As you know, I am currently on vacation for a few days and I have decided to ask a few of my favourite foodie friends to write some guest posts for Manu’s Menu while I am away. I am so excited to introduce the second guest of this series! She is one of the most beautiful and generous persons I know, one that I am very happy to call friend: Sandra from Sandra’s Easy Cooking. Sandra is also a really talented foodie and photographer and has recently published her very first book: Savoring the Sweet Moments in which she shares some fantastic ideas for balanced and tasty meals! Make sure to check it out! Sandra has made a delicious meal to share with all of us… one of those hearty dishes that I cannot wait to try! So, read on!!! But before we get to the recipe… let’s get to know my friend Sandra a little better, shall we?
- How would you introduce yourself in a few words?
Mom of three, two boys and a girl, wife, friend, blogger, enjoy cooking, love photography since I was a kid, challenger.
- How long have you been blogging for and how/why have you started?
I’ve been blogging little over a year now, and has been an amazing year. Why I started? Well, my husband said to me you have to start sharing whatever he would eat and I was little tired writing down recipes for his co-workers on a piece of paper..it wasn’t long after I looked into this world of blogging and didn’t expect how huge this food community is, I started to write without any expatiation that anybody will leave a comment or try my recipes, but like said I am amazed by our food community support and encouragement that everybody giving to one another.
- What is a kitchen gadget or appliance you cannot live without?
I wouldn’t call it a gadget, but maybe many of you will agree that parchment paper is a life saver, or un-stick aluminum foil However, if I have to pick one thing from my kitchen it would be food processor.
- What is your ultimate comfort food?
Girl, you know I love Italian food..it is really hard to pick just one, but Chicken Alfredo with creamy sauce, and mushrooms over tender Fettuccine..is one of my favorites irresistible dishes. (my mouth is watering just by thinking about it now:)))
- Which, among the posts you have written, is your favorite one? Why?
I can’t say which one is my favorite..they are all special in one way or another..sometimes I would open up my heart and sometimes I would have blogger breakdown with no words coming out of me. The most anxious to me was when I announced release of my book. I was so nerves and felt like I have million butterflies in my belly.
- And lastly, what is your favorite dish?
Crepes with Nutella
AND NOW… I’LL LEAVE YOU WITH SANDRA! ENJOY!
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Hello Manu Menu Readers,
I am really exited to be here at Manuela’s delicious website. I have known Manu for more than few months now, but fell in love with her recipes as soon as I came here. Her personalty and sweetness struck me as well, so I have been coming here ever sense! I mean what’s not to like, most authentic Italian dishes, plus Indian…love is in the air with both very flavorful cuisines, she is definitely rocking foodie community web.
So when she asked me to guest post I was so happy, well I am always happy but when the person that you are considering a friend ask you this there is nothing to think about, Right? Right! LOL!
Let me introduce myself..
My name is Sandra and I am behind the scenes of Sandra’s Easy Cooking. Today I am sharing here full meal with all of you. It is easy, delicious, comforting and it can be done in less than 30 minutes.
Cheesy Grits with Chicken and Spicy pan Roasted Mushrooms
Serves 4
Ingredients:
For Grits
3 cups of Instant Grits
2 cups of Water
½ Tbs. Salt
½ tbs. Ground Black Pepper
1 cup of Mozzarella Cheese
Chicken
8 Sliced of thin Chicken Fillets(2 for each serving)
1 Tbs. Olive oil
½ tbs Salt
2 garlic cloves, crushed and minced
½ tbs Ground Black Pepper
Few Sage leaves
Mushrooms
10 Whole Mushrooms
1 Tbs. Olive oil
½ Tbs. Crushed Red Pepper
½ tbs. Salt
Directions:
- Put water with salt to boil, and add Grits, garlic and black pepper.
- Stir constantly until grits are smooth to the texture, and soft to the taste.
- Add 1 handful of cheese and stir in(reserve the rest of cheese for later)
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- Wash Chicken and cut into thin slices or Strips and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat the oil and cook the chicken with addition of few leaves of sage for more flavor and aroma. It is like frying but with less oil. Cook on each side for 5 minutes until you reach the crunchy and brown looking chicken.
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- Wash the mushroom, season and in the saucepan put oil and add mushrooms.
- Sprinkle crushed red pepper and let it cook for next 5 minutes.
- Mushrooms cook fast.
Assembly:
On the plate put about 2 Tbs. Of Grits and sprinkle with cheese for each serving.
Place 2 slices of chicken on top, and place mushrooms on the side.
Serve with salad, and /or toasted whole wheat bread.
Thank you Manuela for inviting me today to be your guest, I enjoyed sharing my recipe at your site. I hope you are enjoying your vacation, can’t wait to see your pictures!
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Wasn’t that DELICIOUS???!!!! Make sure you visit Sandra’s Easy Cooking website to read this and many more fantastic recipes!
Sandra, THANK YOU very much for writing such a beautiful guest post for Manu’s Menu. You know I really appreciate it A LOT! <3
You can also follow Sandra on Foodbuzz (http://www.foodbuzz.com/foodies/profile/sandra’s%20easy%20cooking, please copy and paste the url on your browser as it is the only way this link works from my site… if you just click on it, you will be redirected to some other Sandra’s profile), Facebook and Twitter.
Wow what a beautiful Guest post! I am in love with cheesy grits and I am going to make this soon 🙂 The pictures look so stunning 🙂
Love the look of this! I don’t think I’ve ever eaten grits but definitely want to give them a go after reading this post. Love the idea of guest posts too…it’s a great way for your readers to discover new dishes and blogs 🙂
This meal sounds amazing!! I love girts and pan-roasted mushrooms sound like the perfect addition. Hope you are enjoying your vacation Manu, and Sandra thanks for a great recipe!
Wonderful guest post! I am a huge fan of Sandra’s and am thrilled to see this delicious recipe on your site, the photos are stunning too! Thanks for hosting, have a good one! =]
Manu- Hope you are enjoying some well deserved time off. Happy vacation!
Sandra- As always this is stunning. You just have a way of making such beautiful food. I am always mesmerized by the photos. You are so talented both in cooking, and in photography. Have a great week ladies! xx
Manu, Sandra did fantastic job, tasty dish….I added your fan button to my site, love your blog:)
I’ve never been a huge fan of grits but I do love the take on the mushrooms. Hope Manu is having a fantastic vacation…I am counting the days to mine!
Hi Manu! I Hope you are enjoying every moment of your vacation (and not checking your blog or other blogs! 😉 ) . Sandra, what a lovely guest post and interview! Lately I enjoy bloggers interview a lot! Trying to see what else I didn’t know about the blogger…. It’s always nice to feel connected on another level. Very easy and delicious recipe here. You know how to play well with ingredients and colors. Wonderful post!
Thank you Manu for inviting me today..it was my honor guest post!
Also thank you all for heart warming comments!:)
Sandra, what an amazing recipe! I love mushrooms and this is a real tempting reipe! Ladies, both of ou are so talented! That’s why I really love visiting and learning from both of your blogs!!
I’ve never had grits, but the dish looks great! Hope Manu is having a lovely break 🙂
Sandra, it looks fantastic! Congrats on your guest post:)
Beautiful guest post you had, ladies! 😉
I love those pretty roasted shrooms and the chicken. Both of you are really such a great team! Hope you’ve a wonderful trip, Manu and a great week ahead, Sandra! 😀
I love this menu! Very nice. : )
Sandra, that looks SO good. You know, I’ve only recently heard of grits and never tried them and with your mouthwatering dish here, I am totally inspired! Loved seeing you here on the guest menu – what a wonderful treat, especially as I love all your recipes and photos, Sandra.
Great interview. Lovely touch of Manu’s and great to know you better. You know, you made me realise I actually forgot to say I was a Mum! Tisk, tisk. You’re right – it’s the most important.
Still thinking of you, Manu. Hope you’re being pampered!
Hope you’re having a wonderful vacation, Manu!
Sandra, you did another awesome guest post here! Love the recipe. Chicken and mushroom dishes always look so appealing to me!
Wow, Manu, you’ve left us in good hands with Sandra! Great interview questions~
Sandra, yes, this may be our dinner tomorrow…just need the mushrooms and grits…it looks fabulous!!!
The photos and flavors of this whole plate are incredible. I must say that you, Sandra, have one of the best palates of any food blogger I know because you can rustle up the best dishes any time, every time I pop over to your site. And Manu, what a great compliment to your site that you have Sandra guest posting over here today, because I love both of your talents! Hope you have a good break, Manu and come back with more mind-blowing recipes!
Hi manu… wishing u a great vacation mement over there dear, enjoy it and don’t forgot to share it with us!
Hi sandra… tq for sharing the recipe with us, loves the ingredients and pic, nice to meet u 🙂
Hi Manu, I’ve just come over from Sandra’s place… A lovely site you have here, and I hope you are enjoying a relaxing holiday.
Sandra, the more I see the tantalizing photographs of this dish and review the recipe, the more I think I’ll get this on my table sooner than later! Awesome guest post and again, congratulations on today’s Top 9 and the Foodbuzz Awards nom!
What a meal! Wish this was tonight’s dinner. YUMMO!
Hello lovely ladies.
Manu, I hope you’re having a wonderful vacation away from the computer or other gadgets.
Sandra, love your guest post, well like all of your recipes. Cheesy grits, YUM!
Beautiful photos of this dish. Sandra, if you are reading this, you always do such a wonderful job!
This really looks delicious! I’ve never had cheesy grits.
Oooh cheesey grits look great Sandra! Great guest post.
What a great meal! I’ve had cheesy grits with just about everything, but never these wonderfully spicy mushrooms and then the lagniappe of the chicken. Makes me really hungry! Love this post and now I’m headed over to your website. Can’t wait to see what’s waiting for me there. 🙂
uuu that will taste amazing with polenta too! Great guest post Sandra 🙂