Saint Karen's Creamy Chicken Veggie Bake

The other day my best friend from growing up, texted me to let me know that her mom, Karen, wanted to share a recipe on my blog.  Karen is an AMAZING cook, not to mention, an incredible person!  I'm pretty sure in the next life she (along with my mother) will be promoted to sainthood for all the things they endured while raising Linz and I....FOR INSTANCE:

One of my earliest memories was of being babysat by Karen.  I remember begging my Mom to let me wear my brand new church shoes to Linz's house. So I did.  When I got there, Linzie wanted to go exploring out in the corrals.  So we did.  I remember crawling over panels and through fences.  Then we made the mistake of trying to cross the "crap-pen".  For whatever reason that corral was 2-feet deep in pure, soft,  cow shiz...and before we knew it we were waist deep in it.  I remember thinking that was how my short little four-year-old life was going to end.  Right there in the quicksand of cow-poo. 

Miraculously, our chubby little bodies rolled out of there.  We were covered head to toe.  Poop drenching my new church shoes.  And like poop-covered weasels, we stumbled back to Linz's house.

Karen was so mad when she saw us.  I'm sure.  I remember her hosing us down on the lawn.  Linz and I were bawling...but like a troop she cleaned us up and took care of us...just like she gladly would for the next 15 years. 



This is a great recipe my friends!  I love this dish.  Its easy and very filling.  Perfect for sundays.  You will love it!  Thanks again Karen...and not just for the recipe (wink)!

Karen's Creamy Chicken Veggie Bake

1-2 lbs of chicken breasts cut into 3 or 4 inch pieces (like pictured below).

Several carrots cut into slices, along with diced yellow onion, and thinly sliced potatoes...all raw!

In a seperate bowl mix up 1 can of chicken cream soup, and 1 cup sour cream.  Add a little lemon juice and milk.

In a greased 9 x 13 baking dish add chicken and raw veggies and potatoes.  Salt and Pepper according to desire.  Cover this with the cream soup mixture.

Bake this UNCOVERED at 375 for close to an hour (or until veggies are soft). 

I know this recipe sounds simple but don't let its simplicity fool you...it tastes amazing!

Enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Quesidillas and Lake Alice

Lake Alice has always been my favorite family tradition.  It used to be just my dad, brother, and I who would take our horses and pack up to the lake each August.   Our family has since grown and all my brother-in-laws and nephews come.  Now, instead of trying to outfish my brother, I mostly worry about my nephews catching their limit...and instead of packing in on my trusty childhood horse Jake, my rug-rat nephews do :)

Last year, Ian and Isaac (9 and 6 at the time and pictured below) rode double into Lake Alice on Jake.  Jake is a great horse.  He was the horse I mostly grew up on.  Although Jake is now old....he isn't exactly a kid's horse...in fact he really doesn't like kids at all....just like most old people :)

But back to my story....Jake packed the two in like a champ with my Dad leading the way.  However, on the way home he had lost his patience...as soon as the two weren't paying attention, Jake headed straight for the neaest pine tree with the lowest boughs...and just like that my two nephews were dumped on the ground.  Scared, but unhurt, Isaac the youngest started crying.  My Dad taught him an important lesson that day when he told him and his brother to quit crying and to climb back on.  They did. 

In fact this year Isaac told me he had forgiven Jake since and was ready to pack out on him. :)  I love the entertainment these two provide every year.

As you can see, it was another great year.



And my other nephew Ty and his proud catch :)

Can't wait for next year!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Quesidillas

I got the original recipe for this on http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/

But I've "doctered" to my liking so here it goes:



Marinade:

Two tablespoons of olive oil

Lime juice from 3 or 4 freshly squeezed limes

1/2 C chopped cilantro

dash of salt

dash of pepper

1-2 chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces.

Place chicken pieces into marinade for atleast 20 minutes.

Use a well greased pan on medium heat and cook chicken pieces and about half of a red onion diced into pieces.  Cook onions until translucent.

Here's the part thats up to you depending on how sweet you like your chicken.  This is what I used to coat my marinated chicken while cooking and I loved it.  Adjust accordingly:

1 Tbs of honey

1/2 Tbs garlic powder

1/4 tbs chili powder

In a seperate well greased pan fry 8 tortillas. 

I like to use pepperjack cheese with this recipe, but I've found that cheddar and mozzarella are good as well.  Serve with sour cream, guacomole, or salsa!  Enjoy!