Food Glorious Food

this weeks menu

2012-01-16T16:53:00.000-08:00

Monday- Chicken kabobs with rice and veggies. My neighbor brought these over since Shaun is out of town. they were marinated in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and thyme and rosemary. they were delicious! she put zucchini, squash, tomatoes, onions, and peppers on the grill as well with wild rice. YUM!
Tuesday-Macaroni and cheese with Broccoli. Not a fancy week here with Shaun gone. Its hard to cook 3 fancy weeks ina row, so its kinda a nice break.
Wednesday- Ramen soup- that's right. I mean fancy! the kids love this stuff
Thursday- Garlic butter pasta with Asparagus.
Friday- Burrito night. This time with chicken. This is a hit on our house anytime
Saturday- Order in, or go out?
Sunday- White bean chili

This weeks menu

2012-01-08T16:06:00.000-08:00

I swear eventually I will post new recipes with pictures! One thing at a time. I am first trying to get in the habit of cooking and meal planning again. Its tough work when you are out of the loop so long! This week I have a few old mixed with some new.. most of these are one item meals which makes clean up and prep easy.
Monday-Broccoli with Macaroni and cheese- one of our all time favorites and most things I have on hand
Tuesday- Italian soup- this is new from my neighbor. tortellini and sausage in soup. sounds easy enough to me!
Wednesday-Burritos- plain old burritos. This is a classic in our house. some sort of meat (beef or chicken) beans, sour cream, cheese and tomatoes.
Thursday- Rolls and rice with Chicken Shish Kabobs.- i still have peppers and tomatoes from last week so i can use those
Friday- Tina's Bean dip
Saturday- something frozen or out to eat
Sunday- Lipton pot roast

Buttermilk Pancakes and waffles

2012-01-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

Jordan wanted "those things we have breakfast that you put in the thing and comes out with all the little squares on top" good thing I am fluent in 5 yr old English! waffles it is! I decided feeding waffles to a family of 6 and everyone having warm waffles is next to impossible. so we did pancake and waffle night. I don't have a picture but they are really good so here is the recipe.

2 C (9.5 oz) flour (the recipe calls for 4.75 white flour 4.75 wheat, but we did all white today)
3 T sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 C buttermilk- room temp ( i just put my in the microwave for 20 sec to take the chill off)
2 oz butter (about 1/4C) melted but cool
3 eggs

Mix dry ingredients. set aside
Mix wet ingredients. pour into dry ingredients and mix with spoon or rubber spatula, NOT A WHISK. it will be lumpy. the whisk takes away the fluffiness. let sit for 5 min.

Heat griddle, and/or waffle iron. spray with PAM or butter. Pour into waffle iron and on griddle and cook until golden brown.

We LOVE our with peaches, a little sugar and cinnamon and topped with cool whip, or homemade whipped cream. Shaun likes syrup and carter likes butter and sugar. super easy and everyone gets what they like. and there is fruit in there!

This weeks Menu

2012-01-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

On the menu this week i have a few things to try I figure I will add the whole meal, because one idea is good, but a whole dinner is better right? You will see no desserts on the menu. January is my dessert free month.

Monday: Herb Roasted Chicken with Jim and Nicks Cheese biscuits,Garlic Red potatoes and a garden salad. (lettuce, 2 hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, cheese, and ranch dressing)
Tuesday: Garlic shrimp with Hush puppies, Asparagus, and cheesy grits- I'll post the recipe for the BBQ garlic shrimp after I try it.
Wednesday: chili with cottage cheese and Frito's, and a side salad.
Thursday: Pineapple meatballs over rice with rolls and broccoli
Friday: Chicken Kabobs with Greek rice and Pan bread(from traders Joe's frozen section) I think I'm gonna tweak the chicken a bit to make it with things on hand.
Saturday: Mellow mushroom- i decided one day out to eat is worth it! plus they have the best pretzels with honey ever! (appetiezer) and their cheese pizza is the best around.
Sunday- Brinner- buttermilk pancakes and waffles. topped with peaches, cinnamon, sugar and whipped cream. (sugar/fat free of course! :))
I figure we can make well rounded healthy meals. I went shopping and my total was about 93$ not bad, for a family of 6 and that included a lot lunch meals for the kids.

i might be back???

2012-01-02T07:42:00.000-08:00

As of today, I have high hopes of starting to cooking again. I have at least 20-30 recipes to put on here that I have recipes and pictures to post, I just need the time to actually post them! I think I will start slow, my goal is 1-2 a week. I am going to try to actually plan meals again, its been awhile since I have that kind of organization in my life. so here's to the New Year! i have banana bread in the oven for breakfast and I found a cheese bread recipe for dinner with an oven baked rotisserie chicken and some sort of vegetable for dinner. Wish me luck!

Chocolate Cake

2011-10-13T06:06:00.000-07:00

so I dont have any pictures of the inside

Best Brownies ever!

2011-09-29T06:16:00.000-07:00

Preheat oven to 350. Butter 9x13 baking dish

1 C butter
2 1/4 C sugar
4 Large eggs
1 1/4 C cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 T vanilla
1 1/2 C flour
2 C chocolate chips

-In small saucepan melt butter and add sugar. cook about 1-2 min but don't let boil.
-In large mixing bowl mix eggs, cocoa, salt, baking powder, vanilla. mix and add melted butter/sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in Flour and chocolate chips until combined.
-Pour in prepared pan and bake for 30 min until clean toothpick. it could be a bit moist from the chips, but not uncooked.

These could possibly be the best brownies ever! I like them best the next day, or with ice cream! yum! and so easy. Thanks Lexy!

Triple Berry Sauce

2011-09-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

this was in the pan... yuml it doesnt really thicken.

3 small pints of raspberries

2 pints blueberries

2 pints blackberries (i used peaches because they were in season)

1 1/2 C sugar

5-6 T water (start at 2 and work up to your desired thickness)

2 T raspberry flavor liquor

In saucepan combine 2 pints raspberries, 1 of blueberries and 1 of peaches. add sugar, liquor and water. stir together and let simmer about 10 min. Add fresh fruit and serve over ice cream, or tres leches or angel food cake. or whatever you want! it was good. It saved really well! Thanks Barb!

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

2011-09-24T05:36:00.000-07:00

2 pound pork roast

3 cans coke (not diet)

1/4 C brown sugar

dash of garlic salt

1/4 C water

1 can diced green chili

3/4 Can of red enchilada sauce (I bought old El paso)

1 C brown sugar

-In a ziploc bag place pork,1 can of coke and 1/4 C brown sugar and let marinade overnight or a few hours.

-After marinading drain juice and place pork, one can of coke, water and garlic salt in crock pot and cook on high for about 3 hours or until it shreds easily. drain juice and shred pork.

-In food processor blend chili's, enchilada sauce, last can of coke and remaining brown sugar. Put shredded pork back in crock pot and pour blended mixture. Cook on low about 2 more hours.

- I got this recipe from here

Callie's thoughts: read before cooking! I've made this about 3 times, and did it different each time. The first time I had a recipe that called for Dr. pepper. It wasn't as sweet as the coke. The second time I did it just like the recipe, draining the liquids every time. It was good, but it seemed a little lacking in flavor. (you are draining all the good stuff every time) the last time, I feel like it was the best. I also wanted it to go a bit quicker, so I didn't marinade overnight, this is what I did do.

-In crock pot i added pork, sugar, 2 can of coke, water, garlic salt and cook for 3 hours or until pork is tender and shreds. When it shreds place back in juice (you can drain a little to make it a bit more concentrated) and add blended chili mixture. Let marinade until ready to go, about 2 hours. if you want you can add a bit more coke to make it sweeter. Enjoy over salad, or in a pork burrito.

Cafe Rio Sweet lime rice

2011-09-22T17:22:00.000-07:00

1 C uncooked rice

1 tsp butter

2 garlic cloves minced

1 tsp lime juice

2 C chicken broth

1 C water

1 T lime juice

2 tsp sugar

3 T chopped cilantro

In saucepan combined rice, butter and garlic, 1 tsp lime juice, chicken broth and water. Bring to boil. Cover and cook on low for 15-20 until rice in tender. Remove from heat. In small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro. Pour over cooked rice when fluffing.

Feta and Green onion Empanadas

2011-09-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

Dough:

2 C flour

2 T butter-chilled

1/2-2/3 C boiling water

in bowl mix all ingredients, i found its best to start with a fork and finish by just using your hand. once smooth pinch off about a nickle size bit of dough and roll thin like paper (it should end up about the size of your palm, or slightly larger. roll out all dough and fill with desired ingredients. This takes a while so heat your oil while doing this. vegetable oil works great.

Filling

about 5 green onions thinly diced

1-2 C feta cheese

put as much filling as you can fit and press together. I have a wanton press that works great. if you don't have a press use a fork to make sure it seals all the way. place 1 layer of stuffed, sealed "pockets" in hot oil and flip after 1-2 min, or golden brown. remove from oil and place on paper towel and sprinkle with sugar while still hot. It may sound weird, but it is good! there you have it. home made empanadas! we also tried rotisserie chicken inside, just make sure you flavor the meat and it was good if you added feta, or a cheddar cheese.

Thanks Lexy for introducing us to this :)

Fried green tomatos, Squash, Zuchinni and more Eggplant

2011-09-15T07:41:00.000-07:00

Slice vegetables about 1/4 inch thick and pat dry. sprinkle with flavor. if you only flavor the flour it isn't enough. A lot of flavor gets lost in the egg. I like garlic salt and seasoned pepper and little bit of lemon pepper. in small bowl stir 1-2 eggs. In another bowl mix salt,pepper, and other seasoning with about 1 C flour. mix well.

Using one hand dip seasoned vegetable in egg and place in flour mixture, using "dry" hand coat and place in heated oil. flip after 2-3 min or brown then place on paper towels. continue until done. If you want to keep them hot place in warm oven until ready to serve.

*When picking green tomatoes you want them pretty solid green, if you had to pick lean towards yellow rather than orange. the firmer it is the easier it is to fry.

Apparently i like all things fried :)

Blueberry Peach Cobbler

2011-09-13T06:08:00.000-07:00

4 C fresh peaches
2 C blueberries rinsed and dried
2/3 C dark brown sugar
2 T flour
2 T lemon juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
toss all ingredients and put in bottom of 9x13 pan

Topping
2 C flour
2 C oatmeal
1 1/2 C brown sugar
3 sticks butter :) room temp
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

mix all together until crumbly and well mixed, scoop over top of fruit mixture and bake at 425 until golden brown and bubbly. serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

We did this with 4 C blueberries, 2 C peaches because that is what we had. it was great! it would be good with any fruit, and the topping was like a cookie on top. YUM
heat oven to 425

Brownie Oreos

2011-09-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

My sister in law shared these with me, as you can see I only got a picture of one, that's how fast they went. literally I was saying, "Don't eat all them, I have to get a picture!!!!" such a fun easy dessert. If you like brownies you'll like these, if you like Oreos you'll like these... if you like dessert, you'll like these.

Ingredients

1 box brownie mix- made but not poured into a pan

1 package of Oreos

with brownie batter in bowl, dip an Oreo in the mix, place in cupcake pan ( i spray cupcake liners, but you could just spray a cupcake pan.) repeat until all the batter is used.

Cook 350 about 10-15 min, its hard to test if its done, you can't poke it through with a toothpick, so just test the top part. let cool and enjoy! the Oreo gets kinda soft from the brownie mix so its extra good!

Jalenpeno Cheese baguette

2011-09-09T06:07:00.000-07:00

This is just a twisted recipe of this recipe. I went to the grocery store today and they had jalapeno cheese bread, i thought, I can make that, and I did. so easy and just as good!

Make one recipe from http://thesuppersisters.blogspot.com/2010/10/fast-easy-baguette-like-30-min.html or above line, but before you knead the dough chop 1/2 in cubes of cheese and dice 1 jalapeno, seeded. knead it in with the dough, shape and cook just like regular. the cheese melts out a bit, looks pretty, I like it better slightly cool because you tasted the cheese more. I hope you like it.

Salsa in the molcajete

2011-09-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

Roast in oven for about 3-5 min, until they start to crisp
1-2 red tomatoes
1 jalapeno
1 onion cut in quarters

Slice jalapeno and remove seeds to desired spicy, i usually leave like 3-5. place in Molcajete and mix with stone. add a clove of garlic, salt, pepper and cilantro. mix to desired consistency and eat. we LOVE it, but it isn't the prettiest counter piece.

Favorite Frosting on Jordans cake

2011-09-03T06:06:00.000-07:00

Almond Frosting

1 pound butter
1 pound shortening
3 pounds powdered sugar
3 T plus 1 t vanilla
2 t almond extract

mix for 7 min on low. whipping too fast can make it airy and harder to get smooth.

Jordan wanted a fairy cake, so we took a fairy barbie and shoved her in a cake! it worked GREAT! we love the frosting, its our favorite and I am not a huge fan of frosting.

Freezer Jam

2011-09-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

2 C crushed strawberries
4 C sugar
3/4 C water
1 box sure.jell pectin

Rinse, stem and crush strawberries in bowl pour 1 cup strawberries at a time and mix with 2 C sugar. Let sit 10 min stirring occasionally. repeat for next set of strawberries.

Mix water and pectin in small sauce pan and bring to high boil stirring constantly, boil for 1 min. Add to fruit mixture and stir about 3 min, until sugar is almost dissolved. Pour in container leaving about 1/2 inch at top for freezing. Wipe off edges, cover and let stand room temperature for 24 hours. Jam is ready! either eat, refrigerate or freeze. refrigerate for 3 weeks, or freeze for up to a year.
Shaun made this, so it can't be that hard! it turned out really good too!

Chocolate dipped Key Lime Pie

2011-08-30T06:03:00.000-07:00

In the Keys this was heaven, I came home craving it, and I pretty close to nailed it! the chocolate could use a bit more tweaking, but it served its purpose and it was all gone all too soon.

Pie Crust:
easy version- buy a pre-made graham cracker crust
medium version- mash 1 1/2 bags of graham crackers until fine, add 1/3 C melted butter and 2 T sugar. mix and press in disposable aluminum pan
best version-grind about 12 sugar cones in a blender or food processor until fine. Add 6-7 T melted butter. stir until combined and press in 9 inch disposable pie pan.
Freeze until ready to pour in filling.

Pie part:
6 large egg yolks
1 C key lime juice. (i bough lime juice in the keys, but you can also buy key lime juice at the store)
2 cans sweetened condensed milk (14oz cans)
1 T grated lime zest. this definitely added a bit more tartness

In heat proof bowl beat yolks until a smooth yellow color then add lime juice. once mixed place over pan of simmering water and cook, whisking the whole time until foamy and smooth and reaches 160 degrees. remove from heat and add 2 cans of condensed milk and lime zest. pour in prepared pan and freeze.
Now if you want them on a stick like in Key West, freeze the pie about 50-60 min, score the top of the pan into the size pieces you want. this helps place your sticks. Using a sharp knife cut a slit in the tin pan (disposable is best) and stick a wooden stick in the slit. you want the stick in the center of the slice but closer to the bottom of the pie than the top, hence the scoring of the top of the pie. After sticks are inserted freeze pie overnight.
the next day cut the pie pan away from the pie and using a sharp knife slice all the way through your already scored slices. freeze until you are ready to dip, they melt fast.
Dipping: melted chocolate chips for my chocolate. I used semi sweet, but a combo of milk and semi would make it a bit richer and smoother. after the chocolate is melted dip each slice in the chocolate using a knife to help cover all the places you didn't get. place on parchment paper or wax paper and stick back in the freezer until ready to eat! chocolate dipped key lime pie! yum! once I was all done with dipping, I let mine freeze in a ziploc container just to avoid freezer burn so it lasted long...

Cheesy pimento grits

2011-08-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

4 C water
1/2 t salt
2 T unsalted butter
1 C stone ground grits (yellow or white)
1/4 C heavy cream
2 green onions sliced
1/2 C extra sharp cheese grated
2 T pimentos-diced
splash of Worcestershire sauce

1. Bring water, salt and butter to a boil
2. stir in grits. reduce heat to low and cook stirring occasionally until grits are thick and creamy. about 40 min. (no matter what with stone ground there will be texture)
3Remove from heat and stir in cream, green onions, cheese, pimentos and Worcestershire sauce. season with salt and pepper.

Callie's thoughts: the first time i made these i sat and stirred them the whole time, but you don't have to do that, you can just turn it low and stir every now and again.until its how you like them. You can also flavor them however you want. Shaun only likes cheese grits so we make those, take his out and I add the extra to mine. they also save pretty well, just reheat them on the stove and add a little milk or cream. Also I didn't know pimentos were just roasted red peppers. so if you don't have a can of pimentos you can broil a red pepper, remove and toss the skin, slice and dice it and boom, pimentos! who would've thought!

Frozen Key Lime pie- whipped cream version

2011-08-26T06:02:00.000-07:00

This is by far the easiest recipe ever. but I guess it does take patience?

1 prepared graham cracker pie crust. or homemade
1 Can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 C key lime juice
1 small container of whipped topping, thawed.

In large bowl mix all ingredients and pour in pie crust. freeze about an hour and eat!

Callie's thoughts: we had just gotten back from the keys and they have THE BEST key lime pie, so I made on of the easy versions and one of the harder versions. they are very different but just as good. actually most people preferred this one. It seemed lighter and fluffier and still had that key lime flavor. and it was just easy! i think I'm going to make one now :)

Kentucky Pecan Pie or Derby pie

2011-08-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS

2/3 C sugar

1/3 C butter-melted

1 C Corn Syrup

1/2 t salt

3 eggs- beaten

1 C pecans

6 oz choc chips

1 t vanilla

1 pre-made, or homemade pie crust

Melt butter and blend in sugar. Add remaining ingredients and pour into prepared pie crust and bake 40-50 min until center is set. let cool at least an hour.

Callie's thoughts: I haven't quite mastered the pecan pie. I'm guessing in part because I don't like pecans, and add extra chocolate chips instead. I have also tried home made and pre-made (frozen) and even graham cracker crusts. I like home made for most pies, but i think the pre-made ones work better for this recipe. My mom makes these regular and doesn't understand how I mess it up? got me, I'd like to think I am a pretty good cook, but the pecan pie has me stumped. I will keep trying! This recipe is the favorite I found, it seemed the most fool proof and the consistency was good, I add extra chocolate chips and no pecans so how can you go too wrong with sugar, butter and corn syrup? I always opt for the longer time. it will be jiggly when it comes out, sorta like a cheese cake, and it sinks a tiny bit when cooling. hopefully you like it :)

Fried Chicken with Pan Gravy

2011-08-23T06:03:00.000-07:00

My mom and I did a southern cooking class when she was here back in June, I've made this chicken and these grits pretty regularly. I'm trying to turn southern! the chicken is pretty easy and the kids eat it. The picture makes hem look like big pieces but they are more like the size of large chicken strips, perfect for kids. They don't like grits yet, but I'm working on them!

Chicken
6 chicken breast or thighs
blackening or low country seasonings (i used willie hogs dust)
2 C flour
2 eggs
2 T milk
canola oil- coat pan
about 2 C chicken broth
splash of heavy cream

I'll add my notes from the instructor in bold

Heat pan on high dry and empty while preparing chicken (the pan was a cast iron skillet and it was smoking a bit, then she turned it to med)
1. Rinse chicken and pat dry
2. Butterfly the thickest part of the meat (make it all the same thickness, use a mallet if necessary) cut into equal pieces
3. Lay chicken pieces out on cutting board. Seasoned the chicken with salt, pepper and seasoning on both side. (flavor your meat before you dredge in flour leads to a more flavorful chicken)
4. place flour in mixing bowl.
In separate bowl place eggs, milk and whisk until smooth and frothy.
5. Dredge seasoned chicken in flour. completely coat with flour leaving no dry spots.
6. dip floured chicken in egg mixture. quickly place chicken back in flour and cover completely pressing flour into chicken to coat once more (flour is now a little seasoned from the chicken)
7. Remove chicken from flour and place on cutting board or cookie sheet.
8. Add enough oil to skillet to submerge chicken half way
9. place chicken in hot oil. Fry chicken until golden brown on each side. about 2-3 min each. Remove chicken from pan and place on tray lined with paper towels. keep warm by covering with aluminum foil until ready to serve or in a warm oven. repeat until all chicken is done.

Gravy
1. Drain off the remaining oil from skillet. Reserve 14 C oil. Wipe out pan to remove burned or left over flour using paper towels.
2. sprinkle enough flour into skillet to make a paste that is the consistency of wet sand.
3. stir over medium heat until it smells nutty
4. whisk flour slowly while slowly adding chicken stock to pan. Continue to whisk until thickened and smooth.
5. add a splash of cream and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6 serve over chicken.

Callie's thoughts:
This recipes looks like it has a lot of steps, but its actually A LOT easier than it looks. a few things the teacher mentioned I thought I'd share:
1. Chicken should be 155-160 when done.
2. skillet: if you use Le Creset the chicken will not be as browned because of the porcelain. stainless steel with produce a more golden color.
3. when dredging have a "dry" hand and a "wet" hand to avoid both hands turning into glue. this is an AMAZING TIP for any type of frying. I also found gloves are awesome!
4. once you start gravy don't stop
5. if gravy doesn't have much flavor, you could be lacking salt. Salt bring out all the other flavors.

We really liked this chicken. I was surprised at how many it made, you don't eat 6 like chicken nuggets, you eat like 3 and your good.

Pea Salad

2011-08-22T06:01:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you, This is good, easy and a hit! My neighbor made this for Easter and I made it for 2 other parties,

1 Can LeSeuer peas (16 oz)

1 Can show peg corn (16 oz)

1 small jar chopped pimentos

1 C chopped celery

1/2 C Chopped bell pepper (i use whatever color pepper I have on hand)

1 Small onion chopped (I used yellow or white)

Mix all vegetables and drain.

Dressing:

3/8 C vinegar (apple cider is best)

1/4 C "light"oil (wesson or sunflower)

1/2 C sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Stir ingredients in small bowl and pour over vegetables. IMPORTANT: DO NOT STIR!! Seal bowl and refrigerate overnight. Keeps up to 2 weeks. The longer it marinades the better.

Callie's thoughts: This is great by itself, or with tortilla chips, or wheat thins, to eat like a dip. LeSeure's peas are in a silver can, (make sure you don't get the kind with mushrooms!) my neighbor said they are the best because they aren't, and don't get soggy. It may seem weird not to mix the dressing in with the vegetables, especially because the sugar kind stays on top, but it turns out great, and after you refrigerate it you can stir it up.I hope you like it!

Peach Upside cake

2011-08-21T18:09:00.001-07:00

6 T unsalted butter. Melted and cooled
1/2 C packed light brown sugar
splash of peach schnapps
1/8 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 C peaches pitted and small diced
1 1/4 C flour
2 t baking powder
1/2 t kosher salt
1 Stick butter room temperature
1/2 C white sugar
1 egg
1/2 C whole milk
1/4 C sweetened cream beaten to firm peaks (heavy cream with sugar)

1. preheat oven to 350
2. In small mixing bowl combine the melted butter, brown sugar, schnapps and ginger and peaches
3. divide peach mixture between 12 greased muffin cups
4. in mixing bowl whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. set aside
5.In another mixing bowl cream room temp butter and sugar until light and fluffy (5-7 min)
6. Add egg and stir to combine so you don't over mix. add the flour in 2 installments alternating with milk. stir after each addition until just combined
7. dived mixture between the muffin cups and pour over peaches.
8. Bake until the cake springs back to touch, 20-25 min. invert immediately. cool to room temperature and serve with whipped cream.

these turned out great when using the silicone baking cups!!

Callie's thought: YUM! nothing more to say!

BLTA on a crossaint

2011-08-18T05:56:00.000-07:00

2-3 slices cooked Bacon (turkey bacon or regular)

1-2 Slices Avocado

1-2 slices Tomato
mayo or miracle whip. or you can make cilantro may (in a food processor mix about 1/2 C mayo with a handful of cilantro and blend until smooth. you can add salt and pepper if you like)

1 croissant or bread

Callie's thoughts: just another thing I've been eating. I know its not a recipe either but sometimes it just nice to see food that is easy and looks good enough to give you an idea of what to eat. and who doesn't like a BLTA Croissant!?

White Almond Sour Cream Cake

2011-08-01T06:10:00.000-07:00

For Carters Birthday he wanted a Thomas cake, so i borrowed an idea and recipe from my cousin. Best Almond cake ever!

White Almond Cake
1 box white cake mix
1 C flour
1 C sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/3 C water
1/8 C vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
1 C sour cream
4 large wgg whites

Directions:
1 Place all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl and stir with wire whisk.
2 Add remaining ingredients and beat on medium speed until everything is wet. Do not overmix.
3 Pour into greased and floured cake pans. fill each pan a little over half full.
4 lightly tap cake pans on counter to bring air bubbles to top.
5 Bake in preheated 325 degree oven until cake tests done.
6 Baking time varies according to the size and depth of pans used.
I usually make 2 9"rounds and about 6-9 cupcakes. or 1 9" round and a sheet cake, depending on what you need.

For Chocolate cake: use a chocolate cake mix and 6 whole eggs instead of egg whites. and no almond extract.

Callie's Thoughts: i am not the biggest cake fan, i will make a box cake every now and then but they aren't really worth eating. Plus I feel like they aren't consistent. This cake was heavenly! the almond was a unique flavor. the cakes were dense yet fluffy and consistent for both of them, and the cupcakes were great! i made the chocolate too it was just as good and even better on day 2 and 3! frosting to come...

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

2011-07-29T05:51:00.000-07:00

fresh strawberries

1-2 C melted milk chocolate (i use chips)

Not really a recipe, just a food idea, that is good ALL the time! Melt chocolate chips 30 seconds at a time. dry strawberries, dip strawberries into chocolate and let cool on wax paper. To make the pretty you can put sprinkles on them, or melt white chocolate and drizzle to decorate.

Tres Leches-1

2011-07-25T17:26:00.000-07:00

Tres Leches

1/2 C butter melted and cooled

1 1/2 C flour

1 t baking powder

1/2 t coarse salt

5 large eggs

1 c sugar

1 t vanilla

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

1 C whole milk

Whipped cream topping

1-2 C cream

1/3 C sugar

5 C fruit to top (optional)

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 350. Lightly butter 9x13 glass dish (you can do metal it has a different cooking time)

2. In medium bowl mix dry ingredients

3. In large bowl beat eggs and sugar until thick. (first beat eggs on high then add sugar. beat about 4 min, it may not be that thick, but should be creamy yellow)

4. Add vanilla until combined. fold in melted butter and add flour slowly.

5. Transfer to 9x13 and bake 30-35 min until toothpick comes out clean. poke holes in cake. (i use the end of a wooden spatula.)

6. Whisk 3 milks together and pour the milk mixture evenly over cake. Let cake cool to room temperature.

7. Whisk whipped cream and sugar until thick and creamy. Top with fruit, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Callie's Thoughts:

This was delicious! I made it for the fourth of July. I turned it into a flag and it looked great! It was moist and creamy and a hit with the crowd! it was a super easy diverse dessert. A nice change from everything chocolate. Loved it! 5 stars! just make sure to coat the milk mixture evenly. I might even one and a half it just for fun next time?

Out of town

2011-03-26T15:07:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a break. I'm going out of town for a long weekend, and hopefully when I get back I'll have some more good recipes to try!

Bananaberry Bread

2011-03-24T14:35:00.000-07:00

3 ripe bananas 1/2 t baking soda 3 T tub margarine (i used softened butter) 1/4 C mashed ripe avocado ( i didn't have one, so I left it out) 3/4 c Sugar 3 eggs 1/2 C wheat flour 1 1/2 C all purpose flour 1 tsp salt 1 tsp baking powder 3 T cold water 1 tsp vanilla 1/2 C frozen blueberries (i used about 3/4 C fresh) 1, Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 8" bread pans. 2. In small bowl mash bananas and add baking soda. Set Aside 3. In large bowl cream margarine, avocado and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely before adding the next egg. add flours, salt, baking powder, and combined until just mixed. Stir in water and vanilla. Add Mashed banana mixture and mix until well blended. Fold in blueberries 4. Pour batter evenly into 2 8"bread pans. Bake 40-45 min or until toothpick comes out clean. let cool before turning out. Callie's thoughts: the blueberries gave the bread a nice pop when you bit a fresh one! and the texture of the banana bread part was great. It is a healthy recipe, that is meant to give you extra energy, hence the avocado and wheat flour, but I didn't have either of those and it turned out great! I might have even sprinkled the batter with a little sugar to give it a little more sweetness. When they came out (about 45 min). My kids like blueberries and it was a nice twist on banana bread.

Cream cheese Frosting: chocolate and vanilla

2011-03-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have tried a few frosting's and this one was good but I am a chocolate fan, so I made this and added cocoa to it and made both vanilla and chocolate with the same base. it was goood. the kids barely ate the cupcakes and just ate the frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 C butter softened, or room temp

3 ounces cream cheese room temp

16 ounces (3 1/2 c) powdered sugar

1/4 C heavy cream or milk (milk make it less creamy)

1 tsp vanilla

Directions: in bowl blend with hand mixer cream butter and cream cheese until well blended and fluffy. Add vanilla and mix. add powdered sugar slowly mixing it in fully between additions. once mixed it will be a bit thick, add milk until fluffy and creamy.

to make chocolate add about 1/3 C to above mixture. so easy!

Callie's Tips: I used milk because I didn't have cream and like to cut calories when I can. also when I added the powdered sugar, I don't think I need the milk. I put it in and it made it a little more runny than I wanted for the cupcakes. so when adding your milk make sure you add it if you need it. it does change the flavor and we liked the flavor and consistency before the milk was added. but overall it was so easy and the best vanilla frosting I've made, and I usually don't like cream cheese frosting's.

Chocolate Cupcakes

2011-03-20T17:49:00.001-07:00

i woke up craving cupcakes so tonight i made these I'm not normally a cupcake fan but these hit the spot, actually 4 spots. yum.

Cupcakes:

1 3/4 C flour

3/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

3 ounces semisweet chocolate (i used chips, but you can use squares)

1/2 C softened butter

1 C sugar

1 t vanilla

2 large eggs

1 C sour cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In small bowl melt chocolate at 50% in microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted and set aside.

in a separate bowl sift dry ingredients together.

In large bowl mix butter and sugar about 2 min until soft and fluffy. Blend in vanilla, add in egg until mixed. Next add chocolate. Add in 1/3 dry ingredients until just combined, then add 1/2 c sour cream. once mixed add another 1/3 of the dry ingredients mix, add sour cream, then the remaining dry ingredients until well blended.

Fill each cupcake about 1/2 full and bake 10-14 min (min took about 16 min) remove and cool on wire rack. make sure you don't overcook them, stick a toothpick in them until it comes out clean. Once cool frost with your favorite frosting.

Callie's tips: mine took s few extra minutes to cook and they did not fluff out over the top, which is fine, because the few that did seemed to take longer to bake. make sure you get the same amount in each muffin cup to bake evenly. oh and they aren't as dark as I would have thought. afterthought: putting chocolate chip in them could be Delicious!

Protein Nachos

2011-03-12T05:26:00.000-08:00

This is such a simple recipe, but who doesn't need a good idea every now and again right? I've been trying to get more protein in our diets and Shaun brought us this from Utah. We are trying to use it sparingly but its the best cheese ever! so here is our super easy protein packed chicken nachos.

Ingredients:

1/2-1 bag of tortilla chips
2-3 C shredded cheese
3-6 ounces of cooked chicken (i buy the fajita chicken precooked from Costco)
1/2 can black beans
1/2 can pinto beans

I like to layer my chips, cover with cheese, then add chicken and beans, then cover with cheese.

broil on high about 3-5 min until cheese is melted. we like our chips slightly browned but be careful they burn easy!!! Serve with salsa and avocado and sour cream!

Chocolate Chip Scones- Delish!

2011-03-10T04:54:00.000-08:00

I was watching Desperate housewives and Bree made scones, they sounded so good I made them at 9pm... yea not the best eating healthy but they hit the spot just right! they were warm, gooey, chocolate and Delicious and EASY!
I found these they didn't disappoint, this is a great website! lots of ideas for some desserts coming soon.

Ingredients:
2 C (260 g) flour
1/4 C (50 g) sugar
1 1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 c butter cold, cut into little pieces
1/2 C chocolate chips
1/2 C dried cherries or cranberries
1 t vanilla
2/3 -3/4 C buttermilk (i used right in the middle)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.
in large bowl mix dry ingredients.with pastry mixer (or clean hands) mix in butter until coarse crumbs, i found the smaller the pieces the better it mixes. Stir in chocolate chips and cherries. (i doubled the chocolate chips and left out the cherries because i wanted chocolate and didn't have any.)
In smaller bowl whisk vanilla and buttermilk (i didn't have buttermilk and didn't want to make any. Regular milk worked great!) Add to flour mixture until it just comes together. Don't over mix.
Transfer to lightly floured surface and knead 4 or 5 times and pat into 7" circle about 1 1/2 inches thick. Cut circle in in half and each half into 4 pieces (8 total). Place on cookie sheet and brush with milk.
Bake 15-20 min or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.

Callie's thoughts: yummy. I knew it was a bad idea to make them in the first place. I said only eat 1. i ate 2 and a half. then I ate 1 for breakfast and 1 for lunch... oops. i haven't made scones in such a long time. they were the right consistency and just the right chocolate. if you eat them next day heat them in the microwave about 10-15 second. 10/10

Peach Cobbler

2011-03-08T14:35:00.000-08:00

its as easy as Peach Cobbler! this recipe is so simple, very rich and so few ingredients. We used to make it regularly in College. Great with ice cream!

1 box yellow cake mix

1 stick butter softened (not melted)

1-2 cans of peaches with some juice

Directions: In bowl combine butter and cake mix, I use a fork or pastry blender until its well combined crumbs. In a pie pan pour 1 can of peaches, with juice. I like peaches so I will add another can of just the peaches. Top with cake/butter mixture, dont mix it together, just cover the peaches completely. Cook at 350 for 35-45 min until golden brown. Serve with ice cream.

running out of ideas...

2011-03-06T06:25:00.000-08:00

I've been cooking a lot, if you can't tell. but I'm running out of steam, or ideas, or both. So... Please! e-mail me bahmur14@yahoo.com some of your favorite recipes, appetizers, sides, desserts, dinners, drinks, you name it, I'll try it. And if I can ask my readers a favor, if you try a recipe whether you like it, or don't leave a comment and let me know. I'd like to see if things are turning out for you and how you like them or what you didn't, or what you'd like to see more of.
Thanks!

Carne Asada Tacos

2011-03-04T04:54:00.000-08:00

Carne Asada Tacos:

1/2 C snipped fresh cilantro
1/4 C red wine vinegar
1/4 C lime juice
1/4 C vegetable oil
1 T kosher salt
1 T ground black flavor
1 t sugar
1 1/2 pounds beef flank steak trimmed of fat and cut into 6" long sections.

1. In medium bowl, combine cilantro, vinegar, lime juice, oil, salt, pepper and sugar. Whisk until salt and sugar are dissolved. I put mine in a big Ziploc bag and added meat. mix it up until its well coated and refrigerate for 4-24 hrs mixing it up occasionally.
2. Remove steak from marinade and discard extra. Place on pre-heated grill. reduce heat to medium heat, cover and grill 17-21 min, turning once halfway through grilling to desired done-ness, about 160 degrees.
3. Transfer steak to cutting board and cover loosely with foil and let sit for 10 min. Cut steak against grain into thin strips and then toss with any juice on board. Serve with flour tortillas and any extras you like (chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, queso fresco, avocado, ect)

Callie's Thoughts: Another kind of tacos this week, the flavor of the meat was really good. they were juicy and the lime really gave them nice flavor. I think we decided that Corn tortillas aren't as good as flour tortillas with steak. We also like queso fresco with our tacos. I liked the meat better than the Carbon. the Flank steak is less fatty than the skirt steak so it seems less chewy. The meat was delicious all on its own, especially if you dipped it in its juices. Cutting the meat up and then marinating (we did ours about 4 hrs) was a good way to let the flavor soak in more. I definitely ate too many. 8/10, I would make these over the carbon.

I figure is I have the info I'll put it up here: 1/3 C= 178 calories, 12g fat (3g sat fat), 26 mg chol, 687 mg sodium, 2g carbo, 0 fiber, 16g protein

Ultimate Banana Bread

2011-03-02T05:54:00.000-08:00

1 3/4 C (8 3/4 ounces) all purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
6 large ripe bananas-peeled
8 T unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 large eggs
3/4 C (5 1/4 ounces) packed light brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1/2 C walnuts toasted and chopped (optional)
2 t sugar

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat to 350. Spray 9x5 loaf pan with non stick cooking spray
1. In large bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt. set aside.
2. Place 5 bananas in microwave safe bowl; cover with plastic and poke several steam vents with fork or knife. Microwave on high power until bananas are soft and have released liquid, about 5 min. Transfer bananas to fine-mesh strainer placed over medium bowl and allow to drain, stirring bananas occasionally, 15 min (you should have about 1/2 c- 3/4 c liquid)
3. Transfer liquid to medium saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced to 1/4 C, about 5 min. Remove pan from heat, stir reduced liquid bananas, and mash with fork until fairly smooth. whisk in butter, eggs, brown sugar and vanilla.
4. Pour banana mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined with some streaks of flour remaining. Gently fold in walnuts (if using) Scrape batter into prepared pan. Slice remaining bananas diagonally into 1/4" thick slices. shingle bananas on top of the sides of the loaf (i chose not to do this because I didn't have extra bananas.) sprinkle with sugar.
5. Bake until toothpick comes out clean, 55-75 min. Cool bread in pan on wire rack for 15 min. then remove from pan and keep cooling on rack. serve at room temperature.

Callie's Thoughts: America's test kitchen doesn't fail. Another banana bread recipe tried, it was great. (can you tell I like banana bread? I mean what else do you do with old bananas?) I still am partial to my grandmas but this is a close second. it had GREAT texture and the condensing of the banana juice gave it really good banana flavor while keeping it very moist. It did take quite a bit of time with the juicing of bananas but it was worth it. 2nd place for banana bread!

Street Tacos- Steak Al Carbon

2011-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Street Tacos:

2 pounds beef skirt steak

1/2 C lime juice

2 T vegetable oil

2 tsp chili powder

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 t salt

12 green onions, or 2 medium onions cut into 12 slices total

1 t vegetable oil

12 6-8 inch flour tortillas

sliced avocado

pico de gallo- homemade or bought

snipped cilantro

1. Trim fat from meat. Place meat in a large resealable plastic bag. set aside. For marinade, in a small bowl, combine lime juice, oil, chili powder, garlic and salt. Pour marinade over meat. seal and coat. Marinate 30-60 min mixing bag occasionally.

2. trim green onions, if using. Brush onions with the 1 teaspoon oil. Stack tortillas and wrap in foil.

3. For charcoal grill, place onion and tortilla packet on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals. grill onions in aluminum foil about 4 to 5 min or until tender. Grill tortillas for about 10 minutes or until warm, turning occasionally. place onions and tortillas in bowl and cover with foil to keep warm.

4. Drain meat, discard marinade. Grill meat on rack directly over medium-hot heat for 4 min until meat is slightly pink in center, turning halfway through. Slice meat diagonally across the grain.

5. Fill warm tortillas with meat and grilled onions. Serve with avocado, pico de gallo, and cilantro.

Callie's Thoughts: we are big Taco fans in this house. Its always nice to try different cuts of meat. I Have never made tacos with skirt steak, it was a little fatty and took awhile to trim the fat because its all over! After trimming, the marinade was easy and it didn't take to long to marinade. The texture felt a little tough, I think it was the type of meat. The flavor was good, it had a bit of lime flavor with a little heat from the chili. Ae tried corn and flour tortillas, we both liked flour best. We made our own green salsa and it was good, the meat didn't need lots of toppings to make it good. The kids liked it and so did we, I think I will try to find one with a different type of meat. 7/10

Oreo Brownies

2011-02-26T01:34:00.000-08:00

I'll work on my picture taking, i promise, but honestly when you have brownies and Oreo, can you really go wrong? for a better picture go here

My sister in law Wendy sent me this recipe so we tried it today. needless to say they were pretty tasty.

1 box of brownie mix
1 package of Oreos

1. preheat oven to 35. Make a box of brownie mix according to directions. leave in mixing bowl.

2. Dip oreos in brownie batter and place in bottom of cupcake pan that has generously been sprayed with cooking spray.

3. Bake for 12-15 min. run a knife around edges so they come out easier. Let cool and drizzle with frosting, if you can wait that long.

Callie's thoughts: I must not read directions very well. if you go to the link, and the directions I posted, you are supposed to dip the cookies in the batter. I didn't. I poured batter in the bottom of each cupcake, then placed the Oreo, then did more batter. It only made 12 "Brownie Oreos" they were still delicious, I am assuming the only difference is i had more brownie to cookie ratio? the cookies got nice and soft BUT i had the HARDEST time getting these suckers out of the pan, and I sprayed the begibers into my cupcake pan. I think a soft one would work better, or possibly even cupcake liners? anyway, they were good, they didn't last long enough to get frosted, so they must have been good!

Grilled Tuna Steaks with Red Wine Vinegar and Mustard Vinaigrette

2011-02-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Tuna Steaks with Red Wine Vinegar and Mustard Vinaigrette from Americas Test Kitchen
3 T plus 1 t red wine vinegar
table salt
2 T Dijon Mustard
2 tsp honey
2 T chopped fresh thyme or rosemary (we used about 1/2 T freeze dried)
3/4 C olive Oil
6 Tuna Steaks 1 inch thick (about 8 oz each) we made 2... ground black pepper

1. we BBQed over a gas grill. start this up so its hot. (when you can hold your hand above grates about 3-4 seconds)
2. Whisk vinegar, 1/2 t salt, mustard, honey and thyme in large bowl. While whisking constantly drizzle oil into vinegar mixture until lightly thickened and emulsified. Measure about 2/4 C vinaigrette and set aside to cook fish.
3.Brush both side of fish liberally with vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Grill fish without moving until grill marks form, about 1 1/2 min. flip carefully. Cook again until grill marks appear, about 1 1/2 min. this is kinda rare for me, Shaun liked it this way, it was still pink inside, but He cooked mine about 3-4 min on each side, so it started to turn whiter. serve immediately. (if you let it sit it will get cold but it will cook a bit more too, at least it seemed to)

Callie's thoughts: once again, I'm branching out here, i went to the seafood department and asked for fresh not frozen, and Tuna was what we got. i was very hesitant, the guys said they are better about 2 min each side, but for more well done fish do about 5 min each side. I made some stir fry with our fish and it was good! the Tuna was moist, soft and REALLY good. 9/10 the seasoning had a bit of tangy.sour taste so it wasn't fishy at all. we sliced it like sushi and all in all it was a great meal! thinking about it makes me want to make it again, and its super healthy for you. Apparently I like seafood after all, who knew? maybe its Shaun's BBQing skills? they are pretty good, if I do say so myself!

Cheesy Grits

2011-02-22T06:46:00.000-08:00

This is kinda a no brainer recipe. Its basically follow the box, but honestly, who thinks of Grits as a side? My friend Lauren made these for us and I loved them! I might have made them 3x this week? yeah i know, gross huh. Anyway, don't knock it till you try it!

1/4 C 5 min instant grits-plain

1 C water

dash of salt

1/4C- 1/3 C cheese (the better cheese the better the grits, DO NOT use fat free, it isn't good)

mix water and grits in pan, cover and cook according to box, about 5 min. stir occasionally to avoid them from getting clumpy. they will be the consistency of tapioca. It will thicken up a bit, but not a ton. remove them from the heat and stir in the cheese until it melts. I used the Costco Mexican blend cheese. If you want a little stronger flavor add a dash of paprika or a little more cheese. Serve immediately. they are a great side with any meat! try it with Shrimp or steak or chicken.

Chewy Crispy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-02-20T07:02:00.000-08:00

I was blessed by finding these cookies. I have never made cookies this way, just the order seemed odd. but It was on Americas Test Kitchen so I gave it a shot. Wow, yum. I dont know if I will ever try another cookie? the picture does it no justice. the cookies were HUGE, but that is not a bad thing.

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 C flour (8 3/4 ounces)

1/2 t baking soda

14 T butter

1/2 C sugar (3 1/2 ounces)

3/4 C dark brown sugar (5 1/4 ounces)

1 t salt

2 t vanilla

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/4 C chocolate chips or chunks

3/4 C chopped nuts (optional)

1. preheat oven to 375 and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix flour and baking soda in a bowl and set aside.

2 Heat 10 T butter in saucepan about 2 min then continue cooking until butter is golden brown (this gives it a nutty flavor.. i dont like nuts so i just melted my butter) then add remaining 4 tablespoons of softened butter and stir in hot butter until dissolved

3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to butter and whisk until combined. add egg yolk and egg and whisk until smooth abotu 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 min, then whisk for 30 sec. repeat 2 more times. Mixture will become thick, smooth and shiny. using a wooden spoon stir in flour until JUST combined, add chips and stir a final time to get rid of flour pockets.

4. Divide dough into 16 balls abt 3 T each. Arrange on baking sheet 2 inches apart (i only fit 9 per pan and needed all the space, mine made 18 cookies)

5. bake 1 tray at a time 10-14 min,until golden brown ans still puffy. edges will be set and middles slightly underdone. trasfer to a wire rack and cool. (i did 12 min)

side notes i didnt know: Weigh the ingredients, you'll be surprised that the measuring cups were off. Even 1 T extra of flour changes the texture. I used both reg brown sugar and dark brown. both were good, dark brown is better, it gives them a better stronger more chocolate flavor. melting butter gives the cookies a chewier taste, softened butter makes it more cake like. whisking in sugars and stiring and resting allows for the sugars to dissolve making a smoother cookie and brings more flavor. whisking instead of mixing makes the dough softer and makes a lighter cookie. I found these facts interesting. it does take more time, but its worth it. i only used chocolate chips but i will buy some chunks and they will be awesome! these were better than Mrs feilds! YUMMY

Honey Lime Enchiladas

2011-02-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

1.5 pounds of pork or chicken (i used a rotisserie)
Sauce:
1/3 C honey
1/4 C lime juice
1 T chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder

2 (10oz) cans of green enchilada sauce (i only could find 14 oz cans, i used all 28oz)
equal parts of: shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese, and flour tortillas ( i used corn)

Mix together sauce and add to shredded chicken or pork. Let sauce sit and soak for 30 min.

Lightly spray 2 pans with baking spray (I only used 1 9x13 and filled it full) Pour enough green enchilada sauce to cover bottom of pan. Fill tortillas with meat mixture and desired amount of cheese. Place in dish and pour remainder of sauce over enchiladas then cover with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 for 3 min. Then turn on broil and crisp cheese. serve with Mexican rice and black beans!

Callie's Thoughts: these were good, not as good as these (my all time favorite) they were sweet and honey/lime definitely different than i have had before. Hint: if using corn tortillas wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30 seconds to soften then so they don't break when filling. it will go in my rotation of food, its nice to have a variety of good enchiladas, but i would give them a 6.5-7. nothing beats those other enchiladas in my book, so its hard to compare to the best!

Rice Krispy Scatcharoos

2011-02-16T08:05:00.000-08:00

1 C light corn syrup

1 C sugar

1 C peanut butter

6 C Rice Krispies

1 C chocolate chips

1 C butterscotch chips

In 3 quart saucepan cook over medium heat corn syrup and sugar until sugar is dissolved and mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat. Stir in Peanut Butter. Mix well. Add Rice Krispies and stir until well coated. Pour and press into 9x13 pan that is lightly coated with spray or butter.

Melt chocolate ships and butterscotch chips in 1 quart saucepan over low heat until melted. spread evenly over rice krispy bars. Let stand until chocolate is firm, if you can! cut into square or shapes when cool.

Ganache filled Chocolate Chip Muffins

2011-02-14T07:38:00.000-08:00

Preheat oven to: 350 degrees
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Yields: 12 Muffins

Ingredients: Chocolate Ganache
1 C Chocolate Chips
1 C 35% cream

Method: Chocolate Ganache
slowly melt chocolate chips in a double boiler until softened. Fold in 35% cream (i used half sour cream, half whipping cream) Set aside to cool.

Ingredients: Muffins
1 1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs
4 T unsalted butter, melted (make sure its melted, not soft)
1/2 C brown sugar
3/4 C milk
1 T vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 C chocolate chips

Line the muffins with paper liners and spray, or spray a nonstick muffin pan. Whisk the flour, powder,soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl lightly whisk eggs, then whisk in butter, brown sugar, milk, oil and vanilla. Quickly fold in the wet ingredients into the dry with a rubber spatula. Just before batter comes together fold in chocolate chips. Don't mix batter too much, the longer you mix, the tougher they will be.
Place 2 oz of batter in each muffin tin then 1 small spoonful of Ganache then 2 more oz of batter. You can also add a small scoop of Peanut butter (see picture)
Bake for 20-25 min or until toothpick is clean, and tops are slightly spongy. Turn muffins out of tins and cool on rack. let cool and enjoy!

Homemade Doughnuts

2011-02-12T11:49:00.000-08:00

I went off of sugar all of January, it turned out pretty good but I had some interesting cravings that I had to make after I finished. Doughnuts were one, I'm not a huge doughnut eater, but these were good. they weren't like Krispy Kreme super light and they weren't super dense they had a nice consistency. I didn't know what kind to make so I made a few different kinds! Glaze, chocolate frosted, cinnamon, and cinnamon sugar. our hands down favorite was the cinnamon sugar. they were delicious! they took a bit of time (you have to let them rise overnight) but i will be making these again.

I found them on this website

Doughnuts:

1 1/8 C whole milk, warm
1/4 C sugar

2 1/4 tsp instant rise yeast (or 1 pkg)

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/4 stick unsalted butter, melted

4 C flour

1/4 tsp salt

canola oil

To make dough

1. make sure ilk is warm but not overly hot

2. add sugar to milk, stir to dissolve

3. add yeast into a small bowl

4. pour milk mixture over milk and let sit for 10 min

5.melt butter in small bowl until almost melted. stir until completely melted so it isn't too hot.

6. Add beaten egg to melted butter stirring constantly making sure butter is not to hot for eggs.

7. Add butter/egg mixture to bowl that can be attached to a kitchen aid or mixer.

8. with mixer on 3 or medium beat while adding yeast mixture and beat until well combined

9. with mixer still going add flour mixture in 1/2 c at a tie until the flour is all gone.

10. stop mixer, scrape sides then beat for 5 more minutes at same speed.

11. after 5 min scrape sides again and mix for 30 sec.

12. let dough sit in mixer for 10 minutes

13. after 10 min transfer dough to slightly oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap.Set in refrigerator for 8 hrs or overnight.

To make doughnuts:

1. remove dough onto slightly floured surface

2. roll out to 1/4 or 1/3 in thickness

3. using a 3"cutter (i used a cup with sharp edges) cut as many doughnuts as you can, then use a smaller cutter to cut out center. these will be the holes

4. place on floured baking sheet. cover and let rise 1 hr to 1 hr 15 min. (I will turn on my oven, the turn it off to make it warm then let them rise in their because it is draft free. Be careful its not too hot, this will dry them out.)

To fry doughnuts:

1. in large skillet or pot heat oil to 375 or 380 degrees. keep the thermometer in the pan because the temp will change as you add and remove doughnuts.

2. Cook about 1 min on each side, they brown quickly. remove from oil and place on paper towels. after a few seconds flip them over to drain as much oil as possible.

3. let cool slightly and frost with your choice. I used this chocolate frosting. it was SO GOOD but i wasn't a fan of it on the doughnuts, its be delicious on a cupcake or cake! the glaze in on the other site above, but neither were to die for, the cinnamon and sugar was great! i just threw some sugar in a large zip lock bag and a tsp or so of cinnamon and then threw in some holes and a doughnut at 2 at a time and shook until covered. yum. oh but what was good is to glaze the doughnuts and then cover them in cinnamon sugar! YUMMY! as you can see it took a bit of time, but they were good

Steak Fajitas

2011-02-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

1 pound NY strip Steak cut into thin pieces.
1 green pepper thinly sliced
1/2 yellow onion thinly sliced.
1 1/2 T steak seasoning. This is my favorite

Season steak on both sides with steak seasoning.

Heat a skillet coated with olive oil to avoid sticking. saute peppers and onion until just beginning to soften. Add seasoned steak to skillet and let cook about 2-3 min each side. when cooked. spoon off and serve how you like. Tortillas, alone, in tacos, or in a salad.

Callie's thoughts: I like steak and its nice to be able to cook it in a skillet when its cold outside. I will say that i do prefer to cook it on a BBQ and then add it to the veggies and cook for 2-3 min until the steak can absorb some of the veggies flavor. but its still good in a skillet. 8/10

White Bean Chili

2011-02-08T06:07:00.000-08:00

there is a slow way to make this and a fast way. here is the slow way and I made the fast way. When I say fast it was like 20 min max!

White Bean Chili
3 cans Northern beans or Navy beans
28-32 ounces chicken broth
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 T olive oil
1 medium onion finely chopped
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 4-ounce cans of diced green chili's
2 tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 C montery jack cheese, shredded (i used mozzarella)

1. In large crop pot add beans and chicken broth, heat until boil and then simmer.
2. In skillet add olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook about 10 min or until the onions are translucent. Add green chili's and spices and mix until combined. Add mixture to the beans then add chicken and cheese. stir until thicker. serve with a little extra cheese and some chopped cilantro if you want. we added a few slices of avocado too!

Callie's thoughts: I wasn't in the mood for this, but it was fast and I am trying to eat more beans and it was the perfect recipe. it was 100x better than I thought it would be. Shaun was not excited but in the end it passed his test too. I think it would make a great meal on a cold day, or when you want a quick meal that has it all. I'd give it a 7.5/10 (soup still isn't the most filling meal to me) the kids all ate at least a bowl and Ellie Loved the beans. I thought the flavor wouldn't be strong enough but it was. It wasn't too spicy, but still had a kick. Shaun said he would like it with tortilla strips mixed in and possibly using it as a base for a tortilla or chicken soup. it seems very versatile!

Chicken Corden Blue Soup Bowls

2011-02-06T00:06:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of this site

4 T butter softened
1 lb chicken breast (about 2-3 chicken breast)
1/2 C minced yellow onion
2 cloves of garlic finely minced
2 T flour
1/2 C apple juice
1 1/4 C chicken broth
1/2 C Heavy cream
1/4 C freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 T prepared yellow mustard
1 tsp dried thyme
2-3 C broccoli florets (optional)
salt and cayenne pepper to taste

Assembly
4-6 medium round bread bowls.
8-10 slices of ham
1 C grated Swiss cheese
1/4 C grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Cook broccoli and set aside
In 10-12 inch skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add the chicken and saute until the chicken begins to brown but isn't completely cooked, about 3-4 min. Stir in the onions and garlic stirring often until softened. Sprinkle the chicken with flour and stir to incorporate. stir and cook constantly for 1 min.
Gradually add the chicken broth and apple juice stirring constantly to avoid clumps from forming. Stir in the cream, Parmesan, mustard and thyme. simmer for about 5-6 min, until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Stir in broccoli and season with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. remove from heat.
Hollow out the bread bowls. press torn bread against edges to firm up (our bread was really hard so i didn't do this, instead we used it to dip in soup.) Bake in oven for about 5 min.
Remove toasted bowls from oven and layer a ham slice on bottom of bread bowls. Using a slotted spoon divide chicken mixture into the bowls. Top bowls with Swiss cheese and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake in oven about 10-15 min until cheese melts and is slightly golden

Callie's thoughts: first I think we used the wrong bowls. I bought sourdough ones from my bakery. The bread was good but I think next time I would not do sour dough. The soup had good flavor but i dont think i would make this very often. I give it a 5/10. it wasnt bad but it wasnt my favorite meal.

Pan Seared Talapia

2011-02-04T05:27:00.000-08:00

I am trying to broaden my eating habits. Fish isn't my usual favorite, but Talapia I can handle. I usually just buy the frozen stuff from Costco and brush it with olive oil and steak seasoning (the one from Costco, it was their sample and its delicious!) but I wanted to try again a little different. This time I got some fresh fish from the deli and cooked it in a pan on the stove. BEST EVER! it was so flaky and tender, the seasoning was great and the crispiness of the seasonings made it heavenly. I kinda just went with it, so be as generous or stingy as you like. It cooks fairly fast, you know when its done with it look like it will fall apart if you touch it.

4-6 pieces talapia from the market

lightly dredge with piece with panko bread crumbs

sprinkle each piece with the following spices:

garlic salt, black pepper, season salt, lemon pepper.

its kind of a meld of flavors but the panko is great. Cook in lightly greased pan with EVOO and cook about 5-6 min each side, turning 1 or maybe 2x. serve with asparagus, couscous or whatever you want!

Outbacks Sweet Potato

2011-02-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

This isn't exactly a recipe but more of an idea for a side dish. Its also not the best picture but man this is my all time favorite side. I crave this when we haven 't been to outback so i made it with our Mexican meal the other Sunday. still my favorite. I used to go with Jacob and Jessie when we were all in college and we joke how I always got the best sides!

buy enough sweet potatoes for whoever you are feeding.
wrap in aluminum foil.
Bake in oven for 45-60 min or until slightly soft to touch, kind of like an avocado.
Serve with butter, and about 1 T brown sugar. Its great with steak or tamales! yum yum! enjoy!

Martha Stewarts Banana Bread

2011-01-31T04:58:00.000-08:00

1/2 C butter, softened
1 C sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 C mashed bananas (about 3)
1/2 C sour cream
1 t vanilla
1/2 C walnuts (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Butter 9x5x3 bread pan.
2. With Electric mixer beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and beat until combined.
3. In medium bowl mix dry ingredients. Add to butter mixture. Then add sour cream and bananas and vanilla. Mix to combine.
4. Pour in Bread loaf and bake about 70 min; until a toothpick comes out clean. Let rest in pan about 10 min, then remove from pan and let cool on wire rack.

Callie's thoughts: OK, well I am a fan of banana bread, I am partial to my grandmas and its still my favorite. this one was so so. i only put it up because its nice to have a variety but i doubt this will make the top of my "must bake" list. The sour cream made it very moist, and not very fluffy. the flavor was good but the density was a little much for me. Try it and tell me which you like. I like the buttermilk banana bread too. Have a banana bread making party and tell me what you think.

Chicken Tamales

2011-01-29T11:21:00.000-08:00

these are the tamales after the wrapping, before the steaming

the dough, or outer part of the tamale.

this is the chicken filling

the Tamale part:

36 dried corn husks (about 8 in long and 6 in wide)

1 C lard or shortening

2 t baking powder

4 C masa harina

1 t salt

2 C hot chicken broth

the Filling:

In large skillet heat 1 Tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat. Add 3/4 c chopped red sweet pepper (1 medium), 1/2 C chopped onion (1 medium), and 2 cloves of garlic, minced; cook for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in 2 1/2 C shredded cooked chicken, 1 C crumbled queso fresca and 2/3 C bottled green salsa (salsa Verde)

1. Soak husks in warm water, about 30 min or until soft.

2. For dough in large bowl, combine shortening and baking powder;beat with an electric mixer for 2 min or until smooth. In medium bowl stir together masa harina and salt. Alternately add masa harina mixture and chicken broth to shortening mixture, beating until resembles a thick creamy paste.

3. Assembly: Spread about 2 Tbsp masa dough into a 3x4 inch rectangle. Spoon 1 heaping Tbsp of chicken mixture in center of dough. Fold the edges of the husk so that the dough slightly overlaps. Roll husk around outside of filled dough. Tie ends with corn husk or string.

4. Stand Tamales upright in steamer basket. Don't pack the too tightly but fill the space. Pour at least 1/2 inch of water into the bottom of a steamer and place basket in steamer over water. bring water to a boil. cover. Reduce heat to medium-low heat and steam 45-60 min or until dough pulls away from cork husks and is spongy and cooked through.

Callie's Thoughts: these are the magazine directions, they sound easy enough right? well not to me so this is what I did: when making the dough, the longer it sits on the counter the drier it gets. It is kinda like the consistency of play dough, but a little more crumbly. That being said, I would make your filling first, THEN make your dough. When putting them together there were no corn husks anywhere to be found in Mount Pleasant. I sat in Whole Foods over an hour husking corn. In the end the husks didn't dry out how I needed them to so it was a waste of time but the looks were awesome! In the end I used cheese cloth and wax paper. Wax paper was easier to work with but the cheese cloths cooked a little better. I think I would do wax paper next time for clean up! When pressing out your rectangles make sure your dough is on the wax paper/husk because once you press it, its there, or it gets crumbly if you have to move it. Put the filling in and fold them in half and pinch the edges closed. Then fold the wax paper/cheesecloth around and press them closed into a rectangular shape. This sounds hard, it was at first but once you got going and figured it out it was fine, messy but fine. Next, I made these sat night for sunday dinner, we cooked a few on sat to see how they tasted, they were great! I would definitely make these the night before. When cooking, make sure you don't overcook them if you do its fine, but they stick to the cheesecloth like mad and you end up loosing half your tamale to the cheesecloth. Shaun and Kailey put green salsa on theirs but me and the rest of the clan just ate them "dry" As far as making these again 100% they were great and I think now that i know what I'm doing it will be way easier. i will probably double it and freeze some, i have some in the freezer now! And far as taste was concerned, i loved it! the inside was juicy, the outside had flavor. 10/10

Sweet Corn Pudding

2011-01-27T10:59:00.000-08:00

I got the Better Homes and Garden special edition called MEXICAN. First, we love Mexican and there aren't very many good Mexican restaurants 'round these parts. So we will be experimenting with all things Mexican. We made Tamales, sweet corn pudding, Mexican Sweet potatoes and refried beans. (these will be posted don't worry.) It was a delicious, filling meal. I haven't eaten desserts all January so the corn pudding hit the spot. I will say the first few bites I was thinking, "this is different, good but different" and by the end of the meal i kept wanting more.

2 tsp butter, softened
2 T fine dry bread crumbs
12 ears sweet corn (or 6 C frozen sweet corn)
1 C milk
3/4 C masa harina
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C butter, softened
3/4 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cumin
1/2 C chopped green onions (4)
1 4-ounce can diced green chili peppers drained (i used half a can because of kids)
1/3 C cornmeal
1 T snipped fresh cilantro

Directions
1. preheat oven to 325. Coat 3 quart baking dish with 2 T butter and sprinkle dish with bread crumbs to coat bottom of pan. Shake out excess. Set aside. Cut corn from cobs at three-quarters depth of kernels, do not scrape cobs (6 cups of corn)
2. In blender or food processor, combine 3 C corn and milk. blend until smooth.
3. In large bowl, combine masa harina, sugar, and cumin; beat with electric mixer until combined. Add blended corn to mixture, remaining 3 cups of corn, green onions, Chile peppers, cornmeal and cilantro. stir to combine. pour mixture into prepared dish. cover with foil. (its pretty thick, not exactly "pourable."
4. Bake 1 hour or until mixture is set and knife comes out clean in the center.

Callie's thoughts: I didn't cover with foil because we wanted the crispy crust, but i can see that covering it might keep some moisture in. I will definitely make this again especially as a side for a meal, it felt authentic. It was easy to put together, but did take some time to get it done with dinner. 8.5/10

Parmesan Baked Asparagus

2011-01-25T05:46:00.000-08:00

We like Asparagus in our house, so its nice to find different ways to cook it. Here is our family favorite.

30 Asparagus Spears with edges trimmed off (more or less depending on how big your family is. this usually feed 2 adults and 2 1/2 kids)
1/2-1 C grated Parmesan Cheese
butter or olive oil for brushing on Asparagus
dash of Garlic Salt
dash of Kosher Salt

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper (so the cheese doesn't get stuck to your pan.) Line a single layer of asparagus and lightly brush with butter or olive oil. Sprinkle asparagus with kosher salt and a little bit of garlic salt. generously sprinkle cheese over asparagus (enough to cover the majority of the spears.) If you want you can also add Mozzeralla or another cheese. (the more cheese you add the greasier the spears.) Bake in oven about 12-15 min or until cheese is golden brown.

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

2011-01-23T17:11:00.001-08:00

Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

3/4 C Mayonnaise

1/2 C Buttermilk

1 tsp Parsley Flakes

1/2 tsp Dried minced onion

1/2 tsp Salt

dash of freshly ground pepper

1 Clove garlic crushed

Directions: Mix all ingredients in bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours to blend flavors.

Callies thoughts: I mixed mine up and put it in a washed pickle jar, it was the perfect fit. The longer it sits the better it taste. I also found this is better as a salad dressing than as veggie dip, its a little too runny to dip, but great on every salad!!! 10/10

Coffee Cake

2011-01-21T10:55:00.000-08:00

Oops, here's the recipe, try it you wont regret it.
Coffee Cake
1 1/2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 C sugar
3 XLG eggs room temp (I used large and they were cold)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 C sour cream
2 1/2 C cake flour, or 2 1/4 C all purpose flour and 1/4 C cornstarch
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Kosher salt

Streusel topping:
3/4 C light brown sugar
1/2 C flour
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp kosher salt
3 T cold butter chopped into little pieces
3/4 C chopped walnuts (I didn't use these)

Preheat oven to 350.
Directions:
1. In large bowl mix dry ingredients together. Cream sugar and butter. Add one egg at a time. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix until blended. Add creamed mixture to dry ingredients.
2. Make streusel: In bowl mix dry ingredients then cut in cold butter. I used my hands to get it to mix, it was still a little dry, but it turned out great.
3. In greased bundt pan, or bread pan pour in half the batter. Spread about 1/2- 3/4 of the streusel on top of batter then pour remaining batter in pan and top with remaining streusel. Tara will sometimes double the streusel, I did and it was yummy, the streusel is the best part.
4. Cook for about an hour to 75 min. (It was hard to tell if it was done because the streusle turns a little liquidy, but I also know that our oven here at the rental is a little touchy. Tara said 45 min-1 hr. Watch it at 45 min and go from there. It will be about 45 min in a bread pan.

Callie's tips: I put a thin layer of streusel on the bottom of my pan to kinda caramelize the outside of the bread, this was good, but makes it a little crispy (it was better the next day rather than fresh out of the oven.) I also put 2 layers of streusel in my batter, who doesn't like that part??? so it went: streusel, batter, streusel, batter, streusel.

Thanks to my friend Tara I had the best coffee cake of my life! She made some for us as a gift on Christmas Eve and it was so good we made it the following Sunday. She made it in a bread loaf pan and we made it in a bundt cake pan. Both were equally delicious!

Shrimp

2011-01-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

apparently we are cooking southern and eating seafood. both are new to us. Seafood is still growing on me. Shaun had a hankering for shrimp so he cooked some up and it worked pretty well. (keep in mind shrimp is my least favorite seafood)

Fill a pan with 4-5 C water

Add about 2 T Cajun seasoning, or a seasoning of your choice.

Boil water.

Next add shrimp.

Cook for 3 min, drain, rinse with cold water and serve hot, or put on ice if you like. I wasn't a fan of them hot, or with cocktail sauce, but those options are out there.

BBQ Pulled Pork

2011-01-17T04:52:00.000-08:00

I don't know if this qualifies as a recipe as much as it does a meal plan but this was our dinner and it was worth putting on here!

BBQ Pulled Pork

1 2-4 pound boneless Pork Tenderloin

salt and pepper to taste1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce ( We either use homemade BBQ sauce, or a sweet hickory)

plus a little extra for your plate

Directions:

Heat oven to 300 degrees. In large crock pot size pan place pork in pan and salt and pepper. (mine is usually frozen, but I've notice the cooking time stays the same either way) cover with BBQ sauce, enough to cover the pork. put in oven and cook 3-4 hours. About every hour pull out pork and shred a little to make sure its all covered in sauce. put back in oven. I don't like to shred mine too much, but it soaks up the flavor but remaining covered. mine is usually fully shredded about 2 hours in, then I let it sit in the oven until I'm ready to eat, and the pork soaks up a lot of the sauce. about 15-30 min before your ready to eat, put some more sauce in and once that is heated through serve. its good on sandwiches, salads, taco, and by itself! If I want to freeze, I will thaw it in water and cook over the stove top, put some more BBQ sauce in, once its heated through its ready!

Creamed Corn Cornbread

2011-01-15T05:13:00.000-08:00

Creamed Corn Cornbread

2 C yellow cornmeal

1 t kosher salt

1/4 C sugar

2 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1 c buttermilk

2 eggs

1 C creamed corn

2 T butter

Directions

heat oven to 425

place 10 inch cast iron skillet in oven

In bowl combined dry ingredients and whisk until combined

In large bowl lightly beat eggs and add buttermilk and creamed corn. whisk until combined add dry ingredients to buttermilk mixture and whisk until combined. it is a little thick

In cast Iron skillet melt butter then add batter. (this is when Shaun decorated it with a fork??) Bake until it springs back to touch, about 20 min. beware, the pan is SUPER hot and stays that way for a long time!! serve with butter and I like it with honey and butter :) a great side!

Hush Puppies

2011-01-13T04:34:00.000-08:00

Hush Puppies

6 Cups Peanut Oil

1 1/2 C self rising Cornmeal

1/2 C Self rising flour

1/2 t baking soda

1/2 t salt

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 C buttermilk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 T honey

Directions:

In a deep saucepan heat oil to 350

In a mixing bowl mix all dry ingredients. stir in onion. In a small bowl lightly beat egg and add buttermilk, once mixed add honey and mix until combined. Pour buttermilk mixture into dry ingredients and stir until it looks like a wet sticky dough that is well blended. Using a cookie scoop drop 1 inch balls in hot oil and cook until golden brown, rotating throughout. it takes about 2-3 min to cook them. I found that if the oil was too hot the inside didn't cook, and if the oil was too cold it took to long to cook and they were greasier. it was pretty easy to figure out the color needed, when cooking ours they tended to be a bit darker, but we liked the crispier taste. Shaun likes his with ketchup and I liked mine just plain and so did the the kids. They didn't even notice the onion.

These were great! better than a lot of restaurant ones I've had! we ate them with pulled BBQ pork, and cornbread. the onion gives it a nice flavor and the honey keeps them a little sweet. A great combo! i feel like I'm turning into a true southern! I got these here, and added the honey, a good idea!

Traditional Chex Mix

2011-01-11T11:05:00.000-08:00

Chex Mix

3 C Rice Chex cereal

3 C Wheat Chex cereal

3 C Corn Chex cereal

1 C mixed nuts

1 C bite size pretzels

1 C bite size garlic flavor bagel chips

6 T butter

2 T Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 t seasoned salt

3/4 t garlic salt

1/2 t onion salt

Directions: In large bowl mix cereals, pretzels, nuts and bagel chips. In small microwaveable bowl melt butter, then stir in seasonings. Pour over cereal mixture and stir until coated evenly.

MICROWAVE WAY: on high for 5-5 min stirring every 2 min, and cool on paper towels.

OVEN WAY: Heat oven to 250. bake 1 hour stirring about every 15-20 min. cool on paper towels

German Pancakes

2011-01-09T11:08:00.000-08:00

2 T butter
1 C milk
1 C flour
6 eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
1 dash salt

preheat oven to 425.

Melt 2 T butter in 9x13 pan in oven while its heating

Mix flour and milk until smooth, whisk in eggs 1 at a time. Add vanilla and dash of salt, whisk until blended and pour batter into hot butter in 9x13 pan. Bake for 10-13 min. The edges will rise up and the middle will bubble up and expand, it will be lightly golden brown when done. serve with syrup and powdered sugar. I love this syrup! eat immediately. It will fall as time goes.

Dessert Cheese Ball

2011-01-07T11:02:00.000-08:00

I was looking for a good New yeas eve appetizer and/or dessert and found i needed to try this

12 oz cream cheese softened

1/2 t vanilla

1/2 C powder Sugar

1/4 C light packed brown sugar

3/4 C mini chocolate chips

1 C crushed cookies- i used oreos, you could use other stuff, like Graham crackers to roll in.

In a medium bowl blend it all together until smooth, but stir in mini chips. Put in fridge and let chill for a few hours. once it holds it shape roll into ball and roll in crumbs. put ona plate and chill until ready to serve. Serve with apples, crackers, oreos, anything you want! it was good, but I might make it when there aren't tons of other delicious food to distract from the ball.

Oysters

2011-01-05T18:40:00.000-08:00

the group of them once they came out of the oven and opened just a little

This is an Oyster with a crab inside. Apparently that is a good sign.

I hate oysters. They are slimy and the first time Shaun ate them was at our friend Greg and Jen's Oyster farm in Louisiana. They showed us their plant and Shaun ate some raw and almost vomited. it was funny to watch and made me positive I never wanted to try them. Then he went out on a boat and ate one fresh from the Gulf. He said "it was the most disgusting thing I have ever eaten." Oysters aren't getting a good rap. Yesterday when Shaun said he was going oyster farming with a friend i was surprised. Then he came home with a ginormous bucket of oysters we had no idea what to do with. He wanted to try to cook them and see how they tasted. After asking around a bit he tried the following:

Method 1

1. washed them from the dirt and mud he collected them out of

2. He broiled them on a jelly roll for about 10 min, until they slightly opened.

3. Shucked them and ate them.

Method 2

1. washed

2. Opened them with a knife

3. put butter and a few pieces of crispy garlic on the half shells.

4. Grilled them on high on the BBQ until the shells browned slightly.

Well, Shaun made me try them. After all his work canoeing to collect them i had to at least try. so I did, my first Oyster. it was surprisingly salty and decent tasting. I wouldn't say I will order Oysters every where I go, but I will definitely try them again. I think I ate about 5 or 6. I liked method 1 much better. so be brave and give oysters a try.

Claim Jumpers Garlic Cheese Bread

2011-01-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

The Spread

1/2 C butter
3/4 C shredded cheddar cheese
2 T grated Parmesan
1/2 t Garlic powder
1/4 t Worcestershire sauce
1/4 t salt
dash of pepper
dash of paprika

1 loaf of french bread or baguette sliced in half

heat oven to 400
melt butter and mix all ingredients in small bowl
spread on toast and bake for 10-12 min or until slightly golden and cheese begins to bubble

Au Gratin Potatoes

2010-12-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

8 med potatoes
1/4 C butter
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
2 C cheddar cheese- grated (Tillamook is the best, but in the south we don't have it and it still turns out good)
1/4 C green onions chopped
1/4 tsp salt

Boil potatoes in salted water. Cool. Peel and cut in bite size pieces. set aside. (if you are doing this fast, you can peel potatoes, cut in bite size pieces and then cook them and set them aside) In separate bowl mix softened butter and soup. Add the sour cream, onions, cheese and salt until mixed. Add in potatoes and put in 9x13 pan. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook or overnight. Top with additional cheese and bake at 350 for 60 min or until cheese begins to brown and potatoes are bubbly. I will usually broil the cheese for a min or 2 at the end (in the picture I did it a bit too long but we like our cheese that way)

If I would have known I could have done this the night before dinner would have been ready 40 min earlier. a handy hint, but it turned out great. very creamy but the potatoes were still chunky. side note: the more potatoes you do the less creamy it is. i used small potatoes but i think large would have been just as good.

Christmas Ham- honeybaked style

2010-12-27T07:41:00.000-08:00

i adapted my recipe from here

1 5-8 pound ham
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/3 C brown sugar
1 C honey
1/2 C butter

I had the perfect amount of glaze.

In double boiler heat all ingredients and keep warm while your ham is in the oven. Here is what i did. put ham in oven at 325 degrees. make above glaze. Baste ham with enough glaze to generously coat ham. cook ham for abotu 15 min while keeping remaining glaze warm. baste again, repeat about every 15-25 min for about an hour and 40 min (cook ham about 10 min for every pound) when ham was just about done, i sprinkled it with brown sugar and let that cook on the ham for the last 20 min or so. The ham was so moist! we plated it and poured the extra glaze on the plate so that we could dip each slice it the glaze. it was yummy and very much like a honey baked ham! this was my first attempt at making a ham and it turned out great! i think I'll just stick to the recipe and call it good! i may add dark karo syrup just to see how it is (that is what the original recipe calls for) but really it was perfect and tasted great with our Au Gratin Potatoes that are coming next!

Christmas Morning Casserole

2010-12-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

A Condie tradition stays strong. i think this our 4th or 5th year making this casserole for breakfast Christmas morning. While eating dinner tonight Kailey asked if we can have it every morning, so I think the tradition might last. One day we may actually eat a whole 9x13 pan, but so far with 2 adults and 4 kids under the age of 6 it takes a few days to finish it off. I love making this because its not stressful at all Christmas morning. We make it Christmas Eve, put it in the refrigerator and cook it while we open presents. Then about an hour later its ready and waiting!

Christmas Breakfast Casserole
6 C frozen shredded hash browns
1 C Jack cheese -shredded
1 C cheddar- shredded
1 lb sausage cooked and browned ( we usually put 1 1/2 lbs and cook it really crispy)
1/2 C green onion chopped
8 eggs
2 12 oz cans evaporated milk
salt/pepper
extra cheese for topping

Directions: in a bowl mix hash browns, cheeses, sausage and onions. In separate bowl mix eggs, milk and salt/pepper. put hash brown mix in 9x13 pan then drizzle with egg mixture. add more cheese to cover casserole and cover and refrigerate until use. Cook at 350 for 45 min to 1 hr. If you make in advance you will need to add about 10-15 min to cooking time. (mine usually take about 1 hr 15 min) it is done when cheese is melted and slightly browns and a knife comes out clean.

Shortbread Cookies take 2

2010-12-25T19:06:00.001-08:00

These are the shortbread cookies I was used to. the other ones were really good, but almost more like sugar cookies. These to me, are true shortbread cookies. the kids that dissolve in your mouth good. they are always so much easier than i think to make as well! and dipping them in chocolate yum! Shaun likes them plain, but I'll take chocolate on almost anything!

SHORTBREAD COOKIES
1 C butter softened
2 C flour-sifted
1/2 C powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt

1. blend dry ingredients with butter
2. Pat dough in 9x9 pan or shape into cookies
3. bake 20-25 min at 325
4. Dip in chocolate and serve with whipped cream

* I usually mix this with my hand to make the dough stick.

Shortbread Cookies

2010-12-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

3/4 pound Butter softened
1 C sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C flour
1/4 tsp salt
6-7 ounces chocolate

in a bowl beat sugar and butter until smooth. add vanilla. in a separate bowl sift flour with salt then add to butter mixture. when mixed dump onto floured surface, pat into a circle and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate about 30 min.
Roll to 1/2 " thickness and cut into shapes, or 3x1 inch squares. place on cookie sheet and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 20-25 min, or until edges slightly turn golden. Cool to room temperature. melt chocolate and dip or drizzle chocolate over half of the cookie. try to let them harden, but if your like me. eat em while the chocolate is still hot!

Callie's thoughts: I got this from the food network I love shortbread cookies. these were really good, but different than what I usually make, I'll have to post those soon. i didn't make them thick enough, so they were a little crispy.Oh and my cookies were done by like 10 min, so watch them! it was a totally different cookie, it was like shortbread meets sugar cookie, with chocolate. you can't really go wrong by adding chocolate in my opinion. i would like to try these again making them thicker to see the difference in texture. these tasted like the kind you buy in a tin at Christmas time.

Ginger Bread Men with Icing

2010-12-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

Kailey made the top batch, Jessie made the bottom 2. who won??

GINGERBREAD
7 C flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 C shortening
1 C brown Sugar
1 1/2 C dark molasses
2/3 C Cold water

mix dry ingredients, add wet. Cover and chill a few hours or overnight. it is very paste like dough. Roll out and cut into shapes (we did gingerbread men, but snowmen would be cool, or you could make houses out of the dough!) Bake at 300 for 15 min. let cool completely. if you leave them out overnight they will get really hard, if you put them in a Ziploc, they stay really soft.

ICING

3 egg whites room temp
1 lb powdered sugar (3 3/4 C)
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

decorate! this icing seems soft, but hardens up nicely. I have never made gingerbread before. It was a pretty good first attempt. the cookie wasn't too overpowering. I think i could have handled a little strong molasses flavor, but i used dark Karo syrup instead of molasses because that is all I had on hand. next time I will get the real stuff. decorating was the best part! :)

Buttermilk Buscuits

2010-12-22T05:12:00.000-08:00

Shaun and I were craving some biscuits because ewe saw Julia Child make some on a TV show, well, turns out making biscuits is hard. No Offense, but Shaun's were nasty, they tasted like flour. So I had my hand in them. I knew he didn't like my Grandmas kind, so I made some from scratch. they weren't much better. so we googled some recipes and these looked good. all have pretty much the same ingredients but these had honey. needless to say I ate 4 and Shaun had the rest (it made a dozen) they were good!

2 C flour
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
5 T chilled butter cut in small pieces
3/4 C buttermilk
3 T honey

1. mix dry ingredients and cut in chilled butter, it will resemble coarse crumbs
2. whisk buttermilk and honey until well blended
3. Add buttermilk/honey to dry ingredients and mix just until moist
4. Turn out onto flour surface and knead about 4 times. flatten with hand until about 1/2 in think and then fold dough over itself into thirds. Pat dough until about 3/4 " thickness. cut dough into rounds (I use a glass cup) and put on cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 10-12 min. Let cook on rack for 2 min and eat warm.

Chris's Cinnamon Rolls and Frosting

2010-12-21T05:22:00.000-08:00

** I can't find my cord to attach my pictures, but when I get it, I'll attach the pictures. but I dint want to leave you cinnamon roll-less before Christmas!

Since being married to Shaun I always heard about Chris's famous cinnamon rolls, she used to make them in dozens and give them out as part of a Christmas tradition. well, unfortunately I never had any original, She died before I got to try them. With Clyde in town over Thanksgiving we tried to re-create the memories. They weren't exactly like hers, or so I was told, but they were still really good, best I've ever had!! I think my new goal will be trying to perfect them!

2 T yeast
1/2 C warm water
3/4 C milk
1/4 C butter
1/2 C sugar
2 t salt
4 1/4 to 4 1/2 C flour
2 eggs
6 ounces raisins

1/4 C butter softened
1/2 C sugar
cinnamon

Soften yeast in warm water. Combine warm milk, butter, sugar and salt. Cool to luke warm. Stir in 2 C flour and beat until smooth. Add softened yeast and eggs. Add 2 1/4 C of the remaining flour to make a soft dough, add more flour if needed. Knead. Place the raisins in the bottom of a large bowl and put the soft dough on the top of the raisins. Cover and let rise in warm place until double in size. Punch down and roll out to 12x14" rectangle. Spread with softened butter. sprinkle with 1/2 C sugar and sprinkle liberally with cinnamon. Roll so you have 24" long piece of dough. Slice into 24 1" pieces and place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise for about 45 min. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Frost immediately after coming out of the oven. Frost on wire rack that is sitting in a jelly roll to catch the excess frosting.

Frosting: 1/4 lb butter
1 lb. Powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
dash of salt
milk or cream (enough to make it slightly runny)

Combine and mix well, adding enough milk or cream to make a very soft frosting. Spread over cinnamon rolls immediately after they come out of the oven. I used a cookie rack placed in a jelly roll so that it catches the excess frosting and i can reuse it and spread it on again.

Debbies Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

2010-12-15T08:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you Debbie! I feel like there are so many chocolate chip cookie recipes, but we LOVE these. We freeze what we don't make the first night and always have some for a rainy day, or a midnight snack

2/3 C Crisco
2/3 C butter
1 C Brown sugar
1 C white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C flour
1 t salt
2 t baking soda
2 C chocolate chips

Directions: In large bowl cream butter, shortening and sugars. Add egg, vanilla until blended. Add dry ingredients until blended and stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 8-10 min

Tart Cherry Pie

2010-12-14T07:52:00.000-08:00

CHERRY PIE

3/4 C sugar

2 1/2 T cornstarch

1 T tapioca

dash of salt

1 C cherry Juice (from canned cherries)

1 T butter

2 Cans tart red Cherries drained (I find these in the fruit isle, not the pie filling cans)

Combine sugar, cornstarch, tapioca and salt in saucepan. Add cherry juice and cook until the mixture thickens and turns clear. (it will look foggy and then all of the sudden clear up) Add butter and cherries. Put into an unbaked pie shell and top with lattice crust. Sprinkle sugar over and bake at 450 for 35045 min. If crust browns to fast, cover with aluminum foil and keep baking.

This is a MUST for Shaun on Thanksgiving. Its a classic and its good. he usually makes this one himself and likes to make the lattice nice and pretty! it is definitely a pretty pie

Pumpkin Muffins

2010-12-13T08:08:00.000-08:00

My friend Erin brought these to a playgroup activity. they were mini and the perfect snack. or meal, I think i ate a dozen! they were so delicious and healthy. who doesn't like something pumpkin for Halloween and Thanksgiving season? we made these the day before thanksgiving and snacked on them all Thanksgiving day while we cooked the turkey.

PUMPKIN MUFFINS

3/4 C Brown sugar

1/2 C sugar

1/4 C applesauce

1/4 oil

1 C pumpkin

2 eggs

1 C white flour

1 C wheat flour

1/4 C-1/2 C wheat germ (i left this out because I didn't have it)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp each: nutmeg, cinnamon, salt

1/4 tsp ginger

1/4 C water

1 C raisins/chocolate chips (optional)

1/2 C nuts (optional)

Blend sugars, oil, applesauce, pumpkin, eggs until smooth. mix dry ingredients and spices and add to pumpkin mixture. stir in water, raisins and nuts, chocolate chips.

bake at 400 in greased pan.

mini muffins bake 12-15 min

regular muffins 18-20 min

loaf pan 350 for 65-76 min or clean toothpick.

I made mini muffins. it make 3 pans. i did 2 without chocolate chips and 1 with. they are good!

Magic Cookie Bars

2010-12-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

Easy fall back dessert!

1 package graham crackers- crumbled

6 T melted butter

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 C shredded coconut

1-2 C chocolate chips

(butterscotch chips optional)

crumble graham cracker and mix with butter press into 9x13 pan

pour can of sweetened milk over and spread evenly. spread coconut evenly over 9x13 pan, then add chips and sprinkle a little more coconut

bake 350 for 30-45 min, or until coconut is golden brown.

Saltine Toffee

2010-12-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

I got these from this awesome blog! thanks Jen

1 package Saltine Cracker

1 Cup butter

1 C Brown Sugar

chocolate Chips

Line a jellyroll pan with saltines. In saucepan melt butter with Brown sugar and cook until boil, then let boil 3 min. pour melted butter mix over saltines and spread to cover. Bake in oven at 375 for 10 min. remove from oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips. let sit for 1-2 min and spread with rubber spatula. let cook completely and eat!

These are great to give to your neighbors and it makes a whole pan full! they were yummy, and so easy!

Tinas Bean Dip

2010-12-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

1 1/2 pounds of hamburger

1/2 yellow onion chopped

1 can refried beans

1 4 oz can diced green chili

2 c shredded cheese

1. brown meat with onion and drain grease.

2. in pan spread refried beans

3. sprinkle ground beef

4. spread chili's evenly over top

5. sprinkle cheese on top

Bake at 325 for 25 min or until cheese is melted. serve with chips, avocado, sour cream and any other sides you want.

Callies thoughts: this is really similar a 7 layer dip. its really simple and it made me think that it would be great to bring to a get together and everyone would like. its not spicy and and its so simple!

Thanksgiving Yams

2010-12-07T06:07:00.000-08:00

In this picture I only put the marshmallows on half.

These are so Yummy! In college my roommate Brooks made these for me one year and I've made them every year since. I made them for my family and now my sisters make them too. they are the type of food at the table that you are so stuffed you think, "Oh, I'll skip the yams" but these are too good to pass, i eat them first and skip the turkey! This year i had my father-in-law in town and he likes the traditional marshmallow kind, (mine usually have a sugary crumble topping) but this year I added the marshmallow, on top! talk about a dessert for dinner! try these you wont be sorry, try them for Thanksgiving or better yet Christmas.

heat oven to 350

2-3 (5-6 lbs)Yams baked like potatoes or 1 large can pured yams

3 eggs

1/4 c sugar

1/2c butter-melted

1/2 C whipping cream

1 T vanilla

using hand mixture blend all ingredients and put in 9x9 casserole dish

Topping:

1/2 c butter (softened not melted)

1 C brown sugar

1 C flour

1 c pecans ( I dont do this, im not a nut fan)

large marshmallows cut in half and spread over sugar mixture

mix into crumbs and sprinkle over yams.

Bake 30 min or until marshmallows are brown.

Chocolate Cake with Frosting

2010-12-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

this cake took a little bit more time than a box, but not too bad considering how pretty it was, the cake was so moist and delicious. the frosting was good too, it wasn't as sweet as I was used to, it didn't leave you craving for one more piece, which is good and bad. I kinda like food that makes me crave more or take one more bite. this was good, and i can see how it can be people's favorite, but i like sugary frosting! that said, it was was fun to make, i don't bake many cakes, and i loved how pretty it was.

CHOCOLATE CAKE
1 1/4 C cocoa
2 1/4 C flour
2 1/2 C sugar
2 1/2 t baking soda
1 1/4 t baking powder
1 1/4 t salt
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
1 1/4 C warm water
1 1/4 C buttermilk
1/2 + 2 T veg oil
1 1/2 t vanilla

Heat oven to 350
Line bottom of 2 rounds with parchment paper, spray with Pam. and dust with cocoa powder (this is to avoid the white powder on the frosting)
Sift all dry ingredients together add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. blend 3 min.
Pour into rounds and bake for 32-35 min. toothpick will come out moist crumbs or clean.
Cool 15 min. remove from pans and cool completely.
put frosting in the middle and cover both cakes with frosting.

FROSTING
1 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/4 C flour
3 T cornstarch
1/4 t salt
1 1/2 c milk
2 t vanilla
3 sticks butter softened

FYI:This frosting takes some time and attention.
Sift dry ingredients and whisk into milk until smooth. Use a strainer and pour milk into saucepan. Cook until mixture boil and is thick to the point of difficult to easily whisk. (about 5-10 min)

cool completely. this is important, it will change the texture if you don't

beat in vanilla about 30 seconds, add softened butter 1 T at a time. beat 2 min and increase until smooth, about 5 min. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hr.

To make frosting chocolate add 1/2 C cocoa with flour mixture and beat in 4-5 ounces of melted chocolate, then cooled, with butter

Cranberry Salsa

2010-12-05T20:10:00.000-08:00

I had this at my friend Erin's house during a book group right before thanksgiving and it was good and so different and seasonal. I had to try it.

12 oz fresh cranberries chopped
4 green onions-chopped
2 small jalepenos- seeded and minced
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c cilantor minced
1 T fresh ginger-grated
2 T lemon juice

mix this all together and serve over cream cheese and serve with crackers. If you have a food processor it makes this really easy to put together

Turkey Taquitos with gravy

2010-12-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

These are going to sound gross I know, but hear me out. So we had a ton of turkey left over for Thanksgiving so we tried a few things out. I was craving Shauns taquitos and we had turkey meat and gravy. So he used the turkey meat wrapped them in corn tortillas and put a toothpick in them to hold them together then fried them in vegetable oil. once they were drained on apapertowell we drizzeled them with our turkey gravy. Maybe we are officially from teh south noe because we fry pretty much anything, but dang these were really good! i thoguth i was going to vomit when shaun suggessted adding the gravy but it was the perfect touch. (should i use vomit on a food blog??) try it out next Thanksgiving then tell me who's crazy!!

Taquitos:
turkey meat
corn tortillas
vegetable oil- to fry in
gravy for sauce

Famous Dinner Rolls

2010-12-03T06:21:00.000-08:00

best rolls hands down. I don't make them enough for how easy and Delicious they are, especially since you can make one batch and save a few dozen for up to 2 weeks!

2 T yeast
2 C warm water
2 T sugar

Let sit for 10 min or until frothy

6 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 C melted butter

add to yeast mixture then add dry
1 C sugar
1 1/2 t salt
8-10 C flour

Knead 7-10 min in mixer with hook.
Let rise 2 hrs
Punch down dough and divide into 4 pieces. (refrigerate up to 2 weeks at this point)
One quarter at a time roll out dough to about 1/4 inch thickness into pizza shape. spread some melted butter over dough and slice with pizza cutter into about 12 pieces. Roll each triangle into dough shape and spread with butter again!
Let rise again 2 hrs then bake 8-10 min at 400 degrees.

Welcome December

2010-12-02T19:29:00.001-08:00

So this month I think I will be cooking a lot... i mean i cook a lot anyway, just check out this blog to see what we look like after all our eating. haha. so I am going to try to post a recipe every week day, taking breaks on the weekends. I have some good stuff coming, some thanksgiving recipes that we tried as well as some good desserts and cinnamon rolls. who doesn't like Christmas and the 10 pounds it puts on us before January when we make a new years resolution to lose the weight we gained in a month! hope you enjoy! leave a comment on the ones you do!

Condie Stuffing

2010-12-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

STUFFING

salt/pepper to taste

4 stocks celery sliced in thirds and diced

1 C butter

1 Loaf wonder bread (or a really cheap dry kind)

1 onion diced

2 eggs slightly beaten

1/2 tsp sage

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 Can chicken broth

*to dry out your bread cube it and lay on jellyroll pan and leave out until dry. if short on time you can put it in the over at 350 for 10 min or so.

In saucepan simmer onions and celery with salt and pepper in butter. until soft

In large bowl mix dried bread cubes with thyme, pepper/salt and sage. Add cooked onion and celery mixture and stir. stir softly to not break bread crumbs. Drizzle beaten egg over bread cubes and add chicken broth. when "snowball" texture it is ready. Stuff inside turkey. any extra place in pan and cook until golden brown. Shaun likes his really crispy so when the turkey is done he takes it out and broils it a bit so its soggy and crispy in texture.

Marie Calendars Lemon Cream Cheese Pie

2010-12-01T06:51:00.000-08:00

I am not claiming to be the best cook ever, but when I make desserts like this, i really like myself :) On Thanksgiving I made a dessert for me, Clyde and Shaun. I made the Chocolate fallen cake for me, cherry pie for Shaun and Lemon pie for Clyde. His takes the cake. it was smooth, rich, yet not too much, a little tart, and cold. it was gooood. i think Lemon has become my new Chocolate? sorry chocolate, you have always been there for me, but sometimes its refreshing to try new things. Don't worry though, in the end I always find my way back to Chocolate. I strongly suggest this if you want a refreshing pie and like lemon. 10/10

Crust

1 1/2 pkg crushed Graham Crackers

1/4 C butter, melted

2 T sugar

Cream Cheese Filling

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/4 C sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

Lemon filling

1/2 C sugar

2 T cornstarch

dash of salt

1 C water

2 egg yolks

2 T fresh lemon juice

1 T butter-melted make it so you wont have any clumps

Preheat oven to 350. Make the crust by mixing all ingredients together and pressing into a 9 inch pie pan. make sure to press a little on the sides so the crust is everywhere. (you could also buy a pre-made graham cracker crust, or try a real frozen pie crust?)

Prepare cream cheese filling by mixing sugar, vanilla, egg with electric mixer. mix until smooth and pour into crust. bake 30-35 min or until center is cooked. a knife should come out fairly clean.

As pie cools make lemon filling. In saucepan mix sugar, cornstarch, salt and water. bring to simmer stirring often. Whisk in egg yolk, add lemon and butter. when mixture is simmering again. stir a min and then pour over crust and cream cheese filing. let cool, then refrigerate for several hours before serving. I let mine sit overnight. enjoy!

Chili Verde

2010-11-29T08:57:00.000-08:00

2 T canola oil
5 pounds boneless pork roast, as much fat as possible trimmed off
salt and pepper for seasoning roast
2 yellow onions finely chopped
5 cloves garlic minced or finely chopped
1 15 oz can green enchilada sauce
2 cans diced tomato's with green chili's
1 can diced green chili's
1/2 C water
1 beef bouillon cube ( i forgot this so i guess its optional)
1 t cumin
1 t dried oregano
1/2 tsp pepper

Cooking in oven: (i did this method) here is the original recipe, including a crock pot version. apparently I can't read, so this is what I did....cut meat in 3 or 4 pieces and salt and pepper. (to brown easier) in large pot (that can go in oven) heat oil. brown all sides of pork, about 1-2 min each side. if you need to you can do this in shifts. Add garlic and onions to browned meat, stir together and cook until onions are almost clear. Add 1/2 c water, tomatoes, chili's, and sauce. cover and bake in oven at 300 for 3-4 hrs. i did 3 1/2 and then turned off the oven leaving it in there until i was ready to finish it, about an hour later. remove pork from sauce and shred (it doesn't have too much seasoning now, if you want to save some less flavorful meat for the kids, do it now.) add dried seasoning and bring to boil. After it boils simmer about 20-30 min, you are boiling off the liquid so its a stronger flavor. add pork back into sauce and cook again until its heated through, about 5-10 min. serve with whatever you like. tortillas, avocado, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped onion, ect.

Callie's thoughts: so I halved the recipe because who can eat 5 pounds in a sitting right? we couldn't even finish the 2 1/2 pound with 3 adults and 3 kids, so we froze the leftovers. we had them for lunch one sun day is it was just as good (i do have a food saver and think its amazing!) next time (which may be very soon) I will be making the whole recipe and freezing it into lunch and dinner size portions for those days or nights when i want something quick, warm and good. The only thing I can really think to comment on, other than it was delicious, was that it was a little spicy for the kids, I thought that it might be, so I left some just salted and peppered meat aside to give to the kids, they loved it. this was a great idea on my part. (i am pretty smart) that ways the adults got seasoned pork tacos and the kids got pork with cheese and tomatoes and avocados and all the other sides we ate with ours. 10/10 this would also be great on a salad, burritos, sandwiches, or in some Mexican soup? some other thoughts, the finer you shred it, the "soggier" it is, so next time i might not go so fine. and if it seems really liquidy, just boil it off, and it becomes more flavorful and less juicy.

Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken

2010-11-27T06:05:00.000-08:00

Callie's Thoughts: this is a Great meal to give away to a friend or someone in need of a meal. Jessie's friend made this for her after she had her baby and she said it was delicious. So I made it and it was! Pasta isn't usually my go to food. The kids tend to like butter garlic and plain noodles so we'll make that. Occasionally I'll make a red sauce, or a pasta dish, and this was a great one to try. It was so easy and quick! I bought a rotisserie, boiled the pasta and made the sauce while it cooked. it was ready in 15 min. it was creamy, had great flavor and even Carter loved it. I think the shapes help with the kids.

1 rotisserie chicken, or 3 breast marinated in a salad dressing (balsamic garlic is a good one) cooked and chopped or shredded into bite size pieces.

1 Bowtie or Linguini pasta

3 T flour

3 T butter

2 C milk

1/2 tsp pepper

1 C grated Parmesan

1/3 C pesto sauce

Boil water and make pasta according to box. While its cooking in saucepan mix butter and flour to make rue, cook about 1 min. Slowly add milk and whisk into flour and butter. add pepper. stir occasional until it thickens. this usually takes me about 10 min. once its thick add cheese and pesto sauce. mix with cooked pasta and serve immediately.

Turkey Dinner

2010-11-25T17:48:00.000-08:00

top: the turkey with Carrots and potatoes. Bottom: stuffed full with stuffing. YUM

Well, its late and I'm sure most people have eaten their Turkey dinners but here is what we had. Shaun is one good Turkey cooker. He said buy a big turkey so we could have left overs... I think I went overboard. they had a 10 pounder or 20... I chose a 20. There were 3 adults and 3 kids that ate, we have A LOT of left overs. maybe I'll post some things to do with your leftover turkey later?

so here's what we did:

1. We bought the turkey on Monday and refrigerated it.

2. We removed giblets and neck, rinsed and brined it from about 8pm until we got ready to cook it Thursday morning.

The Brine: put Turkey in a large 5 gallon bucket fill with cold water, just enough to cover the turkey. put 1 c kosher salt in water and mix. cut 4-5 garlic cloves and chop. mix in water, let sit overnight.

3. about 8 we got the turkey ready for cooking. remove from brine, rinse and dry the turkey.

4. fill Roasting pan with carrots, onion then set in rack and place turkey on the rack.

5. rub oil or butter over turkey, salt and pepper.

6. fill cavity of turkey with stuffing (I'll post this recipe later)

7. Cook in oven at 325 according to turkey directions. generally about 15 min a pound. we cooked our 20 pound Turkey about 4 hours.

8. about 30 min into cooking, or when golden brown cover with aluminum foil and keep cooking.

9. with 1 hour left chop red potatoes and place in bottom of roaster.

10. when temp reaches 180 its done! take out of oven and let sit for 20 min before slicing.

Enjoy your turkey!!!

Triple Berry Muffins

2010-11-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

3 C flour
1 T baking powder
1/2 Baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 T Cinnamon
1 1/4 C milk
2 eggs (slightly beaten)
1 C butter melted
2 C berries ( 1 C blueberries, 1/2 C strawberries, 1/2 C raspberries)
1 1/2 C sugar

In one bowl sift together dry ingredients. In another bowl mix liquid ingredients (egg, butter, milk) Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in liquid. stir until just mixed, do not over mix. in separate bowl mix sugar and berries and fold into batter. I didn't have fresh berries so I just used the Costco triple berry mix of frozen ones. they turned out great! they aren't the prettiest muffins, but they are delicious.

Bake at 375 in sprayed or lined muffin tray (makes about 18 muffins) bake 20-25 min or until tops are slightly browned.

Chicken Marinara sandwhiches on baguette

2010-11-21T12:20:00.000-08:00

If you can't tell, I've been making baguettes a lot lately! they are so easy, so yummy and so versatile!!! today we made them into sandwiches.

1 recipe of this baguette (makes 2 large loafs)
2 pieces of chicken, cooked and sliced. (we did our very thin and layered them on the loaf)
1 recipe of this homemade marinara sauce. (minus the meat)
4-5 slices of cheese per loaf (we did mozzarella)

slice baguette in half. place 1 half on baking sheet and layer cheese and chicken. bake at 350 about 5 min, or until almost melted. place other half in oven and broil for another 2-3 min or until lightly brown.

take out of oven and spoon on some sauce. eat! nice and easy. we used left over chicken from dinner a few nights back, and if I had had some leftover sauce this meal would have been a 10 min meal! it was still pretty quick!

Callies thoughts: Shaun made this one up. I had made baguettes and the chicken was made the day before so he threw the sauce together, and we added cheese.. so yummy. we like sandwiches, this was just as good if not better than anything you buy, thats always a good thing when it comes from things you have lying around on a regular basis.

Giant Pretzels

2010-11-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

I guess this isn't too different than making a baguette, because its the same dough. but who doesn't like it all fun shaped and topped with garlic and cheese, or, cinnamon sugar, or just plain salt!?

use this recipe and follow until the shaping. then divide into 9 or 10 pieces. and roll each piece out. shape into pretzel shape. if they aren't as big as you want. make them all into long string pieces then roll again right before shaping. this allows them to rise just a bit more and makes them a bit more flexible, making them bigger. brush with egg wash (beat an egg in a bowl) and sprinkle with desired flavor. i made 3 of each. bake at same temp for about 20 min or until golden brown.

for cinnamon sugar: 1 tsp cinnamon 1/3 sugar (brush this one with butter so its more sweet. the egg doesn't really add any flavor)

garlic: sprinkle with garlic salt then sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan. these were our favorite. the cheese got nice and crispy and the garlic salt gave it a nice kick

salt: sprinkle with kosher salt and once cooked dip in mustard or melted cheese.

Double Chocolate Banana Bread

2010-11-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

1 C sugar
2 eggs
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 1/4 c Mashed bananas (about 3)
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 C cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C chocolate Chips

Directions: mix sugar, eggs, oil until creamy. add bananas and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients on low speed until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into bread pan and bake at 350 for 60-70 min, or toothpick comes out clean. enjoy chocolate overload!

Tortilla Soup

2010-11-15T11:49:00.000-08:00

1 T olive Oil
1 yellow onion chopped
1 small can diced green chili
1 pound shredded chicken ( i just cooked mine in the microwave about 10 min and shredded. turned out great!)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)
1 can white beans
1 can diced tomatoes

1 can chicken broth
1/4 c chopped cilantro
lime to squeeze on your own soup
toppings:
tortilla strips (slice 10 corn tortillas into strips and spray with Pam and sprinkle with a little kosher salt. bake at 350 for about 10-15 min or until golden brown and crispy. if they aren't crispy they will go soggy in your soup)
sliced avocado
dollop of sour cream per bowl

directions: saute onion and green chili in stock pot with olive oil. add chicken. add spices and stir. add beans, tomatoes and cilantro, bring to boil then let simmer about 5 min. spoon out and serve.

Callies thoughts: I made this for Sunday dinner. I didn't realize it was such a QUICK meal. so instead of bringing to a boil you could simmer for an hour or so, until your ready to eat. it was a great soup!! Jordan said "mom whenever you make soup its so delicious!" that's a good thing coming from her!

Brown Sugar Spice Pork Tenderloin

2010-11-13T03:13:00.000-08:00

2 1/2 lb pork tenderloin
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 Tb Olive Oil

Glaze:
1 C dark Brown Sugar
2 TB finely chopped garlic
1 Tb Tabasco Sauce

In small bowl mix salt, pepper, Cinnamon, chili powder, and cumin. rub on pork tenderloins.
In cast iron skillet (or skillet that can go into the oven) heat oil and brown pork turning about 4 min.

Pat brown sugar mixture on top of each tenderloin and bake in over at 350 for about 25 min, or until thermometer reaches 140. take out of oven and let sit at room temp about 10 min. the temperature will rise to about 155 while sitting. spoon glaze over pork, slice on the diagonal and serve.

Callies thoughts: i forgot to put my review: this was so tender. I usually don't do pork that often, but apparently everyone in the south does, so I thought, I'd convert. I'm a lover! I'm always afraid of under cooking it, but so far so good. this was sweet enough that is seemed to satisfy both dinner and dessert, but not too sweet because it had a bit of spice. the kids liked it ok, they liked it more plain rather than with the sugary sauce. i will definitely be rotating pork tenderloin in my menu, because its so easy, even for a weekday meal.

Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2010-11-11T06:35:00.000-08:00

These are ok. I found them in a health magazine, they only have 50 calories each. I like banana bread a lot, and I like chocolate chip cookies even more. but these I would have to be in the mood for. they aren't bad by any means, just not my favorite.

1/2 C butter softened
1/2 C unsweetened applesauce
1 C sugar
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1 1/2 t baking soda
2 C quick oats
1 C chocolate chips (i put more in but I think I over did it, a little too gooey)

bake 350 for 8-11 min or golden brown.

blend butter. Cream sugar, bananas, eggs, and vanilla. add flour and baking soda. Stir in Oats and chocolate chips. Spoon on cookie sheet and bake. Transfer to wire rack to cool.