Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas

Do you ever just need a simple quick meal that is satisfying and a bit out of your typical routine? Well I seem to gravitate towards these types of meals all the time. I want quick and easy but I don’t want to be eating the exact same meal each and every week, my meal planning has helped with this. But recipes like this one have also helped. I mean 5 ingredients plus some seasonings, 30 minutes and supper is on the table I think that is a win win win!

These quesadillas are the perfect mix of spicy, smokey, and sweet plus the crunch from the pan seared tortilla I can hardly resist!

Grilled Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas

1 large Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (seasoned how you wish, I did salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika)

1 Pineapple (fresh or canned) cut into rings

2 cups Pepper Jack Cheese (shredded)

Baby Spinach (if you like)

8 Flour Tortillas

Heat your grill pan or outdoor grill and cook chicken until done. Place pineapple on the grill as well just to get some good char marks. Once these are both done slice chicken breast into thin pieces and cut pineapple in half. Heat a non-stick skillet with a bit of cooking spray. Assemble tortilla then cheese, then chicken and pineapple, plus spinach and more cheese top with second tortilla. Sear in pan on both sides until golden. 

Lily...

All this is Lily, Lily this is everyone. Yes I am aware she is a pig but I still feel introductions are important. Now you are probably wondering what in the world a pig is doing in my bathroom, well she had just had a nice warm bath of course! Oh that isn't normal at your house?

Well it isn’t exactly the everyday at my home either but…there are days. Last night while the hubs and I were working some of the pigs he noticed this little sweetie not doing well at all. She was cold and hungry, and didn’t really look like she was going to make it. Once we finished I asked him what he was going to do with her, “oh I’ll just take her in to your mom’s mud room and see if I can warm her up.” Then as we were leaving Charlot saw the sweet little one and decided it was very sick and needed to come home. 

I asked her on the way home where this pig was going to sleep, maybe in her bed. She wasn't real fond of that idea. Ha! So I said thinking that honestly the pig would probably be dead by the time we got home (I know harsh but true) if he could sleep in her doll cradle. She didn't say much so I figured she didn't like that idea either.

We get home she and the hubs take the still living, obviously, pig into the bathroom for a warm bath. Warm baths make you feel better right? Then she needed some milk. Soon I hear her telling me she needs my corn bag to be warmed up and she needs a blanket. I warm the corn bag up and I see her emptying her doll cradle, why did I open my mouth. She gets the corn bag and blanket all arranged and the pig was tucked in. Before I knew it she was rocking it and calling the pig Lily. Oh boy.

You see these deals don’t always work out for the best so I was prepared to have a crushed little girl this morning when she found out that Lily hadn't made it through the night. Well I was wrong, before I went to be the pig had escaped the cradle and used my bathroom floor as a toilet. Well the hubs found it a more secure bed, but the night was still sort of young. 

Let’s just say when I was woke up at 5:10 this morning by a little girl checking on her pig, I didn’t know what we would find.  I guess it was a good thing Charlot decided to make it an early morning, Lily was in need of some care at that moment. Doc and her assistant the Hubs to the rescue. I am happy to report Lily is alive and doing pretty well. I am not so happy to report my bathroom smells. 

Éclair Dessert

Today for you a super easy dessert that is perfect for you to take to all the carry in dinners that will be coming up over the next few months. A few simple ingredients and into the fridge and you have dessert ready. I am not sure I would wait for a carry in dinner to make this I would just go ahead and do it. I have to say I was a little skeptical of the dessert at first but decided to give it a try; oh I am glad I did. The graham crackers soften slightly in between the pudding layers and then the thick chocolate layer on top will have you coming back for more. I think I may go have another piece right now. 

I am already thinking of the variations I can do with this. Like cheesecake flavored pudding, oh or slicing bananas up to put in between the layers, or oh maybe even strawberries, or both! YUM. The hubs would not be real happy with me about all those ideas, he says once I make something good I need not to mess with it, but hey what can I say! I can’t help myself! I sure hope you give this recipe a try! Plus this is a really kiddo in the kitchen friendly recipe to make, Charlot had a ball helping me. 

I took this to work for a luncheon, so I broke out my fancy new pan, isn't it just the cutest! I am thinking of doing a giveaway with these? What do you guys think?

Éclair Dessert

Ingredients

1 Box Graham Crackers

2 Boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding (3.5 oz)

3 ¼ Cups Milk (divided)

1 Carton Cool Whip

1 cup Sugar

1/3 Cup Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder

1 stick Butter

1 tsp Vanilla

Directions

 Mix pudding packages with 3 cups milk, allow setting up a bit, then folding in cool whip, set aside. In a 9x13 cake pan take one package of graham crackers and line the bottom. Pour ½ of the pudding mixture over the top. Layer another sleeve of graham crackers over the pudding, top with remaining pudding. Use the final sleeve of graham crackers to layer over the pudding. Set this aside. In a sauce pan over medium heat bring ¼ cup milk, sugar, and cocoa powder to a boil. Stirring constantly allow boiling for 1 minute. Remove from heat to cool for one minute then stir in butter and vanilla. Pour over the final layer of graham crackers. Refrigerate overnight! ENJOY!

Key lime pie...

I actually had a whole different post planned for today but I just needed to post about this pie. Basically because it has been so dreary and cold here the past few weeks. Who am I kidding it has been cold all over the country! I feel like I haven’t seen the sunshine in months. I long to feel the warm sun on my face and a nice spring breeze in the air, if I close my eye really tight I can almost feel it!... Oh I guess I should wake up and get back to the pie.

This pie just looks like sunshine. With its bright colors and bursting with citrus flavors, it screams warm weather. And maybe just maybe if it screams it loud enough and wake mother nature up to the fact that some warmth would be appreciated.

Key Lime pie is one of my big brothers favorite pies, and I have making this particular one for him for a long time. Last week happened to be his birthday and when my momma said she was cooking his favorite meal for him I knew a key lime pie was in order. This seriously is one of the easiest pies you can make. I even took a from the store short cut last week when I made it, I bought the graham cracker crust. OH the HORROR!!! HA! I typically make my own but it was a busy week and the bought crust gets this pie to your mouth even quicker. I have included my curst recipe but feel free to purchase, there will be no judgment here! Also key limes can be difficult to find at times, so you can use regular limes then add the juice of a clementine or tangerine to the mix, flavors will be as close as you can get!

Key Lime Pie

Crust

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 tbsp sugar

 6 tbsp butter melted

Directions

Mix all ingredients together until you get a wet sand look. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a deep dish pie plate. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, set aside to cool

Filling

Ingredients

1 cup key lime juice

2  tbsp key lime zest

2 cans sweetened condensed milk

8 egg yolks

Directions

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and pour into cooled pie crust. Bake at 325 for 16 minutes or until set.  Top pie with fresh whipped cream. ENJOY!

Black and Gold Bridal Shower...

Yesterday I helped host a beautiful black and gold bridal shower for my future sister-in-law. My Aunts and I kept it a pretty simple shower with simple food and decorations, we wanted the focus to be on celebrating Lauren and her upcoming marriage to my big bro Zach.

The food area decorated with a lovely black and gold square (my aunt has great taste in fabric). Food and drink consisted of goat cheese ball rolled in bacon and pistachios, monterey jack and pepper jack cheese cubes, crackers, and mini chocolate cupcakes, with punch and wine to drink.

Below are the super cute favors that all of the hostesses created for our sweet guests.

The below pictures I cannot take credit for. But I will give credit where credit is due, Lauren's wonderful Aunt Jane loves to take pictures and she captured the day just perfectly. So thank you Jane!

I am pretty sure this is the best picture of the day! 

I am so thankful that Lauren is a very patient person she had two pretty stinkin cute helpers yesterday when it came time for presents.

Grandma Jones and her girls

All the Jones Girls with their girls and boy. Love you Dexter! 

The bride with her Aunt, Grandma, and Mom beautiful women right there. 

Oh gosh they are cute. 

So are these ladies

The bride and the hostesses 

Pap are you sure you should leave me at this shower! 

Thank you so much to my Aunts for helping me make this such a special day for Lauren. And Lauren thank you for agreeing to marry my brother,haha. No seriously I am so glad to have you officially become my sister.