Chicken Zucchini Alla Pesto!

So last week I boasted with my proud Italian heritage in my Stuffed Crust Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza post. How I love the traditional meals such as pasta, pizza, fresh gnocchi, cheese and so on. THIS week I am taking a little bit of a spin on an Italian dish. Instead of angel hair or spaghetti pasta I'm using zucchini! A low carb, delicious and healthy spin. Being guilt free, this dish is abundant in flavor and looks beautiful on a plate. Don't let the clean eating scare you, This dish is for real and absolutely amazing! TO put the cherry on top THIS is a 30 minute meal! Oh yes. This recipe has a lot going for it!!!

My sister who caters for a living, which means, DUH! She's an AMAZING cook, found an awesome gadget called a Veggetti! A spiral slicer that turns zucchini, squash, cucumbers and other vegetables into pasta type strings. Hence the name Veggetti, like spaghetti! Anyways my Mom purchased one and brought it with her when were were all together over the 4th of July at our family cabin. She was making fresh salads using it. I knew at first glimpse I NEEDED one of these. So I promptly purchased one on our way home! Needless to say vegetables have been way more fun since I have had it! Which says a lot, I'm a California girl so I grew up on fresh produce and have always loved it and had fun cooking with it. This gadget opens a whole new direction to take produce though and it makes my mind go crazy with creative ideas!

Chicken Zucchini Alla Pesto is a must try! You'll feel great after eating a fresh healthy meal such as this one and still love every bite of it!

Is that tongue marks on my screen from trying to lick it? NASTY! 

Chicken Zucchini Alla Pesto

For the chicken

4 Chicken breasts. (If their thicker I filet them down to thinner pieces)

1 Tablespoon jarred pesto (Can be found in fresh section of grocery)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon vinegar

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon pepper

*Marinate your chicken breasts in this mixture from 30 minutes to 24 hours.*

For the zucchini pasta

4 Medium sized zucchini

1 white onion

2-3 Tablespoons jarred pesto (can be found in fresh section of grocery)

2 Tablespoons butter

1 Teaspoon salt

1 Teaspoon pepper

*Optional* 1/2 Teaspoon minced garlic

Parmesan cheese for garnish! 

Heat a skillet with some melted butter in the bottom or your grill to cook your marinated chicken. Once heated cook until done. Using your Vegetti, slice down your Zucchini. Chop your onions. Heat a skillet to medium high heat and melt butter and optional garlic together. Once melted sauté your onions until caramelized then add your zucchini for a quick sauté. It won't take long. Once all vegetables are cooked add your pesto and spices and stir together. Let simmer for a minute or two then serve with chicken breasts sliced down and served on top.

Bon Appetit!

Click here to print!

Chocolate Dipped Mint Leaves

This past month I fell in love with a mint bush I was gifted. I love the smell, the taste, Just had no clue of anything fun to do with it. I have thought about teas and jelly.. Nothing really exciting popped into my head until we were headed home from our trip and drove past an olive garden. LIGHT BULB! I love their after dinner candies. They hit the spot and bring a meal to a close. So why not do an upscale version of an after dinner bite with chocolate dipped mint leaves? Oh yes! This just happened and they are delicious bites to end a wonderful meal with! Specially if you have a white chocolate dipped on... That is my favorite!

Make a good sized batch of these and have in your freezer ready to go!! Or make big batches during the holidays for a light candy! 

Sucks when you can't grab one of these through the screen, huh? Darn!

Chocolate Dipped Mint Leaves

20 Mint leaves

1/4 Cup melted dark chocolate

1/4 Cup melted white chocolate

Wax paper lined 13x9 cookie sheet

Using a double boiler melt down your chocolates separately. Pour melted chocolates into two separate little saucers to dip out of. Take ten leaves to dip on one and one in another. When dipping a leaf get both sides coated by sliding it through the chocolate. Allowing it to drip excess chocolate and then lay it on wax paper to dry. I let them completely harden in the freezer then put em zip-locs to keep in the freezer!

Click here to print recipe!!

How to add a facebook like box to blogger.

See that bit of awesomeness right there in the top right hand corner...looks like Facebook and asks you to click like.  Ya that box, go ahead now click like, all the cool kids are doing it. I'll wait.

Liked it? Good let's move on.

Now let's make your own Facebook like boxes for your blogger blog.

It's one of the easiest widgets to add to your blog.

All you need to do is  click here.  You will need to input your Facebook page URL and set the width and height.  Edit the other settings or not (hint: I didn't change a thing).

Then proceed to get my code. You will see five options for codes. Pick IFRAME.

Copy code and proceed to blogger.

Once in blogger, click on layout and add gadget.  Scroll down and find HTML/Java Script, and past your code.

Save and done! Let me know if you have any questions about it!

Grilled avocado

Mmmm grilled avocado is pretty much the best idea on the face of the planet.  

You will need:

avocados

lime juice

olive oil

sea salt

salsa and sour cream (optional)

1.  Cut avocado in half and remove the seed.

2.  Sprinkle with lime juice.

3.  Baste with olive oil.

4.  Place on hot grill and grill on medium for 5 minutes.

5.  Sprinkle with sea salt and more lime juice (optional).

6.  Fill hole with salsa and sour cream.

7.  Eat eat eat. yum yum yum.

Click to Print Recipe!

STUFFED CRUST Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza

Being the proud Swiss-Italian that I am, pizza, pasta, and other Italian cuisine always has my heart. My waistline as well but lets not go there! I grew up eating fresh polenta, gnocchi, pasta, cheese, cured meats... Oh my. Really never got into pizza's until I was old enough to start cooking. My Mom found a pizza dough recipe and wanted to give it a try and its all been downhill since then! 

I love how you can allow your mind to get creative with pizzas! Its bread you can throw just about anything on there. This recipe not ONLY has delicious stuffed crust but a creamy cheesy topping with moist bites of chicken. Drooling on your computer yet? I know I am! Its like someone reading me a love story!  So no ifs ands or butts you gotta try this!

Warning... pizza slicer will not work through your computer screen!

Stuffed Crust Garlic Chicken Alfredo Pizza

For the Pizza dough

This dough recipe makes 2 pizza doughs. Use one freeze other two!

3 Cups flour extra (have an extra half cup for dusting and so on)

1 package instant dry yeast sugar

2 Teaspoon salt

1 Teaspoon sugar

1/2 Teaspoon italian seasoning

1 1/2 Cup HOT water

1/2 Teaspoon olive oil

For pizza sauce

8oz Cream cheese

1 1/2 Cup heavy cream

1/2-3/4 Cup parm cheese

3 Tablespoons butter (Didn't say this was healthy DONT JUDGE, hehe)

1 Teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 Teaspoon salt

1/2 Teaspoon pepper

For pizza topping

1 1/2 Cups chopped chicken

2 Cups mozzarella

1  Medium onion chopped

3 Tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons to cook with chicken one to brush crust with

Dash of italian seasoning on top for garnish.

Using your kitchen aid stand mixer with dough hook attachment blend all your dry ingredients for pizza dough. Turn on medium speed and slowly add water. Mix until dough hook forms a dough ball in bowl. Transfer to lightly flowered surface and knead for around a minute. Form into big fat ball and cut into 2 equal pieces. I have used this recipe to make 3 thin crust pizza's so follow your preference on how thick you'd like your crust! Roll the dough your going to use into a ball and roll around in a large mixing bowl with olive oil. Cover with tea cloth and allow to rise for about an hour. Find a sunny spot in your house where the heat will hit it. Once risen roll out on floured surface into large round pizza shape. Roll larger than your pizza stone or pan since you will be rolling up the crust with cheese inside! Cover with tea cloth once rolled out and allow to rise again for about 15-20 Minutes.

While dough is rising again take your chopped chicken and cook in butter over medium high heat.  In another saucepan whisk your sauce spices and flour together and add cream cheese cut into little cubes for easy melting and whisk in heavy cream and parmesan. Continuously whisk until melted thick and bubbly.

Take your rolled out dough and sprinkle about a cup of mozzarella cheese around all the edges. Roll up edges into a plump rounded crust. Bake the crust to for about 5 minutes or so to let the bread get a little head start before toppings are added.

Take out your crust and let the layering begin! The sauce makes a good amount but you don't need to use it all.  I use about half of it to 3/4's of it and save the rest for dipping! Spread around the bottom of the pizza. Add chicken and onions. Sprinkle remaining cheese over everything and garnish with a bit of italian seasoning. Brush melted butter over your crust for a golden crunch to form.

Bake in your oven until golden and bubbly. Let sit for a few minutes to do a little aroma therapy then devour with a big glass of wine or a nice light wheat beer!

Bon Appetit!

Sweet Pepper Grits

This past week Westen the dogs & I went on a little getaway. A much needed one up on the mountains  to our family cabin.  My parents met us up there and we all kicked back from a few days. Away from civilization and only hearing the distant train every morning and night. Breeze in the aspens, tall grass waving around. It was indeed heaven. Days kicked back on the porch playing cards, going on hikes, walking in the evening to the stream to catch some fish or just visiting and going around with jokes makes going to the cabin one of our favorite little getaways. Within a few hours were up in this beautiful place away from everything. We did not go to a parade or see any fireworks on the 4th of July this year.. Instead we had an ice cold beer with delicious food and kicked our feet up away from it all and soaked in the quiet serenity... well not counting the laughing and joking of course... but if we could zip our lip for a minute or two it was quite peaceful. We had our window open right above our bed in the loft and its amazing how well a person can sleep when the natural sounds of the wilderness are singing you a lullaby. Oh how I wish I could sleep that well at home!  To sum it all up you just NEVER want to leave and just stay up there on mountain time.

 Trips to the cabin seem to end up with memories made, laughs shared and above all delicious meals!

Little place I like to call heaven.

I don't know what it is but we have lots of ambition to make delicious meals and try new things! I guess when your miles away from the nearest grocery store your inspired to take what you have and make delicious meals! Thats what we do! My dad whips up the most amazing spiced pancakes, Mom fries the the stream fish we catch in a crunchy savory bite. I usually make a crazy amount of things! Southwestern macaroni salad, Salsa & Guacamole. All time favorites such as those!  So one morning I woke up inspired to do a play on a favorite breakfast side of mine. My dad will frequently cook a batch of grits to go with eggs and bacon. His grits are so good but I though't I'd get a little creative and maybe bring them to a new level of flavor, and I did. This recipe is oh my heck amazing so get yourself this line-up of ingredients and make yourself some!

Did I just face plant my screen in a taking a bite motion? Get it together, Mia! 

Sweet Pepper Grits

1 Batch Albers quick grits cooked grits I follow the 4 servings guideline

2 Medium sized sweet bell peppers. Yellow/Orange mix is what I use

1 Large onion chopped

1 - 1 1/2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

1/2 Teaspoon salt

3 Tablespoons butter (I didn't say it was healthy HA , HA!)

1/2 Teaspoon pepper

1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 Teaspoon chili powder

Caramelize your onions & peppers in the butter in a saucepan over medium high heat. Once caramelized add to your pot of cooked grits and stir it in along with all your spices and cheese. Cook until bubbly and cheese melted! Add any extra cheese, or spices if you want more. I use Albers quick grits but really any plan batch of grits can be transformed into this savory mixture!

Serve with some eggs, bacon and toast! Enjoy!

Click here to print!

Harlee's 6 year old birthday interview

It is time! Time for the up to date Harlee interview.  I hope you had as much fun as I have reading through the past three years of Harlee's birthday interviews.  I find it so interesting to see what changes and what stays the same.


What is your name?  Harlee

What is your mom's name?  Doylenn

What is your dad's name?  Adam

What does your mom do all day?  Clean and play and work

What does your dad do all day?  A lot of the days he works and the rest he stays home and plays

If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? Anywhere I want to
What is your favorite color? Pink and blue and all the colors of the rainbow and sometimes black when I see it, and white.
What is your favorite toy? Anything like juggle bubbles, and I really really really want juggle bubbles, they are not a waste, they are ten dollars.
What is your favorite fruit? Peaches
What is your favorite cartoon? Wild Kratts

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Macaroni and cheese

What is the grossest thing to eat for lunch? Masagna with an 'm' in the front mmmmmasagna, and boogers.
What is your favorite thing to wear? Whatever I want to
What is your favorite game? Tickle monster
What is your favorite snack? Peaches

What is your favorite animal? Anything

Which do you like more, hunting or fishing?  Hunting
What is your favorite song? Mama's Broken Heart and Blown Away and the Elsa song
What is your favorite book? The recorded ones that do it when you open it so we don't have to read it.
Who is your best friend? Sadie, Wyatt and Sloan and Jazy and Tiara and baby Dominik 

What is your favorite cereal? The one with pretty shapes
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with Daddy and you and Cheyenne
What is your favorite drink? Root beer, it's ok to have once in a while, also water, well water you can have whenever you want.

What is your favorite season? Spring and winter and fall
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas and my birthday and Halloween that's when I get to stay up late and go outside and carve pumpkins.

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Bell
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cereal
What do you want to be when you grow up? A cowgirl

Where is your favorite place to go? To parks and Sarah's house and Jazy's house

What is your favorite restaurant? Applebees cause they have special drinks and little swords. 

What kind of party to do want for your 7th birthday? Probably another lady bug one or a detective one.

If you could move anywhere in the world where would you live? With Jazy
What kind of party do you think Cheyenne should have for her birthday? Another purple one
What pets do you have? 100 cats they are invisible, a night dragon and other kinds of dragons and water buffalo dragon
What is your favorite butterfly? A monarch one cause they are the coolest butterflys they travel so far without stopping and landing

Polka dots or stripes? Stripes
Do you like showers or baths more? Baths
If you could have any super power what would it be? Diamond power, it's when whenever you say diamond and hold it up you make diamonds, you can even make diamonds out of your nose and eyes.
Who is your favorite person in the whole world? Jazy and Sadie and Tiara and baby Dominik and Wyatt and Sloan, Wyatt is pretty funny.
What do you hope to do before you next birthday?  Play and play with my camera and I'll tell you something funny about Wyatt, he said to Sadie, don't let me die wife, and Sadie said I'm not your wife. He is so funny.

What would you buy if you had $1000? I'll just use ten dollars to buy juggle bubbles
What are you really good at?  I'm not as fast as a cheetah and Jagger, but I can run and walk fast.
What is your favorite sport?  Soccer
Where do you wish you could go on vacation? Jazy's house
What is your favorite thing to do with friends? Play

If you could have one wish what would it be? If i tell you it won't come true.
Who is your biggest hero? Daddy
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Any kind, especially chocolate. 
Is there anything else you want to tell me about yourself?  Nothing.

Know of any great questions I missed?  Please let me know!