Crispy Hashbrowns

If you know me then you know, I'm a potato girl. I love them in all shapes and forms. Mashed, fried, baked, french fries, covered in cheese. Basically any way you can prepare a potato I love it. This morning I was just craving hash browns so I decided I'd try to make some.

They are so easy. All you need is butter, salt, pepper, about 4-5 potatoes, and an onion.

Melt 3 Tablespoons of butter on medium low heat. While the butter is melting peel and grate your potato's with a cheese shredder and blot dry with a paper towel. Chop about 1/2 cup of onion and combine with your potatoes. Then add about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper (maybe about 1/8 teaspoon). Once you combine your ingredients put them in the melted butter and cook until a crispy golden brown flipping large portions of the potato with a large pancake spatula.

Mmm. We devoured ours with scrambled eggs and toast.

Garlic Chicken and Gravy

I always know Mr. Murphy will be happy if I make this meal for dinner. It's the one he never turns down and is always really satisfied with. It's probably one of my favorite to cook as well. It's cheap, easy, and delicious.(ps. don't you just adore the green square plate?)

This recipe is fantastic! What you need is:
- Boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons chicken broth (divided)
- 1/2 cup white wine OR additional broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 Tablespoon all purpose flour

I'm willing to bet you have 90% of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. Nice.

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook chicken and garlic in butter over medium high heat for 5 minutes or until browned. Add 1/2 cup both, the wine or additional both, basil, and oregano. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and leave for 7-9 minutes or so, basically no pink chicken.

Remove the chicken and keep warm. In a small bowl combine flour and remaining broth and stir into the pan juices. Bring to a boil and stir until it has thickened. Serve over the chicken.

Mmmm!! So good. Let me know what you think!

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

These delicious little guys are so wholesome its unbelievable! They are all soft and chewy, more like a really delicious bread than a cookie. I'd recommend dipping them in a nice cold glass of milk.

What you need:
1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. ground cloves
3 medium bananas, mashed
2 c. quick oats
1 c. (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl cream the shortening and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves (separating the dry ingredients this way ensures that the baking soda is evenly dispersed). Add the dry mixture to the shortening mixture and mix well. Add in the remaining ingredients.

Drop teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 F for 10-12 minutes. Remove immediately and cool on wire racks.