
And even more so on date night Friday with an early bite at a favorite restaurant and a fun painting class to paint a lighthouse. I’ll show you how ours turn out on my Monday post. 🙂

Salisbury Steak is an oldie, but goodie classic dinner in our household. But, it’s also a blank and adaptable canvas for updating flavor profiles.

GARLIC PARMESAN SALISBURY STEAK
HERBED GARLIC BUTTER
½ cup of fresh chopped herbs (thyme, sage and/or parsley)
2 tablespoons salted butter at room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, FINELY minced
FRESH salt and black pepper, to taste
SALISBURY STEAK
1 pound QUALITY ground beef
½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons Ketchup
1 LARGE egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
FRESH ground Pink Himalayan salt and black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons salted butter
8 ounces Beech mushrooms, trimmed and separat3ed
1 Shallot, FINELY diced
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1 cup dry white wine (Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon)
2 cups homemade beef broth
⅓ cup heavy cream
⅓ cup FRESHLY grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, optional
Mashed potatoes with herb garlic butter
CRUSTY bread for sopping
I found this recipe online recipe for, “THE ORIGINAL MARRY ME CHICKEN” that claims she created this dish in 2016 by way of re-creating Ina Garten’s “Engagement Roast Chicken” and the videographer saying, “I’d marry you for that chicken!”.
We’ll just have to call her version number two as I’ve been making it since 2011 when I got the original recipe from my friend Maggie one winter. There are a few small differences, but as for the name, Maggie called it MARRY ME CHICKEN long before 2016.

THE ORIGINAL MARRY ME CHICKEN aka HERBED SUN-DRIED TOMATO CHICKEN serves 4
3 tablespoons avocado oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2-4 garlic cloves, FINELY chopped
1 tablespoon FRESH thyme leaves
1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (champagne)
1/2 cup finely chopped marinated sun-dried tomatoes, drained WELL
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup FINELY grated Parmesan cheese
Torn FRESH basil, for serving
NOTE: This recipe can be short-cutted for a weeknight meal by using shredded rotisserie chicken, especially because the sauce is the star.

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
LAST WEEK RECAPPED
Last week went by way too quickly, AGAIN and had so many errands to get ready for Easter yesterday. I hope you all had a very blessed and family oriented Easter Sunday. My week was full of A LOT of little errands and appointments that took up A LOT of time ~ so much so that the week was over before I knew it. This week will be a chance to regroup. 🙂

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE
Weather underground says 146 million people are about to experience below average temperatures. We’re not included in that number, at least not this week. We’re supposed to be sunny and around 70 this week – at least until Saturday when we drop back down into the 50’s and 60’s with rain.
TO DO, APPOINTMENTS, DVR/TV & PROJECTS
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THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS, TRAVEL, APPOINTMENTS, MENUS & DVR/TV
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READING TIME
I didn’t have a chance to do any reading last week. I started Storm Clouds Rolling In, the #1 book in the Bregden Chronicles Historical fiction series by Ginny Dye. I’ve really been looking forward the this series that is currently at 22 books, so definitely will last a while, but I’m also looking for a secondary read as I’m not always in the mood for a heavier topical historical read late at night. I’m leaning towards ACRIMONIOUS by Marie Force.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS
BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
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4/6
MONDAY
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4/7
TUESDAY
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4/8
WEDNESDAY
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4/9
THURSDAY
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4/10
FRIDAY
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4/11
SATURDAY
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4/12
SUNDAY
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DINNER
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TRIVIA NIGHT CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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TACO TUESDAY CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
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STEAK PIZZAIOLA & COLESLAW
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DATE NIGHT
dinner at TRUE KITCHEN and CREATE & SIP
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CREOLE DAUB & SALAD
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SWISS CHICKEN SUPREME & ROASTED CARROTS
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DESSERT
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FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA
This week’s favorite photos are from a visit to the Peacock Ranch.

INSPIRATIONS


LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

COOKING THURSDAY RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK


COOKING THURSDAY RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK


Crispy, golden, seasoned potatoes with ooey, gooey cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, homemade BBQ sauce and a sprinkle of green onions will leave you craving more! Tangy pickled jalapeños are optional, but mandatory according to hubby.
One of the BIG keys to the success of this recipe is cooking the potatoes twice! Boiling the potatoes first ensures they are cooked tender. Then, the you sauté them in a hot skillet it gives you those beautifully golden brown, crispy bits that help make these potatoes so ridiculously delicious. For the best flavor. DO NOT SKIP this 2 step process.

COUNTRY POTATOES aka COWBOY POTATOES
2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces (red potatoes work well also)
2 teaspoons kosher salt for boiling water
4 slices bacon, chopped
1-2 tablespoons avocado oil or butter
1 red bell pepper, chopped small
1 red onion, chopped small
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Pinch celery salt
1/2 cup your favorite barbecue sauce
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños or Bloody Mary pickles, optional
2-3 green onions, chopped
Sour cream, for serving, optional

HULI HULI CHICKEN ~ serves 4
This sweet, tangy and “sorta” spicy Hawaiian inspired meal is the perfect accompaniment to a tropical cocktail! A true HULI HULI is done on a spit on the grill, but sometimes I want it in the winter too so I created this oven version. That said, there is nothing better than chicken on the grill in the summertime. Whether it’s smoked, BBQed or marinaded – you really can’t go wrong. It’s an easy dinner and it doesn’t heat up the house. So ALWAYS choose the grill option when possible!
CHICKEN
⅓ cup PACKED brown sugar
3 tablespoons jalapeno ketchup
3 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
FRESH ground sea salt & black pepper
1 teaspoon FRESH grated ginger root
20 ounce can pineapple rings in natural juice, juice reserved
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
POTATOES
2 medium potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon Pampered Chef Crunchy Garlic Crisp Seasoning Mix
3 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped cilantro leaves
These light and fluffy streusel tops muffins taste just like French toast in muffin form!

FRENCH TOAST MUFFINS
STREUSEL
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
¾ cup PACKED brown sugar
1 cup AP flour
2 tablespoons QUALITY ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup small wild blueberries, optional
MUFFINS
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ cup unsalted butter melted
½ cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs room temperature
⅓ cup sour cream room temperature
1 cup whole milk room temperature
ASSEMBLY