Vacation: 1: a respite or a time of respite from something : intermission 2 a: a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspended b: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee 3: a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation 4: an act or an instance of vacating
June 28, 2009
June 26, 2009
Freezer Food Friday – Caribbean Jerk Chicken
Welcome to Freezer Food Friday. Today I have a chicken recipe that can be prepared ahead and frozen to be used later. Please share a recipe on your blog and link it below using Mr Linky ( if Mr Link is misbehaving… leave a link in the comments.
2 1/2 lbs chicken pieces
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp ground red pepper flakes
1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix
Combine ingredients except chicken in a small bowl. Add chicken to a freezer bag, then add Caribbean Jerk mixture. Carefully move the chicken around so it is thoroughly coated, then freeze.
On cooking day, thaw in refrigerator and remove chicken pieces, disposing of the leftover marinade. Barbeque on a grill or bake in a 375 oven for approx 60 minutes (may vary depending on which chicken pieces are used.
June 19, 2009
Swiss Steak Freezer Recipe
Welcome to Freezer Food Friday. Today I have a main dish recipe that can be prepared ahead and frozen to be used later. Please share a recipe on your blog and link it below using Mr Linky ( if Mr Link is misbehaving… leave a link in the comments.
2 lbs round steak, ½” thick cut
¼ cup flour
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 tbsp oil
½ cup green pepper, minced
1 ¼ cup onion, minced
1 16-oz can tomatoes
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Cut steak into 8 individual pieces, using a fork to pierce each side of each piece. In a small bowl, combine flour, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. Top one side of the steak pieces with half this mixture, then use a meat mallet to pound the flour mixture into the steak. Flip the pieces over and repeat.
In large skillet, heat oil and brown meat for about 15 minutes, turning frequently. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover skillet and allow to simmer for 1 hour, adding small amounts of water as needed.
In a separate bowl, combine green pepper, onion, tomatoes, salt and ¼ tsp pepper, mixing well. Add to skillet, cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Divide skillet contents in half (including tomato sauce mixture), and place in 8×8 freezer containers – foil is best so you can reheat right in container. Allow to cool, seal and label with cooking instructions.
On cooking day: Remove from freezer while oven is preheating to 400F. Remove lid and bake for 30-40 minutes or until steak is tender. Serve with rice or noodles.
June 18, 2009
Slow Cooking Thursday – Peachy Marmalade Bananas
Today is Slow Cooking Thursday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Dessert anyone?
From Julie Kay
Serves 4.
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 cup coconut
1 (21-oz.) can peach pie filling
1/4 cup orange marmalade
1. Put all ingredients into slow cooker and cook on Low for 2 hours.
2. Serve over cubed angel food cake, ice cream or ladyfingers in a dessert goblet or small bowl. Sprinkle with extra coconut, if desired.
June 13, 2009
Another Birthday
Today my “baby” hits the big time, gets double digits, turns 10!!!! She has changed so much this year. Gone is (most of ) the stubborn ” You can’t make me ” little girl. She has become a big help around the house. She is ” Sweetie Petitie ” , a little short on one end, vertically challenged ( takes after her mom ).
If you are new to this blog ( or new to me ) HERE is her birth story along with my son’s, and an explanation of my liver condition. If I disappear for a few days, it usually means I am in the hospital dealing with an infection.
Today we plan on seeing UP, grilling steaks, and for birthday ” cake ” an Edward’s Cookies & Creme Pie ( she found it in the freezer and said ” Can I have this for my birthday? “. Who am I to deny her?
June 12, 2009
Make-Ahead Spinach Manicotti
Welcome to Freezer Food Friday. please share a recipe on your blog ( or in the comments here ). Link your recipe, using Mr Linky below ( if he is behaving, if not leave it in the comments ).
Thanks for sharing!
From Taste of Home
SERVINGS 6-8
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1 egg
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
2 jars (28 ounces each) spaghetti sauce
1-1/2 cups water
1 package (8 ounces) manicotti shells
DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, egg, parsley, onion powder, pepper and garlic powder. Combine spaghetti sauce and water; spread 1 cup sauce in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish.
Stuff uncooked manicotti with spinach mixture; arrange over sauce. Pour remaining sauce over manicotti. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-50 minutes or until heated through.
Yield: 6-8 servings.
June 11, 2009
Slow Cooking Thursday – Meaty Chili Dip
Today is Slow Cooking Thursday, hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom
Today I am highlighting a previous post from my blog ( it happens to be what I am making for dinner tonight ).
Go check it out: Meaty Chili Dip . Come back tomorrow for Freezer Food Friday
June 10, 2009
BANANA-COCONUT MUFFINS ( or pancakes, or quick bread )
BANANA-COCONUT MUFFINS
1½ cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
¼ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup butter, softened
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly oil 12 muffin cups or coat them with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Stir in the coconut and set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together the bananas, buttermilk and vanilla. Set aside.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on high to beat the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes longer. Beat in the egg.
With the mixer on low, alternately beat in the dry ingredients in three additions and the banana mixture in two additions, beating until just combined each time.
Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed at the center and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool.
Makes 12 muffins.
To make pancake batter
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and coconut. In another bowl, whisk together ¼ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup melted butter, 3 mashed ripe bananas, ¾ cup buttermilk and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using a rubber spatula, fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients until no traces of flour remain.
To make a quick bread batter
Follow the same ingredient list as the muffins, but increase the flour to 1¾ cups. Bake in a 9×5-inch loaf pan at 350 F for 45 to 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted at the center comes out clean.
June 7, 2009
Menu Plan 119
Here is my menu plan for this week ( actually started on Saturday ). Post your plan and link it on Orjunkie’s Menu Plan Monday post ( it will be up later tonight ). Standard disclaimer: this is the PLAN, as we all know PLANS CHANGE!
Lemon Rosemary Salmon, Mashed Red Potatoes With Garlic And Parmesan, salad
Tortellini in Alfredo Sauce
Grilled Turkey burgers and Grilled Mexican Corn
Rachael Ray’s Spicy Honey-Nut Chicken, rice
Sunday evenings are catch as catch can: leftovers, breakfast, fruit and yogurt etc.
Wednesday – making this version of Tiramisu to take to a friend’s house
June 5, 2009
Super Suppers Steak Soup
Welcome to Freezer Food Friday. Today I have a recipe for oat bars that can be prepared ahead and frozen to be used later. Please share a recipe on your blog and link it below using Mr Linky ( if Mr Link is misbehaving… leave a link in the comments.
Super Suppers Steak Soup
From the Super Suppers Cookbook.
SERVES 8
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 lb round steak, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 cups finely chopped onions
1 lb fresh white mushroom, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
4 cups water
2 (15 ounce) cans beef broth
1 teaspoon Kitchen Bouquet
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
In a soup pot, cook bacon until crisp.
Remove bacon and set aside.
Add steak pieces to drippings and brown.
Add onions, mushrooms and garlic and cook for about three minutes.
Mix in bacon, water, broth and kitchen bouquet.
Turn heat to low.
Cover and cook about 1 1/2 hours or until steak is really tender.
Mix in salt and pepper.
You can eat this now or freeze for later.
If freezing, put soup in freezer container.
When ready to eat, thaw in fridge and heat until bubbly.
