FOOD FRIDAY:  30 Minute Meals

I'm all about a delicious, flavorful meal that does NOT take all day to make or a laundry list of ingredients.

Just looking at this recipe makes my mouth water!!

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta

Chicken, bacon, and ranch dressing together make up one of my favorite culinary trifectas. In this creamy, flavorful pasta dish, they're combined in a cheesy sauce for a quick and delicious dinner. And judging by the way my boys gobble it up, it's definitely kid-approved!


Ingredients

1 lb mostaccioli or other short pasta
6 strips bacon, diced
1 Tbsp butter
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 packet ranch dressing mix
2 cups milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in boiling salted water; drain, return to pot, and keep warm.

2. Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Drain all but one tablespoon of bacon drippings from the pan.

3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the butter to the reserved bacon drippings, then add the chicken to the same skillet. Cook until tender, no longer pink, and slightly browned.

4. Sprinkle the flour and ranch dressing mix over the chicken, stirring to coat evenly. Stir in the milk, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened and bubbly. Stir in the cheddar cheese and half of the reserved bacon; cook and stir until the cheese is melted. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.

5. Serve each plate of pasta with more bacon sprinkled over the top. Green onions would also be a delicious topping.

Enjoy!!

What goes in to making soap

What Goes Into Making Earthstone Soap?

1. Oil

2. Lye (yep - soap doesn't exist without it)

3. Liquid (water, beer, milk, etc.)

4. A lil' bit of SMELL GOOD (or not, just depends)

That's it.

It doesn't take a laundry list of ingredients to create soap, but using the RIGHT combination of these ingredients creates that AAAAHHHH moment in the bath.

Do you know what's in the soap you're using??

About the Earthstone Creator

Why Soap?

Why did I start making soap?  Why make something that is found in every grocery store in the world?  Many soapmakers start out making all natural soaps for its therapeutic benefits on the skin.  My reason is a little different as I was not looking for a cure for any particular skin condition.  In fact, I didn't even realize how good natural soaps were for the skin.  You don't know what you don't know - right?

My initial motivation was slightly selfish.  I wanted to use my hands for something GOOD.  I crave creativity!  I simply wanted a talent - something that I was good at,  that I could enjoy.  The problem?  I didn't have a creative bone in my body.  Or so I thought.  I come from a family full of talented men and women that possess skills and talents that I dreamed of having.  My mom, for instance,  could sew and make clothes without a pattern!  Whhhhaaaattt??!!  Uh huh - I know.  And my sister?  My sister, Beverly, can cook AND bake AND decorate AMAZINGLY beautiful cakes (she is now a successful restauranteur in Birmingham).  So, surely, just due to genetics I should have some of that talent in my blood - right?

I think I've tried EVERY craft kit on the market - EVERY ONE of 'em - WITHOUT SUCCESS!
Wait - don't feel bad - it gets better!  After spending alot of money in the craft stores trying to learn how to paint, crochet, knit, and whatever else, I threw my hands up!  Yep - I was DONE trying these kits, but I just couldn't give up!  I was so mad and frustrated with myself.  I remember my mom telling me that the Lord gives everyone a talent or a gift and that I would find mine - eventually.  But when?  And what was it?  Finally, I prayed and prayed and CRIED to the Lord for Him to Bless me with a talent that He wanted me to have, that I would enjoy and could share with others.

So one day my mom and I were talking about how my grandmother used to make soap out of bacon grease and how great this soap was for cleaning clothes.  She asked me to help her find out how this was done.  So I researched and researched and the spark was lit!   My mom and I made some soap together and I've not put it down since - LOL!!

It is a BLESSING from the Lord and I LOVE making and sharing it with others.  I continually feel honored and blessed that He allowed me to have this wonderful talent and skill.

It is my hope to share with all of you my passion for this craft through words and pictures.  I hope you enjoy!

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the brand spanking new blog page for Earthstone Soap.  We are very excited to have you visit our page. Please feel free to look around and visit us on our social media sites and LIKE us. 

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