Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies

Once again another wonderful Pinterest find.  I am telling you if you aren't on there you should be cause I have made some good stuff thanks to recipes on there.  And I can say I love a box strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting so I knew these cookies would fit right in!!

Before I was a sahm I spent some time being a nanny for these two children who are now basically like my own.  Well Caroline came over to spend the night with me so we had a girls night....baking, movies, and so forth.  I decided to try this recipe out that I found on Pinterest and we loved it.  The recipe called for half the cake mix box but I doubled the recipe because I knew she would want to take some home, and of course I was gonna want to keep some too :)

Here is my picture taken with the iPhone again...sorry doesn't make the prettiest pictures but it's easy!!

You can find the original recipe here since I doubled it here is the recipe with the whole box of mix: (I would say just for kicks head on over to her blog and read the recipe because her pictures are MUCH prettier and she probably gives you more explanation than I did)

Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad

We just got back from out of town last night.  I realized this morning that I didn't have anything planned for lunch for me and the munchkin, so I decided to go with an old standby - and personal favorite - this pasta salad.  I call it "Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad" because its totally customizable and extremely "pantry friendly."  You can just see what's in your pantry or fridge and invent a new pasta salad!  Just throw in everything but the kitchen sink!  ;)

Crockpot Chicken Casserole

No doubt about it I love using my crockpot for sure!  This is a super easy and flexible recipe as well.  I thought I found it on pinterest but I couldn't seem to find the pin so I am guessing that I got it from Crockin Girls on Facebook.  This is super easy!

I didn't take this picture I found it online but had to put a picture with it!!

Ingredients:

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts (On a side note....I always salt, pepper, and garlic powder my meat!)

4 slices Swiss cheese (if you aren't a Swiss fan, put your fav cheese on there)

1 can cream of mushroom soup (or can substitute cream of chicken if you don't like mushrooms)

1/4 cup milk

2 cups stuffing mix (flavored stuffing makes it awesome)

1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 

Menu Plan for Jan. 29th-Feb.4th

Here is the menu plan starting Jan. 29th-Feb.4th

Sunday- chicken from the freezer (already bought seasoned just have to cook it), green beans, bread, Parmesan rice, and jello

Monday- hot dogs, mac and cheese

Tuesday- omelets in a bag, bacon, muffins, hash browns, and pretzels with white chocolate slightly melted and a yellow M&M on top (to represent bacon and eggs)

Sarita's Carbonara

I had a limited amount of time and energy so this is what I came up with.

1 lb of pasta
2 boiled chicken breasts shredded or cubed(done earlier for another meal)
4 slices bacon chopped
1/4 onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
3 tbsp oil
1 pat butter
Parmesan cheese

Pizza Biscuits

This is another wonderful Pinterest idea but it didn't come with a link.  It could easily be an appetizer if you wanted it to be, but I often make these on a night where we don't want a big dinner or we have something going on and need a quick dinner.  They are super easy and a big hit at my house!!!

the picture is from Pinterest but like I said it didn't come with a link to the website

Can of Biscuits (I usually buy the four pack pillsbury and use them for different things like this and mini monkey breads)
Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni (cut up or buy the mini's)
Garlic Powder, Basil, Oregano, Parsley (this is where you can get creative and add whatever you want or nothing at all!!!)
Pizza Dipping Sauce

Herbed Lentils and Rice

3 1/3 c. veg. broth                                     3/4 c. dry lentils (rinsed)
3/4 c. chopped onion                                 1/2 c. uncooked brown rice
1/4 tsp. salt                                                1/2 tsp. dry basil
1/4 tsp. thyme                                            1/4 tsp. dry oregano (I omit this)
1/8 tsp. pepper                                           1/8 tsp. garlic powder

Balsamic Roasted Potatoes

I made these with supper last night and they were so good!  Of course I saw the idea on Pinterest but when I looked at the original recipe I didn't need 3 lbs of potatoes and I am not a big thyme fan because it always ends up overpowering everything else when I cook with it!  So I checked out this recipe then kinda just rolled with it.

Welfare Peanut Butter Cookies

Today is National Peanut Butter Day!  (Did you know that?  I sure didn't.  Just happened to run across that info online this afternoon.)  I love peanut butter, so in honor of today I thought I'd post a recipe for something peanut butter.  Hmmm...  What to choose??? - Cookies!  I actually found this recipe about a week ago on another blog called Lick The Bowl Good.  I've already made them once.  In fact, I had planned to blog this recipe last week.  I got all my ingredients and placed them on the kitchen counter and got to work.  I finished making the dough and started spooning it out onto the cookie sheet.  I noticed it seemed awefully crumbly.  The first batch went in the oven and smelled DELISH.  That's when I noticed the 2 eggs sitting on the counter.  That's right.  The 2 eggs that were supposed to be in the cookie dough.  ARGHHHH!!!!  Oh well!  My bad!  That was last Thursday.  Then today I was kicking around the idea of making these cookies again when I saw that it was National Peanut Butter Day.  I figured that had to be a sign!  Haha!  Maybe God wanted me to make these cookies?  Don't dismiss that thought entirely.  I mean, my hubby does love cookies and surprising him with these is a way I can show him love.  So I got to work!

Meal Plan: New Years Resolution

Well I'm the new one here but I have to say I love to cook!!! I mean not sure if its a "Southern thing" or everywhere, but I grew up in the kitchen with my mama.  If she was cooking I was in there helping or learning. (especially when she was baking because we all like to lick the batter!)  And although I learned a lot from her I never fully grasped what all it took...until I said "I do" I can remember growing up to supper on the table every night and she had a full time job.  I was a couple weeks into being married and constantly thinking "What should I cook tonight?"  "Oh no I don't have all those ingredients, off to the store I go again!" "How in the world did my mom always have a full pantry?  How did she do this every night?" But I still loved doing it...it was built in me from the beginning that nurturing side that I was made to take care of my husband, or family in general, and this is what I LOVED doing!  To this day that has not changed.  It's kinda funny because it may take awhile to prepare, definitely wrecks up my kitchen, going to the store isn't always fun, and clean up is the worst....but I never seem to have an attitude when it comes to cooking a meal for my family.  Isn't is amazing how that happens!!  Don't get me wrong this Mama loves to be taken out to eat when need be as well.  But I am sure we could all agree its just what we love to do.  We find fulfillment in knowing we took care of our family!!!

^"She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens." Prov 31:15

Crockin' Pork Chops

4 boneless pork chops

1 can cream of mushroom

1 package Lipton onion soup mix

1 onion

Salt and pepper to taste

2 soup cans of water

Beef Taco Bake

1 pound ground beef 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Tomato Soup 1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce 1/2 cup milk 6 flour tortillas (8-inch) or 8 corn tortillas (6-inch), cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces) 1. Cook the beef in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until well browned, stirring often to separate meat.  Pour off any fat. 2. Stir the soup, picante sauce, milk, tortillas and half the cheese in the skillet.  Spoon the beef mixture into a 2-quart shallow baking dish.  Cover the baking dish. 3. Bake at 400°F. for 30 minutes or until the beef mixture is hot and bubbling.  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Makes: 4 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).

Pigs in a Pig - (Easy Appetizer-Perfect for Super Bowl Party)

I love football which makes my hubby love me even more!  Score 1 for me!  When we have a big game coming on, we try to easy foods so that we aren't in the kitchen instead of watching the game.  Here is a family favorite:

Pigs in a Pig:

2 packages of Lil' Smokies(any flavor)
2 packages sliced bacon(cut into 3rds)
1/2 cup of brown sugar

Last Minute Salsa

I went to visit my parents yesterday, for a little while.  And, as usually happens when leaving, we end up with a bag of "leftovers" and such to bring home with us.  Yesterday it was piles of pancakes.....and tortilla chips. I know, odd combination :-)   Anyhow, I really like munching on tortilla chips - especially if I have a dip to go with them.  So, last night, I was making chili for the hot dogs we were going to eat for my daughter's birthday supper.  Hot dog chili for me is just browning some hamburger, then throwing in a little bit of Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce and chili seasoning....and a little ketchup and mustard.  Anyhow, I had about 3/4th of a can of Manwich leftover.  And, rather than waste it, I decided I'd take some of the tortilla chips and dip them in the Manwich sauce (since I didn't have any salsa).  Well, it tasted pretty good.....but, seemed to be missing something - the "chunkiness" of salsa.  So, that's when I decided - hmmmm, wonder what it would taste like with a can of Rotel?  So, I drained a can of Rotel, added it to the Manwich sauce, and put it through the blender (my hubby doesn't like chunky tomatoes, so I was trying to be considerate <chuckle>)....and VOILA!  Salsa!  I don't know if it's of any cost savings or not, over a jar of Picante......but it served its last-minute purpose, and the fam enjoyed it! :-)  

Roasted Pork Chops with Potatoes, Carrots and Onions

Ingredients:
6 Thin sliced pork chops
1/2 onion cut into slivers
1/2 bag baby carrots
1/2 bag red potatoes quartered (peeled or not)
salt, pepper, and garlic pepper

Preheat oven to 300 degrees and lightly spray 9x13 baking dish. 
Quarter potatoes into baking dish then add carrots and onions.
Pour about 2 to3 Tbls. of olive oil on top. 
Generously sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic pepper on top then toss with hands. 
Now, lay pork chops on top and generously sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic pepper on top of chops. 

Roach Family Menu - 1/21 - 1/31

Well, it's Saturday morning, which means it's menu planning day at my house.  Menu planning day and grocery list making day.  I used to REALLY dislike this day, but now, with new recipes to try out, I was kinda looking forward to it this week!  I bought a calendar just for daily meals.  It's easier for me than making a list, and I can cross stuff out, move it around, and if I want to, go back and look at the whole month of menus and get new ideas.  I can also color code the days - which meals were a big hit (do them again) or which went over like a flop (never make again).  So, I have the calendar filled out, and I'm going to put it up here, how I have it on the calendar - but it's gonna change.  The important thing I guess is that I have a meal for every day planned.... then I can move them around as I choose.  The one thing I noticed was that I have a lot of chicken dishes and they are all right together.  I'll need to move them so we don't have chicken three nights in a row!  

Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs

This is a yummy recipe that I found in one of those little cookbooks in the checkout line at the grocery store.  If you don't want to take the time to make the marinade, you could simply use your favorite store-bought marinade or salad dressing.


2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices (rounds)
2 medium onions, each cut into 8-inch wedges
16 medium mushrooms, stems removed
16 cherry tomatoes
1 cup fat-free reduced sodium chicken broth
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar
3 Tbs olive oil
4 tsp dried basil
1 Tbs dried oregano
2 tsp grated lemon peel
Chopped fresh parsley
4 cups hot cooked whole wheat couscous

Chicken Cacciatore

This is one of the hubby's FAVORITE recipes!  He is overjoyed when he comes home to this meal cooking on the stove.

8 oz uncooked pasta
1-2 chicken breasts
1 (15oz) can chunky Italian-style tomato sauce
1 cup sliced onions
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
Salt and pepper - to taste

Baked Corn Pudding

This is one of my FAVORITE Christmas dinner recipes!!!  Its easy to make and SOOOO good.  My hubby is not a huge fan of corn, so he doesn't eat a lot of this.  But that's OK with me!  That just means I get more!  :)  I originally found this recipe on AllRecipes, but I changed it a little to fit my tastes.  If you'd like to see the original recipe, click here.

Baked Corn Pudding

1/4 cup sugar
1 box Jiffy Cornbread Mix
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream-style corn

Glorified Graham Crackers

I got this recipe years ago from a coworker.  The first time I tasted these babies, I was hooked!  Who knew they'd be so easy to make!  :)

1 stick butter
1 stick margarine
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 box honey graham crackers

Nitey Night Cookies

This is a recipe I found a few years ago.  I enjoy making these on Christmas Eve night.  You place them in a preheated oven, turn the oven off, go to sleep, and they are ready in the morning.  These are GREAT to do with kids (although, I did these even before we had our daughter).   These would also be great the night before your child's birthday.  Make the cookies with them right before their bedtime, then tell them when they get up in the morning it will be their birthday and their cookies will be ready!

I got this recipe from AllRecipes.  If you'd like to see the original post, click here.

Nitey Night Cookies

2 egg whites
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips

Italian-Marinated Vegetable Salad

OK folks, I rarely post recipes that I haven't made yet.  In fact, this is the first one.  But I saw this recipe and it looked and sounded so yummy that I couldn't wait to post it!  I found this in one of my old Kraft "Food and Family" magazines.  Anybody remember those magazines?  They used to send them out for free.  Now they charge like $10-$15 a year.  :(  Oh well, I'm still holdin' on to my free copy from December of '08.  :)

1/2 lb fresh green beans, cut in half
2 cups cauliflower florets
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 cup sliced stuffed green olives
1/4 cup thinly sliced sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 cup Kraft Tuscan House Italian Dressing

Stuffed Mushrooms

This is one of my husband's FAVORITE appetizers.  On Christmas Eve, we like to do finger foods instead of a big meal - since I'm usually prepping lots of stuff for Christmas dinner - and this is the first thing he requests every year.  These are a big crowd pleaser as well.  :)

Pinto Bean Sloppy Joes

This was another recipe that my mother gave me.  She LOVED these.  And, quite frankly, I thought they were pretty good myself!  Now, don't get me wrong.  I love my regular sloppy joes.  I'm a meat eater, baby.  But every once in a while its fun to try something new.  And, if you're skimming this blog and you happen to be a vegetarian, then this is the recipe for you!  :)

1 cup onion, diced
1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
2 Tbs jalapeno pepper, diced
1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs garlic, minced
1 (15oz) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 (6oz) can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup wheat germ
4 tsp blackstrap molasses
1 Tbs paprika
1 Tbs dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Hot pepper sauce or Tobasco, to taste (can be added to individual servings instead of to the whole batch)

Cheesy Garlic Bread Pull Apart

First let me start off this recipe by saying 3 things.

1. I'm addicted to Pinterest

2. I LOVE to try new recipes, and that's just what I did with this last night to go with my Lazy Crock Pot Lasagna

3) super easy, and yummy

 

Cheesy garlic bread pull apart

.

2- canisters homestyle biscuits (10 count)

Cheddar cheese (I used shredded cheese since that's what we had on hand)

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

Lazy Crock Pot Lasagna

Tried this recipe last night for the first time. I would have added a little more meat, but other than that was wonderful, and we even have some leftovers for later! I also forgot to add remaining cheese on top...oh well!



Lazy Crock Pot Lasagna

1-2 lbs ground beef (or however much you like in your lasagna)
1-2 jars spaghetti sauce (depending on how much meat you use- your meat should be saucy)
1 large container of cottage cheese (or you can use ricotta cheese)
shredded mozzarella cheese
lasagna noodles (uncooked)

Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

This is a good "all-in-on" meal.  No need to make side dishes when your veggies are right in there.  Although, this would be yummy with aside of Golden Sweet Cornbread or "Almost" Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits.  You could also serve this over rice or orzo if you like.  :)

2 tsp olive oil
1 lb chicken
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (10oz) package frozen green beans
1 (16oz) can chopped tomatoes with juice
2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and papper to taste


1.) Heat oil in skillet over Medium heat.  Add chicken and brown on all sides.  Add garlic and onion and saute until softened.
2.) Add beans, tomatoes with juice, parsley and paprika.
3.) Cover, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done, about 15 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper.

Blondie Brownies

(I could tell you that I removed a blondie so that you could see how

delicious these lookon the inside, but the truth is I just couldn't wait to

eat one!  Sometimes food comes before photography!  LOL!)

Blondie Brownies

1 cup sifted flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 Tbs vanilla

2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Ham Pinwheels

These are a cute little appetizer, snack, or even a lunch menu item.  :)

1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
1 package sliced ham
1 carton French Onion Dip

Seasoned Broccoli

I originally found this recipe on the internet.  Now, for the life of me, I cannot find it again.  I found this while looking for a way to make broccoli so that my husband would eat it. - He's not a big fan of broccoli.  He really enjoyed this though.  :)

1 & 1/2 lbs fresh broccoli - trimmed
1/3 cup chicken stalk (low sodium)
1 tsp Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning
3/4 tsp creole seasoning

Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes

I origianlly got this recipe from one of those McCormick's Recipe Inspirations. - You know, those little packets that they sell on the spice aisle that have all the seasoings in them?  Those things are pretty cool!  If you've never seen them before, you can check them out here.

2 tsp paprika
1 & 1/2 tsp crushed rosemary leaves
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp salt
6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed (about 2 lbs) (I used chicken legs instead)
1 & 1/2 lbs small red potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

Broccoli Cornbread

I love cornbread.  All kinds.  Seriously.  I'm a big fan.  And this recipe is no different.  Its delish!  (Plus, you feel a little better about yourself because its got broccoli in it.)  :)

1 large sweet Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 (10oz) package frozen, chopped broccoli, thawed
3/4 cup cottage cheese
4 beaten eggs
1 (7.5oz) package cornbread mix, such as Jiffy
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine

Hearty Enchiladas

Hearty Enchiladas
1 lb of ground beef
onion
1 jar Picante sauce (or substitue 1 10 3/4 oz can enchilada sauce)
1 pkg corn or flour torillas (this recipe will probably take 10)
velveeta cheese
1 10 3/4 oz can chili no beans
sliced American cheese

What's For Supper? - Black Bean Taco Chili

Hello from the mountains of NC.  I am posting a great crock pot recipe that I have refined until it is my own.  It is a conglomeration of several recipes and it is easy.  With time crunches, jobs, chores, school, and life, we can all use some help now and then.  So here is an easy, healthy meal for your whole family!

Black bean taco chili

1-2 lb ground beef ($4)
3 cloves minced garlic ($.10)
1 medium onion diced ($.35)
1 14 oz can of petite diced tomatoes ($.60)
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles ($.80)
1 14 oz can of corn($.85)
2 14 oz cans of black beans($.60 ea)
1 packet of taco seasoning ($.50)
1/2 packet of ranch dip mix ($.60)
1 c of beef broth ($.94)

Lemon Chicken Tortellini

I struggled with the title of this recipe.  I mean, "Lemon Chicken Tortellini" doesn't even begin to describe its awesomeness.  I thought about naming it "A-recipe-worthy-of-Olive-Garden" or "The-reason-Taste-of-Home-is-the-best-culinary-magazine" or my favorite "This-is-why-I-don't-do-the-Atkins-Diet."  Yes, it tastes like an Olive Garden creation.  Yes, Taste of Home is an awesome magazine with some very cool recipes (I even saw one for chocolate covered bacon!!).  And yes, I am a pastaholic who will never, ever give up my carbs. However, I guess I'll just stick to the original title.  Trust me, though--it's gooooooood.

Lemon Chicken Tortellini
1 package (19 oz.) frozen cheese tortellini (I've used the dried and fresh, too)
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 small sweet red pepper, julienned (we are not fans of pepper, so I omit this)
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce, optional (we opt out of this one, also, so I have no clue what it does to the flavor.)
1 package (6 oz) fresh baby spinach
6 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese

Proverbs 31 - my personal study of "The Wife of Good Character"

When we put this cooking blog together, and Rebekka came up with the name, I decided to look into the Proverbs 31 woman.  I read through Proverbs 31 and decided to devote some time to this "Proverbs 31 woman".  I already have a blog where I share pretty much my life in this family that God has created for me.... and I'm sharing my thoughts about my Proverbs 31 study there as well.  My personal family blog is called "Family Redefined" and my thoughts on the Proverbs woman are shared there.  I'm taking apart the Proverbs 31 verses and tackling small chunks on a weekly basis - so check back frequently for new thoughts and new characteristics I'm focusing on / pondering and developing in myself.

The "Counter-Cultural Woman"

Have you ever heard of Revive Our Hearts Radio?  Its a wonderful program by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  She does a daily Bible study geared specifically towards women.  I often listen to the program online.  You can go on the website and listen to past programs as well.
Back in 2007, Nancy did a wonderful series about the Proverbs 31 Woman called "The Counter-Cultural Woman: A Fresh Look At Proverbs 31."  The Bible study lasted 27 days.
Here are the titles for each day:

The Proverbs 31 Cook

Well, as you have probably already noticed, I named this blog "The Proverbs 31 Cook."  When some friends and I decided to do this blog, I considered all sorts of names.  I landed on "The Proverbs 31 Cook" because I thought it described what we were all seeking to do - honor the Lord, even in our kitchens.  The "excellent woman" from Proverbs chapter 31 is a great example for us.  It says in verse 15, "she rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household..."  Notice, it doesn't say she provides "gourmet meals" for her family.  Now, I'm not sayin' she wasn't a great cook, but that's not the focus of what the writer was trying to say here.  She provided food.  You know what, sometimes for us that  might be hot dogs and chips.  That's ok.  The important thing is that she served her family. 
And that's what we want to do.  We want to serve our families.  And one way we can do that is by finding new recipes to make!  And voila!  A blog was born!  :)  But, again, we don't want this blog to JUST be about food.  We want it to be about the Lord - about our desire to follow Him and be more and more like that "excellent woman" from Proverbs 31.  So I have added this section to the blog - the "Proverbs 31 Section."  Here we will post our favorite verses, books, blogs, websites, quotes - anything really - about the Proverbs 31 woman or about being a godly wife and mother.  Check this section out if you need some encouragement in your daily walk with the Lord!  :)

Money/Time Saving Tip

I thought I would share this information, and Rebekka - maybe you can make it a new category for things that people would like to share to make saving time / money easier.  I know I love to hear ways that people save time and money while preparing food / grocery shopping / budgets.


I'm not a couponer - I wish I was, but I just don't have the time for it.  I've tried it before, but you have to run a million different places, spend a ton of time organizing, gathering, sorting, cutting coupons, that I found my time was worth more on other things, than on cutting coup0ons.  If I come across a good one, and I need the product, I'll use it, but I don't go out of my way to find / use coupons.  That being said, we do have the "VIP" or "members" card for just about every grocery store in Florence, AND, we do shop in bulk at Sam's for meat when we can.

Chicken Cornbread Dressing

I love it when a plan comes together.  But, even better than that, I love it when I have to scrap my original plan at the last minute and the backup turns out to be just as good!  This was one of those times.  I was planning on making Sausage Bake tonight, but as I was beginning to prep it this afternoon I realized I didn't have any potatoes.  UGH!  I was already feeling under the weather and was very tempted to call the hubby and ask him to bring home fast food.  This morning, however, I had found a recipe on the Taste And See God's Goodness Blog that had really intrigued me.  It was easy, not a lot of work, and I already had all the ingredients, so I decided to go for it.  I did tweak it a little to our tastes, but if you'd like to see the original recipe, you can find it here.

Super Awesome Macaroni and Cheese

I'm more of a spontaneous person, and therefore not much of a planner (no wonder I struggle with preparing meals <chuckle>).....and, this is one of those meals that came out of a last minute rush of "Oh my, what am I going to cook tonight??!!!"  I also have to confess, I hate measuring ingredients.  It seems so....restrictive (unless I'm baking....baking and cooking are different in my mind, for whatever reason :-)  ).  Anyhow, in not being prepared that night, and in an effort to do as little work as possible (hence, no MEASURING)....I threw together what I had on hand - ham, cheese, pasta, and canned condensed soups!  Protein, protein, starch....and, if onion and mushroom bits count....veggies!  Voila!  A semi-nutritious meal, right? <chuckle>

Honestly, I was (am) a bit nervous about posting this one...but then I figured - what do I have to lose???  So I decided to do a trial run, and actually attempt to measure a couple of the ingredients.....then, give it a whirl.  Also, I was going to title it Ham and Cheese Pasta Bake.....but, tonight at supper, Samuel kept referring to it as Super Awesome Macaroni and Cheese.  Okay.  Reality check.  So, it's really just glorified mac-and-cheese. :-)  But.....as long as the kiddos like it, and it doesn't take me long to throw together....I'm good with that :-)

Corn Chowder

I love a good chowder. Especially when the temperature dips into the 50's. (What can I say?  I'm a South Carolinian, and face it--anything below 60 degrees is cold to us!)  The best thing about soup is that it is tweakable.  I am always tweaking and tinkering, adding and adjusting.  This one has definitely been tweaked, so much so that I can't remember the original.  So, tweak away and make it your own.

Corn Chowder
4 oz sliced bacon cut into 1" pieces
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups chopped onions (I typically do less..we don't like too much onion)
2 Tbsp all purpose flour (I use more because I prefer thicker chowder)
4 cups chicken stock
2 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch dice
1 cup 1/2 +1/2
4 cup frozen corn
3/4 tsp pepper
salt to taste
carrots
(original recipe called for scallions, but at the request of the husband, they were omitted and carrots replaced them)

Hot Feta Artichoke Dip

OH YEAH.  I am a sucker--let me repeat that--a SUCKER for feta.   And this dip is all about the feta.  Add a little Parmesan and some artichoke hearts, and you've got one of the best dips ever. 

Hot Feta Artichoke Dip
1 can (14 oz.) artichoke hearts, drained, chopped
1 package (8 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 jar (2 oz) diced pimentos, drained
1 clove garlic, minced
Triscuit Thin Crisps (or pita chips, or any other cracker that floats your boat)

Candy Bar Cake

Candy Bar Cake (Or at least the it-contains-10-candy-bars-icing)!
Ok, peeps.  This is my first-- first, mind you-- venture into the blogging world.  I mean, I don't follow any blogs, I don't write any blogs, zip, nada, nothing.  So, if this ends up in the wrong place or floating around in Cyberspace, perhaps you can forgive a mistake made by a newbie.

Soooo..my first contribution to the world of blogging is quite a tasty little treat called Candy Bar Cake.  I get requests for this at all sorts of functions, and I happily oblige, because why wouldn't I want to bring something with sugar, fat, and chocolatey goodness?  However, I am going to just share the icing recipe, because frankly, it is the best part.  Also, it is quite versatile--I've used it on German chocolate cake, regular chocolate cake, boxed chocolate cake (GASP! Please don't let my mom and granny see that!), everything.  I am sure you have your own favorite chocolate cake recipe, so I leave you with a little bit of OOMPH! to top it off.  Enjoy!

Top Secret Crispy, Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

OK, I promised a killer chocolate chip cookie recipe today, and I aim to deliver!  :)  I originally found this recipe while surfing around Pinterest.  (Have you been on Pinterest yet?  If not, check it out!  Its an awesome place to find recipes, craft ideas, design ideas, diy ideas, etc.)  Anyway, back to the cookies.  I was searching for the ultimate crispy chocolate chip cookie.  My hubby loves his cookies crispy.  Really crispy.  Thin and crispy.  (Did I mention he likes his cookies crispy?)  Anyway, I'm always on the lookout for a new cookie recipe to try, so when I came across these, I just couldn't resist!  The recipe was originally posted on the GirlWhoBakes blog.  If you'd like to see the original recipe post click here.

So what makes these cookies so incredible?  Well, for one thing, they have a secret ingedient: Cinnamon.  That's right. Two whole teaspoons full.  It just sends the flavor of these cookies THROUGH THE ROOF.  The other thing that makes these cookies killer: a full cup of butter.  That's right.  Say it.  Claim it.  Be proud of it.  Don't be ashamed.  I mean, your makin' cookies for cryin' out loud!  That big pile of butter makes these babies spread thin and crisp.  Yummmmm.....  So don't use shortening on these if you want them to spread and get crispy.  :)

Golden Sweet Cornbread

This is one of the many recipes I have found on allrecipes.com. If you've never been there, head on over and give it a look-see!  Its a great website full of recipes!!!  Here's the original recipe if you'd like to see it and read the reviews: Golden Sweet Cornbread
A couple of things a I really love about allrecipes.com:
1.) There are tons of comments about all the recipes.  This is great because you can tweak the recipe the first time you make it.  For example, if tons of people say, "This was a little too spicy, so I used half the chili powder,and it came out great..." then I might just go ahead and half the chili powder the first time I make the recipe, etc.  I ALWAYS read lots of reviews when I'm considering a recipe on this site.
2.) People can add pics of the recipe when they make it.  I love looking a pics of the food.  Sometimes it helps me decide just how much I wanna make it.  :)
3.)  It has an "Ingredients" search page where you can type in ingredients you have on hand (and even the ones you don't have) and it pulls up recipes for you.  I love that!

Anyway, this was a recipe I searched for when I wanted some seet cornbread.  Now, I'm from the South.  I like my tea and my cornbread both sweet.  That's the way it is.  I make no apologies for it.  If you too like sweet cornbread, this recipe is for you!  :)

Grandma's "Family Pork Chops"

This recipe came from my sweet grandmother, who died about 5 years ago.  In fact, I'm currently copying this from a copy of Grandma's handwritten recipe card!  My mother made the copy for me and I treasure it.  Its so wonderful to have something written in my grandmother's very own handwriting.  Its like a piece of history. OK, so on to the recipe...

(When I make this, I usually serve it with a side of green beans and serve the gravy over rice.)

Family Pork Chops

6 pork chops
1-2 onions, sliced into rings
3/4 cup ketchup
1 cup water
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs vinegar
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp chili powder

"Almost" Red Lobster Cheese Biscuits

This is a pretty close second to Red Lobster cheese biscuits (makes my mouth water thinking about them!) My husband will devour these in no time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 (this usually makes 6 large biscuits for our family of 2)

Cheddar Biscuits

• 2 cups biscuit baking mix
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons margarine, melted (I use whatever is on hand)
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Pumpkin Crisp

This is good, and I don't even care for pumpkin flavor.

• 15 oz can pumpkin
• yellow cake mix
• 12 oz evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 3 eggs beaten
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp cinammon
• 1/2 tsp salt

Corn 'N' Bean Bake

• 1 package frozen cut green beans (I have used canned...just make sure they are drained)
• 1 can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup of crushed butter-flavored crackers (Ritz)

In a bowl, combine the beans, corn, soup and 1/2 cup cheese.
Spoon into a greased 1-1/2 quart baking dish.
Top with crackers and remaining cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 35 minutes or until heated through.

Tuna Fish Casserole

• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 7 oz can drained tuna (I use two cans)
• 1 cup small peas
• 1 cup crushed potato chips
• a bit of salt and pepper
• 2 cups of cooked noodles
• 1/2 cup of grated cheese

Boil noodles-drain and sit aside

preheat oven to 375

mix cream of chicken soup and milk
add drained tuna and 1 cup of small peas (drained)
add salt, pepper, noodles, and cheese
mix all the above together and put in baking dish
place in oven and bake for 20 minutes
sprinkle potato chips on top and bake another 5 minutes

Fried Rice

Fried Rice

• 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
• 2 eggs
• 1 c frozen petite peas
• 1 carrot, diced
• ½ c diced onion
• 1 c cooked chicken or ham, chopped
• 4 T butter
• 2 T soy sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook rice with 2 cups water (according to package directions).
Cool to room temperature.
Meanwhile, scramble eggs. Set aside.
Melt butter in fry pan.
Combine rice, eggs, peas, carrots, onions, chicken/ham, and soy sauce.
Add to pan and cook on medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring often.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Rice will probably not require much, if any, salt as the soy sauce is salty enough.

AllRecipes.com

This isn't a recipe, but have found this very handy and useful when making a recipe!


http://allrecipes.com/HowTo/common-ingredient-substitutions/detail.aspx



Thanks for posting this Cayman!  I LOVE allrecipes.com!!!  :)  This is a greay website with lots of recipes and meal ideas!!!  This particular page is full of ingredient substitution ideas.  :)

Creamy Herb Pork Chops

Creamy Herb Pork Chops

• 6 pork chops (I just use 2 for my husband and I)
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup of sour cream
• 1 packet of Lipton Herb dry seasoning mix

Put pork chops in the crock pot. Combine remaining ingredients in a bowl, and pour over pork chops. Cook on low 6-8 hours.

Enjoy

Mayonnaise Rolls

Mayonnaise Rolls

• 2 cups Self-Rising Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 1 cup of Milk (fat content not important)

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2) Grease two six-cup muffin pans or one 12-cup pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3) Combine all ingredients in one bowl, then spoon into muffin pans. (Sometimes I don't have enough dough for all the tins)
4) Bake for 12-15 minutes or until roll tops are golden brown. (I like mine a little "doughy" so don't wait until they are completely brown on top.)

Oma's Sour Cream Chicken

Oma's Sour Cream Chicken

• 2 pounds chicken tenders or chicken breasts (I use two frozen chicken breasts)
• 1 1/2 cups of Bread Crumbs
• 1 cup of sour cream
• garlic powder
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• salt, pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Lay the chicken close together on a foil lined baking sheet.
Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Coat with a thick layer of sour cream.
Top that with breadcrumbs and then dot with the butter.
Bake for 35 minutes for chicken tenders or up to an hour for chicken breasts.

It's ready when the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are nicely browned.

Vanilla Fruit Salad

I got this recipe from Megan Kendall several years ago (and several times, because I never wrote it down on an actual recipe card until just this weekend).  It is great to bring as a side dish to a spring/summer gathering, to a baby shower or really any occasion.  I love this recipe and it's super simple!


2 cans pineapple
2 cans mandarin oranges
1 jar maraschino cherries
1 box cook (not instant) vanilla pudding


Drain the pineapple and oranges and reserve the juice.  In a sauce pan combine pudding mix with 3 cups of juice.  Cook until thick.  Cool and add fruit.


Easy and super good!

Portuguese Chicken and Peppers

This is another one of my favorite recipes.  (I feel like I've said that about every recipe I've posted.  Oh well.  I guess its only logical that I would post my favorite recipes first.) 

 I love to serve this over orzo.  If you've never had orzo you should really give it a try!  Its a small pasta - just slightly larger than a grain of rice - shaped like a grain of rice.  Its a fun way to change things up every once in a while.  You could also serve it over another pasta, like linguine (which I believe is what the original recipe called for).  You could also serve it over rice or serve it alone with a side or cornbread or biscuits.

Look at that yummy goodness!  The peppers and onions are about to go over the chicken! 

Portuguese Chicken and Peppers

6 chicken breasts
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 Tbs olive oil
2 large onions, halved and sliced
2 bell peppers (red, green, yellow, cubanelles, or a mixture),sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced


1.) Preheat oven to 475.
2.) Sprinkle chicken with salt, red pepper, and black pepper.  Heat oil in a skillet over Medium-High heat.  Add chicken; cook 3-4 minutes.  Turn; cook 4 minutes more.  Remove chicken to casserole dish.
3.) Add onions to skillet; cook 2-3 minutes over Medium heat. 
4.) Add bell peppers and garlic; cook, covered, for 2-3 minutes.  Add a little water if needed to prevent burning.
5.) Pour onion/bell pepper mixture over chicken. Cover.  Bake 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center.
6.) Serve over pasta or rice.

Easy Salisbury Steak

I got this recipe from Sonya Floyd several years ago, and it was always a family favorite.  It's funny though, that I had forgotten about it, until we started this blog and I was going through my recipe box to find recipes to share.  I can't believe I had forgotten about this one.  It is SO good, and super fast and easy!


1 egg beaten
1/2 cup soft break crumbs
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 lb. ground lean ground beef

Easy Shrimp Dip

8 oz cream cheese
1 can cream of shrimp soup
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
1 can of small shrimp, drained


Mix all of the ingredients, except the shrimp with mixer until smooth, and then fold in shrimp.  Chill.  Serve with Bugles.

Heather's Bean Dip

This is a recipe that I got from my friend Heather.  It is awesome in the summer when veggies are fresh.  It's easy and delicious - and all of the colors from the veggies make it look real pretty on an appetizer table!


2 cans black beans, rinsed
1 can white shoe-peg corn
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 small / medium onion, chopped
spoonful of minced garlic (I use the kind in the jar)
8 oz Italian dressing (I like Zesty Italian)
Optional:  celantro and red/yellow/green pepper for additional color)


Mix all ingredients together (it's good to mix together a bit early so all the flavors can marinate together).  Serve with Scoops tortilla chips (you can use any kind, but those work the best!)

Rhubarb Pie

Ok, I'm just going to come out and say it.... I'm a yankee!  Born and raised in Michigan!  I'm a transplant to the south, having only been here about 9 years.  Many people in the South don't know what rhubarb is.... I guess because it's very difficult to grow in the south.  In the North however, it grows like a weed.  I guess you need the harsh freeze / thaw cycles that come with living in the north to get good rhubarb growth.  So, what exactly is rhubarb?  Well, when you see it at the grocery store (with the fresh fruits and veggies) it looks like a large red (with maybe some green thrown in there) celery stalk.  But it's MUCH larger than celery.  The only place I have ever found it here is at Harris Teeter.  Maybe they have it other places, but I have never found it around Florence except at Harris Teeter.  

Rhubarb is like a tiny piece of heaven.  In fact, I'm SURE that it will be somewhere on the buffet table that exists in heaven!  My sister and I used to eat it raw.  It grew back behind our barn in mass quantities in the summer.  It was almost as though if you cut one stalk, three grew back in its place.  Before it's cut, it looks like this huge stalk with a giant leaf on top - mature rhubarb the leaf will be about the size of your head.  It's actually kind of a pretty plant and I find it extremely delicious.  It is very, very tart if you eat it raw (think along the lines of an extremely not-ripe granny smith apple).  To me, the more tart the better!!!  And rhubarb pie with vanilla ice cream - nothing was better in the summer!  Ok, on with the recipe:

Hearty Breakfast Bake

I tried this recipe for the first time while I had family visiting for Christmas.  It was a big hit.  They cleaned the dish.  :)  That made me happy.  :)  I only had a package of Southwestern hashbrowns and so I used those.  I thought it was yummy, but hubby said it was too spicy.  The next time I made it I just used plain hashbrowns and he was a lot happier.  This can easily be adapted to your tastes.  Use the southwestern  hashbrowns if you like it spicy.  Use ham or bacon or sausage instead of turkey ham. (Make sure if you use sausage that you brown and drain it first though.) Change up the types of cheeses you use.  Just make sure you use the SHREDDED hasbrowns.  I used diced potatoes once and it did end up well.  I think the shredded potatoes just make a better "base."

Hearty Breakfast Bake

20oz package refrigerated shredded hashbrowns
3/4 cup onion, diced
1 and 1/2 cups turkey ham, cubed
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 cup shredded mozzaerlla
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk

Sausage Bake

This is one of my husband's FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE recipes.  Did I say FAVORITE?    It really is yummy and super easy.  And, best of all, its one of those "all-in-one" recipes.  No need to make anything else - unless you'd just like to bake some biscuits to go with it.  Yum!  I found this recipe on Cooks.com.
You can change it up and try it with different types of sausage.  We've used Schwans Dinner Sausage, which is delicious.  We've also tried it with apple chicken sausage.  Try whatever sausage floats your boat.
You can also make it even easier by using baby carrots, baby potatoes, and pearl onions.  Then all you have to do is cut up the sausage and you're set!  How easy is that!!!

Haystacks

I had several people ask me for this recipe this past Christmas season, so I thought I'd share.  This is one of my hubby's FAVORITE treats.  I whipped these up one afternoon and surprised him when he came home from work that night.  He was thrilled!!!  My sister makes these at Halloween and calls them "Creepy Crawlies."  That cracks me up.  ;)  These things are super easy to make & they are a real crowd pleaser.

Just look at the yumminess...

Haystacks (AKA Creepy Crawlies)

1 cup butterscotch chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup peanuts

2 cups chow mein noodles

1.) Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter together in a pot, double boiler, or the microwave.

2.) Add chow mein noodles and and peanuts and stir until all the noodles are coated.

3.) Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper.

4.) Refrigerate until set.

Again, look at the yumminess...

Sausage and Rice Casserole

First let me say - this blog  is a great idea!!  Lately, I have REALLY been struggling with preparing meals for the family.....and, more specifically, nutritious, home-cooked meals.  (Pizza Hut and McDonalds don't meet that criteria, I think <chuckle>).  So, thanks to Charity for the encouragement with sharing her easy recipes and menu ideas with me via email over the last while.....and, for the invite to take part here! 

So, the first recipe I want to share is this Sausage and Rice Casserole.  Right after my oldest child was born, a neighbor brought this dish over to "help".....and, what a help it was to not have to worry about cooking, on top of taking care of a newborn.  She served it with steamed broccoli, some type of marinated slaw, and cornbread.  Of course, when I prepare this, the side dish is usually me cracking open a can of kernel corn and mixing up a box of Jiffy mix cornbread <chuckle>.....but, maybe with all the inspiration on this blog, the side dish menu will improve :-)

Stir-fried Asian Style Broccoli

I I originally found this recipe online on food.com.  I always like to give credit (if I know where the recipe came from - Haha!) so here is the link if you'd like to check it out: Stir-Fried Asian Style Broccoli.

(I added some julienned carrots to the mix.) 

Anyway, I can not say enough good things about this recipe.  If you've got picky eaters who refuse to eat broccoli, give this baby a try.  I bet they'll eat it!  Seriously, my hubby is NOT a broccoli fan and he gobbles this up.  The recipe calls for fresh broccoli, but you could also throw in frozen broccoli.  No biggie!  Whatever you have on hand. 

I have served this as a side dish, but I also often throw in some chicken breasts (cut into thin strips) and double or triple the sauce amount and serve it all over jasmine rice.  OH MY GOODNESS!  This stuff is good!!!  (By the way, just a side note, if you have ever wondered why the rice at the Chinese restaraunt tastes so yummy - its because they use jasmine rice.  If you've never used it before, TRY IT!!!!!!!  It will really give your stir fry meal that extra flavor boost.)

Stir-fried Asian Style Broccoli

2lbs fresh broccoli
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/2 c chicken broth
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup vegetable oil

1.) Wash and cut broccoli; set aside.
2.) Combine cornstarch, sugar and salt.  Add broth and soy sauce, stirring until smooth.
3.) In a wok, saute garlic in oil over Medium-High heat until lightly browned.
4.) Add broccoli; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Cover and cook an additional 2 minutes.
5.) Add broth mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes or until sauce thickens.

Oven Baked Seasoned Fries

This recipe was given to me by my sweet mother.  I'm not sure where she got it from, but it was during a time when she was on a healthy/eating well kick.  I thought, "OK, well if its supposed to be healthy then it obviously won't taste that good."   W.R.O.N.G.  These fries are DELISH!!!!  I even mix up a bunch of the "fry seasoning" and keep it in a spice jar so that I have it on hand. - You know, for those "french fry emergencies." Don't act like you don't know what I'm talkin' about.  ;)  Anyway, on to the recipe...

Oven Baked Seasoned Fries

1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
3 large, red potatoes
2 Tbs olive oil, divided

McCormick BBQ Potatoes

This is one of my FAVORITE potato recipes.  I'm a potato girl.  I like 'em fried, baked, roasted, boiled, mashed, smashed....  Anyway you can imagine.  And this recipe is great because its not only delicious, but EASY.  I originally clipped this recipe off of a McCormick Spice advertisement in a magazine.  The recipe originally calls for grilling the potatoes, but I wanted to bake them in the oven so I changed it up a little.  If you would like to see the original recipe, you can check it out here.

McCormick BBQ Potatoes

4 medium red potatoes, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs McCormick Grill Mates Barbecue Seasoning
1 large onion, cut into thin wedges

1.) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.) Toss potatoes with oil in large bowl.  Add bbq seasoning; toss to coat evenly.
3.) Place potatoes on large, wide sheet of aluminium foil.  Place onions evenly on top of potatoes.  Bring up foil sides; double fold top and ends to tightly seal packet. Place foil packet on baking sheet.
4.) Bake in preheated oven for 40 minutes.

Menu Plan for Sunday, January 15th to Saturday, January 21st

Food for Thought:
Here is my menu plan for the coming week.
Sunday-creamy herb pork chops, rice, mayonnaise rolls, mixed veggies

Monday- shepherd's pie

Tuesday- crock pot lasagna, garlic bread

Wednesday- leftovers

Thursday- chicken and rice, broccoli

Friday- hot dogs, mac and cheese

Saturday- sour cream chicken, corn/green bean casserole

Super Yummy Chicken Casserole

While my SWEET husband is off to pick up our dinner from Mellow Mushroom - yes I have the best hubby in the world! - I thought I'd use the time to post another recipe.  I have my mother-in-law to thank for this recipe.  After I had my daughter, my mother-in-law and father-in-law came to visit.  But they didn't come alone.  They came packin' food!  And God bless them for it because I certainly didn't feel like cookin'!  :)  One of the recipes that my mother-in-law wanted to make was a tuna casserole, but knowing how I hate tuna, she changed it up and threw in shredded chicken.  Who knew it would become one of our FAVORITE recipes.  Seriously!  My hubby loves it.  I love it.  My daughter loves it.  I probably make it about once a month. 
Because there are lots of veggies in the recipe, there is a bit of prep involved.  Don't let that scare you though.  I love to make this on Saturday - so we have something to eat on Saturday and Sunday.  I often cut up all the veggies the day before and throw them in a ziploc bag.  I also bake or boil the chicken & shred it the day before & throw it in a ziploc.  That way on Saturday all I have to do is boil the pasta and saute the veggies and then mix everything together.  This casserole also freezes well.  Then you can defrost in the fridge and bake. Voila! 
Again let me say THIS THING IS YUMMY!!!  SUPER YUMMY - hence the recipe title.  :)   Its also very adaptable.  You could change the type of pasta or the veggies or the type of cream soup you use. You could even use tuna - as the recipe originally calls for - but I wouldn't recommend it because I hate tuna.  Anyway, on to the recipe.

Roach Family - Menu 1/14 - 1/21

Rebekka - Thank you for being the first to post your menu plan!  I was holding out, waiting for more people to post theirs (so I could modify mine and make it more interesting), but finally - it had to be done!  Like Rebekka, our Wednesdays are bad - we have to head out the door almost as soon as Tim gets home from work to go to our Journey group (church group).  We eat as part of the meeting, so Tim picks something up for the kiddos on the way home.


I too, am big on leftovers - ours however usually don't get consumed at another dinner, they usually serve as lunch for me, Tim and Sara.  Cameron and Anna are at school and take their lunch all but one day a week, and they have to have more "lunch box" friendly things (no microwave, etc).  Also, for veggies, while I prefer fresh veggies, those are not really "once a week shopper" friendly.  I buy what I can fresh (the meals that are planned for earlier in the week) and then for the rest, I try to get the "steamers".  I LOVE THOSE THINGS!!!!  There are packages of green beans (not frozen) that you buy and steam in the bag, in the microwave in 5 minutes, and they are WONDERFUL!!!!  I do get baby carrots and those seem to last forever.  I just boil them, add a little brown sugar and the kids love them!  Ok.... onto the menu for this week:  (recipes already posted to this blog are linked - just click)

Menu Plan for Saturday, January 14th through Wednesday, January 25th

OK folks, several people have suggested that we put our menu plans on here.  I think that's a great idea!  I LOVE looking at other people's menu plans.  Besides getting new recipes, I also get new ideas of different foods to pair with each other.  Sometimes looking at someone else's menu plan really helps to pull me out of a rut.
We fly by the seat of our pants around here, so plans change.  A LOT.  So I try to always have a few quick and easy things in the house.  Try as I might, I never seem to end up following my menu plan exactly - at least not yet.  But I'm working on it.  Menu plans really are a good way to help keep your budget under control.  If there are meals that don't end up getting made on the day they were planned for I just try to move them to the next pay period.
I'll go ahead and tell you that we do a hamburger or sub sandwhich or some other fast food on Wednesday nights.  Wednesday nights are jam-packed.  I'm also BIG on leftovers.  I love making a meal that can go for 2 nights!  That's a little extra relaxation time for me.  I'm not ashamed to say it.  ;)

Brown Rice Casserole



I have to give credit for this recipe to my sister Michelle.  She shared it with me this year & I will be forever grateful.  Seriously.  All sappiness aside, this rice is AWESOME!  But, even better than that, its AWESOME and EASY.  Hallelujah!  I love an easy recipe!!!  And better yet, my husband LOVES brown rice casserole, so he is thrilled that this is easy enough for a weekday dinner.

First, you need a covered casserole to put this in.  The rice needs to be covered to cook properly.   That's a lesson I learned 5 years ago - on Christmas day.  I had decided to make hubby's grandmother's brown rice recipe (another great recipe that I'll share at a later time).  I had never made brown rice before, so I followed the recipe to the letter.  Except... I forgot to put a lid on it.  An hour later, when we had gummy, raw rice in a dish, I was devastated.  Lesson learned.  Casserole dish with a lid people.  (Or you could tightly cover it with tin foil, but make sure its tight.)

Meatloaf

I know that meatloaf sounds awful boring, but my family loves it.... well, mostly me and my hubby, but two of the three kids will eat it too.  (The third child has to "try" it, and has concluded that even having to "try" it, is a punishment).  My mom's husband and my father-in-law actually request this on a regular basis when I'm having family over.  It might have come out of the FBT cookbook.....???  Not sure....


2 eggs beaten
3/4 cups milk
2/3 cups bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onion (I use more because I like onion)
2 Tbsp parsley
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp basil
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard (I use more because I love the mustard taste/smell in the topping)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sweet

2-Big containers of Cool Whip
2-pkgs Chocolate Chip Cookies
1-small bowl if milk
In large glass bowl or those ones with a stand (like a trifle bowl), put some cool whip on the bottom and smooth all the way around to make a layer.
Dip cookies in Milk one at a time & make a layer on top of cool whip.
Repeat process till you get to top and then add crunched up cookies cookies on top for decoration. Refrigerator for at least one hour or overnight which is better.
Very good and easy. My family gives this one *****5 Stars

Baked Ziti

I make this frequently for large family gatherings.  It makes enough to serve six adults and three kids, easily.  This one has been a big hit with even the extended family and has been requested on several occasions.


1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 onion, chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
2 (26 ox) jars spaghetti sauce (I don't use all of this, but this is what the recipe calls for)
6 oz provolone cheese (slices)
1 1/2 cup sour cream
6 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Apple Bran Muffins

Wonderful tasting and very healthy muffins.  I make a batch or two and freeze them in ziploc bags so I can just pull one out and pop it in the microwave in the morning, or pull it out the night before so it's at room temperature in the AM.  


1 1/2 cups wheat bran
1 cup low fat milk
1/4 cup promise spread, melted
2 Tbsp molasses
1 large apple shredded (I use granny smith because I like the tartness)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 Tbsp toasted wheat germ
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 egg whites