Cranberry Jello Salad

Ingredients

2 (3 oz) packages raspberry or strawberry jello (or 1 of each)

1 1/4 cup boiling water

1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple

1 (8 oz) can of peach slices (chopped)

1 (16 oz) can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 cup chopped nuts

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

3 orange slices for garnish (optional)

 

 

 Directions

1. Dissolve jello in boiling water in medium bowl. Add crushed pineapple, peaches and cranberry sauce.
2. Stir until well mixed. Chill in refrigerator until slightly thickened. Stir in chopped nuts.
3. Pour into oblong dish and chill until firm.

Topping

Combine cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Spread evenly over jello mixture and chill until firm. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.  Cut into squares and serve!

 

Pie, Anyone?

Classic but Simple Pumpkin Pies and Mini's!

Makes servings USMetricAdjust Recipe (Help)

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 beaten eggs
1 lg. can (26 oz) pumpkin
1 1/4 milk
1 9" crust
2 refrigerated pie crusts (for the mini's)



Great Value Graham Cracker




GV Pie Crusts (for Mini Pies)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together white sugar, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon. When these ingredients are well mixed, stir in the eggs followed by the pumpkin and milk. Transfer mixture to the graham cracker pie crust for the BIG pie.
3. Using a coffee cup (we did) cut the other pie crusts into circles.
4. Spray the muffin tins with PAM and line the muffin tins (1 dozen) and scoop remaining pumkin pie mix into each (we used a ladle). (see below!)
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 1/2 hours, or until a toothpick inserted into the pie comes out clean. Bake the muffins/tarts for 35-40 minutes (to make the crust crispy) 
6. Cool before serving, add whip if you like!

No-Yeast Pizza Dough Recipe

No Yeast Pizza Dough

Ingredients -
2 1/2 cups flour
2 3/4 tsp. baking powder (if using baking SODA - cut in half! and omit salt!)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. oil
3/4-1 cup water
1/2 tsp. basil (optional)
1/4 tsp. garlic (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Mix dry ingredients. add 3/4 cup water and oil. Stir until it forms a ball. If dough is stiff, add more water.
The dough will be soft, not sticky. Knead on a floured surface for 3-4 minutes.


Bake at 400°F for 15-25 minutes.

Banana Banana Bread Adapted from Pam

Adapted from Pam's recipe at For the Love of Cooking.net

I love to  bake. Today, I had three ripe bananas to use up and searched for some banana recipes on Pinterest. I found this banana banana bread and decided to give it a try.   It has great banana flavor and I added Walnuts to the top of the loaf before baking.  I made a tiny loaf for myself (I am allergic to walnuts BOO!)

 

Banana Banana Bread:

Adapted recipe by Pam @ fortheloveofcooking.net

• 1/2 cup of butter, softened (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/3 cups of mashed overripe bananas (I used 3-4)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups of flour
• 1 tsp baking powder (soda tasted too salty!!!)
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees then coat a 9×5 loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy.
Add the eggs, bananas, and vanilla then continue beating until combined. 
You can do this step in a separate bowl - combining flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and fresh nutmeg together, mix well. Then, if you didn't already put in the same bowl, do so now and blend.  Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add walnuts to top and gently press to put under the batter.  Bake for 50 minutes (test at 40-45 with toothpick test).

Delicious! I like to add a bit of butter or homemade cream cheese icing.
Great for an out-the-door breakfast. 
A family favorite, here, even for the pickiest eater.

 

Macaroni MADNESS! Macaroni & Cheese Muffins

Yes. I am on a fat-kick I guess. Needing the comfort of comfort foods, or something. What comfort food list doesn't include macaroni and cheese? Well, mine definitely have to include it!

 

Here's a no-muss idea for macaroni and cheese muffins that makes clean up super-duper easy.  You can use your favorite cheese - I like to add different ones but I always use cream cheese (since you are baking them, it keeps them from getting as dry)

 

Ingredients

8 ounces elbow macaroni

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, plus a little more for garnish

1/2 cup of cream cheese

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella  

2 eggs

1 cup milk

Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper or foil liners.

2. Cook the macaroni until done. Drain and immediately return to pot.

3. Add cheese and stir briefly until almost melting.

4. Beat eggs into milk, and then pour mixture into macaroni. Mix well.

5. Ladle macaroni mixture into muffins tins, and bake for 20 minutes. Cool slightly before serving.

6. Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.

 

 

No-Bake Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Cookies

No Bake Cookies

An old-school favorite. Haven't made these in YEARS! Love, love, love these! A chilly day outside and the kids are home from school - seemed to be the best time to do this.  There are also Low-cal options - but I went all FAT on these aside from the whole grain quick oats. YUMMY.

Yield: 2 to 3 dozen cookies
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

½ cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups granulated sugar
½ cup milk
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Directions:

1. Add the first four ingredients (through the cocoa powder) to a 4-quart saucepan.
2. Bring to a rolling boil and let boil for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth, then stir in the oats.
5. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto wax paper-lined baking sheets.
6. Let cool until set.

Asian Chicken Meatballs

 

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil or sesame oil

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp. or 2 cloves of garlic

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup Kikoman Soy Sauce (I prefer low sodium)

2 cans chicken (chopped finely) or two-three cooked chicken breasts

1/2 large onion, or 1/2 cup of finely chopped green onions 

1 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

dash of pepper to taste

  

Directions -

Preheat oven 375

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. 

Add the bread crumbs last to make sure everything else is blended well.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place 6-8 chicken, hand rolled meatballs on the sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning after 10 minutes to make all sides golden brown.

 

Optional homemade sauce - (my kids liked the "sweet and sour sauce", too.)

2/3 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 tsp honey

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsp garlic

1 tsp ginger

3 tsp Soy Sauce (low sodium if possible)

1 tsp of baking powder to thicken sauce (optional)

Pepper to taste

 

 

 Directions - while chicken meatballs are baking, whisk ingredients and heat ingredients on stove on Medium/Low until blended and warm.  Serve as a dipping sauce or cover finished meatballs and serve!

 

*** party option to keep warm? place meatballs in slow cooker and cover with sauce or serve sauce on side.

 



Boo Cakes - Happy Halloween!

Cute, Quick and Easy!! BOOOO Cakes!

I cheated - (I know, I know - like, I'm BUSY?!?!?)
I used carrot cake mix and made the cupcakes.
I replaced the oil with apple sauce,  however. I try to use healthy in place of not-so-healthy as much as possible. 
Otherwise, follow the directions on the box and you can change your name to Betty or Julia.  And BAM! Easy treat for trick-or-treaters. 
After they cool, put white frosting in a zip lock. Squiggle on top of each and then top with 3 chocolate chips.

Sooo cute! :) Sooo easy (when you cheat, like I had to for lack of time) and they were done in time for a treat before trick or treating!
Happy Halloween!

Heather

Ground beef for dinner - something besides hamburger helper? Please help!

After a while of cooking the same-ol' thing for dinner everyone gets tired of it, including the cook. :) Pinterest is an amazing tool and can help you get ideas for those nights where you just don't know WHAT to make anymore.  Being on a budget, that is pretty tight, it is hard to be creative, cost effective and healthy that the kids will eat, too? Gasp! That's almost too much to ask. 

Here's what we did tonight - Easy Enchiladas and Homemade sauce
Cooking time 35-45 minutes
Prep time - approx 20 minutes
Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Ingredients -

For the sauce -  Original @ Foodnetwork.com click here
3 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 Tbs. Flour
1/4 cup Chili powder
2 cups chicken stock (or Veggie stock, low sodium)
6 oz tomato paste
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp ground cumin (optional - it's in the chili powder)
1/2 teaspoon salt (also optional - we are watching salt intake and I didn't add it)

Making the sauce - combine dry ingredients and blend with the oil and stock, use a whisk to keep sauce smooth.  keep on medium heat until blended, then simmer on low. Add water to thin, if necessary. Stir often.

Ingredients for the Enchiladas -
1 1/2 pounds of lean ground beef (turkey)
1/2 a small onion
1 small zucchini
2-3 large broccoli florets
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
2 cloves of garlic (or 2 tsp. of garlic powder)
2 cups of our Easy Enchilada sauce
8 whole wheat tortillas (large)
8 oz of low fat Mexican cheese blend or shredded cheese
Cooking spray

Directions -
You're already browning ground beef in a pan. Do this until it’s no longer pink.
Drain any extra fat.

Use a food processor/chopper to pulverize the zucchini, onion, broccoli florets and garlic. (so the kids don't know they are eating them!)
Add in chopped veggies and cook for 5 minutes. (see how they hide?!?)

Add in 1/2 cup of tomato sauce and 1 cup of our Easy Enchilada sauce.

Place about 1/2 cup of beef mix onto a tortilla and roll up like a burrito (lay seem
side down in a 9 X 13 baking dish.)
When all tortillas are rolled, spray tops with cooking spray.
Cook enchiladas for 20-25 minutes.
Take out of the oven, and pour on enchilada sauce and top with shredded cheese.

SpOOOOOk-tacular Recycled/ DIY Halloween Decorations

Fun, easy, craft for school age kids to help light the way for trick-or-treaters!
 Pinterest

Supplies:

• Milk Jugs
• Sharpie (black)
• Utility knife
• White Felt (or white paint)
• Glow Sticks or strand of  white lights
• Glue Gun and Glue sticks
• Play Sand

Directions:
Each person draw a ghost face (each of ours has a unique personality! We have the "Chef", "Surprised Howler", the "Girlie" and "Silly". Sounds like 7 dwarfs.





Cut the felt into little "ghost" style tops. This will cover the red/blue lids of the milk jugs. (or you can use white paint).  Hot glue the felt tops on the face side of the jugs.

The adult needs to cut a hole for placing the sand and inserting the lights.   We placed the hole in the back, near the handle.  Then, glued the ghosts together, to help stabilize them and keep them from literally, blowing away!

Then, when the night comes - light up your ghosts to help trick-or-treaters see their way to your door!



DIY Acne Treatment

Super easy and inexpensive!

1. Uncoated or lightly coated asprin
2. crush 2-4 of them
3. add several drops of water to make a paste
4. apply paste to areas that need treated
5. leave on for 5 minutes.
6. rinse
7. pat dry
8. use a light moisturizer with SPF 15

Recycled DIY

Gotta love Costco with their extra super sized containers.  We use the Neutrogena bath gel and I like the pump that it comes in. Great for other uses when the gel is gone.  Even, if for just "a while".  The pump container may be Used for dish soap - use a pump or two to wash full sink of dishes. Or other things, like Laundry soap, or lotions.

I chose to use it for lotion. I combined all of the sun lotions that I use on a daily basis into one container.  I had a lot of random bottles with only a bit left in the bottom of the container.  Not really enough to keep it or throw it away.... so I "married" the lotions and put inside the finished, decoupaged bottle. 

I was able to decoupage the outside of the bottle/pump with scraps of paper.  I layered the random sheets of scrap booking paper - (chosen to avoid acidity).  I went with the same color scheme as my bathroom and used the rest of the scrapbook papers on the outside of an old mason jar.  My thought, was to hold our toothbrushes in them. Woo!  A decorative theme (ha ha).

This only took about an hour to set and then a day to dry each layer.  Since they are going to be in the bathroom, the steam and water could be an issue after a while.  The jar is handy dandy since it is wide enough at the opening to hold the toothbrushes that are battery operated.  

The basic supplies I used are:

Mod Podge & Sponge brush
Acid free scrap booking paper
A Popsicle stick to smooth out any kinks/bubbles in the paper
An exact-o knife for trimming the paper as needed
A scrap booking stamp and a black ink pen.
Pictures are posted below!

Free Pit Bulls....

I swore I would never have a pit bull because of all the hype about the fighting, viciousness that you hear, the violence. I have 3 kids and I didn't want to take a chance that something would ever happen to them, or like the zombie apocalypse would eat off their precious little faces. And one afternoon, my dear friend Christie told me about an event that she was helping to host at the animal society here, in Charleston SC. Christie was taking vet. tech school and they were having a fund raiser for CAS. To support my friend, I took my son and we went. Free food and wine? Who wouldn't love to go and see the little kitties and pups? All for a good cause? I was in!

I grew up with animals my whole life.   We always had easy access to all different types of "critters", growing up in Kentucky.  I guess, it's kind of like the misconceived notion of everyone from KY being a hillbilly and wearing no shoes (I still like to go barefoot!) that pit bulls are like criminals that need to be quarantined.  Walking around with my glass of white wine and pointing out all the different personalities of the dogs that were being kept on display that night and laughing with my son at some of their antics, I saw Honey. 


Honey is a brown dog with white feet and white on  her chest.  She had one of those "cones" around her head because she had to have surgery when she arrived at the pound.  She had to have part of her foot removed due to infection from the conditions she had lived in.  She was still producing milk from over breading that had been done with her.  She was the "free pit bull puppies mascot" from the looks of it. Honey was heart worm positive and had been going through treatment.  Honey had been through hell and back, only to be saved. Honey, is a pit bull.  I climbed into the cage she was in (nothing like a glass or two of wine to give me courage).  Honey gingerly climbed into my lap and managed to get close enough to me, even with that ridiculous collar cone on her head, to give me a lick on the cheek.  I was won over and took her home that night. 

Honey is still living with us. She is actually the best dog we've ever had and I like to think, we are her best "fur"ever home.  She still has a pink area on her paw.  She doesn't have heart worm anymore. She never leaves our yard.  She isn't scared to go into the bathroom (we believe that's where they kept her for extended periods)  and still doesn't like thunderstorms.  She loves to go for car rides.  She understands "Crate" and "sit" and selectively hears other basic commands (pits are definitely cursed with selective hearing). She plays well with others, and I don't foresee her ever chewing off anyones' face, zombie apocalypse or not.  Honey is our rescue but I think of countless ways, every day, where she rescues me. We need to free them - take out all the negative hype about these awesome, loyal, pets and family members.  I was afraid of them, too. I realize that now. But I didn't understand.  Now, I'm free to love the best dog I've ever had the pleasure of adding to my household.