Table for 5

banana bread~yummy!

2011-08-16T17:28:00.002-07:00

Last month I made this banana bread for our dad's birthday. He is hypoglycemic and cannot have sugar. Our mom used to always make banana cake with fructose (a natural sugar that comes from fruit). She can't make it anymore, so I made it this year for him. This was the first time I made banana bread and it turned out really good.

I used this recipe here from http://allrecipes.com.

Darla's Memory Potato Salad

2011-05-05T11:26:00.003-07:00

I went to my best friend Darla's grand-daughters 1st birthday, Darla made this Potato Salad and I fell in love with it! She gave me the recipe but said it came from her friend Barbara, who has passed away.

My changes are listed at the bottom

5lb bag of Potatoes
Full Jar of Real Mayo
1 lb Bacon, cooked till crispy
2 Celery Sticks, diced
Salt, Pepper and Onion Powder to taste

Scrub potatoes, DONT PEEL, Leave the skins on, cut in half, boil until tender but not mushy. Drain when they r done and let them-cool all the way. While potatoes are cooling cook bacon till crispy. Dice up the celery. When potatoes are cool run a knife thru them so they are in smaller pieces. Add the Mayo, Celery, Bacon and seasonings then mix.

Taste the best fresh, rather then cold from fridge.

My Changes: I used Red Potatoes, because I know they hold up great when boiling and because of using the red I was able to cut the potatoes in 8ths instead of halves, then after cooling cut a few more that were still a little to big. I also used the Olive Oil Mayo (which is 1/2 the fat and I think it tastes the same). Next time I will probably add at least two more sticks of celery (because I like the little crunch you get). My hubby said he thought there was to much mayo, so I will probably only use 3/4 of the jar next time. But I loved it so you will need to see for yourself & your family what you like. Enjoy!!!

Darin's Rolled Chicken Enchilada's

2010-08-08T09:12:00.008-07:00

1 - bag Boneless/Skinless Chicken
2 - boxes Mexican, Spanish or Chicken Rice
2 - pkgs of shredded cheese (approximate)
1 - can diced tomatoes (optional)
1 - can Green Chilies
1 - diced onion
1 - diced green pepper
2 - cans Red Enchilada Sauce
(we prefer Rosarita’s)
2 - cans Green Enchilada Sauce
(we prefer La Victoria)
1 to 2 pkgs Corn Tortillas

Cook chicken in crock pot. Cook Rice according to package. When chicken is done, drain and shred it.

In large bowl combine shredded chicken, rice, green chilies, onion, green pepper, and approximately ½ can of red enchilada sauce (just enough to moisten mixture but not make it runny). Mix well.

In a small warmed-up skillet, flip each corn tortilla, until warmed, but not cooked (this is to make them easier to roll). Put a dab of chicken/rice mixture into each corn tortilla, a dab of shredded cheese and roll. Place in a large Casserole dish, side by side.

When pan is full, pour a can of green enchilada sauce over all and sprinkle with shredded cheese.

Bake at 350’ until cheese is melted, approximately 10-15 minutes.

This recipe makes several pans, which can be covered with tin foil and frozen for another meal. Or you can even just freeze the mixture if you don’t need so many pans.

To avoid making your Enchiladas too Spicy, don’t use the green chilies (most cans are mild but it varies and you can end up with a spicy one), use Mexican or Chicken Flavored rice instead of Spanish. Use the Sauces specified above, they are not spicy). Avoid MacCayo’s brand.

Fabric Bolts

2010-08-06T13:42:00.003-07:00

Head on over to my crafting blog to see the fun fabric bolt project I just finished! Simply Crafting~Fabric Bolts.

Beef Rolls

2010-08-02T16:23:00.003-07:00

Beef Rolls
1/2 lb. hamburger
1/2 C. chopped onion
1 TBSP. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 C. ketchup
1/4 tsp. pepper
2/3 C. milk
2 C. biscuit mix

** Cook Hamburger, add onions, cook until tender. Stir in ketchup, Worcestershire sauce & pepper. Set aside. In large bowl, mix biscuit mix & milk. Knead until smooth. Roll out into a rectangle. Spread meat mixture over it. Roll up & pinch shut. Slice in 1 1/2 " to 2" sections. Arrange on an ungreased cookie sheet.
*Bake at 475 degrees for 10-15 minutes until dough is golden brown.

Chocolate Cake to Die for... :)

2010-08-02T16:15:00.005-07:00

Chocolate Cake to Die for....
1 Can condensed milk
1 small jar carmel topping
cool whip
3 regular sized candy bars (chopped)
I like to use Snickers
Chocolate Cake mix
** Bake Cake according to box instructions.
Let cool. With the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes about 1" apart all over cake. Pour condensed milk over whole cake. Follow with pouring carmel over whole cake. You may need to spread with a spatula. Let soak in while you refrigerate covered for at least 2 hrs.
*Top with Cool whip, and then candy bars

Chicken & Cheese Roll-ups

2010-08-02T16:00:00.005-07:00

Chicken & Cheese Roll-ups
1 C. Milk
2 C. Shredded Cheese
2 TBSP. flour
2 TBSP. margarine
1 C. cubed chicken (Cooked)
1 can (10 ct) biscuits

**In small saucepan, melt margarine, stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Cool over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly.
Add 1 1/2 C. Cheese. Stir until melted. Remove from heat. Reserve 2/3 C. sauce for topping. Add chicken to remaining sauce.
*Separate biscuits & flatten into 4" circles. Fill w?/ chicken mix & fold over, crimp sides together.

Place on a greased cookie sheet

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Spoon remaining sauce over biscuits & top w/ the rest of the cheese. Bake for an additional 2-3 more minutes until cheese in melted.

Cinnamon Rolls

2010-08-02T15:57:00.003-07:00

CINNAMON ROLLS
1 1 /2 C. warm water
3 tsp. Yeast
3 tsp. Sugar
* Mix together in a little bowl, set aside
6 C. Flour
3 eggs
3 tsp. Salt
¾ C. Sugar
¾ C. Butter
6 TBSP. Dry Milk

**In Mixing bowl, mix all other ingredients. Once yeast is dissolved & puffy, blend into dry mixture. Knead until no longer doughy. Let rise until doubled in size.
Roll out and butter. Sprinkle a cinnamon/ sugar mixture over the whole thing. Roll into 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
*ICING*
1-8 oz. Package of Cream Cheese
4 TBSP. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
4-6 C. Powdered Sugar
** Whip Cream Cheese. Add Butter, whip. Mix in Vanilla. Stir in Powdered Sugar a little at a time until you’ve got your desired consistency.

SPREAD over cinnamon rolls.

Rolls

2010-08-02T15:36:00.007-07:00

BOSCH ROLLS

(although my friend, Ryan likes to call them "FLATS")

Add to bowl:

4 C. flour

1 /4 C. heaping yeast

5 tsp. salt

1 /3 minus 2 tsp. dry milk

Add: 4 C. Warm water

*Mix: take lid off & let yeast rise (about 10- 15 minutes).

Add:

2 /3 C. sugar

3 eggs

2 /3 C. butter

6 cups flour

*Mix, if needed add 1-2 more cups of flour.

Once flour is mixed in turn bosch to high & knead for 8-10 minutes.

*Oil counter, cover and let dough rise on oiled surface until doubled in size (about 10 minutes)

* make rolls or form into bread pans and let rise again until just about top of pan.

** Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes.

Cheesecake

2010-06-20T22:17:00.005-07:00

To see my cheesecake recipes head on over to my crafting blog~ Simply Crafting~Cheesecake

Berry Cake

2010-06-07T15:47:00.006-07:00

This is a Super Simple Scrumptious recipe.

1- Yellow Cake Mix

2- 21oz Cans of Pie Filling
1-   8oz tub Cool Whip
         or 1 can of Ready Whip
         Or Top with Summer Fruit Sampler Dip

Make cake according to recipe on box. Line a Rectangular Casserole Dish with Parchment paper and add Cake dough. When Cake is 5 minutes away from being done, take out of oven, using a fork, poke holes through out top of cake. Pour both cans of pie filling on top of cake, bake the remainder 5min. Remove from oven. Let cool for 10-20 minutes. Slice and serve with a spoonful of whipped cream.

Pull-Apart Dessert Bread

2010-05-31T21:24:00.006-07:00

Pull-Apart Dessert Bread

Fluted Tube Pan - aka as Bundt Pan is needed

4 - 7.5 oz Pillsbury Biscuits (cut into 4's)
1 2/3 cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Butter
2 teaspoons Cinnamon
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1 lg bag of Walnut pieces
      It is up to you how many nuts you use,
     we love the nuts in this and use the whole bag,
      but they can be eliminated altogether
     or just use less if desired.

STEPS:
1. Preheat Oven to 350*
2.  Greese bottom and sides of bundt pan,
    you can use cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of your walnut pieces
    in bottom of pan.
4. Combine Cinnamon and 2/3 cup sugar in large
    Ziplock Baggie
5.  Cut each biscuit into 4 pieces. I recommend
     only opening and cutting one can at a time,
      because they start drying out as they are
      waiting to get into the sugar mixture.
6.   Drop 2 cans of biscuit pieces into
      sugar/cinnamon mixture, zip bag and
      shake to coat well.
7.   Take pieces out of bag individually and drop
      into bottom of bundt pan, drop evenly to cover
      bottom.
       This should cover not quite half of the pan.
8.   Sprinkle half of Walnuts and the 1/4 cup
      chocolate chips on top of biscuit pieces.
9.   Combine 1cup sugar and 3/4 cup butter in a
       small sauce pan and cook over low heat until
       butter is melted.
10. Pour half butter/sugar mixture evenly
       over biscuits
11.  Repeat Biscuit Step #5-7
12.  Pour remainder of butter/sugar mixture
       over last of biscuits and any nuts you
       might have leftover.
13. Bake for 40 minutes at 350*
14. Carefully turn upside down onto a platter.
       Gooey stuff will drip down sides,
      so make sure your platter is bigger
      than your bundt pan.

After seeing this recipe made on Sam the Cooking Guy, my hubby Darin, talked about this dessert for several weeks. So when my sister Bridgette BBQ'd for one of our family get togethers, Darin and I made this and everyone raved and it got devorured. We cant wait to make another.

I will have to post an after picture the next time we make it, because it looked so good when coming out of the oven that we completly forgot about the camera! We changed Sam's Recipe a little, most people in my family including me dont like Raisins so those didnt make it into the pan. If you do like them use about 1/4 cup and add in whenever you put the nuts. This is also known to many people as Monkey Bread.

Cold Macaroni Salad

2010-04-30T12:51:00.005-07:00

Recipe by Heather

6 cups cooked Macaroni
2 cups Miracle Whip
A little Mustard
1/2 to 1 can Evaporated Milk
Salt and Pepper
Ham Chunks
Cheese Cubes
Celery Cubes
Onion Chunks (optional)
Regular Milk (extra if needed)

In a large bowl, combine the Miracle Whip, mustard, evaporated milk, salt and pepper. Add in the macaroni, cheese cubes, ham chunks, celery cubes and onion chunks. Mix together and serve.

Chocolate Cake Cookies

2010-01-31T01:31:00.004-07:00

1 Chocolate Cake Mix

2 large eggs

1 stick of butter (= 1/2 cup or 8 Tablespoons)

Preheat Oven to 350'. In large bowl mix together Cake mix, Butter and Eggs until mixed well and you form a ball of dough. Make small teaspoon size balls and place on cookie sheet. You might need to smash them down so they'll cook completely. Bake for 8-10 minutes. They should be soft like cake, but if you like them crispy bake them a little longer 12-15 minutes.

Optional: This time I made 1/2 the dough plain chocolate and the other half I added 1/2 cup Heath Bits 'O Brickle Toffee Bits (found near chocolate chips in the store). You can try a Varity of different Cake mix flavors, ones I’ve tries areChocolate, Lemon and Strawberry, all great. You can also use a White cake mix and add your favorite flavoring.

Rolo Pecan Squares

2009-12-15T11:48:00.003-07:00

Originally got this recipe from my sister Heather

1 15oz Bag Waffle Pretzels (square)
2 12 o Bags of Rolos (1 bag has about 55 rolos in it) (f you only want to do 1 cookie sheet full you can buy 1 bag and 1 to2 individual Rolls of Rolos)
(1 cookie sheet makes approximatly 126 squares- about 63 rolos)

Preheat oven to 275'. Cover cookie sheet with a sheet of parchment paper, then lay out pretzels side by side until bottom of cookie sheet is covered.

Unwrap rolos and cut in half.

Place 1 cut rolo on each pretzel cut side face down.

When each pretzel has a rolo and oven is preheated back in oven for ONLY 3 minutes just long enough to melt the chocolate.

Take out and immediatley press one pecan on top of each melted rolo. If you run out of Peans or prefer some without nuts, use another pretzel on top instead of the pecan.

My hubby took a box of these into work and the guys devored them quickly! They are a big hit!!

Shephards Pie

2009-12-15T11:23:00.003-07:00

1 lb itlian sausage or hamburger

8-12 large potatoes

1 can cream of soup ( I like broccoli, chicken or mushroom)

8 oz bag shredded cheese

Cook meat in skillet until well done.

Add 1 can of your favorite cream soup

Mix well with cooked meat and put on low heat while you make potatoes

Dice potatoes and add to large pot.

Put enough water in pot to cover the potatoes and Boil on high heat until potatoes are soft. Turn off heat. Drain water from potatoes and put back into the pot. Add 1/2 a stick of butter then Mash potatoes. If you like creamer potatoes add about 1/4 cup milk and extra butter if desired, mash until lumps are gone. If you prefer lumpy potaotes only mash slightly and dont add milk.

Put mashed potatoes in the bottom of a 9x11 and spread evenly. Add Meat mixture on top of the potatoes and spread evenly. Top with cheese.

Bake at 350' until cheese is melted approxmatly 10-15 minutes

Chicken Verde - Yum Yum

2009-12-04T09:43:00.004-07:00

This recipe was past out to the ladies in our church.

Forgot to take pictures so I might upload them next time.

This is awesome all by it self or served in the ways listed below.

Chicken Verde

Crock Pot Meal

1 lb. Chicken Breast

1 - large can Green Enchilada Sauce

1 oz can diced green chilies

8oz - Verde Salsa

1 onion finely chopped

1/4 bunch cilantro finely chopped

Combine all ingrediants in crock pot. Set to low for 5 hours.
When chicken is done use a spoon to break up chicken, it should shred easily.
Spoon over rice or use suggestions below. Leftovers can be frozen.

Suggested Substitutions for Chicken:

Beans, Pork, Shredded Beef, Stew Beef

Can also change the sauce and salsa to red

Suggested Dishes:

Chicken Tacos Chicken Nachos

Taco Salad Fajitas

Enchiladas Burritos

Pizza Sauce

2009-08-20T17:22:00.005-07:00

Pizza Sauce

1 tall can or 2 sm. cans of tomato sauce
2 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning
1 Tbsp. Garlic, pressed

If you like your sauce thick then add a small can of tomato paste to the sauce.

You can also use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic if you don't have it, but the fresh garlic tastes much better!

Summer Fruit Sampler Dip

2009-08-19T17:24:00.006-07:00

Try this super yummy dip from Pampered Chefs 'Delightful Desserts'

1 orange
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1/4 cup light sugar-free strawberry preserves
1 1/2 cups thawed, frozen light whipped topping

Zest orange and finely chop zest to measure 2 teaspoons.

In small Batter bowl, combine sour cream, preserves and orange zest. Fold in whipped topping until combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Great served with Grapes, Strawberries or your favorite fruit. Dip Away!

Beef Macaroni

2009-08-19T02:17:00.007-07:00

1lb - Stewing Beef or hamberger

1 pkg Macaroni pasta

1 can Diced Tomatoes

1 - 12 oz can Tomato Sauce

1 cup Salsa

Brown stewing beef in a skillet. When cooked add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and salsa then stir. Put on low heat while you cook the pasta. In large sauce pot fill 1/2 way with water and put on to boil. When water comes to boil add 1 tsp salt and pasta. Stir pasta occasionally to keep from sticking. When pasta is done drain and add to sauce mixture. Stir and serve.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

2009-08-15T15:06:00.007-07:00

Credit for this wonderful and fun recipe goes to a friend of Melodies - Thank you for letting us share this Chocolaty Delight. Its fast and Easy!

You will Need:
1 –Large 2cup Cocoa Mug (Microwave Safe)
4 Tbs Flour
4 Tbs Sugar
2 Tbs Cocoa
1 egg
3 Tbs Milk
3 Tbs Oil
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 Tbs Chocolate Chips (optional)

Combine flour, sugar and cocoa in the mug and mix well with a spoon.
Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and vanilla and mix well. If you are using chocolate chips – Add them now and stir again.Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.

The cake will start to rise over the top of the mug but this is normal. Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. You can drizzle with chocolate sauce or icing if desired.
Best if served warm – Eat it alone or have fun sharing.

Known to be the most Dangerous Cake around because its only 5 minutes from scratch to your mouth!

I look forward to tring some variations. The first time I made this I didnt have any choclate chips or cocoa - so I used Hot Cocoa Mix in place of the cocoa. It was good but still needed something. I tried it again adding 2 Miniture Special Dark Hershey bars (all I had), cut into pieces and I added an extra Tablespoon of hot cocoa mix. This turned out a lot better.

I want to try it with no chocolate and add flavoring, like Lemon or Strawberry. Other fun things to add would be Cinnamon or Ginger and I'm sure there are many more. I'll let you know how that turns out.

Corn Bread - By Lori

2009-08-14T11:59:00.003-07:00

1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 Tablespoons margarine/butter, melted
2/3 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 cups milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients together. In another bowl, mix eggs, oil and milk then add to dry ingredients and mix well.

Bake at 350* for 18-20 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

2009-08-14T11:53:00.003-07:00

Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
shortening

Cream sugar and butter together. Beat in egg and vanilla. In separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda and cream of tartar. Stir dry ingredients into butter mixture. In separate bowl, combine the 2 tablespoons of sugar and cinnamon. Grease cookie sheet.

Take a scoop of cookie mixture and roll into a ball. Roll it in the cinnamon/sugar mixture. Put on pan and flatten with glass. Bake at 375* for 8-10 minutes.

Bacon Candy

2009-07-29T15:28:00.006-07:00

Found this Odd Recipe on AOL
Recipe by Kat Kinsman

1 lb Bacon (not thick-cut)
1/4 cup Brown sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Slice bacon into 1/2 inch strips and dredge in brown sugar until thoroughly coated.
Crumple aluminum foil to allow for grease drainage and place it on a baking sheet. Lay out the bacon on this making sure not to overlap pieces.
Bake until crispy. Allow to cool and harden before serving.

According to Kat Kinsman this will be the first thing the guests devour at a party - sounds strange to me but worth a try - Pretty fattening, but most candy is!

Here's How to Stand Out While Looking for a Job

2009-07-29T11:49:00.006-07:00

I know for many people it is rough looking for work because of the downfall of our economy. My Husband is currently looking for a job and we ran across this great information on ABC15.com under the tab Financial Survival Guide - I'm hoping it might help someone out there.

Hundreds of applicants? Here's how to stand out
By MARVIN WALBERG

Dear Mr. Walberg: After weeks of sending cover letters and resumes, I landed an interview with a company on my "A list". I don't want to blow it. It's a middle management position and I feel that I am thoroughly qualified; however they are interviewing many people. I want to stand out. Can you help? -- E.M., Tennessee

Dear E.M.:It is difficult to give specific advice when all you have is general information. I don't know you, your background and experience, or the company. But I can share some fantastic information on interviewing from Rob Hellmann, a career coach with over 20 years of experience and a professor at New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Hellman suggests: Be a consultant. Take a consultant's approach to the interview. You are there to find out what the company's issues are and how you can help address them.

Be prepared to discuss:
What can you do for Company X?
Why do you want to work for Company X?
Will you fit in?

Prepare your pitch. Practice and share your two-minute pitch on what you can do for the company and why you are the right fit. Like any consultant would do, make sure you know the ins and outs of the company -- their history, their goals, their mission. Know it and mention it throughout your interview. Address the fear.

Be prepared to answer questions you're afraid of answering, like:
Why have you been out of the workplace?
Aren't your skills dry because you've been out of the workplace?
Why did you leave your last job?

Share stories. Sell your skills, but share a story or two on how your skills were used effectively. During the interview, aim for a discussion. Every question is an opportunity to circle back to your goal of showing what you can do for them today. Don't be negative. Never bad-mouth a former boss or company, and stay focused on your goal. After the interview, ask them how you stack up against other candidates. And in your thank you letter, show them why you're the right choice. "I'm a good fit because..."

Stroganoff Storehouse Style

2009-07-28T15:22:00.006-07:00

For those of you who might use food from the storehouse, this recipe is made using only the products recieved from the LDS Storehouse.

1 – pkg Stewing Beef
1 – Onion (diced)
1 – 3 oz pkg of Brown Gravy
1 - 15 oz Can of Peas (Optional)
1 - pkg Egg Noodles

Brown the stewing beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium heat. After meat is cooked add the peas and turn to low. Boil water in large sauce pan, when it hits boil, add a pinch of salt and egg noodles. Cook noodles until they are almost done, then take off heat and drain in strainer. Leave in strainer and then add meat mixture into that sauce pan. Use the same skillet and make gravy according to package. When gravy has thickened but still a little wet, add noodles to the gravy and stir until noodles are coated with gravy. Then pour meat mixture into noodles and stir.

Can be served with toast.
Can be served over Rice instead of noodles.
Can also add Carrots or other Veggies your family enjoys.

Quick Pizza Melts

2009-06-08T23:38:00.007-07:00

I got this recipe from Southern Fried Mama. Sorry for the pictures on this post, I guess I was too busy making this recipe that I didn't pay attention to the fact that the pictures were a little blurry.

Quick Pizza Melts

2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/4 cup pizza sauce
1 (3 1/2 ounce) package pepperoni, sliced
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 cup pizza sauce, if desired (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375°F Grease cookie sheet. On cookie sheet, unroll 1 can of dough into 1 large rectangle. With floured rolling pin or fingers, roll or press dough into 12x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal.

2. Spread 1/4 cup pizza sauce over dough to within 1/4 inch of edges. Top with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese.

3. On 14-inch length of parchment paper, unroll remaining can of dough. Press to make 12x9-inch rectangle, firmly pressing perforations to seal. While holding paper with dough, turn dough upside down to cover cheese. Remove paper.

Brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and oregano. (I recommend that you don't spill the oregano on top like I did). I tried to brush some off but it just stuck to the dough, so I waited until it was done & then I was able to brush it off then.)
4. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand on cooling rack 5 to 10 minutes. Move to cutting board. Using pizza cutter, cut into 16 squares. Cut each square in half diagonally. Serve with 1 cup pizza sauce.

We liked this, but I think next time I'll try using pizza dough instead of crescent rolls. I think I would like the taste a little more.

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2009-05-31T15:22:00.003-07:00

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2 c. butter

2 c. granulated sugar

2 c. brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

4 c. flour

5 c. blended oatmeal

(measure oatmeal & blend in blender to a fine powder)

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

24 oz. chocolate chips

(I always use milk chocolate chips because I like the taste better)

1 8oz. hershey bar (grated) ~~I don't use this in mine

3 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Cream the butter & both sugars. Add eggs & vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder & soda. Add chocolate chips, hershey bar & nuts. Scoop onto baking stone, placing 2 in. apart. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes about 4-5 dozen cookies.

The recipe I got online says it makes 112 cookies, but mine only made 4 dozen. I use the medium size scoop from Pampered Chef which makes a normal size cookie, so to get 112 you'd have to make them really small.

Yogurt Chicken

2009-05-30T10:16:00.005-07:00

This is probably the best, most tasty chicken recipe I've ever had. I have to commend my dear husband for this one. I had to run out the door for an appointment when it was time to make dinner, so he took over & made this all by himself (thank goodness for recipe books)! He even had to compromise because our yogurt had gone bad, so he used melted butter. It has taken a lot of years but he's learning! It turned out great & tasted just as yummy, it just wasn't quite as moist as it is with the yogurt.

Yogurt Chicken

6 chicken breasts or tenders
2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
2 T. parmesan cheese
1 T. seasoning salt
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
8-12 oz. plain yogurt
1/4 c. butter

Mix the dry ingredients in a flat bowl or platter. Pour yogurt in another flat bowl or platter. Dip the chicken breast in yogurt to cover completely, then dip in dry mixture to coat well one at a time. Place on a bar pan. Drizzle with 1/4 c. melted butter. Bake at 400 for 30 min. for tenders or 40 min. for breasts.

I got this recipe from my friend Tammy F. at church.

Delicious Sweet-n-Sour Chicken

2009-05-09T10:48:00.007-07:00

Copied from a church newsletter

I just made this for dinner 2 nights ago for the first time and it was great and so easy. Unlike any Sweet-n-Sour I've had in a restaurant.

6-8 Chicken Breasts or Thighs

1 bottle Catalina Dressing

1 can Whole Cranberries

1 Envelope Onion Soup Mix

Place Dressing, Cranberries and soup mix

in to crock pot and mix well. Add chicken.

Cook on Low all day (no need to add water)

Check periodically and stir so all chicken gets coated

Great over Rice~!

Snickerdoodles

2009-05-07T12:09:00.007-07:00

My husband has been wanting Snickerdoodles for awhile so I finally got around to making some the other day. They were very yummy & a big hit with all the kids too.

Snickerdoodles

1 c. butter/margarine
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2-3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 Tbs. sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. Cream butter, sugar & eggs.

2. Stir all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add to the creamed mixture & mix well.

3. Combine 2 tsp. cinnamon & 2 Tbs. sugar in a small bowl. Note: I took this

4. Shape dough into 1 in. round balls. Roll in the cinnamon/sugar mixture.

5. Place on bar pan 2 in. apart.

6. Bake for 8-10 min.

Makes about 2-1/2 dozen cookies

...To Know Her Is To Love Her...

2009-05-06T13:23:00.024-07:00

I know our blog is basically for Recipes and such,

but because of Mothers Day I wanted to honor my mother.

This one post is dedicated to her.

Mom, you walk through life with difficulties,

but never waver from Compassion.

Pain envelops your body,

but you always give with a sincere heart.

Even still through the hardships you bore 6 children

and you give to each of us all that you can.

Each day you endure pain,

but you are always there to listen,

to give, to encourage, to love and support.

Never in my life have I met a person

I'm more proud of

I would love to give my children,

what you have given to me.

Everyone you meet loves you,

because you are genuine and sincere.

People are drawn towards you

because you generate Peace and Comfort.

(Written for you Mom!)

On this day, that is labeled as mine,

my mothers and hers too,

All I want is to thank you Father,

For letting me experience this earthly life,

with all of its trials and glories.

Thank you Father,

for the gentle woman now residing with you

Who brought life to me, through her daughter

I'm grateful to call her Grandma

Thank you Father, for this remarkable woman,

I'm blessed to call Mom!

For giving her knowledge, patience, compassion and love.

And the strength to endure any trials I cause her.

Thank you Father for loaning me

these two extraordinary spirits

Who despite my downfalls, Love me and call me Mom!

Thank you this day Father for letting me be a Mom!

My mother has lived in intense pain most of her life, but never did I see her complain or ask for people to wait on her. She raised 6 children, sewed all the girls dresses and gave of herself whenever possiable. Most people in pain dont stop to think of others, but Shirlene is always willing to serve. Even now with her health issues, she lives in a Care Center, but she knows all the patient's names, all the nurses names and makes friends with anyone who comes in her path. She is a very Giving, Compassionate and Loving person. I remember when I was a teenager, there were times I would get upset with her and argue about something not going my way. She never talked down to me, in fact, she would sit down and write me a letter telling me how wonderful I was and how much she loved me and how much the Lord loves me. Even at times when I was angry, she was Loving and Caring. It is hard to write about her without crying, because she is so Awesome and there are not enough words to describe who she is.

Mom you mean the world to me!

.
This post is part of a world wide blogging tribute to Moms led by TheBlogFrog
.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

2009-04-28T22:45:00.007-07:00

These are some of my favorite cookies. If you like peanut butter cookies, you'll love these.

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. shortening

1/2 c. peanut butter

1 egg

1 1/4 c. flour

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

Hershey's Peanut Butter Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Mix all ingredients together and form into balls. I use my Pampered Chef small scoop & it's just the right size.

3. Place on ungreased pan 2" apart.

4. Bake for 10 minutes.

5. Then open oven & put a kiss on each cookie & press down just a little bit, then bake for an additional 2 minutes.

6. Let cool on the pan for a few minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

This recipe will make about 2 dozen cookies. I usually double or triple the recipe since we have a large family, we like leftovers & I usually give some away.

A few tips:

1. If you try to move the cookies from the pan too soon after taking them out of the oven they will break. This is the case with pretty much every cookie recipe. Wait for about 5-8 minutes.

2. Make sure not to overcook the cookies, or they won't be as soft & the kiss will burn.

3. These cookies are best when warm. So when you're craving that cookie the next day just pop it in the microwave for about 10 seconds & it softens & warms the cookie just enough to make the kiss melt in your mouth. Yum! Enjoy!

Funeral Potatoes!

2009-04-13T10:40:00.004-07:00

I know the name sounds terrible but it's not as bad as what our mom used to call these. This yummy potato dish got it's name from being such a popular dish that is served at almost every LDS (Latter-day Saint) funeral there is. It really is a great potato dish that I'm sure your family will love. There are actually several versions of Funeral Potatoes so this is my version.

Funeral Potatoes

8 lg. or 12 sm. potatoes

2 cans cream of chicken soup

salt & pepper to taste

1 Tbs. Mrs. Dash

1 pint sour cream

1 c. grated cheese

crushed potato chips (about 2 cups crushed)

1. Peel & cube potatoes, then boil. Drain water & put potatoes in a large mixing bowl.

2. Mix in soup, sour cream, cheese & seasonings in with potatoes.

3. Mix well & pour half of mixture into 9x13 baker.

4. Sprinkle more cheese over then pour rest of mixture in pan & sprinkle more cheese on top.

5. Sprinkle crushed chips all over potatoes.

6. Bake at 450 for 20-25 min. Enjoy!

Chel's Ziti Pasta

2009-04-08T10:01:00.004-07:00

I was going to make the Party Pasta Bowl recipe from Pampered Chef but decided to change it just a bit. Although some of my kids were skeptical to try it (because it was something new), they loved it. It did turn out quite yummy!

Chel's Ziti Pasta

1 package uncooked ziti pasta

1/4 c. chopped onion

1 lb. lean ground beef (I always get the leanest ground beef I can find)

3 garlic cloves, pressed

2 ts. Italian Seasoning

1 jar/can (24 oz.) spaghetti sauce

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained (I like to get the ones with seasoning in them)

1 egg

2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded

2 ts. parsley

1/4 ts. black pepper

2 Tbs. parmesan cheese

1. Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain when fully cooked. Cook ground beef, add chopped onion & pressed garlic. Cook until beef is fully cooked. Remove from heat. Add Italian seasoning, tomatoes and spaghetti sauce. Lightly beat egg, then add to meat mixture. Add mozzarella & parmesan cheeses, parsley & pepper. Mix sauce with pasta in large bowl, pour into 9x13 stone baker and add more mozzarella cheese on top. Bake at 450 degrees for 25 min.

Comforting Corn Casserole

2009-03-15T12:09:00.007-07:00

I'm making this tonight as a side to the Beef Taco Bake, so I'm doubling the recipe. I'll add Photos later!

Corn Casserole

1 - 15 1/4 oz can whole kernel corn, drained

1 - 14 3/4 oz can cream-style corn

1 - 8 oz package corn muffin mix (I use Jiffy)

1 - cup sour cream

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted

1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat Oven to 350'

In a large bowl, stir together all the corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream and butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13 inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes and serve warm. This makes 6-8 servings.

Beef Taco Bake

2009-03-15T11:47:00.008-07:00

I'm making this tonight for a large family get together so I am tripleing the recipe. As a side I will be making a Corn Casserole.

Beef Taco Bake

1 lb- ground beef (I used 2 lbs and 1 lb Italian Sausage)

1- 10 3/4 oz can Campbell’s Condensed Tomato Soup

1- cup Salsa

1- 4oz can Diced Green Chile Peppers

1/2- cup milk

1- cup shredded cheese (about 4oz)

8- Corn tortillas - cut into 1 inch pieces

(you may use 6 flour tortillas if you prefer)

Cook the beef in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until well browned, stirring often. Drain off the fat. Preheat oven to 400' Add to meat: soup, salsa, milk, tortillas and 1/2 the cheese. Stir. Spoon the mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish. Cover and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbly. Remove and add the remaining cheese. Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Pepperoni Pizza Twist

2009-02-02T21:16:00.012-07:00

This is another Pampered Chef recipe. Can you tell I like them? I actually love their products even more than their recipes. The stones are so awesome, I bake on them almost everyday (as you can see by how dark they are in the pictures).

Pepperoni Pizza Twist

1 package (3.5 ounces) pepperoni slices, diced

1 can (3.25 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 garlic clove, pressed

2 packages (11 ounces each) refrigerated French bread dough

1 egg

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning Mix

2 tablespoons (1/2 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce, warmed (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF. Dice pepperoni. Chop olives using. Snip parsley using kitchen shears (I used dried parsley).

In a bowl, combine pepperoni, olives, parsley, mozzarella cheese, flour and garlic (I used granulated garlic because I didn't have any garlic cloves); mix well.

2. Place bread dough, seam sides up, on smooth side of a cutting board. Using a knife, slice each loaf lengthwise, end to end, cutting halfway through to center of loaf; spread open flat. Lightly sprinkle additional flour evenly over dough. Using a baker's roller, roll dough crosswise to a 4-inch width, creating a well down center of each loaf. I use my pizza dough recipe.

3. Spoon half of the pepperoni mixture down center of each loaf. Gather up edges over filling, pinching firmly to seal. Place loaves, seam sides down, in an "X" pattern on a rectangle stone. Crisscross ends of dough to form a large figure "8," keeping ends of dough 1 inch from edge of stone and leaving two 1 1/2-inch openings in center of twist. I would recommend adding some tomato sauce w/ seasoning inside--it was good, but pretty dry & I think the sauce would make it better. I also forgot to add the black olives--had them chopped, just forgot to put them in.

4. Separate egg over small bowl. (Discard yolk or set aside for another use.) Beat egg white and seasoning mix; lightly brush over dough. Using serrated bread knife, cut a 3-inch slit in each of the top sections of the twist to reveal filling. Instead of the seasoning mix, I just put Italian Seasoning in mine.

5. Grate Parmesan cheese over loaf. Bake 30-32 minutes or until deep golden brown. Remove to cooling rack; cool 10 minutes. Cut into 16 slices. Serve with warm pizza sauce, if desired.

For the greatest Pampered Chef consultant contact Kelly!

Quick Apple Crisp

2009-01-27T16:30:00.008-07:00

This was very yummy. This is another Pampered Chef recipe. It is indeed quick. My 11 yr. old helped me make it & it took us about 15 min. to prepare while our dinner was baking. That was from start to finish, peeling the apples to it being ready to go in the oven. This time I didn't use the nuts & I think I liked it better without them.

Quick Apple Crisp

5 Granny Smith apples

1 package (9 oz.) yellow cake mix

2 Tbs. sugar

1 T. ground cinnamon

1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted

1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Vanilla ice cream or thawed, frozen whipped topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°. Peel, core and slice apples using Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer. Cut apples in half with a sharp knife. (I cut mine into quarters). Place apples in deep dish baker (or a pie pan or 8x8 pan).

Combine cake mix, sugar, cinnamon, butter & nuts in a bowl (I used walnuts, but pecans would be good too). Mix until crumbly then sprinkle evenly over apples.

Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until apples are tender. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped topping, if desired.

For the greatest Pampered Chef consultant in the Phoenix Metro Area contact Kelly!

Spaghetti Sauce Casserole

2009-01-27T16:18:00.007-07:00

This is a very yummy casserole that most of my family loves. I got this recipe from my sil, Kristi.

Spaghetti Sauce Casserole

1 lb. hamburger

1 pkg. Spaghetti Sauce Mix

2 eight oz. cans tomato sauce

3/4 pint sour cream

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls

2 Tb. butter

mozerella cheese

parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375°. Cook hamburger. Mix in Spaghetti Sauce mix & tomato sauce. Pour mixture in bottom of a deep dish baker (or pie pan). Spread sour cream on top. Spread cheese over, then lay out raw crescent rolls flat on top (do not roll them just lay them flat), putting the wide end of the rolls at the outside. The points of the rolls will overlap a little in the middle but that's alright. Melt butter & drizzle on top, then sprinkle parmesan cheese all over the top.

Bake at 375° for 18-25 min.

Darin's Super Scrumptious Spaghetti

2009-01-26T14:43:00.016-07:00

Darin made this spaghetti for me on our second date & I joke with him that I fell in love with him for his spaghetti. (which of course isn't true - I love the man and the sketti)

1 - 16 oz package Spaghetti
1 - can Spaghetti sauce any flavor
1 - can Italian diced tomatoes
1 - green bell pepper (diced)
1 -red bell pepper (diced)
1 - med. onion (diced) - I prefer a sweet onions or the purple kind
1 lb Mild Italian Sausage (you can use hamburger if you prefer)

Brown Sausage in a skillet.

In a separate skillet grill the onion and peppers till slightly caramelized.

Add them to Sausage after it is fully cooked.

Add Sauce and Tomatoes. Mix Well. Let simmer while you boil spaghetti

I usually add a little salt to the water and 1 tsp E.V.O.O. while spaghetti cooks.

Drain but don't rinse (helps the pasta absorb more of the sauce). You can either add spaghetti directly to sauce or put back into pot with 1 tsp of E.V.O.O. mixed in and serve separately. I was cooking for a large group when taking these photos so I missed getting the pasta (maybe I'll add later) - that is also why it appears to be more in skillet then what recipe calls for.

Arizona's Beauty

2009-01-26T14:34:00.005-07:00

After seeing Rachelles beautiful sunset photos, I thought I'ld add this one
I recently shot while going out to my Sister Bridgette's home.

Baked Mac-n-Cheese

2009-01-26T12:18:00.014-07:00

My hubby hates the boxed Mac-n-Cheese, but he loves it when I make my baked version.

Baked Mac-n-Cheese

3 - boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (I like the Rotini style)
1 - 8 oz bag of Shredded Cheese
1 - 11 oz bag of Potato Chips (I like the Wavy Lays for this dish)
1 - pkg bacon (optional)
Butter & Milk (I don't measure so you'll have to eyeball it)

Preheat Oven
Boil Pasta - Turn off burner, then drain (don't rinse - a little tip I learned from Alton Brown - this will help the sauce cling to the pasta), let pasta sit in strainer. Rinse out sauce pot, place back on warmed burner and add about 2 Tablespoons of butter - once melted add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk. Stir in all three cheese packets. Whisk until smooth. Pour Pasta back into pot and stir cheese sauce with pasta until well blended. Spray Pam into 9x13 casserole dish. Pour 1/2 pasta into dish and spread evenly in dish.

Sprinkle 1/3 of cheese over pasta. Spoon remainder of pasta over cheese and spread in dish. Sprinkle the last 2/3 of cheese evenly over pasta. Use about 3/4 of the Potato chips and crumble them over all the cheese. Bake at 350' for 25 minutes - Cheese should be melted and chips slightly browned.

Extra: My hubby likes his with Bacon. I prefer mine without.
I cook bacon in the oven to help take some of the grease away from it. Use a cooling rack ontop of a cookie sheet - lay bacon across cooling rack. Bake at 350' for about 20-30 minutes. Keep an eye on it - it wont take much for it to burn. Take it out when it looks browned and crispy. Once bacon is done and cooled down. Blot with Paper towels, then crumble about 8 slices over 1/2 of the casserole before baking.

Enjoy!

Fry Bread/Navajo Taco's

2009-01-26T10:46:00.009-07:00

This is another of my family's favorite recipes! I love it when the kids come & ask me what I'm making for dinner & when I tell them they get excited. So here's the recipe for this yummy dinner/dessert! I got this recipe from a recipe book that several ladies from church put together. This one comes from my friend Nalene Dobbins.

Fry bread

4 c. flour

1-1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking powder

1 T. sugar

1 T. shortening

1 T. (or 1 pkg.) yeast

1/4 c. warm water

1-1/2 c. scalded milk

Scald milk, then allow it to cool to lukewarm. Combine water, sugar and yeast. Set aside. Combine milk, shortening, salt, baking powder and 1/2 of the flour. Add the yeast mixture and mix well. Add the remaining flour. Knead 20 times. Let dough rest for 10 min. Roll dough 1/4 in. thick and cut into squares. Fry in a hot oil at 365°. This recipe makes about 12-15 small to medium size pieces.

Hints:

I scald my milk in the microwave. Measure the correct amount, then put it in the microwave for 3 min. Then I put it in the freezer to cool to lukewarm. While I'm waiting for the milk to cool, I begin to mix the other ingredients as the recipe says to do. I periodically check on the milk so it doesn't get too cool. This is the way I've done this many times & it works for me so hopefully it will for everyone else as well.

I don't roll my dough out this way, I seperate them into balls & roll them out individually. The size just depends on how large of a piece you want. I generally make mine a little smaller since I have some small children that don't eat much. Then the older kids can have 2 or 3 if they want more.

Also, we eat this for dinner with beans, cheese, lettuce & tomatos. You can add salsa & any other toppings you may like. You can also eat it plain with just butter or as a dessert with butter & powdered sugar or honey. Yum Yum, enjoy!

Rachelle S.

http://www.chelstamps.blogspot.com/

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-25T21:41:00.008-07:00

Well, it's a new week & that means a new menu! Here's mine for this week! We almost always have veggies so I don't add those to the list (we don't have them with pizza or breakfast though).

Monday: Spaghetti Sauce Casserole & homemade tortilla chips

Tuesday: Cheesy Tortellini Bake & garlic bread

Wednesday: Fried Chicken (easy, out of the box from Banquet) & french fries

Thursday: Chicken & Rice Casserole (we were going to have this last week but didn't)

Friday: Pepperoni Pizza Twist

Saturday: Breakfast (scrambled eggs, fried potatoes & bacon)

Sunday: Our turn for extended family dinner~~Cheesy Potato Soup & homemade rolls

Bow Tie Alfredo

2009-01-20T20:00:00.007-07:00

This is a very simple recipe. I'll tell you right up front that I don't make my alfredo sauce from scratch.

12 oz. bow tie pasta

15 oz. bottle of Bertoli Garlic Alfredo sauce

Garlic powder

Salt & pepper

Boil pasta. Warm Alfredo sauce. The sauce is a little bland so I add a little bit of garlic powder, salt & pepper. The sauce I buy does say garlic alfredo but I still add more. It would probably be better to add a clove of fresh garlic pressed. I'll have to try that next time. Once pasta is done, drain it & pour it back in pot. Add sauce to pasta & your done. Most of my family loves this one, especially my 7 yr. old.

Southwest Taco Pie

2009-01-20T19:41:00.008-07:00

This is a Pampered Chef recipe for Southwest Taco Pie! Most of my family liked it (I'm not a big red meat eater so that much hamburger was a little too much for me).

Crust

1/4 c. plus 1 Tbs. cornmeal, divided

3/4 c. all-purpose flour

1-1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

1/3 c. milk

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

Filling

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 c. chunky salsa

1 c. (4 oz.) shredded colby-jack cheese

1 c. shredded lettuce

1/2 c. chopped tomato

1/4 c. sliced, pitted ripe olives

sour cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 450. Lightly spray 9" stoneware pie plate with vegetable oil. Sprinkle 1 tbsp cornmeal evenly on bottom and sides on pie plate. Combine the remaining cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and oil, stir with fork until mixture forms a ball. Roll out to create crust, shape into pie plate. For filling, brown ground beef, drain. Stir in salsa. Spoon beef mixture into pie crust; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 12-15 minutes or until crust is golden brown & cheese is melted. Top pie with lettuce, tomato and olives. Garnish with sour cream & additional salsa, if you'd like.

For the greatest Pamered Chef consultant in the Phoenix Metro Area contact Kelly!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-18T23:27:00.005-07:00

Here's our menu for this week...

Monday~Southwest Taco Pie (this is a Pampered Chef recipe)

Tuesday~bowtie alfredo

Wednesday~mock tacos (these are so easy) I completely forgot to take a picture of these, so next time!

Thursday~chicken & rice casserole (this didn't happen, we had leftovers)

Friday~family style calzones (this didn't happen either, we had pot pies instead)

Saturday~Navajo tacos

Sunday~ Extended family potluck (homemade pizza)

Pictures & recipes to come throughout the week!

Tuna Casserole

2009-01-18T23:14:00.005-07:00

Tuna Noodle Casserole

2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 sm. or 1 lg. can tuna

1-16 oz. bag of egg noodles

1 c. miracle whip ( or mayo)

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

more cheese for topping

Preheat oven to 450°

Boil noodles until they are soft. While they are boiling, mix soup & milk in a microwaveable bowl & microwave for 1-1/2 minutes then add 1 c. cheese to mixture & microwave another 1-1/2 minutes. Mix tuna & miracle whip in an extra large mixing bowl. Add soup/milk mixture to tuna mixture & mix well. When noodles are finished boiling add them to this mixture & mix well. Then pour half of mixture in a 9x13 baker & sprinkle cheese on top. Add the rest of the mixture & sprinkle a lot of cheese on top. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes.

I don't add any seasonings in the casserole, but I do like to salt & pepper it after. This is one of my families favorite recipes, it is the creamiest recipe I've ever had. I also like to make homemade rolls to go with this. My sisters like to add slivered nuts to the top, so that's an option if you like those.

Grandma's Enchilada's & homemade chips

2009-01-13T13:01:00.009-07:00

sorry for the color, my camera was being weird & we have terrible lighting in the kitchen.

I learned this recipe from my mom, who learned it from her mom!

Grandma's Easy Enchilada's

(I add the "easy" part in, because there's no rolling involved here)

There's no actual written recipe here, so I'm just guesstimating as I go ;)

3 lg. cans (15 oz.) or 6 sm. (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce

1/2 sm. can El Pato Sauce

1 lb. hamburger

2 c. water

1/2 c. salsa

corn tortillas

Mrs. Dash (or any other hamburger seasoning)

Preheat oven to 450°. Add tomato sauce, el pato sauce (which can be found near the refried beans & other enchilada sauces), water & salsa into a large pot & bring to a simmer. Let this simmer while you cook the hamburger, season to taste. Then add to sauce. Once the sauce has been simmering for at least 30 min. total you can start putting the casserole together. In a 9x13 baking dish layer tortilla's (cut into 1/4), sauce, then cheese & continue this until the dish is almost full (leave about 3/4" from the top). Bake for 20 min. at 450°.

While my enchilada's are baking I make Homemade tortilla chips's to go with them. My family loves these! These are so simple, but just take a little time!

Cut tortilla's into quarters. Heat oil in a skillet on med. high. When the oil is hot place the tortilla pieces in the hot oil & cook them until they are crispy. I place mine in a large bowl with paper towels in the bottom to soak up the grease. As soon as you add more tortilla's in the pan salt the ones you just took out! You can also make these in a deep fryer, but don't ask me how because I don't own one & have never used one, but I know my sisters have made them this way before. I like to make some of the chips a little crispier & some not as much because different family members like them different ways & it's easy to accommodate! Enjoy!

A few beautiful things...

2009-01-11T21:52:00.008-07:00

Yesterday when we were at my mom & dad's house the kids found a butterfly that wasn't flying away, so I was able to get some beautiful pictures of it. I figured that it must have been hurt since they said that they picked it up, usually they fly away too fast to be able to catch them. I saw after taking these close-up shots that the poor butterfly's wing had a piece torn off. Not only is the butterfly beautiful, but so are my dad's flowers!

This one is my favorite!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of the many beauties of Arizona! We have some really beautiful sunsets. I was trying to take pictures while we were driving out to my brother's house tonight, most didn't turn out good since were were actually in driving mode. But I was able to get these shots when we stopped at the light, unfortunately the only shot had to have the electric wires in it! It's still beautiful IMO!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-11T21:28:00.006-07:00

Here's my menu for the week! Watch for pictures & recipes through the week!

Monday: Grandma's enchilada's

Tuesday: tuna casserole

Wednesday: frozen pizza

Thurdays: beef & veggie stew

Friday: chicken pot pies

Saturday: chili & cornbread

Sunday: extended family dinner (I get a break!)

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

2009-01-06T22:58:00.004-07:00

This is the best recipe I've tried for chocolate chip cookies & believe me I've tried many. I've

search far & wide to find one that doesn't look 'cakey' when they are done. I got this recipe from the one, the only Betty Crocker, of course! Check out the recipe here! I actually love the dough more than the cookies, but the cookies are really good too! I'm sure it's because it has so much butter in it! Enjoy!

Chicken Enchilada's

2009-01-06T14:19:00.009-07:00

This recipe I got from my sister Bridgette!

My dear, sweet husband Kent made this for us last night which might give those that know him a heart attack because he NEVER makes anything from scratch. If you can't pull it out of the freezer & stick it in the oven he doesn't make it!

He was such a sweetheart to help me because I was so busy re-writing my essay for my English class that was due yesterday. I realized as I was ready to start my conclusion that I wrote the whole thing wrong so I had to start over.

In the midst of my cramming to finish my paper I completely forgot to take a picture. So I will try to remember to take a picture next time I make these & attach it here. This recipe is very yummy & most of my kids (the ones who don't decide that they don't like it before they've even tried it) loved it!

Easy Chicken Enchilada's

(I finally got that picture taken)

2-3 lbs. cooked & cubed chicken

3-4 cans of cream of chicken soup

1 pint sour cream

about 30 corn tortilla's

1/2 c. salsa

shredded cheese (a lot~you can never have too much cheese!)

1 can olives, optional

Preheat oven to 350°.

Mix soup, sour cream, salsa & olives together until well blended, then add cooked chicken. I cube & cook my chicken in a skillet on the stove, adding my favorite seasoning that has no MSG in it, Mrs. Dash! This is your sauce! Layer corn tortilla's in a 9x13 pan (I cut mine into quarters first~I don't really know why that's just how my mom taught me to make enchilada's~actually they do fit in the pan better this way). Then layer sauce all over the tortillas, then a thin layer of cheese. Continue to layer until the pan is 3/4 full! Make sure to add a good amount of cheese on top. Bake at 350° for 30 min. or until cheese is melted.

It's best to add your own homemade salsa, but store bought works well too!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-04T16:06:00.012-07:00

There's a great site called I'm an Organizing Junkie that I got this great idea from. Once a week you plan your menu for the week.

I actually plan out a month's worth at a time. This has been a great way to prepare a shopping list & has saved us money shopping for groceries. It helps me not buy a lot of things that we don't need. I've been doing this for a few months & have been posting them on my private family blog, but I thought you all might like to see it here as well.

This is the way that I organize my menu planning. I use Google calendar, & type in at 6pm (which is the time we usually eat dinner) on each day what is on the menu for dinner that night. When I know there is a concert, soccer meet or other event that night then I will schedule it earlier. This helps me know when I need to start dinner to have it ready on time as well. I usually keep my calendar from the previous month, so I can space out how often we have each meal. I do a different type of meal each day of the week (see below). Then I actually go through & do all the menu's for Monday, then all for Tuesday, etc., so I can better keep track of the type's of meals we are having & don't repeat the same thing too often. After I've filled in the whole month I print out my calendar! If you don't want to do a whole month just print a blank calendar out & then you can pencil in each week at a time. I keep my calendar on the side of the fridge!

Our different type's of meals for each day of the week:
Monday~Mexican
Tuesday~Pasta
Wednesday~something fast & easy (this is our extra busy day, so we do something like chicken nuggets, pot pies--usually frozen & not homemade).
Thursday~chicken (chicken as the main dish)
Friday~pizza (a different type of pizza dish each week: homemade pizza, calzone's, etc.)
Saturday~ "Other" (this will be anything that doesn't fall in the other catagories, like Navajo tacos).

I have a list of all the different meals that fall under each of these catagories (at least all the one's my family will eat). See my list below. I hope this might help you get started! The ones that are highlighted in a different color are linked to the recipe! I'll try to add the recipes for those that need them as I make them!

Mexican: Grandma's enchilada's, taco's, taco salad, quesadilla's, fajita's, spaghetti sauce casserole, chicken enchilada's, chicken taco's, Southwest Taco Pie, tostada's.

Pasta: fettucine alfredo, spaghetti, lazy lasagna, tuna casserole, homemade chicken noodle soup, bow tie alfredo, chicken spaghetti, cheesy chicken tortellini, chicken alfredo, chicken lasagna alfredo.

Fast: chicken nuggets/fish sticks, fried chicken, frozen pizza, chili, pot pies, hot dogs, chicken salad sandwiches.

Chicken: yogurt chicken, grilled chicken, Monday Night Chicken, chicken & rice casserole, chicken enchilada ring, soy sauce marinated chicken.

Pizza: homemade pizza, family style calzone, english muffin pizza, pepperoni pizza twist.

Other: Navajo taco's, grilled cheese sandwiches, beef stew, breakfast (cheesy hashbrown casserole, chili relleno's), potato cheese soup, baked potato bar, mock taco's, chili, hot dogs/hamburgers on the grill.

Sides: veggies, funeral potato's, oven roasted potato's, rice, cornbread, dinner rolls, homemade tortilla chips, garlic bread, french fries, tater tots, roasted potato wedges, cheesy hashbrowns, salad, fried seasoned potatos, cinnamon chips.

So here is my menu for this week:
Monday~~chicken enchilada & homemade tortilla chips
Tuesday~~lazy lasagna & garlic bread
Wednesday~~hot dogs & french fries (easy, no recipe here)
Thursday~~baked potato bar
Friday~~homemade pizza
Saturday~~yogurt chicken & funeral potato's
Sunday~~extended family potluck

If you have any questions please feel free to post a comment here.

Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole

2009-01-03T17:11:00.006-07:00

1 (20 oz.) bag of Simply Potato Hashbrowns (or any other thawed hashbrowns)

1 (10-3/4 oz.) can of cream of chicken soup

8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded

3/4 c. sour cream

1/4 c. garlic powder

salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mix in the hashbrowns last. Place in a greased 2 qt. baking dish & sprinkle more cheese all over the top. Bake at 450 for 30 min. Enjoy!

We are having this dish tonight so I'll add the picture later!

Potato Cheese Soup

2009-01-03T16:53:00.010-07:00

8 medium sized potato's

1 cup of broth

4 or 5 chopped green onions or 1 med. yellow onion

1 Tbs. parsley

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. garlic powder or salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1-1/2 c. milk

2 Tbs. bacon (I use the Hormel Real crumbled Bacon Bits)

salt to taste

Peel & cube potato's, then boil until they are soft. Then I put this into my crock pot (on high) & add the rest of the ingredients. You can continue to cook this in a pot but I like to put it in the crock pot so I don't have to stir it as often. If you leave it in a pot on the stove you need to stir every few minutes so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. In the crock pot let it simmer for about an hour until everything is mixed well & it looks creamy. It should start to thicken & smell very yummy. Enjoy! You can add celery to this mix if you like.

Chicken Spaghetti

2009-01-03T16:39:00.009-07:00

Chicken Spaghetti

(this recipe is from our sis Kristi!)

3-4 chicken breasts (cooked)

1 pkg. spaghetti (cooked)

1 lg. can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cheddar cheese soup

shredded cheddar cheese

salt & pepper to taste

You can substitue any cream soups for the ones listed above. My family doesn't like mushrooms so I just added another small can of cream of chicken to substitute for the mushroom soup.

Boil the spaghetti as directed. Cut the chicken into cubes, cooked them in a pan on the stove & seasoned with Lawry's chicken/poultry seasoning or any of your favorite seasoning. While spaghetti & chicken are cooking, in a large bowl mix all the soups together, add some salt & pepper for more flavoring & about 1/2 cup. of cheddar cheese. When chicken & spaghetti are finished cooking add them to the soup mixture. Then pour about half of this mixture in a 9x13 pan & sprinkle cheese over, then add the rest of the mixture & sprinkle more cheese over the top. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Enjoy!

I advise you not to do what I did and accidently buy the Fiesta Nacho Cheese soup, instead of the cheddar cheese soup. The nacho taste really didn't appeal to anyone in our family although they have loved this recipe when my sil, Kristi has made it for family dinners, so I'm pretty sure it was that nacho flavor that we didn't like.

My Christmas cards (Rachelle's)

2008-12-21T16:22:00.005-07:00

These are my Christmas cards this year. I usually do all of mine the same, but I decided to use printed paper & didn't have enough of one so I did 3 different versions. I really haven't had time to do the work that I usually put into my cards & I wanted to keep them very simple anyway! I ended up making 60 cards this year!

This Year's Christmas Cards!

2008-12-19T16:12:00.009-07:00

Hello All!

I make my Christmas cards every year, it's fun and it saves me tons of money, plus they are much cuter than anything you can purchase in the store.

So each year I pick 3 or 4 different style of cards, then duplicate each card 30-40 times, I usually make about 100 cards.

Here are this years creations:

Tea & Hot Cocoa

2008-12-19T00:32:00.009-07:00

I love Peppermint Tea before I go to bed, it helps me sleep

I also love Hot Cocoa, with Peppermint Stick in it.

So I just tried this last night. I steeped myself a mug of Herbal Peppermint Tea, let it sit for a minute, then squeezed the bag and tossed it. Then added 1 packet of Cocoa to my mug of tea and stired. It was way different then adding the Candy Cane to the Cocoa but it tasteded great and it didn't have the added sugar from the candy that I don't need, plus I get the benefit of the Herbal tea.

So If you like tea and you like Cocoa, you must try your favorites together!
Its really great on a cold night!

If you don't like tea, you can also try Peppermint Extract -Or Your favorite flavor in an extract - get the Flavor without the sugar!

Cookies & More Galore!

2008-12-05T13:51:00.023-07:00

Hello all, Bridgette here!

My friend Keith from VA sent me this list of hyperlinks for all different types of cookie recipes.
I thought that it was just about the coolest thing so I thought I'd share it will all y'all!

There are seriously a lot of cookies here, if you click on the hyperlink of one that sounds good to you it will pull up the website with the recipe.

You can bake to your hearts content!

1-2-3 Cookies
7 Layer Cookies
Almond Crescent Shortbread
Amish Sugar Cookies
Andies Candies Cookies
Angel Crisps
Applesauce Cookies

Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles
Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems
Bakeless Dream Cookies
Banana Drop Cookies
Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World
Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies
Brown Sugar Shortbread
Brownie Cookies

Brownie Delight
Brownies
Buried Cherry Cookies
Butter Cookies
Butter Nut Balls
Butterscotch Haystacks
C.O.P. Cookies
Candy Cane Cookies

Candy Cookies
Caramel Shortbread
Cheesecake Brownies
Cherry Buns
Cherry Crowns
Cherry Winks
Chewies
Chewy Noels
Chinese Chews/Haystacks
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Chip Meltaways
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate Christmas Trees
Chocolate Crinkles
Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies

Chocolate Snowball Cookies
Chocolate Streusel Bars
Chocolate Sundae Cookies
Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars
Choco-Scotch Crunchies
Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe
Christmas Crunch Bars
Christmas Ginger Snaps
Christmas Mice Cookies
Christmas Shaped Cookies
Church Window Cookies
Coconut Cookies

Congo Squares
Cookie in a Jar
Corn Flakes Cookies
Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal)

CrÃ¨me De Menthe Chocolate Squares
CrÃ¨me Wafers
Crescent Cookies
Crispy Crunchies
Date Nut Balls
Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies
Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies
Doodles

Double chocolate chip cookies
Double-Chocolate Crinkles
Eatmore Cookies
Eggnog Cookies
Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies

Elves Quick Fudge Brownies
Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Famous Oatmeal Cookies
Firemen Cookies
Fluffy Shortbread Cookies
Forgotten Cookies
Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies

Fruit Cake Cookies
Fruitcake Squares
Fry Pan Cookies
Gems
Ginger Crinkles
Gingerbread Baby
Gingerbread Men

Gingerbread Men
Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
Glory's Golden Graham Squares
Glory's Sugar Cookies
Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops
Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies
Grandma J's Butter Cookies
Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies
Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies
Gum Drop Cookies

Gumdrop Gems
Haystack Cookies
Ho-Ho Bars
Holiday Cereal Snaps
Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies
Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars
Holly Cookies
Ice Box Cookies

Italian Cookies
Jam Bars
Jessica's Famous Brownies
Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Jubilee Jumbles
Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms

Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies
Kentucky Colonels
Kifflings
Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers
Lemon Angel Bar Cookies
Lemon Bars
Lemon Cake Cookies
Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies
Lemon Squares

Linzer Tarts
Log Cabin Cookies
M&M Cookies

Magic Cookie Bars
Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies
Melting Shortbread
Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies

Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies
Mincemeat Cookies
Mincemeat Goodies
Molasses Cookies
Molasses Forest Cookies
Molasses Sugar Cookies

Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies
Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies
Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies
Monster Cookies

Moravian Christmas Cookies
Nitey Nite Cookies
No Bake Chocolate Cookies
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
No Bake Cookies
No Bake Cookies

No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies
No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
No-Bake Cookies

No-Bake Vanilla Waffer Balls
Norwegian Sugar Cookies
Nut Balls
Oatmeal Coconut Crisps
Oatmeal Cookies

Oatmeal Scotchies
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk
Ooey Gooey Squares
Orange Slice Cookies
Parking Lot Cookies
Peanut Blossoms
Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Blossoms
Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies
Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanut butter fingers
Peanut Butter Reindeer

Peanut Butter Surprises
Peanut Marshmallow Cookies
Peppermint Snowballs
Persimmon Cookies
Persimmon Cookies
Petey's Yummy Spicy Almond Thins
Pfeffernuesse

Pineapple Filled Cookies
Potato Flake Cookies
Praline Cookies
Praline Strips
Pterodactyl Nests
Pumpkin Bars

Pumpkin Bars
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Pumpkin Cookies
Queen Biscuits
Quick Cookies
Raised Sugar Cookies
Raisin Filled Oatmeal Bars
Raspberry Meringue Bars
Reese`s Brownies

Rich Flavor Christmas Cookies
Ricotta Cheese Cookies
Royal Almond Christmas Bars
Russian Tea Cookies
Russian Teacakes
Samantha & Kelsey's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sand Art Brownies

Santa Claus Cookie Pops
Santa Claus Cookies
Santa's Butterscotch Melts
Santa's Shorts
Santa's Special Squares
Scotch Cakes
Scotch Shortbread
Scotcharoos
Scotcheroos
Shortbread

Skor Squares
Snicker Doodle Cookies
Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodles
Snow Balls
Sour Cream Apple Squares
Sour Cream Christmas Cookies

Special K Cookies
Spice Cookies
Spicy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Spritz Cookies
Stained Glass Window Cookies
Stir & Drop Sugar Cookies
Sugar Cookies
Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies
Swedish Pepparkakor (Pepper Cake) Cookies
Swedish Sugar Cookies
Sweet Marie's
Taralle (Italian Cookies)
Tea Time Tassies
The Best Shortbread in The World
Thumbprint Cookies Thumbprint Cookies

Toffee Squares
Traditional Christmas Sugar Cookies
Traditional Gingerbread Men Cookies
Triple-Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies
Walnut Butter Cookies

Walnut Crumb Bars
White Chip Chocolate Cookies
Wild Oatmeal Cookies
Will's Famous Apple Jack Cookies
Yummy Yummy Peanut Butter Blossoms

Drawing Again...

2008-12-01T03:19:00.007-07:00

I haven't drawn in years and recently got in the mood. This is my first drawing since getting back on my feet again! More will come and they should get better.

There was suppose to be a puppy in his arms but I wasn't up to drawing it. I'm working on some Disney stuff, will post it when I'm done.

My Homemade Pizza/French Bread

2008-11-30T15:42:00.019-07:00

This is one of our families favorites & we make it about once a week.

Homemade Pizza Dough/French Bread

(This makes 2 large pizza's or 2 loaves of bread)

2-1/2 c. very warm water

2 Tbsp. yeast

2 Tbsp. sugar
6-1/2 c. white flour

5 Tbsp butter/margarine

1/2 tsp. salt

Pizza Sauce

1 tall can or 2 sm. cans of tomato sauce

1 Tbsp. Italian Seasoning

1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder

(if you like your sauce thick then add a can of tomato paste as well)

Mix water, yeast & sugar (in that order) together in a bowl. Place aside & let it "proof" for about 5-10 min. The picture above is what the yeast mixture looks like when it has proofed. (I usually place it in front of the vent on my stove so the heat from the oven preheating will help "proof" the yeast mixture.) Mix the flour, salt & butter together. Then when the yeast mixture is done proofing add it to the flour mixture & mix well. If the dough is a little dry you can add about 2 Tbsp. of Olive Oil. Sometimes the amount of flour will depend on the weather. If it's wet (humid) then you'll need a little more flour (but be sure to not add too much). I will usually add about 1/2 cup at a time until it looks/feels right. If it's dry outside then use a little less. Put on a floured surface to rise & cover with a dry towel. If the dough still feels a little sticky then put a little flour on the dough & knead it into it by hand until it's not sticky anymore. Let rise for about 10 min.

While the dough is rising, mix the sauce.

When the dough is done rising, break it into 2 pieces & roll one out on your pizza stone/pan. You can bake this on a cookie sheet if you don't have a pizza stone/pan. Spread sauce on top, add cheese and any other toppings. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min. You can freeze the remaining dough to use later if you'd like or bake an extra pizza to enjoy now or for leftovers.

French Bread

Use dough recipe above. When dough is done rising seperate into two & place in greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 30 min. Remove from pans & place on cooling racks.

Pumpkin Pie

2008-11-30T15:07:00.013-07:00

Eight years ago when my in-laws went on their mission to Tennessee I decided it was time to learn how to make homemade pumpkin pie (from an actual pumpkin, not from the can). I've always loved my MIL's pies & I can't eat one from a can anymore (they taste fake).

We usually always wait until Halloween day to buy our pumpkin, then we carve it as a family right after school. We then put it outside for all to enjoy while we are trick-or-treating. If you want to use your pumpkin for a jack-o-lantern & a pie then it's important not to let it get dried out. Here in AZ we can't leave our pumpkins outside for long without them getting old & yucky. The day after Halloween I bake the pumpkin & freeze it until Thanksgiving. I actually had left over pumpkin in the freezer from last year & I didn't have any time to bake one this year so I just used the frozen stuff & we couldn't tell the difference at all.

So this is what you do with your pumpkin:

This can be a daunting task, but oh is it worth it. Obviously you would have already cleaned out the inside of the pumpkin. Then place the whole pumpkin on a baking sheet & bake it for about an hour at 350 (this will depend on how large the pumpkin is). We generally have one that is about medium sized). This should make it soft enough to peel the skin off. I use a sharp knife to peel it. If it is soft enough to mash it up (like you would with a potato for mashed potatoes) then you can mash it now, if it's not then you can cut it up & boil it until it is mashable (is that a word? lol). If I remember right last year I think I just baked it an extra 1/2 hour & then it was "mashable" & I was able to bypass the boiling part. You do need to cut the pumpkin up into more manageable sizes before you mash. If there are any "strings" hanging on the inside of the pumpkin pull them off & throw them away before you mash the pumpkin. You will see some liquid in the pumpkin, that's ok (just leave it). Let the pumpkin cool completely & then seperate it into freezer ziploc bags. I put 1-1/2 c. in each bag so they are already measured for what you will use in the pumpkin pie mixture. I actually double bag mine for extra protection against freezer burn. Label your bags (ingredient, measurement & date) then place in freezer.
Iva's Homemade Pumpkin Pie
(really it's mine, but it's my MIL's recipe)

1 c. sugar

1-1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. of each of the following: salt, all spice, nutmeg & ginger

2 eggs, beaten

1-1/2 c. pumpkin (this is not the canned stuff, this is the real thing)

1-2/3 c. evaporated milk (tall can)

Mix all ingredients well. Fill crust half-way. Bake at 425 for 10 min. Then turn down to 350 & bake for another 40 min. more. You can see from my picture that these pies look very different from the "canned" ones. That's because these don't have all the preservatives in them & these are much more yummy!!! Enjoy!

Note: I use the Shar's recipe for the crust (see post below). This is the yummiest crust I've ever had & it's very simple to make.

SpudNuts

2008-11-25T17:22:00.013-07:00

Got this great recipe from our cousin Raygon!
She says these are so yummy, you wont be able to stop yourself from devouring them!

SPUD NUTS
1 package yeast
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening
2 cups scalded milk
1 cup mashed potato
2 eggs
6-7 cups flour
oil (for frying)

Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
water

Directions:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. In large bowl, add salt, sugar, and shortening to milk, cool mixture to body temperature. Add potatoes, eggs, yeast, and flour to milk mixture. Stir well. Roll dough on lightly floured surface to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter. Place on a pan and let rise 1 hour. Fry in 350* oil. Drain on paper towels. Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and enough warm water to make thin glaze (start with just a few Tablespoons water so the glaze doesn't end up runny) Dip doughnuts in glaze or brush on with a pastry brush.

Yummy, Yummy Pie Crust

2008-11-23T10:08:00.015-07:00

If anyone hasn't heard ofShars Kitchen and her free cooking classes you really need to!
Click to see when her classes are.

One of the many classes I have been to included her pie crust recipe. I just used it for the first time this past week to make my homemade Chicken Pot Pie and it is the absolute best pie crust I have ever tasted! Yummy, yummy pie crust!

It's quite simple too:

Combine 2 Cups of White Flour, 1 Cup Shortening, and 1/2 tsp. Salt until mixed well. After you have a crumbly mixture then add 1/2 Cup of Ice Cold Water and mix until blended completely.

The recipe is from Shar's grandmother and is meant to be hand mixed, so if using an electric mixer do not mix too long.

Once the dough is completely blended, put in a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours. The dough will be a little sticky, but once refrigerated it will be ready for rolling!

The recipe above makes 2 pie crusts.

"Candied Yams"

2008-11-23T00:44:00.013-07:00

I'm on the Activities Committee for my church and we are having a Christmas Dinner on December 6th. I voluntered to find out pricing on yams, Chocolate/Banana Cream Pies and also Print out Recipes for myself and 11 others to make Candied Yams. They expect 200-300 people to be there so I thought why not take a test run on the yams - Considering I've never made them before. Sis B wanted something simple and not to overpowering. So I whipped some up tonight with a Very Simple Recipe and they turned out quite good I thought.

"CANDIED YAMS"
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
1 - 40oz can Yams
1 – 29oz can Yams
¼ cup Butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ Bag Mini Marshmallows (4 ½ cups)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350*
Drain Yams and pour into an 8x13 Casserole Dish. Spread evenly in dish. Sprinkle brown sugar over yams and mash into the yams. Cut butter into small cubes and dot over the yams.

Bake for 2-3 minutes for butter to melt. Take out and mash butter into yams. Cover the top of yams with all the marshmallows until yams barley peek out. Bake for 20 minutes at 350* - Marshmallows should be brown and yams should be bubbly.

Only Do Instructions Below If Necessary
Some ovens won’t brown the marshmallows –if this is the case – turn the temperature down to 250* and Turn to Broil and cook for 1-3 minutes – Take out as soon as you see them browning – Its real easy for them to burn on Broil so watch carefully!

Pizza Casserole

2008-11-21T13:56:00.040-07:00

This is one of my husbands favorite Dishes and I'm making it for dinner tonight. Most of the time I make it with Pepperoni. I've tried it once with Italian Sausage when I didn't have pepperoni and it was pretty good. Not as good but both would be nice to try. Darin likes Salami so tonight I decided to add it with the pepperoni. I used 20 slices pepperoni and 8 slices Salami since they are bigger. I personally didnt care for it with the Salami and probably wouldn't use it again.

PIZZA CASSEROLE

1 pkg Rotini Pasta
1 to 2 - 26.5 oz can - of Spaghetti sauce
1 14.5 oz can - Diced Tomatoes
1 - 8 oz pkg - of favorite shredded cheese
½ pkg of Hormel Pepperoni Mini’s
OR 20-30 slices Pepperoni from 8oz pkg
(only use this if you want less fat in the dish)
1 lb - Italian Sausage

Add Spaghetti Sauce (I use 2 cans because we like it saucy) and diced tomatoes to a skillet and heat up on medium - when sauce starts to bubble turn down to low. If you want to use Sausage, cook it first then add the sauce and tomatoes to it and keep on warm.

Cook Rotini Pasta and Drain.

While pasta is cooking, if you are degreasing pepperoni, do that now (see directions below). This won't take all the fat out but it will at least cut down on the fat content. It also gives it more of a crispy taste (which I like). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Pour the cooked pasta into skillet with the sauce and stir. Leave on warm until pepperoni is done.

If using the minis add them here or when Pepperoni slices are cool enough to touch, tear them into 4 pieces and sprinkle them around in the sauce and then stir them in. Pour mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish and spread evenly. If you like you can add a few more pepperoni pieces or minis on top of dish.

Then pour the package of grated cheese over the top and spread evenly over the dish. Bake @ 350' for 15 minutes, until cheese is melted.

To Degrease Pepperoni:

2 ways to do this: Microwave or Oven

1 - Microwave Oven

Lay at least 2 Paper towels on a paper plate and then arrange 10 slices over the paper towels. Lay another paper towel or 2 over the pepperoni and cook for only 30 seconds. Repeat until all slices are cooked. Don't cook longer than 30 seconds or the pepperoni will get too hard. Let cool to touch then tear into 4 pieces. Tearing is easier than cutting after they are cooked.

2 - Preheat Oven to 300' put cooling rake on a cookie sheet and place 20 slices on top cooling rake. Make sure oven is preheated and it should only take 8 minutes to cook the pepperoni. Don’t over cook they will get to hard. Let cool to touch then tear slices into 4 triangular pieces.

My Attempt At Faces...

2008-11-20T15:08:00.011-07:00

Jesus Christ

This is a picture I drew many years ago.

I usually don't do well with faces, so I was pleased with the results.

Dinner Rolls!

2008-11-19T19:36:00.010-07:00

I just made these rolls tonight. This was my first time using this recipe! I've tried several & this is the one I like most, so far. Here's the recipe:

Dinner Rolls

2 Tbsp. yeast

1/2 c. warm water (105-115°)

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 c. hot water (120-130 degrees)

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter/margarine

2 eggs

2 tsp. salt

7-8 c. flour (mine took 9 cups)

soft butter

Mix together yeast, 1/2 c. warm water & 2 Tbsp. sugar. Let sit for 10-15 min. to proof (gets all fluffy). Whisk in large mixing bowl 2 c. hot water, 1/2 c. sugar, butter, eggs & salt. Add yeast mixture (after it's proofed). Add one c. of flour at a time. Let dough rise in greased bowl for one hour. I usually pour a little bit of olive oil in a large bowl to grease it, you can use canola or veggie oil. Shape into balls. I kinda rolled them into balls & then took a little time to make them smooth on the top by just pulling the top around to the bottom, until the top was smooth.

Bake at 350 degrees for 16-22 min.

I had to adjust my oven to 375 for 18 min. (my oven tends to be a little cooler than some).

I only let my rolls rise for about 20 min. until my dinner was done baking.

They still rose quite a bit in that 20 min.

Baby Book

2008-11-19T18:38:00.013-07:00

This is a book I recently made for a young Women that I visit. I recently found out she was pregnant so I did this book for her to keep her baby memories in it.

Christmas Baking Day

2008-11-19T17:04:00.021-07:00

Every year we get together as sisters and have a Traditional Christmas baking day, where we make goodie plates or bags for Others. We have so much fun and try to take pictures. Here are a few pics from Past Years.

Bridgette's Famous Homemade CarmelLots of Pretzels

We will be posting more Pics for this year after baking day in December.

Welcome

2008-11-19T15:49:00.025-07:00

Thank You for visiting our Blog! We are 5 Sisters, MarQuette, Rachelle, Bridgette, Katrinna and Heather who want to share some of our Creations with you! Please feel free to copy a recipe or two or drop us a comment to let us know what you think or if you have a suggestion please feel free to let us know!