Scalloped Ham, Potato and Broccoli

Bringing back an old favorite....

I know one of the best ways to use leftover ham is in the classic Scalloped Ham and Potatoes.

But I have been ramping up our veggie intake lately and decided to also include a layer of Broccoli.

Broccoli by itself....bleh.
Layered with tender gold potatoes, ham and a creamy sauce with cheese....

Winner, Winner!

One Pot Pizza Pasta Bake

You know, sometimes everything just kinda falls into place. 

I know, most days it's like being on a crazy circus ride with all that we need to do each day with work, kids or other commitments. Especially this time of year. 

Last night I came home from work with the idea to make a easy baked pasta. 
Not really relishing the idea of dirtying all kinds of pots and pans to accomplish it though. So I made it my mission to try and create this really tasty and easy dish in just one pot...

It just blew me away, and also my family, how darn good it is. 

Made me wonder why on earth I have been boiling pasta, cooking the meat and sauce separately and then combining it in a casserole dish all these years. 

ONE POT~~~

Seriously, I made this in a stainless steel, 5 quart covered pot. Similar to this one..

First browning and crumbling the sausage and then just throw everything else in the pot, uncooked pasta and all, and bake. 

Oh and by the way....I had this baby in the oven in less than 20 minutes, more like 15. 

Easy peasy, one pot to wash and it makes a really substantial recipe. 

This time I just used meat, but in the future you can bet I'll be adding all my favorite pizza toppings as well. 

 Come on....you know you want to see the recipe...

Easy Chicken Piccata

This dish is always the one I make for my mom for a special dinner. And I have to admit it is one of my favorites as well. 

It's not complicated, yet it is full of flavor and zing!!

I mean come on, tender boneless chicken simmered in a garlicky, lemony, butter wine sauce...

Yeah baby!!!

Serve it with simple angel hair or make a delicious and easy rice pilaf, like I did. It's soo good, you can serve it with any side really. 

Peanut Blossoms

These famous Holiday time cookies are a mainstay in many homes across the US.

I know as kids we looked forward to topping these soft, chewy peanut butter cookies, with a chocolate star or kiss, warm from the oven.

Today, my own children, love to do the same thing. 

 
According to the Hershey website: In 1957, Freda Smith from Gibsonburg, Ohio pressed a Hershey Kiss into a peanut butter cookie and history was made! This cookie did not win the 1957 Pillsbury Bake-Off contest, but it become a huge star in the cookie world!
Peanut Blossom is the official title of this classic cookie but it goes by lots of different names including Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie and Hershey Kiss Cookie to name just a few.

We used the Brach's chocolate star in our recipe.  

Baked Greek Pasta

This dish is without a doubt, a winner in the comfort food category. 

It is a easy weeknight dish and is tasty enough for company as well. 

The "Greek" in this dish is the creamy Bechamel (White) sauce that is poured all over the top. It is a nod to the Greek dish, Pastitsio. 

Not only does it help to bring all the flavors together, it gives it a creamy unctuousness!

Lazy Day Lasagna Rolls

It's crazy how the weather is affecting different parts of our nation lately. 

Colder in Texas than in Anchorage, AK? Say what?

Today we woke up to it being -3 with a windchill factor making it -18. By the time I left for lunch it was -22F. 

So...yeah, it's darn cold out there folks. 

But this easy take on a classic comfort food is just whats in order for the day. 

Instead of layering it all in a large deep pan, these babies are all flat and filled and then rolled up individually. Not only is this an easy method to prep, prepare and serve, it makes it so convenient for determining portions.

I needed to prepare a large amount for a potluck. I put 12 rolls in a large baking dish and prepped the other 8 in a smaller dish, that I then froze for a super easy meal for my family at another time!!

You can portion these how ever it works for your family, and you can microwave or pop them in the oven as needed. 

SWEET!!

I made my own sauce, but for convenience sake you certainly can use your favorite brand of prepared sauce. I also show using cottage cheese, because it's a more readily available and cheaper option than ricotta where I live, but use whichever you prefer.