Carmel Filled Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are super easy and do delicious. If you love chocolate and Carmel these will be hard to keep your hands off!!!


http://www.veryculinary.com/_recipes/caramel-filled-chocolate-cake-cookies-print.html

Recipe: Martha Stewart Macaroni and Cheese

When I couldn't really get around after tearing my ligament in my ankle a great friend brought our family this delicious dish.  I couldn't get enough of it.  I ate pretty much the whole pan by myself throughout the week and still wanted more.  The taste is SO good!

http://www.marthastewart.com/281007/macaroni-and-cheese

• 

Nobody knows exactly when the first batch of macaroni and cheese was made, but the dish dates at least to the colonial era, when Thomas Jefferson returned from a trip to Italy with a pasta machine and subsequently served macaroni and cheese at his dinner parties. Centuries later, in 1937, Kraft introduced its version, which has since become a staple in pantries across the country. Martha's recipe is one of her favorite comfort foods -- rich, flavorful, and easy to make. You can easily divide this recipe in half: Use a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish.

• Yield Serves 12

Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
• 6 slices good white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
• 5 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 4 1/2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese (about 18 ounces)
• 2 cups grated Gruyere cheese (about 8 ounces) or 1 1/4 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese (about 5 ounces)
• 1 pound elbow macaroni

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread, and toss. Set breadcrumbs aside.
2. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.
3. While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
4. Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.
5. Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
6. Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

Recipe: French Toast Bites

I found this delicious recipe on Pinterest.  I LOVED it!  It was so stinkin yummy.  I hope you will try it and enjoy!

http://www.thatssoyummy.com/recipes/french-toast-kebabs-with-strawberry-syrup/#more-5471

I did regular syrup and whipped cream.  I didn't thread on the kabobs either we just had the strawberries on the side.

Recipe: Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

I found this recipe on Pinterest through Emily Bites - http://www.emilybites.com/2012/01/philly-cheesesteak-sloppy-joes.html

It was simple and delicious.  My son ate it and my husband wanted more.  I used Mozzarella cheese because that is what I had.  Below is the recipe off of Emily Bites.  ENJOY!!!



Ingredients:
1 lbs 95% lean ground beef, raw
1 large (softball-sized) white onion, diced
1 medium or large green bell pepper, diced
3 T steak sauce
1 cup fat free beef broth
Salt & black pepper to taste
5 light wheat sandwich rolls (I used Weight Watchers brand rolls)
5 slices 2% Provolone cheese (I used Sargento)

Directions:
1.    Bring a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat and add the ground beef. Brown beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once cooked, add the peppers and onions and continue to cook for a few more minutes until vegetables are softened. Mix in the steak sauce, beef broth, salt and pepper and bring to a bubble. Allow the mixture to bubble for about 5 minutes.
2.    Make sure you have an oven rack in the top third of your oven and pre-heat the oven to broil. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Open the sandwich rolls and lay both sides cut side up. Using your fingers, press the middle-inside of the bottom half of the roll to make a little more room for the meat mixture. Scoop about ¾ cup of the meat mixture onto the pressed bottom half of each roll. Top the meat mixture with a slice of the cheese. The top half of the rolls will be bare and cut side up.
3.    Place the baking sheet onto the oven rack in the top 1/3 of the oven and broil for about 1 minute (check at 30 seconds and again at 50 to prevent burning – broiling happens fast!) Cover the loaded bottom half of each roll with its toasted top half counterpart and serve!

E-Mealz: Make meal planning easy

I have posted before about E-mealz but now that I have been using it - I really love it.  They have a huge variety of plans to choose from and I have liked them all that I have tried.

You can choose from portion control, whole foods, store specific, family of 4, family of 2...It also gives you a shopping list too.  You can visit and even download some samples.  If you choose a store specific plan it will even give you the total cost.

Click here and sign up - just try it and see what it does for you!

E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

Enjoy!!!!

New Year's Eve Appetizer Ideas

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve so here is a few ideas for appetizers.

• Cucumber Sandwiches - I make them with pita bread instead.- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cucumber-sandwiches-iii/
• Wings
• Queso Dip
• Jalapeno Poppers - http://organizingparent.blogspot.com/2011/02/recipe-super-bowl-party-appetizers-and.html
• Beefy Biscuits - http://organizingparent.blogspot.com/2011/02/recipe-super-bowl-party-appetizers-and.html
• Deviled Egg
• Apples and dip -Bar of cream cheese, a tub of Carmel from Marzettis- mix together and top with Toffee chips.  Serve with Apples

French Toast Bake

Yesterday we had breakfast for dinner and it was delicious!  I made this yummy tasty French Toast bake.  I had to share the recipe.

French Toast

1 lb French Bread 1 ½ inch slices
4 Eggs
2 cups of Milk
1 teaspoon of Cinnamon
¼ cup vanilla
3 Tablespoons of Sugar
4 Tablespoons of Butter

Crumb Topping
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup soft butter
¼ cup oatmeal
½ teaspoon Cinnamom
¼ cup of chopped Pecans (optional)


Place 1 ½ inch thick bread into greased 9 x 13 pan.  Combine first 5 ingredients and pour over bread- turn over after 10 minutes (bread) until all is absorbed.  Put thin slices of butter on each piece.  Refrigerate Overnight

In the morning, preheat over at 500 degrees
Bake 15 minutes flip over pieces then add topping on each slice and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

In my hours of searching on Pinterest I came across this picture...

 

I said to myself...I HAVE TO MAKE THESE!  On Sunday it was my turn to take a treat for church and thought this is perfect.  I always make chocolate covered pretzels and people love them.  So I thought who wouldn't love these.  They went SO fast because they were delicious.  I made them on Sunday morning before church because I was too lazy on Saturday but good thing I waited or else I would have been in trouble.

Check out the blog where I found them!

http://17andbaking.com/2011/03/25/peanut-butter-pretzel-bites-dipped-in-chocolate/

Labor Day Food Ideas

Since the last holiday of the summer is just around the corner and you may be starting to make plans I thought I would share a few ideas that I have come across.

• Yummy Recipes- http://hoosierhomemade.com/labor-day-cook-out-idea/
• Fun Hamburger and Fruit Bar Idea- http://swanky-chic-fete.blogspot.com/2011/04/cute-as-button-pink-and-gray-birthday.html
• Flag Ideas- http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2010/06/flag-day/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TastyKitchenBlog+%28Tasty+Kitchen+Blog%29
• Love these strawberries- made them for 4th of July- http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/2011/07/easy-red-white-blue-strawberries.html
• http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Holiday---Celebration-Recipes/Labor-Day-Recipes
  

Slow Melt Popsicles

I know this may seem like a silly post but I have to write one.  I LOVE Popsicles but I don't like them when they are dripping down the front of my child's shirt, melting as soon as you walk outside and most of all HUGE for little kids. 

I came across a great box of Popsicles called Slow Melts.  They are tiny and don't melt fast at all.  Look for them in the store if you have little ones because they will make having a Popsicle enjoyable!

E-Mealz- a meal planning website

I just signed up for FitMarriage and they are doing a giveaway from E-mealz.  I want to try this so bad even it I don't win the giveaway.

It is a site where you choose the type of grocery list you want and to what to store.  They will then send it to you on a certain day.  You will save:
1- Money because you will have a meal plan and they match it up with the sale prices at the store you choose
2- Time because you print a shopping list in line with the aisles at your store.

I am so excited to look around some more.

Here is the link to the giveway!
I just entered to win 3 months of FREE meal plans from @EMEALZ courtesy of @FitMarriage and you can join me…plus get 10% off when you sign up on your own! http://wp.me/p12C22-12T

Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Salad

I LOVE this yummy combination of foods. It is light and refreshing too.

 

Ingredients

• 6 small tomatoes (4 medium)
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella
• 10 to 15 basil leaves
• 3 tablespoons good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and arrange casually with the basil leaves on a large platter. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature.

I like to add some balsamic vinegar too- my fav!

 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/tomato-mozzarella-and-basil-salad-recipe/index.html

Monkey Bread

For the moms study group I go to our tables rotate taking snacks each week.  So this week I made Pigs In A Blanket and Monkey Bread.  The Monkey Bread was delicious and simple.  Here is the recipe!

Ingredients

• 1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
•  1/4 cup white sugar
•  1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 3 (10 ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits

Directions

1. In a plastic bowl with tight-fitting lid, combine pudding mix, sugar, cinnamon and pecans if desired. Pour the butter into a shallow bowl. Cut the biscuits into quarters. Dip several pieces into the butter, then place in bowl; cover and shake. Remove to a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan or a 9 x 13 pan. Continue until all the biscuit pieces are coated. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan for 30 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate.

Resurrection Rolls

I am going to do these!

Article and Picture FOUND at  http://savingdollarsandsense.com/2011/04/06/resurrection-rolls-recipe.html


Easter is just around the corner and as a Christian family it has always been a time of reflection of all that has been done for us.
If you are looking for a fun and simple way to share the message of the cross with even the little members of your family then this recipe is for you!
As parents we need to share our faith with our children at all ages.  This recipe is a great way to do just that, and they get to enjoy a yummy treat at the end of the lesson.

Resurrection Rolls

Ingredients

1 package Cresent rolls
melted butter
large marshmallows
cinnamon
sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degree

Give each child a triangle from the cresent rolls
The cresent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in

Give each child a marshmallow.
This represents Jesus and His purity.

Have child dip the marshmallow in melted butter.
This represents the oils of embalming.

Dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.
This represents the spices used to annoint the body of Jesus.

Wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in the cresent roll
(not like a typical cresent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside, otherwise the marshmallow will leak out.)
This represents the wrapping of Jesus’ body after death.

Place in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
The oven represents the tomb

When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (cloths) and discover that Jesus is no longer there,

HE IS RISEN!

The marshmallow melts and the cresent roll is puffed up,
but like the tomb - IT IS EMPTY!

I found another recipe that is completely home made and doesn’t use refrigerated cresent rolls. This may work better for those of you who already have the simple ingredients on hand. You can find the recipe here.
I think this is a great tradition to add to your Easter time celebrations that takes the focus off the eggs and chocolate bunnies for a while and puts it right where it belongs!


http://savingdollarsandsense.com/2011/04/06/resurrection-rolls-recipe.html

Here are my Resurrection Rolls- they were super fun and delicious too!!!

 Some of them didn't seal up so well but the ones that did and did not leak the marshmallow were perfect!

They were empty!

Recipe: Rocky Top Brownies

I want to try these and haven't had the chance too.  Rocky Top Brownies- found in the Southern Living Kids Cookbook.
I rented my cookbook from the library after seeing it at a friends house.  We love it!

ROCKY TOP BROWNIES

• YIELD: Makes 32 brownies
• PREP TIME:10 MINUTES
• BAKE:25 MINUTES

Ingredients

• 1 (19-ounce) package brownie mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 3 large eggs
• 1 (13-ounce) package miniature chocolate-covered peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Stir together first 3 ingredients until blended. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch pan.
• Bake at 350° for 23 minutes or until center is set. 
• Remove from oven, and sprinkle brownies evenly with chopped candy. Return to oven, and bake 2 minutes. 
• Remove from oven, and cool completely on a wire rack. Cut brownies into squares.

Here are the pics when I made them!  They are super rich!

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/rocky-top-brownies-10000001144180/

Recipe: Easy Fettuccini Alfredo

Easy Fettuccini Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese
• 1 (4 oz) cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
• 1/2 cup milk
• 8 oz. cooked fettuccini noodles, cooked and drained

Stir cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter and milk in a saucepan on low heat until smooth.  Add fettuccini and toss and sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on top.

Add Grilled Chicken if you want!

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

A family friend makes this delicious Caramel Apple Dip.  She was featured in our local paper for it and once you eat it you will know why.

• 1- 8 oz. Cream Cheese, soften
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup chopped lightly salted skinless peanuts

Mix 1st - 3 ingredients well, add peanuts, mix.  Cut apples in wedges and dip!

This doesn't turn out well (is very lumpy) if you use FF cream cheese.  You can use light cream cheese.
If you have a small electric food chopper, that works great for chopping the peanuts, you want them very fine.

Recipe: Waldorf Salad

A very yummy salad that I used to say to my mom, "that is so gross"- now I love it!

Desired Amount of:

• Apples (small bite size pieces)
• Grapes (cut in half)
• Celery (Diced)
• Walnuts

Place in a bowl.

Dressing:

• Hellman's Mayo (I use light)
• Sugar to taste
• Cinnamon to taste
• Drops of milk (make consistency you like, don't make it to runny, as it will thin out as it gets mixed into the salad)

Dressing should be a light brown.  

Add dressing amount you desire to the Ingredients.

Recipe: Simple Nut Mix

Here is a simple nut mix that my mother-in-law makes and it is yummy!

• 1 pound Almonds, plain
• 1 pound Walnuts
• 1 bag of Dried Cranberries or Cranberry/Orange from Trader Joe's
• 1 egg white
• 1 tespoon water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)

Pre-Heat oven at 225 degrees
In a small bowl add egg white and water.  Whisk until frothy.
Add Almonds to coat
Toss almonds with sugar, cinnamon and salt.
On a greased baking sheet, place a single layer of Almonds.
Bake at 225 degrees for 1 hour.  Rotate every 20 minutes

After almonds cool, add walnuts and cranberries and mix.  Store in an air-tight container.

Recipe: Ravioli Lasagna

Ravioli Lasagna

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 jar (26 oz) triple mushroom pasta sauce
• 2 bags (13 oz each) frozen square cheese ravioli, thawed
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend

Recipe Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Coat a 9-in. square baking dish and a sheet of foil with nonstick spray. Put pasta sauce in a bowl; stir in 1⁄2 cup water.

2. Spread 1 cup sauce in dish. Top with 20 ravioli (or 1⁄3 of the total), flat sides up andjust touching each other. Spread with 3⁄4 cup sauce; sprinkle with 1⁄2 cup cheese.

3. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining ravioli, sauce and cheese. Cover tightly with foil, sprayed side down.

4. Bake on a sheet of foil (to catch any drips) 1 hour or until bubbly around edges. Uncover and bake 5 minutes until cheese is barely golden.

My mother-in-law made this for my birthday and she brought frozen spinach, let it thaw and added it to the layers.  It was simple and delicious!

http://www.womansday.com/Recipes/Ravioli-Lasagna