Super-Easy Chicken Nuggets

This is Justin's new favorite dinner.  He requests it at least once a week, if not more.  It's just as easy as my oven-fried chicken and equally as tasty.  Which is good for me!

1. First, cut up 2 or 3 chicken breasts into 1" chunks. I like to cut my chicken when it's still ever so slightly frozen, because it just slices into much neater chunks.

 2. The first time I made this I did the following step in a ziploc bag--shake and bake style.  This time I tried mixing it in a bowl.  Shake and bake style was much easier, and I will go back to that next time.  Anyway, you will mix 1/3 cup flour and 1 teaspoon seasoning salt and dredge chicken nuggets.

3. Now, crush some corn flakes and melt about a half stick of butter.

4. Dip each nugget in the melted butter and then roll in the crushed corn flakes. 

5. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil (for easy clean up) and bake nuggets at 400 degrees for about 20-22 minutes. 

6. Serve with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or gravy...or just eat them plain like Justin...and enjoy!

Rose Cake

Here is a picture of the cake that I decorated my mother-in-law's birthday last week.

I tried a new decoration method with this one.  Super Easy!**  First, I spread a thin layer of icing over the whole cake.  Then, I basically did the same swirl that I use to top my cupcakes over and over until the cake is covered.  I love decorating this way because it doesn't have to be perfect.  And when it comes to decorating cake, I am far from a perfectionist.  Even I can make a cake look elegant with this method!

**This method should be easy.  I, however, had the biggest headache with it.  I made it on one of the days when I was "snowed in"...school had been canceled, and being the South Texas girl that I am, I was terrified to drive on ice.  Right as I start to make my icing, I realize that I am almost out of powdered sugar.  No way am I going to get out on this ice.  Then a little light bulb goes off in my head...I think I remember a way to MAKE powdered sugar.  So, I google it.  Seems simple enough...blend granulated sugar and a little cornstarch.  No problem, I think.  BIG MISTAKE.  What a mess!!

Next time I will risk the ice to get the powdered sugar.  It was that bad.  

Or, like my oh-so-clever sister says, "Steph, you should always have an extra bag of powdered sugar on hand!"  

Lessons learned....

Crispy Flaky Oven Fried Chicken

My husband's favorite food is fried chicken.

I DO NOT make fried chicken.

Therefore, hubby gets no fried chicken.  

How's that for a syllogism?  Aristotle would be proud....I think.   Wait...!!  Hold up!!!  I think I just used my college degree!!  Mom...Dad!!!!  I used it!!  Majoring in Speech Communication was useful!! 

Okay...enough of that.  Look at this:

It looks like fried chicken....

It tastes like fried chicken...

but it is NOT fried chicken....technically.

After eating this, Justin said..."Steph, I will never ask you to make fried chicken for me again if you promise to keep making this."  DEAL!!!  

This is the easiest dinner ever! 

Ingredients Needed:

1 1/2 cups mashed potato flakes

1 tsp seasoned salt

1/2 tsp. paprika

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/4 cup melted butter

1 TBSP water

1 egg

1 cut fryer chicken (about 3-3.5 lbs)

First, preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

In a large mixing bowl comine: 1 1/2 cups mashed potato flakes, 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Stir 1/4 cup melted butter into potato flake mixture.

In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg with 1 TBSP water. 

Dip chicken in egg, then coat in potato flake mixture. 

Place chicken in 13x9 (ungreased) baking dish. I actually like to spread mine out into two dishes so the chicken pieces don't touch and the batter stays on. I also pour the leftover crumbs on the already coated chicken for extra crunch.  

Then, bake for 1 hour.

That's all!  And it's so good!  I will definitely be adding this to the "rotation".

Turnip Greens to die for!

Even if you don't like turnip greens, you'll love these.  Delicious, I tell you.  Delicious!  Just look at this picture:

My mouth is watering....

These are so easy, and you will not be able to get enough....I promise.

Step 1: Cook some bacon (or bacon ends if you can find them) in a BIG skillet on medium heat. Once it starts to sizzle, throw in a chopped medium yellow onion and a few chopped cloves of  garlic.  Saute until bacon is cooked and onions are translucent.

Step 2: Now toss in your turnip greens.  Stuff in as much as you can in your skillet.  They will reduce like crazy!  Carefully stir to distribute the yummy bacon. 

Step 3: Add in 2 cups or so of chicken broth.  (This depends on how many greens you stuffed in your pot...so you may need more.  Just eye ball it. This is going to make the most delicious juice.  Justin and I were literally tipping our bowls and drinking the juice when we finished our greens.  Don't laugh.  You will too!)  Again, stir. You'll notice it start wilting right away and you'll be able to stir. Now season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Reduce heat to low and cover.  Let simmer 30-45 minutes. 

Now, Eat!

This is also good with hot pepper juice sprinkled on top.