No excuse


I made a chicken version of my Mexican Beef & Bean Bake from the other day. It was yummy. Not sure which is my favorite. I made the beef version because I was needing a comfort food casserole during a bad migraine bout but I was feeling pretty good yesterday. So yeah I have no real excuse for my cheesy, gooey comfort casserole making.

Hmmm... the state of the economy, global warming, my love life.

There you go. An excuse.

Shelly's Mexican Chicken & Bean Bake

7-8 Chicken Tenders (Boneless, Breast Portions), cubed
1 Yellow Onion, diced
3 Green Onions, diced
2 cloves Garlic, minced
2 small Yellow Squash, sliced
1 can (15 oz.) Pinto Beans, rinsed & drained
1 can (15 oz.) Red Kidney Beans, rinsed & drained
1 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
a few twists of Black Pepper
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Creamy Ranchero Tomato, Southwest, Mexican, or Nacho Cheese Soup
1/2 cup Sour Cream or Fage Greek Yogurt
1/2 cup Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese

Saute chicken till golden. Set aside. Saute onions till golden. Add squash and garlic and steam saute with the lid on for 5 minutes. Turning often. Set aside. Add veggies to chicken and all remaining ingredients (except cheese). Mix till combined and pour into Pyrex casserole dish. Top with shredded cheese. Bake for 30 minutes at 350.

Ready for the oven


Highlights of the day:

* Wonderful blog readers that make my day sending me awesome things like this. Thank you DCY (a fellow gastric bypass post-op sharing her journey.)

* Finding this site. I know I'm sick. It reminds me of that old Food Network (aka the Food Porn Channel) show "Doorknock Dinners" where Gordon Elliot and a chef would show up at your door and use your pantry and fridge items to make a gourmet meal. I think that show turned me into a pantry hoarder. I wanted to be ready in case Gordon came a-knocking. Yessss as a matter of fact Gordon I've got your sun dried tomato pesto and artichoke hearts right heeeeeere. Look at me America: I'm Martha flipping Stewart. Booyah!

* Let the countdown begin. Grey's Anatomy Season Five 2-hour Premiere Thursday, September 25. If Rose is pregnant I'm turning off the set.


Listening to: "My Stupid Mouth" John Mayer