Kansas Girl Cooks

Easy Crockpot Chili w/Dried Beans

2012-01-24T15:37:00.000-08:00

I recently read a recipe in Midwest Living Magazine that talked about using dried red kidney beans in chili. Whiles they liked the flavor they didn't care for all the presoaking and precooking. My thought was well soaking isn't a problem, but pre-cooking? Really I had just made a batch of chili using dried beans instead of canned beans the other day, and I didn't precook. I have made this recipe twice this winter and both times it turned out just fine. Sorry I didn't get a photo, it was chili and I was hungry!

This fits in a medium sized crock pot. Its the only size I have so I have no idea what it holds.

This is important, the night before you have to soak your beans. However, I put most of my it together the night before.

Night Before:

Soak 1-1.5 cups of dried beans, in water (follow bag instructions)

Heat 1 T oil in large skillet, coarsely chop 1/2 med onion, 1/2 of med green bell pepper, and mince 1 T of garlic, saute in skillet add:

Brown 1lb of Hamburger or Ground Turkey (if you use Turkey up the chili flakes)

As it browns add the following seasoning mix (adjust as you like)

2 T of Chili Powder

2 t of Cumin

1 t of Garlic Powder

1/2 t of Chili Flakes

1/8 t of Cinnamon or Coco Powder (which ever you prefer)

1/4 t or to taste of Kosher salt

Black Pepper to taste

Add to your meat and pepper mix in skillet, once browned add to crock pot.

There is a new product from Rotel called Rotel Sauce. It comes in a small can and I found it with the tomato sauces at the store. Add 1 Can.

1 Can of Crushed Fire Roasted Tomatoes

Stir in with meat, cover and place in fridge. Leave beans in water, cover, and leave on counter.

Before I leave for work in the morning I just do a few more steps:

Drain soaked beans and rinse, and add to crock pot.

Stir to incorporate everything, add 1.5-2 Cups of V-8 Spicy Hot Low Sodium Vegetable Juice, to lightly cover everything and fill crock.

I also put a few frozen cinnamon rolls in a pan in the oven to rise. When I come home I pull out and warm up oven, and the bake according to package directions.

Cook chili covered on low for 8-9 hours. If you happen to be home for lunch stir, if not, don't worry it should be fine. Stir and taste before serving make sure beans are done, if by chance they are not turn on high, and they should be done in a hour.

Trying something new... Canning!

2012-01-08T09:24:00.001-08:00

Trying something new... Canning!, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

Earlier this fall I was thinking about making and freezing chicken stock. I usually make a batch in January and freeze it to use throughout the year, but as I thawed some out to use this fall I noticed it getting watery. As I was contemplating this problem, Thanksgiving approached and I needed a container to put some turkey stock in that I had made I reached for a quart ball canning container. It all clicked for me as I looked at the jar sitting on the counter. After Thanksgiving I began to research the process of canning stock, and discovered I would need a pressure canner. I did some online research and some shopping around town and realized that this would be quite an investment for something I wasn't even sure I wanted to do.
Over the next week I looked at several recipes for canning stock, googled canning, and watched several videos before deciding that this would be a good investment. One evening I was discussing my new idea with my Dad and he asked if I would like a pressure canner for Christmas, I told him I would have to think on it. He was kind of excited and thought this could be fun and different.
Mom on the other hand quickly remembered her days of being forced into canning the entire garden with her mother. She informed me of how hot and miserable it was, and that it takes all day. Any fantasy I had that it would be quick and easy she made sure to shoot down quickly.
After giving it some thought and discussing it with Dad I said that it could be a nice Christmas present. I woke up Christmas morning to find that Santa had a box special for me, and indeed it was a pressure canner. A nice big one too!
This last Saturday afternoon we all got together in my parents nice big kitchen and made 16 pints of chicken stock, with more ideas of items to come. A new hobby for me and my family.

Mom's Sugar Cookies

2011-12-11T10:31:00.001-08:00

Mom's Sugar Cookies, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

A holiday tradition in our house is making cookies to give to people. One of the stars of the basket is mom's sugar cookies.
Yes, thats the original card. People ask me all the time what is the ingredient that makes my sugar cookies so good. They ask if its milk, sour cream, or cream cheese, truth is nothing. My mom's recipe is simple, and what makes it special is that I use the original card that she used when I was a kid. She even wrote out the information to double and triple the recipe on the side of the card not shown. There are only two ingredients you don't see in the photo on the card, one is flour, and the other is baking powder. Until I met my husband I didn't even time them when they were in the oven, I could always smell when they were done. He likes a timer, so I time them now, they are slightly more consistent in color. People ask for me to give them recipe, but I am hesitant to give it up. I love to make them for people, and its a pretty straight forward simple recipe. I even screwed up the recipe this year, but you'd never know it. They are a big part of my christmas traditions, and I hope they always will be.

Pea's & Radishes

2011-09-05T18:28:00.001-07:00

Pea's & Radishes, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

Adapted from the French Food at Home on the Cooking Channel.

1 Sm Bag of Frozen Peas
1 Bunch of Radishes
2 T Butter
2 t of Fresh Dill
2 t of Fresh Chives or Green Onion

Clean and quarter radishes.
Melt butter in skillet, add radishes, let cook for a few min add frozen peas. Cook until Radishes are soft and peas are warmed through. Remove from heat add in herbs and salt/pepper to taste.

Garden Fresh Stuffed Tomatoes, Steak Kabobs, and Herbed Rice

2011-08-27T19:10:00.001-07:00

Garden Fresh Stuffed Tomatoes, Steak Kabobs, and Herbed Rice, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

Stuffed Grilled Tomatoes

First get good hearty tomatoes. We purchased three that fit firmly in our hands.
Because I knew I wanted an onion flavor we picked up an onion roll out of the bakery case at the grocery store, we also grabbed a wheat roll to make bread crumbs out of. When we got home we cut up the bread into cubes and laid it out on a cookie sheet to dry it out, about 30m before I was about to cook dinner I put it in the oven for 5-10m on low 200deg to continue to dry out the bread to make crumbs. When we pulled out the bread we put it in a food processor and pulsed it a few times, so we had mix of sizes. Set aside.
Warm up grill.
Cut the tomatoes in half (side to side) and carefully pull out inside, we had one top that I put my thumb through. Which I had planned on having one or two that I screwed up. No big deal. Put the tomato meat and juice in a bowl and set aside. Put your hollowed out haves in a roasting pan for the grill. Line with foil or coat with oil.
Stuffing:
Add one clove of minced garlic to the bread crumbs, along with fresh -- 1t of thyme, 2t of parsley, 2 leaves of sage, and 2 T of green onions chopped up. Add in 1 egg and 1 T of Olive Oil, and if you need more moisture add a tablespoon or two of the tomato water to the stuffing mix.
Fill your tomatoes with stuffing, and top with slices of parmesan cheese.
Grill for 10-12m, until tomatoes are soft but not falling apart, and cheese is browning-slightly crusty.

Cooks Country Daisy Mae's Delight Cake

2011-08-21T17:22:00.001-07:00

Cooks Country Daisy Mae's Delight Cake, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

This is less about the recipe for the cake and more about my experience making the cake. I started out wanting to bake, I haven't done much all summer and it seems that I rarely have the time even when I want to. Usually I am too tired or stressed to even crack open a box and add some eggs and oil. However, Saturday I was determined and it seems that determination had to be tested by the kitchen. After reading several recipes and deciding that I was going to make a cake. I set out to make Cook's Country Daisy Mae's Delight out of America's Best Lost Recipes.
This recipe is different from regular cakes, instead of flour it has a special ingredient, graham crackers, and that I had plenty of in my cupboard. Due to summer fun and lots of Smore's I had three half opened boxes of graham crackers. After reading through the recipe I got out the cuisinart and started grinding up graham crackers.
I followed the recipe and even set-up two 9 in round pans to make a layer cake like the recipe suggested. I was out of Baker's Joy flour spray, and opted for the old fashioned grease and flour method. Put the cakes in the oven and went about cleaning up and taking care of other things around the house. Cakes smell wonderful. Timer dings and I pull them out and let them set according to the directions. Go to remove them from the pan and they stick, and then crumble out. I clean up the cake mess, and try a bit, surprisingly good. Upset that they tasted good but looked like mess, I decided making a layer cake isn't in the cards today. I quickly find a recipe for an old favorite Texas Sheet Cake and continue on. My husband comes into help out and starts on part of the cake and I work on the other, we get it together pretty quickly I double check a few measurements, and we begin to put the ingredients together in the kitchen aid mixer. I begin to think it looks thin, but keep on adding in the liquid. I get it all mixed and notice that it looks like soup. Give the recipe a quick glance, and I doubled the buttermilk. Frustrated and heartbroken, I go to the other room and my super sweet husband cleans up. I also believe he sampled a little bit of the cake soup. I have the items to make Daisy Mae's Cake one more time, yes I had that many graham crackers in my cupboard! We decide to put in a 9x13 and call it good. It bakes up lovely, and I made the frosting took it out to my parents house. We had fun playing guess the ingredient. With the cream cheese frosting it tasted more like carrot cake or zucchini than graham cracker. My husband said the kitchen missed me and that it played havoc on my baking so I would spend more time in there... I suppose I shall try to bake more regularly.

Coconut Curried Chicken

2011-08-14T16:45:00.001-07:00

Coconut Curried Chicken, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

Its adapted from time to time... see notes

1 can of light coconut milk, use 1/2 C for the recipe, and use the rest when you cook the rice.

1- T Oil
Mince up one small onion
add it and oil to skillet and cook until onion is soft add
2 Chicken Breasts cubed
that have been tossed in:
1 t of curry powder

cook in skillet with onion and oil until almost done, whiles your waiting on chicken to cook mix up sauce:

1/3 C of lt Coconut Milk
1 T of Fish Sauce
1 t of red curry paste
stir until curry paste is incorporated and not settled at the bottom.

Check you chicken and if it is close to done, add your veggies which can be snow pea pods or green beans. On the night of the photo we had green beans.

Let cook a little with chicken and onion mixture. Then add sauce, and let cook down. If you need to to thicken add a T of Corn starch to 1/2 C of water mix and add slowly. Once the sauce thickens, add
1 SM can of cubed pineapple with juice.
Let pineapple heat through, stir and coat with sauce. Serve with rice, and top with shredded coconut.

Asian Crock-Pot Pork

2011-08-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

Asian Crock-Pot Pork with Veggies and Rice, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

Country Style Ribs
Marinate over night in:
1/4 light brown sugar
1 c low sodium soy sauce
2 T Olive Oil
2 T Rice Vig
2 T Lime Juice
2 T Minced Garlic
2 T of Ginger
1 t of Asian Hot Chili Sauce

Drain off sauce and discard in the morning or after 8hrs.

Cook on low for 6-8hrs depending on crock pot, ours took 6, but it cooks things quickly. Pull pork off bone and shred which shouldn't be hard.

New Potatoes and Peas

2011-07-24T17:20:00.001-07:00

New Potatoes and Peas, a photo by KS Girl on Flickr.

One of my favorite summertime dishes my Grandma Wilson made for me as kid.

I didn't measure the potatoes, sorry.
New Potatoes with skins on, wash and cubed, boiled till tender.

In a skillet:
1 SM bag of peas (fresh or frozen) I had to use frozen.
This time I used 3 small leaks, but you don't have to, onion will work. I had leaks from my CSA bag so I used them.
Once your peas are warm and your onion or leaks are soft, scoot them to one side of the skillet.
Add 2 T of butter and let melt, add 2 T of ap flour, whisk and let cook for a min or two. Add salt and pepper at this point, I also added a teaspoon of garlic powder, but it is optional.
Whisk in one cup of milk then stir in the peas and leeks and let come to simmer it will get thick. When the potatoes are tender, drain off, but save back some potato water incase you need to loosen up the sauce. Incorporate the potatoes with the peas and sauce. Serve. I put a little parsley on top, but you don't have to... grandma certainly didn't.

Thai Cliantro-Peanut Noodles

2011-04-13T18:39:00.000-07:00

This is a lot like Pad-Thai, however I combined several different ideas from a couple of different cookbooks. Sorry there is no photo

Boil Water for Rice Noodles, as soon as it comes a boil turn it off add handful of noodles. Stir occasionally, until soft.

Sauce:

Cook the following ingredients in a sauce pan over med-high heat, stirring occasionally:

1/4 C balsamic vinegar

2.5 T of sugar

2 T of brown sugar

2 T of low sodium soy sauce

1/4 t of Red Pepper Flakes (or more for more heat)

1 minced garlic clove

After sauce comes to a boil add:

2 T of Reduced Fat Creamy Peanut Butter

stir in then add:

1/2 C of chopped Cilantro

Set sauce aside.

For the Chicken Mixture:

1 Chicken Breast Small Cubes

1 Nappa Cabbage (chopped up and cleaned)

1/2 of Red Onion diced

1 Garlic Clove diced

2 Carrots shredded

In a warm large non-stick skillet heat 1 T of Sesame Oil, add to it:

Onion & Garlic let soften then add chicken and let brown, once browned and cooked, add carrots and cabbage. Once things are mixed together and beginning to heat through add drained noodles (reserve some water, if pan is dry add to help soften cabbage and keep pan moist)

after noodles are incorporated add sauce and stir.

Top with Peanuts (chopped or not) and squirt with fresh lime juice.

Enjoy.

Serves 4

Giovanis Pizzeria & Cafe, Topeka KS

2011-02-20T09:14:00.001-08:00

Giovanis Pizzeria & Cafe, Topeka KS
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Last night we ordered in, and we ordered local. We ordered take out from Giovanis Pizzeria & Cafe. They have been around for a while in Topeka, but recently moved to a space on Kansas Ave, by Kay's Cakes.

I was glad we ordered take-out, the restaurant is in its low-budget early stages. It feels like you are walking into someone's house, possibly someone's kitchen. Now, thats not necessarily a bad thing, it just lacked the coziness of a restaurant -- even a home style restaurant. They were advertising for a local artist to decorate there walls, and I'd like to see them upgrade there work station up from card table to a real prep table. I would hope that as their popularity grows they will begin investing back into the restaurant. You can see there kitchen without any problems, and they did keep it clean. However, if your not one for feeling like your walking into someone's home, then have it delivered.

As for the pizza, it was good. I had hoped after seeing the inside that it would be, I wanted to support this restaurant in the future and see them grow. We ordered the large pepperoni pizza and garlic knots. The garlic knots were like a garlic bread knot rolls that sat in garlic olive oil and topped with kraft-style parmesan cheese (you know the kind that comes out of a green can). They weren't swimming in garlic flavor and the olive oil was on the bottom of the pan so you could tap some of it off, the bread wasn't soggy from the oil either, it was still crusty, like a soft pretzel. I think these would also taste good in rolled in butter and topped with cinnamon sugar, mmm. The pizza dough was kind of a hand tossed size, they only have the one thickness because they really believe in serving an authentic New York Style Pizza. I haven't been to New York, so I have no idea if its authentic or not, but it did look like TV Style New York Pizza. The sauce tasted like tomatoes, and didn't taste artificial. The cheese was good, we would have ordered bacon cheese burger, but they didn't have cheddar cheese on the menu, only American, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Parmesan. However, it was cheesy and when I am eating pizza thats really all that matters. The pepperoni was nice big slices, it wasn't as spicy as I had hoped for, but it was crispy.

As you can see they cut it every which was from Sunday, but since we were at home we just used our pizza cutter and cut things down to our comfortable size.

So, at least give them a try. They do have a unique flavor, not like the chain restaurants, and it does smell like pizza place when you walk in. Unlike one of our other local pizza places.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Eggs on a Nest

2011-01-25T19:18:00.003-08:00

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Eggs on a Nest
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I love breakfast! Its not secret in our house that if there is a great place to eat breakfast when we go on vacation I will find it. My husband has quoted me saying "I am professional breakfast eater, I just don't get paid." I will think on a new recipe for sometime before I make it. I would say this is parts of other recipes to make one great breakfast.

I made a variation on the hash-brown patties for Christmas Eve Breakfast, which is the breakfasts of breakfasts. Its a fairly simple recipe:
really this is the ratio
1-2 Yukon Gold Potatoes
2 T of Gluten Free Flour or Rice Flour
1 egg white
3T of green onions
Parmesan Cheese (however much you like), I probably do about a 1/4 of Cup.
Peel your potatoes, and grate (I use a food processor), and then rise until clear and ring out with an old rag (clean one preferably).
Mix in your flour, egg white, onions, and cheese, make into patties and place on oiled (we use pam spray) med warm skillet. Then place a teaspoon of butter on top of the patty whiles the other side is cooking. Once you start to see brown around the edges and the butter is melted flip. I kinda guess, and if I flip it too early I flip it back.

Poach your eggs one for each patty, and serve with a side of Canadian bacon. I also topped my eggs with a dash of parm cheese and salt & pepper.

Smashed Mashed Potatoes

2010-09-12T08:42:00.001-07:00

Smashed Mashed Potatoes
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

The best no-gravy potatoes ever!

Md-Lg Russet Potatoes (1 per person)
I used two, cuz there were two of us.
Boil in salted water till soft, and yes salt the water you need a little bit of salt flavor. I don't normally salt my water for potatoes, because there's usually plenty in gravy.
While they are boiling set out 2oz of cream cheese, and 2T of butter (per two potatoes)

Drain cooked potatoes, return to pan
add butter and begin to mash
after the butter is melted in add cream cheese
and mash a little longer, and 2 T of Milk
and whip with spoon, once they are fluffy and smooth, add 1/4 C of green onions and pepper to taste.

In this batch I also added 1/4 C of Cheddar Cheese, but I have also made it without.

Kansas Girl Takes A Road Trip to Colorado Springs, CO.

2010-07-25T08:24:00.001-07:00

Shuga's
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Before going I did a lot of research on where to eat. This came up on google maps, then I went to the website and checked it out. I knew I had to go.
This place was cool. Once you go to www.shugas.com you will understand how cool it is without even going to Shuga's. After checking out the menu online, I really couldn't wait. We had it on our schedule for Saturday lunch. It was a great place to go for a light lunch, which worked out well because we had a big breakfast. Which was also fabulous.
Brian and I shared the chop board, and my parents had the pastrami. They were both great. The chop board comes with meats, cheeses, cashews, dried apricots, bread, and hot mustard. The pastrami was spicy and fresh.
We had told the wait staff we found this place on-line and we were tourists. He was glad to hear we thought it was such a great place, and he was happy to hear we got off the beaten path. Although I wouldn't consider this place to be off the beaten path, I would say if your looking for great food its right on the great path. Really not hard to find either, right on a main road, and kind of on the start of a neighborhood. If I lived anywhere near it, I would be a regular.

Roasted Pepper Rice

2010-05-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

Get the grill fired up for this recipe!

1 Box of Goya Yellow Rice
1 Vadaila Onion or Texas 1015
1 Pablano Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Ear of Corn
1 T of Oregano
dash of Salt
1 T of Olive Oil

Cook the rice according to the directions on the box. When its done, set aside until veggies are ready.

Make a foil cooking basket, or if you have grilling basket use that and place in the folliwng:
Chop your Pablano Pepper and Green Bell Pepper in larger chunks. Toss them in 1 T of Olive Oil and a dash of salt
Chop Oregano and add to peppers.

You can do this two ways,
Slice or onion and skewer it (has shown)
or chop your onion and put it in the peppers.

Put your pepper basket and onions on the grill

Peal the husk from your corn and set on grill, you just want it to get a bit of color all around, so you will have to turn it regularly.

When everything is tender, remove from grill and add to your cooked rice.
After your veggies are mixed in add your pepper jack cheese and stir in till it disappears.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Cherry Pancakes

2010-05-23T08:34:00.001-07:00

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Cherry Pancakes
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

1 C Flour
1 T of Sugar
T t of baking powder
1/2 t of baking soda
1 C of Buttermilk
1 t of Vanilla
1 T of Veg Oil
1 Lg Egg (lightly beaten)
1/4 of Strained, Caned Cherries (see note)

Strain your can of cherries, and measure out 1/4 cup of cherries, and mash/chop up in container. Set aside.
Mix your dry ingredients in med size bowl, then add your milk, vanilla, egg, and oil, start to mix, after a few stirs add cherries, continue to mix batter as you would regular pancakes.

Heat Griddle, and use about 1/2 C of batter per pancake, when it starts to bubble flip. They will be really thick and fluffily. Top with reserve cherries and syrup.

Cherry Cake

2010-01-02T18:08:00.001-08:00

Cherry Cake
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I received the cookbook I found this recipe in for Christmas last year from my parents
"America's Best Lost Recipes" from The Editors of Cooks Country. I found that I love "vintage" style recipes. There's something to be said for simple procedures and simple processes that turn out wonderful flavors for just a few $.

I took this cake to a New Year's Eve party the other night, and had a request for the recipe. I made a few changes from the original, but not much. They do a great job with there recipes.

Oven Temp: 350

Mix in mixer:
3/4 C Sugar
4 T of Unsalted Butter

Mix in small bowl:
1 C of ap flour
11/2 t of baking powder
dash of salt (1/8 t)

Mix in measuring cup (glass kind):
2 eggs
1 t of Vanilla
(mix very well)

Add your wet & dry mixes to butter/sugar alternating

Drain one (reg) size can of Tart Cherries (I think ours was 21.5 - 22 oz) save the syrup, and a few cherries for garnish if you wish.

Fold in drained cherries to batter, do NOT over-mix.

Spray one round 9 in pan (with Bakers Joy)

Spread batter in pan, and bake for 30-35 m.
Remove from oven and invert on to cake plate.

Glaze:
Cook in saucepan while the cake is baking and let cool:
Use reserved syrup, mix in 1t of almond extract, 3/4 C Sugar, 21/2 T of Cornstarch, cook until it bubbles and remove from heat.

When cake is cool spread onto cake.

Garnish as pictured with pecans and cherries.

Cherry-Chipotle Dr. Pepper Pork

2009-08-23T08:49:00.001-07:00

Cherry-Chipotle Dr. Pepper Pork
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

This was spicy and sweet, just right. Oh my it was good, and I believe it would be excellent on ham.

Marinate
4 C of Dr. Pepper (do not use diet)
1/2 C of Kosher Salt
When you mix these together, they will fizz so give your self plenty of room in the bowl. Add your Pork Tenderloin 3-4lbs. Let set and be happy in the fridge for 2-4hrs.

Remove and let it come to room temp. whiles you fire up the grill. Your going to sear it for 8-12 min. on each side, then move to aluminum pan over indirect heat. Add glaze to pan and turn every 10-15m. until pork is done (145-150 deg).

Glaze:
1-9oz jar of Tart Cherry Preserves
1/2 C of Dr. P
1/2 C of Water
2 T of Chopped Canned Chipotle in Adobo
4 t of Dijon mustard

I got this great recipe out of a book a borrowed from my dad.. Weber's Way to Grill, by Jamie Purviance. Its a great book, and I am going to have to buy my own copy. The grilling recipes are creative and full of flavor. I have had several recipes out of the book, he gives great instruction, and step-by-step photos when needed.

I also made Black Beans to accompany dinner and this is my own creation...

1-Can of Black Beans (rinsed)
1-Can of Refried Black Beans
1/2 C of Dr. Pepper
Mixed Together
Spread in a 9x9 Pan
Topped with crumbled queso fresco and cilantro and cooked until warm and cheese is melted in a 400 F deg oven. These beans were great with the pork.

Cool Cucumber Salad

2009-07-12T19:41:00.001-07:00

Cool Cucumber Salad
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

An easy summer salad, great for all those garden fresh cucumbers!

For 2
1 Cucumber
I usually partially peal the cucumber, but taste it first and if the skin is bitter, full peel it.

Slice

2 T fresh Dill

Now there are 2 different ways I make this depending on what is in the cupboard.

Option 1:
1/4 C of Sour Cream
1/2 C of Mayo
Juice 1/2 of a Lemon

Option 2:
1/4 C - 1/2 C of Yogurt
1/4 C of Mayo
Juice 1/2 of Lemon

Stir, Chill for a while, and eat..

It should be slightly tangy, but not be overpowering of yogurt/mayo/or sour cream.

BBQ Chicken Legs

2009-06-15T16:50:00.001-07:00

BBQ Chicken Legs
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Grilled chicken legs with Fat Guys BBQ Sauce slathered all over!
(we always grill meat to eat throughout the week, thats the chicken breast in the corner of the photo.)

Fat Guys Original BBQ Sauce

2009-06-15T16:48:00.001-07:00

Fat Guys Original BBQ Sauce
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Fat Guys BBQ Sauce is a local sauce, made in Topeka, KS. www.fatguysbbq.com

I have been enjoying on smoked/grilled meat for years! Its sweet and spicy, and when applied during cooking it coats real nice and gooey just like BBQ Sauce should!

Beerita

2009-05-31T08:21:00.001-07:00

Corona Margarita
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

As summer time approaches its time for BeerRita's

1 Pitcher of Ice
1 Can of Frozen Lime Margarita Mix
1 Bottle of Corona

Thats it!

Homemade Focaccia

2009-01-26T17:06:00.001-08:00

Homemade Focaccia
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Basic Starter

Stage 1:
8oz of Warm Water
8oz Whole Rye Flour
Combine
Place in a non reactive container, stainless steel or plastic, and cover.
let set for 2 or 3 days.

Stage 2:
8oz Bread Flour
1lb of Starter from Stage 1
Combine to make a stiff dough, cover and let stand until well fermented, 1-2days

Stage 3:
12oz Bread Flour
6z of Water
8oz of Starter from Stage 2 (discard the rest)
combine, mix into stiff dough, cover and let stand, until increase by half, at least one day.

Stage 4:
Continue to refresh as is done in step 3, daily, until it doubles in volume in 8-12hrs

The whole procedure will take up to 2weeks, after this it is ready to use in bread.

Refresh:
12oz Flour
6oz Water
8oz Starter

You can store it up to two weeks in the fridge without feeding it.

We feed ours every two weeks, and it has stayed and been useful for several years... we started ours in 2004.

Wild Rice Crab Cakes

2009-01-12T16:00:00.003-08:00

Wild Rice Crab Cakes and Spicy Roasted Potatoes
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Cook 1 Box of
Uncle Ben's Quick Cook Wild Rice
(do not use the seasoning packet that comes with it, just cook the rice)

Use 3/4 C of the Cooked Rice
1/2 C of Bread Crumbs
1/4 C of Finely Chopped Red Bell Pepper
1/8 C of Minced Shallots
1/8 C of Lt Mayo
1 T of Dijon Mustard
The Juice from half of a lemon
dash of salt
1/4 t of Cumin
1/8 t of Crushed Red Pepper
dash of pepper
8oc pkg of Imitation Crab or the real thing.. we can't get that in Kansas without it costing an arm and a leg.
2 egg whites

Mix everything together throughly, if it won't hold together then add more breadcrumbs, make a patty, and put on hot non-stick skillet that has been sprayed with canola oil spray. Cook 4m on each side or until brown and crispy.

Lemon Sauce
2 - 3 T of Lt Mayo
1 t of Dijon Mustard
1 t of minced shallots
Juice of 1/2 -1 whole lemon
salt to taste

Enchilada Chili Bean Bake

2009-01-10T17:57:00.000-08:00

I needed to use up leftover Turkey Chili, and on Saturday night's I love easy meals.

2 C of Leftover Chili
1 Can of Kuner's Black Refried Beans
1 Can of Kuner's White & Gold Corn
1/2 of red bell pepper, sliced
1/4 of onion, sliced
3/4 C of Sargento Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese
3 Burrito Sized Low Fat Tortilla's
Canola Oil Spay
9x9 Baking Dish

Spray and heat up small non-stick skillet
add Onion and Bell Pepper and sauté until caramelized
remove from skillet and set aside

Lay one Tortilla out and top with the following:
coat with an even layer of refried beans
then top with about 3 T of Corn
and a then a portion of onion and bell pepermix
roll and lay in pan seam side down, repeat 3x's

cover with rolls with Chili and bake 400deg for 25m
pull out and cover with cheese and bake for another 5m
1 serving = 1/2 Enchilada with Chips

Rocky Road Bites

2008-12-21T06:39:00.001-08:00

Rocky Road Bites
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

From a co-worker.

1- 12oz pkg. Semi Sweet Choc Chips
1 lb of white almond bark

Melt those together in the microwave

Mix into melted chocolate
1 C of Dry Roasted Peanuts
2 C of Mini Marshmallows
1 C of Rice Crispies

Drop into rounded spoonfuls into mini-muffin cups lined with paper
top with Red & Green M&M's

You can melt 2oz of almond bark and drizzle over top, but I choose not to.

Handmade Christmas Greeting Cards

2008-11-30T19:17:00.001-08:00

Handmade Christmas Greeting Cards
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I believe in the art of giving greeting cards, especially at Christmas time. I don't think they need to be handmade although I enjoy making mine, but I believe that you should send them. They are like a small gift to give to someone. You don't have to send one to everyone in your address book. However you should send one to the special people in your life.

Review: Hazel Hill Chocolate Treats

2008-11-29T09:04:00.001-08:00

Hazel Hill Chocolate Traditions
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

In Downtown Topeka you will find Hazel Hill, a chocolate shop. They carry a wide variety of chocolate covered goodness. You can get chocolate items in white, milk or dark chocolate and they are all wonderful. They also have fudge, and a variety of "carmel apples" If you ask them they will even cut up your apple for you, or wrap it up for a present. I have indulged my sweet-tooth more than I should I am sure. Today my husband and I picked up a few treats, top dark chocolate peanut butter cup, right is a chocolate covered marshmallow, and front is a Cashew Hill. Cashews covered in carmel then chocolate. The caramel was very thick and creamy, and the cashews were crunchy and fresh. They are all very delicious and reasonably priced. Especially compared to some of the corporate chocolate shops and catalogs. You can order from them online at http://www.hazelhillchocolate.com/

Preparing for Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T08:58:00.001-08:00

Preparing for Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Thanksgiving is coming. It is my one of my favorite times of year. I love the focus on the food and family.

Thanksgiving Menu:

Sausage, Apple, Fennel, and Corn Bread Dressing (pg 152 CL Nov 06)
Oatmeal Pecan Pie (pg 168 CL Nov 06)
Apple Grilled Turkey with Cider Gravy (pg 190 CL Nov 06)
Glazed Carrots with Orange and Cranberries (pg 148 ATK Family Cookbook)
Gratin of Cauliflower with Gruyere (pg 122 CL Nov 08)*
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

CL = Cooking Light
ATK = America's Test Kitchen

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Honey French Toast & Hot Buttered Apples

2008-11-09T07:04:00.001-08:00

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Honey French Toast & Hot Buttered Apples
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Honey French Toast
a fall favorite in our house

In a pie pan mix:
2 T of Honey
1 t of Fresh Nutmeg
1 t of Vanilla
2 T of Cinnamon
2 T of Milk

mix ingredients thoroughly together

add eggs and mix together.
I use 3ggs for 4 pcs of Texas Toast
or 2 eggs for 4 regular slices of bread

Cook bread on skillet until done.

Hot Buttered Apples
For 1 Regular Sized Apple (I used 2)
1 T of Butter
1 T of Cinnamon
2 T of Sugar
1 T of Orange Juice
Mix and Cook on med heat in sauce pan until soft and sauce is bubbly.

Chili

2008-10-20T17:27:00.001-07:00

Chili
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Alright, I am trying to change my eating habits and eat less fat...so we've been eating a lot of turkey. Tonight was Turkey Chili, and if I didn't tell you there was turkey in it you would have never known.

1lb of Ground Turkey (dark)
browned with:
1 T of Olive Oil
1 Clove of Garlic
1 T of Chili Pepper Flakes
2-3 T of Chili Powder
1/4 C Onions
Dash of Salt & Pepper
I have found that Turkey requires more spice than beef. So if you like it spicy use more chili powder.

after Turkey is browned
add,
1 sm can of green chilis
1/2 C of Beef Broth
2 cans of chili beans (I like Bush's or Kuner's)
1 can of black beans rinsed
1 can of Rotel like tomatoes
1 can of tomatoes, I liked the Fire Roasted Tomatoes
1 sm can of tomato paste
stir, and let come to a simmer, then serve.

Apple picking day!

2008-10-19T07:52:00.001-07:00

Apple picking day!
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Its was a good year for apples, as opposed to last year. My parent's neighbor invited us down to pick apples from two of his trees. He has a red delicious, and a green delicious. We picked a lot more than I think we can eat raw, so I am sure I will be making some apple goodies soon... and not just apple pie. :)

Pumpkin Bunt Cake

2008-10-04T18:02:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Bunt Cake
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

This was one of the easiest cakes I think I have ever made.

1pk of spice cake mix
1pk of instant vanilla pudding (4 serving size)
4 Eggs
1 1/3 C of pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1/4 C Vegetable Oil
1/4 C Water
3/4 t of cinnamon
1/4 t of nutmeg

Bake at 350 for 40m

The original recipe is in "Cake Mix Magic" but I wouldn't be me if I didn't change it. I cut back on the oil, as I was trying to convert it to low fat. I would also probably change out the eggs for egg beaters next time.

Carmel Apple Cream Tart

2008-09-20T16:30:00.001-07:00

Carmel Apple Cream Tart
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

A Kraft inspired creation, it is from Kraft Fall 2008 Food & Family.
I made this last week, then made it again this week after deciding to make a few changes.

Peel, Core, and Cut up 3 different flavors of apples, and I would suggest at least one Granny Smith.
Add
1/4 C Sugar
2 T Flour
Cinnamon to taste
Stir up.

Roll out one pie shell, from the refrigerator case. I used Pillsbury, it came in a red box.

Lay it out flat on a cookie sheet, I prefer with parchment paper underneath.

Spread 4oz of Fat Free or Red Fat Cream Cheese

Top with half to apple mixture, then buy Squeeze bottle carmel, about 2 T.

Put the rest of the apples on top, and bring up the crust around the top, and add 1 T More of carmel.

Bake 450 for 20m, cover with tinfoil and bake for another 5.

Kraft Mini Meatloaf

2008-09-14T17:59:00.001-07:00

Mini Meatloaf
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I recently received my seasonal free Kraft Magazine in the mail, and this recipe was featured on the last page. I made a few adjustments but otherwise followed the idea of the recipe. The concept is easy and simple, it also keeps the portion size small without you having to think about it... or be tempted by that large loaf.

1 lb of lean ground beef
6 oz (1 box) of Stove Top Stuffing
1 C of water

form into balls and place in muffin pans, makes 12.
cook at 375 for 30min.

My version:
1 lb of lean ground beef, although if I do it again I will mix in pork or turkey.
8 oz of stuffing
1/2 C of Milk
1/2 C of water
2 t of Italian season
1 t of garlic
2 t of minced onion (dried for ease)

baked at 375 for 30 min then topped with "moms sauce"

My Mom's sauce
1/4 C Brown Sugar
1/2 C Ketch Up
1 T Mustard
1 T Worcestershire
1 t of Garlic Powder

Cover each ball with about 1 T of mix, and put back in oven for 5 m.

2 is a serving, enjoy.
Thanks KRAFT for the great and easy idea.

Weekly Menu

2008-09-10T20:06:00.001-07:00

Weekly Menu
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I believe in writing weekly menus, but lately as my husband said, "you've being doing it on the fly." So, tonight I sat down, read recipes, and wrote a menu. It leads to smarter buying at the grocery stores, healthier eating and saves me money. We also plan to eat leftovers for lunches and for dinner. If you never have tried it, or find it to overwhelming. You should give it a try. A few tips:
1. Set aside a night a week to write the menu. Plan for about an hour.
2. Organize your magazines, or cookbooks by using tabs -- that makes all your fav's easier to find.
3. Once you select your recipe write it down on the menu, and make a note on the menu about its location. For me I use abbreviations, like CL MAG JUN08 pg 10 = Cooking Light Magazine June 2008 page 10 or RR OCT07 THUR MENU = Rachel Ray Oct 2007, in the weekly menu booklet on Thursday.
4. Try to use some of the same ingredients all through the week.
5. If you have picky eaters, have them help you. Sit down with a list of options for them and have them decide.

Good Luck.

Applewood BBQ & Bistro

2008-09-06T19:55:00.001-07:00

Applewood BBQ & Bistro
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

What a great little find in Southeast Shawnee County/Topeka, KS. The BBQ was served dry, with sauce on the side. I personally like this kind of BBQ, lets me flavor it as little or as much as I want. They had three different sauces, mild, hillbilly, and spicy. We did notice the difference between hillbilly and mild. Spicy was good, but not overly hot. It had some spice to it, but I wouldn't say it had much heat. Brian and I had split the platter, it came with pulled pork, brisket, 3 Pork ribs, beans, fries, and bread. The meat was all very good, the ribs were done perfectly and the meat fell right off the bone. The beans were different than your typical BBQ beans, there were several different variety's such as pinto, black, kidney, and with chunks of pork. Service was good to. They are still pretty new, the physical menu size was big, but when you got down to selection is was slim pick-ins. Which is fine, all I really wanted was BBQ. They had hamburgers, salads, and beer specials and some time we will go back for $.35 wings on Wednesday. I am not sure they have the name right, now that I think of it. It seems like it should be named Applewood BBQ & Bar. They had nightly beer specials, although no draft yet. I look forward to watching this place grow into there own. They have good food with a lot of potential.

If you read the comments below then you won't be surprised they closed.

Labor Day Breakfast: 10 Grain Pancakes and Turkey Sausage

2008-09-01T09:47:00.001-07:00

Labor Day Breakfast: 10 Grain Pancakes and Turkey Sausage
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

10 Grain Pancakes all cooked up, and topped off with Cool Whip Lite, although I did use a little butter to spruce up the flavor.

Review: Bob's Red Mill 10 Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix

2008-09-01T09:36:00.000-07:00

I usually make pancakes from scratch, but this morning I was in the mood for easy and tasty. Whiles I am not a fan of pancake mixes, I have tried other products from Bob and found them tasty. I made the recipe variation and used milk instead of water, and they were a little too thin so I add some more mix and that fluffed them right up. So when it says to add liquid and mix it in that is what they mean. All worked out though. They were defiantly 10-Grain, they had that extra grain taste, and required a little more syrup than your normal pancakes. Other than that they tasted just as if I made them my self with all 10-grains. Would I use again, yes I have most of a bag left. It made the perfect batch for 2, which was nice. Would I buy it again, I believe if I am in a rush and want heathy and yummy pancakes I will.

Summer Succotash

2008-08-24T18:29:00.001-07:00

Summer Succotash
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

This summer succotash salad simply tastes just fresh and light.

Mix Dressing:
2 T of Olive Oil
2 T of Honey
2 T of Apple Cider Vinegar
1 1/2 T of Balsamic Vinegar

2 T of Fresh Dill (or less depending on personal preference)
1/2 C of chives

Then in a large bowl mix up:
1 lg Cucumber (cut up)
1 Can of Butter Beans or Navy Beans rinsed
1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes halved
4 ears of corn grilled or 1/2 bag of white/yellow mixed frozen corn, lighted heated

Pour over dressing and toss together, refrigerate for 1-2hrs or overnight.

Italian Sausage & Fresh Tomato Pasta

2008-08-18T17:12:00.001-07:00

Italian Sausage & Fresh Tomato Pasta
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Maybe it just because I haven't cooked much this summer, but dinner tonight was delish!

1/2 Onion Diced
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 t of Olive Oil
let simmer in pan
add 2 cut up links of Italian Sausage
add 1 Green Bell pepper rough chopped
cook through

cook 1/2 regular sized box of penne pasta

once pasta is cooked through add to meat & onion mix

Add 1/4-1/2 cup of pre-made sauce, see review.

Let cook for a 1-2m, add 3 cut up roma tomatoes

Let heat through, and serve.

Review: Garozzo's Spicy Hot Diablo Sauce

2008-08-18T17:05:00.001-07:00

Garozzo's Spicy HOt Diablo Sauce
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

I have seen this sauce at our local Hy-Vee Grocery, and have been interested in trying it. I finally felt like I had the perfect dish to put it on, see next post.

Right out of the jar, my first flavor was sugar. This flavor really surprised me as I read the ingredients prior to purchasing. Sugar was pretty far down on the list. The next flavor was a more robust flavor of tomatoes, and wine. Contrary to the "Spicy Hot" label, it wasn't that strong on heat. However, it went really well with the dish I created for dinner. The sugar flavor mellowed, and with the fresh tomatoes it really tasted like a full bodied homemade sauce. After a few bites into the dish I started to pick up on the heat, but it wasn't so overbearing you couldn't eat it. I wouldn't use it for bread or appetizer dipping sauce, but cooks up well. Might be good in baked pasta dish.

Would I buy it again? Maybe.

From the Garden: Hot n' Sweet Pickles

2008-08-17T08:59:00.001-07:00

Hot n' Sweet Pickles
Originally uploaded by KS Girl

Fresh from my parents garden are most of the ingredients in this Hot n' Sweet Pickle Recipe. After all I needed something to do with all those peppers.

For 7-8 Cups of the following use your personal ratio, as you might like more peppers or less... (my approximate is to the side)

cucumber (2 lg)
sweet onion (1/2 of md onion)
red cherry peppers (3)
banana peppers (6)
Anaheim peppers (6)
Jalapeno peppers (3)
garlic (1/2 head)

Chop up, and mix in:
1 t of kosher salt
1/4 cup sugar
let set in fridge for at least one - two hours

rise off mixture

stir back in 1 Cup of sugar & 1 t of cumin

cook the following on stove until it simmers:
1 Cup Sugar
1 Cup White Vinegar
1/2 Cup Cider Vinegar
1/2 Cup of Packed Brown Sugar
1 1/2 t of mustard seeds
1/2 t of cellary seed
1/8 t of turmeric

add to pepper mixture and let soak, then jar up.

Summer

2008-08-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

Summer took over, and I lost all track of time. I turned around and it was August. Well, thats ok there is still lots of good food left to be made from all over summers wonderful bounty of delight. Tonight's dinner was fabulous. Brian made some wonderful homemade crusty grilled foccia, and then grilled up some steaks. I made homemade bread n'butter pickles, and fresh tomato salad. Fresh from the garden tomatoes, ahh the best part of summer, and lets not forget all the fresh herbs growing strong.

Buffalo Chicken Salad in Pita

2008-04-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

I like the flavor of buffalo chicken wings, but don't care for the fried version all that much. I eat at a local joint in town called The Classic Bean they have a Buffalo Chicken Wrap. After eating the wrap regularly for 3 years now, I finally came up with a home made version that I like just a little better.

for 2:
1 diced up chicken breast, lightly seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder, and sauteed in skillet, until cooked.

whiles cooking mix in a bowl: (cheese mixture)
dice up 1-2 celery stalks
1-2 strip(s) of cooked bacon crumbled (I micro'd mine)
1/4 C of White Vermont Cheddar
1/4 C of Gorgonzola Cheese
3T of Blue Cheese Dressing (enough to bind together mix)

Toss Cooked Chicken in small bowl with your choice of wing/hot sauce, then add to cheese mixture.

Fill Pita and lettuce if you'd like and eat YUM.

Brownies

2008-04-06T18:31:00.000-07:00

My In-laws were in-town with their NEW trailer. We made brownies. YUM.

Easter Dinner: Deviled Eggs

2008-03-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

It was highly requested that I make Deviled Eggs for Easter Dinner.

Everyday Deviled Eggs
6 Eggs Hard Boiled & Peeled
I have been told older eggs work better to peel. I use older eggs traditionally, and pull them out of the boiling water, run under cold water and then peel. Generally speaking it works ok.

2-3T of Mayo (I used more at the end if I need to loosen it up)
1 T of Mustard
2-3t of Dill Relish (low on the juice)
1 t of Dill Relish Juice
1 t of vinegar
pinch of salt
and Cooked egg yolks

Mix well, and fill egg white hole.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Oven Baked French Toast

2008-03-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Oven Baked French Toast made with Challah Bread from Whole Foods.
1 LG Loaf of Challah cut into thick slices
Pre head oven to 400 Deg

PT 1:
1 LG Baking Dish
4 T of Butter
2 T of Grade A Maple Syrup
2 T of Honey
Put dish into oven with butter, honey, and syrup until butter melts and honey/syrup is bubbly.
remove from oven and mix together and add
1 C of chopped pecans or walnuts

PT 2:
mix is shallow pan, but large enough to dip bread into:
2 LG Eggs
2 Egg whites/egg beaters
1/4 C of Apple Juice
1 t of nutmeg
1 T of Cinnamon
Dip each slice of bread into mix until soggy, and then place into warm buttery-syrup mix

PT 3:
1 Egg
1/4 C Milk
1 T of Cinnamon
mix together and top bread mixture
sprinkle on 1/2 C of pecans/walnuts

Bake in oven at 400 deg for 20m

Hot Strawberry Topping
1 lb container of strawberries,
clean, quarter, and cut off stems
1/4 C of Vanilla Sugar (or regular white sugar)
the juice from 1 lemon
1 t of Vanilla
1 t of Cognac
Stir
remove 1/2 mixture and place on stove top in small sauce pan, add an additional 1/2 C of sugar and 2 T of water.
Heat until mixture is thick and strawberries are soft.
place warm mixture in blender and puree
the mix will be light pink
add back to sauce pan (but do not heat yet)
add the rest of the strawberries
and mix together, add sugar to sweeten if needed.
reheat through for a min or two once the french toast is done.
serve.

Happy Easter!

2008-03-23T09:54:00.001-07:00

A cupcake I have yet to eat from Whole Foods in Overland Park, KS. Can't wait to bite into it though.

Daddy Cakes

2008-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon Brian and I ventured out to Daddy Cakes. YUMMY. We purchased a half dozen and have only had one a piece so far. I had the red velvet, and Brian had the mint-chip.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Pancakes with Bananas & Pecans

2008-03-16T08:38:00.001-07:00

This morning I made pancakes, and then toasted pecans to put on top of them. They were really yummy. I have returned to the kitchen some. I returned home about a week and half ago, then promptly got sick. I am ready for life to return to normal, be home, and cooking.

Unexpected issues and out for the weekend.

2008-02-26T19:30:00.000-08:00

We have had some unexpected family matters, and haven't been up to cooking since last Friday. I did cook some on Saturday, and will write about it later. We may cook some later this week, and then I will be gone over the weekend and through the middle of next week. So I am sorry if you have been looking for an update or to see what I am cooking/eating. I hope to have life return to normal in the middle of March, and plan to return to posting regularly.

Corn & Fingerling Potato Chowder with Applewood Smoked Bacon

2008-02-18T16:04:00.000-08:00

or at least my version of it...

First off Fingerling Potatoes are pretty pricey for what they are, and I didn't have applewood smoked bacon on hand. So I subbed red potatoes for fingerling, and I used low fat bacon instead of applewood. The original recipe appears in The Best of Cooking Light 9, pg 64.
1 serving = 1 C = 5.5g of fat + 2 rolls = 1g fat ea = 7.5g of fat for dinner :)

Flank Steak with Honey Glazed Carrots & Rice

2008-02-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

From The Best of Cooking Light 9, pg 28, Roasted Flank Steak with Olive Oil-Herb Rub, 3 oz = 7g of fat.
Cooking Light.com Honey Glazed Carrots, 1/2 C = .02g fat (not worth counting in my book)
a revisited recipe from Cooking Light that I adapted a bit: the original recipe was Herbed Basmati Rice,

My Version:
Nutty Jasmine Rice

Pt 1:
1 t of Olive Oil
1 clove of garlic, minced
warm in non-stick sauce pan

Pt 2:
add 1 C of Jasmine Rice

Saute rice in olive oil until it starts to brown
add 1 C of Chicken Broth
add 1 C of Water

Let come to boil stirring occasionally,
when it boils turn down heat and let simmer for 20 m with lid on.

In separate pan toast almond slivers (1/2 of the small packet)
when toast set aside

Cut up 1/4c of green onion set aside

when rice is cooked turn off heat, add nuts and green onion and stir in
Serve

1/2 c of rice is a serving = about 1-2g of fat

For the first dinner I did good at about 10g of fat. To bad dessert was still a little on the high fat side, brownies and ice cream (reduced fat ice cream).

The brownies are left from our Valentines Day treat. :) They'll be gone soon.

Back to Low Fat = Really Good Dinners

2008-02-17T17:01:00.001-08:00

Whiles I can complain about eating low fat, it works quite well for me. I will miss all the fatty-sweets in my life that I shouldn't eat anyway. However, I will scout out and find not as fatty ones. The upside to when my husband I really work hard on eating low fat we spend less on groceries, and we eat better. Sometimes I feel like it is a gourmet dinner every other night -- we eat left overs. We use Cooking Light recipes mostly. When I am not using Cooking Light I will adapt recipes and tone down the fat content. Whiles I will miss the doughnuts, cupcakes, frosting, chocolate chip cookie dough (the low fat version doesn't cut it), candy bars, brownies, and etc.. I will enjoy the great well rounded meals. I will seek out sweets that aren't as fatty, low fat ice cream is a plus, and I can still have sugar. Good thing easter is coming up, Peeps are Fat Free! :)

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Waffles

2008-02-17T07:59:00.001-08:00

"and for breakfast I am makin' waffles!" -- Donkey from Shrek

Buttermilk Waffles from "America's Test Kitchen Family Recipes"
they were wonderful.

A Valentines Day Missed

2008-02-17T07:52:00.000-08:00

Since I was out of town we didn't have the opportunity to celebrate Valentines Day. To make up for a lost holiday I made out of the Duncan Hines Turtle Brownies. We had them with Ice cream. It was a great way to top off our pizza dinner.

Returned Home to Homemade Pizza

2008-02-17T07:37:00.001-08:00

I returned home Friday night and we went out to eat at our favorite Thai place, Tuptim Thai. After I got settled in Saturday night Brian and I made homemade pizza. He had made the crust earlier in the week so it was pretty quick and easy to make.

Prosciutto Pizza

pt 1:
Roll out crust on to pan

pt 2:
3 t of Olive Oil with minced garlic (brown slightly), drizzle over pizza dough, and spread out
Saute Green Pell Peppers Ring, set aside (1 bell pepper)
Saute 1/4 of onion with 2T of sugar until soft and brown, set aside
Saute to warm slightly prosciutto (less than 1/4 lb)

pt 3: Over Olive Oil assemble pizza
We used jarred pasta sauce (Bertolli Vineyard Marinara with Burgundy Wine), and put on to our liking
Place Green Pepper Rings around
Place Caramelized Onion around
Place Prosciutto around
Top with 1-1/4 C of Cheese (5 servings) we used Sargento Mozzarella & Provolone pre-shredded cheese

I like a cheesy saucy pizza but we are trying to limit our fat intake and so we measured out the cheese and were cautions of making sure we didn't over do it with the cheese (which is easy to do). This worked out well for our 16in pizza.

Bake at 450deg for 17m

Out of the Kansas and the Kitchen

2008-02-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

I will be out of town on real life work related business. I am going to Warm Sunny Florida, and gladly escaping the dreary snowy Kansas. I won't be back for about a week.. so it could easily be way after Valentines Day before you hear from me. Whiles my husband will be around, I don't know that I expect him to post anything about his experimental cooking. He dose cook, and is quite good. So, I am sure he will eat well whiles I am gone, but will miss me all the same.

Spaghetti

2008-02-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

Tonight I made my husbands favorite meal. SPAGHETTI! I would love to say here is my recipe for Spaghetti sauce, but I never quite make it the same way. There are a few things I always do the same, the rest is just how it goes.

Pt 1:
Boil Water
Cook Noodles

Pt 2:
Heat up 1 t of Olive Oil in the Skillet (sometimes I go up to a Tablespoon)
add 1-2t of garlic (for ease I use the kind in a jar)
1/2 Onion Chopped Up
1 med Bell Pepper Chopped Up (or use the Onion Bell Pepper Freezer Mix)
Saute until soft
1-2 T of Italian Seasoning
Pepper and Salt to taste.

Pt 3:
Add Hamburger (1lb or less)
Brown

Pt 4:
Add
1 can of Tomato Paste Italian Season Blend
until it is fully incorporated
1 can of Tomato Sauce

Now tonight's version:
In Pt 2:
3 Stalks of Celery
1/4 c of Beef Broth (let it cook off mostly before adding beef)
If you skillet is hot this will help cook the onion/bell pepper and "steam it"

Pt 4
After emptying the Tomato Sauce into the beef mixture, I swish out the sauce stuck on the inside, by filling up the can about 1/2 way with Beef Broth. Then I added to beef mixture.

Serve over spaghetti.

Sorry no photos, I was to hungry, it was a long day, and seemed like forever until I had dinner.

Not-Tuna Chicken Noodle Casserole in a Skillet

2008-02-04T18:52:00.000-08:00

I originally read this recipe in Rachel Rays Magazine, and I didn't care for the original so I changed it to.. Not Tuna Chicken Noodle Casserole...

Part 1:
1lb of egg noodles
bring water to a boil and cook until soft.

Part 2:
1-2 t of Olive Oil (or EVOO)
1/2 of med onion diced
saute in large non-stick skillet 2-3 min until onion softens
2 t of minced garlic
3 Stalks of celery, cut up
saute in with onion until celery is soften
then add 1 lg can of Tyson Chicken (12.5 oz) shred it up out of the cubes.
then add 2 C of Green Peas (frozen works)
let them heat up, scoot to one side of skillet.

melt
2 T of Butter
then add
2 T of flour
after incorporated and cooked for 1m
add
1/2 C of Broth + 1 1/2 C of Milk
Slowly, and whisk together,
blend in with other ingredients in skillet
on med heat
when it starts to boil incorporate noodles, and mix well.
Heat through and serve.

Kansas City Lunch

2008-02-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

Brian and I went to Kansas City in the early afternoon, prior to our supper club. Had some truck problems, a little lunch, and some shopping. We had lunch at one of our new fav spots "Noodles & Co." I have left overs, it was a good lunch stop, and can be a different experience each time you go.

Cooking Light Supper Club

2008-02-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Last night was our night in KC at the Supper Club we belong to, I signed up to make Texas Sheet Cake, some of the other dishes were Herbed Basamiti Rice (we used Jasmine), Cornflake Crusted Halibut, Yukon Gold Potato Biscuits, and a salad. It was all very good food, and a nice evening.

I cook.. I really do..

2008-01-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

I have had a crazy week, and whiles I have been cooking all week, my stomach took priority over the photos. Monday night I made Sweet & Sour Honey Chicken Stir Fry with tons of veggies, celery, carrots, onion, water chestnuts, cucumber, and pineapple. Brian made jasmine rice to go with it, and it was VERY YUMMY. Tuesday night I believe was leftovers. Wednesday night I worked. Tonight I believe we are have leftovers as well. I am home today, so I made some chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. I hope Brian comes home for lunch so he can have a warm one.

Saturday Night: Snack Night

2008-01-27T08:43:00.000-08:00

Brian and I went out to Hunam's Chinese Resturant (29th & Fairlawn), and enjoyed a large late lunch. Needless to say supper wasn't high on our agenda so late in the evening we raided the freezer for snacks. Jeno's (cheap pizza), potato skins, and breadsticks. Not health food by any stretch, but still a nice late dinner-snack.

Friday Night Dinner: Re-Run with a new script!

2008-01-27T08:01:00.000-08:00

I re-run the butternut squash soup and turned it into a a delicious pasta sauce. I added one can of Hunts Fire Roasted Tomatoes, I small can of cut up black olives, and 1 to 1.5 cup of butternut soup puree, 1 cup of Sargento Bistro Blends Sun-dried Tomato, and Basil Cheese, & 2 T of Heavy Cream. Mixed together, and placed over cooked spinach pasta, and baked in the oven with cheese on top at 425 F for 20min, until the cheese melted. It was much better this way than as soup. My parents are going to use it as a filling in Lasagna this weekend.
We also used my indoor grill pan and cooked steak, marinated with dried basil, garlic, olive oil, white wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Then on the side we had salad and green beans. It was a great experimental Friday night dinner.

Welcome Back 7UP Cake

2008-01-22T20:10:00.001-08:00

Ok, not the best cake I have ever decorated, but the best cake at 9 o'clock at night. I should have started on it earlier, but it was still worth it. It will be a nice surprise for Melissa's first day back from her trip.

Cooking Light Mac n' Cheese with Grilled Turkey Cutlets

2008-01-22T18:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had Cooking Light Mac & Cheese (featured on their website), and Turkey Cutlets. I marinated the Turkey Cutlets starting yesterday in:

3 Turkey Cutlets
1 T of Tarragon
1 T of Course Ground Mustard
3 t of White Wine
1 T of Olive Oil
pinch of sea salt
dash of pepper

Put in Zip Lock Bag together and mush around until the cutlets are covered.
Marinate for at least 2hrs, although I did overnight.

Then I removed from bag and placed flat on grill pan, cooked until done on each side.

Local Shopping!

2008-01-22T18:22:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my husband and I made a trip to the local Asian & Oriental Food Market, Mabuhay. It is a local market here in Topeka. We probably stop in every couple months to pick up some of our essential asian food ingredients. Whiles we have a Dillions (Kroger) and a local Price Chopper in-town they just aren't as nice as going out and buying from the nice woman at Mabuhay. On our first trip she was nice enough to give us a tour of her store and she is always helpful with recipes and hints. Wherever you live, don't hesitate to get out and find the local markets. You never know what nice people you will find or what little gems you can find in your own city.

Butternut Soup, Ham & Cheese, & Salad

2008-01-21T16:32:00.000-08:00

Tonight for dinner we made Butternut Soup out of Cooking Light's Jan/Feb 08 Issue. I fixed a quick salad and made a small hot ham and cheese with smoked swiss from the deli.

Its time for Spring!

2008-01-21T14:46:00.000-08:00

In a rush for spring, we planted one of those herb garden grown in the window kits. Its coming along nicely, can't wait for them to mature so I can cook with them. It would be nice if spring would hurry on along.

Sunday Dinner at my parents

2008-01-20T18:37:00.000-08:00

Mom made a traditional "Sunday Dinner" of Meatloaf, Green Beans, and baked potato. The meatloaf was a little different, but good. She used beef, turkey, and pork it was really yummy. The only different was the color of the finished meatloaf. Instead of being a dark brown it was a lighter shade more like tan. I gave her a hard time about changing HER MEATLOAF, but all-in-all you didn't notice the difference. Tonight was a special treat for the family. It is really odd that mom cooks, normally it is my dad, husband or myself. Not that she can't cook, but she just doesn't do it often. She is good at it though.. when she dose it.

Lazy Mom's Apple Pie

2008-01-20T18:28:00.001-08:00

I arrived at my parents house to find a warm apple pie just out of the oven... I couldn't wait until l after supper to eat a little of mom's homemade apple pie. The crust was wonderful. I was so excited about the pie it wasn't until a few bites into it when I noticed something extra chewy, stringy, rhine-y, different, and what was this surprise. Mom was lazy and didn't peel the apples. At first she held tight and said she liked it, that it was good. However, after dinner I got her to admit that it was better without the peel. Next weekend she promises to make it again without the peel. :)

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Flapjacks

2008-01-20T07:44:00.000-08:00

Why do I call them Flapjacks instead of Pancakes? Well, because... Pancakes in my mind are light and fluffy. These "pancakes" are not. They are flat, they aren't really light and are far from fluffy. These flapjacks are flat, easy to make, and quick to cook. I adapt the recipe from "The Joy of Cooking All About Breakfast and Brunch" one of my favorite breakfast cookbooks.

Here is my version of "Basic Pancakes"

Kansas Girl's Flapjacks

11/2 C of all-purpose flour
3 T of Vanilla Sugar or regular sugar
11/2 t of baking powder
1/2 t of Nutmeg
1/2 t of Cinnamon
Whisk together in large bowl
In a separate bowl mix:
11/2 C of Milk
1-2T of Veg Oil
2 LG Eggs
1 t of Vanilla

add the wet mix to the dry, and whisk together, but don't over-mix. Some lumps but not overly lum-py.

Cook 1/4-1/2 C on griddle until it bubbles and flip over. Cook until done.

PS That is Cool Whip Lite, 2 T

Sinful Saturday Breakfast...

2008-01-19T07:22:00.000-08:00

Alright, so I am not supposed to have doughnuts, and I don't very often.... they sounded so good this morning. My husband went out in the snow (what a great guy), and purchased doughnuts from our fav shop "Bakers Dozen."

Friday Night Dinner: Leftovers & Stir Fry out of Box

2008-01-18T18:13:00.000-08:00

I had lots of leftover pork dumpling soup so I thought I would share with my parents, knowing that it was a light soup I picked up a box-o-stir fry from the store. It wasn't too bad, now I did add a few things to make it my own. Go figure! I added pork, carrots, celery, water chestnuts, bell pepper, and additional cashews. I also made some fried rice with out a box. We also enjoyed freezer egg rolls.

Thats our pizza!

2008-01-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

We finally received our correct pizza (only an hour later). As you can see we wasted no time and started to devour. It was good, and worth the wait... sort of.

Thats not our pizza!

2008-01-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

Tonight we ordered pizza. Thin-n-crispy with italian sausage and extra cheese, yum. I was so hungry for pizza and it sounded so good. So you can imagine our surprise when we opened the box to find a PEPPERONI PIZZA! We ordered our Pizza Hut Pizza online and it was WRONG! I mean how hard it is to get an online order wrong? You check a box with what you want on it and hit order. They have it in writing. It is now 7:00 PM and we are still waiting on the correct pizza, maybe we will get it tonight. I wonder if they ever made the correct pizza or if someone opened up their order and found they got the wrong pizza. Oh where oh where is our pizza....

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-01-16T19:05:00.000-08:00

Brian treated me tonight and made Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies. It helped fill the gap of a so-so dinner. :)

Revisited Leftovers.. gone wrong

2008-01-16T19:00:00.001-08:00

We revisited and attempted to spruce up the Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes, and make "chili mac" by adding the leftover turkey meat mixture to mac and cheese. It was ok, probably wouldn't make it again, or at least with the cheap mac and cheese. Sometimes when cooking at home you win some you loose some. Just seems like lately we have lost more, guess thats what we get for being adventuresome and trying new thing.

Quick Quesadilla's

2008-01-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

Tonight we had quick and easy quesadilla's:

For one Quesadilla
2 - Tortillas
Coat each Tortilla with Refried Beans (I used Fat Free)
1/4 Cup of Pre-Shredded Mexican Cheese Mix on top of the one of the Tortilla
Place on HOT Skillet, refried bean side up, and then place:
add chopped bell pepper
Deli Roast Beef 2-3 Slices
Top with 1/4 C of Pre-Shredded Mexican Cheese Mix
Top with other Coated Tortilla
and gently press down top Tortilla

Cut up into slices and serve.

Pork Dumpling Soup

2008-01-13T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am not sure we made our dumplings quite right, but they were good all the same. It was a really easy recipe that I found at http://www.myrecipes.com. I did make a few small changes to the broth. A couple of large pieces of ginger, and a dash of white wine. It was really good and full of flavor.

Cupcakes

2008-01-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

Simple Cupcakes
2 1/4 C Flour
1 1/3 C Sugar
3 t of Baking Powder
dash of salt

Combine above ingredients in a bowl, set aside

In stand mixer bowl:
1/2 C of Shortening
Start to break up with beater on low for a min.
Then add flour mixture, and let them mix together

slowly add...
1 C of Milk
2 Lg Eggs
2 t of Vanilla
1 t of Lemon

After incorporated run mixer on high for 1-2 Min.

Fill Cupcake Molds with 1/2-3/4s full.
(we used a medium sized ice cream scoop)

New Years 2008.. a little late

2008-01-13T07:21:00.001-08:00

Mom's Meatballs with BBQ Sauce, Barb's Steaks, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Cumin, and Chili Powder Rub and Roasted Cauliflower

Umm... Lentils??

2008-01-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

My husband said to me on the way out the door this morning "I am looking forward to home-cooked meal tonight." and I agreed. I was pretty excited about dinner tonight, it was Indian Lentils with pita bread. Something adventurous for us! I followed the instructions, but if thats how its supposed to taste... well no one should eat that. It was like badly flavored oatmeal. Upon tasting, my husband and I agreed to eat out. We spit an entree at Carlos O'Kellys along with chips and salsa and came home. Nothing fancy, just filling and better than what we had planned to have for dinner.

Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos

2008-01-06T17:55:00.000-08:00

Good news! I am back to feeling better. Tonight for dinner, came from www.cookinglight.com Slow-Cooker Beef Tacos. I would say though if I made them again, I would either sherd the beef or cut it in strips instead of cubing it as it says to. The cubes were awkward in the tortillas. However, it had very good flavor, and was an easy meal for a busy Sunday. They will make for great leftovers later in the week.

Happy New Years

2008-01-01T16:41:00.001-08:00

Happy New Years! I would love to write about all the good food I made and ate, but I didn't make or eat any. My husband and I choose to spend the New Years trying to get over our colds! You can imagine the fun we have had, first he got sick on Friday, then I came down with it Saturday night, by Sunday our conversations came down to who was using up to much bed space, and where the Kleenexes were hiding at on the bed. We are both starting to feel better, a few visits/phone calls to the Dr. helped out. I am afraid until I am off the Decongestants my taste buds are shot, and I am eating pretty bland food, but as I get back to cooking I'll be sure to put up the recipes and photos.

What to get the Kansas Girl!

2007-12-28T18:06:00.000-08:00

Cookbooks! Its really not Christmas without one of my family members or more buying me a couple of good cookbooks. I usually assemble a list of cookbooks that I am interested in but would not purchase on my own. This year I received two cookbooks "America's Best Lost Recipes", and "Modern Classics 1" By Donna Hay. I have already baked a cake out of the Lost Recipes book, 7UP Cake, I made it for my husbands birthday. The other gift I received was a digital camera so I will also be posting more photos of everything I cook.

Christmas Dinner: The rest of the story..

2007-12-28T17:43:00.000-08:00

I actually did make something, the "drinky drink" Christmas Punch Sangria:
1 Orange cut up into wedges
(add 1/2 of the orange then some ice, then the other half of orange to the pitcher)
1/2 Cup of Sugar (to 1 cup if you like it sweeter)
16 oz of Cranberry Juice
1 Bottle of white sweet wine
Mix together and serve.

Other items made:
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy (made from a trial packet Watkins brown gravy) we don't normally make gravy from a packet, but we had an opprotunity to try this one.) ** see review
Cherry Wheat Bread Rolls (my husband had made them for Christmas Eve Dinner)

Watkins Brown Gravy Packet Review:
It was slightly better than gravy made from a jar or packet from the store. It was a little on the salty side, which is a trait of pre-packed sauces. Other than that it tasted like gravy, thickened up nicely, and went well with the potatoes. It would be good in pinch, or if you want beef gravy but don't have any broth or meaty bits to make it out of.

Christmas Dinner: Mothers Creamy Cheesy Corn

2007-12-28T17:37:00.001-08:00

Alright, so its not really my moms recipe, but she has mastered it and changed it over the years. She was given the recipie from Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue of Kansas City. The original recipe can be found at: http://www.jackstackbbq.com/article.asp_Q_ai_E_12_A_Recipes appears under Cheesy Corn Bake.

Christmas Dinner: Stuffed Pork Chops

2007-12-28T14:39:00.000-08:00

We are having a "traditional" Christmas feast on Saturday with my cousins, Aunt and Uncle. For Christmas Day we decided to mix it up a bit and have something nice, but a little different. My dad made stuffed pork chops he loosely followed the recipe in "America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook".

Christmas Morning Breakfast

2007-12-28T14:19:00.000-08:00

Mom always makes a great Christmas morning breakfast, she makes bubble loaf, and breakfast casserole. It is a perfect combination and it can be made up the night before an popped in the oven to bake whiles we all open our Christmas presents.

Spicy Thai

2007-12-15T19:06:00.000-08:00

Well, it proved to be yet another snowy day in Kansas. I feel like I'll never get to go Christmas Shopping, sorry everyone the presents may be delayed. On the upside I have had plenty of time to cook. Tonight to heat things up a bit, we had

Stir Fried Thai Chicken

2 Chicken Breasts thinly sliced, it is easiest to do this when they are partially frozen.
Marinate them for 15m in:
1/4 C of rice vinegar
2 T of Brown Sugar
2 t of red curry paste
1/8 of a t of red pepper flakes (or less if you like it not-so-hot)

Whiles thats marinating chop up
1 Onion
1 C of Carrots

Start to cook onion in skillet/wok
cook chicken then remove, then cook
with 1 t of oil, after it starts to soften add carrots,
let cook until carrots are soft
add back chicken
add 1 can of Water Chestnuts
add 1 sm can of Pineapple
add 1 T of Fish sauce
add 1/2 C of light coconut
stir and cook until warmed through, and sauce is thicker,

Serve with rice, and enjoy!

Pumpkin Bread

2007-12-15T09:43:00.000-08:00

This snowy Saturday morning, I am so tired of this unpleasant weather. I made Pumpkin Bread, it was quick and easy to bake whiles I prepared to head off to work another Graduation.

Liquids:
1 Can of Pumpkin
3 Eggs
2/3 C Oil
2 C Sugar
Blend in mixer then slowly add flour mix,

Flour Mix:
1/4 t of nutmeg
1/4 t of ground cloves
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
2 t baking soda
3 C flour

Fills 2 reg loaf pans, aprox 1 hr at 350deg F.

Oatmeal Pecan Pie (again!)

2007-12-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Tonight I made the Oatmeal Pecan Pie that was made for Thanksgiving, only I added 1/2 C of chocolate chips, to the recipe and I must say it made what I thought was already a pretty perfect pie, even better. Nothing better than oatmeal, pecans and chocolate to make the holiday better. We've been busy eating leftover Tacos (which we made Sunday), and eating leftover Chicken from Saturday, and last night we went to Olive Garden and split the Tour of Italy, and pigged out on salad. It seems that when I eat cookies, I get really hungry for salad. Tonight I did however cook dinner, we had Honey Sesame Chicken, which we used a sauce packet to make. It was good, and nice change from leftovers. Tomorrow night I will be working late, and with the weather being snowy on Saturday its hard to say what I will cook this weekend, but stay tuned!

Cold Day Cookies

2007-12-09T07:40:00.000-08:00

It is a very cold-snowy-icy weekend in Kansas perfect for holiday baking. So, that is how I spent my Saturday... in the kitchen knee deep in sugar, butter, and flour.

We started out the morning with

Peanut Butter Balls:
3 C Rice Krispys
1 box of Powdered Sugar
1/2 C of Margarine
2 C of peanut butter

-- Mix in bow, until fully incorporated.

Ball aprox 1-2 T of peanut mix on to lined cookie sheet (wax paper works best)
Set aside, or in fridge.

Melt in double boiler
8oz Hershey Bar
6oz of Chocolate Chips
1/2 Stick of Paraffin wax (yes odd, but it works)

One by one coat peanut butter balls in mixture and let cool.

Then we made -

Holiday Oatmeal Cookies

Mix together in a bowl:
1 3/4 C of All Purpose Flour
3/4 t of baking soda
3/4 t of baking powder
1/2 t of salt (we used a pinch)
1/2 t of ground cinnamon
1/2 t of ground nutmeg
1/2 t of orange zest
1/4 t of grated ginger

Mix together in mixer:
1 Stick of Unsalted Butter
1 Stick of Maragrine
(soften)

add
1 1/2 C packed dark brown sugar
1/4 C of sugar

after the sugar and butter mix are creamed and fluffy.
add
2 Eggs
2 1/2 t of Vanilla

slowly add flour mixture
then fold in
3 1/2 C of Oatmeal
1 C of raisins
1 C of chopped Pecans

Bake on lined cookie sheet at 350deg 8-15 min depending on size, ours were big cookies and took 15m, smaller cookies would take less time.

and if that wasn't fun... we then made..

Gingerbread Snowflakes

in bowl mix:
3 C of all purpose flour
1 1/2 t of baking powder
3/4 t of baking soda
pinch of salt
1 T of ground ginger
1 3/4 t of ground cinnamon
1/4 t of ground cloves

in blender mix:
6 T unsalted butter softened
3/4 C dk brown sugar
1 Egg

add to butter mix:
1/2 C molasses
2 t of vanilla
1 t of orange zest

mix in part of the flour mixture into the butter mixture in mixer, then kneed the rest in on counter top. Roll up into Wax paper and chill in the fridge, for at least an hour.

roll out on powdered sugar surface (to prevent sticking), use snowflake cutter to cut out, and put on lined baking sheet, and bake at 375 deg, for 7-10 min.

Whiles that was chilling we made dinner, (and a trip to Wal-Mart)

Dinner:

Baked Tomato Chicken with White Beans

Heat 2 T of Oil in Dutch Oven
add 1/2 of Onion, chopped in large chunks
add 4 cellary stalks, in large chunks, about in 1-2in in length.
let cook for a few min
then add
Italain Seasoning Mix 1 T
Thyme 1 t

add
2 leg Chicken Leg Quarters

1 C of Chicken Broth
1/2 of pre-made Spaghetti sauce with tomato chunks, we used what we had in the fridge.
add to the sauce 1/2 c of red wine

simmer of a few min on stove top, and then bake in 450deg oven, in the dutch oven with lid on, for 30-45 min, then we added in 1 can of butter beans rinsed, let set warm on stove top for 10min.

Served over pasts, 1 serving is half of a leg quarter.

Yum. Now back to cookies...

Raspberry Strippers (chicka-chicka-ba-wa) as the husband says. :)
From Cooking Light, go to www.cookinglight.com and search recipes for "Raspberry Strippers"

then we made Basic Icebox Sugar Cookies, again Cooking Light. (For those of you that know me and have had "my sugar cookies" this is not it.) This was just quick and easy, and not nearly as fatty or ahh I mean YUMMY!

It was a fun day for my husband and I, and it kept the house warm.

Tis' The Season

2007-12-06T18:36:00.000-08:00

Its that time of year, busy days, open houses, treat days, and then lets not forget all that holiday baking you do to take to all those functions. When your running around like a chicken with your head cut off it can be hard to squeeze in dinner. Which has been my dilemma lately. We have eaten lots of left overs and quick meals. This weekend we plan to make up some dishes in advance for the next week. As that happens I will put that up, other than that its been a little busy to do much cooking this week.

"Grilled" Burritos

2007-12-03T18:28:00.000-08:00

Tonight's dinner was a re-mix of leftover enchilada meat mixed up with Beans and tomatoes for a quick and easy dinner!

Heat in Sauce Pan
Left over browned hamburger (enchilada meat, if you don't have any, these are great without the meat)
1 Can of Kruners of Colorado Pre-Seasoned Black Beans
1 Can of Rotel Tomatoes
1/2 sm bag of Corn

Warm up Tortilla shells, its just me and my husband and I always keep reduced fat, soft taco sized tortilla shells on hand.
So I heated up 4.

Sprinkle on tortilla reduced fat Mexican blend cheese

Spoon on warmed Bean Mix

Wrap up in Tortilla and put seam side down on Non-Stick Skillet,
until browned

then flip burrito over and "grill" on other side until browned.

Serve.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: French Toast

2007-12-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

French Toast is a simple breakfast to reduce the fat in, and still enjoy all the flavor. This is one of the few times I don't mind egg substitute, in some dishes egg substitute can have a rubbery texture and in this case you don't even notice it.

Reduced Fat French Toast
2 sl of bread per person cut in half corner to corner (it fits in the round pans better, and makes it look like more on the plate) now here's the trick.. its all about the bread you use.
Some suggestions:
Sarah Lee has some great breads out there that are full of flavor, Cinnamon Swirl, Brown Sugar Cinnamon, Blueberry Crumble, and etc..
Orowheat also has some great whole grain breads as well like Oatnut (one of my favorite everyday breads).
This morning I had Sarah Lee Brown Sugar Cinnamon, the breads from Sarah Lee Freeze well, I am not big on freezing bread as I think it can make it taste soggy and flat. However the flavored breakfast breads freeze up well, so if your a small family you can freeze some for another day.

Mix in pie plate or shallow dish:
1/2 C Egg Substitute such as Egg Beaters. (1/2 C is one of the little single serving cups of Egg Beaters, these also freeze well.)
1 t of Cinnamon Sugar per person
1 t of Vanilla

Spray Non-Stick Skillet with Crisco Butter Flavor Spray or other...

Coat each half slice of bread with egg mixture and cook in medium temperature skillet until browned then flip and brown on other side.

4 Half Slices per person, 2 T of Cool Whip Lite, and Syrup, we also serve ours with 1/2 a banana sliced on the side. My husband also commented that Honey works well if you don't like Syrup.

Beef Stew

2007-12-01T19:44:00.000-08:00

It was a cool dreary day in Kansas, and this was a good stick-to-the-ribs stew.
I made it up as I went along but here is the general guide. If you like more veggies, add more veggies same goes for seasoning. I am a real general cook, I cook to make it taste good to me and my husband. I make notes as I go along, and journal any good recipies for future use.

1 LB of Roast, cubed
1 T of Flour
dash of pepper and smoked salt
coat meat with four and pepper/salt

Heat
2 T of Olive Oil in Dutch Oven
add 1 t of Garlic

Once warm add meat mixture, and brown meat (letting the brown bits stick to the bottom),
add
1
1/2 of med onion sliced
and 1 C of Red Wine (whatever you like best)

Stir to remove brown bits

add
2 Cans of Broth Slowly, and stir
simmer with lid on for at least 30min, but can go longer on lower temp.
1-2C of Water, less if you don't let it reduce before adding tomato paste
add 1 Bay Leaf
2 t of Rosemary
1 t of Basil

remove lid after this step if you want to reduce down on low heat for about an hour

add
1 can of Tomato Paste and wisk in
1 1/2 cups (aprox) of cubed potatoes
1 cup of (aprox) of sliced carrots

bring to a boil and then simmer until potatoes are ready.

If not very thick, add Corn Starch Slurry (1 cup water + 1 T of Corn Starch) sometimes I use more cornstarch if needed.

Stir in and boil, then remove from heat, and serve.

We served over egg noodles. YUM!