Chicken in a Dish!

I think I wore my sweet husband out on this once I learned how to make it...I got this recipe out of a cookbook written by my favorite Aunt Eileen's sister-in-law's mother.  My husband once said if our house burned, get the kids, my mother's handwritten cookbook she wrote for me, and myself and leave...I think I would get this cookbook as well...because as a young wife and mother...this cookbook and recipes were my 'go to' recipes that I could get on the table fast...and were darn good!  This recipe I put in my ladies club cookbook from years ago (we were all young and looking for easy fast recipes for our families)  It's easy and a no brainer...when you see how easy it is you'll be like, "Why didn't I think of that?" Thank God for creative cooks...I aspire each day to be one.

Chicken in a Dish

6 - 8 chicken thighs or 4 chicken breast, skinned (be healthy!)
1 package Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (powdered)
1 stick margarine or butter
8 medium sized new potatoes, quartered
2 cans French style green beans, drained  - regular green beans are fine to use...just not as fancy!
garlic salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to  375 to 400 - depending on how much of a hurry you are in!  I seem to always cook on 425..freaks people out...you just have to watch your dish!

In a 9 x 13 inch Pyrex dish, coated with Pam non-stick cooking spray (or oiled), place chicken in the center.  Add to this green beans on one side and potatoes on the other.  In a microwave safe bowl, heat margarine
or butter in the microwave until just melted.  Add to this Zesty Italian Dressing Mix and blend.  Spoon butter and Zesty Italian Dressing Mix over the entire chicken, green bean, and potatoe mixture.  Make sure you coat the ingredients evenly.  Season with garlic salt and pepper to taste.  You can substiture Sea Salt....in an attempt to be healthier.  I love Sea Salt...it is my new favorite.

Cover with foil tightly and cook for 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes...be careful not to burn yourself with the steam when you take off the foil.  Depending on your oven; whether it be a convection oven or not, monitor this dish carefully after the first 45 minutes the first time you make it so that you do not overcook it. 

Serve with some Lipton Cold Brew Iced Tea (my new favorite easy tea), French bread or Texas Toast, and a salad...and you have a simple meal anyone can make! 

Get cooking! 

Alise

My Artichoke Spread - One of my most requested recipes!

Alise's Artichoke Spread

1 can of Artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 cup Real Mayonnaise
1 bar cream cheese

In a food processor, pulse artichokes until the consistency of small diced onions.  Add Parmesan cheese, Real Mayonnaise, and cream cheese.  Blend together.  Place in a slightly greased dish and heat until melted.  You may use a crock pot on high until melted, stirring to make sure it does not stick. Then place on low.  Or heat in an oven safe dish.  I serve this with fresh French bread or croutons. 

The Ranch Kitchen's First Post

Here I go...my first official blog about my life, our ranch, and my love of all things related to cooking.  My life is always on the go, we raise and show Hereford cattle, and cooking for my family and friends is an outlet for me.  My hope is that I my recipes and post will touch a cord with those who follow it.  I thank those cooks who have most inspired me in my life, my mom and my Granny...who both felt that one of the ultimate expressions of love was a home cooked meal and your family around the table or kitchen with you.
I write this blog as much for myself as for my daughters in hope that they too will carry on the tradition and hand down the recipes of our families.

Let's cook...

Alise