BEST Garlic Bread Ever.

I love garlic.
Really love garlic.
Really REEEEEALLY love garlic.
If any recipe calls for it, I'll probably double (at least!) the amount it asks for......just because it's delicious.

I know not everyone loves garlic itself...but I'm pretty sure the whole world loves garlic bread.

This recipe for garlic bread is my go-to, my staple, when it comes to making the stuff. These days, I'm pretty lazy about the amounts, and just kind of add whatever ingredients I know should be in there in whatever quantities I want...and it still comes out yummy. It's just that good of a recipe.

The credit goes to an Angie Asplund, who, along with her sister wrote a great little cookbook that is one of my favourites. The best part is that I won it. I never win anything! That may also be why it's one of my favourite cookbooks...to it, I owe a major boost of self-esteem. Ha.

Anyways. Here it is.

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"Garlic Bread"...Also referred to as the best garlic bread ever. By me.
from the book eat something pretty...because you are what you eat by Kyla Hornberger and Angie Asplund

1 loaf French Bread
1 cup butter, softened
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 grated parmesan cheese

"1. Preheat oven on the broiler setting
2. Mix all ingredients except Parmesan cheese together until smooth. Cut French bread loaf in half lengthwise and generously spread butter mixture. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Broil in oven until nicely toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Cut into wedges or angled slices and serve."

There ya have it. And I think it goes without saying (but I'm going to say it anyways, ha.) that it doesn't have to be French Bread...anything bread-y will do...and I usually use the powdery parmesan in the can (because I'm cheap and that's usually all I have on hand) and it tastes just fine. Also, I just mix it all together now...including the cheese...and spread it all on. It works. Not the nicest looking...but still tasty. The end.


P.S. Don't you love how I talk about the pictures I'll take of food...and then never do? HA! 

White Chicken Chili...and a Handy Trick.

When I married Darren, his mom supplied me with a handful of recipes that he enjoyed.
Such a great idea!
It has helped him (and continues to help him...) through my endless cooking experiments. At least, every few days, he would get something that was familiar, he for-sure enjoyed, and didn't have too many vegetables. Ha.

This is one of them.

It's delicious on its own...but even better with a little cheese sprinkled on top. Darren also adds sour cream. It's a family staple; it freezes well, tastes great as leftovers, and is every-one friendly (Renae will even eat "cheekin-and-beans"). We chop up the onions super-fine, so they're indistinguishable...or super-big so they can be picked out by those who don't like 'em.

Most recently, I made it for camping, and threw in some zucchini, chopped in chunks. Totally worked, extra-delicious. Also, it doesn't just have to be made with white beans, if all you've got are... coloured?... beans. And I usually half it for our small family...and make the full when I'm stocking up on freezer meals.

Sorry. Another random internet photo. I forgot to take a picture before we scarfed it the last time. 

White Chicken Chili from Sharon Roberts

-2 med onions, chopped
-1 Tablespoon cooking oil
-4 garlic cloves, minced
-2 (4oz.) cans green chilies (these are found in the "Mexican" section of grocery store)
-2 tsp. ground cumin
-1 tsp. dried oregano
-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
-1/4 tsp ground cloves (I actually have never put this in...just because I don't have it around.)
-2 (14oz) cans chicken broth (I always have the cartons of chicken broth on hand, so I just add around 4.5 cups broth)
-4 cups cubes or shredded cooked chicken (see the handy trick below!)
-3 (15oz) cans Great White Northern beans, or Small White Beans, or White Kidney beans...

Saute onions in oil until translucent, add everything else, and simmer in crockpot (on high) or on stovetop (med-low) for an hour or two .

Mama Roberts also added that she also saute's chopped green pepper with the onions and adds them to the mix. Also sounds delicious!

Serve with grated cheese, sour cream, some garlic toast on the side...or just by its scrumptious self.


Okay....Now the Best Trick Ever.
My mom shared this tip with me recently and it has changed my life.
Boil some chicken up til it's not pink inside...then toss it into your power mixer (Kitchenaid, Bosch, whatever!...I'm pretty sure it might even work with an electric egg beater...but don't quote me on that) , turn it on....and it will shred the chicken for you!

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Seriously. It works, and it saves so much annoying time spent shredding chicken with a fork and knife. I usually buy boneless chicken breasts and boneless thighs in bulk, so right when I get home from shopping, I shred about half of it: toss it in salted water, bring to boil and let boil for a while...shred, toss in a few smaller freezer bags...and voila! Chicken ready to be thrown in salads, chillis, soups, on pizza, for chicken-salad sandwiches, whatever.

Speaking of chicken salad sandwiches...and earlier...garlic toast....I have got THE BEST RECIPES in the WORLD for both those.

I'm sharing. ASAP.