How Strange

So I'm sitting here, pjs on, eating a bowl of multi grain cheerios, trying to come with the tasty treat for Friday. But I can't seem to settle onto anything. I'm scared to say it, but I'm pretty much sick of chocolate and chicken...not together, but I'm not wanting anything chocolate and I'm refusing to cook another chicken dish for the rest of the week..should be interesting since the choices are limited right now.

The problem isn't really what to make, because I have a million and one recipes of yummy desserts, its just that a month ago when I planned my meals and desserts- chocolate was obviously something I was craving. So now if I make something different I'll have to go buy more ingredients. Which is bad thing since I just indulged in a Barnes and Noble online bargain book sale lol! (I was getting ready for Christmas though). Either way I guess I'll spend part of my morning looking for the perfect recipe that will sound good, get eaten in my house, and that I have all the ingredients for. Maybe I'll just skip the drama and go pick up a few apples and make these apple pie pops...its like apple pie on a stick..sounds heavenly right?! OR something pumpkin..this picture of my Isabelle in the pumpkin patch reminds of the fact that its fall and anything pumpkin would hit the spot...hmm

Today is my first day home alone (during the day) since Friday..I swear the three days I have the house to myself are the most productive and then the other 4 are successful in destroying all I accomplished. So back on the merry go round I go. Here I come laundry, elliptical machine (oh how I hate you), messy counters, and gross bathrooms. But I have to say this, when you have the time, and spend that time cleaning, each day is easier because its just maintenance. But then you start seeing the bigger jobs..like the charcoaled bottom of the oven, that that paint color you thought you loved in the office- yeah that's not working anymore. Then the lightbulbs that would be brighter when dusted, and how your kitchen set up just doesn't work. And if you're anything like me, you find yourself at 10pm rearranging all the drawers and cupboards, there for confusing yourself and your family for weeks. (maybe just maybe that's a little revenge for all the dirty socks and left out shoes I have to pick up everyday). :)

Ahhh..well here I go.

Best Beef Dip Ever...the easy crockpot meal!

Best Beef Dip Ever

2 lb. beef chuck roast

1/2 T. minced garlic

1/2 T. dried rosemary

2 bay leaves

1/2 c. soy sauce

1 1/2c. beef broth

1 1/2 c. water

1/2 an onion, sliced into rings, and then separate the rings.

Place the roast in the slow cooker. Season with garlic, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour in the soy sauce, broth and water. Place sliced onion rings on top of roast. Cover with lid, and cook on low for 6-10 hours. The longer the better. Then about 30-60 minutes before serving shred the meat and put in the broth and let cook till ready to serve.

Then I put whatever cheese I want on the french rolls, and stick them under the broiler till the cheese is melted and the buns are toasted.

The broth will be your aus ju to dip your sandwich in.

This is a true staple in our house. I make it almost every month. The type of roast does have a huge impact on the amount of grease your aus ju has on it in the end. I've made it with different kinds of roasts, but the chuck roast seems to make the broth the least greasy. Also, remove the bay leaves before serving the meat and broth..you don't want to eat them.  Another tip is you can use low sodium soy sauce which I like better, but its whatever you have on hand. Then if you have a larger roast just double or adjust the recipe as needed.

Tasty Treat Friday!!!

Caramel Popcorn Brownie Bars with Peanuts

For the brownies-

Melt:

1 stick of unsalted butter, cubed (1/2 c)

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped

2 T. cocoa powder

1 T. instant coffee granules

Stir; Fold in:

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. table salt

3 eggs

1 c. all-purpose flour

For the popcorn-

Pop; Mix with:

1 bag butter-flavored microwave popcorn (3.5 oz)

1 cup dry roasted peanuts

Boil; whisk in, then add:

1 cup sugar

1/3 c. light corn syrup

2 T. water

1/2 stick unsalted butter (4 T)

1/2 c. heavy cream

1/2 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. table salt

Preheat oven to 350* F, coat a 9 inch square pan with nonstick spray.

Melt butter, chocolate, cocoa, and coffee in a bowl in a microwave on high power in 1 minute intervals. Stir after each interval until smooth (it took me about 2 minutes). Stir in the sugar, vanilla, and salt. Add eggs one at a time, blending until completely incorporated.

Fold in the flour, then spread batter in the prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a rack. Pop popcorn according to package directions. Pour into a large bowl, remove any unpopped kernels, and mix in the peanuts; set aside.

Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium high heat until caramelized, to the color of iced tea, about 8 minutes; don't overcook. Reduce heat to medium-low, then whisk in the butter until melted.

Carefully whisk in the cream (caramel will sputter violently). Simmer about 5 minutes, then test for doneness * (see tip at bottom of recipe)

Continue simmering if necessary, testing, every minute until done. Off heat, add the vanilla and salt.

Working quickly, pour 1/2 c. caramel over cooled brownies; spread to the edges. Toss remaining caramel with popcorn mixture, stirring to coat.

With buttered hands, press caramel popcorn over the brownie base. Cool bars completely, then cut with a sharp knife coated with non-stick spray.

*Tips/Adjustments: To check for caramel doneness: spoon a little caramel onto a plate and let cool a few seconds, then mold with your fingers. If the caramel holds it shape, yet still is soft and pliable, its done.

Okay I LOVE LOVE LOVED these bars. Yes you feel as though diabetes is around the corner after eating just one, but they are awesome. My daughter said it was the best dessert I ever made (other than cherry cheesecake-her favorite). The brownie I got a picture of was almost impossible, seeing as the minute dinner was done, my husband was over there cutting them (not an easy thing to do). So it may not be the prettiest picture, but know that the picture doesn't really matter after you taste them.

So I did leave out the coffee granules since my daughter was going to eat these, though I imagine that with the coffee flavor these would hit another level, but lots of people aren't coffee lovers so just know that they don't lack anything without it.  The homemade brownie base was super good, however you MUST cool them completely before even starting the caramel. I didn't and it took forever for them to set completely. So bake the brownies, go do something and then come back and finish the caramel, popcorn part. I also used a 8 inch square pan, and the brownies have to cook longer, at least 10 minutes longer it seemed.

All in all these were amazing. It was a little scary to make my own caramel, the whole sputtering violently, don't burn, testing the caramel...all things that make me worry in the kitchen, but it was actually easy and way better than anything you buy in the store. The directions and times are pretty accurate. So on a day you crave something super sweet, make these!

 They don't disappoint!

In desperate need...

I'm in desperate need today of some good old fashioned motivation. I can't seem to get my butt moving this morning. Maybe because last night sucked. Maybe because after 25 months of trying for a baby I gave up last night, and then I woke up to an awkward kiss from my husband as he left for work, or maybe its that I got 15 minutes with my daughter before she left for school, and she's my sunbeam.

Either way the last couple of days has had me not cooking anything new really, same recipes different day. Its getting close to the end of the month, which is always a stretch when you get paid once a month like we do. I swear I should take a before picture of my pantry and fridge, and then after at the end of the month. Its like night and day. I guess the good thing is that with all the yummy recipes I've discovered this month, there were leftovers each night, but they still got eaten. There wasn't any throw aways for the first time in a long time. I did however realize that I need to come up with some easy, quick dinners too. Though I feel motivated and refreshed as I plan my menu I sometimes don't feel the same when I'm looking at a huge ingredient list. So I guess that's my plan for the day, go through more recipes...oh yeah and the FUN tasks of cleaning our bathroom in the master bedroom. Maid please?!

I think that today I'm going to try out a recipe for tomorrow's blog, maybe baking will give me the motivation I need, or maybe just the little happy lift of making something out of a bunch of little things. Either way its time to wake up and get moving. Keep an eye out for the tasty treat tomorrow!

A Million and one posts today...

I feel like I've posted a ton today, and done lots of planning, BUT this is the most important one of the day! Its a HUGE thank you to my mom! She sent me the best package today filled with all the spices and mixes that I can't find in this town! Smoked hot paprika, garam masala, fresh cinnamon sticks that will be awesome simmering in hot apple cider, onion flakes that will be perfect on top of a fresh loaf of bread, coriander, curry powder, red curry powder (which is not at any store here...I checked), and Naan bread mixes, and spice jars that will look awesome in my spice rack. So thank you mom! You've taught me how to cook, and now you are helping inspire and guide me along in my quest for real cooking! I love you!

Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

3.4 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

1/8 t. paprika

1/4 t. garlic powder

1/8 t. onion powder

1.4 t. dried thyme

1/4 t. dried parsley

4 chicken breasts

2 T. butter

1 T. olive oil

2 t. garlic powder

3 T. lime juice

Mix spices together. Sprinkle on chicken . Heat oil and butter on medium heat. Cook chicken till brown, about 6 minutes per side. Sprinkle with 2 t. garlic powder and lime juice. Cook 5 minutes stirring frequently to coat evenly with sauce.

Tips/Adjustments: All the dried ingredients can be exchanged for fresh. I use fresh garlic in the spice mixture and also I use half fresh garlic and garlic powder at the end when making the lime sauce.

Then after browning chicken in the pan, but when it isn't quite cooked through I like to throw it on the BBQ and get a little more flavor from that, but I've done it both ways and its delicious either way.  After I BBQ I put it back in the pan and finish the rest of the instructions. A little lime zest makes it even better when adding in the lime juice. Don't worry if the "sauce" your making at the end isn't much, just makes sure to pour it over the chicken while cooking. And cilantro gives a it a fresh taste if you want to use some to garnish at the end. Your choice. I suggest making it the way the recipe says the first time and then build off it.

I'll post a picture tonight after I'm done making this.

Freebies Galore!!

This site has tons of freebies! Anything from cookbooks to beauty products, perfume, food samples! I just spent half an hour requesting products..now we'll see how many I actually get. But I definitely recommend having an extra email account where you can have all this junk sent to, so it doesn't flood your normal email.

http://dealseekingmom.com/freebies/

Upcoming Recipes...

I have a large stack of recipes that just keeps growing. I wanted to let you all know what's coming since this past week has been lacking posts (mostly due to a camera that only works when IT wants to). So here's a rundown of what will be coming-

*Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken

*Dulce de Leche Bat Cookies (for Halloween)

*Pumpkin-Swirl Brownies (perfect for fall)

*Grilled Pizza Breads (made with a panini press)

*Best Beef Dip Ever (a French dip made in the crockpot)

*Big Apple Pancake for two (I have to get the cast iron skillet first)

*Apple Pie Bars (Oh my gosh these look amazing!)

*Butter Chicken (an Indian dish)

*Microwave Potato Chips (these are supposed to be amazing and you can make your own seasonings)

I seem to have a lot of desserts, so I'm going to focus on making more dinner, and side dishes. Apples are coming into season too, so I'll be starting to can applesauce and pears. I can't wait! I'd like to start incorporating a vegeterian dinner other than just great big salad or a meatless soup, although more meatless soup recipes are welcome, but if anyone has an super yummy recipes PLEASE share! Thanks!

Tasty Treat Friday!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup peanut butter (chunky or creamy)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

9 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped into chunks

In a medium bowl, whisk together oats, flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the butter, peanut butter, sugar, and brown sugar on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minutes after each addition, then beat in the vanilla. Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add dry ingredients, mixing just until blended. Stir in chocolate.

If you have time, chill dough for 2 hours, or overnight. (chilling the dough gives more evenly shaped cookies)

If the dough is not chilled, drop rounded tablespoons 2 inches apart on baking sheets. If the dough IS chilled, scoop up round tablespoons, roll the balls between your palms and place them 2 inches apart on the sheets. Press the chilled balls gently until they are about 1/2 inch think.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 13-15 minutes.

Yields: 5 dozen

Alright its my review and tip time!

These cookies are beautiful. I did do the chill for two hours and it was a breeze to get gorgeous round cookies. The will need to set up for a couple minutes on the cookie sheet before you try to move them to a cooling rack. They just need to firm so they won't crumble apart. They pretty sweet, and it seemed like the peanut butter flavor wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. I didn't use bittersweet chocolate since that's not something that I really like, I just used plain chocolate chips (milk). So perhaps the sweetness would be cut down a bit if you used the correct chocolate. They are delicious though, and wonderful with cold milk.  They are a oatmeal cookie with the taste of cinnamon which I love. Next time I will be adding some more peanut butter and less cinnamon and see what I can come up with. :)

OK a tip is that you can definitely freeze these. After I chilled the dough I just rolled the rounds and flattened them, and put them on a plate and froze them for an hour and then put them in a freezer Ziploc bag and they will keep for 2 months in the freezer. Just take them out, put them on a greased cookie sheet and bake.

Definitely try them when your in a mood for an oatmeal cookie. You won't be disappointed! :)

Food Shmood!

Today is not a food post. The last couple of nights haven't been anything to celebrate in the dinner department. I made burgers...they were really yummy but nothing too special and I fell back into frozen tater tots to complete that meal. I didn't eat the tator tots, and my family didn't seem as pleased as usual with them. They looked like "um where is the good homemade stuff?" But they'll live.

But this post is to celebrate my new position on the PTO board as secretary. This is a big deal considering I've never been to a PTO meeting, but I always try to do the PTO events like work the book fair, and do popcorn/blow pop Friday, and help with vision and hearing screenings etc. So showing that I'm dependable, good for when there's no one else willing to step up, and being involved with the school by volunteering my time to help teach lower level students, or just helping teachers, I have now walked into a board position!

Now ask me what I do. Just ask me? Okay I don't know lol!! But to know that the previous board sat down and discussed me and chose me just makes me happy. Plus I love anything secretarial. So I know I'll be good at it.

So now my plate holds...housewife who cleans the house by herself all day everyday, substitute classified school district employee (substitute secretary, teachers aid) who will hopeful work soon, classroom volunteer, PTO secretary position, PTO event volunteer, MOTHER of one, WIFE (and sometimes mother to my husband also), keeper of the missing socks and dirty laundry (although I'm more than willing to give this one up), and chef deep in learning to make everything from scratch. Sounds easy right?! That is until you add in keeper of all the pets everyone else wanted and now don't take care of so mom does it, and omg! what is that stain and I better google it to figure out how to get it out of your dance costume mom, and "where's my keys I'm late for work" seeker, oh and then the landscaper..yep I mow, weed eat, weed by hand, and pooper scoop folks. I'm telling you not everyone is cut out for a life of glamour like me. Nope not everyone. :)

First time making indian food....the best!!

So why on a post about Indian food do I have picture of my wet, sandy border collie, Khloe? Because this is the last picture my camera will ever take. She managed to run and then proceeded to stand over my camera while drenching it with water and sand...in the end destroying it. So instead of a beautiful picture of a reddish orange sauce with pieces of barbecued chicken, over a bed of rice, you get to see the destroyer lol! But onto the recipe!

I have never made or eaten Indian food, but in my fascination with London, I found that Indian is the most popular food, and even more so this dish, Chicken Tikka Masala. I quickly found a recipe and decided to mix things up one night. So tonight I mix ingredients together that I never thought would mesh-cinnamon and lemon and jalapeno anyone? But through some cooking miracle this dish came out to be one of the most delicious things I've ever made! My husband even ate 3 helpings, and put 5 stars next to it on my meal list!

Chicken Tikka Masala

courtesy of Yakuta

1 c. plain yogurt

1 T. lemon juice

2 t. ground cumin

1 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. cayenne pepper

2 t. black pepper

1 T. freshly ground ginger (I didn't have any and used 1 tsp. ground ginger)

4 t. salt

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

4 long skewers

1 T. butter

1 clove garlic, minced

1 jalapeno pepper, finally chopped (I did 1/2 large jalapeno)

2 t. ground cumin

2 t. paprika

3 t. salt, or to taste

1- 8oz can of tomato sauce

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped.

In a large bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons cumin, cinnamon, cayenne, black pepper, ginger, and 4 teaspoons of salt. Stir in chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat grill for high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate. Thread chicken onto skewers, and discard marinade. Grill chicken until juices run clear, about 5 minutes on each side.

Melt butter in large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic and jalapeno for 1 minute. Season with 2 teaspoons cumin, paprika, and three teaspoons of salt. Stir in tomato sauce and cream. Simmer on low heat until sauce thickens about 20 minutes.

Add grilled chicken and simmer for 10 minutes. Transfer onto a bed of rice and garnish with fresh cilantro!

Tips: Cutting the chicken into bite sized pieces is much easier when the chicken is still partly frozen. Also if you are using wood skewers you will need more than 4, and make sure to soak them in water for atleast 15 minutes before putting your meat on them to help prevent them from burning. The only adjustment I made was 1/2 less jalapeno, because I didn't want it to be too spicy. This was actually perfect for me, but if you like some good kick feel free to put in the whole pepper.

Today is Dessert Day!

I'm trying to figure out a cute catchy name for Friday treats, but I've got to think on it some more. My plan is every Friday coming up with a dessert, be it cookies, pie, cake, ice cream creations, brownies etc. This Friday I decided to go with something classic in my house.

Every fall, and even a little before, I start thinking about these cookies. My family inhales them at a ridiculous pace, but luckily it makes a lot...like 7 dozen a lot. Now I know that sounds like a ton, and it is. Its your option whether you want to half the recipe, or go full on like I do and make the full batch. I also have sent them to the various places Nick has worked and had gallon size bags disappear in a matter of minutes. Even my friend, Jaime came down to visit and we made these and I think we ate them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and even snacks! Its a cake like cookie. Very fluffy and moist. The day after you make them they are actually even softer than fresh out of the oven, and they get this glossy almost sticky top. They're amazing. But keep in mind when you are storing them to not pile them together. Its best for visual sake to keep them from touching, and separate levels with parchment paper. I however don't care what they look like. I just grab a few at a time and eat. :)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. of margarine or butter (either is fine. Both are moist no matter what)

3 c. sugar (no one said these were healthy)

3 eggs

5 c. of flour

2 t. of each: baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and baking powder

1 t. salt

2 c. of pumpkin

12 oz. chocolate chips (milk or semi-sweet)

Cream together the butter, slightly softened, sugar and eggs. Then add baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, baking powder, and salt. Mix. Then mix in the pumpkin. Slowly add the flour. This recipe almost fills my kitchen aid mixing bowl, but I don't have the bigger one but it gives you an idea. Then mix in chocolate chips with a large spoon.

Spoon tablespoon sized blobs of batter onto a greased cookie sheet.

Bake at 375 F for 10-12 minutes

Tips: Like I stated before this makes about 7 dozen, so if you going to half the recipe just add the first egg like usual, and in a small separate dish,  beat up the second egg and then you can eye about half of the beaten egg and add it in . Also you should cover these otherwise they will harden a bit.

Something different...

I've seen this on numerous other blogs and though it might be fun to do.

What do you believe will last forever?
The love I have for my child. Faith will always continue. The urge to learn as much as we can about this world around us. My love of reading.

If you could pick anywhere in the world to vacation, where would you go?
A trip around Europe. It couldn't possibly be just one place. Rome, London, Paris, little Italian villages with real pasta...anywhere with a gorgeous sunset and smiling faces.

What would you like to add to you life?
A baby!! Over two years of trying, that's the one thing I'm truly confident about!

What makes you jealous?
The same as most people probably. People have things that you don't, but more than that people who have the things you want and take them for advantage, or don't appreciate those things. A person who is thin and gorgeous and has things come easily...and even worse having my husband look at them lol!

What did you do during your childhood summers?
Through my entire life, kid to teen, the beach was the best place to be. Cranberry Lake, Deception Pass, Moran Beach Rd, West Beach, Rocky Point, and Crescent Harbor beach. I remember riding in the car with my mom numerous times, going to rocky point with our dogs, and stopping at the little gas station to pick up drinks and snacks. I always thought that was the best, and then Beach Boys playing in the car. Then as a teen, it was riding with all my friends to the beach listening to Eminem.

If you had an extra room in your house what would you use it for?
My personal craft room of course!! To have a desk that I can spread all my stuff out on would be the best!

What were you like 10 years ago?
Naive. I thought I could rule the world. I disrespected my family, and spent too much time wrapped up in boys who wouldn't mean much to me years later. I thought I had all the answers, and that life was easy. Its easy when your a kid, its all about you, you have no bills, you have no real responsibilities other than going to school and graduating. I was a lot of talk though. Things got to me more than I would say and I really did like school, and being smart. I also enjoyed life, but I think that's because you live it a lot more carelessly. You don't really worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow is something you always figure will come.

What is you ideal comfort food?
Cookies straight from the oven, or pretzels with cheese...yeah the healthy stuff lol!

What music do you and your father have in common?
We both enjoy the classics like The Beatles, and there is some country that we agree upon like Rascal Flatts, and have even come to an understanding that the genre might not be right but the lyrics are.

Whats the most peaceful day you can remember?
I can remember this one day, back in 2007, right after Nick, my husband, had gotten home from a 7 month cruise in the middle east, and we (Isabelle, our 8 year old daughter, him, and me) drove out to this group of ponds by McNary Dam. It was the first time I had been there. I had moved here to Eastern Oregon about a year before he did, thanks to the military, and I hadn't gotten up the courage to really explore other than where the shopping was. But as we drove to this little spot right on the pond, I started to feel this sense of peace. We backed up the truck, popped open the bed, and laid blankets out all over the bed of the truck. I packed a picnic, and we all sat back there and ate our lunch. Then Nick started to fish, and Isabelle and I just laid back under the trees, and read our books together. When I'm in nature and with my family I am my happiest.

Who taught you to cook?
My mother of course!! My dad who burned peas wasn't equipped (although I have to give him credit that he did eventually learn how to cook). My mom continues to teach me new methods, recipes, and tips.  Thanks mom! Because us girls know how important cooking is to our families...traditional role or not. You always need to know how to cook. Single girls, single moms, married, or divorced, its the one skill you have to have to.

Picture Diary:

One of my favorite days, exploring McNary nature trails with my two favorite people, Nick and Isabelle.

But what I love about this picture is that their wearing their passions and interests.

Nick loves the Seahawks and football, so his shirt and hat reflect that.

Isabelle is wearing her love for dance and dogs on her shirt. I just love that.

Soup's Ready! Rolls are NOT!

So I didn't get to posting last night...maybe it was the hour it took me to make the soup, or maybe it was defeat I felt when I saw my cookie flat potato rolls that were as dense as a brownie...yes that dense. But either way I didn't post last night.

So this morning, I'm here to celebrate the soup! Yummy! I have to say every time I make this I stuff myself till I'm nauseous, and then think I'll never eat that again. Then morning comes and I make that trip into chilly kitchen, and open the fridge door and think "Yum! That soup sounds so good right now."  I've made it a few times now. Its one of those great winter/fall Sunday meals, when you don't have anything better to do then peel 6-8 baking potatoes, and spend 15 minutes cooking bacon and chopping celery. However, yesterday I decided to make it while it was cloudy and predicted to storm all day. So what happened when I started to cook?? A miracle occurred!  The sun broke through all those clouds, and made it warm sunny day at 70 degrees. But either way the soup was amazing. I'm not posting the recipe at this time since it is my Aunt's and I don't have prior permission, and she may want this to be a secret since she just opened her own restaurant in Oak Harbor, WA. But lets just say its like a loaded baked potato in soup form, and will do nothing but expand you waistline, but despite knowing that you still want to eat the entire pot.

Now my rolls were a COMPLETE flop. I'm choosing to blame it on my yeast. It don't think it was as fresh as it needed to be.  I followed the recipe exactly, and let it rise for 2 1/2 hours and still didn't get much lift, but I was determined to try to get this on the right path. So I waited and waited, and after 15 minutes LOL,  I decided to make them into rolls and hope they would rise during the next step. Nope, those things were so flat, and when they came out of the oven (I prayed some baking god would smile on me) they were flat as a cookie and as dense as a brownie. It was horrible. God love my husband, he managed to eat 3 with his soup. I, however, managed to choke down 1/2 of mine. The recipe does seem to taste like a potato roll from the store, but next time I'm using fresh yeast.  So I'll keep you updated and let you know if they rise next time. Or maybe one of you will have the baking gods smile down on you and get them to rise!

Tender Potato Rolls (Ha!)

1 medium potato, peeled and diced

2 cups of water

1 package of active dry yeast

1/4 c honey

1 T. vegetable oil

1 1/2 t. salt

1 egg, lightly beaten

6 cups all-purpose flour

Place the potatoes in a small saucepan, and cover with the 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce, heat: cover and cook for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Set aside liquid to cool to 110-115 degrees F. Mash potato (don't add butter or milk); set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in the reserved cooking liquid. Add the honey, oil, salt, egg, 4 cups of flour, and mashed potato. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface, knead until smooth and elastic, about 7-8 minutes. Place into a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 36 pieces. Shape each into a ball. Place on a greased 15x10x1" baking pan. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees f for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Tips: A great tip from my bestie, Jaime, is to spray the tops of the rolls with cooking spray which will make them softer, the same goes for bread for a softer crust which is great for picky kids.

Also you can bake this in muffin tins and get a easy roll shape.

Finding my direction while following the directions

Finally the day has come! My husband is off on day shift, the kiddo's at school all day, and I am home alone..well as alone a person can be with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a bird...but still alone. So its gloomy and the forecast is calling for rain. So I've decided to hole up in the house today and get down to some cooking.

I'm going to make potato soup, potato rolls, and a small salad for dinner. Something to warm up my families cold, tired faces tonight. I've made the soup probably 3 times, but the rolls are a new recipe. I'm just hoping I can make them as well as the ones you buy. But each time I make something I tweak it and make it work for me, which more often than not improves them. Sort of like life.

In life I make mistakes, I say something I shouldn't have (even though sometimes I mean it), but I have to go back and tweak it. Make it all right again. Make it better than it was before. So now here I sit trying to think what direction to take this blog. I don't want it to be only recipes, but reflect the pride of making something with your own two hands, and  to show how the kitchen can be a place of sancuary, even if its part of the job (atleast for this stay at home mom).

But right now I'll take my baby steps and say that every night this month..yes all 7 nights lol..I have had dinner on the table made by me, and me only. Well no, that's a lie LOL! On Saturday night it was Isabelle's slumber party and we did happy meals. So six nights.  :) BUT I have to commend my husband, who all through our 8 and 3/4 years together has HATED doing the dishes, has been doing them every night right after dinner, while I package up the leftovers, make lunches, and clean off the table. So I give the star to him today!

So later tonight I'll post pictures and recipes, and give a review. But for now, while its quiet and I have hours before dinner,  I think an hour of I Love Lucy reruns, a cozy sofa, a cup of tea, and a snuggily border collie is calling to me. :)

Cooking Mama!

It's BBQ night :)

Yesterday I went and bought a months worth of groceries (aside from the occasional veggie and milk products), and was shocked to see the $300 bill. However, we were out of everything from flour to toliet paper! So I'm think that's not really that bad, considering the pantry, snack cupboard, fridge, and freezers (both) are stocked full. I've got over 25 recipes planned out for dinners, along with breads, desserts, and drinks. So now comes the time to cook it all.

Its been alot easier having a list on the front of the fridge, where I can skim through it and see what I want to make, then take the meat out to defrost, or start the slow cooker.

Then making lunches, for Izzy and Nick, come during dinner clean up, which saves money since Nick doesn't need to run to the snack machines, and Izzy doesn't have to buy lunch unless its something she really wants.

So tonight I decided to make my own "rice-a-roni". I hate thinking what might be in that little seasoning packet and how much salt is in there. So I made mine salt free, from a recipe I got out of a make your own spices cookbook. Then I barbequed up some chicken pineapple kabobs that were nice and light on a hot night like tonight.

Rose Manor Rice Seasoning

2 T. dried parsley

2 T. dried basil

2 T. chicken boullin granules

2 t. onion powder

3/4 t. garlic powder

1/4 t. dried thyme

Adjustments/Suggestions: I would use a little less basil (it was pretty strong), but you can always try it the first time and make your own changes.

Seasoned Rice Pilaf with Rose Manor Rice Seasoning

3 1/2 T. Rose Manor Rice Seasoning

1 1/2 c. uncooked long grain rice

10 pieces of spaghetti, broken into 1/2" pieces

2 1/2 c. water

1 T. butter

Brown rice and spagetti in butter, add seasoning and then water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Adjustments/Suggestions: This makes ALOT. We have a family of 3, and my husband is a 2 helping sort of guy and this still would be too much. So I'd half it unless you want to use it later in another dish or have lots of leftovers. I also used 2 T. of butter...yeah not so healthy but almost neccessary. I also used noodles they had in little packs in the hispanic foods section for 33 cents each. They were prefect. But I'm sure think spaghetti noodles work too.

Chicken Pineapple Kabobs

4 chicken breasts

1/2 c. soy sauce (low sodium is best)

2 T. sesame oil

1 can of pineapple chunks

Cut chicken into pieces. Put in plastic baggie and add soy sauce and sesame oil. Toss and put in the fridge for 20 minutes. Put chicken and pineapple on skewers and cook on the BBQ.

Adjustments/Suggestions: These were yummy and easy, and I also topped with sesame seeds right before pulling them off the BBQ.