Dinner time is family time

365 Days of Crockpot Cooking!

2010-01-26T13:18:00.000-06:00

Check out this blog for great crockpot recipes. I can't wait to try some.
http://365daysofcrockpot.blogspot.com/

Oreo Truffles

2010-01-19T15:28:00.002-06:00

1 pkg. Oreo cookies finely crushed

1 pkg. (8oz) Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1 pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Mix 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 1-inch balls.

Dip balls in melted chocolate; place on wax paper

Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

Sweet Potato Fries

2010-01-16T16:58:00.003-06:00

First my roommate made me some.
And then I made me some.
And now I addicted.

And if you need to make you some...here's how:

Mix in a bag: Olive Oil with Seasoned Salt & Pepper as seasoning.
Peel and cut sweet potatoes however you'd like.
Put sweet potato pieces in the bag and shake.
You want the seasoning to cover it but not smother it.
Bake at 425 degrees on cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes.

Delish. Enjoy!

Creamy Pasta

2010-01-16T14:33:00.000-06:00

1& 1/2 cups rotini pasta uncooked
1 small bunch broccoli, cut into florets
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 oz (1/4 of 8 oz pkg) cream cheese, cubed
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 375. Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli for the last 3 min.

Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 3 minutes or until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Stir in broth; simmer 3 min. or until chicken is done. Add cream cheese; cook adn stir on low heat 1 min. or until melted. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella.

Drain pasta and broccoli. Add chicken mix; mix lightly. Spoon into 8 inch square baking dish; cover. Bake 15 min or until heated. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake uncovered 3 min or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 min.

Moroni's Turkey/Chicken BBQ marinade

2009-11-30T15:20:00.000-06:00

1 cup oil
1 cup La Choy soy sauce
2 cups 7-Up
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
12 small turkey breasts (or if you are using chicken 6-7 large chicken breasts)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (or large ziploc bag) and marinade for at least 12 hours stirring (or shaking) occasionally. Then barbecue on your grill.

Easy Pumpkin Cookies

2009-10-01T21:56:00.002-05:00

Ingredients:
2 spice cake mixes (18 oz. each)
1 large can of pumpkin (29 oz.)
1 bag of chocolate chips (12 oz. bag)

Directions:
Mix the cake mixes and pumpkin together. Then add chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 for 14 minutes.

That's it...can't get too much easier than that!

spinach salad - dressing

2009-09-28T18:56:00.002-05:00

Oil and Vinegar dressing:

Mix all ingredients below together in a sealable jar. Marinade overnight, shaking periodically.

3/4 cup white vinegar
1 &1/2 cup virgin olive oil (I use light virgin olive oil)
1/2 cup sugar
1&1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp dried mustard
1&1/2 tbsp diced green onion
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1 small red onion diced

To prepare the salad you will need a bunch of romaine lettuce and a bag of spinach leaves
Mix salad together

Add fresh:
grated swiss cheese (to your liking)
bacon bits
sliced mushrooms

Garlic Chicken Farfalle

2009-09-26T10:45:00.001-05:00

16 oz. farfalle pasta
1 c heavy whipping cream (i use half and half, but whipping cream is awesome)
3-4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 or 3 garlic cloves, crushed or garlic salt ( i use fresh garlic)
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 c. butter
1 lb. bacon, crumbled (optional....i use turkey bacon)
1/2 c. shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 c. soy vay veri veri teriyaki
1/2 c. soy vay island teriyaki

Cook chicken and teriyaki sauces on low for 6 hours in crock pot. Pull marinated chicken out of the juices, allow to cool a little and shred. Set this aside.

About a half hour before serving, boil the pasta. In a small saucepan, melt better, add garlic, whipping cream, pepper, parmesan cheese, and crumbled bacon. Whisk together on low heat for 3-4 minutes. In a large bowl, pour over cooked, drained pasta, add chicken and stir through. Sprinkle a little bit of parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!!!

I have doubled the sauce recipe before because it's not real saucy.

Veggie Italian Pasta Salad

2009-09-07T13:40:00.003-05:00

Cook up some rotini noodles, drain pasta, and then pour some italian dressing all over it. Cover pasta bowl with saran wrap and place in refridgerator to cool.

While pasta/italian dressing is cooling chop up whatever kind of veggies you like. (suggested veggies are - celery, onions, garlic, broccoli, tomatoes (cherry tomatoes are best for this), cucumbers, cheese (cheddar), olives, garbanzo beans, kidney beans) You can use as much of the veggies as you like but try not to put too much in there or else you will have just a bowl of veggies and barely any noodles.

Ater noodles are cooled off add everything in there and maybe more dressing too. Toss and serve.

Chicken Stroganoff - Delicious!!!

2009-09-06T21:22:00.003-05:00

3 frozen chicken breasts
1 pkg. dry italian dressing
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
(1) 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

In a slow cooker put chicken and dry italian dressing, and cover with water. Cook until chicken falls apart and then shred chicken. In a sauce pan combine soup, cream cheese and 1 cup chicken broth from the cooker. Cook until smooth. Add chicken to sauce. Serve over egg noodles or rice.

"I love them" Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

2009-06-29T09:40:00.002-05:00

1&1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup butter or margarine
2 eggs
1&1/4 tsp. pure vanilla
2&1/2 cups flour
2&1/2 cups instant oatmeal
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup chocolate chips (I like to use semi-sweet)

Cream sugars and butter, add eggs and beat well. Add salt, baking powder, soda and vanilla. Mix in flour and oatmeal. Add chocolate and nuts. Mold in golf ball-sized (sometimes I do palm sized balls) 2" apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press a glass that has been dipped in white sugar on them to flatten. Bake at 400 degrees for 6-8 minutes.
Yum, yum, yum!

Gourmet Banana Cupcakes

2009-05-22T17:07:00.005-05:00

I never really liked bananas....only when they're "in" something. This recipe is a Mama Bready special and one of my favorite ways to eat bananas. Mmmmmmm.

Gourmet Banana Cupcakes

Ingredients:
½ c. shortening
1 t. vanilla
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 ¼ c. flour
½ t. baking soda
½ t. salt
2 ½ t. baking powder
1 c. mashed ripe bananas, about 2 large
¼ c. buttermilk

Preparation:
Cream shortening and vanilla; add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift together the dry i
ingredients; add alternately with banana and milk to the creamed mixture, beating
after each addition. Fill greased and floured or paper-lined muffin cups about 2/3 full.
Bake at 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes, or until done. Cool and frost as desired. I
like chocolate frosting on them. Makes about 18 cupcakes.

Notes:
I sometimes put in a little more banana, and the results are still great. I use this
recipe when I want to use my extra ripe bananas, and don’t want banana bread.
Also, for the high altitude factor, I add an extra 2 T. of flour, and an extra ¼ cup
of buttermilk. This also makes a nice, light cake.

Chocolate Cream Cheese Butter Frosting

½ c. cream cheese
½ c. butter (real stuff if you have it)
½ c. cocoa
1 t. vanilla
3-4 c. powdered sugar

Beat the cream cheese, butter, cocoa, and vanilla together. Add the powdered sugar one
cup at a time until you get the right consistency. It is really, really yummy. After you get
done frosting your cupcakes, hide in the closet to lick the bowl.

White Chicken Chili

2009-04-19T17:50:00.004-05:00

(1) 32-ounce box chicken stock
3 cans white beans, left undrained
5 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed-rotisserie or boiled)
(1) 16 ounce jar salsa (whatever kind you like)
(1) 8 ounce block pepper jack cheese grated (I've used chedder as well)
2 tsp. ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
Black or white pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely crushed corn chips (optional, if you like your chili thicker)
Sour cream for garnish

Makes: 4 servings (large servings)

Preparation:
Place all ingredients except the corn chips in a crockpot. Cook on high until cheese is melted.

Chili may also be cooked on the stovetop over medium-high heat until cheese is melted.

When chili is ready, add the crushed corn chips, if using, and simmer for 10 minutes to thicken. Garnish with more chips, cheese and/or sour cream and serve.

*great side is Aunt Nann's Best Ever Cornbread-recipe is listed under the bread label on this blog. *

Jamie's Amazing Breakfast Enchiladas

2009-02-17T13:32:00.004-06:00

Make sure you came hungry. I can usually only eat one of these and then I am spent.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Have ham or cooked sausage (amount is to your liking)
12 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 or 2 cans chopped green chilies
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
2 or more cups shredded cheddar cheese
8-12 large flour tortillas
1 or 2 cans Old El Paso Green Enchilada Sauce (mild)

Heat a large skillet over med-high heat and saute onions and peppers until tender. Put in bowl and set aside.

Wisk 12 eggs and 1/2 cup milk in a medium sized bowl. Stir in 1 or 2 cans of diced green chili peppers. Scramble eggs on medium heat in a large skillet. As egg sets up, stir in chopped ham or sausage, green peppers and onions.

Microwave large flour tortillas for 20 seconds between two damp paper towels. Fill each tortilla with some scrambled eggs, cheese and Old El Paso Green Enchilada Sauce. Roll like a burrito and place in 13X9 casserole dish. Continue until dish is full. Pour remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas and sprinkle generously with cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes to heat through. Serve while hot.
Can garish the enchilada with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc...

Super-Soft Sugar Cookies

2009-02-17T13:28:00.003-06:00

Beat well:
1 cup of softened butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla

Add:
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup sour cream

The dough will be very soft. You can let chill in the refrigerator or use your hand to create little flattened balls. Bake at 350 degrees on greased sheet for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overcook.

Mama's Charlotte Russe

2009-02-17T13:15:00.006-06:00

This cake is a "labor of love" but oh so delicous!

4 eggs, separated

1 cup sugar

2 cups milk, scalded (aka: heating the milk right before boiling while stiring continuously)

2 envelopes plain gelatin dissolved in 1/2 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

3 pints wipped cream

1 angel food cake, cut in 1" cubes

Oiled angel food cake pan

Cream egg yolks and sugar. Add scalded milk and cook until mixture coats spoon (doesn't have to be very thick but just enough that you can tell it is thicker than what you started out with)

Add gelatin dissolved in water and let cool. Meanwhile beat egg whites until stiffened. when yolk/sugar/milk mixture is cool, add vanilla and fold in egg whiles and 1 cup of the whipped cream. (If you are using real whipping cream- whip the cream until it becomes thick before you add vanilla and powdered sugar to sweeten up the whipping cream. I usually use for every 1 cup of whipping cream 1 tsp vanilla and 3 Tbsp of powdered sugar. Add sugar to your liking.)

Oil angel food cake pan and alternate layers of cake with mixture (I will sometimes lightly play around with the cake pieces with the layer of mixture until all the cake pieces have at least some of the mixture.) Chill in refrigerator. (sometimes I will make this the night before to have it chill overnight but I also have been fine after about 5-6 hours in the refrigerator.) When chilled, turn onto cake plate and frost with 2 pints of whipped cream (less may be enough).

* you can put any type of fruit on top to garnish

YUMMY!

Homemade Tortillas

2009-01-30T13:37:00.007-06:00

Rolled out tortillas before being cooked.

Warm tortillas ready to eat! A must try recipe that will make you smile when you eat.

These tortillas my husband wanted to cook in a little canola oil to make them crispy. Looks yummy!

Chewy Flour Tortillas

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 & 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons canola oil
3/4 cup milk

Stir together the flour and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, add the salt and canola oil to the milk and whisk briefly to incorporate. Gradually add the milk to the flour, and work mixture into a dough. It will be sticky.

Turn the dough out onto a surface dusted with flour and knead vigorously for about 2 minutes (fold and press, fold and press). The kneading will take care of the stickiness. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rest for 15 minutes. (This dough will not rise, but it needs a rest.)

(I have made these tortillas with this step and without this step and I haven't notices much difference in the final product.) Divide your dough into 8 balls of equal size, cover them, and let them rest again for about 20 minutes. Avoid letting them touch, if you don't want them to stick together.

Dust your work surface with flour. Working one at a time, remove each piece of dough and pat it into a 5-inch circle. With a rolling pin, roll out the tortilla, working from the center out, until you have a 7- or 8-inch tortilla a little less than 1/4-inch thick. Transfer the tortilla to a hot, dry skillet or griddle. It will begin to blister. Let it cook for 30 seconds, turn it, and let the other side cook for 30 seconds. Remove the tortilla, place it on a serving dish or basket (lined with a napkin) and cover with aluminum foil or place in a warming oven. Repeat for the remaining tortillas.

Although flour tortillas, like corn tortillas, are best if eaten right after they are made, these tortillas will freeze well. Wrap them tightly in plastic, and they will keep, frozen, for several weeks. To serve tortillas that have been frozen, let them thaw and come to room temperature, then wrap them in aluminum foil and heat them in a warm oven. Microwaving tends to toughen them.

I found the original recipe on http://www.texascooking.com/recipes/flourtortillas.htm but I modified a few things within it.

Chelsea's Chicken Enchiladas II

2008-08-13T12:44:00.004-05:00

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1& 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast meat
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
6 (12 inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup milk

DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a large baking dish. (I used an 11x7)
2.In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the green onion until tender (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the garlic powder, then stir in the green chiles, cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix well. Reserve 3/4 of this sauce and set aside. To the remaining 1/4 of the sauce in the saucepan, add the chicken and 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir together.
3.Fill each flour tortilla with the chicken mixture and roll up. Place seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
4.In a small bowl combine the reserved 3/4 of the sauce with the milk. Spoon this mixture over the rolled tortillas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

dinner fun (3-6 years old)

2008-08-02T12:49:00.005-05:00

Sunday - "TELEPHONE LINE" (#47)
(Best with 4 or more people)

Whisper a sentence to the person next to you. Then have that person whisper it to the next person. Go around the table and have the last person say the sentence out loud.

Did the sentence stay the same or change?
*Also play this by whispering 3-5 colors, animals or foods - depending on the age of the children - and see what comes out at the other end of the telephone line.

Monday - "YESTERDAY" (#33)

What do you remember about yesterday?

1. Let the oldest person begin by naming as many things as possible about what someone else at the table did yesterday.

For example, you might remember that your daughter ate cereal for breakfast, wore red sneakers, played with her friend Jami, ate chicken for dinner and went to bed at 8 o'clock.

2. Then let someone else have a turn remembering.

See how many things everyone can remember about yesterday!
*What can you remember about last week?

Tuesday - "MONSTSER RABBIT" (#44)
Read the story aloud to your family and answer the questions at the end!

Little Rabbit was afraid of almost everything. He was frightened by fish in the pond and clouds in the sky. Rabbit grew a lot and wasn't little anymore. One day, he peered down into the pond and saw a huge rabbit staring back at him! He was so scared that he hid under a log. Mother Rabbit saw him and said, "What's wrong?"

Rabbit whispered, "Shh! I just saw a monster rabbit!"

Mother Rabbit picked a flower and handed it to her son. she said, "Hold this flower and look into the water again." Rabbit did and saw that he was that scary rabbit holding a flower. And from that day on, Rabbit was never frighened again - that is, most of the time.

*What things are you afraid of? How have you changed since you were little?

Wednesday - "MAGIC HANDS" (#26)
Someone begins by cupping his/her "magic hands" together and offering some clues about an imaginary thing he/she is holding.

Explain that "magic hands" can hold something as big as an ocean, as magical as the tooth fairy, or as small as a diamond ring.

For example: "There is something in my hands that has 4 big wheels, like mud, and can go really fast. What is is?" (truck)
Have everyone take a guess as to what's in the "magic hands."
Whoever guesses correctly first, gets to be the next person with "magic hands."

Thursday - "FAMILY IDOL" (#20)
Have someone start by picking a subject. (chocolate chips, green apples, monster trucks, yellow daisies, rainbow fish, etc...)

Have the first Family Idol Contestant begin by singing a song about that subject.

After the first contestant sings, give a big round of applause and let the next contestant sing away!

Friday - "WHAT'S IN THE OVN MITT?" (#2)
One person begins by hiding a "secret" object in an oven mitt.
He or she passes the mitt around the table and lets everyone feel the object.
No peeking!
Everyone guesses what's in the mitt, and whoever guesses correctly leads the next round!
*Also play by hiding objects in a paper bag, clean sock, glove, or box and have your family shake it to guess what's inside.

Saturday - "WHAT'S THAT SOUND?" (#46)
Have someone begin by making a sound (like a lawn mover, fish, whiffle ball, etc...)
Everyone tries to guess the sound.
The first person to guess correctly makes the next sound.

dinner fun (3-6 year olds)

2008-08-02T12:32:00.005-05:00

Sunday - "GUESS WHAT'S COOKIN'" (#45)
Read the following ingredients to your family and have them guess "What's Cookin'!"

Ice Cream + Cone = (Ice Cream Cone)
Bread + Peanut butter + Jelly = (Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich)
Chocolate Cake Mix + Egg + Water = (Chocolate Cake)
Milk + Macaroni + Cheese + Butter = (Mac & Cheese)
Noodles + Chicken + Soup + Vegetables = (Chicken Noodle Soup)
*Also play this with your family's favorite recipes. Or try it in reverse: what do you need to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?...

Monday - "NOT ME!" (#51)
One person (the leader) closes his/her eyes and counts to 10.

The others take a small object, such as a bottle cap, and quietly pass it around to each other until the leader finishes counting. Whoever has the bottle cap quickly hides it in his/her fist.

Everyone puts one closed fist on the table and tries to look innocent as they continue eating. The leader tries to guess who has the object.

If the leader guesses correctly, he/she remains the leader for another turn. If not, the person holding the cap becomes the new leader.

Tuesday - "SITUATION CHALLENGE III" (#43)
Read this question aloud to your family and let everyone offer an answer:

"You accidentally drop your candy wrapper on the ground outside. What should you do?"

Have the kids respond first and then the adults.
*Discuss your answers together.

Wednesday - "THE SHARPEST TEETH" (#9)
Read the story aloud to your family and answer the questions at the end!

Crocodile Carl and Crocodile Carmen argued a lot. Today they argued about who had the sharpest teeth. Rabbit heard them and hopped onto a big tree log. Carmen said, "Rabbit, you be the judge. Who has the sharpest teeth?" Carmen planned to eat Rabbit later that day. Rabbit suspected this and he said, "I can't tell. Why don't you both try to break this tree log in half? The one that snaps it has the sharpest teeth."Both crocodiles bit into the log and their teeth got caught in the wood. Rabbit hopped away safely and learned an important lesson: Crocodiles may have very sharp teeth, but they aren't always that smart.

Questions: What do the Crocodiles argue about? Who is in danger in this story? Who is the smartest animal in the story? Why? What did the Crocodiles do to prove they had the sharpest teeth?

Thursday - "SITUATION CHALLENGE I" (#11)
Read this question aloud to your family and let everyone offer an answer:

"What would you do if you found a shiny new toy on the playground that didn't belong to you?"

Have the kids respond first and then the adults.
*Discuss your answers together.

Friday - "FRUIT & VEGGIE FUN" (#22)
Someone starts by thinking of a fruit, vegetable or other food. The others try and guess what it is by asking YES or NO questions. After everyone asks a question, as a team, try and guess the food. If no one guesses correctly, ask another round of yes and no questions.

Saturday - "WHAT'S MISSING" (#8)
One person closes his/her eyes. Everyone else takes one item off the table (fork,napkin,spoon, etc.) and hides it on their lap. The first person opens his/her eyes and tries to guess what's missing! Let everyone have a turn.
*Also play by having everyone close their eyes while one person hides 4 items from the table. Once everyone opens their eyes, work together as a team to guess what's missing!

2008-08-02T11:52:00.002-05:00

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL JELLO SALAD

2 c. crushed pretzel sticks
3/4 c. melted butter
3 tbsp. sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. sugar
8 oz. Cool Whip
1 (6 oz.) pkg. strawberry Jello
2 c. boiling water
2 (10 oz.) pkgs. frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Mix first three ingredients and press in bottom of a 9"x13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees (metal pan) or 325 degrees (glass pan) 8 minutes. Let cool completely. Beat 1 cup sugar and cream cheese. Fold in Cool Whip. Spread over pretzels. Mix Jello and water until dissolved. Add strawberries and stir into Jello. Then set aside for 10 minutes. Pour over cheese mixture. Chill.

Creamy Chicken and Chile Enchiladas

2008-07-31T13:43:00.003-05:00

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked, cubed
4 oz. diced green chiles
8 oz. cream cheese, cut in cubes
10 flour tortillas, soft taco size
10 oz. green chile enchilada sauce
1-2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

Put chicken in large skillet with diced green chiles and cream cheese. Cook until cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
Grease 9x13 baking dish. Put spoonful of chicken mixture near edge of tortilla. Roll up and place in dish. Repeat.
Pour enchilada sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Top with cheddar cheese.
Bake 25-30 minutes at 350.

Pasta Italia

2008-07-31T13:40:00.002-05:00

From the kitchen of Sean Favero

1 lb penne pasta (farfalle or fusilli work too)
2-3 medium sized tomatoes, diced
1 large green bell pepper, diced
½ lb fresh mozzarella, cubed
2 large Italian sausages
2 cloves garlic, minced
crushed red pepper (optional)
basil
olive oil
balsamic vinegar
salt
pepper

Cook pasta as directed. Drain and put in a large serving bowl with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. Stir so pasta is coated in oil. This will keep the pasta from sticking together. Then add tomato, bell pepper, and mozzarella. Mix well. Set to the side.
Squeeze sausage out of casings into frying pan. Add garlic and a few shakes of crushed red pepper if desired. Cook sausage until it is crumbled and completely cooked. Let sausage cool for a few minutes after cooking. Drain fat and add to the pasta bowl. Mix well. Serve pasta at room temperature.
Add fresh or dried basil, oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper as desired.

Pesto Sauce

2008-07-31T13:37:00.002-05:00

4 cups fresh basil
½ cup olive oil
1/4 cup pine nuts
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt

Blend basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and garlic until it is a paste. Add cheese and salt and blend.

Makes enough pesto sauce for 16 oz pasta.
(You can add two medium peeled, chopped potatoes to the pasta when boiling.)

Jon's Breakfast Pizza

2008-07-16T12:24:00.004-05:00

6-8 pieces of bread
1 sausage roll (whatever kind you like)
shredded cheese (8 oz or 1 cup)
2 cups milk
6-7 eggs
salt and pepper to taste
1&1/2 tsp. dry mustard

In a greased 13X9 pan pull apart bread slices to be small chunks in order to cover a single layer of bread on the bottom of the pan. In a large skillet brown sausage, drain the fat. Then spread sausage on top of the bread layer. Sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese over sausage. Mix milk, eggs, salt, pepper, and dry mustard in a separate bowl. Mix well until you can't see any of the whites or yellows of eggs. Pour mixture over the bread, sausage, cheese layers. Cover and place in refridgerator overnight or for about 8 hours. When you are ready to cook the pizza, heat oven to 350 degrees and cook for 45 minutes.

Waikiki Chicken (or turkey)

2008-07-16T11:33:00.006-05:00

3 cups diced chicken breast (or turkey)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3 tbsp teriyaki sauce
1 cup pineapple juice
2 tbsp vinegar
3 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/2 cup frozen pea pods
1/2 cup carrot peel
1 cup of pineapple tidbits or chunks (more or less to your liking)

Saute chicken (or turkey) with onion and bell pepper in teriyaki sauce and soy sauce. Remove everything from the skillet and place in another bowl. Stir pineapple juice, vinegar, brown sugar and cornstarch in the now empty skillet. Cook and stir until thick and clear. Remove from heat and add vegetables, pineapple and chicken (or turkey). Serve over hot rice

*optional - I usually serve dried chow main noodles (in the can) on top of everything
This recipe is also a good one to let cool after cooking and then place in freezer bag to be able to thaw out at a later date to heat and eat.

Aunt Nann's Best Ever Cornbread

2008-07-16T11:30:00.003-05:00

2 eggs well beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
2/3 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp baking soda

Mix above in medium bowl...set aside.

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt

Mix together and then add to wet mixutre. Pour into a greased, 8" square baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 375' for 30 minutes. This doublese easily into a 9x13 pan.

My Family's Favorite Sloppy Joes

2008-07-16T11:23:00.004-05:00

(4 servings)
1 lb ground beef
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 (8oz) can tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite)
1 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp vinegar

1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef, celery and onion (sometimes I will saute celery and onion before to soften them before I combine with the brown beef).
2. Drain the fat
3. Stir in remaining ingredients, simmer covered, 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. If Joes appear too 'loose', leave cover off and let moisture evaporate.
5. Cook until it's the consistency you like for serving on toasted buns.

Papa's Chicken Cacatori

2008-07-16T11:08:00.006-05:00

1 large can of diced tomatoes
1/2 onion
1-2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp. of olive oil
1/2 tbsp basil flakes
3/4 tsp. sugar (or 1 carrott)
1/4 cup marsala cooking wine (1/2 cup if doubling recipe)
2-4 chicken breasts
mushrooms
parmesan cheese

1. Chop onion and garlic and saute with olive oil until soft.
2. Add tomatoes, basil falkes, and sugar. Cook at medium until boil thensimmer, covered for 45-1 hour. stirring often. Add marsala cooking wine when done.
3. Spread layer of sauce in a pan and place chicken breasts in pan. Scatter mushrooms around then add the rest of the sauce.
4. Cook at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour (longer, if there is dark meat)
5. Cook pasta

Dana's Unbelievable Chicken Marinade

2008-07-15T10:23:00.005-05:00

1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 tablespoons prepared coarse-ground mustard
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
ground black pepper to taste
6 tablespoons olive oil
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

In a large glass bowl, mix the cider vinegar, mustard, garlic, lime juice, lemon juice, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Place chicken in the mixture. Cover, and marinate 8 hours, or overnight.
Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat.
Lightly oil the grill grate. Place chicken on the prepared grill, and cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, until juices run clear. Discard marinade.

journal jar questions for young kids

2008-06-09T07:30:00.006-05:00

Who are some of your favorite people? Why?
Who are you closesdt to in your immediate family? How did your relationship grow?
What are your goals and dreams?
What do you look like?
Who is your best friend? What is she/he like?
Who are some of your "school friends"?
Have you ever learned something from being in an argument with someone? If yes, what?
What is the most valuable principle you've learned through your experiences with others?
What is your most embarrassing moment?
When were you the most proud of yourself?
When were your parent s most proud of you?
Have you ever stood up for what you believe, even when it was very hard? When?
What are some of your jobs at home?
What does your bedroom look like? Do you share a room? Are you comfortable in your room?What do you like best about your room?
Have you ever written a story, poem, or song that you would like to add to your journal?
Who are your church leaders?
Who's your favorite school teacher? Why?
What do you think of yourself?
Are you pleased with what you look like? If you could change any part of yourself what would it be?
What is the weirdest dream you've ever had?
Do you like school? Why?
What's your best subject in school?
What's your least favorite subject in school?
Who is the prophet of the church right now? what are you learning from him?
Describe a time when you felt the spirit very strongly.
What is your most favorite thing to do at home?
What's your most favorite movie, book, poem or song?
What are some of your talents?
Do you enjoy your everyday life? What's it like?
What's your favorite Christmas memory?
What's your favorite christmas present you remember getting?
What are your favorite family holiday traditions?
Do you have a testimony? Write it down.
Where is your most favorite place to go, what is it like?
Have you ever had a "crush" on someone? Who, and do you still like them now? Describe your crush, and what attracts you to them.
Do you have a favorite sport, talent, etc.?
Describe each member of your family in your journal.
What's the best thing you've ever done with your life?
What is your favorite area in nature?
What pets have you had? Which one was your favorite?
What is your full name and who are you named after? If you could change it, what would you call yourself?
Has anything major happened since the last time you wrote in your journal?
Describe a time when you lost yourself in the serving someone else. How did it feel?
What is your favorite food? When you cook for your family, what do you enjoy making the most?
What childhood experiences do you remember, (funny stories, accidents, memories playing, etc.)?
What's your favorite music group? Why?
What's your favorite movie? Why?
What's your favorite story from the scriptures? Why?
What do you want to be when you grow up? Why?
What talents do you have that you want to strengthen?
What challenge or trial do you really want to overcome? How are you going to do it?
Are you a good communicator? How can you improve this?
Are you a good listener? How can you improve this?
Are you a forgiving person? Is there anyone you need to forgive and what's the game plan?
Are you a good friend to ther people? If so, how? If not, what can you do to improve this?
What can you do to strengthen your testimony?
Did you/Do you have a blanket or a favorite toy growing up?
What was your favorite birthday? What was the best birthday gift you ever got?
Write about feeling loved and by whom.
Write about something or someone in your life who helped you to grow and change.
Write about having to apologize to someone and patch things up.
What are the things you love and admire about your father?
What are the things you love and admire about your mother?
What are your relationships like with your brothers/sisters?
Who is your favorite elementary school teacher?
What has been your favorite family vacation? Why?
What do you know about your grandfathers?
What do you know about your grandmothers?
Are you close to any aunts, uncles or cousins?
Describe your favorite summer activities.
Describe your favorite winter activities.
What qualities do I want in a husband/wife?
What kind of mother/wife/father/husband do you want to be?
do you have any favorite names for future children?
If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Why?
If you could have anything you wanted out of life, what would it be?
What do you know about your Savior? What are your fellings about Him?
What are your foals for making it back to live with your Father in Heaven?
Write about something you are grateful for.
Write about your feelings about the scriptures.
Write about how a prayer was answered.
Write about something that drives you crazy.
What is your favorite thing to play at the park?
Do you have a bicycle? What is it like?
Tell about your dad's job?
What is your favorite color and why?

journal jar questions for little kids

2008-06-08T19:13:00.002-05:00

Draw a picture of your favorite pet or animal.
Draw a picture of your favorite thing to do in the summertime.
Draw a picture of your favorite place to go.
Draw a picture of your favorite thing to do with Grandma or Grandpa.
Draw a picture of what you want for Christmas or what you are giving your Mom.
Draw a picutre of what you play with at the park.
Draw a funny picture about something that makes you laugh!
Draw a picture of the house you live in.
Draw a picture of your favorite birthday present.
Draw a picture of your favorite toy.
Draw a picture of your family.
Draw a picture of anything that you are afraid of.
Draw a picture of what you would buy if you had all the money in the world.
Draw a picutre of your favorite outfit to wear.
Draw a picture of your room and what makes it special.
Draw a picture of your favorite holiday.
Draw a picture using your favorite color.
Draw a picture of what you want to be when you grow up.
Draw a picture of your favorite activity to do outside.
Draw a floorplan of your home and label the rooms.
Draw a picture of yourself dressed in your Halloween costume.
Draw a picture of yourself as a baby.
Draw a picture of your favorite scripture story.
Draw a picture of yourself.