Weekly Recipe Roundup #4

It's time for another weekly recipe roundup. Yesterday was a spontaneous cooking day for me. I tried 3 new-to-me recipes .... I think that is a record for me for one day. So I thought I'd give you a recap of what I tried and how they came out, plus what I made for breakfast this morning.

First up was thai noodles from a recipe I found on Pinterest. Verdict: quite yummy! It called for sauteing up red pepper in oil and then straining the little pepper seeds. I wasn't able to strain all the little seeds, so even tho I only used 1 Tbsp of the hotties instead of 2 Tbsps the recipe called for, the dish was a bit hot. Loved it! But the hubster wasn't quite as impressed. He's not into "hot" quite as much as I am.




Recipe #2 was an easy little appetizer number that I've been wanting to try again for awhile. I made Bruscetta many years ago and loved it, so when I ran across this recipe (again from Pinterest) I had to give it a try. The stars (ingredients) finally aligned themselves up last night, so before they could run away (mold, mildew and turn into mad science projects)I whipped up some delish nibbles right before dinner. Verdict: extra yummy!

The big finale of my cooking day was The Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast. Now when she makes it I am SURE it IS perfect. For me, not so much. But I do not lay any of the blame at her or her recipe's feet. But totally and squarely on my own pot roast feet of clay.

If you remember, one of my 11 in fall of 11 was to improve my cooking skills and I quote:

10) Improve My Cooking Skills: I've always enjoyed trying new recipes, but now I want to improve my skills and techniques.... techniques I will conquer: making a great pie crust, a great pot roast, and cheesecake.

I'm a little bummed that it didnt' come out as well as the Pioneer Woman's, but not all is lost. I learned a couple things. One: I need a smaller covered pan to cook my pot roast in. I ended up using my turkey pan, cuz that is the only roaster I have that has a lid. Way too big! And two: I need a recipe that helps me check the doneness and not just give me a vague "it'll be done in 3-4 hours." Part of my problem was that 30 min before it was suppose to be done I checked on it and it didn't look done to me, but in actuality was probably done or close to being overdone at that point. So I think I need a meat thermometer and a recipe that guides me that way. What'd ya think? Am I off the deep end? What's your tried and true method of making a pot roast?

And no, we didn't have to order pizza. The meat was a bit well done, but still edible. Lots of gravy, the yummy carrots and mashed potatoes made up for a little toughness.

Finally, this morning, or rather last night, I whipped up some Deluxe Oatmeal. Yes, that is really what the title of the recipe is. An old favorite I got off the internet a long time ago. The photo below is similiar, not my actual oatmeal. You dump all the ingredients in the crockpot and let it cook overnight. Then Ta-Da, the next morning you have a yummy b'fast just waiting for ya. Here's the recipe if you're interested.

Deluxe Oatmeal
2 c milk
1/4 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 c quick cooking oats (I use old fashioned and haven't noticed a problem)
1 apple finely chopped
1/2 c raisins
1/2 c chopped walnuts or almonds

Grease inside of crockpot (very important, or else its going to be a bear to clean, just ask my hubster). Put ingredients inside crockpot and mix well. Cover and turn on low heat. Cook overnight or 8-9 hours. Stir before serving.

Makes 4 cups. Which is enough for our family of 3 hungry peeps in the morning.

So what have you been cooking lately? Tried out any new recipes? And, please, tell me your secret to a great pot roast. My hubster will be so thankful!

Til next time ....

Weekly Recipe Roundup (#3)

photo courtesy of Lil Luna

Welcome to another edition of my weekly recipe roundup. I know I said I lean too heavily towards desserts and I would be more balanced, but I just can't not share this yummy looking recipe for White Chocolate--Butterscotch Chip Cookies. Are you drooling yet?

Now that I got that out of the way, I can share some other just as yummy, delish and oh so good recipes I found this week. Oh who am I kidding? We all know that desserts are the most delish of all, don't we? Unless you're my hubby, but that's a story for another day ....

Here's one you don't see all the time. Lemon-Lime Soda from a "new to me" blog Phaedras Adventures. Another adventure blog .... Yay! Let me know if you try this one and I'll do the same for you.

And I found these great looking appetizers: Bacon Wrapped Shrimp. It's lunchtime as I type this and just the sound of them is making me hungry!

I have GOT to try these finger-lickin good sticky slow cooked drumsticks! I love my crockpot and these look easy and yummy. A great combination.

And last a great budget meal from Budget Bytes Taco Chicken Bowls. She even gives a cost breakdown, gotta love that!

Let me know if you try any of these recipes, or if you have tried any news ones you've found on the 'net. Or ones that you want me to add to my next recipe roundup.

Til next time ....

Weekly Recipe Roundup

photo courtesy of Jam Hands

Last week I posted a few recipes I found on the net that looked promising. After finding even more tempting morsels this week, I thought I'd make it a weekly post and call it Weekly Recipe Roundup.

So for this week, here's an assortment of gems I found:

Jam Hands gives us Cream Puffs with Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream. I remember making cream puffs with my older sister when I was in Jr High and she was in college. They were awesome then, just as I imagine these will be now.

A 'new to me' blog I have found is Chef In Training. Isn't that a great name? Anyway, the blogger loves blueberries as I do and shares a great little snack cake to use up any excess blueberries you may have. Blueberry Snack Cake may not be a fancy name, but it looks scrumptious.

Here's another one from Chef In Training. She mentions that she has seen this recipe all over Pinterest and that it is also a Weight Watchers recipe, so who knows who the author is. Whatever! I definitely will be trying this enchilada recipe.

As you can see, I really am drawn to desserts. I know, I know. I'll try to be more balanced in the future, but I just can't leave out this next one. Its called Thin Mint Cake from the Joyful Baker. She had me at Thin Mint .... LOVE those little darlings!

Til next time ....

Yummy Delish & Oh So Good

photo courtesy of Homespun Living

As I peruse the web each day, I notice alot of yummy, delish, mmm, mmm, good looking food. Being a lover of good food (does that make me a foodie?) I often think "I want to make that!" but then I move on and rarely remember where I saw that yummy looking something.

So as I was pondering how to solve this delicious problem, I thought: Why not post it to my blog where I can share these wonderful recipes with you and also have a place where I can return when I'm thinking of making something new.

This won't become a food blog. I'm not that good of a cook (hee hee), but you may find a few gems for your own kitchen. And I'd love to know if you make one of these jewels.

So here's the first round-up:

First up, Blackberry Biscuits from Homespun Living. I have never seen anything like these, so I'm either out of the loop or this blogger is way ahead of her time. With blackberries ripening in our part of the world, I can't wait to try these.

Next is a yummy looking jello thing-y. I don't know whether to call it a salad or a dessert, I'm leaning towards dessert. Taste of Home where it comes from calls it Creamy Orange Salad. While I will probably make it for a special occasion, I'm still on the hunt for a yummy jello salad.

And last is a yummy looking cheesecake without a crust! I missed Nat'l Cheesecake Day at the end of July and boy, am I bummed! But maybe if I make this recipe I'll console myself enough to get thru til next year. This comes courtesy of Lynn's Kitchen Adventures, a new blogger to me. I need to explore her site a little more as it looks like she has more wonderful gems. And I'm always a sucker for a blog with 'Adventure' in the title.

So how 'bout you? Have you found any new recipes on the net that you are dying to try? Please share!

Til next time ....

Good Food, Got Any?

Have you noticed how many great cooks and awesome recipes are out there in cyberland? On Tuesdays in particular, there seems to be a plethora of blogs that have recipe roundups. I haven't participated, per se. But this morning I took a gander at several blogs and just have to let you in on the great ideas. I also want to remember where I found these recipes instead of printing them all out and then losing them in the clutter I call our kitchen.

Here's the ones I found. If you have found some share, share! One can never have too many recipes, tho I think I'm coming close.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Never Fail Pie Crust (freezable) Makes 6 crusts

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars


Touchdown Taco Pockets

Spicy Sweet Deviled Eggs

Sourdough Starter and Rolls

green cabbage ramen salad

i mentioned this in my post on monday and my cousin, joy, emailed me asking for the recipe. it hadnt' even crossed my mind that putting the recipe on my blog might make someone happy. my brain isn't very good these days!

so after emailing my cousin with the recipe i thot, "why not?" so here is the recipe i use. i know some of you may already have it, or use something similiar, but here's my version. and if you do tweak it, i'd love to hear in the comments what you do to spice up the recipe. (hint, hint: leave me a comment!)

GREEN CABBAGE RAMEN SALAD

1/2 large head cabbage, coarsely chopped
1 (3 ounce) package ramen noodles, crushed
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 bunch green onions, chopped

1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons white sugar
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
seasonings to taste ( my original recipe called for 1/2 of the small spice packet from the ramen)

DIRECTIONS
Toss together the cabbage, noodles, green onions and almonds.
Whisk together the ramen flavor packet, oil, sugar and vinegar. Pour over cabbage mixture and toss evenly to coat.

isn't that easy? i have found that it doesn't keep well over night, but it is really yummy when you make it. and its a good way to get cabbage into your diet.

Comfort Food

yesterday was a hard day emotionally. i had got my hopes up about something, and it didn't turn out the way i expected. i can't go into the details, just know that i was very, very upset, and then i was depressed. add in a trip to the market for a few staples and you have a disaster on your hand. i bought 2 donuts, and a package of fudge pudding popsicles. ugh ...

after i calmed down and reminded myself of all verses in the Bible about trusting God, waiting patiently on Him, He's taking care of us, etc etc i felt better.

then today i came across this recipe on wendi's blog: My Heart is always Home. so next time i want to gorge myself on comfort food at least i can do it inexpensively.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

i tried the recipe for the chicken pot pie that is listed in the recipe box on the right. #1 son not only wanted 2nds he wanted 3rds as well! a sure sign that its a keeper recipe. i had to tweak it a bit, adding extra minutes to bake it and i think next time i'll cook it at a higher temp. didn't take any pics of it, bad blogger!

so if you're in the mood for an easy dinner, try it out. i'd love to hear what easy recipes you like to use when you're not in the mood to cook or you don't have anything in the house to eat.