Easy Baked Rice

This is one of my all time favorite recipes. It has been around for years, but I found this particular version on Cooks.com. You just throw all the ingredients in a baking dish and in a little over an hour, you have the most fabulous tasting rice ever. Seriously. I served it with Chicken that Makes its Own Gravy.

Baked Rice

1 can Campbell's Consomme Soup
1 can Campbell's Onion Soup
1 stick butter
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 can (4 oz) mushrooms

Combine ingredients in a greased 1-1/2 to 2 quart baking dish Bake at 350° for 1 to 1-1/4 hours and stir before serving.

Yield: 6 servings

You might want to double it because everyone will want seconds.

Baked Chicken "That Makes its Own Gravy"

This recipe comes from a book that was given to me by a sweet friend many years ago. The book is a compilation of recipes taken from the backs of boxes, bottles, cans, and jars, such as Campbells, Kellogg's, Tabasco, and Pepperidge Farm There are some really great recipes in this book. Many, such as the recipe I am posting, are nostalgic as well. If you are interested in buying this book, you can check it out on this quick link to Amazon.



This particular recipe came off of the Carnation Evaporated Milk can, circa 1964, and it comes with my personal disclaimer: The chicken does not "make its own gravy." At no time did any of the chicken in this dish make or even assist in the gravy making. I did it all on my own. It does convert from a creamy to a more gravy-like consistency during the baking time, however. I changed a few ingredients from the original, such as cheddar instead of American (gag) cheese.

Baked Chicken that Makes Its Own Gravy

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup melted butter
1 small can Carnation (I actually used Pet!) Evaporated Milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 carton fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, chopped and sauteéd in butter

Coat chicken with flour. Arrange in a single layer in melted butter in a large baking pan. Bake uncovered at 425° for 30 minutes.Turn chicken and bake until brown, about 15-20 minutes longer. Remove from oven and reduce temperature to 325°. Pour off any excess fat. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Cover with foil and bake for about 15-20 more minutes.
Yield: 6 servings

Coat each chicken breast with flour. I also added a little salt and pepper.


Combine gravy ingredients. Don't expect any help from the chicken.

Okay, so these pictures do not do this fabulous recipe any justice. The chicken was tender and the gravy was delicious. I highly recommend this for company or for just a family dinner.

I hope you try it!

Valentine Gift Card Holders

It is so easy to make custom gift card holders. To make these, I opened up Printshop and pulled up two cute Valentine designs. I used the grid to measure the size I needed and placed the design on the far right. I added names to each one to personalize them.

I printed them off onto white card stock and folded them, leaving the design on the top.

Then I trimmed off the excess.

You can cut slits to place the gift card in if you want to. I just used tape.

Envelopes are easy, too, but that's another post.

Pastel Valentine Tablescape

I decided to go with a pastel color scheme for my Valentine table this year. Though totally unnecessary at a table for four, sometimes I enjoy making place cards because it gives me something else to tie in and coordinate. I printed these onto white card stock with Printshop. I cut striped scrapbook paper into strips and glued them to the bottom of the cards with a glue stick.


As I have mentioned before, I collect Fiesta Ware and I have enjoyed it for many years. It is amazingly versatile. I picked the colors that would match my table, which were pink, blue, yellow and green. I wrapped braided cording around each napkin as a napkin ring. I tied a small knot on the back to hold it.


My centerpiece was simple and edible. The post about it can be found here.

I have a set of conversation heart lights that I purchased at Target several years ago. They are really fun to use. I usually drape them around a window, but this time I used them on the table.

Yes, there is a cord hanging off the table, but it's worth it.

I covered the wire with white tulle.

Now I just have to figure out a Valentine dinner...

Valentines Day is coming!

I have been taking a short break from my postings to revamp my blog a little bit. I plan to post some Valentine ideas soon. Sorry if you have been checking and being disappointed that there has been nothing new. Just give me a few more days! Thank you for checking.