Category Archives: Cooking

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Meal Planning Sept 9 2013

mushroomsSo this week we are almost back to school.. next week hopeful the mold issue at my sons  school we be handled.  Last week,  I had him help make dinner meat loaf muffin. I think he loved the responsibility of making it on his own.  He is 12, heading to 7th grade and is cooking fish for himself everyday at lunch.  Frozen tilapia in a frying pan  he loves it .. now ifI can get him to add veggies.   I buy the flash frozen fish in individual filets at Walmart there is about 20 filets for $20.  So when he

This week is a busy week,  I am headed to fashion week in NYC.

  • Monday : Roasted chicken and Mash potatoes Extras potatoes for later the week
  • Tuesday  : easy baked spaghetti in my Ninja Cooker (1 lb of spaghetti , 1 jar of sauce,4 cups of water- cook 20 min in on pot)
  • Wednesday: Frozen Pizza and a salad
  • Thursday :  Shepard’s Pie
  • Friday Taco night refried beans and rice
  • Saturday night fried rice

As I do every week I am linking up to Organizing Junkies Meal Planning Monday :

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What are you making this week

Menu Plan Monday Aug 27

mushroomsSo this week is the last full week of no school at least for my daughter.  My sons school is delayed due to a problem at the school.  So I will have him home till the 16th,(kinda inconvenient for working)   I know right.. I am look forward to alone time with him.  This week I am taking it “Easy” in anticipation for the busy school year. We do how ever have 3 night of volleyball this week.   So I am back to crockpot planning in hopes to get something in her belly for before she goes to volley practice.

Monday:  Easy Kielbasa, Frozen perogies, and onions  done in my Ninja cooker.  I know I did it last week but my family loved it and  bought many because they were on sale

Tuesday: Taco Lasagna

Wednesday:  Chicken and Rice in a crockpot with mushroom soup (2 cups of rice, 2 cans of chicken broth, 1 cup of golden mushroom soup)

Thursday: Meatloaf Muffins and Mash

Friday Homemade Pizza and Tomato Salad

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

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what are you making this week?

 

How to cook the Perfect Ribeye steak

How to cook the steak.  So My husband loves steak.. We don’t eat it much for health reasons and cost.  So this week I splurged,  and the steaks were 40% off at the store.   Mushroom Rub makes these steaks amazing.   So I am sharing it with you,  caramelized,  dark, crusty meat,  with the tender buttery inside  the perfect steak at home. Lets say I am still dreaming about it my rib eye.    This recipe less costly version and adapted from Mario Batalis Ribeye how to cook a steak

In the past I have found steaks to be intimidating to purchase.  To spend so much money and what if I screw it up.  also how do I know it is a good tender cut.   I like a ribeye because they have great marbling (the white fat specks in the meat)  the more marbling you have the tender the cut,  that does not dry out,  the flat melts into the meat.   I love the bone in because dogs like it.steak

The secret is Mushroom Rubbed Steak  : I easily found shiitake Mushrooms at my local Asian market but you can find them at the grocery store.  They were a $2.00 for a bag I only used 1/2 a bag aout 6-7 mushrooms are enough for this recipe.  (grind in a coffee mill or in a Nutribullet like I did) Do break into into smaller pieces when gindingrib_eye_001 (103 of 6)rib_eye_001 (104 of 6)

Ingredients for the perfect Steak

Mushroom Rubbed Steak

  • 3- 1 1/2- 2  pound thick steaks (I like the bone in)
  • 1/4 cup of red cooking wine

RUB:

  • 1/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup  dried ground  Shiitake mushrooms..(dried 7 mushrooms)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin

How to cook a Rib Eye Steak

  1. The night before generously salt the steaks leave uncovered in the refrigeratorSteak with dry rub
  2. 1 hour before cooking remove from the cold plate and put rub on steak both sides and push it in to steakrib_eye_001 (105 of 6),
  3. Allow the steaks to come to room temp w/ rub before placing on grill
  4. Turn on Grill on high
  5. Before placing steaks on the grill splash on Red wine vinegar on up side
  6. Place on grill
  7. 3 min high – 4 min med  each side (Thick steaks close the grill.) (7 min each side for med rare)
  8.  Allow the steaks to rest 15 min before eating  (rest will allow the steak to relax and take the juice back in it also will allow the meat to cook slower as it cools down. how to cook a steak

Here is a printable version of Mushroom rubbed steak How to cook steak

I loved cooking these steaks it was better eating them.  The Rib eye is yummy flavorful,  buttery texture, and tender.   I hope you will try this recipe and surprise your self on how amazing it is.

Enjoy your family will love it!

 

Monday Meal Planning Aug 17

mushroomsSo this week we are enjoying the last few weeks of summer.    So I am making alot of no fuss meals.  Food that I can set it and forget it.

  • Monday: Chicken and gnocchi pasta I am working out a new recipe.  I am trying it in a crock pot
  • Tuesday: Kielbasa, Frozen perogies, and onions  done in my Ninja cooker
  • Wednesday : Shrimp and lemon pasta  ( cook rice for Thurs meal)
  • Thursday: Koren Marinated Beef (marinated in Garlic, OJ and Soy) Quick grill  on fried rice
  • Friday :Summer Vegetable Tian
  • summer vegetable tian

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

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what are you making this week?

Menu Plan Monday Aug 12

mushroomsMenu Plan Monday  This week the kids are home and it is back to cooking. My in laws were nice enough to give us an Air condition unit.  So now I have one for my kitchen so I can start cooking more.  I am not a fan of cooking in the heat nor my family likes eating in a hot kitchen.   So we have been eating in the living room so much for family dinners. When it is cooler family dinners are priority.   Cool air I am cooking!

Meal planning

Monday: Easy Fish with couscous

Tuesday : Grill cheese on   homemade bread and homemade tomato soup

Wednesday : Easy crust-less quiche

Thursday: spaghetti and meat sauce

Friday: Pizza

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

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what are you making this week?

Easy Cookie Recipes: Lemon Lavender Cookies

Easy Cookie Recipes: Lemon Lavender Cookies :  these are  yummy lemon cookies are summer in a cookie.  The lemon flavor with a subtle lavender aroma.  You will find these cookies are a great addition to any summer cook out.  My Recipe for Lemon Lavender cookies are made as icebox cookies so you can make a head and freeze  then slice off as needed. The Lavender and lemon are natural repellants for flies and mosquitoes,  so tasty and a pest deterrent.  lemon lavender cookie

Lemon Lavender Cookies

  • 2 1/2cups  Flour  sifted
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 sticks of unsalted butter
  • 2 eggs yokes
  • 2 teaspoon of vanilla
  •  1 cup Sugar
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 Teaspoon of lemon extract
  • 1 Tablespoon of lavender (for cooking)
  1. In a large bowl mix the dry ingredients flour, baking powder salt
  2. In another bowl cream butter with sugar  till light and fluffy
  3. Add eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon extract
  4. Mix slowly the flour in with the wet ingredients till completely incoprated
  5. Then mix in the lavender into the dough.
  6. Roll the dough in a tube, and roll in wax paper and place in the fridge  to chill for 2-3 hours or overnight. (you can also freeze the dough)
  7. Make 4-5 tubes of cookies.
  8. Slice the cookies off into 1/4″ slices,  I used the back of a spoon to make the crescent shape, place on a cookie sheet.
  9. Bake at 425 for 12 minutes or golden brown.

These Lemon Lavender cookies are unique and different.  You will surprise  your friends and family with a cookies that is special.  I brought them to a family picnic,  and they were a hit among the crowd.    The cookies are sophisticated and buttery the light delicate flavor of lavender and lemon.

These are great to freeze and take them out and slice a few off.   They also make a yummy after school treat.

What are some of your favorite cookies?

Be sure to check out My Pinterest Board for other Easy Cookies Recipes

Udis Gluten Free and Meal Planning

udisI was recently asked to try Udis Gluten free products.  When the Udis people sent me the baked products to review,   I was able to try Udis muffins, cookies, bread, fajitas, and pizza dough.  I was not  sure what to expect of gluten free product, I have heard from my gluten free friends that well some gluten free food can be well unpleasant.  I was pleasantly surprised by Udis the food was delicious  and flavorful.

Udis Gluten Free Review

Vanilla Muffins we amazing buttery, moist, and yummy.  I have to let you know the Udis Vanilla muffins were like eating a pound cake they were some of the best muffins I have had a in sometime. udis blueberry muffins

The blueberry muffins we very tasty and my kids really enjoyed the very generous amount of blueberries.  The Udis Snicker Doodles are super yummy.  I allowed the kid to have a few cookies.  I have to admit I hid them so the kids would not eat them all. udis gluten free rolls

My husband has sever psoriasis and it is recommend to go gluten free to help his condition.  We decided to try the  Udis bake goods and try to convince him there are options of great food options when you go gluten free.  The Udis brownie bites defiantly helped to seal the deal.   The Udis brownies are rich and thick and fudge.

I have heard many gluten free people say this is amazing  when referring to something (personally I think they have been eating tasteless food for so long they don’t know what good food is. )  I have to say the Udis food developers really came through, delivering  a great bake good that would make a gluten free person or  any baker proud.   So if you are gluten free or thinking of the option of just plan great tasting bake goods I can recommend Udis.

Meal Planning:

  • Monday: Fish and Rice
  • Tuesday Pasta with meat sauce
  • Wednesday: Grill Night shcaboobs
  • Thursday:  Pizza kids return
  • Friday: tator tot casserole  I am using “crown or flat round”  tater tots

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

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What are you cooking this week?

Meal Planning a week without kids

mushroomsSo this week is a fun week to menu plan.  I am very thankful my kids are going to their grandparents this week.  So I get to make amazing meals for my husband and I.  I see lobster.. maybe if it is on sale.

so in my week off : I plan on getting a ton done.   I am planning on cleaning closets, lining cupboards, and reading  a book.

Goals :

  • plan my editorial calendar for the blog
  • start stocking up on capes for the fall
  • make a teepee or 2
  • write
  • start my new 30 days to a quilt challenge  (more to come on Thursday)
  • laundry
  • cook
  • try my hand at couponing(matching- last week I saved $36 with them) I will let you know how it goes.

meal planning

Monday: Beef and Gravy

Tuesday: Pizza the night before the kids leave

Wednesday: corned beef and cubage (use for lunch)

Thursdays: Steak asparagus and twice baked potatoes

Friday: Special meat dinner

Saturday: come what it may day.

So what would you do if you had time off ?

 

Easy Tomato soup

tomato soupSo I had a few pound of tomatoes in my kitchen that are close to there prime. I decided to make Homemade Tomato Soup.  I was excited to make tomatoes with some grill cheese,  it was a quick dinner before my daughter first time at volleyball practice.   I want to make healthy, tasty, and something the kids will eat.

Guess what my entire family loved it.

So how can you make it:

Homemade Creamy Tomato Soup

makes 4-5 servings 12oz  large bowls

Prep/cook time 30 minutes

  • 4-5 Tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil
  • 1 large white Onion diced
  • 3 carrots peeled and diced
  • 3 garlic cloves sliced thin
  • 1 can 14oz of vegetable broth or chicken broth
  • 3-4 basil leaves (34-
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • dash cumin
  •  1/2 cup half and half  or milk

Cooking Method

  1. In a 5 quart pan add olive oil, onions, garlic and carrots -dash of salt  cook till onions translucent remove from heat and allow to cool slightly
  2. In another pan boil water- when boiling a put tomatoes in bring back to a boil,  then blanch the cold water
  3. Place the onion mixture with 1/4 of can of broth in a NutriBullet and blend Place back in pot. (do in small batches if necessary)
  4. Then peel the skin off the tomatoes and dice tomatoes
  5. Transfer the tomatoes and 3 fresh basil leaves to the Nutribullet and blend (do in small batches if necessary)
  6. Place the tomatoes with the onion/carrot mixture and remain broth
  7. Reheat to  just below boiling ad milk to thin soup, and dash of cumin and pepper
  8. Garnish with basil and croutons.  Enjoy and eat

Since tomatoes are in season  it is a great time to prep this soup freeze it for winter. You might want leave off the cream and ad it later.    Fresh tomato soup for a chill winter night.

Printable version of Homemade Creamy Tomato Soup

Disclosure : this post contains affiliate linkstomato soup

 

Meal Planning

blue berry muffinSo with the heat Meal Planning is hard  and I am late on posting.  I have been spending more time out of the kitchen which means it is harder on the pocketbook.  I keep saying to my self can kids live on Ice Cream and Popsicles?

I have to say with my kids home.. they are eating a ton.  So I got up early and made blueberries muffins for breakfast.  Which then every one said they dont like blueberrie muffins.. so more for me.  I tried this recipe from Pennys recipes Easy Quick Blue Berries muffins  I used oil instead of butter.

So I have cooked this week I have been using my Ninja Cooker every night because I don’t want to heat up the kitchen with my stove or oven and I am also out of gas for the grill.  I don’t like to grill when it is hot because I don’t like to be outside unless a body of water is near by.

I use my Ninja MC701 Multi Cooker 3 in 1 Cooking System

  • Sunday :  chicken tender bits chilli made in Ninja  Cooker-  Your chilli with chicken tenders instead of beef
  • Monday : perogies, kielbasa, and onions made in Ninja  Cooker (dice onions cook till tender, add meat cut in to bite size peice,  then add 2lb pack of frozen perogies  cook till brown  20min)
  • Tuesday: Easy Fish made in Ninja  Cooker
  • Wednesday: Swim meet food  it will be 97.. bringing melon ,  might make a Gazpacho Soup
  • Thursday: London Broil, salad,
  • Friday: Grill cheese and Campells tomato soup (because there is no other tomatoes soup then campells)

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

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