Cherry Dump Cake

SUPER easy!!!  SUPER yummy!!!   My favorite is Cherry, but you can substitute any other fruit pie filling of your choice.... You can even use fresh or frozen fruits like blueberries, raspberries, blackberries!

Put the ingredients into a 13x9 pan in this order:
1 Large Can Cherry Fruit Pie Filling
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix (dry)
1 stick butter, cut into slices

That is it!  Bake 45-50 minutes on 350 in oven!  Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you wish!! YUM!

Boston Market Copycat MeatLoaf Recipe

3/4 cup ketchup

2 1/2 TBS BBQ sauce 2 TBS sugar

3/4 tsp onion powder 3/4 tsp garlic powder

2 1/2 lbs ground beef

2/3 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 2 eggs, beaten 1 1/4 cup italian bread crumbs

1, Preheat the oven to 400 F
2. In a large bowl, stir together the ketchup, bbq sauce and the sugar; set aside 1/4 cup of the mixture.
3. With your hands, mix in the remaining ingredients in sauce mixture.
4. Form the mixture into a loaf and placed into a greased 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. (If you don't have a loaf pan, that's ok - I use a rectangular pan and that works fine)
5. Bake, COVERED, for 35-40 mins.
6. Uncover and drain the fat from the pan, then slice the meat loaf while still in the pan.
7. Drizzle the reserved tomato sauce mixture evenly over the meat loaf.
8. Bake, UNCOVERED, for an additional 30 mins or until cooked thoroughly.

Orange Glazed Meatballs

1 lb Ground Beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 egg
2 TBS oil
4 TBS Orange Marmalade
4 TBS Soy Sauce
2 TBS White Vinegar
2 Oranges or clementines
splash of orange juice

1. Prepare Meatballs and cook: In a large bowl, combine the ground beef with the garlic, 2 teaspoons soy sauce, bread crumbs, and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Thoroughly combine and form into golf-ball-sized meatballs. Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan. Cook, rotating to brown all sides, for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness. (can also cook in oven) Remove from the pan and set aside.
2.  Make the glaze: Wipe out any burned bits from the pan. Returning it to medium-high heat, add the vinegar, orange jam, remaining soy sauce, and a splash of orange juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Return the meatballs to the pan. Reduce until the sauce is thick and syrupy. Roll the meatballs to coat them in the glaze.

We like to serve with white rice and broccoli!  And with the 2 oranges remove skin and divide into segments and serve with it!.  The kids LOVE this!!!  

Cheeseburger Pie Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
•  1 diced onion
• 3 to 4 carrots, shredded
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 tsp basil
• 1 tsp parsley
• 4 TBS butter
• 5 cups beef broth (I use water and beef base)
• 4 cups cubed potatoes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
•  2 cups shredded or cubed Cheddar cheese (Velveeta is good too)
•  2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Directions

1. In a large pot, melt 1 TBS butter over medium heat: cook and stir vegetables and beef , until beef is brown, drain grease.
2. Stir in basil and parsley. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil, then simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Melt the remainder of butter and stir in flour. Add the milk, stirring until smooth.
4. Gradually add milk mixture to the soup, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Stir in cheese. When cheese is melted, add sour cream and heat through. Do not boil.

DIY Natural Mosquito Spray

Make Natural Mosquito Spray without all the harmful chemicals! in an 8oz spray bottle mix 1/2 cup distilled (or boiled) water, 1/2 cup witch hazel, and 20-30 drops of TerraShield. You can also add peppermint to keep those pesky knats at bay! Oh, and this SMELLS great!

"TerraShield® is an all-natural formula of lemon eucalyptus, citronella, lemongrass, and a proprietary blend of 12 other therapeutic-grade essential oils blended in a base of pure fractionated coconut oil. A primary function of essential oils in plants is protecting against insects and other predators. Unlike other products that contain synthetic and toxic chemicals, TerraShield is a natural approach to managing exposure to biting insects. TerraShield's fresh, light citrus smell is wonderfully invigorating and can be used safely by everyone in the family. One application provides coverage that lasts up to 6 hours."

One of the best things about the TerraShield is the low cost!  $12.67 retail, or $9.50 wholesale!  If you would like to order let me know or goto my site here 

DoTerra is also offering a great promotion for the month of May if you sign up with them and purchase a kit over 100 PV you will receive 50 in product credit the following month!  That is like free money to use on AY oils you want!!  YAY!  There are some great kits to get started The physician Kits has the 10 basic oils plus slim and sassy for $150.  There is also the Home Essentials Kit that comes with 10 of the larger bottles of oils and the Petal Diffuser for $275.  OR you can create your own "kit" too!

Monday (8/27/2012)
  Breakfast: English muffins, eggs bacon cheese

  Dinner: Stir fry over noodles or rice

Tuesday (8/28/2012)
  Breakfast: Pancakes

  Dinner: Spaghetti w/ homemade sauce, French Bread (makes 2 loaves)

Wednesday (8/29/2012)
  Breakfast: Grits, cheese fruit

  Dinner: Crockpot Roast, potatoes, carrots, green beans French Bread 2nd loaf

Thursday (8/30/2012)
  Breakfast: Cereal

  Dinner: Chicken marsala, Mac n cheese, Spinach

Friday (8/31/2012)
  Breakfast: Sausauge Biscuits

  Dinner: Hot dogs, sausage dogs, sauerkraut, tots

Saturday (9/1/2012)
  Dinner: Hamburger steak, rice/gravy, Mustard greens, Salad, homemade bread

Sunday (9/2/2012)
  Dinner: Cheesy Potato soup, Ham steaks, Field Peas

Honey Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Chicken (1-2 lbs)
1/3 cup Honey
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup Soy sauce
2 TBS minced garlic (or 2 cloves), garlic powder works in a pinch too!

Put all ingredients in the crock pot on low 6 hours.  You can use any type of chicken with or without bones.  We prefer boneless skinless breasts.  Great served over rice or egg noodles.   This makes a great sauce.  I like to thicken the sauce before serving.  Mix 2 TBS cornstarch or flour with 1 TBS cold water... then whisk into sauce on low heat... add more or less to desired sauce consistency.  My kids LOVE this!

My first King Cake

I absolutely LOVE King Cake!  For you Northeners  that have no clue what I am talking about.  King Cakes are part of Mardi Gras tradition and in New Orleans and surrounding areas.  Read more on the history on wiki here.  They typically are sold for just a couple of months during Mardi Gras season.  For a King Cake lover like myself that is not a good thing!  They are around $8 at the store!  OUCH!  I would try to squeeze in eating many King Cakes while I could get them in years past... I will shamelessly admit that on an occassion or two I would pretty much eat the whole thing myself, because I didn't like sharing, I mean the kids didn't want any... yeah that's it!

Mardi Gras King Cake

Inspired when I saw this recipe on Southern Plate yesterday... Well today I kept thinking about making one.  In Christy's Recipe she used frozen bread dough.  I pretty much make as much homemade as I can though so I made my dough in my bread machine which was easy peasy!  Now if you don't have a bread machine you can also make your dough by hand (first proofing your yeast, first 3 ingredients)  If you have any questions let me know!  For my dough recipe I altered my Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

Here is the run down:

Dough Recipe: (or use frozen bread dough, thawed of course)

• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm warm
• 2 TBS sugar
• 2 1/2 cups flour (I used bread flour but all-purpose flour would work ok too)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 TBS Vegetable Oil

Filling Recipe:

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 TBS lemon juice
• 1 cup powdered sugar 

Glaze Recipe:

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2-3 tbs milk (add just enough to get to a pourable consistancy)
• 1 tsp vanilla  

I did my bread in the bread machine on the dough cycle.  (If you are kneading by hand work the dough to a good consistency and set in a warm draft free spot for the first rise) allow an hour or so for this

Then, turn dough to a lightly floured surface.  gently work it into a large... long rectangle shape.  (this will be your ring so get it good and long... mine was probably around 18-20" x 6" or so.  Ok... read on in the captions of the photos.  Sometimes seeing a picture is easier!

Beautiful dough :)

Use colored sugar.  You can make your own very easily by adding several drops into some sugar... Do this in a jar and shake vigorously.  I had green and yellow but needed purple.... I don't think I will ever buy colored sugar again!

This is our purple.  eh... not the best but will do! We used Blue and Red.  Next time I will try green and red and see how that goes

I shaped into a long rectangle and just patted the dough out with my fingers

Mix filling cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice

Slap on the cream cheese in the center  (or other filling)  I added blueberries to 1/2 that were partially frozen per eldest child's request :)  Then gently fold thetop of the dough to the center and the bottom over that.  making sure to seal the filling in

All rolled up!  Transfer to cookie sheer or baking stone carefully.  Cover with damp cloth in a warm spot for 45 minutes to an hour until doubled

Here it is all doubled up and ready to bake!  Bake on 350 F about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown

Golden brown!  I transfered mine to a glass plate to cool.

Once cooled you can hide a little plastic baby somewhere inside.  Just push it thru the underside or side, somewhere inconspicuous!  Drizzle glaze on top and sprinkle with colored sugar! 
Traditional Mardi Gras colors are Gold, Green, and Purple. 

More menu Ideas

Bread Machine YUMMY White Bread

1 cup  warm water
2 TBS sugar
2 1/4 tsp bread machine yeast
1/4 cup veg oil
3 cups bread flour
1 1/2 tsp salt

Add water, sugar, and yeast.  Allow to proof 10 minutes until foamy.  Then add oil, flour, and salt.  Select your basic setting and press start!  Mine takes about 3 hours from start to finish.  Many times I will set after lunch and run errands.  By the time the kids are home from school it is near the end of it's cooking and we have fresh bread with our dinner!

I like to add 2 tsp of garlic, & 2 tsp parsley for an Italian Bread to serve with pasta's

By the way, I was one of those people who thought a bread machine was a complete waste of money and space...  HA! Thanks to my in-laws for picking up extra's at yard sales and giving me one!  I am so hooked now! 

My FAVORITE cornbread

I like it sweet... (You can decrease the sugar if you don't)

1 C cornmeal
1 C flour
3/4 C sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 C milk
1 egg
1/4 C veg oil

Mix all together... pour in a greased iron skillet and bake on 425 about 20-25 minutes until golden brown :)

Creamed Spinach

1 bag frozen spinach 16oz
4 oz. cream cheese softened
4 tsp margarine melted
cayenne pepper pinch to taste
salt to taste
pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
bread crumbs

thaw spinach, drain well... mix everything together aside from 2 tsp margarine & bread crumbs... Then put in a casserole dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs on the top and then drizzle the remaining 2 tsp butter... Bake 350º for 20 minutes. Easy to double and freeze or make ahead in fridge for parties or holidays!

Shrimp Scampi

2 tbs olive oil
1 stick butter or margarine
1 whole green bell pepper chopped
1 whole onions chopped
salt & pepper to taste
2 tbs garlic minced
Italian seasoning to taste
1 lb. shrimp (frozen is what I use)
1 jar diced tomatoes I use a large jar (maybe 25-30 oz)
splash of wine (i use whatever I have on hand white or red)
pasta (thin spaghetti or angel hair is preferred)


Ben's Favorite! (and very easy)
I don't eat seafood so I usually do a seperate butter sauce for me :)

heat olive oil, saute minced garlic, onions, peppers. add 1 stick of butter... Add salt, pepper and italian seasonings. stirring here and there. Add 1 jar of diced tomatoes with juices (you can use italian blend or plain)... You can also use fresh if you have them. continue cooking until peppers and onions are tender. If I have wine on hand I add a bit to the mixture while cooking too. (red or white). At the end add shrimp (tails removed) saute tossing a few minutes until cooked. (I usually buy frozen shrimp for convenience but fresh is good too!)

could also be made with chicken instead of shrimp.

serve over angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti :)
add a salad, garlic bread and red wine for the perfect meal!

Teriyaki Chicken

1 lb. chicken breast
½ cup Soy Sauce
½ cup brown sugar
brewed coffee (I used leftover from my morning brew!)
1 tsp vinegar
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp ground ginger shredded
1 tsp garlic minced

Stir ingredients together and pour into a gallon sized ziploc bag with 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can freeze like this or marinate a few hours.   When ready to use, thaw and pour into a baking dish (you can also cook in a skillet, grill or crockpot!)

Bake in preheated at 350 for 35 min. Serve over rice. To turn into a stir fry, I add a bag of frozen, stir fry style veggies!

Also great on the grill with pineapple slices.