Long time, no blog!

Well kids, it's been a while. 

I had a specific request today so here goes!

Porcupines

1 lb ground beef
1 pkg beef rice-a-roni
1 egg
2 1/2c water

Combine raw beef, rice and egg with your hands and squish it around until its uniform.  Form into 1 1/2" meat balls.  Brown on all sides in a large lidded skillet.  When brown, combine seasoning from rice-a-roni and water, add to skillet of browned meatballs.  Cover and let simmer about 20 min, or until all water has been absorbed.  Turn half way through so all your rice gets tender.


Taadaa!

My mom always said they looked like little porcupines.

i was born to cook.

BTW  My 2 yr old loves these, don't be scared.

Deep thoughts on brownies

So, my husband is the ultimate brownie lover. The more chocolate the better.

For valentine's day, we went to breakfast as a family and he worked late. Today, February 15th, I am making up for his work late schedule.

Deep dish brownies

3/4c flour
1/2c cocoa
1/2tsp salt
1/2tsp baking powder
1 1/2c sugar
1 1/2tsp vanilla
3/4c butter, melted
3 eggs

I combined all in my handy dandy kitchenaid mixer and let it mix on low for 3 minutes.

Bake in a greased square pan at 350 for 40min.
We added some heart shaped Dove chocolates on top before baking to add some love :-)

i was born to cook

Deer Backstrap Crock Pot Roast

Well, I've spent the last few weeks transitioning into a new, blessed journey.  I am a happy SAHM and a domestice goddess.  I am striving to keep warm meals on the table for my little family while staying SUPER busy with my crew.  I cannot express exactly how thankful I am to be at home with my girl, but God continues to take care of our family and He provides abundantly.

So, I had little inspiration this morning and am doing my best to use up all the meat and random side dish items in our freezers and pantry.  I started this process with a pantry clean-out!  I found a few things that needed to be trashed and a few more to use up quickly.  In our freezer, we are blessed to have TONS of meat from this past hunting season.  Someone gave us the majority of a deer; my husband processed it and it's been hanging out in the big freezer. 


2 lbs frozen backstrap
1 pkg brown gravy mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2c water or beef broth (I don't generally keep broths in my house so I go with water!)
S & P

I placed the frozen backstrap in my crockpot, mixed the rest of the ingredients and poured over. 
Feel free to add more liquid and throw in carrots, potatoes, or celery for a traditional roast and tater type dish.  I will be making scalloped potatoes (from the pantry!) and steamed broccoli as our sides. 

It's in the crockpot now, if it turns out terrible, I'll be sure to update!!

i was born to cook, and to be a mother

A few days of grace.

So, most days I push myself to have a hot meal ready for my little family.  I did really good last week and prepared meals 4/6 days. 
Lasagna
Chicken Spaghetti
(not from scratch) Rice-a-roni with "beef"
Sauteed chicken with veggies

And, now that I've got a nice sinus infection, I'm giving myself a few days of grace.  We will be eating frozen taquitos, corn dogs and anything else that requires little to no prep.

Look for tomorrows recipe:
LASAGNA!!!! yum.

i was born to cook.  and take naps :)

Swedish Meatballs and Sour Cream Brown Gravy

So, I'm not a fan of frozen meatballs and gravy.  It just doesn't do anything for my taste buds!  That being said, this week, I set out to buy groceries for a full 2 week menu.  We are currently working through a stash of ground pork and ground deer meat so I tried to use them as best I could.
I decided on the following meals:
Swedish Meatballs
Grilled stuffed burrtios
Tacos
Shepherd's Pie
Smothered Crock Pot Pork Chops
Salmon Packets
Lasagna
Porcupines
Grilled marinated Chicken Breasts
Chicken Spaghetti
King ranch Chicken

So let me start with the first!

Swedish Meatballs with Sour Cream Brown Gravy
This wasn't a complete success, so the items in bold are what I would do when I make them again.
I didn't add the onion for the sake of laziness and time.  I used the onion powder instead.  Definitely take the extra 5 min, if you've got it.


1 Lb of ground pork sausage or beef (or a combination of the two)
2 slices fresh bread
1/4 c. milk
1/2 c. bread crumbs
1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 medium onion, diced small
3 tbsp butter
1/4 tsp allspice
S & P
2 egg yolks
Cooking spray
Preheat oven to 300 - spray cooking spray lightly on a flat sheet pan/cake pan/whatever you've got!
In a small bowl, pour milk over bread and let sit to soften
Melt butter in a small sautee pan, add onions and sweat until clear/soft.Combine ground meat, mushy bread, bread crumbs, flour, spices, cooked onion, egg yolks and stir/mush/mix until all items are consistant.
Form into 1 1/2" meatballs
Sautee on medium browning each sideTransfer to greased pan and bake 30-45 min or until internal temp is 165+

Sour Cream Brown Gravy

No detailed recipe here - I prepared a brown gravy (from a package) and added 1/4c. of sour cream and wisked until smooth!


I served over No Yolk noodles and even baby A thought they were great!! 
semi-success!

i was born to cook

King Ranch Chicken - My version at least.

Well, it's not exactly "King Ranch Chicken" like they serve in lots of restaurants, but it's close to it, and its definitely comfort food.

1 - 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can of rotel (choose your hotness)
1/2c milk or water (milk will yeild a higher fat and yummyness)
S & P to your liking
1/2 bag of tortilla chips (or more, depending on how much crunch you want)
1 1/2 cups cheddar or mexican blend shredded cheese

Preheat your oven to 325
Boil, bake, pan fry - heat your chicken until its fully cooked!
Fill the bottom of a 13x9 pan with tortilla chips (crushed or not, whatever)
Pull/shred/slice/dice the chicken (remove any fat or otherwise yuckyness - I pull mine because I like the consistancy
In a large bowl combine your chicken, 3 canned items, chicken, milk, and salk and pepper.
Pour over the tortilla chips.
Cover with cheese and bake for approx 40 min. 

If you're worried about your cheese getting too brown, cover with foil for the first 20 min.






Disclaimer: 
If you need it in about 30m, use canned chicken and bake 350 for 30m.
I use 98% fat free cream soups because I can't stand the thought of full fat soups... do what you want!
No pictures this time, I made it last night :)

i was born to cook.

Starting up again :)

Well, after the birth of our sweet one and a whole year of mommyhood, I've decided to start blogging again!

If there are any recipes that you know that I make, I would be glad to post the recipe!  Comment with your request!

If you are new to my cooking style; here's the low-down. 
I will cook just about anything that looks yummy, no matter the time, effort, or skill level involved.  Most of my meals take 1 hour or less from prep to dinner table, but sometimes I throw in a super long recipe!  Some of my meals come from my sweet mama and some from internet or TV inspiration. 
I have decided to include pictures of prep and final product for those who need the extra help.
Thanks for the interest!

i was born to cook

What's in a name?

Well after a low-stress day at work... i want a low stress meal :)   They go so well together!  Especially because I'm making beef burgundy this weekend!

So, my mom used ot make this and sinply called it "Sausage, potatoes, and onions"  but I've renamed it "Sausage Mash"... either way, its a manly kind of meal and not even close to diet food!

4 medium white potatoes diced bite-size
1 large onion cut into about 8 wedges
1 package of precooked smoked sausage sliced bite-size
     (I use Echrich sausage just because thats what my mom used)

In a very large sautee pan, sautee onion and potato in oil until onions begin to carmelize.  Add sausage and reduce heat.  Stir and continue to cook until potatoes are soft.

TAADAA!

I know, not very complex but that is what I was going for!

i was born to cook!

Chicken Primavera

Well, Corey and I are officially DIETING!  So, last night was 2 small slices of frozen pizza and a salad with minimal dressing (it wasn't like Bah-Bam! pizza, just low-cal cheese)
And the night before was Gordon's Cajun Blackened fish fillet and 1/2 cup of mac-n-cheese...

Chicken Primavera

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 in pieces
1 med onion diced
2 tbsp minced garlic
4-5 sliced mushrooms or a small can
1/2 can of mixed veggies
1 sliced zucchini or squash
1 crown broccoli cut up a little bigger than bite-size
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 water to steam

Sautee garlic and onion and italian seasoning in olive oil.  Add chicken and brown.  Add mushrooms, remaining veggies, and water.  Steam until desired doneness of veggies.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

My mom always served this on pasta, but since we're on a health kick, we'll be having a salad with ours, tonight.

Love you mom, :)

i was born to cook.

Crawfish Boulettes

Because I've adopted my sister-n-laws heritage as my own, I have added cajun cooking to my repitiore!

1 package of Boudreaux's crawfish tails (cleaned and deveined) rinsed well
1 egg
1 medium onion, diced
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1/4 cup diced celery
1/2 bell pepper diced (optional... i don't care for the indigestion related to bell pepper!!)
2 tsp Louisiana Cajun Seasoning
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp parsley
5 pieces of stale bread shredded

1 cup plain bread crumbs
2 tsp Louisiana Cajun seasoning

Combine all ingredients in first set in food processer and mix thoroughly.  Form into 1-1 1/2 inch balls (boulettes).
In shallow bowl combine crumbs and remaining seasoning.  Stir so that seasoning is evenly distributed.
Rolls boulettes in bread crumb mixture and fry until browned.


My doctor is always on my case about cholesterol so I fry mine in safflower oil (expensive but there is no "fried" taste) or peanut oil could be used, as it is cholesterol free.
And if you don't care, use veggie oil!

I was born to cook :)

Chicken Cordon Pink!

Tonight was a stretch.  I vowed not to grocery shop for 2 weeks. 

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts butterflied
1 cup shredded mozzarela
4 slices of ham
1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and oregano
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1 can evaporated milk

In shallow dish combine salt, pepper, oregano, and bread crumbs.
Pour evaporated milk in another shallow bowl.
Sandwich ham and 1/4 cup cheese with chicken and fold over.
Close chicken breasts with tooth picks and dip in milk.
Roll in bread crumbs and transfer to 13x9 baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 35ish minutes.

Will post pics when mIne are done!

Semi-Homemade Pizza Pie!

Haven't had time to think, let alone post.

Last night was semi-homemade pizza

Premade pizza crust(s)
can of Ragu pizza sauce
mozarella cheese
toppings of your choice
  last night was mini pepperonis
pizza seasoning and/or garlic salt

Bake at 425 for about 15 min

A night off.

Last night was bible study, so I went super easy on dinner. 

I made a meal from a box.


i was born to cook.

i just didn't have time!

Taco Soup

Well last night I kept it pretty simple.

1 lb ground turkey or beef, browned adn drained
1 can of each:
pinto beans
black beans
corn
green beans
diced tomatoes
2 packages of original taco seasoning
1 bag of tortilla chips
2 cups of cheddar cheese

Combine meat, vegtables, taco seasoning and about 3 cans of water in large pot.  Boil for at least 30 min.

Serve over tortilla chips with cheese on top!

i was born to cook.

Crock Pot Pork Chops

Yesterday I threw some things in the crock pot.  I was trying to convince my brain that pork did not really bring on migraines, I was not successful.

4-6 thin cut boneless pork chops (thawed)
             If chops are frozen allow at least 2-3 hrs longer cook time
1 can hot rotel
1 can 98% fat free cream of mushroom soup
1 can diced potatoes (optional, my husband doesnt care for rice)
 1 bag of Boil-n-Bag rice (white or brow)
Throw everything in the crock-pot except the rice and add enough water to cover.  Cook for at least 8 hours on low or 6 hours on high.

If it is boiling when you are ready to cook the rice, I just put the bag of rice into the crock-pot and cook as directed. Serve over rice.

Not saying this dish will cause a migraine in a normal person, I just have a problem with pork.

i was born to cook.

Homemade Chicken Noodle

Yesterday I made

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
3 stalks celery, diced
2 c. water or chicken broth
1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 pkg egg noodles

Boil chicken in a large pot, in just enough water to cover.  When juices run clear (about 20 min of rapid boiling), remove from the pot and pull the chicken.  Place chicken, vegtables,  soup, and salt and pepper back into the remaining broth and simmer for about 15 min.  Add egg noodles and add the 2 c. water or broth.  You may not need all of the water, just make sure all the noodles are fully covered so they cook evenly.  Follow directions on the egg noodles for cook time.

This soup made my day.  I refuse to turn on the heat in our home, so warm foods are exactly what I need.

I was born to cook.

Today:
Crock-Pot Pork Chops

First Day

Well, this is my very first blog.  I want you to know I'm not posting the things I cook because I think I'm a fanulous cook.  I know I'm a fabulous cook! No, really, I have had lots of requests for recipes and this seems like the best outlet.
I enjoy cooking with all of me!  Even when I don't feel well, cooking usually makes me feel better.

I hope maybe my recipes (though not all original) will cause someone to enjoy my passion with me!

I was born to cook.