This recipe came to me from my friend Krista Birch, she made this dinner for me and it was so yummy, the ingredients are so simple and yet they create a yummy simple dinner, I especially love the RICE PILAF, so delicious!
Saucy Chicken and Rice Pilaf
1 boneless skinless chicken breast per person
2 cans cream of mushroom, or cream of celery soup
2 pkg Schilling Chicken Gravy Mix
Butter or margarine
Put about 1 Tblsp butter or margarine in nonstick fry pan. Brown the chicken on all sides (the browner, the better) Place in 9 x 13 in pan. Pour soup and gravy mix into pan that you browned chicken in and add about 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil and get all the browned bits from bottom of pan. Pour over chicken (should be kinda runny) Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, covered with foil.
While chicken is baking, make the Rice Pilaf
3 cups water
1 Tblsp dried parsely
3-4 Tblsp chicken bouillon granules
1 1/2 cups Uncle Bens Converted Rice
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup tiny chopped celery
Butter
Bring 3 cups water to boil, add 1 Tblsp dried parsley, 3or 4 Tblsp chicken bouillon granules, 1 1/2 cups rice (my favorite is Uncle Ben's converted) 1/2 cup grated carrot, 1/2 cup tiny chopped celery, and 1 Tblsp margarine. Cover when it returns to boil. Cook on very low heat for 20 min. Turn stove off, leave covered, and on burner. Serve with gravy from chicken.
For the nourishing of our souls:
I love to read books, uplifting spiritual books. I love to browse through the library or go to DI and look at their used books. I found Through His Eyes by Virginia Pearce for $1.50 at DI, it is a good book, talking about how we clean out our closets, we also need to clean out our minds, throw away the negative thoughts and self talk. Here is a saying from that book:
"We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world"
Buddha
And President Hinckley said "Each of us is largely the product of his or her beliefs. Our behavior is governed by these. They become our standards of conduct"
which reminds me of the saying (not sure if it is scripture)
"As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he"
And in Mosiah 4:30
"But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds,. . . .even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not."
May we think LOVELY thoughts, positive thoughts, hopeful thoughts, kind thoughts, grateful thoughts, and uplifting thoughts this day! and Remember you are worth more than gold, listen to Britt Nichole singing GOLD here
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Pizza Dough - My Favorite Recipe
This recipe comes from the cookbook called The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner, her daughter went to college where my Shauna went, and Shauna came home one weekend telling me her friend's mother was writing a cookbook and I told her I wanted to buy one, I had no idea she was the Food Nanny, I love the cookbook!
This is a very quick and very easy recipe, I like to make it for my grandkids, and let them make their own pizza, you can whip up the dough and cook right away, no need to let it rise like other recipes
Basic Pizza Dough by Food Nanny
1 Tblsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm (105-115 degrees) water
2 Tblsp olive oil
1 Tblsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
3 to 4 cups all purpose flour (or use half whole wheat -half white)
Mix the yeast and water in a small bowl, cover, and let stand until foamy, about 5 to 10 min
Mix the oil, honey, salt, and yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid or Bosch), Add one cup of flour at a time, up to 3 cups, mixing well after each addition. You may have to stir in the third cup of flour by hand, depending on your machine.
If the dough seems too wet, mix more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is soft. Mix in your Kitchen Aid for about 5 min.
Lightly grease pizza pan or cookie sheet with oil. If making two or more thin crust pizza's, divide the dough and with rolling pin roll out dough on floured surface, gently stretch the dough to fill the pan.
(I just pull a ball of dough out of the bowl and with my hand form it into a kidsized circle, just using my hands to pull and stretch and form, I can get 2 to 3 kid sized pizzas on a pan)
Cover the dough with pizza sauce ( I just use my own homemade spaghetti sauce or Prego sauce or the food nanny has a recipe that goes like this:
Easy Pizza Sauce your Kids will Make
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic or garlic salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tblsp sugar
Mix all together in small bowl
Then let the children put on what toppings they like, mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni, pineapple, mushrooms, bell pepper, bacon, etc.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Bake 15 to 20 min on lowest oven rack
For a variation you can make 3 cheese pizza using mozarella cheese, smoked gouda cheese and gruyere cheese!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 6:33
Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward
It has been my experience that every good deed I have done for others has come back to me throughout my life, and mostly I have been paid back during the hardest times of my life, it makes me wish I had done MORE good things so I could continue to receive MORE good things in return! But let me give you an example, when my kids were in high school, I would sometimes like to take their car at night when they were asleep and go fill it full of gas and not tell them. And later in my life, during some hard times, one day I went to get in my car and my daughter had filled my car full of gas, it was such a nice surprise! Little things are such BIG things and its the little things that make memories!
This is a very quick and very easy recipe, I like to make it for my grandkids, and let them make their own pizza, you can whip up the dough and cook right away, no need to let it rise like other recipes
Basic Pizza Dough by Food Nanny
1 Tblsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm (105-115 degrees) water
2 Tblsp olive oil
1 Tblsp honey
1/4 tsp salt
3 to 4 cups all purpose flour (or use half whole wheat -half white)
Mix the yeast and water in a small bowl, cover, and let stand until foamy, about 5 to 10 min
Mix the oil, honey, salt, and yeast mixture in a large mixing bowl (I use my Kitchen Aid or Bosch), Add one cup of flour at a time, up to 3 cups, mixing well after each addition. You may have to stir in the third cup of flour by hand, depending on your machine.
If the dough seems too wet, mix more flour, 1/4 cup at a time, until the dough is soft. Mix in your Kitchen Aid for about 5 min.
Lightly grease pizza pan or cookie sheet with oil. If making two or more thin crust pizza's, divide the dough and with rolling pin roll out dough on floured surface, gently stretch the dough to fill the pan.
(I just pull a ball of dough out of the bowl and with my hand form it into a kidsized circle, just using my hands to pull and stretch and form, I can get 2 to 3 kid sized pizzas on a pan)
Cover the dough with pizza sauce ( I just use my own homemade spaghetti sauce or Prego sauce or the food nanny has a recipe that goes like this:
Easy Pizza Sauce your Kids will Make
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp garlic or garlic salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 Tblsp sugar
Mix all together in small bowl
Then let the children put on what toppings they like, mozzarella cheese, olives, pepperoni, pineapple, mushrooms, bell pepper, bacon, etc.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Bake 15 to 20 min on lowest oven rack
For a variation you can make 3 cheese pizza using mozarella cheese, smoked gouda cheese and gruyere cheese!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 6:33
Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward
It has been my experience that every good deed I have done for others has come back to me throughout my life, and mostly I have been paid back during the hardest times of my life, it makes me wish I had done MORE good things so I could continue to receive MORE good things in return! But let me give you an example, when my kids were in high school, I would sometimes like to take their car at night when they were asleep and go fill it full of gas and not tell them. And later in my life, during some hard times, one day I went to get in my car and my daughter had filled my car full of gas, it was such a nice surprise! Little things are such BIG things and its the little things that make memories!
Play Dough from the Child Study Lab
A few Years after Dan and I had our first baby, Dan was still attending Arizona State University, he was able to get Dustin into their preschool program and they had the best program ever, this recipe came from their child study lab and I have used it to raise all my seven children plus my seven grandchildren, NO MOTHER SHOULD BE WITHOUT THIS RECIPE! You just cant raise a kid without homemade playdough!
Child Study Lab Play Dough
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
4 tsp cream of tartar
3 Tblsp oil ( I use vegetable oil)
Food Coloring
In a big saucepan (6 to 8 quart) Mix together all the ingredients (I do it in the order listed) and I use a whisk at first to blend all the ingredients together (a large wire whisk) and then I put the whisk in my sink and get a big wooden spoon to stir it with. (as it cooks it will get so thick and stuck in the whisk)
Cook the above ingredients (after blended together) over stovetop with medium high heat until it starts to pull away from the pan and hold together in a ball, I stand and stir with wooden spoon the whole time, as it goes pretty quickly, until it becomes a big clump that has all pulled together in the center of your pan, then pour it onto table or countertop and KNEAD with your hands, but be careful as it will be hot, you may want to let it cool a minute or two before you Knead, and then knead until it is ready, I store mine in tupperware container on a shelf.
YOU WILL LOVE IT!, nothing is more fun for kids than a fresh batch of playdough. Be sure to soak your pans for several minutes and then clean out right away as it is harder to clean if you dont do it right away
ENJOY!, your children will love you!
For the nourishing of our souls:
The other day I was with my RS pres and some planes flew over our head, so loud we could not hear, and she said I LOVE THAT SOUND, and I said why? and she said, it represents FREEDOM, and so today I want you to be thankful for our FREEDOM, and here is my most favorite singer singing a heart pounding song I love: listen here
If I could be anyone in this world, I would choose to be Martina McBride, she is beautiful and has the most beautiful voice!!
Child Study Lab Play Dough
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 cups water
4 tsp cream of tartar
3 Tblsp oil ( I use vegetable oil)
Food Coloring
In a big saucepan (6 to 8 quart) Mix together all the ingredients (I do it in the order listed) and I use a whisk at first to blend all the ingredients together (a large wire whisk) and then I put the whisk in my sink and get a big wooden spoon to stir it with. (as it cooks it will get so thick and stuck in the whisk)
Cook the above ingredients (after blended together) over stovetop with medium high heat until it starts to pull away from the pan and hold together in a ball, I stand and stir with wooden spoon the whole time, as it goes pretty quickly, until it becomes a big clump that has all pulled together in the center of your pan, then pour it onto table or countertop and KNEAD with your hands, but be careful as it will be hot, you may want to let it cool a minute or two before you Knead, and then knead until it is ready, I store mine in tupperware container on a shelf.
YOU WILL LOVE IT!, nothing is more fun for kids than a fresh batch of playdough. Be sure to soak your pans for several minutes and then clean out right away as it is harder to clean if you dont do it right away
ENJOY!, your children will love you!
For the nourishing of our souls:
The other day I was with my RS pres and some planes flew over our head, so loud we could not hear, and she said I LOVE THAT SOUND, and I said why? and she said, it represents FREEDOM, and so today I want you to be thankful for our FREEDOM, and here is my most favorite singer singing a heart pounding song I love: listen here
If I could be anyone in this world, I would choose to be Martina McBride, she is beautiful and has the most beautiful voice!!
Tie Dye Cupcakes and Buttercream Icing
Recently I had the opportunity to make cupcakes for a baby shower and I got online to get ideas for cute ways to frost the cupcakes and I came across this idea and decided to try it, my first try did not turn out as cute as hers, but I am going to do this again, here is the site so you can make these darling cupcakes for a shower or birthday or wedding! Look here for a picture and how to do it and here is her buttercream icing:
Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
*Note: you can substitute milk for the heavy cream but the frosting will be missing an element of silky creaminess.
*Makes about 4 cups of frosting
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup (1 stick, 8 tablespoons) butter, softened to room temperature
3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
16 ounces powdered sugar (about 3 ½ cups)
¼ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until it is light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix in fully after each addition. Cream at low speed until well blended and creamy. Pour in the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is light and fluffy.
For the nourishing of our souls:
My favorite hymn in the church hymns is "How Great Thou Art", and I found this song sung by Carrie Underwood on YouTube and it is magical, it sends chills down my spine every time I hear it, so listen and enjoy, have a wonderful day, and tonight when you say your prayers, may you be reverenced and humble at how great our Heavenly Father is! listen here make sure you listen clear to the end as it is the ending that sends tingles!
Quick Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
*Note: you can substitute milk for the heavy cream but the frosting will be missing an element of silky creaminess.
*Makes about 4 cups of frosting
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup (1 stick, 8 tablespoons) butter, softened to room temperature
3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
16 ounces powdered sugar (about 3 ½ cups)
¼ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or the bowl of an electric stand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until it is light and creamy, about 2 minutes. Mix in the vanilla. Add the powdered sugar gradually and mix in fully after each addition. Cream at low speed until well blended and creamy. Pour in the heavy cream and whip until the frosting is light and fluffy.
For the nourishing of our souls:
My favorite hymn in the church hymns is "How Great Thou Art", and I found this song sung by Carrie Underwood on YouTube and it is magical, it sends chills down my spine every time I hear it, so listen and enjoy, have a wonderful day, and tonight when you say your prayers, may you be reverenced and humble at how great our Heavenly Father is! listen here make sure you listen clear to the end as it is the ending that sends tingles!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Perfect Brown Rice
I was making a chicken and rice casserole in my crockpot today when my daughter Shauna walked in to visit. As I was figuring out how to cook my brown rice, she told me she just posted a recipe from Our Best Bites on her blog, so I quickly went there and followed the instructions and can I just say my brown rice turned out fluffy and perfect! Although I dont like to heat up the kitchen in the summer more than I have to, this definately was worth it. I always read comments on other blogs, as readers share tips and their tried and true ideas, so I am going to post what this reader said, but I have not tried it, but for a back up I will post it here and try it out:
I used to cook my rice this way until I recently learned (from Cooks Illustrated) that you can cook your rice like pasta, in a large pot of water, then drain when it is done. The best part is that is washes all the starch off the rice and so it never clumps, even when it cools. I love it. I also don’t have to watch it as closely and the pan cleans up even easier than the oven method.
AND THIS ONE:
As someone who often doesn’t plan enough time for my brown rice to cook, I found the boiling it like pasta works great every time and it’s much quicker. Boil your rice in a big pot of water for 30 minutes. Drain it and immediately put it back in the pot and cover it with the lid. Let it sit for 10 minutes. It turns out perfect…everytime.
So for the perfect rice recipe which I made tonight and it was perfect!
1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/3 cups water (you can use chicken broth for added flavor)
2 tsp unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
(You can double this too, which is what I did. Just put in 9 x 13 pan and cook the same amount of time)
Preheat oven to 375. Spread the rice in a 8 inch square pan (or 9 x 13). Bring water and butter or oil to a boil, either in the microwave or in a saucepan. Take it off the heat as soon as it starts to boil, then immediately stir in salt and pour water over rice in pan. Cover pan tightly with 2 layers of foil or heavy duty foil. Bake until tender, about one hour.
Remove from oven and uncover. Fluff rice with fork, then cover dish with a kitchen towel and let rice stand for 5 minutes. Then uncover and let rice stand 5 minutes longer. Serve.
It was fluffy and yummy and amazing! YIPPEE for brown rice that is healthier and good for you!! I loved it!
For the nourishing of our souls:
D&C 112:10
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith, "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers"
I have learned that humility-the teachable attitude demonstrated by the Savior- is the key that unlocks the door to receiving the Spirit of the Lord and to having loving relationships. I have also learned that prayer is the language of humility. Only the truly humble pray fervently, because they recognze how much they need the Lord's Spirit to guide them. It is the Spirit that softens and changes our hearts. (from the book Eternal Families by Douglas Brinley and Daniel Judd)
May we work on being more humble and more teachable today!
I used to cook my rice this way until I recently learned (from Cooks Illustrated) that you can cook your rice like pasta, in a large pot of water, then drain when it is done. The best part is that is washes all the starch off the rice and so it never clumps, even when it cools. I love it. I also don’t have to watch it as closely and the pan cleans up even easier than the oven method.
AND THIS ONE:
As someone who often doesn’t plan enough time for my brown rice to cook, I found the boiling it like pasta works great every time and it’s much quicker. Boil your rice in a big pot of water for 30 minutes. Drain it and immediately put it back in the pot and cover it with the lid. Let it sit for 10 minutes. It turns out perfect…everytime.
So for the perfect rice recipe which I made tonight and it was perfect!
1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/3 cups water (you can use chicken broth for added flavor)
2 tsp unsalted butter or vegetable oil
1/2 tsp salt
(You can double this too, which is what I did. Just put in 9 x 13 pan and cook the same amount of time)
Preheat oven to 375. Spread the rice in a 8 inch square pan (or 9 x 13). Bring water and butter or oil to a boil, either in the microwave or in a saucepan. Take it off the heat as soon as it starts to boil, then immediately stir in salt and pour water over rice in pan. Cover pan tightly with 2 layers of foil or heavy duty foil. Bake until tender, about one hour.
Remove from oven and uncover. Fluff rice with fork, then cover dish with a kitchen towel and let rice stand for 5 minutes. Then uncover and let rice stand 5 minutes longer. Serve.
It was fluffy and yummy and amazing! YIPPEE for brown rice that is healthier and good for you!! I loved it!
For the nourishing of our souls:
D&C 112:10
The Lord told the Prophet Joseph Smith, "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers"
I have learned that humility-the teachable attitude demonstrated by the Savior- is the key that unlocks the door to receiving the Spirit of the Lord and to having loving relationships. I have also learned that prayer is the language of humility. Only the truly humble pray fervently, because they recognze how much they need the Lord's Spirit to guide them. It is the Spirit that softens and changes our hearts. (from the book Eternal Families by Douglas Brinley and Daniel Judd)
May we work on being more humble and more teachable today!
Ali's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
I love this blog and cookbook and website, I bought some of her cookbooks and she is really talented and kind, I met her at Swiss Days and she gave me an extra book just because I ordered one online, she will be at Swiss Days again this year, go see her! I needed a fancy cake for a RS activity, so I made this, and here is her website and recipe:
Ali's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
4 cups cake flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
4 large eggs, room temp
2 cups buttermilk
3 Tblsp poppy seeds
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract and cream until fluffy. Add buttermillk and mix. Slowly add in dry ingredients while mixing. Lastly fold in poppy seeds. Pour into two 9 inch greased round cake pans. Bake at 350 deg for 30 to 35 min or until toothpick comes out clean. While cake is baking make lemon filling and lemon cream cheese frosting.
Lemon Glaze Filling:
1/4 cup butter
2 lemons, juice and zest
1 cup sugar
Combine butter, juice, zest and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook on low until sugar is dissolved.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 Tblsp fresh lemon juice
2 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Let cake cook in pan for 15 min. Invert and cool on rack for another 15 min. Place first cake onto cake platter. Poke holes in cake with fork and pour half the glaze on top letting it soak into the cake. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting and then place the second cake on top. Poke holes again and pour on the remainder of the lemon glaze. Frost the top of cake with lemon cream cheese frosting, letting some drip down the sides, serve.
Option, can serve with fresh raspberries.
This cake is awesome!
For the nourishing of our souls:
I have heard this song on KLOVE and love it, it is like a love song for our Savior, listen here it is called "yours forever" by dara maclean
have a wonderful day!
Ali's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
4 cups cake flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
4 large eggs, room temp
2 cups buttermilk
3 Tblsp poppy seeds
In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla and almond extract and cream until fluffy. Add buttermillk and mix. Slowly add in dry ingredients while mixing. Lastly fold in poppy seeds. Pour into two 9 inch greased round cake pans. Bake at 350 deg for 30 to 35 min or until toothpick comes out clean. While cake is baking make lemon filling and lemon cream cheese frosting.
Lemon Glaze Filling:
1/4 cup butter
2 lemons, juice and zest
1 cup sugar
Combine butter, juice, zest and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook on low until sugar is dissolved.
Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 Tblsp fresh lemon juice
2 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Let cake cook in pan for 15 min. Invert and cool on rack for another 15 min. Place first cake onto cake platter. Poke holes in cake with fork and pour half the glaze on top letting it soak into the cake. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting and then place the second cake on top. Poke holes again and pour on the remainder of the lemon glaze. Frost the top of cake with lemon cream cheese frosting, letting some drip down the sides, serve.
Option, can serve with fresh raspberries.
This cake is awesome!
For the nourishing of our souls:
I have heard this song on KLOVE and love it, it is like a love song for our Savior, listen here it is called "yours forever" by dara maclean
have a wonderful day!
Whole Wheat Carrot Cake
I got this recipe from our bishops wife Linda Loosli, I had to make it for a church activity and it was very good, especially for having whole wheat in it! It is a good one and moist, enjoy!
Whole Wheat Carrot Cake
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated carrots
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
1 cup coconut
1 cup nuts
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Mix above ingredients with a spoon until blended. Don't over beat. Put in oiled cake pan. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 min Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cube butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1-3 Tblsp milk
3 cups powdered sugar
Mix together and frost carrot cake and enjoy!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 46:11-12
"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God."
"To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
We have the opportunity to meet several gifted and talented sisters in our wards, neighborhoods, and families. Sometimes we tend to be jealous of their gifts and think we have none, or ours are not as bright. Some gifts are more visible than others. Some gifts are very quiet ones. We are given gifts to bless the lives of others. When we become jealous, we just hurt ourselves by not profiting of the joy that comes from enjoying and learning from someone else. We need to share what we have, enjoy what others have and learn and give and be happy and grow! Heavenly Father loves us all THE SAME!
Whole Wheat Carrot Cake
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups grated carrots
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple
1 cup coconut
1 cup nuts
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Mix above ingredients with a spoon until blended. Don't over beat. Put in oiled cake pan. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 min Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 cube butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla
1-3 Tblsp milk
3 cups powdered sugar
Mix together and frost carrot cake and enjoy!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 46:11-12
"For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God."
"To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby."
We have the opportunity to meet several gifted and talented sisters in our wards, neighborhoods, and families. Sometimes we tend to be jealous of their gifts and think we have none, or ours are not as bright. Some gifts are more visible than others. Some gifts are very quiet ones. We are given gifts to bless the lives of others. When we become jealous, we just hurt ourselves by not profiting of the joy that comes from enjoying and learning from someone else. We need to share what we have, enjoy what others have and learn and give and be happy and grow! Heavenly Father loves us all THE SAME!
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
I just made these cookies today and I loved them, sometimes you just want a more healthy cookie that has texture to it, and this one is great, and today I had less butter than it called for and I was making somthing with pumpkin so I used less butter (1/4) and put in 1/2 cup pumpkin and they turned out delicious! I found the recipe at the sisters cafe here and you can see a picture of them and print the recipe from here as well!
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups white wheat flour (I added 3/4 - 1 cup more flour)
2 1/2 cups oats
2 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Stir in dry ingredients and then chocolate chips. Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies
So yummy, I gave some away, ate some and took some to work, and now I want more, I think I will make some more ! and like I said, I added 1/2 cup pumpkin to it and WOW, it was great
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 19:38
"Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessings - yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof"
I have learned that you can always Pray. Any time of day. We can say whatever we want or need in our Prayers. Prayers are a form of power. We are taking energy and moving it forward in a good way! You can never pray too much. If we want His Spirit, we need to Pray ALWAYS. Always have a prayer in our hearts. This keeps us connected to our Savior and Father in Heaven. And they are a big part of our day and help us through. We don't always get answers to everything right away, but we get the spirit and we get guidance and we get direction and we get comfort and peace, what more could you want? Even though I havent got a yes to the prayer I say every night, I still get love, peace and comfort and guidance. so I continue to pray. always.
Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups butter
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups white wheat flour (I added 3/4 - 1 cup more flour)
2 1/2 cups oats
2 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I like the mini ones)
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla extract. Stir in dry ingredients and then chocolate chips. Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.
Makes about 3 to 4 dozen cookies
So yummy, I gave some away, ate some and took some to work, and now I want more, I think I will make some more ! and like I said, I added 1/2 cup pumpkin to it and WOW, it was great
For the nourishing of our souls:
Read in D&C 19:38
"Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessings - yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof"
I have learned that you can always Pray. Any time of day. We can say whatever we want or need in our Prayers. Prayers are a form of power. We are taking energy and moving it forward in a good way! You can never pray too much. If we want His Spirit, we need to Pray ALWAYS. Always have a prayer in our hearts. This keeps us connected to our Savior and Father in Heaven. And they are a big part of our day and help us through. We don't always get answers to everything right away, but we get the spirit and we get guidance and we get direction and we get comfort and peace, what more could you want? Even though I havent got a yes to the prayer I say every night, I still get love, peace and comfort and guidance. so I continue to pray. always.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Cheesecake Shooters
I went to my daughter Shauna's house to visit and she gave me one of these little desserts and it was to die for, I cant stop thinking about how wonderful it was! She has her own blog she posted them on, hers is www.shaunasrecipebox.blogspot.com and she found the recipe on pinterest here: you can see what it looks like
Cheesecake Shooters
8 oz cream cheese, softened
16 oz sour cream
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 Tblsp
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 can of cherry or strawberry pie filling
1 pack (not box) of plain graham crackers
3 Tblsp melted butter
In your mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and sour cream until blended. Pour in the pudding mix, sugar and vanilla and mix on medium for 3 minutes more. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Crush the graham crackers in your food processor until just crumbs. Add in the butter and 1 Tblsp sugar and pulse until combined. Place in a small bowl and set aside.
In your blender or food processor blend/pulse the cherry pie filling until it becomes syrup (no chunks left) . You can make your own syrup from strawberries, blueberries, etc instead of the pie filling if you have the time. Set aside.
In the shooter cups, wine glasses or whatever you may be using, first spoon enough graham cracker mixture to cover the bottom. Spoon or pipe in some cheesecake, then spoon enough syrup in to cover the cheesecake. Repeat with a second layer of cheesecake. Place a few drops of syrup on top and swirl around for a spiral design using a wooden toothpick or skewer. I garnished mine with mini Nilla wafers.
Keep cold until ready to serve.
These are so yummy and great for special desserts!
For the nourishing of our souls today:
I love to listen to KLOVE radio and they just played a song just for me, and I think maybe you too! We all have good days and bad days (good hair days and bad hair days too, ha) and on our bad or hard days we need to be reminded that we are BEAUTIFUL, and I want you to listen to this song, you cant help but feel better after listening to it, I love mercy me , listen here:
and today look into the mirror and see how beautiful you are!
Cheesecake Shooters
8 oz cream cheese, softened
16 oz sour cream
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
1/2 cup sugar, plus 1 Tblsp
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 can of cherry or strawberry pie filling
1 pack (not box) of plain graham crackers
3 Tblsp melted butter
In your mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and sour cream until blended. Pour in the pudding mix, sugar and vanilla and mix on medium for 3 minutes more. Place in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
Crush the graham crackers in your food processor until just crumbs. Add in the butter and 1 Tblsp sugar and pulse until combined. Place in a small bowl and set aside.
In your blender or food processor blend/pulse the cherry pie filling until it becomes syrup (no chunks left) . You can make your own syrup from strawberries, blueberries, etc instead of the pie filling if you have the time. Set aside.
In the shooter cups, wine glasses or whatever you may be using, first spoon enough graham cracker mixture to cover the bottom. Spoon or pipe in some cheesecake, then spoon enough syrup in to cover the cheesecake. Repeat with a second layer of cheesecake. Place a few drops of syrup on top and swirl around for a spiral design using a wooden toothpick or skewer. I garnished mine with mini Nilla wafers.
Keep cold until ready to serve.
These are so yummy and great for special desserts!
For the nourishing of our souls today:
I love to listen to KLOVE radio and they just played a song just for me, and I think maybe you too! We all have good days and bad days (good hair days and bad hair days too, ha) and on our bad or hard days we need to be reminded that we are BEAUTIFUL, and I want you to listen to this song, you cant help but feel better after listening to it, I love mercy me , listen here:
and today look into the mirror and see how beautiful you are!
Sweet and Sour Chicken
Not sure where I got this recipe, I think Sandridge Ward Cookbook, and it is a keeper in our family, my kids always request what they want me to fix for their birthday dinner and this was Shauna's favorite!
Sweet N Sour Chicken
Chicken Breasts or Tenders
3 Eggs
Flour
2 Tblsp Oil
Sauce:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
1 cup vinegar
6 Tblsp Ketchup
2 Tblsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp salt
For Sauce:
Combine sauce ingredients over medium heat and bring to a boil. While the sauce is cooking stir occasionally and prepare the chicken:
To prepare the Chicken Breasts or Tenders:
Beat 3 eggs in a bowl, dip chicken breasts in the egg and then dip into flour and fry in 2 Tblsp oil until the chicken is done. Put chicken into a baking dish and pour sauce over the chicken and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Serve with Rice
When Christy made this, she suggested adding pineapple chunks and bell peppers into it, so she did and it was yummy!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
Sweet and Sour reminds me so much of life, as we have both sweet and sour moments in our daily lives! In order to experience joy, we first have to know sorrow. Being a single mom, there are times when my life can get lonely (even though I still have lots of people around me) but I work at a doctor office and I watch many people come in together, husband and wife, and they talk about anything and everything sharing the day and laughing and as I watch them, I realize what I am missing out on, and that causes me to feel lonely sometimes, and the other day I read this article in the August Ensign, go here to read and my favorite part is where she said:
Sweet N Sour Chicken
Chicken Breasts or Tenders
3 Eggs
Flour
2 Tblsp Oil
Sauce:
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup Pineapple Juice
1 cup vinegar
6 Tblsp Ketchup
2 Tblsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp salt
For Sauce:
Combine sauce ingredients over medium heat and bring to a boil. While the sauce is cooking stir occasionally and prepare the chicken:
To prepare the Chicken Breasts or Tenders:
Beat 3 eggs in a bowl, dip chicken breasts in the egg and then dip into flour and fry in 2 Tblsp oil until the chicken is done. Put chicken into a baking dish and pour sauce over the chicken and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Serve with Rice
When Christy made this, she suggested adding pineapple chunks and bell peppers into it, so she did and it was yummy!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
Sweet and Sour reminds me so much of life, as we have both sweet and sour moments in our daily lives! In order to experience joy, we first have to know sorrow. Being a single mom, there are times when my life can get lonely (even though I still have lots of people around me) but I work at a doctor office and I watch many people come in together, husband and wife, and they talk about anything and everything sharing the day and laughing and as I watch them, I realize what I am missing out on, and that causes me to feel lonely sometimes, and the other day I read this article in the August Ensign, go here to read and my favorite part is where she said:
"Two thoughts came into my mind. One was the words of a poem my grandfather used to quote titled “When God Wants a Man.”1 It says that when the Lord wants to mold a person “to play the noblest part,” He “makes him lonely so that only God’s high messages shall reach him.” I felt that this was happening to me, and oh, I wanted to hear those “high messages”!
So I decided in my being lonely, good things can come, I can become closer to God and hear is messages for me!
So you see, sweet and sour!
Enjoy today, and go visit an older single sister in your neighborhood or ward, take them a treat and just give them a hug!
Reese's Peanut Butter Brownies
This recipe came to me from my wonderful daughter in law Krista (and my favorite!). She brought these to a party and it was such a simple yet elegant idea, and they are just super yummy, make them and see!
Krista's Reese's Peanut Butter Brownies
1 box fudge brownie mix
1 bag of miniature Reese's peanut butter cups
Frosting
1 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 Tblsp milk
Make the brownies according to the box directions. Pour batter into greased 9 x 13 pan. Unwrap Reese's peanut butter cups and place in rows about 3/4 inch apart into the batter. Bake according to box directions. Allow to cool completely and frost with peanut butter frosting. Save a few of the peanut butter cups and chop them into pieces to sprinkle on top of the frosting.
YuMMY!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Of course my mind went to the Book of Ruth in the Bible as Naomi talks about her daugther in laws, and if you read Chapter 1 in the Book of Ruth, you will see the love the daughter in law had for her mother in law, but the popular scripture is found in verse 16:
Chapter 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest; I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God
verse 17 Where thou diest; Will I die and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me
How grateful I am for forever families and wonderful children in laws who have joined and become our family. I have been so blessed! May we all be better mothers, mother in laws, daughters, daughter in laws, sons, and son in laws! Call yours or mail a letter or send them a surprise package today!
Krista's Reese's Peanut Butter Brownies
1 box fudge brownie mix
1 bag of miniature Reese's peanut butter cups
Frosting
1 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 Tblsp milk
Make the brownies according to the box directions. Pour batter into greased 9 x 13 pan. Unwrap Reese's peanut butter cups and place in rows about 3/4 inch apart into the batter. Bake according to box directions. Allow to cool completely and frost with peanut butter frosting. Save a few of the peanut butter cups and chop them into pieces to sprinkle on top of the frosting.
YuMMY!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Of course my mind went to the Book of Ruth in the Bible as Naomi talks about her daugther in laws, and if you read Chapter 1 in the Book of Ruth, you will see the love the daughter in law had for her mother in law, but the popular scripture is found in verse 16:
Chapter 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go: and where thou lodgest; I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God
verse 17 Where thou diest; Will I die and there will I be buried; the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part thee and me
How grateful I am for forever families and wonderful children in laws who have joined and become our family. I have been so blessed! May we all be better mothers, mother in laws, daughters, daughter in laws, sons, and son in laws! Call yours or mail a letter or send them a surprise package today!
Rigatoni
This recipe came to me from my friend Lesa Jensen who many years ago we had a primary party for our primary board and we all made this casserole, it has become our family go to meal when we need a quick yummy meal. Enjoy!
Rigatoni
1 lb hamburger, cooked and drained
1 8 oz Cream Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
1 large bottle Prego Spaghetti sauce
1 pkg Rigatoni Noodles *(or mini penne noodles)
Cook noodles and drain, set aside. In large saucepan over stove top add the cooked hamburger, spaghetti sauce, heat through, then add the Cream Cheese and as much Mozzarella Cheese as you would like, about 2 cups is good. Simmer until the cheese melts.
Pour sauce over the noodles and stir to mix well, Pour into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and sprinkle more mozzarella Cheese on top, bake for about 15 minutes.
Serve with garlic bread and tossed salad, yummy!
(I use my homemade spaghetti sauce when I have it on hand!, sometimes we are in such a hurry to eat we skip the Bake in oven part and just eat it right from the stovetop!)
Now that I dont eat red meat, I just leave out the hamburger and it is still wonderful!
**I also love using the mini penne noodles for this, yummy!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
Our Father in Heaven is aware of us, He knows us and He loves us completely.
Read in Psalms 33:13-14
"The Lord looketh down from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth." and in Hebrews 4:13 it says:
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do"
and in Job 34:21
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings"
I dont know about you, but that always makes me feel comforted, that I am NEVER alone, He is aware of me and with me always!
Have a great day!
Rigatoni
1 lb hamburger, cooked and drained
1 8 oz Cream Cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
1 large bottle Prego Spaghetti sauce
1 pkg Rigatoni Noodles *(or mini penne noodles)
Cook noodles and drain, set aside. In large saucepan over stove top add the cooked hamburger, spaghetti sauce, heat through, then add the Cream Cheese and as much Mozzarella Cheese as you would like, about 2 cups is good. Simmer until the cheese melts.
Pour sauce over the noodles and stir to mix well, Pour into a 9 x 13 casserole dish and sprinkle more mozzarella Cheese on top, bake for about 15 minutes.
Serve with garlic bread and tossed salad, yummy!
(I use my homemade spaghetti sauce when I have it on hand!, sometimes we are in such a hurry to eat we skip the Bake in oven part and just eat it right from the stovetop!)
Now that I dont eat red meat, I just leave out the hamburger and it is still wonderful!
**I also love using the mini penne noodles for this, yummy!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
Our Father in Heaven is aware of us, He knows us and He loves us completely.
Read in Psalms 33:13-14
"The Lord looketh down from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men. From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth." and in Hebrews 4:13 it says:
"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do"
and in Job 34:21
For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings"
I dont know about you, but that always makes me feel comforted, that I am NEVER alone, He is aware of me and with me always!
Have a great day!
Monday, August 20, 2012
Golden Graham Smores From Cereal Box
This is that recipe that you make once and say that was yummy and then you can never find the recipe, so I have saved the cereal box with the recipe on it and here it is for when you want to make the cereal s'mores!
Golden Graham Cereal S'mores
8 cups Golden Grahams (one 13 oz box)
1 1/2 cups Milk Choc Chips
6 cups miniature marshmallows
5 Tblsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Melt 5 cups marshmallows (save 1 cup for later)
and Choc Chips, butter and corn syrup in 3 quart saucepan over low heat, strirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with Pam
Pour Golden Grahams cereal into a large bowl. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal; stir until evenly coated. Stir in remaining marshmallows.
Press mixture into pan Cool at least one hour or until firm. Cut into 24 bars. Store loosely covered at room temp.
And now for the nourishing of our soul:
I have my scriptures by the computer and turned them open and the page fell to Deuteronomy 6:5-6
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.
I have chosen to fast today and what better way to end my fast than with that scripture, I do feel loved and cared for and watched over by my Heavenly Father, and it is so easy to love Him with all my heart, sometimes I do not show it by how I spend my time, each week we are given the Sabbath day to honor and worship Him, how much time on that day do I really spend getting to know him? I vow to do better!
Golden Graham Cereal S'mores
8 cups Golden Grahams (one 13 oz box)
1 1/2 cups Milk Choc Chips
6 cups miniature marshmallows
5 Tblsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup light corn syrup
Melt 5 cups marshmallows (save 1 cup for later)
and Choc Chips, butter and corn syrup in 3 quart saucepan over low heat, strirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Spray a 9 x 13 pan with Pam
Pour Golden Grahams cereal into a large bowl. Pour marshmallow mixture over cereal; stir until evenly coated. Stir in remaining marshmallows.
Press mixture into pan Cool at least one hour or until firm. Cut into 24 bars. Store loosely covered at room temp.
And now for the nourishing of our soul:
I have my scriptures by the computer and turned them open and the page fell to Deuteronomy 6:5-6
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.
I have chosen to fast today and what better way to end my fast than with that scripture, I do feel loved and cared for and watched over by my Heavenly Father, and it is so easy to love Him with all my heart, sometimes I do not show it by how I spend my time, each week we are given the Sabbath day to honor and worship Him, how much time on that day do I really spend getting to know him? I vow to do better!
Caramel Biscuits
This is a fun kid friendly recipe that is quick and easy and fun for little kids to make:
Caramel Biscuits
1 cup brown sugar
9 Tblsp butter
2 tsp water
3 to 4 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
I first get a big jelly roll pan and spray with Pam. Then I let my kids or adult helpers cut the biscuits into thirds or fourths (the kids love cutting the dough) and line the jelly roll pan with the biscuits, they can lay on the pan however you want, so let the kids put them in the pan! I like them to lay next to eachother with no spaces in between
On the stove bring to boil the brown sugar, butter and water, making sure it is mixed together well and all dissolved! No need to boil very long, just bring to boil and then Remove from heat and
Pour syrup over the biscuits and bake according to the canned biscuits directions.
Make a glaze with powdered sugar, butter and milk and drizzle over the top. (Refer to my buttercream icing recipe and thin it down with milk a bit)
Best when eaten warm right out of the oven
These are fun to make conference morning and let the children eat during conference!
For the nourishing of our souls:
When I was blessed to have my last child (after an 11 year gap) and I brought her home from the hospital, my dear neighbor Jana came over and said to me "I feel impressed to tell you that She is a gift to you from Heavenly Father" I have always treasured those words and have been blessed to be her mother during the hardest times of my life (my husband walked out the door when she was 18 months), so for today, of course, with a kid friendly recipe we shall go to my favorite scriptures in 3 Nephi 17, starting at verse 12 where it says "so they brought their little children and set them down up on the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst. . ., then in verse 16 "and after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father: and read on and in verse 22 "And when he had done this he wept again: and he spake unto the multitude and said unto them: Behold your little ones. . . . . and they were encircled about with fire ; and the angels did minister unto them:"
May we treasure the opportunity we have to be mothers, please go and hug your children today tell them you love them, or call them, or pray for them, and especially thank Heavenly Father for them!
Caramel Biscuits
1 cup brown sugar
9 Tblsp butter
2 tsp water
3 to 4 cans refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
I first get a big jelly roll pan and spray with Pam. Then I let my kids or adult helpers cut the biscuits into thirds or fourths (the kids love cutting the dough) and line the jelly roll pan with the biscuits, they can lay on the pan however you want, so let the kids put them in the pan! I like them to lay next to eachother with no spaces in between
On the stove bring to boil the brown sugar, butter and water, making sure it is mixed together well and all dissolved! No need to boil very long, just bring to boil and then Remove from heat and
Pour syrup over the biscuits and bake according to the canned biscuits directions.
Make a glaze with powdered sugar, butter and milk and drizzle over the top. (Refer to my buttercream icing recipe and thin it down with milk a bit)
Best when eaten warm right out of the oven
These are fun to make conference morning and let the children eat during conference!
For the nourishing of our souls:
When I was blessed to have my last child (after an 11 year gap) and I brought her home from the hospital, my dear neighbor Jana came over and said to me "I feel impressed to tell you that She is a gift to you from Heavenly Father" I have always treasured those words and have been blessed to be her mother during the hardest times of my life (my husband walked out the door when she was 18 months), so for today, of course, with a kid friendly recipe we shall go to my favorite scriptures in 3 Nephi 17, starting at verse 12 where it says "so they brought their little children and set them down up on the ground round about him, and Jesus stood in the midst. . ., then in verse 16 "and after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father: and read on and in verse 22 "And when he had done this he wept again: and he spake unto the multitude and said unto them: Behold your little ones. . . . . and they were encircled about with fire ; and the angels did minister unto them:"
May we treasure the opportunity we have to be mothers, please go and hug your children today tell them you love them, or call them, or pray for them, and especially thank Heavenly Father for them!
Taco Soup Harrah Style
I have seen several recipes for Taco Soup, but I have always made our family Taco Soup this way , and we LOVE it, we could eat it once a week!
Taco Soup
1 lb hamburger, cooked with chopped fresh onions and drained (or leave out for vegetarian meal which is what I do)
1 to 2 cups water
1 can Kidney Beans
1 can Black Beans
1 can White Northern Beans
(can add a can of pinto beans as well!)
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato soup
1 can Corn (or I sometimes use 2 cans)
1/2 cup chopped green pepper (or red pepper) (optional I usually dont add it)
1 envelope Taco Seasoning (I like Taco Bell) ( I use 1/2 pkg)
Shredded Cheese
Fritos Corn Chips
Sour Cream
Put all together in big pot on stove (Except cheese, chips, and sour cream) and bring to boil and then turn down med to low to simmer for a little while, anywhere from 15 min to 60 min, whatever mood you are in! You can add more or less of what you want, like more beans or more tomato sauce stuff or more water, I use 1/2 to 3/4 package of taco seasoning so it is not too spicy, but many use the whole packet. Whatever you prefer. Once cooked, we pour into bowls and top with fritos, sourcream and cheese.
I do not use red meat much anymore, so we just leave that out and you have a great tasting vegetarian meal!
Enjoy!
For the nourishing of our souls:
One of my favorite books I have read is called "Divine Signatures " by Gerald Lund and he shares many stories demonstrating how aware our Heavenly Father is of us and how much He loves us.
Here is one quote from the book from James E Faust at a time when he was going through his own challenges with his personal health:
"We encounter many bumps, bends, and forks in the road of life that leads to the eternities. There is so much teaching and correction as we travel on that road. . . President Brigham Young offered the profound insight that at least some of our suffering has a purpose when he said: "All intelligent beings who are crowned with crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives must pass through every ordeal appointed for intelligent beings to pass through, to gain their glory and exaltation. . . .Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation"
Taco Soup
1 lb hamburger, cooked with chopped fresh onions and drained (or leave out for vegetarian meal which is what I do)
1 to 2 cups water
1 can Kidney Beans
1 can Black Beans
1 can White Northern Beans
(can add a can of pinto beans as well!)
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato soup
1 can Corn (or I sometimes use 2 cans)
1/2 cup chopped green pepper (or red pepper) (optional I usually dont add it)
1 envelope Taco Seasoning (I like Taco Bell) ( I use 1/2 pkg)
Shredded Cheese
Fritos Corn Chips
Sour Cream
Put all together in big pot on stove (Except cheese, chips, and sour cream) and bring to boil and then turn down med to low to simmer for a little while, anywhere from 15 min to 60 min, whatever mood you are in! You can add more or less of what you want, like more beans or more tomato sauce stuff or more water, I use 1/2 to 3/4 package of taco seasoning so it is not too spicy, but many use the whole packet. Whatever you prefer. Once cooked, we pour into bowls and top with fritos, sourcream and cheese.
I do not use red meat much anymore, so we just leave that out and you have a great tasting vegetarian meal!
Enjoy!
For the nourishing of our souls:
One of my favorite books I have read is called "Divine Signatures " by Gerald Lund and he shares many stories demonstrating how aware our Heavenly Father is of us and how much He loves us.
Here is one quote from the book from James E Faust at a time when he was going through his own challenges with his personal health:
"We encounter many bumps, bends, and forks in the road of life that leads to the eternities. There is so much teaching and correction as we travel on that road. . . President Brigham Young offered the profound insight that at least some of our suffering has a purpose when he said: "All intelligent beings who are crowned with crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives must pass through every ordeal appointed for intelligent beings to pass through, to gain their glory and exaltation. . . .Every trial and experience you have passed through is necessary for your salvation"
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
There are a hundred sugar cookie recipes out there, but so far at this point in my life, this is my favorite sugar cookie, I get lots of compliments when I make them, so I will stick to this recipe, it is super yummy and I love them! We always make these in the Fall, at Valentines, and at Easter! Enjoy
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter, softened or room temp( * i now prefer to use 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup crisco butter flavored shortening)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
4 1/2 cup flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Salt
Cream together butter,(shortening), sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Then add dry ingredients and mix well. Chill for a few hours in fridge or overnight. Roll out dough about 1/2 " thick and cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 min or until done. I like them to be a little on the undone side, so do not overbake! Frost with my buttercream icing, so yummy!
I had someone make these and they said "this dough is so sticky" and I forgot that it is. Just sprinkle in a little more flour as you go to make it work. Sometimes I get impatient and dont want to chill for an hour or overnight, so I have chilled for five min and then had to use a little extra flour to roll them out, but they still turned out good!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Last night I read in the August 2012 Ensign, on Page 73, there is an article entitled "You have not Fasted" and as I read it - it really hit home to me. So many times we think praying is enough, but we need to truly sacrafice our hearts and by fasting we can be even more closer to our Saviour and Heavenly Father and be humble and submissive and then be more able to hear what we need to be doing in our lives. Go here and scroll down to You Have Not Fasted and read the story yourself! When all else fails, FAST and see what happens!
Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
1 cup butter, softened or room temp( * i now prefer to use 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup crisco butter flavored shortening)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
4 1/2 cup flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp Salt
Cream together butter,(shortening), sugar, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Then add dry ingredients and mix well. Chill for a few hours in fridge or overnight. Roll out dough about 1/2 " thick and cut into desired shapes. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 min or until done. I like them to be a little on the undone side, so do not overbake! Frost with my buttercream icing, so yummy!
I had someone make these and they said "this dough is so sticky" and I forgot that it is. Just sprinkle in a little more flour as you go to make it work. Sometimes I get impatient and dont want to chill for an hour or overnight, so I have chilled for five min and then had to use a little extra flour to roll them out, but they still turned out good!
For the nourishing of our souls:
Last night I read in the August 2012 Ensign, on Page 73, there is an article entitled "You have not Fasted" and as I read it - it really hit home to me. So many times we think praying is enough, but we need to truly sacrafice our hearts and by fasting we can be even more closer to our Saviour and Heavenly Father and be humble and submissive and then be more able to hear what we need to be doing in our lives. Go here and scroll down to You Have Not Fasted and read the story yourself! When all else fails, FAST and see what happens!
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Like My Mom's Good Macaroni Salad
This is a good Macaroni Salad to make when you are asked to bring a pasta salad, it reminds me most of my mom's. I added 2 tblsp balsamic vinegar and left out the ham and peas.
Like My Mom's Good Macaroni Salad
1 pkg. (1 lb) macaroni (or shells)
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tblsp mustard
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tblsp sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup ham, cut into small cubes
1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
2- 3 carrots, shredded
(I added 2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar as well, maybe cut the apple cider one to 1 1/2 Tblsp and do balsamic to 1 1/2 Tblsp for less vinegar)
Optional mix ins to the salad include:
cucumber, peeled and diced
dill pickles, chopped
tomato, diced
red bell pepper, diced
celery, chopped
Prepare macaroni to al dente according to package directions. After macaroni is cooked, drain and rinse in cold water. Once macaroni has cooled down, drain well.
In medium sized mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
In large bowl toss macaroni with ham, cheese, peas, carrots, and other mix ins.
Fold in mayonnaise mixture until pasta is well coated
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight
If the salad seems a little dry after setting up overnight, add some more milk and or mayonnaise a little bit a a time until salad becomes nice and creamy again.
I just made this for our Easter pic nic and it is so so so yummy!
You will love it!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
I was asked to read this in church, so let me share the wisdom with you:
"It was said of old that "a soft answer turneth away wrath". We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention. The voice of heaven is a still small voice; likewise, the voice of domestic peace is a quiet voice. . .How much greater the peace in the homes of the people, how much more gladness and joy and love there would be if husbands and wives would cultivate the discipline of speaking softly one to another, and if both would so speak to their children"
Elder Gordon B Hinckley April 1971 General conference
Couldn't be said better, lets try not to yell and raise voices, try for one day to use the softest kindest voice you can, see what happens, share with me what happens when you do that!
Like My Mom's Good Macaroni Salad
1 pkg. (1 lb) macaroni (or shells)
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 Tblsp mustard
1/4 cup sour cream
2 Tblsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tblsp sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
ground black pepper to taste
1 cup ham, cut into small cubes
1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
2- 3 carrots, shredded
(I added 2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar as well, maybe cut the apple cider one to 1 1/2 Tblsp and do balsamic to 1 1/2 Tblsp for less vinegar)
Optional mix ins to the salad include:
cucumber, peeled and diced
dill pickles, chopped
tomato, diced
red bell pepper, diced
celery, chopped
Prepare macaroni to al dente according to package directions. After macaroni is cooked, drain and rinse in cold water. Once macaroni has cooled down, drain well.
In medium sized mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
In large bowl toss macaroni with ham, cheese, peas, carrots, and other mix ins.
Fold in mayonnaise mixture until pasta is well coated
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight
If the salad seems a little dry after setting up overnight, add some more milk and or mayonnaise a little bit a a time until salad becomes nice and creamy again.
I just made this for our Easter pic nic and it is so so so yummy!
You will love it!
And now for the nourishing of our souls:
I was asked to read this in church, so let me share the wisdom with you:
"It was said of old that "a soft answer turneth away wrath". We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention. The voice of heaven is a still small voice; likewise, the voice of domestic peace is a quiet voice. . .How much greater the peace in the homes of the people, how much more gladness and joy and love there would be if husbands and wives would cultivate the discipline of speaking softly one to another, and if both would so speak to their children"
Elder Gordon B Hinckley April 1971 General conference
Couldn't be said better, lets try not to yell and raise voices, try for one day to use the softest kindest voice you can, see what happens, share with me what happens when you do that!
Mom's Sweet Macaroni Salad
Okay, last night at our RS social, this salad was enjoyed by many and at the end of the night we waited to see who picked up the bowl so we could ask for the recipe, and cute Betty said, "I just googled Moms best macaroni salad and this came up" so, for those last night who enjoyed this salad, here it is, and yes you can google it and find it on All Recipes! And it is a sweeter version of a macaroni salad so I have posted some others that are not so sweet.
Mom's Sweet Best Macaroni Salad
16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14)oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
In large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Mix in the mayonnaise, condensed milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni, toss gently, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I usually make this a day ahead of time, and stir it occasionally to blend the flavors. The macaroni will absorb some of the liquid.
And for the nourishing of our souls:
here is a quote from Lorenzo Snow: "Mortality is a school of suffering and trials. We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus, our Elder Brother, who, the scriptures tell us, "was made perfect through suffering." It is necessary that we suffer in all things, that we may be qualified and worthy to rule, and govern all things, even as our Father in Heaven and His eldest son, Jesus.
I found this in the book Divine signatures by Gerald Lund, loved the book, BUY IT< READ IT!
Mom's Sweet Best Macaroni Salad
16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14)oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
In large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery. Mix in the mayonnaise, condensed milk, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the macaroni, toss gently, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I usually make this a day ahead of time, and stir it occasionally to blend the flavors. The macaroni will absorb some of the liquid.
And for the nourishing of our souls:
here is a quote from Lorenzo Snow: "Mortality is a school of suffering and trials. We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus, our Elder Brother, who, the scriptures tell us, "was made perfect through suffering." It is necessary that we suffer in all things, that we may be qualified and worthy to rule, and govern all things, even as our Father in Heaven and His eldest son, Jesus.
I found this in the book Divine signatures by Gerald Lund, loved the book, BUY IT< READ IT!
WHITE CHOCOLATE LEMON STREUSEL BARS
Okay, this post is for my friends who attended the RS social last night which was a potluck and so yummy and so fun. This recipe came from a friend who helped someone who was catering a wedding and she had to bake several batches of these desserts to help out, and when the event was over, she asked if she could get a copy of the recipe, and the caterer told her No, she does not give out her recipes. Luckily My friend has a great memory and remembered the ingredients after making so many desserts, therefore, it is top secret and you cannot know where it came from, but know this : IT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD YUMMY! (and I so hope I dont get my friend in trouble!) So if you need an extra special dessert to wow someone, make these:
White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars
1 can Sweetened Condensed
1/2 cup Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed plus bottled to equal the full amount)
1 tsp Lemon Zest
1 pkg white Chocolate Chips (measure out 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup in separate bowls)
1 cup Butter (will need 2/3 and then 1/3)
1 cup Brown sugar
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
Whisk together:
Sweetened condensed milk
lemon juice and lemon zest
Add:
1 Bag of White chocolate chips, but first measure out the 1/3 cup white chips and the 1/4 cup white chips in separate bowls and Set Aside.
Mix in separate bowl:
2/3 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Add:
1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oats, pecans, baking powder and salt. Remove:
1 2/3 cup mixture and stir in 1/3 cup white choc chips and 1/3 cup butter and set aside.
Take original oatmeal mixture and press into bottom of 9 x 13 greased pan.
Pour lemon mixture over top and carefully spread.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 min Let cool.
Melt small amount of Crisco shortening and 1/4 cup white choc chips, drizzle over the top.
Note: This freezes well.
Bake these and you will be amazed how yummy they are! Just dont tell anyone where you got the recipe! ha
Okay post update, I googled this recipe cuz I was confused on the butter part and I found the recipe here and here so we are safe and wont get into trouble and you can see a picture of these bars, they used an egg in theirs whereas this recipe used more butter in place of egg, whatever you prefer!
And now for the nourishing of your souls:
2nd Nephi 2:25: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy"
You know how some days are just plain better than others? We have to have sorrow in order to know what joy is. Well, somedays just seem to be harder than others to get out of bed and deal with things, and some days we just seem to wake up cheerful. Here is a fun song that will help us celebrate on our good days and will help to cheer us up on our bad wake up days! listen to Mandisa here and if you are having a bad day, hopefull this will help change your mood, Enjoy!
White Chocolate Lemon Streusel Bars
1 can Sweetened Condensed
1/2 cup Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed plus bottled to equal the full amount)
1 tsp Lemon Zest
1 pkg white Chocolate Chips (measure out 1/3 cup and 1/4 cup in separate bowls)
1 cup Butter (will need 2/3 and then 1/3)
1 cup Brown sugar
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Salt
Whisk together:
Sweetened condensed milk
lemon juice and lemon zest
Add:
1 Bag of White chocolate chips, but first measure out the 1/3 cup white chips and the 1/4 cup white chips in separate bowls and Set Aside.
Mix in separate bowl:
2/3 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
Add:
1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup oats, pecans, baking powder and salt. Remove:
1 2/3 cup mixture and stir in 1/3 cup white choc chips and 1/3 cup butter and set aside.
Take original oatmeal mixture and press into bottom of 9 x 13 greased pan.
Pour lemon mixture over top and carefully spread.
Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture over the top.
Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 min Let cool.
Melt small amount of Crisco shortening and 1/4 cup white choc chips, drizzle over the top.
Note: This freezes well.
Bake these and you will be amazed how yummy they are! Just dont tell anyone where you got the recipe! ha
Okay post update, I googled this recipe cuz I was confused on the butter part and I found the recipe here and here so we are safe and wont get into trouble and you can see a picture of these bars, they used an egg in theirs whereas this recipe used more butter in place of egg, whatever you prefer!
And now for the nourishing of your souls:
2nd Nephi 2:25: "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy"
You know how some days are just plain better than others? We have to have sorrow in order to know what joy is. Well, somedays just seem to be harder than others to get out of bed and deal with things, and some days we just seem to wake up cheerful. Here is a fun song that will help us celebrate on our good days and will help to cheer us up on our bad wake up days! listen to Mandisa here and if you are having a bad day, hopefull this will help change your mood, Enjoy!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Favorite Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Guess what I am doing right now? I get to go to work a few hours later than usual, so of course I threw in the oven some of my homemade bread, and now I am cooking spaghetti sauce on the stove, because I can! Here is my favorite recipe I got from www.melskitchencafe.com, and I changed it just a tiny tiny bit!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
3 Tblsp olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped and divided
1 red pepper, coarsely chopped
2 lbs hamburger (at least 90% lean) I ,sandee, do not use any meat
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I buy the chopped garlic in jar)
1 12 oz can tomato paste
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tsp dried oregano
3 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 14-oz cans Italian style diced tomatoes
1 28- oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
(sometimes I add a can tomato soup cuz I have lots of cans in my cupboard)
1 carton fresh mushrooms sliced
1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth (I just had bouillon cubes,so I used four or five cubes)
4 Tblsp brown sugar (I think I put in a little more!)
2 bay leaves ( I don't always have them)
2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add 1/2 of the onions and saute until translucent and slightly browned. Add garlic and stir constantly for one minute. Add beef and cook until no red is showing. Drain beef slightly. Blend up the remaning onions and red pepper in a blender or food process until mostly smooth (I dont do this, I just throw them all in chunky) Add mixture to the garlic, onions and beef and stir to combine, cooking for another minute. Add tomato paste and spices and cook for one minute, stirring until combined. Add tomatoes, beef broth and sugar and mushrooms if using. Stir until combined and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Fifteen minutes before serving, stir in the balsamic vinegar
Note: the sauce will seem watery at first but will reduce to perfection after simmering for an hour. I've let it simmer on the stove for up to three hours before with no problems (this is from Mel, not sandee!) I usually add more tomato sauce or soup and it is pretty thick and I have never cooked it more than 30 min)
YUMMY! I like to make this as it makes a big batch and you can use it throughout the week for lunches at work as well. It beats buying Prego all the time and makes you feel good when you put in your own fresh ingredients, today I added zuchhini as well, like the chunky garden style of spaghetti sauce.
YOU KNOW WHAT? it takes a lot of energy to cook at home and make things fresh, like chopping fresh veggies and so forth, so for energy, I take good vitamins. YOU NEED GOOD VITAMINS to get through each day as we do not get the minerals and vitamins from foods that we should be getting. I take the Nature's Code by Dr Taub from QVC, they have for women and men, over 50 or under, and they are awesome. Kinda expensive but you cant put a price tag on ENERGY that comes from the right source! What vitamins do you recommend or prefer or take?
For the nourishing of our souls: IN life all of us at one point or another will be struggling with trials, hard times, unfairness, anger, frustration, and all that fun stuff. It is so refreshing to read from other people who have had hard things happen to them and how they successfully deal with it, I found the best book ever, called A new Kind of Normal by Carol Kent, I was just at my little local library and saw the title and read it and LOVED IT, she has some great uplifting advice and stories to share.
Her one and only son whom she and her husband loved dearly and who they raised Christian, well he fell in love with a woman who had an ex husband and two little girls, and one day he shot the ex husband out of sheer frustration and anger that the ex husband was going to harm his wife and little girls. And he went to prison. And he will never get out. This is a mothers story and scriptures that she uses to get through her sadness, BEAUTIFUL book, get it and read it, I ordered me one off of Amazon for like .88 cents, buy one for your library , when you are struggling you will be glad you did, my highlight was her epilogue, courage for the long haul,SO GOOD.
GET IT, READ IT!
Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
3 Tblsp olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped and divided
1 red pepper, coarsely chopped
2 lbs hamburger (at least 90% lean) I ,sandee, do not use any meat
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped (I buy the chopped garlic in jar)
1 12 oz can tomato paste
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 tsp dried oregano
3 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 14-oz cans Italian style diced tomatoes
1 28- oz cans crushed tomatoes
1 large can tomato sauce
(sometimes I add a can tomato soup cuz I have lots of cans in my cupboard)
1 carton fresh mushrooms sliced
1 1/2 cups beef stock or beef broth (I just had bouillon cubes,so I used four or five cubes)
4 Tblsp brown sugar (I think I put in a little more!)
2 bay leaves ( I don't always have them)
2 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
Heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add 1/2 of the onions and saute until translucent and slightly browned. Add garlic and stir constantly for one minute. Add beef and cook until no red is showing. Drain beef slightly. Blend up the remaning onions and red pepper in a blender or food process until mostly smooth (I dont do this, I just throw them all in chunky) Add mixture to the garlic, onions and beef and stir to combine, cooking for another minute. Add tomato paste and spices and cook for one minute, stirring until combined. Add tomatoes, beef broth and sugar and mushrooms if using. Stir until combined and add the bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then reduce to low and simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally. Fifteen minutes before serving, stir in the balsamic vinegar
Note: the sauce will seem watery at first but will reduce to perfection after simmering for an hour. I've let it simmer on the stove for up to three hours before with no problems (this is from Mel, not sandee!) I usually add more tomato sauce or soup and it is pretty thick and I have never cooked it more than 30 min)
YUMMY! I like to make this as it makes a big batch and you can use it throughout the week for lunches at work as well. It beats buying Prego all the time and makes you feel good when you put in your own fresh ingredients, today I added zuchhini as well, like the chunky garden style of spaghetti sauce.
YOU KNOW WHAT? it takes a lot of energy to cook at home and make things fresh, like chopping fresh veggies and so forth, so for energy, I take good vitamins. YOU NEED GOOD VITAMINS to get through each day as we do not get the minerals and vitamins from foods that we should be getting. I take the Nature's Code by Dr Taub from QVC, they have for women and men, over 50 or under, and they are awesome. Kinda expensive but you cant put a price tag on ENERGY that comes from the right source! What vitamins do you recommend or prefer or take?
For the nourishing of our souls: IN life all of us at one point or another will be struggling with trials, hard times, unfairness, anger, frustration, and all that fun stuff. It is so refreshing to read from other people who have had hard things happen to them and how they successfully deal with it, I found the best book ever, called A new Kind of Normal by Carol Kent, I was just at my little local library and saw the title and read it and LOVED IT, she has some great uplifting advice and stories to share.
Her one and only son whom she and her husband loved dearly and who they raised Christian, well he fell in love with a woman who had an ex husband and two little girls, and one day he shot the ex husband out of sheer frustration and anger that the ex husband was going to harm his wife and little girls. And he went to prison. And he will never get out. This is a mothers story and scriptures that she uses to get through her sadness, BEAUTIFUL book, get it and read it, I ordered me one off of Amazon for like .88 cents, buy one for your library , when you are struggling you will be glad you did, my highlight was her epilogue, courage for the long haul,SO GOOD.
GET IT, READ IT!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Refreshing Raspberry Salad
This is a wonderful refreshing salad to bring, nice and cool and creamy and fruity. I took it to the last get together and many requested the recipe, so enjoy!
Refreshing Raspberry Salad
Refreshing Raspberry Salad
1 12 oz Cool Whip
1 small dry Raspberry jello
2 small 8 oz Raspberry Yogurts
2 cups Frozen Raspberries
Mix Cool Whip and Yogurts together. Sprinkle dry jello and stir.
Fold in Raspberries
Here is another version I saw on Pinterest that you could try as well:
Frozen mixed berries (I used two smaller bags from Walmart)
1 tub Cool Whip*
1 large container of vanilla yogurt (I used Stoneyfield french vanilla)
1 small package of cheesecake pudding mix
Pour berries into a large bowl. Add the Cool Whip and yogurt and then sprinkle on the pudding mix. Stir together really well until it's all combined and looks pretty. Chill before serving.
*I made whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip. I bought a small carton of whipping cream and whipped it up until it was stiff. I only sweetened it a little (2 Tbs. of sugar) since the yogurt is sweet
1 tub Cool Whip*
1 large container of vanilla yogurt (I used Stoneyfield french vanilla)
1 small package of cheesecake pudding mix
Pour berries into a large bowl. Add the Cool Whip and yogurt and then sprinkle on the pudding mix. Stir together really well until it's all combined and looks pretty. Chill before serving.
*I made whipped cream instead of using Cool Whip. I bought a small carton of whipping cream and whipped it up until it was stiff. I only sweetened it a little (2 Tbs. of sugar) since the yogurt is sweet
And here is the link so you can see what it looks like
The First One I have made and it is very yummy, the second one I may try!
and now for the nourishing of our souls:
I love music, have I told you that yet? of course I have, and today you get to hear one of my favorite songs on KLOVE, listen and enjoy!
May we always lift our heads and hearts up to praise our Savior!
Favorite Chicken Salad
This recipe is from my friend Wendy Perkins, and whenever I need chicken salad, this is my recipe I use, Love it, so will you!
Chicken Salad
2 cups chicken, diced
2 cups celery, diced
2 eggs, hard-boiled and diced
1/4 cup green peppers, diced
1/4 cup grated carrots
2 Tblsp green onion, chopped
2 Tblsp sweet pickles, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup whipping cream (already whipped and ready to go, I buy the little carton of fresh whipping cream and whip it with powder sugar and vanilla and then use that)
Mix together all ingredients above except whipping cream. Put in refrigerator for two hours. Just before serving, add 1/2 cup whipping cream.
You can add grapes to this salad and nuts as well! So yummy in croissants, enjoy!
for the nourishing of our souls:
My favorite scripture is : Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
the key words are "all thine heart" , sometimes we do trust and we do believe, but not with ALL our HEARTS, the secret to peace in all trials and all life's experiences comes from Trusting that our Heavenly Father knows up perfectly, loves us perfectly, and wants us to return to Him again, therefore, He will guide us through our journey and bless us, even when we think He does not hear or understand us, HE DOES! TRUST WITH ALL YOUR HEART!
Chicken Salad
2 cups chicken, diced
2 cups celery, diced
2 eggs, hard-boiled and diced
1/4 cup green peppers, diced
1/4 cup grated carrots
2 Tblsp green onion, chopped
2 Tblsp sweet pickles, diced
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 cup whipping cream (already whipped and ready to go, I buy the little carton of fresh whipping cream and whip it with powder sugar and vanilla and then use that)
Mix together all ingredients above except whipping cream. Put in refrigerator for two hours. Just before serving, add 1/2 cup whipping cream.
You can add grapes to this salad and nuts as well! So yummy in croissants, enjoy!
for the nourishing of our souls:
My favorite scripture is : Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding: In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
the key words are "all thine heart" , sometimes we do trust and we do believe, but not with ALL our HEARTS, the secret to peace in all trials and all life's experiences comes from Trusting that our Heavenly Father knows up perfectly, loves us perfectly, and wants us to return to Him again, therefore, He will guide us through our journey and bless us, even when we think He does not hear or understand us, HE DOES! TRUST WITH ALL YOUR HEART!
Mexican French Toast
Today is your lucky day, I am going to share with you a recipe I got way back when I was in Jr High and took a Home Ec Class, I kept this recipe through the years and have never found anyone else to have this or know about it, it is my best kept secret, until today, and it is magical, so now you can be cool too when you make this for breakfast, I like to make this on weekends to make the weekend special, Try it, You will like love it!
Mexican French Toast
Mexican French Toast
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
Yolks of 3 eggs, slightly beaten
Milk, about 1 ½ cups
Beaten egg whites
8 slices of bread
Beat egg yolks until foamy, add sugar, salt and stir well. Blend in flour (all-purpose) while you also add a little of the milk to make batter the consistency of pancakes. (So you will add a little flour, then some milk, then some flour, then some milk until you reach the 2 cups flour and 1 ½ cups milk) Fold in beaten whites of eggs last.
Dip bread in batter and fry in deep fat at 360 degrees in electric frying pan. Or if you don’t want it deep fried, just fry in some butter or a little bit of oil in regular frying pan.
This is the best French toast ever! YUM
This is like putting pancake batter over your bread for french toast, I use my own homemade bread, or you can use french bread from the store, or that Texas Toast breast. So Yummy! My Jenna hates things that are fried, so I try to make some that are not Fried in oil, but the ones fried in a little oil (I just put oil in a big 12 in pan , not too much oil, enough to coat the bottom and a little more) are so tasty with the crunchy edges, oh man, to die for!
For the nourishing of our souls:
That was my magical recipe and my most favorite recipe! Yes, I am a breads person as you can tell, so how about a magical song, my most favorite to sing to, (oh dang, I came back to this recipe only to find this song is not available anymore and I dont even know what the song is, so I am oh so curious what song I thought was magical, ha ha) so lets go to another fun song, here
Syrup Toppings for Pancakes and French Toast
Okay, my last post was my favorite pancake batter to make, so here is my favorite syrup topping recipe I got from Shauna when she went to Snow College. They had pancake Fridays and would get a big group together to make pancakes and syrup and enjoy, here is the recipe she shared with us that has become of course our favorite:
Yummy Syrup from Shauna’s Snow College Pancake Friday
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
2 TBLSP Karo syrup
Bring to a boil over stove top and boil for five minutes stirring frequently
Then remove from heat and add:
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
Serve over pancakes, and the best pancakes are the ones with mini chocolate chips added to the pancake batter while you are cooking them, yum TO DIE FOR!
and in my Sandridge Ward Cookbook good ol Nancy Glauser has the best recipes, but she got me addicted to this Apple Syrup for Pancakes:
APPLE SYRUP
Combine in saucepan:
2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbls cornstarch
Mix together thoroughly.
Add:
2 cups apple juice
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup peeled and sliced apples
For a bettertaste, add 2 Tblsp of butter at the end of cooking time.
Cook and stir over medium heat until it starts to bubble and thickens. Remove from heat and let cool a little before serving it on pancakes or waffles.
SO YUMMY
Nancy also posted Blueberry Topping for Pancakes:
Blueberry Syrup
Empty 1 can Wymans sweetened blueberries with juice in saucepan. Mix two cups of sugar with 2 Tblsp cornstarch. Add to blueberries and heat on medium until the mixture bubbles and it loses its cloudy color and becomes clear again. Cool slightly before serving on pancakes.
(I am not sure where all you can buy the Wymans brand, I think we got it at Smiths but I have not checked recently, I will look around at the stores and let you know)
For the nourishing of our souls:
When my children were little and starting to say things not nice or fighting with eachother, I would start singing this song : "Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too, when your heart is filled with love, others will love you"
If we can sing to our children primary and church songs, they will stick and our children will recall them in times of struggle or need, do you have a favorite song you sing?
St John 15:16
If ye love me, keep my commandments
Favorite Whole Wheat Pancake or Waffles
Tonight we had breakfast for dinner, I had put baked potatoes in the oven for an hour this morning, then turned the oven off while we went to church and let the potatoes finish cooking in the oven until we get home, our favorite sunday lunch is to eat baked potatoes with pork and beans on top with cheese and sourcream or whatever toppings you have to put on top! So we used the leftover potatoes to make hash browns (I just put some butter in a pan, grate the potatoes and fry until golden brown on both sides, I like to add sauteed onions or even mushrooms if I have them , but the kids dont alway like that so I do it separately and you can add it to your hashbrowns)
My Favorite Pancakes or Waffles
from Set for Life Cook Book
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
1 Tblsp honey or sugar
1 Tblsp oil
1 cup Skim Milk
Mix dry ingredients. Add egg, honey, oil, and milk, stirring just unitl flour is moistened. Batter will be slightly lumpy. (Recipe says for lighter pancakes or waffle,s separate egg yolk and white, beat whites until stiff, and fold into batter the last minute, I dont do this)
Bake immediately on a hot griddle, turning once, or in a hot waffle iron.
Yield 12 2" pancakes
For apple pancakes you can fold 1 finely chopped medium apple and 1 tsp cinnamon into the batter
For blueberry pancakes, when one side of the pancakes are browned, flip over and sprinkle drained blueberries (on the uncooked side) Turn and cook other side.
I will post my favorite syrups in next post!
For our nourishing of our souls, today was Sunday and I love to go to church to learn, I got to teach a young Primary class on Obedience so I will share that scripture with you
St John 8:29: And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Love that scripture, for one, none of us are left alone and for two, our Savior is the perfect example for us to follow, and or Savior always did those things that please HeavenlyFather, and so should we , if we could keep that in mind each day, we would have so much more joy and peace. The song "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam popped into my head, and the part where it sings "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for him each day, in every way try to please him, at home, at school or play!
LETS BE SUNBEAMS!
My Favorite Pancakes or Waffles
from Set for Life Cook Book
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
1 Tblsp honey or sugar
1 Tblsp oil
1 cup Skim Milk
Mix dry ingredients. Add egg, honey, oil, and milk, stirring just unitl flour is moistened. Batter will be slightly lumpy. (Recipe says for lighter pancakes or waffle,s separate egg yolk and white, beat whites until stiff, and fold into batter the last minute, I dont do this)
Bake immediately on a hot griddle, turning once, or in a hot waffle iron.
Yield 12 2" pancakes
For apple pancakes you can fold 1 finely chopped medium apple and 1 tsp cinnamon into the batter
For blueberry pancakes, when one side of the pancakes are browned, flip over and sprinkle drained blueberries (on the uncooked side) Turn and cook other side.
I will post my favorite syrups in next post!
For our nourishing of our souls, today was Sunday and I love to go to church to learn, I got to teach a young Primary class on Obedience so I will share that scripture with you
St John 8:29: And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
Love that scripture, for one, none of us are left alone and for two, our Savior is the perfect example for us to follow, and or Savior always did those things that please HeavenlyFather, and so should we , if we could keep that in mind each day, we would have so much more joy and peace. The song "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam popped into my head, and the part where it sings "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, to shine for him each day, in every way try to please him, at home, at school or play!
LETS BE SUNBEAMS!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Oven Baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries
I love French Fries. I love baked Fries. I love to dip them in fry sausce too! Came across this recipe and made them and really liked them
Oven Baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries
1 pound of medium russett potatoes (approx 3 medium)
1 1/2 Tblsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/8 tsp Dried Rosemary
1/4 tsp of Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp of Old Bay Seasoning (if you dont have it can leave it out)
2 Tblsp of Kraft Paremsan Style Grated Cheese
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Wash and cut potatoes into 1/8ths
Place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with foil and spray with Pam or lightly grease
Mix all of the spices and the parmesan cheese in a small bowl
Place all of the poatoes into a gallon size freezer bag, add olive oil and the parmesan cheese /spice mixture to the bag
Seal the bag and shake until the potatoes are evenly coated
Once thoroughly coated dump onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread in a single layer
Bake 30-45 minutes or until tender and lightly golden brown. (Baking time will vary according to how many potatoes you make and the size you cut them)
You can double this recipe or triple this recipe but only do it in these amounts (3 potatoes) at one time as you can only fit the 3 lbs potatoes in the freezer bag at one time!
and now for the nourishing of our souls: Psalm 100:1-3
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
I like the Serve the Lord with Gladness part, we need to be a joyful people and be glad to serve in our callings or serve as visiting teachers or home teachers and if we are suffering, we need to find joy in our suffering. To help me, I like to sing my heart out to songs I find on you tube and so forth, so again, here is a link to a good song that Shayla pointed out and I liked found here
I love good songs! Enjoy!
Oven Baked Parmesan Seasoned Fries
1 pound of medium russett potatoes (approx 3 medium)
1 1/2 Tblsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 tsp Dried Thyme
1/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/8 tsp Dried Rosemary
1/4 tsp of Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp of Old Bay Seasoning (if you dont have it can leave it out)
2 Tblsp of Kraft Paremsan Style Grated Cheese
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Wash and cut potatoes into 1/8ths
Place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with foil and spray with Pam or lightly grease
Mix all of the spices and the parmesan cheese in a small bowl
Place all of the poatoes into a gallon size freezer bag, add olive oil and the parmesan cheese /spice mixture to the bag
Seal the bag and shake until the potatoes are evenly coated
Once thoroughly coated dump onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread in a single layer
Bake 30-45 minutes or until tender and lightly golden brown. (Baking time will vary according to how many potatoes you make and the size you cut them)
You can double this recipe or triple this recipe but only do it in these amounts (3 potatoes) at one time as you can only fit the 3 lbs potatoes in the freezer bag at one time!
and now for the nourishing of our souls: Psalm 100:1-3
Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves: we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
I like the Serve the Lord with Gladness part, we need to be a joyful people and be glad to serve in our callings or serve as visiting teachers or home teachers and if we are suffering, we need to find joy in our suffering. To help me, I like to sing my heart out to songs I find on you tube and so forth, so again, here is a link to a good song that Shayla pointed out and I liked found here
I love good songs! Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
My Favorite and Only Whole Wheat Bread I will Make
Okay, thanks to my favorite daughter in law Krista Marshall Harrah, I am posting this TODAY! Her little boy Jaxon begs for my cinnamon toast every time he comes over, so I keep homemade bread on my counter just for him! But I found this recipe on the sisters cafe at this link but of course I have tweaked it a bit, so here is my version, and yes, the first thing I do when I make bread is get out my old grinder and grind up whole wheat, I buy the big bags of white whole wheat found at Winco for only $15.00, and keep them in my buckets I already had. The secret to my bread and why it is so FLUFFY is because I use the wheat gluten and dough enhancer, both of which I buy at Winco for only 3.50 or 4.00 a can, I think you can buy it at WalMart as well and I will keep my eyes open to see where else you can buy it, but I keep those stocked on my counter for when I make bread!
Yummy, Easy Whole Wheat Bread (4 medium loaves)
Yummy, Easy Whole Wheat Bread (4 medium loaves)
4 cups hot tap water (helps offset the cool can of milk)
1 (12oz) can evaporated milk
3 Tblsp instant yeast (like SAF)
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup honey (use the same measuring glass as the oil and the honey slides right out)
2/3 cup honey (use the same measuring glass as the oil and the honey slides right out)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup white flour
4 Tblsp vital wheat gluten
4 Tblsp dough enhancer
1 1/2 Tblsp salt
10-12 cups whole wheat flour (I used white wheat: approx 8c wheat berries= 12 c flour)
Grind your wheat (in your electric wheat grinder) while getting everything else ready. Then, using a Bosch or other heavy duty mixer, combine ingredients in the order given, mixing well after half the flour, then add the other half of flour and salt. Add a little extra white flour as needed if dough is too sticky. Knead in mixer for 6-7 minutes. Dump out dough on your ‘Rolpat’ or if you don’t have one, pour a little oil on your countertop and spread with your hand. Form into a long log, then divide into 5 loaves. Form each loaf into a log shape and place in medium sized nonstick bread pan. Press down the sides of each dough piece to fill the bottom of the pan, leaving the top round and smooth. Turn on your oven to 200 degrees and then turn off. Put the four bread pans of dough into the oven and let it sit for 30 minutes or 35 min. Then turn the oven to 350 and set your time for 33 minutes. Remove from oven to wire racks and brush tops of hot loaves with butter, if desired. Let cool about 10 minutes, then remove from pans and let cool completely before slicing. (if you can wait that long!!)
Notes: I dont measure if I use 12 cups flour or not, I go by if the dough looks right and by that I mean if it is all gathered together, if you add too much flour it ruins it, so it is better to have less flour than more. You can half this recipe and do it in a Kitchen Aid.
This really is the quickest and easiest way to make bread, as you mostly dump all the ingredients in, let mixer do the kneading, pour into bread pans, let the oven do the rising, and then bake, and the aroma in your kitchen is out of this world when this bread is baking! sometimes the hardest part is just grinding my wheat flour! (and that is not hard at all)
You can have hot homemade bread in less than 2 hours! I make this recipe like every two or three days because I share a loaf with my neighbor and we eat it for toast and oatmeal, sandwiches and garlic toast for dinner! YUM try it, if I did not explain this right or you have any questions after making it, please write a comment!
POST UPDATE: MAKING BREAD DOES TAKE PRACTICE AND KNOWLEDGE! I FOUND THIS TUTORIAL AND IT SHOWS WHAT I WAS SAYING IN MY RECIPE, PLEASE READ THIS FOR PICTURES, IDEAS, AND HOW TO:
HERE
POST UPDATE: MAKING BREAD DOES TAKE PRACTICE AND KNOWLEDGE! I FOUND THIS TUTORIAL AND IT SHOWS WHAT I WAS SAYING IN MY RECIPE, PLEASE READ THIS FOR PICTURES, IDEAS, AND HOW TO:
HERE
For the nourishing of our souls: Okay, since you get my favorite and most requested bread recipe and the thing that has made me popular in my ward (they say "there goes that girl who makes the best bread") ha, you get my most favorite song, I heard it on KLOVE and found it here Seriously, the best song ever, brings tears to my eyes, Christ is with us all the time! It is called "All This time" by Britt Nicole
And now for my challenge for each of you: Today or Tomorrow I want you to make my chocolate bundt cake, my seond post, (I have a yellow cake in my bundt pan baking as I type) and take it to someone in need, pray about who you should take it to and then take it to them, and then I want you to comment and let me know what you did or how it went, I promise you will go to bed with a happy heart! and of course it doesnt have to be chocolate, you can do a white cake or yellow or strawberry, just BAKE IT!
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