Southern Sundays

Welcome to Southern Sundays!

I'm sorry that I missed last week's Southern Sundays, but a little rest and relaxation was in order!  But we are back in full swing this week, ready to party on!


We had a great turn out last time and I dare say that the recipes that everyone brought were some delicious treats!  Such a great array of dishes.  Did you check them out??  Hope so.  We had two recipes that stood out from the crowd.  Give a big congratulations to these two featured recipes!  Make sure to stop by the creator's blog and say "Hi!"  

Congratulations to this week's featured recipes!

Coconut Pineapple Cake

by Andi of The Wednesday Baker

Buttermilk Pound Cake with Buttermilk Syrup

by Lisa of Flour Me with Love

Don't both of these look terrific?

Let's party!

Guidelines:
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Link back to your specific recipe and not to your main site.
Link back to Southern Sundays either in your post, or grab my Southern Sundays Button located in the right side bar.
Please visit a few of the links in the post and say hello to your fellow bloggers!
Enjoy, have fun, cook lots of food, and relish your Southern Sunday!

Chicken and Broccoli Cobbler

Remember the other day I posted a recipe for Homemade Croutons?

Well here is an excellent way to use them!  My Chicken and Broccoli Cobbler is comfort food at it's best.  I came across this recipe in an old Southern Living magazine.  It's easy to make and good for you.  It calls for leftover chicken, which is what I used, but turkey or rotisserie chicken would work just as well.  The best part?  The sourdough croutons are the crowning glory on top of the cobbler!  I told you that sourdough croutons were my favorite...and these, boy oh boy!  Something else!


To make this even easier, grab some broccoli florets from the salad bar, or bagged in the produce section.  They work well, and there's no need to cook them as they cook to a crisp-tender in the dish.  I made individual cobblers but you can certainly make one large one.  It's all good, but I thought the individual ones were just cute!


Here's the link for the Homemade Croutons.  Make sure to try different variations.  They are yummy!


Kitchen Tip:  Use your frozen bread cubes to make the croutons.  Half the work is done and you don't have to plan for stale bread!


This dish lends itself to different variations as well.  You can change up the vegetables to create different flavors.  Try mushrooms, cauliflower, green beans, bell peppers, zucchini, summer squash, or eggplant.  Just use your favorite combinations!


Here are some step by step pics to help you along.

 

 

 

NOTE:  Make sure to come back for Southern Sundays, which returns this Sunday, June 3rd.  Hope you will all link up some great recipes.  I can't wait to see what you bring!

Chicken and Broccoli Cobbler

serves 4

1/4 cup butter, melted
5 ounces cubed sourdough bread (3 cups)
1/2 cup refrigerated grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups small broccoli florets
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup drained chopped roasted red bell pepper
1 (10-oz.) container refrigerated Alfredo sauce
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons dry sherry

Drizzle butter over bread cubes in a large bowl; sprinkle with cheese, and toss well.

Combine broccoli and next 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon filling into a lightly greased 2-qt. rectangular or oval baking dish or individual baking dishes; top with bread cubes.

Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 30 minutes (20 to 25 minutes for individual cobblers) or until bubbly and top is toasted.

adapted from Southern Living Magazine

Homemade Croutons

Who doesn't love a crouton?

Making homemade croutons is a great way to use bread that’s no longer fresh.  I like to make a big batch and then keep them in a airtight container.  They are good for snacking as well as great on salads.  


Simple to make, you just cube day old bread.  French bread is perfect, but you can also use a country wheat, and my favorite, sourdough.  You can then either bake them up, or place them in a freezer bag for later use.  

Kitchen Tip:  Cubed bread keeps really well in the freezer.  This allows you to bake a whole bunch or just a few at a time.  (Great time saving tip)

To bake them you just want to toss the bread crumbs with either olive oil, or melted butter.  Now comes the fun part.  You can flavor them with anything you like.  Here are a few examples:  minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, spices.  Or you can use dried herbs in a pinch and create a variety of flavors.

NOTE:  Southern Sundays will return this Sunday June 3rd.  Featured recipes will also be awarded...Hope you will all join!

Homemade Croutons
3 cups cubed bread
2 T olive oil or melted butter
herbs, cheeses, or spices (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In large bowl combine bread and olive oil. Toss well to coat. If using herbs or spices sprinkle on and toss to coat.  Spread our onto a large baking sheet. Bake in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring after five minutes to brown evenly. Cool completely before storing.  Keeps 1 week.