Chicken Caesar Salad

This is a perfect summer night dinner. No need to heat up the house for this hearty meal.

2 garlic cloves
2 Romaine hearts
2 Red tomatoes
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 oz grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 cup Mayonnaise
3/4 oz white wine vinegar
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper


Hold romaine hearts at root end and chop coarsely.
Halve tomatoes lengthwise and slice halves into half-moons.
Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Heat 1 tsp Olive oil in a medium non-stick pan over medium high heat. Add chicken to hot pan and cook for 5 - 7 minutes per side.  Allow chicken to rest for five minutes.
Combine mayonnaise, garlic, white wine vinegar,  the rest of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of water. Mix well and season with a pinch of pepper.
Add Romaine lettuce and tomatoes. Toss to combine.
Slice chicken and serve on top of the salad.
Top with croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Make Your Own Croutons

What could be better than fresh croutons?  This recipe is so quick and easy, you'll never buy croutons again.

1 baguette
2 tsp Olive oil
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt and pepper




Halve the baguette and cut into 3/4" cubes.  Place cubes on a prepared baking sheet and toss with olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and spread in a single layer. Bake at 425° for 7 - 9 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

The Easiest and Best Pulled Pork & Baked Beans

I don't often buy processed food, but I made a couple of exceptions this week, and I'm sure glad I did!

Kraft Slow Cooker One Step Sauce -- Brown Sugar Pulled BBQ
It is just what it's name says it is. One step. And ... It's so good. On Sunday evening I put a 3 lb pork loin roast in my small Rock Crock and seasoned it with salt and pepper. I poured one jar of the Brown Sugar Pulled BBQ sauce over the roast, placed the lid on the crock and put it in the refrigerator.

Monday morning I called my hubby at 10:30 and had him put the crock on the base and start it on low. By the time I got home from work, it had been cooking for 7 hours.   I turned off the crock and let the roast rest for 15 minutes before moving it to a cutting board to shred it using two forks.   I put the shredded pork back in the sauce in the crock and set it on warm while I made some baked beans.

Member's Mark BBQ Baked Beans with Brisket -- This is where the second exception comes in. I bought two tubs of them and just heated them for about 20 minutes. In the oven. Wow!  These are Awesome! Best baked beans ever!  I highly recommend you give them a try.