Carolina Haystacks

Well, I'm sure you've heard of Hawaiian Haystacks.  And you may even already know they are one of my favorite dishes.  So here's my Carolina version of that meal.  I was thinking of calling it "Chicken n Rice" since everybody loves Chicken n Dumpins here...but I went with Carolina Haystacks, so people would hopefully more know what I was talking about.  On to the recipe...

Carolina Haystacks:

Cooked Rice (I prefer brown, but any works.)

1/2 lb. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, diced

1 clove Garlic, minced

2 T. Onion, diced

2 T. Butter

2 Carrots

1/2 c. Water

1/2 to 1 c. Milk

1 c. Pineapple, crushed

1/4 c. Coconut, shredded

Salt/Pepper to taste

1.  In a skillet saute the garlic, onion and chicken until the chicken is cooked through.

2.  Add water, milk and carrots cook for about 10 minutes.

3.  Add pineapple and coconut and simmer for another 10 minutes.  (Can add a little flour to thicken if needed.)

4.  Add salt/pepper to taste.

5.  Serve over rice.

4 servings

Turkey leftovers can be used in place of the chicken.  Just saute the onion and garlic first and then add diced turkey and continue as directed.  :)

Hawaiian Haystacks or Colorado Haystacks?

I think I have decided my favorite food just may have to be Hawaiian Haystacks.  Have you had them?  They are just delicious!  :)  Oh, and SO versatile.  This year for Easter my mom had these delights.  She gave lots of options for the additional goodies and they are just fantastic.  I've also had them before that, but it wasn't until tonight that I decided they are at least one of my faves...if not my very fave!

I think they are fantastic because there are SO many options.  I would put a recipe here, but really you don't need much of one.  There are a few main ingredients though.  Sweet and Savory things, with chicken over rice.  So you need rice.  You need some type of a thin chicken gravy (you can definitely add in veggies to it too).  Then you need lots of toppings.  Think fruit, other veggies, nuts, cheese...really whatever you feel like and/or have on hand!

Ok, I will tell you what I put on our "Colorado Haystacks" as I called them tonight.  Brown rice, thin chicken gravy with onions, carrots and celery, fruit cocktail (the only canned fruit I had in the pantry), honey toasted walnuts (did them myself with a touch of honey and a skillet), and fresh grated coconut.  I didn't get a picture of them because we devoured them pretty quickly...and I know what you may be thinking about the fruit cocktail, but it went together just nicely.  :)  I even got some leftovers from dinner (a rarity in my household because my hubby usually bikes to work and is a hungry man! :)) So, I may be able to get a pic of it soon for ya.  ;)

Anyway, get creative with dinners and remember you almost always have time to whip something yummy up for dinner.  And if not, remember that Subway is still doing the $5 footlongs.  :)  (Yep, we sadly eat there for dinner more than I'd like to admit....but it is a great deal!)  Oh, and this is a dinner you can do completely from your pantry too!  Canned fruit, dried onions, rice, canned chicken....you get the idea.  :)

Ok, I think that's all for now.  Enjoy!