Braised Chicken Drumsticks

 I don't normally cook with drumsticks, but this recipe may have changed my mind.  The kids begged me to make this one again soon.  We served it over wild rice, next to a salad.  

• Chicken drumsticks
• kosher salt
• black pepper
• tumeric
• onion powder
• garlic powder
• smoked paprika
• chicken broth
• stewed tomatoes
• onion
• garlic
• carrots
• celery
• fresh thyme, if desired

1. Season chicken with spices.  (I like putting it all in a ziplock bag and mixing until coated).
2. Add olive oil to cast iron skillet and heat on medium-hi.  Once hot, place chicken in the pan and sear on both sides, about 5 mins each side.  
3. While the chicken is cooking, preheat oven to 375.
4. Remove chicken and set aside.  Add in chicken broth and vegetables.  Place chicken in the skillet on top of the vegetable liquid.  
5. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for about an hour.  

Marry Me Chicken

This was a fun twist on regular ol' chicken.  Yummy!

• 2 TBS olive oil
• 3 large chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• salt
• pepper
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 3/4 C chicken broth
• 1/2 C heavy cream
• 1/3 C parmesan cheese, grated (room temperature to avoid clumping)
• 1/2 C sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 tsp oregano
• red pepper flakes and fresh basil (for garnish), if desired

1. Preheat oven to 375.  Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.  
2. Heat olive oil in cast iron skillet on medium-hi heat.  When hot, add chicken and sear both sides 3-4 mins each.  
3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.  
4. Add garlic to skillet and cook until fragrant.  Stir in remaining ingredients, except basil.  Bring to simmer, then return chicken to skillet.  Spoon sauce over the chicken, the transfer the skillet to the oven.  
5. Bake in preheated oven for 15-20 mins.  

Strip Steak and Cream Sauce

 The family sure enjoyed this one, and I enjoyed how simple it was to make!  Winning.  Ha!

• NY strip steak (our family ate 4)
• salt
• olive oil
• pepper
• garlic powder
• smoked paprika
• creole seasoning
• butter
• minced garlic
• fresh herbs, if desired

Sauce

• Butter
• Sweet onion, sliced
• minced garlic
• Heavy cream
• Bourskin garlic and fine herbs cheese
• parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Heat a cast iron skillet on medium-hi with olive oil.  While pan is heating, season all sides of the steak.  Place in skillet and sear both sides (5-7 mins each side, until a hard sear).  Put sliced butter, garlic, and fresh herbs on top of steak and place in preheated oven.  Cook until the desired doneness.  We like ours medium/medium well, so we cooked it for about 5 minutes.  
2. While steak is in the oven, melt butter in another skillet.  Add remaining ingredients and cook on medium/lo until cheese is melted.  
3. Remove steak from oven when done and slice.  Drizzle with cream sauce.  

Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

 Truth be told, this one isn't my favorite, but the men in the house sure seem to enjoy it.  So it's on the rotation.  Very easy and you can basically just throw whatever you have available in.  

• 2-4 cups cooked rice
• 2 bags frozen veggies of choice
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 10.5 oz cans cream of chicken soup (GF)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Cook rice according to directions.  Preheat oven to 350.  
2. In a large bowl combine all ingredients except for the cheese.  (I precook the veggies in the microwave to decrease cooking time.)
3. Spray a 9x13 dish with baking spray and pour in rice mixture.  Top with cheese.  Cook uncovered in oven for 30mins, or until cheese is melted.