What 's on the Menu... MODAYS?? May 7- 13, 2012

For whatever reason I am really craving pork, funny bc I am not a fan but saw these recipes on a slow cooker blog hop gooseberry patch was having, where I entered my Crock Pot Beef Bracoile {amazing in my humble opinion!} and looked these recipes up and knew I was making them SOON! 2 Recipes I got from Mandy's Recipe Box a delightful blog with loads of tasty recipes and the other blog is called Delightful Country Cooking featuring country recipes that aren't laden in fat and bacon drippings.

Breakfast Options:

Baked Soaked Oatmeal "cake"     Buttered Toast         Hot Oatmeal-fruited-flax seed cereal
Cold Cereal                                   Pancakes                  Muffins
Eggs                                              Fruit                         Juices
Veggie, Keiffer, and Fruit Smoothies      

Lunch Options:

Main Dish/Sandwiches/Soup:       Sides:

Grilled Cheese                               Carrot Sticks w/ homemade cultured Ranch or

Egg Salad                                       homemade Humus

Tuna Salad                                     Veggie Chips

Chicken Noodle Soup                    Sweet Potato Chips

Left-overs from Supper                  Fruit

Ravioli                                            Cottage Cheese

Shells & Cheese                             Yogurt

Noodles & Cottage Cheese            Apple, fruit and veggie medley sauces

Snack Options:

Almonds, Hard Boiled Eggs, String Cheese,  Dried Edema, dried blue berries, cranberries, raisins, bunny snack mix, pretzels, carrots, Humus, Cottage Cheese, Keiffer smoothies, fruit, triscits, hard cheese, cheese crackers,  Veggie/fruit sauce, yogurt, sweet potato chips, veggie chips,  Fruit Leather, Granola Bar, Protein Bars, Rice Cakes, Animal Crackers, Easter Goodies {ONLY 1/day}

Supper:

*Monday: Repeats

*Tuesday:
Buttermilk & Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops w/Garlic Smashed Potatoes and Steamed Veggie along with spinach Salad

Yummy, smothered tangy pork chops!

*Wednesday:
Chicken Parmesan with Bolagnese Sauce, steamed veggie, and salad. A family frequent request, especially since I  found this recipe I really like from All Recipes, one of my favorite resources for recipes when I need inspiration.

Thursday: Repeats

*Friday:
Carnitas and Salsa Adada served with crunchy taco, cabbage and carmelized onions. Along w/refried black beans and yellow rice pilaf.
Saw this on the Gooseberry Patch Blog Hop and thought, "HMMMmm, hmmm, will be eating you soon!!" My family LOVES cruchy and Loves Mexican and since I rarely cook w/pork{if you follow me regularly you know that by the absence of pork in my menus}, I thought I would give this a try!

*Saturday:
Orange Chicken w/veggie loaded rice pilaf
& salad

*Sunday:
Baked Crunchy Swai Fish {Super Secret Crunch part is seasoned instant mashed potato flakes!} w/hot buttered Noodles grilled Asparagus and spinach salad






Linked to: Organized Junkie ,

Ragin' Cajun Meatball Taco Pizza

Loved this recipe I saw in a food magazine, but over the years I have tweaked it & adjusted it more to my family's taste. 

We LOVE tacos, LOVE Cajun seasoning, & LOVE pizza this recipe combines all out loves into one dish... 

Plus you can make this as homemade as you want or you can use convenience item.

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb Pre-made Meatballs (or make your own)
• 2 Tubes Crescent Rolls
• *4 oz Jar of pre-made Salsa
• 1/2 head of Shredded Lettuce
• 2 C Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend
• 4 oz Can of sliced black olives or pieces
• 1 T, divided Cajun Seasoning
• 1 C Sour Cream
• *4 oz jar of guacamole
• 1 16 can Refried Pinto or Black Beans
• 4 oz diced tomatoes
• optional 1 bunch cilantro & 1/2 lime juiced

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* OPTIONAL Choices:
( You can also use 1 Packet of Salsa mix in place of jarred salsa for a more fresh taste- we like the mild but make this as hot as your family likes, just add the following and sprinkle the packet over top and allow to sit for 1-2 hours before adding to dish)
       * 1 Packet of Salsa Mix
       * 3 Roma Tomatoes
       *1 Bunch Cilantro Chopped
       *1 Limed, Zest and juices
       *1/2 red onion sliced thin
(Can use 1 packet of guacamole in place of the jarred for a more fresh taste, just add the following and sprinkle the packet over top and allow to sit for 1-2 hours)
       * 1 Packet of Guacamole Mix
       * 2 Haas Avocados
       * 1/2 Lime juice
       * 1/2 Red onion sliced thin
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Directions:

1. Sprinkle meatballs with 1 & 1/2  t Cajun seasoning and bake according to directions, drain of grease and allow to cool slightly
2. Arrange crescent rolls on a greased 15-in. pizza pan, forming a ring with pointed ends facing the outer edge of the pan and wide ends overlapping.
3. Place a meatball on each roll; fold point over meatball and tuck under wide end of roll (meatball will be visible). 
4. Sprinkle 1 C Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend & 1 1/2 t of Cajun seasoning
5. Bake according to directions and allow to cool to room temperature before assembling rest.
6. Transfer to a serving platter. 
7. Fill the center of the  pizza with re-fried beans, salsa, guacamole, (If using lime squeeze over guacamole), shredded lettuce, 
8. Garnish dish with rest of shredded cheese, dollop of sour cream, chopped tomatoes, & black olive pieces.

This looks so complicated and really has the wow factor, people think this was soo much work, kids LOVE it and I always get requests for the recipe.....ENJOY!!

Linked to Gooseberry Patch

Mini Bunting Tutorial

I used these adorable Bunting Banners anywhere I could, I don't know about you but I adore bunting and as with all these is seems these days the smaller the cuter!!

• I used this printable as a pattern from Pair of Pears site
• Cut one of the diamonds out
• Traced it onto a thick cardstock paper, then used that as my pattern.

I really like the idea of using a diamond shape versus a triangle for many reasons, one it makes it infinitely EASIER by giving you instant front and back coverage unless you wanted the other side to be different, then I have to say you are crazier than I am !!!

 Secondly I don't have to cut out all these tiny shapes and try to match them up, you just place the jute rope or thread in the center part and glue paper down.

I used the mini bunting on trifle and hung on 2 kebob skewers, on the twig basket containing pie pops and I made enough I hung them on 2 vintage mini wash tubs on the food buffet. It gave such a party feel and the red, black, and white paper I used in varied patterns gave it a vintage/retro/shabby/chic/cottagey look I was after.

I am going to make some on a much larger scale and do the same with fabric just use pinking shears to prevent fraying on each diamond shape. Then fold over into triangles, stitching a 1/4" from pinking edges and use biased ribbon to connect the triangles. I will post a tutorial as soon as I make one, I have to gather material first. I think when we redo Kissi's room this will look so adorable streaming across her reading nook we are going to make for her!!

4 year old Vintage Farm Girl Birthday Party

 I had so many ideas swimming around in my head and some definite requests from the birthday girl herself including a dessert bar with cake pops and a must have chocolate cake!

Portraits from Portrait Innovations

I found her gorgeous pillow case dress from an E-bay Vender boutique_littlesweetie. and her Steve Maddon boots were a steal from from Amazon  . I purchased my son's adorable appliqued shirt from Laurie of  BittyBundlesofJoy  who customized my shirt using my ideas, she was a joy to work with. Amazingly she made & shipped the shirt within 4 days! 

Everything else I made myself from invites to  food and decorations. I used my Cricut Expression & Old West Cartridge to customize all the decor pieces.

 Trifold Card I  hand made myself. I couldn't find the Bandana print paper so I made it myself.

The Favor bags I made out of an upcycled grocery bags and scrap laser printer paper and jute rope. 

  I "westernized" the menu with authentic western slag and terms for each menu item. We had full, lush and fresh Food Buffet included Barb-B-Q Chickabiddies {aka Chicken}, Campfire Beans and so on... 

I  used stainless steel serving dishes, white and vintage pieces like a coke crate, mini wash tubs, and candle holder. I used raffia around the food buffet to continue with the western cow girl feel.

Fruit Kabobs I made, some were eaten before the pic was taken as were some of my mom's deviled "hen fruit" aka eggs.

The tags were cut from Old West Cricut Cartridge and I also included part of the invite in the fruit kabobs.

I really tried to keep this as green and to upcycle as much as I could, even the bunting was upcyceld grocery bags and paper scraps from other paper projects! The exposed beams of the party barn really helped to give this western, farm girl party its cow girl feel!

The dessert Bar was filled with:
Red Velvet Cake Pops...........Red Velvet Lassos
Rich Sour Cream Devil's Food
Cake with Caramel-Choc Chips Trifle.....Diablos's Trifle
Cherry Pie Pops.....................Cherry Flap Jacks
White Cake with
Vanilla Frosting......................Old West Mini Cake

 


I hand made the mini bunting attaching the bunting to kebobs skewers. Vintage Horses from my childhood adorned the base of a punch bowl my husband & I received as a wedding gift 18 years ago acting as a trifle bowl. The mare candle was from Oriental Trading Company.com  

 Cake Pops I made with Red Velvet Cake Mix, Cream Cheese Frosting and Vanilla Coating.
 
As guests arrived they were deputized, given a hand made western star red bandana, and straw western hat. I took pictures of them sitting on an authentic saddle and bale of hay. I made a wanted poster I will insert the pics into as part of a thank you card.

Customized Center pieces made in the Birthday girl's likeness. We filled clear buckets with raffia and tied on white, black, and red balloons.

Pin the tail on the Bucking Bronco. The kids had a gr8 time playing and we had a 3 way tie!

 I taught the kids to sign "Happy Birthday" even using the birthday girl's name.  We had all the kids using American Sign Language in under 1 minuted then we taught the adults...that was pretty funny to watch the adults struggle, the kids got a kick out being able to teach the adults for a change. We had some fast learners who even practiced signing when they were playing!

For the gift table I used a antique hand made crazy quilt made in the 1900's covering a vintage 1950's stereo. I found this quilt in a travel trunk left to us by an ancestor on my husband's side, I used it to give the party a cozy and "homey feel".  I also framed the invitation and placed authentic horse shoes in various places on the gift table & around the room.

The birthday girl was so excited to play with her friends and cousins and can't wait to help plan her 5th birthday party

Linked to Raising Homemakers , 30 DAYS HOMEMADE,

Taco Cups

I am helping my sister whose starting a summer school tutoring program at her house by making some freezable summer lunches. I know the #1 most requested dinner at my night is hands down 

ALWAYS taco night!

 In light of that I came up with this recipe! I will be adding more Freezable Kid Approved Lunches as I have time, so CHECK BACK OFTEN!!

I created this recipe by using left overs from Taco Night, this freezes well or can be a "remix" for next days supper. My Kids LOVE having their own mini pies! Look below for ideas & links for remixing your own left overs!

Mine looks like these from BackofTheBox.om

Taco Cups

• 2 Tubes of Basic Refrigerated biscuits {16 Biscuits}
• 1/2 Lb of Taco Seasoned Ground Beef
• Taco Sauce
• 4 oz Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• 4 oz Salasa
• 8 Oz Refried Beans
• Fresh Cilantro )optional
• Muffin pan

Directions:

1. Use last nights taco meat or browned ground beef with taco seasoning, drain and set aside.
2. Spray muffin pan with non-stick spray and press biscuits into muffin pan 
3. Open biscuit dough and press one biscuit into each muffin tin, making sure to leave space for the filling.
4. Fill each biscuit with 1/4 Cup beef mixture. 
5. Top with 1 tablespoon each Salsa, Re-fried Beans, Taco Sauce, then shredded cheese. 
6. Bake for 15 minutes, until biscuits are cooked through and cheese is melted.
7. If serving immediately sprinkle each cup with chopped fresh Cilantro

 Other Ideas for Mini Cups:

• Keep this idea in mind when you have just any left overs such as: 
• Beef Stew {Beef Pot Pie!}, 
• Chicken & Noodles {chicken pot pie},
• Mini Cheese Burger and Tators, 
• Mini Pizza Cups, 
• Barb-B-Q Beef, Chicken, or Pork, topped w/shredded cheese
• Mini Quiches,
• Mini Pies {Any Pie Filling}
• Mini Spaghetti Pies
• Left over Stir Fry
• Mini Monkey Bread
• Left over Chicken Alfredo
• Mini Cream Pies {Bake as directed without filling poking holes in bottom of biscuit muffins, then fill with cream pie filling and top with whipped cream, refrigderate, WON'T FREEZE WELL< eat within 3 days}

Linked to GooseBerry patch

The BEST Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie EVER !!

I have to say with the most humility I can muster...

This IS the BEST Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie EVER!!! 

This is from "Let'sGetCooking.com" since I have no pic, this closely resembles my pie but I add chopped nuts, cherries, &  Peanut Butter Cups.

This pie  is so easy, uses ingredients on hand, & at the same time tastes so great you can serve it to company or for family dinners! You might want to make an extra one in case your family is like mine and dives into any left overs elbow deep as soon as the guests are in the drive way getting ready to leave! {Ask me how I know!! LOL!}

Ingredients:
 * 1 pt Jar of Organic or Non- Organic Peanut Butter  
{Better yet make your own fresh peanut butter with raw ORGANIC peanuts you have roasted and lightly salted with sea salt!}
 * 1/2 Gallon of Organic or Non-Organic Real Vanilla Ice Cream
 * Ready Made Chocolate Cookie Crumb Pie Crust Or plain graham cracker Crust
 * 1 jar Each Chocolate and Caramel Syrup
 * Chopped Peanut- Organic Preferable or use non-organic
 * 1 Can Aerosol Real Whipped Cream (OR make your own with fresh whipping cream)
 * 1 Jar Maraschino Cherries with steams
 * Small Peanut Butter Cups

Ingredients:

1. Allow Ice Cream to soften slightly not liquid-y just softened
2. Mix jar of peanut butter with ice cream until combined {Will take some time, but worth it, make sure it is smooth and well mixed!}
3. Remove the cover from pie crust and Keep LID!
4. Squeeze Caramel & Chocolate syrup onto bottom of crust in squiggly lines.
5. Scoop Peanut Butter Ice Cream over Syrups, smoothing the top.
6. Invert Lid you reserved from pie crust and place over pie
7. Allow to freeze in freezer 8 hour or overnight

To Serve:

• Allow pie to sit at room temp for 10-15 min
• Slice into 8 slices with a sharp knife that has been rinsed in hot water
• {Keep a glass of hot water & towel to clean knife between slices}
• Drizzle Caramel and Chocolate Syrup over  each slice and some of plate.
• Give each slice a generous dallop of Whipped cream, sprinkle of chopped peanuts & top each slice with an unwrapped peanut butter cup along with 1 cherry

I have NEVER had any left overs of this pie !!!

It is always a hit and tastes so rich and creamy when you purchase quality Peanut Butter and REAL Vanilla Ice cream. You can make this with ready made convenience items or you can make with all homemade fresh ingredients.

Linked to GooseBerry Patch Recipe Round UP!  Meet Penny Weekend Pot Luck

You dont NEED No Stinkin' Specialty Pan!....MYO Cake Pops!

 Every time I see these SILLY little small appliances or specialty cake pans JUST to make "baby" cake pops or truffles I just crack up!

Like I need another specialty item to sit around my limited space kitchen to use occasionally (Such as the sandwich maker, hot drink maker, or blizzard maker I HAD to have, LOL!!).  

You DON'T need this! Save your MONEY and follow my instructions below to make PERFECT cake pops EVERY TIME!!

I could see that pan/appliance having an advantage by helping to make them more uniform and smooth, but so does time and practice. And after making just one batch = 50 of them u have loads of practice and are practically are a pro cake pop maker! 

Plus the recipe I use you put the icing into the cake and that my friend makes the most moist & delicious cake pop, the small pan/appliance would make it quite easy to over-bake and make dry cake pops/truffels.

These instructions do seem quite involved and I won't lie to you they are a bit time consuming, but honestly I find it relaxing, I LOVE the results, ppl LOVE to eat them and if you break it down into steps~ even days (Which I often do) it is not so overwhelming.

Bakerellas Pic

Cake Pops 

{This is basically Bakerella's directions, I added my tips to it that make it easier for me to achieve my desired results, here is the link to her site if you would like to compare and see what works best for you!}

• 1 box{red velvet~ my favorite!} cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
• 1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
• 2- 16 oz Microwavable Coatings discs or Ganache
• Med sized  Bowl with deep well
• 6" Lollipop sticks, get at least a packet of 50
• Box with pre-designated holes or Styrofoam {Foam is EASIEST!}

1. After cake is cooked and cooled completely, crumble directly in pan {Recruit kids, they LOVE this part!!
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting. (It may be easier to use fingers to mix together, but be warned it will get messy. I use gloves, the red stains so less mess for me!)
3. Put on nice fitting gloves (if you have them) and roll mixture into quarter size balls. Lay on cookie sheet. Or After rolling balls insert lollipop sticks into balls and place in fridge.
(Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them, the gloves help keeping them from "melting" from the heat of your hands & keep the mess away. Wet your hand slightly while rolling the balls to make extra smooth, I don't bother with this but if you   are this helps!)
4. Chill for several hours. You can speed this up by putting them in the freezer- (I freeze overnight if time allows, I don't use the shoe box w/holes sliced in bc it doesn't fit in my freezer so I just place on cookie sheet, then reshape {as they might have a "flat" bottom"} and insert lollipop sticks a few at a time, then proceed with directions)
5. Melt chocolate in microwave per directions on package.
6. Reshape balls if cake pops are flat on bottom and insert lollipop sticks. Only take out 6 or so pops at a time, as the pops warm them may fall off of the stick when dipping into chocolate.
(Also allow coating to cool slightly as well b4 dipping as this  might cause pops to fall of of stick  but  too cool and it will get "goopy". Dip pops into coating holding on to stick (twirl & gently tap off extra.)
8. GENTLY place into pre-designated holes in holder of choice
(I use a shoe box with pre-cut holes and use this every time I make them. I don't like the idea of using Styrofoam, bc of the non-biodegradable quality, but I do think it would help them to stay UPRIGHT. It gets frustrating when the pops bump into each other, so I might get some and know I am using it over and over and not feel so guilty about it. Or make the holes smaller so the tight fit will help? )
9. Allow to harden in Fridge or Freezer
10. Place in display/holder of choice....if lacking ideas check out my post on that here.

Cake pops from my daughter's Pony Party

I have made this loads of times, it is easiest dipping with the coating discs but tastes soo much richer and 100 times more decadent by making ganache and dipping the cake pops in that awesome treat!

For display ideas and a tutorial on how I made these FREE and super cute cake pop display/holders, click here!

Linked to 733 blog , Nap Time Crafters Linky party,