Wednesday Night Dinner w/The Bentleys

With being out of town so much and having a crazy work schedule (which has calmed down in the past month), I feel like I have not had the time to actually make my husband a good dinner. This may seem like a dull dinner, but I thought the flavors went well together and it was not too heavy.

Side 1:
Broccoli
Green Beans
Garlic
Butter
Cajun Seasoning Salt

Side 2:
Butter
Garlic
French Bread

Meat:
Chicken Breast - skinless, boneless
Mustard
Garlic Powder
Pepper
BBQ Sauce
Shredded cheddar cheese



Once again I documented our meal with my cell phone. Please don't judge my photo skills.

Directions:
First start on the chicken. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle garlic powder and pepper on both sides of the chicken. Next, cover both sides of chicken with mustard and BBQ sauce. I usually line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the chicken in the oven to cook for 20 - 25 minutes. *Great time to start on the sides.* When there is 5 minutes left for cooking time with the chicken, sprinkle cheese over each breast (you can also chop up green onion to add) and let it cook for the remaining 5 minutes.




While the chicken is baking, cut up the broccoli and steam for roughly 8 minutes. At the same time, boil the green beans for 5 minutes. *Great time to start on the bread.* Both veggies should be green! Remove them from heat and place them both into a small bowl filled with ice water. While the veggies are chilling in ice water (around 2 minutes), place butter and garlic into a pan on med heat. Remove the veggies from water and place in pan. Season with Cajun seasoning (a little goes a long way) to your taste and mix veggies for 5 minutes. Serve ASAP.





French bread is so useful. It is a quick and easy side for dinner and I have started to use leftover bread for our lunches (subway sandwich designer in training). Cut the bread in half and into the desired number of pieces. Spread butter over the bread and add minced garlic on top. Place bread in oven for 5 minutes.


*I don't use "real" butter. I'm a fan of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter.

"All I Do Is Win." - Game Day Food

I have become OBSESSED with this song. Why? Because it reminds me of one of my favorite places in the fall - Auburn. I think they come up with a new, "pump up" song each year. Since the only game we will be attending this year will be on Nov. 13th - the GA game - AGH, Saturdays have become a semi relaxing tailgate at our house in preparation of watching Auburn on TV. Therefore, I wanted to give a few recipes that are a MUST with football games and a game day drink in hand!

Somewhat Healthy Layer Dip:
I like this because I don't see it as being too fatty like some cheese dips and it is VERY easy to make.
Shredded Cheese - 4 Cheese Mexican (low fat)
Salsa
1 Cup of Light Sour Cream
1 Taco Seasoning Packet (I used it with HOT taco seasoning)
1 Can of Refried Beans

In a small serving bowl mash (if needed) and place the refried beans as the first layer. Next, mix the taco seasoning packet and the sour cream - yes this will turn the sour cream a dull orangey color. That will be your next layer. Then top with as much salsa as you would like and sprinkle with cheese on top. You can serve with tostitos, tortillas or anything else of your choosing.

Other layers to throw in:
Guacamole
Lettuce
Olives - yuck


I Almost Died Spinach Dip:
This recipe is AMAZING. It is from my mother's sweet friend, Mrs. N. I had it last week and could not stop snacking on it.
10 ounce frozen chopped spinach
16 oz sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 package KNORR vegetable mix (in green and yellow package on soup aisle in Publix)
8 oz sliced water chestnuts (drained and chopped)

Thaw and totally drain the spinach - squeeze ALL the water out of it. It has to be dry. You can use your hands or cheese cloth to get it all drained. Mix all together, cover, chill several hours. It's very good if you mix the day ahead. When it's ready to be consumed, stir well and serve in a bowl. This dip goes well with crackers (wheat thins or the wheat thin sticks), vegetables, bagel crisps, whatever!

Annie's Eats Jalepeno Popper Dip:
I will be trying it this weekend! I saw it on one of my FAVORITE food blogs. Since I love jalepeno poppers I hope this dip will be just as satisfying.
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise
1 (4 oz.) can chopped green chiles, drained
1 (4 oz.) can diced jalapeño peppers, drained
½ cup shredded Mexican style cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking spray


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375˚ F. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, green chiles, jalapeños, and shredded cheeses. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or spatula until smooth and evenly combined. Spread the mixture into a baking dish (approximately 9 x 9-inches).


In a second bowl, combine the Panko and Parmesan and stir with a fork until combined. Sprinkle over the cream cheese mixture in the baking dish. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the mixture is hot and the topping is golden. Serve warm with baguette slices, vegetables, etc. as desired.

*I made this dip and followed the recipe exactly. I added bacon pieces and served with Bagel chips/crisps. It was AMAZING.

"Speak Now."

It's been a while. I have a lot to update -> new recipes, adventures, pictures, gift ideas. However, today will be a quick rant.

Speak Now. Taylor Swift's new cd.

I liked her last album and so far I think this album is great. But there are a few things about the "OMG. I won an award. I cannot believe that. I wasn't expecting that even though it's my 5, 478th award." artist that make me want to scream, vomit, slap someone irritated.

By now many people should be aware that almost all of her songs are inspired by someone or something - mainly the guys who have broken her heart or vice versa. According to speculations, her album has songs that are "inspired" by like 5 guys. She isn't even 21 yet and she has songs about a Jonas bro, Jonas bro's ex gf, a werewolf named Taylor, an Owl City man, a guy from Glee, and John Mayer (who knew about that?!?!).......It's madness.

I like her wit, catchy lyrics and this weirdness about her. I really do. And I think people will purchase her album just to "decode" it. With the cd it has the little booklet with the lyrics to each song. Each song has a few letters capitalized that spell out a word which basically is like a clue as to why she wrote the song. It my singing career had taken off HAHAHA I think I would have done the same thing. Such sketchiness. I love it. So if you know anything about her or even care to read the assumptions with the code words in her album, you can find it here. I think it's interesting.....And she's probably getting so much PR buzz about her new album because of this. Great marketing?!?!