Mediterranean Chicken

I love it when I find an awesome quick and simple recipe, it helps make my life easier. The other day I was on the hunt for a new chicken recipe, so I started browsing some recipes over at You've Got Supper and came across this one, Mediterranean Chicken in a NY Minute. The name said it all and I was hooked! {Side note: If you have never heard of You've Got Supper definitely check it out, I posted about it before here.} Now at first I was a little skeptical to try it because (a) chicken is not Mr. C's fav and (b) he doesn't really care for artichokes - unless of course they are in my sister's crab and artichoke dip. But I decided to go out on a limb and give it at try because (a) I love chicken and artichokes and (b) I was the one doing the cooking.

Well...the hubby put his stamp of approval on it.

via

Ingredients:
4 chicken breast halves, boneless & skinless, 4 oz. each
1 14 oz. can of diced tomatoes, no salt, drained
1 14 oz. frozen artichokes coarsely chopped (I used 1 small jar of the non-frozen)
8 large kalamata olives, pitted halved (these can be kind of $$$, so I used black olives)
2 oz. feta cheese crumbles ( I probably went a little heavy on this...love me some feta)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. oregano

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Lightly pound chicken just so they are all the even thickness, but don't make them to thin
3. Cut 4 12" squares of foil, place one chicken breast in the center of each piece of foil (it doesn't say to, but after this I seasoned the chicken with a little S&P)
4. Combine the diced tomatoes, artichokes, olives, and feta in a bowl. Top chicken evenly with the mixture. Then, drizzle each with a little of the olive oil and oregano.
5. Seal the chicken in the foil and then place packets on a rimmed baking sheet.
6. Bake for about 22 to 25  or until chicken is cooked.

For a side,  I made yellow rice but couscous would also go nice with this recipe. Enjoy!

3 month review

I have got to be the world's worst blogger. I know there is not a lot of you out there that read my blog, but to the ones that do I am sorry for being so MIA. I actually have a good reason though - drumroll please - I finally got a job!!! It is crazy how I can go from not having anything to do to, to everything happening at once.

Since my last post I have acquired a job, went to Orlando for one of my dear friends baby shower (who a couple of days ago welcomed a sweet little boy to this world), traveled to Auburn, AL for a wedding, went to the beach to celebrate Easter with the family and my sister's birthday.

It has been non-stop and so, I thought I would take this time to also let everyone know how I am coping with living in SW GA.  When we decided to make the move, I was excited for our new adventure, but I won't lie, I was pretty nervous too. The thought of moving to a new, small southern town where I knew only two other people, try to make new friends, and find a job - it was all little frightening. But through previous experience I knew that when one door closes a new one always opens up - I just didn't know how long it was going to take for that to happen. I don't know about y'all, but I find that has you get older it can sometimes be harder to make friends. But I am happy to report that everything is falling into place (knock on wood!), Mr. C loves his job, I like mine and we are meeting some wonderful people. Everyone has been so friendly, especially my friend Cristin, who has been tremendous in helping me get settled, I am truly getting a taste of that southern hospitality.

Weekend Round-up

Mr. C and I took advantage of the beautiful weather this past weekend and enjoyed the great outdoors. Mr. C has been working so much lately and the past couple of weekends he has been going to work, so it was nice to spend two whole days with him. We enjoyed some good country cookin' at a local joint called Pearly's, walked around Chehaw Park, and I caught my first bass and brim!  

{It was my first time eating at Pearly's and it was definitely good. Nothing fancy, but probably some of the best biscuits & gravy I've ever had!}

{Me and Mr. C at Chehaw.}

{My first brim!}

St. Patty's Day Ideas

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner. Oh how I used to love St. Patty's Day in college - so much fun! I quickly realized that St. Patricks Day for college students is like Christmas morning when your a kid. It is just a good reason to get together with friends, hang out and drink green beer. Not sure exactly what Mr. C and I will do, if anything. But I still wanted to get in the mood for this green holiday so I turned to....that's right Pinterest for some inspiration.  Here are some of the great ideas I found!

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: hostessblog.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: tangledandtrue.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Source: twigandthistle.com via Amanda on Pinterest

oh the view

I can't say that apartment living is the best, but there is one good thing about our apartment....the view! It is such a beautiful day (besides all the pollen)- I just can't wait for spring!! Hope everyone is having a great day :)

Something New!

Yes, I decided it was time to give my ole' blog a new look for the new year. Considering the name of my blog, I tried to keep the design  a little nautical looking. Hope y'all like!

In case any of you are wondering how I got this great new look, unfortunately it wasn't from me. I know some stuff about computers, but blog design is not one of them. When I started my blog, I remember thumbing through the templates that Blogger offered and was not real impressed. I wanted something a little less generic, however, I knew that (one) I did not have the skills to design my own blog and (2) the patience to learn how.  So for any of you out there looking to give your blog a little pazazz or want to start a blog, here is a list of some of the web sites I have found. They offer pre-made blog templates for Blogger and Wordpress at a variety of prices and some even have FREE templates.

Designer Blogs

Shabby Blogs

Smitten Blog Designs

Leelou Blogs

 





Creamy Rigatoni Bake

I made this awhile ago to take over to my in-laws house for dinner. This makes a great dinner paired with a salad and some garlic bread. It is easy and you can make ahead so you have more time to socialize with family and friends. Enjoy! {Sorry I don't have a picture. I forgot to take one.}

Creamy Rigatoni Bake
Courtesy of: A Thyme To Celebrate, Junior League of Tallahassee Cookbook
Serves: 8 to 10

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Vidalia onion or other sweet onion, chopped
• 2 tbls. salted butter
• 2 lbs. ground sirloin
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1 & 1/2 tsp. Paprika
• 1 (26 oz.) jar marinara sauce
• 16 oz. rigatoni
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 salted butter
• 1 &1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Saute the onion in 2 tbls of butter in a skillet for 5 min. Add the ground sirloin, Italian seasoning and Paprika. Cook until the ground sirloin is brown, stirring until crumbly; drain. Stir in the marinara sauce. Simmer for 20 min.

Cook the pasta; drain. Mix the cream cheese, sour cream and 1/4 cup butter in a large saucepan. Cook until melted, stirring constantly. Add the pasta and toss to coat well. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer the ground sirloin sauce over the pasta. Sprinkle the Cheddar cheese over the top.

Bake, uncovered, for 30 min or until bubbly.