Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta and Carrabba's Dipping Spices

We just moved and things are busy.  I have blog ideas come to mind, but just haven't taken the time to sit down and write them out.  Still trying to figure out this whole blogging thing and what I want to do with my little spot of the internet.

For now, here's a restaurant quality pasta dinner.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

Original Pin   Recipe from: Cassie Craves 

This pasta was amazing!  One that will definitely be made again.  I followed the recipe exactly.  It took quite a bit of time to make since you have to cook the bacon then the chicken but totally worth it.  I did  completely ruin the first batch of bacon. In all fairness, it was only my second attempt at cooking bacon...for some reason bacon has always made me nervous.  However I may have used a skillet with grills. Just a head's up, bacon needs a flat surface to cook evenly.  Lesson learned.

Carrabba’s Bread Dipping Spices

Original Pin   Recipe from: Macaroni and Cheesecake

The spices were just like what you would have at a nice Italian restaurant.  I left out the oil and lemon juice that was supposed to be mixed into the spices. Next time, I'll leave the garlic out and mix just the dry spices so I can keep them longer.  I will probably make a bigger batch too so we can just spoon out what we want and add garlic and the oil.

Crab-Filled Crescent Wantons with Beef Stir Fry

Normally, I'm terrible with timing in the kitchen but I was able to work it out perfectly with this meal.  I pre-cut all of my veggies and meat, made the wontons and while they were in the oven, made the rice in our new microwave rice cooker and started the stir-fry.  The wantons and rice finished first and cooled just enough by the time the stir-fry was done.  I was rather proud of myself.

Crab-Filled Crescent Wantons

Original Pin   Recipe from: Krista's Kitchen

These were simple to put together and tasty!

Hints:

• Use a pizza roller to cut the crescent rolls
• Next time, I will probably make fewer and make them larger (it made a lot)
• After making the squares initially, I would flatten each square a little bit more individually

Flavorful Beef Stir-Fry

This is a recipe my mom has been making for years.

With the fresh vegetables and the sauce that the meat released, this was amazing!  We will definitely be making this again.

Gather:

• 2 T Cornstarch
• 2 t Sugar
• 6T Soy Sauce
• 1/4 c. Water
• 1 lb steak, cut in strips
• 3 c. Broccoli
• 2 med carrots; thinly sliced
• 2 T Chopped Onion
• 2 T Vegetable oil, divided

Make:

• In a bowl, combine cornstarch, sugar, soy sauce, and water until smooth.
• Add beef and toss to coat; set aside.
• In a large skillet, stir fry vegetables in 1 T oil.  Cover and simmer for 4 min; remove and keep warm.  
• In the same skillet, stir fry beef in remaining oil until meat reaches desired doneness.  
• Return vegetables to pan; toss.  Serve over rice.

Garlic Spaghetti

Spaghetti with Garlicky Bread Crumbs

Original Pin     Recipe: FamFriendsFood

Simply toss pasta with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, breadcrumbs, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder salt, and black pepper.  I'm really bad about just tossing stuff together to make a meal, but I saw this recipe and thought, I can do that!  So I did! It was delicious! I didn't have the breadcrumbs or parsley, but it was still amazing.  The lemon juice really made the flavors pop.  Definitely recommend this for a quick meal.