Monday, January 31, 2011

S'more Dessert, Please!!

I recently tried my friend, Heather's, yummy S'mores dessert and knew I had to share this one.  This stuff is so good there is no way to eat just one little bite.  I made this last week for a teacher's meeting at my children's school.  I wasn't surprised to see an empty platter at the end of the meeting.  Enjoy this yummy treat!

S'mores Dessert

3/4 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar                         
12 graham cracker sheets
3 cups mini marshmallows
4 Hershey chocolate bars  (I used a sleeve of 8 mini bars since I had those in my pantry)

Preheat oven to 350.

Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil and arrange graham crackers.
Melt butter and brown sugar over medium heat until sugar has dissolved.  Pour over graham crackers and bake in over for 5 minutes. 

Break chocolate into small pieces.

Remove graham crackers from oven and sprinkle marshmallows and chocolate pieces on top.  Return to oven for 3 to 4 minutes until marshmallows have puffed up and chocolate has started to melt a little.

Cool completely and cut into pieces.              

I am linking this recipe to the following fun parties this week...
And I am adding this to Melt In Your Mouth Monday too!

Cracker Snackers

The countdown to the Super Bowl is on!  Whether you are hosting a party, going to a party or even just sticking close to home like I am, I have some yummy recipes to share with you this week that will be great for the upcoming big game weekend.  (Go Steelers!!!)  Sorry...I had to sneak that in. 


My husband made these yummy crackers during the Christmas holidays and they were a hit in our house.  We enjoyed them as a snack but they would also be good to use as croutons on a salad or bowl of soup. 

Cracker Snackers

1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced  (we used minced since we had it on hand)
1 (11 ounce) package oyster crackers
1 (0.7 ounce) envelope Italian dressing mix (we used Good Seasons)
1 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 parmesan cheese

Combine oil and garlic.  Let stand for 30 minutes.  Discard garlic. 

Place crackers in a bowl and sprinkle with oil.  Combine dressing mix, dill, garlic powder, and cheese and sprinkle over crackers, stirring well.

Let stand for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. 

Store in an airtight container. 

Enjoy!

I'm adding this recipe to the Super Bowl Party Food linky party at Make Ahead Meals For Busy Moms.

Menu Plan Monday

Here's what I am planning for dinners this week...Go to fullsize image

Monday...pizza & salad
Tuesday...Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast, egg noddles, green beans
Wednesday...steak fajitas
Thursday...Creamy Chicken Casserole, honey carrots, cinnamon apples
Friday...out attending a birthday party
Saturday...having friends here for dinner and haven't decided on the food yet
Sunday...Super Bowl Snack Dinner...Go Steelers!!!


I have several recipes to share with you this week.  Stay tuned.

I'm linking my menu to Menu Plan Monday.  Be sure to check out what everyone else is cooking up this week.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

I think my taste buds died and went to heaven on Saturday morning!

We enjoyed a lazy Saturday morning this past weekend and I decided to make a nice breakfast for the family (instead of the usual quick cereal, etc).  I had come across the yummiest sounding recipe that I was so anxious to try...and I am glad I did!  I found a recipe for Cinnamon Roll Pancakes on Kristen's blog, Frugal Antics of a Harried  Homemaker.  This is a "new-to-me" blog that I found last week and am enjoying.  I especially like her weekly party, Your Recipe, My Kitchen (this link will take you to today's linky party).

I love, love, love cinnamon and knew I had to try these pancakes.  They were a big hit around the table Saturday morning.  These are easy but do take a little extra time and effort (totally worth it!).  This isn't something I will make a lot but definitely worth treating the family to occasionally on days where we can enjoy a relaxed big breakfast.

So, here's what you do...

Use your favorite pancake recipe or mix.  I didn't want to make everything from scratch so I used a boxed mix from Hungry Jack that I had in the pantry and it worked just fine. 

Cinnamon Filling
In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, mix until smooth.
1 stick butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cinnamon
Put the mixture in the microwave for 10 second intervals until the consistency is that it can be squeezed in a steady stream in a spiral onto the pancakes through the pastry bag or ziploc bag with the corner snipped. 

Cream Cheese Icing
2 cups powdered sugar
2 ounces cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp milk
Using a hand mixer, mix until smooth and pour the icing into another pastry bag (or ziploc). 


Mix the cinnamon filling and the icing and fill your pastry bags (or ziplocs with the end snipped off).  Set aside until ready to use.

Make your pancake batter.  Ladle the batter onto the hot griddle and then squeeze the cinnamon filling in a spiral pattern over the raw pancake batter.  Flip to cook the other side. 


Once the pancakes are cooked and plated, squeeze the icing over the pancakes in a criss-cross pattern. 

Y.U.M!!!!!!!

I hope you give this recipe a try for your family.  Let me know if you do.  And thanks again to Kristen! 

Enjoy...

I am linking this recipe to these fun parties this week...

Tuesdays at the Table
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday
Delicious Dishes
Tasty Tuesday
Works For Me Wednesday
Let's Do Brunch
Full Plate Thursday
Recipe Swap Thursday
Home and Family Friday

Menu Plan Monday

This week's dinner plans look like this...     
      
Go to fullsize image
Monday...chicken pot pie, cinnamon apples
Tuesday...lasagna soup*, garlic bread 
Wednesday...chili & rice, veggie dippers
Thursday...chicken & veggie stir fry
Friday...homemade pizza, salad

*recipe for Lasagna Soup coming later this week

I will also share a recipe this week for a S'mores dessert that is beyond YUMMY!  Stay tuned...

Friday, January 21, 2011

Friday Favorites

Wow, this week really got away from me.  It is Friday and I haven't posted one thing on here all week.  I sure do hope next week is not so full.  But, I can't complain.  It has been a good week full of good stuff. 

In the midst of a busy life this week I did somehow manage to find a "new-to-me" blog called Decor Chick and was excited to see the linky party she is hosting.  Now, first let me say that I love checking out a bunch of home blogs.  I love the ideas and inspiration, the photography and the little peek into other people's homes.  Sometimes I get a little nuts when I see the posts because it always looks so perfect and my home is nowhere near perfect.  I do know that their homes are not either but rarely do they show that part of it.

Until now.



 That's right, Decor Chick hosted a linky party to keep it real, folks.  It's all about Real Houses, Real Messes, Real Lives.  I love it!  It totally makes me feel better about the state my house is in right now. 

So, go check it out and feel better about yours too.  Celebrate that your home is LOVED and LIVED IN!!!

See you next week...I've got a bunch of posts for you!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread


Banana Chocolate Chip Bread

1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup mashed banana (2-3 overly ripe bananas will give you a cup)
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup oil (I use canola oil)
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl.  Make a well in the center of the mixture for wet ingredients. 

In a separate bowl combine egg, mashed banana, milk and oil.  Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients.  Stir until just moistened.  Stir in the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. 

*If making muffins follow the same instructions to mix ingredients.  Spoon batter into greased muffin pans (or use liners).  Fill about 3/4 full.  Bake at 400 for about 18-20 minutes.  Remove from pan immediately. 

I linked this recipe to Miz Helen's Full Plate Thursday and Works For Me Wednesday.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Italian Chicken & Vegetable Soup

I love soup and have been on the hunt for some new recipes.  I found this easy one from Paula Deen (LOVE Paula Deen!).  Can you believe there's recipe from Paula that does NOT include butter??? 

Just a handful of ingredients makes this quick and easy soup and it is very good!  My family gave it a thumbs up last night so I will definitely be making this again. 

My version of
Italian Chicken and Vegetable Soup 
(from Paula's Home Cooking, Jan./Feb. 2006 issue)

2 tablespoons olive oil
3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (1-3/4 pounds or a little more)
1 small onion *
1 cup sliced carrots (about 3 small) *
2-1/2 cups sliced zucchini (about 2 medium) *
2 (14.5 ounce) cans of diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano *
2 (14.5 ounce) cans of chicken broth
grated Parmesan cheese, optional

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add onions and carrot and cook for 5 minutes.  Stir in zucchini, diced tomatoes and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.  Top each serving with grated cheese, if desired. 

makes 6-8 servings

* I did not use a whole onion (base it on your family's preference). 
* I used more carrots and zucchini than the recipe called for because I like really chunky soup.  The extra amounts worked well.
* The canned tomatoes I used were Hunts Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano with No Added Salt.  I was fine without the salt but my husband thought it needed a little. 

*** The recipe did not call for any pasta but we decided to serve this soup over some small bow tie pasta.  We cooked the noodles separately and spooned the soup over them.  Very filling and good!





I'm sharing this recipe with everyone at The Country Cook's Soup and Stew linky party.  Stop by and see what everyone else is cooking!




Monday, January 10, 2011

Snow Day!




We're enjoying a wonderful snow day here in the south.

These pictures were from our first venture outside this morning.  The snow has continued to fall all day.  It's a beautiful winter wonderland and we love it!  We are expecting ice to move in this evening.

I'm off to make some muffins and start my new soup recipe for tonight's dinner (recipe coming tomorrow). 


Menu Plan Monday



This week's dinners are planned!

Monday...Italian Chicken & Veggie Soup (new recipe...will post soon)
Tuesday...tacos & mexican rice
Wednesday...out for a company dinner (kids will have soup & sandwiches with the babysitter)
Thursday...grilled chicken and veggies with angel hair pasta
Friday...baked potatoes & salads

Hope everyone has a good week.  I'm off to play in the snow with my kids!

I've joined the menu planning over at Menu Plan Monday.  Check it out to see hundreds of weekly meal plans and get some new ideas.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Thanks One Crazy Cookie!

Do you enter blog giveaways?  I do sometimes but I've never won.  Until now!  I was excited to see my name as the winner for a recent giveaway on one of the blogs I follow, One Crazy Cookie.  Thanks Tiffanee! 

You've got to check out Tiffanee's site.  She posts lots of yummy recipes that have normal ingredients and are family friendly.  That meets two of the criteria I look for in trying new recipes.  I recently posted about one of her recipes that became an instant hit with my family, Creamy Italian Crock Pot Chicken.  You can check out my post here and her original one here

Oh, and be sure to check out her post today for some amazing Caramel Apple Dip!  I think I might have to try this one!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Today's Super Doubles Trip to HT (with coupon links)

Today's trip to Harris Teeter for Super Doubles

Spent $31.12 out of pocket for $140.22 worth of stuff

Here's what I got...

This week's Meal Deal  (with coupon comes out to $5.80 for the whole deal...used the $0.60/2 Prego coupon from Sunday's paper)
Buy 2 Prego Pasta Sauce 45 oz., Get the following FREEPepperidge Farm Garlic Texas Toast 11.25 oz.
Kraft Parmesan Cheese 7-8 oz.
Harris Teeter Fettuccine, Linguini, or Angel Hair 16 oz.
Pepsi Product 2 L
3 packs of HT boneless, skinless chicken breasts Buy 1 Get 2 Free

Gallon on milk

4 - ziploc containers BOGO, used $1.50/2 printable
(**these have more $1.50/2 coupons inside so pull them out and use them for more this week!)

2 - Clorox Wipes $2, used .75 printable

2 - Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergent BOGO, used $1/2 printable 

1 - 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner, BOGO, used $1 printable 

3 - Electrasol Finish Powertabs for dishwasher, BOGO, used $2.25 coupons 

2 - Muellers Egg Noodles, 2 for $3, used $1/2 coupon 

4 - Muellers Thin Spaghetti, $1 each, used $1/2 coupon 

3 - Campbells Chunky Soup, BOGO, used $1.50/3 printable

2 - Alexia frozen potatoes
(**I found some bags of roasted red potatoes with garden veggies on clearance for BOGO.  Used two of the $1 coupons from Facebook and got them for $0.25 each!)

2 - Breyers YoCrunch Yogurt Parfaits, $2, used $1 printable

2 - Immaculate Baking Co. refridgerated cookie dough, BOGO, used $1/2 printable

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Menu Plan Monday

 I'm a little late in posting this menu plan (ssshhh!)

One of my goals this year is to try one new recipe every week.  I had planned to do that this week but it is not happening.  I am still working on reclaiming my home from all of the Christmas stuff and this is just a busy week with appointments and such.  So, to help make this week run smoothly I am relying on using things I have on hand and quick and easy options for our dinners.  Next week I will be adding something new to the mix and will be sharing it with you.

Monday...chili & cheese BIG baked potatoes
Tuesday...spaghetti & meatballs, salad
Wednesday...taco soup & cheese quesadillas
Thursday...grilled chicken & veggies
Friday...chicken & rice enchiladas, salad

Monday, January 3, 2011

Free 5x7 Photo Book

I love photo freebies!  Here is a nice one from Kodak Gallery.  Get a FREE 5x7 photo book...pay just $1.99 shipping.  Enter code TGTFREEBOOK at checkout to receive the free book (regularly $9.99).  This offer is good through January 9, 2011.  Go here to create your free photo book...

Thanks Mandy at Serving While Saving!