Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label easy. Show all posts

Smothered Chicken


I was in Branson, MO recently and my Aunt Carolyn made Smothered Chicken or that is what I call it. The best way I can describe it is Chicken and Rice Casserole with out the rice. I love Chicken and Rice Casserole but the rice absorbs all of the goodness! In this recipe those soups becomes like a gravy, and it's so hearty. I believe the key also to this recipe is that you dredge the chicken in flour then sear the chicken in a pan first which really helps keep those juices in and causes the chicken to become very tender.

Also you add Mayonnaise to the mixture that you pour over the chicken to bake which gives it an even more creaminess to the gravy.   You would never know it had mayonnaise in it.

My Aunt who is 89 still cooks quite a bit and has the touch for hearty and delicious food.  You know the touch that makes you wonder how did she do that?

I always say when you bite into something that is delicious ask for the recipe because the secret to cooking is "It's All About A Good Recipe, right"!  So I asked her for the recipe which she told me without the recipe in hand which are the best recipes.  It's really is a simple but so very good recipe to have and easy!

My Aunt served this with Baked Potatoes which went well, when fixed it I made mashed potatoes because I was taking it to a family for them to eat the next day.  I thought the mashed potatoes would be easier for them to reheat and the gravy as I call it went well over the mashed potatoes.

I have a 3 ladies  in my life that I say, I'm going to be like her when I grow up (even though I'm grown) and my Aunt Carolyn is one of the 3. They are all go getters and all still cook  and enjoy cooking for family and friends.  All 3 of these ladies are over 80 years old and still cook for groups of people and they are the hostess of the mostess. 

My Mom who passed away 3 years ago had that gift for sure, we had people over to eat at our house often growing up. Then many times we would ask her, who is coming over to eat because she had so much food and often it would be just for us. We were blessed for sure that she loved to cook and her food was delicious.  

My Aunt Carolyn when most people stop being as active because of age, still cooks meals for 15 plus, drives, has guest stay with her often at her house and has a garden of flowers and a view of the river that most would be jealous of (me).  I don't use the word jealous much so I'll say admire, she has 3 beautiful huge peony plants that have an abundance of  flowers on them right now and her hydrangeas are about to show off!  There are buds starting  to form all over the large area of the hydrangea plants.   The buds will get so large and are so so beautiful,  they are picturesque! Behind them is the upper part of Lake Taneycom0 so that just adds to the beauty.

The thing I admire the most about my Aunt is that she loves the Lord with all her heart and it shows.  She takes time with people, she spreads the Love of Jesus to everyone she meets and truly her mission in life is to make sure people know Christ.

Tips:

I will have to say if I know of an off brand that is good I'll buy it but 2 things that I stick with on name brand is Campbell Cream of Soups and Hellman's Mayonnaise.  

Because you sear the chicken first it doesn't take as long as most dishes.  The chicken is partially cooked from searing, I checked on it at an hour and 15 minutes then took it out at 1 1/2 hours.  Honestly the chicken was done when I checked the first time but I left it in there another 15 minutes.


Honestly I didn't capture a very good picture but believe me it's good.
Honestly I didn't capture a very good picture but believe me it's good. 
                                     



Smothered Chicken

4 Chicken Breast, Skinless Boneless, butterflied

2 Cans of Cream of Mushroom

1 Can of Cream of Chicken

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise

1/2 to 3/4 cup Chicken Broth

Salt and Pepper to taste (I use Lawry's Garlic Salt with Parsley)


Preheat oven to 350


Butterfly the chicken breast add seasoning and toss in the flour on both sides. 

In a skillet add oil and sear on both sides, I like to get a little color on both sides.

Take chicken out and place in a pan.

In a separate bowl add the cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, mayonnaise and chicken broth, mix them together then pour over chicken making sure to cover each piece.  

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours.


Butterfly your chicken, take your knife at the thickest point and slide across
season with salt and pepper or I use Lawry's garlic salt in place of salt.

Dredge both sides into flour 
                                                            



In a skillet add a small amount of Vegetable Oil, let heat up then
           add the chicken breast you just dredged in flour.
                                        


     Add to a Casserole pan
                                                                   



Mix the Cream of Mushroom and Chicken Soup, Mayonnaise and Chicken Broth
together.


Pour over the chicken and spread to cover the chicken.



This picture doesn't do it justice but this is so easy and so good, enjoy!









Chili

 Here in Texas it’s pretty cold this week!  I realize many of you live in colder areas but it was 21 degrees last night and we have a chance of 12”of snow later this week!

So Chili was on the menu yesterday!  My Mom for as long as I can remember used Williams Chili mix so of course that is what I use. I even use it anytime a recipe calls for chili powder because often regular chili powder is kinda bland to me. I just keep a packet of Williams for that to use in recipes.

Once Sam’s Club sold it in the big spice container and I often wish I bought more than 2 of them because they stopped selling it and Amazon wanted way too much for it. I actually just checked and you can get two 18 oz plastic containers for $20.40!  I might have to order some before when I looked  it was like $22 -$25 for 1.

Chili really only takes about 15 minutes to make. I personally like more tomato sauce in mine so I often add more than the recipe calls for.  You can also add water instead of diced tomatoes or Rotel.  I often add a little water anyway with the tomatoes…. About 1/2 cup.

You can of course add beans, I just happen to not like beans at all.  I also seem to be a doubler so I did double this recipe.





Ingredients 

1lb hamburger meat
1 4oz can do tomato sauce (I use 8 oz can)
1/2 cup water
1 can can diced tomatoes, I use one with tomatoes and green chilis
4 Tbsp Williams Chili Mix - 1 packet
1/2 cup water
1 cup kidney or pinto beans if desired 


Directions 

Brown and crumble 1lb ground beef in a stockpot or deep skillet drain the grease 
Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and water then add the Williams Chili mix.

Let simmer for 10-15 minutes 

Top with shredded cheese


I have 2 lbs of meat here, normally I wouldn’t buy the tubes of meat BUT H‑E‑B has the best meat and this is ground chuck which I have bought for years!  It’s has true beef flavor and it’s my go too! I did add more tomato sauce because I do like mine that way but you can do as much as you’d like or go by the recipe.

 
Brown Hamburger Meat then drain the grease 

Grease from the meat

Add Rotel Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce and packet of Williams Chili Seasoning Mix




Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes 




I’ve grated my cheese for year… like over 25 years!  …I’ll write a post about that later!  

Fritos always go with Chili