Brian Loses Guy Card Deliciously

I am addicted to cooking shows. I feel a little better admitting it. I find myself as excited as I do watching a sporting event waiting to see how the final entree turns out. I could never recreate any of the dishes I see being prepared because I do not speak the language they do. I wlll be watching and hear them say things like, "now just grab a dash of powdered albino yak horn, mix that with some Vermont maple sugar and add a cup of Logan berries to make a simple balsamic glaze"...HUH? What is that! I have sugar and ketchup, will that work? I guess I need to make some additions to the pantry. A favorite of mine is the Iron Chef on the Food Network. This is where 2 chefs are given a secret ingredient and must prepare several courses using the secret ingredient. We play a version of this at home some nights to have fun. We each must prepare a dish using the secret ingredient, last week the secret ingredient was fish sticks, you would be amazed at what you can create, mmmmm...fish stick burritos.

When it comes to making a good meal the whole family will love, you just need to include the 3 major food groups...meat, starch and cheese. I made a delicious meaty, starchy, cheesy dish last night I want to share with you, it is Chicken Cordon Bleu Hot Dish. You will need:

• 2 to 3 cooked and shredded chicken breasts
• 1 cup of cooked ham
• 1 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 2 tbsp of butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• bit of onion
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup or more of shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 1/4 cup of Chicken Broth

1. preheat oven to 350 and spray a 7 by 11 pan with non-stick spray
2. melt butter in saucepan over med high heat
3. add onion until tender
4. add chicken and ham and cook until heated
5. add rice and stir continuously for 1 minute
6. add milk, chicken broth, and salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes
7. pour the whole shebang into the pan,
8. Top with Swiss & Parmesan cheese and  bake for 45 minutes
9. Thank me tomorrow!