cherry squares*

I had the craziest dream the other night. I saw on someones facebook that the Cheesecake Factory was having a 1/2 off cheesecake day for national cheesecake day or something or other (for real, not in the dream). If my hubby didn't have to work that day, I would have definitely fit in a trip to the Cheesecake Factory - no doubt. However, our schedules did not allow such an adventure.

Anyway, back to my dream. I dreamed that I was at the Cheesecake Factory with a bunch of people, in which I didn't know a single one, and they all ordered a piece of cheesecake of their choice. Then, when the waitress left, I realized I had forgotten to order a piece for myself! This is no lie, I literally woke up in a panic. The next day I told the hubs, and I think that is the day he realized that I really truly have a problem. He said he didn't realize my obsession with desserts went that far. Seriously though, don't mess with a girl when it comes to cheesecake - especially if it is half price!

We made these cherry squares awhile back for a dessert for the students. It tasted just like a sugar cookie with a cherry middle. I think it could have used a little bit more of a sugary taste, or maybe even some lemon juice and zest would be so yummy!

herbed spaghetti squash*

I have big news. I have successfully made Bisquick pancakes 2 times in a ROW! I don't know what my problem is, but for some reason I have the hardest time making pancakes. Even just from the mix. I am telling you right now, those directions are misleading. You need much more water than it states. I refuse to accept responsibility for my inability to add enough water to pancake mix ratio. Not my fault. This is no operator error. I plan on calling Bisquick myself tomorrow and telling them the REAL ingredient measurements. I will let you know how it goes.

We had this spaghetti squash for dinner tonight. The students were so excited when they thought it was pasta, then had a very confused look when they found out it was squash. But most of them took it! Great sign!!! This is the first time I have had spaghetti squash, and I LOVED it. I am a huge squash fan and find myself craving it from time to time. I can now add spaghetti squash to my list! I love the fresh herbs in this recipe and the butter brings out a nutty and salty deliciousness to the dish. Mmmmm...

panzanella*

Harmons. I was first introduced to Harmons awhile back in St. George. Landon and I decided to drop in and find something to take back to the house for dinner. My life has since changed forever. That store is incredible! First, you walk in and everyone is so nice and helpful. Then, you look over and there is a whole section of deli meats and cold salads and a bakery and a full salad bar and desserts and just pure amazing selection of all sorts of amazing things. Then, you turn around and there is a beautiful arrangement of big freezer aisles, that look so ordinary, but alas they are NOT ordinary! Like, seriously, I could LIVE in the ice cream section. If you have never been to a Harmons, or if you have never ventured to their ice cream section, you are seriously missing out. Sometimes I just find any reason I can think of to just drop in just to stroll through the ice cream aisle. Any flavor that you can think of (even frozen doggie treats) are in this godsend of an aisle. However, I have never bought any of the amazing selections of ice cream. Why? you ask. Usually when I go I am going for work, so therefore I don't want to store the ice cream in the work freezer because then I am 99% sure I will forget to take the amazing creamy delight home. I dream of a Harmons closer to my house. That would make my life. I am getting giddy just thinking of the possibility! As unlikely as this life changing possibility would be :(.

OH - I almost forgot!!! This past Sunday one of the girls homes offered to clean the cafeteria SPOTLESS and then brought us a big THANK YOU card with tons of nice thank you's on it,

2 balloons, and some freshly baked chocolate cupcakes with soft delicious chocolate frosting and the words "thank you" written on the cupcakes!!

It was the cutest! And the girls did such a great job cleaning the cafeteria until it shined! THANKS GIRLS!!!!

This panzanella is such a fresh salad and so perfect for these hot summer days. I even liked to eat the tomatoes in this salad! Which is big for me, because I am not a huge fan of tomatoes. But I think the reason why I love this salad is because of the fresh basil and the crunchy bread. I, of course, love a good crusty bread, but my all time favorite herb is basil! FRESH basil. Mmmm...so amazing. If I had to choose one herb and one spice to have to make due with for the rest of my life it would be basil and cinnamon. I would be fine with just the two. I wonder if there is a recipe that combines the two?? Hey - it might taste ok :)

teriyaki chicken salad sandwich*

My little sister is the cutest! Last night she came over to hang out with me and do a little yoga. I have never done yoga in my life, but my best friend Ashley was telling me that she discovered that there was yoga on Xfinity on Comcast. I decided to look it up and check it out the other day and I had no idea how hard yoga is! It is definitely a workout. Anyway, I decided that I should give it a shot so I invited my sister to join me in this adventure. So she came over with my little nephew Xander (love him!) and we about died doing yoga! I didn't know my body could twist/bend that way. It was an experience to say that least!

So once the torture was over, we ordered some Chinese, since it is so healthy and all, and just hung out. My little nephew is only 5 weeks old and I have babysat the little guy 3 times. I asked her how she dared have me watch him so much, when I don't even have kids myself. She said that she sees the way I take care of my dog, so knew I would do a good job. HAHA! That is sad! I told you little Tankers is spoiled! I cracked up for a good 5 minutes! Oh man...

This sandwich is so delish! I love chicken salad!! However, I do not love chicken salad with grapes. I don't know why, but mixing fruit with my meat seems weird. This recipe has mangoes and pineapple in it, so I'll admit, I was skeptical. Especially because I am not a huge fan of mangoes. Let me tell you, it works! The teriyaki sauce mixed with the mayo is pure heaven, and the crunchiness of the toasted almonds is magical! I tried to be good and eat it on a piece of whole wheat bread, but let me tell you it was hard to turn down the buttery croissant! I am sure the combo of this amazing chicken salad and the croissant would have been to die for!

orzo & vegetable confetti salad*

This salad is so fresh and the perfect salad for summer! It would be perfect for a family reunion or picnic, and you don't have to worry about keeping it ice cold because there isn't any mayo or other ingredients that do not do well in the sweltering heat.

cherry cheesecake cupcakes*

I have been wanting to make these cupcakes forEVER! Ok, maybe only a few months, but I should have thought of this idea forever ago! I was thinking that I would just make it with a white cake cupcake, but then I had this thought. I wonder if there was a recipe for a graham cracker cake batter?? And alas, THERE IS!! With some minor adaptations to the recipe, it was the perfect cupcake to house some yummy cherry pie filling with a no bake cheesecake swirl topping, a cherry puree drizzle, then finished off with a piece of graham cracker. AMAZING! My new FAVORITE cupcake - I think I say that a lot...!! :)

The no-bake cheesecake filling I have been using for years. Like-since I was probably 13. It is so amazing and SO easy. Especially with a homemade graham cracker crust and raspberry topping. So you want a quick and easy cheesecake recipe, use that filling and make yourself a yummy cheesecake. I don't know why I never thought of using it as a frosting until now. But it is my new favorite discovery!

chicken cordon bleu*

I don't know what has gotten into me, but I have been cooking and baking all day. To be honest, I don't cook a whole lot at home. Well, I cook, but mainly the same meals over and over. It is not too often that I get very creative. But I do have my reasons. The first reason - I don't have that much time. Once I get home from work it's usually between 5 and 6 and there is not much to time to cook a full blown nice meal. The second reason, I love my husband but he is not very adventurous. HOWEVER, notice that is a big HOWEVER, he has gotten a lot better lately. For instance, a few months back he ordered a mango salsa chicken salad from a restaurant that had VEGETABLES and MANGOES in it. That is insane! I nearly dropped over dead! And thirdly, cooking nice fancy meals on a constant basis is expensive. I like to go shopping for things other than food, and it bugs me if I have to spend all of my money on food. Is that weird?? Maybe. But seriously, food is expensive! That and it is just Landon and I, so it is hard for me to justify spending too much money on food, when 9 out of 10 times it is cheaper for us to eat out. Oh, and fourthly, I am around food ALL DAY. It is a wonder I am not 300 pounds yet. So it is not as exciting for me to cook at home when I am cooking nearly everyday at work.

Anyway, back to my cooking and baking of the day. Today I made chicken cordon bleu for the first time, some mashed potatoes and gravy, homemade fluffy dinner rolls, and a big cookie with homemade vanilla ice cream for dessert! This is when I was reminded that I don't have time to cook like this all the time. I started cooking at 2 and just finished up and it is almost 7:30. Of course I had some down time in between to throw in 5 loads of laundry. I was very productive today, but now I am pooped and am seriously craving a diet Dr. Pepper right about now. If only it wouldn't keep me up all night...

I have always loved the little chicken cordon bleu's you can buy in the frozen section at the store, and a couple months back Landon ordered it from Mimi's and it was amazing! Ever since I have wanted to try my hand at making it myself, and today was the lucky day! And even though I was totally scared out of my mind because I didn't think I could make it work, it turned out perfectly and even looked edible!! If I can do it, anyone can do it! Give it a try.

This recipe is amazing. The chicken is nice and tender and the middle with the ham and melty cheese is amazing. Then the crunchy crispy outside is the perfect little package to this amazing dish!! And again, you can tell the pictures were taken in my dark dreary household.

Chicken Cordon Bleu
from Buttery Books

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
6 thin slices of Swiss cheese
6 thin slices of ham
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon paprika
Kosher salt
Coarse ground pepper
1 cup bread crumbs, preferably Panko (HIGHLY suggest the Panko! Love it!)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 eggs
2 teaspoons water
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil

Wash chicken breasts and pat dry.  Between two pieces of plastic wrap, gently pound out chicken  to 1/4 inch thickness.  Be careful not to tear chicken.  Place a cheese and ham slice on each chicken breast.  Tightly roll each chicken breast over the cheese and ham and squeeze the chicken roll to help seal.  Secure seal with toothpicks, if necessary.

Mix the flour and paprika together in a flat dish.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Set aside.  Mix bread crumbs and thyme together in another flat dish.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  Set aside.  In another dish, mix whisk together eggs and water.  Arrange dishes next to stove top where the chicken will be frying.

In a large saucepan, heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat.  Lightly dust chicken rolls with flour mixture, then dip into egg mixture.  

Gently coat each roll in the bread crumbs and place in pan to fry.

Cook until chicken is browned on all sides and juices run clear. Transfer breasts to serving plate.   Remove toothpicks if used. 

Serve with a wedge of lemon or a cream sauce, if desired.

-alyssa*