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Showing posts from October, 2010

Taco Pasta

This recipe is fast, simple and E. A. S. Y.!  My kids loved it and said, "this tastes like tacos!"  I, too, was surprised at the flavor.  The sauce is creamy, with a hint of spice (depending on what kind of salsa you use), and the pasta gets coated with all the yummy deliciousness creating a simple main dish.  I doubled everything in this recipe except for the ground beef, to make sure we had enough for dinner and lunches for me and the hubby. Taco Pasta Recipe Source: Plain Chicken printable version 1 pound ground beef 8 ounce small dry pasta shapes 1 small onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 cup salsa 2 tablespoons taco seasoning (or one packet) 3 ounce cream cheese 1/2 cup sour cream Salt and pepper Shredded Cheese for topping Bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to the package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the ground meat and onion over medium-hi...

HomemadeTaco Seasoning

Once in a while I find a recipe that calls for a packet of taco seasoning.  I don't buy them because of a very bad taco dinner experience I had in high school when I didn't read the directions all the way through and ended up with a very salty taco filling.  Needless to say, I found that tossing seasonings into my meat was a better option than the little packets.  That is, until the times I need a packet of taco seasoning for this recipe or that recipe.  After passing yet again on a recipe because I just didn't want to buy a taco packet, I decided to make my own, using all the same ingredients I always use for tacos but in bulk.  Using this method means I always have some pre-made and ready to go.  The thing I love most is I can control how much salt, how much spice, how much of everything I add to the mix so I can ensure my family will love it every time. 

Clearing up some confusion....

Today I received a message asking me if I was quiting coupons.  I guess my Marinara sauce post indicated I wasn't supportive of shopping for items with coupons. I just want to say, for the record, I am a bargain shopping girl!  I hate paying full price for anything and will buy all my food on sale whenever possible.  My post about the sauce wasn't meant to deter anyone from coupon shopping.  I am a coupon girl and find great joy in saving over half (or more) simply by watching sales and using coupons.  I still intend to bargain shop, but instead of buying prepared foods I will be stocking my pantry with whole foods that are minimally processed.  Sometimes that means I might pay a little more but that is OK with me because I am still saving money. If you want to start coupon shopping, go check out the girls at Fabulessly Frugal .  Without them, I would be lost!

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

The minute I read this recipe I knew I would make it sooner than later for many reasons: Since the middle of summer, I have been slowly weaning my family away from processed foods, opting instead for a more healthy approach.  Because I have never been very successful at making homemade Marinara Sauce, I was still using the jarred varieties. My attempts at the homemade version always ended up acidic, tangy, too sweet or some strange combination of flavors that wasn't enjoyable to eat.  I wanted to make the sauce that tasted like an Italian grandmother had made it.  Finally, I found this recipe and it is not understatement when I say, this sauce has saved me from Marinara despair!  Yes, it is more expensive to make than getting a jar for free using coupons, however sometimes it's worth it to me to pay a little more for the flavor and health benefits of making my own.  It is rich and tomatoey, but not with that weird raw tomato flavor....

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

In this house peanut butter rules, add chocolate and everyone is in dessert heaven.  We will pass on anything sugar related if it means we will get some form of peanut chocolate decadence.  These Peanut Butter Bars were no exception.  Every single person stopped to comment on what I was preparing as I prepared it, and my husband literally did a little dance in the kitchen as he took his first bite.  Oh, and did I mention they were NO BAKE?  So we have, peanut butter, chocolate and no need for the oven, this cook is one happy lady!

Kansas City Sue's Slow Cooker Chicken

It is slow cooker season at my house.  It seems that when Fall and Winter are here I utilize my slow cooker more than ever.  There is just nothing better for me than coming home to the smell of dinner waiting, especially when the recipe is so utterly simple to make. Kansas City Sue's Slow Cooker Chicken was discovered at My Kitchen Cafe .  The chicken cooks all day in a flavorful, tangy sauce creating a moist delicious chicken perfect for any variety of side dishes.  I did exactly what Mel did and served ours over rice, spooning the extra sauce over the top.  Delicious!

No Knead Bread

I know I post a lot of bread recipes on here.  And I also know that bread is A) something that people thoroughly enjoy making, B) have no desire to make or C) have no clue how to make. I'm now in the "A" category but for a very long time I was a "B" or a "C."  My problem was fear.  I was very intimidated by kneading before I started making bread.  How do I know when to stop kneading?  Can I knead too much?  What happens if I don't knead enough? Once I finally started making bread and understanding how to "know" my dough (more on that at a later date) I stumbled onto the most brilliant recipe ever!  No Knead Bread.  Really? REALLY ?  Bread that doesn't have to be manhandled on my counter or by my beloved Kitchen Aide mixer?  Could it be so?  Yes, my friends, it is so.  This bread is truly a no knead bread, and the best part is it tastes absolutely, wonderful!  I'm talking compare it to a fine restaura...

Caramel Apple Cupcakes

Carmel apples remind me of two things, carnivals and Fall. The delicious crispy apple paired with chewy caramel can't be matched. Last week I bought some fabulous local apples from my favorite produce stand with the intent of making caramel apples. Then I remembered this recipe that I found in the October edition of Rachel Ray and decided to make a sweet treat for my sister in law Cindy and her co-workers. They were some of the first people to start reading this blog and the cupcakes are a thank you to all of them for continue support. The cake part of the cupcake is heavy with cinnamon and apples but light in texture. Honestly, they can stand on their own and would make a wonderful morning snack. But, adding the carmel to the top makes them superb! The gooey chewiness of the caramel "frosting" with the delicate cake makes a treat that is really out of this world! I hope everyone in Cindy's office enjoyed them as much as my family did!

Croutons

Croutons are one of those over looked things that anyone can make but not many do. If you have bread, oil or butter, and some seasonings you have the makings for a mighty fine crouton.  Now I ask, why do people choose to buy them verses making them?  The kind found in the grocery store are rock hard and salty, not to mention they just aren't very good for us.  So here is a simple lesson on croutons.  Try it and see just how easy it is to elevate even the most basic salad to something better.

Breaded Garlic Chicken in Lemon Garlic Sauce

OK, first things first.  Ignore the amount of butter in this recipe and don't judge me too harshly when I tell you I actually doubled the butter when I made it. After you have agreed to ignore those key points proceed to making this recipe, devouring eating it, and hiding the leftovers in the refrigerator so your family doesn't get to them before you do! Another recipe from Mel at My Kitchen Cafe that I don't have to say much about.  It is light and delicious.  The sauce is great with pasta or rice and pairs wonderfully with any vegetable you want.  I served our chicken over pasta noodles cooked in chicken broth and enjoyed every last bite.  My family can't wait to have it again! Breaded Garlic Chicken in Lemon-Butter Sauce Recipe Source: My Kitchen Cafe who got it from one of her readers *Mel's Note: if you prefer more sauce, since this makes a lighter, smaller amount of sauce, consider doubling the sauce ingredients. **Cook's Note-I...

English Muffin Breakfast Pizzas

Mornings around my house are hectic.  Typically my husband is just getting home from work and the rest of us are blow drying, dressing, searching for matching socks, and looking for the homework that was supposed to be put in the backpack last night, before rushing out the door.  Somehow sleep feels so much better than the idea of getting up just a little bit earlier so we would all have time for breakfast.  Until this year I didn't worry too much about breakfast.  My older two ate breakfast at school and the youngest at daycare.  But this year the kids just aren't as thrilled with school breakfast, nor am I after I heard some of the things they get to choose from.  So I am making an effort to have portable breakfast options available; maybe this way we can all eat something hot, and homemade for breakfast each morning.  Until now, we have been eating breakfast burritos because they are super easy to transport in a backpack and waffl...

Orange Rolls

A little secret about bankers, we love food. So when a co-worker succeeds at something, or advances in their position, or maybe the branch just has a great day, we have food, all kinds of food. So when all of the above happened last week, my manager and I planned a surprise party for two employees and I volunteered to make orange rolls. Delicious, sweet, and tangy, they are a perfect pairing with the breakfast casserole my manager makes. One problem though, I didn’t even have a recipe for them. The only orange rolls I have made came from the freezer section of my grocery store. So I went to my go to spot, My Kitchen CafĂ© and it was no surprise that she had a recipe that looked perfect. These rolls turned out beautifully.  I had to modify the dough recipe because I didn't have all the ingredients on hand but, it was tender and the filling a perfect balance of tangy and sweet with just enough orange flavor coming through. I may or may not have eaten four over the spa...