Monday, June 28, 2010

Dinner Menu Week of June 21…better late than never


Ok, so here is my menu for last week. I had it all planned out but things were a bit hectic around here with dr. appointments, dentist appointments, girl scouts, cub scouts, Tate leaving for the summer and, of course, the everyday life J
MondayTequila Lime Chicken
Pica de Gallo and Guacamole
beans

All Served Burrito Style
TuesdaySloppy Joes
French Fries
WednesdayBuffalo Chicken
Mac & Cheese
ThursdayTacos
FridayEnchilada Casserole – I used this recipe, but instead of rolling them I just layered it all as a casserole and last Friday when I made the enchilada's I made extra meat and just froze it.

Tad made dinner Saturday night and it was so good. He made his famous shrimp which are my favorite, favorite, favorite and I made my favorite chopped blue cheese sald and the amazingly great Buttered Rosemary Rolls. It was a great dinner :)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Dinner and FHE…


Well, I am behind on the menu planning for the week. I stayed up way too late last night and today was a little bit hectic!! But all in all…it was a good day. Tonight for dinner I made the Pioneer Woman's Tequila Lime Chicken along with Pico de Gallo and Guacamole. All I can say is YUM, YUM, YUM, and then some!!!! After the chicken was cooked, I sliced it and served it on tortillas burrito style. Very good!!

Tate was in charge of FHE tonight. He did a really good job. It was on the Creation. And dessert was Raspberry cheesecake bars. Unfortunately…there is no recipe for those!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Father’s Day Menu…and then some

So this coming Sunday is all about Dads, right?? Well, here is what I have planned for breakfast, dinner, and dessert…

Breakfast – Huevos Rancheros
Dinner – Shrimp Pasta, Cesar Salad, and Garlic Cheese Toast
Dessert - Tiramisu

Here are some fun crafts the kids and I are working on…
Father's Day Pop Bottles
Popsicle Stick Puzzles

More fun ideas…
Father's Day Frame…DAD
Father's Day Photo Album (we might get to this)
25 Things We Love About Dad

Dinner Menu….Week of June 14th


I decided I needed to start planning a weekly dinner menu. I figure it saves time and money, and taking only 20 to 30 minutes Sunday evening is not bad either. Then I do my grocery shopping on Monday and I am done for the week (besides the cooking part). I am not planning for Saturday's and Sunday's cause those are the days Tad does most of the cookin' or leftovers are in order. So here it is…my dinner menu for this past week.
Monday (picnic at the park)Hot Chicken Salad w/Croissants
Potato Chips
Fresh Fruit
TuesdaySweet & Spicy Pork – Served Burrito Style w/Tortillas, Sour Cream, Onion and Cilantro
Chips & Salsa
WednesdayChinese Hamburger Casserole
Green Salad
ThursdayMy Cajun Chicken Pasta
Cesar Salad w/Homemade Cesar Dressing
FridayBeef Enchiladas
Beans

Of course…I am planning a Father's Day Dinner….just have not gotten that far yet. By the end of the day today, I will have it figured out.

My Cajun Chicken Pasta and Homemade Alfredo Sauce


Ok…this is my knock of recipe of Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta. It may not be as good, but it is still pretty darn good and a hit in my home. Not to mention…it is rather quick and easy (right up my ally)!!

1/2 pound penne pasta
1 jar alfredo sauce (or homemade sauce; recipe below)
5 chicken tenders
1 tomato
Cajun Seasoning

Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, sprinkle chicken tenders on both sides with seasoning and grill them. I grill mine on a simple stove top grill. Drain pasta and put it back into pot with the jar of alfredo sauce (reserve a little to go on very top) and I sprinkle a little of the Cajun seasoning to give it a little kick. After it is heated, place pasta on plate top with chicken cut into strips, a little more alfredo sauce, and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Homemade Alfredo Sauce – After making this you will never use the jar stuff again.

1 8oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 to 1-1/2 cups parmesan cheese
2 cups (give or take) milk
season with garlic powder as desired

Add cream cheese to a large skillet on medium heat until melted, stirring frequently to keep from burning. Add soup and cheese until well blended, and then add milk about ½ cup at a time to ensure perfect consistency.

I have also made this recipe with shrimp in place of chicken. Instead of grilling, I cook my shrimp in a small skillet with butter, garlic and Cajun seasoning. This is a very yummy fix also…and linguine or spaghetti is good, too in place of the penne pasta.
J

Hot Chicken Salad

This is sooooo good….especially with croissants
2 Cups Cooked Chicken (diced)
2 Tbsp green onions
½ Cup slivered almonds
1 Cup mayo
1 Cup crushed plain potato chips
2 Cups diced celery
½ tsp salt
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ Cup cheddar cheese

Mix cheese and chips, set aside. Mix all ingredients (except chips and cheese). Put in 9 x 13 pan. Top with cheese mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. I also like to add crasins when I have them.

Yummy, Yummy!!!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

More Desserts...

How could I possibly forget these?? My oh my!! So Smith's has had blackberries on sale for $1 lately. I found this very easy and delish Blackberry Cobbler recipe, and the best part is the fruit is on top....not the bottom :)

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 - 1-1/2 cups blackberries
1/4 - 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup fruit juice or water

Beat butter and sugar until well mixed. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into shortening/sugar mixture. Add milk and beat until smooth. Pour into a greased 8 x 8 baking dish, greased. Spoon blackberries over the batter. Sprinkle sugar over the fruit. Pour fruit juice or water over sugar. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes.

Also...I made my first fried ice cream and they were so good!! Good and easy!! Here is what I did...
Lined a cookie sheet with waxed paper then scooped out soften ice cream to desired ball size and placed on lined cookie sheet. Place back in freezer for a good hour or two - until the ice cream balls are frozen pretty hard. Then I took some egg whites and rolled the ice cream balls into the egg whites and then into crushed cornflakes. Then back to the egg for a second coat and then back into the cornflakes. Then back ont the cookie sheet to freeze for another hour or so. Then...heat oil in a large pan or frier to about 375 degrees. Fry coated ice cream ball in oil for 3 to 4 seconds, until it has achieved a golden brown color. I then had a bowl lined with paper towel and placed the fried ice cream in the bowl before serving with chocolate syrup and whipped cream, sprinked with cinnamon sugar. These are so great!!!

Fun Times - Random Pics

These Days...

Things are going good here in Elko. School is out, and activities go on :) Tate is having a blast in scouts. June 5th he participated in day camp and had a blast. Lastnight was pack meeting and he was awarded with 6 belt loops that he has earned to add to his collection. This upcoming Saturday he is looking forward to going to the branding at our family's ranch in Starr Valley. He is not sure if he wants to be a motorcross rider or a cowboy...or a combination of the two :)

Speaking of the upcoming branding....GRRR!!! I was looking forward to going riding with my brother-in-law yesterday, all day!! I was so looking forward to it. I had to leave the house no later than 7:15 in the morning, with all 5 kids. I did it, got dinner ready and cooking and we headed out the door at exactly 7:07. Got all the kids buckled in and got ready to get in myself and BOOM!!!! I have a flat tire on my excursion....it was great. Needless to say, I did not get to go riding because they needed to leave around 8, so I finally left my house at 10:30 yesterday morning and when I got to Starr Valley I kept track of my 5 kiddos plus 2 of my sisters. Oh yes...I was cleaning the camper when I was informed that the horses were out. Not just a couple....more like 20...give or take a few!!! So I got them rounded up....all on foot, got the kids lunch, solved a few problems between the kiddos and then back to cleaning the campers so people have places to stay when they come for the branding. It was a great day. So we got back home only to find that the dinner that I had started at 6:30 that very same morning was not finished!! WHAT!!! I was so mad...so, we headed to eat dinner then off to pack meeting. It was a great day. Nothing went as planned!!

The flat tire occured when my great husband took us for a drive Monday evening, on some not so nice roads. It was so much fun (sarcasticly speaking), especially when we came across this nice, nasty friend....

and he wanted to have a picnic up here. I said no and we ended up at the park having our picnic. Much better :)

With summer here, so many things going on. Tate and I are doing the Scripture Reading Challenge, we have chose the BOM...and we are doing quite well :) Shaelee is now in Girl Scounts and is so excited about it and I have decided to be a Daisy leader. Not sure what I was thinking, but its all good :). Oh and how could I forget Abby?? Yes, we got a new dog....her name is Abby and she is so sweet. I am a sucker for blue heeler pups and she reminds me of one I had years ago. She is wonderful and the kids love her and she loves them. For some reason I find it neccessary to get puppy's while potty training....Yep....TJ is potty trained!! He is doing great!! Such a big little man :)

On top of all that, I have several projects I am trying to tackle...once I get them done I will be sure to make posts :)

We all continue to get settled in here and tryin to fit in. We love our ward. It is great and so inviting. Yet...we have not been asked to speak yet nor have we been given any callings....which is fine by me :) This little house is still very cozy, and the yard is coming together, slowly but surely.

Oh....and school....school for me is still rollin' along :)

More Yummy Recipes

I have been trying so many new recipes, it is hard to keep track of them all. And yet, there are so many more I want to try. My organization skills these days have gone out the door, unfortanetly!!

I have tried several different Sloppy Joe recipes but this was was really good....Sloppy Joes. Same with Mac and Cheese....there are two I have found to really love (I am sure I have shared at least one). Baked Macaroni and Cheese and Macaroni & Cheese.

And then...You gotta try these - Fried Mozzarella Sticks (I found Planko bread crumbs at Smith's).

A few more fav's:
Twice Baked Potatoes
Chicken Piccata - VERY YUMMY!!!
Fiesta Beef Bowls
Buffalo Chicken and to keep things cool with Sweet Cucumber Salad.
Oh yes....with the Buffalo Chicken I replaced the provalone cheese with crumbled blue cheese.

Happy eating :)

Fiesta Beef Bowls
Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds boneless beef top round steak
1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups hot cooked rice
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
6 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
6 tablespoons guacamole

Directions
Place round steak in a 3-qt. slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic and seasonings; pour over steak. Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or until meat is tender.

Remove meat from slow cooker. Add beans to tomato mixture. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until beans are heated through. When cool enough to handle, slice meat. In individual bowls, layer the rice, meat and bean mixture. Top with cheese, olives, onions and guacamole. Yield: 6 servings.


Buffalo Chicken
Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons canola oil
1/4 cup buffalo wing sauce
1/4 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions
Flatten chicken to 1/2-in. thickness. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs. Place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip chicken in eggs, then coat with bread crumbs.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken in oil for 7-10 minutes on each side or until chicken juices run clear, adding wing sauce during the last 2 minutes. Turn to coat chicken. Sprinkle with cheeses. Cover and cook until cheese is melted. Yield: 4 servings.

Sweet Cucumber Salad
Ingredients

3 cups thinly sliced quartered cucumber
2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro

DRESSING:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions
In a salad bowl, combine cucumber and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve with a slotted spoon. Yield: 4 servings.

Desserts, Desserts, Desserts...

Here are few GREAT recipes that I have tried. Memorial Day we went to my sister's house for a BBQ, and she has a friend whose family is doing a sugar fast (staying away from sugar)....not something I think I could ever do. I volunteered to bring the dessert, so I had make a sugar free dessert. I chose to make the Wave Your Flag Cake...but making it all sugar free. Therefore, I could not buy the pound cake that it calls for, I made it. I found a Splenda Blend Sour Cream Pound Cake. Now I am no Splenda fan, but this was not bad at all. So, I made the cake, I used sugar free Jello along with sugar free cool-whip. It was a very good sugar free dessert....I WAS IMPRESSED :)
 
Now...these are nothing but sinful....mmmmhmmm!! Check out these yummy cupcakes - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes. I made these especially for my brother-in-law who loves anything peanut butter. Besides, I needed some reason to make them :)

Oooooo.....yes!! Remember that Taste of Home Cooking School I brag about so much...this great recipe is from there. How about an Orange Chocolate Tart. Yep!! It was so delish....

What you need is -
6 Tbsp. Butter, cubed
7 oz. semi sweet chocolate, divided
1 sheet refrigerated pie crust
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. orange extract
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whipped topping
Orange Peel, Optional

How you do it -
  1. In a microwave safe dish, melt butter and five chocolate squares. Cool for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, line 9-in. fluted tart pan with removeable bottom with pastry. Line pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake at 450 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove the foil; bake 3 minutes longer. Reduce heat to 350 degrees.
  2.  In a small bowl, beat eggs, sugar and orange extract until thickened, about 4 minutes. Stir in cooled chocolate mixture. Beat in flour, mix well. Pour into crust. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick interted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. Melt remaining chocolate. Pour melted chocolate into a ziploc bag; cut a small hole in the corner of bag. Pipe eight to ten small hearts onto waxed paper. Refrigerate until set. Spread whipped topping on pie; garnish with chocolate hearts and orange peel if desired. Refrigerate leftovers.
What I changed....I used a pie plate because I do not own a tart pan. It worked just as well. Then...for the orange extract I used the one I made....mmmmm, so good :) Then I used freshly whipped whipping cream in place of the Cool Whip for the whipped topping. If using whipped cream you could add the orange extract in place of  vanilla!!