Catz in the Kitchen

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Greek Chicken with Rice

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This recipe for Greek chicken with rice is an easy, flavorful, healthy meal that's easy to throw together quickly on a week night!

Greek Chicken with Rice

Josh, my husband and the brains + talent (Editor's Note: Or lack thereof...) behind the all the back end stuff for the blog as well as all of the beautiful photography here, does, believe it or not, have a full time job that is not this blog. I know, it would be so much more fun if this could be his full-time job! 😆 Josh's full time job requires that he actually do a bit of travel each month. Which means I am occasionally the sole parent, taxi-driver, chef, bath-giver, book reader, and all of the other things a parent has to do (I'm sure many of you can relate - and I can't even begin to express my respect for those of you with military spouses!). This is one reason I am constantly on the lookout for quick and healthy recipes, especially for dinnertime, that I can whip up easily and that my kids will enjoy.

Greek Chicken with Rice in s pan

I shared, at the beginning of the month, a recipe for chicken and rice in the instant pot which is so good - seriously, if you haven't made it yet, what are you waiting for? I'm bringing you another recipe that I've been making for probably about a year now fairly consistently. You see, Cub (my 2 yr old) loves rice, but he really enjoys these chicken and rice meals, and I keep playing with different varieties because they're really easy to make and they're kind of a one bowl wonder. You don't really have to have any sides, because it can all be put together in one bowl.

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Sweet Potato Cornbread

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This recipe for sweet potato cornbread is simply cornbread perfection! It may become your most-requested cornbread recipe…

Sweet Potato Cornbread

I've got another cornbread recipe for you! We adore cornbread in this house. For some reason cornbread feels more special that other breads, like oh, let's say, "rolls." I'm actually not a "roll" person, but cornbread - yeah, I'll jump on that bandwagon any day of the week!

Before I get too far into this post and sharing this recipe, I have to give a shoutout to my neighbor Christiana because I wouldn't be sharing this recipe with you today if it wasn't for her. I had one of those weeks where some of my best-laid plans didn't go as, well, planned. The final straw was when I went to make this recipe (after just making it a few days prior), and I thought I had enough of all of my ingredients. I'm halfway into the recipe and I run out of...cornmeal. Which is obviously a big deal. And it wasn't like I was short a tablespoon. I would have just gone ahead with it if that were the case. No, this was a whole cup of cornmeal! Josh had already run to the store twice this particular day and I didn't want to send him again, and I just didn't feel like it, but I was about to do it, when I thought of my neighbor (this is also the same neighbor who keeps me stocked in fresh farm eggs every single month). I texted her and she was like "my kid is running right over with the cornmeal." Sure enough, one minute later there was cornmeal on my front porch. Guys, get yourselves a neighbor like her! She's one in a million!

Sweet Potato Cornbread with butter
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Weekly Menu for the Week of Sep 16

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How is it that we're midway through September already? If only January would go by this fast every year! Is it just me or is that January is always the slowest month? Anyway...the official first day of fall is September 22, which means we have about a week of summer left. Officially, that is. It is beginning to feel more and more like fall - my daughters even bought PSLs yesterday! 🍂

Just so we're clear, I am not there yet!

Our family is taking one last quick family getaway and we will be gone a portion of next week so there won't be a weekly menu then. However, there will be a new recipe next week. I am just trying to avoid working while we're gone with our family. Who else tries to cram in all the work before a trip? Yeah, me too.

This week's menu will reflect the seasonal changes and the seasonal produce that is still being gathered. I hope you enjoy it!

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Weekly Menu for the Week of Sep 9

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Today is our last 80 degree day for the next 10 days and I could just cry! Am I ready for fall weather? No. Do I have cute fall clothes to wear? Yes, yes I do. The problem is, though, that Oregon gets perpetually grey as the cold months persist and it really wears on my spirit a lot. So while I appreciate the months that come after August, the weather just begins to chip away at my soul and I really have to work hard at not letting the gray steal my joy and contentment.

We have a couple of things going on this week including a birthday for Ruby! My baby girl is going to be seven years old and I cannot believe it! Time just keeps going by faster. She has asked for a Paddington Bear birthday party which is proving to be a challenge decoration-wise. I ended up buying some Union Jack plates and flags on Amazon and I am going to attempt to make a cake for her with Paddington's face on it. I am not artistic so this will be interesting! 😆

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Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas

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This quick and easy recipe for Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas needs a spot on your weeknight rotation!

Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas

Have I jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon? No, no I haven't. However, I love this recipe and I've made it a gazillion times. Actually, I've been making this recipe since 2020. Do you remember back in 2020 when I decided during lockdown that I was going to try and get familiar with my instant pot and make one recipe out of it a week? I did that for quite a while and this was one of the recipes I made during that time...and actually it didn't even turn out well.

Have no fear, I have played with this recipe a ton and I am pleased to say it is now beautiful, tasty, and filling! Did I also mention that it is kid-approved? Every time I make this all my kids gobble it down, including Cub! I should also say that leftovers are a dream. Somehow, they just get better the next day - which makes this a great option if you meal prep. Make this the night before and portion it out for lunches.

Instant Pot Chicken with Rice and Peas in a bowl
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Almond Chai Granola

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Granola is a great snack that can be expensive and unhealthy at the store. Make this easy, quick Almond Chai Granola at home!

Almond Chai Granola

I've been making homemade granola for over a year now and it has quickly become one of the staples I make on a regular basis, along with sourdough bread and sandwich bread (and protein bites!). I've been loving those items that you could buy from the store but can also make cheaper, healthier, and maybe even more interesting at home. Granola is definitely one of those things that falls into the "more interesting" category.

Now, I'm not sure why I categorize chai as a fall ingredient or a fall flavor, but I do. I don't generally drink chai during the spring or summer. I don't bake anything with chai flavors during those warmer months either. It is strictly a fall/winter flavor. How do you guys feel about chai?? All year long or only during those crisper, colder months?

Almond Chai Granola in a jar
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15 Back to School Recipes for Fall 2024

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I'm seeing on social media that school has already started for a lot of kids. What??? I do not like this. I always feel like school has no business starting for anyone until after Labor Day. Grace started her sophomore year of college this week, and I am just not a fan of that either. How fun it's been having her off from school since the end of April! All good things have to come to an end, though, right? And it is exciting to see her start this new year of learning.

Regardless of when your kids start school (or maybe you're going back to school yourself??), let me help make meal planning a bit easier. I've got a bunch of breakfasts, snacks, and dinners to help you feel more organized. Just pick and choose which recipes you want to use and get that shopping done!

And like I said in last year's post, cereal for dinner is A-okay! I believe there is even a Bluey episode where they end up having cereal for dinner, and I'm like,"Yes, let's normalize that this happens sometimes in real life!" (even with the best of intentions)

And just a note - all of the recipes in this post are different from last year's Back to School post. I wouldn't repeat myself and waste your time like that...!

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Blackberry and Basil Jam

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Easy and good on everything…plus no knowledge of canning required! What's stopping you from trying this blackberry and basil jam recipe?

Blackberry and Basil Jam

This post originally appeared on Catz in July of 2013. Now, over a decade later, we've remade it, rephotographed it, and changed up the recipe! Enjoy!

Gosh, I love jam so much! I rarely eat toast without it. I love it on biscuits or atop a scone. It's good on pancakes or waffles...I mean, even on ice cream it's good. However, I don't know how to can, well, anything. I've never been taught and I've no idea where to start. It feels very intimidating to me. This blackberry and basil jam, however, is anything but intimidating.

Years ago, I saw Giada make this jam on her show (this was back when I was still very much learning how to cook - I didn't know anything when I got married), and I pretty much devoured cooking shows. I feel like I lived in a very special cooking show age. Everything is reels and short videos now, which are great. But I loved watching cooking shows with young Grace and Eden. It was always family friendly and I learned so much!

Blackberry and Basil Jam with bread
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Weekly Menu for the Week of Aug 26

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Happy Monday, friends! Well, for one person in our household, school begins today. Sophomore year of college and I am one proud mama! Last week our temps felt like early fall and I was sooo not ready for it. It rained, it got cold, and I wore jeans. It was weird. I didn't feel ready. Oh, and did I mention I started working on fall recipes?

However, the temperature is changing back to summer this week and despite warmer temps, I'll still be working on fall recipes and cooking some good food that is cozy while still feeling a bit like summer. Although, to be honest at the moment as I'm writing this I am bundled up under a blanket because I am so cold!

Here's what's on the menu this week:

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Weekly Menu for the Week of Aug 19

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Hi, guys! How was your week/weekend? We had a busy week, but a good week. Our weekend was even better because we had some dear friends come and stay with us and it was a completely lovely time. Our weather, however, has decided to dip into the 70's and upper 60's and I am NOT okay with this at all. What's the weather doing where you live?

I asked my kids what they wanted this week for dinners and I had mixed seasonal recipe requests, so I'll be sharing those. Behind the scenes, though, I am gearing up for some fall recipes for you, and I am so, so excited to share!

Here's what's on the menu this week!

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