LEMON-THYME CHICKEN AND FIELD GREEN SALAD

On the Lighter Side... I thought you might like to try this dish at home. There are so many things I like about this dinner. It is easy to put together and it taste good!! The salad is light and full of flavor. I love the balsamic vinaigrette with a hint of honey. The candied pecans add some texture and bring the dish together. I like to use goat cheese and crumble just a little on the top, but you can use whatever cheese you like.   I started with marinating my chicken in the morning, frozen or fresh chicken is up to you. In a zip lock bag add your chicken, lemons, thyme and a little olive oil and salt/pepper, put the chicken into the refrigerator until your ready to cook. I broiled the chicken tonight. 
The field greens you can buy at your local market or grocery store. In a bowl add your salad, thinly sliced green apples, candied pecans, and the goat cheese, toss with the vinaigrette and serve.   I like to make my own dressing but you can also find the Balsamic Vinaigrette at your local grocery store. If you would like the recipe I used just let me know. 

marinating the chicken

 field green salad

candied pecans

                                                             

balsamic vinaigrette

toss together

The candied pecans are made by using a skillet, add 1/2 c water, 1/2 sugar and the pecans, cook on medium for about 6 minutes, then into the oven at 350 degrees for 10 min. Let stand until cool.
Bring your family to the table with this dish!!    Enjoy Susan

Wrap it up

Christmas is around the corner. I don't know about you but I have begun to buy a few things for my family. I decided to go out early and shop for those great deals on Black Friday. I was looking for some cute wrapping paper. I have to say I  was a little disappointed when I went to The Container Store and found out there wrapping paper was $8.00 dollars a roll. I thought about it for a minute and decided to just make my own.  I thought I would share with you this cute and easy idea for wrapping your packages and it cost just a few cents to make.  I went to my photo file and found past Christmas pictures of our family and made it into wrapping paper.  Take a look!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

yummy!!

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! thank you so much for being a follower on 'Cook Happy'. I just want to wish everyone a joyous Holiday Season with your family and friends. Celebrate the spirit of gratitude. I pray that each of you can reflect on the good things in your life and say I am blessed...I know I am!!  I would love to here how your wonderful Thanksgiving day was spent!! 
I have tried this recipe a few times and I love it. It is something a little bit different then Pumpkin Pie.  I am always trying new recipe and this was a keeper for me. 

Here's the recipe,
24 gingersnaps
2Tsugar
1/4c butter ( melted)
For crust, in a food processor, combine gingersnaps and sugar, or like me smash them in a bag. Pour the butter and mix it together. Put into your pie pan and press mixture evenly and up the sides. Chill until firm.
Filling
2 8oz cream cheese
5 eggs
3/4c brown sugar
1t cinnamon
1t vanilla
1/2 t ginger,nutmeg,cloves
Mix together in a bowl, pour over your crust and bake at 350 degrees for 45 min. Leave in the oven. Mix together 1 16oz container of sour cream, 1T vanilla,1/4 c sugar, mix and pour over the top of the cheesecake and bake for another 8 min. Let cool and sprinkle with roasted Hazelnuts.  Enjoy!!!

PARTY ON A PLATTER

Again Easy!!!  This plate is filled with so many wonderful flavors, salty, sweet, and savory.  I think your family or friends will love this. I have come to love Cranberry Cheddar Cheese, and the apricots are a nice sweet flavor. Use whatever nuts you like. Mix and match cheeses and fruit and nuts, that's what it's about. The great thing about a platter is you can add what you like, this is just an example of the many ways to serve so many wonderful flavors.

Enjoy Susan

Pie Crust 101

Apple Pie Crust

 SIMPLE PIE CRUST
2-2/3 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/4 t salt
12 T chilled butter
4 T Crisco
8T ice water
Flour, sugar, salt in a bowl, add the slices of butter, and Crisco, with a pastry cutter or using you hands mix the ingredients together so that the flour and butter are well mixed, you don't wanted any flour to be left in the bottom of the bowl. The last ingredient is the ice water, put a cup of ice with 2 cups of water in a bowl, add 8 tablespoons. Mix it all together. It shouldn't stick to your hands, it should be perfect enough to form into a ball. Divide into two pieces and wrap with saran wrap, then into the refrigerator for 1/2 hr. Make sure the dough is chilled, it's easier to work with. On your surface sprinkle some flour and roll out your dough to fit into your pie pan, add your filling.  To make your crust look golden brown use an egg wash, 1egg with a little water and brush over the crust before baking. I decided to make an Apple Pie for you to see the end result.

YUMMY!!!

It's that SIMPLE!! I hope you find this recipe easy and simple to put together.  I can't wait to cut into this and serve it up to my family. I hope you give it try this holiday season and impress your family. If you have any questions please leave me a comment.  Happy Cooking!! 

The Little Book of Christmas Joys

I Love my little book of Christmas Joys... I thought I would share with you #4. Don't count calories from December 15th through January2nd.  I also like #228...Give someone who's discouraged the gift of encouragement.  I smiled when I read these:)

Cranberry Chutney Spread/Chutney Cheese Ball

EASY!! that is what I like about this dish. There's something to say about simple. I love simple things that make my day easy. This dish will take just a few ingredients and a few minutes to put together and serve. Thanksgiving is around the corner and I am putting my list of recipes together that will go fast and allow me to spend more time with family.  I don't know about you, but I love to sit around the table and play a good card game and spend time with family. This makes me Happy!
I'm sure you are all getting excited about the Thanksgiving Holidays like I am.  Remember to slow down and enjoy life, smile and reflect on what you do have this Thanksgiving Season.
Cranberry Chutney Spread

This recipe calls for
I pkg of cream cheese (8oz)
I jar of cranberry chutney(sold at any Fred Meyers)
A sprig of rosemary  
All you do is arrange your cream cheese on our plate, pour the cranberry chutney over the top. I used some of  my rosemary from my mini garden, and then some crackers to finish it off.


Chutney Cheese Ball

      
I pkg of Cream cheese (8oz)
I jar of cranberry chutney
1/4 cup of dried cherries
chopped pecan
rosemary  (optional)
assorted chips
Mix the first 3 ingredients together.  I like using a cereal bowl, put a piece of saran wrap inside. Pour your cheese mixture into the bowl and put into the refrigerator for 15 minutes.Chop your pecans into small pieces. When the spread is ready, roll the cream cheese chutney spread in the chopped pecans. Serve with crackers.
Enjoy these great ideas!!!