1460

Pot o' Beans

2011-10-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

2 # dried pinto beans

Rinse + add to large crock. Fill pot 1-2" from the top.

Then add:

1 T onion pwd

1 t garlic pwd

1/2 t black pepper

1/4 t ground chili pwd

2 t salt

2-4 t olive oil

Stir. Place lid on the crock, cook low all night until dinner next day

OR High at least 8 hours. (slow and low is yummier).

Then blend with mixer until creamy if desired.

split pea soup

2009-09-18T16:55:00.000-07:00

*more about this recipe here*

Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, minced, 2 stalks celery, chopped, 1 3/4 cups dried split peas, 1 bay leaf, 2 carrots, chopped, 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed, 1 onion, chopped, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 cans chicken broth, 2 ounces diced ham, 2 teaspoons dried chervil, salt and pepper to taste.

1. Saute the garlic, onion and celery in olive oil for 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent. Add peas, broth, bay leaf and ham. Cook on low heat 3-4 hours until peas are soft.

2. Once the peas are soft, stir in the potatoes, carrots and chervil and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add water as needed to adjust the thickness of the soup.

Original recipe here.

Bento Box Lunches

2009-06-16T21:05:00.001-07:00

I've been making these with my leftover for awhile... so much fun!

::turkey + cheese roll ups, shredded carrots, "tree" lettuce leaf, sliced olives::
::grapes, sliced strawberries, bamboo "fork", PB+J roll ups, junior mints::

::side view::

::hand for size comparison::

::string for easy carrying and label with name::

2009-05-18T15:44:00.000-07:00

OK this was soooooo Yummy!
I was a little reluctant with it ... but yum!!
:)

Sausage and Polenta with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Start to Finish: 30 min. Oven: 400 F

1/2 of a 16 ounce tube refrigerated cooked polenta (I made mine yesterday... used this recipe so it would be ready to bake today.)
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 uncooked sweet Italian sausage links (about 1 pound total), each cut into 4 pieces (I used polish... its what I had)
1/2 cup apple juice
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons snipped dried tomatoes (I used mine that I dried last year)
1 8 ounce package mixed salad greens
1/4 cup pine nuts or slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400F Cut polenta into 1/4 inch slices, cut each slice in half. Brush polenta with oil. Arrange in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake about 15 minutes or until light brown, turning once. (you could totally cheat and just make corn muffin pancakes... if you didn't want to make polenta, or cant find it ready done, not the same... but similar)

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat for 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove sausage from skillet. Drain off fat; wipe skillet with paper towels.

3. Return sausage to skillet; add apple juice, vinegar and dried tomatoes. Bring to boiling, reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 8 - 10 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink.

4. To serve, divide salad greens among four plates. Arrange polenta slices and sausage pieces next to greens. Drizzle balsamic mixture over all. If desired, sprinkle with nuts.

Makes 4 servings (so I doubled mine... we ate everything but the sausage... which will re-heat into something else. :)

Recipe from Better home and gardens special interest publications: Quick and Easy Recipes (reprint)

2009-04-10T22:39:00.000-07:00

Chicken Enchilada casserole
3 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups salsa Verde
9 fajita size flour tortillas
1 can re fired beans, warmed in micro
8 oz sour cream
3 cups shredded cheese

I put 3 chicken breast in crock pot with 1/4 cup salsa, a can of mexi tomatoes, and a small can of green chilies and let cook on high a few hours until chicken was done. ( I didn't have salsa Verde...so I improvised).
Then I put two tortillas (I only had large ones...) in the pan and put have the chicken mix on top (I shredded chicken and put it back in crock and mixed it all together). The I covered with two more tortillas. Then I mixed beans and cottage cheese (Yup you guessed it... no sour cream...) together and then spread that on top of the tortillas, then add about a cup of cheese. Then two more tortilla's then the rest of the chicken mix on top and then another cup of cheese (If your keeping track ... that's only 2 cups of cheese... I didn't have 3). Then bake at 350 for 25 min., until bubbly.

This was really good and very easy. I will make it again... but I will try to use more of the original ingredients... but my throw together one was yummy too!
.....

P.S. Original Recipe is in Mays Family Circle page 206 (this issue has TONS of meals in it and we will be trying more)
Original Recipe
Chicken enchilada Casserole
3 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups salsa verde
9 fajita size flour tortillas
1 can re fried beans, warmed in microwave
8 oz sour cream
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1- Heat oven to 350. Mix chicken, taco seasoning, 1/2 cup water and salsa verde in a skillet. Simmer on medium heat for 10 min.

2- Coat 13x9x2 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray. Cover bottom of pan with 3 flour tortillas, overlapping. Pour half of the chicken mixture on the tortillas. Cover with 3 more tortillas. Spread with warmed beans and the sour cream.

3- Sprinkle half the cheese over the beans and sour cream, and cover with the remaining 3 tortillas. Top with remaining chicken mixture, followed by remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 25 to 28 minutes, until bubbly.

2009-04-01T21:20:00.000-07:00

Black Bean and Veggie Wraparitos
Serves 6

6 whole wheat tortillas
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 16 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Salsa (your favorite kind)

Heat tortillas and keep warm.
Using a little cooking spray, spray a skillet and saute the onion and mushrooms until tender. Add beans and heat through. Add spinach and remove from heat.
Divide mixture evenly among the tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Fold up like a burrito and serve with salsa.
YUM!

**Recipe from a yahoo group**

2009-04-01T21:12:00.000-07:00

Beef Stroganoff
1 Lb. trimmed beef tenderloin
6 oz. sliced mushrooms (or 2 c. fresh)
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 can beef broth
1 c. sour cream
2 1/2 tbsp flour

Put everything but sour cream and flour in crock insert. Cook on low until beef is done and shreds apart. When ready to serve mix flour into sour cream and mix in insert until moisture thickens (sauce should be thin but not liquid). Season to taste. Serve over rice or noodles. Makes 4 very large servings.

YUM!

(original recipe from cooks.com... I played with this one a bit :)

2009-04-01T09:06:00.000-07:00

Taco Soup
1 pound ground meat (I used hamburger)
1 can red beans, kidney beans, black beans
1 can mexican tomatoes
2 can low sodium v-8 juice
1 onion
16 oz of corn (frozen or canned)
1 tsp garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, parsley
Tortilla chips
Sour cream
Cheddar cheese

Cook meat mix in spices with cooking meat. Put everything in the insert and cook until hot.
To serve: put chips around out side of bowl, pour soup in center, top with sour cream and cheese (unless your like me then leave the last two off ;)
A good fast meal for getting to church on time! :)

Yum!

2009-03-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

Leftovers Sandwich *I just can't come up with something better than this...sorry*

Tomato Basil Focaccia Bread (from Target)

Leftover Pesto Sauce

Leftover sandwich meat (ham, turkey, pastrami)

Leftover sandwich cheese (3 slices cheddar, tiny block of asiago)

The need to make something that will feed a hungry family of 5....

Carefully cut the bread in half (like a muffuletta sandwich...which is what I was wanting soooo bad but my friend doesn't make for me anymore...sigh). Then spread with pesto, layer meat and cheese (I shredded the tiny amount of asiago). Put in oven on 350 for 5 min. to melt cheese and heat up a bit. Then put the top of the sandwich on and continue heating for an additional 10 min. Pull out and slice. Oh my! Yum! This was the best sandwich I have had in a looooooong time.

**I just discovered that while I may be the only person who adds up how much every meal cost in their house *geeky grin*... I'm not the only one looking for cheap meals... so I'll start putting the cost of the meals here (when there is time)**

$3.29 Bread *I so need to learn to make this* (OUCH!)

$0.50 Pesto

$2.00 Meats and cheeses (Why is sandwich meat so costly!?)

$0.00 Hunger and imagination (ahhhh my kind of price *wink*)

--------

$5.79 Total

(We also have lunch leftover for two extra people over our family of 5... so if I add that to the amount of people that could eat this sandwich.... it makes it $0.83 each... not bad for expensive bread!)

2009-02-12T13:11:00.000-08:00

Crock-Pot Chicken With Black beans and Cream Cheese

4-5 frozen boneless chicken breasts
1 can black beans (15 1/2 oz)
1 can corn (15 oz)
1 jar salsa, any kind (15 oz)
1 package cream cheese (8 oz)

1. Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock-pot.

2. Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn, drained.

3. Keep in crock-pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.

4. Add 1 package of cram cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour.

5 Done and enjoy.

(I found this on the Internet somewhere and didn't think to keep track of where... so who ever invented this YUM! Thanks.)

**Served with rice... very yummy must do again!)

2009-02-11T17:57:00.000-08:00

Homemade Gyro's

Gyro recipe here: http://greekfood.about.com/od/porkrecipes/r/mockporkgyro.htm
WAY WAY WAY to salty... I'll have to try again without so much salt. But using pork tasted just as good and was much cheaper than lamb.

Tzatziki recipe here: http://greekfood.about.com/od/appetizerssalads/r/tzatziki_sass.htm
Really, really yummy. We like this and used it to dip our fries....

Over all this was good and we will be trying it again but with much less salt. Gyro's are one of our favorite meals and to eat them at our favorite restaurant costs about $38. This meal cost me $12.65 pricey but not as bad as eating out. If I shopped for this meal on sale then it would be even cheaper.

2009-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

BEST HAMBURGER STEAK EVER

Steak:
1 1/2 lbs. ground hamburger
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
1 med onion sliced
Gravy:
1/4 cup flour
2 beef bullion cubes
kitchen bouquet browning sauce (I didn't use this in mine)
1/4 tsp water
salt + pepper

Mix hamburger, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and flour together. Form into patties. Brown on both sides. Remove from skillet.

Saute onion in the same pan, adding a small amount of oil if needed.

After sauteing the onion, remove from skillet and add flour for gravy. Stirring constantly, brown the flour. Stir water into the browned flour to make the gravy.

Add bullion cubes, salt and pepper. Thin with water for desired thickness.
Add Kitchen Bouquet if gravy isn't brown enough.

When gravy is made, put steaks and onion in gravy. Simmer for about 30 to 45 minutes, checking often and adding water to keep gravy from becoming too thick. (I put a lid on so I didn't have to mind the gravy...)

Serve with french fries, rice, mashed potatoes or your favorite side dish!

Submitted by: Rita Giles (off of the www.cooks.com site)

YUMMY!!! a must try!

2008-12-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

Bagali Polo
The night before you are to eat Bagali Polo. Take a large container of plain yogurt (if you buy your yogurt Dannon is the best). Open it add 1 teaspoon of salt, mix in and put a towel over the container, place container on top of your fridge.
The next night make Persian rice: (this is taken from my friend cookbook... I just borrowed it because I make mine the same way and then I didn't have to type it all in)"This method produces a lovely rice where each individual grain is separate and does not stick together. The potatoes form a golden crust called tadik, which means "bottom of the pot." They are a favorite with Persian children, and sort of like warm potato chips.Bring a large pot of water to a boil with 1-2 tbsp. salt. Throw in 2 c. long grain rice, preferably Basmati. Boil uncovered for 10 min. Drain the rice in a colander under running cold water. Wash the pot. Cover the bottom of the pot with oil or margarine, about 1/4 c. Peel and slice 2-3 large potatoes, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Place rice over the potatoes,"
add 1 cup of chopped dill and 1 small frozen container of Lima beans, "return to the stove over low heat. Wrap the lid of the pot with a cloth towel, taking care to fold the ends up and not let them touch the burner. Steam the rice for 30 min. or longer."
While rice is cooking: Dice an English cucumber, mix into yogurt from top fridge, mix in 1-2 T. of chopped dill, taste... it should be tangy if not add more salt and stir well.
When rice is finished remove from heat let sit for a few minutes. Turn over on to a large platter. Then scrap bottom out (you want tadik to come out in large pieces so that it can be eaten with your fingers. Sprinkle rice with saffron.
Serve.
To eat you mix the yogurt into the rice on your plate and eat.
Very good with pita.

2008-12-25T13:43:00.001-08:00

Dolmeh (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
2 tb Olive oil
1/4 ts Turmeric;or to taste
1 md Onion;finely chopped
1 c Cooked yellow split peas
5 c Chopped mushrooms
2 c Cooked basmati
1 tb Dried parsley;or to taste
16 oz Jar grape leaves
1/4 ts Black pepper;or to taste
1 c Water
1/8 ts Cayenne;or to taste

In a skillet, heat oil and saute onion and mushrooms until soft. Add parsley and spices. Transfer to a bowl. Mix in peas and rice. Preheat oven to 350 . Line a 3-qt baking dish with a few grape leaves to keep stuffed leaves from sticking and burning. Place 1 heaping Tbs of rice mixture ( depending on size of leaf) in the center of a grape leaf. Fold in sides, then roll leaf from stem to tip. Place in casserole. Repeat procedure with remaining grape leaves until rice mixture is used up. Pour water in bottom of dish (to prevent sticking and drying out). Bake for 25 minutes. Serves 12 as an appetizer, 6 for dinner.

2008-12-25T13:29:00.001-08:00

Adas Polow

Ingredients:
Ground beef or lamb - 2 Cups.
Basmati or long-grain rice - 2 Cups.
Gram lentils - 1 3/4 Cups.
Dates, pitted, chopped - 7 TBS.
Raisins - 8 TBS.
Saffron - 1/2 teaspoon.
Onions, sliced - 2 medium.
Cooking oil - 1/2 cup.
Salt - 1 teaspoon.
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon.
Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon.Preparation:
Let the rice soak for 4 hours. Cook in a non-stick pan for 15 minutes in salted water. Drain water and transfer cooked rice to a bowl.
In another pain boil 3 cups of water to this add the washed lentils and salt.
Let this cook for 20 minutes till it is soft and tender.
In a large skillet, add some oil and add the sliced onion. Fry till they are golden brown. To this add the ground beef, salt, turmeric, and black pepper. To this add hot water and cook till the water dries.
In another pan, add some oil and 1/2 cup of water. To this add half the rice, then add meat, lentils, washed raisins and dates. Follow by the rest of the rice. Cook this for 20 minutes and then pour the dissolved saffron over it.
Mix well and serve hot with a salad.

Verdict:
All: YUM!

2008-10-28T19:09:00.001-07:00

Black Bean Soup

3 Cans organic black beans
1 Can organic Italian stewed tomatoes
2 Cups homemade chicken or veggie broth
2 dashes hot sauce (we like adobe mills best)
1 1/2 Cups veggies (whatever you have on hand... or use leftovers from several meals)

Empty all in crock pot, don't rinse or drain anything.
Cook 8-10 hours on LOW or 5-6 hours on HIGH.

Before serving blend everything with a mixer or blender.

Serve with homemade Cuban rye bread and sliced veggies.

2008-10-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

Sweet Onion Chicken

6 tablespoons red wine vinegar (I've used other's ... just changes it a bit)
4 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoons dried sage
1/2 teaspoons salt
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound total)
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, (I do homemade...)
1 tablespoon flour
1 carrot, cut into thing strips
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. In a shallow bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of the vinegar, 2 teaspoons of the sugar, 1/4 teaspoon of the sage, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and stir to blend. Add the chicken, toss to coat, and let stand while you prepare the onions.

2. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil until hot but not smoking over medium beat. Add the onions and the remaining 2 teaspoons sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, carrot, bell pepper, remaining 3 tablespoon's vinegar, remaining 1/4 teaspoon sage, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. and the black pepper and cook until the onions are very tender and caramelized, about 10 minutes longer.

3. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler or prepare the grill. Broil or grill the chicken 4 inches from the heat for about 4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through. Place the chicken on plates, spoon the onion mixture around the chicken and serve.

Suggested accompaniments: Garlic mashed potatoes. Fresh pear wedges sprinkled with cinnamon.

2008-10-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

This is how I make my creamy tomato soup.
2 Tbs. butter
2 Tbs. Flour
1 Cup Liquid (I use rice milk)
1 sm. Can Tomato Paste
Molasses or honey to taste (this takes the tangy out and helps mellow the acid taste in the tomatoes)

Melt butter in pan. Add Flour, brown on medium while stirring constantly. Slowly add liquid (milk) cook on medium stirring constantly until thick (gravy consistence). Then add tomato paste and sweetener. Stir until hot... if this is to thick add more of the liquid.

2008-10-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

Chicken Glop (named by my boys... thanks boys... you know how to warm Mommas heart)

2 cans chicken
1 block cream cheese
2 TBS butter
2 TBS flour
2 Cups Milk

Throw in crock pot on low and heat for 4-5 hours. Make some tater tots and pour glop on top. Not glamours but eatable. Oh, a side P.S. we are lactose intolerant... so the 'milk' items are non-milk... but I still call them milk... probably shouldn't.
:0)

2008-10-28T18:54:00.001-07:00

EGG Sub

2 TBS. flour
1/2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 TBS. liquid (I just use water)
= 1 EGG

2008-10-28T18:51:00.000-07:00

Cuban Rye Bread
2 Cups Rye Flour (or use wheat instead)
4 Cups white Flour
2 T. dry yeast
2 T. sugar
1 T. Salt
2 Cups hot water
1 T. sesame or poppy seeds (optional)
Mix 2 Cups rye and 2 Cups white flour with yeast, sugar and salt. Pour on hot water and beat 100 strokes. Stir in remaining flour until dough is no longer sticky. Knead 8 minutes. Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a damp towel, let rise 15 minutes punch down. Divide into 2 pieces, shape into 2 round loaves and place on baking sheet. Cut an X 1/2 inch deep on top with a sharp knife. Brush with water and top with seeds (if using). Place on middle shelf of a COLD oven, place a cake pan of boiling hot water on lowest shelf. Heat the oven to 400 F. Bake 40-50 minutes until deep golden brown.
YUM! (this is my favorite! I like dividing it into 4 small loaves and using them as bread bowls!)

2008-10-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 organic white flour
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 sucanat sugar (I'm sure you can sub... but I don't know how it would turn out.)
1 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs (I have used egg sub on this with good results)
1 package organic chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine sugar, soft butter and vanilla, beat until creamy. Add eggs and beat. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop mixture by rounded teaspoonful onto ungreased baking stone. Bake 8 minutes.

2008-07-23T10:56:00.000-07:00

Freezer Strawberry Jam

Clean and hull fresh strawberries.

1 Cup Sugar to 2 Cups Strawberries.

Put in pot together, heat and mash fruit down.

Cook unit mostly smooth. (Can simmer but DON'T boil!)

Heat jars and put fruit inside.

Freeze up to one year

Fridge up to three weeks.

Verdict

Everyone: YUM!

2008-07-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Freezer Cherry Plum Syrup

Boil cherry's until skin's split. Mash with potato masher. Drain (retaining juice), garbage the pits and skins. Put juice back in pot. Add sugar to taste. Heat jars and pour juice in.

Freeze for up to one year.

Fridge for up to three weeks.

Verdict:

Everyone: YUM!

2008-07-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Orange-Cranberry Bread

This is the same bread recipe as below. I just grated some orange zest into it and then added dried cranberries into it and the kneaded it well.

Verdict:

Mama: Easy to make... I made this for my parents SO no real verdict... I forgot to ask...oops. My Mom is paying 5.25 a loaf at the specialty bakery so she wanted me to try making it. Homemade always tastes better, has better ingredients and is much, much, much! cheaper. Hopefully it tastes good. :0)

2008-07-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Jam Muffins

2 Cups flour

1/4 cup Succante

1 Tbs. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 Egg, beaten

1 Cup Milk

1/4 Cup Oil

your favorite Jam

Preheat oven to 425 F. In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Make well in center of mixture. Combine egg, milk and oil; add all at once to dry ingredients. Mix only until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into greased muffin cups, filling 2/3 full. Place 1 tsp. favorite jam on top of batter for each muffin. Press into batter slightly. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

10 to 12 muffins

Verdicts

Kids: Meme: YUM!, Roo: Yum!, JC: didn't like them... (oh well can't win 'em all!)

Mama: Very yummy! Easy to make (press in Jam a little better next time!)

2008-06-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Cheesy Crock-Pot Chicken

6 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)

salt and pepper, to taste

garlic powder,to taste

4 Tbs. Butter

4 Tbs. Flour

1 Cup Milk

1 Cup Chicken Broth

1/4 Cup water

1/2 Cup Grated Cheese

Put all into Crock Pot Cook on Low for 6 hours or until Chicken is done. Serve over Rice or Noodles (or Mash Potatoes might be good too...hmmm)

*Original Recipe*

2008-06-27T14:11:00.000-07:00

Whole Wheat White Bread

2 Cups White Flour

2 packages dry yeast

2 teaspoon Salt

2 Cups very warm Water

1/4 Cup Molasses

1/4 Oil

4 to 4 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour

In mixer add White Flour, Yeast, and Water, mix let sit in a warm place for 15 minutes or until bubbley.

Mix in remaining ingredients and mix well (6 minutes at least).

Shape and place in greased bread pan. Let rise until 1/2 inches - 1 inch over the top of pan. Place in a COLD oven and turn on to 350 F. Cook for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

*a BIG thanks to A. for "holding my hand" on the phone while making this and a BIG thanks to B. for the "how to" on bread... my first 'real' bread... THANK YOU!*

2008-06-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

Black Bean Corn Salad

1 Can Black Beans (drained + rinsed)

1 1/2 Cup Corn (frozen)

1/2 onion (diced)

1 Can Diced Tomato and Green Chili's

Small Bunch of fresh Cilantro (chopped)

1 1/2 tsp. Olive Oil

3 dash Adobe Hot Sauce

Pepper (to taste)

Mix all together and refridgerate for several hours, then serve.

Verdicts

Papa: Good!

Kids: JC: Yum!, Roo: YUM! , Meme: true to form... wouldn't try it.

Mama: Almost to good to be true AND super easy. My new favorite salad!

2008-06-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Pot Roast + Veggies
*no pic again... just no time between baseball games!*

1 Small Roast
1 Tbs. flour
1 Tbs. oil
1 Tbs. beef bouillon
1/2 Cup water
4-5 toes of garlic (we like garlic!)
1 large onion (cut into large wedges)
5-6 small potatoes
5-6 large carrots
Crock Pot (ok so I'm addicted to the thing!)

Wet roast with a little water. Roll roast in flour. Heat oil in skillet and sear roast until well browned on all sides.

Put roast, beef bouillon, water, garlic, and onion into crock pot and turn on low for 4 hours or so. 2 hours before eating add potatoes and carrots (and more water IF needed).

Continue cooking.

Verdict:
Papa: Super Yummy!
Kids: JC yum!, Roo yum! + Meme... he eats!!! Yes!
Mama: Really good! Might be a tad salty but it was a super hot day so I think we all needed a bit more salt then usual.

2008-06-25T21:19:00.000-07:00

BBQ Chicken

1 small can Tomato paste
2 Tbs. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tbs. Liquid Smoke
1/4 Cup Honey
1/4 Cup Molasses
1 Tbs. Mustard

Stir all together and dump on top of chicken breasts in crock pot. Cook on low for 6 hours or until done. Shred up and eat on tortillas with a salad.

*Sorry no picture... such a busy day... I forgot!*
Verdicts:
Papa: Yum.
JC... ate it, but put catsup on it, Meme: wouldn't touch it (the kid may starve to death!), Roo: It's the best bbq EVER!
Mama: Very tomato-y (is that a word?), I would probably not use a whole can of tomato paste next time, probably only 2 Tbs. instead.

2008-06-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Brownie Biscuits (Cookies)

1 Cup butter softened (2 sticks)

3/4 Cup Sucanat

1 tsp. Vanilla (or more)

2 Eggs

1/2 Cocoa Powder

2 1/2 Cups Flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. real salt

1- Heat oven to 375 F.

2- Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla in mixer until creamy. Add eggs, beat well. Stir flour, baking soda, cocoa, and salt together. Slowly stir into butter mixture.

3- Bake 10-15 minutes on stone baking dish (regular cookie sheet would be fine... just watch so they don't burn).

Verdict:

Papa: I LOVE 'EM!

Kids: Thumbs up from all of them!

Mama: Pretty good for just inventing! :0)

2008-06-23T10:24:00.000-07:00

Taco Chicken Rice Casserole

6 Chicken Breasts (frozen)

1/2 Cup dried tomatoes (from the garden last year)

1/2 Cup chicken broth

2 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. cumin

Dump in crock pot and cook until done.

Make rice (to be done 1/2 hour before serving)

Stir rice and chicken mix into casserole dish sprinkle with cheese.

Bake 350 until cheese is melted and hot through.

Verdicts

Papa: Delicious

Kids: JC and Roo ate it up, Meme didn't eat ... again!

Mama: This was good and easy to make... I bit to dry I needed to add some of the broth from the crock pot to make it juicer.

2008-06-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

Cornbread Chili Pie
1 lb. hamburger (cooked)
1 can Chili
1 cup grated cheese
1 cup Albers Yellow Corn Meal
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup sucanat
1 tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg

Mix fully cooked hamburger and chili together, pour into 9X13 pan. Sprinkle 1 cup grated cheese on top.
Combine corn meal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Combine milk, oil and egg in small bowl and mix well. Add milk mixture to flour mixture, stir just until blended.
Pour Cornbread mixture on top of chili mixture, spread evenly.
Bake 400F for 20 minutes or until wooden tooth pick inserted in cornbread center comes out clean.
Papa Verdict: Good
Kid Verdict: Mixed: Roo loved it (it had beans so of course he would), JC ate his but really wanted more donuts (sigh), and Meme... wouldn't even put it in his mouth.
Mama Verdict: Ok, but I really thought it would be moister. Needs to be cooked in a much smaller pan so that cornbread covers all the beans. WW flour worked just fine in cornbread mix.

2008-06-22T17:24:00.000-07:00

Whole Wheat Cake Donuts

3 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
2 t. baking powder
½ t. cinnamon
¼ t. salt
¼ t. nutmeg
2/3 cup sucanat
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2/3 cup evap. milk
1/4 cup melted butter
Oil for frying
Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Stir in eggs, vanilla, milk and melted butter. Knead dough a few minutes to make sure all ingredients are mixed thoroughly.On a floured surface, roll dough to ½ inch thickness. Cut with donut cutter, or biscuit cutter. Heat oil in skillet or electric skillet…enough to cover the bottom of the skillet about ¼ inch. Place donuts into the hot oil to fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet and place on a paper towel lined plate.
Original Recipe Here
Papa Verdict: YUM!

Kid Verdict: YUM!

Mama Verdict: A little dry but I think that's the whole wheat. Really good with honey on the top.