Chicken salad

This is my basic chicken salad recipe. I seldom change it because we really like it, it stores well and is great on a soft roll, toasted bread or along side your favorite green salad.

2 large chicken breasts

1 tsp salt

Cover chicken with water and bring to a boil allowing to simmer slightly covered about 1 hour.  Drain and set aside chicken to cool.

Add to the cooled chopped or shredded chicken Equal amounts of Miracle Whip and Mayonnaise, a pinch of salt ,chopped celery and refrigerate. The amount of Miracle Whip and Mayonnaise varies depending on how creamy you would like it.  Also you can add  A pinch of thyme if you like.  Mix well and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Today I topped this yummy chicken salad with sweet relish.  You can also add to this recipe grapes, dried cranberries and almonds.  It's a basic recipe so add ins will be a wonderful addition.  I don't add onion.  I feel onion is for tuna salad.  Just my opinion. :)

From my kitchen to yours,

Ambrosia Summer Pie

Need dessert for a friendly gathering?  I have you covered for this one.

Easy and refreshing this dessert is a go to for summer.  Using a ready made crust makes it even easier.

Yummy!

Weekend delight!  I have the ingredients. Here I go!

• 1 large ready made graham crust (the crust with the two extra slices)
• 2 cans (8 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
• 1 package (6 servings size) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1- 8oz. cool whip
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1 cup canned drained mandarin oranges
• optional chopped pecans or toasted coconut

First :combine pineapple including juice and instant pudding

Stir well to combine

Second:  add sour cream

Third: add marshmallows

Fourth: coconut

Fifth: add lemon juice

Sixth add cool whip and stir well.

Seventh: add drained mandarin oranges, stir gently and place all in prepared crust.

Eighth:  Enjoy!

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Note: Reserve a few mandarin oranges and chopped pecans for garnish

I toasted about 1/4 cup coconut to top mine

Refrigerate several hours until set.

This makes a full pie...Very pretty presentation.

9 x13 pan option

Layer graham cracker pieces on bottom on pan and place all in pan. Spread evenly and allow to set overnight. Cut in squares...

Happy Summer Dessert Time

My 2016 Summer Garden

Every year I anxiously await spring.  Trees with buds ready to burst. The Daffodils and crocus popping up from the ground. And then Summer arrives.......Beautiful and abundant flowers..

I love planting and nurturing the growth. Little by little, seeds become seedlings and then beautiful flowers.  It's such a beautiful time of the year.  Sun, rain and flowers. What a smile it puts on my face!!!!

Here's my 2016 Garden. Come join me with a little visit.

Happy Gardening!

Easy Bake Scones! Make them, eat them, or freeze them!

Repost from July 2014

My family loves scones, quick and easy grab to take along or eat at home with a cup of java or tea.. 

Cranberry/almond are our favorite so along with making those today I made some Easy Bake scones too!  Note: You should use self-rising flour for this recipe!   Happy Baking!!


Note: Self-rising flour is flour that already includes a leavening agent, baking powder and salt added to it before packaging. These ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which give a nice lift to the baked goods every time one uses it. This is why recipes that call for self rising flour do not call for addition of salt or leavening agents. Self rising flour can be easily prepared at home. All you have to do is combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder and 1/4 tsp salt to get your self rising flour.

Loving Pillsbury Flour

 Heat oven to 400 degrees..Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place 3 cups self-rising flour in a bowl..Make a well in center and add 3/4 cup lemon lime soda and 3/4 cup heavy cream.  Mix with fork until blended..Do not over mix.

Drop by large tablespoons onto baking sheet.  Sprinkle with sugar and bake until golden brown..18 to 20 minutes..Serve warm with jam or cream..or add dried cranberries for a change.

Recipe makes 8 large scones

Mock Devonshire Cream (I found this recipe in Condiments and Sauces)

3 oz. softened cream cheese
1 tablespoon sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup heavy cream

Beat cream cheese, sugar and salt until well blended..Pour in whipping cream slowly,.  Beat with mixer until cream is stiff.. Store in refrigerator..Makes enough cream for 12 scones...


11/12/11

Our Valley visit! My visit with Mom!

Life is made of memories...
My Mom's is now with my Dad and brother in heaven looking down smiling.  They are together and I am so grateful for that. She passed away peacefully on February 13th of this year. (2017)

Five years ago today I was visiting her and brought some of her famous kolache.

 She looked wonderful and sure was happy :) to see us..(hubby included).  I brought her some of her favorite little meals and desserts..I was sure to bring her several pieces of kolache since it was her recipe I made for Easter and up until last week I had never been tempted to make it.

I have wanted to bring some of my families recipes to print and by doing a blog it has encouraged me to try all of the recipes Mom had hand written and hoped to get some clarity on several while she was still able to give me a few family hints.. One being she always adds a bit of sugar to her Cole slaw and salad.  Just a pinch she says.:)

Mom

 I also bought her some items she had suggested that she might like.. I have wanted to take her out shopping (I'd use her wheelchair) but she is very vain and didn't want to be seen so I must shop for her and bring all to her when I visit..It is quite a chore picking and choosing and hoping she'll like what I select.

I bought her shirts and slacks and socks as well as 2 purses.  One brown and one black..The straps must be long enough to wrap around her walker and has to have just the right amount of storage!!!!!!!!! Yes she is quite fussy but it seems this visit all was to her liking.  Yay!!!

We did get to get out with friends for an evening meal which was quite enjoyable.  NEPA (Northeast Pa as it is called) has many wonderful pizza and Italian restaurants and cafes..When we visit we alternate between pizza (we love most there) especially Revello's, Colarusso's and Salerno's just to name a few. 

This time we ate at Cafe Italia on the back road in Plains.(Port Blanchard).  You have to be from that area to understand the lingo and those who are from that area probably know exactly what I mean.  Our meal was very good and our friends brought homemade vino and lemonciello for us to taste.  Very talented guy!  There are many people from from the area who  like to venture into wine making..

My Mom and her family made Dandelion wine!  A very tedious job.  I remember how proud they would be perfecting it..Lots of fond memories!

Here is one of our entrees that we enjoyed while visiting!   Happy Baking and Cooking!

Parmesean coated veal and fried potatoes

4/11/12 original