Grandma Nachos and Fiesta Bisquick Chicken Bake

I went out on a limb tonight and used my random bag of tricks. We're really broke this week, so I worked with what I had. Broke food generally ends up being good food. We recently have moved into a house that belonged to my grandmother. Directly after we settled in, we decided to go on vacation. Hence... flat-broke.

First of all, I should start off by telling you a bit of the history of the house. My grandmother was an Irish based European mix. She would put together the best simple snacks. One we call Grandma Nachos.

They're really easy. Get slices of American cheese that are not individually wrapped and a bag of round white corn tortilla chips. Painstakingly, she would pick out whole round chips and put them on a paper plate, breaking the slices apart into squares and centering them on the chips. They went in the microwave for about 30 seconds until melted.

As simple as it sounds, it took me YEARS to figure out how to make them just like she did. The secret was in buying bulk cheese slices from Sam's club and freezing them in sandwich sacks, and letting them thaw in the fridge about 12 hours before use. We love Grandma Nachos so much, there's always a quarter bag of tortilla chips of the reject broken chips. Now I finally found a use for it!

I digress. Tonight's feast from Brokesville, USA.
I give you Fiesta Bisquick Chicken Bake.

Small Onion
1lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Cutlets Diced
Taco Seasoning (Keep a little aside for Bisquick)
Splash of Grape-seed Oil (or Vegetable, anything but Olive Oil)
Splash of Water

Can Sweet Corn
Black Beans (Optional, I opted not in pictures)
Two Heaping Teaspoons of Sour Cream
I C. Cheddar Jack - Fancy Shredded
The Bottom of the Tortilla Chip Bag

3/4 C. Bisquick
1/2 C. Milk
2 Medium Eggs

Start with dicing a small onion and browning in a skillet with the Grape-seed Oil. Add in diced chicken and start browning. Once chicken's pink is mostly gone, add most of the packet of taco seasoning and add the splash of water. In a separate bowl, Mix Bisquick with 1/2 C. Milk, 2 Medium Eggs and remains of taco seasoning.

Simmer chicken/ onions until all the water is cooked out of the taco mixture.

Line a casserole dish with tin foil (makes it easier to clean!) and Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Take the warm chicken and fold sour cream into chicken. Fold in beans and corn. Spread the mixture evenly at the bottom of the dish. Crush the reject left overs from your Grandma Nacho tortilla chips, and spread on top of the chicken taco mixture. Then spread the shredded cheese on top. Pour the Bisquick mixture on top of the chicken, taco, chip mixture and bake until brown on top.

Verdict? Yummy, but a little bread-y. Next time I think I'll do a chips on top and Bisquick on bottom. Served with cottage cheese and sweet mini-peppers.

Crescent Pizza Rolls

Crescent Pizza Rolls... a learning experience.

This one was definitely a Pinterosity! 

Tomorrow, I will be making the same recipe and fixing what went wrong. 

The recipe itself is really easy and you can see it here. 

The original recipe was much less like a roll and more of a ball of dough with either WAY too much concentrated cheese chunk or flaming hot lava cheese pouring out melting the first and second layer of skin off. 

So! Modified pinterest recipe: 

1 Tube Crescent Rolls

1 C. Shredded Pizza Blend Cheese

Turkey Pepperoni (I don't eat pork.)

3 T Unsalted Butter Melted 

1 T Italian Seasoning Blend

2 t Minced Garlic

1/4 C. Grated Parmesan Cheese (Divide in half)

1 - Can of Tomato Sauce 8 oz (NOT tomato paste for the love of Pete!)

2 T Italian Bread Crumbs 

- Preheat the oven at 350 degrees. Mix Unsalted Butter melted with Italian Seasoning, 1 t Minced Garlic and 2 tablespoons Parmesan. 

- Microwave Turkey Pepperoni wrapped in paper towels to get some of the grease out. 

- Take your crescent roll triangle and spread a little of the butter concoction layering a bit of cheese and pepperoni. 

- Roll the crescent rolls as one does with crescent rolls then pinch the edges to keep the cheese in. 

- Spread the last of the butter mixture on top of the rolls so when it bakes, it looks crispy and delicious. 

- Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown. About 15- 20 mins. 

- While this is baking, pour the can of tomato sauce, the rest of the Parmesan, 1 t Minced Garlic and bread crumbs into a small sauce pan. Simmer on low heat until thickens. 

Serve together! Less burning death... more "roll." 

The sides? Mixed Veggies with unsalted butter and Mrs. Dash's Table Blend and a clementine. 

Chop Suey!

Wake up! Grab a brush and put a little make-up! I don't think you trust... in my... self-righteous Pinterescide!

Seriously though, today was one of those days. We were supposed to have Roto Rooter come today, but alas, the awful deep snow left The Roto Rooters stuck and the City had to drag them out. Why were they stuck? Well... we didn't get to dig out because someone stole BOTH of our snow shovels! Jerks.

As the shovel thief was in action, I was attempting to start my version of Crock pot Chop Suey. In my haste to stop the thief, I accidentally plugged in the toaster, instead of the crock pot. Two hours later, I went to stir the meat and found a semi frozen block of stew pieces.

I eventually found the right cord to plug in and this deliciousness ensued.

It's not as pretty as it's pictured, but man... DELICIOUS! This recipe comes from my mother. I modify it as usual though!

2lbs Beef Stew Meat, pieces cut small
1/2 large Onion, sliced long-ways
2 T Bead Molasses
2 T Brown Bravy Sauce
1 Can La Choy Chop Suey Veggies - The Monster sized can 28oz (Drained)
1 can La Choy Bean Sprouts - about 15 oz (Drained)
4 oz Can Mushrooms (Optional, Drained)
8 oz Can Sliced Water Chestnuts (Optional, Drained)
1 C. Beef Stock, Hot
2 T Corn Starch

First... if you're going to crock pot, invest in crock pot liners:

They will save you TONS OF TIME trying to wash your crock pot. 

I use frozen stew meat thawed out enough that I can get it out of the packaging. 

- On top of the ice meat, drizzle 2 T bead molasses and 2 T brown gravy sauce. 

- Set crock pot on high for 2 hours. 

- Stir the meat and change the "high" setting to "low." 

- Add in onion and optional mushrooms (Ew)
- Let the meat/ onions go for another 3 hours.
- Take the hot 1 C. Beef Stock and Sprinkle/ Stir in Corn Starch. Be careful. It lumps easily.
- Pour Corn Starched Beef Stock over Meat.
- Add in drained La Choy Chop Suey Veggies and La Choy Bean Sprouts.

Serve over rice, feeds 4.
Options: top with rice noodles, season with soy sauce.

I loath both ways, so I eat the rice separately with a little bit of A1, which my mother refers to as Swimming Pool Chemicals. Both the kid and I LOVE A1.

Taco Cups

An update... I got engaged, planning a wedding, living in residential bliss. I got in a car accident, a lady ran a stop sign, and broke my foot. Since it's a mid-foot (lisfranc fracture), I get to leave the house only when the weather agrees.

This recent bought of snow has led to me not being able to leave the house. (WINTER-HECK 2014)

While I'm cooped up, I have been cooking a TON!

For lunch today, I made some delicious Taco Cups. Pinterest inspired, of course. While looking at Pinterest, I discovered the original recipe wasn't as delicious as it looked, so I tweaked it.

Today's FIRST success! 

How'd I do it? 

1/2 lb Hamburger
3 T. Taco Seasoning
1/3 C. Water
1/2 C. Shredded Colby Jack Cheese - Divided in half
4 Medium Soft Flour Tortillas
1/4 Finely Chopped Onion - Divided in Half
1 Can Ripe Medium Black Olives

Frying Pan, Cookie Cutter at least 3 in diameter and a mini-muffin pan.

- Make the ground hamburger like one normally would with a frying pan and hamburger, browning the meat, add the seasoning plus 1/3 C. Water. Reduce until Taco Meat- Like.
- While meat is simmering down, pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.
- Take tortilla shells and cut them out with a large muffin-shaped cookie cutter.
- Sprayed a small muffin tin with generic Pam.
- Take the large muffin-shaped tortilla and stuffed them into the little muffin cups, making the "cup" to fill.
- Put a small amount of diced onions in the bottom of the cup, followed by the first half of the cheese.
- Fill the cups with finished Taco Meat, add a little more onions, slice a few olives, then the rest of the cheese on top. (See the picture for clarification.)

**Because my version eliminated the beans in the recipe (ew, beans) the cheese must be on top and bottom to hold them together**

Bake at 350 until tortilla sides are starting to crisp/ brown.

Sooooo much easier than the original recipe.

Sides? My kid loves to put olives on her fingers and eat them off.

The potatoes are normal rounds with Tony Chachere's Cajun Seasoning.

Unread random thoughts...

So, my goal for the end of the summer was to run into a hasty relationship, with some one I didn't know, pretend like I was happy, move out, get a place of my own, realize how unhappy I was, then become single again... all while making it through the holidays.

Mission Accomplished.

Now, I've come back up for air... returned to the real world. I realize that I was following the philosophy, "Fake it until you make it. "

I often think about the past. Two piece of the past particularly haunt me... one during my sleeping life and the other during my waking life. I know now, it wasn't fair to the poor guy that I took out my need for a relationship on. I think about my one big regret... the one I took for granted. Then later, the one pushed away because I couldn't just accept how things were.

I wonder... do either of them spend any time thinking about me? Do they have that reoccurring dream or waking nightmare?

I know I'm being melodramatic and emo. There's plenty of reason for me to be happy... and relatively, I am. It's at night... when I'm alone... when I'm... without. That's when it hits me the worse. I can take a shower, or take a pill and grant myself some serenity.

I used to fill up my cup when I worked in theatre/ lived theatre. Like... that cup of happy? I would do what I love and survive. When that wasn't enough, I had Yoga on Mondays and church on Sunday's. When I couldn't make it until one of those hit... then I would turn to other things. It worked out well enough. I got what I needed when I needed.

I guess at that time, I wasn't being a real adult.

Now I am a real adult. I make real money, pay real bills. There never seems to be enough money. There will never be enough real money... that's a fact I've grown to accept.

At least then when I was so destitute, I could only afford food... I was more happy?

Maybe it's this city? Don't get me wrong, I love my home town. When I'm far away for too long, it draws me back.... gives me strength. I find my base and my roots and grow. Then, like a tumble weed... I go... fly. The need to fly strikes me almost as much as my need to settle down. Being without an artistic outlet... being without an outlet for passion... it's like I'm drowning.

I'm not sure if any of this makes sense. Maybe I just want to move back to a cool city. Even living in Peoria, I almost never see my parents. It's almost as if, I make the effort, or there's no effort to be made. I work all the time but just seem to be bailing out water in a sinking ship?

I miss art... I miss love. Both of which are so far from me. Trying to fill the void, maybe that's why I look back. Maybe that's why my memories haunt me day in and day out.

The one that I destroyed... and the one I pushed away. I wonder if they ever think about me the way I think about them. I wonder if I'm even a faint memory or just something to be locked away in a dark corner. I wonder if by looking back and pulling from the past, I'm keeping myself form moving on. Was there a lesson to be had from all of this? Where does it go from here?

I teach in class how to be confident.

Here are some truths that I find to be self evident and in fact, in their truth I find strength.

1) I don't need a guy to survive... it just makes the nights more fun.

2) I'm beautiful no matter what I do because of who I am, not how I look.

3) Peanut butter isn't only good with Jelly.

4) From my art, others find beauty.

Maybe in that... maybe in my work, that is where I need to find my new art. I miss the theatre so, but currently, I can't devote my life to it.

Maybe grad school isn't for me.

Or... maybe... just maybe... I'm just up at 2am spouting nonsense into a blog that no one reads.

Love and other drugs...

First of all, I would like to start out this blog with a warning: what you're about to read my be disturbing or annoying.

I recently revealed to my mother that I tried a substance for the first time. I should explain, it was in a controlled environment, with paramedics close as well as a sober baby sitter. I do not condone the use of substances in any form, but for myself, I at least wanted to try it.

This conversation came up because my ex and I had gotten in a huge fight about me doing this substance in the first place. He told me it was juvenile and immature to even think about trying it. This is the same person that will often drive completely drunk. My mother was horrified that I would even try them in the slightest. She later sent me a text message:

"N don't bullshit that *substance* isn't addictive n isn't a gateway drug. U r frying your brains and ruining your lungs. You need life long treatment and AA."

I'm gonna say the fact my parents won't get our water wall fixed/remove the black mold from my closet is what is ruining my lungs. **sighs**

Then there's life on the romantic front. I currently have three options. One just wants me to do certain things with him, and doesn't really care to get to know me. Another wants me to be his emotional support and what not, but doesn't want a relationship, and a third doesn't want anything from me unless he's drunk. THEN I got a phone call from an ex who is very interested in rocking my world if I drive 6 hours to see him. What the goodness??? Where do I get all these offers yet NOTHING EVER HAPPENS?! I'm tired of being without. Is it so much to want to date some one who isn't a complete douche and be able to get some on a semi regular basis?

~Mar~

How to ruin a relationship in 12 days...

I recently got myself into a relationship, as per usual, diving in head first... damn the consequences. I've been on a dating website for a long time off and on throughout the years. I got a message from a guy that I wasn't any where NEAR compatible with. I figured... dude has balls, I'll message him back.

At this point, I hear a voice echoing in my ears of my best friend, "60 percent enemy-my-my-my"

The first week or so was pretty awesome. We talked every day and laughed a lot. Finally, I went to go see him. All his friends knew everything about me and were very welcoming. I thought to myself, wow! I finally found a guy who genuinely likes me for me!

Then came that evening when the shock most girls have nightmares about. Finding out the gent who you like so much... is lacking in other areas. Between that an excessive amount of drinking... the bedroom scene was pretty lack luster.

That's okay, I steeled myself. I figured that I'm a demon in the sack and whatever skill or size he lacks, I can work around. Of course, I was just kidding myself. Too much was going wrong and I was too far in denial to run.

Denial is not just a river in Egypt:

Late one night, after a couple rounds of "How do you spell Nickleback" and "You gotta listen to this song." I'd finally given up and went to bed alone at 2am when I had to work the next morning.

He came to bed about 4am, when his phone started blowing up. Finally, after a couple texts, I asked who he was talking to. He handed me his phone and I discovered that I wasn't the only lady in his life. I was one of 4. Strike 1!

Eventually, after some drama and some screaming, he attempted to make up with me, and proceeded to pass out drunk on top of me.

After escaping, the texts began. I shant bore you with the details, but I threw down a gauntlet of things he had to accomplish. He toed the line and everything seemed to be on it's way to improving. Then a text came, the exact same wording he sent to 3 of the 4 other girls in his phone he was talking to. Strike 2!

Being very upset about this, I told a very close friend, who got his number, called him and threatened him. Lawlerskates. Dude, didn't get the picture and still tried to patch things up. I finally broke it off, and told him that he wasn't ready for a relationship, and I'm not willing to deal with bullshit. He was very confused and tried to show me how I'm the only girl he wants.

Caving in, I was willing to go see him. On my way out there I got a text saying that I should turn around, that his roommate didn't want me there because he was mad at me. "Turn around and don't come. You cause too much drama." At that point, I was woah done. I asked to no longer have contact with him, ended our facebook relationship and deleted him from my life.

Then came the text that made this whole blog worth writing. Here is an exact transcription from my phone:

Stupid Boy: We need to talk. About us.

Me: There is no us.

SB: What do you mean? Are you mad at me?

Me: Do you remember last night?

SB: I remember everything, I was sober.

SB: What? 'Cause you flipped out when Mike was mad at you?

... other texts

Me: The point is you didn't defend me and threw me under the bus when you were on very thin ice to begin with.

SB: What?

Me: If you can't see that, it's over.

SB: What's over?

Me: This conversation. This relationship.

SB: What do you mean?

Me: I have no idea how easily you are confused.

Me: Don't think too much about it.

SB: What? Seriously?

Me: How did you expect this to go?

SB: Like this

Me: Awesome, making sure it's all done.

SB: What's done?

Me: This conversation. This relationship.

SB: If that's what you want.

Me: What I wanted was that you actually cared. That you give a damn.

SB: I do give a damn. Can't you tell?

Me: Not enough to put in an actual effort. You wouldn't have told me to turn around. You would have been on my door step last night trying to fix this.

SB: You know I can't drive (too many DUI's)

Me: Convenient. How about we try this again in a few months when you have your license back, and put in one 10th the effort I did in this relationship.

SB: What? I jumped through every hoop to make you happy and you flip out on me.

Me: Except for standing up for me. Telling me I'm not wanted and making me waste my gas going out there and making me turn around.

SB: Whatever

Pause for 3 hours:

SB: Crazy question?

SB: Will you come out and see me tonight?

Me: Hell no, Ass Spelunker!

SB: What?

Me: Look it up on urban dictionary. Don't hurt yourself too much thinking about it.

SB: Dont talk to me anymore phyco [psycho] go see a doctor about bipolar because u have it

Me: Finally. You get the picture that I don't want to talk to you anymore.

SB: Ok by bitch.

Me: I fucked my ex.

*pause for 4 hours*

SB (at 2am): Have fun,with sex buddy lol

Yeah... wow. **sighs**

Really? REALLY?!?!