Why have I never made these?

You’re going to think it’s crazy when I tell you that I’ve never made quesadillas! It’s just not something I have added to my list of quick and easy meals! …But, that has now changed…especially because of this recipe! I can’t wait to try all kinds of yummy concoctions! Black Bean Chicken Quesadillas
Cooked, shredded chicken
Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
Cilantro
Green Onion
Shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese
Lime Juice
Tortillas

In a bowl, combine cooked chicken, beans, cheese, cilantro, lime juice and onion. (use as much of each as you would like/need) Set aside. Place tortilla in heated non stick skillet sprayed with non stick spray. Spoon mixture evenly over tortilla and place another tortilla on top. Lightly press down using your spatula. Cook for a few minutes until bottom of tortilla is golden brown, then carefully flip and cook for a few more minutes until tortilla is golden brown and cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve quesadillas with salsa, sour cream and guacamole.

My Minestrone Cheat

I love a good Minestrone soup. And, when I was given this recipe, I was ALL in!! I don’t know if it could get any easier and it didn’t taste like it came from a can. So, if you’re in a bind for dinner and need a quick fix…here’s your ticket! Enjoy.

Easy Minestrone Soup
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
3 large cans of Progresso Minestrone Soup
2 cans of stewed tomatoes
2 cans of Ranch Style Beans
1 can Rotel
Grated Cheese

Combine all ingredients and let simmer low on stovetop or in Crock Pot. Top with grated cheese.

Leftover Halloween Candy?!

I don’t know about y’all, but we are STILL overflowing with Halloween candy! So, last week, I put some of it to good use! I grabbed a few handfulls of the chocolate kind, crushed them up and added them to a brownie mix! Sure, I added LOTS of extra calories to our already calorie-filled treat, but it was GOOD!

More Balsamic, Please!

When I wanted a fresh and different salad alternative to go with some homemade Minestrone Soup, I looked to Pinterest (of course) for some inspiration. And, I quickly found one that inspired this YUMMY dish.

And, the funniest part was how much my sweet 15 month old LOVED fresh mozzarella dipped in balsamic! He wanted more and more! ThePoeFam’s Caprese Salad
Semi-ripe avocados
Cherry Tomato
Cucumber 
Fresh Mozzarella
Chives
Dill
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper

Chop up all ingredients to desired size. Add considerable amount of dill and stir in Balsamic Vinegar to taste. Salt and Pepper if desired.

Easy Pumpkin Perfection

Need a quick and easy fall treat? Look no further! This is AS EASY as it gets…and SO yummy! They remind me of my Diet Coke Cupcakes…but for fall! And, they were gone in no time! Easy Pumpkin Muffins
1 box of cake mix (I tried Chocolate and White…white is MUCH better!)
1 can of 100% Pure Pumpkin

Mix together cake mix and pumpkin until well blended. Fill cupcake cups 3/4 full and bake according to box directions. Frost or don’t….or glaze. (recipe below)

Apple Cider Glaze
1 pkg. of Apple Cider mix
1/2 cup Powered Sugar
2 T water (or more if needed)

Mix together until desired consistency and drizzle over cupcakes.

SCROLL DOWN…

…for lots of new recipes! FINALLY! Hope you enjoy!

Avocado, Lime & Pasta? Count me IN!!!

Here’s another great and light go-to salad for parties! It was good for days and days! And, it will be made again and again!

Creamed Avocado and Lime Chilled Pasta

1 1/2cup dry shell pasta or short pasta of your choice
1 ripe avocado
handful of cilantro, roughly chopped
1 1/2Tbsp lime juice
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp garlic paste
salt & pepper
chopped cilantro and/or jalapeno for garnish

1. Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Drain well, set aside to cool.
2. Peel avocado and remove the pit. Put it in a food processor together with chopped cilantro, lime juice, mayonnaise and garlic paste. Blend it until it’s creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Cover it with plastic wrap and keep it in a refrigerator if you have time.)
3. Transfer the avocado sauce to a medium sized bowl. Add cooked pasta and toss them well. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and/or jalapeno on top.

Crock Pot to the RESCUE!

During my week of the Fast Food Strike, I found another awesome recipe on Pinterest. I have a feeling that the Crock Pot is going to be my only way to survive during this busy time of my life.

Thankfully, this recipe got rave reviews ALL around! And, once again, it was really good left over!

Creamy Mexican Crock Pot Chicken
4 frozen, boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz. block of cream cheese (NOT fat free)
1 can of black beans, drained
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of rotel

Put frozen chicken breasts in crock pot. Dump in the black beans, corn, rotel and cream cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

If you’re available, stir every 2-3 hours.

Before serving, shred the remaining chicken (mine was already pretty shredded) and serve over rice.

I made guacamole and served with these amazing lime chips! They’re our fave…Another happy customer!…

The S’mores: Reinvented

Whoever created Pinterest is a GENIOUS! Seriously, the ideas are NEVERENDING! But, whoever thought of THIS delectable treat might be EVEN more of a genius! I think the guy who created S’mores should re-think his recipe! This is BETTER!!!…

Reese’s S’mores
Graham Crackers
Big Marshmallows
Reese’s Cups

Make the S’mores as you always have…but, replace the Hershey's for a Reese’s cup! AMAZING!

FAST FOOD STRIKE!

I’m SOOOO tired of fast food! Due to our house being on the market, Matt’s new job/our new church that’s 30 minutes away from home and our CRAZY busy summer, I can honestly say that I haven’t cooked in MONTHS! Sure, we’ve eaten at home here and there…but, a REAL meal at home hasn’t happened in SO long!! It’s embarrassing, REALLY!

But, last week, I got my hiney in gear and banned Fast Food! And, it was fabulous! Pinterest gave me SO many great new recipes to try, and my family was so thankful!

The first one we tried was a little spin on Pot Roast. I LOVE pot roast, but this had a little extra “zing” that made it even better. So…give it a try! I’m pretty sure you’ll love it right out of the crock pot and leftover for the next few days!

Three-Packet Pot Roast

3 lbs. beef roast
1 package of ranch dressing mix
1 package of brown gravy mix
1 package of Italian dressing mix
1 cup of warm water
Veggies of choice

Place pot roast in the bottom of large crock pot. Mix three packages in a bowl. Cover roast with mixture. Add water and chopped veggies. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

I dare you to eat just one…

I just realized that I never posted the few new recipes I made for Nash’s party! All were super yummy and a hit!!! Especially these little guys!…

Chocolaty Pretzel Bites
Square pretzels
Hershey’s kisses
M&M’s

Preheat oven to a low setting. Place square pretzels on a cookie sheet. Place unwrapped Hershey kiss on top. Put in oven and watch for kisses to get soft. Before they completely melt, take out of the oven and smush (is that a word!?) M&M into soft Hershey kiss. Place in refrigerator to allow it to cool and set.

Painting our Breakfast

Sadly, the Summer of 2011 has consisted of eating out, taking out and more eating out! With our house on the market, I have had NO desire to have ONE MORE THING to clean or plan. And, with the CRAZY heat, the thought of cooking in the kitchen just wasn’t very appealing. So…home cooked meals have become a thing of the past. I miss it.

Anyway, I wanted to share a fun little breakfast Q and I made the other morning. Pinterest gave me {yet another} fabulous idea and Quinn had a blast. And, it was too easy. Hope you have fun painting your breakfast.

Painted Toast
Bread
Milk
Food Coloring
Paint Brushes
Jelly or Honey

Add one drop of food coloring to 1/3 up of milk and stir. Paint lightly on bread.
Toast in toaster. Cover with jelly or honey. Enjoy.

SMOOTHIE TIME!!!

Over the past month, we have become obsessed with breakfast smoothies at our house. Since the Chubber Bubs of the house has a hard time getting full, I had to find something that easily satisfied him! …And, smoothies were the answer!

Thankfully, the Big Bro of the house is enjoying them too! And, I’m loving the good stuff they’re getting each morning.

Here’s the stuff (with various mixtures each day) that we use…
We start with a few big spoonfulls of yogurt. (whole milk yogurt) Then, I add in applesauce and fresh fruits of all kinds. Next is some Odwalla juice and sometimes a splash of pineapple juice. I top it off with some baby oatmeal…and honey and Fish Oil for Q.

After the layers are complete, I turn it over, twist it on the Magic Bullet and let ‘er rip! It’s LOUD…and above the noise, I always annoyingly yell, “SMOOTHIE TIME!” Nash always smiles, kicks and LOVES it! He knows what’s coming. And, Q usually laughs, repeats my words and covers his ears!
 

This sweet face is patient for a minute…but quickly wants to EAT! Meal time is NO joke! :)

Smoothies are enjoyed by all! What a great and easy way to feed my little ones!

And, I’d love your tips of things to add in your perfect smoothie!!!! Please share!!!

Gooey Goodness!

I like coconut, but I must admit that I don’t LOVE it. I love coconut flavor more than I love the texture. … Anyway, these yummy bars were AMAZING…and, even though the recipe called for TONS of coconut, it wasn’t overwhelmingly coconutty! It is a recipe I will make again and again and again…a great “take with you” dessert! Or a great “eat the whole pan by yourself” dessert! :) Thanks, Cara, for sharing this scrumptious treat! GOOEY COCONUT BARS

20 graham crackers {2 sleeves}
1 1/2 sticks butter, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/2 cans sweetened condensed milk

Crush graham crackers and mix with salt & melted butter. Grease a 9x13 baking pan and press the graham cracker mix evenly into the bottom of the pan.

Mix the coconut flakes & chocolate chips together and spread over the graham cracker crust.

Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the coconut & chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. 

Layered Yumminess!

This yummy little Mexican treat made a GREAT dish when we had friends over last week! And, I had the option of making tostadas or soft tacos. They were YUM!!…and got rave reviews all around!

CHICKEN ENCHILADA TOSTADA
1 rotisserie chicken
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 tbsp. brown sugar, packed
1 can chopped green chilies
1 can (10 oz.) red enchilada sauce
1 cup frozen corn
1 can refried beans tostada shells OR tortillas
Toppings of your choice

Shred rotisserie chicken. Place in skillet & coat with taco seasoning & brown sugar. Add green chilies & 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce.  Cook on medium until heated through and add corn.  Cook for another 5-10 minutes.

Mix refried beans with the remaining 1/2 of the enchilada sauce and heat.

Place on top of tortilla or tostada in any desired order.

HE IS ALIVE!!!

I’ve always heard about Resurrection Rolls, but this is the first year that we made them at our house. … And, not only do they illustrate a precious message, but they are YUMMY too! A new Easter tradition at our house!

       
Resurrection Rolls
1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon
Sugar

Directions:
Show your child that each triangle shaped section of crescent roll represents the tomb.

Take one marshmallow and explain how it represents the body of Christ. 

Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial. 

Lay the marshmallow on the dough and sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar. Then, carefully wrap it around the marshmallow. 

Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams) 

Sprinkle with MORE cinnamon and sugar.

Bake according to package directions. 

Cool.

Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!!

Celebrate God's love!

Almost Too Pretty To Eat

When Quinn got up this morning, I had this fun little “food craft” all ready for him to help make. I made the dough, and he got to help with the fun stuff.
1. Mix the colors.
2. Taste the yummy dough.
3. Roll into balls.
4. Smush the balls together.
5. Make into a log…marbling as much as desired.
6. Cut and place on cookie sheet…forming into egg shapes.
7. Bake and ENJOY!!!
{See recipe below pics!}

Stained Glass Easter Egg Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
food coloring

Put the butter, sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until creamy. Add the flour. Beat with the mixer for several minutes until a smooth dough forms.

Divide the dough into 5 pieces. Put each piece in a separate bowl. Add several drops of food coloring to each bowl. Make each piece of dough a different color

Work the color into each piece of dough with your hands. Then, roll the dough into a ball. Wash your hands before working on a different color.

Now press all the dough balls together. Roll them into a log. The log should be about 8 inches long. Chill the log in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Slice the log into pieces. Each slice should be about 1/4 inch thick. (And, if desired, form them into egg shapes) Put the slices on a cookie sheet and bake them for 10 minutes at 350°.

Diet Cupcakes…is there such a thing?

When my fellow Diet Coke lover had a baby, and I took her dinner, I KNEW that these would be the perfect little dessert. And, let’s just say, they’re the EASIEST cupcakes I’ve ever made.

But, don’t let the easiness fool you. They are, quite possibly, my favorite homemade cupcakes! Something about their texture and taste is SO yum! Try them…and, if you don’t agree with me, you didn't waste any time!

Diet Coke Cupcakes
{Makes about 18 cupcakes for 125 calories each + icing calories}

1 package dry chocolate cake mix
12 ounces diet coke
icing

Mix together. (DO NOT use any of the ingredients called for on the box!)Fill cupcake cups about 2/3 full. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-16 minutes.
Let cool completely and ice.

*The texture will be different than normal cupcakes. They’re not quite as fluffy and round.