)

1  7 oz jar chopped pimentos

1 minced fresh jalapeno ( I add 2 for hotter)

2 heaping Tbsp. of minced garlic

1 small bunch of fresh chopped cilantro 

Tortilla chips or scoops...a couple of large bags!!!

Everything in the BOWL!

Dressing

1/2 cup of rice vinegar ( don't use any other kind!!!)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup of sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

Drain all of your cans of beans in a colander and rinse well...Put in a LARGE mixing bowl...dice all of your other vegetables and put into mixing bowl...Make your dressing in a separate bowl.. I use my large glass measuring cup.  Pour dressing all over your bean and vegetable mixture and stir...You will have to transfer this to a container with a lid...Put in refrigerator until ready to serve!  It is better to make this ahead so everything will marinate and merry!! I make this the night before I'm taking it somewhere...or first thing in the morning for that night...Just so it is together for a least 6 to 8 hours!!! It make a bunch!!!

Yummy all mixed together...ready to serve!  Where's those chips???

I promise you....You won't have any left!!!

Awesome Large crowd dips...ummm  Uptown Cowboy Caviar..

Blessings,

Tamara

    

Mason Jar Berry Trifles

Mason Jar Berry Trifles

Cheese Cake Berry Trifle in Mason Jars!

Happy Memorial Day!  I love making fun sweet treats to have at special times of the year!  Well Strawberries and blueberries are in soooo I thought I would make a trifle today for Memorial Day!  I didn't want to use my regular trifle bowl, I wanted something a little more rugged...and here it is..in a Mason Jar! 

Fresh berries

As you can see they are a little messy to make but they sure taste yummy!  You can do this recipe and make it fit for whatever fruit is in..can't wait to make just strawberry shortcake, or fresh peaches and cream, or even chocolate dream cookie...you see...making these are addicting...but lets see if we can make it a little bit more figure friendly!

Cheese Cake Berry Trifle

Angel food cake

1 quart of strawberries

1 pint of blueberries

2 packages of instant Cheese cake pudding (fat free/sugar free)

4 cups cold milk

1 angel food cake

1 small tub cool whip 

8 pint mason jars/ 16 half pints jars

First rinse all your berries.  Cut the tops off your strawberries then slice them. Leave your blueberries whole. Set aside...In a mixing bowl, pour in your pudding mix and milk and mix until really creamy! Slice your cake in small pieces...make sure all of your jars are rinsed and dry.  I started my layering with a little cake in the bottom, then some fruit, add your pudding mixture with a spoon,(try not to get on the sides, if you do wipe off with dry paper towel) mine got a little messy...then add more cake, berries and pudding. Top with cool whip and fresh berries. If you are making these up a head of time ...don't fill them too much or the top won't fit. Put the top on your jars and keep in the refrigerator until serving time!

Cheese cake pudding

 

Pint jar filled!

There is nothing better than homemade with a little help from the store! You can always use your trifle bowl or punch bowl for these wonderful treats! But getting your own serving in a special jar, cup, dish is totally amazing! It might take a little longer to do but your guests with LOVE it! Be creative!!! I will post more of these kind of treats..so keep watching! Don't forget you can make this same one for the 4th of July too!!! Add a little ribbon and wholla....I wish that I had a little American flag to stick in the top..that would be so cute!

Mason Jar Trifle fun....

Blessings, 

Tamara

Easy Strawberry Jam

Easy Strawberry Jam

Beautiful Strawberry Jam

Welcome to the Season of Jam making!!! I want to share this old recipe that seems to work every time for me and has been a winner!!! Of course there are so many different techniques out there to making Jam, Jellies, Marmalades or Butters...I can only share one thing with you...FOLLOW the instructions!

There are many types of pectin out there you can use...Sure-Jell is my favorite and I always check the box for the original...you can get "low sugar" as well but don't skimp on the sugar or amounts...your sweet fruit WON'T set up!

Fresh Strawberries

 

I always try to find jars when they are on SALE because they can get expensive! AND SAVE, SAVE, SAVE, your old ones to use the next year...unless you gift them...Then you only have to buy new lids! Because once you find the right recipe that you LOVE...you will be one Jam making fool!!! I mean I will try them all! Don't forget these do make EXCELLENT Gifts!!!!! Here Goes!!!

Wash all your jars!

Strawberry Jam

 2 quarts strawberries

1 package of powered pectin

1/4 cup lemon juice

7 cups of sugar

1 pat of butter

Yield: about 8 half pints

You can double and triple your batches..just remember you will have more in the pot so you will have to cook a little longer!

Submerge all your lids and rings in HOT simmering water!

Before I start anything with my fruit...I have super cleaned my whole area that I am using for this process...You don't want to loose a batch Fruit from HARD labor due to not sanitary! I make sure that I have all my utensils! A large pot for the water bath, rubber ended tongs to get HOT jars out of the water, a funnel (less mess is the BEST!) and a ladle.  All of your jars run through the dishwasher! A small sauce pot to put your lids and rings in to keep hot, and of course your large pot to make your Jam in! (A little wise word from a wonderful woman that taught me A LOT about canning...Ladies...if your womanly monthly visitor has arrived...NOTHING you put up will set up! SOOO wait another week!)

Add pat of butter to limit foaming!

Simmering strawberries

Wash and crush your strawberries.  Add them to your large sauce pot. combine your strawberries, pectin and lemon juice and bring mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.  Add your sugar, stirring constantly.  Add your pat of butter ( this will keep the foam down) Return to a rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute.  Total cooking time for me seems to be around 30 minutes at a good rolling boil! Just remember to watch and stir...this boils over and you have a horrible mess!!!!Remove from heat, you should skim off any foam off at this time if necessary. (foam won't look pretty in jars) Ladle HOT jam into jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of head space. Adjust your hot two piece caps and put on snug... Process your jars of jam for 10 minutes in a boiling-water canner. You will want at least an inch of water over top of your jars. After 10 minutes remove carefully to a counter, (I put down a towel and turn them upside down to ensure the lids are sealed) Don't move them for 24 hours. Keep your box that your jars came in because you can store them there.  Store in a cool, dry dark place.

Add your lids..ready for water bath

Ladle your HOT jars!

This recipe I used 3 gallons of berries..I made 32 half pints and 4 pints! (4 quarts to a gallon) so make sure you allow for the increase of your ingredients!

Oh and Don't forget to label your box if your making different kind so it will be easy for you to Label at time of Gifting!                                        

Lay upside down for 24 hours!

Cover your jars!

YUMMY Jam......have fun!

Fruit of your labor!

Blessings,

Tamara

 

Frozen Berry Yogurt Sandwiches

Frozen Berry Yogurt Sandwiches

I just made this and it is AMAZING!!!! You know when your 4 year old always wants that sweet frozen treat called the "ice cream sandwich"...well I was trying to make it more healthy, with ingredients that I had and then... Wolla!!!!

If you have fresh berries, Greek yogurt, honey and graham crackers....You got it!!! 

Yummy Fresh Berries

Recipe

 1 cup fresh strawberries (5 large)

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1 1/2 cups Greek Yogurt (vanilla)

1 Tbs. honey

1 box Graham crackers

How simple!

Rinse off your berries, cap your strawberries and chop...I put mine in my Bullet...you can use a hand blender that would work great too! Just pulse it...you want to still leave some chunks not total puree...In a bowl mix your berry mixture, Greek yogurt and honey together.  Grab a cookie sheet and line it with wax paper or parchment paper...At this time you will be putting your berry yogurt on the graham crackers with a spoon, top them with another cracker on top! I broke mine in half ..but you can leave them whole!  Line them on your cookie sheet...stick the whole pan in the freezer...They will be ready to eat in 1 hour! I found that the longer they sit in there the harder the yogurt gets! Recipe makes 8 whole sandwiches! 16 halves!!! 

Mix together berries and yogurt!

Spoon mixture inside graham crackers!

Have Fun with these and make these for the next time you have all the kiddos coming to your house!!! Oh and the ADULTS will LOVE more!!!! Please put your own twist on these...try it with other fruit!

Summer time frozen treats...Blessings,

Tamara

 

Easy Fruit Pizza

Easy Fruit Pizza

You know there are a ton of ways to make this fabulous sweet treat! I use actual pizza crust for this recipe NOT sugar cookie!  I have found a fun way to make this, not as fattening!!! There comes a time in the Spring and Summer when you are invited to go to a cookout and you are requested to bring a dessert....Awwwww....here it is my friend..its quick, easy and everyone will love it!

Just decorate it better than mine...this is what you call ..can't wait to EAT!!!!

Fruit Pizza Recipe

 1 refrigerated can of pizza crust

1- 8 oz  block of fat free cream cheese/softened

1 tub of sugar free cool whip

1 box sugar free, instant vanilla pudding

Fresh fruit of your choice!

Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, pineapple etc.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees...Roll out your pizza crust, you can put on a pizza pan and make it round or do it like I did and make it a rectangle! (Most recipes call for a sugar cookie...this is like a PIZZA!!! and not as sweet!) Put your crust in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until done ..you don't want it to crunchy!  Then let cool !!! In a bowl cream together your cream cheese and dry pudding mix until creamy, add in your tub of cool whip and mix... while you are waiting for your crust to cool, wash and dry off your fresh fruit, cut to desired appearance... When your crust is completely cooled...transfer it to the platter that you will be taking it on! Then the fun begins....Spread your cream cheese mixture on top of your baked pizza crust, then start arranging your fruit...Just the way you like it! Be creative....Just decorate it better than I did...I had a 3 year old helping me at the time...You will be the hit of the party! ENJOY!!!! The things that look so difficult to make are actually easy once you try it!

Sweet Fruit Blessings,

Tamara

Ultimate Biscuits

The Ultimate Biscuit

 Oh my Lord...Who loves BISCUITS???? There are so many times that I used to think Awwww Biscuits are too hard to make! Naaaa ... Biscuits are a must in this house either for Breakfast, lunch or dinner...I have made biscuits for special occasion parties! There are so many recipes out there for an amazing biscuit..find one you like and make it! I have tried sooooo many different biscuit recipes and I always go back to this one that I have done for years..The only thing is this one is for a BIG crowd!  

Tamara's Biscuit 

5 cups self rising flour

3/4 cup Crisco shortening

2 Tsp. sugar

2 cups buttermilk

1/2 stick of Butter melted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together, Cut in shortening until its like course crumbly texture.  Add buttermilk and mix well.  Turn dough out on a floured surface and make sure you have a little flour all over the dough..I push the dough out with my hands first and then I fold it in half and then fold it over again almost like your folding a small hand towel...then I roll it out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness...I like bigger biscuits!  I don't use a biscuit cutter...I use a coffee cup to cut them out..Put them on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until golden brown.  While they are baking I melt 1/2 stick of Butter to brush on the biscuits when they come out of the oven...Yummy! (yield 2 dozen)

These are the kind of biscuits I like to make a sandwich out of ! My favorite has mayonnaise egg, cheese, bacon, and a great BIG slice of fresh tomato! Once you have made these biscuits you can get creative and fill them any way your little heart desires! You can also use a smaller cutter and make a lot of biscuits for a special occasion...bridal showers, baby showers, or just even appetizers for a dinner party! Just fill them with something yummy!!! These biscuits are the same ones I make for biscuits and gravy too!!!

Happy Biscuit making!!!

Blessings....Tamara