sausage gravy

 I make this Ree Drumond recipe regularly when the kids can convince Kory that biscuits and gravy count as a full meal. I like to add cajun or blackening seasoning to mine, but leave the kids' portions as is.

Ingredients

• 1 pound breakfast sausage, hot or mild
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 
• 3 to 4 cups whole milk, more to taste 
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt 
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, more to taste 

Directions

1. With your finger, tear small pieces of sausage and add them in a single layer to a large heavy skillet. Brown the sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Sprinkle on half the flour and stir so that the sausage soaks it all up, then add more little by little. Stir it around and cook it for another minute or so, then pour in the milk, stirring constantly.
2. Cook the gravy, stirring frequently, until it thickens. (This may take a good 10 to 12 minutes.) Sprinkle in the seasoned salt and pepper and continue cooking until very thick and luscious. If it gets too thick too soon, just splash in another 1/2 cup of milk or more if needed. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
3. Spoon the sausage gravy over warm biscuits and serve immediately!

crepes

I love the flexibility of options with crepes-- kids have add fruit and syrup, I can add ham and cheese, but will admit I do get stressed out every time I make this recipe from foodnetwork.com. I have to remember to use cooking spray (and lots of it) instead of butter to keep them from sticking  seeing I don't own any non-stick pans, and somehow I always forget that step. Maybe writing it here will help me remember!

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• Butter, for coating the pan (USE COOKING SPRAY!)

Directions

1. In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and pulse for 10 seconds. Place the crepe batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This allows the bubbles to subside so the crepes will be less likely to tear during cooking. The batter will keep for up to 48 hours.
2. Heat a small non-stick pan. Add butter to coat. Pour 1 ounce of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Cook for 30 seconds and flip. Cook for another 10 seconds and remove to the cutting board. Lay them out flat so they can cool. Continue until all batter is gone. After they have cooled you can stack them and store in sealable plastic bags in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for up to two months. When using frozen crepes, thaw on a rack before gently peeling apart.

chicken broccoli cheese pasta

This is one-pot recipe from pre-kids that I never linked, but Kory and I used to eat regularly on busy nights. So easy! From tasty.com

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch (2cm) pieces
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• ½ cup yellow onion, about half an onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, about 1 tablespoon, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 16 oz pasta shells
• 4 cups broccoli, or one head of broccoli
• ½ teaspoon cayenne powder
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preparation

1. Heat olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Add chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, and allow the chicken to brown on one side.
2. Flip chicken, then add onions and garlic as the second side browns.
3. Once the chicken has browned on both sides, add chicken broth, water, and pasta to the pot.
4. Stir all ingredients, cover the pot with a lid, and bring to a boil. When it begins to boil, uncover and stir. Bring the heat to low, stir, then cover and let simmer for 20 minutes.
5. After 20 minutes has passed, uncover and add in the broccoli. Stir continually as the broccoli steams until the rest of the liquid evaporates.
6. Add milk and cheddar cheese and stir until the cheese melts and you have a smooth cheese sauce.
7. Add salt and pepper (to taste), cayenne, and nutmeg. Stir once more, then you’re ready to serve.