The Christmas Punch....

....that my family loves. I had to make more today bc my son likes it so much ;)

I am not very sure where exactly I got this recipe or why I even decided that we needed to have some punch yesterday but here is what we enjoyed...

Fruit Punch
Cranberry Juice
Ginger Ale
Pineapple Juice

Mix all the ingredients a little at a time(I didn't measure at all, just poured half the punch, half the other juices and soda until punch bowl was full). Stir and serve. You can also add Sherbert, sorbet or ice cream to it if you want. Some of us in my family(including me) are Lactose Intolerant so I just left that out. It's a very pretty red and very yummy. Today, I just added it to a pitcher so it's easier to store in fridge.

If you've never made these....

S'mores Cookies

YOU MUST. So easy and so so yummy. I made these today for my Nail Tech. What would I do w/out her??? :)

I found this recipe via Pinterest (I am in love w/Pinterest btw) and I had to tell y'all that this recipe is a keeper! So Glad I found it!

The Girl Who Ate Everything


I hope Dee enjoys these little treasures as much as I did...bc you know I had to test it out first to make sure it was a worthy gift ;) hahahahahaha

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

1 lb ground beef/turkey
1 can tomato soup
1 chopped onion
1cup uncooked rice
1cup water
1 jar taco sauce (I used the mild bc of my son)
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 tsp Cumin
2tsp chili powder
4 red peppers or pablanos
Colby Jack cheese (or whatever you like)

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef/turkey. Add the taco seasoning and water, mix well. Add the chopped onion, uncooked rice, tomato soup, jar of taco sauce, and seasonings. If it is still very thick, you can add more water. It needs to be a little thick though, too much water and your peppers will be soggy. Cook this for about 10min on the stove on low heat. In the meantime, Cut your peppers in half and clean the seeds out. Wash the peppers and dry them off. Put them in a 9x13 pan and then add the mixture to the peppers. Add some cheese on top. Then place foil over the top and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Your cheese will be melted and the peppers will be tender.

These are very good. Joe enjoyed them I guess, his plate was licked clean :D LOL

Taco Soup

This is really one of the easiest recipes ever. Really. It's also, "smack your mama" good. You can get very creative w/this, add Ground beef, Ground turkey, Shredded Chicken, Shredded pork and tons of veggies like black olives and green onions.

3cans diced tomatoes
3 cans corn
2cans great northern beans
1pkg taco seasoning
1pkg ranch seasoning
one can of water

This alone is my "meatless Monday" soup that we are eating tonight. However, if you gotta have the meat then add whatever you like. Cook this on the stove OR do what I do;

ADD EVERYTHING TO YOUR CROCK POT :0 win!

If you don't have time to cook chicken then shred it, you can use a whole cooked chicken that you buy OR leftover chicken(or pork roast) and add it. Ground beef/turkey is very good also. OUR favorite way is to serve it w/tortilla chips, and sprinkle cheese on top :) It is very very good.

*that is Aiden's second bowl :D I think he likes it.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

4 bone-in Chicken breast
one bottle(12 oz) Franks RedHot sauce
one bottle(16oz)Ranch Dressing
3 (8oz each) cream cheese
celery flakes
Shredded cheese of choice(I actually shred my own cheese bc I think pre-shredded makes this oily)
Celery sticks,crackers,chips....



In a large pan, boil the chicken breast till done. take out and let cool. In the meantime, Add cream cheese to Mixer bowl and beat cream cheese until smooth. Add ranch dressing and mix well. In food processor, I add the chicken(take chicken off bones in chunks)and shred it up. Add the chicken to the cheese/ranch mixture and mix well. Then add the whole bottle of hot sauce. Mix this together well and add about 2tsp of celery flakes.Add as much shredded cheese as you like(I add about a cup) stir well and pour into a 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350 til bubbly. In the last 5min of baking add some more cheese on top if desired and allow to melt.

this is good stuff. Serve w/Celery sticks, an assortment of crackers and tortilla chips. This is spicy and children may not like it...there's your warning lol.

You can bake this in the oven, then add to a crockpot to keep warm. :)

Aiden's fav mac and cheese

Ok, I know what you're thinking. It's gotta be the kind w/shells and that glop of velveta cheese right? WRONG. This is very easy and so so much better than that other stuff. You can get creative and throw extra stuff in this, will not hurt my feelings.

Any pasta you like, tonight I used Shells. I used 1/2 lb(so half of the box)
Shredded cheese. I used Colby Jack and Cheddar tonight. But have used all kinds.
Small curd cottage cheese
salt
pepper
ground red pepper

Boil your pasta until al dente. Drain water really well from pasta. Pour pasta back into pot. Add 8oz of cottage cheese, and the shredded cheese a little at a time. Stir. The Cheese will slowly melt. Keep adding cheese until it's cheesy enough for YOU. Joe and Aiden like cheesy, I like whatever(being Lactose Intolerant, I will have to take a whole box of Lactaid to eat this ROFL) Add salt,and peppers. Stir, and taste.

Now, you can use any combination of cheese you want. Be creative, try different kinds. You can add some ground turkey to this(or beef), some veggies and you have a one pot meal.

I know, I know, this is not a "magical" recipe lmao, but you don't have to use flour, and the cottage cheese helps to make this creamy. You can bake this w/some extra cheese on top or some bread crumbs.HOWEVER, Mr. Joe doesn't like baked mac and cheese. He wants creamy.

Baked Oatmeal

1 1/2C of Old Fashioned Oats
1 1/2 Tsp cinnamon
1/4tsp salt
1/4tsp nutmeg
3tbsp splenda brown sugar
3tbsp maple syrup
1 banana, mashed
one large granny smith apple, diced
1/2C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 1/4 C milk(I use Soy milk)

Preheat your oven to 350. Spray a baking dish w/cooking spray. Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together well. Pour and spread out into baking dish. I sprinkle a little more brown sugar on top to have a "crunch". Bake in oven for 20-25min until lightly browned.

This is where you can get creative. You can add yogurt, honey, more maple syrup, fresh fruit, warm milk, even your favorite jam. I like to warm up a half a cup of milk and pour over my oatmeal. If you've never had baked oatmeal, you have to try it. I have another recipe on here called "Amish Oatmeal" that is so so good. It's a favorite for my whole family. I serve it Christmas morning and it's the one time where there's complete silence in my house LOL. If you want to switch up, try adding diced pears instead of apples. Omit the banana if you don't have any or don't like them. Very comforting.

"Meatless" baked spaghetti

I know what you're thinking. Meatless? What is SHE thinking? However, we've been doing at least one meatless night a week and love it. You can basically take any "ground beef" recipe and make it "meatless" with a very easy solution.

This stuff is amazing. You will find it in the freezer section next to the Morning Star Veggie burgers. There is no need to defrost this like you need to do w/ground beef or ground turkey. Open the bag, add to large skillet and warm up and crumble as it heats up. Then you can add whatever you want to it. You will NEVER believe that this is meatless at all.

Now, in this recipe, you can make your homemade spaghetti sauce if you'd like. If you have time, by all means go for it. Homemade is always better, right? However, tonight, I wanted a quick meal. SO I used 2 jars of spaghetti sauce.

one bag (which equals 1lb of ground beef) of Morning Star Meal Starters Grillers Recipe Crumbles
2 jars of spaghetti sauce-I like one jar of a garlic and one of a mushroom and green bell pepper
1lb of spaghetti
one small onion, diced
1-2C of shredded cheese, any kind you like(I used Colby-Monterey Jack)
*you can also add veggies like baby spinach, egg plant....

Boil the spaghetti noodles until they are al dente. Heat up the Crumbles in a sauce pan with the chopped onion. After it's heated through, add the spaghetti sauces. In a 9x13 baking dish, spread a little sauce on bottom of pan. Then add half of the noodles, add half of the sauce, cheese then layer again. Bake for 25min in preheated 350 oven. Serve w/garlic bread and/or salad. Enjoy.

Better for you crunchy fish...

 



I can't tell you how many people I know LOVE fried fish and all the fixings. However, it's sooooo not good for you. THIS recipe is to satisfy that craving but not only that, it's so good. Give it a try, you won't be sorry, your belly and taste buds will thank you. Ours do every time we eat it.

You can use any fish you like, a favorite for us is Tilapia bc it's not a strong tasting fish. It's very mild so even you "I hate fish" folks may love it. Try Cod too bc when you use it, it taste very similar to a child hood favorite, fish sticks.

Fish Fillets of choice, tilapia, cod, catfish, even salmon would be good
no more than 1 Tsp of Old Bay seasoning
Panko Bread Crumbs

Mix the bread crumbs and Old Bay seasoning together then roll fish in it. Bake at 400 degree oven til fish is a golden color and flakes w/a fork. SO SO SO GOOD. This is all you do folks. It's not rocket science. You can make this up very fast. SO no more excuses about how cooking a healthy meal takes too long and how you don't have time to do it....NO MORE! ya hear? ;)

This is the bread crumbs that I use. They are Japanese bread crumbs. Not as fine as what you may be use to. They don't cost that much either and it just takes a little.

Veggie Chili

 




Ok, don't knock it till you've tried it. My dear husband, who loves his meat, loves this chili. He said that he does not miss the meat in this at all. SO TRY IT. It's good for you.


1 package soyrizo-meatless soy chorizo (find this w/the Tofu at Walmart for example)
dice these vegetables: one onion, 2 celery sticks, 2 carrots, green bell pepper
1 package McCormick Chili seasoning in Original
1 package McCormick Chili seasoning in Mild
1 can Chili Beans (which ever flavor you like, mild,medium or hot)
1 can of Cannellini beans-drained and rinsed
1 can of Kidney beans- drained and rinsed 
2 cans (29 oz each) Tomato Puree
1 can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
water if needed
1 tsp Smoked Paprika
1tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Chipotle Chili Pepper (this is spicy so add more if you like it hot but do a little at a time to test)

In a non stick pot(and use a good pot bc the soyrizo sticks very easy) add some EVOO(olive oil folks) and add all veggies. Saute till almost tender but still a little firm. Take Soyrizo out of casing, just like you would if it were Italian Sausage. Add to pot and break up. WATCH CLOSELY or it may stick. After about 3 minutes of sauteing this together, start adding beans,tomatoes, puree, and seasonings. Stir til mixed together. Now, if you like your chili thinner, add water a little at a time and stir together until it's the consistancy you want. I add about a half of a cup of water bc I don't want mine super thick. You can serve this w/crackers and cheese or whatever you'd like just like regular chili. It's done when you simply can't stand the smell any longer and you just have to have a bowl. Takes no time at all to prepare and is very very good.

Lemon Dijon Chicken

This is really good. Very easy and to my surprise, was just as good baked in the oven as it would be grilled.

1/3C fresh lemon juice (do not use the bottled stuff, NOT THE SAME)
1/4C olive oil
1TBSP Dijon Mustard
2tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper

Mix together and pour over chicken breast(3-4 of them). If you are grilling the chicken, marinate for at least 30min. Otherwise, bake at 400 till done-juices run clear.

Just look at that garlic on there....mmmmm so good lol.

Italian Jambalaya

I got this recipe from a friend,  Heather who loved this recipe so much she shared it w/me. She received the recipe from her mom who got the recipe from a

2008 Southern Living Annual -December 

 

1 lb. Italian sausage, casing removed
2 skinned boneless chicken breasts, coursely chopped apx. 1 lb.
2 boneless center cut pork chops, chopped apx. 1 lb.
1 onion diced
1 green pepper diced
1 red pepper diced
several stalks celery chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 ten oz cans diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 six oz can tomato paste
light beer or White Wine(if needed)

Brown sausage in Dutch oven over medium high heat, stiring often, 5 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Remove sausage using a slotted spoon, leaving the drippings. I had to add some EVOO here bc my sausage didn't have enough fat. Cook chicken and pork in sausage drippings over medium high heat, stirring 4-5 minutes or until brown on all sides. At this point, the bottom of my pan had the "gunk" on it so I deglazed my pan. I would suggest using a light beer or white wine here.  Add onion, peppers and celery and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes and green chilies, tomatoe paste, 1/4 cup water, Italian sausage and all seasonings. Cover and reduce heat to low, stirring often for 20 minutes.

Stir in hot cooked orzo just before serving or serve over pasta or rice.

I served ours over rice that had Saffron in it. I love Saffron yum yum.  My husband enjoyed it quite a bit I'd say,his bowl was clean :)

Tex-Mex Stew

 






I found this recipe in a Family Circle cookbook and thought that I would give it a whirl. I did change it up a bit for our taste preferences. It smells so good right now!

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef(I used ground Turkey)
2 1/4 C water
1 can (15 1/2 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1C frozen chopped onions,green and red peppers
1 can RO*Tel Mexican Lime and Cilantro
1 envelope onion soup mix
1 TBSP ground cumin (I used 1 1/2 TBSP bc I love this spice)
1/2tsp salt(I added less bc of the onion soup mix)
1/2tsp dried oregano
1/4tsp cayenne pepper
2 TBSP all-purpose flour
Corn chips-optional
avocado-optional
cilantro-optional

In a large pot, brown the ground turkey and break it up w/spoon. Add 2 C water,beans, corn, soup mix, cumin, salt, oregano, cayenne, peppers, and rotel. Stir til combined and let come to simmer for about 10-15min. Stir 1/4 C water into the flour and mix together til smooth. Stir into stew; cook about one minute or until thickened. If desired garnish w/corn chips,cilantro and avacodo.

* It takes no time at all to put this recipe together. It's very very easy, and like I stated, it smells so good as it cooks. Next time you are in a hurry and need to put together something fast, this is the meal to do. Very good!

This is the Ro*Tel that I used. Sorry for the blur in pictures but my Camera actually died while I was taking the pics LOL. Also, this has a kick to it, so if you don't like spicy stuff, do not add the cayenne pepper ;)