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Putting FUN into lunch!
Jun. 26, 2009 • 9:59 AM
Here is a simple way to add some FUN to lunch!
My kids really liked these FUN FRANKS! I think they'd be good with melted cheese or spaghetti sauce but this first time they were plain.... and my kids still really enjoyed them!
Looking for something fun for lunch? Try this! All you need is hot dogs and spaghetti noodles.!
Just slice your hot dogs into chuncks. Then stick the dry spaghetti noodles through the hot dogs so that the noodles are on both sides of the hot dog piece.
All that's left to do is boil them in a large pot....
then just drain and serve!
Enjoy ... and Have fun!
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Recipes using brewed coffee
Jan. 27, 2009 • 12:41 PM
Hubby and I have been drinking more coffee lately...Yum! However, even with heating up the leftovers some, we still have waste that I often dump down the drain. I hate to do this and figured there had to be some recipes where I could use that coffee as an ingredient. So I went on a search and found some that sound really good. I thought I'd share the links here with you too. If you have a recipe you like that has brewed coffee in it and want to share it, please add it in a comment!
Here are the recipes:
Coffee Glazed Pork Kebabs
Chicken Breasts with Tangy Coffee Marinade
Back-To-Night School Hash
Low-Fat High-Flavor Cookies
Coffee Spread
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Hot Dog Fingers!
Oct. 25, 2008 • 12:22 PM
I hope you all have a wonderful Fall week! Can you believe this is the last week in October?
We don't get too creepy and scary around Halloween. I know many of you agree that it is just gross gore that brings no honor to the Lord. Actually Halloween is Satan's holiday. So we stick to Harvest-time fun with the family. We make all kinds of goodies using pumpkin but the pumpkin roll is our specialty here. My family looks forward to them!
Here is a FUN food item my mom made last Fall for a Harvest party she had with her grandkids. At first we thought it was gross but then kind of funny! They actually tasted really good and they are so simple to make! The kids liked them a lot.
They are simply hot dogs, cut shorter. Wrap a thin strip of Tortilla wrap around the end and hold with toothpick. Cut a small bit out at the tip where the nail should be an squeeze a dot of ketchup. Heat and serve.
I thought they'd be a fun food for a human body unit,too! 
Need something fun for lunch this week? Give it a try- just for fun! My kids like them. Usually the little kids get their hot dogs cut like an octopus (since they won't eat a roll, usually) but this is something different (to say the least! 
) We eat chicken fingers - now hot dog fingers! 
LOL!
Have a terrific week!
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Show & Tell: Boil-A-bag Omelets!
May. 23, 2008 • 4:27 PM
UPDATED: With a SOLUTION!!!!
Hello! It's Friday and time for Show & Tell again!
This time I wanted to share my new way of cooking omelets! Boil-A-Bag Omelets! This method is great for larger families! No one has to wait for their omelet and everyone can eat together! Plus, they are more fun to make this way, as everyone gets involved!
Gather all your ingredients: Eggs (you can also use Egg Beaters to make these! They are just as good!), omelet favorites like green pepper, tomatoes, mushroom, ham, cheese, etc. Quart size freezer zip-lock bags, permanent marker
Give everyone a Ziploc Zip'n Steam (quart sized).
Regular Ziploc bags do work but may be harmful- especially if melted. The regular ziplocks are not made to sustain high levels of heat. These Zip'nSteam bags are able to within higher levels of heat!
Have each person write their name in a permanent marker at the top of the bag.
Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) and scramble by zipping the bag securely close and shaking or squeezing to mix the eggs. For younger children, you may want to scamble the eggs in a small bowl and pour into their bags. They can still squeeze for fun but the work is already done. Note: Do not put more than two eggs in one bag. If a large eating prtion is needed, make up another bag of 2 eggs for that person!
Each person then can add the omelet ingredients of their choosing. Re-close the bag making sure to get the air out.
Place the bags into a large pot of boiling water for about 13 minutes.
Make sure the plastic does not hang over the edge, as it will melt!
Once cooked, simply unzip the bags and let the omelet slide out onto a plate. The omelet will roll out easily!
Omeletes are now SIMPLY delicious!
Family Fun and delicious food rolled into one!
Check out more Show & Tell participants by clicking on the logo at the top of this post (or on the words Show & Tell in this sentence).
Update!: It was brought to my attention from my friend Tamara at Traininghearts that boiling Ziploc bags may not be healthy. I did some researching and Ziploc doesn't recomend it. However if you heat things up in the microwave in thin plastic containers, the same thing can happen.
Here is something I found from a discussion on this. He explains it well, I thought!
"I noticed everyone wondering about the safety of heating plastic bags. I'm a polymer chemist so I thought that I would add my two cents.
These bags are typically made of blown film polyethylene. Polyethylene is a non-polar polymer (fancy way of saying plastic) and as such cannot accept typical plasticizers, such as oils. Remember back in high school chemistry that water and oil don't mix? Same thing here.
Bottom line is that yes, there will be a small amount of off gassing of the lower molecular weight portions of the bag as it is heated but will likely not go into the food. I would be more worried about the bag making a mess.
There are many more things to be concerned about that pose a greater health risk, in my humble opinion. For instance, the film that forms in your car windshield is going to cause you a lot more "harm" than the few minutes you boil eggs in a bag. Also, the gases that emit from paint (even low VOC), carpeting.
If you get your nails done, your breathing in more stuff than you would be eating from the omlette."
Quote by: agilmer2002 on families.com
The solution is to use the Ziploc Zip'n Steam Bags! We used them and made these omelets exactly the same way but boiled them in a large stock pot so they are down inside the pot! The omelets were delicious. The bags are very easy to clean/wash out so I also plan to use them again for omelets (at least once) before throwing them away! We may also try microwaving the omelets sometime. We love them boil-a-bagged though!
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So-Good Chicken: Crockpot Recipe
Apr. 11, 2008 • 1:01 AM
So- Good Chicken:
4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (10 oz.) can golden mushroom soup
1 cup white cooking wine
1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream
* Wash, dry chicken with paper towels and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over each. In bowl, combine mushroom soup, wine, and sour cream. Mix well. Spoon over chicken breasts. Cover and cook on LOW for 5 to 7 hours.
Check out the other participants of Slow Cooker (Crock-pot) Thursday!
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St. Patty's Noodles (Recipe)
Mar. 13, 2008 • 8:17 PM
Since St. Patrick's Day is this coming week, I thought I'd share this recipe. It is hearty and a great lunch meal or vegetarian dish. You can use any noodle you choose- it may be even more fun to use the green (spinach dough) noodles.
St. Patty's Noodles
1 (12 oz.) package uncooked medium noodles
1 cup half-and-half
1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) butter, melted
2 tsp. seasoned salt
1 1/2 C. shredded cheddar-jack cheese
In saucepan, cook noodles according to package directions, drain.
Place in 5-6 quart (6L) slow cooker. Add half-and-half, spinach, butter, and seasoned salt. Stir until well blended. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours.
When ready to serve, fold in cheese!
Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick's Day!
If you wish to try out some other crockpot (slow cooker) recipes, click Here to see the other participants.
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Crockpot Meatball Soup
Mar. 6, 2008 • 2:46 PM
I love using my crockpot. It makes our meals so delcious with very little work! How do you not love that? So... I decided to start participating in Slow Cooker Thursday! If you wish to try out some other crockpot (slow cooker) recipes, click Here to see the other participants.
Meatball Soup
A crockpot recipe
1 (32 oz.) package frozen meatballs (I try to find smaller-sized meatballs) or you can make homemade meatballs
2 (15 oz.) cans stewed tomatoes
3 large potatoes, peeled, diced (for a shortcut, I use diced hash brown cubes that I keep in the freezer- store bought)
4 carrots, peeled, and sliced
2 medium onions, chopped (can also used frozen chopped onions)
2 (14 oz.) cans beef broth -or- water and bouillon to equal 28oz.
Combine all ingredients in crock pot. Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hours or on High for 3 hours. If you want your soup thicker, you can add 2 Tbsp. cornstarch with 1/4 cup warm water. Stir to dissolve cornstarch and add to crock pot 10 minutes before serving.
Here is a simple recipe for a great bread to serve with this (or any) soup!
Pull-Apart Cheese Bread
3 packages frozen bread dough dinner rolls, thawed (or canned biscuits) approximately 3 dozen rolls
1/3 cup butter (I often use the butter spray for 0 calories)
1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 cup Provolone cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Tear or cut dough into large bit-sized pieces. Coat with butter, then dredge in Parmesan cheese. Arrange half of rolls in a well-greased 12 cup fluted tube pan (bundt pan). Sprinkle with the Provolone cheese. Arrange remaining coated rolls in a second layer covering the provolone layer. If using thawed bread dough, Cover pan with a clean, kitchen towel and allow to rise (until doubled), about an hour. If using canned biscuits, you may cook right away. Cook in a 375 degree oven for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Cover edges with foil the last 10-15 minuted if they begin to get too dark. Use a table knife to loosen edges of bread; remove from pan by turning upside down over seving plate. Allow to cool and tap out of pan. Serve warm!
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Whole Grain Flour- NO sugar Recipe!
Mar. 1, 2008 • 8:20 PM
Pumpkin Muffins
3 Tbsp. 100% fruit juice
1 egg
1/4 cup prunes
Puree these first 3 ingredients . Pour into a mixer bowl and add the following ingredients in the given order.
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
2 cups whole grain flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup apple juice
1/2 cup raisins
Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired. Bake at 375degrees for 20-25 minutes.
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Healthy Snack: Recipe
Mar. 1, 2008 • 8:10 PM
Peanut Butter Granola:
6 cups oatmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup applesauce
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2/3 cup peanut butter
2 cups oat bran
1/2 cup chopped nuts or sunflower seeds
1 tsp. vanilla (extract)
1 cup raisins
Mix first four ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside. In a medium bowl, combine wet ingredients and mix well. Stir into dry ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes. Add raisins after cooled.
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House Decorating!
Jan. 12, 2008 • 1:03 PM
Yes- house decorating but... not the home we live in... the one we ate for dessert all this week!
We made this gingerbread house at the beginning of last week. It was fun. It was dessert throughout the week and now the home is demolished! (It was SWEET while it lasted! )
This little guy made sure the icing bag was totally emptied out!
Notice a few children are "wearing" icing.
It was a fun family treat!
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Fun Food Friday: PB&J with a twist
Jan. 11, 2008 • 12:52 PM
Fun Food Friday!
I don't know if there is actually a meme (with Mr. Linky) out there for a Fun Food Friday. If so, someone comment and let me know. I just thought I'd post this and if there is a meme, maybe I'll join in some other time.
I read about this sandwich in a kid's food cookbook and we gave it a try this week! It is a FUN twist to a traditional PB&J and it is a much healthier choice to fill a hot dog roll with than an actual hot dog!
Some kids still ate the banana and then the PB&J sandwich but others ate it assembled and thought it was really tasty!
I might try using my hot dog rolls more creatively again sometime and spread pizza sauce on both sides, place a few pepperoni then a long mozzerella cheese stick. My kids would LOVE these. My two youngest children eat cheese sticks almost everyday- it is their favorite snack currently.
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Homemade Cappuccino Mix & Chocolate Spoons
Dec. 13, 2007 • 2:15 PM
We made these up yesterday to give out to the moms in my homeschool group. They would be a great hostess gift throughout Winter, or anytime really!
If you'd like to make them, here are the recipes we used:
Fireside Cappuccino Mix
1 cup powdered chocolate milk mix
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
3/4 cup instant coffee
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Blend all ingredients on high (or BLEND)until well mixed in blender.
You can pour the whole mixture into a canning jar and cover lid with pretty fabric and tie. Add the tag of instructions.
or...
You can put some of this mixture into a ziplock bag, seal it and then place in a brown bag. Fold the flap of the brown bag over and make two hole punches. Place a ribbon or fabric scrap into holes and tie for a bow. Add a chocolate spoon onto the tie. We made the instructions into a label and stuck it onto the bag! Here is what our label looked like:
Fireside Cappuccino
This spicy cappuccino is a comforting treat on a chilly day! Mix 2-3 teaspoons into a cup of hot water. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and stir with a chocolate spoon! Enjoy!
To:
From:
Here is our finished gift!
We were rushed to get this done so we bought chocolate spoons. Here is a recipe to make them though (as I am sure we will make them again in the future!)
Chocolate-Dipped Spoons
Materials needed:
· Plastic spoons
· 6 oz. white dipping chocolate
· 6 oz. dark dipping chocolate
· Cookie sheet
· Waxed paper
· Two glass bowls or measuring cups
· Two small paintbrushes
· Colored plastic wrap or cellophane
· Colored ribbon
Line the cookie sheet with a layer of waxed paper. Wrap a sheet of plastic over each spoon, then secure it with a ribbon tied around the spoon's base. Cut a piece of plastic wrap (at least 8 x 6 inches) and a strand of ribbon for each chocolate spoon. Place the spoons face down on the wax paper and let them dry completely. This should take 30 minutes to an hour. Now, you can paint designs on the spoon using the contrasting chocolate color. For your dark chocolate spoons, dip the paintbrush into the white chocolate and paint lines, dots, stars, or other designs on the chocolate spoon. Do the same for the white chocolate spoons, using the other paintbrush and dark chocolate for your designs. When the chocolate is melted, dip a spoon into the bowl, covering both sides completely. Make some spoons using white chocolate and others using dark chocolate. Put the white and dark chocolate in separate bowls and melt each type of chocolate in the microwave. Microwave until the chocolate is smooth (about one or two minutes), stopping every 20 seconds to stir the mixture.
Other gift ideas: These spoons make great holiday gifts for teachers and family members. Your child can bunch them up and tie with a holiday ribbon. If you're having guests over for the holiday, display the spoons in a festive mug for all to enjoy.
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Our Thanksgiving Menu
Nov. 19, 2007 • 6:16 PM
Our
Menu
This is the first year in quite a while that I didn't get a free turkey from Giant Food Stores (with the reward points program). Giant was convenient then because it was just a 5 min. drive from our home. We moved about 7 months ago and ever since have done most of our shopping at a discount grocery surplus and then a local nursery/market for fresh items. Both of these stores are close to this home and a huge savings! So I was in search of a turkey. I stopped by a store while my girls were at their music lessons and got a great deal! I bought a 23+ pound turkey (originally over $23.00) for $8.75 (with my $50 purchase.) With a family of seven, I usually spend (at least) $50 so I was pleased!
Besides the turkey, we are also having stuffing (in the bird) and an extra casserole
Classic Green Bean Casserole (with Durkee french fried onions)
Corn (off the cob from the summer- kept frozen) or Baked Corn
Sweet Potato casserole (brought by my sister-in-law)
Mashed Potatoes and GRAVY!
Apple Cider (and Diet Green Tea)
Cranberry-Orange relish (recipe below)
Baked Brie (recipe also follows): This is for my husband who loves Brie and other good cheeses. It is in honor of his French heritage, too.
Pumpkin Roll (probably 3 or 4. They are quite a chore to make but worth it!) and ice cream!
I am also excited because we picked up our expanding LARGE table. It is Amish made. We went to get it this past weekend.
It was a nice ride to pick it up. We went through this neat covered bridge! It was built in 1878!
This is something we always wanted. This year we will all be around one table. It seats 20. Since we ordered benches with it (so I wouldn't have so many chairs - and less expense) we may even be able to seat more! I just think of all the memories this table will be the center of and this is the start of them! I hope, Lord Willing, that our children & grandchildren will someday be all around this same table!
Here we are in the evening, trying out our table (just the regular size). I'll have to post a photo of us all around it at this Thanksgiving meal! (Thank you Lord for all you bless us with!)
Recipes:
Cranberry-Orange Relish
2 cups cranberries
1 orange, unpeeled
2/3 cup sugar
Wash orange. Slice the unpeeled orange. Remove the seeds. Put half the orange slices and one cup cranberries in blender. Blend until all the fruit is chopped. Pour into bowl and repeat process with remaining orange slices and cranberries. Stir in the sugar. (Taste to make sure the sweet/bitter combinations is just right.) Add more sugar if necessary.
Baked Brie
½ package Pepperidge Farm Frozen puff pastry sheets (1 sheet)
1 egg
1 Tbsp. water
½ cup (seedless) raspberry jam (or apricot preserves)
1/3 cup dried cranberries, softened
¼ cup toasted almonds (opt.)
1 Brie cheese round (about 1 lb.)
Crackers
Thaw pastry sheet at room temperature 40 minutes. Preheat oven to 400° F. Mix egg and water. Unfold pastry sheet on lightly floured surface. Roll into 14 inch square. Cut off corners to make a circle. Spread jam to within 1 inch of pastry edge. Sprinkle cranberries and almonds over jam. Top with cheese. Brush edge of circle with egg mixture. Fold two opposite sides over cheese. Fold remaining sides up and seal. Place seam side down on baking sheet. Decorate top with pastry scraps if desired, Brush with egg mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until golden. Let stand 1 hour. Serve on try with crackers. Makes 12 servings
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COOKIE RECIPES!
Nov. 5, 2007 • 2:23 PM
This is GREAT! Just click on the name of the cookie below and 'bam!', the recipe is there. Good to keep handy! Do you like baking with your children during the holiday season? Try a new type of cookie! I thought this was a great recource and wanted to share it!
COOKIES:
1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Mol! asses Cr inkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Choc olate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling CrC(me De Menthe Chocolate Squares CrC(me Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkle! s Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars
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Let's Share Crock Pot Recipes!
Oct. 23, 2007 • 2:46 PM
I have come to realize that I really need to start using my crock pot more. It just takes a few minutes in the morning of getting the ingredients into the crockpot and turning it on and you have a wonderfully tasty meal all prepared by suppertime. Plus, it is less likely to burn even though you are busy and preoccupied!
I use my crock pot occasionally but I want to start using it at least once a week. I am looking for some good crock pot recipes so if you have one and wouldn't mind sharing it with me, I would certainly appreciate it. Either leave it in a comment here or let me know the website or blogsite where I can find it. I love getting tried and recommended recipes from others. I have included some of our favorite crock pot recipes here to share with you, too!
The first recipe is a favorite: The key is to let it go- Do not stir it. This is great for pot lucks, a meal after church or for youth activities. (It is always easten up! I usually make 2 crockpots of it, one with more toppings than the other!)
Crockpot Pizza: (The dough is not a crust but pasta!)
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
1 box sea shells pasta, cooked and drained
1 (16 oz.) bag mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 jar/can (26 oz. or so) spaghetti sauce
any toppings you wish: pepperoni, green pepper, mushrooms, etc.
In crock pot, layer 3 times as follows:
1. hamburger and sauce
2. cooked shells
3. toppings: pepperoni, etc.
4. cheese
Once you have done the layers 3 times, cover and turn the crockpot on High for 1 hour. Do not stir. Once cheese has melted, it is ready to serveI
I got a crockpot recipe for Baked potatoes. A fellow homeschoolblogger, jaminacema lead me to the recipe! You simply wash the potatoes, stab all around with fork. Wrap each in foil. Fill crockpot with potatoes. Cover and cook on High 2 1/2--4 hours. Do not add water. Use oven mitts to remove onto plate to cool.
Here is a great recipe especially during Autumn! It smells so good while it is cooking!
Pumpkin Butter
1 large can pumpkin puree
1 cup natural apple sauce
1 cup dark brown sugar
Pumpkin pie spice to taste (about 2 tablespoons)
I put a big batch in the crock pot and let it cook all day. The house smells wonderful!" ~ Cool and place in crock or storage container. Refrigerate to store. You can also place in mason jars and seal to store in pantry.
One other we love on snowy days is a large batch of chocolately Cocoa! My kids always expect hot chocolate when they come in from playing outside in the snow. With 5 kids and daddy plus often friends it is too much to make up that many glasses of cocoa with powder mix. It gets crazy! And they always want more than one serving! This is much easier and so much better tasting, too!
We named it Let-It-Snow Cocoa
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Stir well to blend before serving. Makes 10 servings.
2 cups whipping cream
6 cups milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
12-oz. pkg. chocolate chips
I hope you enjoy! I can't wait to find some other great CROCK POT recipes!
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Double Stuff Tacos
Oct. 22, 2007 • 1:47 PM
Here is a new recipe! My children like both soft and hard tacos so this combination works well and it keep the hard tacos from cracking and falling apart, etc. They are delicious, fun and make less mess!
Double Stuff Tacos:
1 lb. ground beef
¾ cup Taco sauce (or 1 pkg. taco seasoning)
10 Soft tortillas
1 can (16.oz.) Refried beans
10 Taco Shells
Toppings: Shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, (extra taco seasoning or hot sauce)
Brown meat; drain. Add taco seasoning or sauce; simmer 5 minutes
Spread warmed soft tortillas each with 2 Tablespoons beans. Place crisp taco shells on beans; fold soft tortilla over taco shell.
Fill each crisp taco shell with seasoned beef. Top with your favorite fixings.
Makes 10 tacos.
Variation: Sautéed chicken and peppers would be a delicious substitute for the seasoned ground beef!
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Backyard Campfire
Sep. 17, 2007 • 7:33 PM
Last week, we decided to have a backyard “camp”fire with the kids. We weren’t camping out- it was just something we wanted to do with our children. It was a wonderful ending to the day. It was nice to just have a quiet evening out in God’s creation, under His stars with our little blessings. It was dark so they each had a flashlight. They thought it was neat to sit together on a bench and watch the fire. Unfortunately we didn’t plan this far enough ahead for me to have s’more supplies but they are already looking forward to next time because they said “Next time we’ll just make s’mores! This is a simple yet wonderful thing to do with your children -especially now that Fall is upon us! (Of course ALWAYS use safety around fire!) We had a LARGE water bucket filled and sitting right next to us.
I remembered I had some camping recipes in my file and dug them out to try with my kids. I thought I’d share them too. Let me know if you try them or have any others you could share with me!
Brown Bag Breakfast
Here is how you can make bacon and eggs in a brown paper bag!
Ingredients for one serving: (make as many as needed)
Two strips of thick bacon
1 brown paper lunch bag
1 egg
1 stick
Find a long sturdy stick from nature. Set aside. Cut each bacon strip in half, place the 4 pieces in the paper bag, covering the bottom. You must use THICK pieces of bacon so they do not stick to the bag once cooked. Crack the egg and add to bag, placing it on top of the bacon. Fold the top brown bag down a few times Make a hole in the bag and place the stick through the hole. Let the bag hang from the end of the stick. Hold over the campfire. The grease from the bacon will protect the bag. Once cooked, tear open the bag and eat your brown bag breakfast!
Campfire Cakes in a Can
1 boxed cake mix
Cake mix ingredients (water, oil, eggs)
Small can of fruit
Tuna cans, emptied and cleaned
Grease or cooking spray
Aluminum foil
Note: Do not use cat food (tuna) can for this. Use a regular tuna can, preferably one that you did not just take the tuna out of. Prepare ahead of time by making tuna earlier in the week and saving the can(s). Clean and dry them. Let them sit to air out To make: Mix the cake mix according to package directions. Use grease or cooking spray and coat the bottom and sides of can. Place a layer of fruit on the bottom of the can. Spoon the mixed cake mix over the fruit. Leave some room at the to for the cake to rise. Cover with foil and cook over campfire for 30 approximately minutes. Be careful. Make as many as you until you run out of ingredients. Gather as many cans as you have family members so you can everyone's dessert at the same time.
S'more Recipes:
Indoor S’more Bars
½ cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
¾ cup crushed graham crackers
¾ cup all-purpose flour
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
3 (1.55 oz.) chocolate bars
1 (7 oz.) jar of marshmallow crème
Grease an 8” square baking pan. Heat oven to 350° . In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. Add crushed graham crackers, flour, salt, and baking powder and beat until well mixed, stopping to scrape the sides of the bowl. Spoon half of the dough into the pan and spread it evenly with your fingertips. Break chocolate bars into pieces and arrange over the dough. Spread a layer of marshmallow crème over the chocolate. Finally, flatten the remaining dough into pancakes and lay them over the marshmallow. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool, Cut into bars. (Double recipe for a 13'x9"x2" pan)
Banana Split Smore's
This is a delicious mix of the traditional Smore recipe and a banana split! Great when camping! Great to add to the grill at your next cookout!
5 bananas
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Crushed graham crackers
Maraschino cherries
Materials Needed: * Knife * aluminum foil
Peel the bananas. Make the a lengthwise cut (longer cut) down the banana, not cutting the whole way through. Spread peanut butter over the insides of each banana. Add some mini marshmallows and chocolate chips to each. Wrap each banana tightly in aluminum foil, leaving the top folded open to see the banana's split. Add to the fire of a camp-out or grill. Allow bananas to warm and remove as soon as the marshmallows and chocolate are slightly melted. Top the banana's split with small pieces of cut maraschino cherries and then the graham cracker crumbs. Makes 5 servings.
Enjoy!
We had a great family time together!
I look forward to another backyard family campfire soon! (and this time I will be prepared to make some of these goodies.
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Recipe: Baked Corn
Sep. 5, 2007 • 7:31 AM
"Peanut" and "Princess" help me make the Baked Corn.
We had company last weekend.
Our menu: Chicken Cordon Bleu casserole (includes potatoes), BAKED CORN, bacon & eggs salad with homemade dressing, fresh-baked rolls. (Ice cream sundaes for dessert with brownies and bananas)
Baked Corn
1 (16 oz.) can creamed corn
1 (16 oz.) can whole corn, drained
1 small box corn muffin mix (Jiffy)
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
2 eggs
Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350° for 40 minutes
What did the little ear of corn call his father? (Pop Corn) HeeHee
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Scrapbook of Recipes- treasured keepsake/gift
Sep. 4, 2007 • 5:49 PM
Scrapbook of Recipes
PERSONALIZED FAMILY COOKBOOK
This is a project I am working on and plan to work on over the next (many) years. I know it will be a very special keepsake as it will have many family stories, fun photos, verses and quotes plus the collection of family recipes. It will include the recipes for all the foods my children loved growing up and stories to go with them. I am adding photos of especially ones of them as they are cooking. This book will have photos of all my children at different ages and stages of life plus other fun family shots.
I will eventually start printing one copy of the pages out as my master book. The pages will be kept in clear plastic sheet protectors (Pages back to back with printed sides out). Then I will organize all the pages in a binder (easily assessable and practical - for keeping clean while using). Later, when my kids are older I can either print the whole thing out for each one or … if I come across a good deal on color copies at an office supply store (at any point along the way), I can go and make copies off my master.
Almost every recipe has a little story with it about why it is special to our family. It will help my children know more about their relatives especially some of the older ones as I have added recipes (stories and photos) from them also. I also hope to have a section of special friends. I already got a cookie recipe from my kid’s sewing teacher. These are cookies my girls eat at her house during their sewing lessons, etc. I will give copies to my mother and other family members who would like one too! (However, I am specifically making these for my children and their spouses.) I know I would love to cook with a cookbook that my mother would have made for me. I’d love to see pictures of myself cooking at different ages, etc. My kids would love to see that too! J I know I am sentimental but what a treasure this will be! (I hope!)
~ A TREASURED GIFT FOR MY CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES!
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