Time treasure recipes...

Can you say Pinterest...yes, everyone loves it, is inspired by it, in awe of it and wondering where is the time to do all of these wonderful DIY's, recipes, home decor...Everyone can also be overwhelmed by it...including me. So with that I thought I would like offer a quick take on a pinterest recipe and then give y'all another one of my favorite quick to fix meals, Quick Sausage and Chicken Jumbalya. With my love for all things homemaking (which includes cooking and baking), sometimes I have grand intentions for dinner or for baking that something special but when life's demands are greater than my intentions, then I need to readjust. I learned this most keenly when our third child was born. Our children are 21 (almost 22), 18 and 10 (almost 11). So when Presleigh was born, we were out of the baby stage but gladly, gratefully went back in it. I remember one time a friend asked me 'What's for dinner?" and I replied "A roast but it may not happen for 3 or 4 days from now." We both laughed and realized that when life gets busy, dinner gets thrown together. So with that I learned a lot of shortcuts so I could make great dinners and treasure our time. I readjusted my thinking and had great meal time memories with my children. So here are a few time treasure recipes to make you feel good and not guilty that you didn't have time to start from scratch....

Swalty (my word...sweet and Salty)Chocolate Chip cookies -

The inspiration recipe (via pinterest) starts with a made from scratch recipe and also include peanut butter chips. Because I wanted to make these quick (but good) and I also have a daughter who is allergic to peanuts, we left them out- but you could add them. Here's what you need--

*1 pkg of ready made refrigerator Chocolate Chip cookie dough (I use Nestle Toll house), softened

* 1/2 cup crushed ( consistency to your liking) mini pretzels

*Mix dough and pretzels in a bowl. Drop evenly sized and spaced dough onto cookie sheet. *Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 -11 minutes.

**I used 1/2 pkg of larger roll of Nestle TollHouse Cookie dough. If you increase the amount of dough, increase the amount of pretzels.

Enjoy with a cold glass of milk.

Sausage and Chicken Jumbalaya

Heres what you need....

Yes, just 4 ingredients...You can also add corn, jalapenos, whatever else you can think of...What I love about this dish is two fold. The first is that most likely you have these ingredients on hand. You can even mix salsas. For example, we have different varieties of salsa in the fridge- I just mix both kinds in the jumbalya for an awesome flavor!! If you choose to use slow cooking rice, you will add water to your salsa to equal the amount of liquid you need to make the rice. You can also choose to saute fresh chicken if you have the time. The second love to this recipe is it is a one skillet dinner (less dishes). Add salad and cornbread and you're set! Oh, there is also a 3rd love to this recipe, you may increase the quantity based on who you are fixin' this for. For example, increase the rice to two bags and you can also increase the meat and salsa to your liking. How awesome is that!! Here's how it all comes together.

In a large skillet, heat 1-2 tbsp of oil and butter mixture. Once heated add 1/2 of a package of smoked sausage, sliced (you can even use the reduced fat variety) and 1/2 to 1 full package of chicken, cut into bite size. Heat thoroughly for about 3-5 minutes. While the meat is heating, microwave the rice for 90 seconds. When finished, add rice and the whole jar of salsa (you may need to add a little water if you find it to sticky). Here is where you can add other ingredients. Heat all thoroughly and in about 10-15 minutes, your dinner is done!!

I hope this helps with mealtime memories--Less stress and more sharing time around the table. I would love to hear of some of your time treasure recipes...

**Don't forget my 100 follower blog giveaway. When we reach 100 followers, Everyone goes into a drawing for a Letterpress kit. See earlier post for details. Until next time,

Blessings,