I am so far behind on my blog reading it isn't funny. I tried just now to read everything I want to read and got through most of it, but I want to leave comments too and I can't now because I need to start dinner (my husband just called and said he'd be home in about 35 minutes). My daughter stayed home from school today due to a cold, so hopefully I can catch up on my reading/commenting tomorrow while she is at school and the house is quiet.
So, dinner tonight is going to be Enchiladas and Knorr Fiesta Sides Mexican Rice. The recipe is my husbands and these are yummy and easy to make. Please click on the name to get the recipe that includes a cute husband quirk. :)
Happy eating!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars
I did not post yesterday, but I made these absolutely delicious bars! Yum yum yum! I found the recipe over on One Step At A Time, who got it from My Tasty Treasures. Thanks gals for sharing this awesome recipe!
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APPLE STREUSEL CHEESECAKE BARS
1 pkg. Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup butter, cold, cut in cubes
2 - 8oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 can apple pie filling
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Place cookie mix in a large bowl, cut in butter. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of mixture in the fridge; press remaining crumbs into bottom of baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg on medium speed until smooth. Spread over partially cooked crust.
In a medium bowl, mix apple pie filling and cinnamon. Spoon pie filling over cream cheese. Sprinkle pie filling with reserved cookie mixture, then sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes on wire rack. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Cut into bars. Store in fridge.
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I didn't want to get another bowl dirty so I did not mix the pie filling with the cinnamon. I spread the pie filling over the cream cheese mixture and then just sprinkled it with cinnamon. Also, I had pecan chips in the cabinet so I used those instead of walnuts.
Last night we got Subway subs for dinner. I had tuna with lettuce and tomato on wheat, and my daughter ate almost half of it - good thing I got the 12". :)
For tonight's dinner my husband has asked me to make Baked Potato Soup. It is bright and sunny here, but cold! The high today is only 66 degrees. Click on the soup name to get the recipe, as well as the humorous story of the first time I made it. Other people's kitchen mishaps are always good for a laugh!
Happy eating!
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APPLE STREUSEL CHEESECAKE BARS
1 pkg. Betty Crocker oatmeal cookie mix
1/2 cup butter, cold, cut in cubes
2 - 8oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1 can apple pie filling
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Place cookie mix in a large bowl, cut in butter. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of mixture in the fridge; press remaining crumbs into bottom of baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, flour, vanilla and egg on medium speed until smooth. Spread over partially cooked crust.
In a medium bowl, mix apple pie filling and cinnamon. Spoon pie filling over cream cheese. Sprinkle pie filling with reserved cookie mixture, then sprinkle with walnuts.
Bake for 35-40 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes on wire rack. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Cut into bars. Store in fridge.
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I didn't want to get another bowl dirty so I did not mix the pie filling with the cinnamon. I spread the pie filling over the cream cheese mixture and then just sprinkled it with cinnamon. Also, I had pecan chips in the cabinet so I used those instead of walnuts.
Last night we got Subway subs for dinner. I had tuna with lettuce and tomato on wheat, and my daughter ate almost half of it - good thing I got the 12". :)
For tonight's dinner my husband has asked me to make Baked Potato Soup. It is bright and sunny here, but cold! The high today is only 66 degrees. Click on the soup name to get the recipe, as well as the humorous story of the first time I made it. Other people's kitchen mishaps are always good for a laugh!
Happy eating!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Frozen Pizza
It is Friday so we had pizza - a frozen Tombstone with extra cheese and I put pepperoni on half. We also had some mozzarella sticks for an app. Yum!
Today I got to go grocery shopping alone while my daughter was in school, which will be the norm from now on. I love my kid, but it was great! I was zipping around and got done much faster than when she is with me. Plus it was much earlier in the morning than when we would normally go so the stores were practically empty. JOY!
I am trying something new: to shop for two weeks worth of dinners instead of one. I don't know if this will work because my fridge is at maximum capacity, as is my small deep freeze in the basement. Anyway, here is the meal plan: Potato Pancakes & Sausage, Homemade Pepperoni Pan Pizzas, Cheesy Hamburger Hash, Enchiladas & Mexican Rice, Bobby Deen's Goulash, Cheeseburger Meatloaf, Omelets/Biscuits/Sausage, Dirty Rice, Baked Potato Soup, Soup & Grilled Cheese, Blackened Chicken Sandwiches, and Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars.
Happy eating!
Today I got to go grocery shopping alone while my daughter was in school, which will be the norm from now on. I love my kid, but it was great! I was zipping around and got done much faster than when she is with me. Plus it was much earlier in the morning than when we would normally go so the stores were practically empty. JOY!
I am trying something new: to shop for two weeks worth of dinners instead of one. I don't know if this will work because my fridge is at maximum capacity, as is my small deep freeze in the basement. Anyway, here is the meal plan: Potato Pancakes & Sausage, Homemade Pepperoni Pan Pizzas, Cheesy Hamburger Hash, Enchiladas & Mexican Rice, Bobby Deen's Goulash, Cheeseburger Meatloaf, Omelets/Biscuits/Sausage, Dirty Rice, Baked Potato Soup, Soup & Grilled Cheese, Blackened Chicken Sandwiches, and Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars.
Happy eating!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Creamy Spaghetti
The crock pot is already bubbling away with tonight's dinner which is Creamy Spaghetti. I posted this recipe once before and you can find it here. Today is a cold, rainy day so this warm meal will be perfect with some garlic bread and a garden salad. We really loved this dish last time and I am very much looking forward to dinner tonight!
Thanks to those of you who chimed in with comments on my last post. I agree with all of you and I will not be saying anything. I think the reason I didn't say anything right away is because it felt wrong - we all need to follow our gut instincts more, right?
My daughter was so cranky this morning, I think it was the weather. Plus she is not used to getting up early yet, and then she dilly-dallys and then I am rushing her to get out the door on time. It is not pleasant to say the least. I think we need to move her bedtime up a little and get her up a little earlier so she doesn't have to be rushed, and so she is still getting enough sleep. Any hints or tips any of you more experienced moms can send my way? I'd appreciate it!
Happy eating!
Thanks to those of you who chimed in with comments on my last post. I agree with all of you and I will not be saying anything. I think the reason I didn't say anything right away is because it felt wrong - we all need to follow our gut instincts more, right?
My daughter was so cranky this morning, I think it was the weather. Plus she is not used to getting up early yet, and then she dilly-dallys and then I am rushing her to get out the door on time. It is not pleasant to say the least. I think we need to move her bedtime up a little and get her up a little earlier so she doesn't have to be rushed, and so she is still getting enough sleep. Any hints or tips any of you more experienced moms can send my way? I'd appreciate it!
Happy eating!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Hot Dogs, Burgers, Grape Tomatoes On The Grill, & Fingerling Potatoes
Hi all! I am hoping that the rain is gone for today because I am going to grill tonight. I am doing hot dogs and burgers, plus grape tomatoes on skewers; my normal grilling meal. (I make my burgers with steak seasoning, steak sauce and Worcestershire sauce in them, the grape tomatoes get a coat of olive oil and are sprinkled with salt and pepper.)
I am also going to make fingerling potatoes, I got two recipes from the Food Network. One is from Ina Garten and calls for butter and dill, the other is from the Neelys and calls for olive oil and garlic - which should I choose? Maybe I'll let my hubbie decide. I have never had them before, have you? They were kinda pricey at $4.50 for 1.5 lbs. at Jewel, but I have to try them. "You can eat the thin, delicate skins and they have a more complex flavor than a regular potato" or so I read on the internet somewhere. I'll let you know! Anyway, here are the two recipes:
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DILL FINGERLING POTATOES Ina Garten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 1/4 lbs. fingerling potatoes, rinsed but not peeled
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the whole potatoes, salt and pepper, toss well. Cover the pot tightly and cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender when tested with a small knife. From time to time, shake the pot without removing the lid to prevent the bottom potatoes from burning. Turn off the heat and allow the potatoes to steam for another 5 minutes. Don't overcook. Toss with dill, serve hot.
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ROASTED GARLIC FINGERLING POTATOES The Neelys
1 1/2 lbs. fingerling potatoes
4 tbsp. olive oil
8 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a casserole dish, mix together all ingredients. Roast for 20 minutes.
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Okay, now I have a moral dilemma that I would like your opinion on please. When we first toured our daughter's school with the principal he told us that due to state law the child must be 5 years old before Sept. 1st to enroll in kindergarten. Yesterday, while I was chatting with the other moms waiting to pick up our kids, one mom told me that her son was having a birthday and she was going to invite the whole class to go bowling and I said "Oh, he's going to be 6? My daughter is going to be 6 too!" And she said "No, he's going to be 5 on the 11th" and immediately I remembered what the principal told us.
So, what do I do? Do I call the principal and tell him? I don't want to be a tattletale, but because I know of the law do I have any obligation to tell? What difference would it make? Some kids do well in kindergarten at a young age; I was only 4 when I started. What I really want to know is why the school didn't ask the parents how old their kid was; I was required to bring in a copy of my kid's birth certificate to prove her age. Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!
Happy eating!
I am also going to make fingerling potatoes, I got two recipes from the Food Network. One is from Ina Garten and calls for butter and dill, the other is from the Neelys and calls for olive oil and garlic - which should I choose? Maybe I'll let my hubbie decide. I have never had them before, have you? They were kinda pricey at $4.50 for 1.5 lbs. at Jewel, but I have to try them. "You can eat the thin, delicate skins and they have a more complex flavor than a regular potato" or so I read on the internet somewhere. I'll let you know! Anyway, here are the two recipes:
***********************************************************************************
DILL FINGERLING POTATOES Ina Garten
2 tbsp. unsalted butter
1 1/4 lbs. fingerling potatoes, rinsed but not peeled
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot. Add the whole potatoes, salt and pepper, toss well. Cover the pot tightly and cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender when tested with a small knife. From time to time, shake the pot without removing the lid to prevent the bottom potatoes from burning. Turn off the heat and allow the potatoes to steam for another 5 minutes. Don't overcook. Toss with dill, serve hot.
************************************************************************************
ROASTED GARLIC FINGERLING POTATOES The Neelys
1 1/2 lbs. fingerling potatoes
4 tbsp. olive oil
8 garlic cloves, sliced
1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley
salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a casserole dish, mix together all ingredients. Roast for 20 minutes.
************************************************************************************
Okay, now I have a moral dilemma that I would like your opinion on please. When we first toured our daughter's school with the principal he told us that due to state law the child must be 5 years old before Sept. 1st to enroll in kindergarten. Yesterday, while I was chatting with the other moms waiting to pick up our kids, one mom told me that her son was having a birthday and she was going to invite the whole class to go bowling and I said "Oh, he's going to be 6? My daughter is going to be 6 too!" And she said "No, he's going to be 5 on the 11th" and immediately I remembered what the principal told us.
So, what do I do? Do I call the principal and tell him? I don't want to be a tattletale, but because I know of the law do I have any obligation to tell? What difference would it make? Some kids do well in kindergarten at a young age; I was only 4 when I started. What I really want to know is why the school didn't ask the parents how old their kid was; I was required to bring in a copy of my kid's birth certificate to prove her age. Please leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!
Happy eating!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Popcorn Chicken & Mashed Potatoes
I am feeling very unmotivated to make dinner tonight, very blah. Nothing on the list is jumping out at me as exciting. It is another warm day, so I don't want to turn on my oven. Sigh... I guess I will make the popcorn chicken in the toaster oven and instant mashed potatoes on the stove and serve it with the garden salad that is already in the fridge.
I think I am having emotional letdown from the excitement of this morning. It was the first 'real' day of school! Hooray! My little darling did not want to get out of bed, then she took forever to eat her breakfast, and then we had a last minute request for a ponytail. Finally we made it out the door only to run into more traffic than I had expected. The reason for the traffic was due to the police shutting down a main street - the street that runs in front of the school - due to a possible gas leak caused by the construction workers that are resurfacing this street. Are you kidding me?! Thankfully I am familiar with the side street that runs behind the school so once I s-l-o-w-l-y got through the worst of the traffic I zipped to the parking lot. Unfortunately we missed the playground time and so I walked her into the school to the classroom. She was so excited she ran in without giving me a hug or kiss goodbye! I called her back and got the briefest of hugs from her before she scurried back in. At least she wasn't crying and clinging to my legs, right?
Happy eating!
I think I am having emotional letdown from the excitement of this morning. It was the first 'real' day of school! Hooray! My little darling did not want to get out of bed, then she took forever to eat her breakfast, and then we had a last minute request for a ponytail. Finally we made it out the door only to run into more traffic than I had expected. The reason for the traffic was due to the police shutting down a main street - the street that runs in front of the school - due to a possible gas leak caused by the construction workers that are resurfacing this street. Are you kidding me?! Thankfully I am familiar with the side street that runs behind the school so once I s-l-o-w-l-y got through the worst of the traffic I zipped to the parking lot. Unfortunately we missed the playground time and so I walked her into the school to the classroom. She was so excited she ran in without giving me a hug or kiss goodbye! I called her back and got the briefest of hugs from her before she scurried back in. At least she wasn't crying and clinging to my legs, right?
Happy eating!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Egg & Cheese Sandwiches
I was reading the blogs I follow and realized that I never wrote on Friday what my meal plan for the week is, so here ya go: Nachos (we had last night), Egg & Cheese Sandwiches, Hot Dogs & Burgers on the grill, Creamy Spaghetti, Potato Pancakes & Sausage, frozen pizza, and Popcorn Chicken & Mashed Potatoes (still on the list from last week).
Tonight I will make the Egg & Cheese Sandwiches (recipe is here) and serve them with cottage cheese. Tonight I am using a loaf of Italian bread I got in the bakery instead of country white. It is pretty warm today, about 80 degrees, so I don't want to stand in front of the stove too long.
I am always writing about how I hate to stand in front of the stove/oven in the summer and maybe I should explain why. Our house was built in 1920 and has baseboard radiators for heat, so we have to use window unit air conditioners in the summer and the cool air just does not flow into the kitchen very well. So if I turn on the oven on an already hot day I will be cooking myself along with the food. LOL
Happy eating!
Tonight I will make the Egg & Cheese Sandwiches (recipe is here) and serve them with cottage cheese. Tonight I am using a loaf of Italian bread I got in the bakery instead of country white. It is pretty warm today, about 80 degrees, so I don't want to stand in front of the stove too long.
I am always writing about how I hate to stand in front of the stove/oven in the summer and maybe I should explain why. Our house was built in 1920 and has baseboard radiators for heat, so we have to use window unit air conditioners in the summer and the cool air just does not flow into the kitchen very well. So if I turn on the oven on an already hot day I will be cooking myself along with the food. LOL
Happy eating!
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