Friday, December 31, 2010

Ok, I am not going make it. I had a hard month of December. I had all these yummy Christmas stuff planned and then Eli got sick. It was a half week in the hospital and then were in the doctors office a couple times and they never really know what was wrong. Then on top of it all, he got the chicken pox. It was a hard month for Eli. However I will finish out the 365. Give me a week or two. Also I plan to keep trying new things and I will blog the ones that we love. Please know if you tried anything and loved it or you have a great recipe for me to try!

339. Golden Cornbread


so good!

*1 cup flour
*1 cup cornmeal
*2/3 cup white sugar
*1 tsp salt
*3 1/2 tsp baking powder
*1 egg
*1 cup milk
*1/3 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400
Mix together and pour into a round cake pan
Bake for 20-25 minutes

340. Chili


I got to break in my fancy new dutch oven. My mother in law gave me a Le Creuset and its awesome!

*2 lb ground beef
*1 lb sausage, crumbled
*3 cans chili beans, drained
*1 can chili beans in spicy sauce
*2 cans diced tomatoes
*1 can tomato paste
*1 onion chopped
*2 cubes beef bouillon

Brown the beef and sausage with the onion
Add the rest of the ingredients in the dutch oven and simmer for 2 hours



341. Garlic Bread


It was not the best bread.



342. Baked Spaghetti


So good! Easy to make the the kids loved it.

*1 lb spaghetti
*1 lb ground beef
*1 jar sauce
*4 ounces cream cheese, softened
*1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350
Boil noodles in salted water
Brown the beef
Mix the beef with sauce and noodles
Mix in the cream cheese and top with cheese
Bake for 20-25 minutes



343. Chocolate Chip cookies


Not as good as the ones I made earlier in the year!


344. Pork chops


These were good. Not something I would eat every week but worth making!

*4 pork chops
*1 tsp garlic powder
*1 tsp salt
*2 eggs
*1/4 cup flour
*1 cup bread crumbs
*2 TBSP olive oil
*1 can cream mushroom soup
*1/3 cup white wine

Preheat oven 350
Season pork with salt and garlic powder
Place beaten eggs in a swallow dish
Dredge pork in flour and dip in egg and then coat with bread crumbs
Heat oil in medium skillet over medium high heat
Fry the pork for 5 minutes per side
Transfer to baking dish and cover with foil
Bake for 30 minutes
Combine the soup, milk and wine
Cover with mixture and replace foil cooking for another 30 minutes

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Holiday time!

329. Beef Tenderloin

this was good. I was was tired of the normal meats I make for holidays and so I went whole hog....well cow I guess. I bit the bullet and spent the money on the whole tenderloin. It helped that mom paid for half! We all loved it. I did not have yell at Elise to eat her meat and it was awesome

*1 beef tenderloin (4-5 lbs)
*2 TBSP thyme
*1 TBSP pepper
*1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
*3 TBSP finely chopped shallots
*1 can whole berry cranberry sauce
*1/4 tsp salt

Heat oven to 425
Combine Thyme and pepper, reserve 1 tsp for sauce
Press all over meat
Roast for 50-60 minutes (145 degrees)
Meanwhile prepare sauce
Combine vinegar and shallots in a small saucepan; bring to boil
Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes
Stir in cranberry sauce and bring to boil
Reduce heat and simmer for 6 minutes
Crave meat and serve with sauce!

330. Scalloped Corn


So good. It took longer than the recipe said it would to cook but it was worth it. Elise even loved it and she is always the test in this house

*1 can cream corn
*1 can whole corn
*8 ounces sour cream
*2 eggs
*1/2 cup butter
*2 TBSP sugar
*1 package corn muffin mix

Preheat oven to 350
Mix everything together and back for 35-40 minutes
It took almost 50 minutes to firm up when I made it

331. Garlic Green Beans


These were really easy to make and was something that went over well. The kids thought it was ok but the adults really liked it. It called for canned bean but I used fresh.

*1 TBSP butter
*3 TBSP olive oil
*1 medium head garlic, minced
*2 cans green beans, drained (I used fresh)
*salt and pepper
*1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil; add garlic and cook until lightly browned
Stir in green beans and season with salt and pepper
Cook until Beans are tender, about 10 minutes
Remove from heat and add cheese

332. Creamy Parmesan Mashed Potatoes


So I thought it was odd that your boiled the potatoes in chicken broth but they were rich and wonderful!

*2 lbs red potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch chunks
*1 cup chicken broth, I used a little more
*4 onces Cream Cheese
*1/2 cup sour cream
*3 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese

Cook potatoes in boiling broth for 15 minutes
Simmer for 5 minutes
Drain if broth is left over
Stir in cream cheese and sour cream and Parmesan
mash and serve

333.Yellow Squash Casserole


I was that person who never ever would touch squash and my sister in law made this type of casserole when we went over for dinner. To be kind I tried and found that I really liked it. I needed something to go with ham on Christmas eve night and this was perfect.

*4 cups sliced yellow squash
*1/2 cup chopped onion
*35 ritz crackers, crushed
*1 cup shredded cheddar
*2 eggs, beaten
*3/4 cup milk
*1/4 cup butter, melted
*1 tsp salt
*pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400
Place squash and onion in a large skillet over medium heat
Pour in small amount of water
Cover and cook until squash is tender, about 5 minutes
Drain and place in large bowl
In a medium bowl, mix together cracker crumbs and cheese
Stir half of mixture into cooked squash
In a small bowl mix eggs and milk and add to squash mixture
Stir in butter and season with salt and pepper
Spread into a 9x13 baking dish
Sprinkle with remaining cracker mixture
Bake for 25 minutes

334. Wild Rice and Mushroom Stuffing


What is there not to love about stuffing and this was good. I had to add some broth to make it even better

*1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
*1 1/2 cup water
*2 cups chopped broccoli
*1/2 cup butter
*1 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
*1 cup chopped onion
*1 package herb seasoned stuffing mix
*1 can chicken broth (I used a little more)

Bring rice and water to boil
Cover and reduce heat to low, simmer for 45 minutes
Cook broccoli until slightly tender, drain
Preheat oven to 350
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and saute mushrooms and onion until tender
Mix in rice, broccoli, stuffing mix and broth
Cook for 30 minutes

335. Candied Sweet Potatoes


These are good! the kids thought that it was like candy! Well, not really but close!

*4 lbs sweet potatoes. (I must admit that I used canned)
*1 1/4 cups butter
*1 1/2 cup brown sugar
*3 cups mini marshmallows
*Ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400
mash the sweet potatoes
In a mixer, combine the sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar and cinnamon
Pour into baking dish
Cook for 15 minutes
Take out and top with marshmallows and cook for another 15 minutes

336. Breakfast Casserole


I have made the same one for years and this one was so easy to make and we all liked it even more!

*1 lb pork sausage
*1 tsp mustard powder
*1/2 tsp salt
*4 eggs beaten
*2 cups milk
*6 slices bread, cubed
*8 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded

Cook sausage in a skillet; drain
In a medium bowl, mix together mustard powder, salt, eggs and milk
add sausage, bread cubes and cheese
Pour into baking dish and refrigerator overnight
Preheat oven to 350
Bake, covered for 45-60 minutes
uncover and bake at 325 for 30 minutes

337. Harvest Apple Cider

*4 cups apple cider
*4 cups pineapple juice
*1/2 cup water
*cinnamon sticks

Put the cider, juice and water in a slow cooker on low
serve with cinnamon stick!

338. Potatoes


last week I made some that were nothing to make again!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

328. Pot Roast


This was my own thing and Dave loved it. I just threw whatever I had in the crock pot and hit start. Dave said that it was a 10! So there you have it.

*1 Pot roast (I used about 3 lbs)
*1 can cream mushroom soup
*1 pack onion soup mix
*1/4 cup water
*3 TBSP red wine vinegar

Mixed all together and cooked on low for about 5 hour

Sunday, December 19, 2010

319. Pumpkin Bread

So I went through the trouble of making this pumpkin bread and here is the thing....go to the store and buy the pillsbury quick bread. It was better, easier and cheaper to make.

320. Easy Roast

This was just ok.

*1 medium roast
*1 medium onion
*1 tsp butter
*1 can cream mushroom soup
*2 cups water

Heat oven in a large skillet over medium heat
Brown roast on all sides
turn burner down to low
Slice onion and place over roast
Add water, cover and simmer for several hours
When Roast is done remove from pan and add soup, mixing well with juices in the pan
Place roast back in and cook for 45 minutes

321. Garlic Red Potatoes

So good! They took a long time to cook but they were worth it!

*2 lbs red potatoes, quartered
*1/4 cup melted  butter
*2 tsp minced garlic
*1 tsp salt
*1 lemon juiced
*1 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350
Place potatoes in 8x8 baking dish
In a small bowl mix everything and pour over the potatoes, topping with grated cheese
Cover and cook for 30 minutes
Uncover and cook for 10 minutes or until potatoes are browned and soft.

322. Oatmeal Cookies with a twist

This is a recipe I found in a little church cook book. the kids and dave loved them. I am not sure if I ever tasted one!

*1/2 cup butter
*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup white sugar
*1 egg
*1 1/2 cup flour
*1/2 tsp baking soda
*3/4 cup white choc chips
*1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 375
In a bowl cream together butter, brown sugar and white sugar
Beat in egg
Combine the flour and baking soda; Stir into sugar mixture
Mix in the chips and cranberries
Drop onto cookie sheets and cook for 8-10 minutes

323. Beef stir fry

So good. We have really loved the stir fry this year!

*1 1/2 lb boneless beef sirloin, cut 1 inch thick
*4 cups assorted fresh veggies
*1 clove garlic, minced
*1/2 cup stir fry sauce, I used ginger flavored
*1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
*3 cups cooked rice
*2 TBSP peanuts

Cut beef into 1/4 inch strips
Combine the veggies and 3 TBSP of water in large nonstick skillet
Cover and cook over medium high heat 4 minutes or until crisp-tender
Remove and drain
Heat same pan over medium-high heat until hot
Add beef and garlic, cooking for 2 minutes
Add the veggies and sauce to pan and heat though
Spoon over rice and top with peanuts


324. Tuna pasta

Dont waste your time or money.

325. Hoisin stir fry

This was good and seems like a lot to make but it was easy. the kids both liked it!

*1 lb pork chops, cut into strips
*1 TBSP hoisin sauce
*1 TBSP cornstarch

*2 TBSP hoisin sauce
*1 TBSP cornstarch
*1 TBSP rice vinegar
*1 TBSP white sugar
*1 tsp cayenne pepper
*1 TBSP sesame oil
*2 cloves garlic, minced
*2 tsp ginger
*1 carrot peeled and sliced
*1 bell pepper, sliced
*1 can water chestnuts

Slice the pork and mix with 1 TBSP hoisin and 1 TBSP cornstarch in a bowl and set aside
Combine the 2 TBSP hoisin and 1 TBSP cornstarch with rice vinegar, sugar and cayenne, set aside
Heat sesame oil in a skillet over medium high hear
Stir in pork; cook until fragrant
Mix in carrot, bell pepper and water chestnuts, cooking until carrots are tender
Stir in hoisin mixture and cook about 3 minutes

326. Balsamic Roasted Potatoes

Two of my favorite things. Potatoes and balsamic vinegar.

*1 1/2 lb potatoes (I used fingerling)
*2 1/2 TBSP olive oil
*1 TBSP sea salt
*1/2 tsp pepper
*1 TBSP rosemary
*3 TBSP balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 450
Mix everything together and roast for 20-30 minutes!




327. Pork chops

These were nothing to knock you over.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

316. Quick Crescent Pecan Pie

So this was so darn good. I am not a really a fan of pecans but I loved this. The kids were not crazy about it but the adults loved it!

*1 can of crescent rolls

filling
*1/2 cup chopped pecans
*1/2 cup sugar
*1/2 cup corn syrup
*1 TBSP melted butter
*1/2 tsp vanilla
*1 egg, beaten

Heat oven 350
Unroll dough,separate dough into 2 long rectangles
Place in 13x9 pan; press over bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides
Make sure to press the seals
Bake for 8 minutes
Meanwhile in a bowl mix everything together
Pour filling in crust
Bake for 18-22 minutes
Cool for an hour

317. Cheddar Cheese Bread

Yummy! The kids loved it!

*1 package yeast (2 tsp)
*3 cups bread flour
*1/4 cup dry milk
*1 TBSP butter
*1 tsp salt
*2 tsp sugar
*1 1/4 cup warm water
*1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

put in bread maker and press start

318. Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie

So this was easy to make and we all really liked it. Dave gave it a 9 out of 10. The kids really liked it too!

*3 cups chopped cooked chicken
*1 package frozen vegetable blend, thawed, drained
*1/2 lb Velveeta cheese cut into cubes
*1 can cream of chicken
*1 can crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375
Combine first four ingredients in a baking dish
Unroll dough and place on top
Bake for 25 minutes (mine too longer for the dough to cook through)


Friday, December 3, 2010

312. Turkey soup

I went off a recipe but in the end just did my own thing! it was good. I am not the kids would have liked it but they dont like soup

*1 onion, diced
*1 clove garlic
*1 tsp veg oil
*3 cups turkey, chopped
* can chili beans
*3 cups chicken broth
*1 can corn, drained
*1 can rotel
*1 pack taco seasoning

Cook onion and garlic together with veg oil
Add everything into a large pot or dutch oven
Bring to boil and then simmer for at least 30 minutes

313. New York Strip steak

Dave got home last for work and we did not eat with the kids. So while they had corn dogs Dave and I had steak from Whole Foods and it was so good.

*1/2 cup olive oil
*1/4 lemon juice
*3 cloves garlic, minced
*2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
*pepper to taste
*New York Strip

Add to a gallon bag and marinate for at least 30 minutes

314. Turkey Tetrazzini

So we were going to use all the left over turkey and I am close to using it all without just having a plate of turkey. We all really liked it. Elise was a but of a pill about the mushrooms!

*1 package spaghetti
*1/2 cup butter
*4 onces mushrooms, sliced
*1/2 small onion, sliced
*1/2 cup flour
*2 cups milk
*3 cups chopped turkey
*1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400
Cook Spaghetti in salted water
Heat butter over medium high heat
Cook mushrooms and onion
Stir in flour and slowly add milk
Cook until thick
Place the cooked pasta on the bottom of pan, then the turkey and pour sauce over turkey
Top with cheese and cook for 20 minutes

315. Garlic and Herb bread

This was a good bread and went well with any meal!

*1 cup warm water
*3 TBSP dry milk
*2 TBSP veg oil
*2 TBSP sugar
*1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
*1 1/2 tsp onion powder
*1 1/2 tsp basil
*1 1/2 tsp dill
*1 1/2 TBSP parsely
*3 cups bread flour
*2 tsp yeast

Place in bread maker!


Tuesday, November 30, 2010

306. Meatloaf

It was not very good. I dont know why I try and try to find another meatloaf when I love the recipe I have.

307. Toffee cookies


These were the cookies on the back of the health chips! they were really good, if you like toffee!


308. Green Bean Casserole

So Dave wanted green bean casserole but I did not want to just do the one on the Cream of Mushroom soup can! this was good. It was almost like you made your own cream of mushroom soup to cook it in.

*2 TBSP butter
*4 ounces mushrooms, minced
*1 cup chopped onion
*3 TBSP flour
*1 1/2 cup chicken stock
*1/2 cup half and half
*3/4 tsp salt
*pepper to taste
*1 1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed

Topping
*2/3 cup crushed croutons
*2/3 cup chopped walnuts
*2 TBSP melted butter
*1/2 cup minced onion

Melt the butter over medium heat
Add mushrooms and onion, cook for 10 minutes
Stir in flour; cook and stir for 5 minutes
Slowly add stock and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes
Stir in half and half and season with salt and pepper; set aside
Preheat oven to 350
Cook bean in salted water for 5 minutes
Drain well and add mushroom sauce
transfer to an 11x7 dish
Mix toppings and place on top
Bake for 20 minutes

309. Sweet Potato Casserole

This was good. I normally make it different and top it with marshmallows. Dave liked this one more and I like me old one more.

*4 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
*1/2 cup melted butter
*1/3 cup milk
*1 cup white sugar
*1/2 tsp vanilla
*2 eggs, beaten
*1 cup light brown sugar
*1/2 cup flour
*1/3 cup butter
*1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350
In a large bowl mix sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, milk, sugar, vanilla and eggs
Spread in 9x19 baking dish
In a small bowl mix brown sugar and flour
Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly, then stir in pecans
Sprinkle over sweet potatoes
Bake for 25 minutes

310. Mashed potatoes

These were just average. After I bought all these potatoes and peeled them....I could have just made boxed potatoes. No one cared for them!

311. Stuffing

we all loved this. LOVED IT!!!

*1 lb sausage
*1 large onion, diced
*3 stalks celery, diced
*1 package cubed stuffing
*1 tsp poultry seasoning
*2 1/2 cups chicken broth
*1/2 cup melted butter

Cook the onion
Mix together sausage, cooked onion, celery, stuffing, seasoning and chicken broth
Place in fridge overnight
before you stuff the bird add the melted butter and mix