Wow, I was amazed when I logged onto my blog and realized that I have not posted ANYTHING since April. How terrible am I? Well I can say there has been a lot going on in the world of Mom, Mom, Mom, What is for dinner. I know everyone is waiting on the edge of their seats to hear about all the exciting stuff thats' been going on so.....
Now I must warn you my life might not be as exciting as others but I think it is pretty great.
When the school end came to a close I was faced with 70 days... 70 long days with children who think they are the only kids in the world that are bored. If I had a dime for every time I heard "Mom I'm bored there is nothing to do..." Well I would be rich and that would be another story. I listened to a very wise man who said when my kids used that line we would hand them a cleaning towel and tell them to dust the baseboards. Huh I wonder if that would work?? Its' worth a shot. Not only would I not hear those famous words again but my baseboards would be clean. I set it into motion and the first time my son said he was bored I looked at him, smiled, and walked to the linen closet. He looked as if wow, my mom is going to give me something great... Until I pulled out the old cloth baby diaper (no they were not used for the kids.... I wouldn't know how to fold one into a diaper if I tried but they make great cleaning rags.) Well the sudden interested took a different route. I told him well if you're bored clean the baseboards. Suddenly an amazing thing happen. The world opened up and became an open adventure. He was off running to play cars, or Wii, or something and well my baseboards still haven't been dusted. Maybe I should get bored...
Actually this summer has been pretty great. My boys are very active in Cub and Boy Scouts and my daughter is active in well being a girly girl. While the boys are off camping and hiking, my daughter is sneaking nail polish to have a nail salon. My toes have never looked prettier. We have had sleep overs, play dates, and swim days, to occupy our time.
So as this summer is coming to a close and school is 10 days away!!! (I am not counting or anything but I can if you want) I am faced with the idea; what am I going to do when school starts? My daughter starts school this year and I am faced with 4 hours each day that I will have no children. Sit and eat bon bons while watching soap operas? No.... Sleep until I have to pick up the kids? No.... Hey I got it, I should start school too. So thats' what I am going to do. I am going to go back to school to get my BS in Healthcare Administration. So as my family starts this school year, the kids are not the only ones who need to dust off the brain cells and hit the books.
I am making a personal goal to blog every week. It could be a recipe, a funny story, or ramblings from a tired mom. So hang on, enjoy the ride, and every now and then leave a comment so I know I am not the only human being in the world wide web reading this.
Have a great rest of the summer and I can't wait for my new journey to start.
Until next time....
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Microwave Popcorn on a budget
My kids LOVE popcorn.... they would go through boxes of microwave popcorn if I would let them. So in order to save my budget I found a way to enjoy microwave popcorn homemade.
1/2 cup unpopped corn kernals
1 tsp. oil
salt to taste
brown paper lunch bag
Mix oil and popcorn in a bowl. Season with salt. Pour popcorn in bag and fold over 2 times. Microwave for 3 minutes or until popping slows to a few seconds. Pour into bowl and enjoy....
1/2 cup unpopped corn kernals
1 tsp. oil
salt to taste
brown paper lunch bag
Mix oil and popcorn in a bowl. Season with salt. Pour popcorn in bag and fold over 2 times. Microwave for 3 minutes or until popping slows to a few seconds. Pour into bowl and enjoy....
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Homemade Caramel Popcorn..... Easy and yummy
So we normally only let the kids have "dessert night" on Saturday but tonight I wanted to try something new. I found an amazing recipe for caramel or kettle corn.... Pop some up in a jiffy tonight!!
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/2 cup unpopped corn kernels
In a large pot heat oil. When oil is hot enough (I put 3 kernels in the oil when I begin and when they pop, the oil is ready) add sugar and popcorn. Constantly shake pot so the sugar does not burn. Once the popping slows to 3 seconds between pops take the pop off the heat and shake until no more popping is heard. Pour into a bowl and cool. Stir to break up and clumps. ENJOY!!!
If you use brown sugar the popcorn will taste like caramel corn.
If you use white sugar the popcorn will taste like kettle corn.
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/2 cup unpopped corn kernels
In a large pot heat oil. When oil is hot enough (I put 3 kernels in the oil when I begin and when they pop, the oil is ready) add sugar and popcorn. Constantly shake pot so the sugar does not burn. Once the popping slows to 3 seconds between pops take the pop off the heat and shake until no more popping is heard. Pour into a bowl and cool. Stir to break up and clumps. ENJOY!!!
If you use brown sugar the popcorn will taste like caramel corn.
If you use white sugar the popcorn will taste like kettle corn.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Mom Take the Night Off....
So the other night my wonderful son Tyler wanted to make dinner. With a cookbook in hand he made his grocery list. I took him to the store and he picked everything out by himself.... When we got home he got started on a AMAZING DINNER.....
Marinade:
1/4c Olive Oil
3 Large garlic cloves, minced
3/4t Salt
1/2t Pepper
Meat:
1 3/4lbs boneless pork chops cut into chunks
Fruit and Vegetables:\
1 Pineapple cored and cut into chunks
1 medium red bell pepper cut into chunks
1 medium yellow bell pepper cut into chunks
2T olive oil
Salt and Pepper
1 Large red onion cut into wedges
Lemon or Lime for serving
Combine oil, garlic, pepper, and salt in a large bowl (or ziplock bag)
Add pork and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours
Preheat grill for 15 minutes
Toss the vegetables in the 2T olive oil, salt and pepper
Skewer the meat on their own skewers and the fruit and vegetables on their own. This way the meat will cook properly and not overcook the fruit and vegetables
Grill pork kebabs until temp. reaches 160 degrees.
Grill fruit and vegetables until tender crisp.
Place and serve with lemon or lime wedges.
This was a fantastic meal. Tyler did an amazing job!!! I got to take the night off of cooking and watched my young man open his heart, mind, and taste buds to a new meal....
Marinade:
1/4c Olive Oil
3 Large garlic cloves, minced
3/4t Salt
1/2t Pepper
Meat:
1 3/4lbs boneless pork chops cut into chunks
Fruit and Vegetables:\
1 Pineapple cored and cut into chunks
1 medium red bell pepper cut into chunks
1 medium yellow bell pepper cut into chunks
2T olive oil
Salt and Pepper
1 Large red onion cut into wedges
Lemon or Lime for serving
Combine oil, garlic, pepper, and salt in a large bowl (or ziplock bag)
Add pork and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to 24 hours
Preheat grill for 15 minutes
Toss the vegetables in the 2T olive oil, salt and pepper
Skewer the meat on their own skewers and the fruit and vegetables on their own. This way the meat will cook properly and not overcook the fruit and vegetables
Grill pork kebabs until temp. reaches 160 degrees.
Grill fruit and vegetables until tender crisp.
Place and serve with lemon or lime wedges.
This was a fantastic meal. Tyler did an amazing job!!! I got to take the night off of cooking and watched my young man open his heart, mind, and taste buds to a new meal....
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss
So last week was Dr. Seuss's birthday. In honor of this wonderful man our home has an annual Green Eggs and Ham dinner.... So break out your food coloring and lets party....
Shoulder Ham cut into slices
Eggs
Blue Food Coloring
Green Food Coloring
Butter
Mix some water and green food coloring in a shallow dish. Place your ham slices into the mixture and soak the ham to turn it green.
Green Scramble Eggs - Scramble eggs in a bowl. Mix some blue food coloring to the eggs and mix. Cook as normal.
Fried Green Eggs - Carefully separate the whites and yokes. Color the whites with green food coloring. Melt butter in a small pan and carefully lay the whites in the pan. Carefully place the yokes in the whites and cook as normal.
Fry the ham in the pan until warm.
Plate and enjoy....
Sam I am, Sam I am, I DO like Green Eggs and Ham.....
Shoulder Ham cut into slices
Eggs
Blue Food Coloring
Green Food Coloring
Butter
Mix some water and green food coloring in a shallow dish. Place your ham slices into the mixture and soak the ham to turn it green.
Green Scramble Eggs - Scramble eggs in a bowl. Mix some blue food coloring to the eggs and mix. Cook as normal.
Fried Green Eggs - Carefully separate the whites and yokes. Color the whites with green food coloring. Melt butter in a small pan and carefully lay the whites in the pan. Carefully place the yokes in the whites and cook as normal.
Fry the ham in the pan until warm.
Plate and enjoy....
Sam I am, Sam I am, I DO like Green Eggs and Ham.....
Friday, March 4, 2011
The gravy did it....
So tonight when it was time to figure out dinner I was stumped. I had some left over noodles, some ham on the bone, and no imagination!!!! So I pulled out a trusty cookbook and set out to find something to feed my family.
Ham, Noodle, Casserole - no to cheesy
Ham, peas, noodles - No didn't have Alfredo sauce
Ham with red eye gravy - Hmmmm that just might work
So here is the recipe for something I have never tried but am willing to try it again....
Country Ham Steaks (I used sliced ham off the bone)
1/2 stick of butter
1/2c brown sugar
1c of STRONG coffee
Melt butter in pan and fry ham steaks
Put on plate and keep warm
In pan with ham drippings add brown sugar
Stir until sugar dissolves
Add coffee and simmer for 5 minutes
Add some pepper to taste and your done....
Wow pretty simple I thought... It is a thin gravy but not bad.... Still awake and typing
Hope you enjoy!! Tomorrow will be the recipe for green eggs and ham in honor Dr. Seuss's Birthday...
Ham, Noodle, Casserole - no to cheesy
Ham, peas, noodles - No didn't have Alfredo sauce
Ham with red eye gravy - Hmmmm that just might work
So here is the recipe for something I have never tried but am willing to try it again....
Country Ham Steaks (I used sliced ham off the bone)
1/2 stick of butter
1/2c brown sugar
1c of STRONG coffee
Melt butter in pan and fry ham steaks
Put on plate and keep warm
In pan with ham drippings add brown sugar
Stir until sugar dissolves
Add coffee and simmer for 5 minutes
Add some pepper to taste and your done....
Wow pretty simple I thought... It is a thin gravy but not bad.... Still awake and typing
Hope you enjoy!! Tomorrow will be the recipe for green eggs and ham in honor Dr. Seuss's Birthday...
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Soup, Soup and more Soup
So as many of you know it was supposed to snow in the Central Valley Friday night. Well we were disappointed to say the least. Saturday morning dawned with COLD temperatures. So what better to make than some yummy warm soup.... I had an abundance of onions in the house so I decided on French Onion Soup.... Here is my recipe for French Onion Soup
10 Onions
1 stick butter
Sherry
Salt/ Pepper to taste
3 Packages of Au Jus Mix
Water
Crusty Bread
Cheese
Okay so get ready to cry....
Thinly slice the onions - I used a Mandolin which was quick but you can use a food processor, a knife, make the hubby do it.... whatever works.
Melt the butter in a dutch oven pot
Add the onions and cook them low and slow... You don't want them to burn....
Add a little salt to the onions
Mix the 3 packages of Au Jus mix with 9 cups of water (According to the directions on the package)
Once onions are good and tender add broth to the water and then add a little Sherry to it
Simmer on low to develop the flavors.
While simmering cut bread into slices. Toast in the oven so the bread gets nice and crunchy.
Ladle soup into bowls, top with bread and cheese,
**If cheese doesn't melt pop it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Side notes-
I know you are supposed to use Beef Stock. I normally do not have that on hand. I find the Au Jus gives it that beefy flavor and its' cheaper.
10 Onions
1 stick butter
Sherry
Salt/ Pepper to taste
3 Packages of Au Jus Mix
Water
Crusty Bread
Cheese
Okay so get ready to cry....
Thinly slice the onions - I used a Mandolin which was quick but you can use a food processor, a knife, make the hubby do it.... whatever works.
Melt the butter in a dutch oven pot
Add the onions and cook them low and slow... You don't want them to burn....
Add a little salt to the onions
Mix the 3 packages of Au Jus mix with 9 cups of water (According to the directions on the package)
Once onions are good and tender add broth to the water and then add a little Sherry to it
Simmer on low to develop the flavors.
While simmering cut bread into slices. Toast in the oven so the bread gets nice and crunchy.
Ladle soup into bowls, top with bread and cheese,
**If cheese doesn't melt pop it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Side notes-
I know you are supposed to use Beef Stock. I normally do not have that on hand. I find the Au Jus gives it that beefy flavor and its' cheaper.
Also I used Mozzarella cheese to top the soup. You can use Swiss, Provolone, and mild cheese.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
You think canned green beans are boring.... think again
I am sitting here thinking about whats for dinner. I have some chicken thighs defrosting and was thinking about some oven roasted white potatoes... Now a veggie... Lets' see what the magic pantry holds...
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Beets
Are we seeing a pattern....
So I am going to make my son's favorite green beans... If your kids or the kid in you doesn't like canned green beans try this...
2-cans green beans (1-drained)
garlic powder
butter
soy sauce
In a small pot mix green beans, garlic powder, small amount of butter, and some soy sauce
heat until nice and warm.
These green beans are a huge hit in my house. The kids love them. Never have any left overs when this one is made.
Hope you try some soon.
Canned Green Beans
Canned Corn
Canned Beets
Are we seeing a pattern....
So I am going to make my son's favorite green beans... If your kids or the kid in you doesn't like canned green beans try this...
2-cans green beans (1-drained)
garlic powder
butter
soy sauce
In a small pot mix green beans, garlic powder, small amount of butter, and some soy sauce
heat until nice and warm.
These green beans are a huge hit in my house. The kids love them. Never have any left overs when this one is made.
Hope you try some soon.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Don't know what to call it except yummy...
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My little girl's birthday was this weekend so we had fun. I am amazed how time flies... It seems like only yesterday she was a baby in my arms. Now she is a big 5 year old and knows it all.
So last night I had some small boneless pork steaks. Pork burritos were my intention but I got bored with that and came up a yummy dinner. Before I begin I am not a great one for measuring ingredients. If I am baking that is different but cooking is free-style.
Yummy Pork and Polenta.....
5-small boneless pork steaks cut into strips
1 medium yellow onion - diced
1 can of diced tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic minced
cumin
chili powder
salt/ pepper to taste
finely grated cheese - I like to use a lemon zester for the cheese. Gets it nice and fine so it melts good
oil
Okay so put a little oil in the pan and saute your onions and garlic
Add the pork strips
once the pork is browned nicely add tomatoes including juice
season with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder to your taste
simmer on low for about an hour to get the pork nice and tender
once done place on top of grilled polenta
zest cheese over the top and serve.
for polenta:
you can use the pre-made stuff you can get at the store or make it yourself. On the flour, baking isle there is a bag of polenta. (mine is pheasant brand I think) There is a great microwave recipe that turned out good. I make the polenta then let it cool. Once cooled I cut it and grill to.
***Tonight I am going to take the left over pork mixture and tum it into a pseudo posole soup by adding some hominy and chicken stock.
** Okay here is a crazy side note.... I HATE cheese. I am not allergic, not intolerant, I just don't like it. So there are many recipes that I will make with cheese but I will omit it on mine. I thought it was fantastic without cheese on it.
Hope you get a chance to try this and enjoy
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. My little girl's birthday was this weekend so we had fun. I am amazed how time flies... It seems like only yesterday she was a baby in my arms. Now she is a big 5 year old and knows it all.
So last night I had some small boneless pork steaks. Pork burritos were my intention but I got bored with that and came up a yummy dinner. Before I begin I am not a great one for measuring ingredients. If I am baking that is different but cooking is free-style.
Yummy Pork and Polenta.....
5-small boneless pork steaks cut into strips
1 medium yellow onion - diced
1 can of diced tomatoes
3 cloves of garlic minced
cumin
chili powder
salt/ pepper to taste
finely grated cheese - I like to use a lemon zester for the cheese. Gets it nice and fine so it melts good
oil
Okay so put a little oil in the pan and saute your onions and garlic
Add the pork strips
once the pork is browned nicely add tomatoes including juice
season with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder to your taste
simmer on low for about an hour to get the pork nice and tender
once done place on top of grilled polenta
zest cheese over the top and serve.
for polenta:
you can use the pre-made stuff you can get at the store or make it yourself. On the flour, baking isle there is a bag of polenta. (mine is pheasant brand I think) There is a great microwave recipe that turned out good. I make the polenta then let it cool. Once cooled I cut it and grill to.
***Tonight I am going to take the left over pork mixture and tum it into a pseudo posole soup by adding some hominy and chicken stock.
** Okay here is a crazy side note.... I HATE cheese. I am not allergic, not intolerant, I just don't like it. So there are many recipes that I will make with cheese but I will omit it on mine. I thought it was fantastic without cheese on it.
Hope you get a chance to try this and enjoy
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Well Here Goes Nothing....
If you are taking the time to read this, first let me thank you... I started this blog as a way to share recipes, ideas, and thoughts with my friends, loved ones, and new friends I am blessed to meet. So let me tell you a little about myself...
I am a busy mom of three beautiful children ranging in age of 5 to 13. My husband and I have been married to 10 years. He is my best friend and my rock.
One of my passions is cooking. I love to create things that people truely enjoy eating. There is something heartwarming when I receive an email from a past co-worker asking me for my recipe for artichoke bread because they haven't had it in so long. Some on my greatest memories of work is hosting luncheons for my employees. I would always try to make sure it was something they would remember. I am a firm believer in having a family dinner. It doesn't have to be spectacular just with family. It is our way to talk and unwind from the busy day. Now by no means am I a food snob. If you opened my freezer right now some would be horrified to see frozen burritos, mini pizzas, and fish sticks (yes I said fish sticks) waiting to be eaten. Though convenience food is nice I prefer a home cooked meal anytime. Some would say I go overboard (I know who you are) but I say why not. Let me introduce my kids to different foods, cultures, tastes, and hopefully along the way they learn to like some of it.
So meet me back here to hopefully have a laugh, hear a good story, and hopefully share some great food.
Until next time....
I am a busy mom of three beautiful children ranging in age of 5 to 13. My husband and I have been married to 10 years. He is my best friend and my rock.
One of my passions is cooking. I love to create things that people truely enjoy eating. There is something heartwarming when I receive an email from a past co-worker asking me for my recipe for artichoke bread because they haven't had it in so long. Some on my greatest memories of work is hosting luncheons for my employees. I would always try to make sure it was something they would remember. I am a firm believer in having a family dinner. It doesn't have to be spectacular just with family. It is our way to talk and unwind from the busy day. Now by no means am I a food snob. If you opened my freezer right now some would be horrified to see frozen burritos, mini pizzas, and fish sticks (yes I said fish sticks) waiting to be eaten. Though convenience food is nice I prefer a home cooked meal anytime. Some would say I go overboard (I know who you are) but I say why not. Let me introduce my kids to different foods, cultures, tastes, and hopefully along the way they learn to like some of it.
So meet me back here to hopefully have a laugh, hear a good story, and hopefully share some great food.
Until next time....
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