Hot Mess

Here at Patch of Haven we sometimes have those pour the refrigerator out and see what happens. This could result in a good hot mess or a bad hot mess. Luckily for use it was the first one. This one skillet wonder had chicken, sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and a can of condensed mushroom soup. We poured this over white rice and dinner was served. Sometimes it pays to be a little crazy in the kitchen.

Blueberry Muffins

Who wants a Blueberry Muffin? The answer, my youngest son, that is who he loves blueberries, strawberries, and..... well any berry! That being said I decided to make Texas size blueberry muffins Saturday for Sunday morning. Yes Texas size, I hate the very thought of a little muffins. These little yum yums were a snap to whip up and a delicious start to the day. I think banana nut muffins next time, or why not both? Yes I think both.

Well Saturday my wife made Barbecue Chicken, Macaroni and cheese, Squash Casserole, and Pan toasted Bread. The highlight of this meal was the squash casserole. The casserole had onions, zucchini, squash, and crushed tomatoes with a Ritz cracker crumb topping....... sorry, I was drooling at the thought of it. The flavors of the dish were outstanding and the buttery flavor of the cracker crumbs made it. A most definite repeat.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheese Cake

Today I was attacked by a sweet tooth. The result a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheese Cake......... sorry I was drooling. This wonderful dessert is a favorite of mine and some of the guys I work with, one of who just had a birthday. That being said I decided that this was a good enough excuse to make a Cheese Cake. The cream cheese is blended with eggs, vanilla, and sugar. Then smooth heavenly filling is poured over a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough. I believe this could be close to heaven on earth or at least patch of heaven.

INGREDIENTS

3 blocks cream cheese>

3 eggs

3/4 cp. sugar

1 tbls. vinalla

Chocolate chip cookie dough [for crust]

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 425 dgrs. Press cookie dough in a spring form pan and place in freezer. Cream together cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Remove crust from freezer and pour filling in to spring form pan. Place in oven for 10 min. Then reduce heat cook another 30 to 45 min. remove from oven cool in refrigerator overnight. Enjoy!

Stuffed Pork Chops

Tonight for supper we had Stuffed Pork Chops, Baked Potato, and Corn on the Cob. I have not had stuffed pork chops in a long time. When I found these thick beauties in the market I knew right away what was to become of them. After a long soak in a apple juice and brown sugar bath. They found their way in to a iron skillet and a hot oven thirty minuets later they appeared bursting with herb and spiced goodness held together by pieces of moist buttery bread.

INGREDIENTS:

4 1 1/2" to 2" thick pork chops

1 box stuffing mix

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 dgs. Prepare stuffing according to box. Set a side. Cut pocket in side of pork chops. Stuff chops with stuffing. Brown on each side in medium heat skillet. Place in oven cook for 30 to 40 minuets. Enjoy!

Peach Cobbler

What could be better on a summer evening then peaches covered in biscuit? Well unfortunately our peaches have not yet ripened, but I have had a craving! After a quick drive to the local market I returned armed with peaches to make a Peach Cobbler. This southern Favorite went well with tonight's supper, Stuffed Pock Chops.

1/2 cp. sugar

1 tbls. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

4 cps. peaches

1 tsp. lemon juice

3 tbls. shortening

1 cp. flour

1 tbls. sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 cp. milk

Heat oven to 400 dgs. Mix 1/2 cp. sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, lemon juice, and peaches in a sauce pan stirring constantly until mixture thickens and begins to boil. Boil and stir one minute. Pour into greased 2-quart dish. Cut shortening into flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt till looks like fine crumbs. Stir in milk . Drop onto peaches by spoonfuls. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool and enjoy!

Tonight was on of Tucker's favorite meals, lasagna. Amber put a twist on a old staple, veggies, fresh from the garden! She fried up the sausage and made her on sauce. The sauce was made from crushed tomatoes, onions, and spices. Then she sliced the zucchini and yellow squash. With all the prep done she began the assembling. Layering noodles, meat, sauce, and veggies until smothering the top in mozzarella cheese and a sprinkling of parsley. After a hot time in the old oven this tasty and gooey dish was ready to eat. We all agreed that it was delicious. The only thing that Amber and I thought we would do different would be to steam the veggies before assembly, but all in all a great meal.