Pinterest Yummies

Inspired by Pinterest, I had a cooking day! Everything turned out good, with some lessons for improvement.

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Blackberry Fruit Snacks

I should have thought about the seeds in blackberries being an issue. Although I thought they were good, the kids weren't fans of the finished product with seeds. I will try again with blueberries....maybe experiment with other "smooth" fruits. It might also work to strain the juices. To be revisited later....

Chili Relleno Casserole

Chili Relleno Casserole

One of my favorite dishes made into a casserole! Wasn't as great as the real thing, but still satisfying. I think fresh chilis would make a difference. I also tweeked the recipe using fat free Cheddar since we are watching our calories. Balanced by the Pepper Jack, I thought it wasn't noticeable. However, be warned, this casserole with two pounds of cheese, can only eaten in small serving sizes. 

Half fat free, half regular cheese
to lessen the heart attack

Spanish Rice

Homemade Spanish Rice

I found this recipe on the same site at the Chili Relleno casserole. I've never made homemade Spanish Rice, but it was delicious! Moist and favorful....this recipe is a keeper! Plus, only one cup of rice made an entire skillet. Winner!

Brown Bag Burritos & Other Yummies for the Freezer

Thanks to one of my favorite sites, Money Saving Mom, I was inspired to work more on my freezer cooking. I admit that I'm not good at preparing for those hectic days or even weekend lunches when I have to prepare non-kid fare for the hubby. I usually feel overwhelmed when reading organizational blogs, but her freezer cooking articles are motivating - and easy! I should also note that I don't make everything, just a select few recipes.

So far, she's posted about Freezer Friendly Breakfasts & Freezer Friendly Lunches. Take a look!

Today I made the Brown Bag Burritos from The Finer Things in Life. These were wonderful! I had to reserve one for my lunch :)

Now, moving on to some breakfast goodies...

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Thanks to my sister-in-law for sharing this cute recipe for the holidays! Not only do they taste like hot cocoa, but are very, very cute for a cookie platter!

Look at those plump little marshmallows!

I found that my cookies took more like 14 minutes to cook.  Also, the marshmallows browned after 2 minutes so I had to be sure to add them at the very last minute or so.

Here's the official recipe -

http://bakedbree.com/hot-chocolate-cookies-ii-week-2-of-12-weeks-of-cookies

Cucumber Feta Salsa

I was hooked once I tried this! It's so simple, but super yummy.

Cucumber Feta Salsa

1 finely chopped cucumber
1 finely chopped red onion
4 oz. feta cheese
dash of dill (optional)

I finally had a chance to use my Pampered Chef chopper! Otherwise, I suggest dicing the veggies really small. Mix all together in a bowl. I had to sample some right away, however it does get better the longer it mingles...maybe a couple of hours in the fridge.  This is perfect with tortilla chips.

Sunflower Peep Cake

If you can still find Peeps, here's an idea for a fun Spring cake! I made this at Easter, but just now got around to posting. There is no talent involved and it was so easy. I just made a chocolate boxed cake mix with store bought frosting, then arranged the Peeps around the edge & chocolate chops in a circle pattern.

If you are on a diet, don't read this.

Homemade deep dish pizza....yum! This is a heart attack on a plate, but it's so worth it! Four cups of cheese - check!  Italian sausage - check! Fresh basil - check!

Click here for the recipe to this fabulous Deep Dish Sausage Pizza that I'm referring too.

Introducing my new favorite grocery store finds...
I can get three months out of these,
never run out and never have to chop them up.
Perfect for tonight's dinner!

I forgot to take a picture before the family got to the pizza.
This is all the proof I have...

Vanilla Lime Smoothie

In an effort to make healthier snacks for the kids, I came up with this yummy treat. I was pleasantly surprised how good it is!

2-3 scoops lime sherbet
1 small carton of vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup milk (I actually used the yogurt carton)

Blend and enjoy!

5 Ingredients, 4 Plates, 3 Licks, 2 Helpers & 1 Delicious Meal

I decided on this cloudy Saturday that I'd make a new recipe, Ravioli & Escarole Lasagna. The picture in Rachael Ray's magazine was enticing despite my uncertainty about this mystery ingredient, escarole. My first concern was if it was available at our normal, everyday grocery store. We don't usually visit specialty, natural food stores. To my surprise my husband returned home with it in hand! And for what's its worth, its basically a type of lettuce.

Now, back to our recipe....

First, gather some helpers!

Actually this one just wanted to wear the hat,
and then left soon after!

Gather five simple ingredients...head of escarole,
24 oz. of tomato sauce, bag of shredded mozzarella,
package of cheese ravioli & 1 pound of Italian sausage.

Brown sausage. Set aside on a plate 'cause you'll
need to use the same pan again.

Chop escarole. Saute in skillet until wilted.
And sprinkle a little salt & pepper on top.

In a 9x13 pan, layer sauce, ravioli (save extra plain ravioli for kids' dinner),
escarole, sausage & top with cheese.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Enjoy!

Baked Oatmeal Goodness

My friend who lives in Pennsylvania Dutch country shared this recipe with me. I'm not sure who is responsible for such a fabulous concoction, but I highly recommend it. I'm not usually an oatmeal fan, but this baked oatmeal (think cake texture) is a hit at our house. It's now my go-to breakfast dish for us and pitch-in breakfasts. I thought I'd share!

Baked Oatmeal

1 1/2 c. brown sugar 

1 1/4 c. oil
5 eggs, beaten

7 1/2 c. oatmeal
5 tsp. baking powder
2 1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. cinnamon (adjust to taste)

Cream together sugar, oil, and eggs. Add oatmeal, baking powder, salt, milk, and cinnamon. Put in 9 x 13 inch greased pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

I suppose applesauce and honey *could* be substituted for a healthier alternative, but have yet to try.

The Norris Way to Make Cilantro Lime Chicken Fettuccini

Chicken Cilantro Lime Fettuccini is a Norris favorite. It'd been awhile since I made it so tonight was the night! I always considering this a 'complicated' meal because it involved more than one pan and lots of cutting & chopping. With the girls being in good moods, I was feeling brave. We'll see how long it lasted into the process until someone has a melt-down...


Step One: Saute chopped cilantro, jalapeno peppers & garlic in some butter for 5 minutes.

Add chicken broth & lime juice. Tequila is optional that this point, but its not a staple at our house so we omit it. Boil until reduced to a paste-like consistency.

Step Two: Pour soy sauce over chicken pieces and marinade for 5 minutes. Cook in skillet #2.

Step Three: Slice a rainbow of peppers & onion. Saute in butter in skillet #3.



Step Four: Cook fettuccini in another pan. Be prepared for a crowded stovetop...


Step Five: Combine Skillet #1, #2, and #3. 'Tis ready to serve over noodles!


Step Six: Have children clean countertop. One child will probably get upset because the younger one is trying to assist.

Swedish Meatballs (Quite possibly my favorite recipe ever!)

This is the best recipe ever! It is from SupperThyme (www.supperthyme.com). I craved these so much when I was pregnant with Heidi. We had them for dinner again tonight and my obsession with them is still there. I actually copied down the recipe from the store. Believe it or not, I have spent an entire year trying to duplicate this recipes with no success. I finally have it and I want to share with everyone!

Swedish Meatballs

Combine:
1 c. Cream of Mushrooom
1 c. beef gravy
1 c. plain yogart
1/2 cream cheese
1 c. mushroooms
2T chili sauce
1 1/2 t. minced garlic
1/2 t. thyme
1/4 t. pepper
1 t. onion powder
1 t. Worcheshire sauce
dash of nutmeg

Heat over stovetop. Serve atop of egg noodles. YUMMM!!!

Meal Idea for the Week: Spinach Burritos

Love, love, love these!

Spinach Burritos

1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons margarine
1 large package of fresh spinach
1/8 teaspoon pepper
6 (10 inch) flour tortillas
3/4 cup picante sauce or salsa, divided
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In a skillet, saute the onion and garlic in margarine until tender.
3. Add spinach and pepper, cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through.
4. Place 3 tablespoons of the spinach mixture on each tortilla and top with 1 tablespoon picante sauce and 2 tablespoons of cheese.
5. Roll into burrito, place seam side down in a 9 x 13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
6. Top with remaining salsa and cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is my newest appetizer obsession - Buffalo Chicken Dip. Thanks for my JB friends for sharing with me! After a year of hearing raves, I finally tried it at Christmas. Now, it's been a staple at every gathering. So, in honor of Super Bowl Sunday, I thought I'd share the recipe!


Buffalo Chicken dip

INGREDIENTS:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing
1/2 cup Frank's® REDHOT® Buffalo Wing Sauce or Frank's® REDHOT® Cayenne Pepper Sauce
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese
2 cups shredded cooked chicken


DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep dish 9-inch pie plate. Microwave 1 minute to soften. Whisk in salad dressing, Buffalo Wing Sauce and cheese until smooth. Stir in chicken.
2. Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is heated through. Serve with tortilla chips.

The best hot chocolate!

After sledding today, we all agreed that some hot chocolate was in order. Without the traditional Nesquik, I searched online for a recipe. It just happens I found one the best ones out there. Yum!!!


Creamy Hot Chocolate

* 1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
* 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1/8 teaspoon salt
* 6 1/2 cups hot water
* Mini marshmallows (optional)


DIRECTIONS

In large saucepan over medium heat, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in water. Heat through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Top with marshmallows, (optional). Store covered in refrigerator.

Oreo Truffles...you think you've died and gone to heaven!

These are so good. I got my first taste a cookie party and now I'm planning on making them myself. Yum!!

Oreo Truffles

1 package Oreo cookies
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 (8 ounce) packages white chocolate, melted


Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder. With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese). Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for 45 minutes. Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. In double-boiler, melt chocolate. Dip balls and coat thoroughly. With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off.
Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet. Let cool. Store in airtight container, in refrigerator.