Chicken Rolls

Makes 16 rolls

2 C. cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
1 package cream cheese, 8 oz.
4 oz. mushrooms, drained (I left these out because my kids don't like them)
1 t. sage or poultry seasoning

2 pkgs. Pillsbury crescent rolls
1/4 C. butter, melted
1/4-1/2 C. bread crumbs

Mix first 4 ingredients together. Put walnut size scoops on opened up crescent rolls. Roll up into balls and seal edges. Dip in melted butter, then in bread crumbs. Place on cookie sheet. (I spray cookie sheet with Pam.) Bake 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Skillet Lasagna

We tried this recipe last week and it is so quick, only 29 minutes, and so delicious! We love lasagna, but I hate how long it usually takes to make. This is a fabulous alternative!


Skillet Lasagna

from The Pampered Chef's 29 Minutes to Dinner cookbook

1 jar (24 - 26 oz) marinara sauce
3 cups water
8 oz lasagna noodles
1 lb hot Italian turkey sausage (casings removed)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 oz Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Additional grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1. Combine sauce and water in 12" Skillet. Cover; bring to a boil.

2. Meanwhile, wrap noodles in clean kitchen towel and break crosswise into quarters. Stir noodles into sauce. Cover; reduce heat and simmer 16 - 18 minutes or until noodles are tender, stirring occasionally.

3. As noodles cook, place sausage into 10" skillet; cook and stir over medium-high heat 6 - 8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles. Add pressed garlic; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir sausage into noodles and sauce.

4. Meanwhile, grate Parmesan cheese. Chop parsley; set aside about 1 Tbsp parsley for garnish. Combine cheeses, remaining parsley and black pepper in bowl. Scoop cheese mixture over noodles. Cover skillet and simmer gently 3 - 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and ricotta mixture is heated through.

5. To serve, sprinkle lasagna with reserved parsley and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Makes 6 servings

The first time I made it I was out of lasagna noodles, so I made it with bow tie pasta, which was very yummy too! Also, if you use no-boil lasagna noodles reduce cooking time to 10 - 12 minutes.

Enjoy!

Good Idea to Teach Kids to Set the Table

I was reading the "Real Simple Family" Magazine that was put out in August. (I think it comes out once a year and is kind of an add-on issue to the normal "Real Simple" Magazine.) Anyway, there was a good idea in there about a table setting diagram that you can print (even laminate if you like) and the kids can use it to remember where the silverware, cup, napkin, and plate go on the table. Such a good idea! Here is the link. I'm going to give it a try... Margaret

P.S. Next week share your crock pot recipes!!!

Hot Dinner Time Ideas

This is my "Everybody's Happy" meal idea:

I like to serve buffet style meals. In other words, a couple times a week I will serve meals that everyone can customize to their liking. Some examples are tacos, burritos, salads w/ chopped chicken/ham/cheese etc., Hawaiian haystacks.

Another kind of buffet I do sometimes is serve a few menu items that don't necessarily go together but at least I know everyone will find something to eat. It's what I call being proactive to head off the "I don't like this... I'm hungry" commentary. So we might have baked chicken, chili, rice, salad and steamed veggies. This isn't as much work as it sounds. I use very simple recipes, always make enough for leftovers for the next night or for lunch... and more cans than most people. BUT! I have my reasons! And I'll explain those on another post when I finish ironing the bugs out!

The tricky part about this idea is that it necessitates dirtying more dishes. But my policy is that if I cook it, I don't clean it. I'm not a maid/servant/slave/dummy!

A hot mealtime idea

I've been trying to come up with a better idea on how to handle dinner time in my house. It's often the most stressful part of the day for me. Trying to keep dinner from burning. Kids often run around after each other (someone is often screeching). Everyone wants to help but I can't think of a job for everyone or handle the chaos that ensues. So, here is a plan that came to me today. (I haven't figured out my wild card yet... Bennett.) I am going to try rotating three jobs with the older 3 kids. Cook's helper (with apron and all), Set the Table Person (haven't thought of a catchy name yet), and the best part.... Bennett Babysitter. I'll let you know how it goes.