My Favorite Birthday Meal

Sunday, December 13 was my 38th birthday. To celebrate it, I opted for food, family and of course presents! I had Indian food on Saturday (see the post on 12/16) and home cooked comfort food on Sunday - both were very different, but delicious and wonderful.

Sunday's menu was baked chicken breasts, macaroni and cheese, green beans with toasted almonds, Pilsbury crescent rolls and finished off with homemade cherry pie - one of my favorite meals. My Mom started cooking after breakfasts and put together a mouthwatering treat for me!

Here are Mom's recipes:

Baked Chicken

2/3 cup dried breadcrumbs
1 1/2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 skinned and boned chicken breasts
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

1. Combine breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic salt and pepper.
   
2. Dip chicken in butter; then dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
   
3. Place in a lightly greased oven proof baking dish; sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

1 8 oz package elbow macaroni
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup unsifted flour
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook macaroni as package label directs; drain.
3. In 1 1/2 quart baking dish, alternate macaroni (in 2 layers) with 1 1/2 cup cheese.
4. Meanwhile, prepare sauce: melt margarine in medium saucepan; remove from heat. Blend flour; gradually stir in milk, then seasonings. Bring to boiling, stirring; boil 1 minute.
5. Pour sauce over macaroni + cheese in casserole. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and browned.
   

Finally, I am not the biggest fan of cake, but I love a good pie (especially Mom's pie crust)!


Pie Crust

Single

1 1/3 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Crisco
2 to 3 tablespoons water

Double

2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup Crisco
3 to 4 tablespoons water

Combine flour and salt. Cut in Crisco until mixture is uniform. Sprinkle with water, a tablespoon at a time; toss lightly with fork. When all water has been added, work dough into firm ball.

To bake without filling: Preheat oven to 425 degrees. prick bottom + sides with fork. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

To bake with filling: Preheat oven to temperature stated in recipe. Do not prick with fork. Bake according to recipe directions.