Simple Chicken and Noodles

Happy Fall Y'all!

It's finally starting to cool off a little around here.  Woohoo!  Man, I love Fall.  It makes me want to visit pumpkin patches and bake bread while wearing a sweater.  It's just awesome.

If you're busy doing Fall-y type stuff all day, you'll need a simple recipe to cook for supper.  Here's a good one:

SIMPLE CHICKEN AND NOODLES

2 chicken breasts, cut into small chunks
1 onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped (or 10 baby carrots)
4 cups chicken broth
12 oz egg noodles (or broken spaghetti, or elbow macaroni)
salt/pepper
a little oil (2-3 TBS)
1 TBS butter


Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

In a large pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat a little oil over medium-high heat.  Brown the chicken.  You don't need to cook it all the way through here.  It will finish cooking later on.

Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.  Add the onion, celery and carrots.  Saute until softened.  To speed this process up you can add a little water then cover.  Let the veggies steam for a few minutes then stir.  Repeat until softened.  Season with salt and pepper.

Return the chicken to the pot.  Add broth.  Bring to a boil.

Add the butter then add the noodles.

Stir well and press the noodles down as best you can.

Put the lid on, reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

It's done when the broth is absorbed and the noodles are tender.


Garnish with a little parsley.

This is a simple dish that's comforting and filling.  Plus it makes a little chicken go a long way.  Great way to use up a few chicken breasts.  The family gave it the thumbs up.  Give it a try and see how you like it.

Easy Banana Nut Cake

Hello Everyone!

It's been a long time.  Unfortunately I have been dealing with even more ankle issues.  I had a couple of procedures that seem to be helping.  I actually think I'm on the upswing!  So that's good.

Yesterday was a rainy day.  One of those days when you just want to stay inside.  I like to cook on days like that so I made a big pot of chicken and dumplins.  While that was simmering away I noticed some ripe bananas in the fruit bowl.  I had a box of cake mix in the pantry.  I always have pecans in the freezer.  You see where I'm going with this.

EASY BANANA NUT CAKE

3 medium sized bananas (the riper the better)
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 box yellow cake mix

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a Bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.  Spray every nook and cranny.

If you don't have a Bundt pan, no worries.  Use a 9x13 cake pan, but only spray the bottom of the pan, not the sides.  Also you will bake for a shorter amount of time.

Mix bananas, eggs and water well.

Add the cake mix.  Mix until well incorporated.

Stir in the chopped pecans.

Pour batter into the greased Bundt pan.

Bake for 39-43 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (If using a 9x13 pan bake 33-37 minutes).  Take it out of the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Then, flip it out of the pan onto a rack to cool completely.

You can leave it upside down for a clean, more professional look.

Or leave it right-side up for a rustic, homemade look.  Personally, that's what I like.

You could sprinkle powdered sugar on top when cooled or make a simple glaze by mixing powdered sugar and milk.  But I like it plain, as is. 


This cake is seriously easy.  It's sort of a cross between a cake and a quick bread.  Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea!  A good recipe to have on hand.  Enjoy!