Tag Archives: cooking

Cooking

Easy Family Meal : BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Apples #spon

1 Comment

Disclosure

bbq pizza

 

BBQ Pizza I was asked by Kraft  and Collective Bias to create a easy recipe using Kraft Recipe Makers .  My recipe is a super simple family meal  BBQ pizza with Smoked Gouda and Apples.   I love the Kraft recipe makers because they are easy to make and my family loves it.  BBQ pizza was fun and my son said amazing.  I started by make one pizza,  which the kids devoured then made 3 more for dinner.  It was a huge hit and nothing was left after the meal.

Also the Krafts Recipe Makers are designed for a slow cooker,  anything slow cooker is really easy family meal .  I was not the greatest planner and forgot to putting it in the slow cooker and I ended up doing my meat in the pressure cooker,  and the Kraft Recipe maker worked out in my Pressure cooker.  You know as a busy mom some times we need options and Kraft Recipe maker provide a great option on me saving time.bbq pizza

BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Green Apples

Ingredients:

  • Kraft Recipe maker BBQ Hickory Beef
  • 2-2.5 of beef or pork
  • 1 pound of smoked Gouda (non smoked works as well also)
  • 1-2 green apples  sliced thin
  • Pizza Dough (premade or make your own recipe for dough)
  • flour for working with the dough
  1. Cook the beef per the instruction on the Kraft recipe makers
  2. Place beef in cooker , over with Krafts Recipe Makers Brown Sugar and vinegar saucebeef and sauce
  3. Cook for 6-8 hours in slow cooker  or 26 min in pressure cooker
  4. Allow the beef to cool slight so as not to burn hands, remove from cooker
  5. Pour or Ladle juices the meat cooked in to separate container-  you can use later if need to add more moisture to the meat.shred beef
  6. shred with a fork,  by pulling fork through meat.  I suggest shredding it finely since you don’t want big chunks on Pizza
  7. Pour over the Kraft Recipe Makers BBQ sauce and mix –  set asidebeef with bbq suace
  8. Next on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper shape pizza crustpizza dough
  9. Place the BBQ meat on 1st,  then thin apples,  then cheesebbq pizzabbq pizza
  10. Repeat for other pizza
  11. Place in oven for 25 minutes
  12. Remove cool slightly and enjoy

For a printable version BBQ Pizza with Gouda and Green Apples

 

bbq pizza

My family Loved Loved Loved the easy meal Pizza my husband took the extra meat for a sandwich to work the next day.  He said the meat was cooked to perfection.  If you want a easy simple family meal. I can highly recommend Kraft Recipe Makers for what to cook tonight.

Be sure to check out Kraft other ideas for Best Easy meals  Get Your Chef Together  and also they Have wonderful Ideas on Krafts Facebook page

Also be sure to check out my Google + album for this Kraft Recipe Maker and Walmart Shoptarget=”_blank” rel=””nofollow”..

 

Cooking

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 :

MPM-Fall

What are you making this week

Cooking

Menu Plan Monday Aug 27

2 Comments

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

mpm chalkboard

what are you making this week?

 

Cooking

Easy Cookie Recipes: Lemon Lavender Cookies

5 Comments

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

Cooking, Product Reviews

Udis Gluten Free and Meal Planning

14 Comments

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

mpm chalkboard

What are you cooking this week?

Cooking

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 ?

 

Cooking

Easy Tomato soup

7 Comments

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

 

Cooking

Leftover Chicken Ideas

girl near a pongLeftover Chicken Ideas for those night they have chicken in the fridge:  So this week I am still adjusting from coming off being away and the kids being home it is the 3rd week of the summer.  My Sister In law had a large 4th of July party this weekend. Ok so it was on the 6th.  The kids had a great time and the food was very plentiful.   I made my pickled cauliflower salad and pickled onions.  For dessert I brought Lemon Sugar cookies with Lavender,  which I will be posting about later this week.  My sister inlaws family provides all the meat,  so standard hamburgers and hot dog but also 80 split chickens.    YES I said 80 Chicken split!!!  160 halves…  So Guess what I got to bring home.. 4 chicken halves.. yummy and they don’t eat dark meat.     So Guess what we are eating this week..

Sesame_Chicken_3977Here are some great Ideas for chicken Leftovers:

Chicken Pot Pie with a Biscuit Topping  From Lisa at crazy adventures in parenting

Stretch a Chicken   from  Untrained housewife

Lemon Chicken Noodle Soup from me Superexhausted

So here are some pictures from the fun weekend. It was the 1st time I took some one along with us tot he farm.  My son best friend.  He loved the pond.  outdoors_001 (101 of 5)We also got to use the Natural Bug Spray that I posted about last week super simple to make and kept the Flys and Mosquitoes away.  I loved the fact it was natural.

outdoors_001 (102 of 5)

 

Meal Planing Monday :

I am on a lemon citrus kick for this summer since it is hot.

Monday: Curry Chicken using left over chicken

Tuesday: Pork roast with sweet potatoes fries

Wednesday: Swim meet night- Pizza and salad

Thurs: Lemon Chicken soup and fresh bread

Friday: Pasta with lemon Shrimp and Veggies

Happy Cooking!

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

mpm chalkboard

Have a great week!

 

Cooking, Product Reviews

How to Make Mozzarella and Weekly meal Planning

8 Comments

 

How to make Homemade MozzarellaHow to Make Mozzarella . I love cheese.  I would eat it on everything is possible. So I decided to learn how to make cheese. I goggled how to make it and came across many sites.  My favorite was New England Cheese Making Company. It is a small company that prides themselves on the art of cheese making.  The New England cheese making company was nice enough to send me a cheese making kit to review to try making my own cheese.

The kit is great 30 Minute Mozzarella and Ricotta Kit arrived and I was so excited to try.  I used a gallon of whole milk. and tools provided in the kit.   I made the cheese on vacation don the shore  and it was super easy.  The kit contained everything I needed to make cheese except for milk, water and pots.   The kit contained Dairy Thermometer (E3), 1yd re-useable Butter Muslin, Citric Acid (C13), Vegetable Rennet Tablets (R4), Cheese Salt (S1) and Recipe Booklet.  The instruction book was very well done and easy to follow.  Below is a glimpse of my experience. I do recommend buying the kit to start and check in out the New England Cheese making site  Cheesemaking.com  for full details and the science on the art of cheese making. cheese making kit It was great seeing the curd separate fro the whey, it looks like custard. curds and wheyI thought when I drained off the whey the curds were not done but I continued.  Turned out not to be a problem. cheese making curdsThen you have to dip the Curd in hot water 185 degrees then pull the curd while hot to make the long stringy fiber and add salt while doing so this is the part I opted to do smaller batches,   because it was hot hot.. I have no pictures of this step because no one was there to take pictures (my husband slept on the couch it was late) .  Rickis the NewEngland companies owner  instructions cover the cheese pulling this step, very throughtly. making cheese

It took me about an hour because the pot of water did not heat up quickly and I made 2 small batches since I was worried I could not make it all at the same time. How to Make Mozzarella. Also  I did not add salt to the 1st batch and it needed it.  The 2nd batch  was supper yummy,   Such a fun treat to have with your summer tomatoes.

I can really recommend the New England cheese making kit.  It has everything you need and great instruction how to make cheese.  The Basic Cheese  kit I use cost $24.95 and it makes up to 30 lb of cheese.  The tablets keep forever if stored in the freezer. cheeseHave you every tried making your own cheese?  How did it turn out?

Weekly Meal Plan :

Monday Chicken BBQ with salted potatoes

Tues: Mozzarella pizza with fresh basil and tomatoes

Wednesday: Spaghetti  and sausage

Thursday:  4th of July picnic

Friday Making cookies and pickles for weekend picnic so fend for yourself night.

I am linking up to Organizing Junkie Menu Planning Monday

mpm chalkboard

 

 

Product Reviews

Fennel Recipe and Menu Plan Monday June 17

1 Comment

fennelSo I have been looking at Fennel for a long time avoiding it because I was told it taste like anise and I hate hate hate Black Liquorish (which is an anise flavor)  So on my quest to try new things I walked into Traders Joes and tried it.  So did my daughter. We both liked it, it did not taste like liquorish .  So I bought it.  The nice lady behind the counter gave me a a recipe sheet.fennel

Easy Fennel Recipe

  • 2 fennel
  • garlic minced
  • 2 tbl of olive oil
  • salt
  1. chop the fennel into bite size pieces
  2. add garlic oil and salt, mix.
  3. Microwaved covered for 5-7 minutes till tender  enjoy.  makes 6-7 servings.

This weeks Menu plan:

Monday: Easy pasta dish,  with sausage

Tuesday: chicken thighs cooked with peaches on the grill

Wednesday: Black bean soup with white

What are you making this week?

I am linking up as always with Organizing Junkies Menu Planning