Thanksgiving Stuffing Bake

With Thanksgiving coming very soon, stuffing is one of the things I have been wanting lately. Here is a one-dish meal that is easy to put together and enjoy for dinner or double the recipe and take it to a potluck:

Thanksgiving Stuffing Bake - Serves 4

Ingredients:


* 3 chicken breasts of thighs (I used chicken thighs)
* Cooking Spray (I used canola oil cooking spray)
* 1 box of stuffing mix (I used a box of whole wheat chicken stove top).
* 1 1/3 cups of water
* 1 TBSP of butter or margarine (I used unsalted butter)


Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Boil 1 1/2 cups of water and 1 TBSP of butter in a medium saucepan.
3. Add stuffing mix and stir.
4. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
5. Spray 8x8 square pan with cooking spray.
6. Add chicken to the bottom of the pan in a relatively even layer.
7. Add stuffing on top of chicken, making sure the layer is even.
8. Place pan in oven for 30 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
9. Slice and serve with your favorite gravy and veggies, enjoy!

Mushroom, Pea, and Onion Rice Pilaf

I came up with this using the idea of peas and onions, a common vegetable combo. I added mushrooms in since I am a big fan of them and enjoy them sometimes with peas and onions. Add in some rice and seasonings and you have a heartier side dish that can also be a light meal.

Mushroom, Pea, and Onion Rice Pilaf - Serves 2 as a light meal, serves 3-4 as a side dish

Ingredients:

* 2 cups of cooked rice (I used boil in the bag brown rice)
* 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth (I used vegetable broth)
* 1 1/3 cups of green peas (I used frozen peas)
* 1/2 of a medium onion, diced
* 1 cup of sliced mushrooms
* 1 TBSP of extra virgin olive oil
* 1 TBSP of grated Parmesan cheese (The kind from the pasta aisle is fine)
* 1/8 tsp of black pepper
* 1/8 tsp of oregano
* 1/8 tsp of garlic powder

Directions:

1. Cook rice according to directions for the brand you use and make 2 cups of cooked rice.
2. Add extra virgin olive oil to a large pan and add remaining ingredients to the pan.
3. Cook vegetables on medium for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are fully cooked and are starting to brown.
4. Add rice to the pan and mix everything together. Serve and enjoy!

* This dish would be great served with additional vegetables and chicken or steak. Also can become a main dish with one of more of the following: diced chicken, cheese, crumbled bacon, etc.