Day twenty-four mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Proud of me....took out a package of elk meat(which we have been avoiding because the daughter does not like)! I was told by a dear friend that if you soak it overnight in milk it helps the taste. So that is just what I did, so what next? Off to the computer I went and thanks to www.mantestedrecipes.com I found TONS of amazing recipes!! However, all marinades require an overnight soak :( Very sad!! Now what for dinner?
LEFTOVER Beef Stew!! I love it when a plan comes together!
">
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Day twenty-three mission "Cabinet Dinner"
YIPPEE!! I found the last package of our cow in the bottom of the deep freeze! Labeled "Soup Bones" It snowed here ALL DAY, so soup is in order.
Ingredients went as follows:
1 pkg Beef Soup Bones
2 Cans Beef Broth
4 Cans Water
Potato's
Carrots
Celery
Onion
2 tbsp Thyme
2 tbsp Rosemary
1 tbsp Sage
Salt and Pepper
Oil
I went, let's see, EVERYWHERE trying to figure out something different to make with these bones! Well Beef Stew is it. Not very much meat on these bones :( Place all the chopped veggies in a bowl and use some of the herbs to coat them, don't use it all. Take some Olive Oil and some herbs and rub the bones. In one deep dish baking dish place the soup bones and all the chopped veggies in it. Baked in the oven for one hour at 400 degrees. Meanwhile place the Beef Broth and Water in stock pot turn heat to low and let that sit until veggies and bones are done. If you have any leftover herbs, put them in the pot. Put the veggies and bones in stockpot bring to boil, then let simmer until all veggies are soft or ready for eatin'! You may need to cut any meat that is on your bones and remove the bones. Don't forget to serve your favorite rolls with it!!
Comments from Family:
Daughter - Too busy talking with our guest to comment!
Hubby - Ate 2 bowls!! Said it was very tasty and good.
Me - Not happy that there wasn't more meat on it and next time I will put garlic in it. Otherwise, it was warm and filling in the tummy!
Guest - Thanks for dinner it was really good!! He ate 3 bowls!!!
YIPPEE!! I found the last package of our cow in the bottom of the deep freeze! Labeled "Soup Bones" It snowed here ALL DAY, so soup is in order.
Ingredients went as follows:
1 pkg Beef Soup Bones
2 Cans Beef Broth
4 Cans Water
Potato's
Carrots
Celery
Onion
2 tbsp Thyme
2 tbsp Rosemary
1 tbsp Sage
Salt and Pepper
Oil
I went, let's see, EVERYWHERE trying to figure out something different to make with these bones! Well Beef Stew is it. Not very much meat on these bones :( Place all the chopped veggies in a bowl and use some of the herbs to coat them, don't use it all. Take some Olive Oil and some herbs and rub the bones. In one deep dish baking dish place the soup bones and all the chopped veggies in it. Baked in the oven for one hour at 400 degrees. Meanwhile place the Beef Broth and Water in stock pot turn heat to low and let that sit until veggies and bones are done. If you have any leftover herbs, put them in the pot. Put the veggies and bones in stockpot bring to boil, then let simmer until all veggies are soft or ready for eatin'! You may need to cut any meat that is on your bones and remove the bones. Don't forget to serve your favorite rolls with it!!
Comments from Family:
Daughter - Too busy talking with our guest to comment!
Hubby - Ate 2 bowls!! Said it was very tasty and good.
Me - Not happy that there wasn't more meat on it and next time I will put garlic in it. Otherwise, it was warm and filling in the tummy!
Guest - Thanks for dinner it was really good!! He ate 3 bowls!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Day twenty-two mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Today I believe you will find out just how "redneck" our lil family is. If you remember I had taken out pork chops for last night, however my hubby and daughter had other plans. So Pork chops we are going to have. You will probably agree with me, pork chops on the grill are yummo!! Slight hiccup in this equation.....ITS THE DEAD OF WINTER outside!! No worries I dug out my trusty cast iron ribbed frying pan! Here's the redneck, I use it on top of my glass top range :) I guess I'll learn when my glass breaks, until then makes for a great indoor bbq!
Ingredients went as follows:
3 Pork Chops
3 tbsp Orange Marmalade
1 tsp Thyme
3 tbsp Dijon Mustard
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 head chopped Romaine Lettuce
1/2 head chopped Iceberg Lettuce
1 can Mandarin Oranges
Pine Nuts
Paper towel dry your pork chops and olive oil, salt, and pepper, rub them over. Grill these both sides until they have grill marks. In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp Orange Marmalade and Thyme, mix well. Brush this on the pork chops, let chops cook the remainder of the way threw(both sides). In a large salad bowl add Romaine, Iceberg Lettuce, and oranges. In another small bowl combined 1 tbsp Orange Marmalade, Dijon Mustard mix this together slowly. Once your pork chops are cooked threw cut those up into small pieces, I let mine cool for a few minutes, then I added them to the lettuce. Now for the final step, the bowl of mustard and marmalade slowly pour in 1/4 cup of olive oil, once mix together well pour over your salad! Add desired amount of pine nuts to each serving.
Comments from family:
Daughter - This is the best ever Mom!
Hubby - It's ok. (I personally think the mandarin oranges were not his favorite.)
Me - At first I thought the mustard would overpower the meal, but it came together very well. Not a fan of the mandarin oranges, so if I had regular oranges I would use those next time.
Today I believe you will find out just how "redneck" our lil family is. If you remember I had taken out pork chops for last night, however my hubby and daughter had other plans. So Pork chops we are going to have. You will probably agree with me, pork chops on the grill are yummo!! Slight hiccup in this equation.....ITS THE DEAD OF WINTER outside!! No worries I dug out my trusty cast iron ribbed frying pan! Here's the redneck, I use it on top of my glass top range :) I guess I'll learn when my glass breaks, until then makes for a great indoor bbq!
Ingredients went as follows:
3 Pork Chops
3 tbsp Orange Marmalade
1 tsp Thyme
3 tbsp Dijon Mustard
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 head chopped Romaine Lettuce
1/2 head chopped Iceberg Lettuce
1 can Mandarin Oranges
Pine Nuts
Paper towel dry your pork chops and olive oil, salt, and pepper, rub them over. Grill these both sides until they have grill marks. In a small bowl combine 2 tbsp Orange Marmalade and Thyme, mix well. Brush this on the pork chops, let chops cook the remainder of the way threw(both sides). In a large salad bowl add Romaine, Iceberg Lettuce, and oranges. In another small bowl combined 1 tbsp Orange Marmalade, Dijon Mustard mix this together slowly. Once your pork chops are cooked threw cut those up into small pieces, I let mine cool for a few minutes, then I added them to the lettuce. Now for the final step, the bowl of mustard and marmalade slowly pour in 1/4 cup of olive oil, once mix together well pour over your salad! Add desired amount of pine nuts to each serving.
Comments from family:
Daughter - This is the best ever Mom!
Hubby - It's ok. (I personally think the mandarin oranges were not his favorite.)
Me - At first I thought the mustard would overpower the meal, but it came together very well. Not a fan of the mandarin oranges, so if I had regular oranges I would use those next time.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Day twenty-one mission "Cabinet Dinner"
SURPRISE!! I love surprises!! So, my dinner plan was a package of pork chops, however, my hubby came up with his own plan. Between him and my daughter they took out on an adventure!! Homemade tortilla's.....Was kinda worried about this because we are not at all Spanish and we have always bought tortilla's. They took the the leftover chicken, rice, and beans and made me a burrito dinner! I know I know we just had that, but I didn't have to make it and it cleared out some leftovers!!
The greatest part, my daughter learns right along side either one of us and these are life lessons she can take with her anywhere. :)
SURPRISE!! I love surprises!! So, my dinner plan was a package of pork chops, however, my hubby came up with his own plan. Between him and my daughter they took out on an adventure!! Homemade tortilla's.....Was kinda worried about this because we are not at all Spanish and we have always bought tortilla's. They took the the leftover chicken, rice, and beans and made me a burrito dinner! I know I know we just had that, but I didn't have to make it and it cleared out some leftovers!!
The greatest part, my daughter learns right along side either one of us and these are life lessons she can take with her anywhere. :)
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Day twenty mission "Cabinet Dinner"
You can tell we ALL have different taste buds!! The body is an amazing thing, but what is good for one is not always the best to someone else. This you will see in the dinner creation for tonight. Good thing there is only three of us and I only have that many taste buds for this mission. Pretty sure someone would go hungry if I had a whole herd of a family!!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 Ham Hock
2 qrts Water
Celery
Carrots
Onion
1 cup Lentils
1 tbsp Parsley
3 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp Dried Chopped Garlic
Salt and Pepper
Did I mention that I LOVE my crock pot!!?? Saturday is always such a busy busy busy day for our family, so this is easiest! Ham Hock in the pot pour water in. Chop up all your veggies and drop into the pot. Use as much or as little as you want. Add all the rest of your ingredients and let cook all day!! Just before we were ready to eat I removed the ham hock, took the fat and bones out. Broke up the ham and returned in to the pot. Stir it all together. Don't forget your favorite rolls!!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Taste buds said NO!! She did not like it!!
Hubby - He said it is OK, could have used something else but not sure what. He added Cholula Original.
Me - I'm not gonna lie, ham has never been my favorite. Being a trooper and using what we have. This was not my favorite, I agree with hubby it needed something. Not sure what............
You can tell we ALL have different taste buds!! The body is an amazing thing, but what is good for one is not always the best to someone else. This you will see in the dinner creation for tonight. Good thing there is only three of us and I only have that many taste buds for this mission. Pretty sure someone would go hungry if I had a whole herd of a family!!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 Ham Hock
2 qrts Water
Celery
Carrots
Onion
1 cup Lentils
1 tbsp Parsley
3 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp Dried Chopped Garlic
Salt and Pepper
Did I mention that I LOVE my crock pot!!?? Saturday is always such a busy busy busy day for our family, so this is easiest! Ham Hock in the pot pour water in. Chop up all your veggies and drop into the pot. Use as much or as little as you want. Add all the rest of your ingredients and let cook all day!! Just before we were ready to eat I removed the ham hock, took the fat and bones out. Broke up the ham and returned in to the pot. Stir it all together. Don't forget your favorite rolls!!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Taste buds said NO!! She did not like it!!
Hubby - He said it is OK, could have used something else but not sure what. He added Cholula Original.
Me - I'm not gonna lie, ham has never been my favorite. Being a trooper and using what we have. This was not my favorite, I agree with hubby it needed something. Not sure what............
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Day nineteen mission "Cabinet Dinner"
What day is it? FRIDAY!! That's right and last Friday we did burritos and a movie. Well a tradition can be started whenever. So, burritos for dinner again, but I did switch it up!! I do believe I will see how many Friday's I can go with "the burrito" theme!
Ingredients went as follows:
4 different fillers:
2 cups rice
Put this in your rice cooker, I put extra water so it was a little more sticky.
2 cans pinto beans
1/2 chopped onion
oil
In fry pan put oil and onion saute til onions are clear but not browned. Pour beans in and let come to a boil turn heat off or to low and hand mash, careful not to let the heat dry them out.
3 chicken breasts
water onion
oil
cumin
oregano
salt and pepper
sage
thyme
garlic
In stock pot I place chicken covered in water. Allow this to boil until the chicken is cooked and the broth is almost gone. In a fry pan I put some oil with the chopped garlic and saute that until you smell the flavor. Add the chicken and shred. With the cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme and, sage add what you like. I am going to guess I add at least 2 tbsp's of each, I never measure :) Mix this in well, put pan back on the heat and pour the leftover water from stock pot into the pan. Let boil until broth is about gone. Turn heat down to low, place onions over the top of meat - DO NOT MIX IN - let this simmer covered for 25 min then mix all together. Leave this pan on low while you prep your assembly line.
Cheese
Tortilla's
You are ready to put your assembly line together and wrap it up!! Beans, rice, chicken, cheese.......repeat beans, rice, chicken, cheese......repeat
Comments from family:
Daughter - You put rice in this?!! I can't even taste it!! Yum
Hubby - Friday slumber - no comment but ate several.
Me - Always a good staple and although it sounds like a lot of work it goes really quick. Next time I might add sour cream and salsa in the assembly line.
What day is it? FRIDAY!! That's right and last Friday we did burritos and a movie. Well a tradition can be started whenever. So, burritos for dinner again, but I did switch it up!! I do believe I will see how many Friday's I can go with "the burrito" theme!
Ingredients went as follows:
4 different fillers:
2 cups rice
Put this in your rice cooker, I put extra water so it was a little more sticky.
2 cans pinto beans
1/2 chopped onion
oil
In fry pan put oil and onion saute til onions are clear but not browned. Pour beans in and let come to a boil turn heat off or to low and hand mash, careful not to let the heat dry them out.
3 chicken breasts
water onion
oil
cumin
oregano
salt and pepper
sage
thyme
garlic
In stock pot I place chicken covered in water. Allow this to boil until the chicken is cooked and the broth is almost gone. In a fry pan I put some oil with the chopped garlic and saute that until you smell the flavor. Add the chicken and shred. With the cumin, oregano, salt, pepper, thyme and, sage add what you like. I am going to guess I add at least 2 tbsp's of each, I never measure :) Mix this in well, put pan back on the heat and pour the leftover water from stock pot into the pan. Let boil until broth is about gone. Turn heat down to low, place onions over the top of meat - DO NOT MIX IN - let this simmer covered for 25 min then mix all together. Leave this pan on low while you prep your assembly line.
Cheese
Tortilla's
You are ready to put your assembly line together and wrap it up!! Beans, rice, chicken, cheese.......repeat beans, rice, chicken, cheese......repeat
Comments from family:
Daughter - You put rice in this?!! I can't even taste it!! Yum
Hubby - Friday slumber - no comment but ate several.
Me - Always a good staple and although it sounds like a lot of work it goes really quick. Next time I might add sour cream and salsa in the assembly line.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Day eighteen mission "Cabinet Dinner"
I love it when a plan comes together!! Some dear friends of ours asked if they could take our daughter to the circus, so she went with them with dinner and the show. My hubby has a meeting from 6:30 to who knows when. Me, I'm eye spying the leftover soup from last night!!
It's just that simple, kick everyone out dig out and ol' favorite and curl up on the couch for American Idol tryouts!!
PS The soup was way better the second day, but isn't it always!
I love it when a plan comes together!! Some dear friends of ours asked if they could take our daughter to the circus, so she went with them with dinner and the show. My hubby has a meeting from 6:30 to who knows when. Me, I'm eye spying the leftover soup from last night!!
It's just that simple, kick everyone out dig out and ol' favorite and curl up on the couch for American Idol tryouts!!
PS The soup was way better the second day, but isn't it always!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Day seventeen mission "Cabinet Dinner"
The theme for the day, "in 2's"! As my daughter and I spend everyday together, we give every day a theme. Examples being "Adventure Thursday & Wacky Wednesday" We do fun things on these days. So, for dinner that is what "in 2's" is for. Which won't be every night, but the recipe I whipped up was all in 2"s. Of course, everything is better "in 2's"! Coffee with a friend, a walk with your spouse, and I can bet you could imagine a few things!!
Ingredients went as follows:
2 Fresh Link Sausage (Unflavored Pork)
2 cans Black-Eyed Peas
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans beef broth
2 cups water
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
2 chopped garlic cloves
1/2 an onion chopped
salt and pepper
Feet in the air, freezer wide open, yup that's what I look like diggin' threw the deep freeze!! O' a package of Fresh Link Sausage....Ah what is this? Thawed it out and "bam" two strings of sausage!! Are ya seeing where the "in 2"s" is coming from? In stock pot put a wee bit of olive oil, chopped onion, chopped garlic saute for a minute and then add your Italian Seasoning, get those flavors going. Add the sliced pork links and cook those until you see no more pink. Then start dumpin'!! Black-eyed peas, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Let that come to a boil, then turn temp down to a simmer and let sit for at least a half hour.
Comments from family:
Daughter - She refused to eat said it looked BAD!! About 7:30pm she dipped in and ate 2 bowls!! Crazy kid
Hubby - "O' that meat is horrible!" The rest had very good flavor.
Me - Gonna agree with Hubby about the sausage, but the rest was AMAZING!! Next time I make this I will consider maybe stew meat/soup bones.
The theme for the day, "in 2's"! As my daughter and I spend everyday together, we give every day a theme. Examples being "Adventure Thursday & Wacky Wednesday" We do fun things on these days. So, for dinner that is what "in 2's" is for. Which won't be every night, but the recipe I whipped up was all in 2"s. Of course, everything is better "in 2's"! Coffee with a friend, a walk with your spouse, and I can bet you could imagine a few things!!
Ingredients went as follows:
2 Fresh Link Sausage (Unflavored Pork)
2 cans Black-Eyed Peas
2 cans tomato sauce
2 cans beef broth
2 cups water
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
2 chopped garlic cloves
1/2 an onion chopped
salt and pepper
Feet in the air, freezer wide open, yup that's what I look like diggin' threw the deep freeze!! O' a package of Fresh Link Sausage....Ah what is this? Thawed it out and "bam" two strings of sausage!! Are ya seeing where the "in 2"s" is coming from? In stock pot put a wee bit of olive oil, chopped onion, chopped garlic saute for a minute and then add your Italian Seasoning, get those flavors going. Add the sliced pork links and cook those until you see no more pink. Then start dumpin'!! Black-eyed peas, tomato sauce, beef broth, and water. Let that come to a boil, then turn temp down to a simmer and let sit for at least a half hour.
Comments from family:
Daughter - She refused to eat said it looked BAD!! About 7:30pm she dipped in and ate 2 bowls!! Crazy kid
Hubby - "O' that meat is horrible!" The rest had very good flavor.
Me - Gonna agree with Hubby about the sausage, but the rest was AMAZING!! Next time I make this I will consider maybe stew meat/soup bones.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Day sixteen mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Ha Ha Ha Ha!! Yes, I am laughing!! When you think you have hit bottom on a meal, you realize overly simple is not all that bad. My daughter says the funniest things. "Mom this is the best dinner you have ever made" and then the following evening, "Mom this is the best dinner you have ever made"!! Kids are so innocent. Tonights meal was a simple throw it together, because I just DID NOT WANT TO COOK!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 can Pinto beans
Leftover gallon bag of cooked rice
1 tbsp chopped jalapeno's
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
salt and pepper
Got thee ol' fry pan out, placed the garlic and Italion Seasoning in with a touch of olive oil. Sauted that up until I could smell the flavors. Added the rice, beans, jalapeno's, broth, salt, and pepper. Warmed all that threw and plopped it into a bowl. Dinner is served!
Comments from family:
Daughter - "Mom this is the best dinner ever" lol
Hubby - Yet again, he was out of town!! I am beginning to think he is doing this on purpose ;-)
Me - While this was quick and simple and the flavor was "ok" this will not be a staple for our home!!
Ha Ha Ha Ha!! Yes, I am laughing!! When you think you have hit bottom on a meal, you realize overly simple is not all that bad. My daughter says the funniest things. "Mom this is the best dinner you have ever made" and then the following evening, "Mom this is the best dinner you have ever made"!! Kids are so innocent. Tonights meal was a simple throw it together, because I just DID NOT WANT TO COOK!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 can Pinto beans
Leftover gallon bag of cooked rice
1 tbsp chopped jalapeno's
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
salt and pepper
Got thee ol' fry pan out, placed the garlic and Italion Seasoning in with a touch of olive oil. Sauted that up until I could smell the flavors. Added the rice, beans, jalapeno's, broth, salt, and pepper. Warmed all that threw and plopped it into a bowl. Dinner is served!
Comments from family:
Daughter - "Mom this is the best dinner ever" lol
Hubby - Yet again, he was out of town!! I am beginning to think he is doing this on purpose ;-)
Me - While this was quick and simple and the flavor was "ok" this will not be a staple for our home!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Day fifteen mission "Cabinet Dinner"
You ever notice how the grocery stores make things sooooo easy for us? You can purchase what you need for a meal, pop it in the micro and be on your way! Sorry, not for me :) Nothing feels better than an accomplished meal made from scratch. I know I know sometimes time is not in our favor and those types of products work. I just have issues.
Off to the freezer!! Pork Tenderloins, I have puchased these before, pre-soaked and ready to pop in the oven. This one is from our pig last year!
Ingredients went as follows:
Pork Tenderloin
1 tsp chopped dried garlic
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp cream cheese
1 tsp chopped garlic
Did I mention I love my mortar and pestle!! Put the dried garlic, thyme, oregano in and grind it up. In a frying pan place a wee bit of oil and the moist garlic get that flavor going and add the ground herbs, plus the salt. Once you can smell the flavors add that to your cream cheese in a seperate bowl. Mix together well. Leave the pan out, you'll need it again. Slice open the tenderloin the length of it, stuff your cream cheese mixture in it and then use the remainder to coat the outside of the tenderloin. In your frying pan, brown three sides of your tenderloin, not the cut open side. Place this in a baking dish and bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes or so. You can cut open the pork and check for doneness. Tonight we added mashed potatos and Broccoli Coleslaw.
Comments from family:
Daughter - Cleared the plate, didn't hear much from her!
Hubby - Good!
Me - I love the way the cream cheese gives the pork moisture and I love herbs so this was up my alley with the mashed potatos!!
You ever notice how the grocery stores make things sooooo easy for us? You can purchase what you need for a meal, pop it in the micro and be on your way! Sorry, not for me :) Nothing feels better than an accomplished meal made from scratch. I know I know sometimes time is not in our favor and those types of products work. I just have issues.
Off to the freezer!! Pork Tenderloins, I have puchased these before, pre-soaked and ready to pop in the oven. This one is from our pig last year!
Ingredients went as follows:
Pork Tenderloin
1 tsp chopped dried garlic
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp cream cheese
1 tsp chopped garlic
Did I mention I love my mortar and pestle!! Put the dried garlic, thyme, oregano in and grind it up. In a frying pan place a wee bit of oil and the moist garlic get that flavor going and add the ground herbs, plus the salt. Once you can smell the flavors add that to your cream cheese in a seperate bowl. Mix together well. Leave the pan out, you'll need it again. Slice open the tenderloin the length of it, stuff your cream cheese mixture in it and then use the remainder to coat the outside of the tenderloin. In your frying pan, brown three sides of your tenderloin, not the cut open side. Place this in a baking dish and bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes or so. You can cut open the pork and check for doneness. Tonight we added mashed potatos and Broccoli Coleslaw.
Comments from family:
Daughter - Cleared the plate, didn't hear much from her!
Hubby - Good!
Me - I love the way the cream cheese gives the pork moisture and I love herbs so this was up my alley with the mashed potatos!!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Day 13 & 14 mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Wow!! What an amazing weekend!! How much can you say about your friends? For day 13 our friends had us over for a beautiful turkey dinner!! YUMMO Then on day 14 we were down in the basement trying to insulate the ductwork and one of our other friends brought us Gyro's!! DOUBLE YUMMO How are you doing with your friends?
My encouragement to you, take the time to make friends and take even more time to keep them by spending time together! Time is a precious, so spend it wisely. True friends will always be there for, irregardless of the matter at hand.
Nothin' better than spending and evening together over a meal!!
Wow!! What an amazing weekend!! How much can you say about your friends? For day 13 our friends had us over for a beautiful turkey dinner!! YUMMO Then on day 14 we were down in the basement trying to insulate the ductwork and one of our other friends brought us Gyro's!! DOUBLE YUMMO How are you doing with your friends?
My encouragement to you, take the time to make friends and take even more time to keep them by spending time together! Time is a precious, so spend it wisely. True friends will always be there for, irregardless of the matter at hand.
Nothin' better than spending and evening together over a meal!!
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Day twelve mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Friday night, movie night, family night! Finally, hubby gets home before the sun goes down. This means a nice relaxing evening together as a family. So, you guessed it, we need a simple dinner recipe!!
Movie includes "Zoo Keeper" So hilarious!!
Dinner includes Burritos!
Ingredients went as follows:
2 cans pinto beans
half an onion, chopped small
leftover pork ribs
mozarella cheese
salt and pepper
tortilla's
In a pan saute your onions a wee bit, pour in both cans of pinto beans add salt and pepper to taste. Once this is boiling get your potato masher out and start mashing!! Take off the heat or your beans will dry out. Thank you to my goodest friend Lisa for teaching me to make the best refried beans! I placed the pork from the pork ribs in the microwave to heat up, I left the sauerkraut in!! Formed an assembly line, beans, meat, and cheese. Wrap all this in a warm tortilla and we call that finger food for dinner!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Did you leave the sauerkraut in this? It is really good!! She ate 3.
Hubby - Real good, I lost count how many he ate.
Me - Love to use up the leftovers, this was quick and simple and the flavor was amazing! The movie was funny too!
Friday night, movie night, family night! Finally, hubby gets home before the sun goes down. This means a nice relaxing evening together as a family. So, you guessed it, we need a simple dinner recipe!!
Movie includes "Zoo Keeper" So hilarious!!
Dinner includes Burritos!
Ingredients went as follows:
2 cans pinto beans
half an onion, chopped small
leftover pork ribs
mozarella cheese
salt and pepper
tortilla's
In a pan saute your onions a wee bit, pour in both cans of pinto beans add salt and pepper to taste. Once this is boiling get your potato masher out and start mashing!! Take off the heat or your beans will dry out. Thank you to my goodest friend Lisa for teaching me to make the best refried beans! I placed the pork from the pork ribs in the microwave to heat up, I left the sauerkraut in!! Formed an assembly line, beans, meat, and cheese. Wrap all this in a warm tortilla and we call that finger food for dinner!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Did you leave the sauerkraut in this? It is really good!! She ate 3.
Hubby - Real good, I lost count how many he ate.
Me - Love to use up the leftovers, this was quick and simple and the flavor was amazing! The movie was funny too!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Day eleven mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Are you ready for this? Quaker Oatmeal not plain, the ones in the "ready to go" individual packages!! Flavors would include Maple & Brown Sugar, Apple Cinnamon, and Apple Spice. These boxes of oatmeal are actually the reason I started this mission. We have 6 boxes stacked nicely in the cupboard. Everytime I open that cupboard it frustrates me that NOBODY eats them. Of course, it was an amazing deal with coupons and "I had to get them". Whatever!! Now I have to figure out how to use them.....
Meatloaf!
Ingredients went as follows:
1lb ground beef
Italian Seasoning, add to your taste
salt and pepper
1 pkg Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal
1 Egg
Topping:
1 tbsp Worchestshire Sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
First 5 ingredients went in the bowl and mixed all together, formed this into a loaf and placed in my bread pan. Combined the next 4 ingredients in a small bowl until the brown sugar was dissolved and poured over the top of the loaf. Cooked at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Add whatever else you would like for side dishes, we had baked potatos.
Comments from family:
Daughter - She had two helpings - Need I say more!
Hubby - It's a little sweeter, but so good!
Me - It was very tasty, the topping started to crystalize, which gave it a yummo taste. Next time I will put 2 packages of oatmeal.
Are you ready for this? Quaker Oatmeal not plain, the ones in the "ready to go" individual packages!! Flavors would include Maple & Brown Sugar, Apple Cinnamon, and Apple Spice. These boxes of oatmeal are actually the reason I started this mission. We have 6 boxes stacked nicely in the cupboard. Everytime I open that cupboard it frustrates me that NOBODY eats them. Of course, it was an amazing deal with coupons and "I had to get them". Whatever!! Now I have to figure out how to use them.....
Meatloaf!
Ingredients went as follows:
1lb ground beef
Italian Seasoning, add to your taste
salt and pepper
1 pkg Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal
1 Egg
Topping:
1 tbsp Worchestshire Sauce
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tbsp Dijon Mustard
First 5 ingredients went in the bowl and mixed all together, formed this into a loaf and placed in my bread pan. Combined the next 4 ingredients in a small bowl until the brown sugar was dissolved and poured over the top of the loaf. Cooked at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Add whatever else you would like for side dishes, we had baked potatos.
Comments from family:
Daughter - She had two helpings - Need I say more!
Hubby - It's a little sweeter, but so good!
Me - It was very tasty, the topping started to crystalize, which gave it a yummo taste. Next time I will put 2 packages of oatmeal.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Day ten mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Can you believe it? Well I certainly CAN NOT!! I have made dinner for ten day and not gone to the store for ingredients!!! The savings are amazing :) The few dollars here, few dollars there really add up! My daughter says, mom can you please go to the store and get me some more fruit. So, I reckon, maybe tomorrow, I will go to the store for some fresh fruits and verggies BUT THAT'S IT!! Such a great feeling when your child/children ask for fruits and veggies.
One thing about life is sometimes we deal with illness or something along those line. Tonight my mind is sunk with a migraine!! What does that mean for the family.......LEFTOVERS!!
We have beef stew, pork ribs and rice, and lemony pasta with chicken, done deal!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Had pretzels and half of a turkey sandwich I left in the fridge. Sorry mom didn't know you was gonna eat it!
Hubby - Beef stew - ALWAYS better the second day, all the juices soak into everything.
Me - Beef stew and Lemony pasta ;) I was hungry, didn't help the headache though - off to bed I go!
Can you believe it? Well I certainly CAN NOT!! I have made dinner for ten day and not gone to the store for ingredients!!! The savings are amazing :) The few dollars here, few dollars there really add up! My daughter says, mom can you please go to the store and get me some more fruit. So, I reckon, maybe tomorrow, I will go to the store for some fresh fruits and verggies BUT THAT'S IT!! Such a great feeling when your child/children ask for fruits and veggies.
One thing about life is sometimes we deal with illness or something along those line. Tonight my mind is sunk with a migraine!! What does that mean for the family.......LEFTOVERS!!
We have beef stew, pork ribs and rice, and lemony pasta with chicken, done deal!
Comments from family:
Daughter - Had pretzels and half of a turkey sandwich I left in the fridge. Sorry mom didn't know you was gonna eat it!
Hubby - Beef stew - ALWAYS better the second day, all the juices soak into everything.
Me - Beef stew and Lemony pasta ;) I was hungry, didn't help the headache though - off to bed I go!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Day nine mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Most people that know our lil ranch know that not only do we raise pigs, cattle, chickens. turkeys, and veggies. We also take great pleasure in raising Austrailian Cattle Dogs(Queensland Heelers). Today, the final pup took flight to his forever home in WI!! This is always very bittersweet, our pups have never let us down in ability and faithfulness!!
So excited for the Searle family and their new addition.
For dinner, Beef Stew
Ingredients went as follows:
Beef soup bones
8 cups Water
1 tsp celery seeds
1 medium onion chopped
6-8 potatos chopped
carrots chopped(put as many as ya want)
salt and pepper
3 tbsp flour
Trusted ol' crockpot again!! Throw everything in it(except flour) and turned it to high. I let this go until 3pm or so, at this point I took the meat and bones out. Removed the bones and chopped the meat, return to crockpot. Stir it all together and add the flour. BASIC BEEF STEW. Gonna be honest, I have never used beef soup bones for my beef stew!! Always used the stew meat.
Comments from family:
Daughter - Drank the broth and dumped the rest down the sink after she told me she ate everything!! NAUGHTY!!!!!!
Hubby - Boss is in town from AZ, he ate out!! Good grief :-|
Me - YUMMO!! I like the flavor, not sure if that was the beef bones or the celery seed, but it came together nicely and looking forward to leftover night!! Which is coming soon!!
Most people that know our lil ranch know that not only do we raise pigs, cattle, chickens. turkeys, and veggies. We also take great pleasure in raising Austrailian Cattle Dogs(Queensland Heelers). Today, the final pup took flight to his forever home in WI!! This is always very bittersweet, our pups have never let us down in ability and faithfulness!!
So excited for the Searle family and their new addition.
For dinner, Beef Stew
Ingredients went as follows:
Beef soup bones
8 cups Water
1 tsp celery seeds
1 medium onion chopped
6-8 potatos chopped
carrots chopped(put as many as ya want)
salt and pepper
3 tbsp flour
Trusted ol' crockpot again!! Throw everything in it(except flour) and turned it to high. I let this go until 3pm or so, at this point I took the meat and bones out. Removed the bones and chopped the meat, return to crockpot. Stir it all together and add the flour. BASIC BEEF STEW. Gonna be honest, I have never used beef soup bones for my beef stew!! Always used the stew meat.
Comments from family:
Daughter - Drank the broth and dumped the rest down the sink after she told me she ate everything!! NAUGHTY!!!!!!
Hubby - Boss is in town from AZ, he ate out!! Good grief :-|
Me - YUMMO!! I like the flavor, not sure if that was the beef bones or the celery seed, but it came together nicely and looking forward to leftover night!! Which is coming soon!!
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Day eight mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Another adventersum thing about this process, trying things you have never had before! I'll be honest just the thought of some foods makes my stomach curl. The reality of our thoughts, they do not always agree with our tastebuds. By being adventurous we may find out we luv some of the unthinkables!
Gonna thank JB's "Pure & Simple Collection" for this recipe thought! I have NEVER cooked pork ribs and I have NEVER WANTED to try saurerkraut!!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 can Sauerkraut
Pork Ribs
Bottle of beer
Salt and Pepper
Pulled out the ol' crockpot about noon, placed half of the can of Sauerkraut in the bottom of the pot. Next I placed the ribs and covered the ribs with the remainder of the Sauerkraut. Generously salt and peppered the top and then poured the bottle of beer all around. My daughter wanted rice with dinner so I threw 2 cups of white rice into the cooker.
Comments from family:
Daughter - These were really good!!
Hubby - No comment - He had a business dinner with a client! Lame
Me - Seriously thought the sauerkraut was going to have a different taste, it went well with the pork and wasn't that bad. I think I will try something else with the other rib package I have.
Another adventersum thing about this process, trying things you have never had before! I'll be honest just the thought of some foods makes my stomach curl. The reality of our thoughts, they do not always agree with our tastebuds. By being adventurous we may find out we luv some of the unthinkables!
Gonna thank JB's "Pure & Simple Collection" for this recipe thought! I have NEVER cooked pork ribs and I have NEVER WANTED to try saurerkraut!!
Ingredients went as follows:
1 can Sauerkraut
Pork Ribs
Bottle of beer
Salt and Pepper
Pulled out the ol' crockpot about noon, placed half of the can of Sauerkraut in the bottom of the pot. Next I placed the ribs and covered the ribs with the remainder of the Sauerkraut. Generously salt and peppered the top and then poured the bottle of beer all around. My daughter wanted rice with dinner so I threw 2 cups of white rice into the cooker.
Comments from family:
Daughter - These were really good!!
Hubby - No comment - He had a business dinner with a client! Lame
Me - Seriously thought the sauerkraut was going to have a different taste, it went well with the pork and wasn't that bad. I think I will try something else with the other rib package I have.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Day seven mission "Cabinet Dinner"
This adventure is REWARDING!! To my surprise, my cupboards are very fruitful. It takes a little effort, but it can be done. Tonight I went to the internet to see just what I could find. By the time we decided to sit down and think dinner it was already getting late.
Click, click, click......found "Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Chicken" by Catherine Newman! This recipe was so quick and easy. Again, I did have to do a few tweeks, but not too many.
Ingredients went as follows:
1 box Barilla pasta
3 Chicken breasts
1 cup frozen broccoli
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup walnuts(roasted in the oven for 5 minutes)
4 tbsp butter
3 chopped garlic gloves
2 tbsp olive oil
lemon juice
salt and pepper
On the stovetop I had two pans, one for the pasta to cook and one skillet. Of course, cook the pasta as usual, once cooked drain and put back in the pot and add 3 tbsp of butter, mix in. In the skillet add oil and 1 tbsp of butter, get that bubblin. Salt and Pepper both sides of your chicken and place in skillet, cook chicken thru and then remove from pan onto cutting board and slice up. Turn skillet heat to med-low add garlic, stir around for a minute. Now, add the broccoli, broth, walnuts, chicken, and squirt lemon juice(depending on your taste for lemon will depend on how much to use). Stir that around a minute, add your pasta turn the stove down to low and cover for a few minutes to heat thru.
Comments from family:
Daughter - I'm not hungry, not gonna eat! Wait that looks good, maybe I'll have just a little. Yum Mom!! (She cleared the plate)
Hubby - This is really good, it's even better with a walnut in each bite!!
Me - Even though this had pasta, a heavy carb, it was not over filling and very satisfying. This one will go in the recipe book. Plus, it only took 30 minutes to make!!
This adventure is REWARDING!! To my surprise, my cupboards are very fruitful. It takes a little effort, but it can be done. Tonight I went to the internet to see just what I could find. By the time we decided to sit down and think dinner it was already getting late.
Click, click, click......found "Lemony Broccoli Pasta with Chicken" by Catherine Newman! This recipe was so quick and easy. Again, I did have to do a few tweeks, but not too many.
Ingredients went as follows:
1 box Barilla pasta
3 Chicken breasts
1 cup frozen broccoli
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup walnuts(roasted in the oven for 5 minutes)
4 tbsp butter
3 chopped garlic gloves
2 tbsp olive oil
lemon juice
salt and pepper
On the stovetop I had two pans, one for the pasta to cook and one skillet. Of course, cook the pasta as usual, once cooked drain and put back in the pot and add 3 tbsp of butter, mix in. In the skillet add oil and 1 tbsp of butter, get that bubblin. Salt and Pepper both sides of your chicken and place in skillet, cook chicken thru and then remove from pan onto cutting board and slice up. Turn skillet heat to med-low add garlic, stir around for a minute. Now, add the broccoli, broth, walnuts, chicken, and squirt lemon juice(depending on your taste for lemon will depend on how much to use). Stir that around a minute, add your pasta turn the stove down to low and cover for a few minutes to heat thru.
Comments from family:
Daughter - I'm not hungry, not gonna eat! Wait that looks good, maybe I'll have just a little. Yum Mom!! (She cleared the plate)
Hubby - This is really good, it's even better with a walnut in each bite!!
Me - Even though this had pasta, a heavy carb, it was not over filling and very satisfying. This one will go in the recipe book. Plus, it only took 30 minutes to make!!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Day six mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Sometimes a gal gets tired!! That would be where I was for day six dinner. Hubby and I spent the day cutting and stacking firewood. My back hurts and the last thing I want to do is make dinner! Obviously, going out is not and option, so, that means leftovers!!
The meals I made this week were not overly large amounts of food, however, there was enough of each meal for one more meal!! Waste we must not. Everyone picked what they wanted and dinner was warmed and served. We even repurposed the mashed potato's for breakfast and made potato cakes. Simple fix, potatos, an egg, and some cheese. Cook them like pancakes :-)
Sometimes a gal gets tired!! That would be where I was for day six dinner. Hubby and I spent the day cutting and stacking firewood. My back hurts and the last thing I want to do is make dinner! Obviously, going out is not and option, so, that means leftovers!!
The meals I made this week were not overly large amounts of food, however, there was enough of each meal for one more meal!! Waste we must not. Everyone picked what they wanted and dinner was warmed and served. We even repurposed the mashed potato's for breakfast and made potato cakes. Simple fix, potatos, an egg, and some cheese. Cook them like pancakes :-)
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Day five Mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Friends are amazing!! We had some friends over for dinner and movies last night. So how in the world is a cabinet dinner going to work? If you are anything like me when you have company for dinner you want to impress them with what you prepare! Good thing I am at the beginning of my mission, I have food in the house :-) Reverted back to a staple meal!!
Ingredients went as follows:
5 pork chops
8 potatos
1 bag of green beans
About an hour before dinner I took the pork chops and placed them in a ziplock bag. In this bag was a combination of sugar, honey, thyme, oregano, sage, olive oil, garlic, paprika, and italian seasoning mix, plus a splash of water. I never really measure out these ingredients, so whatever your flavor desire pour away!! Those soak for at least a half hour before cooking. Using my cast iron ribbed skillet I cooked the chops on medium. Of course, potatos were peeled and boiled, making mashed potatos and I microwaved the green beans.
Comments from family:
Friends - Very tasty!!
Husband - Good (as he ate some of my homemade dill pickles with it)
Daughter - Too distracted with our friends to comment!!
Me - Pork chops a lil dry for me, however very good comfort food!!
Friends are amazing!! We had some friends over for dinner and movies last night. So how in the world is a cabinet dinner going to work? If you are anything like me when you have company for dinner you want to impress them with what you prepare! Good thing I am at the beginning of my mission, I have food in the house :-) Reverted back to a staple meal!!
Ingredients went as follows:
5 pork chops
8 potatos
1 bag of green beans
About an hour before dinner I took the pork chops and placed them in a ziplock bag. In this bag was a combination of sugar, honey, thyme, oregano, sage, olive oil, garlic, paprika, and italian seasoning mix, plus a splash of water. I never really measure out these ingredients, so whatever your flavor desire pour away!! Those soak for at least a half hour before cooking. Using my cast iron ribbed skillet I cooked the chops on medium. Of course, potatos were peeled and boiled, making mashed potatos and I microwaved the green beans.
Comments from family:
Friends - Very tasty!!
Husband - Good (as he ate some of my homemade dill pickles with it)
Daughter - Too distracted with our friends to comment!!
Me - Pork chops a lil dry for me, however very good comfort food!!
Friday, January 11, 2013
Day four Mission "Cabinet Dinner"
I went to WalMart!! Not for what you think though, the dogs and cats needed more food. My control was unbelievable, all those groceries and I refrained!! So so proud of myself. The reason, I found a recipe on Taste of Home's website. However, I did not have all the ingredients, but I did have other things. Thank you to the woman who created the original recipe on Taste of Home, I tweeked it to what was in my cupboard. Guess wha,t pork sausage isn't just for breakfast, I know duh!! Remember I was a straight and narrow meal maker.
Ingredients went as follows:
Pork sausage 1lb
Water 2 cups
Boullion Cubes 3
Pinto beans 1 can
Blackeyed peas 1 can
Diced tomato's 1 can
Thyme 1 tsp
Rosemary 1 tsp
Got the stockpot out thoroughly cooked the pork. Then added all ingredients. I did put the Rosemary in the mortar and pestel and ground it. The Blackeyed peas was the only thing I rinsed before adding. Once all was combined and stirred, I let it come to a rapid boil, to help break down the cubes. Then I turned the stove to low and let it set until dinner time. I did use another recipe from online to make one hour rolls.
Comments from family:
Daughter - It's good mom.
Husband - Is this taco soup, what's in it? That actually came out good!
Me - VERY FLAVORFUL!! You will not need any salt or pepper for this one. The sausage gave everything so much taste. This one will go in my cookbook!
I went to WalMart!! Not for what you think though, the dogs and cats needed more food. My control was unbelievable, all those groceries and I refrained!! So so proud of myself. The reason, I found a recipe on Taste of Home's website. However, I did not have all the ingredients, but I did have other things. Thank you to the woman who created the original recipe on Taste of Home, I tweeked it to what was in my cupboard. Guess wha,t pork sausage isn't just for breakfast, I know duh!! Remember I was a straight and narrow meal maker.
Ingredients went as follows:
Pork sausage 1lb
Water 2 cups
Boullion Cubes 3
Pinto beans 1 can
Blackeyed peas 1 can
Diced tomato's 1 can
Thyme 1 tsp
Rosemary 1 tsp
Got the stockpot out thoroughly cooked the pork. Then added all ingredients. I did put the Rosemary in the mortar and pestel and ground it. The Blackeyed peas was the only thing I rinsed before adding. Once all was combined and stirred, I let it come to a rapid boil, to help break down the cubes. Then I turned the stove to low and let it set until dinner time. I did use another recipe from online to make one hour rolls.
Comments from family:
Daughter - It's good mom.
Husband - Is this taco soup, what's in it? That actually came out good!
Me - VERY FLAVORFUL!! You will not need any salt or pepper for this one. The sausage gave everything so much taste. This one will go in my cookbook!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Day three Mission "Cabinet Dinner":
What's funny is, at the moment there is a lot to choose from in the cupboards and freezer! Wait til this is two weeks down the road. So, my meals may seem simple and no brainers, however, I am rather proud of myself! Three days and I have not asked my hubby to pick up an ingredient on the way home.
Ingredients went as follows:
Package McCormick's Mild Taco Seasoning
chicken breasts
Keebler saltines crushed
salt and pepper
flour
rice
The rice went into the rice cooker, hard I know ;-) My daughter placed the Keebler crackers in a ziplock and crushed them with the rolling pin. In a medium bowl I put McCormick's Seasoning, flour, salt, and pepper. Once the Keebler crackers were crushed they went in the bowl too. Mixed that all up and put the chicken in to coat it. Placed the chicken in a glass casserole dish, placed it in the oven at 375 degrees. Was feeling rather tired and lazy, so last night we went without veggies, don't tell my mom :-)!!
Comments from family:
Husband - This is good.
Daughter - We did good mom!!
Me - The chicken had good flavor, next time I think I may dip the chicken in egg first and then in the coating. Rice is always good with some sour cream or butter.
What's funny is, at the moment there is a lot to choose from in the cupboards and freezer! Wait til this is two weeks down the road. So, my meals may seem simple and no brainers, however, I am rather proud of myself! Three days and I have not asked my hubby to pick up an ingredient on the way home.
Ingredients went as follows:
Package McCormick's Mild Taco Seasoning
chicken breasts
Keebler saltines crushed
salt and pepper
flour
rice
The rice went into the rice cooker, hard I know ;-) My daughter placed the Keebler crackers in a ziplock and crushed them with the rolling pin. In a medium bowl I put McCormick's Seasoning, flour, salt, and pepper. Once the Keebler crackers were crushed they went in the bowl too. Mixed that all up and put the chicken in to coat it. Placed the chicken in a glass casserole dish, placed it in the oven at 375 degrees. Was feeling rather tired and lazy, so last night we went without veggies, don't tell my mom :-)!!
Comments from family:
Husband - This is good.
Daughter - We did good mom!!
Me - The chicken had good flavor, next time I think I may dip the chicken in egg first and then in the coating. Rice is always good with some sour cream or butter.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Day two Mission "Cabinet Dinner"
First things first! My cabinets have a lot of items in them because I spend some of my time couponing and shopping case lot sales. You bet your bottom dollar, if I can get something FREE or greatly discounted, I am going to!!
Last night was a quick and easy night. Dad was away for the night for work, so it was just daughter and me. My other lil secret, the fridge has leftovers in it!! My family is not so good at eating leftovers, well they are going to be now!! ;-)
Ingredients went as follows:
Zatarains New Orleans Style Rice Pilaf
Cup of frozen corn
Leftover cooked chicken strips, cubbed
Pretty quick and simple night for dinner! Followed the recipe on the Zatarains box, just added the corn and chicken into it so the flavors would mix into everything.
Comments from family:
Daughter-This is good mom!
Me-Although the flavoring in the Pilaf is rather strong, it was good. Next time I may go with green beans instead, the corn had a weird texture.
First things first! My cabinets have a lot of items in them because I spend some of my time couponing and shopping case lot sales. You bet your bottom dollar, if I can get something FREE or greatly discounted, I am going to!!
Last night was a quick and easy night. Dad was away for the night for work, so it was just daughter and me. My other lil secret, the fridge has leftovers in it!! My family is not so good at eating leftovers, well they are going to be now!! ;-)
Ingredients went as follows:
Zatarains New Orleans Style Rice Pilaf
Cup of frozen corn
Leftover cooked chicken strips, cubbed
Pretty quick and simple night for dinner! Followed the recipe on the Zatarains box, just added the corn and chicken into it so the flavors would mix into everything.
Comments from family:
Daughter-This is good mom!
Me-Although the flavoring in the Pilaf is rather strong, it was good. Next time I may go with green beans instead, the corn had a weird texture.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Day one Mission "Cabinet Dinner"
Ok, so maybe I went to the freezer!! That's ok, food is food when you are hungry. So, I find a package labeled "ham hocks", it's in the shape of a spiral ham. Here I am thinking, well, this will be good to thaw out and make a ham, I'll glaze it with brown suger and I believe I have a can of pineapple slices. Perfect!! Whatever!! If you hadn't guessed, I HAVE NEVER COOKED HAM HOCKS!! To my surprise when I opened the package, lots of fat, lots of smaller bones, yeah and very little meat!! What in thunder could this be good for?
Husband says I can crockpot this with some beans and make ham/bean soup. Ok, I can do that. So off to the internet I go, just to see what some put in the pot.
Ingredients went as follows:
ham hock
great northern beans
salt and pepper
chicken broth
water
chopped onion
bayleaf
frozen sliced carrots
So, everything in the pot I had!! No emergency run to the grocery store!
Note to self- Beans must soak overnight. Once that was accomplished, I put everything in the pot together except the carrots and let it cook on low for 7 hours, then put the carrots in for the last hour. I also picked out the fat, bayleaf, and bones and shredded the pork.
Comments from the family:
Husband- I don't remember my moms being like a soup. It's really good though!
Daughter-This is awesome mom!
Apparently Ham/Bean Soup doesn't always come out like soup!!
Ok, so maybe I went to the freezer!! That's ok, food is food when you are hungry. So, I find a package labeled "ham hocks", it's in the shape of a spiral ham. Here I am thinking, well, this will be good to thaw out and make a ham, I'll glaze it with brown suger and I believe I have a can of pineapple slices. Perfect!! Whatever!! If you hadn't guessed, I HAVE NEVER COOKED HAM HOCKS!! To my surprise when I opened the package, lots of fat, lots of smaller bones, yeah and very little meat!! What in thunder could this be good for?
Husband says I can crockpot this with some beans and make ham/bean soup. Ok, I can do that. So off to the internet I go, just to see what some put in the pot.
Ingredients went as follows:
ham hock
great northern beans
salt and pepper
chicken broth
water
chopped onion
bayleaf
frozen sliced carrots
So, everything in the pot I had!! No emergency run to the grocery store!
Note to self- Beans must soak overnight. Once that was accomplished, I put everything in the pot together except the carrots and let it cook on low for 7 hours, then put the carrots in for the last hour. I also picked out the fat, bayleaf, and bones and shredded the pork.
Comments from the family:
Husband- I don't remember my moms being like a soup. It's really good though!
Daughter-This is awesome mom!
Apparently Ham/Bean Soup doesn't always come out like soup!!
I am on a MISSION!! For years now, as a family, we have been raising our own beef and pork. generally with that comes A LOT of meat!! I should also mention that we grow an overly large garden and that produce gets canned. Duh, who wouldn't think... So, as I scramble threw the cupboards and the internet for the next best and easiest recipe, I find myself saying "we have nothing to eat". How many can symathize with me? The reality, we have three freezers and there is meat in all of them. We also have a horseshoe kitchen loaded with cabinets. So, do you seriously think we have NO food? Yeah I am with you, there is food in them there cupboards, I just haven't found it yet!!
My mission? Use what we have!! So I am going to start posting what I create with the food items within these walls. After watching several episodes of "Chopped" and mystery baskets, I am sure I can feed my family something yummo!
My encouragement to you, open your cupboards and your minds and share with us what you come up with!!
My mission? Use what we have!! So I am going to start posting what I create with the food items within these walls. After watching several episodes of "Chopped" and mystery baskets, I am sure I can feed my family something yummo!
My encouragement to you, open your cupboards and your minds and share with us what you come up with!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)