share with me! so, there are always those nights when lance comes home from work and it's been a LONG day. maybe the baby's been fussy or I haven't felt good or I had a lot to do. and it's like, "what's for dinner?" hmmm. golden question. and for me, unfortunately, too often my go-to is like, del taco, cafe rio, or the burger place down the street.
my new goal is to make my go-to...homemade. I have some possibilities...meatless spaghetti, grilled cheese with tomato...sandwiches?
so, what do YOU make when you don't feel like cooking? what's your easy meal? quick and yummy, and most importantly, homemade?:)
and after being sick all day yesterday and still not quite right today, I get to put it to the test tonight!:) help me out for next time!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
freezer cooking recipes-faves
how has it already been a month? well, I've been too busy playing with my baby girl to post, I guess.:)
so I wanted to post a few of my FAVORITE freezer cooking recipes. I honestly take no credit for any of them, since I didn't make them up or anything. I'll tell you who/where I got them from.:)
so I'll just give you a favorite breakfast, dinner, and dessert.:)
breakfast
I went to a thanksgiving point cooking class a couple years ago. I bought her cookbook (her name is jenny stanger) and she had a recipe for breakfast burritos--I've tweaked it a little. we love them and keep them in our freezer.
you need:
tortillas (I like the costco ones you cook, but any work)
eggs (8)
shredded cheese (1 1/2 cups--I use cheddar)
salsa (about 3/4 cup)
4-8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
1. cook bacon however you like to--then crumble
2. cook eggs, and then add cheese, salsa, and salt and pepper.
3. add crumbled bacon
4. put some of the mixture in each tortilla.
5. wrap tortillas and place on wax papered cookie sheet seam-side down
6. stick in freezer until frozen
7. put in freezer bag
when you want to eat one, I heat 'em up for 2 minutes at 60% power.
YUM.
dinner
I got this recipe from my cute friend, veronica. we were roommates at byu. I've also tweaked this recipe a little.
chicken enchiladas
you need:
tortillas
chicken, cooked and cubed (maybe 2 chicken breasts?)
big can of cream of chicken soup
sour cream (I eye-ball this, but I'm guessing a small container)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 4 oz. can green chilies
1 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1. cook chicken--then cube, shred, cut...whatever.:)
2. mix together soup, sour cream, cheese, and green chilies
3. cook green pepper and onion in olive oil (just until barely cooked--still crunchy)
4. add green pepper, onion, and chicken to your mixture
5. stuff tortillas with mixture (leave a little for the top!)
6. spread remaining mixture on top and sprinkle some cheese on top
now, there are 2 ways to do this! I like to cook it first and then freeze it, but it's good too if you freeze it before and then cook it for the first time after being frozen. I like to make this in a throw-away foil pan and wrap it lots of times in saran wrap. it's up to you. I've also just stuffed it (pre-cooked) in a freezer ziploc. anyway! if you bake it first, cook it at 375 for 30-45 minutes. when you heat it up, let it defrost and bake it for about 30 minutes at 350. if you freeze it first and then bake, let it defrost and then cook it at 375 for 30-45 minutes (you might need a little longer).
dessert
mmm! desserts freeze great. because there are only 2 of us (that eat real food), we end up with lots of leftovers. here's a recipe we think is awesome frozen! when you take it out of the freezer, it's pretty darn good cold or completely defrosted.:) I got this recipe from according-to-kelly.com (just copied and pasted)
ingredients:
2 sticks melted butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 jar of caramel topping (think smucker's)
1. preheat oven to 325 degrees, & grease a 9x13" baking pan.
2. combine the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, baking soda & salt. add melted butter & mix until "crumbly".
3. press HALF of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, & bake for about 15 minutes.
4. remove from oven & spread the ENTIRE bottle of caramel topping on top, followed by the the ENTIRE bag of chocolate chips, & then finally sprinkle the remaining prepared dough mixture over the top.
5. continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or so, until it's a light golden brown.
6. once you've removed the caramel bars from the oven you need to let them cool & chill until the chocolate is set.... then it's time to cut them & start feasting.
to freeze, just bag the squares you want to save. I like to put about 6 in a bag and pull them out for a treat. they're SO good.:)
enjoy cooking and freezing!:)
caramel crack
so I wanted to post a few of my FAVORITE freezer cooking recipes. I honestly take no credit for any of them, since I didn't make them up or anything. I'll tell you who/where I got them from.:)
so I'll just give you a favorite breakfast, dinner, and dessert.:)
breakfast
I went to a thanksgiving point cooking class a couple years ago. I bought her cookbook (her name is jenny stanger) and she had a recipe for breakfast burritos--I've tweaked it a little. we love them and keep them in our freezer.
you need:
tortillas (I like the costco ones you cook, but any work)
eggs (8)
shredded cheese (1 1/2 cups--I use cheddar)
salsa (about 3/4 cup)
4-8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
salt and pepper to taste
1. cook bacon however you like to--then crumble
2. cook eggs, and then add cheese, salsa, and salt and pepper.
3. add crumbled bacon
4. put some of the mixture in each tortilla.
5. wrap tortillas and place on wax papered cookie sheet seam-side down
6. stick in freezer until frozen
7. put in freezer bag
when you want to eat one, I heat 'em up for 2 minutes at 60% power.
YUM.
dinner
I got this recipe from my cute friend, veronica. we were roommates at byu. I've also tweaked this recipe a little.
chicken enchiladas
you need:
tortillas
chicken, cooked and cubed (maybe 2 chicken breasts?)
big can of cream of chicken soup
sour cream (I eye-ball this, but I'm guessing a small container)
2 cups shredded cheese
1 4 oz. can green chilies
1 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1. cook chicken--then cube, shred, cut...whatever.:)
2. mix together soup, sour cream, cheese, and green chilies
3. cook green pepper and onion in olive oil (just until barely cooked--still crunchy)
4. add green pepper, onion, and chicken to your mixture
5. stuff tortillas with mixture (leave a little for the top!)
6. spread remaining mixture on top and sprinkle some cheese on top
now, there are 2 ways to do this! I like to cook it first and then freeze it, but it's good too if you freeze it before and then cook it for the first time after being frozen. I like to make this in a throw-away foil pan and wrap it lots of times in saran wrap. it's up to you. I've also just stuffed it (pre-cooked) in a freezer ziploc. anyway! if you bake it first, cook it at 375 for 30-45 minutes. when you heat it up, let it defrost and bake it for about 30 minutes at 350. if you freeze it first and then bake, let it defrost and then cook it at 375 for 30-45 minutes (you might need a little longer).
dessert
mmm! desserts freeze great. because there are only 2 of us (that eat real food), we end up with lots of leftovers. here's a recipe we think is awesome frozen! when you take it out of the freezer, it's pretty darn good cold or completely defrosted.:) I got this recipe from according-to-kelly.com (just copied and pasted)
ingredients:
2 sticks melted butter
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag of chocolate chips
1 jar of caramel topping (think smucker's)
1. preheat oven to 325 degrees, & grease a 9x13" baking pan.
2. combine the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, baking soda & salt. add melted butter & mix until "crumbly".
3. press HALF of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, & bake for about 15 minutes.
4. remove from oven & spread the ENTIRE bottle of caramel topping on top, followed by the the ENTIRE bag of chocolate chips, & then finally sprinkle the remaining prepared dough mixture over the top.
5. continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or so, until it's a light golden brown.
6. once you've removed the caramel bars from the oven you need to let them cool & chill until the chocolate is set.... then it's time to cut them & start feasting.
to freeze, just bag the squares you want to save. I like to put about 6 in a bag and pull them out for a treat. they're SO good.:)
enjoy cooking and freezing!:)
caramel crack
Monday, March 16, 2009
this week's menu.
sunday:
crockpot bbq chicken
baked mac & cheese
green beans
yogurt cake (will post recipe below)
monday:
potato soup
wheat bread
salad
fhe treat: fro yo sundaes
tuesday:
del taco night (gotta love it)
wednesday:
meatless spaghetti
garlic bread
salad
thursday:
cafe rio salads
friday:
out
saturday:
homemade pizza
salad
yogurt cake
white cake mix
2 containers of yogurt (we did blueberry)
8 oz. cool whip
1. make white cake mix according to box directions.
2. mix in 1 container of yogurt.
3. bake.
4. mix cool whip with other container of yogurt.
5. frost.
easy, yummy, and healthy...right?:)
crockpot bbq chicken
baked mac & cheese
green beans
yogurt cake (will post recipe below)
monday:
potato soup
wheat bread
salad
fhe treat: fro yo sundaes
tuesday:
del taco night (gotta love it)
wednesday:
meatless spaghetti
garlic bread
salad
thursday:
cafe rio salads
friday:
out
saturday:
homemade pizza
salad
yogurt cake
white cake mix
2 containers of yogurt (we did blueberry)
8 oz. cool whip
1. make white cake mix according to box directions.
2. mix in 1 container of yogurt.
3. bake.
4. mix cool whip with other container of yogurt.
5. frost.
easy, yummy, and healthy...right?:)
Friday, March 13, 2009
recipes we love (lately)
oh, you will not be disappointed.
sweet n sour meatballs
sweet n sour meatballs
To make the meatballs, you’ll need:
1 lb. ground beef
1 egg
1 TBSP cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. chopped onion (I prefer red onion but it doesn’t really matter)
dash of pepper
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix together with your hand. It will be somewhat sticky. Form into balls and brown in a small amount of oil.
Drain all but 1 TBSP oil. Pour the meatballs and 1 TBSP oil in a dish and set aside.
For sauce:
1 can pineapple tidbits (tidbits AND juice)
3 TBSP cornstarch
1 TBSP soy sauce
3 TBSP vinegar
6 TBSP water
1/2 cup sugar
In your frying pan, mix the above ingredients until it thickens. I usually mix the water and cornstarch seperately and then put it in the frying pan so it doesn’t make dumplings! Put meatballs back in sauce and heat through. Serve over rice and thoroughly enjoy!
we had these with rice and yummy frozen green beans (the petite long ones) fried in oil, butter, and garlic. mmmm!
got it at www.sugardoodle.net/melsrecipes/
tomato and basil pasta
1/2 lb. whole grain angel hair pasta (I like Barilla)
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon dried or 1/2 chopped cup fresh basil
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
2 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for passing)
Bring large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until dente. Drain pasta in colander and let it rest there for now. To the same cooking pot, add butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add dried basil (add fresh basil at the end), crushed red pepper flakes, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Stir in tomatoes with juices. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes. (Add fresh basil now if using.) Add pasta back to pot and toss to coat. Stir in parmesan. Pass more parmesan at the table.
I used spaghetti instead of angelhair (just don't like the texture) and dried basil instead of fresh (just couldn't find it at the store). I made a good salad and homemade garlic bread. it's a keeper. it also makes a TON. we still have leftovers after eating it for lunch the next day.:)
got it at prudencepennywise.blogspot.com
I used spaghetti instead of angelhair (just don't like the texture) and dried basil instead of fresh (just couldn't find it at the store). I made a good salad and homemade garlic bread. it's a keeper. it also makes a TON. we still have leftovers after eating it for lunch the next day.:)
got it at prudencepennywise.blogspot.com
Monday, March 9, 2009
I did it!
I organized my recipes.
I'm embarrassed to admit (but what the heck? it's just the www;)), but for the past...7 years I've been keeping my recipes stuffed in this little gummy bear tin and loose in a byu creamery plastic bag. aughhh! so every time I wanted to make something, I'd have to pull them all out (they were really stuffed) and sort through them. luckily I knew what color post-its some of them were on.;)
so my sweet hub went to kmart today and got me a huge binder and sheet protectors (high class, I know). someday I'll alphabetize 'em or recopy them, but for now they're just in sheet protectors. but hello, major improvement. so now if anyone wants a recipe of mine, it'll be pretty quick to find. yay. feeling a little more quality.:)
I'm embarrassed to admit (but what the heck? it's just the www;)), but for the past...7 years I've been keeping my recipes stuffed in this little gummy bear tin and loose in a byu creamery plastic bag. aughhh! so every time I wanted to make something, I'd have to pull them all out (they were really stuffed) and sort through them. luckily I knew what color post-its some of them were on.;)
so my sweet hub went to kmart today and got me a huge binder and sheet protectors (high class, I know). someday I'll alphabetize 'em or recopy them, but for now they're just in sheet protectors. but hello, major improvement. so now if anyone wants a recipe of mine, it'll be pretty quick to find. yay. feeling a little more quality.:)
Thursday, March 5, 2009
a hypothetical.
some days I post twice!:)
so, I have this idea. I'm a freezer cooking girl. I love anything you can make and then freeze. totally simplifies my life.
you know those break n bake cookies? they're pretty good, really. but kind of expensive and let's be honest--you can make a better cookie than that, right?:)
there are 3 of us now, but only 2 of us eat normal food, and because of that, big batches of things totally go to waste. I can't tell you how many perfectly good cookies I've thrown away once they get a little too hard to be yummy.
SO. while I'm sure you could bake cookies and then freeze them, I am going to attempt my own break n bakes. because MMM. wouldn't it be awesome to be able to have fresh baked cookies (YOUR cookies) without having to mix up the dough everytime?
I'm going to try it. I'll let you know.:)
so, I have this idea. I'm a freezer cooking girl. I love anything you can make and then freeze. totally simplifies my life.
you know those break n bake cookies? they're pretty good, really. but kind of expensive and let's be honest--you can make a better cookie than that, right?:)
there are 3 of us now, but only 2 of us eat normal food, and because of that, big batches of things totally go to waste. I can't tell you how many perfectly good cookies I've thrown away once they get a little too hard to be yummy.
SO. while I'm sure you could bake cookies and then freeze them, I am going to attempt my own break n bakes. because MMM. wouldn't it be awesome to be able to have fresh baked cookies (YOUR cookies) without having to mix up the dough everytime?
I'm going to try it. I'll let you know.:)
sporadic...
sorry! with a new baby, some days...I don't post.:)
anyway! I tried the popcorn and it was great! I'd half the batch unless you're making it for an army, though. luckily my father-in-law was in town and helped us out.:) haven't made the cupcakes yet...let me know if you do!
I haven't posted in so long I don't even know where to start! I guess I'll pass on some of my favorite food blogs. man, people are totally talented in the kitchen! be sure to check some of them out. they're where I get almost all of my "dying to try"s!
1. prudence pennywise
this mom's trying to cook GREAT food on a budget (aren't we all?). she's super creative around holiday time, especially.
2. pioneer woman
her recipes always make me want to get to the grocery store FAST. and she's funny.:)
3. picky palate
a mom of picky kids. she has some awesome recipes. she's actually been on the food network!
4. this week for dinner
this gal posts weekly menus and invites others to do the same. she also has lots of recipes and tips for cooking.
5. jadi's recipes
this is a new find. super mom, I tell you (check out her homemaking blog--she has some kind of preschool and has TONS of craft ideas!). I'm dying to try her chocolate zucchini bread.:)
I find other recipes on random blogs. I'm kind of a blog surfer.:) I also love the food network for recipes for something I know I want to make (chicken parm, twice baked potatoes, etc.). they usually have LOTS of options and you can pick what looks best to you.
anyway! I tried the popcorn and it was great! I'd half the batch unless you're making it for an army, though. luckily my father-in-law was in town and helped us out.:) haven't made the cupcakes yet...let me know if you do!
I haven't posted in so long I don't even know where to start! I guess I'll pass on some of my favorite food blogs. man, people are totally talented in the kitchen! be sure to check some of them out. they're where I get almost all of my "dying to try"s!
1. prudence pennywise
this mom's trying to cook GREAT food on a budget (aren't we all?). she's super creative around holiday time, especially.
2. pioneer woman
her recipes always make me want to get to the grocery store FAST. and she's funny.:)
3. picky palate
a mom of picky kids. she has some awesome recipes. she's actually been on the food network!
4. this week for dinner
this gal posts weekly menus and invites others to do the same. she also has lots of recipes and tips for cooking.
5. jadi's recipes
this is a new find. super mom, I tell you (check out her homemaking blog--she has some kind of preschool and has TONS of craft ideas!). I'm dying to try her chocolate zucchini bread.:)
I find other recipes on random blogs. I'm kind of a blog surfer.:) I also love the food network for recipes for something I know I want to make (chicken parm, twice baked potatoes, etc.). they usually have LOTS of options and you can pick what looks best to you.
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