CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF ~ BLOG 365.147

I had the most amazing twist on corned beef this past St. Patrick’s Day and I’m hooked on this version now!

CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF

4-5 1/2 pound corned beef
1 SMALL sweet onion, quartered
1 cup brown sugar
1 Guinness Beer
1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaf
5-6 cloves garlic
Seasoning from below or Seasoning packet from meat package
3 LARGE carrots, rustically cut
1 pound Baby potatoes

  • Preheat oven to 325°.
  • Add the corned beef to a large dutch oven.
  • Tuck onions around the sides.
  • Mix brown sugar and seasonings together. Sprinkle on top of the corned beef.
  • Pour Guinness around the corned beef.
  • Cover and bake 1 hour per pound.
  • Let cool slightly before slicing or shredding for Rueben sandwiches.
  • Serve with cooking juices for gravy over meat and potatoes.

SEASONING
1 tablespoon mustard seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon trim-colored peppercorns
1/2 – 1 teaspoon anise seeds
8 whole cloves
4 cardamom pods
4 LARGE bay leaves (crushed)
 or 1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

  • Heat a medium sized heavy bottomed skillet or pot over medium heat.
  • Add the mustard seeds (if using), black peppercorns, anise seeds, cloves, and cardamom pods.
  • Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are fragrant.
  • Pulse the toasted seeds and bay leaves in a spice grinder a few times.
  • Add in the ground coriander, red pepper flakes and ground ginger.
  • Use as you normally would when making corned beef.

 

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 21 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.146

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED & ON MY MIND

WOW, is it really Monday again? Last week was again a blur of work, phone calls and errands associated with all the things that come with preparing for a sudden onset life changing illness of a family member while working to meet a deadline on the new estate sale house we took on.

We are still waiting on tests and results for my stepdad, your prayers are all appreciated. Let me reiterate that the health care in this county SUCKS! In my opinion it border lines on complete negligence.

On a happier note we started the sale with a friends and family day last Thursday that was a HUGE success, but it made for a VERY long weekend where I once again didn’t get as much accomplished at home let alone get to visit any of your blogs.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Yesterday was COLD for the end of May (62, rainy and windy), but today is supposed to be 80 and sunny as is the rest of the week. 🙂

TO DO LIST, APPOINTMENTS & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I have a load of bedding to do, but otherwise am pretty caught up.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I have tons to do for cooking at the Eagles on Friday night and catering a wedding on Saturday. Some of the errands are in a town an hour away, so fortunately they coincide with my oncology follow up – I fully anticipate another clean bill of health. 🙂
  • PROJECTS & TRAVELS Everything is on hold for now.

DVR/TV TIME

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • 24 in 24, AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, BEAT BOBBY FLAY, GUY’S GROCERY GAMES

READING TIME

I’ve been so busy that I have been falling asleep the minute my head hits the pillow.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/26 MONDAY
5/27 TUESDAY
5/28 WEDNESDAY
5/29 THURSDAY
5/30 FRIDAY
5/31 SATURDAY
6/1 SUNDAY
DINNER
 MEATLOAF and TWICE BAKED POTATOES
HALIBUT ENCHILADAS with CREAMY WHITE PINTO BEANS
 PAN FRIED PORK CHOPS with CHILI GLAZED CARROTS
 PHYLLO CHICKEN POT PIE
 CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
CORN/YOYO clean out refrigerator night or you’re on your own
 We’ll be at a graduation party.
DESSERT
 
 
 STRAWBERRY SPOON BREAD

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

This is Carl aka Morris, the friendliest cat in the world. He’s been hanging around the recent estate sale I’ve been working. He actually lives next door, but Donna, the woman who lived there had been feeding him and her brother who hired us said EVERYTHING GOES including and ESPECIALLY the cat!! But, the cat refuses to leave and meets me at the door EVERY morning before promptly making himself at home.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • CAITLYN’S CORNED BEEF
  • PAN FRIED CHICKEN in SHERRY MUSHROOM CREAM SAUCE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

*TAMY’S SOUTHERN APPLE WALNUT CARROT CAKE ~ BLOG 365.142

TAMY’S SOUTHERN APPLE WALNUT CARROT CAKE

CAKE

1 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Malibu rum
2 cups plus more for pans all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons QUALITY ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 LARGE eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups grated apples – half grated and half chopped (I used Pink Lady apples)
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
1 cup small chopped walnuts

  • Pour rum over raisins in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 minutes and then drain well for several minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Grease and flour 2 (9-inch) round pans or a 9×13 cake pan.
  • Line bottom of the pans with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
  • Add eggs and vegetable oil, blending JUST until combined.
  • Dredge drained raisins in Wondra flour, shaking off excess.
  • Fold in apples, carrots, raisins and walnuts, if using.
  • Pour into pans.
  • Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.
  • Remove from pans to a cooling rack.
  • Allow to cool completely before frosting.

FROSTING

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces salted butter, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon PURE vanilla extract
FINELY chopped walnuts for garnish, optional

  • In a large bowl cream together the cream cheese and butter.
  • Add the vanilla and powdered sugar, beating until fluffy.
  • Fold in nuts if using.
  • Spread frosting on top of each cake layer.
  • Stack the cakes on a serving plate and serve.

NOTE: I tried making this gluten free. I also tried using Bob’s red mill egg substitute in making this recipe. Both are FAILS!

SLOW COOKER CRACK CHICKEN ~ BLOG 365.140

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken is made of everything addicting and delicious! This chicken has it all ~ bacon, ooey gooey cheese, cream cheese and flavored with ranch dressing seasoning mix.

SLOW COOKER CRACK CHICKEN

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 ounce packet ranch seasoning mix
16 ounces cream cheese, cut into quarters
8 slices bacon, diced, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sliced green onions

  • LIGHTLY spray sloow cooker insert with non stick spray.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle over the ranch seasoning mix.
  • Place the cream cheese on top of the chicken.

  • Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours WITHOUT opening the lid during the cooking time.

  • Shred the chicken with 2 forks.
  • Stir the cooked cream cheese into the shredded chicken.
  • Add the bacon pieces.
  • Spread out into an even layer.
  • Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.
  • Reduce to warm, top with green onions and cover for 10 more minutes to allow the cheddar cheese to melt.
  • 
Serve over rice or baked potatoes, on a sandwich roll or even over a salad.

NOTE: Use a spicy ranch packet or pepperoncinis or 1 SMALL diced jalapeno for added spice. Lipton Soup makes a Savory Herb version that is also a great substitute for the Hidden Valley Ranch.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY, MENUS & RECIPES week 20 of 2025 ~ BLOG 365.139

Be sure to join Happy Homemaker Monday with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

LAST WEEK RECAPPED

WOW, is it really Monday? Last week was a blur of work, phone calls and errands associated with all the things that come with preparing for a sudden onset life changing illness of a family member while working to meet a deadline on the new estate sale house we took on.

We spent the weekend preparing for and participating in a BBQ competition to benefit the Mercy Children’s foundation. It was the first time our team had participated and we had a GREAT time. Today will be short and sweet. I’m just exhausted and have so many things to do this morning to help my mom arrange this home health care situation.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

We’re cold and rainy here again. It was almost miserable at the BBQ competition yesterday. I had on a turtleneck on as well as a hoodie and sweatshirt ALL day. I don’t think we got above 52° and it was cloudy as well as windy! This week is supposed to be a combination of all of that so I’m glad I didn’t pack away the cold weather gear just yet this year. 

TO DO LIST, TV/DVR & PROJECTS

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I did get 2 loads of laundry done after we got home last night.
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS ?? so much – where to start
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING This is day by day trying to come up with high protein, low sodium, low carb, low fat recipes that my stepdad can eat during his radiation treatment.
WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • I need to get caught up on 24 in 24, Spring Baking Championship and Guy’s Grocery Games.

READING TIME

I was supposed to be out of town for the family reunion so was going to miss book club anyway, but when things changed and we had to stay here I rejoined the BBQ team for yesterday and still missed book club. Also on the team was my friend Nicole who was skipping book club too. We commiserated on how little time we had each had to ready lately. While we at the event both our phones started pinging from the book club group text page. Absolutely everyone had to cancel except one person. Nicole and I were laughing so hard. 😂

I’m still reading Forest Trap by Sigrid Holm.

FUNNIES

MENU PLANS

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
5/19 MONDAY
5/20 TUESDAY
5/21 WEDNESDAY
5/22 THURSDAY
5/23 FRIDAY
5/24 SATURDAY
5/25 SUNDAY
DINNER
 PHILLY CHEESESTEAK STUFFED PEPPERS
 VEGETABLE FRITTATA
 PAN FRIED CHICKEN with FRIED CAULIFLOWER RICE
 CHEESY MEATBALLS and PASTA
MEATBALL SAMMIES
 BBQ WINGS and KOOSLA MAC SLAW
 OUT
DESSERT
 
 
 

FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM THE CAMERA

Presenting our dishes for judging.

INSPIRATIONS

LIFE TIP

HOMEMAKING / COOKING TIP

RECIPES COMING UP THIS WEEK

  • SOUTHERN WALNUT APPLE CARROT CAKE

RECIPE LINKS FROM LAST WEEK

  • TENNESSEE ONIONS
  • CREAMY HAM & POTATOES