Beef Stew and Mashed Potato Bowl

 Posted by at 6:00 am on May 17, 2013  1 Response »
May 172013
 

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I know this is not a great shot (picture). We were in such a hurry to eat this beautiful meal, I was rushed and this is all I got. I thought I’d have enough leftovers to take another picture after we were done eating, but we at the whole thing. It’s a keeper for sure.

Beef Stew and Mashed Potato Bowl

2 lbs. stew meat

1 onion, diced

4 medium carrot sticks, washed and chopped

3 cups whole button mushrooms

2 tbsp. Worchestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup water

1 recipe Pioneer Woman mashed potatoes

Place your meat, chopped carrots, mushrooms Worchestershire sauce, and salt and pepper in the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours. Stir in ketchup and water and cover until ready to serve. Make mashed potatoes and top beef stew over a generous serving of potatoes. yum!

Happy dinnertime!

 

 

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars

 Posted by at 6:00 am on May 16, 2013  4 Responses »
May 162013
 

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I’m obsessed with cheesecake. And decided to pair it with my favorite cookie dough recipe from 101 Gourmet Cookies. A genius idea if I do say so myself.

It was a hit. Chewy crust with a creamy cheesy center. Not too sweet, but really perfect.

The recipe will be in a new cookbook, so I will have to wait to share it with you… but it will be amazing!

Happy Baking and recipe making!

Banana Nut Pancakes

 Posted by at 6:00 am on May 13, 2013  2 Responses »
May 132013
 

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Breakfast for dinner! You bet! Its easy and cheap. And the kids will eat every single bite.

Banana Nut Pancakes

3 ripe bananas

2 cups favorite pancake mix ( I love Honeyville Farms)

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp. black walnut flavoring

Chopped nuts for garnish

Caramel syrup

Mash the bananas and mix with the pancake mix and water and flavoring. Bake according to package directions. Serve warm. Top with chopped nuts if desired. We love to eat our pancakes with peanut butter.

Anyone else like peanut butter with their pancakes? Anyone?

Happy Baking!

 

Sweet Pork Tacos

 Posted by at 6:00 am on May 10, 2013  No Responses »
May 102013
 

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Sweet pork tacos. Yum! I have been using my crock pot a lot lately. It saves me time while I’m busy with the baby and the books, and doing carpool, and everything else that’s on my list.

I wanted something really tasty, and Mexican cuisine seems to be the favorite at our house right now.

Sweet Pork Tacos

4-6 lb. Pork shoulder

2 tbsp. cumin

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

2-3 dashes of Tabasco sauce

Rub the cumin, garlic, chili powder, salt and pepper all over the roast. Place in the crock pot and add the water to the side. Cover and cook for 4 hours on high. Shred the pork and add the brown sugar and the Tabasco sauce. Stir to combine all the flavors and cover and cook for another 2 hours. Serve with warm tortillas and your favorite taco toppings.

Happy dinnertime!

 

A depressing trend….

 Posted by at 6:00 am on May 8, 2013  2 Responses »
May 082013
 

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After spending $204 on groceries (meals for 1 1/2 weeks)… this is what my fridge looked like. Granted I had 2 gallons of milk still on the counter, but I am so depressed about this situation. I’m so sick of spending a lot of money on food, and getting nothing. I’m wondering what you all do? You can expect that my garden will be much bigger this year.

How do you spend your grocery money? Any tips to share?

Happy grocery shopping!

Dark Chocolate Berry Tart

 Posted by at 6:00 am on April 23, 2013  3 Responses »
Apr 232013
 

I love it when you get ideas for recipes just from passing items at the grocery store. I came upon some great berries… after a cold winter without many appealing strawberries, I saw these beauties. I was in love. So I raced back around the store to gather a few more ingredients 6 to be exact) and came home and made this tart straight away. It took at matter of minutes and it was complete! The hard part was keeping everyone’s hands off of it until I was able to snap some photos.

Did I mention it’s no bake too? And only 6 ingredients! A gourmet treat you could get at a bakery…. You are welcome.

Dark Chocolate Berry Tart

Crust:

25 Oreo cookies

1/2 cup melted butter

Place Oreos in your food processor and process until fine crumbs. Slowly add melted butter and cookie crumbs will start to stick together. Place your crumbs in a 9″ pie plate or tart pan, gently patting firmly to secure. Set aside.

Filling:

1 cup heavy cream

16 oz. pkg. chocolate chips

Fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries

Powdered Sugar for garnishing

Heat the heavy cream until just simmering on the stove top or for about 2 minutes in the microwave (cream can overflow really easy so watch it closely.) Pour over the chocolate chips and let stand for 2 minutes to melt. Gently stir until chocolate is thick and creamy.

Pour chocolate into your crust and top with your favorite fresh berries. Fresh is key here. I love the combination of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Place in the fridge to firm up and just before serving top with powdered sugar or even whipped cream.

Cinnamon Roll Cake…. a healthier recipe

 Posted by at 1:08 pm on April 20, 2013  No Responses »
Apr 202013
 

IMG_6827What do you want most on a cold Saturday morning? Besides crawling back in my nice warm bed, I wanted some cinnamon roll cake. I found a great recipe and made it a few weeks ago, but it had so much butter in it, I could literally feel my arteries clogging with each bite. I was determined to make it a little better for you, so I could eat it and not feel too guilty. I’ve made it 3 times since, and each time, I’ve adjusted the ingredients to make it even healthier. Less butter, and sugar, but still full of tons of that cherished cinnamon roll flavor. Here’s my final, and perfected recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cake:

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

3 eggs or (1/2 cup applesauce)

3/4 cup grapeseed or vegetable oil ( I love the grapeseed)

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup milk

Pinch of salt

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, soft

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tbsp. grapeseed oil or vegetable oil

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbsp. milk

I know it seems like a lot of steps, but you can make this cake in under 10 minutes, then bake it. Simple.

Mix together flour,  eggs, oil, sugar, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, milk and salt. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Set aside. Next, make the topping by combining the brown sugar, soft butter, cinnamon and oil. Stir together to make a paste, then drop on top of cake batter by spoonfulls. Swirl the topping into the cake batter using a knife (see the picture below). Bake at 350 for 24-26 minutes until cake is done. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes while you make the glaze. Then drizzle the glaze over the warm cake and serve. Yum.

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Happy Baking!

Whole Wheat Applesauce Muffins

 Posted by at 6:00 am on April 20, 2013  No Responses »
Apr 202013
 

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I’ve been frustrated with the prices of food these days. Discouraged really. Having a family of 6 to feed can be overwhelming, especially when you are desiring to eat healthy. I made this recipe when I wanted something hearty and healthy to feed my kids after school, as they seem to arrive home each day with an empty tummy. ( I wonder if they are taking the time to eat their lunches or run to recess before they are done. But that’s another topic for another post.) These muffins fill them up and are just sweet enough for them to think I’m the best mom ever.

Whole Wheat Applesauce Muffins

2 cups whole wheat flour

3 eggs

1/4 cup grapeseed oil or vegetable oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1/2 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together until combined. Scoop batter into paper liners, filling 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes until muffins are lightly golden. Cool slightly before serving. These muffins freeze really well. Makes about 24.

 

The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

 Posted by at 6:00 am on April 12, 2013  No Responses »
Apr 122013
 

Today is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. Bet you all were wondering when it was. Here’s a list from Womans Day Magazine of their 10 best grilled cheese sandwiches. And I will add my favorite grilled cheese sandwich. I’ve spoke about it before… it’s from The Bakery- Gourmandise in downtown Salt Lake City. Hands down the BEST grilled cheese sandwich in the state!

What’s your favorite grilled cheese sandwich? Do you make your own? Any special tricks you care to share?

Happy Sandwich making!

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