After I got home from work yesterday, I started browsing Pinterest and came across this recipe. I wasn't sure when I was going to make it, but its in the crockpot so I couldn't pass it up.
I showed Chris the recipe, and he was all over it! Perfect for a birthday dinner!!!
So, I headed to our Publix to get his cake(that I secretly ordered) and the ingredients for our delicious dinner.
Here's the recipe that I got from http://hotmamanetwork.com/blog/buffalo-chicken-lasagna/.
Ingredients:
- 3 boneless chicken breasts (cooked and chopped – I chopped my very fine)
- 1 Cup Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo Sauce
- 828ml of pasta sauce( 1 big can and then some of another one)
- Uncooked lasagna noodles
- Tub of Ricotta Cheese
- 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup of water
Directions:
- In a bowl combine the chicken, buffalo sauce & pasta sauce
- Spray your 5 qt slow cooker with non stick spray
- Cover the bottom of the crockpot with a layer of the sauce
- Add a layer of noodles – you will need to break them up. We like lots of noodles so we doubled up on this step
- Spread a layer of ricotta cheese across the noodles
- Add bell peppers
- Top with cheese
- Repeat the layers until you run out of ingredients.
- On the final layer top with sauce and cheese
- Pour 1/4 cup of water over your lasagna
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2.5 to 3 hours.
I tasted a bite around 330 this afternoon, and I was blown away! Chris LOVED it and he have a lot left over. I also baked some small whole grain rolls that were B1G1 at Publix.
Everything about his birthday dinner was perfect :) I am so lucky to be married to a man that puts God first in every step of our journey. Here's to many years to come!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Surprise!!!
One more NEW recipe for the day!!! I am so excited about this one. Maybe its because I ate about half of the leftover icing....maybe....I did share with Chris :)
Tomorrow at Chris's office they are having a silent auction to support Relay For Life. One of his co-workers asked if I would be contributing since they have already had 2 of my goodies thus far. So on top of the icing and the new recipe, I am on Cloud 9.
I had the idea to add Oreos to a cake mix before, so why not today? Cookies and candies are perfect compliments to a cake mix.
Are you ready for the recipe?
Preheat oven to 325. I used 2 9 inch pans and if I had turned it up to 350, the cake would have burned.
Ingredients for cake:
oreos
1 white cake mix(with all ingredients to make batter)
All I did was make the cake batter in my stand mixer. Once that was thoroughly mixed, break apart one sleeve of oreos and add to the batter.
Bake for around 20 minutes. Once a fork comes out clean, the cakes are finished.
Oreo icing:
I got this recipe from Your cup of cake. She has an amazing blog filled with delicious goodies. Check her out!
1/2 cup butter(1 stick) softened
8 0z cream cheese softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
4-5 cups powdered sugar(my consistency and taste was perfect at 4 cups)
crushed oreos
Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Once fluffy add in the vanilla.
*I kept my mixer on low for this next process*
Add powdered sugar in one cup at a time
You can gradually crank up the speed once you have added as much. Lastly, crush about one sleeve of oreos and add to the mixer. Allow them all to combine for about 30 seconds and your icing is complete!
Ice you cakes and top with your favorite goodies!
Tomorrow at Chris's office they are having a silent auction to support Relay For Life. One of his co-workers asked if I would be contributing since they have already had 2 of my goodies thus far. So on top of the icing and the new recipe, I am on Cloud 9.
I had the idea to add Oreos to a cake mix before, so why not today? Cookies and candies are perfect compliments to a cake mix.
Are you ready for the recipe?
Preheat oven to 325. I used 2 9 inch pans and if I had turned it up to 350, the cake would have burned.
Ingredients for cake:
oreos
1 white cake mix(with all ingredients to make batter)
All I did was make the cake batter in my stand mixer. Once that was thoroughly mixed, break apart one sleeve of oreos and add to the batter.
Bake for around 20 minutes. Once a fork comes out clean, the cakes are finished.
Oreo icing:
I got this recipe from Your cup of cake. She has an amazing blog filled with delicious goodies. Check her out!
1/2 cup butter(1 stick) softened
8 0z cream cheese softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
4-5 cups powdered sugar(my consistency and taste was perfect at 4 cups)
crushed oreos
Cream the butter and cream cheese together. Once fluffy add in the vanilla.
*I kept my mixer on low for this next process*
Add powdered sugar in one cup at a time
You can gradually crank up the speed once you have added as much. Lastly, crush about one sleeve of oreos and add to the mixer. Allow them all to combine for about 30 seconds and your icing is complete!
Ice you cakes and top with your favorite goodies!
Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pull Apart Bread PLUS a surprise!!
Happy Wednesday, loves! I am finally making some time to post more recipes that I have made. Work has worn me out in multiple ways, and I can only give credit to God for His work and by others allowing Him to move in them for me to debrief after almost every shift.
My spiritual gifts are shepherding and mercy. They are wonderful gifts. I have a continuous tender and compassionate heart. It makes me love my job and my patients more. But like any job, I got worn out physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thank you God for restoration!
After I finished my shift on Friday, my precious hubby had everything ready to go so when I got home, we could leave for my parents house. Mom always wants me to cook something :) I'm used to making dessert while I'm there so this weekend was a little bit of a surprise with me actually making an appetizer: the cheddar bacon ranch bread.
This is incredibly delicious, savory, and addictive!
Ingredients:
1 loaf round bakery bread
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 oz bacon bits(I used turkey bacon)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp ranch packet
Preheat oven to 350. Place aluminum foil on a large baking sheet. For the first 15 minutes, the bread will be covered in foil. It's easier to go ahead and have it under the bread. Place the bread on top of the foil and use a serrated knife to cut length wise and width wise 1 inch cubes. Cut about 3/4 way through the bread. Not completely through the bottom.
Next, take bits of the shredded cheese and place it between the slices. Spinkle bacon bits between and on top of bread. Now, melt the butter and add the 1 tbsp ranch packet to it. Pour mixture all over bread.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover the bread and bake for another 10 minutes. Enjoy!!
***Surprise: I am planning on making a cookies and cream cake today for a silent auction. Recipe to be posted either today or Friday***
My spiritual gifts are shepherding and mercy. They are wonderful gifts. I have a continuous tender and compassionate heart. It makes me love my job and my patients more. But like any job, I got worn out physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thank you God for restoration!
After I finished my shift on Friday, my precious hubby had everything ready to go so when I got home, we could leave for my parents house. Mom always wants me to cook something :) I'm used to making dessert while I'm there so this weekend was a little bit of a surprise with me actually making an appetizer: the cheddar bacon ranch bread.
This is incredibly delicious, savory, and addictive!
Ingredients:
1 loaf round bakery bread
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 oz bacon bits(I used turkey bacon)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tbsp ranch packet
Preheat oven to 350. Place aluminum foil on a large baking sheet. For the first 15 minutes, the bread will be covered in foil. It's easier to go ahead and have it under the bread. Place the bread on top of the foil and use a serrated knife to cut length wise and width wise 1 inch cubes. Cut about 3/4 way through the bread. Not completely through the bottom.
Next, take bits of the shredded cheese and place it between the slices. Spinkle bacon bits between and on top of bread. Now, melt the butter and add the 1 tbsp ranch packet to it. Pour mixture all over bread.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover the bread and bake for another 10 minutes. Enjoy!!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Cookie Cake Pie
This was my second time making this little delight. I cant tell you this though, do NOT have a fork available once you are finished making these. You will not be able to stop :)
I saw this on Pinterest and followed the link to the blog where this was posted. What makes a dessert better than 3 in one, right? Crispy pie crust, decadent chocolate chip cookie dough, and cake and homemade icing. Triple threat indeed :) AND this makes 2 pies
Original Cookie Cake Pie Link
Recipe:
1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough
1 box funfetti cake mix(with all ingredients to make cake batter)
2 deep dish frozen pie crusts
Buttercream:
2 sticks butter at room temp
3 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Split roll of cookie dough in half and press each half into each pie crust. Next, make cake batter according to box directions. Split cake batter between pie pans. Bake in oven for 25-35 minutes.
*Cakes will puff and brown. I turned my oven down to 325 and let it bake longer. Make sure you let the pies bake completely. They are finished when you can poke the middle with a fork and get nothing back.*
While the pies are cooling, whip up the homemade buttercream. The butter here is very important. You have to use regular butter. My first attempt turned out liquid because I used a light butter.
I hope you all enjoy! This has to be one of my favorite recipes and desserts now. It is VERY easy and it makes plenty for a family gathering.
I saw this on Pinterest and followed the link to the blog where this was posted. What makes a dessert better than 3 in one, right? Crispy pie crust, decadent chocolate chip cookie dough, and cake and homemade icing. Triple threat indeed :) AND this makes 2 pies
Original Cookie Cake Pie Link
Recipe:
1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough
1 box funfetti cake mix(with all ingredients to make cake batter)
2 deep dish frozen pie crusts
Buttercream:
2 sticks butter at room temp
3 cups powdered sugar
1-2 tbsp whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350. Split roll of cookie dough in half and press each half into each pie crust. Next, make cake batter according to box directions. Split cake batter between pie pans. Bake in oven for 25-35 minutes.
*Cakes will puff and brown. I turned my oven down to 325 and let it bake longer. Make sure you let the pies bake completely. They are finished when you can poke the middle with a fork and get nothing back.*
While the pies are cooling, whip up the homemade buttercream. The butter here is very important. You have to use regular butter. My first attempt turned out liquid because I used a light butter.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Taco Pizza and Fiesta time
My husband and I attend Epic Church in our town. We are more contemporary and do not do Sunday school. We do Lifegroups instead. Lifegroups are small groups and there are 4 levels to them. 1. being more of a game night/food get together and 4. being deep spiritual discussions. Chris and I lead a Level 2 this semester, and we are loving our group!
I get excited because I get to make a little delight this week. This time I was between 2. Either a cheddar, bacon, ranch pull apart bread OR taco pizza. Well, like any good wifey, I discussed it with Chris. He wanted taco pizza. Can you guess which one won? :D
Here's the ingredients:
2 packages Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 can refried beans(we used the jalepeno kind)
3 Roma tomatoes diced
1 small can black olives
1 lb lean ground beef(you can use chicken or turkey)
1 package taco seasoning
1 package 2 cups Mexican cheese shredded
Preheat oven to 375. Spread crescent rolls onto sprayed baking sheet. Spread the edges of the crust onto the edges of the baking sheet to make a crust. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden. My oven baked them golden delicious at 7 minutes.
While the crust is baking, brown the meat, drain, and add in the taco seasoning packet.
Place the refried beans in a microwave safe container and warm in microwave. Spread a thin layer onto the pizza crust. Follow with the meat, olives, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake in oven for another 3-6 minutes until the cheese is melted.
I get excited because I get to make a little delight this week. This time I was between 2. Either a cheddar, bacon, ranch pull apart bread OR taco pizza. Well, like any good wifey, I discussed it with Chris. He wanted taco pizza. Can you guess which one won? :D
Here's the ingredients:
2 packages Pillsbury crescent rolls
1 can refried beans(we used the jalepeno kind)
3 Roma tomatoes diced
1 small can black olives
1 lb lean ground beef(you can use chicken or turkey)
1 package taco seasoning
1 package 2 cups Mexican cheese shredded
Preheat oven to 375. Spread crescent rolls onto sprayed baking sheet. Spread the edges of the crust onto the edges of the baking sheet to make a crust. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden. My oven baked them golden delicious at 7 minutes.
While the crust is baking, brown the meat, drain, and add in the taco seasoning packet.
Place the refried beans in a microwave safe container and warm in microwave. Spread a thin layer onto the pizza crust. Follow with the meat, olives, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake in oven for another 3-6 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
God Bless America
11 years ago, I was in 6th grade and in my last year at Brent Elementary School. The day passed like any other day. It wasn't until Daddy came home early from work that I knew something was wrong. Something in his eyes gave him away. Immediately he turned on the tv, and what I saw next changed my life forever. What I saw was rubble. Rubble from two towers that that morning stood proudly. Rubble that became a grave to many mommies, daddies, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, best friends, etc. The following days were filled with news updates, replays of the attack, and interviews with witnesses. It seemed like a permanent wound was opened to our American hearts. BUT the dream is still alive. God has prevailed, and His glory is still shining. He placed a dream and a will in so many men and women's lives that are today still fighting for the freedom that our forefathers fought for. I am very proud to be a member of this nation, and today my heart goes out to the men and women and their families who lost loved ones that day, during our war, and those who are still waiting for their loved ones to come home.
Please pray for them every day. We may recognize them today, but every day they are still risking their lives for each of us and our loved ones who are here and safe.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
1 lb ground turkey
1 24 oz marinara. We used Newman's Own Sockarooni sauce
2 cups brown rice
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
3 cloves minced garlic
salt to taste
1 tsp onion powder
2 green peppers
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown ground turkey and drain. Chop the peppers, and add peppers, onion powder, and salt to the turkey. Cook on low until peppers are soft. In another pan, add 2 cups brown rice to boiling water. Once the rice is soft, drain the remaining water.
Spray a large casserole dish with non stick spray. In the casserole dish, mix the rice, spaghetti sauce, and 3/4 cup cheese together.
Once you're peppers are soft, add the meat/pepper mixture to the casserole dish.
Combine. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake for 25 minutes or until cheese is golden.
Please pray for them every day. We may recognize them today, but every day they are still risking their lives for each of us and our loved ones who are here and safe.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
1 lb ground turkey
1 24 oz marinara. We used Newman's Own Sockarooni sauce
2 cups brown rice
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
3 cloves minced garlic
salt to taste
1 tsp onion powder
2 green peppers
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown ground turkey and drain. Chop the peppers, and add peppers, onion powder, and salt to the turkey. Cook on low until peppers are soft. In another pan, add 2 cups brown rice to boiling water. Once the rice is soft, drain the remaining water.
Spray a large casserole dish with non stick spray. In the casserole dish, mix the rice, spaghetti sauce, and 3/4 cup cheese together.
Once you're peppers are soft, add the meat/pepper mixture to the casserole dish.
I hope you all enjoy this new recipe from the Rigoni kitchen. God bless you and yours!!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Irish Soda Bread
Today was a much needed rest/pamper day for me today. I woke up this morning to my precious Tedi prancing down the hallway, jumping onto our king size bed, and pouncing on me until I decided I was going to get up :) How I LOVE my Maltese!
I had my traditional coffee. I am out of stock of my staple 1 overfilled cup Cheerios and cup of Kroger yogurt, but my oatmeal was just as enjoyed. You can't forget about my WHNT in the morning either.
One of the highlights of my morning was finding Zumba on youtube.It's the little things in life really. I think I have found my new past time.
Chris and I enjoyed a night out for dinner at one of our favorites, THE Chick Fil A, and then went grocery shopping. He was at work on Wednesday and found a recipe for Irish Soda Bread that Ina Garten made, so I made sure we added all of our missing ingredients to the list.
Did I mention that we didn't get home until 0830? So.....ingredients mixed, dough kneaded, and placed in the oven by 0850. AND there is flour ALL over our kitchen. Another reason why I love my husband :)
I can't even being to tell you how amazing this aroma is! Three things in life that the aroma will make anyone stop: 1. Brownies 2. Icing(at least for me) 3. homemade bread.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/irish-soda-bread-recipe/index.html
Here is where Chris and I got the recipe from. If you have never seen her show, I highly recommend it. She is wonderful.
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup raisins
One well mixed, combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Spray baking sheet with Pam and sprinkle with flour. Place dough on baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.
Our loaf was finished earlier than 45 minutes. I would say ours had a hollow sound after 35 minutes of baking. We also forgot to cut an x in the top of ours.
Here it is. Yes it looks as good as it tastes. You and yours will have to make this :) I hope you all enjoy.
I had my traditional coffee. I am out of stock of my staple 1 overfilled cup Cheerios and cup of Kroger yogurt, but my oatmeal was just as enjoyed. You can't forget about my WHNT in the morning either.
One of the highlights of my morning was finding Zumba on youtube.It's the little things in life really. I think I have found my new past time.
Chris and I enjoyed a night out for dinner at one of our favorites, THE Chick Fil A, and then went grocery shopping. He was at work on Wednesday and found a recipe for Irish Soda Bread that Ina Garten made, so I made sure we added all of our missing ingredients to the list.
Did I mention that we didn't get home until 0830? So.....ingredients mixed, dough kneaded, and placed in the oven by 0850. AND there is flour ALL over our kitchen. Another reason why I love my husband :)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/irish-soda-bread-recipe/index.html
Here is where Chris and I got the recipe from. If you have never seen her show, I highly recommend it. She is wonderful.
4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants
4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken
1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup raisins
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt on low with an electric mixer. Add the butter and
mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour. Mix the buttermilk and egg together in a separate bowl. Turn your electric mixer back on and slowly add the buttermilk/egg mixture. One well mixed, combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.
Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Spray baking sheet with Pam and sprinkle with flour. Place dough on baking sheet and bake for 45 to 55 minutes.
Our loaf was finished earlier than 45 minutes. I would say ours had a hollow sound after 35 minutes of baking. We also forgot to cut an x in the top of ours.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!
There is so much excitement in the air that I can't stand it! Yesterday I had a beach wave put in my hair, and I am so excited to be able to wash it and fix it for the first time tomorrow. BUT it doesn't end there! Sometime this morning, a very nice package will arrive, and Chris and I will be going to Huntsville to pick up my first car that I will be paying for!!!! I am completely overwhelmed and excited that I haven't been able to sleep :) I was up at 5:30 this morning. OUCH!
I know, I know. It's Saturday, but when you have the excitement of a check AND the first Alabama game of the season who can sleep? I decided since I was already awake why not go ahead and make the crimson dip for the Alabama football party tonight at my brother and sister-in-laws.
This recipe is extremely easy and quick. I'm sure it's going to be a hit tonight!
Ingredients:
1 8oz cream cheese
1 box Red Velvet Cake
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
3-4 tbsp milk
In a stand mixer(or a bowl), cream together the cream cheese and butter. Once they are mixed well, add 2-3 cups of the cake mix, and between each added cup add 1 tbsp milk. Slowly, one cup at a time, add the powdered sugar. Again, between each cup added, add 1 tbsp milk.
*The most helpful tip I can give is that this dip is all about texture and sweetness. If you are happy with less milk and a thicker dip, I would suggest only adding the 3 tbsp. I added the full 3 cups of powdered sugar and 3.5 tbsp of milk. It is a pretty thick dip, but in my personal opinion this one should be thicker.*
I hope you all enjoy :)
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
I know, I know. It's Saturday, but when you have the excitement of a check AND the first Alabama game of the season who can sleep? I decided since I was already awake why not go ahead and make the crimson dip for the Alabama football party tonight at my brother and sister-in-laws.
This recipe is extremely easy and quick. I'm sure it's going to be a hit tonight!
Ingredients:
1 8oz cream cheese
1 box Red Velvet Cake
2-3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
3-4 tbsp milk
In a stand mixer(or a bowl), cream together the cream cheese and butter. Once they are mixed well, add 2-3 cups of the cake mix, and between each added cup add 1 tbsp milk. Slowly, one cup at a time, add the powdered sugar. Again, between each cup added, add 1 tbsp milk.
*The most helpful tip I can give is that this dip is all about texture and sweetness. If you are happy with less milk and a thicker dip, I would suggest only adding the 3 tbsp. I added the full 3 cups of powdered sugar and 3.5 tbsp of milk. It is a pretty thick dip, but in my personal opinion this one should be thicker.*
I hope you all enjoy :)
ROLL TIDE ROLL!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Happy Tuesday, my friends
I realized last week that it has been quite a while since I have written. Between 2 to 3 12 hour shifts in a row and being exhausted, I really haven't had a chance to do much other than love on my husband and fur babies, chores, eat, and sleep.
Being busy with work and having late nights there isn't always easy. I feel guilty for losing time with my precious husband even just for a few days, but when days are crazy there is nothing else you can do but take a deep breath and do what you can. I remember 2 weeks ago coming home and telling him how guilty I felt, and we talked about it. Guilt the way I was feeling is not of God. We prayed together and I felt the weight of the world leave my shoulders.
I have always believed that when you are doing God's work and what He created you to do, you will have more attacks on you. For weeks, I have had terrible nightmares. I mean to
Being busy with work and having late nights there isn't always easy. I feel guilty for losing time with my precious husband even just for a few days, but when days are crazy there is nothing else you can do but take a deep breath and do what you can. I remember 2 weeks ago coming home and telling him how guilty I felt, and we talked about it. Guilt the way I was feeling is not of God. We prayed together and I felt the weight of the world leave my shoulders.
I have always believed that when you are doing God's work and what He created you to do, you will have more attacks on you. For weeks, I have had terrible nightmares. I mean to
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Chocolate Chip Cookie Brittle
I have officially been at Decatur General for a little over a month now, and I absolutely LOVE it! Nothing is better than living your dream and fulfilling the plans that God created you to do. I can have the worst day on the planet, but because one patient tells me that I made a difference all that is erased. Knowing that I can make a difference by caring for others is one of my loves, and I am grateful to live in a country where I can do just that.
Over the past 5 days, I have been quite the baker. I made 2 batches of the Golden Oreo Cake Batter Blondies. One for a get together and another to take to work. Have a mentioned that I LOVE my job? AND my co-workers. I knew this week would be filled with goodies galore, so when I thought about what to make for our lifegroup tonight, what better than something easy and more than likely already had the ingredients for.
I found this recipe from A Whisk and a Prayer. I have made this recipe a couple of times, but I always like to add a little spin on it to make it more "mine."
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
What you will need:
1 cup softened butter
2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips or any chips of your choice
optional: nuts, rainbow sprinkles(my FAVORITE garnish for anything sweet)
*I also added 4 pinches of brown sugar*
Mix the butter and vanilla together. Once they are combined, add in the salt, sugar, flour, chips, and any other toppings you chose.
Here is what is looks like all combined in my lovely red mixer. The batter is going to be a little thick. This is normal for the cookie brittle.
Spray your baking sheet with Pam, and spread the dough completely on the sheet. I find it easier to use my Tupperware rubber spatula to flatten the dough and spread it out easier. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
*Make sure you check the brittle at around 15 minutes*
Wait for it to cool completely, and then remove in pieces from the baking sheet. I hope you enjoy this!
What extra toppings did you add to your cookie brittle?
Over the past 5 days, I have been quite the baker. I made 2 batches of the Golden Oreo Cake Batter Blondies. One for a get together and another to take to work. Have a mentioned that I LOVE my job? AND my co-workers. I knew this week would be filled with goodies galore, so when I thought about what to make for our lifegroup tonight, what better than something easy and more than likely already had the ingredients for.
I found this recipe from A Whisk and a Prayer. I have made this recipe a couple of times, but I always like to add a little spin on it to make it more "mine."
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
What you will need:
1 cup softened butter
2 tsp of vanilla extract
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips or any chips of your choice
optional: nuts, rainbow sprinkles(my FAVORITE garnish for anything sweet)
*I also added 4 pinches of brown sugar*
Mix the butter and vanilla together. Once they are combined, add in the salt, sugar, flour, chips, and any other toppings you chose.
Here is what is looks like all combined in my lovely red mixer. The batter is going to be a little thick. This is normal for the cookie brittle.
Spray your baking sheet with Pam, and spread the dough completely on the sheet. I find it easier to use my Tupperware rubber spatula to flatten the dough and spread it out easier. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
*Make sure you check the brittle at around 15 minutes*
What extra toppings did you add to your cookie brittle?
Monday, July 9, 2012
Chicken and Dumpling Bake
Happy Monday my blog followers!
Let me tell you, once I walked that stage on May 5th I have hit the grown up world running. July 4 was my first day off in about a month, and I loved the sweet taste of freedom. No puns :) So Thursday when I had day #2 off, I was antsy. In my previous blog, I mentioned that a precious co-worker's FIL brought us Mexican for lunch one day. I had to pay her back somehow, but which recipe to choose? Luckily, she made it easy for me.
What better than chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes? I took those to work this past Friday, and all of the nurses and techs were VERY pleased :) Always makes my day to know I make tummies happy.
After I finished the cupcakes, I knew that the hubs and I were low of meals, and we had the ingredients for chicken and dumplings that we hadn't used yet.
Chicken and Dumpling Bake:
2-3 lbs chicken breasts
10 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 cream of mushroom soup
salt and pepper to taste
1 can of 10 biscuits
My chicken breasts were frozen, and my waterless cookware cooked them in about 15 minutes. You can't get any better than that :) After the chicken was thoroughly cooked, I preheated my oven to 425 and cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces.
Spray your casserole dish with Pam or any other nonstick spray. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, soup, salt and pepper, and frozen vegetables. Once they are thoroughly mixed, pour into the casserole dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Halfway through the bake time, place the biscuits on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for the remaining 15 minutes or until golden brown. After the 30 minutes are complete, remove the casserole dish from the oven and place the biscuits on top.
I finished this recipe right at the minute that I needed to leave to go in for my last shift at Victoria's Secret, so I did not get a taste and I yet have had the chance. BUT my precious husband brought my repaired rings to the store and told me that the dish was incredible!! I am always thankful to know that I can cook dishes that he loves and asks for again. I didn't come into our relationship cooking. It is something that I picked up and really wanted to learn to do because I feel like its my duty as a wife. Chris is a fabulous cook, and I will always appreciate him stepping out of the kitchen for me to give this a try. I have fallen in love with baking and cooking and I know I have God and him to thank for that.
Let me tell you, once I walked that stage on May 5th I have hit the grown up world running. July 4 was my first day off in about a month, and I loved the sweet taste of freedom. No puns :) So Thursday when I had day #2 off, I was antsy. In my previous blog, I mentioned that a precious co-worker's FIL brought us Mexican for lunch one day. I had to pay her back somehow, but which recipe to choose? Luckily, she made it easy for me.
What better than chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes? I took those to work this past Friday, and all of the nurses and techs were VERY pleased :) Always makes my day to know I make tummies happy.
After I finished the cupcakes, I knew that the hubs and I were low of meals, and we had the ingredients for chicken and dumplings that we hadn't used yet.
Chicken and Dumpling Bake:
2-3 lbs chicken breasts
10 oz bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 cream of mushroom soup
salt and pepper to taste
1 can of 10 biscuits
My chicken breasts were frozen, and my waterless cookware cooked them in about 15 minutes. You can't get any better than that :) After the chicken was thoroughly cooked, I preheated my oven to 425 and cut the chicken into 1 inch pieces.
Spray your casserole dish with Pam or any other nonstick spray. In a large bowl, mix the chicken, soup, salt and pepper, and frozen vegetables. Once they are thoroughly mixed, pour into the casserole dish, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Halfway through the bake time, place the biscuits on a cookie sheet and place in the oven for the remaining 15 minutes or until golden brown. After the 30 minutes are complete, remove the casserole dish from the oven and place the biscuits on top.
I finished this recipe right at the minute that I needed to leave to go in for my last shift at Victoria's Secret, so I did not get a taste and I yet have had the chance. BUT my precious husband brought my repaired rings to the store and told me that the dish was incredible!! I am always thankful to know that I can cook dishes that he loves and asks for again. I didn't come into our relationship cooking. It is something that I picked up and really wanted to learn to do because I feel like its my duty as a wife. Chris is a fabulous cook, and I will always appreciate him stepping out of the kitchen for me to give this a try. I have fallen in love with baking and cooking and I know I have God and him to thank for that.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
I have been working at the hospital for 3 weeks now, and I have SO missed baking!! This past Sunday, a co-worker mentioned Mexican for lunch. Her sweet father in law brought it to us, and they wouldn't let me pay them back. What better payback than yummy chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes? Answer:nothing.
I went this morning to get the ingredients.
Cake:
1 box sugar free yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
I added chocolate chunks to my cake batter. I added around 1 cup.
Bake the cupcakes on 325 for 19-23 minutes. Mine were perfect at 19 minutes.
While those are baking, you need to make the eggless cookie dough.
Cookie Dough:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup butter
1 TBSP vanilla
4 TBSP milk
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
Mix thoroughly and then add chocolate chunks. I added 1 bag(11.5 oz) of chocolate chunks.
When the cupcakes have cooled, cut a circle in the top and remove the center. You will need to trim the top that you removed once you have filled the center with you cookie dough.
After your 2 dozen yummy cupcakes are filled, add about 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream to the remaining cookie dough. Use this as your frosting :) I can't even begin to tell you how delicious this is!
I went this morning to get the ingredients.
Cake:
1 box sugar free yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
I added chocolate chunks to my cake batter. I added around 1 cup.
Bake the cupcakes on 325 for 19-23 minutes. Mine were perfect at 19 minutes.
While those are baking, you need to make the eggless cookie dough.
Cookie Dough:
2 cups flour
1/3 cup butter
1 TBSP vanilla
4 TBSP milk
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
Mix thoroughly and then add chocolate chunks. I added 1 bag(11.5 oz) of chocolate chunks.
When the cupcakes have cooled, cut a circle in the top and remove the center. You will need to trim the top that you removed once you have filled the center with you cookie dough.
After your 2 dozen yummy cupcakes are filled, add about 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream to the remaining cookie dough. Use this as your frosting :) I can't even begin to tell you how delicious this is!
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
I hope everyone is doing well on this beautiful Wednesday morning. I have to admit that I am still nervous. I took boards yesterday, and I won't find out results until late tonight or early tomorrow. I did do the "trick" to find out if I passed which is to try to re-register to take the exam. If it lets you register, you did not pass. It did not let me register so I am taking that as good news.
Chris and I like to plan meals for around 2 weeks, so when we buy groceries we won't have to constantly come back. One night when we were getting ready to go to bed the idea for this casserole came into my mind. Has anyone been to Big Bob Gibson's BBQ? If not, at least once in your lifetime you need to go. I always get their turkey stuffed baked potato, and it's heaven. Who can complain about a huge baked potato, sour cream, butter, cheese, and delicious turkey?
I love casseroles, and I knew we had just about everything to make this creation already. A huge thank you to Publix for the B1G1 BBQ sauce. We had plenty to go around :)
First I put 2 frozen chicken breasts and enough bbq sauce to cover them in the crock pot on low for about 6 hours. About an hour to hour and a half before you want to plate the casserole, get a pot of boiling water ready to make your mashed potatoes. I used 3 large Russet potatoes.
While your potatoes are boiling, shred the chicken and place it back into the crock pot so it will absorb more of the bbq sauce. It took about half an hour for the potatoes to become soft enough for a fork to go through them. I mashed the potatoes up completely, skin and all. Then, I put butter and sour cream in them to make a mashed potato.
Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray, and you're ready to layer. First place all of the mashed potatoes on the bottom. After you have smoothed them over, evenly spread the shredded bbq chicken, and lastly, sprinkle a cup to a cup and a half of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Here is the hardest part: cooking the casserole and waiting to eat it. Place the dish in the oven at 365 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the cheese it golden.
Ingredients:
1 pound of frozen chicken breasts
1 cup of shredded cheese
1 small container of reduced fat or fat free sour cream
Butter
3 large Russet potatoes
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce(1 used about half of the bottle)
*With the butter and sour cream, add as much as you are comfortable and happy with. I used the taste rule :)
Chris and I like to plan meals for around 2 weeks, so when we buy groceries we won't have to constantly come back. One night when we were getting ready to go to bed the idea for this casserole came into my mind. Has anyone been to Big Bob Gibson's BBQ? If not, at least once in your lifetime you need to go. I always get their turkey stuffed baked potato, and it's heaven. Who can complain about a huge baked potato, sour cream, butter, cheese, and delicious turkey?
I love casseroles, and I knew we had just about everything to make this creation already. A huge thank you to Publix for the B1G1 BBQ sauce. We had plenty to go around :)
First I put 2 frozen chicken breasts and enough bbq sauce to cover them in the crock pot on low for about 6 hours. About an hour to hour and a half before you want to plate the casserole, get a pot of boiling water ready to make your mashed potatoes. I used 3 large Russet potatoes.
While your potatoes are boiling, shred the chicken and place it back into the crock pot so it will absorb more of the bbq sauce. It took about half an hour for the potatoes to become soft enough for a fork to go through them. I mashed the potatoes up completely, skin and all. Then, I put butter and sour cream in them to make a mashed potato.
Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray, and you're ready to layer. First place all of the mashed potatoes on the bottom. After you have smoothed them over, evenly spread the shredded bbq chicken, and lastly, sprinkle a cup to a cup and a half of shredded cheddar cheese on top.
Here is the hardest part: cooking the casserole and waiting to eat it. Place the dish in the oven at 365 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the cheese it golden.
Ingredients:
1 pound of frozen chicken breasts
1 cup of shredded cheese
1 small container of reduced fat or fat free sour cream
Butter
3 large Russet potatoes
1 bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce(1 used about half of the bottle)
*With the butter and sour cream, add as much as you are comfortable and happy with. I used the taste rule :)
Monday, June 4, 2012
Skillet Cookie
Happy Monday Everyone!!
Here's how my Monday started. 12:10 AM the thunder wakes me up. Now with that being said, I do not like storms. I'm not terrified, but I could do without the thunder. Our 60 lb love bug, Mason, feels the same way. He sleeps on the back deck, and I felt awful for him last night. SO, I went outside and brought him in for the night. He slept in the bathroom on one of our comforters. Well, let's not forget Tedi. He knew his buddy was coming in, so I had to let him stay in the bathroom too or else....there would be scratching and barking until they were reunited. Goodness :)
4:30. Chris's alarm goes off. I sleep deeper than he does, but I ALWAYS wake up first when that thing goes off. Finally, I convince him to shut the blasted thing off, and by 6AM I am up for the day.
I'm sure you're wondering when the cookie is going to come into the picture :)
Well, I completed some NCLEX questions, worked out with Insanity Insane Abs(so much sweat...ew), and then lunch. YUM!!
So the afternoon keeps ticking on and I'm bored. What's better than whipping something sweet up to enjoy? The answer: nothing.
I perused Pinterest, and found this recipe. I slightly modified it because I didn't have the chips, and I added a little bit of me. Here we go:
Ingredients
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg and 1 yolk
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups chocolate chips.
Because I didn't have the chips I had to change mine up a little bit. I had a melting chocolate. I just grabbed a cube and chopped it.
Mix the butter and 2 sugars together. Once they are combined and smooth, add in the egg. Stir in. Next, mix in the flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
After all this is mixed together, fold in the chips or if you're like me, the chopped chocolate.
Preheat your oven to 350 and grease your cast iron skillet.
Pour the batter evenly into the skillet.
Another me touch: Pour caramel sauce over the batter and top with sprinkles. The best are rainbow.
Bake it for about 15 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. The inside will look like its not finished baking, but it will look more solid once you set it out to cool.
Can life get any better right now? Cookies, chocolate, caramel, and rainbow sprinkles!!
You're more than welcome to come join me for a refreshment or pick me up.
Here's how my Monday started. 12:10 AM the thunder wakes me up. Now with that being said, I do not like storms. I'm not terrified, but I could do without the thunder. Our 60 lb love bug, Mason, feels the same way. He sleeps on the back deck, and I felt awful for him last night. SO, I went outside and brought him in for the night. He slept in the bathroom on one of our comforters. Well, let's not forget Tedi. He knew his buddy was coming in, so I had to let him stay in the bathroom too or else....there would be scratching and barking until they were reunited. Goodness :)
4:30. Chris's alarm goes off. I sleep deeper than he does, but I ALWAYS wake up first when that thing goes off. Finally, I convince him to shut the blasted thing off, and by 6AM I am up for the day.
I'm sure you're wondering when the cookie is going to come into the picture :)
Well, I completed some NCLEX questions, worked out with Insanity Insane Abs(so much sweat...ew), and then lunch. YUM!!
So the afternoon keeps ticking on and I'm bored. What's better than whipping something sweet up to enjoy? The answer: nothing.
I perused Pinterest, and found this recipe. I slightly modified it because I didn't have the chips, and I added a little bit of me. Here we go:
Ingredients
3/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg and 1 yolk
2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cups chocolate chips.
Because I didn't have the chips I had to change mine up a little bit. I had a melting chocolate. I just grabbed a cube and chopped it.
Mix the butter and 2 sugars together. Once they are combined and smooth, add in the egg. Stir in. Next, mix in the flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla.
After all this is mixed together, fold in the chips or if you're like me, the chopped chocolate.
Preheat your oven to 350 and grease your cast iron skillet.
Pour the batter evenly into the skillet.
Another me touch: Pour caramel sauce over the batter and top with sprinkles. The best are rainbow.
Bake it for about 15 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. The inside will look like its not finished baking, but it will look more solid once you set it out to cool.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Golden Oreo Cake Batter Blondies
While preparing for our cookout this week, I went through my Pinterest boards to find a dessert recipe. Earlier in the week I had remembered searching through a blog that I adore, and I found a recipe for golden oreo cake batter blondies. I knew that would be my new recipe for the week.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
First mix together 1 yellow cake mix, 1/4 cup of oil, and 1 egg. I used my stand mixer for this. After those 3 ingredients are mixed together, slowly mix in 1/3-1/2 cup milk. I filled my 1/2 cup measuring cup, turned my mixer on low, and slowly added in the milk. I ended up staying between 1/3-1/2 rather than choosing one or the other. The batter will be thick and sticky.
Next, I added in 1/2 cup of sprinkles. I took my mixing bowl off of the mixer and used a large spoon to fold these in. It was quite the workout :)
After the sprinkles are folded in, you are going to fold in 1 1/2 cups of crushed oreos. To make this a little easier and to be sure that I had the oreos mixed thoroughly, I folded the oreos in by 1/2 cup measurements.
Now you are ready to place these in your greased 8x8 baking pan.
Here is what the batter looks like after smoothing and evening it out. Once you are satisfied with this, top with more sprinkles and crushed oreos. It now looks like this.
YUM!!! Place in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Your house is going to smell delightful, and trust me on this one, it is hard to wait 30 minutes for these to cool to cut. These were a hit at the cookout, and the taste and texture of the blondies are perfect.
When you pull them out of the oven, the middle is going to look like it is not cooked all of the way. Wait 30 minutes to cut them, and by that time, the middle will have become more stable.
1 yellow cake mix
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1/3-1/2 milk
1/2 cup sprinkles(have extra to top with)
1 1/2 cup crushed golden oreos(have extra to top with)
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Next, I added in 1/2 cup of sprinkles. I took my mixing bowl off of the mixer and used a large spoon to fold these in. It was quite the workout :)
Now you are ready to place these in your greased 8x8 baking pan.
1 yellow cake mix
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
1/3-1/2 milk
1/2 cup sprinkles(have extra to top with)
1 1/2 cup crushed golden oreos(have extra to top with)
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A Year of Bliss
I still cannot believe that today is our ONE year anniversary. It seems like yesterday that I was picking up my dress, helping my MIL make the Groom's cake and goodies, spending the night before with my family, and getting dolled up for pictures. I felt incredibly beautiful on that day, and it meant even more to me that I walked down the aisle to the same song that my mother did.
http://sfstrings.com/music/MIDI/BACH_AVE_MARIA.MID
Everything was beautiful. Granted, things did not go the way that we had planned that day, the outcome of this huge event in our lives was perfect. We had a wonderful honeymoon filled with lots of fun and relaxation. Our trip back home to the states was exciting to say the least :) Here's a part of it
Why yes, that is Chris Brown. Our plane from Miami to Birmingham was cancelled, and Mr. Brown was the the Miami International Airport.
Happy Anniversary to us, and many more to come. I have married my soul mate, best friend, and my perfect prince. Nothing is better than being treated like a queen and knowing how loved and adored I am. I am truly blessed.
http://sfstrings.com/music/MIDI/BACH_AVE_MARIA.MID
Happy Anniversary to us, and many more to come. I have married my soul mate, best friend, and my perfect prince. Nothing is better than being treated like a queen and knowing how loved and adored I am. I am truly blessed.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Chicken Teryaki
It has been 11 days since I graduated, and I have to say I am finally relaxed. I have gotten myself on a little schedule again, and I love being able to spend time to pamper myself. I have been quite creative with cooking lately, and I very proud of that. From the pizza casserole, adding my own touches to the meatballs, and trying new recipes.
*A little can go a long way*
This is true in nursing as well as every other aspect in life. For example, last week I was on my way to get my CPR/BLS renewed and there were two RN's at the gas station I stopped at. I approached them, shook their hands, and wished them a Happy Nurse's Week. I don't know how if affected them, but knowing that I thanked them for all they do made my day. Giving is always better than receiving. That is another reason why I chose nursing as my career.
So...onto the 'yaki. I was on one of my favorite websites, Pinterest, on Monday, and I came across a crock pot chicken teriyaki recipe. It can't get any better after you add the words "crock pot" to something.
This is modified from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom's blog.
Ingredients:
1 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 1/2 teaspoons cold water
Cooked rice
Place the chicken in the crock pot. Mix the sugar, soy sauce, apple cider, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper together, and pour on top of the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Pour liquid from the crock pot into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix together cornstarch and water, and once mixed stir into the crock pot liquid. Bring sauce down to medium and keep stiring until the sauce has thickened.
Boil rice. For vegetables, I used a frozen bag of gumbo style veggies. I would have preferred to use an asian style, but that was unavailable :)
After the sauce, veggies, and rice were complete, I shredded the chicken. Then I placed it all in a bowl.
*A little can go a long way*
This is true in nursing as well as every other aspect in life. For example, last week I was on my way to get my CPR/BLS renewed and there were two RN's at the gas station I stopped at. I approached them, shook their hands, and wished them a Happy Nurse's Week. I don't know how if affected them, but knowing that I thanked them for all they do made my day. Giving is always better than receiving. That is another reason why I chose nursing as my career.
So...onto the 'yaki. I was on one of my favorite websites, Pinterest, on Monday, and I came across a crock pot chicken teriyaki recipe. It can't get any better after you add the words "crock pot" to something.
This is modified from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom's blog.
Ingredients:
1 lbs of boneless skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 1/2 teaspoons cold water
Cooked rice
Place the chicken in the crock pot. Mix the sugar, soy sauce, apple cider, vinegar, ginger, garlic, and pepper together, and pour on top of the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Pour liquid from the crock pot into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix together cornstarch and water, and once mixed stir into the crock pot liquid. Bring sauce down to medium and keep stiring until the sauce has thickened.
Boil rice. For vegetables, I used a frozen bag of gumbo style veggies. I would have preferred to use an asian style, but that was unavailable :)
After the sauce, veggies, and rice were complete, I shredded the chicken. Then I placed it all in a bowl.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Crock Pot Meatballs
It is hard to believe that I have been graduated almost a week. This time last week, I was a house cleaning mad woman preparing my house for my Mom, Dad, and Sister's arrival. I was exhausted because I couldn't sleep because of all the excitement of pinning, graduation, time with my family, parties, cake(YUM!!), and most of all spending time with the family I have spent the most time with these past 2 years....the UAH CON Class of 2012.
Everyone has been saying I deserve this time off and to relax. This is probably the hardest thing for me. I'm a busy body. I love having things to do. I adore having lists that I can check off, and I don't have that right now. SO....I've been reading books for FUN, working out to take my mind off of things, looking at coupons, and making delicious food. Today I'm making one of my favorites! CROCK POT MEATBALLS MMMMMMM!!!!
I first found the idea on Pinterest, and I followed the picture to another blog: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com.
If you haven't tried any of their recipes, today is the day! What I love about this recipe is that it doesn't require many ingredients at all and MOST importantly, the meatballs are B1G1 at Publix this week, so head on over there.
Crock Pot Meatballs:
2 packages of Armour meatballs(I used turkey)
1 18 oz jar of grape jelly
12 oz chili sauce(Ok, I got the 10 oz can, and it was fine. This is basically the chili you put on hot dogs.)
It sounds like a weird combination, but the flavors together are unbelievable!
Put them all in the crock pot, stir them all around, and put your crockpot on high for 6-8 hours. When it is around 10 minutes before dinner, I boil rice(brown, of course). Once the rice is finished, plate it and top with your delicious meatballs and sauce. ENJOY!!!
Everyone has been saying I deserve this time off and to relax. This is probably the hardest thing for me. I'm a busy body. I love having things to do. I adore having lists that I can check off, and I don't have that right now. SO....I've been reading books for FUN, working out to take my mind off of things, looking at coupons, and making delicious food. Today I'm making one of my favorites! CROCK POT MEATBALLS MMMMMMM!!!!
I first found the idea on Pinterest, and I followed the picture to another blog: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com.
If you haven't tried any of their recipes, today is the day! What I love about this recipe is that it doesn't require many ingredients at all and MOST importantly, the meatballs are B1G1 at Publix this week, so head on over there.
Crock Pot Meatballs:
2 packages of Armour meatballs(I used turkey)
1 18 oz jar of grape jelly
12 oz chili sauce(Ok, I got the 10 oz can, and it was fine. This is basically the chili you put on hot dogs.)
It sounds like a weird combination, but the flavors together are unbelievable!
Put them all in the crock pot, stir them all around, and put your crockpot on high for 6-8 hours. When it is around 10 minutes before dinner, I boil rice(brown, of course). Once the rice is finished, plate it and top with your delicious meatballs and sauce. ENJOY!!!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
A Wife
This time last year, I was finishing my second semester in nursing school at UAH. I was stressed to be max 1. because I cannot stand psych and 2. I was a little over a month away from walking down the aisle. All I remember is having so much to do.
The end of April was incredibly stressful because of finals and the always dreaded HESIs, but something was different last year. On April 27th, I had to go in to UAH to do simulations. I remember being terrified and within 2 hours of being at the school, we had already been under lockdown twice. Chris and I made it home safely, but we weren't out of the clear yet. The first day following the torndado, Chris and I got our power back. His family came over and I took care of their needs while Chris volunteered with our church. He came home burdened and in a state I have never seen him in. This was the first time that I got to care for him with what I felt like was a wife.
The days following we volunteered with our church to bring in supplies, prepare meals, open our house to friends/neighbors, and volunteer clean up. Chris and I both had to debrief each other when we got home, and that's when it fully hit that I had nothing to worry about or stress about compared to everyone we had seen.
Our relationship grew even more, and I was anxiously waiting to walk down the aisle to my future. May 22 was a beautiful day. Our pictures were perfect, the cakes were beautiful, the wedding party was fabulous with all that went on, and most of all our families were there to love us through the biggest day of our lives thus far. I walked down the aisle to the same song my Mom did, and all I could do was cry. This moment was beautiful and overwhelming. I was about to be named Mrs. Christopher Rigoni II.
From that day until now, I have been the most blessed wife in the world. My precious husband, who is 5 years older than me, never fails to let me know how much I mean to him. It can be just a look to see the passion in his beautiful green eyes to playing with my hair on days when I can't sleep. He is the best answered prayer, and I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven preparing me for him and him for me. I would wait a thousand more years just to be with him one more day.
In the next month, a lot of celebration will be happening. My pinning ceremony is May 4, graduation May 5, and a couple weeks after we will be celebrating our one year anniversary. I can't wait!!
The end of April was incredibly stressful because of finals and the always dreaded HESIs, but something was different last year. On April 27th, I had to go in to UAH to do simulations. I remember being terrified and within 2 hours of being at the school, we had already been under lockdown twice. Chris and I made it home safely, but we weren't out of the clear yet. The first day following the torndado, Chris and I got our power back. His family came over and I took care of their needs while Chris volunteered with our church. He came home burdened and in a state I have never seen him in. This was the first time that I got to care for him with what I felt like was a wife.
The days following we volunteered with our church to bring in supplies, prepare meals, open our house to friends/neighbors, and volunteer clean up. Chris and I both had to debrief each other when we got home, and that's when it fully hit that I had nothing to worry about or stress about compared to everyone we had seen.
Our relationship grew even more, and I was anxiously waiting to walk down the aisle to my future. May 22 was a beautiful day. Our pictures were perfect, the cakes were beautiful, the wedding party was fabulous with all that went on, and most of all our families were there to love us through the biggest day of our lives thus far. I walked down the aisle to the same song my Mom did, and all I could do was cry. This moment was beautiful and overwhelming. I was about to be named Mrs. Christopher Rigoni II.
From that day until now, I have been the most blessed wife in the world. My precious husband, who is 5 years older than me, never fails to let me know how much I mean to him. It can be just a look to see the passion in his beautiful green eyes to playing with my hair on days when I can't sleep. He is the best answered prayer, and I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven preparing me for him and him for me. I would wait a thousand more years just to be with him one more day.
In the next month, a lot of celebration will be happening. My pinning ceremony is May 4, graduation May 5, and a couple weeks after we will be celebrating our one year anniversary. I can't wait!!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Rainbow Chip Cookie Pie
Today is a VERY important day to Christopher's family. We have a family reunion to celebrate, but MOST of all his 99 year old great-grandmother will be there. I hope and pray that when I am her age that I am as healthy as she is. I have no words to even explain how much of an amazing and inspiring woman she is. I've known her almost 3 years, and she was the very first member of the family that I met. I adore Grandma, and I can't wait to hug her today.
Last weekend, Chris and I were talking about what we wanted to bring to the reunion. I LOVE to bake so I know there would be a sweet made. I decided on a rainbow chip cookie pie because the photograph looked to appetizing. Trust me, it does not compare to how delightful it tastes. You're taste buds will go into a coma :)
Recipe:
1 pie crust. I used chocolate because its better than graham ALWAYS
1 package of cream cheese
1 8oz. container of cool whip
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups Keebler Rainbow chocolate chip cookies
1 package of m&ms
Let your cream cheese soften first. I then put mine into my mixer on medium until fluffy. Once it reaches the desired texture, add in the lemon juice and sugar. Mix until combined.
Fold in the cool whip and rainbow cookies. I added extra cookie once I folded them in because I didn't think that there were enough cookies.
I mean, how good does this look?
Once all the ingredients are combined, put in the pie crust and refrigerate for 3 hours. After the filling has become a cheesecake like texture, top with m&ms.
The finished product :) I am anxiously waiting for time to come for the family to taste this.
This side of the family does something called "picking." Everyone who plays a guitar, piano, etc. brings their instrument and just plays together. At Christmas, everything was chaotic, so Poppa didn't get to have his play time then. Yesterday, Chris and I took his guitar to get restrung so that we could make Poppa's day today. I'm sure my love will leave earlier than I will to make sure his Poppa gets this time. Here's pic of my soulmate once we finally got home last night
I know what you're thinking: How sexy is he :) Such a sweetheart. I'm blessed to have a man that puts Christ first in all we do and treats me like a queen. We have been married 10 months already. It has flown by! I can't wait to see where God takes us.
Last weekend, Chris and I were talking about what we wanted to bring to the reunion. I LOVE to bake so I know there would be a sweet made. I decided on a rainbow chip cookie pie because the photograph looked to appetizing. Trust me, it does not compare to how delightful it tastes. You're taste buds will go into a coma :)
1 pie crust. I used chocolate because its better than graham ALWAYS
1 package of cream cheese
1 8oz. container of cool whip
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/4 cups Keebler Rainbow chocolate chip cookies
1 package of m&ms
Let your cream cheese soften first. I then put mine into my mixer on medium until fluffy. Once it reaches the desired texture, add in the lemon juice and sugar. Mix until combined.
Once all the ingredients are combined, put in the pie crust and refrigerate for 3 hours. After the filling has become a cheesecake like texture, top with m&ms.
This side of the family does something called "picking." Everyone who plays a guitar, piano, etc. brings their instrument and just plays together. At Christmas, everything was chaotic, so Poppa didn't get to have his play time then. Yesterday, Chris and I took his guitar to get restrung so that we could make Poppa's day today. I'm sure my love will leave earlier than I will to make sure his Poppa gets this time. Here's pic of my soulmate once we finally got home last night
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Cupcakes and Pecan Pie Muffins.....MMMMM!!
What a crazy week is has been!! I precepted for the first time on Monday. From the moment I walked onto the floor until I got off, I hit the floor running. Several of the clients in my care I wish I could have adopted. SO sweet!!!
It fully hit me that I am so soon to be a registered nurse. I will be caring for patients for over 12 hours-yes, nurses can't go home until its all finished. I will be saving lives, touching lives, and making a difference for every life I come in contact with, but my life will be touched, my life will be changed, and my patients will and have changed my life for the better. It touches my heart and my soul to build a trusting relationship with my patients and have them tell me how wonderful I will be once I am a "real nurse." Nothing in this world could be better, right?
The nurses that are on my floor are wonderful. Everyone is so nice, happy, and welcoming. All of them are excited to help and answer questions. Well, I wanted to make a good impression for the floor I am on because these 3 months I precept is like a 3 month long interview. SO, Monday I took them cupcakes :)
I made 24 and came home with 3!! I wasn't there Tuesday, but a classmate was. She told me that they talked about them all day :)
On Thursday while taking a break from studying for an upcoming test, I found a recipe for pecan pie muffins. Shut the front door! My husband was pretty excited.
First: preheat your oven to 350 F.
You really don't have a lot of ingredients, and you may already have them all at home.
What you will need:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cups AP flour
1 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cups softened butter
2 whole eggs beaten
In a medium sized bowl, add the brown sugar, flour, and pecans. Mix them together well. In another bowl, mix together the butter and the eggs. Once the egg/butter mixture has been blended, add it to the dry mix.
It fully hit me that I am so soon to be a registered nurse. I will be caring for patients for over 12 hours-yes, nurses can't go home until its all finished. I will be saving lives, touching lives, and making a difference for every life I come in contact with, but my life will be touched, my life will be changed, and my patients will and have changed my life for the better. It touches my heart and my soul to build a trusting relationship with my patients and have them tell me how wonderful I will be once I am a "real nurse." Nothing in this world could be better, right?
The nurses that are on my floor are wonderful. Everyone is so nice, happy, and welcoming. All of them are excited to help and answer questions. Well, I wanted to make a good impression for the floor I am on because these 3 months I precept is like a 3 month long interview. SO, Monday I took them cupcakes :)
On Thursday while taking a break from studying for an upcoming test, I found a recipe for pecan pie muffins. Shut the front door! My husband was pretty excited.
First: preheat your oven to 350 F.
You really don't have a lot of ingredients, and you may already have them all at home.
What you will need:
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cups AP flour
1 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cups softened butter
2 whole eggs beaten
In a medium sized bowl, add the brown sugar, flour, and pecans. Mix them together well. In another bowl, mix together the butter and the eggs. Once the egg/butter mixture has been blended, add it to the dry mix.
Make sure to spray your muffin tin with Pam before adding the muffin mix.
One recipe I looked at said that this recipe made 8 regular sized muffins, but I fixed mine to make a dozen.
My muffin spaces are filled a little less than 2/3 full, and they turned out to be a pretty good size for either a snack or to combine with other breakfast goodies.
Bake them for about 20-24 minutes. When 20 minutes had passed when mine were baking, I wasn't sure that they were finished because they were glazed on top. The fork test proved me wrong!
These little jewels were perfect! AND....a close up!
MMMMMM!!!!!! I had one right after I pulled them out of the oven. This absolutely made my day. I hope you enjoy these, and if you have any recipes for me to try, I would be glad to make that happen :) Have a great weekend!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
I hope you all had a great week! Mine was nice. It was just long and stressful. Ah, the life of a last semester nursing student :) My husband, Christopher, told me Thursday that we were going to have company tonight. YIKES! So, I totally freaked out because I had a 160 question HESI Friday at 2P. The list of to-dos was piling up with tasks that needed to be done before the guests arrived at 6P.
Instead of cooking a full meal, we are making snacks. I know. YUMMY! Chris made his buffalo chicken dip :) and I made barbeque cocktail weenies in my beloved crockpot and.....chocolate covered pretzels.
It was my first attempt at making these, so I was kinda nervous at how they would turn out. I was praying they would be perfect. Well, at least that the chocolate would stay on them.
Here's what I used:
1 box of Baker's semisweet chocolate squares.
1 bad of Kroger sour dough nuggets
wax paper on a cooking sheet
valentines sprinkles
I prepped my chocolate first. I ended up using a total of the 5 out of 8 squares in the Baker's box. While they were in the microwave for 1 minutes, I spread wax paper out on a baking sheet. I then opened my bad of pretzels, and two at a time dipped them in the chocolate.
Here's a trick I learned: To get excess chocolate goodness off of the pretzel, use a fork.
I made about half of the pan regular chocolate pretzels, and then I wanted to add more pizzazz. After I dipped some pretzels into the chocolate and removed the extra chocolate with my super handy fork, I added some Valentine's Day sprinkles to them. There are lips, hearts, and cute black dots on them now.
Here they are!! My finished product.
They are now cozied up with blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, and cheese and crackers in one of my favorite Tupperware display pieces.
If there is anything you want to ask me, talk about, or for me to try please leave me a comment, and I'll gladly make the request! I hope you all have a perfect weekend
Instead of cooking a full meal, we are making snacks. I know. YUMMY! Chris made his buffalo chicken dip :) and I made barbeque cocktail weenies in my beloved crockpot and.....chocolate covered pretzels.
It was my first attempt at making these, so I was kinda nervous at how they would turn out. I was praying they would be perfect. Well, at least that the chocolate would stay on them.
Here's what I used:
1 box of Baker's semisweet chocolate squares.
1 bad of Kroger sour dough nuggets
wax paper on a cooking sheet
valentines sprinkles
I prepped my chocolate first. I ended up using a total of the 5 out of 8 squares in the Baker's box. While they were in the microwave for 1 minutes, I spread wax paper out on a baking sheet. I then opened my bad of pretzels, and two at a time dipped them in the chocolate.
Here's a trick I learned: To get excess chocolate goodness off of the pretzel, use a fork.
I made about half of the pan regular chocolate pretzels, and then I wanted to add more pizzazz. After I dipped some pretzels into the chocolate and removed the extra chocolate with my super handy fork, I added some Valentine's Day sprinkles to them. There are lips, hearts, and cute black dots on them now.
Here they are!! My finished product.
They are now cozied up with blueberries, strawberries, apple slices, and cheese and crackers in one of my favorite Tupperware display pieces.
If there is anything you want to ask me, talk about, or for me to try please leave me a comment, and I'll gladly make the request! I hope you all have a perfect weekend
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