Food Monster

Well it’s just about a year since my last post. I don’t even know where to start the world is just a mess here in July 2020.

So let’s just take our minds off the stresses of politics, human rights, religion, conspiracy theories, and/or COVID 19 (or what me and my healthcare coworkers call it “Miss RONA”). She came in said hello, decided to take her shoes off and stay awhile. Well Miss Rona you’ve worn out you’re welcome and this has been the longest Midwestern goodbye!

With all this social distancing and self isolation going on. Many of us are worried what will happen to our family holidays and are craving comfort. So why not find some comfort in food. One of my favorite holidays is Thanksgiving. Who doesn’t like to gather with family in a house that is intoxicated by the aroma of Turkey, Gravy, and Stuffing. To fix the the holiday worries, let’s have ourselves a sweet little Thanksgiving in July.

Thanksgiving in a Dish

My favorite non-dessert dish of Thanksgiving is the savory, salty, glutinous stuffing! Especially when you grab some turkey gravy and smother it.

When I make stuffing I normally use sourdough or a day old loaf bread and love to pack it full of mushrooms, celery and fresh herbs. But for this recipe it’s easier to just grab your favorite easy cook boxed stuffing mix. Then just add your mushrooms and celery to it. With boxed mixes, I don’t add any seasoning or herbs besides pepper to taste. Can’t find or wanna mess with roasting a turkey in July? Hell don’t wanna heat your house up that long to roast the thing? Me either! That’s why we just grab a few chicken breasts. What! Wait! How are you supposed to make turkey gravy without roasting a turkey!? Well my friends buy the powder packet or a jar. Depends how you wanna use it in this dish and if you’re gonna make a side of potatoes or not. Any who enough of my rambling let’s get to the actual recipe and steps to creating this delicious monstrosity.

• 4 – Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 – 10.5oz Can Low Sodium Cream of Chicken
• 8oz Sour Cream – I just buy the small 8oz container
• 1 – 6oz Box of your favorite stuffing mix
• Turkey Gravy mix or jarred
• Some olive oil you don’t need much just enough to coat your baking dish and chicken.
• pepper

That’s the basic ingredients, now if you want to add things like chopped mushrooms or celery you do you! I know I do some mushrooms here, celery there, pepper a bit everywhere.

Enough jibber jabber grab yourself a mixing bowl and preheat that oven to 350. Throw your boxed stuffing in it, ploop your sour cream, and plop your cream of chicken. Dust with sneeze powder (pepper) fold that all together. If you’re adding fungus or anything else do that and fold them in.

Cube your chicken breasts toss them in a bowl with olive oil dust the cubes with pepper and other seasoning if you want. I sometimes and rosemary. If I’m not going to make a side of mashed potatoes this is where I would utilize the gravy powder mix. Just mix it in stuffing mixture.

Lightly oil a baking dish large enough to hold the chicken in a single layer and still have about an inch above.

Layer your cubed chicken and spread or plop your stuffing mixture right on top. Place and bake in oven 30-45 minutes. Now is the time to bubble your potatoes in the hot water if you want a side of mashed potatoes. If you wanna get fancy with you can heat up some green beans too. If you like a more crisp crunchy top broil for a couple-few minutes. Remember to be like me when using the broiler, sit on the floor and watch it like a hawk because if you don’t you’ll burn your house down.

Take out and stuff your face! Also try to think and remember all the things your’re thankful and grateful for in these troubling/stressful times!

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