Inexpensive, comfort food in under 30 mins!

I am a morning person that works nights, this leads to insane amounts of "mommy guilt." I miss out on dinner, homework, snuggle time, repeatedly reminding her to brush her teeth and tucking her in at night.

I get up at 6 am; 5:30 am if I have the motivation to workout before my daughter gets up. Needless to say... I get up at 6 am. Getting up this early allows me to spend time with my daughter before she goes to school. Most nights I don't get home until 10:30 pm, which is more like 11 pm to be honest. By the time I go through her homework, pack her lunch, shower and shut my mind off it's 1 am- yuck! I can survive on a little bit of sleep, I just want to make sure that my Oil of Olay anti-wrinkle cream has had enough time to do it's job.... to make me look like I'm 25 again!!!

Thankfully there are windows at work so I have the opportunity to call her when she gets home from school, and to wish her sweet dreams before she goes to bed. I am lucky to have a terrific mother who lives close and watches my daughter 3 days out of the week. A family friend watches her the other 2; those are the days that I will make some of her favorite dishes.

The challenge is to make something that will taste good hours after I make it or that can be easily reheated and not taste dry. And I love a challenge!

Today I am making my daughter "chicken and rice", at least that's what we call it. In reality it is an inexpensive, comfort food that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

"Chicken and Rice"

Wegman's (my local & favorite grocery store) or Swanson chicken broth. 46-49 oz can.

Low or no sodium is what I prefer.

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

3 cloves of garlic, minced

sea salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) of margarine, or unsalted butter, sliced

green beans or broccoli

brown rice

a sprig of rosemary

fresh parsley

In a large sauce pot pour in the chicken broth. Place sliced margarine in the pot, leaving out 2 slices. Roll those in some flour, then add into the pot. Stir with a whisk, this will thicken the broth slightly. Add the rosemary and garlic. Let that simmer for a little while on medium-low. While that is heating up cut the chicken breast into cubes. Place into pot. While that is cooking in a separate pot cook the brown rice. I normally stick with 3 cups of cooked rice, which is enough for second helpings and leftovers. Use more or less to suit your family. While the rice is cooking add sea salt and some fresh ground black pepper to the chicken broth. Stir and cover back up. When the rice is done cooking steam the green beans. And that's it you're done cooking. Grab a dinner plate place a heaping spoonful of brown rice in the center. Then the green beans. Finally a spoonful of chicken and the broth. Garnish with fresh parsley.

I am almost ashamed to post this recipe because it's so quick and easy but it's delicious and perfect on a chilly day. A homecooked meal under 30 mins, yay!

Enjoy.