Chicken Quesadillas, Red Beans & Rice, Balsamic Dressing & Salad

I love Mom this much!

I want Mom's cooking, not a stupid icicle.

I remember wanting to serve Mom or Dad breakfast in bed on special occasions. I have since realized that this is not very enjoyable or practical for the following reasons...

1) It is hard to sit up in bed when there is a window behind you and you have no headboard.

2) The food has a tendency to spill when it is on a cookie sheet (This is because you didn't want to spend money on a "bed tray".)

3) It is boring to eat alone. (Everyone else has left to fix their own breakfast.)

4) If someone does stay to chat, they sit on the bed and disrupt the food on the cookie sheet all over again.

5) There is usually something that I need so I have to call loudly to get someone's attention.

6) It is hard to get out of bed when I am done because I have a cookie sheet and other paraphernalia on my lap.

7) etc.

Chicken Quesadillas

1 c. shredded cooked chicken

1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 c. Hidden Valley® Original Ranch® Dressing

1/4 c. diced green chilies, rinsed and drained

4 (9-inch) flour tortillas, warmed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine chicken, cheese, ranch & chilies in a bowl. Divide the chicken mixture evenly between each tortilla; fold in half to seal. Place quesadillas on a baking sheet & bake for 15 min. or until cheese is melted. Optional: Cook quesadillas in a skillet

Yummy Red Beans and Rice

30 oz. can small red beans (or 2-15 oz. cans)

1/2 t. white pepper

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. paprika

1/4 t. salt

3 T. butter

Pour beans with liquid into a large saucepan. Add pepper, paprika, butter, garlic powder and salt. Heat on medium. When beans begin to boil, use a fork to mash some of them against the side of the pan. Stir constantly until they get to a smooth creamy texture with some whole beans. Cook your favorite rice and serve with the red beans on the side or on top of the rice.

Cheryl's Favorite Balsamic Dressing & Salad

2 pkgs. Good Seasons Italian Dressing® Mix (dry)

1/4 c. olive or canola oil

3 T. water

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

Garlic powder, onion powder, dry basil and salt and pepper (to taste)

* a combination of mixed greens, baby spinach & romaine

* Feta cheese

* Craisins

* Toasted nuts (pecans, almonds or walnuts)

* Crispy won ton strips (optional)

by Cheryl, Barbara's daughter