Pinterest Success !! - Chicken Enchilada and Rice Bake -

I cannot tell you how many times I look at a Pin on Pinterest and think it looks amazing only to have it completely flop! It's the worst with recipes.

Have you ever found yourself in that predicament?

Today I am sharing a recipe from Pinterest and how it went over with the family. I will also be sharing changes I would make to it to make it a better fit for my family and maybe yours as well.

Chicken Enchilada and Rice Bake

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Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

50 mins

Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole - all the makings of a chicken enchilada but with rice. It's simply delicious!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 12

Calories: 324 kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

• 2 cups Basmati rice uncooked (3 cups)
• 1 cup white cheddar shredded (used 2 cups of Monterey Jack blend) 
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
• 3 chicken breasts cooked and shredded
• 20 oz Enchilada sauce I used Old El Paso (double the amount of sauce to 40 oz)
• 16 oz refried beans I used Old El Paso (24 oz of refried beans) 
• 11 oz corn kernel drained (1 can)
• cilantro for garnish (Who has time to garnish?!)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Instructions

1. Cook the rice. I cooked it with 4 cups of water and 1/4 cup of butter.
2. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.
3. Mix the 2 cheeses together.
4. In a large bowl mix the shredded chicken with the enchilada sauce, refried beans and half of the cheese. Add rice, season with salt and pepper if needed, and mix well. Pour rice mixture into a large casserole dish. Top with corn then with remainder of cheese.
5. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes or until cheese melts and is bubbly.
6. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve warm.

1. Cook the rice with 6 cups of water.

2. Preheat oven.

3. Mix chicken, enchilada sauce, refried beans and half cheese with rice and mix well. Pour into 11 x 15 baking pan. Add cheese and then pour on corn. The corn had a crisp to it that I found delicious for someone who does not prefer corn.

4. Bake for 25 minutes.

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My family loved this dish. The only request was for next time, it is saucier. So saucy is what I am working towards. 

Click here to watch me make this recipe! 

How about you? Have you tried a Pinterest recipe and found success or was it a flop? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

EP. 003 - Declutter

Photo by Hàn Vi Phạm Thị on Unsplash

In Episode 3 of Mayberry Moms, we are diving into how we manage decluttering. Staying on top of clutter, or hopefully one day ridding it altogether, is an essential part of keeping your home and sanity in check. Hang out with us while we give you ideas that you can implement in your decluttering strategy!

Photo by Maciej Ostrowski on Unsplash

We also created a special printable for this episode, which will allow you to take quick action on your goals.

To download your decluttering guide, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVZAaZUevs_tdrZ705HmeSKRBm8EJMoy/view?usp=sharing

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

For more Mayberry Moms fun, find us around the internet at:
Facebook: @MayberryMomsPodcast
Instagram: @Mayberry_Moms_Podcast
Blog: http://mayberrymoms.blogspot.com/
Pinterest: The Mayberry Moms Podcast
Podcast: On all major podcast platforms
Youtube: Mayberry_Moms

"Square" Pancake Bake

Our family loves pancakes. However, with making pancakes for eight people, I grow super tired of standing over a hot griddle and flipping. Often times, my family is eating the pancakes in shifts or they are eating as I stand flipping the remaining pancakes.

With our my kids growing up so quickly, I take any family meal we can share together very seriously. The time and conversations we have are going to quickly fade into more activities and all too soon, college.

With all that in mind, my solution was this pancake bake. My son affectionately calls in the "Square" Pancake Bake.

I hope you enjoy it!

Square Pancake Bake

With our large family, I use a 15 x 18 baking dish. This is a very thick pancake. If you need less, you could always half the recipe and use a 9 x 13 baking dish. :)

* Line baking dish with parchment paper, melt 3 tablespoons of butter and distribute evenly over the paper and preheat over to 350 degrees.

* Add to a large mixing bowl and mix:

• 4 cups flour
• 2/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/3 cups instant potato flakes
• 8 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

* In a separate bowl, beat four eggs. 

* Add and mix completely:

• 4 cups of buttermilk
• 4 teaspoons vanilla
• 10 tablespoons melted butter

* Add wet ingredients to try ingredients and stir. Do not over stir. There will be some lumps. Just make sure it is combined well. 

* Carefully pour combined mixture over buttered parchment paper and bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven.

* Insert a knife into the middle, if the knife comes out clean, bake is done. Serve warm. 

Do you have any tips for simplifying breakfast in your home? If you do, comment below.  We would love to hear! 

Super Simple Drop Biscuits

For me, intentional living and simple living begins in the kitchen. Food and nourishment are the way into everyone's hearts.

In my opinion, you cannot nourish someone's soul without nourishing them physically.

A lot of my favorite memories revolve around a meal shared with the ones I love.

Today I am going to be sharing my super simple drop biscuit recipe.

I hope you enjoy it! <3

• 4 cups of flour
• 4 Tbsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. salt
• 4 cups of milk
• 1 cup of lard or shortening
• 4 Tbsp. butter

Preheat oven to 450 degrees (Yes. I know it's hot. Keep little fingers away.) Combine flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and lard. Drop by the spoonful onto an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 10-11 minutes. Meanwhile, soften butter. Brush tops of biscuits with butter. This recipe makes 4 dozen biscuits.

Below is a post that I wrote many years ago. It helps me to get my head right about the things that really matter. Even the small things we take for granted. Enjoy!

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*This was originally published in September 2014. The three boys – Dylan, Lincoln, and Kristian – were the only children. Meaning, many things have changed. However, this post still speaks to my heart. It is still the thoughts I possess about our old table. I hope you enjoy this post.*

I miss writing more than I ever thought I would. It’s amazing. I have so many thoughts. So many good ideas. Every now and again, I even find I have wisdom and thoughts that bring forth sage advice. How strange. Me? A simple woman who the Lord redeemed and washed new? I crazy woman rockin’ yoga pants and a mom ponytail… I – me, Jodi- might have some things to say that will shape the world for the better? That might meet someone right where they are? Might help reach my future daughters and wives of my sons? I just cannot believe that to be true.

But then… A small voice stirs and I hear the Lord say, “I have a plan for you. You are still here for a reason. You will be used.”

So here, again, I began writing. Praying that I will be used in any way the Lord sees fit. Any way that I can bring him glory.

These musings all started this morning at my favorite place in our home. The table. It seems like such a simple thing but it’s not. Our worn and dirty table is so much more.

As I sit here and write this post, these ramblings, here is my exact view. At first, it looks like just a mere table. There are some crumbs, a toy, and a lonely drink. Evidence of a little use and even less attention to cleaning but if you close your eyes and search beyond that you can see so much more.

As I close my eyes, I see and even hear God’s blessings. Here are a few…

I see myself dragging down the stairs and wishing it wasn’t so early but hear the laughter of three little men, that I have been entrusted with, sharing breakfast together and ready to tackle the day. My heart smiles.

I see myself pouring a cup of tea and sitting with my Bible open. Praying for my children and begging for God to intercede where my babies need Him to throughout the day.  My heart leans on Him for our protection.

I see my head down on the table crying as I pray for those who are hurting. Myself included. I see my head lift to the ceiling as I feel His gentle touch and I know if I trust, it will all turn out. My heart clings to His promises.

I see games spilling over, off the table, on to the floor. My little man is loving every ounce of attention he is getting from me. His smile is vivid and full of joy. My heart sings.

I see a friend come over and we share in His word and laugh and hold on another accountable. Oh, the smiles and reassurance that we are not alone. 

My heart sings praises of gratitude for bringing someone along who I can call and trust as a friend.

I see dinner being served. Smiles over conversations. Talking. Noisy talking. Love as we partake in a meal together. My heart is nourished.

I see my husband and I sit down with a snack and a cup of coffee. A small little time for us. A snuck in date. My heart feels such love.

A table is so much more than a piece of furniture. It holds so much more than folded laundry and papers. It is the centerpiece of my family. It brings us together. A table. A simple table.

Thank you, Jesus, for our table.