Meals to Bring a New Mom: A Recipe Swap

Today at Ultimate Recipe Swap FishMama is sharing some meals to bring to a new mom. When I had my babies, I didn't happen to get any meals delivered to me once I came home (I really wish I had!). So I know how much of a blessing it would be to bring over some meals to families experiencing life in "survival mode" and bringing home a new baby.
Here are some of my favorites to share, not just in celebration of a new baby, but in the case of someone having surgery, going through a rough time, or just helping out someone in need! We even made meals, froze them, and gave them as gifts! Who wouldn't love the gift of a prepared meal??!!

These meals are meals-in-a-bag (Think Skillet Sensations, etc.), though much tastier and healthier! (without all that sodium!!)

Creamy Italian Pasta with Chicken (meal in a bag)
Rigatoni with Sausage and Peppers (meal in a bag)
Cheeseburger Pasta (meal in a bag)

Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives Inspired "Italian Stew"

A few weeks ago my fridge went. I mean, just up and stopped working. My 9 year old, full-of-food fridge and freezer. I monitored the temperature with my thermometer my mother bought for all of us sisters, since the same thing happened to her "still under warranty" fridge. It didn't pay for us to invest almost $600 in repairs to our almost decade-old model, so I got a great deal on a new one. (Paid for in cash!) But by the time it would be delivered, it would be day three of no power to my fridge. So I had to act fast and save what I could. Who wouldn't get creative and use up all that food?!
I made a run to my sisters and stocked what I could fit in her extra fridge in her garage, and stored what I could in my deep freezer. I had to use-or-lose the rest.
So looking at my options, I vaguely remembered a dish I saw prepared on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives. Not sure if it was close, but this is what I came up with. And boy, was it delicious:

Chicken Pisano
Sausage, Potatoes, Chicken, and Brown Gravy
(like an Italian stew)

3 Sweet Italian Sausage Links cut in thick slices
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in bite-sized pieces
red and green pepper strips
4 T. Butter
Flour
Oregano
Pepper
Can of whole potatoes or cut-up chunks of raw potatoes
AuJus or Beef Stock

Melt some butter in a pan. Pop in some thick cut slices of sausage (sweet italian). Add in cut up pieces of chicken breast and let grill up. Add in some oregano and pepper. There will be some oil in the pan from the butter and the sausage, so add some flour to make a roux. Add in some AuJus or Beef stock (what I used) to make a gravy. Add in some chunks of potatoes, or cut can of whole white potatoes in quarters and add in. Turn down heat and let simmer and cook. Brown gravy will become thick. Cook until potatoes are tender and meat is cooked through.

Getting creative in a pinch Works for Me!!

As an added note: I have since found the actual recipe and episode. The dish is called Chicken Pisano. My memory didn't fail me much...my rendition was close!!

Soups for the Soul

Fishmama's Ultimate Recipe Swap calls for favorite soup recipes...
So here's what I'm sharing over there today:
Creamy Turkey and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
Low fat Tomato "Chili" (can be a freezer meal) A favorite of Coach's!

Photo credit

Halloween Monster Munch

Here is a quick snack I surprised my kids with before our football game the other day. I even made some extra to send off in a care package to Minnesota to one of our players who is in his freshman year out there playing football.
All of their favorites: pretzels, M&M's, Halloween Oreos, and candy corn all wrapped in white chocolate! Yum!

Ingredients:
Package of white chocolate melting chips or lb. of white chocolate almond bark
Crumbled oreos
Crumbled pretzels
M&M's
Candy corn
Halloween Sprinkles

Directions:
1. Melt white chocolate in microwave according to package directions. While chocolate is melting, line baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper or no stick foil.
2. Pour layer of chocolate on lined cookie sheet, then quickly toss snack mixture into the chocolate. Sprinkle sprinkles over top. (You'll need to work quickly as for the chocolate to not harden.)
3. Allow to harden (or refrigerate to harden)
4. Break apart into pieces.

*(You could toss your snack mixture on the lined cookie sheet first, then pour the white chocolate over top, but I had so many pieces that were so thick with chocolate since it is difficult to spread, the above directions worked best for me!)

Inspired by: Your Home Based Mom
Linked to: Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Here is another version of "Monster Munch" that includes popcorn.

One town. One team. One dream.

One town...One team...One dream...

We are in our second third undefeated week of our season. And our "boys of fall" are looking, full speed ahead, for the chance at a State Championship. We're a small town with big dreams, that never gives up.

Football Season...nothing is Finer!!

Sign of Good Fortune?

Word has it that sighting a Praying Mantis is the sign of good fortune. After we found this guy on our garage floor, I look forward to the future!

Labor Day link-up

Congratulations to my blogger friend, Amy, and her Coach on the birth of their fourth child! (Oh, how I know how challenging delivering right in the middle of football season can be!!) Amy is celebrating Labor Day again by celebrating birth stories.
I'm sharing mine again this year.
Click on over for more!