whenever I eat a Lean Cuisine or Smart Ones, I think about how I could make it and imitate it. One of my go to's is the Balsamic Chicken.

I am always looking for new recipes and challenges so I decided to give it a try. Let's just say the first time was not a success. Lacked flavor.

This time I found a recipe to go off of and tweaked it to fit my preferences. But it was a definite hit and we cook it frequently.

The original recipe is as follows...

Ingredients

10 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic cloves

1/3 cup onion finely chopped

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano

1 cup chopped green pepper

1 cup chopped zucchini




2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 oz whole wheat spaghetti noodles (dry)

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

I nixed the zucchini. Not a fan. And added in tomatoes instead.

Directions

1. Chop garlic and onions. slice raw chicken into bite-size pieces. 

2. Place in frying pan with 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, along with basil and oregano. cook until chicken is done.

3. While chicken is cooking, boil spaghetti noodles and chop pepper and zucchini. 

4. When chicken is cooked, add peppers and zucchini along with 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar and simmer.

5. Drain spaghetti and add to frying pan with chicken and vegetables. 

6. Add one more tbsp balsamic vinegar and simmer.

*THis was pre-new camera so apologize for the quality of the pics

The Party Starts with XO Brandy Sangria {Review}

Even though today might feel like the start of fall, we are right in the middle of hot, hot summer. And it's the prime season for fresh made sangria.

And what starts a party more than an alcoholic drink? 

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw me post my Mom's sangria recipe that I found while I was rummaging through her recipe box in hopes of finding a new recipe for dinner. 

How fitting I would find an alcoholic drink recipe instead. And lucky for me, I am a BzzAgent that received a discount for E&J XO Brandy to try in my favorite drink. 

I am a BzzAgent and received a discount to try this.

Obviously, the drink gods were telling me to make this Sangria. So I must listen. 

Sangria

750 mL bottle of RED wine 

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/c cup orange juice

1/2 cup sugar

(I used Splenda; watching my newlywed weight)

1/2 cup brandy

XO Brandy for me!

1 small lemon; sliced

1 small orange; sliced

1/2 pint strawberries

1 7 ounce bottle of club soda

I also added a few apples, to mix it up

In large pitcher, stir wine, juices, sugar & brandy, until sugar is dissolved.

Stir in fruits.

Just before serving, stir in club soda and brandy.

(I might have forgot the red wine part and bought white, but wine is wine)

Delish!

After a few glasses...

The brandy was nice and smooth in my Sangria. It gave it that extra kick to really set off the flavors of the wine and fruit. I never had a go to Brandy but this might be it for me from now on. And the price wasn't too shabby, only $14.99 for that nice bottle.

And I would definitely recommend my Mom's recipe for sangria at your next party. I know I will be serving this up at my next get together or visit to a friend's house. Might actually buy the red wine though this time..

So now it's time for you to get your summer party on, or random Monday night on the deck.

Saw it. Pinned it. Did it.

I love these Pinterest challenges. Mainly because we all have about 500 pins and we do maybe 10% of them, if that. So it's always fun to have a challenge to try it.




This is one of my favorites that I pinned a few months ago. I can't even remember the first time I had SPinach artichoke dip, but the first bite I was in love. Which is surprising because I don't like spinach or artichokes. None the less, I always wondered if there was a way to make it at home and less cost effective. Not to mention, a little more healthy. Cue this pin!

                                                                            Source: foodnetwork.com via Krista on Pinterest

Recipe:

Mix 1 cup grated smoked mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 box thawed frozen spinach, 1 jar artichoke hearts, and salt and pepper in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high, 2 hours.

I opted for the healthier version of the above...Lite Cream Cheese and Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese. I also used regular bagged shredded mozzarella cheese. The smoked was just a pricier option for a test. 

Put it all in the slow cooker and an hour an half later done! I will say though the sides started to burn a little so maybe checking a little each time and stirring would have prevented that option. 

Taste Test: Not too bad!  but not as good as TGI Friday's....hmmm will be tweaking the recipe a bit the next time. But definitely a good try for guests coming over and you need a quick, hot dip. 



ok, now on to a different topic. And if you know me, then you know it is very appropriate...

Today marks 2 months until Christmas!!

That's right people. Two months to buy all those gifts. Two months until Santa comes with brand new toys to play. Two months to start to do all those Christmas pinterest projects...here are a few Christmas themed favorites I want to attempt!

A Blend to make the house smell nice!

                                                                      Source: make-it-do.com via Krista on Pinterest

Peppermint Martini!

  Source: martieknows.squarespace.com via Krista on Pinterest

2 months until Christmas also means...ABC Family Christmas is just around the corner! And let's be serious...we all wait for that.My DVR is all ready to be bombarded with every ABC Family movie and show and everythingggg!!!! Can you tell I am oh so excited for Christmas?!

But oh yes, note to everyone....we hope you understand but we will not be able to afford gifts this year, wedding and all so please accept all the handmade stuff you will get. thanks.

Cook, Cook, Cook It Up | Chicken Lo Mein

Living with a twosome now, and a boy that eats ALOTTTT, I have had to up my game of cooking skills. It means more prepared dinners instead of just on the whim and a little bit of variety.

What makes it even trickier?

I don't like he seafood and he loves seafood. I love steak and he is not a big fan. Then add the fact that even though I am a pretty good cook, I'm not the let's make everything from scratch kind of cook. Cue my two new favorite websites.

You can seriously find any recipe you can think of on these websites. I love them. They have helped me find the perfect recipe for what I need. Whether it be crock pot recipes or quick, easy recipes with whatever is in my kitchen.

One of my favorite and best cooking adventure so far is Chicken Lo Mein. We love ordering Chinese food and love the lo mein, But I couldn't help but wonder if I could make it a healthier option. Challenge accepted.

For me, this wasn't one of the easier recipes. So if you want to try it, allow yourself at least 2 hours especially the first time. You might be able to shave off some time if you have a food chopper, which I do not.

Here is everything you need:

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons instant chicken bouillon granules (or 2 cubes)

2 cups boiling water

8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into long, thin slices

1/4 cup dry white wine

1/4 cup soy sauce

4 teaspoons cornstarch

2 teaspoons sesame oil

3 -4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

4 green onions, chopped

4 ounces water chestnuts, chopped (1/2 a can)

2 cups finely shredded cabbage

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup frozen green pea, thawed and drained

1 carrot, shredded

8 ounces thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-lo-mein-16570?oc=linkback

And here is what it will look like on your counter.

Then comes cooking the chicken

And here is where a food chopper comes in handy. Can't wait to add that to my registry ;) I was so afraid of chopping off a finger or two trying to cut up all of this stuff

Almost there! This was after I added all the vegetables to the chicken with garlic and onions.

and finished!! It was so good and I got rave reviews from the fiance so this will definitely be a repeat. And I am sure it will get easier the second time around. And with bigger carrots. They are in there just disappeared a bit.

Now that my tummy is rumbling, it is time for my dinner! I will share a new recipe I try/have tried every week. You can follow my wins and also my fails. (There have already been a few) Can't wait to share my cooking adventures!