Category: Recipes

Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken pot pie 6Chicken pot pies are one of my favorite foods with their creamy filling and buttery crust.  I remember enjoying Swanson Chicken Pot Pies in those little foil tins as a kid in the 80’s.  Everyone enjoyed their flakiness and had fun picking at the upside down pie on their plates.  Well as an adult I have never bought those pies.  I guess it’s because they look like they are half of the size they used to be and the quality of the vegetables and chicken is questionable.  Luckily I have a pot pie recipe that I have enjoyed for many years as an adult, which I am sharing with you today. This recipe is so simple that your kids can help make it on those busy weeknights.  And, it’s healthy since it’s packed full of vegetables so you can feel good about getting the kids to eat their corn, beans, carrots, peas, and green beans.  The best part of this dish is the flakey, buttery crescent roll topping that is woven over the filling.  So let’s get started on this simple weeknight meal.

chicken pot pie 4

chicken pot pie 2Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees.  Next you will need a 1/2 cup of onion chopped into fine pieces.

onionsThen in a microwave safe bowl cook your 16 oz package of frozen vegetables according to the package directions.  While the vegetables are cooking in the microwave, start cooking the onion over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter until the onion is tender.

cooking onionsNext whisk in the 1 (10 1/2) ounce can cream of chicken soup, 1 (10 1/2) ounce can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme leaf, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

mixing in soups and thymeThen add your cooked vegetables.

mixing in vegetablesDrain the water out of the 9.57 ounce can of cooked white meat chicken breast and add it to the filling. Or you can use 1 1/2 cups of leftover cooked chicken.

mixing in chickenPour the filling into a greased 9.5 inch oven safe pie plate.

filling in the pie plateNow get the crescent rolls out of the package and spread them out on a cookie sheet and smooth out the triangular perforations.

smoothing out lines in rollsCut the crescent roll dough into 1 inch strips.cutting rolls in stripsPlace the dough on top of the filling in a lattice pattern. Putting one row down and then the next row on top.

rolls on top of pot pieBake the pie for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown in a 375 degree oven.  Let it sit for 5 minutes and then serve.  This pot pie is great served with mashed potatoes because you can pour any extra filling over the potatoes.

pot pie 1

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions
  • 1 (16 oz.) package of frozen mixed vegetable (classic mix of: corn, carrots, peas, and green beans)
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 1 (10 1/2) ounce can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (10 1/2) ounce can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup of milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaf
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 (9.75) ounce can of cooked white chicken breast or 1 1/2 cups of cooked chicken
  • 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls

Instructions

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 375 degrees. Next you will need a 1/2 cup of onion chopped into fine pieces.
  2. Then in a microwave safe bowl cook your 16 oz package of frozen vegetables according to the package directions. While the vegetables are cooking in the microwave, start cooking the onion over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of butter until the onion is tender.
  3. Next whisk in the 1 (10 1/2) ounce can cream of chicken soup, 1 (10 1/2) ounce can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of milk, 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme leaf, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
  4. Then add your cooked vegetables.
  5. Drain the water out of the 9.57 ounce can of cooked white meat chicken breast and add it to the filling. Or you can use 1 1/2 cups of leftover cooked chicken.
  6. Pour the filling into a greased 9.5 inch oven safe pie plate.
  7. Now get the crescent rolls out of the package and spread them out on a cookie sheet and smooth out the triangular perforations.
  8. Cut the crescent roll dough into 1 inch strips.
  9. Place the dough on top of the filling in a lattice pattern. Putting one row down and then the next row on top.
  10. Bake the pie for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown in a 375 degree oven. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then serve. This pot pie is great served with mashed potatoes because you can pour any extra filling over the potatoes.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2016/03/01/chicken-pot-pie/

Chicken-Pot-Pie-Long-Pin

Pineapple and Green Pepper Cheese Ball

cheese-ball-2We had crazy blizzard conditions in Iowa today giving me a snow day to figure out what to make for the Big Game on Sunday.  I decided to go with one of my favorite party foods, a Pineapple and Green Pepper Cheese Ball, which is the perfect snack for any get together.  When I crafted this cheese ball, it took me back to the 80’s when my mom would make this as part of the goodies she would serve for her card club.  My sister and I would happily clean up the leftovers after the party.  So if you want to add some 80’s flair to your party, make this flavorful cheese ball filled with heavenly pineapple, crisp green peppers, juicy onions, and smothered with chopped pecans.  It will make your guests cheer.

4 crackers Start by finely chopping the green pepper.

green peppersNext finely chop the onion.

diced onionIn a mixer combine the 2 (8 oz.) packages of softened cream cheese, the 1/2 cup of finely chopped green pepper, the 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion, 1 (8 oz.) can of crushed pineapple that has been well-drained, and 1 tablespoon of Lawry’s Seasoned Salt.

mixing cheese ballMix together and form this mixture into a ball and set it on a plate covered with a layer of chopped pecans.

chopped pecans

Then cover the cream cheese with the remaining pecans.

adding pecans to the cheese ballNow chill the cheese ball in the refrigerator for several hours to let the flavors mix together and then serve with your favorite crackers.

cheese ball 1

crackers and plate

Pineapple and Green Pepper Cheese Ball

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 (8 oz.) packages of softened cream cheese
  • 1 (8 oz.) can of crushed pineapple
  • 1 tablespoon of Lawry's Seasoned Salt
  • 2 cups of chopped pecans

Instructions

  1. Start by finely chopping the green pepper. Next finely chop the onion. In a mixer combine the 2 (8 oz.) packages of softened cream cheese, the 1/2 cup of finely chopped green pepper, the 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion, 1 (8 oz.) can of crushed pineapple that has been well-drained, and 1 tablespoon of Lawry's Seasoned Salt. Mix together and form this mixture into a ball and set it on a plate covered with a layer of chopped pecans. Then cover the cream cheese with the remaining pecans. Now chill the cheese ball in the refrigerator for several hours to let the flavors mix together and then serve with your favorite crackers.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2016/02/02/pineapple-and-green-pepper-cheese-ball/

Blueberry Bars

 

blueberry bars 4Today I am featuring a bar that will make your taste buds dance. They have a blueberry topping on a wonderfully buttery cake.  And believe me, they are the perfect addition to any breakfast or brunch.  This dessert was sitting on my counter for a few days and they passed the breakfast test, the afternoon snack, and dessert test too.  Each bite is bursting with fruit flavor. You really need to try these, because you absolutely will not be disappointed.  And if you like this blueberry version, you will love my Cherry Bar version that was their inspiration.  (more…)

Seven Layer Bars

Seven layer bars 2Happy New Year’s Eve! Today I have the perfect bar to ring in the new year. Most of you have already heard of seven layer bars, they are quite famous in their deliciousness. This desert has a wonderful candy bar consistency, with its rich chocolate, delectable butterscotch, toasted coconut, and crumbly graham cracker crust; no one can resist this bar. They are the perfect addition to your New Year’s Eve party and they are so simple to make. As their name suggests, you just layer the ingredients and that’s it and when they are done baking, you have a full pan of candy bar awesomeness!  So if you are looking for that last-minute treat for your New Year’s Eve guests, whip up a batch of seven layer bars.  If you have too many bars (like that’s even possible!) just freeze the extras.

Seven layer bars 1

 

Seven Layer Bars 5Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then pour 1/2 cup of melted butter into a 9×13 inch pan.

melted butterCrush 2 cups of graham crackers in a plastic bag.

crushing graham crackers 2Pour the 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs on the butter in the pan.

graham crackers in panLayer 1 cup of butterscotch chips on the graham cracker layer.

butterscotch chips in panThen add the 3/4 of a cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.

chocolate chipsThen sprinkle on the 1 cup of coconut.

coconutThen pour 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk.

adding milk

adding milk 2Bake 25-30 minutes. Check the bars after 20 minutes to see if they are almost done. I baked mine 25 minutes and they were done just perfectly.

finished barsNow you can let them cool and then cut into squares.

seven layer bars 6  

Seven Layer Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup of butter
  • 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
  • 1 cup of butterscotch chips
  • 3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup of coconut
  • 1 (14 oz.) can of Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Then pour 1/2 cup of melted butter into a 9x13 inch pan.
  2. Crush 2 cups of graham crackers in a plastic bag.
  3. Pour the 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs on the butter in the pan.
  4. Layer 1 cup of butterscotch chips on the graham cracker layer.
  5. Then add the 3/4 of a cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  6. Then sprinkle on the 1 cup of coconut.
  7. Then pour 1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk.
  8. Bake 25-30 minutes. Check the bars after 20 minutes to see if they are almost done. I baked mine 25 minutes and they were done just perfectly.
  9. Now you can let them cool and then cut into squares.
https://www.cookingupcottage.com/2015/12/31/seven-layer-bars/