Homemaker Monday, Making a Happy Home Monday and Tips on Tuesday ~ GOOP

Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house…
Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Anyone with kids or a husband needs to know about GOOP. GOOP, yes you read that right, GOOP! This is a miracle product found in the automotive section at Walmart or Target. And it’s inexpensive. This tub was $1.37. It is actually a hand cleaner, but it is more importantly to us homemakers a miracle stain lifter. I have been able to remove red ink, yellow highlighter, chocolate and even blood from our clothes as well as many unknown substances. Just rub it into the stain and let it sit a bit before washing. I have let it sit for a couple days even with no adverse problems.

final blog signature.

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

Favorite Ingredient Friday ~ Ay Caramba! Chicken Pasta

Ay Caramba! Chicken Pasta

2 large boneless & skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes’
1 small jar pimentos, drained well
1 small onion, diced
4+ 2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs
8 oz of Mexican Mild Velveeta cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 package of taco seasoning mix
16 oz pasta, cooked

  • Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare the spaghetti per package directions. Drain and set aside.
  • Sprinkle the chicken with salt and white pepper. Melt butter and saute’ the chicken pieces a few minutes and then add onions in a large skillet over medium heat until cooked through.
  • Drain the chicken and onions.
  • In the same skillet melt the Mexican Mild Velveeta cheese. Whisk in the cream of chicken soup and milk. Heat until melted and well blended, stirring frequently. Add the Rotel tomatoes and taco seasoning mix and cook until heated through.
  • In a large mixing bowl toss together the pasta, chicken & onions, and sauce.
  • Pour into a 9×9 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
  • Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter and with a fork stir together with the bread crumbs until crumbly. Sprinkle over the casserole.
  • Bake 15-30 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

According to Lisa the secret ingredient is that you MUST perform the Chicken Dance at least once while cooking.

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!
final blog signature.

Menu Plan Monday

Weekday breakfasts are always either toast or cereal so I don’t post those. Working from home, lunch is “whatever” so it isn’t definitive either, but weekends are usually a brunch and I will start posting those along with the dinners.

11/17 MONDAY ~ Chili
11/18 TUESDAY ~ CORN*
11/19 WEDNESDAY ~ Chicken & Biscuits
11/20 THURSDAY ~
Apple Dapple Chicken & Apples
11/21 FRIDAY ~
Oven BBQ Chicken
11/22 SATURDAY ~ Bacon & Eggs
& Swedish Meatballs
11/23 SUNDAY ~
Quiche Lorraine & Beef Stroganoff
*CLEAN OUT REFRIGERATOR NIGHT
SO
I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

final blog signature.

Making A Happy Home on Homemaker Monday while Tempt My Tummy Tuesday share Tips on Tuesdays


Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house…
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace
Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

It’s football season and late autumn here in the north woods where we are having our second snowstorm of the season and our high is supposed to be 29 degrees today! On Sundays my family likes to watch football and spend time together. While I don’t want to spend time away from them and football is on literally from noon to 10PM, I try to choose meals that don’t make me spend the whole day in the kitchen. Because of the cold today I’m making a family favorite comfort dish, Shepherd’s pie.

Shepherd's Pie
2 pounds ground beef
2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces
1 large Vidalia Onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups baby carrots, cut into quarters
2 large celery ribs, cute into cobes
1 tablespoon minced garlic, jar
14 1/2 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1 small can Le Seur Peas, undrained
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup shredded jack cheese
2 + 3 tablespoons butter

  • Boil potatoes until tender. Drain.
  • Whisk together the tomatoes, seasonings and garlic.
  • Pour into a large mixing bowl.
  • Generously salt and pepper beef and brown well.
  • Drain off grease and add to tomato mixture.
  • Melt 3 tablespoons butter.
  • Saute carrots and celery together until tender.
  • Add to beef mixture.
  • Fold in Peas.
  • Pour into a 9×9 casserole dish.
  • Sprinkle cheese over top.
  • In a mixing bowl combine 2 tablespoons butter, buttermilk and potatoes. Generously salt and pepper. Mash well.
  • Top casserole with mashed potatoes.
  • Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees.
TIP: Cultured Buttermilk Blend powder. While I use a lot of buttermilk for cooking and baking, sometimes I just don’t have it on hand and this powdered form is a lifesaver on a snowy day so I don’t have to make a grocery store run. It’s handy, flavorful and lasts a really LONG time.

I participate in the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Homemaker Mondays hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven, Making a Happy Home Monday hosted by LL at As for me and my house…, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace, Slow Cooking Thursday & Tips on Tuesday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

final blog signature.

Favorite Ingredient Friday Holiday Cooking Blogger Style & Scrumptious Sunday ~ Thanksgiving Side Dish ~ Holiday Apricot Carrot Casserole

HOLIDAY APRICOT CARROT CASSEROLE
2 pounds carrots**
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cans apricot pineapple nectar
1 pound dried apricots
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup crushed walnuts

  • Clean and bake carrots until slightly mushy.
  • Cool, Slice lengthwise and set aside.
  • While carrots are baking, put dried apricots in a dutch oven and cover with nectar.
  • Simmer apricots until mushy – about an hour.
  • Add butter, brown sugar and walnuts to apricot mixture.
  • In a 13×9 greased baking dish layer carrots and apricot mixture twice.
  • Bake 30-45 minutes at 350°.

**Yams or sweet potatoes or a combination of can be substituted easily.

GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
4 tablespoons butter + 1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons flour
1½ cups milk
½ package dry ranch dressing mix
½ teaspoon white pepper
1½ pounds fresh green beans
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
3 teaspoons minced garlic, Jar
1 cup toasted bread crumbs*

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a saucepan melt the 4 tablespoons of butter over a low heat. Stir in the flour until smooth. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly until mixture thickens. Stir in the dressing mix and pepper until well blended. Remove from heat.

In a large saucepan of boiling salt water cook green beans 5 minutes until tender crisp.

In a skillet melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until tender.

In a 2 quart greased casserole mix together the green beans, white sauce mixture and ½ onion mixture.

Combine bread crumbs with remaining onion mixture. Sprinkle over casserole.

Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

CHEESECAKE APPLE CRISP

CRISP
2-3 large Granny Smith apples (4 Cups)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup apple juice

TOPPING
2/3 cup flour
1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 small box cheesecake flavored instant pudding

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine all CRISP ingredients and mix well. Pour into an un-greased stoneware pan.
  • In a mixing bowl combine the topping ingredients and mix until crumbly.
  • Sprinkle topping over apple mixture.
  • Bake 45-60 minutes or until apples are tender and topping is crisp and golden.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of French vanilla ice cream.

final blog signature.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is hip bumping Favorite Ingredient Friday this week ~ Baked Custards ~ Baked Pineapple Custard


Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace
Favorite Ingredient Friday, Holiday Cooking Blogger Style is hosted by Overwhelmed with Joy

BAKED PINEAPPLE CUSTARD
I originally got this recipe from my cousin Jenn, and it quickly became our family favorite.
This recipe is really good warm, but also just as good cold.
It also works as a wonderful custard to fill cakes too.

2 large cans crushed pineapple (drain & save juice)
2 cups pineapple juice
2 eggs beaten
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place pineapple in the bottom of a greased 13 x 9 pan.

In a sauce pan whisk together the pineapple juice, eggs, sugar and cornstarch.

Cook until thick.

Pour over the pineapple and bake 20 minutes.

Top with marshmallows and return to oven until golden.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

final blog signature.


Homemaker Monday, Making a Happy Home Monday and Tips on Tuesday

Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house…
Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

At this time of year I find I’m washing a lot of large items like blankets, quilts and such getting rid of the spring/summer weight items and start fresh with the fall/winter ones. When wash these larger items I have a set of 3 tennis balls that I purchased just for the laundry room. I put these in the dryer with the large item(s) and the balls keep everything from bunching up and wrinkling!

final blog signature.

Scrumptious Sunday – Shirred Eggs





SHIRRED EGGS
for 4 Jumbo eggs:
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup diced ham or crumbled bacon
2 green onions, minced
1 cup cheese, your choice
salt & pepper to taste
Frank’s Hot Sauce

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Melt butter and place 1 tablespoon in the bottom of each ramekin. Make sure you swirl it around the sides too.
  • Sprinkle your meat and onions into the ramekin.
  • Crack an egg into each ramekin.
  • Salt & pepper.
  • Bake for 6-10 minutes or until egg whites are just set.
  • Top with cheese.
  • Bake another 6-10 minutes or until eggs are set to desired doneness.
  • With a spoon gently remove egg from cup onto plate or toast.
*At home I use individual ramekins for just the two of us, but when camping or having company I use a muffin tin to make them all at once.

final blog signature.

Slow Cooking Thursday ~ Pork Chops and Scalloped Potatoes


For more great recipes please visit Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Hoe Mom!

PORK CHOPS AND SCALLOPED POTATOES

4 extra thick pork chops
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper
3 large russet potatoes
1 can cream of asparagus soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
4 ounces Velveeta, cut into chunks

  • Melt butter in a large skillet.
  • Sprinkle salt and pepper generously on both sides of chops.
  • Brown chops on both sides.
  • While chops are browning, wash the potatoes and slice into 1/4 inch.
  • Whisk together the soup, sour cream and milk.
  • Spray crock pot with PURE.
  • Layer potatoes slices, soup sauce and cheese chunks 2 or 3 times.
  • Lay pork chops on top.
  • Cook on low 4 hours.

final blog signature.

Homemaker Monday, Making a Happy Home Monday & Tips on Tuesday ~ Peanut Butter Crunch Cookies

Homemaker Mondays is hosted by Robyn at 11th Heaven’s Homemaking Haven
Making a Happy Home Monday is hosted by LL at As for me and my house…
Tips on Tuesday is hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

We love the aroma of fresh baked cookies around here.
Baking is one of the things I try to do regularly.
This week it was peanut butter crunch cookies dipped in chocolate.

This recipe makes 4-5 dozen cookies.

TUESDAY’S TIP: I split the dough into thirds and with wax paper makes cookie rolls. I freeze 2 of the rolls for future use and make 1 tray at a time so they are always fresh baked and I only make the mess once for 3 batches.

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter*
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 JUMBO eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Cream butter and peanut butter together. Be sure and scrape sides of bowl.
  • Add sugars and cream again.
  • Add 1 egg at a time until well blended.
  • Sift together dry ingredients and add in thirds until well blended.
  • Divide dough into thirds.
  • Roll 12 walnut sized balls.
  • Flatten with a fork.
  • Bake 10-12 minutes.
  • On wax paper roll the other 2 portions of dough and freeze for future use.
  • I sometimes dip them in melted almond bark.

*I prefer JIF or Skippy peanut butter

final blog signature.

Menu Plan Monday

10/27 MONDAY ~ Chicken Bruschetta (recipe soon)
10/28 TUESDAY ~ Chicken Avanelle (recipe soon)
10/29 WEDNESDAY ~ Rojo Arroz con Pollo (recipe soon) & Refried Beans
10/30 THURSDAY ~ Orange Honey Chicken
10/31 FRIDAY ~ French Onion Soup & Cheddar Cheese Biscuits
11/1 SATURDAY ~ Toasted French Toast & Carne Asada Tacos
11/2 SUNDAY ~ Monte’ Cristos & Roast Chicken with Lemon Herb Sauce
SO
I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. I’m also going to start a new one this week, Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!
final blog signature.

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday ~ Roast Chicken with Lemon Herb Sauce


Hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace.

This is my first week participating in Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, but I see many more to come. This week’s recipe is for Roast Chicken with a Lemon Herb sauce the easy way, on the stove top. That way all the tantalizing smells will bring your family to the table on time.

ROAST CHICKEN
4 tablespoons butter, divided & softened
1 whole chicken cut into pieces
1 1/4 cups hot water
2 teaspoons Better than Bouillon Chicken Base
salt & pepper

SAUCE
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 green onion, chopped fine
Juice from 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon flour
1 tablespoon butter

  • Rinse chicken and pat dry. Salt and pepper.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet and when HOT, place chicken skin side down in pan.
  • DO NOT TURN chicken pieces until you see blood and bottom side is golden brown.
  • Whisk together the hot water, bouillon, thyme and basil.
  • Turn chicken and add 3/4 cup of chicken stock.
  • Reduce heat and simmer on low 15 minutes.
  • Transfer chicken to a plate and pour stock into a measuring cup.
  • Melt remaining butter in skillet and return chicken skin side down to skillet and cook another 5 minutes until skin is crisp.
  • Transfer to an ovenproof plate, cover with foil and keep warm.
  • Skim the fat from the broth and add enough of the additional broth to make 3/4 cup.
  • Heat the olive oil in the skillet on a low heat, scraping up any of the little pieces from the chicken to add to the flavor.
  • Add green onions and saute’ a minute or so.
  • Add flour and mix well.
  • Increase heat and add broth and bring to a simmer.
  • Simmer until reduced to about 1/2 cup.
  • Stir in any juices that have drained from the chicken. Simmer a few more minutes.
  • Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice, thyme and basil.
  • Pour sauce over chicken and serve immediately. I like to serve it with rice.

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom and Tempt my Tummy Tuesday hosted by Lisa at Blessed with Grace. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

final blog signature.