Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken

So, while I was in Pittsburgh visiting my man, I was searching for yummy meals to test out on him.  Of course, being that I am beyond addicted to Facebook, I had posted a status update asking for suggestions.  Just a few minutes later a bunch of friends had responded.  One of them, my friend Sheila. Now, Sheila always has the best comments/suggestions/advice... So, I knew she wouldn't steer me wrong! Sheila commented saying that she had made a really awesome meal the other night by simply inventing her own recipe!  I was excited, to say the least! Reading thru the simple ingredients she used, my mouth began to water.  This was a risky recipe for me, only because JD isn't a fan of Chicken... Odd, I know.  But, I decided to try it anyhow!

I am SO glad I did, because it was absolutely amazing! Sheila and I had joked that it was good enough to get me laid, but in all seriousness, IT WAS! This was by far the best Chicken I have ever eaten! And the best part? (Most would think it was the after party?!) ...IT WAS SO EASY!

Anyhow, Sheila has given me permission to share her recipe here:

Apple & Brie Stuffed Chicken

Courtesy of Sheila Bogan

Ingredients:

• 2 Red Apples
• Honey
• Balsamic Vinegar
• Nutmeg
• Brie Cheese
• 2 Chicken Breasts, butterflied.
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive Oil

These are Sheila's directions, literally, word-for-word:

"So you take red apples and cut them into small pieces. In a saucepan put the apples, honey, balsamic and nutmeg. Carmelize them and then butterfly the chicken breasts so they are open. And flatten them a bit. Then put the apples and brie on one side and put the other side of the chicken over it. Bake it on like 400 for about 35-40min. I just seasoned chicken w salt, pepper and olive oil. Delicious:)"

I followed Sheila's suggestion and served up this chicken along side little red potatoes. I simply quartered them, seasoned them using just olive oil, parsley, and salt and pepper, then baked them in the oven with the chicken. Delish!

I also sauteed some fresh green beans, as well.

A huge Thanks to Sheila for sharing her recipe!

JD LOVED IT! As I mentioned, he doesn't even like Chicken, so you know it was delicious! In fact, he raved about it-- first rating it an "8" on a scale from 1-10... then, stating "If I had to eat it once a week, I could."

Verdict: MAKE IT NOW!

Cocktail Meatballs

I'm backkkk! :)

It's been a while. I do apologize! 

The hustle and bustle of the holidays finally took its toll. I have been traveling all over and cooking marvelous things, however.  I'm very excited to share this next recipe... mostly because I didn't think I was going to like it at all.  In fact, the boyfriend and I were sitting around the house trying to figure out what to make for New Years Eve and he makes the request for Cocktail Meatballs the way his Mom has always made them.  Not only was I absolutely terrified that mine could never stand up to his Mother's... but I had never eaten them, let alone made them before.  I was so anxious even just thinking about it! So, I gave it a shot... This is the recipe I used:

COCKTAIL MEATBALLS

Courtesy of  Cooks.com

Meatballs:

• 1 lb. lean ground beef
  1 egg, slightly beaten
  1/2 c. bread crumbs
  1 tsp. chopped parsley
  1/2 onion (opt.)
  1 tsp. salt
  1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  1/4 tsp. pepper

Sauce:

• 1 (12 oz.) bottles Heinz chili sauce
• 1 (10 oz.) jar grape jelly
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. soy sauce

Directions:

Combine meat ingredients and form into 1" balls. 

Combine chili sauce, jelly, lemon juice, brown sugar and soy sauce in a sauce pan.

Bring to a boil, stirring. 

Add raw meatballs to sauce. 

Cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

I had skimmed other recipes online, and decided to use 2 bottles of chili sauce instead of the 1 the recipe had called for.

I have to admit... I was a bit cautious before trying the finish product... I was so nervous that the meatballs wouldn't be cooked all the way through.  (Also, I HATE grape jelly!) But, much to my amazement, these meatballs were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! I was ecstatic.  These meatballs were a HUGE success! They were quick, easy, and scrumptious!

JD LOVED them! He raved about them, saying they tasted exactly like his Mom's! When asked to rate them on a scale from 1-10, he gave them a 9! That's HUGE! :):)

Verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Super Easy Sugar Cookies

It's sure been a while! I do apologize.  I've been so busy, traveling, shopping for the holidays, and of course BAKING! :):)

Tonight I'm baking sugar cookies for all of the sewers at the facility where I work-- we manufacture custom-made handbags!  They've all been working really hard to fill the Christmas orders, so all of us (the ladies who work in the office) have been taking turns making something special for them each day.

Of course, tomorrow it's my turn... So, Super Easy Sugar Cookies, it is!

I think this was my mom's recipe? We've been using it forever! When I was little we used to make cut-out cookies with this recipe and frost them to share with my class around the holidays. It's easy, and yummy-- all the best ones are. The best part is, they always turn out great and they ALWAYS taste exactly the same! Just the way I remember them tasting the year before.

Super Easy Sugar Cookies

Courtesy of Sandi-Baby (my Mom)

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 cup butter, COMPLETELY softened
• 1 1/2 c. sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually blend in the dry ingredients. Roll rounded teaspoonful of dough into balls, and place onto ungreased cookie sheets. 
• Use pointer finger to create a dent in the top of the cookie and fill with sprinkles.
• Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. 
• Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.