Creamy French Onion Chicken and Rice

Chicken and rice is one of those great dishes that you put in a little prep and then you put it in the oven and really forget about it.  This is a nice spin on the traditional chicken and rice.  If you like French Onion soup you will really enjoy this dish.  I was told this was a keeper.  The leftovers were good too.  Sometimes that is important around here.  We don't always have leftovers but when we do I like for them to be eaten.  Give this a try soon.  I think your family will enjoy it.

I got to use some of my fresh parsley from my herb garden on top.  If you don't have any fresh parsley it won't make a difference in the taste.  It basically just makes it look pretty. 

I added the french fried onions.  I had a few left over and thought I would add them on top.

Start with 2 cups milk.  I used 2 %.

Add 2 cans cream of chicken soup.  I will probably use cream of mushroom soup next time.  I tend to have more of that on hand.   Mix it well.

Add 2 cups uncooked long grain white rice.

Add 1 pkg of French Onion soup mix.  Mix all of these things together well.

Pour into a 9x13 baking dish.  I sprayed it so it would stick.

Add chicken to the top.  I cut mine into pieces because smaller pieces cook better than the whole chicken breast.

Cover tightly with foil.  You are basically steaming it.  Place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 60 minutes.

After 30 minutes uncover and fluff the rice some.   Recover and continue baking for 30 more minutes.

While it is back in the oven grate some Gruyere cheese.

After the second 30 minutes take it out and uncover.  Fluff the rice some.

Then top with the cheese.

It looks good and smells better.

Then I added the french fried onions on top. Recover it and place back in the oven for about 15 minutes.  You want that cheese to melt.

Doesn't that look good?

Chop up some fresh parsley.

You are ready to serve.

Dip up and sprinkle with the parsley.

Creamy French Onion Chicken and Rice recipe

2 cups uncooked long grain white rice (you can use brown if you like)
2 cups milk
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 pkg French Onion Soup mix
1 lb chicken
1/2 cup Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon parsley

Bake in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake covered for 30 minutes, fluff rice, then return to the oven for 30 more minutes.  Fluff rice, add cheese and return to oven for 15 minutes.

May the Fourth Be With You Wookiee Cookies

I could not let May the Fourth pass without doing a Star Wars recipe.  Earlier this week I remembered I had a Star Wars cookbook.  So I went and found it on my shelf and started looking for a recipe that I could make this week.  I found this one for Wookie cookies. I think these will make a great addition to your Star Wars meal tonight. 

Even on a Star Wars plate. 

 This is a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe with an interesting addition.

 Just to show you that I am not making this up.  Here is the recipe for Wookiee Cookies.

 This is the cookbook.  If you or a member of your family is a big Star Wars fan you might want to add it to your collection.

 Now on to the recipe.  Start with two sticks of softened butter.

 1 cup brown sugar

 1/2 cup sugar.  Cream together

 Add two eggs

 1 teaspoon salt.  I might add a little less next time.

 1 teaspoon cinnamon.  This is that little something extra.

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour.  Mix one cup at a time.  Trust me on this.  You don't want flour all over your kitchen.

 1 cup milk chocolate chips

 1 cup semi sweet chips.  Mix well.

 Scoop up onto a parchment lined baking sheet.  Place in a preheated 375 oven. Bake for 10 minutes. Now I started baking for 9 minutes because I thought the 10 minute ones were a little dark.

 Warm from the oven.  You have to sample one while it is warm.  I won't tell anyone.

Now you are ready for your May the Fourth Be With You party tonight.  I think you will like these.

Wookiee Cookie Recipe

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup softened butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375.  Bake for 9-10 minutes.

Layered S'mores Brownies for Easter

Easter is right around the corner and there are some really cute Easter recipes you can make that will please the masses.  Now this recipe uses Peeps.  Peeps, you either love them or hate them.  I kinda like them.  And with the many different shapes at the holidays this is not just a recipe for Easter.  Whether you eat the Peep or not doesn't matter, but the Peeps sure do make it pretty and colorful.

You could use any color or Peeps or even the chicks.

 This recipe is made in three stages or layers.

 For the bottom crust layer melt 1 stick of butter.

 While the butter was melting, I am going to start on the second layer.  Melt 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter.

 1 bag of milk chocolate chips

 And 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.  Put that on the stove and let it melt.  This layer is like fudge. Yum!.

 The stick of butter is melted.  Set aside to cool a little.

 Now to mix the third layer.  One box of fudge brownie mix for 13x9 pan.

 Mix it with the ingredients from the box.  Set aside.

 Now back to the bottom layer.  Measure out 2 cup graham cracker crumbs.  You can make your own with 13 whole graham crackers.

 Mix the crumbs with the melted butter.

 Mix well.

 Press firmly in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

 Here is the fudge layer.  Doesn't that look good.

 Pour it over the graham cracker crust.

 Now add the brownie mix.

 Pour it on top.  Place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.

 When you remove from the oven ...

 Add the Peeps on top.  I thought about putting it back in the oven for a second or two but I was afraid the Peeps would melt too much.

And this is what you get.  Put four rows of five Peeps.  I think it will be a hit at your house this week.

Layered S'mores Brownies for Easter Recipe

For the crust
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick of butter melted

For the fudge layer
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 bag milk chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon butter

For the brownies
1 box 9x13 size fudge brownie mix and ingredients from box

20 Peeps

Bake in a preheated 350 oven for 35-40 minutes.

Bunny Tail Snack Mix

Easter is right around the corner and this is a great little snack mix to make up for all your little bunnies.  They will love it. 

The spring M&M's really make it look pretty. 

 You can find the little bunnies at Target.  Annie's is the brand and they come in several different flavors.  You can also use any kind of M&M's you like.  You can use plain or peanut.

 Add the two bags of bunnies.

 Add a jar of lightly salted peanuts.

 Two bags of spring M&M's

 A bag of miniature marshmallows

Mix well and keep in an airtight container.

Bunny Tail Snack Mix

2 bags Annie's bunnies
1 jar lightly salted peanuts
2 bags M&M's
1 bag miniature marshmallows.