Sunday, November 9, 2008

Weekly Menu

Monday:
my son got sick- no cooking this night

Tuesday:
I can't remember!!
Isn't that awful?? I didn't take any pictures of whatever it was anyway...

Wednesday:
broiled salmon with Teriyaki glaze
roasted carrots
new potatoes*Even if you are not a huge carrots fan, give these a try. Slice carrots, season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and roast in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. They get sweet and yummy.

Thursday:
Game Night Food
(posted about it here)

Friday:
taco salad
This is a new favorite. I have always seen those taco salad shells at the grocery store, but never tried them until recently. YUM! This is easy and fun, something different for us, which is always good.
Follow the directions on the taco salad shell box. (No, it's not just a regular four tortilla. It feels different.) They give you little paper shells to cover the tortilla with to give it its shape.
Brown taco meat. I sauteed onions for a few minutes first and then added taco meat to it. I also added a can of kidney beans (drained and rinsed). I usually use pinto beans, but I had kidney beans already in my pantry, so I used those. I will be back to using pinto beans next time. Drain meat and beans. This time, I added a can of tomato sauce and a little chicken broth. I read this would get thick and be like a sauce for the meat. I did not care for the flavor of this- I will go back to what I did the last time- add a can of chili. When taco shells are done, I layer lettuce, meat and beans, cheese and top with sour cream.

Saturday:
chicken cordon bleu pasta
*From the Cooking with Paula Deen magazine- November/December issue

Chicken:
I used chicken tenders, but you can use breasts- just pound them down to make them thinner. Brush both sides of chicken with Dijon mustard and dredge in a mixture of breadcrumbs (1 cup), fresh thyme (1/4 tsp.), salt and pepper. Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a large skillet and cook chicken. Brown both sides, then place chicken on a plate.
For creamy cheesy pasta (to go with chicken):
Melt 2 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 cloves of garlic (minced) and 3/4 cup ham, chopped. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 Tbsp. flour, season with salt and pepper, stir constantly for 2 minutes.
Gradually stir in 1 cup half and half. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add 1/2 cup shredded Gruyere cheese, stirring until melted. Add cooked pasta to pan, toss gently to coat with sauce.

Sunday:
Stuffed pork tenderloin
roasted acorn squash
new potatoes with roasted garlic

Acorn Squash:
Microwave squash one at a time to soften. Cut in half. Spoon out seeds and pulp in the middle. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil. Cream one stick of butter and 3/4 cup brown sugar- spread on squash. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, basting with extra butter mixture every 15 minutes. (Mine needed to cooked for 10 minutes longer)
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin:
The great thing about this is, use what you've got. This is what I had, so this is what I stuffed the pork with. First, saute one small onion, 2 cloves garlic, 2 ribs celery, and 1/2 package of mushrooms in butter. Season with salt and pepper. Cut the pork down the middle, but not all the way through. Stuff with stuffing mixture. I added fontina cheese, bread crumbs and thyme (again, just what I happened to have on hand) to the onion and mushroom mixture. I used toothpicks to hold the tenderloins together.Heat your pan on medium heat and brown the tenderloins on all sides, for about 10 minutes. Transfer to a baking dish, and cook at 450 for 10-15 minutes, until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 135. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Tips for Today

Grocery store tips! I have been reminded this week how important my relationship with my grocery store is. I started going there because it was a new one in the area and it had a gas station with it. I don't mind saying- it's Kroger. If you use the Plus Card and spend at least $100, you get 10 cents off per gallon for gas. So I started going there for all my grocery trips. Since I go there twice a month, and use my Plus Card, they have a database or something that keeps track of all I buy. Last week, in the mail, I got a packet of coupons JUST based on stuff I buy. Milk, wipes, crescent rolls, cheese, eggs- things I buy everytime I go. Not only does this save me money (several of these coupons were getting these items FREE), but it definitely keeps me coming back!! They are taking care of me!
- Before I go to the grocery store, I check the ad for Kroger. Whatever meat is on sale, that is what I am buying. That dictates what meals we are having, and what other ingredients I need to go with it. The meat is the most expensive, so that is what I look at first. For example, when I went to the store on the 1st, they were having a good sale on pork tenderloin, salmon and chicken. So I got a big package of chicken tenders (cheaper than breasts), salmon and a pork tenderloin. Then I got produce and whatever we were already out of and needed for lunches.

- I clip coupons. On the first of the month trip, I saved $12 in coupons alone. I know there are people who really know how to do it, and save much more than that, but every little bit helps!

- I buy fresh fruit and canned. The fresh fruit usually lasts us through the first week, and then I go on to the canned goods (in juice, not syrup) to get us through the next week until the next shopping trip. This brings me to my next point...

- I buy store brand. I really do! I used to be a brand name snob, and still am on a few items. But, I seriously cannot tell the difference and it saves 10-20 (sometimes more) cents per can on canned goods, and butter is almost a dollar cheaper. Kroger has good butter.

Hope these help you get the most for your money! Do you have a good grocery store tip to share?

Friday, November 7, 2008

Game Day!

We love sports, and we have a few teams that are "our teams". Well, one of our teams was playing an important game last night, and my husband requested some "game night" food. Specifically, sausage balls and mini sandwiches. It's always fun to do something out of the ordinary, so I thought it was a great idea! Too bad our team lost...

Sausage Balls
1 lb. sausage (I like Owen's)
10 oz. shredded cheddar cheese
12 Tbsp. milk
4 cups Bisquik

Combine all ingredients. Shape into balls (I do golf-size) and place on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. They will brown and puff slightly.
I didn't have any rolls for mini sandwiches, so I made some from a bread recipe I have been using recently.I sliced them open for easy stuffing, and set out turkey, ham, cheese and condiments.
I rounded out the meal with sliced veggies and Ranch dip (a must at get togethers) and chocolate chip cookies.Add a glass of sweet tea and you're done!! I just hope that if you plan this special menu, your team actually wins...
I have lots of tips and reviews, and of course recipes, coming up. So stick with me!! And a great giveaway... Details soon.

Friday, October 31, 2008

Pilgrim Pies

Ok folks- here it is! It's Pilgrim Pie time, and I couldn't be happier! This is my FAVORITE time of year, the best holidays, the best weather and the best recipes. These are something special that I only make in November and December, and I always have special requests, so I end up making them several times. A soft pumpkin cookie with a creamy cream cheese frosting in between- oh, these are so yummy. Enjoy, friends.

Pumpkin Cookies
2 eggs
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3 cups flour
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Filling/Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 to 5 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Beat the eggs, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl until smooth. Stir in the pumpkin. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture a half cup at a time, blending each time until smooth.2. Drop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet
Bake the cookies for 12 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

3. Meanwhile, make the frosting. Beat together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract in a bowl until light and fluffy. Mix in the confectioners' sugar a half cup at a time, until the frosting is spreadable.
4. When cooled, frost one cookie and top with another. EAT!

Chicken Divan

This is only one of two meals I actually cooked this week. The other was Poor Man's Steak, and it was good, and I will definitely cook it again and remember to take pictures this time. I have had some comments about liking the photos with the recipes, so I don't like to post without them. Anyway, crazy, crazy week- so, here is Chicken Divan. I had heard of this before but never knew what it was or what was in it, until I saw Paula Deen make it one time. My husband loves broccoli and he is NOT a veggie eater, so I make pretty much anything with broccoli in it to get the man some veggies!

Chicken Divan
  • 2 (10-ounce) packages frozen broccoli, chopped
  • 6 cups shredded chicken, cooked
  • 2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder (didn't have any, used Mrs. Dash Herb and Garlic)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Put broccoli and chicken in baking dish.

Mix soup, mayo, sour cream, cheese, lemon juice, curry powder, white wine and salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well together and pour over chicken and broccoli. Stir to combine.Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan, and melted butter in bowl and stir well. Sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes.Enjoy!
I like the white wine and lemon juice in the sauce, because you can definitely taste a twang, but a good twang. I like this, but my husband said it didn't reheat very well when he tried it for lunch.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Halloween Brownie Cupcakes

My son had a Halloween party this week, and I didn't want to show up empty handed, so I checked the pantry and fridge, and whipped up some treats. These are brownies in cupcake form, with a cream cheese filling swirled in them. I totally cheated and used a brownie mix- just because I already had it!! And I am still searching for a good brownie recipe. I don't have a go-to from-scratch brownie recipe (do you? would you like to share?)

Brownie mix
Cream cheese filling
(2 packages cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, and drops of yellow food coloring to make it orange and festive)
1/3 to 1/2 full of brownie batter, then a dollup of cream cheese mixture
Swirl slightly with a knife
Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. I kept checking mine every few minutes after 25 minutes
These were YUM. I had a lot of cream cheese filling left over (can't wait to do something with it- I really, really, love cream cheese stuff), so maybe just 1 package of cream cheese would be plenty. This made 1 1/2 dozen brownie cupcakes.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Pumpkin Patch Cake

I am not a cake decorator, I am NOT a cake decorator. I like baking, alot more than I used to. I am learning and trying, but sometimes it is NOT pretty. THIS is one of those times. I found a cute recipe for a pumpkin cake- not a pumpkin-flavored cake, a cake that looked like a pumpkin. I am sharing this with you so you will see, I am just a normal mom who loves to cook. I am still learning. I am learning that I am in need of some serious icing lessons....

Buttercream icing from my Betty Crocker cookbook;
colored green and orange with food coloring2 bundt cakes; I used the Spice cake recipe, also from my Betty Crocker cookbook
You turn the bundt cakes over, so the rounded part is the bottom and the top of the "pumpkin"
You also need 2 cupcakes with this. Just take a spoonful of batter from each bundt cake and fill 2/3 way full to make 2 cupcakes. You put the cupcakes, tops together, in the middle of the bundt cakes to make the "stem". Mine did not stick up enough, to make a good stem.Frost the stem with the green and the pumpkin with the orange. After it is smoothly frosted, you can run a spoon (use the back of the spoon) down the sides of the cake, to make "creases" on the pumpkin
This is a really cute idea, and if you are good with icing, then you should try it. The icing needed to be thinner, I will say that. Everybody knew it was a pumpkin and it tasted good, so that is something at least...

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Weekly Menu

Monday:
Beef Tacos with Homemade Taco Shells
Hominy
Refried Beans

Beef Tacos:
Saute onions (1 small) for several minutes until soft. Add spices- cumin, chili powder, and pinch cayenne pepper. Stir together and add ground beef to pan. Cook until no longer pink, and drain if needed. At this point I added a can of chili. I do this to make the meat thicker and hold together better, instead of dry, crumbly ground beef. I read in a cookbook that you can add tomato sauce and chicken broth and let that thicken it up. I will try that next time, but I already had the chili.
Homemade Taco Shells
I used flour tortillas, because I had more of them than corn (and I wanted to see how it would work with flour). Heat vegetable oil in skillet. Hold one side of tortilla in the oil, and hold up the other side, out of the oil.Flip tortilla and brown other side of tortilla.Stand upside down to dry and cool.

Tuesday:
Mini chicken pot pies
fried squash
The pot pies were not great, I need to tweak the recipe I used. The fried squash was good, though. I dredged it in milk (seasoned with salt and pepper) and then flour, also seasoned with salt and pepper. Fried in vegetable oil- Yum!
Wednesday:
Spaghetti with Simple Tomato Sauce

Thursday:
Orange Chicken
Rice

Orange Chicken
Full Bellies, Happy Kids

3 lbs. Chicken, cut into bite size pieces
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 cup of flour
1/2 cup of cornstarch
4 beaten eggs with a little milk
oil

Sauce:
1 1/4 cups of sugar
1/2 cup of ketchup
1/2 cup of water
2 tablespoons of soy sauce

Beat 4 eggs together and add a little milk. Mix cornstarch, flour and garlic powder together. Dip chicken pieces in the flour then egg. Fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Place chicken in casserole dish.

Sauce:
Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved and ingredients are blended.

Pour sauce over chicken

Bake for 45 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.


*Ok, this was GOOD. I love Asian food, but we don't have it all that often, so I love when I find a good recipe I can make at home. This is sweet, but tasty. Maybe more soy sauce next time, and less sugar or ketchup. But, I really liked it and will be making this again.

Friday:
Pan seared steaks with worchestershire-butter pan sauce
Three Cheese Pasta Bake
(Sorry, no pictures. Didn't have my camera last night)

Three Cheese Pasta Bake
*from Southern Living
1 8-oz. penne pasta (I used 12 oz. accidentally, it was fine)
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1 1/2 c milk
1/2 c half and half
4 oz. shredded white cheddar
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz. shredded gruyere cheese
1 tsp. salt (needs more)
1/4 tsp. pepper
pinch of nutmeg

Cook pasta according to directions. Lightly grease 11x7 baking dish.
Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk and half and half (do this slowly or sauce will not thicken at ALL), 3-5 minutes. Stir in cheeses, saving 1/2 Gruyere, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Stir together pasta and sauce and pour into lightly greased 11x7 dish. Top with remaining Gruyere.
Bake for 15 minutes until golden and bubbly (mine needed 20).
*This was really good. I knew my hubby would love it and he did. It went well with the steaks.