Chicken and Cheese Topped Biscuits

It sounds crazy, right? When I first thought of doing it, I thought I'd lost my marbles.

As you may already know, I am an avid Pinterest browser. I have been seeing all these recipes pop up for all kinds of things made in muffin tins. There's been individual meatloaves, taco shells, lasagna cups...just about everything you could think of.  Then, I thought of something else.

I hadn't been able to figure out what to do with some leftover cilantro lime chicken that I had taken out of my freezer. Originally, I planned on doing chicken burritos, but my husband said he really wasn't in the mood for a burrito. Well that just burst my bubble.

I began perusing the refrigerator to see what else I could make when I see that my sneaky hubby bought refrigerated biscuits. (If you know anything about me, you know that I hate buying packaged foods.)

Out of spite and a little inspiration, I decided to try something a little funky.

Chicken and Cheese Topped Biscuits

1 can Pillsbury biscuits

leftover chicken, shredded

shredded cheddar

taco seasoning ( I used my own blend)

Preheat oven to 450F degrees. Remove a biscuit from the can and flatten in your palm.  You may stretch it slightly as well to best create a bit of a cup in the pan.  Lay biscuit disc in bottom of muffin tin and allow it to form to the sides. In center of biscuit cup, layer chicken, cheddar, and seasoning. Do this for the remainder of the biscuits to fill your muffin pan.

Place in oven and allow to cook for 10-12 minutes. These will be extremely hot due to the melted cheese, so please be careful when removing them from the pan. 

We garnished with a little sour cream and salsa to spice it up.

Yields 10 biscuits. (Your can's capacity)

Grilled Cheese Anyone?

A while ago I got the urge for a grilled cheese sandwich, but I wanted it with more than just a few slices of cheese.  Craving a bit of a zing, I added sliced onion and strips of ham.  That was good for my palette on that day, but today was a different day.

Since my sister suggested we have grilled cheese sandwiches, and I love her so, it is thus aptly named...

Sisterly Love Grilled Cheese Sandwich

A wee strip of pepper snuck its way out of the sandwich.

1/4 of a large yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1/4 of a large yellow onion, sliced thin
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp dried cilantro
1/4 tsp black pepper
Three of your favorite cheeses (today's choice: Mozzarella, American & shredded Cheddar)
4 slices of your favorite bread
Butter or mayo

Makes 2 sandwiches.

In a small skillet, saute bell pepper and onion in butter over medium-high heat until they just begin to caramelize.  Add garlic salt, cilantro and black pepper.  Mix well and heat until onion is translucent. Set aside. 

Spread a thin layer of butter or mayo on one side of each slice of bread.  In a separate skillet, place a slice of the bread--spread side down--lay a slice of American cheese down on top of the bread, crumble Mozzarella onto the slice, dust cheddar across the top.  Add a layer of the onion, bell pepper and spice mix.  Sprinkle shredded cheddar over mixture, crumble mozzarella over top and add a final slice of american cheese.  Top with another slice of bread--spread side face up.  Cover and allow base to brown. 

Flip, cover and allow other side to brown while covered.  This helps the cheese to melt and adhere to the veggie mix.  Remove and serve.

For additional flavor, saute strips of ham with bell pepper and onion.  

For a stronger garlic flavor, thinly slice a clove of garlic and saute with the vegetable mixture.

Serve with apple slices and/or grapes.  The tangy sweetness of the fruit is a nice balance to the salty creaminess of the sandwich.

Enjoy!