I am not a huge fan of cooking with chicken breasts (for many reasons, but mainly because of how dry they are), though I will on occasion.

My favorite way to cook a chicken is to roast it with fresh (or even dried) herbs. The pictures in this post will show using dried herbs because that’s all I had on hand.

Here are the steps to making a juicy whole chicken:

1) Gather these ingredients in a small bowl:

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 3 tablespoons of coarse sea salt
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic (can keep whole or chop/mince)
• Herbs (fresh or dry- thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano)

2) Place the chicken in a roasting pan, and stuff it with the ingredients in the bowl

3) Melt 1/2 stick butter, pour on top of chicken

4) Sprinkle top of chicken with course sea salt and fresh cracked pepper (when using dried herbs, I tend to sprinkle some on the top as well)

5) Cover with foil and cook for 1 1/2 hours

6) Take foil off and cook for another 30 minutes (or until temp reaches 180 degrees)

7) Serve with some quinoa and roasted veggies, or like I did this time around, place potatoes and onions around it and they will soak up the yummy goodness from the chicken!

I forgot to take a picture after I cooked it…

The whole family finishes their plate when I make this yummy chicken. It is a favorite in our home. Enjoy!

The only items that I buy canned anymore are diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and paste.  Eventually I plan to learn how to can my own home-grown tomatoes and will not even buy these canned!  But for now, this is reality.

Ingredients:

• 1 package of whole wheat pasta (your favorite type!)
• 1 pound of hamburger (or venison, which we often use)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 small cans (or one large can) tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 can tomato paste
• 1/2 tsp dried basil (or fresh basil)
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced

Instructions:

1. Brown hamburger in garlic, onion, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
2. Add in tomato products.
3. Add in zucchini and squash.
4. Add more of herbs and seasonings (if desired).
5. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/4 pounds ground beef
• 2 cups prepared pasta sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 to 2 tbsp brown sugar (I use sucanat)
• salt and pepper to taste
• Burger buns

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add onion and pepper and saute until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and saute 1 minute more, stirring occasionally.
4. Add ground beef and cook.
5. Add the pasta sauce, vinegar, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and salt and pepper and stir to combine.
6. Bring to a simmer over low heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes more.
7. Spoon mixture onto toasted buns.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup cooked pinto beans
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• sea salt

Instructions:

1. In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onions and garlic, and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are translucent.
2. Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin, and crushed red pepper and cook 1 minute.
3. Add ground beef and stir to brown meat.
4. Add tomato sauce, water, and beans.  Season with salt to taste, then bring to boil.  Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes, stirring often, until flavors have melded and sauce is thickened and bubbly.
5. Stir cilantro and hot pepper sauce if desired.

1. Brown ground beef with onion, pepper, and garlic. Drain grease.
2. In a large bowl, combine the meat, crushed red pepper, salt, pepper, and mixed vegetables.
3. Grease a (deep) 10-inch glass pie plate. (You could also use an 8-inch square glass dish.) Spread the meat and vegetable mixture in the dish. Top with a layer of the mashed potatoes, sealing to the edges. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
4. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Just before baking, pour milk over cheese. Bake for 35-45 minutes, until pie is hot and cheese is lightly browned.