Spaghetti with meatballs

This is a very yummy meatball recipe. In fact, this is the only recipe for meatballs to go with spaghetti that I have enjoyed so far. The sauce, I'm not so fond of. I'm working on finding a better spaghetti sauce recipe. But I will stick with these meatballs.

They are also very easy to make. That's always a plus!

The recipe can be found here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Meatballs-with-Spaghetti-Sauce

German pancakes

Ah, German pancakes. Something I always looked forward to eating for breakfast on the weekends when I was little. And I still enjoy them!

Very simple. Preheat your oven to 350
in an 11X7 cake pan place 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine. Put in the oven and let it melt while your oven preheats.
Mix together:
3 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
a dash of salt.

Pour into the heated pan once the butter is melted.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Now, the secret to a nice fluffy pancake is
1, don't do aerobics while this cooks.  Keep your walking soft or it will fall
2, When the timer goes off, instead of immediately pulling it from the oven, crack the oven door (like you would when broiling something) and turn the heat off in the oven. Let it sit in the oven for about 5 minutes while the oven cools. This will help it retain is fluffiness when you cut into it.
If it does fall when you cut into it, it's okay, it will still taste yummy.
Serve with syrup, or fruit, or whatever you enjoy for breakfast.

Spicy French Dip

This was very good. It will have you going back for seconds!  Very easy to make, uses a crock pot, so perfect for busy days.
This does use jalapeno peppers, so there is a bit of a kick to it. Now, because I spent all of my school years (starting in the 8th grade!) staying away from anything spicy due to mad heartburn, Things that are spicy to me, aren't necessarily spicy to a lot of other people.
With this recipe, even if you can't handle spice, put the peppers in. The meat itself just retains a very nice flavor. It's the Au ju dip that will make you sweat. If you can't take too much spice, I recommend just making a beef broth, or searching for a separate recipe for the dip.
I enjoyed the dip, but after the first bite learned that I have to dip very sparingly in order to eat it. So keep that in mind when making this dish.

the recipe can be found here:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Spicy-French-Dip

Potatoes au gratin and glazed carrots

This is the perfect recipe to use the leftover Christmas ham in
I peeled 4 potatoes, chopped up some of the cooked ham, added a bit of onion, and threw it all in the crock pot. Then I used half a pound of Velveeta cheese and poured just a dash of milk.
Cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours, or until potatoes are tender.

This was four 2 people, so you can adjust recipe accordingly.

The glazed carrots were found in the comfort food diet cookbook. They were also cooked in the crock pot. I do believe I should have let them cook for a bit longer than I did, but they were still very good.

Carrot cake

Ah, Carrot Cake. No Christmas is complete in my house without it!  It's such a deceptive little desert. For the health-conscious person you think Ah! Carrot Cake! Something healthy! For the child it's Awww... CARROT Cake?
But, the cake is spiced and oh so yummy, and I think once you put the cream cheese frosting on.....  all healthiness goes out the window.
It's okay though, because Carrot Cake only comes once a year. So you must enjoy!
So...  My mom's yummy Carrot Cake recipe....

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups flour
4 eggs
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Beat eggs until fluffy. Blend in sugar, salad oil, and flour. Blend in the remaining ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.

For the Frosting:
1 cube butter
1- 8 oz package of cream cheese
1 box (1 pound) of powdered sugar
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla.
Blend cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add sugar and nuts.

Frost and enjoy!!

Creamy chicken salad

This salad is so super delish! Honestly, I'm actually surprised I tried it in the first place, because I don't generally care for things that have mayo in them. And the combo of ingredients seems a little strange. But it works really really well.
It calls for "ring pasta" I've never found that. I just use the tri-color spiral pasta.
 I've made this a few times, and plan to make it many more!

This recipe can be found here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Creamy-Chicken-Salad

2011 christmas cake.

This cake was an idea that accumulated over the year. The majority after my husband gave me an early christmas gift. The book Sugar Baby. The cake is the almond cake from the book. Then I used a small layer of fudge.... yes fudge.... as the filling.

Frosted with a light layer of chocolate frosting before covering with marshmellow fondant.
Than I started to make "cotton candy" aka "candy floss" aka "fairy floss" (the last is what I think I will call it )
The picture in the book looks so innocent and easy to make.
Apperently not the first try!
The first few went good. But the sugar started to harden on me. So I thought, I'll heat it back up and make it melty again and continue on.
Nope. That was when good sugar went bad.
But, the few first swipes that went right were perfect for my cake, and what I didn't use tastes divine. So I will be practicing this one until I get it right!

Update....  The cake turned out very well! That combo was delicious, although probably a splurge that should only happen once a year! ;-)


















I don't know why this photo is upside down.

Good sugar... Gone Bad...

What it should look like

2011 Christmas Cake

Berry bbq pork roast

This was a very good Sunday night meal. It takes a little time to cook in the oven, and I'm sure if you wanted it on a workday you could make it easily in the crock pot. The bbq sauce wasn't overpowering, just the right amount of tang.
Couldn't find a link to this recipe, it can be found in the Comfort Food Diet Cookbook, by taste of home.

Lighter eggnog

This version isn't as thick, and is non-alcoholic.
9 tablespoons of egg substitute (equivalent of three eggs)
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 quart (4 cups) milk
Nutmeg
Mix together first 4 ingredients. Pour into cups, sprinkle with nutmeg.
For 1 person....
3 tablespoons egg substitute (1 egg)
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
Nutmeg
Enjoy!

*note, I used 1% milk and egg whites for this recipe

Creole chicken and lemon squash corn

The chicken....
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
Chopped fresh cilantro
Mix the first six ingredients together. Place in a plastic bag. Add the chicken shake to coat. Heat a skillet abd spray with a non stick sray. Cook chicken until meat thermometer reaches 170
When finished top with cilantro if desired.

For veggies

Take a medium summer squash, or zuchini, and thinley slice it. Chop an onion and cook with squash in olive oil and about 1 teaspoon dried dill. When tender add 1 drained can corn and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Heat through.

Honey grilled pork chops and asparagus with mushrooms

We'll start with the pork chops. You need
4 pork chops
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Mix everything except pork chops together. If you are grilling outside, use as a baste as you grill. If you are cooking inside on the stovetop or using a george forman grill, use as a marinade.
Very very good and quick!
The asparagus was very good and went well with the pork chops.  It can be found here: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Asparagus-with-Mushrooms

I used freshly grated ginger, instead of the ground ginger

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to my father in law

Steeler sloppy joes

These are super easy, as easy as using the canned stuff, but healthier.
For this you need...
1 pound hamburger
3/4 cup ketchup
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon groung cumin
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Brown hamburger. Mix everything else in and heat up. Serve on hamburger buns.

See..... super easy!
Enjoy!

Fruity glazed chicken and lemon pepper veggies

This is similar to the raspberry chicken. You take chicken and cook it in a frying pan until done. Than keep warm and carmalize chopped onions. When they are done, add raspberry vinegar and cook for a little longer before adding the chicken back in. Done!

For the veggies. Take frozen green beans and microwave them for about 5 minutes. Add a summer squash and microwave 2 minutes. Then add a chopped tomatoe. Microwave for another 2 minutes. Then take 1 tablespoon of butter and stir it in. Sprinkle lemon pepper seasoning and italian seasoning over it all.

Very tasty and colorful way to get veggies into your meal!

Dijon herb pork tenderloin & flavorful squash

1 pound pork tenderloin
Dijon mustard
Dried sage
1/4 cup apple juice
Preheat oven to 375
Cut pork into 1 inch slices. Place in abaking dish. Spead a small amount of mustard on each slice. Sprinkle with sage and pour apple juice over it. cook about 35 minutes, or until meat reaches 170 on thermometer.
Pour juices in a saucepan. Add a tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/4 cup water and add to pan. Can add more applejuice if needed to make desired amount of gravy.

For the veggies slice an onion and saute in olive oil. Slice a summer squash and add to onion. Let it cook until almost done than add minced garlic. Cook a few minutes longer. Sprinkle basil, oregano, pasley and thyme.

Super yummy and super easy!

My mom's chili

I love my mother's chili recipe and have to have it at least once every winter. It makes quite a bit, so depending on the size of your family you may end up freezing leftovers. That's alright because it freezes very well.
4 cups pinto beans
1 pound hamburger
1 chopped onion
1 quart vegitable juice
1 heaping teaspoon chili powder
Cook the beans in water in a large stock pot, adding water as needed. This will take at least 4 hours. When the beans are almost done add everything else. Cook for at least 1 more hour.
Goes great with saltines

Raspberry chicken

2 tbsp olive oil
4 4oz chicken breasts
3 garlic cloves finely sliced
1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
2 fresh tomatoes chopped
1 tsp sage
1 tsp basil
1 tbsp parsley
1/2 cup chicken stock
Heat oil in skillet. Brown chicken on both sides until almost done. Add 2 tbsp raspberry vinegar and garlic. Cover and simmer for 10 min, or until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken, keep warm. Add vinegar stir brown bits from skillet. Raise heat and boil vinegar until reduced to thick glaze. Add tomatoes and spices and chicken stock boil until liquid is reduced by half. serve over chicken.

Makes a tasty and elegent dish. Can be garnished with fresh raspberries if desired.

Slow cooker fajitas

I tried a handful of fajita recipies before stumbling over this one. The flavor in this dish was exceptional and it's been my go to recipe for fajitas ever since. I think it's the lime juice and cilantro that ties it all together.


find recipe here:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Slow-Cooker-Fajitas

Garlic chicken and gravy

Let me just say... Yum. This was so super easy to make, and so surprising in flavor. I think this will be something I make again and again