There will be individual project pictures and links to what everyone else has to offer at the end of my post, but here’s a peek at what we all came up with:
I made Skillet Cordon Bleu Dinner.
Skillet Cordon Bleu Dinner
Last month for our Anti-Boredom themed Blog With Friends post I made Layered Thai Shrimp Salad. I could have easily used that recipe for today's theme, as it meets all of my criteria. For me, when it comes to recipes, the best way to simplify my life is to come up with a satisfying meal that can be either made ahead or at least prepped ahead, and that uses leftover and/or pre-made ingredients.
Of course, ordering take-out is a great way to simplify life too, and I'm certainly not averse to take-out as an option now and then, but I don't think you need me to tell you how to do that, so for today I'll share a recipe.
I have been deliberately making more food than we can eat. It's partly because I don't know if one or both of the boys might show up for dinner (and whether they'll have friends with them), it's partly because I find it hard to cook for just two, and it's mostly to have leftovers.
In the winter I tend to freeze leftover casseroles to serve another time. In the summer, when leftovers tend to not be in casserole form anyway, I'm looking for easy (but different) repurposing of the leftovers. Frequently it's cold dishes, but sometimes it's something hot. Quick and easy though, to simplify my life.
Although I made Skillet Cordon Bleu Dinner for today's post, you can change this up easily. Switch the flavor of the rice mix, change up the meats and vegetables based on what's leftover in your fridge, skip the sweet hot mustard and you've got another version.
To start, I opened the fridge to check out what leftovers I had. Last week I had made Roasted-style Grilled Chicken:
and Pralined Snap Peas and Carrots (for this recipe I pulled out the leftover snap peas from the dish).
Based on the chicken and ham I decided to make a take-off on a cordon bleu. I gathered the leftovers and added a few other ingredients:
Grabbed a skillet, and in about 15 minutes I had a hearty, flavorful dinner on the table.
Now that is simplifying my life!
As always, any time you make one of my recipes, feel free to post a picture of it to my Baking In A Tornado Facebook Page. I'd love to see it!
Dawn of Spatulas on Parade shares her recipe for Parmesan Ranch Chicken:
Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares Simple (On-A-Budget) Laundry Room Update.
Tamara of Part-Time Working Hockey Mom shares her Keep - Donate - Toss Buckets.
Jules of The Bergham Chronicles shares Easy Ways to Keep Your Family Organized and On Track.
Skillet Cordon Bleu Dinner
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Ingredients:
2 cups chicken stock1 TBSP butter
1 clove minced garlic
1 TBSP sweet hot mustard
1 (about 5 oz) package of flavored dry rice mix (like Knorr)
1 cup leftover cooked chicken, room temperature, chopped
1/2 cup leftover cooked ham, room temperature, chopped
1 cup leftover cooked vegetables, room temperature
1/2 cup Swiss cheese, chopped
Directions:
*In a large skillet, bring the chicken stock, butter, garlic and mustard to a boil. Add the packaged rice mix, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
*Add the chicken, ham and vegetables. Cover and cook for 2 more minutes or until the rice is tender.
*To serve, mix in the cheese or sprinkle it over the top.
Ha, a Cordon Bleu dish without the fiddly stuffing and coating! I like!
ReplyDeleteThe other day I saw a recipe that incorporated all the ingredients of Shepherd's Pie, but they were individually cooked and put into a lunch box. They called it "deconstructed Shepherd's Pie" - which makes me smile and call your recipe "deconstructed Cordon Bleu" :-)
That works!
DeleteI just happen to have all but the snap peas in my left-overs at the moment! (rubs hands in glee . . .)
ReplyDeletePerfect timing!
DeleteCreativity with leftovers is the way to go. This looks yummy. I love making enough for dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day!
ReplyDeleteCook once, eat twice. We should have t-shirts made.
DeleteThat looks amazing and my daughter would LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteSo quick and easy, I hope you guys try it.
DeleteThis is perfect. So many ways to sub out ingredients you don’t have. And to make totally different variations. And to use up a rotisserie chicken...Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYes, I love using leftover rotisserie chicken, it adds so much roasted flavor to a dish.
DeleteYou are just brilliant with your use of what's on hand! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat is that old saying, necessity is the mother of invention?
DeleteI just love the idea of 'Simplifying your life.' There's so much in it! Great pick of theme, I must say. There's a lot simplicity in accepting life as it is while living the beauty within it! And you're a pro in creating simple "flavors" of life- with food.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
www.thepositivewindow.com
There's more time to enjoy life if we can sometimes simplify those things that need to get done. And sometimes that's dinner.
Delete