It is Friday night which is pizza night in our house! I am going to make Pepperoni Pan Pizzas which are my favorite pizzas ever. Seriously, I got this recipe from Cook's Country in August and have made this pizza about 8 times. We are addicted. lol
This is also going to be a very short post because my back is killing me. My daughter wanted to rake leaves yesterday and I thought I could use some fresh air and exercise so I went out to help her. The garbage can was full of leaves so I lifted her up and let her jump on the leaves to pack them down. When I was lifting her out I felt a *pop* and then pain. When am I going to remember that she isn't 2 anymore and now weighs 50 lbs? When am I going to remember that I am not 26 anymore, but am now 36? Ugh. I'm going to get some Advil and a heating pad. (Of course, this will NOT stop me from making my favorite pizza. You know I love to cook and love this pizza if I will work through pain for it! haha!)
Happy eating!
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Hamburgers
My new "job" as Playground Mom is really opening my eyes up to what it is like for a mother of boys. Yesterday during my time as P.M. at least 6 of the 1st grade boys came up to me saying that someone had slapped or hit them. There were some tears, but no one was really injured and of course there were no witnesses. I had to break up a few tug-of-wars over knit hats and send one boy to time-out for pushing. I know that girls are not angels, but those boys give you a run for your money! When I was babysitting our neighbors daughter the biggest problem between her and my daughter was sharing or taking turns, nothing physical. I have new found respect for mothers of boys!
Last night dinner was a frozen pizza. My husband wasn't very hungry and I wasn't feeling much like cooking. Tonight we are having hamburgers. I make mine by first taking the chill off the 1.5 lbs. ground beef by putting it in the microwave on the defrost setting for 3 minutes. Then I mix in, by hand, 1 tbsp. each steak seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and A1 steak sauce. Mmmm, good! Then I form it into 4 or 5 patties and cook them on George. (My George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine, we call it George. It's also great for making paninis.) I will make a deluxe box of mac'n'cheese and have salad on the side too.
Happy eating!
Last night dinner was a frozen pizza. My husband wasn't very hungry and I wasn't feeling much like cooking. Tonight we are having hamburgers. I make mine by first taking the chill off the 1.5 lbs. ground beef by putting it in the microwave on the defrost setting for 3 minutes. Then I mix in, by hand, 1 tbsp. each steak seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and A1 steak sauce. Mmmm, good! Then I form it into 4 or 5 patties and cook them on George. (My George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine, we call it George. It's also great for making paninis.) I will make a deluxe box of mac'n'cheese and have salad on the side too.
Happy eating!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Chicken Kievs & Mashed Potatoes
I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween, we sure did! Friday morning I got out early and did my grocery shopping and came home and put them all away (whew!) before going to my first parent/teacher conference. I am happy to report my daughter is doing great in kindergarten! Then we went to Target for odds and ends and the new Tinkerbell movie. Next up was cleaning out and carving the 4 pumpkins I got at Aldi, except one of them was rotten on the inside - yuck. Oh well, we had fun with the other 3. My kid loves scooping out the goopy insides and helping me pick out the seeds!
Saturday morning was spent cleaning the entire 1st floor of the house. My husband said I didn't need to clean every room because "we aren't having an open house", but I did need to clean every room! The living and dining rooms and kitchen are obviously where we would be most of the time, but the bathroom needs to be clean too - duh. Then because we would put all the coats and purses on our bed in our bedroom that had to be clean, and the kids would be in my daughter's room and playroom which means the parents would be in there too, so that had to be clean as well! Men just don't get this. Then I got around to baking the pumpkin seeds. This is the way my mom taught me to make them.
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PUMPKIN SEEDS
Remove as much pulp as possible. Soak the seeds overnight in salt water. Drain water - do not rinse. Dry seeds on paper towels. Spread seeds on ungreased cookie sheet and sprinkle generously with salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip seeds with spatula. Bake again for 5 minutes, flip seeds. Repeat as needed. Seeds are done when slightly golden and crispy.
********************************************************************************
I had 3 large pumpkins worth of seeds and they took about 25 minutes to bake. YUM!
Around 3:15pm my neighbor J. and her daughter and J.'s boyfriend and his daughter came over and we all walked down to the park district for the Halloween festivities, but BIG OOPS, the party was the day before! I felt like such an idiot! I know when I checked the website I looked for 'Halloween Party' and definitely checked the time, but I guess I didn't check the date and assumed the party would be on Saturday. And we all know what happens when you assume something, right? LOL Thank goodness my neighbor is such a sweet lady and her guy is a cool dude, they took it in stride and we did some trick-or-treating on the way back to my house. The girls played while we had hot apple cider with rum and I ordered pizza. Around 5:30pm our friends T. and R. and their 2 kids from the suburbs got here and then it was really crazy! 6 adults and 5 kids in my little house, plus the doorbell ringing every other minute with trick-or-treaters made for a chaotic but really fun time.
Seriously, the doorbell rang every other minute. I had bought 10 bags of candy and had about 15 pieces left when we stopped answering the door. I only give 1 piece per kid because I only buy the fun-size candy bars. That's a LOT of kids in 2 hours.
We left around 6:30pm to do our own trick-or-treating and the streets were a sea of people. There are tons of kids in our neighborhood, plus we have seen carloads of people park and jump out to do their trick-or-treating here. Our city blocks are very long with about 15 houses per side and really good street lights. Plus 99% of the homes are bungalows with garden basements, so almost every house has front stairs to climb up and down. It's a great way to get lots of candy in a short distance, yet the kids get tired from all those stairs! We got home around 8pm and our neighbors went home right away, but our friends stayed awhile longer and it was nice to visit with them.
On Sunday it was all I could do to get out of bed - I was exhausted! All the running around from the previous 2 days had done me in, and I considered it a victory that I showered and did the dishes. Today it was back to the routine, and there are no extra activities this week, thank you God!
For dinner tonight we are having frozen chicken kievs from Aldi, the brand is Kirkwood and for $1 a piece they are really good. Plus I will make instant mashed potatoes, and gravy from a seasoning packet. It's more like "preparing" than "cooking", haha! Oh, and there will be a salad too (I always have torn lettuce with cucumbers and green peppers in my fridge).
Now I get to go read all the blogs I follow that I have not read since Thursday!
Happy eating!
Saturday morning was spent cleaning the entire 1st floor of the house. My husband said I didn't need to clean every room because "we aren't having an open house", but I did need to clean every room! The living and dining rooms and kitchen are obviously where we would be most of the time, but the bathroom needs to be clean too - duh. Then because we would put all the coats and purses on our bed in our bedroom that had to be clean, and the kids would be in my daughter's room and playroom which means the parents would be in there too, so that had to be clean as well! Men just don't get this. Then I got around to baking the pumpkin seeds. This is the way my mom taught me to make them.
********************************************************************************
PUMPKIN SEEDS
Remove as much pulp as possible. Soak the seeds overnight in salt water. Drain water - do not rinse. Dry seeds on paper towels. Spread seeds on ungreased cookie sheet and sprinkle generously with salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip seeds with spatula. Bake again for 5 minutes, flip seeds. Repeat as needed. Seeds are done when slightly golden and crispy.
********************************************************************************
I had 3 large pumpkins worth of seeds and they took about 25 minutes to bake. YUM!
Around 3:15pm my neighbor J. and her daughter and J.'s boyfriend and his daughter came over and we all walked down to the park district for the Halloween festivities, but BIG OOPS, the party was the day before! I felt like such an idiot! I know when I checked the website I looked for 'Halloween Party' and definitely checked the time, but I guess I didn't check the date and assumed the party would be on Saturday. And we all know what happens when you assume something, right? LOL Thank goodness my neighbor is such a sweet lady and her guy is a cool dude, they took it in stride and we did some trick-or-treating on the way back to my house. The girls played while we had hot apple cider with rum and I ordered pizza. Around 5:30pm our friends T. and R. and their 2 kids from the suburbs got here and then it was really crazy! 6 adults and 5 kids in my little house, plus the doorbell ringing every other minute with trick-or-treaters made for a chaotic but really fun time.
Seriously, the doorbell rang every other minute. I had bought 10 bags of candy and had about 15 pieces left when we stopped answering the door. I only give 1 piece per kid because I only buy the fun-size candy bars. That's a LOT of kids in 2 hours.
We left around 6:30pm to do our own trick-or-treating and the streets were a sea of people. There are tons of kids in our neighborhood, plus we have seen carloads of people park and jump out to do their trick-or-treating here. Our city blocks are very long with about 15 houses per side and really good street lights. Plus 99% of the homes are bungalows with garden basements, so almost every house has front stairs to climb up and down. It's a great way to get lots of candy in a short distance, yet the kids get tired from all those stairs! We got home around 8pm and our neighbors went home right away, but our friends stayed awhile longer and it was nice to visit with them.
On Sunday it was all I could do to get out of bed - I was exhausted! All the running around from the previous 2 days had done me in, and I considered it a victory that I showered and did the dishes. Today it was back to the routine, and there are no extra activities this week, thank you God!
For dinner tonight we are having frozen chicken kievs from Aldi, the brand is Kirkwood and for $1 a piece they are really good. Plus I will make instant mashed potatoes, and gravy from a seasoning packet. It's more like "preparing" than "cooking", haha! Oh, and there will be a salad too (I always have torn lettuce with cucumbers and green peppers in my fridge).
Now I get to go read all the blogs I follow that I have not read since Thursday!
Happy eating!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Popcorn Shrimp & Rice
Today was the Fall party in my daughter's kindergarten classroom and I got to come and help out. What fun! The kids are so great, very well behaved and so polite. Well, most of them - there are a couple trouble-makers, but they try. The teacher, Mrs. J, is simply awesome. She has been a kindergarten teacher for 30 years and she is terrific with the kids.
Dinner tonight will be Popcorn Shrimp and Rice. Aldi has great popcorn shrimp for $2 a box and their cocktail sauce is good too. The rice is a Knorr Fiesta Sides Mexican Rice packet, and I will also have a salad on the side.
Tomorrow and Saturday will be very busy so I won't be back here until Sunday. Tomorrow I will grocery shop in the morning, then I have my daughter's parent/teacher conference (my husband is staying home with her), then we will go to Target together, and then clean out the pumpkins to bake the seeds and carve them. On Saturday I will be cleaning the house and getting ready for our neighbors and some close friends to come over around 3pm. We will walk to the park district for the festivities there, come back to the house for pizza, and then go trick-or-treating.
The meal plan for the coming week is: Shepherd's Pie, Chicken Kievs & Mashed Potatoes, Pepperoni Pan Pizza, Tacos, Chicken Pattie Sandwiches, Hamburgers, and frozen pizza (always).
I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!
Happy eating!
Dinner tonight will be Popcorn Shrimp and Rice. Aldi has great popcorn shrimp for $2 a box and their cocktail sauce is good too. The rice is a Knorr Fiesta Sides Mexican Rice packet, and I will also have a salad on the side.
Tomorrow and Saturday will be very busy so I won't be back here until Sunday. Tomorrow I will grocery shop in the morning, then I have my daughter's parent/teacher conference (my husband is staying home with her), then we will go to Target together, and then clean out the pumpkins to bake the seeds and carve them. On Saturday I will be cleaning the house and getting ready for our neighbors and some close friends to come over around 3pm. We will walk to the park district for the festivities there, come back to the house for pizza, and then go trick-or-treating.
The meal plan for the coming week is: Shepherd's Pie, Chicken Kievs & Mashed Potatoes, Pepperoni Pan Pizza, Tacos, Chicken Pattie Sandwiches, Hamburgers, and frozen pizza (always).
I hope you all have a fun and safe Halloween!
Happy eating!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Pastitsio Casserole
I won! I won! One of my favorite blogs Crumbs In The Minivan had a book giveaway and I won! Woo-hoo! Please go check out the Crumbs, Mama Crumb is a great writer and her stories are funny and if you are a mom you can totally relate to her.
My first time as Playground Mom on Tuesday was fun, and the kids wasted no time breaking me in - someone poked someone else in the eye with a wood chip. The word the kids used was stabbed, but I think it was more of a poke. Anyway, I immediately summoned the other, more experienced P.M. and she had me bring the boy to the nurse while she tried to figure out who did it and punish them. The kid was fine and returned with me to the playground to fight, I mean play, again.
Today my daughter's kindergarten class led the chapel time and it was so cute! They did an audience participation story about Martin Luther that was hysterical and then they sang a song. I also got to meet another mom whose daughter is friends with my kid - I see a playdate in our future.
Tonight's dinner is an old favorite of ours called Pastitsio. It is supposed to be an Italian version of Shepherd's Pie. I have no idea where I got the recipe, but I have been making this since I was married. It is a great dish to bring to potlucks.
*****************************************************************************
PASTITSIO
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
4 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 lb. ground beef
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
2 tbsp. parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Part 1: In a large pot, brown ground beef. Drain off fat. Mix in onion powder, garlic powder, tomato paste, beef stock and parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Part 2: Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain well, return to pot. Stir in butter, eggs, and parmesan; mix well.
Part 3: Lightly grease a 2 quart serving dish. Spoon half the macaroni mixture in the bottom. Top with all the meat mixture. Spoon remaining noodles over the meat. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with garlic bread and a salad.
*******************************************************************************
Happy eating!
My first time as Playground Mom on Tuesday was fun, and the kids wasted no time breaking me in - someone poked someone else in the eye with a wood chip. The word the kids used was stabbed, but I think it was more of a poke. Anyway, I immediately summoned the other, more experienced P.M. and she had me bring the boy to the nurse while she tried to figure out who did it and punish them. The kid was fine and returned with me to the playground to fight, I mean play, again.
Today my daughter's kindergarten class led the chapel time and it was so cute! They did an audience participation story about Martin Luther that was hysterical and then they sang a song. I also got to meet another mom whose daughter is friends with my kid - I see a playdate in our future.
Tonight's dinner is an old favorite of ours called Pastitsio. It is supposed to be an Italian version of Shepherd's Pie. I have no idea where I got the recipe, but I have been making this since I was married. It is a great dish to bring to potlucks.
*****************************************************************************
PASTITSIO
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
4 tbsp. butter
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 lb. ground beef
1 small can tomato paste
1 cup beef stock
2 tbsp. parsley
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Part 1: In a large pot, brown ground beef. Drain off fat. Mix in onion powder, garlic powder, tomato paste, beef stock and parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Part 2: Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain well, return to pot. Stir in butter, eggs, and parmesan; mix well.
Part 3: Lightly grease a 2 quart serving dish. Spoon half the macaroni mixture in the bottom. Top with all the meat mixture. Spoon remaining noodles over the meat. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve with garlic bread and a salad.
*******************************************************************************
Happy eating!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Leftovers We Love
Hello all! I would like to comment on a few comments I received on my last post. First, L.B. - don't be afraid of the yeast! Just make sure it is 1) fresh, 2) does not come in direct contact with salt, and 3) that your liquid is not over 110 degrees. I use a candy thermometer to check my temps - easy and cheap. Second, I am feeling better today, thank you for all the well wishes - they worked! haha! Third, I pound the chicken for the chicken parm because then you get a bigger top surface for more sauce and cheese! The easiest, least messy method I have found is to put the chicken in a gallon size ziploc bag and pound away!
Tonights dinner is going to be leftovers because I have too many in the fridge. There is Indian Corn Stew, Lasagna, Salisbury Steak, and Latvian Meatsauce that need to be eaten. All of these items re-heat very well, thank goodness. I try to make a dent in the leftovers by having them for lunch, but sometimes I just want a turkey sandwich instead. :)
I was asked to be the Playground Mom on Tuesdays at my daughter's school because the mom that did it is moving away. My kid is thrilled because she gets to stay and play with her friends and I am happy to do it for her. I am sure I will not be so happy when it is February and it is freezing cold outside! Ah, the sacrifices we make for our kids.
Happy eating!
Tonights dinner is going to be leftovers because I have too many in the fridge. There is Indian Corn Stew, Lasagna, Salisbury Steak, and Latvian Meatsauce that need to be eaten. All of these items re-heat very well, thank goodness. I try to make a dent in the leftovers by having them for lunch, but sometimes I just want a turkey sandwich instead. :)
I was asked to be the Playground Mom on Tuesdays at my daughter's school because the mom that did it is moving away. My kid is thrilled because she gets to stay and play with her friends and I am happy to do it for her. I am sure I will not be so happy when it is February and it is freezing cold outside! Ah, the sacrifices we make for our kids.
Happy eating!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Chicken Parmesan & Pasta
I would like to start by saying Welcome to all my new followers, I'm so happy to have you here! I am really enjoying being a follower on your blogs too. Next I would like to say that I am going to miss your blog Betty, along with that cute little corgi of yours!
I realized that I forgot (again) to give you guys my meal plan for the week. What is wrong with me lately? haha! So here it is: Shepherd's Pie, frozen pizza (always), Pastitsio, Popcorn Shrimp & Rice, Chicken Kievs & Mashed Potatoes.
Tonight I will make Chicken Parmesan on a bed of Spaghetti. I like to pound my chicken breasts thin, then dredge them in flour, then dip them in an egg-milk mixture, then dredge them in seasoned breadcrumbs. I cook them until golden in a skillet with a little olive oil, then put them in the oven topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese until the cheese melts, about 8 minutes. So easy and yummy. I don't think they re-heat well so I only make two, but I make extra spaghetti because I love that for leftovers!
Well, I am not feeling 100% so I am going to go rest. My daughter and husband have both have colds, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I caught it!
Happy eating!
I realized that I forgot (again) to give you guys my meal plan for the week. What is wrong with me lately? haha! So here it is: Shepherd's Pie, frozen pizza (always), Pastitsio, Popcorn Shrimp & Rice, Chicken Kievs & Mashed Potatoes.
Tonight I will make Chicken Parmesan on a bed of Spaghetti. I like to pound my chicken breasts thin, then dredge them in flour, then dip them in an egg-milk mixture, then dredge them in seasoned breadcrumbs. I cook them until golden in a skillet with a little olive oil, then put them in the oven topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese until the cheese melts, about 8 minutes. So easy and yummy. I don't think they re-heat well so I only make two, but I make extra spaghetti because I love that for leftovers!
Well, I am not feeling 100% so I am going to go rest. My daughter and husband have both have colds, so I knew it was only a matter of time before I caught it!
Happy eating!
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