Juju’s Ritz Chicken

With the Super Bowl and Super Bowl parties right around the corner, I thought I would share a party favorite with you.

I came upon this recipe when I was invited to my sweet friend, Juju’s, home for supper. From the moment I took my first bite, I knew I was in love.

Juju’s Ritz Chicken

• Cut up raw chicken into bite sized pieces. I like to use boneless, skinless thighs or breasts if available, but you can use whatever you wish.
• Dredge chicken in mayo. You may substitute sour cream or plain yogurt if you wish.
• Place one sleeve of Ritz crackers into a Ziploc bag. Using a rolling bin or heavy jar, crush crackers.
• Roll mayo-coated chicken in cracker crumbs.
• Place chicken on sprayed cookie sheet.
• Bake in 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Using a pancake turner, flip all pieces of chicken. Place back in oven for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.
• Remove from oven and enjoy!

I have found this to me an extreme family favorite. No matter how much of this recipe I make, there are never leftovers.


~Annie



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Papa Mel’s Red Beans and Rice

Until I went off to college, I never had one lick of interest in cooking. Standing in the kitchen of my first apartment, I realized I needed to learn something about cooking. So, I did what every other college student does in my position…I called home to ask mom what to do.

Only mom was not home. So my dad did the best he could, with what he knew. One of the few recipes he knew to make, was Red Beans and Rice.

I still have, and use, the scrap piece of paper on which I hurriedly scratched down Dad’s recipe as I stood in the kitchen of my tiny apartment at Purdue. Today, I share it with you…


 

 Papa Mel’s Red Beans and Rice

• Brown one pound of group Italian sausage
• Dice and add 1 medium sized onion and 1 green bell pepper. Cook until veggies are translucent.
• Add 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 ½ tsp. sea salt, 1 tsp oregano.
• Add 1 tomato, chopped. If you do not have fresh tomatoes, you may use a can of chopped tomatoes. Stir. Allow to sauté for 3 minutes.
• Add 6 cups of water and three cups of rice, being sure to stir the pot, all the way to the bottom. If this is not done, the rice will stick and burn on the bottom of the pot.
• Add 2 cups of kidney beans, drained. Stir.
• Bring to a light boil, lower heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally. Once rice is cooked, shut burner off.

I love to make this dish for church gatherings, or as a make and take for new moms or people that have recently had surgery. It is also a family favorite. I usually pair Papa Mel’s Red Beans and Rice recipe with my cornbread recipe.


~Annie 

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Annie’s Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

Many friends have requested some of my recipes that they have yet to see me post. After a week of being snowbound with the family, life has finally gotten back into routine, and I have finally found the time to share a few more of my family’s favorite delicious and easy recipes.

This Potato soup recipe is delicious, warming you from head to toe on a blustery day. It is great for freezing as a make-ahead meal as well.

Annie’s Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup

• Dice 1/2 cup celery, ½ cup onion, and 1-cup carrots.
• Cut 5-8 pieces of bacon into 1-inch pieces. Place in large pot over medium heat.
• Once bacon is half cooked, add celery, onions and carrots, cooking until translucent.
• Chop and add 5 cups of chunked potatoes.
• Add 8 cups water and 3 tsp. of chicken base, let simmer until soup comes to a light boil, stirring occasionally.
• Once at light boil, add 1 tsp. sea salt,  ½ tsp. white pepper (you may also use black pepper,) 2 cups shredded cheese (I usually use cheddar, however, for extra kick, I have been known to use pepper jack,) and 1 cup of milk.
• Bring it once again to a light boil, then allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally. You may turn off burner once potatoes are cooked through. The longer you simmer the soup, the more your ingredients will get to know one another, making for a very delicious soup!
• You may garnish with parsley or chives.

Enjoy these days of winter, my friends! Soon enough, we will all be hard at work in our gardens!

~Annie

Homemade Heet: Preparing Your Gas Tank For Super Cold Weather

Homemade Heet: Preparing Your Gas Tank For Super Cold Weather

As we all batten down the hatches in preparation of the impending deep freeze that is moving across our country, make sure to take the time to prepare your gas tank as well.

Many people add a fuel additive by the name of Heet to their tank to help keep their gas lines from freezing. However, it has been brought to my attention that some people have been unable to locate Heet in any stores due to high demand.

If this is the case, or is you would like to just save a bit of money, just drive to the local drug store and purchase 99% isopropyl alcohol (regular first aid rubbing alcohol.)

It is best to add this right before filling your gasoline tank.

Bundle up and stay warm my friends!

~Annie

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