Oh Glorious Food!

Curried Coconut Spinach and Shrimp Soup

2011-02-03T12:44:00.000-08:00

I did a makeover on one of my favorite soups today!!! It was even faster and soooo yummy! I made it extra spicy to warm me up since it is so cold outside - so feel free to dial down the spiciness if it is too much for ya!

Curried Coconut Spinach and Shrimp Soup

Saute in a soup pot for 5 minutes
2 TBSP olive oil
1 large onion, diced

add 3-4 cloves garlic and cook 2 minutes more

Add, and cook for 1 minute or so -
2 tsp yellow curry
1/2 tsp tumeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Add

8 Roma Tomatoes, diced (or 2 cans diced tomatoes)
2 tsp lemon juice
2 1/2 C vegetable broth
1 can coconut milk

Bring to a boil and add:

2 C small -medium sized shrimp (I used the frozen already cooked kind)'
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bag spinach

Allow to return to a boil , boil a minute or two and serve! YUMMY!

Thai Style Evil Jungle Princess

2011-02-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

This has long been my favorite to get at Thai restaurants! I was thrilled when I found this recipe and tried it out right away! It was so good! The kids were licking not only their plates, but the serving bowl by the end of dinner. I didn't make it too spicy - between a 1 and 2 but next time I might make it a bit spicier so I can have leftovers! ;)

Thai Style Evil Jungle Princess

1 TBSP olive oil (or Peanut)
6 garlic cloves peeled and minced
1 1/2 stalks lemongrass chopped into 1" - 4" pieces (variety is fun!)
4 TBSP lime zest (or 6 Kaffir lime leaves, softened in warm water)
4 8 oz chicken breasts, skinned and sliced into pieces
1 C coconut milk
1 C chicken broth
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp sugar
10-12 fresh mint leaves, chopped
4 TBSP fish sauce (I left this out, since I had none... I just added a small amount of salt toward the end of cooking)
2 tsp cayenne pepper - or to taste
6 TBSP freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 C finely chopped red cabbage
1 C finely chopped Chinese cabbage (or regular - that is what we used!)
1 2/3 enoki mushrooms (I didn't use these but might next time!)

Cooked Rice if desired

Heat the oil in a large skillet or Wok and add the garlic. Cook until oil is infused with garlic and add the lemongrass, lime zest, and chicken. Stir fry chicken until no longer pink. Add coconut milk, chicken stock, and chili powder and stir fry until chicken turns white and sauce has cooked down into a coating cream. Stir in the sugar, mint leaves, and fish sauce. Add your cayenne, keeping in mind that how much you add will determine the 1-5 heat factor. I would say that 1 1/2 tsp was about a 1.5 on the heat scale. A little spicy, but still fine for kids. Stir in lemon to suit your taste.

Put the sliced cabbage and mushrooms into a hot skillet with a little chicken broth or water (just enough to cause steam) and allow to heat through (I did 8 minutes or so)

Serve the cabbage over rice (if desired) and top it all with the evil jungle princess! YUM!!!

***NOTE - towards the end I wanted it a little saucier so I added more coconut milk (about 1/2 cup) so it was a little thinner... but still awesome and it went farther that way! Woooo hooooo;)

A little change

2011-02-01T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was in serious need of some comfort food a few days ago... so I made my Grandma's soup!!! It is soooo delicious and I made it dairy/gluten free with a couple of easy changes! We all liked it even better, it was so creamy! I added in diced ham and the kids sprinkled cheese on top! GREAT meal!

So - the changes I made to it....
I switched out the milk and used coconut milk (I thought it might be too sweet - but it wasn't - it was just really creamy)
I switched out the flour for Potato flour (you could also use arrowroot flour!).

Hooray for food makeovers!

Chocolate Shake

2011-01-24T08:21:00.000-08:00

Seeing as how I have had this nearly every morning for a week, I thought I would post it! It is wonderful! A friend of mine (thanks Lynn) gave me this recipe along with a bunch of others I have fallen in LOVE with!

Chocolate Shake

1 Cup coconut water (or just plain water)
1 Cup Spinach (or more)
1 banana
1 TBSP flax
2 TBSP cocoa powder
blueberries
dates (I chop mine first as I don't have an amazing blender!)

Blend it up and enjoy! Try to hide from your kids while drinking it, because if they are like mine they will end up drinking half of it;) OR - just be nice and make them one too!

Southwest Peppers

2011-01-20T15:44:00.001-08:00

I debated posting this since I have not actually tasted them yet.... but they smell divine and so I can't help myself! I combined a few recipes I have recently found for stuffed peppers to come up with this and I am so excited for dinner!

Southwest Peppers

6 Bell peppers (green, orange, red, or yellow - mix it up!)
2 (4 oz) cans green chilies
1 lb ground turkey
1 onion, finely chopped
1 bunch spinach, coarsely chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 Cup cilantro, finely chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt (I prefer Celtic sea salt)

In a medium bowl mix Turkey, green chilies, cilantro, onion, garlic, spinach, cumin, chili powder and salt.
Cut off the tops of peppers and set aside. Clean out peppers and place in a baking dish.
Stuff the peppers with turkey mixture; place tops on peppers to close.
Bake @ 350 1 hour

*NOTE - this was AMAZING! We all (including the kids) loved it!!! (Though we all preferred the red peppers to the green - of course!)

Mexican Chicken and Veggie Soup

2011-01-19T11:40:00.000-08:00

I was craving one of our family favorites - Chicken tomatillo soup, so I decided to reinvent it so that I can eat it with my current restrictions! It was soooooo good!

Mexican Chicken and Veggie Soup

1 large (or 2 medium) onions, diced
6 tomatillos - husked and diced
1 head garlic, roasted OR about 4 Garlic cloves, minced
2 cans diced tomato's (or 3-4 cups fresh diced tomato's) with juice
4 Chicken breasts baked and cubed or shredded
3 cans reduced sodium chicken broth
2 large zucchini (or more), cubed
*1 large bunch spinach, washed and coarsely chopped
1 Cup cilantro, washed and leaves torn from stems to equal 1 C
1 TBSP Paprika
1 TBSP Chili Powder
2 TBSP Cumin

Super easy peasy -
Cook onions in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat for apx 5 min. Add tomatillos and cook 5 more minutes. If you are using minced garlic add and allow to cook another 2 minutes or until very fragrant. If you are using roasted garlic (which I recommend) squeeze it all into the pot!
Add tomatoes, chicken, broth, zucchini, cilantro and spices. Bring to a slow boil , turn down heat and allow to simmer until zucchini is tender (about 10 minutes - more if you cut it into big chunks!). Add spinach and allow to wilt!
Serve with diced avocado (and for the family - they had cheese and crushed chips on it too)

*You can use Kale (YUM!!!!) just add it when you add the Zucchini!

Also - if you can have beans and corn (etc) throw it in! Hope you like it!

Banana pancakes

2011-01-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

While my hubby made vanilla french toast for he and the kids, I made Banana Pancakes... and was suprised that they were pretty good! I will be eating them again!

Banana Pancakes

1 banana
1 egg

Beat together and fry in a non stick pan (lightly sprayed) till golden brown on both sides. Drizzle lightly with honey if desired.

Note - next time I will probably also sprinkle these with cinnamon. I ate this with a thin slice of Turkey ham and it was a great meal!

Beef 'n cabbage

2011-01-11T07:14:00.000-08:00

I threw this together last night and the family ate it up so quick I was thrilled. My husband said I could make it once a week and he would love it! Perfect! A Paleo meal for the whole family!!!

Beef 'n cabbage

1 onion, chopped
1 small head cabbage, sliced
1 lb lean ground beef
*salt and pepper
olive oil

Hash browns or potatoes for anyone NOT Paleo!

In a large frying pan tat has a lid sautee onion in a small amount of olive oil. When beginning to get tender add cabbage and cover. In a seperate pan cook ground beef until well done. When beef is finished add to cabbage and onion mixture (include all the juices - there should be very little fat). Allow cabbage to fully cook to desired texture (we like our fairly mushy). Meanwhile in a small amount of olive oil cook hashbrowns or slice precooked potatoes. Serve cabbage mixture over hashbrowns or potatoes. For the Paleo person leave potatoes out. For the Non Paleo add ketchup if desired!

*As far as salt and pepper goes I use Celtic sea salt and fresh ground pepper, and I salt and pepper everytime I add something new to the pan (small amounts of course, but that way you know everything is seasoned well).

Kristi and Paleo

2011-01-10T14:32:00.000-08:00

You have heard of Julie and Julia right? Well, I am not about to embark on cooking every Julia Child's recipe - that is for sure! I recently learned that I am allergic to... everything... There is hope that I will be able to add a few grains back into my diet eventually, but for the most part I am going cold turkey off of all grains, all dairy, yeast and brewers yeast (and yes that IS a big deal - it means no vinegars, no mustard's, ketchup, pickles etc which means NO salad dressing) among other things.
So... I am going to be doing a LOT of Paleo type recipes on here coming up! I will still post super yummy family favorites (all the while trying not to cry!). I am trying to be open minded and positive about this! I will certainly be eating healthy, because all I can eat is fruit, vegetables, nuts (though not peanuts - which I am allergic to - plus they are a legume anyway just so you know), and seeds (and a few other things here and there!). It also is a chance for me to explore other cultures and the eating habits they have!
So... stay tuned, I will have some really awesome recipes coming up! My favorite new site is Elana's Pantry! Though there are still things on there I cannot have - there are quite a few I can! Hooray! And thank you Elana! Today I made her Lemon Kale Chips and they were a delicious addition to my lunch!

Onion Soup

2011-01-07T06:34:00.000-08:00

It is sooooooo good, and really easy!

French Onion Soup

6 TBSP butter
1 TBSP olive oil
3 lbs medium yellow onions, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tsp sugar
salt
1 TBSP flour
8 Cups Beef Stock
2 Cups dry white wine (may be ommitted)
Freshly ground black pepper
8 slices french bread, toasted in oven with 3 TBSP of the butter
8 slices provolone cheese

Over medium heat melt 3 TBSP of the butter, and the olive oil in a large, heavy duty stockpot. Add sliced onions, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and translucent. Increase heat to high, remove lid, add sugar and salt. Saute, stirring often until onions are very soft, and a deep golden brown.
Reduce heat to medium, sprinkle in flour, and cook stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes. Add about 3 cups of stock to blend, and then add the remaining beef stock and wine (if desired). Season to taste with salt and pepper, and simmer 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 425. Gather 8 small oven proof bowls and spoon in soup, add one piece french bread, then fill the rest odf the bowl with soup. Add one slice provolone on each bowl and place soup bowls on baking dish, place in the oven. When cheese is toasted remove.

*For golden onion soup simply omit bread, cheese, and oven time!

Brownie Cookies

2010-12-28T13:09:00.000-08:00

I had heard of these cookies and decided to try them out for a group of young women who I get to teach at my church! They were AMAZINGLY delicious! I used 1/3 Cup each of THIS cookie recipe, pressed an indentation in each and put a brownie in the middle! You cover it up well with the dough and bake at 350 for 16-19 minutes. Allow to cool almost all the way on the cookie sheet as the brownie is REALLY gooey!

So incredibly good!

Honey Biscuits

2010-12-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

These are divine! I haven't made them in a long time because, well, they are not exactly healthy.... but I really think everyone should get to eat them AT LEAST once because they are divine!
I made them last night and ate one myself while my family devoured them (it was a good thing I doubled the recipe)! I hope you like 'em!

Honey Biscuits

2 C Flour
4 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Sugar
1 tsp Cream of Tarter
1/2 C Vegetable Shortening
2/3 C Whole Milk
1/2 stick butter (melt in a pan and set aside)
1/3 C Honey

Place Flour, Baking powder, Salt, Sugar, and Cream of Tarter in a mixing bowl. Mix well and work in shortening till mixture feels like cornmeal. Pour milk into flour mixture and mix well. Knead about 12-15 times. Break mixture into small balls (1/4 cup size - or less). Roll into balls and flatten (to 1/2" thickness) onto a greased cookie sheet. Brush with melted butter. Bake at 450 10-12 minutes.
While biscuits are in the oven pour honey into remaining butter in saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside. When biscuits are done remove from oven and brush immediately with honey butter.

Sugar Cookie Icing

2010-10-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am shocked I have never posted this recipe!!! Sorry! Here you go - just in time for the holiday season!

This is our favorite icing, we use it constantly with THESE awesome awesome cookies! The combo is just oh so yummy that even I, a girl who much prefers chocolate, can't resist!

The fun thing about this recipe if you can do so much detail on your cookies, we use the back of spoons, paintbrushes, and toothpicks for detailing! We make lots of different colors per batch, each in a little bowl and let our imaginations run wild! Tie die Easter eggs are our specialty! The colors stay bright and this icing dries hard and shiny (but be sure to give them time to dry)!

Another awesome thing - super FAST and super easy clean up! Wooo hoooooo!!!

Can you tell I love this recipe? Well here it is....

Sugar Cookie Icing

1 Cup powdered sugar
2 -3 tsp milk
2 tsp corn syrup
1/4 tsp almond extract
assorted food coloring

In a small bowl combine powdered sugar and milk and beat till smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
Divide into seperate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip the cookies or paint with brush, back of spoon etc! Have fun! These are great to make lots of little details, if you want to detail them don't use too much frosting or it will run - in this case less is more;)
HAVE FUN!!!!!

Cherry Cheese Pies

2010-09-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

I started making these Sunday mornings at a very young age - they were the perfect after dinner pie in the summer!

Cherry Cheese Pie

1 (9 inch) graham cracker pie crust
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14 oz) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1/3 C Realemon juice concentrate
1 tsp vanilla concentrate
1 (21 oz) can cherry pie filling, chilled

In large bowl, beat cheese till fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk until smooth. Stir in Realemon and Vanilla. Pour into crust. Chill 3 hours or till set. Top with cherry pie filling before serving!

Fresh Peach (or Strawberry) Pie

2010-09-03T11:20:00.000-07:00

I have had a few requests this past week foor my Mom's Peach pie recipe. It is sooooo that time of year. This stuff is awesome and let me say - there is never any leftover! Make at least one more than you think you will need! ;)

Boil and cook till clear:
1/2 C peach puree
3/4 C sugar
1/2 C water
2 TBSP lemon juice
2 TBSP cornstarch

Cream in a separate bowl:
4 oz cream cheese (1/2 stick)
1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 TBSP vanilla
1/3-1/2 (pint sized) carton whipped cream (we usually sweeten it with a little sugar first)

Place creamed mixture in graham cracker pie crust. Over cream mixture arrange 1 cup fresh sliced peaches. Pour puree mixture over top. Let cool! YUM!!!!

And now I have to go ask forgiveness for sharing this super secret recipe with you... I better get a pie for my trouble! ;) Just kidding! Hope you love it as much as we (and everyone we know) does!!

Tropical Zucchini bread

2010-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is AWESOME!!! Sooooo yummy - run out to your garden, get your zucchini and warm up your oven! Seriously! GO!!!

Tropical Zucchini Bread

Mix in a large bowl:

3 Cups all-purpose flour (may use 1/2 whole wheat!)
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Combine in another bowl:
2 Cups white sugar (or if you want - use 1! Still turns out great!)
1 Cup vegetable oil (may use 1/2 applesauce)
3/4 tsp vanilla
Mix well and add:
2 Cups shredded zucchini
10 oz canned crushed pineapple, drained (this is 1/2 a large can - so you may as well just double the recipe.... that way the neighbors will like you!)

Ok - now gradually stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture till combined and add:
1 Cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans
1 Cup Craisins
1 Cup Shredded coconut

So... here is where it gets a bit tricky. I always double this and it makes 5 perfect loaves. But if you simply do one recipe.... Divide mixture between two loaf pans and bake @ 325 for 1 hour. And I don't think they will overflow! ;) Good luck! And really - TRY to share with someone! I know I know - it is hard... but you CAN do it!

Shrimp Pasta Salad

2010-08-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

I love this elegant, fast pasta salad! It is one of my absolute favorites! You can even use canned tiny shrimp so it is more economical and wheat pasta to make it healthier! YUM! (And yes, I realize my fine china is simply to die for - this was actually my daughter's lunch today!)

Shrimp Pasta Salad

12 oz spiral pasta - cooked and drained
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen cooked shrimp, thawed
1/4 Cup sliced green onions
1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese ( I recommend grating your own!)
1/3 Cup oil (vegetable, canola or olive)
1/3 Cup red wine vinegar
2 1/2 tsp dill weed
2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper

In a large bowl combine shrimp, pasta, and Parmesan cheese. In a small bowl combine remaining ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture and toss. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours! Awesome served with fresh French bread!

French Bread

2010-07-02T09:33:00.000-07:00

I have tried quite a few recipes for french bread... and this is my fav! I know a few people that have been waiting patiently for me to post this after having it in my home... here you are!

Grandma Jansen's French Bread
Makes 2 loaves

1 pkg dry yeast
1 1/2 cups very warm water, divided
1 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP melted shortening
4 cups flour

Put yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Set aside. Put 1 cup warm water in bowl. Add sugar, salt, and shortening. Add yeast . Add flour all at once. At 10 min. intervals fold from outside to inside with wooden spoon - 5 times. (I usually skip this step!) Roll dough into 2 triangles. Roll each up from long side. Place on greased cookie sheet, floded edge down. slash 6 times on top. Cover with hot, wet dishtowel. Let rise 1 1/2 hours. Bake at 400 30-35 minutes. Grease tops with melted shortening and dab off excess with paper towel.

*I sub olive oil for shortening

New stuff!

2010-06-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

My Sis-in-Law introduced me to her favorite place to get new recipes...

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Here is what I have tried so far...

Chicken Enchilada Pasta
Skillet Lasagna
Philly Cheesesteak Calzones
Welsh Breakfast Cakes

And don't even get me started on all the recipes I have printed out to try! A great site! Hope you like it too!
And hopefully soon life will slow down a bit and I will post more recipes!

Also... it has to be said... I have NEVER been a fan of combining pasta and Mexican food... the two just don't mix. But this came together so quickly and was really very good! A great standby!
And... I use the low fat/fat free alternatives... I can't help myself. It is still all delish! (Though the welsh cakes must be made with butter - those are pure genius.... ***sigh***)

BBQ Chicken Pizza

2010-05-28T15:18:00.000-07:00

My family LOOOOOOOVES this pizza! In fact, I couldn't get a picture before it was half devoured! I recently tried a new pizza crust CLICK HERE and loved it! I have tried a few different whole wheat pizza crusts, and this is among the best!

Now...on to the delectable toppings

Prepare Pizza crust as instructed -

Layer with BBQ sauce

Chopped or shredded cooked chicken

Chopped or julienned red peppers

Chopped/seeded tomato's

Diced green onions

Cilantro

Part skim mozzarella

AMAZINGLY delicious! What did your family think?

Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

2010-05-28T15:17:00.001-07:00

I was craving hambugers a while back and had no buns.... so I used a few recipes I love to invent these...

We have had them a few times since and LOVE them! I sometimes sprinkle them with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or rolled oats... but not this time;)

Here is my "hamburger" and "fries" tonight.... (Actually a Boca Burger - love 'em- and Veggie Straws! MMMMMM!)

The best part - these are WAY faster than running to the store (at least for me, I live pretty far out of town!)

Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

*Made in my Kitchenaid w/doughhook;)

Mix an a bowl -

2 Cups Warm Water

1/2 C oil

1/4 plus 2 TBSP sugar (honey may be used)

3 TBSP Yeast

let sit 15 minutes

Add 2 beaten eggs

Add 1 1/2 C High gluten bread flour

and 1/2 TBSP salt

Add 4 C or more Whole wheat flour, or until sides of bowl are clean while it mixes

I also like to add in 1/4-1/2 C ground flax seed!

Roll on counter to 3/4" thick and cut using large cup or bicuit cutter. Place in greased pan (cover with dish towel) and allow to rise 10 minutes. Bake @ 425 for 10 minutes!

Doesn't get much easier, or yummier! Good luck! Let me know if you like them!

Oh Glorious Popcorn

2010-05-26T16:59:00.000-07:00

Popcorn is my treat of choice, and with all the season finales going on - I thought this would be a good time to share a couple great recipes for the stuff!

I "stole" this recipe from a blog when I was blog surfing like crazy during my last pregnancy! I would love to give credit where credit is due, but I cannot remember whose blog it was on! Sorry! If it was on yours let me know!

Cinnamon Spice Popcorn

1/2 C Popcorn Kernels, Popped in air popper (makes a big bowl!)
Mix and set aside:
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
4 TBSP sugar
Melt in saucepan - 6 TBSP butter
Add sugar and spice mixture. Stir over medium heat till sugar is melted. Pour over popcorn while mixing well.
TRY to share with others!!!!

And, from the inspiration of the other recipe I made this one. My kids LOVE it.... I am still trying to tweak it to perfection. I am thinking next I will try it with no cinnamon, and sprinkled with orange zest!

Chocolate Cinnamon Popcorn

1/2 C Popcorn kernels, popped in an air popper. (Makes a big bowl)

Mix and set aside:

3/4 tsp Cinnamon

1 1/2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder

4 TBSP sugar

Melt in saucepan:

6 TBSP butter

Mix chocolate sugar mixture in with butter, stir over medium heat till sugar is dissolved! Pour over popcorn, mixing well! Enjoy!

What do you think?

OOOOOOPS!

2010-05-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

Ok.... I am retarded - I meant to post a few new recipes here, and I posted them on another blog.
Here they are until I get them up here! Forgive me, it has been a very long day!

Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

2010-05-02T08:00:00.000-07:00

The kids and I LOVE hummus - and when I found this recipe I knew it was a keeper!!!!

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

2 cans (15 oz each) garbanzo beans
1 jar oil packed sun-dried tomatos, undrained (Mine were packed in olive oil, or I would have drained them)
2/3 C water
3 TBSP olive oil (I used 1)
2 garlic cloves, halved
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
chopped fresh basil, optional

Throw everything (except the basil) in a food processor and process until blended. Place in a bowl. Sprinkle with basil; serve with pita chips and/or veggies! (Or tortilla chips which Russ LOVES!)

Chipotle Cashew Chicken

2010-05-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

YUM Cori thank you!

Chipotle Cashew Chicken
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 lbs lean Chicken Breast, cubed
2 TBSP Canola Oil
2 TBSP Grill Seasoning blend
3 TBSP Tamari
4 cloves Garlic, chopped
2 Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
1 C. frozen Peas
3 TBSP Chipotle in Adobe Sauce (2 peppers and sauce)
12 Water Chestnuts, sliced
1 TBSP Cumin
3 TBSP Honey
¼ C. Maple Syrup
2-3 TBSP Cilantro, chopped (fresh)
1 C. Cashews

Directions:
Heat large skillet over high heat, add oil. Season chicken with grill seasoning then brown, add soy sauce, stir and move to one side of the pan. Add onions, garlic and peppers. Cook 2-3 minutes then add water chestnuts and peas. Mix everything together. Add chipotles and cumin, toss to coat. Glaze mixture with honey and maple syrup. Turn off heat and add cilantro and cashews

Indian Coconut Chicken

2010-04-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jackee sent this one - I havn't tried it yet, but will VERY soon! YUM!

Indian Coconut Chicken

(Malai Murgh)

2 ¼- 2 ½ lbs chicken breasts, cut in pieces
½ cup oil
½ cup onions, finely chopped
4 tsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
8 green cardamom pods
12 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick, 3”
2 T blanched almonds, powdered (alt: use almond paste)
1 ½ cups coconut milk
¼ tsp turmeric
½ tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp Kosher salt
¼ cup heavy cream
2 T fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, finely chopped

Heat oil in heavy-bottomed skillet. Add onions, garlic, and ginger. Over medium-high heat, cook them until onions are pale and limp (about 5 minutes). Add cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon. Cook until the spices are slightly puffed and begin to brown (about 5 min). Add almond powder and cook, stirring rapidly, for an additional 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add chicken to sear it. Continue cooking until they lose their pink color (about 2-5 minutes). The chicken should remain as white as possible. Add coconut milk, turmeric, red pepper, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through and tender (about 30 minutes). Stir occasionally to ensure sauce is not evaporating too fast or burning. Stir in cream and turn off heat. Let dish rest, covered, for at least one hour before serving. Reheat if needed. Serve topped with coriander. Serves 4-6 persons

Gyro

2010-04-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Oh YUM Jackee thank you for this one!

GYRO

1 1/4 lbs ground meat (usually lamb, but can be pork or beef)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ginger
3 T olive oil
2 poblano or Cubanelle chilies, chopped (alternative: sweet peppers)
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
4 slices of flat bread
1/4 cup parsley, chopped

In a medium bowl, combine meat, bread crumbs, 1 1/2 tsp cumin and ginger. Season with salt and pepper and mix together. Form 4" patties and fry in a large skillet with olive oil at medium heat. Cook patties till firm, about 6 minutes each side. Transfer to plate, reserving oil and juices. Fry onions, chilies, garlic, and 1 tsp cumin with salt and pepper on med-low heat until all are mildly tender, about 5 minutes. Wrap pitas in foil and warm in oven. Then chop up patties into small pieces and add to the pan with vegetables. Cook for about 3 minutes, when things are browned, then stir in parsley. Divide out skillet's contents into warmed pitas and top with tzatziki (recipe below).

TZATZIKI SAUCE

1 medium cucumber
1 cup plain yogurt (can be substituted with sour cream, if you wish)
1 clove garlic
1 T olive oil
1 T dill
1 T red wine vinegar

Shred cucumber then squeeze and discard excess juices from shredded pieces. Add shredded cucumber to small bowl. Mince or mash garlic and add to bowl along with remaining ingredients. Stir and chill mixture for one hour.

Ahi Tuna

2010-04-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanl you Jackee for sharing this recipe - it is SO good!

Ahi Tuna

2 T soy sauce
5 T balsamic vinegar
2 T low sodium chicken broth
2 green onions finely chopped
2 T chopped ginger root
1 clove garlic minced
Tuna steaks
¼ tsp pepper
5 T sesame seeds
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp lime or lemon juice

Combine soy sauce, vinegar, broth, lime or lemon juice, green onions, ginger, and garlic in a bowl. Add tuna steaks and marinate at least 1 hour. Remove tuna from marinade and season with pepper; reserve marinade. Coat tuna with sesame seeds. Heat non stick pan over high heat. Add oil. Sear tuna for 1 minute on each side. Remove tuna from pan, reduce heat to medium and add marinade to pan and bring to boil for a few seconds. Pour over tuna.

Minted Rice with Garbanzo Curry

2010-04-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

I love super healthy recipes - but it is a big bonus if they are amazingly tasty! This was one meal that I ate happily for days after!!! Is great with Cucumber Salad! (I doubled both!)

Minted Rice with Garbanzo Curry

Minted Rice:
1 Cinnamon Stick (3")
2 whole cloves
1/8 tsp cumin seeds
2 tsp canola oil
1 C uncooked long grain rice
2 C water
1/2 C minced fresh mint

Garbanzo Curry:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cinnamon stick (3")
1 TBSP canola oil
1 tsp curry powder
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp gingerroot
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans (chikpeas), rinsed and drained
1 cup water
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C minced fresh cilantro

In a large saucepan over medium heat, saute cinnamon, cloves, and cumin seeds in oil until aromatic, about 1-2 minutes. Add rice; cook and stir until lightly browned. Add water and mint. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion and cinnamon in oil until onion is tender. Add the curry, garlic, and ginger; cook 1 min longer. Add the garbanzo beans, water, tomato sauce, lemon juice, and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 4-6 minutes or until slightly thickened. Discard cinnamon; stir in cilantro

Fluff rice with a fork. Discard Cinnamon and Cloves. Serve Minted Rice with Garbanzo Curry!

So good!

Cucumber Salad

2010-04-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe a few months ago and it is sooooo great - also goes well with the Minted Rice and Garbanzo Curry! YUM!

Cucumber Salad

1/2 C Plain Yogurt (I used Greek)
1/2 C Sour Cream (I used Fat Free)
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C chopped cucumbers
1 medium onion, chopped (I prefer sweet)
1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped
1 TBSP chopped, seeded jalapeno
Fresh Cilantro leaves

In a small bowl combine the yogurt, sour cream, and salt. Add the cucumbers, onion, tomato, and jalapeno; stir until blended. Garnish with cilantro.

SERIOUSLY good! My kids all wanted this with lunch every day till it was gone! I doubled it, but it still did not last long enough!

CUTE

2010-04-23T16:31:00.000-07:00

LoVe it! WaNt it! NeEeEeEeD it!!!

Seriously cute Necklace!!!

Coming back! Soon!!

2010-04-13T15:05:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a terrible job of updating this food blog recently. If you want to know why I haven't been cooking much go HERE. I am planning on getting back to it though! Be patient with me!!!

Teresa Tronier Photography: Butter in Your Food Storage

2010-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Teresa Tronier Photography: Butter in Your Food Storage

This is so great! I will be doing this soon.
Thi kids and I made refigerator pickles the other day... Pics and a recipe coming ASAP!

Dump Cake

2010-03-18T08:00:00.001-07:00

Cori sent me this recipe, and it is one I make often and LOVE! I will give you her recipe as well as my variations!!!

Dump Cake
Yield: 6-8 servings for normal people

Ingredients:
1 TBSP and 1 ½ cubes melted Butter or Margarine
1 can Cherry Pie Filling
1 large can Pineapple, crushed
1 pkg White Cake Mix

Directions:
Place 1 TBSP butter in 9x13 pan. Dump in cherries and pineapple. Sprinkle cake mix over. Drizzle remaining butter over that. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

**Note, Kristi does the same cake but slices a cube of butter an put over the top of a yellow cake mix. Both ways are divine!!!
****Another note - try different fruits - my family loves it with canned peaches sprinkled with brown sugar and a bit of cinnamon and sometimes nutmeg! YUM! Also, Apple pie filling mixed half and half with chunky applesauce, or even frozen mixed berries!
******ANOTHER note - you can even sub out the butter for Sprite - seriously! Or if you are making the apple you can use root beer instead of butter. I prefer it this way in a dutch oven, but it works in the oven too!

Cobbler

2010-03-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

It is just the perfect time of year for Cobbler!!! Thank you Cori!!!

Cobbler
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
¼ C. Butter or Margarine
½ C. Sugar
½ C. Milk
1 C. Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt
1 ½ C. Berries or Peaches
1 C. reserved Juice
½ C. Sugar

Directions:
Cream sugar and shortening, sift flour, baking powder and salt. Combine two mixtures alternately with milk. Beat until smooth, pour into greased square baking dish. Spoon berries or peaches over batter. Sprinkle sugar over top and
Reserved berry juice over that. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Serve warm with ice cream.

Recipe Courtesy of Cori

Swedish Pancakes

2010-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Thanks for this one Jackee! I made it for the kids a few weeks ago and they LOVED it!!! So great with whipped cream and fruit!

Swedish Pancakes (or Lucken)

3 eggs
1 ¾ cups milk
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
2 T sugar
1 T oil

In a blender, mix eggs and milk. Add flour, salt, sugar, and oil. Blend until smooth, much like crepe batter. Cook on a lightly greased griddle or skillet. Will appear very thin and delicate. Makes 4 servings.

Recipe Courtesy of Jackee

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

2010-03-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

Jackee must want me to stay chubby forever... with recipe's like this I probably will!!! YUM!!!

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

6 -8 day old cinnamon rolls, torn into small pieces (about 12 cups)
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 quart milk
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter or margarine, sliced

Vanilla Sauce:
1 1/3 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar, divided
4 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For bread pudding, place cinnamon roll pieces in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle raisins and pecans over rolls. In a large bowl, beat milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well blended; pour over rolls. Cover and chill overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dot mixture with butter slices. Place dish in a roasting pan; fill pan with hot water halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bread pudding is set in center. For vanilla sauce, heat whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Combine egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl; beat until well blended. Stir some of hot cream mixture into egg mixture; return egg mixture to double boiler. Stirring constantly, cook 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce over bread pudding. Serves 15.

Recipe Courtesy of Jackee

How to make a "Mexican Pizza"

2010-03-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I was little the Mexican Pizza from Taco Bell was my favorite... YUM! I decided it would be so easy to make at home.... here you go!

Mexican Pizza

1 lb ground beef
1 can refried beans
Taco sauce
12 flour tortillas
12 oz shredded monterey jack/cheddar cheese mix
2-3 small tomatos, diced
3-5 green onion tops, diced
Taco seasoning
sour cream

Brown beef with Taco seasoning - I like a lot, but some people prefer less - so I did not put an amount. Fry your tortillas in oil and assemble like this....

One fried tortilla
2 TBSP refried beans
2 TBSP taco meat
One fried flour shell
2 TBSP Taco sauce
Sprinkle 3 TBSP mixed cheeses on top
Microwave 15 seconds or until cheeses are melted (can also use broiler in oven)
Sprinkle 1 TBSP diced tomatos and 1 TBSP diced green onions

***Sometimes we do a double decker and repeat the first 3 steps twice! Either way... it is YUMMY!!!

How to make a Philly cheesesteak

2010-03-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... this needs pictures.
I have made this sooo any times and everyone LOVES it! Philly cheesesteaks are my favorite... MMMMMM!

1. You need GOOD beef. We use rib eye or top round - ask the butcher to slice it thinly. And say yes if they ask if Carne Asada style is ok - you can easily chop it in half later, but it will be perfectly thin!

2. Get an awesome Italian roll. 2 per big person 1 per little person!

3. Get your topping ready. Do you want Cheez Whiz (the "philly fav" - makes me gag...). Provolone (my suggestion), american, or cheddar???
Do you want onions? Slice em. Mushrooms? Wash em. Tomato's? Even pizza sauce...
Of course you need peppers... do you want green alone or color variety???

4.Lets start cooking... Saute the onions a few minutes and then add the peppers. (and mushrooms if that is your thing). Allow to soften!

5. Fry up your steak till brown - NOT CRISPY or burned!!!

6. Mix everything together and put desired amount on roll; top with cheese.

7. Garnish with whatever you would like - pizza sauce, hot or sweet peppers, pickles, tomato's... whatever! (I prefer mine with just onions, peppers, steak and Provolone cheese... MMMMM)

8. Enjoy!

Rueben Stuffed Bread

2010-03-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

Cori shared this amazing Recipe!!! Who doesn't love Ruebens? This is a must try!!!

Rueben Stuffed Bread
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 small head Red Cabbage, sliced thin
2 cloves Garlic, minced
¼ tsp Cinnamon
¼ tsp Cloves
1 Bay Leaf
3 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
1 TBSP Grill Seasoning
1 ½ TBSP Brown Sugar
¼ tsp Nutmeg
1 ½ lb assorted Deli Meats
½ lb assorted Deli Cheeses
1 lrg loaf Sourdough Bread
½ jar Chili Sauce
2 TBSP Dill Relish

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300. Preheat large skillet and cover with EVOO. Add cabbage garlic, spices, seasoning, sugar and vinegar in order listed. Cook down 10 minutes or so. Cut top off of bread and scoop out middle. Layer ½ cabbage mixture, meats, remaining cabbage and cheeses. Toast in oven with top off just until cheese melts. Spread chili sauce and relish over cheese and place top on. Slice at an angle and make a big mess eating – yes that is a direction!

Recipe Courtesy of Cori

Rosemary Peasant Bread

2010-03-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Jackee shared this marvelous recipe for a delicious bread to go with so many different meals!!!
I will try to get more pictures on here ASAP!!!

Rosemary Peasant Bread

1 T yeast
1 T sugar
1 cup warm water
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp salt
2 T fresh rosemary, chopped
2 T butter

Place yeast, sugar, and water in a large bowl or mixer. Mix slightly and allow ingredients to become frothy. Mix in 1 T butter, salt, and 2 cups of flour. Add 1 T of the fresh chopped rosemary. Knead for about 10 minutes by hand or in food processor about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add more flour if necessary. Oil a bowl, put dough in it and cover with a towel. Let dough rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled. Punch down dough and divide in half. Let dough rest about 5 minutes. Spray baking pan or pizza stone with cooking spray. Shape the dough into 2 small, rounded loaves. Sprinkle remaining 1 T of rosemary over the loaves and press lightly into the surface. Let loaves rise again until doubled, about 45 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Carefully remove loaves from the oven and brush their tops with remaining butter (and salt, if desired).

Recipe Courtesy of Jackee

Almond Butter Cake

2010-03-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

Jackee was kind enough to share this amazing recipe! I LOVE almond anything.... YUM!

Almond Butter Cake

1 ½ cups and 2 tsp sugar
¾ cup butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tsp almond extract
1 ½ cup flour
¾ cup sliced almonds (alt: ¼ cup almond paste & ¼ sliced almonds)

Stir 1 ½ cups sugar and butter together. Add eggs and almond extract. Stir in flour. Pour into greased 9 inch pan. Sprinkle 2 tsp sugar and almonds on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Toothpick will not come out clean when inserted into cake.

Recipe courtesy of Jackee

Cream of Broccoli Soup

2010-03-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

I used to spend a good part of the summer with my Grandparents. My Grandma was a wonderful cook and loved to serve us as many kinds of veggies as she could, in all kinds of wonderful ways! This was one of my favorite soups, and every time I got to choose what I wanted - this was it!
When I make it, you would think my kids had gotten happy meals - they LOVE it! I made a few changes and we all really love it!

Cream of Broccoli Soup

1 1/2 cups chicken broth (may use bullion cubes)
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 cup fresh or frozen broccoli
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP flour
1 cup milk - or more
dash pepper

In saucepan combine chicken broth, chopped onion, & broccoli - cook till tender.
In a separate bowl beat the rest of ingredients until thick. Mix two together and blend in small batches. Return all to pan, -heat to a simmer, allow to thicken 5 minutes or so.
***Kristi's note. I QUADRUPLE this! It makes enough for 2 meals for our family. I also add chopped turkey ham (1-1 1/2 cups) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Add the cheddar cheese after you remove from the stove - allow to melt without boiling! YUM! (Reduce all amounts if you don't quadruple!)

Mango Lassi

2010-03-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Jackee over at Winded Words is one of those people who is amazing at everything they do! One of her many talents is cooking! She will be a guest contributor on the blog - be sure to try out her amazing recipes! And after you are filled up head on over to her blog!

Mango Lassi

1 ½ cups diced ripe mango (1 ½ to 2 mangos)

1 cup ice cubes

Pinch of salt

½ tsp fresh lemon juice

2 T honey

1 ½ cups plain yogurt (whole milk or fat free)

Mint leaves, garnish

In a blender, combine mango, ice cubes, salt, lemon juice and honey. Blend on
high speed until mango is puréed, about 1 minute. Add yogurt and blend until thick and creamy, about 45 seconds. Serve in tall glasses garnished with mint and bendy straw.

Recipe courtesy of Jackee

Lemon Cream Puffs

2010-03-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Another from Cori... Thanks!!!

Lemon Cream Puffs
Yield: 10 largeish Puffs

Ingredients:
½ C. Water
¼ C. Butter, cubed
½ C. all-purpose Flour
2 Eggs

LEMON FILLING:
1 Egg, beaten
1/3 C. Sugar
3 TBSP Lemon Juice
2 TBSP Butter, cubed
1 C. Heavy Whipping Cream
2 tsp Sugar
Confectioners' Sugar

Directions:
In a saucepan, bring water and butter to a boil. Add flour all at once, stirring until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Immediately split puffs and remove tops; discard soft dough from inside. Set puffs and tops aside to cool.

For filling:
In a small heavy saucepan, combine the egg, sugar, lemon juice and butter. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until mixture is thick enough to coat a metal spoon. Remove from the heat. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; press plastic wrap onto surface of filling. Chill for 1 hour or until partially set. In a mixing bowl, beat cream and sugar until stiff peaks form; fold into lemon mixture. Fill cream puffs; replace tops. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Recipe Courtesy of Cori

Frito Pie

2010-03-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

My Husbands family has this often for family gatherings. It is yummy and FAST! Easy for big crowds!

Frito Pie

2-3 cans Pork and Beans
Fritos 1-2 bags
1-2 lb Ground beef
cheese, shredded
lettuce , chopped or shredded
tomato, chopped
salsa
sour cream
olives
guacamole or avacado

Put pork and beans in slow cooker for a few hours. Mash with a potato masher, but not too well, leave some of the beans whole. Brown the beef and serve it layered like this....

Fritos on the bottom, topped by beans, meat, cheese, then whatever other condiments your heart desires!

Frito Casserole

2010-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Not to be confused with Frito Pie... which I will post tomorrow ;)
Both are from my Mom-in-Law and the kiddos love em!

Frito Casserole

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, chopped
Mrs Dash Garlic and Herb Seasoning
2 cans creamed corn
1 jar pizza sauce
1 1/2 - 2 bags Fritos.
Cheddar Cheese

Spray 9 x 13 pan with nonstick spray. Put desired amount of fritos in the pan. Brown meat in large skillet (sprinkle generously with Mrs Dash seasoning) and then add onion - cook till translucent. Add creamed corn and pizza sauce. Warm through. Pour meat mixture over Fritos and sprinkle generously with cheese. Bake @ 325 20 minutes.

Best BBQ Beef EVER

2010-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks for sharing this one with us Cori!

Best BBQ Beef EVER

Yield: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:
2 lb Beef Roast
½ bottle Heinz Chili Sauce
2 C. Ketchup
2 TBSP Worcestershire
2-4 TBSP A-1 Steak Sauce
2 TBSP Brown Sugar
2 TBSP Chili Powder

Directions:
Combine sauce ingredients and pour over roast in crock-pot, cook for 8-10 hours. Remove roast and shred. Combine with small amount of drippings. Serve on hamburger buns or rolls.

Recipe Courtesy of Cori

Corn Bread Deep Dish Pizza

2010-03-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

I found this when #1 was a year old... and we all love it! Pizza sooo fast!

Corn Bread Deep Dish Pizza

Crust:
1 (8 1/2 oz) box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Topping:
1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 (26 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 tsp dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb sausage cooked and crumbled
1/2 lb Monterey Jack cheese

Heat oven to 375. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Prepare muffin mix with egg and 1/2 cup milk. Add the parmesan, then spread batter evenly across the bottom of the pan.
Heat oil in large skillet then add onion and garlic; cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the pasta sauce, oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook sauce till it thickens; about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Arranfe 1/2 of the cooked, room temperature sausage on cornmeal batter, then pour sauce over the batter spreading it evenly, layer on remaining sausage. Bake for 15 minutes, then top with
The Monterey Jack cheese and bake until cheese is bubbling, about 10 minutes! Cut into slices to serve!

Peach stuffed Pork Chops

2010-03-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks again Cori!!

Peach stuffed Pork Chops
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 C. Chicken flavored Stove Top Stuffing
3 TBSP Hot Water
1-4oz can diced Peaches, undrained
1 TBSP Butter, melted
2 Pork Chops, at least 1 inch thick
½ C. Peach Preserves
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard

Directions:
Combine stuffing, peaches, water and butter. Cut a pocket in each pork chop by slicing through but leaving at least ½ inch intact in back. Stuff with peach mixture and secure with wooden toothpicks. Place in greased baking dish. Combine preserves and mustard. Spread over chops. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350. Uncover and bake 15-20 minutes longer or until meat juices are clear.

Recipe courtesy of Cori

Asian chicken and peanut noodles

2010-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

You know when you have one of "those" days and you really don't want fast food.... This is a recipe I keep handy for "those" days!!

Asian chicken and peanut noodles

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
2 pkgs Ramen noodles (ya... I went there)
Thai Peanut Sauce

Boil 2 cups water and pour over Ramen noodles; let stand 5 minutes. Drain water; stir in 1/4 cup peanut sauce. Brush chicken breasts with peanut sauce, serve over Ramen. Garnish with sliced scallions.
I also serve with edamame - my kids love to shell it and put on the noodles themselves!

**Oh - and just toss out that sodium filled flavor pack...

Blog award!

2010-03-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

Guess what??? I got a Blogger award! From Jackee over at Winded Words! Really!!... so now I get to tell you 7 things about me (whether you wanted to know or not!)

1. I always wish I could pull the car over and fix that persons car who is stranded on the side of the road. My heart aches as I drive past!
2. I can often overcome my sugar craving by imagining a big juicy steak with A-1 sauce!
3. I can't understand all the competition between women! I just don't get it!
4. I would rather be on a hike or picnic with my family than just about anywhere else!
5. I love to be entertained! I love books, movies, TV, even just watching my kids! I am ok with being alone in the quiet too, but I do love being entertained!
6. I adore cooking! I love making up new recipes and trying new things! I love eating just as much!
7. I am a quirky person with a lot of random weirdness's (is that a word?)- but I can never think of any of those when I am put on the spot (like this)!

I will now pass on the award to....

Becky at Pensievity who will be having #4 any time now!!!
And Jen at The Kuhns Family - because though her last post was a LONG time ago... I still laugh when I read it!

French Onion Dip

2010-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

Another Recipe from Cori!

French Onion Dip
Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients:
1 large Onion, finely chopped
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 TBSP Butter
1 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Beef Bouillon cube
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Ground Thyme
½ C. Water
1 bunch minced Chives
1 small container Sour Cream
1 (8oz) Cream Cheese, softened
Veggies and Chips for dipping

Directions:
Preheat large skillet. Add oil and butter. Place onion and garlic in pan and stir fry 2-3 minutes. Add bouillon and cover with onions. Add Worcestershire, thyme, pepper and water. Reduce heat to medium high and let cook until onions are tender. Remove from heat and add to sour cream and Cream Cheese. Sprinkle chives over and serve with veggies and chips.

Recipe courtesy of Cori

Thai Beef Stir-Fry

2010-02-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

I ADORE Thai food. I love when I find a recipe that is good enough to make at home. (Some take so much time and effort, I would rather just pick it up!) This is one of those, it is pretty quick and fairly easy... but really good!

Thai Beef Stir Fry

2 TBSP Cornstarch
3/4 cup water
2 TBSP + 1 1/2 tsp chunky peanut butter
4 TBSP soy sauce, divided
1 1/2 lb's boneless beef top sirloin steak, thinly sliced (I ask the butcher to slice it for me)
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp pepper
2 TBSP olive oil
1 each medium green, sweet red, and yellow pepper, julienned
1 can(8 oz) bamboo shoots, drained
1/2 cup julienned carrot
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Hot cooked rice
In a small bowl combine cornstarch and water till smooth. Stir in peanut butter and 3 TBSP soy sauce; set aside. In a large skillet or wok, stir fry the beef, garlic, pepper, and remaining soy sauce in oil until meat is no longer pink; remove and keep warm. Add the peppers, bamboo shoots, carrot and pepper flakes, stir fry for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
Stir cornstarch mixtute; add to the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minutes or until thickened. Return beef mixture to the pan. Mix well and serve over hot rice!

Curry Chicken

2010-02-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

My kids love this, which is great because I enjoy cooking things a little out of the ordinary sometimes!

Curry Chicken

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes
2 tsp curry powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 TBSP vegetable oil
1 can (13 1/2 oz) coconut milk
2 TBSP tomato paste
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup chopped tomato
Hot cooked rice

Sprinkle chicken with curry, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, saute chiken and onion in oil until the chicken is no longer pink.
Stir in coconut milk and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered for 5 min or until thickened. Add spinach and tomato; cook 2-3 minutes longer, or until spinach is wilted . Serve with rice.

Taco Cups

2010-02-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

Looky here - a guest contributor!!!!
I have a few friends who are amazing cooks and who I totally trust will give top notch recipes! Here is one from Cori!!! Thank you girl!!!

Taco Cups
Yield: 48 cups

Ingredients:
1 pkg Won-ton Wrappers
1 can Chicken
½ lb ground Beef or Turkey
Taco Seasoning to taste
2 C. Pace Picante Sauce
2 C. Mexican Blend Cheese
Sour Cream and Green Onion, chopped

Directions:
Place won-tons in mini muffin cups. Bake at 375 for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown. Place chicken in skillet and beef in another skillet. Sprinkle each with taco seasoning. Cook and stir until heated through and cooked thoroughly. Mix each with 1 cup salsa and 1 cup cheese. Fill wonton cups with beef mixture and chicken mixture. Top with sour cream and green onion.

Recipe courtesy of Cori

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

2010-02-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Italian style dinners!

Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

12 Lasagna noodles
2 eggs, lightly beaten
2 1/2 C ricotta cheese
2 1/2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese
1 C Monterey Jack cheese
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Cook lasagna noodles according to pkg directions; drain. In a bowl, combine the eggs, cheeses, spinach, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Spread 1/3 cup cheese mixture over each noodle; carefully roll up.
Pour 1 cup spaghetti sauce into an ungreased 13" x 9" x 2" baking dish. Place roll ups seam down over sauce. Top with remaining sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 20-25 minutes or till heated through.

BBQ Chicken bites

2010-02-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

I can't imagine a kid NOT loving these...

BBQ Chicken Bites

1 egg
2 TBSP's milk
4 cups BBQ potato chips, crushed
1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2" cubes.
BBQ sauce

In a shallow bowl whisk egg and milk. Place potato chips in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in egg mixture, then roll in chips. Place in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake @ 400 for 10-15 min or until juices run clear. Serve with BBQ sauce!

Mexican Pork

2010-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have a recipe you love sooo much that you are afraid to branch out and try one that is similar??? I do. I love my green chile. I could eat it every day in taco's, enchiladas, burritos, or just in a big bowl with a spoon and a smile on my face!
I am so glad that I branched out from that and FINALLY tried a recipe my friend Ali posted on her blog about a year ago! It was divine and so much faster, as there was no onion chopping or green chile roasting involved. (No worries, I will put that recipe on here too soon - but for today lets talk Mexican Pork)

Mexican Pork

1 Pork shoulder or Butt roast (get a big one, this freezes awesome - put in family sized portion and a fast dinner is always in the freezer!)
minced garlic
hot chili powder
kosher salt

Stab the pork several times on all sides and fill holes with 1/4 tsp garlic each. Rub the whole roast with 1-2 TBSP Chili powder and 1-2 TBSP Kosher salt.
Put in crock pot on low for 8 hours. After 6 or 7 hours shred pork and put back in juices to finish! (***Note - I cooked mine overnight, 10 hours - shredded it in the morning and let it cook until we ate that night @ 6:00... and it was still awesome!!!)
Serve on warm corn tortillas with sour cream, cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and shredded cabbage or lettuce! YUM!

Taco Soup

2010-02-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

I am sure you all have a favorite recipe for this... I have had it before and loved it, but never had a recipe. While on the phone with my best friend I asked her what she was making for dinner. She said, "Taco soup - I threw it together while I was talking to you". Sounded great to me. I asked her what was in it, called the hubs to ask him to pick up a can of corn and hurray - yummy dinner in like 15 minutes! Love that!!! I did add a few of my own touches - it was killer good!

Taco Soup

1-2 lbs ground beef
minced onion
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans diced tomato
2 cans beans - drained and rinsed (Kidney, black, pinto... whatever you have on hand)
1 can corn
1 cup salsa
Taco seasoning
Ranch Dressing seasoning
Smoked Chipotle Tabasco

Brown beef and add onions till softened. Add tomato sauce, diced tomato's, beans, corn, and salsa. Bring to simmer and add taco seasoning (to taste, I like a lot and mine comes in a huge canister so....), and ranch seasoning (I used about 2 TBSP). Shake in a little chipotle to give it awesome smoky flavor. Let it simmer for a bit - I left it on for 10 minutes while I chopped avocado and shredded lettuce.
Serve topped with Tortilla chips, Cheese, Sour Cream, avocado, and if you have it - cilantro and lime! MMMMMMM!

Chocolate Waffles

2010-02-20T16:33:00.000-08:00

I have gotten a few calls and requests for these since I posted them on my blog... I can't blame anyone for asking - they are marvelously delicious, in fact I think we will have them tomorrow when we have company!
And again, like so many of my recipes, when you find out how easy they are you will probably laugh!

Chocolate Waffles

Your favorite chocolate cake mix (we like Devils food)
Mix according to package directions and cook on the waffle iron the same way you would cook any waffle. ;)
(Make sure to spray with non-stick cooking spray between each waffle!)
Serve HOT topped with ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, strawberries etc!
YUM!!!
Be sure to tell me if you love 'em! ;)

Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

2010-02-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Let me just start off by saying I am a meat and potatoes kind of girl. Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate as much as any other girl - but I crave steak and scalloped potatoes like nothing else! I found this recipe and tried it out for Valentines Day - it was a hit! And since I am also a huge fan of Crock Pots this recipe will be used often in our home!

Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes

6 Medium Potatoes
1 onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup flour
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 TBSP butter
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
Grated Cheddar Cheese

Wash (peel if you prefer) and thinly slice 6 medium potatoes. Put in greased crock pot (If you would like to add chopped ham layer in between the potatoes). Top with slices onions. Mix flour and milk well, and then mix in soup, butter, salt & pepper. Pour over the top of potatoes and onions. Cook on low 7-9 hours or on high 3-4. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese the last 30 minutes!

Squid Dogs

2010-02-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

My kiddos love these! They are so fun to make! If you use Turkey dogs and Whole Wheat Pasta they are even healthy! Dip em in Ketchup and serve with veggies!

My little helper!

Snow Ice Cream

2010-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Why do I have three happy, smiling faces? Snow Ice cream! It is seriously so good and SoooooOOOOOOoooo fast!

Here is what you need + milk and a giant bowl of snow. Please get clean snow;)

Mix the entire thing of cream, sugar to taste (I use 2 - 2 1/2 Cups), vanilla (a few TBSP) and milk to a soupy mixture. You can taste and see how you need to adjust flavorings....

Then add more snow.... Mix well and it will get harder -

Add more snow anad more, until it is how hard your family likes it! My family likes it slightly harder than soft serve ice cream so it doesn't take long and we are all enjoying a big bowl of snow ice cream!

This stuff is one of our favorite parts of winter! Hope you enjoy!

Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

2010-01-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have a few recipes I love for this - but the recipe that came in this months taste of home cookbook is by far my favorite!

Caramel Pecan Monkey Bread

1 pkg active dry yeast
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cups warm 2% milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
5 cups all purpose flour

Caramel:
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Assembly:
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 3 cups of flour. beat on med speed 3 min. Add remaining flour and stir - dough should be firm.
Turn onto floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 min. Place in greased bowl, turning once to coat top. Cover and allow to rise in a warm area 1 hour - or till doubled.
For caramel, in a small saucepan bring brown sugar, butter, and cream to a boil. Cook and stir for 3 min. Pour into greased 10 in fluted tube pan; sprinkle with 1/2 of pecans.
Punch dough down; shape into 40 balls (about 1 1/4" diameter). In a shallow bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Place melted butter in another bowl. Dip balls in butter then roll in sugar mixture. Place 20 balls in the tube pan; top with remaining caramel and nuts. Top with remaining balls. Cover and let rise till doubled, about 45 min.
Bake at 350 for 30-45 min or till golden brown. (cover loosely with foil if top browns too much). Cool for 10 min before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm!

Too delish for words!

Peanut Butter Play Dough

2010-01-13T20:23:00.000-08:00

We love Peanut Butter Play dough at our house! (the 2nd recipe is our favorite). We love to make graham cracker houses with it as the glue or decorate all kinds of things with raisens, coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts! It also keeps for a few days! a great snack/playtime treat! Hope you will love it as much as we all do!

So, here are the recipes. I will give you the new one from a friend and also the one we have used in the past! Both work great and are edible! (And when I say edible I mean that you may end up eating a worm or two while your kids aren't looking!)

PB playdough #1
1/2 C PB (smooth of course)
1/4 C honey
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix (cornmeal would also probably work)
Mix, knead, play.

Yummy Playdough (or PB playdough #2)
1 C PB (again smooooooth!)
1 C light Karo syrup
1 1/2 C powdered milk
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
Mix, knead, play!
Hope that you have as much fun with this as we do!

Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

2009-12-15T09:31:00.001-08:00

Tried this for the first time last night... it was such a big hit I thought I better share it! Especially with all the running around during the holidays - crock pot usage should be in full swing!
*I made this with Turkey sausage and that's it - so I put it in the Healthy category. If you use full fat pork link sausage and a ton of beef.... it's not;)
My hubby was quite thrilled that I let him have this on "real pasta" (whole wheat) as opposed to the spaghetti squash we usually eat! FUNNY guy!

Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce

2 lb ground beef
3/4 lb bulk Italian Sausage
4 medium onions, minced
8 cloves garlic, minced
4 cans (14 1/2 oz each) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 cans (6 oz each) tomato paste
1/2 Cup water
1/4 Cup sugar (I used a bit less)
1/4 Cup Worcestershire sauce
1 TBSP Canola oil (I used olive oil)
1/4 Cup minced fresh parsley
2 TBSP minced fresh basil, or 2 tsp dried basil
1 TBSP minced fresh oregano or 1 tsp dried oregano
4 bay leaves
1 tsp rubbed sage
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp pepper

Hot cooked spaghetti

In a dutch oven cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, onions, and garlic over med heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Transfer to a 5 qt slow cooker and stir in the rest of the ingredients. cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Discard bay leaves and serve with spaghetti!
We had enough to freeze for another meal! PERFECT!

Recipe Courtesy of Mom! (who also tried it for the first time last night!)

Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

2009-12-08T13:17:00.001-08:00

Trying to give you a closer look. Again, I apologise for the quality of the picture....

My Mom saw this recipe in a magazine when she was at the hairdressers. We are not sure if all of the ingredients that should be in it are, but it is still really good!
Black Bean and Quinoa Salad

1 Cup Quinoa cooked in 2 Cups water (cook it like rice!)

2 cans rinsed black beans

1 bunch chopped green onions

1 diced avacado

1/3 yellow, red, and green bell peppers

chopped cliantro (to taste - I like a LOT)

lemon or lime

toss it all together and squeese the lime over it! YUM! Fast, delicious, healthy, and lasts in the fridge (longer if you don't add the avacado).

Heart Asian Salad

2009-12-08T13:04:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe from Trainer Momma she has some great healthy recipes on her blog!

Hearty Asian Salad

In a salad bowl combine dressing:
1 tsp fresh grated ginger (mine was not fresh! It was from a little bottle)
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

Layer on the following salad ingredients:
4 oz. tofu cubed
1 cucumber diced
1 red pepper diced
2 stalks of celery diced (I didn't have celery so I diced up a green pepper instead)
1 cup shelled edamame (green soybeans)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 Tbs sesame seeds

Toss all and serve.

If you are storing this: The only thing that didn't keep well over the week were the almonds -- they got a little soft. I suggest leaving those out and adding them fresh each day.

See all Trainer Momma recipes here.

Shepherds Pie

2009-11-12T12:18:00.000-08:00

*Please excuse the pic, this is the with beets variation, a little bloody looking - but very yummy!
An old standby, but a favorite nonetheless. Every family seems to have their own variation of this... here is ours!

Shepherds Pie

1 1/2 lbs Lean ground beef
1/2 onion, minced
1 can tomato soup, condensed
1 can green beans, drained
1 can beets, chopped very small (optional)
4-5 potatoes, mashed (or potato pearls)
Cheese

So brown the meat and add onions till soft. Add in soup and veggies, warm. Throw in an oven safe pan, top with potatoes and cheese. Bake till cheese is bubbly.
Does dinner get faster than that? It takes less time for me to make this than to drive to a fast food place.

Basic Rolls

2009-11-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

This is the ultimate standby roll. Always turns out perfect! This is the recipe I will let my girls learn on!

Basic Rolls
4 cups warm water
3 1/2 tbsp yeast
1 1/2 tbsp salt
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
9 c flour
Dissolve yeast in water. Mix in the rest of ingredients. Let rise in warm place till doubled in size.
Put dough out on well floured suface. Knead a few times and roll into balls. Bake at 350 till golden brown.... 20 min or so?
May I suggest using them in this recipe? They are unbelievable!

Dinner in a Pumpkin

2009-10-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

A favorite Fall tradition! So fun - so yummy!

Here it is in the oven. This was Hannahs pumpkin. She drew on it instead of carving it - so we could eat it! MMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Here we go...

Plate it up!

Dinner in a Pumpkin

1 small pumpkin (mine was med. sized)

1 1/2 lbs Ground beef

3/4 C chopped onion

2 TBSP soy sauce

1 (4 oz) can mushrooms

2 TBSP brown sugar

1 can cream on chicken soup

1 1/2 C cooked rice

Clean pumpkin. Saute onions, add meat and brown. Drain grease. Add soy sauce, sugar, mushrooms, and soup. Let simmer 8-10 minutes, then add rice and simmer 5 minutes more. Pour into pumpkin on baking sheet. Bake at 350 until pumpkin is done. Be sure to scrape all the yummy pumkin in with the beef mixture to serve! GREAT! Promise!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

2009-10-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

Do your kids like drinking their veggies this much?

This is sooo great! Tastes like a Thanksgiving milkshake. YUM! Because I made it up there are not exact directions, but just adjust it to your families tastes - they are gonna love it!

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Put in a blender -

1 1/2 C canned pumpkin

2 containers fat free vanilla yogurt

2 tsp maple flavoring

a few tsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp cloves

(adjust seasonings to taste)

Sugar, splenda, or whatever you want to sweeten it with. I used 1/4 C sugar once, honey another, pure maple syrup another. Anything is probably great.

Milk and ice cubes

Blend it up and enjoy. SERIOUS goodness!

Zucchini Noodles

2009-10-06T20:45:00.000-07:00

Zucchini Noodles are sooo yummy! I adore these things! I am giving you a very basic tutorial.... don't worry - you will be able to make these much skinnier and cuter than me and my one lonely hand can!
Start with a big huge zucchini or two (or a bunch of little ones). Slice into thin slices...

Slice those thin slices into thin strips...

Boil them till soft (this depends entirely on how thick they are - I usually do them about 6-7 minutes.

Cover with whatever sauce you want! Also yummy with meatballs or sausage. Seriously though - any sauce is great on these but I prefer Marinara because it just tastes like a fast Ratatouille. Especially with a little cheese sprinkled on top! YUM!

***Sorry this pic is turned - I couldn't get it to correct

And if you have any extra zucchini from your garden - send them our way! :)

Fast Chicken Rice and Veggie Casserole

2009-09-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Seriously soo fast - and this is all you need. It is easier to show you than tell you on this one so that is why there are so many pictures!
This is all you need - Cream of Chicken soup
Cream of Mushroom soup
Can of Chicken (or 1-2 chicken breasts cooked and cubed)
1 bag frozen California style vegetables
Brown minute rice
Cheese

Spray the pan, throw in the soups and 1 C water for each can. Stir together well with a fork.

Add the chicken and veggies - stir again.

Now add rice. Enough to be a soupy mixture. The less you put in the soupier it will be. We like it fairly runny so this is about how much I use.

Sprinkle with some cheese and throw it in the oven for about 45 minutes at 350.

We like it with butternut squash that has brown sugar on it! YUM! We never have enough of that stuff!

There you have it! We actually finished all but about 1 C worth - enough for one of the kids for lunch later in the week.

There you have it - one of our favorite fast and healthy meals! Hope you like it!

Also - I love to add Rosemary Thyme and sometimes Sage for a change of pace!

Chocolate Orange Scones

2009-09-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Orange Scones

Oh my goodness these were great! They are the lightest, fluffiest, moistest, most delicious scones EVER!!!! They REALLY are! I made them in about 15 minutes this morning! I fast treat for a Sunday morning!

Chocolate Orange Scones

3 C Bisquick

1 1/2 C heavy whipping cream

6 tsp grated orange peel (about 2 oranges worth)

2/3 C chocolate chips (or so....)

Mix Bisquick, Cream, and Orange peel in a bowl. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5-6 times. Knead in chocolate.

Divide dough in half and flatten into two 9" circles. Cut each circle into 8 wedges with a sharp knife or Pizza cutter. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 9-11 min.

You can thank me later!

Curry Shrimp Linguine

2009-09-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

WARNING: The following pictures feature a little girl thourougly enjoying her dinner, pictures may be graphic. Do not view if you don't believe in eating shrimp!!!

I decided to try this new recipe for a bit of Thai flair at dinner. I adore Thai food but am always intimidated to try making it.... I decided I will no longer let that stop me - I am going to start trying lots of ethnic foods that I love regardless of whether or not I think the kids will like them. Guess what? They all LOVED this! (Although next time I will use cooked, cubed chicken instead because Emma doesn't like shrimp.)
Also, Jonathan does NOT like shrimp but he said this was the best shrimp he has ever had! SCORE!!!

Curry Shrimp Linguine

1 pkg (16 oz) linguine (or Thai rice noodles, or spaghetti)
3 tsp curry powder
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk (light if your store carries it!)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/4 lbs uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (also, try cooked, cubed chicken!)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro, minced

Cook linguine according to pkg directions. Meanwhile in a large skillet over med heat, toast curry powder for 2 min, stirring frequently. Stir in the milk, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add shrimp (or chicken) and cook 5-6 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Drain linguine; toss with shrimp mixture and cilantro.
YUM! Seriously;)

Be sure to inhale deeply while this is cooking! The smell is out of this world!

Fast homestyle stew

2009-08-31T16:43:00.000-07:00

I was sceptical about this and how good it would be... turns out it is awesome! I love slow cooker recipes, I save so much time and worry! Plus this one is just soooo fast to throw in in the morning! Hooray!

Fast Homestyle Stew

2 pkg (16 oz each) frozen vegetables for stew
1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat cut into 1" cubes
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can condensed tomato soup, undiluted
1 envelope onion soup mix

Brown beef and then transfer to slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir, let cook on low 6-7 hours.
My kids loved this so much that even though I doubled it we had almost no leftovers! WOW! That was a lot of food they packed away!

sausage & spinach calzones

2009-08-31T16:33:00.000-07:00

These are not my regular calzones. Usually I use my own dough and throw in whatever veggies/meats/cheeses my heart desires on that particular night. I saw this recipe recently and HAD to try it though! So great! And FAST!

Sausage and Spinach Calzones

1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage
1 tube pizza crust (refrgerated)
3/4 C mozzerella cheese (part skim)
2 2/3 C fresh baby spinach (chop it or don't - really doesn't matter)
1/2 C part skim Ricotta Cheese (notice that it is capitalized? I LOVE this stuff so it HAS to be!)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a large skillet cook sausage till browned, meanwhile unroll pizza crust and flatten to a 15"x 11" rectangle. Cut into four rectangles and sprinke mozzerella on half of ech (keepin away from edges!).
Drain sausage (nothing grosser than greasy calzones!), Add spinach and cook till wilted over med heat. Remove from heat, add Ricotta Cheese, salt, and pepper. Fold dough over filling; press edges with a fork to seal. Transfer to a greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 till lightly browned.
We like them served with pizza sauce to dip in!
Had to double this, of course, but J was thrilled that there was one left over to take to work the next day!

Veggie tortellini soup

2009-08-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

Veggie tortellini soup

5 C chicken broth
1 pkg (16 oz) frozen California style veggies
1 pkg (8 oz) dried cheese tortellini
1 can (14 1/2 oz) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained

In a large pot bring broth to a boil. Add veggies and tortellini. Bring back to a boil and then reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered 10 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, bring back to a boil (just till tomatoes are heated through). Serve sprinkled with Parmesan cheese! We love it with french bread to dip in the broth YUM!!!!

Fast Ham and sun-dried tomato alfredo

2009-08-31T16:21:00.000-07:00

Fast ham & sun-dried tomato alfredo

1 box linguine
1/2 C chopped sundried tomatoes
2 C heavy whipping cream (I know, I know....)
1 C grated Parmesan cheese
2 C chopped fully cooked ham (or Turkey Ham! mmmmm)

Cook linguine according to pkg directions. Meanwhile in a large skillet coated with cooking spray, saute tomatoes for 1 min. Reduce heat, stir in cheese and cream. Bring to gentle boil over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered. 5-7 minutes. or until thickened. Drain linguine and add to cheese sauce, heat through!
See? FAST!

Harvest Rice Dish

2009-08-16T19:41:00.000-07:00

This is so great! My Mom gave me the recipe and I wasn't sure.... but it is heavenly. We eat it as a main dish, but it would be an amazing accompaniment to any meat.

Harvest Rice Dish

2 cups chicken stock
1/2 C Brown rice
1/2 C wild rice
2-3 onions, sliced into 1/2 inch wedges
1 TBSP brown sugar
3 TBSP butter
1 C dried cranberries
2/3 C fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted
1/2 tsp orange zest
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Combine rice and broth in saucepan and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 35-45 min, until rice is tender and broth is absorbed.
In medium skillet melt butter over medium high heat. Add onions and sugar. Saute until butter is absorbed and onions are translucent and soft. Lower heat and cook onions fir another 20 minutes, until they are caramelized. Stir in cranberries and mushrooms. Cover skillet and cook for 10 minutes or until berries start to swell. Stir in nuts and orange zest, then fold this mixture into the cooked rice. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Also pictured is a Rosemary Roll. And no disrespect to the Pioneer Woman who I Loooooove, but these are so much better when made with homemade rolls. This particular time I used THIS RECIPE! MMMMMM!

Orange Crush Cookies

2009-08-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

These are so great! I had to get this on here just so I don't forget the recipe!!! Also, way fun for kids to help with!

Orange Crush Cookies

2 boxes (12 oz each) Nilla Wafers, Crushed
1 stick butter - softened
1 C powdered sugar
1 (12 oz) can orange juice concentrate - Thawed in the can
1 bag shredded coconut

Crush Nilla wafers in a ziplock bag with rolling pin. Place crumbs in a bowl and add butter. Mix together well with a fork. Add powdered sugar and orange juice. Mix together to a nict dough consistency. Make small balls and roll in coconut. Place in airtight container and plave in fridge to chill at least an hour (the longer the better!).

This recipe can make 40-50 walnut sized cookies! YUM!

Thank you to Tawnya Rush - Meals in a Rush, AZ Midday

S'mores

2009-08-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

"S'more what? How can I have S'more when I havn't had anything yet"? Name that movie!

I love S'mores. Way too much to only eat them around a campfire 4 or 5 times a year... And in truth when I make S'mores around a campfire I use the Fudge Stripe Cookies and marshmallows - try it, it will change your life... SOOOOO great!
I came up with this idea one cold winter day and you who have requested the recipe will laugh when you read it....

S'mores

Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips (pictured are a Semisweet and white chocolate stipe variety)

Break apart the Grahams, spread large OR mini mallows evenly over the top. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 375 till marshmallows are toasty and gooey - do NOT let burn (even if you like it over the campfire... ) it does nasty things to the Graham, I promise!

Close your eyes and pretend to be outside in the glory of nature as you devour the goodness;)

Best part? These are NOT that unhealthy. In fact if you take away the chocolate chips and do a post oven drizzle w/ fat free hershey syrup it isn't bad at all for you, and still totally YUM!

Helado de Especial

2009-06-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

This yummy dessert tastes like fried ice cream! YUM! We have made this for a few family events (such as Emma's B-day last year) and it is a hit!

Helado de Especial

Crust:
4 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch (crushed into COARSE peices)
1 cup flour
3/4 C margarine (softened)

Combine above ingredients till cereal is well coated. Press into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes - cool.

Filling:
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream (softened)
1-2 TBSP cinnamon

Mix ice cream with 1 TBSP cinnamon. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Sprinkle with the other TBSP cinnamon OR sprinkle with additional Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Freeze.

Toppings:
Chocolate Syrup
Honey
Whipped Topping

Cut into peices, drizzle chocolate syrup and honey over top and top with whipped topping!

One of the fastest summer desserts I can think of - plus it is perfect after ANY mexican meal! YUM!

Quick Quiche

2009-05-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

A friend shared this the other day - I made it and luckily made 2... The family gobbled it up! It is so good and so ridiculously fast to put together!!!! I am a quiche fan, and now the rest of the family is too! YAY!
I will be making this a LOT when the new baby arrives!

Quick Quiche

Any combo of meat, veggies, and cheese in a pie pan (PAMMED).
Mix in blender;
3 eggs
1 c milk
1/2 c Bisquick
1/2 tsp salt
Pour over ingredients in pie pan. Bake at 350 apx 40 min.

For example - spinach, ham, cheddar cheese
-turkey, broccoli, Swiss cheese
-etc etc - and... sooo great as a breakfast quiche with crumbled bacon or sausage, green peppers and /or green onions, and cheese! MMMM!

Lake Powell Chicken

2009-05-19T15:36:00.000-07:00

I have never met a person that did not ask for this recipe after trying it! As soon as it is warm I start craving this (although we do eat it in the winter as well....). I will admit to you before I post this recipe - I never follow it. I use at LEAST double the amount of Squirt! This is so easy to adjust to more people and is just soooo delish! Good luck!

Lake Powell Chicken

In a large bowl mix:
1 can squirt
1 sm jar soy sauce (1 cup or so?)
1 cup oil
1 TBSP horseradish sauce

Throw in chicken and allow to marinate overnight. GRILL!

Excuse me, my mouth is watering and I think I have decided on our dinner for tomorrow!

Overnight French Toast

2009-04-26T20:17:00.001-07:00

This is not the typical "syrup built in" recipe. We LOVE it! It doesn't harden like the typical recipes and also is not too sweet - you can adjust the syrup according to the person! You will love it, especially since you can throw it in the oven while you finish up stuff and breakfast is all ready!!!! YAY!

Overnight French Toast

1/4 C butter, room temp
12 3/4" slices French Bread (or Texas Toast would work fine!)
6 eggs
1 1/2 C milk
1/4 C sugar
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
Cinnamon
Powdered Sugar

Spread butter over bottom of large baking pan (cookie sheet) with 1" sides. Arrange bread slices over butter. In large bowl beat eggs, milk, sugar, syrup, vanilla & salt. Pour mixture over bread. Turn bread slices to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 400. Bake French Toast slices 10 minutes, turn bread over and cook 5-10 minutes more, till golden brown. Transfer to plates and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve immediately with syrup.

Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

2009-04-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

This recipe really needs no intro - soooo yummy!

Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

2/3 C granulated sugar
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C canola oil
3 egg whites
2/3 C unbleached flour
2/3 C whole wheat flour
1/2 C oat bran
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice
3 C grated apple

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl mix sugars, oil and egg whites until well blended. Add remaining ingredients, except apples, and stir until just moistened. Stir in Apples. Pour into 9x13-inch baking pan that has been sprayed with a non-stick coating. Bake 25-35 minutes

Caramel Sauce

1/2 C sugar
1/2 C firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 C Butter or margarine
1/2 C whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, mix sugars, butter and cream. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

To serve cut warm cake squares and place on individual plates. Top with warm sauce and ice cream or cream if desired. You really can't skip that..... YUM!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

2009-04-25T16:37:00.000-07:00

Ok - I made 4 batches the other day, and 2 more today! The kids love this and said I am never allowed to buy Jam again! ;) I did 2 different recipes and am sharing both - The first is the Sure Jell recipe and is perfection! I can't imagine a better way to eat toast in the summer!
We plan on making peach as soon as they are in season and Emma really wants to make Grape Freezer Jelly. Can do!

Strawberry Freezer Jam

Yields 5 cups

2 Cups Crushed Strawberries
4 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Water
1 Box Sure Jell Fruit Pectin

Wash and rinse Plastic Containers (1-2 cup size).
Prep fruit, wash and and cut off stems. Crush using a potato masher - 1 cup at a time. Do not puree, it should have bits of fruit in it!
Measure 2 cups Crushed Strawberries into a large bowl. Add 4 cups sugar , stir well. Let set for 10 minutes.
In a small saucepan combine water and Pectin. Bring to a boil, boil 1 minute. Stir constantly.
Stir Pectin mixture into Fruit mixture, stir for 3 minutes, till sugar is completely dissolved.
Pour into prepared containers - leaving 1/2 inch space at the top for expansion during freezing. Cover.
Let stand at room temp 24 hours, until set. Refrigerate up to 3 weeks, freeze up to 1 year. Thaw in refrigerator.

The other recipe I tried is the EXACT same, except.... Mash 4 cups of strawberries and add the additional 2 cups after the three minutes of stirring in the fruit pectin into the strawberry sugar mix! This is a much runnier recipe, but still really yummy! *Note - we have been using this as a dessert sauce and a pancake syrup. It is the best for these two things - holy cow - sooo good! Breakfasts are to die for and it is so great over chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream - oh YA!

Thank you's to Sure Jell and Rachel!

Big Bootie Chocolate Cake

2009-04-13T16:39:00.001-07:00

A friend posted this cake on Facebook recently and so I HAD to try it! After Emmas first bite she said, "Oh I love you Mom!' This cake is sooo good! I did use light sour cream and it was still awesome. Oh, she posted this nameless but I thought this name was quite appropriate! ;)

Big Bootie Chocolate Cake

Devils Food cake mix
1 pkg (5.9 oz) chocolate pudding mix (I used chocolate fudge kind....)
5 eggs (yes, you read right!)
16 oz (2 cups) sour cream
1/2 cup butter
2 cups choco chips
Blend. Put in a Bundt that has been well "Pammed". Cook at 350 55 min.
So wrong! So so wrong!

Avacado Salsa

2009-04-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite... It is soooo good! We don't get to eat it often, but when we do it is hard to stop!
Avacado Salsa
10-12 Roma Tomatoes, diced
5 Avacado, diced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can Shoe-Peg Niblet corn, drained
1 bunch green onions, diced
1 bunch cilantro, diced
Mix above ingredients together in a large bowl and add
4 oz. (or to taste) Italian dressing (Wishbone)

Best if eaten immediately. Be sure to have lots of chips on hand! Or just roll it up in a tortilla!
Does not preserve well, but if you keep an avacado seed in it - it will last longer!

Deluxe Chicken Enchiladas

2009-04-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

These are not my usual chicken enchiladas but my Mom made these for my bithday and after one bite, I was hooked! We double this for our family and do not stuff them as full as the recipe says, so we use more tortillas and they go farther!

Deluxe Chicken Enchiladas

2 whole Chicken breasts
water
1/2 small onion
1 bay leaf
8 peppercorns
salt

1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 TBSP parmesean cheese
4 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1 (4 oz) can green chilies
1 (13 oz) can tomatiollos, drained OR 1 3/4 cups drained canned tomatoes
1/4 cup cilantro leaves
3/4 cup whipping cream
1 egg
salt
1/4 cup lard (you could sub this with oil, we sub it with water. The totillas fall apart a bit easier, but the difference in fat content is huge!)
8 corn tortillas (we use about 12 or so...)
4 oz Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded

For Garnish - Guacamole, sour cream, sliced radishes, shredded lettuce, olives...

Place chicken breasts in large dutch oven pot. Add water to cover, onion, bay leaf, peppercorms, and salt to taste. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 45 min or till tender. Cool chicken in broth. Drain, reserving broth for another use. Shred chicken and mix with chopped onion, Parmesean cheese and 1 cup Monterey Jack Shredded cheese. Taste and add salt if needed. Set aside. In blender or food processor, combine green chiles, tomatillos or tomatoes, cliantro, whipping cream, and egg. Blend till smooth. Add salt to taste. Ser aside. preheat oven to 350. Heat Lard (or water or oil) in skillet. With tongs carefully place 1 tortilla in lard at a time. Hold in the lard 3-5 seconds, or till soft. Drain on paper towels. Place 1/8 of chicken mixture on each tortilla (or a bit less...) Roll tightly and place seam down in a 12"x7 1/2" baking dish (I use a 9x13) Pour Chile cream cheese mixture over enchiladas and sprinkle evenly with Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack Cheese. Bake 20 min or till bubbly. Serve with toppings! YUM!

Blueberry Bread Pudding

2009-04-03T10:48:00.001-07:00

This is a family favorite! Soooo yummy! I am making it today so I can throw it in the oven in the morning and watch conference in my PJ's! I thought I would share today so you can make it for Sat or Sun morning if you want!

Blueberry Bread Pudding
4 cups day old bread, cubed (I let it dry out on the counter for a few hours before I cube it)
2 1/2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 pint blueberries

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Stir in milk, sugar, and almond extract. Add bread and set aside, allowing to cubes to absoeb egg mixture fir 15 minutes. Gently stir in berries. Spoon into a lightly greased 8x8 baking dish and bake 45 minutes.
You can make this the night before and refrigerate overnight, if using frozen blueberries add just before cooking!
This is also awesome with rasberries or blackberries! And be sure to serve with a dollop or whipped cream on top!!! YUM!

Broccoli Bacon Rice

2009-03-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

This one was passed to me by my Mom in Law! My kids LOVE it! I changed it from white rice to brown and found that if you do, just stick it in the oven covered for 30-45 minutes on 300 and the flavors absorb just as good as with white rice;) YUM

Broccoli Bacon Rice
6 cups Rice cooked
1/2 lb-1 lb chopped bacon (not cooked - I would recommend cutting with scissors)
1 pkg frozen broccoli florets - cooked
Some butter or margarine
Soy sauce
Grated Cheese
Fry your bacon;) Drain it, give the grease to the dog cause he will love you forever;) Add a bit of butter to the pan with bacon and add soy sauce to taste (I have no idea how much but you can always add more individually later so don't go overboard!). Now add the rice and broccoli and stir it up really good and sprinkle with cheese. If you used white rice serve immediatly, if using brown, I prefer to let the flavors mix a bit longer in the oven - 300 for about 30-45 min;) Love it! But, you could certainly just chow down now - how can you resist with the smell of bacon in the air?

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

2009-03-23T08:39:00.000-07:00

These are awesome for Sunday morning! So fast, yet hot and delish! We love 'em!

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 Cup plus 2 TBSP sugar, divided
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen - do not thaw before adding to batter)
2 tsp grated lemon peel

Combine biscuit mix and 1/2 Cup sugar. Whisk egg and sour cream in seperate bowl; stir into dry ingredients till just moistened. Fold in blueberries.
Fill greased or lined muffin cups 1/2 full. Combine lemon peel and remaining sugar; sprinkle over batter. Bake at 400 for 20-25 min or till toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan. Serve warm! YUM!
This recipe makes 1 dozen!

Corn Bread

2009-03-16T13:59:00.000-07:00

Cornbread

1 C Cornmeal
1 C Flour
1/4 C sugar (can be reduced)
1 TBSP Baking Powder
1 tsp salt
1/3 C oil
1 egg
1 C milk
Combine dry ingredients in bowl and mix well. Combine oil, egg, and milk together. Mix well. Stir into dry ingredients until just blended. Pour into greased 8 inch square pan (or greased cast iron skillet). Bake at 400 apx 25 min. Keep it moist - Do not overbake!!!!

The One Handed Cook

2009-03-16T11:20:00.000-07:00

When I was in a car accident at 17, after it was determined that I would live, and I started Physical Therapy one of the first things I was asked was what my goals were (I was a Hemiplegic). My first goal, of course, was to walk again! The second - to be able to cook! It was that important to me! (To give you an idea, dressing myself was #3!) I learned in Physical therapy how to do all types of things with just one hand. They tried to help with my hand, but is was painfully obvious that there was nothing that could be done. I have done more therapy than many could imagine, but my stroke was just too bad, and I feel so blessed that I am able to walk! Ya, I fake it alot - kinda swinging my leg along, but I have been told it is really not that obvious! Yay!
Anyhow, I love to cook. I have learned lots of tricks over the years about how to deal with life with one hand (don't even get me started on changing diapers). I figure that if I am able to cook and make good food for my family with only one hand - anyone else with 1-2 hands can too!
I hope to have demonstrations on here, eventually, so that others with disabilities can learn how to do these things. Life doesn't stop just because we go through tough times! I firmly believe that those trials are just stepping stones to becoming more than we thought we could be!

Chili Cornbead Muffins

2009-03-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

I came up with this after we were first married and I needed a really quick dinner....
They are always gone quick, the kids think they are so yummy and fun to eat;)

Chili Cornbread Muffins
2 Pkgs Jiffy Corn Muffin mix or a batch of your favorite cornbread mixed up. This is MINE.
1 can Chili (I can recommend any Stagg - Love them all.)

Mix up cornbread according to pkg directions. Fill muffin cups just under 1/2 full. Add a spoonfull of chili in the middle of each muffin and then top with another blob of cornbread on top of that. Bake according to pkg directions. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes so that they will come out easier;) Serve with a salad and chips! YUM!
If you use vegetable Chili this is a super healthy meal!

Creamed eggs on Toast

2009-03-15T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is a meal I loved growing up! I introduced my husband to it and he and the kids love it too. It is one of those ones passed down from Grandma and Mom so the meausurements are all to sight - but I will try to share it with ya! YUM

This is one of Emmas favorite meals... She usually outeats me and comes close to eating as much as Dad!

Creamed eggs on toast

Melt one stick butter in a large pot. Add flour till super thick (1 cup or so, maybe a bit more?)!!!! Add milk (1/2 gallon or so) Whisk over med heat and allow to simmer. Add in 10-12 chopped eggs and heat through. Serve over toast that has been broken up! Be sure to add salt or pepper to taste;) Super easy and really good!

My Grandma sometimes added Cheddar Cheese instead of eggs and would serve it with a sliced tomato on top! LOVED that too!

We love this for breakfast or dinner...