Mini Maple Pancake Muffins

As many of you know, I am always scanning magazines, websites, blogs, cookbooks, etc. for new recipes to try. I came across this one the other day on a blog. I had all the ingredients, so I decided to make them. If you have kids these are a great easy breakfast: pancakes with no flipping. And they are easy for little hands to dip in syrup. And big hands, too.

Click link to go to recipe.
Mini Maple Pancake Muffins – http://www.bakerella.com/mini-maple-pancake-muffins/


I was so excited for these to come out of the oven. I am a huge pancake lover!!! And I was not disappointed. These were sooo good. I warmed up some real maple syrup and dipped these little muffins in and could have eaten way too many of them. I did not have any trouble getting them out of the pan, but I sprayed it really, really good using Pam for Baking. My hubby liked them, too. However, my children were indifferent. Seriously. I was shocked. But it doesn’t surprise me. They don’t like change. They were having a hard time with the pancake not being round and flat. But don’t let that stop you from trying them. I will be making them again. Maybe tomorrow. It will take until they are adults and cooking for their children to realize that we have to take shortcuts in the kitchen for our sanity. But I won’t stop trying.

Microwave Chicken Tortilla Casserole

One microwave casserole just isn’t enough, is it?? So I have another one for you! Again, it’s from Pampered Chef (I swear I don’t sell the stuff, but I own a lot of it!) And I forgot to take a picture of it because I was so excited to eat it.

Chicken Tortilla Casserole - adapted from Pampered Chef

1 small onion, chopped
1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 tbsp taco seasoning
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ cups thick and chunky salsa
4 cups broken tortilla chips
1 cup (4 oz) shredded Mexican cheese blend
Sliced Green Onions
Sour Cream

1. Combine onion, chicken, seasoning and salt in 3-quart, microwavable casserole dish. Cover dish with a large piece of parchment paper, tucking corners of paper under the dish. Microwave on HIGH 4 minutes; stir to separate chicken pieces. Re-cover and microwave an additional 4-6 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
2. Stir beans and salsa into chicken mixture. Gently stir in tortilla chips (I reserved a few for sprinkling on top). Sprinkle cheese over all and microwave uncovered for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
3. Serve topped with sliced green onions and sour cream!

This was another big hit with my family! The kids have been asking me when we are going to make it again!

I was skeptical of cooking the chicken in the microwave, but if someone had just given me the casserole to eat, I would have never known that it hadn’t been cooked in a regular oven! The chicken was not chewy, rubbery or dry! It was just right!

Check out my new favorite Pampered Chef dish that I made this yummy casserole in! I love it!!!
http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering/prod_details.tpc?prodId=30735&catId=9&parentCatId=9&outletSubCat=&viewAllOutlet=

Enjoy!