MEXICAN-STYLE CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 lb velveeta cheese, regular or Mexican
1 can(s) rotel tomatoes, regular or hot
1 lb spaghetti pasta
1 stick butter
1 can(s) cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 can(s) cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, red or green, chopped
salt and pepper to taste

1 Boil chicken breasts in a large pot adding 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper to water.
2 Remove chicken when completely done, about 10 to 12 minutes.
3 Boil spaghetti pasta in remaining broth according to package directions. Drain pasta after done and discard water. Set aside the pasta...Do not rinse.
4 Melt the butter in that same (empty) pot and saute the onion and bell pepper.
5 Add tomatoes, soup, cooked chicken (cut into bite-size pieces) and spaghetti to the sauteed onion mixture, one at a time, and gently mix together.
6 Add cheese and stir together, mixing well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
7 Heat until cheese is melted thoroughly, stirring occasionally to keep from scorching.

BREAKFAST TATER TOT CASSEROLE

This recipe is on this blog because it goes together quickly. You can get this into the oven and go about your busy morning while it bakes.

1 lb breakfast sausage-browned, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 eggs beaten, add pepper if you like
2 cups milk, mix with eggs
2 lbs Tater Tots

Preheat oven to 350. In a 9x13 pan layer the sausage first, then cheese. Pour egg mixture over meat and cheese. Cover pan with Tater Tot layer.
Bake 45-50 minutes. Let it rest 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Yield: 8 servings

Variation: Add 3 to 6 strips of bacon to the sausage, if desired.

CHICKEN WILD RICE SOUP

2 quarts chicken broth
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, chopped
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 can (10 3/4-oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/2 cup dry white wine or additional chicken broth
3 cups cooked wild rice
2 cups cubed cooked chicken

In a large saucepan combine the first nine ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.

In a Dutch oven, melt the butter and stir in the flour; gradually whisk in the broth mixture. Bring to a boil, cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Whisk in the mushroom soup and wine or additional broth. Add the rice and chicken; heat through.

Yield: 3 1/2 quarts.

Note: This recipe is from a 2001 TOH.