I Finally Ate At Vicki's Lunch Van! (but then I had to cook dinner!)

So, for months I've been trying to figure out a way to get to try the Hamburger voted #1 in Alabama. Seriously…and even after eating our way through Destin and Seaside for the past few days I was on a mission! (I think I learned this trait early on…from my mother!) 

She is the queen of finding the best food anywhere at anytime!
by the way…it's not in a van anymore!

 But I'm serious, even after eating some of the best seafood, even after not sleeping for the past two nights thanks to a sinus infection and then the horrible storms that rolled through Sandestin around 3:00 am last night…even after knowing all that we had to do once we got back to Birmingham I secretly found the directions to this delectable hole in the wall kind of place! And boy, am I glad we did! It's actually in Montgomery and not very far off the interstate. Trust me on this one…it wasn't voted #1 for nothing! It was everything and then some! Jim loved it as much as I did…our only downfall was that we didn't split it! They are huge and we ended up only eating about half of it…it was still worth it though! And only $7.00 for the combo meal! Can you believe I'm even saying this? I seriously believe I missed my calling as a food critic! The kicker was when we got home and I had to go to the store to get groceries! Nothing even remotely sounded good since we were so full and I sat and stared at Pinterest hoping for inspiration! Then I remembered this yummy soup that I had made a long time ago! Thought I would share the recipe with you. 
This is the perfect go to meal when you want ease and a lot of leftovers.

 On top of that it was so wonderful to come home to chilly weather after being in hot, sunny Florida! 

Green Chili Potato Corn Chowder

8 Cups peeled, diced red potatoes
1 onion, diced
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
7-8 Cups chicken broth or stock
2-3 Cups white corn ( I used the frozen )
2 small cans diced, green chilies
1/2 Tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2-1 Tablespoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon Crystal hot sauce
1 package peppered gravy mix

2-3 Cups warm, 1% milk
6 ounces diced Velveeta cheese 
garnishes: shredded cheddar, green onions, hot sauce

Saute the onion in the butter until softened. Add the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the diced potatoes and cook for 25 minutes covered. Add the corn, salt, pepper, thyme and green chilies. Let simmer for another 30 minutes, covered. Warm the milk and whisk in the gravy mix. Slowly add to the soup mixture. Let simmer another 10-20 minutes. Add the Velveeta and simmer until melted, stirring occasionally. Serve in bowls and let people top with toppings if desired. 
This is so yummy and completely satisfying served with corn bread or corn muffins. Let me know how you like it!

When It's Time To Leave The Beach….It's Time To Leave The Beach!

We said good-bye to the beach as well as the rich yet wonderful meals that we enjoyed…and yes, we certainly enjoyed them! 'Havana's' in Rosemary Beach, 'Bud And Alley's' as well as 'The Great Southern' in Seaside, 'Dewey Destin's' in Destin…you name it we enjoyed them to the fullest! 

But…when it was time to come home this lady was craving down home Southern cooking!

So, I made Squash Casserole!

("before" pic!)

 (Squash Casserole "after" pic!)

As well as my all time favorite Oven Barbecue Chicken with yellow rice! 

(All of the recipes are at the bottom of this post.)

And no Southern meal would be complete without homemade…well, almost homemade corn muffins! (love that Krusteaz brand!) However, I also did a post several years ago which you can see HERE for my grandmother's recipe for the most delicious corn muffins ever! 

With this meal I also served English Peas with it because…well, because I like them and I was tired at this point! 
I must say that I thought it was ironic that Holly chose to make this meal as well…or at least the Oven Barbecue Chicken…we truly do think alike! It's so easy and its really very healthy! 

Try it out and let me know what you think! 

So, until we meet again old faithful beach chair…I will be enjoying home cooked meals and exercising like crazy! I think that is a fair trade! I hope you will try at least one of these recipes. I am posting the chicken and the squash if you'd like to make them!
As always... I would love to know your thoughts!

Oven Barbecue Chicken

6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 T ketshup
3 T vinegar
2 T lemon juice
3 T worchestershire sauce
1/2 C water
2 T melted butter
4 T sugar
1/2 t red pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. chili powder
tobasco suace to taste, garlic powder to taste
Place cleaned chicken breasts in an oven proof casserole dish. Mix all of the other ingredients together and pour over chicken, making sure sauce also gets under the chicken. Cover tightly with a lid or heavy foil. Bake covered at 350 degrees for 1 1/2- 2 hours. Serve over yellow or white rice. 
This is truly one of our families all time favorite dishes! Your house will smell amazing while it is cooking!

Squash Casserole

10 pieces of medium sized squash, rinsed and sliced 1/2" thick
1 small onion, diced
1/2 stick light butter
salt and pepper to taste
1 T sugar
1 egg lightly beaten
4-6 ozs. sour cream ( I use light)
3/4-1 C light mayo
1/2 C parmesan cheese
8 ozs. grated cheddar cheese
1 sleeve Ritz Crackers, crushed
1/4 stick melted butter
saute squash and onions with the butter. Season with salt, pepper and sugar before cooking. Drain squash well in a colander once it is tender…pushing out the excess water as best as possible. In a mixing bowl add the squash mixture with the mayo and sour cream, egg and cheeses. Place in a greased casserole dish. Top with crushed crackers mixed with the melted butter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbly!
I hope you love it like we do!