Little Jack’s Corner

I like cooking.  Especially good ol’ downhome southern cookin’.  No out of the way 100-ingredient cuisines for me.  Just good ol’ cookin….the easier, the better.  I rarely follow recipes when I’m cooking a meal, just adding this or that in ways that seem right.

Tonight’s menu included:

Chicken & Rice Casserole
Shredded Cheese
Ritz Crackers
Italian Cucumbers (Sliced)
Frozen Grapes
Fruit Yogurt
Water to drink

Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole Recipe

Cook a cup or two of rice in the normal way you usually cook rice.  While the rice is cooking, take strips of chicken breasts and lay them in the bottom of a casserole dish (spray with non-stick spray or spread on some melted butter first).  Combine one can of cream of mushroom soup, one can of cream of chicken, and one and a half cans of water in a pitcher or small bowl and stir.  When rice is done, alternatively layer the rice and cream soup mixture on top of the chicken until the dish is full.  Sprinkle salt & pepper to taste, and a little bit of shredded cheese if desired (not much though since cheese burns fast.

You can also top it with whatever you like.  I used some celery stalks cut into 3 inch pieces along with a small can of mushrooms (drained). 

Cook at 425 F for about an hour.  Check it every now and then to ensure it’s not burning, stirring the mixture a bit.  Just before removing from oven, sprinkle more cheese on top (we like a lot), turn off the heat, close the door, and let the cheese melt for about 10 minutes.

Have shredded cheese on the table to sprinkle on top of servings or to eat as a side snack.  You can also crumble the ritz crackers on top or just eat the cracker as a side.

Italian Cucumbers

Right now cucumbers are 4 for $1.00 at our farmer’s market.  And you can find some HUGE ones too! 

Take your cucumber, wash, and then slice into rounds, a little less than half an inch thick.  Place in a large serving bowl, smother with italian dressing (or vinegar and oil), sprinkle on salt and pepper to taste, and add a little of Ms. Dash’s Garlic & Herb spice if you are so inclined. 

Pass bowl around the table so everyone can get their own italian cucumber slices!

Frozen Grapes

I read about these in someone’s Works for Me Wednesday tip a few weeks ago.  Who would have thought you could freeze grapes??? Not I.   The last 20 or so grapes from a bunch would always go bad before I’d “remember” to eat them from the fridge.  Not any more! 

Now when I buy grapes, I immediately take the stems off, drop the whole bunch in a gallon ziplock freezer bag, and plop them n the freezer! 

They’re a very, very yummy treat in these hot summer days. :)   Just open the freezer, reach in the bag, grab a handful…and enjoy.  Ahhhhhh…