S'mores on a Stick

My boys are constantly building forts and tents and nothing goes better with camping than S'mores.  Generally speaking S'mores are messy and require a campfire, but NOT today!  

 Ingredients:

• Marshmallow
• Milk Chocolate Chips
• Graham Crackers
• Lollipop Sticks

The kids can do this almost all by themselves because there is no actual cooking involved.  

Nathan pointed out the Hidden Mickey we created!

First place the graham crackers in a plastic bag and finely crush them.  My little guy enjoyed using his "ninja skills" to chop them up!  Next, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave- stirring occasionally.  Then simply insert the stick into the marshmallow, dip about halfway into the chocolate, and then dip again into graham cracker crumbs.  That's it!  You can eat them right away or let the chocolate harden a little bit first.  I don't advise sticking in the fridge because the marshmallow will harden.

I know that I said it wouldn't be messy, but somehow he got chocolate on his nose!  

I am a PROUD Mommy!

Now that both of my boys are in school, they both bring home lots of projects and assignments that make me SUPER proud. I want them to know how proud of them I am, so I have decided that I am going to create a better way to display their prize pieces. In the past, I have taped them to the kitchen cabinets, hung them on our (teeny tiny) bulletin board, and hung them on a magnet board in the play room. I have seen lots of ideas that involve framing the item, collecting to put in a scrapbook, or taking pictures of the pieces to compile for a photo book. I love the idea of being able to EASILY change out and showcase a new piece. So I decided to to make a couple of cork board frames to hang in the kitchen. Since almost anyone that comes over will see them I wanted them to look tasteful as well. I bought a roll of cork from my local craft store and I used two black 11X14 frames that I already had at the house. I used my cutting mat, a box cutter, and a measuring tape to cut the board to the correct size. Then I simply put the cork pieces in the frame and then hung (ok my husband hung) the frames in the kitchen. The frames can either be hung horizontally or vertically so I can change them to meet the needs of the current masterpiece!

Flattened Redskin Potatoes

These potatoes are the perfect side dish to accompany just about any main dish. I usually make them when I already have something in the oven, because they easily adjust to any oven temperature.

Ingredients:

• 5-6 Redskin Potatoes (I usually make 1-2 potatoes per person depending on size of the potato)
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• ½ teaspoon minced garlic
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions
Put potatoes in water, bring to boil.

Once boiling cook 7-9 minutes or until they are tender enough to stick knife in with ease. Remove from water.

Preheat oven to 400. Place potatoes on foil lined baking sheet. Lightly press with bottom of drinking glass. (Be sure to do this slowly so potato does not go everywhere).

Melt butter and garlic in bowl in microwave.

Brush over potatoes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Bake in oven for 10-15 minutes until skins are slightly crisp. These potatoes are good on their own, but even better when served with Loaded Potato Dip (see other recipe)

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness.  Check out the entire menu and try out some of our other YUMMY recipes!

Maple Dijon Chicken

Maple Dijon Chicken Last night’s dinner must have been good because there were no leftovers today for my lunch! I tried something new- Maple Dijon Chicken. I made a few variations to the original recipe and I think it turned out great! My Father-in-law (who likes to give his “feedback” about everyone’s cooking) said that he LOVED it!

Ingredients:

• 6-8 Chicken Thighs ( I used Boneless/Skinless)
• ½ cup Dijon Mustard
• ¼ cup Maple Syrup (I used Breakfast Syrup)
• 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar or Rice Wine Vinegar
• Fresh Rosemary (I didn't have any on hand so I used dried)

Preheat oven to 450. Combine Dijon Mustard, Maple Syrup, and Rice Vinegar together in a bowl. Arrange chicken in 8X8 baking dish.

Salt and pepper the chicken to your taste and then poor the mixture on top.

Cover baking dish with foil and bake at 450 degrees for 40 minutes. Baste the chicken with the liquid in the baking dish after 20 minutes. To make sure that chicken is cooked all the way through, you can use a meat thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees.
I am sorry that I don't have a picture of the finished dish, but it smelled so good that we gobbled it up as soon as it came out of the oven! Oh and I forgot to sprinkle the rosemary on it. Ooops!
I served this chicken with Flattened Redskin Potatoes, Loaded Potato Dip, and Steamed Broccoli.

This recipe was featured in Two Magical Moms March Menu Madness and our 30 Days of Dinners June Menu. Make sure to check out all of the other great recipes on the menus!