Fun for the WHOLE Family!

I recenlty found this recipe in a magazine and couldn't wait to try it. Then, when my difficult to shop for Dad requested ice cream as a gift for Father's Day, I thought it was the perfect opportunity. We had so much fun SHAKING our bags to make our very own serving of the yummiest homemade ice cream....and what a fun memory! :)

Homemade Ice Cream in a Bag

What you'll need:
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup milk or half & half
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
6 tablespoons rock salt
1 pint-size plastic food storage bag (e.g., Ziploc)
1 gallon-size plastic food storage bag
Ice cubes

How to make it:
Fill the large bag half full of ice, and add the rock salt. Seal the bag.
Put milk, vanilla, and sugar into the small bag, and seal it.
Place the small bag inside the large one, and seal it again carefully.
Shake until the mixture is ice cream, which takes about 5 minutes.
Wipe off the top of the small bag, then open it carefully. Enjoy!

Tips:
A 1/2 cup milk will make about 1 scoop of ice cream, so double the recipe if you want more. But don't increase the proportions more that that -- a large amount might be too big for kids to pick-up because the ice itself is heavy.

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE!!!... SO COLDDDD...and 5 minutes is SOOO long!!!...

Tah dah!!!...Slickpaw loved this part of his Father's Day gift!!!... mmm...MMMM...gooood!!!...

Chopsticks Optional!

Last night I made this! It was different! Good different! ...But, my favorite thing about the whole thing was what I learned in making it. ...When I was thawing the chicken (and it wasn't completely frozen, but wasn't yucky chicken either), I went ahead and cut it into strips! It was SOOO easy! Why has no one ever shared that secret with me before!? That's how I'll trim the gross stuff off of my chicken from now on. ...
Orange-Chicken Rice Bowl
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/4 cup KRAFT Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables
3 cups hot cooked long-grain rice
1/4 cup chopped Peanuts

Heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; stir-fry 5 to 7 min. or until cooked through. Stir in dressing and juice. Bring to boil. Add vegetables; cook 5 to 7 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice. Sprinkle with nuts.

Just Enough

This is the perfect sized bite of dessert!...or snack...or breakfast! ;0)

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Brownie Babies
1 pkg. (19 to 21 oz.) brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups Whipped Topping
20 maraschino cherries or raspberries

Heat oven to 350ºF. Prepare brownie batter as directed on package. Spoon into 20 paper-lined muffin cups. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, peanut butter and vanilla with mixer until blended. Spoon 1 rounded Tbsp. into center of batter in each cup, pressing down slightly into batter. Bake 30 min. or until centers are set. Cool. Serve topped with whipped cream and cherries.

"Stromberry" Bread

When my little guy got up at 6:30 this morning (yuck!), I took the opportunity to do a little baking. Yesterday, I saw this yummy Strawberry Bread recipe on Annalee's blog and actually had ALL of the ingredients to make it...including a good amount of strawberries that were going to go bad if I didn't use them right away! ...And, it was super easy...and a perfect breakfast. ... Q loved the "stromberry" bread too!

Strawberry Bread
1 1/2 C flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1 C sugar
2 beaten eggs
1 T vanilla (I chose to add this!)
1/2 C oil
1 C chopped strawberries (frozen or fresh, or frozen thaw first)
3/4 C chopped pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Stir until well moistened. Pour in greased loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until done throughout.

{My little guy pointing out the "stromberries" that he sees!}...

Back in the Kitchen

Due to Matt's recent surgery, the past two weeks we have been blessed with amazing meals from sweet families from church. But, today, it was back to work! :) And, I loved this new recipe...so easy...so yummy!

Mac Chicken Cacciatore
1 pkg. (7-1/4 oz.) Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup chopped green peppers

Grill chicken and cut in chunks. (You know how I love the George Forman!) Prepare mac & cheese in large saucepan as directed on package. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook on low heat 5 min. or until heated through, stirring occasionally.