Peppermint White Chocolate Haystacks

So, if you know me, you probably know that I love peppermint hot cocoa, peppermint white mochas, and peppermint just about anything.  So, when I was whipping up some more goodies to give as gifts, I thought I could do more peppermint bark but then I thought....hm...let's do haystacks!  My maternal grandfather would always make quite an assortment of candies and goodies each year before Christmas and give everyone a tray.  (Well, I don't know for a fact he gave any out to people other  than my family actually...but I'm pretty confident he did. :)  So these are kind of a tribute to him.  Although truly he always made his haystacks out of white chocolate, milk chocolate or butterscotch...

Peppermint White Chocolate Haystacks

What you'll need:

2 bags Chow Mein

1 bag CandyQuik or Almond Bark in Vanilla

Crushed Peppermint Candy Canes

Chocolate for drizzle, optional

In a very large bowl pour the bags of chow mein noodles in and spread them out.  Melt the vanilla flavored candyquik and stir until smooth.  (I use the instructions on the package.)  Then pour the candyquik over the noodles and gently stir to coat.  Once they are evenly coated, use two spoons to make them into haystack or nest shapes on parchment or wax paper.  Then sprinkle crushed candy canes on the tops and drizzle with chocolate to finish!  Let set for a few hours at room temp or 30 minutes in the fridge.  Then package and/or enjoy!  Easy, peasy and yummy!

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!