Pear Flip-Flop

Pic from google images

I had a whole lot of pears from my Bountiful Basket that I needed to use up. So when I saw this recipe in the newspaper, I had to try it. (It was in the Parade section and the author is Dorie Greenspan.) It's delicious! It's similar to an apple crisp, but the pears give it a different flavor. Enjoy!

4 1/2 Tbsp butter
3/4 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 1/4 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups sliced or diced pears
powdered sugar, for dusting

Preheat oven to 350. Melt the butter in a 9-inch pie plate. Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients. Pour batter over the hot butter. Then place the pears on top.
Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool and then dust with powdered sugar.
(The pears sink to the bottom, which is why it's called Pear Flip-Flop.)

Chicken Pies

It's been a bit quiet around here, so I thought I'd post what I made my husband for his birthday dinner- it's his favorite.

Chicken Pies
6 oz cream cheese, softened
4 Tbsp butter, melted
4 Tbsp milk
3-5 chicken breasts
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbsp chopped onions (I used dry)
2 8 oz cans crescent dinner rolls
Cook chicken breasts (I boil them) and shred. Mix cream cheese, butter and milk until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. Separate crescent rolls into 8 rectangles. Spoon 1/2 cup chicken mixture into center of each roll. Fold in half and pinch ends to seal. Brush with butter. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.

Chicken Alfredo

Someone brought this dish to us right after we had our baby, and I had to get the recipe. But just so you know, it is absolutely delicious, but absolutely not healthy. With that being said, here it is:

2 chicken breasts
1 cube butter
1 package Good Seasons Italian dry dressing mix
Put in crock pot on low for 3-4 hours. (I did it on high for 1.5 hours and it worked great)
Cut up chicken. Add:
1 can cream of chicken
1/2 can water
1 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
Stir until mixed well.
Stir in 1 lb cooked noodles. We used penne.

It is seriously so good and so easy!!

Buttermilk Drop Biscuits

We had foil dinners per Aubrey's recipe from this blog last night, and they were delicious! Thanks Aubrey! My husband said it was the best foil dinner he'd ever had. Anyway, I made these biscuits to go with it and I thought it was a great combo.

2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 stick butter
3/4 to 1 cup or so of buttermilk (I used regular milk since I didn't have buttermilk)

Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Add the liquid a little at a time until dough is sticky- too sticky to roll out, but not so thin that it would run off the spoon. Drop by spoonful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes at 400.
Serve with butter, honey, jam, or just plain!

Black Bean Chicken Tacos

This is a SUPER easy make-ahead meal. Layer in a crock pot in the following order:
1 can black beans, drained
3 chicken breasts
1 pkg taco seasoning (1-2 Tbsp)
1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6- 8 hours. Before serving, add about 1/2 cup instant rice, let it sit 5 minutes. Shred chicken. Serve in tortillas topped with cheese and sour cream. Yum!

Spicy Cheese Sauce over Noodles

My sister shared this recipe with me awhile ago and it has become a regular for us!

3 Tbsp butter
3 Tbsp flour
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 tsp chicken bullion granules (or 1 cube, crushed)
1 can Italian stewed tomatoes (blend it if you don't like chunks like us)
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb browned ground beef or shredded chicken (optional)
1 lb cooked noodles (bowtie, shell, penne, whatever you like- we use bowtie)

Melt butter in a large pot and stir in flour. Add milk, water, and chicken bullion. Cook and stir until thickened. Add tomatoes, seasonings, and meat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for a few minutes. Then add cheese and stir until melted. Serve over noodles. Yum!