Creamy Apple Chicken Chili

Another great one from Rachael Ray. Perfect for a cold day!!! We reduced the cheese in it and it was perfect! Heres a link to the recipe. Very yummy!!!!! You can also use skim milk and margarine instead of the butter which makes the recipe less in calories. We also cooked the chicken on the george foreman first and then made it in a large stockpot on the stove because we dont have a dutch oven. Its so good and makes plenty to freeze or for leftovers! Here is the recipe.

Target deals!!!

We went in with the intention or looking for some 8.5x11 plastic inserts for my Mom's recipe book. DH and I walked out with two huge bags of clearance. When I spot 75% off I dont hesitate for one second. I have always wanted to get a coverlet for our room during late spring into summer. This past summer was so warm we always ended up with the comforter on the floor. They had a set that was $80 marked down to $17! I would have preferred a different color but I ended up getting the navy & light blue reversible coverlet set. Most likely we will have the light blue showing most of the time. They also had an orange rust color, it was very fallish and pretty but would not go in our room at all. We also scored some throw pillows for our couch for spring & summer that were orig $16 marked down to $3.87. If you need a mattress cover, any comforters for guest rooms or anything definately check out target. Who would think that a former manager from target would still be shopping there years later!

Christmas isnt too far away!

So I know im crazy and thinking about christmas already! We went to MOA today and purchased a bunch of things but these two items we purchased at the Dept. 56 store. My MIL collects houses from there so we went in with the intention of buying something for her for christmas. Now we only go to MOA like once every couple of months. We already know we will not go back before christmas. We purchased something for her and then this ornament and the stand. Its going to make a great centerpiece on the coffee table with some extras around it.

Malma Mirrors!

This is not my own picture but the one of the only one's I was able to find. These are Ikea Malma mirrors. We bought four of these when we were in Ohio at the beg. of September. We love ours and one day soon ill take a pic of our own. We have them in our living room and they look so nice. I believe they were only 2.49/per mirror. They come in this dark brown or pine which you can paint. We chose the dark brown.

Apple Cheddar Turkey Burger

Yum-o!!!! Literally this was so good. I made this last night for dinner. Dh is actually begging to have it again because he loved it so much and i really expected him to just say it was okay. We cut the recipe in half to accomodate just the 2 of us but i will post the full recipe which serves 4 people. We also switched a few things around which i will post under the recipe. This is one of Rachael Ray's Recipes from her magazine. Enjoy it, we sure did!!!

Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 lb of ground turkey
4 scallions finely chopped
1/3 cup flat parsley chopped
1 TBSP grill seasoning
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
1 granny smith apple cut into 12 slices
4 slices of cheddar cheese
2 TBSP of mustard
1/4 c. cranberry preserves
4 english muffins toasted
lettuce

Directions
1. In a bowl, combine the turkey, scallions, parsley, grill seasoning and poultry seasoning. Form into 4 patties, pressing your thumb into the center of each to prevent it from bulging.

2. In a large skillet, heat the EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add the patties and cook for 6 minutes on each side for medium. Top each with 3 apple slices and cheese slices, tent the pan with foil and cook until the cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, mix together the cranberry sauce and mustard; slather on the muffin tops. Pile 2 lettuce leaves on each muffin bottom, top with the patties and set the muffin tops into place.


***Here are the changes we made other then cutting the recipe in half, we used shredded cheddar cheese instead of slices and we ended up placing only 2 apple slices on top since we couldnt fit the 3rd. Instead of making the cranberry/mustard sauce we actually used raspberry preserves because we already had them and my Dh doesnt like mustard at all. Instead of scallions we used a regular white onion chopped finely it was about 1/4 cup, we already had this instead of scallions. It came out wonderfully. Remember that 1/4 c. i put in was only half the size recipe of the above so thats only for 2. It made 2 really big burgers. I highly recommend it!**

Caramel Banana Cupcakes

These are from Rachael Ray. I wanted to try them before making them at the next holiday. Im not fond of the icing at all. Its too buttery for me. When I made it that was all i could taste. The cupcakes are good but I definately recommend purchasing the werthers soft chews that are recommended. I purchased caramel chews by kraft (aka cheaper) and they didnt melt that easily in the cupcakes. Just follow the instructions located in the link. Make sure you read all of the directions especially if your making the icing also. I just stuck to store bought after i tried the other icing. When it tells you 3/4 c of mashed bananas or whatever the measurement is it took me about 2 1/2 medium sized bananas. If you want it to taste more banana like just add more mashed. Its a very light banana taste. Heres the recipe: Caramel Banana Cupcakes

Update

Once again I went missing, but I am back. My father in law passed away and so we had to rush off to Ohio for two weeks and then I returned to make a trip to the ER. So its been extremely busy and nerve wracking! I am having some medical issues but hope they can be resolved soon. I have done a few projects around the house and am trying to get to my homework that has been beyond neglected! I hope to also update with new recipes that I have tried.