“Incredible Hulk Leaf” Pasta

Lately, my big boy has LOVED helping me with dinner. When he sees me busy at work, he drags a chair into the kitchen so that he can reach the counter…and he’s always eager to help measure, pour and stir. It’s sweet. And, in those moments I talk up how GOOOODDD it’s going to taste and how HE cooked it! :) …So, yesterday, when he asked what the “green stuff” was, instead of responding with “spinach,” I told him that it was “Incredible Hulk Leaves!” Crazy enough, he bought it! And, when it came time to eat, he LOVED his Incredible Hulk Leaf Pasta! …But, even more ridiculous than the name was my Hulk voice as I encouraged him to eat it. Matt looked at me like I was crazy…and we all determined that I sounded more like a mad robot than Hulk! Oh well…it worked! And, he even asked for more! :)
 

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
8  ounces  uncooked rigatoni
1  tablespoon  olive oil
1  cup  finely chopped onion (about 1 medium)
1  (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
3  cups  cubed cooked chicken breasts
1  (14.5-oz.) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
1  (8-oz.) container chive-and-onion cream cheese
1/2  teaspoon  salt
1/2  teaspoon  pepper
1 1/2  cups  (6 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Prepare rigatoni according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, spread oil on bottom of an 11- x 7-inch baking dish; add onion in a single layer.

3. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to a large bowl, and set aside.

4. Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between layers of paper towels.

5. Stir rigatoni, spinach, chicken, and next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into baking dish, and sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.

6. Bake, covered, at 375° for 30 minutes; uncover and bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

Homemade Fun!

While at Mammer and Slickpaw’s, we made homemade pumpkin play dough. It was so easy and smelled so good. Quinn loved it and has already enjoyed playing with it since we’ve been home. I’m not sure why we haven’t made it before…but we surely will again! Homemade Play dough

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 TBS cream of tartar
1 TBS oil
spices, flavor
food coloring

Heat all ingredients in a saucepan, slow to medium heat. Stir continuously. Once dough is at the consistency you want, remove from heat. Have fun!

       

Makes Our Throats Happy

When I found this recipe, I really think that my mouth started watering. This was MY kinda recipe! …Pasta, grilled chicken, avocado pesto!… It just sounded too good for words! And, when I made it the other night, Matt said it was one of the best things I’d ever made! … WOOO HOOO! That’ll make a wife happy! {Especially after the Swedish Meatball disaster!}

After Matt went back for seconds, Quinn asked him if it made his throat happy! Love it.
And, I can guarantee that it’ll make your throat happy too! Just try it!
Avocado Penne Pesto with Grilled Chicken

1 medium ripe avocado
3/4 c. firmly packed basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
3 Tbsp. pine nuts
1/3 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 oz. penne pasta
1 1/2 lbs. chicken breasts
Salt & Pepper, to taste (for chicken)

Cook and drain pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, season chicken with salt and pepper and place on a grill (or grill pan) over medium-high heat for 6 minutes on each side, until center is no longer pink. {You can add other spices if you want, but don't over-season your chicken.}

Peel avocado and remove pit. Put avocado, basil, salt, pepper, garlic and pine nuts in a blender or food processor. (I used my Magic Bullet!)  Turn blender on and add olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Process until mixture becomes a smooth paste. Gently fold in parmesan cheese.

Toss with cooked pasta. Slice grilled chicken breasts and lay across top of pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Joker Approved Pie

Quinn has a recent Batman obsession! It’s cute to watch him play “good guys/bad guys” for the first time! Until now it has been all about Thomas and Lightning McQueen…where bad guys don’t really exist. So, the “boy” in him is really coming out and it’s hilarious! …

Anyway, with a recent Joker, came a “pie shooter.” And, when he was shooting the pies at PawPaw a few weeks ago, they were discussing the flavors of pies that were being shot. One that Q kept coming back to was “Lemonade Pie!” I don’t know where he got it…but, since he loves lemonade, I decided that he needed to have his own Lemonade Pie.

I’ve seen recipes all over the place for this pie. One in my Southern Living. One here. So, I kind of combined the two and made my own version.

Then, I placed them in individual graham cracker crusts…just because I thought they were cute. I’m pretty sure the Joker would approve! My little “good guy” sure did! :)
 

Lemonade Pie
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 (12 ounce) container whip topping, thawed
1 (6 fluid ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, keep frozen
1 box of lemon instant pudding
graham cracker crust

In a medium bowl, add chilled sweetened condensed milk, pudding and cool whip and fold gently. Add frozen lemonade and continue to gently fold. Do not let the mixture become soupy. Pour mixture into the pie crust and refrigerate.  Top with Cool Whip!

My Love Affair

I must admit that I’m a PB and banana fan more than PB & J! That’s why this design from a Woot Watch shirt cracked me up! Inappropriate, but hilarious! :) So, when I found a recipe for PB and banana muffins, I couldn’t wait to try them! Q and I made them on Sunday afternoon after church! And, trust me, they are good!
Peanut Butter & Banana Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup peanut butter
2-3 mashed ripe bananas
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together softened butter and sugar in bowl. Add eggs, beat well. Stir in peanut butter, bananas, flour, baking soda until blended. Pour into muffin tins. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until done.

You can also make a loaf. Bake for about an hour.

Who cares about the calories? It’s good for the allergies!

I recently made these and ended up eating most if it by the spoonful! It’s yummy!!! Also, I got honey at our local Farmer’s Market! It’s supposed to be REALLY good for allergies if you eat the honey from your area! I guess it made me feel a little less guilty for eating so much. It was good for my allergies! ;) Peanut Butter Granola Balls

1/3 cup honey
¼ cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup crisp rice cereal
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or cherries) {optional}

In a small saucepan over medium, heat honey, peanut butter, and butter. Stir until loosened and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in cereal, oats and dried fruit.
Drop mixture by the tablespoon into mini muffin tins. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.

Thank You IKEA!

Dear IKEA,
Thank you for making Swedish Meatballs! They are yummy and my husband and I have both enjoyed then in your cafeteria and at home. And, after last night’s attempt to make my own, I can guarantee that I will continue to buy them from your mega store as opposed to spending hours rolling yucky ground beef…only to be so grossed out by the fact that they didn’t seem quite done enough! Since there was no possible way that I could eat them myself or force my sweet husband and 3 year old to eat them, they got thrown down the disposal. (And all mess was cleaned up by my husband…since the sight of the disaster seemed to make me a little queasy.) And we dined on sandwich fixing instead.

So, thank you again…and the next time I’m at your store to peruse thorough your isles, I’ll be purchasing your “safe” frozen meatballs too.

Sincerely,
Brittney

P.S. If you don’t believe me, you are MORE than welcome to try them for yourself. Here’s the recipe! I swear I followed it verbatim…but I’d love for you to prove me wrong!

Gotta Empanada!!!

Here’s a new favorite at our house. It’s one I plan on taking to people when I make them meals for a new baby, etc. It’s YUMMMMMYYYY and SO super easy! And, I think it looks pretty, too!
 
Beef Empanada
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup  Salsa
1 can of black beans, drained
1 pkg. (15 oz.) ready-to-use refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 cup  Finely Shredded Four Cheese

HEAT oven to 425ºF.
BROWN meat in large skillet; drain. Stir in salsa and beans; remove from heat.
PLACE 1 crust on baking sheet; top with meat mixture, spreading to within 1 inch of edge. Cover with cheese and remaining crust; seal edges with fork.
BAKE 25 min. or until golden brown. Cool 5 min. before cutting into wedges to serve.

Hot Dogs with a Twist

We LOVE hot dogs at our house! Maybe it’s our New York City honeymoon that started it all! But, when I saw this recipe that put a little twist on hot dogs, I knew we would enjoy it! And, I knew Q would too! It was yum!
Hot Dog Twists 

1 3/4 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons Ranch dressing 
8 beef hot dogs
1 tablespoon milk
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 425ºF. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.

In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1/3 cup milk and 2 tablespoons of Ranch dressing with fork until soft dough forms; beat 30 seconds. Place dough on surface dusted with Bisquick mix; roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 10 times.

Roll dough into 12x8-inch rectangle. Cut dough lengthwise into eight 1-inch strips. Shape 1 piece of dough around each hot dog in a spiral design; seal ends if necessary. Place on cookie sheet.

Brush 1 tablespoon milk over dough; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

Double Decker with a Fork

I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for some time and was excited to finally try it. Matt loved it…he called it “a Double Decker taco that you eat with a fork!” We like those, so that was a good thing! Hope you enjoy! Double Decker Taco Pie

1 lb. ground beef
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can Refried beans
3 large flour tortillas, cut into 4ths
Salsa or Picante Sauce
Shredded cheese
Shredded lettuce
green onions, chopped

 

Brown meat & drain.  Return to saucepan & add taco seasoning, 3/4 cup water, & stir and simmer until most of the water evaporates. 

Cut tortillas into 4ths and place 4 slices in a pie dish. Cover with refried beans. Top with a layer of taco meat.

Now repeat the process…tortillas, refried beans, & taco meat.  Your last layer should be the remaining tortillas.

Cover with salsa/picante sauce. Then, top with cheese and bake at 350 until bubbly.

Top with shredded lettuce & green onions to your liking.

Serve with tortilla chips, sour cream and guacamole! (or whatever you like!)

P.S. I made this meal in one of Gackey’s baking dishes! I love that I have some of her things! :)

Pro-shoe-what?!

The workers at Wal-Mart have never heard of prosciutto…have NO idea if they carry it…and, obviously, have NO chance of leading me to it. So I opted for Canadian Bacon instead! And even though I've never had this recipe with prosciutto, it was SUPER delicious with the Canadian bacon! And, if you happen to be grocery shopping at Wally World, good luck!

Chicken Tetrazzini With Prosciutto and Peas

3  ounces  finely chopped prosciutto (I used Canadian bacon instead)
2  teaspoons  vegetable oil
1  (7-oz.) package vermicelli
3  cups  chopped cooked chicken
1  cup  (4 oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese
1  (10 3/4-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
1  (10-oz.) container refrigerated Alfredo sauce
1  (4-oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained (I left this out)
1/2  cup  chicken broth
1/4  cup  dry dry white wine
1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground pepper
1  cup  frozen baby English peas, thawed
1/2  cup  slivered almonds

1. Sauté prosciutto in hot vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp.

2. Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

3. Meanwhile, stir together chicken, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and next 6 ingredients; stir in prosciutto, pasta, and peas. Spoon mixture into 6 lightly greased 8-oz. ramekins or a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with almonds and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

4. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until bubbly

Chocolaty Goodness, Y’all!

I got this yummy recipe from my friend…and, when I googled it, I found the video of Paula making these amazing cookies. She’s such a hoot, y’all! :) And, these cookies will not disappoint! (My three year old has eaten WAY too many…and so has his Momma!)
Paula Deen’s Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, at room temperature
1 stick butter, at room temperature
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (18 oz.) box moist chocolate cake mix
Powdered sugar

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large bowl cream the cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Beat in the egg.
- Beat in the vanilla.
- Beat in the cake mix.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Roll the chilled dough into tablespoon sized balls and then roll them in the powdered sugar.
- Place on a cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12 minutes.
- Cookies will remain soft and "gooey".
- Cool completely and sprinkle with more powdered sugar.

Chocolate x3

I made this for our Life Group this weekend and it was SUPER yum! Thanks, Southern Living, for another great recipe!

Triple Chocolate Coffee Cake

1  (18.25-ounce) package devil's food cake mix
1  (3.9-ounce) package chocolate instant pudding mix
2  cups  sour cream
1  cup  butter or margarine, softened
5  large eggs
1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
3  cups  semisweet chocolate morsels, divided
1  cup  white chocolate morsels
1  cup  chopped pecans, toasted

Beat first 6 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 30 seconds or just until moistened; beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels; pour batter evenly into 2 greased and floured 9-inch square cake pans.

Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pans on wire racks.

Microwave white chocolate morsels in a glass bowl at HIGH 30 to 60 seconds or until morsels melt; stirring at 30-second intervals until smooth. Drizzle evenly over cakes; repeat procedure with remaining cup of semisweet morsels. Sprinkle cakes evenly with pecans.

Back to the ‘ol Grind

So, this little blog has been pretty quiet! Due to lots of eating out this summer, being preggo, the birth of our sweet Nash…AND being blessed with fabulous meals 3 times a week for about a month and a half, our kitchen has stayed fairly clean! :) But, it’s time to get back to business! … Nash is now two months old…Quinn has started school…and with Fall on the horizon, I’m ready to cook yumm-o meals again!

So, stay tuned! I have LOTS of bookmarked recipes that I can’t wait to try!!!

For My Baby Daddy

My husband is a HUGE fan of Heath bars! I mean...he LOVES them! So, when my dad reminded me of the cookie recipe on the back of the "Heath bits," I decided it was time that I make them for him! He loved them...as did Nash! :) We'll be making them LOTS for sure!

Scrumptious Heath Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 eggs
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1-1/3 cups (8 oz. pkg.) Heath Bits

Heat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in large bowl until blended. Add eggs; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and cream of tartar; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Stir in brickle. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto prepared cookie sheet.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly. About 6 dozen cookies.

The Benefit of Buying Store Brand...

I'm not a grocery snob! I'll totally try the store brand kind of something (of most things) if it's a better deal! Recently, I got the Kroger brand Graham Crackers. Not only were they good, but they came with a yummy looking recipe on the back! ...Irresistible Graham Cracker Cookies. And, after I made them, I couldn't stop talking about them! They are G.double O. D! I really may have finally found a recipe for cookies that I like better than my slice and bake! ... Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Irresistible Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Cookies
1 1/2 cups Honey Graham Crackers, finely crushed
1/2 cup All-purpose flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 (14 oz.) can  Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 cup margarine, softened
2 cups Semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. Vanilla extract

Crush graham crackers to make 1 1/2 cups. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, flour and baking powder. In another bowl, beat sweetened condensed milk and softened butter until smooth. Add vanilla extract. Add crumb mixture and stir until smooth. Add chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen.

Tips Worth Writing Down!

Here are some fun tips that I recently got in an email! ...Who knew?!?!...

Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster.

Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

To really make scrambled eggs or omelettes rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up.

For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt chocolate mint patties in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!

Reheat Pizza:

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm.This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs:

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting:

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread:

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Get Rid of Ants:

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Before the game...

Before Matt's basketball game the other night, I knew he'd need to eat, but he'd need something light! This new recipe was the perfect choice! We loved it!!! And, it's yummy leftover!

Quick Chicken-Parm Pasta
2 cups rotini pasta, uncooked
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli
1 pkg. (6 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Italian Style Chicken Breast Strips (or any type of pre-cooked fajita type strips)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 to 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 tomato, coarsely chopped


Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, microwave broccoli in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 5 min. Stir in chicken. Microwave 2 min. or until heated through; drain.
Drain pasta; place in large bowl. Add oil and cheese; toss to coat. Add broccoli mixture and tomatoes; mix lightly.

During the game...

Made this the other night! It actually went with our dinner, but it would be a great "game snack!" One the guys will surely appreciate!!!

Beer Cheese Spread
2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup beer
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Toasted pita chips, assorted crackers, and/or tortilla chips
 
Let the cheddar cheese stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a medium bowl combine cheese, beer, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours. Serve with pita chips. Makes about 1-1/2 cups (twelve 2-tablespoon servings).

A Bachelor Basic

When Matt was a bachelor, this was one of his staple meals! And, when we started dating/got engaged/were newlyweds, we dined on it frequently as well! It was quick and easy...and, I even came to crave it! ...Honeslty, it had been years since I'd thought about this tasty treat, and when we made it a few weeks ago, it took me back! I must admit that I still LOVE it!...who cares how "bachelor" it is!?

Bachelor Matt's Chicken & Rice

1 package of Knorr Chicken rice side
1 can of white chicken

Make the rice according to packet directions. Add chicken half way through cooking time and continue to boil. Serve with good 'ol Saltine crackers.