Remembering My Dad

I can't believe it has been 7 years since my dad passed away. Here is what I wrote two weeks after he died.

"My Daddy 12/24/48 - 4/14/04

My daddy died 2 weeks ago, although it seems like it just happened yesterday...

He was only 55 years old and wasn't sick. He didn't deserve to be taken away so soon... We didn't deserve to lose him.

Around 7:30am Wednesday, April 14th, my sister (19) and I (20)were woken up by police banging and yelling at the door. They kept saying "Clarkstown Police, anyone home? We are coming in".

I came up the stairs, from my room in the basement, my sister came down the stairs, and we met the police at the door. They had my dog on a leash and asked "Is this your dog?" We assumed my dog had gotten out or something, and my sister told the police she was going to run upstairs and get my dad...

They asked us if daddy usually wears a green jacket, blue t-shirt, and stone washed jeans. We said yes. They told us that the lady that found our dog, found my father right next to her... and he was deceased.

My dad had a massive heart attack while walking my dog that morning. They said it took seconds for him to pass... they said that even if we were right next to him, we couldn't of saved him. He must of felt dizzy or something while he was out there, because he made his way to the little bus shelter on the sidewalk next to the field him and my dog always go to. He fell headfirst onto the sidewalk and then it was all over.

I was having back pain that night, and I didnt fall asleep until 5:45 am. I heard my dad's alarm go off at 5:30 am, I heard him get up and turn it off... I heard him make his coffee and then sit down on the computer. I wish I would have stayed up... I wish I never fell asleep... little did I know that an hour and a half later, he would be gone from my life forever... I just wish I went upstairs to kiss him, or say hello to him, something. I know he didn't know it was coming... he wouldn't have walked the dog if he felt sick... a little later that day I went onto his computer, and his crossword puzzle was finished... just like he finished it every single morning...

It was cold and raining that morning. I cant get the images out of my head... the thought of him grabbing his chest in pain, falling to the ground... out there alone with the dog, in the cold and the wet. I wonder if he knew he was going... I wonder if he thought about me and my sister... I mean, I know he thought about us all the time, but I wonder if he worried about us... I wonder if he was sad that he was leaving... My mom left us about 2 years ago. She is still in our lives, but it was me, my sis, and my dad living together, happily... we were so close.

He will never see me get married... he will never be able to give me away. He will never experience being a grandfather... and my children will never get to meet the man most important to me... the man I love the most... my dad.

Michael Patrick Moore - December 24, 1948 - April 14, 2004 <3 "

Chicken Fried Rice

This came out great! I used brown rice instead of white rice and I am not sure what I think about it. I am a white rice kind of person so the brown rice gave it sort of a different taste, but it was still really yummy!

Chicken Fried Rice

3 Chicken Breasts, uncooked and cubed
6 Cups of Cooked and Chilled Rice (Brown or White)
4 Eggs, beaten and scrambled
16oz Bag of Frozen Peas/Carrots
1 Tablespoon Oyster Sauce
1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil
1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Butter
3 Cloves Garlic, Minced
Green Onions, chopped (as many as you want)
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Pepper
Salt

Cube chicken up and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to taste, along with 1 tablespoon of Oyster Sauce (you can find this in the international section of the grocery store).

On medium heat, heat up 2 tablespoons of butter with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, then add 3 cloves of minced garlic along with the chicken. Cooked until no longer pink. In a separate skillet, scramble 4 eggs. Add the 4 scrambled eggs and 16 oz bag of frozen veggies to the chicken and toss. Toss for a few minutes until veggies are thawed out.

Mix in 6 cups of rice (must be cold). Add 1/4 cup of soy sauce and stir fry until light golden brown. Stir in chopped green onions and sprinkle in black pepper to taste.

MY NOTES - I used brown rice with my recipe. I also used canned peas and carrots because I did not have any frozen ones on hand! I also used 1 tablespoon of minced garlic out of the jar instead of garlic cloves. Enjoy!

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

This is a must try recipe that my families LOVES. I have cooked many new things before but this is the first recipe my husband actually told me more than once that he likes it. He also said he knows I will be cooking this again haha.

Bacon Wrapped Chicken

3 Chicken Breasts
Bacon, 10 - 12 pieces
2/3 cup of brown sugar, tightly packed
2 tablespoons of Chili Powder

Pre-heat oven to 350. Cut chicken breasts into 10 - 12 pieces. Wrap each piece with 1 piece of bacon. Mix brown sugar and chili powder together. Dredge each bacon wrapped piece of chicken in the brown sugar/chili powder mixture. Place chicken pieces on broiler grate sprayed with non-stick spray over broiler pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes and then broil for 3-5 minutes to make bacon crispy.

Best Chicken Teriyaki! (Not Crock Pot)

Chicken Teriyaki

3 Chicken Breasts, cut up
1 tbsp. baking powder
Oil for frying
3/4 c. sugar
Dash of garlic salt
Dash of pepper
1 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. soy sauce
Dash of ginger

Place flour, baking powder, salt in large brown paper bag. Shake pieces of chicken in bag. Brown in hot skillet with 5 to 6 tablespoons of oil. In saucepan, stir sugar, spices, soy sauce and bring almost to boiling but do not boil. Dip all browned chicken pieces in sauce and let stand 4 to 5 minutes. Place in 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

Enchilada Casserole

Enchilada Casserole

1 pound ground beef or turkey
2 clove garlic, finely chopped (I use minced garlic, 2 tablespoons)
1 3/4 cups (16-ounce jar) Salsa
1 3/4 cups (1-pound can) Refried Beans
1 1/4 cups (10-ounce can) Enchilada Sauce
10 (6-inch) corn tortillas, sliced in half, divided
2 cups (8 ounces) Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese
Green Onion (optional)

COOK beef and garlic in large skillet until beef is browned; drain. Stir in salsa, beans, and enchilada sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes.

LAYER half of corn tortillas on bottom of greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Cover with half of meat sauce; sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Repeat layers. Bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove cover; bake for additional 5 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with green onions before serving.

Portobello Mushrooms and Spinach with Chicken over Pasta

Another dish my mom makes!

Portobello Mushrooms and Spinach with Chicken over Bow Tie Pasta

3 Chicken Breasts, diced
1 Package Bow Tie pasta
1 Red Pepper, chopped
5 Scallions, chopped
2 Large Portobello Mushrooms, chopped
1 Large bag of Baby Spinach
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Thyme, 1/2 bunch, chopped
Olive Oil

Cook Pasta as directed, set aside.
Coat bottom of the pan with olive oil and saute chicken over medium heat til cooked through. Add chopped mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, chopped red pepper, chopped scallions and 1/2 bunch of chopped thyme. Saute for 5 minutes and add spinach by the handful until wilted. Salt and Pepper to taste, serve over Bow Tie pasta.

Chicken Enchiladas

Here is the recipe for the Chicken Enchiladas my mom makes!

Chicken Enchiladas

3 Boneless Chicken Breasts, cubed
8 Flour Tortillas
3 Large cans of Old El Paso Enchilada Sauce
1 Bag of Mexican Cheese, Shredded
Lettuce, Shredded
Scallions, chopped
1 Tomato, chopped

Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees.
Brown chicken on skillet on Medium heat, til cooked through. Add small amount of enchilada sauce and mix in. Scoop chicken mixture onto tortilla, add small amount of shredded cheese and then roll up. Repeat for all 8 tortillas. Coat bottom of baking dish with Enchilada sauce and place tortillas in pan. Pour remaining Enchilada sauce over tortillas and then sprinkle on shredded cheese, scallions, tomatoes and lettuce. Bake in oven for 40 minutes.