My family through food

January Menus

2011-01-16T14:49:00.002-05:00

Better late than never right....

January 2010

16. Waffles, sausage
17. Chili, cornbread
18. Meatloaf, noodles, corn
19. Pasta
20. Tacos, spanish rice, corn
21. Lemon Chicken, rice, broccoli
22. Baked chicken, cheesy rice, peas
23. Salmon cakes, mac and cheese, lima beans
24. Shephards pie
25. Potato soup
26. Pork chops, stuffing, broccoli
27. Curried chicken
28. Eggs Benedict
29. Roasted Chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
30. Wild rice and orzo casserole
31. Bean soup

Cheesecake MANIA

2011-01-08T18:46:00.011-05:00

We were invited to spend New Years Eve with my friend Stephanie and her family. They were making dinner and different snacky foods. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't show up for dinner at someones house with out bringing something. I just can't do it no matter how many times you tell me I don't have to bring something. Haha. So what did I bring....a Cheesecake...BOY did that ever start Cheesecake MANIA!! Since then I have been making cheesecake for everyone. Not a problem since I thoroughly enjoy it and it keeps me from eating them...haha....Anyway I thought I would show you how to make a cheesecake...

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup + 3 T. sugar
4 8oz blocks of cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla (oops forgot to put it in the picture)
4 eggs

You will also need a spring form pan. These things are so neat and it makes for a really authentic style cheesecake.
UGH...I don't know why this picture keeps posting sideways.

First make your crust by combining the cracker crumbs, 3 T. sugar and melted butter.

Combine well and press down into the bottom of your spring form pan.

Next beat your cream cheese (WAY easier if it is room temp) vanilla, and sugar until creamy.

Add in your eggs one at a time. (These should also be room temperature).

Make sure you scrape down the sides of your bowl so that you get everything incorporated. Now pour the batter into your spring form pan on top of the crust.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for one hour.

This is what it looks like. Loosen the rim of the pan (DO NOT remove it yet) and let it cool completely. Once cooled you can remove the rim and if you are daring move it to a serving tray. Put it in the fridge for at least four hours before serving.

Yes they crack and yes I am sure some people can make them without them cracking...I for some reason cannot anymore...I used to be able too...hmm Oh well.....This cheesecakes destiny.......WINCHESTER!

New Year!!

2011-01-02T03:40:00.003-05:00

OK so I'm not the most studious person when it comes to keeping up with my blogs. BUT.......It's a new year and I am going to try....really HARD! Unfortunately this blog may have to wait awhile. I have no camera at the moment...BUT I promise to rectify that situation in the near future (okay maybe not NEAR future but in a couple of months). For now here are 11 food tips and tricks to start out your 2011 cooking off right....

1. Add a bit of sugar to your pancake and waffle batter...they will brown more quickly.

2. To keep your salad fresher longer cover the bowl with a damp paper towel and store it upside down (lid on of course please) in the refrigerator. (Learned this one from a woman at work)

3. Cream will whip up faster if you put your mixing bowl and mixer beaters in the freezer for a a bit first.

4. Use the wrapper off of the butter to grease a dish...It's less messy and less wasteful.

5. Crush dried herbs and spices in the palm of your hand before adding to your dish. This will reawaken the flavors.

6. Partially freeze meat that needs to be slice super thin. This will make the process SO much easier.

7. Put a mini marshmallow in the bottom of waffle cones to keep the ice-cream from dripping out the bottom. (Great trick moms!)

8. If you drop a piece of egg shell into your bowl use another piece of egg shell to fish it back out...It works so much better than trying to catch it with your finger.

9. Egg whites at room temperature will form stiff peaks WAY faster than ones straight from the fridge.

10. Unflavored dental floss makes cutting soft cheese and cheesecakes a breeze. Also it works to make layers out of a cake before it is frosted.

11. HAVE FUN cooking. Not everything is going to come out right, but that is okay...LAUGH and then MOVE ON.

Happy cooking in 2011 everyone!

Sweet Smoothies!!!!

2010-07-30T21:43:00.002-04:00

Okay so after seeing all the hype about the McDonald's Smoothies, trying one, deciding it was good but too expensive I have decided to go into the the Smoothie making business. Okay well not really a business (unless you guys really want to pay me to make your smoothies). I have, however, been playing around with different combos in my head. So hear is my basic smoothie making recipe....1/4 cup liquid (any liquid), 1/2 cup frozen fruit (slightly thawed), fresh fruit (if I have it on hand), and 1/2 cup nonfat yogurt. Oh and some truvia to make it a bit sweeter. So far I have had a Blueberry, pomegranate, banana smoothie and a mixed berry smoothie made with orange juice. Rest assured there will be more combos to come. If I think about it I will start writing down my combos and taking pictures. Hmmm a gallery of smoothies....YUM

August Menus

2010-07-27T19:44:00.003-04:00

Been awhile right! Anywho here are Augusts Menus...

1. Mexican Lasagna, Spanish rice
2. Pork roast, potatoes, carrots
3. Shrimp Scampi
4. Curried Chicken, rice
5. Ham, Mac and Cheese, corn
6. Pork cube steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli
7. Pepperoni chicken, roasted potatoes, peas
8. Cheesy shells
9. Beef over rice, broccoli
10. Spaghetti, meatballs, salad
11. Salmon cakes, Mac and Cheese, Lima beans
12. TV Dinners (I have a meeting, haha)
13. Roasted chicken and veggies
14. Enchiladas, rice, peas
15. Rubens, waffle fries
16. Lemon chicken, rice, broccoli
17. Tacos, Spanish rice, corn
18. Beef roast, masted potatoes, roasted veggies
19. Peanut butter chicken, rice, peas
20. Chicken cigars, french fries
21. Roasted chicken and veggies
22. Chimichangas, rice, corn
23. Grilled chicken, sesame noodles, broccoli
24. Breakfast
25. Chicken burgers, fries
26. Tuna casserole
27. Orange chicken
28. Dine out
29. Pork chops, rice side, squash
30. Make your own pizza, veggies
31. Chicken stir fry.

Strawberries and Cream Muffins---Recipe of the Week.

2010-04-19T03:09:00.024-04:00

It's not quite the peek season for strawberries yet and well the ones that are available are not the best. Until you can get those oh so juicy, sweet strawberries of early Summer this is a wonderful way of getting some use for those strawberries that are lest than perfect.

Ingredients

2 Cups AP flour
3/4 cup + 3 tablespoon sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled cut up
1 cup chopped strawberries
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter milk
1 egg
3 oz cream cheese cut into 12 cubes

First things first. Line cupcakes pans with twelve cupcake papers.

Next add the flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl and stir to combine.

Chop up the strawberries. I prefer a small dice.

You will need 1 cup.

Cut up your cold butter while you have the cutting board and knife out.

Cut it in half.

Then in half again.

Then dice it.

Add it to the flour mixture.

Cut the butter in with a pastry blender or two knives. I don't have a pastry blender so I used the two knife method.

The goal is to get the super cold butter all cut into the flour. You shouldn't see any clumps bigger than a pea.

Once that is done add the strawberries and gently stir. Adding the strawberries in before the wet will coat them in flour and prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your muffins.

Next whisk the buttermilk and egg together.

Add to the flour and strawberries.

Stir until just combined. The mixture WILL be LUMPY!! It will be way lumpy this is OKAY. If you over stir the mixture you will have tough yucky muffins. Trust me!

Divide batter evenly between 12 muffin tins. I found that 1/4 cup batter in each was just about right.

Cut your cream cheese into 12 cubes and roll in sugar.

Put one cube of cream cheese into each muffin, but not all the way down in.

Sprinkle the tops with sugar and bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.

Let cool about 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Store these muffins (once fully cooled of course) in the refrigerator. I find they are the tastiest if you microwave them for about 15 seconds after they are refrigerated.

Strawberries and Cream Muffins

2 Cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoon sugar, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled, cut up
1 Cup chopped strawberries
3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
1 egg
1 (3oz) pkg. cream cheese cut into 12 cubes

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms of 12 muffin cups or line with paper liners. Combine flour, 3/4 cup of the sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in medium bowl. With pastry blender or 2 knives, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Stir in strawberries.

2. Whisk buttermilk and egg in small bowl until blended. Gently stir buttermilk mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Divide evenly among muffin cups. Dip cream cheese pieces in 2 tablespoons of the sugar; place in center of each muffin. Press cream cheese until level with batter. (Do not cover the cream cheese with the batter). Sprinkle muffins with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.

3. Bake 20-25 minutes or until light brown and toothpick inserted off-center comes out clean (do not put toothpick in cream cheese). Cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan; server warm or at room temperature. Store in refrigerator.

This week....

2010-04-18T17:11:00.001-04:00

Look out for these new posts this week. I will be posting step by step instructions for the strawberries and cream muffins as well as how to make your own taco meat (no more of that salt packed taco seasoning packs) and I hope to have May's menus up before the end of the week as well. I am looking for some new summer menu ideas so if anyone has any ideas let me know.

Happy Eating.

Strawberries and Cream Muffins----Review

2010-04-12T15:50:00.003-04:00

Alex found a recipe in one of my cooking magazines that he wanted to try. Strawberries and Cream Muffins. I took at look at the recipe and it didn't seem so hard so we made sure we had all the stuff one hand. As it turns out these are really tasty muffins. The cream part is a tiny block of cream cheese pushed into the batter before you bake it. The only problem I had was that he muffins wouldn't stay together. I really think this was because the fresh strawberries compromised the stability of the muffin. Next time we will cut them in smaller pieces to see if that helps. Very tasty though.

Patitsio Review

2010-04-10T20:42:00.003-04:00

Tonight we tried something new....Patitsio. Patitsio is a Greek dish. It is a baked pasta dish with both red sauce and bechamel. Basically the bottom layer is a spiced tomato meat sauce and pasta. The top layer is a thick bechamel sauce with Parmesan added in it. All I can say is YUM!! I was a little worried because one of the spices in the meat sauce is cinnamon. A lot of cinnamon. I was sure it was going to be overpowering, but it really wasn't. There was a nice warm after tone to it, but it was perfect. This will definitely be added to our menus...though it may be added to the Winter ones as it has to cook for an hour in the oven.

April Menus

2010-03-30T20:12:00.002-04:00

1. Salmon Cakes, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli
2. Pork chops, stuffing, peas
3. Shake and bake chicken, carrots, rice side
4. EASTER
5. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans (fish for Matt)
6. Bacon wrapped turkey, roasted potatoes, cauliflower
7. Beef over noodles, carrots, (fish for Matt)
8. Sloppy's (Sloppy Joes), curly fries
9. Omelets, fried potatoes
10. Pastitsio, salad
11. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
12. Shrimp Scampi, garlic bread
13. Chimichangas, rice side
14. pork roast, mashed potatoes, sauerkraut
15. Curried chicken
16. Rubens and fries
17. Fried rice, broccoli
18. Chicken cigars, mac and cheese, peas
19. Lasagna, garlic bread
20. Ham, cheesy potatoes, peas
21. Lemon Chicken, rice
22. Pizza, corn
23. Tacos, rice side, corn
24. Orange chicken, rice
25. Crabby patties, fries
26. Chicken Kiev, broccoli, rice side
27. Garlic chicken and bow tie pasta
28. Mini corn dogs, mac and cheese, corn
29. Lemon Ginger Chicken, broccoli, rice
30. Sandwiches, pasta salad

All items in bold are new to our family and will be followed with a review (that is if I remember to do it). I would like to start the recipe's of the week again. Anyone have a special request as to what you would like to see step by step.

Happy Eating.

March Menus

2010-03-07T14:20:00.002-05:00

1. Chimichangas, rice, corn
2. Crabby Patties, Fries
3. Chicken Kiev, stuffing, peas
4. Pork Chops, mashed potatoes, broccoli
5. Crab legs, shrimp, rice pilaf
6. Roasted chicken, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes
7. Taco's, rice
8. Chicken Pot Pie
9. Eggs Benedict
10. Ham, cheesy potatoes, califlour
11. Pizza, corn
12. Chicken cigars, fries
13. Pork roast, sourkraut, mashed potatoes
14. Orange chicken, peas, rice
15. Roast beef, potatoes, carrots
16. Pork chops, fried potatoes, califlour
17. Chicken curry
18. Lemon chicken, rice
19. Chicken cor don bleu, rice, broccoli
20. Pancakes, sausage
21. Pork fried rice, broccoli
22. Peanut butter chicken, rice, corn
23. Mexican Lasanga
24. Potato soup
25. Cuban's, Fries
26. Shephards pie
27. Pepperoni chicken, roasted potatoes, peas
28. Chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese, rice, corn
29. Steak, mashed potatoes, peas
30. Breaded clams, shrimp, mac and cheese, broccoli
31. Kid's choice.

Sorry everyone....

2010-03-06T08:11:00.002-05:00

Well I certainly haven't been posting like I had promised I would. What can I say? The Romney winter was a doozy this year. There were a few days when I worked way more than I was home and when I was home I did nothing but shower and sleep. HOWEVER.....now that spring is a mere two weeks away I should be able to start posting again. Look for the final installment of the Duck Chronicles as well as the March menus the next couple of days.

Happy Spring Everyone!!!

Febuary Menus

2010-01-30T14:29:00.002-05:00

1. Chicken in balsamic cream sauce, noodles, broccoli
2. Ribs, corn, mashed potatoes
3. Beef roast, rice, peas
4. Chicken curry
5. Chicken breast, stuffing, cauliflower
6. Duck, roasted potatoes, carrots
7. Ham, cheesy potatoes, peas
8. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, broccoli
9. Pepperoni chicken, roasted potatoes, corn
10. pork chops, mashed potatoes, carrots
11. Shake and bake legs, mac and cheese, green beans
12. Seafood, rice side, carrots
13. Stuffed shells, garlic bread
14. Valentines Day
15. Peanut Butter Chicken, rice, broccoli
16. Potato Soup
17. Lemon chicken, rice, carrots
18. Eggs Benedict, fried potatoes
19. wings, fries, cauliflower
20. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas
21. Turkey and Barley soup
22. Enchiladas and rice
23. Quesadillas, rice side, corn
24. Chicken Curry
25. Cornish Game Hens, Rice Pilaf, broccoli
26. Pizza, corn
27. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
28. Carbonara.

The Duck Chronicles---Part 2

2010-01-18T19:37:00.002-05:00

I have been searching the internet and asking everyone I know how to go about cooking our lovely duck. Several cookbooks have stated that roasting a whole duck is more work than necessary. Hmm doesn't seem right to me. I have heard several people say to fill the cavity with something. Some say to pierce the skin and some say not too. After much research I think I have an idea of what I will do. I am going to roast it like a chicken, with a few differences. I figure it is best to stick with something I know. Stay tuned for more Duck Chronicles....

The Duck Chronicles---Part 1

2010-01-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

I went grocery shopping today. As I was walking down the isle of frozen meats I was faced with a new and exciting prospect. DUCK!! Yes, quack quack! Matt has always commented on wanting to try duck. Well now is his chance. Duck is definitely a new ingredient for me. YIKES!! What will I do with his new piece of poultry? Will it taste okay? Will duck be a new treat for us? Stay tuned as we continue The Duck Chronicles!

January Menus

2010-01-03T02:03:00.002-05:00

One of my goals for the new year is to blog more regularly. So lets get this blog started with the menus for January (even if they are a little late). The items in bold are new to our family and will be reviewed later on the blog.

1. Chicken Curry, Rice
2. Pizza Party
3. Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, peas
4. Chimichangas, rice side, corn
5. Grilled chicken, sesame noodles, broccoli
6. Potato soup, peanut butter sandwhich
7. Lemon chicken, rice, Lima beans
8. Ham, scalloped potatoes, corn, sweet potatoes
9. Ribs, carrots, cauliflower
10. Split pea soup, grilled cheese
11. Mexican lasanga
12. Pork chops, mashed potatoes, peas
13. Omelets, potatoes
14. Cube steak, mashed potatoes, corn
15. Satay chicken, rice, broccoli
16. Cheesy shells
17. Roasted chicken and veggies
18. Gen's chicken in a biscuit
19. Crabby patties, fries
20. Penne alla panna
21. Chicken cigars, fried potatoes, peas
22. Pizza, corn
23. Pork roast, veggies
24. Chicken legs, rice, corn
25. Stir Fry
26. Pork chops, fried potatoes, broccoli
27. Meatloaf, mac and cheese, peas
28. Matt's B-Day...haven't decided yet.
29. Shrimp Scampi
30. Peanut butter chicken, rice, peas
31. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, stuffing, Lima beans

Recipe of the Week 10/05/09---Rice Pudding

2009-10-05T00:27:00.008-04:00

Why is it that when you order Chinese food you always end up with tons of left over white rice? I have the perfect use for all this leftover rice. Pudding!!

Ingredients

Leftover rice
Milk
Sugar
Vanilla

Put the rice in a sauce pot. I used about three cups.

Add 1/2 cup sugar. You can also use splenda.

Add milk. Around three cups.

Hmmm. I feel like coconut rice pudding. Add a handful of coconut.

Now bring to a boil and then lower back to a simmer. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes until the rice has absorbed most of the milk and is creamy. Make sure to stir often. You can add rasiens or cinnamon.

October Menus

2009-09-27T08:30:00.002-04:00

1. Pork roast, sour kraut, mashed potatoes
2. Pepperoni chicken, mac&cheese, reas
3. Satay chicken, rice
4. Hamburger Helper
5. Taco's, Rice
6. Chicken Curry, rice
7. French toast, bacon
8. Shrimp, corn on the cob, potatoes
9. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
10. Cheesy Shells
11. Chicken Noodle Soup
12. Smothered meatloaf, green beans
13. Lemon Chicken, rice, broccoli
14. Ham steak, cheesy potatoes, peas
15. Pizza HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!!!
16. Mexican Lasanga
17. Eat out for Alex's B-Day
18. Crispy chicken wraps, pasta salad
19. Pork chops, potatoes, lima beans
20. Crabby Patties, fries
21. Shake and Bake chicken, mashed potatoes, peas
22. Eggs, fried potatoes
23. Spaghetti, Meatballs, Sauce
24. Chimichangas, rice
25. Corn Dogs, Baked Beans, Carrots
26. Cream cheese chicken, noodles, peas
27. Chicken cordon bleu, broccoli, rice
28. Potato soup, PB sandwhich
29. Salmon Cakes, mac&cheese, peas
30. Pork chops, rice, cali blend
31. Lasanga, Garlic Bread

Recipe of the Week 09/05/09----Pasta alla Carbonara

2009-09-05T12:17:00.025-04:00

Ingredients
1lb linguine pasta
4 eggs
1 pound bacon (pancetta would be good to if you have access to it)
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese
8-12 cloves of garlic
1 large onion
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup white wine (I use more stock because of the little ones)
1/2 stick of butter
1 handful of parsley
1-2 tablespoons black pepper

Slice up one pound of bacon in about 1 inch pieces. Yummy bacon.

Toss the bacon in a pan to cook.

While your bacon is cooking put your water onto boil for your pasta.

Chop one onion.

Make sure you check on your bacon so it doesn't burn. Burnt bacon is NOT good.

Once the bacon is cooked pull it out with a slotted spoon and reserve it for later.

Put the diced onion into the bacon grease to cook for a couple of mins.

While your onions are cooking slice up your garlic into thin pieces.

Throw the garlic in with the onions to cook. Do NOT put the garlic in with the onions at the same time. The garlic will burn before your onions cook.

Check your pasta water. It should be boiling by now. Add some salt and the pasta. Cook about 9-12 mins. Check the package for instructions.

Remove onions and garlic and reserve with the bacon.
(Oops forgot to take a picture of this)

Discard the bacon grease, but do NOT clean the pan. Place pan on high heat and de-glaze with wine or stock. De-glaze is a fancy word for pouring liquid in a pan and scraping up the yummy bits.

Whisk until all the brown yummy bits come up from the bottom. Add another cup of stock and the bacon, onions, and garlic and let simmer over medium heat.

In a large bowl (it is going to hold all of your pasta so make it a big-un) crack four eggs. Add parmasean and chopped up parsley (I didn't have fresh so it is dried for me). Mix it up.

Drain pasta.

Add pasta to egg mixture. Don't panic the heat from the pasta will definitely cook the eggs.

Add the bacon mixture on top of the pasta.

Then add 1/2 stick of butter on top of that. Hey back off I never said this was a healthy recipe.

Mix it all up together with lots of black pepper.

Yummy stuff. Pasta alla Carbonara is like heaven on a plate. WOW!! Seriously this is one of my favorite meals ever. It is, as you can see, not very healthy. Definitely a sometimes food as Elmo would say. I sure hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. I threw in some picture of the boys so you can see just how much they love it. Happy Eating!!!

As requested - Beef Stew

2009-08-31T05:11:00.004-04:00

Okay I didn't take any pictures of this one. I will next time though and repost it so you can see it through it's stages.

Ingredients

Stew Meat or a chuck steak cut into chunks
Tomato Paste
Onion
Garlic
Carrots - I used the baby ones so I wouldn't have to peel them
Potatoes
Thyme
Bay leaves
any other spices you like
flour
red wine vinegar - this is my secret ingredient.

Heat a bit of oil in the bottom of your stew pot. Brown off the meat. You don't have to cook it through. Reserve it on a plate for a bit later.

In the same oil add the onion that has been cut up (how ever you want to cut it will work) and two whole cloves of garlic that have been smashed (if you buy garlic minced in a jar it will work too, just don't add it until the next step to keep it from burning).

When that has cooked down a bit add about a half a can of tomato paste. Stir to get it all incorporated. Then add carrots and potatoes. Stirring a bit to get them all coated with the oil and tomato paste.

Sprinkle some flour over the veggies, I probably used 1/3 to 1/2 a cup in mine. Stir and let it cook (keep stirring) for a few minutes to get the flour tasted to go away. Then add beef broth. You can also used water with bouillon or beef stock. I used about 2 quarts or so. Make sure it covers everything by at least an inch or so.

Add a couple of of bay leaves, some thyme, salt, pepper, and whatever else you like in beef stew. I added marjoram to mine as well. Return beef and all the juice that has come out back into the stew pot.

DON"T panic. I know it is very thin. The idea is to cook it low and slow for several hours. Make sure to stir occasionally. After that period of time it should be nice and stew like. About 10 mins before you serve it add about 3 T of red wine vinegar. I know it is weird but it adds a great depth of flavor.

Happy Eating!!

Have I mentioned I love my seal-a-meal!!!

2009-08-17T01:57:00.002-04:00

I few months ago a good friend of mine (love you Stephanie) convinced me to by a Seal-A-Meal. You know, one of those things that sucks all the air out of a bag to keep your food from getting freezer burn. I have seen and wanted one of these for years. The only problem...I was sure it would be a waste of money. I mean honestly. I rotate my freezers every month.

Well ever since I bought it I am finding more and more uses for it. I can custom fit the bags which allows for less plastic waste. I can buy in bulk and freeze plenty of meat (yes it really does prevent freezer burn). Best of all I can make up little dinner kits. Tonight I made up crabby patty mix, meat loaf mix, and chicken cigar mix. All of the spices are included and mixed in already cutting down on my everyday cooking time. I also made a meat sauce for a Mexican lasagna and sealed some pork chops with a marinade already in the bag. Genius I tell you, GENUIS!!

September Menus

2009-08-16T21:04:00.002-04:00

All things in bold are new recipes...

1. Pork chops, cheesy potatoes, peas
2. Chicken nuggets, baked beans, salad
3. Tacos, rice
4. Chicken chimichangas
5. Carbonara
6. Sweet and Spicy glazed Cornish Hens, Mashed pots, green beans
7. Shrimp Scampi
8. Pizza, corn
9. meatloaf, mac + cheese, Lima beans
10. Breakfast
11. Chicken Mushroom Balsamic + orzo
12. Mexican lasagna
13. Baked potatoes
14. Pepperoni chicken, mashed potatoes, corn
15. Pork roast, carrots, potatoes
16. Chicken curry, rice
17. Penne alla panna
18. Frittata
19. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots
20. Chicken noodle soup
21. Chicken Divan
22. Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes, peas
23. Salmon cakes, mac+cheese, peas
24. omelets
25. Lemon Chicken, rice, green beans
26. Chicken cigars, tator tots
27. Stuffed Shells
28. Ham Steak, cheesy potatoes, peas
29 Pork chops, fried pots, corn
30. Beef fajitas, rice

Recipe of the Week 08/11/09---Chicken Chimichangas

2009-08-11T23:54:00.013-04:00

Ingredients

Cooked chicken breast
picante sauce
oregano
cumin
shredded cheddar
Tortillas (the flour ones that say for burritos)

Directions

Cube up the chicken. Ours was left over from a roasted chicken the day before. You need about a 1 1/2 to 2 cups.

Add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar.

Add 3/4 of a cup of picante sauce.

Next add one teaspoon of both of both oregano and cumin.

Mix it all together and spoon about 1/2 cup down the middle of the tortilla.

Fold the tortilla up like a little package and place it in a baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray.

Keep going until all the filling is used up. Then brush the little packages with a little melted butter. Cook in a 350 oven for 25 mins.

Pull them out and top with 3/4 cup picante sauce and a bit more cheese. Back in the oven for another five minutes.

After five minutes they will look like this. Yummy stuff. Happy Eating!!!

Recipe of the Week 08/01/09---Chocolate Pear Pudding

2009-08-01T18:18:00.006-04:00

Ingredients

1 1/4 sticks butter softened (see Brian trying to touch it)
2 cans pear halves in juice
3/4 cup plus 1 T. all purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 eggs (not pictured)
2 tsp. vanilla
a pinch of salt

Grease an 8x8 baking dish with a bit of butter. Place the pears cut side down in the bottom of the dish. Put the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and process until you have a smooth batter. You will have to stop and scrape down the sides at least once.

Spread the batter over the pears. If some of the pears poke through it is okay.

Bake at 400 for 30 mins. This comes out crunchy on top and ooie gooie in the middle. Very tasty. And all of the ingredients come from the pantry. Great for last min desserts. Here is a picture after my family devoured it.

Not so many pictures this time. The kids were "helping" me. Happy Eating!!!

Treasure hunting at the farmers market....

2009-08-01T11:16:00.005-04:00

We went treasure hunting at the farmers market again today. I highly recommend this to everyone. Especially those who enjoy produce. Today we got an eggplant, two zucchini, a broccoli head, kale, and some tomatoes......the cost only 8 dollars.

Chicken and Mushrooms in a Balsamic Cream Sauce Review

2009-07-31T21:35:00.002-04:00

This was a hit in our house. I was a bit worked about it at first. Vinegar and cream just didn't seem like a good combo to me. However, there is only 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 3 of cream. It works out perfectly. I have always heard the mushrooms are meaty. For the first time I truly understood that statement. This was a very tasty, very easy dinner. We will definitely be making this one again.

Food should be fun...

2009-07-30T17:49:00.004-04:00

Everyone knows that food is a necessity for life. Most of us moms (and dads) find cooking dinner a chore. It's something that we have to do everyday no matter what. It doesn't matter how bad we slept or how long our day at work was. Dinner is a must. Especially when you have an 18 month old who is screaming at the top of his lungs because he thinks making dinner should take 2 seconds. My solution to the drudgery of every day dinner making. HAVE FUN WITH IT. Yep make it a game with the kids, or just add some food coloring to something. Check out what we had for dinner tonight.

That's right Green Eggs and Ham. I like them. I like them Sam-I-Am.

Happy eating.

Recipe of the Week 07/26/09----Lasagna

2009-07-26T14:27:00.016-04:00

This weeks recipe is dedicated to Stephanie. She is make lasagna for the first time today. Although hers is a slow cooker recipe, I thought I would show everyone how to make a traditional lasagna.

Ingredients

Lasagna noodles (duh)
Spaghetti Sauce
Parm Cheese
Ricotta Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
Oregano
Egg

Boil the noodles...Don't overcook these. They will cook more in the oven.

While the noodles are boiling mix up the cheese filling. Two containers of ricotta cheese.

One teaspoon of oregano. Like my measuring spoon?

One fourth of a cup of Parmesan cheese. See my measuring spoon doubles as a measuring cup too.

A big handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.

One egg.

Mix it all together and set it aside.

In a 9x13 baking dish spread a little spaghetti sauce. Don't forget to do this. If you do your bottom noodles will get all hard and gross. Trust me!

On top of the thin layer of sauce add your first layer of noodles. About three fits nicely into my dish.

On top of the noodles add a layer of the cheese mixture. I find making small dollops and then spreading is the easiest way.

Next add a layer of sauce.

Keep making layers until you get to the top of your dish. The last layer should be sauce and then shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 for one hour. Don't forget to let it set for at least 15 mins before cutting it.

Here's a little secret for you. The cheese mixture is the same one I use to make stuffed shells. Very tasty. Happy eating everyone!!

Chicken Cigar Review

2009-07-26T02:04:00.003-04:00

This was a Rachael Ray recipe that I found on the FoodNetwork web site. Our family really enjoyed this and it will probably become a monthly thing for us. They are really spicy but not hot spicy. I cut the chili powder from 2 tsp. to 1 tsp. because of the kids and it was perfect. Also a friend of mine tried these before us and said they were a bit dry. So I added a grated onion and some grated garlic to mine. Not dry at all and very tasty. Keep you eyes peeled. I smell a recipe of the week.

Farmers Market

2009-07-19T17:56:00.002-04:00

The best produce is fresh produce. No question about that. It certainly doesn't get an fresher than the produce at the local farmers market. Yesterday we went to our local one and spent just over seven dollars. We got broccoli, cucumbers, green beans, and peaches. Yummy. Alex and I made the green beans today. I snapped the ends off and he snapped them in half. The best part he ate a ton of them because he helped to make them.

August Menus

2009-07-19T02:40:00.003-04:00

It's that time again....Menus. As always anything in bold is a new recipe and will be followed by a review (that is if I can remember to do them).

1. French toast
2. Chicken and Mushrooms in Balsamic cream sauce
3. Chicken Fajitas
4. Pizza, corn
5. Pork roast, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes
6. Chimichangas (haha the spell check thinks this should be Chimpanzee), rice
7. Pork chops, cheesy potatoes, peas
8. Cubans, Pasta salad
9. Roasted chicken, lemon orzo, peas
10. Chicken pot pie
11. Chicken curry, coconut rice
12. Shake and bake chicken, mac and cheese, broccoli
13. Eggs Benedict
14. Meatballs, spaghetti, sauce, garlic bread
15. Pork chops, warm potato salad, peas
16. Pork cube steak, mashed potatoes, stuffing
17. Crabby Patties, fries
18. Chicken stir fry, rice
19. Cream cheese chicken, noodles, cali blend
20. Corn dogs, baked beans, pudding (I don't know why the pudding, but it was requested)
21. Italian Chicken Breast, peas, roasted potatoes
22. Turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing
23. Turkey enchiladas
24. Lemon Chicken, rice, corn
25. Ham steak, cheesy potatoes, peas
26. Hamburger helper, peas
27. Grilled honey lime, chicken sammies, fries
28. Tacos, rice
29. Beef stroganoff, noodles, Lima beans
30. Subs, pasta salad
31. Honey Mustard Chicken breast, rice, broccoli

Recipe of the Week 07/12/09---Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Sandwhich

2009-07-13T07:03:00.016-04:00

I know I have been slacking on the recipes of the week. Sorry about that. With all the nice weather we have been having it just seems a shame to waste it at the computer. Anyhow here is this weeks recipe. I hope you try and enjoy it.

Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Sandwiches

Ingredients

Chicken Cutlets (These cook best I think. Make your own by cutting a boneless skinless chicken breast in half lengthwise).
Cilantro
Cumin
Honey
Lime (juice and zest)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Grill Seasoning (plain salt and pepper will work too)
Crusty Rolls

Zest the lime (just the green part not the white stuff) and juice it.

Take a big handful of cilantro(just the leafy part) and chop it up.

Add it to the bowl.

Add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil (you can use canola too if you want).

Two tablespoons of honey

One teaspoon of cumin

Season the chicken on both sides with grill seasoning or salt and pepper.

Add chicken to marinade and let sit for 10 mins.

Cook on a grill or in a skillet until chicken is done.

You could eat this on a sandwich just as it is, but I like to slice mine up and pile it on a crusty roll.

Happy Eating!!

Pasta Carbonara Review...

2009-07-05T21:01:00.002-04:00

All I can say is heaven on a plate. WOW!!! This was incredibly delicious. My entire family enjoyed this creamy master piece. The only problem.....it's not for the dieting. It has bacon, lots of cheese, and butter in it. Not so hot for your waistline. However, keep your eyes peeled as I am sure this will be a recipe of the week.

Recipe of the Week 06/20/09-----Pepperoni Chicken

2009-06-21T10:04:00.010-04:00

Ingredients

Chicken Pieces (any you like I used breasts and legs)
Pepperoni
Tomato Sauce (NOT spaghetti sauce)
Soul food seasoning
Italian seasoning

Place chicken in a 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle with soul food seasoning and Italian seasoning.

Stack and quarter pepperoni.

Sprinkle over seasoned chicken.

Cover with tomato sauce. I only used one big can.

Cover with foil. Bake at 350 for a couple of hours or until chicken isn't pink in the middle.

July Menus

2009-06-10T16:59:00.002-04:00

1. Burritos, Rice, corn
2. Shake and bake chicken, rice, peas
3. Pork roast, carrots, potatoes
4. Subs and pasta salad
5. Beef stroganoff, noodles
6. Pancakes, sausage
7. Crabby patties, french fries
8. Chicken curry
9. Lasagna, garlic bread
10. Honey lime grilled chicken sandwiches and fries
11. Pork chops, warm potato salad, broccoli
12. Pasta Carbonara
13. Hamburger helper, peas
14. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn
15. Pizza, corn
16. Hot dogs, baked beans, ranch tots
17. Cream cheese chicken and noodles, cali blend
18. Salmon cakes, mac and cheese, peas
19. Cheesy noodles
20. Crock pot pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing
21. Chicken tenders, french fries
22. Three envelope chicken, noodles
23. Sesame noodles, grilled chicken, broccoli
24. Order out
25. Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole
26. Chicken noodle soup
27. Curry burgers, pasta salad
28. Chicken Divan
29. Chicken cigars, Mac and cheese
30. Ham, scalloped pots, peas
31. Lemon chicken, rice, broccoli

As always the menu items in bold are new to our family and will be followed with a review.

Another Key lime discovery.

2009-06-06T13:39:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Stephanie for this idea. We can't wait to taste it.

Simple No Bake Cheesecake

12 oz cream cheese (softened)
8 oz Cool whip
1 cup powdered sugar
Juice of two Key limes (You could use another flavoring if you wanted, or just vanilla.)
1 10in pre made graham cracker crust

Mix the first ingredients up and spread into the crust. Refrigerate until set. Enjoy. I also sprinkled the zest from my limes on the top so that people would know it was limey.

Recipe of the Week 06/06/09---Pork Chops in Brine

2009-06-06T07:42:00.012-04:00

As promised I am showing you how to brine pork chops this week.

Ingredients

Water
Salt
Herbs of choice (I just use a bit of everything really)
Pork Chops (this works well with chicken too).
Onions
Garlic cloves
Peppercorns

Mix salt and herbs into water (use a lot of water).

Slice onions thinly and add to water.

Smash garlic and take of peel. Add to water.

Add a few peppercorns. Don't go over board with these.

Stir until salt is dissolved. Add pork chops cover and refrigerate for a couple of days.

After a couple of days remove pork chops and discard brine. Rinse (don't worry all the flavor is inside now) pork chops off and pat dry.

Cook as us would usually. Happy Eating!

Warm Potato Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette Review

2009-06-05T18:05:00.002-04:00

YUMMY!! This potato salad is popping with flavor. Made with Dijon mustard is certainly has a kick. My family thought this was wonderful (well except for Alex who proclaimed, "I don't like sinagrette"). Keep your eyes peeled as this one will definitely be a recipe of the week.

The list...

2009-06-01T20:24:00.004-04:00

I have been asked several times by several people, "What does your grocery list look like?" Perhaps they think my grocery list to be a mile long. I don't know. The truth is my list looks exactly like yours probably does. I have no secret formulas or magic potions to save money on groceries. Here are the steps to get to my finished grocery list.

1. Make menus for the month. This you may think is the easiest part. NOT. Go ahead ask your family what they want to eat for the next week. I can guarantee you will be met with stares of confusion. Or the infamous, "I don't care. What ever you want to make." They don't mean this. Trust me. You make what you want without their input and you will hear so much moaning and groaning. Include your family in this process. Let the kids pick a meal (within reason) once or twice a month.

2. Write down every ingredient needed to make the menus. Don't just assume you have it. WRITE it down so that you can check.

3. With ingredient list in hand, check to see what you already have. If you have it cross it off the list. Make sure though that you have enough of it for the month.

4. Make grocery list. I keep mine divided by category so that I can read it faster. Easy peasy.

Sooooooo.......here without further delay is my grocery list for the month of June.

Put the Lime in the Coconut Cake--Warning not for the dieting

2009-05-31T10:54:00.007-04:00

The second venture in our unknown in ingredient world......Coconut Lime Cake. We received 2 pounds of key limes. Small little buggers they are. Here's one next to a medium sized egg.

Anyway I found a recipe for Put the Lime in the Coconut Cake. We haven't tasted it yet, but from what I can tell it is going to be a very sweet, very dense cake. Yummy.

Put the lime in the coconut cake

Cake
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 tsp coconut extract
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup coconut milk

Icing
1 cup sour cream
1 cup sugar
2 limes zested and juiced (I used eight key limes)
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup shredded coconut

Frosting
1 cup butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 lb plus 1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups shredded coconut
zest from a couple of key limes (I added this myself)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans. (Don't forget this or it WILL stick)

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add coconut extract and eggs one at a time. In separate bowel combine flour, salt, baking soda, and powder. To mixer add coconut milk and flour to creamed mixture alternately, beginning and ending with flour. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 25 to 28 minutes. Allow to cool 10 minutes then unmold onto rack(s) over a sheet pan and allow to cool completely. (Mine were still warm when I glazed them)

For Glaze: In a medium bowl combine sour cream or yogurt, sugar, lime zest and juice, coconut milk, shredded coconut.

With a bamboo skewer (I used a big fork), poke holes in cake and spread glaze on both sides of both cakes. Cover with plastic wrap, chill until ready to frost cake ( I did mine over night so they would absorb the flavor).

In an electric mixer or using a hand mixer beat together the butter, shortening, and cream cheese until well blended and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar gradually at low speed. Beat in coconut milk and vanilla. Frost cake. Coat top and sides with shredded coconut and the extra lime zest I added.

When life hands you lemons....

2009-05-30T19:24:00.003-04:00

or in this case Calabacita squash. Make calabacita bread. Long story short....There was a mix up when ordering Angel Food this month. There were two different types of fruit and veggie boxes. Well when G-ma ordered ours she ordered a Latin flavor frut and veggie box. Simple mistake really. Only bad thing. What the heck am I going to do with clabacita squash, cahote squash, jalepeno peppers, and key limes? We are certainly going to be trying some new dishes this month.

First on our list of new things, Calabacita bread. This is sort of like zucchini bread. Very moist with a nice flavor.

Calabacita Bread

3 eggs
1 cup oil (I used canola)
2 cups sugar
2 cups grated calabacita squash (I use all four from my box)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped (I used walnuts)
3 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 325. Stir together flour, salt, soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

Beat eggs and sugar until light and foamy. Add oil, grated calabacita and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour mixture and stir only until blended. Add in chopped nuts.

Pour batter into 2 loaf pans which have been brushed with oil.

Bake about an hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans.

Angel Food Delivery

2009-05-30T11:45:00.004-04:00

The May Angel Food boxes are in. Here is what we got...

Regular Box $30
2.5 pound chopped steaks
5 lb. Leg Quarters
2 lb. Chicken and Corn Bread Stuffing Casserole
28 oz. Salisbury Steak Dinner
1 lb. boneless pork chops
1 lb. corn dogs
12 oz. deli sliced ham
5 oz. chunk light tuna
32 oz. french fries
1 lb. sweet corn
15 oz. apples sauce
15 oz. pears
8 oz. dinner roll mix
7.5 oz. Mac n Cheese
32 oz 2% Shelf Stable Milk
Dozen Eggs
Sweet potato pie

Chicken Tenders Box $23
10 lbs. IQF chicken tenders
Do you really need a picture of chicken tenders

Latin flavors fruit and veggie box $22

Large Roma tomatoes
4 pack Hass Avocados
1 head green cabbage
2 lb. Key limes
1 lb. Jalapeno Peppers
2 lb. red potatoes
1 lb. carrots
5 head garlic
2 lb. white onions
2 Chayote squash
4 Calabacita squash
1 pack celery
1 Seedless watermelon

How to make juicy, tender pork chops....

2009-05-24T17:39:00.004-04:00

I was asked the other day how I made my pork chops. My friend was telling me that her pork chops always come out tough and dry. She knows there has to be a better way. Yes, yes there is. I have two solutions for all you struggling to chew your chops.

First you could always cook your pork chops low and slow. This is a tried and true method for tender fall apart meat. One of my favorite ways to use the low and slow method is withe crockpot. Take boneless pork chops, cover them in cream of whatever soup and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Tender, tender.

My newest method for insuring that my chops are juicy and tender is by using a brine. I can hear it now. Aww that is too much trouble. I won't have the ingredients. I don't know how. No it's not. Yes you do and of course I will tell you how.

A brine is simply a salt water solution. I use water, salt, onions, garlic, peppercorns, and herbs. Basically you throw it all in a big bowl. Use at least 1/4 cup of salt and 2 quarts of water, the herbs you like (rosemary and thyme work well), thinly sliced onion, a couple of cloves smashed garlic, and a few peppercorns. Add your raw pork chops and refrigerate at least 24 hours. Two days would be better. When you check on your chops after the brining process you will find that they have plumbed up a bit. They have soaked in the water, taking in all the flavor you have added to it. Then you can cook as you usually would.

Keep your eyes peeled. When I next brine porkchops, or chicken for that matter, I will post it as a recipe of the week. Happy eating.

June Menus

2009-05-23T10:41:00.002-04:00

1. Chicken and cornbread casserole
2. Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, corn
3. Pork chops, warm potato salad, broccoli
4. shake and bake chicken, mac and cheese, peas
5. Chicken Noodle soup
6. Ham, Scalloped potatoes, California blend veggies
7. Grilled Honey Lime Chicken Sandwiches, Fries
8. Corn Dogs, Pasta salad
9. Eggs Benedict
10. Chicken curry
11. Honey mustard chicken tenders, Curly fries
12. Cubans, pasta salad
13. Turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, broccoli
14. Turkey Enchiladas, rice
15. Pork Roast, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes
16. Beef Stroganoff, noodles
17. Pizza, bread sticks, corn
18. Salmon cakes, mac and cheese, peas
19. Garlic roast chicken breast, mashed potatoes, corn
20. Stuffed shells, garlic bread
21. Pancakes, sausage
22. Ordering out
23. Lemon Chicken
24. Chopped steak, mashed potatoes, peas
25. Pork chops, stuffing, broccoli
26. Pepperoni chicken, mac and cheese, corn
27. Roasted chicken and veggies
28. Chicken pot pie
29. Crabby patties, french fries
30. Tacos, rice

I’m back!!!!

2009-05-23T10:38:00.001-04:00

Alright everyone. Looks like the computers are back in order and the posting can begin again. Woohoo. In the next few days look for the June Menus and a recipe of the week. As always if there is anything you would like to see as a recipe of the week or for my family to try just let me know. Happy Eating.

Computer Troubles!!

2009-04-11T20:57:00.001-04:00

Things will be a bit slow here as Matt is having computer troubles. This means my monitor has been stolen so that I can help him out a bit. I will probably post, but there will be no pictures until I can get aback to my own machine.

How to boil the perfect egg!

2009-04-05T15:50:00.002-04:00

Easter is next weekend and the egg dying has begun. Thus enters the age old argument on the best way to hard boil and egg. Well let me add my two cents to the debate.

The best way to boil and egg (I have found) is to place the egg into a pot of cold water. Bring the pot to a boil, put a lid on it, and turn the stove off. After ten mins you should have perfectly hard boiled eggs. No green on the yellow like when they are over cooked.

Cookies, cookies, everywhere

2009-04-04T14:46:00.004-04:00

My G-ma bought me a new cookie press yesterday. I love kitchen gadgets. Who would have guess that, right? Anyhow, this one is a Wilton cookie press. Those of you that decorate cakes will probably recognize the name. It came with 12 different disk to use. Alex and I had a blast trying it out.

Here is a good recipe to use in a cookie press.

Classic Spritz Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Preheat oven to 375. Thoroughly crea butter and sugar. Add egg, milk, vanilla, and almod extract; beat well. Stir together flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing to make a smooth dough. Do not chill. Place dough into cookie press and press onto ungreased cookie sheet (there is enough butter in these they won't stick). Bake 7-10 mins (depends on your oven and the shape of the cookies). Remove cookies from sheet. This makes about 8 dozen cookies (small ones).

Changing the flavors of the cookies is a simple as changing the extracts. Today I supstituted the vanilla and almond extracts for coconut extract. Yummy coconut cookies.

Pork Chops and Potatoes in a Mustard Sauce Review

2009-04-04T14:45:00.001-04:00

We tried this crockpot meal a few days ago. I think everyone in our family thought it was pretty tasty. I am sure that we will be making it again, possibly even next month. I thought the mustard was going to be overpowering, but it wasn't. Keep your eyes open as I am sure I will be making this a recipe of the week soon. Happy Eating.

I have been slacking lately....

2009-04-03T01:10:00.000-04:00

I am sorry for the lack of posting lately. I haven't forgotten about the few of you who do read this blog. I promise this weekend to post a new recipe and a recipe review of the dinner we had the other night. Until then Happy Eating!!!

Crock Pot Chicen and Dumplings Review

2009-03-29T18:09:00.002-04:00

All in all this was a very tasty dish. I did however make a couple of tweaks of my own. For one the liquid was very runny so I thickened it with a bit of flour toward the end. Also the original recipe said that it takes 30 mins for the dumplings to cook. Mine took more like 45 mins. Also I added onions and garlic which were not in the original recipe. Keep your eyes peeled as I am sure this will be a recipe of the week. Happy Eating!!!

Angel Food Delivery

2009-03-28T09:08:00.003-04:00

We picked up our Angel food today. This is really such a great deal and I encourage everyone to look into it. Checkout their website at www.angelfoodministries.com

Regular Box

1.5 lbs Ribeye steaks
3 lbs Split chicken breast
1.5 lbs Chicken fried steak patties
1 lb 80/20 ground beef
1 lb fully cooked meatballs
1 lb mild Italian sausage
12 oz Deli sliced ham
1 lb diced carrots
1 lb green beans
20 oz shoestring fries
1 lb pasta
28 oz marinara sauce
10 oz condensed soup
1 lb pinto beans
32 oz shelf stable milk
1 dozen eggs
raspberry pie

Fresh fruit and veggie box

3 lbs Idaho potatoes
3 lbs sweet potatoes
1 head cabbage
1 lb carrots
2 lbs onions
2 heads garlic
1 cantaloupe
3 lbs oranges
4 honey tangerines
4 granny smith apples
3 lbs Fuji apples
1 mango

Recipe of the Week 03/21/09---Chicken Enchiladas

2009-03-22T19:06:00.009-04:00

Filling Ingredients
one small onion
tortillas
leftover chicken
cream cheese
cumin

Dice up the onion and sweat it in a small sauce pan with a bit of butter. When you sweat something you should NOT hear it sizzle. This is a slow process that should not cause browning.

Mix four ounces of cream cheese, 1 teaspoon of cumin, and 1 Tablespoon of water in a bowl. You can put the cream cheese in the microwave for a few seconds if you need to soften it.

Add the onions and chicken(cut up) to the cream cheese. Stir until well incorporated. This will be a thick mixture it is supposed to be.

Put 1/4 to 1/3 cups of the mixture down the middle of a soft tortilla and roll up. I warm mine a bit. Makes them easier to roll.

Place seem side down in a 9x13 pan.

Topping Ingredients
1 Can cream of chicken soup
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup milk
2 Tablespoons chopped green chilies, chopped (I didn't have these)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar

Mix the milk, soup, sour cream, and chilies (if you have them). Pour, evenly over tortillas.

Bake covered for 40 mins at 350. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake another 5 mins.

This is a very tasty dinner. I always serve mine with rice so that the extra sauce has somewhere to go. The original recipe calls for 1/4 cup chopped pecans too. I have never added those, however. I hope you try and enjoy this recipe. Happy Eating.

Bacon chicken and cheese Review

2009-03-20T18:31:00.001-04:00

Not quite sure what to write about this one. The recipe was simple enough and did have some flavor. My husband didn't quite think there was enough flavor and was disappointed that the sauce was so thin. With some tweaking I think this recipe has some real potential. I am sure you will be seeing, at least some version, of this as a recipe of the week. Happy Eating.

Recipe of the week 03/14/09----Cheesy Shells

2009-03-13T15:48:00.010-04:00

Ingredients
Mashed Potatoes
Corn (mine are leftovers I have frozen)
Diced Ham (also frozen left overs)
Cooked jumbo shells (slightly undercooked)
Jarred cheese sauce

Mix together the first three ingrediants.

Then stuff them into your cooked jumbo shells.

Place the shells filling side up in a 9x13 dish.

Pour over the cheese sauce. I then add a little milk to the jar and shake it up. Then pour this over the noodles. The little bit of extra liquid will help cook the noodles the rest of the way.

Cook your cheesy shells for 45 mins to 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.

These shells may sound a little strange, but they are very tasty. I do have to admit, however, that this is not my recipe. This recipe was created by my good friend Gen. She makes them at Christmas time. I made them once for my family and now do so almost every month. Happy Eating!!!

Egg Salad Review

2009-03-13T14:34:00.002-04:00

I think I found a new way to make my egg salad. The recipe comes from the book Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke. It's called Norman's Egg Salad and boy was I a bit skeptical. Being a mostly southern girl, egg salad isn't good without some kind of vinegar. Usually this takes the shape of mustard. This recipe however has no vinegar of any type. It has eggs, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, bacon, carrots and some seasonings. I know it sounds strange but it was so good. Keep your eyes peeled as I am sure it will be a recipe of the week sometime. Happy Eating.

April Menus

2009-03-12T18:10:00.003-04:00

The things in bold are new recipes to our family.

1. Salmon cakes, mac&cheese, peas
2. French Toast, sausage
3. Pork chops, stuffing, lima beans
4. Sweet and sour chicken, brown rice
5. Chicken Divan
6. Grilled Chicken, Salad, garlic bread
7. Ham, scalloped potatoes, corn
8. Three envelope chicken, noodles, peas
9. Omelets, hashbrowns
10. Roasted Chicken and veggies
11. Tandoori Chicken
12. Chicken Noodle Soup
13. Lasagna, garlic bread
14. Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, peas
15. Sesame noodles, grilled chicken, broccoli
16. Rubens, fries
17. Two mustard chicken, mac and cheese, peas
18. Ribey steaks, fries, green beans
19. Bean burgers, pasta salad
20. German Deli pizza, corn
21. Tacos, red beans and rice
22. Chicken Curry
23. Spaghetti, pasta sauce, meatballs
24. Turkey breast, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans
25. Hot Turkey Sandwiches
26. Pepperoni Chicken, mac&cheese, broccoli
27. Pork cubed steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas
28. Meatloaf, corn, rice side
29. Cream cheese chicken, rice, California blend veggies
30. ???

Them bones, them bones......

2009-03-10T20:47:00.003-04:00

them chicken bones. You've just made a roasted chicken (hopefully with my recipe) now you have to clean up. You know what to do with the meat but nothing can be done with the bones so they go in the garbage. WAIT!!!! Those bones are still good. Wouldn't it be lovely to know what was in your chicken stock. To be able to control salt and quality. You can. Once all of the meat is off the chicken save the bones.

Cut up some root veggies and herbs. I used parsnips, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, parsley, peppercorns, and a couple of bay leaves.

If you don't have all of that don't despair. You can use anything you want. Just onions or just herbs. It's really up to you. Then, and this is the hardest part, dump everything (bones and veggies) into a slow cooker.

Whew that was hard wasn't it. Cover with water and let it cook on low for at least 12 hours. Twenty-four hours would be better.

Once it has cooked as long as you would like strain all the veggies and bones out of it. I freeze mine in plastic containers and pull them out for soups or gravy's.

At 4 to 5 dollars in the store for boxed stock this will save your pocket too. Happy eating!!!

Recipe of the week 03/07/2009----Sesame Noodles

2009-03-07T18:53:00.006-05:00

Sesame Noodles

2T peanut butter (Matt likes a little extra)
2T sesame oil
2T veggie oil (i use canola)
4 T soy sauce
Sesame seeds
1/2 box spaghetti (cooked)

Mix the peanut butter, sesame oil, veggie oil, and soy sauce together. It will take a little work. I find a whisk is best. Once it is all stirred together it will be a thick sauce.

Toss the hot noodles into the sauce with a pair of tongs. Then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Toasted if you like.

This goes great with grilled chicken and a veggie. My husband and even my children really love this recipe. Happy Eating!!!

Shameless Plug

2009-03-01T17:57:00.002-05:00

Ok so this isn't a food related post. Instead, it is more of a shameless plug. My husband has joined the world of bloggers. Yes, that's right Matt is blogging. The musings of a blind man. Everyone can check out his blog at http://musingsofablindman.blogspot.com

Chicken and Cream Corn Soup Review

2009-03-01T17:23:00.002-05:00

This recipe was big flop. The soup didn't have much flavor other than corn. It was quite bland. Also it didn't seem to be creamy like I thought it would be. This is one recipe than no one in my family liked. If it was so bad what did you eat? Well we ordered pizza. Haha thank the gods for Domino's!! Happy Eating!!!

Recipe of the Week----Three Envelope Chicken

2009-02-28T18:17:00.005-05:00

Boneless chicken
1 pack chicken gravy
1 pack Italian dressing mix
1 pack ranch dressing mix
1 cup water

In a slow cooker place the chicken. Mine is frozen.

Then mix together the flavor packs with one cup of water and pour all over chicken.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until chicken is done. Once it is done remove chicken, chunk it up and reserve.

Mix 1/4 cup flour with a some milk and slowly add to liquid in crock pot. Add chicken back into crock pot.

Cook 1hour on high heat until the sauce is thick. Serve over rice or noodles.

My family loves this meal. It's about as easy as it gets. I love that you don't have to remember to defrost the meat ahead of time. The original recipe says to leave the chicken whole and serve over rice. I hope you enjoy this meal as much as my family seems too. Happy Eating!!

Baked Chicken Chimichanga Review

2009-02-28T18:13:00.003-05:00

Yummy! Looks like we have found a winner with the whole family. These were easy to make and tasty to eat. They are baked. unlike traditional chimichangas, making them much healthier. I think it is safe to say that this will be added to the least of repeat meals. Happy Eating!!!

German Deli Pizza Review

2009-02-23T18:31:00.003-05:00

Today I made the German deli pizza for dinner. It definitely is not pizza as one would picture it. This pizza is made with a white sauce, Swiss cheese, and ham. Once you get past the traditional view of pizza it is great. My husband is already requesting it again. Keep your eyes open I am sure this new recipe will be hitting the recipe of the week. Happy Eating!

Recipe of the week 02/21/09 -- "Leftover" Chicken Soup

2009-02-21T16:46:00.008-05:00

No I am not going to show you a bowl of leftover soup. Haha! What I will show you is how to make soup almost entirely with leftovers.
Ingredients

Leftover chicken
Leftover Veggies - I keep mine frozen until I need them
Leftover Chicken stock - I also keep this frozen. Chicken broth works too
Noodles

First get your stock in a pot to boil. I use my stock frozen right out of the freezer. Next chop up your chicken in chunks. Any size you like. This is leftover chicken from last weeks recipe of the week. Remember if you are not going to use it within about three days freeze it.

Next add the veggies you want. Today I added carrots and peas. I only defrost my veggies if I need to chop them up. They should be roughly the same size. You could add anything. Carrots, peas, onions, celery, or any other veggie. Also add the chicken at this time.

When everything comes up to a boil add the noodles. Keep in mind that they will expand a bit when cooked. Continue to boil until the noodles are tender. Usually about 9 minutes or so.

I think this soup is better than anything that can be bought in a can. The best part for me is that I can use all the left overs I have been accumulating. The only thing I had to buy for this meal was the noodles. A need thing to do is to make the soup without the noodles. Freeze it in one serving portions. When you want a bowl of soup just boil your portion and add noodles. Happy eating!!

Waste not want not!

2009-02-19T17:29:00.003-05:00

One of the biggest things I try to do in my kitchen is to eliminate waste. We almost never throw away food. This is something that I am quite proud of. Now you may say that you don't like leftovers so you throw them out. BLAH!!! You DO like leftovers and I can almost guarantee it. What my family isn't willing to eat the next day I freeze. Yes freeze! If there is a spoonful of peas left in the pot at the end of dinner, I freeze it. I keep adding to the frozen container of peas until I use them. When I do use them I put them in soups. Poof....leftovers that everyone will eat. I do this with all veggies, chicken broth/stock, and even meats. Keep a look out for this weeks recipe. The recipe will be made almost entirely with leftovers. Happy eating!

Recipe of the Week 02/15/09---Roasted Chicken and Veggies

2009-02-15T19:05:00.012-05:00

Ingrediants

Roasting Chicken
Italian Herb Mix
Olive Oil
Root Veggies

Preparation

Rinse and pat dry a 4 to 5 pound chicken. Mix together olive oil and Italian seasoning into a small bowl. Use a basting brush to paint the chicken with the oil mixture.

Cook for 1 hour at 350. While the Chicken is cooking peel and chunk up root veggies. I used sweet potatoes, carrots, potatoes, and onions. I also added in some garlic. Whole peeled cloves work well. I used minced garlic from a jar.

Baste the chicken with the olive oil mixture again. Then add remaining oil mixture to root veggies and toss. Add veggies to roasting pan around chicken.

Cook for another 45 mins to 1 hour, or until chicken is no longer pink. Stir veggies every 15 mins or so.

This is a very flavorful moist chicken. My family really enjoys this one. Not only is this meal cheap, but the leftovers are great the next day in soup. Happy Eating!!

Wonton review

2009-02-08T18:05:00.002-05:00

I loved these little tiny wantons. This recipe makes quite a few, but they are tiny. Great for a finger food night. Sadly, my family won't be eating these anymore as my husband didn't like them at all.

March Menus

2009-02-08T11:27:00.004-05:00

1. Cream Corn Chicken Soup
2. Tilapia, Jasmine rice, peas
3. Sirloin steak, fries, broccoli
4. Hot dogs, baked beans, pasta salad, sour kraut
5. Sesame Noodles, grilled chicken, corn
6. Asian meatballs, rice, broccoli
7. Cheesy Shells
8. Roast Chicken
9. Lemon Chicken, corn
10. Chicken enchiladas
11. Pork roast, sour kraut, mashed potatoes
12. Chicken Short orders, peas
13. Make your own pizza
14. Pancakes sausage
15. Sweet and sour chicken over brown rice
16. Ham, scalloped potatoes, peas
17. Bacon chicken and cheese, noodles, broccoli
18. Pork chops, stuffing, corn
19. Cornish game hens, mashed potatoes, carrots
20. Potato Soup
21. Quesadillas, red beans and rice
22. Pepperoni Chicken, corn, potatoes
23. Chicken Nuggets, fries, peas
24. Pork chops in mustard sauce
25. Curry Chicken and rice
26. Pork cube steak, mashed potatoes, corn
27. Hamburger helper, peas
28. Eggs Benedict
29. Chicken and Dumplings -Crock pot
30. Three Envelope chicken, noodles, peas
31. Salisbury Steak, mashed potatoes broccoli

The recipes I have in bold are recipes that are new to our family.

Recipe of the Week 02/07/09---Sweet and Sour Chicken

2009-02-07T17:13:00.003-05:00

Sweet and Sour Chicken---I call this Orange Chicken

Chicken

1T. Soy sauce
1 T. chicken broth
1/2 t. salt, ground ginger, garlic powder

Mix all of this together and stir into about a pound of chicken breast cubed. Let sit for 30 mins.

Sweet and sour sauce

1 cup orange juice
2 T. cornstarch
2T. Sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 T. soy sauce

Mix all of these ingredients and reserve for later.

Procedure

Dip each piece of chicken into cornstarch and fry in a bit of canola oil.

Make sure to keep chicken in a single layer. Brown both sides.

As one batch is done move it to a plate with paper towels to drain. When all of the chicken is cooked and draining on the plate, pour the sauce mixture into the skillet.

Put the chicken back into skillet and stir to coat. When everything is hot through and thickened serve over rice.

This is my husbands all time favorite dinner(after seafood of course). The original recipe called for a can of pineapple chunks instead of orange juice . Since no one in my family likes pineapple(except me) I made the substitution. Happy eating!

Look what I made

2009-02-02T19:54:00.001-05:00

I made a Pecan pie for the first time yesterday. It turned out well. I am so excited and will definitely be posting my recipe.

Pepperoni Chicken Review

2009-02-02T19:51:00.002-05:00

My family gives the Pepperoni Chicken we had Sunday a five out of five rating. This is definitely something we will be having again and something that will be featured as a recipe of the week. It also follows well with my no waste philosophy. The tomato sauce that it was cooked in I have frozen and will be tossing with pasta one day for lunch.

Recipe of the Week.

2009-01-30T23:48:00.001-05:00

There will be no recipe of the week this week as the family is sick. Look for my review of a new recipe (Pepperoni Chicken) on Sunday.

Recipe of the week 01/24/09-----Chicken Curry

2009-01-24T18:13:00.004-05:00

Chicken Curry in a Hurry

boneless, skinless chicken breast
onion
curry powder
sour cream
cooked rice

Dice onions and cook in large skillet until soft.

Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Remove chicken and reserve on a plate. Drain any extra liquid.

Add curry powder and sour cream to skillet and stir. We use 2teaspoons of curry, but you can use as little or as much as you like.

Return chicken to skillet. Stir to coat with the curry and heat through. Serve over rice.

My husband and I wanted to try curry and I found this recipe on the internet. By no means is it a traditional curry, but who has time for that. This has quickly become one of my husbands favorites.

Happy eating!!

Angelfood delivery

2009-01-24T11:17:00.004-05:00

Yay!!! We received our Angelfood delivery today.

Regular Box - $30

1.5 pounds Ribeye steaks
4 lb. Leg Quarters
1.5 lb. Beef Patties (4 x 6 oz.)
18 oz. Cheese Filled Manicotti
2 lb. Pork Rib Strips
1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
1 lb. Ground Turkey
1 lb. Broccoli
1 lb. Peas
6 ct. Oatmeal Box Maple Brown Sugar
32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
8 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
12 ct. White Corn Tortillas
1 lb. Pinto Beans
7 oz. Chicken Flavored Rice & Vermicelli
One Dozen Eggs
Cookie variety pack

Chicken Combo Box - $20

4.5 lb. (avg.) Whole Chicken
2 lb. Wings
2 lb. Chicken Nuggets
2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tender

Fruit and Veggie Box - $21

4 lb. New Crop Idaho Baking Potatoes
3 lb. New Crop North Carolina Sweet Potatoes
2 lb. Western Grown Medium Yellow Onions
4 lb. Tree Ripened Navel Oranges
½ lb. New Crop Georgia Grown Pecan Halves
2 ea. Tree Ripened Florida Red Grapefruit
1 head New Crop Florida Green Cabbage
1 lb. Western Grown Carrots (cello packed)
4 ea. Tree Ripened Florida Tangerines
4 ea. Washington State Bosc Pears

February Menus

2009-01-17T23:44:00.002-05:00

One way I keep myself from buying extra things at the store is to make a menu of our dinners. This way I buy only what we need. We do a big shop once a month so I do my menus by month. Behold February menus.

1. Pepperoni Chicken, mashed potatoes, corn
2. Chicken Alfredo, broccoli
3. Tilapia, jasmine rice, peas
4. Ribs, corn, fries
5. Pork chops, stuffing, carrots
6. Rib eye steak, baked potato, broccoli
7. Sweet and sour chicken, brown rice
8. Wings, lil smokies, wontons
9. Chicken Nuggets, fries, corn
10. Salmon cakes, mac and cheese, peas
11. Chicken curry
12. Fajitas, rice side, corn
13. Eggs Benedict
14. Roast Chicken, Veggies
15. Chicken Soup
16. Pork cube steak, mashed potatoes, corn
17. Hamburger helper, peas
18. Potato Soup
19. Hamburgers, pasta salad, baked beans
20. Pizza, corn
21. Turkey tenderloin, mashed potatoes, stuffing, broccoli
22. Ham Steak, potato casserole, peas
23. German Deli pizza, peas
24. Three envelope chicken, rice, california blend
25. Manicotti, garlic bread
26. Chicken tenders, mac and cheese, peas
27. Chicken Chimichangas, rice, corn
28. Asian meatballs, rice, broccoli

The recipes I have in bold are recipes that are new to our family.

Recipe of the week 01/17/09-------Lemon Chicken

2009-01-17T18:01:00.001-05:00

Every Saturday I will post a recipe for all to look at, try, and enjoy. Hopefully you will find something new to try. If you do try a recipe let me know what you think.

Lemon Chicken

Canola Oil
Water
Lemon Juice
Lemon Zest
Zesty Herb Marinade mix (I used McCormick)
Chicken Breast cubed
Cornstarch
Cooked Rice

The night before I mix together a little canola oil (not sure how much), water(again not sure how much), juice of two lemons, zest from two lemons, and the Marinade mix.

I do this overnight to let the flavors blend better. The next day I add the marinade to some cubed chicken breast. Then start some rice. Once the rice is started I add the chicken WITH marinade into a skillet and cook until chicken is done.

To thicken the liquid around the chicken I mix about 2Tablespoons of cornstarch with some water. This is called a slurry.

Once this is added and stirred into the chicken the liquid will thicken into a nice gravy. We serve it over rice. This recipe was created because I had some lemons I didn't know what to do with. My husband loves it.

Angel Food

2009-01-16T07:23:00.002-05:00

Recently I have found a program called Angel Food. Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreaches in communities throughout the United States. Angel Food Website
This is a wonderful program. There are no income requirements. I encourage you all to check out this website and find your nearest distribution site. If anyone has any questions please feel free to ask me.

Introduction

2009-01-15T20:25:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog about food. I am a 25 year old married mother of two. Alex is 3 and Brian just turned one. I absolutely love food. I love coming up with new recipes, cooking, and eating. I didn't realize how hard it was to feed a family of four on a budget. It has taken me a couple of years, but I have come up with some easy ways for saving money and time in the kitchen. I hope you all enjoy see how this small, loving, budgeted family eats.