Not-So-Good-For-You-But-Amazing-Spicy-Cheesy-Mac

I am adding a huge disclaimer before this recipe that it is NOT good for you. But, it is phenomenal and makes FANTASTIC leftovers. so good. Thanks to Chas Shannon who gave me the idea!

12-16 oz velveeta cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 can rotel or 1 cup salsa
2 chicken breasts
1 pint chopped grape tomatoes (optional)
box of macaroni noodles

Boil chicken breasts until done - Then shred the chicken
Combine velveeta, soup, broth, milk and rotel. Cook on low until bubbly and smooth.

In the meantime, cook macaroni until done and drain

Toss in tomatoes and shredded chicken and let cook for about 5 minutes. Then toss in macaroni and serve!!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD.

Bon Ami

The past couple of weeks, I have been so homesick for Jackson. even though living in jackson was one of the hardest times of my life (crazy work schedule, trying to make friends, night shift, police training, infertility, insane lonliness) i really miss it. and i think it is because that is the only place me and my husband have made a home together. that was our first newlywed city. and i miss being at "home."

today as i sat outside of a crazy huge mall in maryland, the flashing thought of bon ami in jackson graced my mind. THE BEST RESTAURANT IN JACKSON. if you haven't eaten there yet, please go. and you need to go at lunch. do not go at dinner. dinner is expensive and you can get the same food at lunch for a much cheaper price.

i just need to talk about their crab cake lunch for a second. it is the most succulent crab with amazing sauce over roasted peppers and zucchini. delicious. if you are not in the mood for crab, you have to get their shrimp remoulade. they put sauteed shrimp over crispy romaine lettuce with juice melon pieces, and they top it off with candied nuts. fantastic. oh! and i forgot about the berry tea! you have to get the berry tea! omygosh. amazing.

ok i am done now. i just needed to talk about it for a second. i feel better.

Shrimp Scampi

I think shrimp scampi gets a bad rep. a lot of times i don't make it because i think it is full of calories and so bad for me. but, it's really not. what really makes shrimp scampi so bad for you is the butter. solution: don't use it. it is really simple as that. you replace the butter with lots of olive oil and lemon juice to give the sauce it's flavor. you can even use whole wheat pasta to amp up protein and fiber.

here are the ingredients for shrimp scampi:

1 pound linguini (go whole wheat for better health benefits)
1/4 onion minced - onions contain flavanoids, which help vitamin C function. It also helps with cardiovascular problems.
4 cloves garlic minced - garlic is high in manganese, vitamin c, and vitamin b6 - it also helps with cardiovascular issues.
3/4 to 1 pound shrimp - high in vitamin D, B12, and iron. 4 0z of shrimp provide over 20 grams of protein
1 cup white wine - its just good. and better than butter.
juice of 1 lemon - lemons contain high amounts of vitamin C
3 T of olive oil - good source of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E
1 cup peas - high in vitamin K, manganese, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin B1 and folate
reserve 1 cup pasta water
salt and pepper

1. Saute onions and garlic in olive oil till softened
2. Put in shrimp and saute till done about 5 or 6 min. take out the shrimp and cover to keep warm
3. add wine and lemon juice and olive oil- let boil and give it time to reduce- salt and pepper to taste
4. add cooked linguini and shrimp to sauce
5. toss with 1 cup reserved pasta water, frozen peas (they will cook from the heat of the sauce)fresh parsley and handful of parmesan if desired

see- shrimp scampi can be GOOD for you! shocking! this news will change your life!;)