Grandma's Stew

So, I don't know if the 2 girls who maybe, possibly will read this will make it, but here it is anyway. :) It's super yummy. :)

My grandma Bentley had 8 children and not the hugest budget, this was one of her dishes that she made. My mom loved it and made it often for our family as well, just because it was so yummy. And now I make it too... though it's never quite as good as my mom's... still very yummy though. The thing I love about it is how simple it is, nothing fancy involved!

1 lb hamburger

1 onion (or onion salt)

carrots

celery

potatoes (3 to 5)

1 can of tomato paste

salt

water

In a large pot brown the hamburger, brown until it almost looks burnt, very very well done! Salt hamburger generously. Chop up veggies. Add to pot along with tomato paste. My family doesn't care for onions and so I use onion salt, instead of just salt. Another option that I've tried is to add the onion in whole, don't cut it up at all and then once the stew is done just take the whole onion out! The onion flavor makes a huge difference in the soup, so you need to add it some way! Add water until everything is just covered. Again salt generously. (Mom always said that a lot of salt was needed for this recipe... but of course she never said how much, just don't hold back!) Bring to a boil and them simmer, covered for 1 hour.

Chicken Bread Braid

I can't remember where I found this, so I feel bad for not posting the source because I know it was online somewhere. Anyway, I made it the other night and my family loved it. It looked pretty and it wasn't super hard so we will definitely be adding it to the rotation.

Chicken Bread Braid
1 Rhodes White Bread Loaf - Thawed
1/2 cup Parmesean Cheese
1/2 - 1 Tbsp. Suddenly Salad

Filling...
4oz. Cream Cheese
3 Tbsp. Melted Butter
1 Tbsp. Milk
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Pepper
3 Cooked, cubed or shredded chicken breast

Mix together melted butter, softened cream cheese, chicken, salt and pepper. (I also threw in some season salt because we didn't have any suddenly salad.) Roll out 1 loaf of Rhodes bread. Put mixture in the middle of the bread, leaving about 3 inches empty on each side of mixture. Then take a pizza cutter and cut every 1-2 inches all the way down on each side. Then braid or place the extra dough over each other on top of the chicken mixture. Before baking, dust with butter and sprinkle Parmesan and Suddenly Salad on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Creamy Topping
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 cup Milk
1 Tbsp.. Lemon Juice

Warm above ingredients in microwave and spoon over individual pieces when done baking.

Wild Rice Soup

1 C. uncooked wild rice
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 lb bacon
1 med. onion
2 pints of 1/2 & 1/2
1 lb cheese

Cook rice as directed. Fry bacon, cool, crumble. Pour out some of bacon grease. Chop onion and cook in remaining grease. Combine soup, 1/2 & 1/2. Add rice, bacon and onion. Add cheese and cook until melted.

(I leave out the onion.)

Cafe Rio Chicken

1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 can sprite
3 to 4 chicken breast

Combine all and cook in crock pot on med to high for 2 to 3 hours. Shred chicken and cook one more hour. TA-DA.... yes, it's that easy and oh yes it's that yummy. :)

Homemade Ice Cream

Homemade Ice Cream (from Rachael Ray)

You'll need:

• 1 large Ziploc bag

• 1 small Ziploc bag

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1/2 cup cream

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

• 6 tablespoons rock salt (regular salt is OK if you can't find rock salt)

• Ice

Fill the large Ziploc bag halfway with ice and rock salt. In the small Ziploc bag, mix cream, sugar and vanilla. Place the small sealed bag into the larger bag and shake for 15 minutes. When finished, add toppings like cookie crumbs or M&Ms and enjoy!

(We did not have to shake the entire 15 minutes, probably only about 10. We also added chocolate chips before we shook them and they turned out great! We also added food coloring just to make it more fun!)

Love Fest

Okay so I’m putting this here not that no one else reads this blog but it just felt more appropriate here. Also I would love to tell each of you this in person but I can’t. I might end up crying and I’m not down with that. Also I’m way awkward with this stuff in person even though I try hard not to be. I’ve found throughout my life I’ve been really bad at expressing my appreciation for people who I deeply love so here it goes. Plus the prego hormones make me feel extra mushy.

I love the fab 5 (I also love I found out that name). I’m so grateful for each and every one of you. I am grateful to have each of you in my life and value your opinions, thoughts, and feelings.

Jen – You are quite honestly one of the nicest most sincere people I have ever met. You sometimes like to give yourself a bad rap but the truth is you actively look for the good in others and then love that trait. Not many people can do that and I admire it so much. I love your sense of humor and your ability to make anyone feel at ease. You’re thoughtful to the core. I also love that you’re actively pursing being published and have a passion about something so intensely personal to you.

Sam – One time you said you had to stop following some blogs because it made you feel like why can’t I do that and get all those things done. It took me so off guard because you really are that. You have such an amazing gift to do just about anything you want to. I look at most things you do and how you do them and I’m amazed at your talents and abilities. You as well as Jen are kind and thoughtful. You’re also a very funny lady who makes me smile. I can only hope I handle my newborns with the same amount of grace and love as you handle yours.

Fara - I remember one of the first times I was at a ward party I heard you laugh and it made me smile. I knew I wanted to be your friend. There are days and times when I honestly think to myself how would Fara handle this? I envy your reactions to situations and most of your talents. You’re the perfect combination of laid back and uptight. You make me laugh even when you’re telling stories about driving places at night. You’re children are hilarious and a direct extension of you and the way you parent.

Em – What can I say. The other day when you asked me how we became friends and I said I didn’t know me just kind of clicked it made me chuckle. I love that I see so much of myself in you. I love that your husband called me your evil twin. I’ll be your twin any day of the week. I also appreciate you for our differences and I’m grateful I can be my real self around you. You get me and most of my reactions to things and for that I will be grateful forever. You have a lot to offer not the least of which is complete honesty. Thank you for being there when I needed you and not being afraid for all those nights I mooned you.

Anyway basically I love you all and I think you’re all physically gorgeous. I could go on and on about why I enjoy the company of each of you but I won’t. Thanks for being around and thanks for taking me as I am. I would be much more afraid to be a mom than I already am if I didn’t have you around.

Easy peasy pizza dough

I love homemade pizza but am horrible at planning so I never had time for the dough to rise. About a year ago I found a super yummy pizza dough recipe that you cook right after you make! No waiting!! Perfect for me!! It was Tegan's turn to make dinner tonight and he made some excellente pizza. If a 5 year old can bust it out...I have high hopes for everyone else! :) Found it on allrecipes.com.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 (.25 oz) pkg active dry yeast

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp sugar

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 c. warm water (110 degrees)

Directions:

1. Combine flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large bowl. Mix in oil and warm water. Spread out on a large pizza pan. Top as desired.

2. Bake at 375* for 20-25 min.

Citrus Water

1 T. citric acid
1 T. pure Lemon extract
2 c. sugar
5 qt. water

Mix and refrigerate.
I halved the recipe so it was more manageable. Substitute Splenda for sugar if you want a more low cal drink.

banana avocado mask

Disclaimer: for your face not your tummy

1/2 banana
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp Plain yogurt
1 tsp olive oil

Mix in blender until smooth. Apply to clean face for 15 to 20 min.
If you're only doing it for you I wouldn't make this much. It's probably plenty for 4 people.

ETA:

Asian Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

8oz. angel hair pasta

2 cups small broccoli florets

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts - cut into thin strips

3/4 c. Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (on the salad dressing isle)

3 Tbsp. soy sauce

1/4 tsp. each: ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper

1/3 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts (optional)

Cook pasta according to package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 minutes of the pasta cooking (I use the steam fresh frozen broccoli so I cook it in the microwave and add it later)

Meanwhile, spray a large skillet with cooking spray and cook chicken. Stir in dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and red pepper.

Drain pasta and place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture (and broccoli if you go the frozen route) and mix together. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.

I skip the peanuts and red peppers since my family probably wouldn't go for them. I have even skipped the ginger before. It all tastes yummy, I think it's the salad dressing that does it! YUM!

(Found this on a friend's blog)

Sun-Sational Cheesecake

Sorry no picture but I promise this is good.

1 C graham cracker crumbs
3 T sugar
3 T margarine melted

*combine; press onto bottom of 9 inch spring form pan. Bake @ 325 for 10 minutes

3 (8oz) pkg cream cheese softened
1 C sugar
3 T flour
2 T lemon juice
1 T grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp vanilla (pure)
4 eggs (1 separated)

* combine cream cheese, sugar, flour, juice, peel and vanilla. Add 3 eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Beat in remaining egg white.
* pour over crust. Bake @ 450 for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temp to 250 and continue baking 30 minutes (Note: since I moved to Rock Springs I have had to increase baking time to 40-45 minutes not sure if I'm just stupid or what the deal is so check it before you just take it out.)
* loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing from pan.

3/4 C sugar
2 T cornstarch
1/2 C cold water
1/4 C lemon juice
1 egg yoke
* combine, sugar and cornstarch in saucepan
* stir in water and juice
* cook stirring constantly until clear and thick
* beat egg yolk in a small bowl. Add small amount of hot mixture to yolk.
* return to mixture in saucepan, cook 3 minutes stirring constantly
* cool slightly, spoon over cheesecake. chill

250$ Cookies

There's a little story behind these cookies, I'm guessing some of you have heard it. So, this lady eats dinner at Neman Marcus and after the meal she and her friend have one of their famous cookies. She loves it and asks the waiter if there's any chance she could get the recipe. He says- why yes there is, but you'll have to pay for it. She asks how much and he answers: two-fifty. She believes him to mean Two dollars and fifty cents. But when she gets her visa bill the next month she see's that in fact it was $250. Then she posted it all over the internet for pay backs.


They really are quite yum-oish. :)

250$ cookie

2 C butter or margarine

2 C sugar

2C brown sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

4 C flour

5 C blended oatmeal (I use 4 cups) Here's what it looks like in my crapy magic bullet blender

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp soda

24 oz chocolate chips (I use one chocolate, one butterscotch)

1 (8oz) hershy candy bar (I don't add this. . . there never seems to be room)

3 C chopped nuts (I don't add this either)

Blend oatmeal then measure.

Cream butter and both sugars. Add eggs adn vanilla. Mix together flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder and soda. Mix two together. Add chips, candy and nuts. Roll into 2 inch balls and bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 375

Shirley Temple

You know I'm going to have to have a little commentary even if it doesn't have anything do with the recipe. Well because that's me. I just want you all to know I could very likely be a lush if I drank the hard stuff. There is nothing quite as refreshing as a good drink. Notice I said a Shirley Temple not a Dirty Shirley.

I don't have a fancy pic but the next time I make one I'll post it.

For 1 serving:
2 parts lemon lime soda(1 use about 1 cup) to
1 part orange juice (1/2 cup) *not a fan of orange juice leave it out
1/2 - 3/4 oz of grenadine (or to taste)
Pour over Ice and stir.
Drop in maraschino cherry if you like.

I use Sprite Zero and Tropicana Trop50 (50% less sugar and calories). This reduces the calories significantly without losing the yummy flavor.

Tasty. Like a morning sunrise drink from Sonic.

Easy Fake Baked Ziti

This is my first recipie and I have a few disclaimers I will include with this one which will most likely apply to all recipies I put up here.


1. These might be only moderately tastey. Gary eats anything so he is easy to please.
2. If there is a shortcut I most likely take it whether it's good for the recipie or not. Shortcuts are almost always good for me.

- 1 Lb Ziti with Ridges

Put pasta in a large pot of boiling water to cook to desired tenderness.

- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 (14-ounce) can crushed tomatoes,
- Coarse salt
- A handful fresh basil leaves, torn

In a medium sauce pot over medium heat, sauté garlic in extra-virgin olive oil. Chop whole tomatoes and add them to the pan. Add crushed tomatoes and salt and simmer 10 minutes, add basil and simmer over low heat 10 minutes more
******* I SKIP ALL THIS AND JUST USE A JAR OF SPAGETTI SAUCE. WE PRREFER THE 4 CHEESE VARIETY. MAKE SURE YOU USE 2-3 CUPS. WE ACTUALLY THINK IT TASTES BETTER AND IS SO MUCH FASTER*******

- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Freshly ground black pepper
- A generous grating nutmeg
- 2 cups whole milk

While pasta cooks, melt butter in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then cook 1 minute, adding salt and pepper and nutmeg to flour. Add milk and bring sauce to a bubble. Reduce 5 minutes.

- 1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano
- 1 cup sliced fresh mozzarella
- Crusty bread, to pass at table

Drain pasta and transfer to a large casserole dish. Pour the tomato and basil sauce over the pasta and turn to coat the pasta. Pour the bechamel over the already coated pasta. Cover the top of the pasta with Asiago, Parmesan and mozzarella. Place the casserole under hot broiler and melt the 3 cheeses until brown and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes.

Our FAVORITE Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c Butter, softened

1/2 c sugar (I use 1 box of vanilla instant pudding instead. It makes the cookies softer!)

1 1/2 c Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

2 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

3 c Flour

3/4 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking Soda

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 bag Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350*. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars (pudding), eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Combine the wet and the dry ingredients. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate chips. Place balls of cookies on un-greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 3 dozen.

**We smoosh the balls down - that is my kids' favorite part. :)

Welcome!

Hey ladies! Thought this would be a fun way to share recipes with each other. Let me know if you have any questions or if it doesn't look right on your computer. I messed around with the headings and sizes, etc. so it might not be right yet. :) Don't forget to use a label for each post so we can find it again easily! I really need some new recipes...so start adding!! Pictures are helpful if you've got them!! Now for our ETSY shop! (Name ideas??)