Author: QuiltLady

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 17 of 2018

GOOD MORNING sweet ladies. I hope you all had a wonderful week. Mine was productive, but I’ve just been so tired. I’m having a REALLY tough time getting my energy back since the last surgery. The doctor keeps reminding me that 6 surgeries in 7 years (where the 1st and last were both really long surgeries – 8 hours each) is a lot for the body and to be patient, but patience is really NOT my strong suit. Not that I have much choice, so I just keep working at it. 😀

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – once again the storms hit over the weekend. Saturday night was a wonderful thunderstorm and then Sunday was just gray, but today and tomorrow are supposed to be bright and sunny! We’re moving into that part of the year that is just too warm and humid for me so we’ll see if that lasts or if mother nature has at least one more cool front for me 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – honey nut cheerios and green tea

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – moving forward in continuous steps  in all areas of life is making me smile more!

INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS – there are no pressing appointments this week YAY 😀 I did get the results from last week and I’m good to go for a year on the mammogram, but they are watching the bone density more closely especially after the new issues with vitamin and mineral absorption from the stomach surgery. It’s ALWAYS something!

  • LAUNDRY… just a couple loads this week
  • LIVING AREAS… really clean
  • KITCHEN… really clean for a change
  • STUDIO… is mainly storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything
  • BLOG… some recipe updating, future post planning and holiday post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

  • I’m now reading… nothing this week – just too tired by the time I get into bed, I’m asleep already

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife, Living Biblically

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdom of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, Ransom

SYFY – Z Nation, the Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural, Fear the Walking Dead

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America Celebrity, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart

MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SOUTHERN CHICKEN & STUFFING

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

 ABC PANINIS (Chicken, Bacon and Avocado)

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BOURBON CHICKEN & BISCUITS

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SMOTHERED PORK CHOPS

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HAWAIIAN CHICKEN

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

SAVORY FRENCH TOAST

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SMOTHERED CHICKEN & GRAVY

CARAMEL APPLE HAND PIES

SUNDAY

BACON & EGGS

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

PORK CHOPS with MUSHROOM SAUCE

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

HOMEMAKING/COOKING TIP

CRISPY SESAME CHICKEN THIGHS with SESAME CUCUMBER SALAD

CRISPY ASIAN CHICKEN THIGHS with SESAME CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD – serves 2
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3 tablespoons cornstarch
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Bragg’s liquid aminos
2 teaspoons sesame oil
4 teaspoons sugar
2-4 teaspoons sriacha
Juice of 1 small lime
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Add cornstarch to a paper bag.
  • Add chicken pieces, shaking to coat well.
  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, sesame oil, sugar, lime juice and sriacha until well blended.
  • Heat pan over medium heat.
  • Add avocado oil and butter.
  • Add chicken pieces and cook until cooked through, crispy and golden on both sides. About 5 minutes per side.
  • Remove chicken and drain of excess fat on paper towels.
  • Add liquid mixture to hot pan and let bubble and start to thicken.
  • Add chicken pieces back into pan, turning to coat in the sauce.
  • Serve over rice with remaining sauce.
  • Top with sesame seeds.
  • Serve with salad.

SALAD
1 large cucumber, halved, seeded and sliced into half moons
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
3 green onions, sliced thin (whites only – save green tops for rice)
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper

  • In a large bowl toss together the cucumber pieces, scallion whites and tomatoes.
  • Whisk together the vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over and toss again.

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS

SAUCY MEATBALL SLIDERS makes 6 sliders
3/4 pound ground beef
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon ricotta cheese
1 egg, lightly beaten
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
1 batch authentic meat sauce
6 buns
Parmesan cheese

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • In a large bowl combine your breadcrumbs, ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 tablespoons meat sauce, egg, salt and pepper.
  • Add ground beef and minimally mix by hand JUST until well blended.
  • Form 6 meatballs.
  • Place meatballs on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil.
  • Bake 15-18 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  • While meat balls cook, heat sauce in large skillet.
  • When meatballs are finished baking add them to sauce, turning to coat.
  • Toast buns.
  • Plate bun bottoms.
  • Add a meatball to each bun bottom and top with a spoonful of meat sauce.
  • Top with Parmesan cheese.
  • Add bun tops.
  • Serve with salad.

PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM PUDDING CAKE ~ BLOG 365.120

This cake is PERFECTLY moist EVERY time and requires no icing unless you want a dusting of powdered sugar.
BANANA PINEAPPLE SOUR CREAM PUDDING CAKE
8 ounce can crushed pineapple in juice (DO NOT DRAIN)
1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
18 ounce yellow cake mix
7 ounce package Jell-O INSTANT banana pudding mix
4  LARGE eggs
1 cup FULL FAT sour cream
1⁄4 cup oil

  • In a small bowl, combine pineapple and the baking soda; mix well.
  • 
In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients; stir in pineapple.
  • Blend, then beat at medium speed with an electric mixer for 2 minutes.
  • Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch Spring Form, Bundt or tube pan.
  • Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
  • Cool in pan about 15 minutes.
  • Remove from pan and finish cooling on wire rack.
  • 
Dust with powdered sugar

NOTE:

  • The beauty of this recipe is that the flavor combos are endless and only based on your imagination. So far I’ve tried Lemon, Cheesecake and Pistachio with great success.
  • If you use the 3.5 ounce packages you can mix flavors also. Pistachio and cheesecake mixed together are YUMMY!

Originally posted March 31, 2018 / Updated April 18, 2023

COCOA FUDGE BROWNIES

COCOA FUDGE BROWNIES
These brownies are crisp on top, have a bottom that holds together and are gooey and chewy in the center. They are also super versatile. Add walnuts, heath bar pieces, peanut butter chips or a ribbon of caramel depending on your flavor needs at the moment.

2 sticks butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 LARGE eggs, at room temperature
3 teaspoons PURE vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup QUALITY unsweetened cocoa powder
7-8 ounces roughly chopped chocolate (I use Bakers)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray an 9×9 or 8×10 baking pan with cooking oil spray. Line the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the melted butter, oil and sugar.
  • Add the eggs and vanilla; beating another minute until light in color.
  • In another bowl sift together the flour, cocoa powder and salt.
  • Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until JUST combined DO NOT OVER BEAT – this will make them tough if you do and DO NOT OVER BEAT your batter especially after the flour and cocoa powder are added. Doing so creates air pockets in the batter which will give you cake-like textured brownies.
  • Fold in 75% of the chocolate pieces and walnuts.
  • Pour batter into your prepared pan, smoothing the top out evenly, and top with remaining chocolate pieces.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the center of the brownies in the pan no longer jiggles and is just set to the touch (the brownies will keep baking in the hot pan out of the oven). When testing with a toothpick, the toothpick should come out dirty for fudge brownies.
  • Cool for 10 minutes and then carefully remove them from pan.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature before slicing.

NOTES:

  • Store at room temperature for 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These brownies can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.
  • Changing your chocolate flavor can alter your flavors.

LEMON CHICKEN COSTOLETTA

Chicken Costoletta a Cheesecake Factory Copycat ala made from scratch. When they serve this to you in the restaurant the sauce is almost non-existent on the plate.  The sauce is a mandatory flavor ingredient- don’t scrimp. I use sauce on the mashed potatoes also. From what I can find, the term “costeletta” translates into “cutlet”.  This recipe is versatile and can be changed up from the lemon to apricot, peach or even plum easily. Use your imagination. 😀
LEMON CHICKEN COSTOLETTA
4 thin chicken steaks or flattened tenderloin breasts
1/2 cup flour
2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 lemon, zested (save lemon for juicing into sauce)
1/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese grated
1/4 cup avocado oil
2 tablespoons butter
  • Set up three bowls for dredging. In one, place the flour. In the second, add the eggs. In the third, combine the breadcrumbs, lemon zest and cheese.
  • Coat each piece of chicken first in the flour, then the eggs letting the excess drip off before dipping into the , and the breadcrumb mixture.
  • Heat a large nonstick saute pan over medium heat and add the oil and butter.
  • Once butter is melted and hot, add the chicken to the pan and fry on both sides until cooked through; approximately 3-5 minutes per side depending on the thickness. DO NOT CROWD PAN. You may need to do this in two batches.
  • Remove chicken from the pan and drain on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
  • Set aside.
SAUCE
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon flour
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 tablespoon butter
  •  Melt the oil in a medium saucepan over low-medium heat.
  • Add the garlic sauteing 1-2 minutes.
  • Whisk in the flour until golden.
  • Whisk in the milk, heavy cream, chicken stock and lemon juice.
  • Bring to a boil over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened, about 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir in the butter and pour desired amount of sauce over the chicken and mashed potatoes.

Moving right along and checking all the boxes ~ literally and figuratively

Things are moving along here and even seem to be dragging a bit at times, but I know they’ll speed up at the end so am glad to have the time to pack properly and patch nail holes, etc… I’m using canned air and dusting everything REALLY well before packing also to make life easier when we finally unpack.

We are at that point of multiple lists and decisions. I have a list of utility companies, insurances, etc… to call and cancel and another list to just change addresses. I’m also sorting (BIG TIME) and amassing ALL the warranty books and such for appliances and things for the new owner to make his life easier.  I’m even including a list of the plumbers, pest control, utility companies and electrician that we used in case he needs anything since they are already familiar with the property.

With knowing that things are going to storage for a period of time, we chose to use ALL new boxes for a couple of reasons. The first being that NEW coordinated boxes are sturdier and stack better for a cross country move and in the storage unit itself. The second being that there isn’t a chance of food stuffs or bugs from older or grocery oriented boxes going with us. We have had to make a couple of boxes to replace boxes that are no longer viable for odd shaped pieces.

We are also wrapping furniture (especially the antiques) in sheets and shrink wrap to protect the woods from dust and drying out too much. Most of the upholstered furniture is being sold or donated as it just doesn’t hold up well in storage.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER & MENU PLAN MONDAY week 16 of 2018

Good Morning sweet ladies. I’m up and going quite early as I have first AM appointments and wanted to make sure I got this up and ready to post before I leave. I just hope my energy stays with me through the end of the day 😀 So I’m going to get straight to it this morning.

Be sure to link up with
Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for Happy homemaker Monday
and with Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday.

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW & THE WEATHER OUTSIDE – lately it seems like we only have storms on weekends 😀 This week was no different as the storm started rolling in Friday afternoon.  And once again it brought a severe temperature dip of almost 30 degrees AND it brought A LOT of wind.  We were fortunate that we were far enough south that we escaped the hail and major tornado warnings as a whole. Thia week we are supposed to go back up to the 80’s, but no rain in sight so let’s hope the humidity stays low 😀

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE – Green Tea only while prepping for this morning’s tests.

ON MY MIND / THINGS THAT ARE MAKING ME HAPPY – My mind is starting to work ALL the time as we move into the final stages of packing and prepping for a cross country move.  Moving is never easy! But, it is even less so when moving things into storage for unknown period of time. We are making sure to take all the batteries out of remotes, clocks and tools before we pack them to avoid corrosion and anything that is getting washed is let to dry a few extra days before getting secured into packing.

FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CAMERA
INSPIRATION

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE / WEEKLY TO DO LIST & HOUSE PROJECTS

  • APPOINTMENTS…this morning I have my bone density, mammogram and mammogram ultra sound and then my eye exam on Friday. I’ll especially be glad to have today’s tests over and know the results.  Being a cancer survivor ALWAYS not only makes me more vigilant, but also makes the wait for results a hypersensitive time.
  • LAUNDRY… quite a few loads this week, towels, bedding (mattress covers and quilts too) and clothing PLUS I’m running the wall quilts through air cycles to collect the dust before packing
  • LIVING AREAS… plan on doing a deep clean today and tomorrow to catch the stray packing materials, but it is looking more and more like we’re moving soon 🙂
  • KITCHEN… pretty clean and empty as we keep using only what’s in the pantry and freezer
  • STUDIO… is moving box storage these days so nothing going on there
  • YARD… nothing much after the weekend storms, just too wet to do anything though the yard really does need mowing
  • BLOG… still doing some recipe updating and future post planning

CURRENTLY READING & TV / DVR

COMEDIES – Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, Life in Pieces, The Good Place, American Housewife

MILITARY, POLITICAL & CRIME DRAMAS and a couple that qualify as comedies – NCIS, NCIS New Orleans and NCIS LA, Criminal Minds, Wisdon of the Crowd, S.W.A.T., Madam Secretary, Scandal, Designated Survivor, Brave, Valor, Seal Team, Blindspot, Macgyver, Scorpion, Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods, Hawaii 5-0, Elementary, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, Chicago Med, 911

DRAMAS & REALITY – The Good Doctor, This Is Us, The Resident, DWTS, AGT, Ransom

SYFY – Z Nation, The Walking Dead, Flash, Supergirl, DC Legends, Once Upon a Time, The X-Files, Supernatural

COOKING – Guy’s Grocery Games, Beat Bobby Flay, Worst Cooks in America, Bobby & Damaris, Kid’s Baking Championship, Master Chef Jr., Master Chef, Southern at Heart

HEALTH TIPS

COOKING TIPS MENU PLANS FOR THE WEEK

BREAKFAST

SNACK

LUNCH

DINNER

SNACK/DESSERT

MONDAY

EARLY FASTING APPOINTMENT

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

SAVORY FRIED CABBAGE & GRILLED STEAKS

PROTEIN SHAKE

TUESDAY

PEACH YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

TEX MEX CHICKEN TORTILLA PINWHEELS

PROTEIN SHAKE

WEDNESDAY

CHEERIOS, SMALL BANANA & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

HONEY BBQ CHICKEN POPPERS

PROTEIN SHAKE

THURSDAY

CHERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

BAKED SOUR CREAM CHICKEN & RICE

PROTEIN SHAKE

FRIDAY

BERRY YOGURT & GREEN TEA

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

OMG CHICKEN

PROTEIN SHAKE

SATURDAY

S.O.S.

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

DRUNKEN CHICKEN & TOMATOES

BERRY CAKE

SUNDAY

DUTCH BABY & SWEET & SPICY BACON

PROTEIN DRINK

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST, TUNA SALAD OR ??

TAILGATE BUFFALO CHICKEN CASSEROLE

PROTEIN SHAKE

SUCCESSFUL RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

CARNE GUISADA STREET TACOS

Guisada is a a TEX MEX style of beef stew that is normally cooked slowly in a brown gravy. It can be eaten as a stew, but we prefer to eat is at street tacos. This is one of the most tender meats for yummy tacos. Using the green chile verde sauce adds a ton of flavor.

CARNE GUISADA STREET TACOS serves 8-10 (my easy version)

Avocado oil
2 pound chuck roast
2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and chopped
1 large shallot, sliced
1 Vidalia onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1-2 teaspoons ground cumin
1-2 teaspoons chili powder
1 large tomato, chopped
1 large tomatillo, chopped
1 can green chile verde sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/4 cup Mexican corn flour
1/2 cup water

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Generously season roast with salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a 4-quart stock pot over medium temperature.
  • Add roast and sear each side well.
  • Remove roast to a plate.
  • Add poblano pepper, onion, garlic to the stock pot along with the seasonings for a couple minutes.
  • Stir in tomato and tomatillo and sauté an 3 additional minutes.
  • Nestle roast into mixture.
  • Whisk together chile verde sauce, broth and flour until smooth.
  • Pour broth mixture over beef mixture.
  • Cover with foil and place in oven for 3 hours undisturbed.
  • Use 2 forks to shred beef into gravy.
  • Make a slurry of the water and corn flour.
  • Add slurry to mixture and simmer on stove top 10-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed.
  • Serve with tortillas and your favorite toppings.
  • Enjoy!

TEX MEX CHICKEN PINWHEELS

TEX MEX CHICKEN PINWHEELS
2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup sour cream
3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated jack cheese
1 can shopped corn, drained well
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained well
1 can ROTEL original tomatoes, drained well
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp
6 10 inch burritos
Salsa for serving

  • In a large mixing bowl combine the cream cheese and sour cream with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and blend again.
  • Fold in grated cheese until well blended.
  • Fold in vegetable mix, chicken pieces and crumbled bacon.
  • Divide mixture among the tortillas, spreading it out evenly and short of the far edge.
  • Roll up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 2 hours.
  • Remove from the refrigerator and slice into rounds.
  • Serve with Salsa.

RED PEPPER GLAZED HALIBUT

RED PEPPER GLAZED HALIBUT
FISH
2 Halibut Fillets
FRESH ground salt and pepper
1 green onion, sliced thin

  • Adjust oven rack to 6 inches below broiler.
  • PREHEAT broiler.
  • Line baking sheet with foil.Place baking rack on top of foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Generously season fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Arrange fillets on baking rack.
  • Generously brush tops of fillets with glaze.
  • Broil fillets for 2 minutes.
  • Flip fillets. Generously brush with glaze and return to oven another 2-3 minutes until they flake easily.
  • Serve with rice, potatoes or veggies of choice and remaining glaze.
  • Sprinkle with sliced green onions as garnish.

GLAZE
1/2 cup apple jelly (I use apricot a good deal of the time)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 green onions, sliced thin
1 tablespoon avocado oil
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • In a small sauce pan whisk together the jelly, red pepper flakes, vinegar, green onions, liquid aminos, honey, avocado oil, sesame oil and green onions.
  • Cook over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring frequently until syrupy and reduced by about half.

PINEAPPLE ANGEL FOOD SNACK CAKE

PINEAPPLE ANGEL FOOD SNACK CAKE
1 box Angel Food Cake Mix
1 large can crushed pineapple with juice
1 can COMSTOCK cherry, blueberry or apple pie filling

  • Mix them together, pour into a spring form, bundt pan or 13×9 baking dish.
  • Bake 30-35 minutes in a 350°.
  • Voile’, a light and fruity dessert.
  •  Spoon Comstock cherry, blueberry or apple pie filling over each piece if desired.

NOTE: It is very good with a warmrum raisin sauce also.