Tuesday, January 29

TABLE FOR TWO: Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Planning a cozy weekend in? Why not make reservations at your own place tonight? This delectable rolled chicken dish serves up just enough for two; you and your dinner date!  ENJOY!

SPINACH-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS
This chicken recipe not only taste fantastic, but it is incredibly easy to prepare. Do your prep-work before leaving for work and pop it into the oven when you walk in the door. By the time you change your clothes your dinner will be waiting for you. Serve these chicken breast with a simple rice pilaf and green salad. Your 'date' will be most impressed!
SERVES 2
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INGREDIENTS
  • 1/3 cups  water
  • 2 tablespoons Italian Roasted Red Pepper Dressing, divided
  • 2 cups spinach leaves, stems removed and chopped
  • 2/3 cup stuffing mix for chicken
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped roasted red pepper
  • 2 small  boneless skinless chicken breast halves, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

WHAT TO DO
  • Heat oven to 350ºF.
  • Bring water and 2 Tbsp. dressing to boil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Stir in spinach, stuffing mix and peppers; cover. Remove from heat. Let stand 5 min.
  • Spread onto chicken breasts. Roll up each breast, starting at one short end; place, seam-side down, in 13x9-inch baking dish. Brush with remaining dressing.
  • Bake 30 minutes. Top with cheese; bake additional 5 minutes or until melted.

TIPS FROM ME TO YOU
  • To keep your work area clean place your chicken breasts in a freezer resealable plastic bag. Then pound with a metal mallet, rolling pin or even a can of vegetables.
  • I buy roasted red peppers in a jar, they last forever in the fridge. I use them in everything from sandwiches to salads and dishes such as this.
  • This chicken rolls can be prepared 24 hours in advanced for quick and easy dinning. Roll them up, place seam side down in your baking dish, cover with plastic wrap and pop them in your fridge.
MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR SWEETIE FOR THIS WEEKEND...
...YOU'LL BE GLAD YA DID!

ENJOY!
~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA





Monday, January 28

The Super Bowl DESERVES Super Food!


The Super Bowl has become a nationwide event and one of America's favorite sporting spectacles. Unofficially it's a national holiday - leading to the gatherings of family, friends and neighbors all across America. The Super Bowl is an advertiser's dream, a food lover's fantasy and the halftime show has become the year's most anticipated and scrutinized concert. And, oh yeah, there's a football game, too! It's not only a day of indulgence for the sports fans but for the foodies as well and this is one time where haute cuisine is unwelcomeSupermarket staples such as Velveeta and cocktail franks soar in sales, as the nation blows its New Year's resolutions for a of night queso dip and a bucket of wings. Whether it’s the game, the commercials, the half-time show, the snacks, or the company, most everyone has a reason to tune in for the Super Bowl. 

This year I will be feeding my football and foodie fans three of my favorite snacks, that serve as a light meal. Try one or all, or make your fan's favorites and enjoy this years Super Bowl. By the way.....does anyone know who's playing? 

Meatball Bubble Biscuits
This appetizer is great for pretty much every event. It’s quick, easy, and most of the ingredients are probably already in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Most importantly they are crowd pleasers! These small bites can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until you choose to bake them. This recipe can be easily doubled. Serve them up with a big bowl of marinara sauce and watch them disappear. 

Makes 20 Small Bite Rolls

INGREDIENTS

  • 12 oz. can of Pillsbury Golden Layers refrigerated flaky biscuits
  • 20 small, frozen cooked meatballs
  • 4 sticks of string cheese
  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning
  • Garlic powder
  • Marinara sauce

WHAT TO DO

  • Heat your oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Set aside your meatballs as you separate each of the 10 biscuits in half and cut each stick of string cheese into 5 pieces. You should have 20 parts of each. 
  • Place one meatball  along with a string cheese piece into the center of a biscuit half. Roll the dough into a ball so that it completely covers the meatball and the cheese. Do this with all 20 meatballs, and arrange them in  un-greased 8 or 9 inch round cake pans. 
  • Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder over the meatball biscuits to your liking. 
  • Bake the biscuits for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown on top. 
  • Serve with marinara sauce on the side.


Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you make this hot savory dip for your guest, you just might want to make a double batch. It will be the first small bite to go! Everyone LOVES this familiar flavor.

Makes one good size bowl 

INGREDIENTS

  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup good-quality Blue Cheese or Ranch salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup Buffalo Wing Sauce
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 2 cans (12.5 oz. each) Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

WHAT TO DO
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 
  • Mix all ingredients and place in a pretty oven-proof serving bowl. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. 
  • Serve with good quality crackers and celery.


Artichoke and Spinach Dip
This is a great appetizer for those who enjoy making and taking something in their Crock-Pot. Using a Crock-Pot makes this quick bite simple, while keeping the dip hot. I like French bread with this dip. Oh YUM!

Makes one Full Crock Pot or Good Sized Serving Bowl


INGREDIENTS

  • 1 9 oz. box of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain
  • 1 14 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 3/4 tsp garlic salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

WHAT TO DO

  • Mix all ingredients in a large Crock-Pot. 
  • Cover and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours before serving. Or fill  a conventional oven dish and bake at 350 degrees F until bubbly; about 20 minutes.

I will be rounding out our Super Bowl feast with a ham and cheese sandwich tray, a few bags of chips, veggie and fruit trays and a dessert tray with my three small bite favorites: Blue Ribbon Brownies {find recipe here}, MeMe's Lemon Bars {find recipe here} and Chocolate Chip-Pretzel cookies and Candy Bar cookies {find recipe here.}. A huge pitcher of Texas sweet tea and a sink full of iced down cold drinks will round out our noshing buffet nicely.

This may look like a chore you do not wish to tackle, but it takes very little effort and the majority can be assembled ahead of time. Here's a quick rundown of a successful schedule.

EARLIER IN THE DAY OR THE NIGHT BEFORE
  • Assemble Bubble Rolls; place in cake pans, cover and refrigerate. 
  • Mix together both dips; place in oven-proof serving bowls, cover and refrigerate.
  • Make Ham and Cheese sandwiches; plate on serving tray, cover and refrigerate.
  • Pull brownies, lemon bars and cookies from freezer*; plate on serving tray, cover and leave on the kitchen counter.
  • Put together veggie and fruit trays; cover and refrigerate.
  • Make sweet tea; refrigerate. 
*If you don't have these bite-sized dessert in your freezer and don't want to take time to make them, then by all means buy them at your local bakery or corner market.

30 - 45 MINUTES TO KICK-OFF
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Place the Crock Pot liner, filled with Spinach dip, into the Crock Pot and turn to medium. When heated through, turn down to the keep warm setting of you CP, set aside.
  • Bake Bubble Rolls and heat Buffalo Dip in the same pre-heated 375 degree oven. 
  • Pull sandwich, veggie and fruit trays from refrigerator.
  • Throw drinks in an ice chest, galvanized tub or even the kitchen sink that's been packed with ice. 
  • Remove rolls and dip from oven. Arrange Bubble rolls on serving plate.
  • Set your dishes out in an easy flow pattern; plates, napkins and utensils at one end and drinks at the other.
  • ...and make way for your hungry fans!

Your little football buffet will come together beautifully with relative ease, assuring an evening full of friends, football, fun and food. Serve your footballs fans an easily prepared, yet tasty light meal...
...you'll be glad ya did!

ENJOY!
~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA

Whether you have friends over or head to your local sports bar, take the time
to be with good friends and family, watch amazing football and eat some
lip-smacking delicious food and may the team of your choosing win!


Saturday, January 26

Words to Live By.....


A Word on the Company You Keep…


"The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best."
-Epictetus


This is a pretty tall order. How many people do you know that make you the 'best you' you can possibly be? In my experience, they are few and far between. Thank the Lord today if you have such a friend and hold on tight!
Have a wonderful weekend, in good company….

~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~

Thursday, January 24

What A n-ICE Day For A Winter Wedding!


Even though many brides might shy away from a Winter wedding there is a lot to be said for the special charm it can bring. If managed correctly, a Winter wedding can create a wonderland of magic and beauty for a bride, her groom and their guests. If you are thinking of your very own wintry nuptials I hope the following ideas will inspire you to invent your special day.

  • Winter Wedding Venues

One of the most important decisions a bride and groom can make regarding a wedding is the location. For a Winter wedding, an inn or country lodge with a large fireplace would be charming for an intimate group. 
For a larger affair, look into a historical mansion or hotel with a bit more space. Either venue would lend your wedding a warm ambiance and be perfect during the Winter months.
Unless your wedding is held in a location where you are assured of snow, be careful of large picture windows. Your plans may include drifts of winter white but you may end up with a grey and rainy day. 
Be sure to consider the heating. How will your guests stay warm and toasty before, during and after the ceremony?
Some cottages, inns or lodges are old and don’t have sufficient heating for large groups. Check with any venue to ensure you and your guests will be comfortable.  

  • Winter Wedding Décor 
Walk through your venue to see what decorations already exist......especially during the holidays, many businesses decorate for the season. Decor may be included in the price of renting certain locations.
Make sure to ask! When you know what you have available to you, then decide on your bridal colors.
When choosing colors for your Winter wedding think warm golds and the deep rich shades of jewel tone ruby red, emerald green and amethyst purple.
Another way to go would be to embrace the chilly weather outside by using icy blue tones, frosty silvers and snowy whites. Silver and white with crystal accents can add some serious glamour to your Winter nuptials. 
Table decor can range from simplistic and inexpensive white poinsettias to a room filled to overflowing with light by arranging candles or lanterns and Winter greenery on elegant tapestries. 
If you want to heighten the drama, bring in the icy outdoors with ice-carved vases on your reception tables. Fill the vases with tall winter-white blooms and surround the centerpieces with flickering votive candles.
To achieve that frosty fairytale look string strands and strands of white twinkle lights. Line the aisle with sparkly flocked tree branches, hanging crystals and pearl beaded garlands. It will definitely be a little piece of heaven for you and your groom right here on earth.

  • Winter Wedding Attire
We no longer live under the 'No-White-after-Labor-Day' rule. That was left with our mother's white gloved generation. Today a bride can use any color or style of wedding and bridesmaid's dresses.
The obvious color choices being dark-colored dresses like navy, hunter green, and black. 
These hues look great on almost everyone and can be worn to formal events later. 
Rich, saturated colors, such as deep plum and chocolate, also work well in the colder months. 
Step away from the norm and give your wedding a Hollywood red carpet feel by adding luxurious faux furs to you and your attendants attire. 
Many wedding dresses today are strapless or sleeveless, but that's not so practical for a bride who wants to take pictures outside in the snow, or needs to walk any distance in the cold. 
Look for matching wraps, shrugs or capes that will complement both your dress as well as your bridesmaids.


  • Winter Wedding Flowers
The world we live in today allows us to choose wedding flowers that are not in season. 
If you like the icy blue tones, frosty silvers and winter whites  mix white roses, lilies and stephanotis in amongst dusty miller and silver-dollar eucalyptus. 
If you're looking for a brighter bouquet, consider red roses with holly and pine-tree greenery.
For something completely delightful, make fanciful bouquets using layered frosted acrylic snowflakes and white satin ribbon. 
The new trend seems to be entire bouquets made from glittering rhinestones. Glistening just like the Winter snow. 
Gems and jewels bring a certain sophistication to the brides overall look. I really do love this idea because it will last forever. 
Truly an heirloom quality piece that can be passed down from mother to daughter for generations to come.

  • Winter Wedding Food and Beverages
While it may be tempting to fall back on reliable standbys like steak or chicken, a truly creative bride knows that she can make her menu stand out by using traditional Winter fare as a jumping-off point. 
How fun would it be to shrink portion sizes of well known cold weather comfort food to mini-versions? Mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, pot pies or tomato soup and grilled cheese in mini-serve size. 
Lose the soup bowls and serve warm soup or stew in shot glasses. Everything seems to be cuter and way more fun in miniature. 
Or think outside the box with a kitchy self-serve mashed potato bar.
As a special treat how about serving hot chocolate, apple cider, mulled wine or even a festive eggnog? Set up a hot chocolate and churros station to top off your special evening.
Choosing a wedding cake that is wintry white and dusted with edible silver powder will dazzle your guests. Your wedding is sure to be a lovely affair and thoroughly enjoyed by ALL.
 If you still have not found what inspires you look to Pinterest for fun new Winter wedding ideas. Now-a-days, if you can't find it there you just ain't gonna find it!  How in the world did we plan such wonderful weddings before the age of the internet? Good luck in planning your perfect day!


ENJOY!
~THE DOMESTIC CURATOR~
RONDA