How to Survive a Minnesota Winter

***Recipe Update*** Several of you have asked me about leaving the mushrooms out of the rice.  Here are my thoughts about that:  Don't do it!  I think they add great flavor...however, if you aren't a mushroom eater, then just pick around them and don't eat them!  That's how Travis enjoys this rice :) But seriously people, mushrooms are SOOO good!!  Embrace the fungus!!

Well my friends, it is just plain COLD here and about to get colder.  We are in the thick of a Minnesota winter and we are about to get a good old-fashioned snow storm overnight.  Ironically, I don't really mind the cold and I'm kind of excited about waking up to some fresh snow.  Especially since I went to the grocery store today and made a major list, so that we don't have to leave the house all day Friday or Saturday!  YAY for being snowed in :)  But, in honor of the winter blast we are experiencing, I thought I would share two of my favorite recipes with you that are GREAT for a cold, winter night.  And when it's 8 degrees out with a -10 degree wind chill,  it's very important to have a few "warm your heart and stick to your bones" kind of meals up your sleeve :)   This is what we had for dinner tonight...

Easy Teriyaki Chicken

My sister Stacie shared this recipe with me and we have quickly fallen in love with it!  She found it in a crockpot cookbook and I love it because it's quick and easy.  You just need the above ingredients.  Chicken breasts, KC Masterpiece Honey Teriyaki marinade ( do not try another brand, this one is the best!!), a can of drained pineapple chunks, and a dash of ground ginger.  

Put the chicken in the crock pot and then put pour the pineapple chunks, 1/2 the bottle of teriyaki, and a dash of ginger over it.  Since every crock pot is different, I won't even try to give you a setting or time to bake this, just let it marinade in there until the chicken is done and it smells heavenly.

I put my crock pot on high and this was done in 2 hours.  This is what it looks like when it's ready.  The flavor of this chicken is SOOOO good and it's very tender from being in liquid.  You will LOVE it, I promise!  This chicken goes so well with this rice...

My Aunt Bette's Rice

Here are the ingredients for the BEST rice you will ever eat!!  The best part is that it's also the easiest rice you've ever made!  You need long grain rice, about 1/2 cup or a small box like the one above (don't use the seasoning and don't buy the quick cook recipe); 1 can of chicken broth, 1 can of beef broth (the campbell's cans are great because they are small), a small can of sliced mushrooms, drained; 1/2 tsp. of garlic salt; and a stick of butter.  Yes, a stick.  I didn't say this was healthy, but I did say it was the BEST!

Next, just dump everything into a 9x13 pan and put the butter on top.  Bake it uncovered at 350 degrees for one hour.  See how easy???

And here is the wonderful final product...just stir and serve with the teriyaki chicken below.

And here is the what you will have for dinner!  A hot, savory and YUMMY meal.  After you make this one time, I know you will THANK me for a new, favorite recipe to put in the rotation :)  It is a cheap meal with almost no prep and one that will leave your mouth watering!  

So take it from 2 Minnesotans who know the value of a hot meal on a cold night....Enjoy!!