NotSoPerfect Housewife

Pumpkin Cake

2009-11-19T17:30:00.000-08:00

This cake is perfect if you are looking for something a little different then pumpkin pie. I especially love it the next morning for breakfast.

2/3c. veg oil
1/2 c. applesauce
3 eggs
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (libby's is best)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In a large bowl add oil, applesauce, pumpkin, eggs and vanilla. Beat until creamy

In a separate bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add to pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined.

Pour batter into a greased and floured bundt pan

Bake for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Let cool in pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto plate. Serve with whipping cream.

Click here for printable version of this recipe

What Is That?

2009-11-19T11:59:00.000-08:00

For the past few weeks I’ve been walking the girls to school with some of their friends. I don’t know why they think this is so much fun, personally I would rather take the bus, but its good exercise and they enjoy it. Well now that Halloween is over and people have started putting out their Thanksgiving decorations we have walked by a few homes with these large inflatable turkeys. A few days ago my littlest one says to me

“What’s that on the chicken’s nose? Is that a worm?”

Not remembering what that hanging things was called, I just said

“No, it’s just a thing and it’s not a chicken, it’s a turkey.”

Now apparently she didn’t think my explanation of the snood (and yes I had to look that up) was very good because a few days later when we walked past it again she looks up at me with her hand over her mouth, a horrified look on her face and says between dry heaves

“Is that a booger?”

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-11-18T06:55:00.000-08:00

I've had many pumpkin chocolate chip cookies over the years and none compare to my mom's recipe. These are nice and moist with just enough cinnamon. Other cookies I've tried always seem to dry and with way to much spice and I've decided milk chocolate chips really are the best way to go. The recipe below is my mom's original (I think she got this from a friend when we lived in Maine). I double this recipe and some time triple it, between my family and their friends these never last long.

1c. cooked pumpkin(libby's works best)
1c. sugar
1/2c. veg oil.
1 egg
2c. flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp milk
1c. milk chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven 370 degrees F.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, oil and eggs. Mix well.

In a separate bowl combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add to the pumpkin mixture.

In a small cup dissolve the baking soda in the milk. Add Baking soda mix and vanilla to pumpkin mixture.

Mix in chocolate chips

Drop by large spoon full on a lightly greased cookies sheet. Bake for 10-12 mins

And here you have it The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Trust me, you try these and you will never go back to store bought again.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

It's That Time Of Year Again - Football

2009-09-02T08:59:00.001-07:00

Football started last month for our family. My sports nut is having a blast this year. This is his 4th year playing football and it's been lots of fun watching him grow in the sport. There was quit a shake up in his division this year and he is playing for a new couch. I was a little hesitant at first, but I love his new couch. He has really aloud the sports nut to explore and develop his talent in other positions "GO BLUE" This is from his first game, he got the tackle
This was an awesome play, he was able to strip the ball from the QB.
I just thought this was kind of funny, I love the look on the other kids face as he's being push out of the way.
Next weekend girls soccer begins

Butter Baked Chicken

2009-09-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Well I've just spent 30minutes trying to come up with a cute and fun paragraph about this chicken, and nothing is coming to mind except it's good and easy. So that's all you get for today.

1 sleeve ritz crackers or any butter flavored cracker
1-1 1/2 tsp house seasoning
3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts(cut into strips)
2 eggs beaten
1/4 c. milk
1/2c. butter, cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

crush your ritz crackers- I do this in a zip lock bag

to the crackers, add the house seasoning - you can place this mixture into a bowl and dip the chicken in individually. I just like to do it this way because I get less of a mess.

In a bowl mix your eggs and milk, dip your chicken pieces into the egg mixture to coat.

place chicken into the ziplock bag with the cracker mixture, zip closed and shake.

Place coated chicken in a 9X13 baking dish and place butter pieces around the chicken. Bake for 40 minutes. My kids like this served with Ranch Dressing on the side. Quick easy and yummy.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

This is My Favorite Commercial

2009-08-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

I can't stop singing this song.

It really is the most wonderful time of the year :)

What I've been up to.

2009-05-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

I realized today that it has been awhile since I've blogged anything. So I thought I would go through a few things I've been up to lately. Baseball- He is really getting good at this game.

Soccer-She loves to play goalie

Soccer- you know what's sad about this pictures? I took it in our front yard, I realized that I hadn't taken any pictures of her playing soccer this year. So I made her put her uniform on and run around the front yard so I would have some pictures. What kind of mother am I, seriously that's pathetic.

Trying to train a naughty puppy to be a good big dog.

And my newest obsession... COUPONS... believe it or not I got all this stuff for about $42.00, yes that's right $42 smackaroos (would have cost me $150 before I became a coupon nut). There's : 20 canister of kool-aid, 6 boxes of graham crackers, 6 packs of candy bars, 6 marshmallow, 3 yogurt drinks, 8 hot dogs, 11 shaving creams, 5 BBQ sauces, 6 salad dressing, 6 rice cakes and 4 mustard. Sooooo Cooool.

My dad's been in Turkey(yes the country) so I've been helping my mom take care of my grandmas. I've also been trying to get ready to open up a store on Etsy with my girls. They are going to sell hair bows (I'll try to post more about that later). And we made it through a layoff at my hubby's company. So that's been my life in a nut shell or nut house. Hopefully I get some more recipes posted soon, I have a really good one for a peanut butter rice-crispy chocolaty roll-up. It is so ooey gooey good.

Easter Bunny Buns

2009-04-03T07:58:00.001-07:00

I was going through my mom's older recipes recently and came across this recipe for bunny buns. When I was younger I remember watching my mom in the kitchen, with this recipe sitting on the counter, rolling out the dough to make these bunnies. She would make up some batches and then take them to friends and neighbors. The recipe still has the grease and flour stains from all those years ago.
I decided to make the buns with my kids for a fun activity. I made up the dough and gave each kid a ball to form into bunnies.

I think my kids did pretty good with the instructions. The only thing is, this is all the buns they made. The recipe is suppose to make 2 1/2 dozen. I guess that's why my mom always rolled out the dough instead of us.

After they where done baking I let them frost and decorate the ones they made.

I think they turned out pretty cute. They may not look exactly like the picture, but that's okay. I'm hoping to make these every Easter. Then when my kids get older they can find this recipe and have it bring back memories of their childhood (but maybe next time I'll roll out the dough).

Gotcha

2009-04-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

The April fools jokes went pretty much how I thought they would. It took a bit of encouragement to get my kids to try the drinks. I guess they know me to well, they where worried I had put something in them. They where surprised and probably a bit relieved to find out it was only jello.

The Homeschooling gag was pretty funny, at least I thought it was funny. I kept it up for quit awhile and the two older ones went through all the stages of grieving. Denial, anger, sadness they didn't make it to acceptance. My little miss sunshine however was excited about the idea of staying home from school(she has issues with school).

This is the devastated faces of my children. They even threatened that they would go and get on the bus in the morning to go to school, and I couldn't stop them. I know I'm mean, but it really was funny. Next year I'm planning on hanging fake spiders from their ceiling while they are sleeping. I can almost hear the screams now. HAHAHA April Fools a day to mentally screw up your kids.

April Fools

2009-04-01T14:27:00.000-07:00

I like April fools day. You can get away with almost anything, in the spirit of the day.
I have my kids April fools jokes ready. I went to Family Fun and decided to do the Gelled Juice. I've also printed out a home school schedule to inform my kids that this is their last week of school. Next week we start homeschooling. So while they are trying to drink jello I will go over our homeschooling routine. This is going to be fun. I wonder what other things I can come up with before the day is over. HAHAHA April Fools!!!

Swiss Chicken

2009-03-23T18:51:00.001-07:00

A few years ago I joined a food group with some of my friends. We each picked one day out of the week that we would cook for the others family. It was a lot of fun getting and eating new dishes and it was even more fun not having to cook every night of the week, but still getting a nice homemade meal. Unfortunately like all good things, they have to come to an end. Everyone started to move away and the group disbanded. This recipe is one I received from my friend Kristen. It's so simple to make and it's what I would call a Pantry Dish - a dish you can make from everyday items in your pantry.

3-4 boneless skinless chicken breast
4-5 slices swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. milk
1 c. dry stuffing mix
1/3 c. melted butter
Salt and Pepper

Cut chicken into large chunks and place in a greased 8X8 baking dish. Salt and pepper

In a bowl mix soup and milk

Place cheese slices over chicken

Pour soup mixture over chicken

Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top

Drizzle butter over all, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 20 minutes or until stuffing is golden brown and sauce is bubbly.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

NotSoPerfect

2009-03-22T21:21:00.001-07:00

I thought I would try a new meatloaf recipe the other day, just to change things up a bit. I looked around on the internet and in some cookbooks and came across Paula Deen’s Cheeseburger Meatloaf recipe. It looked really really good, so I gave it a try. I tell ya, I don’t know what I did wrong but, it was not good. The outside looked perfect, all nice and crisp but the inside was an ooey gooey mushy glop. At first I thought it wasn’t cooked all the way, so I threw it back in the oven for another 10minutes, that didn’t help. I seriously don’t know what I did, but it had to be me because the reviews were great on this recipe. I don’t know, maybe I was having an off day, maybe it was because I used old hamburger buns instead of plain bread to sop up the grease, or maybe..maybe, well I quess there is no maybe. I just bombed it and my family had a nice dinner of cold cereal.

Mormon Muffins

2009-03-13T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Taste of Home magazine used to have an article entitled "I Wish I Had That Recipe...." in which a reader could write in about a recipe they would like to have from a particular restaurant. This recipe come from The Greenery Restaurant. I've been there a few times and these muffins are really good, but they don't give them away, if you want one you have to buy it and they aren't cheap. So I was glad when I saw this recipe published. Now I can have these at home when ever I get a craving.

5 tsp. baking soda
2 c. boiling water
1 c. shortening (I use butter)
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
5 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 quart buttermilk
4 c. All-Bran cereal
2 c. bran flakes
1 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven 350 degrees F

In a bowl, stir baking soda in boiling water until dissolved. Cool.

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening(or butter) and sugar

Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine flour and salt in a separate bowl

Add to the creamed mixture

Alternately with the buttermilk. Mix well.

Beat in the baking soda mixture.

Fold in All- Bran

Bran-flakes and nuts.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until muffins tests done.

Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve with honey butter. Muffin batter will keep in the fridge for 1 week. Which is really a good thing because this recipe make a lot of batter.

Click here for printer friendly version.

Honey Butter

2009-03-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is so simple to make and a sweet treat on any biscuit, cornbread, muffin or scone.

1/2 c. butter - room temperature

1/3c. honey

In a bowl add butter and honey

Beat until creamy. You can do this by hand or use a mixer

Serve at room temperature.

Click here for printer friendly version

Pizza Crust

2009-03-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Growing up with very little money, almost everything we had was homemade. That's when making it at home was always cheaper then eating out. My mom would even make cheese. I still remember seeing the ball of cheese wrapped in a cheese cloth hanging in the shower(that part grosses out my husband) letting all the whey drip out of it. Although the bathroom part doesn't sound so good the taste was unbelievable. So when pizza started to become an important staple to my brothers diet my mom learned how to make pizza dough. Although I love my moms cooking and if it wasn't for her I would not be able to cook the way I do. Her dough is not my favorite. It's taken me years to find a dough that has that nice chewy consistency. This recipe is actually from the California Pizza Kitchen Cookbook. I usually quadsixal (I don't think that's a word) this recipe and I get 1 extra large pizza, bread sticks and a dessert pizza(that's my kids favorite).

1 tsp. Yeast
1/2 c. plus 1 Tbsp. warm water (105-110 degrees F)
1 1/2 c. bread flour
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
plus 1 tsp for coating

In a mixer using a dough hook dissolve the yeast in water and let proof for 5-10 minutes

Add half the flour and mix slighly then add the salt, 1 Tbsp olive oil and the rest of the flour using the lowest speed of your mixer. Mix for 2-3 minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Do not over mix it will cause a tough dough.

lightly oil the inside of a large bowl and place the dough ball in the bowl and seal with plastic wrap so it's air tight. Let rise until doubled in size. The next part in the recipe I don't always do. After punching down the dough from the first rising, recover and place in the fridge overnight(you are going to need to keep in eye on it because it will keep rising in the fridge).

If you've put it in the fridge overnight you need to take your dough out 2hrs before you are ready to assemble your pizza. Using a knife divide your dough into equal portions, place into a greased casserol dish, cover and allow to double in size(they should be smooth and puffy). If you have a pizza stone place it in your oven and preheat to 500 degrees F one hour before cooking.

I like to take a large piece of aluminum foil sprayed with pan to place the dough on and then using my hands form the dough into a circle. If your adventurous you can try tossing it like a professional, just make sure your floor is clean so you can still use the dough after you drop it.

Now here comes the fun part the toppings: pepperoni, olives, cheese, mushrooms, bacon, ham, cinnamon- sugar the list is endless.

This is where my kids love to help.

Cook pizza from 8-18 minutes depending on the size of the pizza. Because my pizzas are so big they usually take closer to the 18 minute mark.

This is the dessert pizza, just a little brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. After it's cooked I drizzle with icing. This never has any leftovers.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Daizy May

2009-03-03T21:02:00.000-08:00

Say Hi to our newest family member. Daizy, a cute little boxer puppy. And boy is she a puppy. I forgot how much work it was to have a puppy in the house. She's doing pretty good with the potty training and she doesn't whine to much in her kennel.

Our only problem we seem to be having right now is she thinks Abby is her chew toy.

Although all our kids love her to death. Coco our little shitzhu really hates her. If Daizy tries to get close to her, she'll growl and bite her.

Everything but the Kitchen Sink.. Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-02-10T16:54:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe over 10 years ago out of the newspaper. I was reading the food sections and in the corner in a small 2X3 inch box was this recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I thought it looked interesting and clipped it out. It has now become one of my families favorite cookies.

1 c. butter or margarine
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c. Flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c. chocolate chips
1 c. rice krispies
1 c. flaked coconut
1 c. uncooked quick oats

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In mixer or large bowl, add butter , brown sugar and

granulated sugar. Beat until light and fluffy about 3 minutes.

Beat in eggs and

vanilla, scraping side occasionally. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Beat in flour mixture until blended.

Stir in coconut

Oats

Rice Krispies

and Chocolate Chips

Drop by rounded tablespoons on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden and edges are crisp.

Remove from baking sheet to wire rack to cool. Although the baked cookies are really good with a nice glass of milk, I love to eat just the batter. I put just a little bit in a container in the fridge for a midnight snack. MMMMMM... the calories....

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Our new arrivals

2009-02-08T20:21:00.001-08:00

I am now the proud parent of an HP Pavilion Computer and

an HP Home Server, I just couldn't be happier.

I think Jim is more excited about getting these then when we actually brought our own kids home, and he is actually upset that I didn't take pictures of our new babies to put on my blog. Men and gadgets they find them so much more exciting then we do.

A Death in the Family

2009-01-19T21:20:00.000-08:00

It was a very sad day today. It finally happened. I knew some day this day would come, but I didn't think it would be so soon. My external hard drive finally died. The worse part about it is, I had all of my pictures and music on it. I was lucky enough to have backed up a lot of my pictures on DVD, so I think I maybe missing only 5 months worth of pictures, and Jim thinks he can get all my music from my Ipod. We looked into some data recovery companies, but they want between $900-$1300 dollars(can you believe it). I'm not sure my lost pictures are worth that much money. The only good news that comes from this is Jim is getting me a HP home server(so this doesn't happen again) and a new computer-AWESOME.

Spicy Chicken and Mushroom Soup

2009-01-18T17:26:00.000-08:00

Late one night a few years ago, and on a complete whim. I sent this recipe into a national recipe magazine. About 6 months later I receive a cookbook in the mail and a letter stating they were using my soup recipe in their book. Although they renamed the soup and miss-spelled my name I was still really excited. So now I can actually say I've been published, I feel so cool.

1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. onion, diced
1/4 c. carrots, diced
1/4 c. celery, diced
3 c. sliced mushrooms
1/2 c. flour
5 1/2 c. chicken broth
pinch of dried tarragon
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce
1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
3 c. half-and-half cream
1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
2 c. cooked chicken, diced

In a large pot melt butter over medium heat.

Add vegetables

I've used button mushrooms before and left them whole.

Saute vegetables until tender

Add flour and let cook briefly, stirring regularly.

Slowly add chicken broth. stirring constantly

Add herbs, pepper and salt

Pepper sauce and parsley and stir well. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in Half-and-Half, lemon juice and chicken. Bring back to a simmer and cook 10 minutes.

Serve.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe

Printable Recipes are Finally Here

2009-01-16T07:44:00.000-08:00

It's here, it finally happened, after much frustration, hours of searching, and many %@* words, we finally have printable versions of my recipes. At the bottom of each recipe now there is a link you can click on that will take you to a printable version. I have even put on the side bar a complete list of recipes so you don't have to go searching for a recipe. I am so excited!!!

Click here for complete list

Ramblings of a Housewife

2009-01-03T18:51:00.000-08:00

This is a fun little ditty that was emailed to me. These are definitely some of my favorite things.

Bye-Bye Tree

2009-01-03T14:16:00.001-08:00

This picture was actually taken the day after Christmas. I know that seems like I'm a scrooge but I really needed that thing gone. It was so big and I'm still finding needles everywhere. It had a good life and my kids enjoyed the experience, but it was time for it to go to tree heaven(the landfill) may it rest in peace and may my house be uncluttered again.

Fried Turkey

2008-12-18T20:08:00.000-08:00

About 2 weeks ago we decided to try to fry our own Turkey. My parents had bought me a turkey fryer for my birthday this year and we still hadn't used it. So Saturday night we put our turkey in a brining solution of brown sugar and salt and let it marinate for the next 24 hours.

Jim's all set to risk his life frying up a turkey. I do like the pink oven mitts.

I was a little nervous at this point, but apparently not nervous enough to actually keep the little fire extinguisher you can see in the back ground next to me. I guess I figured I would jump through the flames if there was a fire and retrieve it.

A few gallons of boiling hot oil right next to us. Are we sure this is a good idea.

There it goes, there's no turning back now.

Jim spent the next 45 minutes keeping the oil at the right temperature

It's done and time to come out of the fryer

Oh man, have you ever seen anything so beautiful in your life and the taste is unbelievable. It's so juicy and moist. I don't think I can ever go back to just a plain old turkey cooked in the oven again, I have been converted.

All I want for Christmas

2008-12-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

She finally lost it and right before Christmas. What a perfect time of year to have your two front teeth missing. I wonder what she'll be asking Santa for.

A Griswold Christmas - Part 2

2008-12-18T13:58:00.000-08:00

We finally got our Christmas tree decorated a few days ago( I know, that sounds really bad). I decided this year to let go of my OCD issues and let the kids decorate the tree how they wanted it. Most of the ornaments stayed close to the bottom of the tree. They tried to throw some decorations up to the top, but they didn't stick.
The garland around the tree was a great idea of mine. I decided to have the kids string popcorn and cranberries( I really need to stop coming up with ideas). They were so excited to work on it the first 30minutes, but it quickly grew old after awhile, and one by one they stopped working.

It was quit hilarious watching them decorate the tree. They had to put gloves on so they wouldn't get poked by all the needles. Every little bit you would hear someone cry out "ouch" even Jim put on his glove and coat to string the lights. Although it's been kinda fun to have a real tree this year. I think I will go back to my pre-lit fake tree next year.

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

2008-12-02T07:48:00.001-08:00

I don't know if it's the fact that I spent part of my childhood in California or if it's just because it tastes so darn good, but Mexican food and Tex-Mex is my favorite. I could eat it everyday. My favorite midnight snack is chips and salsa or chips and a bowl of refried beans with cheese and salsa. Jim doesn't like beans, so he says it looks like I'm eating a big bowl baby poo, but I don't care.

I LOVE IT!!

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 can Chicken broth
1/2c. onions
1 tsp. garlic
2 tsp. Mexican spice mix
1 Tbsp. tomato paste

Mexican spice mix:
1/4c. paprika
2 tsp. cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. white pepper
2 Tbsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. granulated garlic
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. oregano

In a crock pot add your chicken and chicken broth.

Saute your onions and garlic

Add your onions and garlic to the chicken

Add your spice mix and tomato paste. Stir. Cover and cook on low for 3 hrs

Remove chicken and shred.
Place shredded chicken back into the crock pot and cook for another 45minutes
While chicken is simmering, make your taco shells.

Doesn't it look tasty

Fill your taco shells with chicken and any other topping you like. I put pretty much everything on mine, especially a good guacamole.

And this is what you end up with, an empty plate. I do have to admit, I licked the plate clean after I took this picture and then, I had three more tacos.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

A Griswold Christmas - Part 1

2008-11-30T18:48:00.001-08:00

Jim and I had a brilliant idea this year to take the kids and get a real Christmas tree. Well actually I'm blaming Brian and Alisha for doing it with their family first, which put the great idea in our heads.We went to a local tree farm about 30 minutes from our house. All their trees over 10ft where $25.00 so of course that's what where looking for.

Who knew finding a 10ft tree that everyone liked was going to be so hard. Tears were shed, tantrums where thrown, and arguments pursued on which tree was perfect.

After an hour of searching ..Ta-Da,, this was our tree. At least it was going to be whether everyone liked it or not.

We gave each kid a turn at sawing down the tree.

Well what a time we had. Even with all the crying and arguing I do think the kids had a lot of fun. Who knows maybe we'll do this every year or every 10 years.

Abby's People

2008-11-21T09:49:00.000-08:00

Abby has just started to draw people. I love this stage! I think these pictures are so cute, the people are all head and no body just two little stick legs. It's so much fun to watch them develop from scribbles to this. Did I say I love this stage, because I really do love this stage. It's so cute!

Goofballs

2008-11-20T09:25:00.000-08:00

I think these pictures speak for themselves

Okay maybe a small explanations. My kids are so silly, especially Christopher. I bought these masks for Abby at IKEA, and my older kids thought they were cool. So Christopher put the chicken mask on and went around the house clucking then Rachel chimed in with the cat mask. What a bunch of GOOFBALLS.

Ramblings of a Housewife - Poem

2008-11-19T21:12:00.001-08:00

You know that poem "There was an old Women" I'm always repeating that to my kids. So I decided to come up with my own version.

There was a young mother
who lived in the burbs.
She had four children
who got on her nerves.
She drove them to soccer
and football and dance.
Then she yelled at them sternly
to pick up their pants.
She gave them all baths
without any bubbles.
Then she ate some more chocolate
to relieve all her troubles.
She read them all stories
and tucked them in bed.
Then she whispered “I love you”
and kissed each head.
Now the kids are all sleeping
and the house is all quiet.
So now’s the perfect time
to go blow her diet.

This is dedicated to all the moms out there - Ann

30 minute Alfredo

2008-11-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

This is really a quick and easy sauce to make. Not low calorie, but what good Alfredo sauce is. I like to add lots of meat and veggies to my sauce. You can substitute shrimp or scallops for the chicken, I bet it would even be good with artichokes or tomatoes, or you can just leave it plan. Your options are endless. Once you have a good sauce you can always get creative with your add-ins. I even like to use different noodles. WOW the possibilities.

Sauce:
1/4 c. butter
2 cups cream
1 tsp. garlic
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Tonights add-ins:
1 Tbsp oil
8oz sliced mushrooms
2 small chicken breast - cut into pieces
8oz uncooked noodles

In a large skillet heat oil

Add chicken and cook for 7-9 minutes or until no longer pink. When chicken is cooked, remove from pan.

Add butter to skillet

Add mushrooms and saute until brown

Reduce heat to medium-low and add cream. You can use half and half instead of cream, but add a little extra cheese if you do.

I like to use fresh parmesan for this sauce, but you are more then welcome to use the stuff in the can.

Add Cheese and stir.

Add pepper. Fresh ground is nice, but not necessary. Let simmer for 10 -20 minutes, making sure to stir every little bit so it doesn't burn.

While the sauce is simmering cook your noodles. I used these curly noodles tonight, they were what I had in my cupboard and my kids aren't picky on what type of noodles they eat. However I will say this, macaroni noodles DO NOT work well with this dish.

Cook noodles according to package directions. If your sauce starts to thicken to much while your noodles are cooking, just add some pasta water to the sauce to get it to the right consistency that you like.

A few minutes before your noodles are done add your chicken back into the sauce and stir. Now you have just created a great dish in 30 minutes. I love those kinds of meals!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Destructo Boy

2008-11-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Isn't this a nice picture. It's Christopher's old ipod that wasn't working. He was so proud of himself for smashing it all up. He even took this picture himself so he could remember what it looked like when he destroyed it. He has even kept a small little piece to remind him of his most awesomest total destruction ever. OH well, I guess boys will be boys.

Funny Smile

2008-11-16T17:40:00.000-08:00

Sariah lost her tooth last night and she was so excited. She placed her tooth in the tooth fairy box and went to bed. When she woke up this morning she ran into my room to show me her dollar she received from the tooth fairy. She was so excited until she looked into the mirror and smiled, then her smile changed "Mom, my smile looks funny now."

Quick and Easy Stir Fry with Noodles

2008-11-02T18:56:00.001-08:00

I came up with this recipe one night when I was in a pinch to get something on the table quickly. I didn't want to have pancakes and I wasn't in the mood to go out (okay so I was being cheap and didn't want to pay to go out). So I checked my cupboards and came up with this. It's not even really a recipe. You just throw everything in a pan in the amounts that look good, but for the sake of writing a recipe I came up with measurements that seem good. If you like more or less of anything, then you can change it. Isn't that what recipes are about anyway?

dried egg noodles (from your asian market)
2 c. frozen stir fry vegetable
1 large chicken breast (cut into pieces)
3-4 Tbsp Teriyaki sauce, or more if you like
1 Tbsp oil

In a large skillet heat oil. While oil is heating, heat some water in a large pot for the noodles.

Place chicken in skillet and cook for 8-9 minutes or until no longer pinkWhen chicken is completely cooked remove from skillet

I got this vegetable blend at costco, but any blend of vegetables will do.

Add vegetables to skillet and cook until desired crunchiness. While your vegetables are cooking, start on your noodles.

I used 3 bundles out of this packet of noodles

place noodles into boiling water and cook according to package directions

After your vegetable are cooked add your chicken back in and stir slightly

Add your noodles and stir. I guess I shouldn't say stir because it is really hard to just stir noodles, so toss your noodles
This is my favorite Teriyaki sauce right now, but you can use what ever you like.Add in your sauce and toss until fully incorporated

Now serve. See wasn't that easy.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Halloween

2008-11-02T15:21:00.000-08:00

If you can't guess what we are Sariah is Hannah Montana or a Cheetah Girl (I'm not sure which one she decided on) Rachel is Cruella Devil, Abby is a kitty cat, I'm a stressed out mom (Jim thought a Porn star would be better, but I'm not sure that costume is kid appropriate) and Coco is a pig.

For the first year ever our Halloween picture is without Christopher. I was lucky to even get this shot. He took off trick or treating with his friends as soon as he could and only popped in a couple times to get a drink. Oh, by the way he is Zorro

Pumpkins and Mazes

2008-11-02T14:58:00.001-08:00

A couples days before Halloween we decided to go to one of our local pumpkin patches to get some pumpkins and go through their corn maze.

The kids love it every year when we do this. Last year we went on a hayride out to the pumpkin patch.

Christopher thinks he found the perfect pumpkin for me, little and perfectly round.

Sariah was a little scared about going into the maze. I think she thought we where going to get lost forever.Sariah might have been right about someone getting lost forever if they don't stay close to Jim and I.

Woo-Hoo, we found the first out of six punch station and we are all still together, and it only took us 30minutes. We are awesome.

Just as the kids where sitting down to take this picture a girl went and threw-up behind these hay barrels. As you can see nothing fazes my girls from posing for a picture, but Christopher wanted to get away from there as fast as he could.

Can't get any Easier then this.... Apple Dumplings

2008-10-27T18:40:00.001-07:00

I originally got this recipe from the Pioneer women, but I have since been told it belongs to the Barefoot Contessa. So, whoever came up with this recipe I am grateful. I love apple dumplings, but they are so much work to make. This recipe is simple and it tastes great. I did modify it just a little by adding more apples, but that's all I changed.

4 Granny Smith Apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew (or about a cup)

The original recipe called for only 2 apples, but I like a lot of apples in mine. It makes me feel like I'm a healthy eater.
Peel Apples. I like to try to see if I can get the peeling off in one cut. You know, like in the show Sleepless in Seattle.
Core and cut apples into 8 slices each

Use 2 cans crescent rolls

Don't forget to clip your Box top.

Place 2 slices of apple on each roll. If you stick with the unhealthy original recipe you only place one slice of apple per roll.

Now roll the apples up. Place into a greased 9X13 baking pan.

Place 2 sticks of butter in a microwave safe bowl.

Melt. MMMMM..... melted butter

Add 1 1/2 cups sugar and stir.

Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and stir again.

Pour over apples

My husband doesn't see the practical concept of a small can of Mountain Dew. So a bottle of Mountain Dew is what I have.

Add about a cup of Dew. I've heard you can add orange juice also, but I figure if you are going to make this recipe you might as well go all out.

Sprinkle cinnamon on top. The amount of cinnamon you add is up to you. I kind of like a lot.

Place in the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 40 - 45 minutes. This is great served hot with ice cream and the Dew and sugar make a nice sauce in the bottom of the pan you can spoon over the top.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Annual Halloween Party

2008-10-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

We had our Annual Halloween Party last night. It's always a lot of fun. The kids really enjoy it.

This is the menu everyone gets. The names on the right side of the menu is your food and your utensils. No one knows what anything is and those who do have to have someone else fill their menu out. Once you have all four Courses filled out you can go get your food. So sometimes you get a main course without any utensils to eat it with or there has been times when I've gotten all my utensils in one course and nothing to eat. It's really a lot of fun.

As you can see everyone dressed their best for the occasion. Abby was a witch but she took her costume off before we ate.

Halloween Is So Much Fun. BOOOOOO

The Perfect Hair-Do In 5 minutes

2008-10-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

I can help you give your kids the perfect hair-do in 5 minutes. No kidding, just look at my kids. Isn't it amazing you would think it took me hours to get their hair like this, but nope only 5 minute give or take a few. Okay, so here is the secret http://www.cheerleaderhairpieces.com/.
Wigs, I love them! I can get my kids hair done in no time at all, and they look great.
This hairpiece on Abby is for doing pigtails. Her head is still pretty small so I have to use the little ones on her.

This one on Sariah is called a Barrel Curl. I think this is one of my favorites.

Rachel has on the Roller Wave. This is one of her favorites.

Stickers O'plenty

2008-10-25T13:44:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not she did this to herself. A packet of stickers came in the junk mail so I gave them to Abby to play with. I should have known better.

July Family Reunion

2008-10-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

I guess it's really never to late to post about your family reunion, even if it was 3 months ago. Not all of our family reunions have been good, but this one was great. My kids really enjoyed themselves. I really enjoyed myself. We stayed at my aunt Julie and uncle Dawight's house in southern Utah. I think sometimes living in the suburbs you forget how low key and quite the country can be.

Our first item of business there was to meet up with my cousin from Colorado and her kids. My kids where so excited to see thier cousins. It had been over a year since they had seen each other, but you never would have know it. They blended together like they had seen each other last week.

One of my cousin's in-laws let us have our family reunion at thier house (which I'm sure they are still regretting to this day). This place was pretty neat. They had miniature golf (right next to the cow coral only in the country), horse back riding, skeet shooting and you could go and feed chickens and baby cows, and then the dreaded....

FOUR-WHEELING... Holy cow. There has to be some kind of drama that happens at every family reunion and this was it (at least this was my drama for the reunion). Trying to stop my kids from taking out the four-wheelers BY THEMSELVES when all the other kids where doing it was impossible. So I resorted to threatening them with thier lives if they crashed and ruined the four-wheelers. I was really nervous the whole time they where on them that something bad was going to happen. Especially if you look closely at the pictures above you see, no helmets. So you can imagine how relieved I was when it wasn't my kids who crashed. I'm sorry that other family members kids crashed but, I'm glad it was your kids and not mine. Thier kids where okay, a little cut-up, bruised and shaken, but they recovered. All and all that day was a really fun day for the kids.

This is a picture of my Mom, my aunt Peggy (who's kids crashed on the four-wheeler..oops I shouldn't have said that) my aunt Beverly, my aunt Julie (who's house we stayed at and my kids fell in love with my uncle Dawight. In fact Sariah, was so mad at me for not inviting him to her birthday party recently, because he said he would come if we told him when it was. okay enough of my tangent), and my Grandma.

These are my uncles cows that my kids got to go help feed. Abby thought that was so neat. My kids weren't sure what to think when I told them we get to eat them next year..MMMMM
Every time we make our way to southern Utah we visit both my grandfathers graves, it had been along time since I've visited them. I really really miss them.

Nothing says summer like corn on the cob

2008-07-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again, with fireworks, water skiing, family reunions, hamburgers and corn on the cob. I always wait with great anticipation for July when our local farm picks thier first crop of sweet corn. I probably frequent the farm stand 2-3 times a week for corn, no matter what we are having for dinner corn is always a good side dish.

Joe's Chocolate No Bake Cookies

2008-07-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

My brother has been asking me to put this cookie recipes on my blog for a couple months now. He has been in Brazil for a year now and wants to have some good old fashioned American cookies. This recipes is his favorite. In fact my kids call these "Joe's Cookies". These are the perfect quick and easy cookies to make on a hot day when you need something chocolate and don't want to heat up your house. I usually don't even give them time to cool before I start eating them.

2 c. granulated sugar
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. butter
1/2c. milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 c. quick cooking oats
1/2c. peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium sized sauce pan over medium high heat add butter.
Sugar

Cocoa powder
Milk and salt.
Stir until butter is melted and ingredients are incorporated.
Bring to a boil, and boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter until completely melted
Add quick oats and vanilla, mix well
Now working quickly before it cools to much drop by tablespoon full onto wax paper.
My 6 year old loves to help with this part, I thinks it because she likes to eat any stray pieces that don't make it to the wax paper.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Sunday Morning Quiche

2008-07-20T15:08:00.000-07:00

Quiche is probably one of the most versatile dishes you can make. You can add any type of vegetable, meat and a variety of cheeses. You could even spice it up a bit with seasonings. This is really a dish you can make your own. Today I added spinach because I had it in the freezer and a used three different types of cheese . You can do anything you want, you can even leave off the crust if you have someone who is celiac like my mother in-law.

1 (10oz)pkg frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
6 eggs
3 cups shredded cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
9 inch pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

In the microwave or on the stove top cook spinach and then drain excess water.
In a large bowl whisk 6 eggs.

To eggs add onion powder, salt and pepper, whisk together.
Grate 3 cups of cheese. I used muenster, sharp Cheddar and Colby jack.
Add cheese to your eggs and mix in.

Mix in spinach

Lightly grease a 9 inch pie plate or I used these cute little individual pie pans. You can also use muffin tins.

Press pastry into pie pans. I left the pastry off some, so my mother in-law could eat it.
fill pie pans 3/4 with egg mixture.
Cook at 350 degrees F for 30minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. With the mini pie pans I cooked them for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken WonTon Salad

2008-07-19T23:29:00.000-07:00

I got this recipes about a year and a half ago from my then neighbor and good friend Ali. We had been neighbors 8years before she made this salad for me. I couldn't believe it, she had been holding out on me that whole time. I have to wonder what other recipes she's waiting to spring on me. This is a simple and great tasting salad. My little girl loves the dressing that goes along with it. She calls it "her favorite famous green dressing" try saying that three times.

1 head iceberg lettuce
1 head romaine lettuce
1 small can water chestnuts
1 c. slivered almonds
3 cooked chicken breast or 1 rotisserie chicken
1/2 pkg won-tons, fried
Dressing:
1c. oil
3/4c. seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2c. sugar
4-6 green onions

In a small pan or skillet heat your oil to about 350 degrees F.
Fry won tons until lightly browned on both sides, this only takes a couple minutes.
Transfer fried won tons onto paper towels to drain
Rinse and dry lettuce
Chop
Shred chicken. Store bought rotisserie works great for this salad, you don't have to cook anything and it gives it an added flavor and... you don't have to cook anything.

I unfortunately bought whole water chestnuts so I have to slice them

For your dressing: chop your onions
In a blender add 3/4c. vinegar

Add onions, salt and pepper, oil and sugar.
Blend until fully pureed. You should have a nice smooth green dressing
Now you can assemble you salad. There are a couple ways you can do this: you can throw all the ingredients in a bowl and pour the dressing over the salad right before serving and then crumble the won tons over the top or you can plate each salad individually. I usually plate individually when I'm at home, I have some kids and an adult who don't like the water chestnuts, but like extra chicken and dressing and I don't like almonds. So this way everyone gets what they like.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Super Simple Spaghetti Sauce

2008-07-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

I got this spaghetti sauce from Paula Deen (I love her). This is the sauce she uses for her baked spaghetti recipe (which is great), but I use this recipe for just regular spaghetti and anything else I need a sauce for.

1 1/2 pd hamburger
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 (15oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15oz) can tomato sauce
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 1/2 tsp Paula Deen's House Seasoning (in earlier post)
1 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
2 tsp brown sugar
2 small bay leaves

In a large saucepan, cook hamburger, bell pepper, onion, and garlic, over medium heat, stirring until meat crumbles and is browned and vegetables are tender. Drainpuree 2 (15oz) cans of tomatoes.
Add pureed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce.
Add the remainder of ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally; reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and discard bay leaves.

I don't think it can get anymore simple then that.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Ann's World Famous Buffalo Wings

2008-06-14T20:37:00.000-07:00

Okay so maybe they aren't world famous, just locally famous, but they could be someday. This is my most requested recipe, and the people I give it to, get requests for it, so you see someday it will make its way around the world. I have even gone and demonstrated to crowds (even if they where small) how to make these. I came up with this recipe a few years ago when I liked the concept of the boneless buffalo wings at one local restaurant (I really don’t like chicken bones and skin) and the sauce at another restaurant. It took me almost a year to get it just right. So if you have some friends coming over for a fun get together, make these and you will be surprised how quickly they disappear.

Sauce:

2 1/4c firmly packed brown sugar
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
1/3c. + 2Tbsp Franks Red Hot sauce
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/3c. water

Chicken:
4c. self rising flour
1 1/2tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
3c. milk
4 chicken breasts
4-6c. vegetable oil

Blue cheese or Ranch Dressing for dipping.

Pre-heat your oil to 375 degrees F. I like to use a skillet for this, but you can use anything you like.In a medium sauce pan add brown sugar and corn syrup Next add hot sauce, vinegar and water

Stir until smooth and simmer over med to low heat for 10-15 minutes. DO NOT let it boil or you will have candy, this has happened to people so be careful.

While the sauce is simmering mix together flour(only self-rising,very very important), salt, pepper and paprika. Honestly I never really measure how much I put in of each I just do what looks good.

Cube your chicken into bite size pieces.
Add chicken to your milk. And here is where it starts gets gooey.

Add the chicken to the flour and coat completely
Return the chicken back to the milk.
Then return the chicken back to the flour and coat completely.

Your chicken should look something like this, and so will your hands.
Drop into your hot oil and cook for 6 minutes. You may need to turn them if your oil is shallow.
When done cooking put them onto some paper towels to drain.

Place cooked chicken into a tupperwear bowl and toss with the sauce. Serve with dressing.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Ohhh So Creamy Broccoli Cheese Soup

2008-06-13T05:26:00.000-07:00

I promise you, you will never go back to another broccoli cheese soup recipe after you have this one. It is so simple to make, yet the favor is smooth and creamy. The cheese is not over powering and the size of broccoli chunks are really up to you. I love mine large and chunky. I might have to go have more after writing this blog, you can never have to much soup. The only thing that makes this soup even better is using bread to sop up all the cheesy creamy broth mmmmmmm....

2 large broccoli florets
1/4 c. butter
Half of a small onion chopped fine or 1 tsp onion powder
1/4 c. flour
2 cans chicken broth
2 c. broccoli water
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
8oz Velveeta cheese
1 can evaporated milk

Steam broccoli until desired tenderness.
While broccoli is steaming in a large pot saute onions in butter (if you have little ones or big ones who hate onions you can use onion powder, just add it in when you add the flour.)

Add flour (if you like really thick broth you can add more flour)
Cook until starts to slightly brown
Add a can of chicken broth and stir until smooth then repeat with second can and bring to a boil

Add broccoli water. This is the water left in the pot after you steam your broccoli.
Reduce heat and add Worcestershire sauce and salt
Cut 8oz of cheese into cubes
Add milk and cheese and stir until smooth
Add your broccoli and you are ready to eat. Don't forget the bread.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Oven Pancakes

2008-06-05T10:25:00.001-07:00

This recipe has many different names; German pancakes, Danish pancakes, puff pancakes, Aeggekage and I'm sure there are other names for them too. Although their names are different the recipe is basically the same with only slight differences. This is the recipe I like to use for my family. It's great served with warm syrup, but you can also sprinkle with powdered sugar or use sweetened berries and whip cream. It's really your preference.

4 eggs
1 c. milk
1 Tbsp sugar or more if you like them sweet
1 tsp salt
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c. butter

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Whisk together eggs, milk, sugar and salt until smooth.
In a separate bowl mix together flour and cinnamon.

Whisk in flour mixture until incorporated, then set aside and let stand for 30 minutes. In a large pie plate or a 8X8 baking dish add butter and place into the preheated oven until it melts.
Pour batter into hot baking dish and bake for 15minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Now if you are anything like me you have not waited the 30minutes for the batter to rest.
And this is what you have, a beautiful puff. Serve warm.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken Makhani (Indian Butter chicken)

2008-06-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

A few months ago my husband was having a business dinner at a Indian restaurant in San Francisco. He called from the restaurant to let me know how much he was enjoying the food, while at the same time myself and the kids where having mac and cheese that night - what a RUDE RUDE man! He then goes on to describe to me everything he is having and what it looks like and taste like and that I have to find the recipes for these dishes. Needless to say I have been on a hunt for good Indian dishes. This is just one I found that we like. It's great served with either the chapati bread or naan.

1 Tbsp peanut oil
1 shallot, finely chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
2 tsp lemon juice
1 Tbsp ginger garlic paste ( I can not find this stuff so I compromise)
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1/4 c. plain yogurt
1 c half and half
1 c. tomato sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste (optional)
1 pinch salt
1 pinch black pepper

1 Tbsp peanut oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bit size pieces
1 tsp garam masala
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large sauce pan over medium high heat. Saute shallot and onion until soft and translucent.
Meanwhile if you can't find any ginger garlic paste make your own. I took 1 1/2 tsp garlic and 1 1/2 tsp ginger and mashed them together to make a paste.

When onions are translucent. Stir in butter, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, 1 tsp garam marsala, chili powder, cumin and bay leaf.
Cook, stirring for 1 minute.
Add tomato sauce, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Stir in half and half and yogurt. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat.
Season with 1 tsp garam masala and cayenne. Stir in a few spoonfuls of sauce, and simmer until liquid has reduced, and chicken is no longer pink.

Stir cooked chicken into sauce.
Mix together cornstarch and water, then stir into the sauce.

Cook for 5 - 10 minutes, or until thickened. Serve over rice.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Indian Chapati Bread

2008-06-05T09:01:00.001-07:00

I love to make this bread anytime I serve an Indian dish. Although it is not quit the same as naan, it is so much quicker to make.

1 c. whole wheat flour
1c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 c. hot water or as needed

In a bowl mix together the flour and salt. Stir in oil and enough water to make a soft dough that is elastic but not sticky. ( The day I made this I was out of wheat flour so I used only all-purpose flour)

Knead the dough until smooth.
Divide into 10 parts, or less if you want bigger bread. Roll each piece into a ball. Let rest for a few minutes. My sweet little 2 year old likes to smoosh all the balls down before I can roll them out.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the balls of dough until very thin like a tortilla.

My cute little niece was visiting and helped me with dinner. Isn't she sweet.

Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot, and grease lightly. When pan is hot put a chapati on it. Cook until the underside has brown spots, about 30 seconds, then flip and cook on the other side. Continue with remaining dough.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Cinnamon Bits

2008-06-04T21:44:00.001-07:00

I have been making these since I was a little girl. I am not sure who in our family came up with this recipe or where the recipe came from, but these have been a family favorite for years. They are so quick and easy to make, and all though they may seem like they are bad for you. Just remember you made them with your own two hands and anything homemade is good for you.

1 pkg refrigerator biscuits
6 Tbsp butter
1c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat over to 375 degrees F

Melt butter in a 8X8 baking dish. You can do this in the oven or I just pop it in the microwave for a minuet or so.

Cut each biscuit into quarters
In a large ziploc bag add sugar and cinnamon and shake to mix together
Place biscuits in butter and coat completely

Add buttered biscuits to ziploc bag and shake until each biscuit is completely coated with sugar mixture
Place biscuits back into 8X8 pan. Try not to stack them on top of each other
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until nice and brown on top. Serve warm

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

2008-05-25T18:56:00.000-07:00

This creamy version of chicken noodle soup is perfect for those cold days when you need to warm up, or if you or someone you care about needs a little pick me up. This is definitely a soup your grandma would be proud of.

3-4 lb chicken
4 quarts water
3 tsp salt
3 chicken bouillon cubes
2 celery stalks
1/2 onion

3 large carrots, chopped
2 large celery stalks, chopped
1 1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp sage
1 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
egg noodles
1 (13oz) can evaporated milk
1/4 c flour

Add one whole chicken without giblets to a large pot. The fresher the chicken the better the broth. Add water, salt, chicken bouillon, onion and celery. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

While chicken is cooking, chop celery and carrots. My kids love carrots so I always add extra.
When the chicken is done, remove from liquid to cool until able to handle; de-bone and set aside.

You may need to strain your liquid after cooking to get any large pieces of chicken skin and foam.

Now before you add the rest of your ingredients you will need to taste your broth. If it does not have a good chicken favor you can add more chicken bouillon. The key to a good chicken soup is the broth.

Add carrots and celery to your broth
Next add the poultry seasoning, onion, sage, celery salt and pepper.
After adding the seasonings, add about 2 to 3 handfuls of noodles. Cover and let simmer for 35 - 45 minutes or until the noodles are done and the vegetables are tender.

I get this particular brand of noodles from Sam's Club and they take about 30-40 minutes to cook.

If you use egg noodles that only take 10 minutes to cook, you will need to add them after the vegetables are tender.

When your vegetables and noodles are done. In a small bowl add flour and a little milk and whisk together until smooth. Then add a little more milk and whisk until smooth, repeat this process until all the milk is incorporated into the flour.
Reduce heat so soup is no longer boiling. Add milk and flour mixture to soup to thicken.

Once the milk mixture is incorporated add chicken and remove from heat. Serve.

If you are going to wait a little while before serving and keep it on the stove to stay warm, don't let it start to boil or the milk will curdle. ( I learned this from personal experience)

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Bob's Bow Tie Pasta

2008-05-07T20:12:00.000-07:00

I received this recipe from a one of my in-laws sweet and dear friends. It has now become one of my favorite recipes to make. Not only is it easy but it tastes wonderful. Even if you don't do a lot of cooking, you can make this and everyone will think you are amazing.

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb mild italian sausage
1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1/2 c diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 280z can stewed tomatoes
1 1/2 c. cream
1/2 tsp salt
12 oz bow tie pasta
3 Tbsp minced parsley
grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil and pepper flakes in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain greaseAdd onions and garlic, cook until sausage is light brown, about 8 more minutes. Drain.

Add tomatoes, cream and salt. Simmer and sauce will thicken slightly, about 5 minutes. (if sauce starts to get to thick add a little pasta water)

Cook pasta in a large pot according to package directions.

Drain pasta and sprinkle with parsley. Add tomato-sausage mixture; toss and serve.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chili Verde

2008-05-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

It took my husband a while to get me to make this chile verde recipe. I had been making Chile verde for years from a recipe I received from my neighbors mother. So when my husband told me about this recipe his friends wife makes. I was a bit of a snob and said that my recipe was true chile verde. Well after nagging me for a while I decided to try it, and WOW it was wonderful and soooo easy. You just throw everything into a crock pot in the morning and its done by evening. Now I have to make sure and give credit to the person who I received this recipe from. Thanks Julie, I love it!!!

1 Tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1 -2 cloves garlic, minced
6 boneless Pork Loin chips (boneless chicken breasts can be substituted, if pork is not your favorite)
1 16oz. jar salsa verde
1 7oz. can diced green chilies
1 190z. can green chili enchilada sauce
1 tsp oregano
1 Tbsp chipotle chili pepper or more if like lots of heat (optional)
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper
1 lime for juicing
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

Saute the onions and garlic in the oil, until softened.

In a crock pot add the pork chops, the sauteed onions and garlic. Continue to add salsa verde, green chilies, green enchilada sauce, oregano, cumin and chili peppers. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or until pork is fork tender.

When pork is cooked, take it out of the sauce and cut it up into chunks or shred, and add it back into the sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Right before serving squeeze lime juice over the chile verde and sprinkle chopped cilantro on top.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Mexican rice

2008-05-07T12:39:00.000-07:00

This is the best and easiest mexican rice recipe. My sweet neighbor Ray gave this recipe to me. He is a great cook, his mom taught him well.

1/4 c. veg oil
1 small onion diced
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/2 c. rice
3 c. chicken broth
1 small can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste ( this is optional, if you don't like heat, don't add it)

Heat oil in a sauce pan. Saute onions and garlic until onions are translucent.

Add rice and saute until rice starts to brown

Stir in chicken broth, tomato sauce and seasonings.

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5minutes. Serve

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Tres Leches Cake

2008-05-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

It was Cinco de mayo on Monday and every year I like to do a big Mexican feast. Everything we have at dinner is a Mexican dish, even the horchata to drink. So Sunday night I started by making the cake. Monday morning I got up and started the Chili Verde. That evening before my husband got home from work I started the Mexican rice, made the guacamole, grated the cheese, shredded the lettuce, and fried the tortillas. All the time taking pictures to put on the blog. After my husband got home from work, I put the finishing touches on dinner, got a few dishes plated and ask if he will take some pictures for me before we eat. He picks up the camera, goes to take some pictures and asked "Where is the memory card". Needless to say I had been taking pictures all day without a memory card in the camera. So for now all I have pictures of are the finished products, and as soon as I make them again I will put more instructional pictures up.

1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
5 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 c flour
1 c. half and half
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk

Topping
2 c. Heavy cream
1 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and Flour a 9X13 baking pan

Sift together Flour, baking powder and salt

In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and mix to thoroughly combined. Add vanilla and mix.

Add the flour mixture to egg mixture in 3 batches mixing until just combined ( you do not want to over beat the batter)

Pour batter into baking dish. This will appear to be a small amount of batter.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 - 30 minutes or until cake is golden brown

Let cake cool for 30 minutes. Then with a fork or some skewers poke the top of the cake all over and let finish cooling.

When cake is completely cool. In a bowl whisk together half and half, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Pour over cake and refrigerate overnight.

Before serving whisk together cream, sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cake and serve. This cake is also good with fresh fruit poured over the top.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Fried Ravioli with Marinara Sauce

2008-05-02T20:22:00.000-07:00

I can get my kids to eat almost anything that is fried. So I try to sneak in healthy food somewhere in the process. The Raviolis are cheese and spinach and the marinara sauce has a few extra veggies added to give it just a little something special.

Marinara Sauce:

1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil
2 small onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp pepper or to taste
2 (32 ounce) cans petite diced tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves

1 (9ounce) pkg frozen ravioli
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
2 c. Italian style bread crumbs
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
vegetable oil for frying

Finely chopped all veggies. ( I like to use my food chopper from pampered chef )
Heat the oil over medium-high heat
Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add celery,carrots and salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minuets.
Blend one 32oz can of tomatoes in blender. You can blend both cans if you don't like chunks.
Add tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thicken, about 1 hr.

Bring water to a boil over high heat and cook ravioli for 2 minutes.
Place cooked ravioli on paper towels to drain; set aside.

Pour enough olive oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 325 degrees F.
While the oil is heating, whisk the milk and eggs in a bowl and mix together the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a separate bowl.

Working in batches, dip ravioli in egg mixture to coat completely. Allow the excess mixture to drip back into the bowl. Dredge ravioli in the bread crumbs. Place the ravioli on a baking sheet, and continue with the remaining ravioli.

When the oil is hot, fry the ravioli in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried ravioli to paper towels to drain.

When your sauce is thickened remove and discard the bay leaves. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. ( The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)
For something a little more decadent. In a small sauce pan add 2 c. marinara sauce and 1/2 c. cream.

Let heat through and serve.

Click her for a printable version of this recipe.

Moist Apple Cake

2008-05-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

The first time I made this recipe, my husband told me that apple cake wasn't really his thing. Then he ate 3 large pieces and told me "I love this cake it's apple crisp I really don't like". This recipe is a great way to get rid of any old apples or if you want to feel like you might be eating something healthy.

2 eggs
1 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. applesauce (no sugar added)
2 c. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
4 med - large apples (grated)
Topping
1/3 c. packed br sugar
1/8 c. flour
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp butter (softened)

Peel and core 4 apples
grate apples ( you can chop the apples, but I think it gives you a more even texture, if the apples are grated)

In a mixing bowl mix oil and eggs until creamy. Add the applesauce and mix well.
Mix in sugar and vanilla and beat well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, cinnamon, and baking soda.
Slowly add dry ingredients to egg mixture and mix until combined. Fold in the apples with a spoon.

Pour batter in to a greased and flour 9X13 baking dish.
Mix together br sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter until resembles coarse cornmeal
Sprinkle topping over batter and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 - 55 minutes
Let cake cool on a wire rack and serve with whipped cream.

My cake didn't get a chance to cool before my husband cut into it. I literally took it out of the oven, left the kitchen for just a few minutes and came back to this. The cake eaten by the man who said he didn't like apple cake.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

House Seasoning (Paula Deen's)

2008-05-01T19:49:00.000-07:00

This is Paula Deen's House Seasoning recipe. I use this for almost everything.

1 c. salt

1/4 c. garlic powder

1/4 c. black pepper

Place all ingredients into an airtight container. Close lid and shake.

Grandma's Hamburger Gravy

2008-05-01T18:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite recipes that my Grandma use to make. Every time I went to Grandmas when I was young, she would make this for me. I remember getting up in the morning, and Grandma would be at the stove making sure we had hamburger gravy and cornbread for breakfast. So this recipe is in here for all my family who has those fond memories of Grandma. Grandma, I hope I got this right...

1lb ground beef
2 tsp house seasoning (Paula Deen's recipe)
1/4 c. flour
1 can evaporated milk
4 c. milk
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot cook ground beef and seasoning until no longer pink. Drain grease.

Stir in flour until completely incorporated.
Stir in evaporated milk and regular milk
Cook until thickened. Salt and Pepper to taste. Serve over cornbread or biscuits

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Lemon pound cake

2008-04-21T19:14:00.001-07:00

I love anything lemon, but this I think is one of my favorites. I found this recipe on the Internet and tweaked it to my liking. The cake has just the right amount of lemony favor and the icing on top just gives it that extra zing.

1 c. Butter (no substitutes)
3 c. sugar
6 eggs
1/2 c. lemon juice (fresh squeezed if possible)
1 Tbsp. lemon peel
1 Tsp. lemon extract
3 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 c. sour cream

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon juice, peel and extract. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl. Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream.

My son still loves to cook with his mom =)

Pour batter into 2 greased and floured bread pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

When completely cooled, combine 3c. confectioners' sugar and 5 Tbsp lemon juice, whisk until smooth. Poor over the tops of the cakes and allow the glaze the drizzle down the sides. As you can see part of my cake was eaten before the glaze was made, you may have that problem too.

You can also make this cake in a bundt pan. Just up the cooking time about 10minutes.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken Divan

2008-04-21T11:24:00.001-07:00

I've had Chicken Divan a few different ways I think by far this is my favorite. I got this recipe from Paula Deen and have changed it just slightly. Using rotisserie chicken gives this dish an added favor and makes it go so much faster.

2-3 bunches of broccoli florets - cooked

6 c. shredded chicken

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

3/4 c. mayonnaise

1c. sour cream

1 c. grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp curry powder (optional)

salt and pepper

3/4 c. chicken broth

1 c. grated parmesan cheese

1 c. bread crumbs

4 Tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

To make this dish go a lot faster I buy the rotisserie chicken and a bag of broccoli florets.

In a 9X13 baking dish place broccoli and chicken (I used 2 8X8 this day). In a large bowl, mix together soups, mayo, sour cream, cheese, lemon juice, curry, salt and pepper to taste and chicken broth.

Pour about 3/4 the sauce over chicken and broccoli and mix in. If you feel you need more sauce, add it at this time. I usually only use about 3/4 of the sauce.

Combine parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, and butter and sprinkle over top.

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Chicken tip

2008-04-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

Like most people today I am always trying to find a good deal. So when boneless, skinless chicken breast go on sale I buy a large quantity and freeze them into 3 different varieties. I cut off the fat and what I call gross pieces. I then leave some chicken breast whole, cut some into stripes and then cut the rest into small pieces. I place a breast (either whole or cut up) into a sandwich size ziploc bag and then into a larger size freezer bag. I label and date the bag then stick them into the freezer. Now when I need a certain type of chicken for a dish, I just take it out and it's ready.

Hawaiian Sweet Pork

2008-04-19T20:17:00.000-07:00

I came up with this recipe one day when I needed to use up some mango salsa we had in the fridge. With just 4 ingredients and a slow cooker, no one will ever have to know it only took 5mins to prepare.

2 1/2 lbs Pork loin or Tenderloin

3 c. your favorite mango salsa

1 c. brown sugar

1 can Chicken broth

Add pork to slow cooker. I like to cut up the meat before placing it into the cooker. It seems to cook a little faster and makes it easier to shred at the end.

Add the mango salsa, brown sugar, and chicken broth. Stir it up a little, cover and then cook for 8hrs on low. When Pork is fork tender. Take out of cooker and shred, return to cooker and cook for 30 more minutes. Serve over rice

See how easy that was, and if you use minute rice it really will only take 5minutes. enjoy

Click here for a printable version of this recipe