Another busy week come and gone. I am so behind on the baking but I am staying positive. I am picking up where I left off and trying to continue. Let's hope for a good week with it all!
Here is the menu for this week:
1/23 - Chinese New Year - Stir Fry, chicken and steak, homemade egg rolls, homemade crab ragoon, and fried rice.
Need to make up some lunches for Carter for the week.
1/24 - busy night - BBQ Sandwiches from the left over roast on Sunday. Baked Potato salad from the extra baked potatoes on Sunday.
1/25 - Waffles and French Toast Night
1/26 - crazy busy night - sandwiches on the go. Soup in the slow cooker for when we get home. Not sure what soup yet. I will keep you posted.
1/27 - lots of baking since 1/28 is my Lulu's birthday and it is National Chocolate Cake Day!
Dinner - Burgers and Dogs with Fries
1/28 - Lulu's Birthday!!! Homemade Pizzas for dinner. Snacks and treats for her party.
1/29 - Lulu's favorite - chicken and dumplings.
I will try to post pics and updates. I am trying to get in the swing of taking pictures and posting.
Enjoy!
Linked up to
At Home with Mrs. M
orgjunkie.com
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Meatballs in sauce and s'mores popcorn
I know I am behind on posting. Sorry about that. Life has been a little busy.
Here is a picture of Paula Deen's Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and my homemade sauce.
Thursday was National Popcorn Day! We made s'mores popcorn. It is YUMMY!
Basically I popped a bag of popcorn - I use light butter.
Put it in an 8 quart bowl.
I then broke up a Hershey bar into small pieces and spread it on top.
I added my homemade marhsmallows that I cut up into small pieces. You can use mini marshmallows, I just had the homemade ones so I decided to use those.
I also broke graham crackers into small pieces. You can use cinnamon teddy grahams, or cinnamon square cereal. My family likes the graham crackers.
Then I melted milk chocolate chips and drizzled a good quantity over the popcorn, marshmallow, graham cracker mixture. Toss to coat everything with the chocolate. It won't last so you don't have to worry about storing it!
Enjoy!
Here is a picture of Paula Deen's Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and my homemade sauce.
Thursday was National Popcorn Day! We made s'mores popcorn. It is YUMMY!
Basically I popped a bag of popcorn - I use light butter.
Put it in an 8 quart bowl.
I then broke up a Hershey bar into small pieces and spread it on top.
I added my homemade marhsmallows that I cut up into small pieces. You can use mini marshmallows, I just had the homemade ones so I decided to use those.
I also broke graham crackers into small pieces. You can use cinnamon teddy grahams, or cinnamon square cereal. My family likes the graham crackers.
Then I melted milk chocolate chips and drizzled a good quantity over the popcorn, marshmallow, graham cracker mixture. Toss to coat everything with the chocolate. It won't last so you don't have to worry about storing it!
 | ||
| Emily giving the s'mores popcorn 2 thumbs up |
Enjoy!
Monday, January 16, 2012
E's Breadsticks
My E makes great breadsticks. Lucky for us she loves to bake and cook!
Here are her breadsticks - they come from Betty Crocker's 40th anniversary edition cookbook. I forget what year I go this but I am thinking when I got married in 1995.
Here is the recipe:
1 package of active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs vegetable oil
cornmeal
1 egg white
1 Tbs cold water
poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or we use our "house" Italian seasoning*
Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in sugar, salt, 2 cups of flour. Use the dough hook and add in the rest of the flour. Use the hook on medium speed to knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place in a lightly greased bowl and allow to rise for an hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down and divide into 12 sections (she usually divides the dough into 8 sections - 12 sections) Roll and shape into a long stick. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet or on a baking stone.
Combine the egg white and cold water and mix until frothy. Brush the bread sticks with the egg white mixture. Sprinkle with your choice of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or seasoning.
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Enjoy!
Here are her breadsticks - they come from Betty Crocker's 40th anniversary edition cookbook. I forget what year I go this but I am thinking when I got married in 1995.
Here is the recipe:
1 package of active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees)
1 TBS sugar
1 tsp salt
3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbs vegetable oil
cornmeal
1 egg white
1 Tbs cold water
poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or we use our "house" Italian seasoning*
Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in sugar, salt, 2 cups of flour. Use the dough hook and add in the rest of the flour. Use the hook on medium speed to knead for 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Place in a lightly greased bowl and allow to rise for an hour, or until doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down and divide into 12 sections (she usually divides the dough into 8 sections - 12 sections) Roll and shape into a long stick. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet or on a baking stone.
Combine the egg white and cold water and mix until frothy. Brush the bread sticks with the egg white mixture. Sprinkle with your choice of poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or seasoning.
Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
Enjoy!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Boston Cream Whoopie Pies
I am not 100% where I found this recipe....but it is so easy and really good ;-)
Boston Cream Whoopie Pies
For the Cookie or Pie part
Box of yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prep baking sheet by lining with parchment paper
Mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil with an electric mixer until well combined.
Drop by Tablespoonfuls (or use your small cookie scoop) Leave plenty of room to allow for spreading cookies.
Bake for 5 -9 minutes -depends on your oven. Bake until the edges are golden and tops spring back when touched.
Cool for 5 minutes on pan, remove and set aside.
To make Filling:
1 box (4 oz serving size) French vanilla instant pudding
1 cup milk (I use 2% milk)
1 cup Heavy Cream (not milk or half-n-half but heavy cream)
Whisk pudding mix, milk, and cream in a medium bowl for 2 - 3 minutes. Place in refrigerator to set.
Once the cookies have cooled, spread a spoonful of pudding on the flat side of one cookie, top with a second cookie.
When they are all finished - set aside.
Now make a glaze. My favorite glaze is a simple chocolate ganache. You can use other means (like from a can) but homemade ganache is so simple.
Heat 1 cup of heavy cream just to a boil. Pour the cream over 1 cup of chocolate (you can use what ever type of chocolate you like - semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate). Now pour the just boiling heavy cream over the chocolate and gently stir mixture. Once it is all combined the let it set for about 10 minutes. Dip each cookie into the ganache or spoon some of the ganache over each cookie sandwich. Let the cookies set up.
Store in container in refrigerator.
Enjoy!
Boston Cream Whoopie Pies
For the Cookie or Pie part
Box of yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Prep baking sheet by lining with parchment paper
Mix the cake mix, eggs, water, and oil with an electric mixer until well combined.
Drop by Tablespoonfuls (or use your small cookie scoop) Leave plenty of room to allow for spreading cookies.
Bake for 5 -9 minutes -depends on your oven. Bake until the edges are golden and tops spring back when touched.
Cool for 5 minutes on pan, remove and set aside.
To make Filling:
1 box (4 oz serving size) French vanilla instant pudding
1 cup milk (I use 2% milk)
1 cup Heavy Cream (not milk or half-n-half but heavy cream)
Whisk pudding mix, milk, and cream in a medium bowl for 2 - 3 minutes. Place in refrigerator to set.
Once the cookies have cooled, spread a spoonful of pudding on the flat side of one cookie, top with a second cookie.
When they are all finished - set aside.
Now make a glaze. My favorite glaze is a simple chocolate ganache. You can use other means (like from a can) but homemade ganache is so simple.
Heat 1 cup of heavy cream just to a boil. Pour the cream over 1 cup of chocolate (you can use what ever type of chocolate you like - semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate). Now pour the just boiling heavy cream over the chocolate and gently stir mixture. Once it is all combined the let it set for about 10 minutes. Dip each cookie into the ganache or spoon some of the ganache over each cookie sandwich. Let the cookies set up.
Store in container in refrigerator.
 |
| In the bowl |
 |
| ready to bake |
 |
| Cooling on the racks |
 |
| with the french vanilla filling |
Enjoy!
Weekly Menu Plan for 3rd week of January
I have done weekly/monthly menu plan for several years. It just makes life easy.
I try to plan according to our chaotic schedule - kid's activities and Hubby's work schedule. I also try to look at what is on sale or if I have any coupons. I try to make one or 2 things to put in the freezer. Here is my plan for the week. I will try to add pictures if I remember to take any!
I make rolls and a loaf of basic bread on Sundays. I try to make a second round on Wednesdays.
My husband takes his lunch to work too. I usually put leftovers or make a salad with some type of protein for him. I try to put together baggies of healthy - or atleast not to unhealthy snacks together for him and the kids for the week.
Monday 1/16 Chicken Parmesan, Emily's bread sticks, homemade pasta
Here is a link to a good Chicken Parmesan recipe. The only thing I do different is I double dip. I dip the chicken in a egg/milk mixture, dip in flour, then back in the egg/milk mixture, then in breadcrumb mixture. I also season my flour and breadcrumbs with my own "house" Italian seasoning mix. I will post that in a bit and link it back to here.
The Bread stick recipe - I will have Emily post that tomorrow after she makes them.
As for the homemade pasta - you can not go wrong with Mario Batali's pasta recipe. It is simple and very tasty.
Tuesday 1/17 Slow Cooker - Paula Deen's Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and sauce. *I make a big batch of homemade sauce in the slow cooker once a month. I happen to have 3 bags of sauce left in the freezer.
Salad, homemade bread, and steamed broccoli
Wednesday 1/18 Homemade Pizzas, stromboli
Thursday 1/19 Band Concert night - slow cooker Cheesy Potato Soup and English muffin pizzas
* I use homemade chicken broth and all cheddar cheese instead of a blend.
For English Muffin Pizzas - I just cut the English muffin in half, put some pizza sauce, sausage, and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 for 13 - 15 minutes.
Friday 1/20 Busy night - Sandwiches on the go! Turkey and Chicken, cheese sandwiches to take on the go. Baggies of pretzels and chips, apples, and drinks.
Saturday 1/21 Chicken Pot Pie - make 4 times what is needed and freeze into 3 more meals.
I will post this recipe when I get to it this week. *Will post this Saturday when I make it.
Sunday 1/22 Family Meal - Roast in the crock pot, baked potatoes, fresh steamed veggies
I am trying hard to keep up with my new baked goodie per day. It is getting difficult with life being so chaotic. But so far I am only off a day or two! I just have to keep up with the posts.
Enjoy!!
Linking up to
3 Boys and a Dog
Crystal and Co
I try to plan according to our chaotic schedule - kid's activities and Hubby's work schedule. I also try to look at what is on sale or if I have any coupons. I try to make one or 2 things to put in the freezer. Here is my plan for the week. I will try to add pictures if I remember to take any!
I make rolls and a loaf of basic bread on Sundays. I try to make a second round on Wednesdays.
My husband takes his lunch to work too. I usually put leftovers or make a salad with some type of protein for him. I try to put together baggies of healthy - or atleast not to unhealthy snacks together for him and the kids for the week.
Monday 1/16 Chicken Parmesan, Emily's bread sticks, homemade pasta
Here is a link to a good Chicken Parmesan recipe. The only thing I do different is I double dip. I dip the chicken in a egg/milk mixture, dip in flour, then back in the egg/milk mixture, then in breadcrumb mixture. I also season my flour and breadcrumbs with my own "house" Italian seasoning mix. I will post that in a bit and link it back to here.
The Bread stick recipe - I will have Emily post that tomorrow after she makes them.
As for the homemade pasta - you can not go wrong with Mario Batali's pasta recipe. It is simple and very tasty.
Tuesday 1/17 Slow Cooker - Paula Deen's Cheese Stuffed Meatballs and sauce. *I make a big batch of homemade sauce in the slow cooker once a month. I happen to have 3 bags of sauce left in the freezer.
Salad, homemade bread, and steamed broccoli
Wednesday 1/18 Homemade Pizzas, stromboli
Thursday 1/19 Band Concert night - slow cooker Cheesy Potato Soup and English muffin pizzas
* I use homemade chicken broth and all cheddar cheese instead of a blend.
For English Muffin Pizzas - I just cut the English muffin in half, put some pizza sauce, sausage, and mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 for 13 - 15 minutes.
Friday 1/20 Busy night - Sandwiches on the go! Turkey and Chicken, cheese sandwiches to take on the go. Baggies of pretzels and chips, apples, and drinks.
Saturday 1/21 Chicken Pot Pie - make 4 times what is needed and freeze into 3 more meals.
I will post this recipe when I get to it this week. *Will post this Saturday when I make it.
Sunday 1/22 Family Meal - Roast in the crock pot, baked potatoes, fresh steamed veggies
I am trying hard to keep up with my new baked goodie per day. It is getting difficult with life being so chaotic. But so far I am only off a day or two! I just have to keep up with the posts.
Enjoy!!
Linking up to
3 Boys and a Dog
Crystal and Co
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Life got in the way of baking
So life got in the way of baking....I am a few days behind. I did make marshmallows today to go with the goodie box I am taking my friend and the kid's piano teacher!
Hopefully tonight I will get a new recipe in the mix of the chaos.
The Marshmallow recipe
Enjoy!
Hopefully tonight I will get a new recipe in the mix of the chaos.
The Marshmallow recipe
Enjoy!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Caramel Sauce
This is my second try at Caramel Sauce. My first attempt I think I did not let my sugar caramelize enough I think I stirred it too much. This batch is cooling so we will see if attempt #2 was a success.
I won't post the first recipe - mostly because I do not want to blame the recipe.
Here is my second recipe attempt. It is so simple yet has to be watched carefully.
I got the recipe from Simply Recipes Caramel Sauce I won't retype it since she did a great job explaining the method. I got 2 - 1/2 pint canning jars out of this recipe.
My baking assistant is quite excited to try this caramel sauce. I will be running to the store to pick up some vanilla ice cream for the taste test later tonight.
For hints on making caramel go to David Lebovitz's blog/website.
Enjoy!
I won't post the first recipe - mostly because I do not want to blame the recipe.
Here is my second recipe attempt. It is so simple yet has to be watched carefully.
I got the recipe from Simply Recipes Caramel Sauce I won't retype it since she did a great job explaining the method. I got 2 - 1/2 pint canning jars out of this recipe.
My baking assistant is quite excited to try this caramel sauce. I will be running to the store to pick up some vanilla ice cream for the taste test later tonight.
For hints on making caramel go to David Lebovitz's blog/website.
Enjoy!
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