Molly makes...Butter Chicken

Mike and I love Indian food. This recipe was my first attempt at an Indian-inspired dish at home. I adapted the recipe from the Pioneer woman. This definitely hits the spot if you're craving Indian and warms the soul! The sauce is perfect, creamy, a bit spicy, and with a delicious flavor! It would be perfect with naan, but I am still too intimidated to try making the at home. 

What it takes to make it!

• 2-4 pieces Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (I typically just use 2) 
• 5 cloves Garlic, Minced 
• 1 teaspoon Salt 
• ½ teaspoons Black Pepper 
• ½ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper 
• ¼ teaspoons Ground Coriander 
• ¼ teaspoons Cumin 
• 1 whole Lime, Juiced 
• 1 whole Onion, Diced 
• ¼ cups Butter 
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Tomato Sauce 
• 1 can (14.5 Oz. Can) Petite Diced Tomatoes 
• 1 C or less Whipping Cream or half and half
• 1 bunch Chopped Cilantro, to taste 
• Rice

How to make it:

• Saute the onion in the butter until soft. Add marinated chicken with lime juice and spices and cook about 10 minutes. I don't measure the spices, I do about a small palmful of each and it turns out a bit spicy. If you don't like spicy, do equal parts of all spices and about half that amount of the cayenne. 
• Add the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes. Cook for 30 minutes over medium-low heat with the lid on.
•  Add the whipping cream or half and half. Whipping cream is better and it really doesn't take much to give it that wonderfully creamy texture. 
• Serve it up and sprinkle with cilantro. I had no cilantro on hand =(

Saute onion and garlic in butter.

Next, add the chicken, lime and spices. Cook for 10 minutes. Then add your cans!

Cover and cook on low for 30 minutes.

Last, add your cream or half and half and stir!

Oh, the swirly goodness!

Molly makes...a stenciled wall

I am really into graphic wallpaper. I was considering this for our master bedroom but was worried about wallpaper. I have never put up wallpaper, and the only thing I remember about taking down wallpaper is that it is a mess and takes forever.

My sister and I helping to take down the wallpaper, in our Sunday best! Apparently, polka dots were all the rage!

So, I found these stencils you can use to create the same look. Except, in a few years if your taste changes, you can just paint over it! I found this website with awesome stencils here, http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/

I chose the stencil below, called Zagora. The stencils range from about $30-50.

Here is what you will need:

• your stencil
• paint (most likely 2 colors or you can do the same color in flat and glossy for a more subtle look)
• spray adhesive (optional)
• painters tape
• small roller

Here's how to make it:

• Tape the room up!
• First paint the room with the background color. This depends on your particular stencil, in our case  we first had to paint the walls the color we wanted the outlines to be. (White)
• Allow a day to dry.
• Now, start in a upper corner with your stencil. You can either tape it to the wall or use spray adhesive. To use the spray adhesive, apply to backside of stencil and allow to air dry 30 seconds before adhering to wall. We tried both and preferred to tape it. 
• Take roller and paint over stencil. Make sure you don't have too much paint on your roller. 
• Pull stencil off wall and advance either below or next to current section. Be sure the stencil overlaps slightly over the painted section. 
• There is a nice instructional video here: http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/how-to-stencil-videos.html
• If you buy your stencil from this company, they give you a few smaller stencils that you will need to finish on corners and near the ceiling and floor.

Another view of the wall. 

My stencil below. It has been out in the garage for a couple weeks now so it is a bit wavy. 

Up close shot of the wall.

Molly makes...a few confessions

• This process is tedious and can be time consuming.
• I would do it again but I'm not sure if my husband would agree with that.
• We did 2 large walls, my sister also used a stencil on one wall in her bedroom and seemed less frustrated.

Molly makes...Tortellini Soup!

I love the Tasty Kitchen and I often peruse their blog. I came across this recipe and it was remarkably similar to a recipe my mom had been raving about. So, I gave it a go. Yum! We love this one! This recipe has become a staple at our house. I love the broth, onion, garlic and tomato and of course, spinach! Can you believe that cheese didn't even make my top 5? Must be good, right? It can really hit the spot, especially now that it is soup season! Even here in Phoenix! This recipe was altered from The Well-Fed Newlyweds.

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 6 cloves Garlic Chopped
• 1 onion
• 1 quart Chicken Broth or Vegetable Broth
• 1 package (9 Oz) Cheese Tortellini
• 2 cans crushed whole tomatoes
• 6 ounces, weight Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves (I usually just guess-timate by covering pan twice a round)
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• salt and ground pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add diced garlic and onion. (I am in LOVE with my Cuisinart 4 cup chopper- thanks Jamie for introducing us! It's basically by sous chef, see picture below). Cook until onion is soft and garlic fragrant. Add, whole tomatoes and crush into smaller pieces in your pot with your wooden spoon. Add chicken broth oregano, salt, pepper. Bring to a boil and add tortellini. Cook per package instructions. 1 minute before tortellini is to be done, add spinach and stir. Serve immediately. I recommend grated parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!

What you will need. Simple!

No tears, no fear!

Oooo, you fancy!

Molly makes.... it happen!

It's official! I have a blog. =) I have been thinking about starting a blog for over a year now. I was inspired by my good friend, Rebecca. She has her own blog at http://thymeforwine.blogspot.com/. By following her blog, I discovered I love blogs and I can cook! Thanks Beck!

So, with this new found love of cooking and plenty of projects from a new house, I decided to start a blog about my adventures (and misadventures) of my house projects, crafts, and cooking! And maybe just 'making it' as an adult, since I still feel kinda new at this. Yes, I am 27 ;)

Plus, this should reduce calls after cool projects or new recipes. I get so excited it actually turned out that I have to share it with someone!  Now, I will post it rather than run down my phone list.