I am sure many of you are facing the same trouble of having a fridge full of turkey dinner. We don't just have turkey left overs but we had lots of every thing left over from our Christmas feast. So this weeks meal planning as been centered all around how to get rid of these wonderful foods.
We love making Chicken Enchiladas so with turkey leftovers I knew these would taste just as good using turkey. Even with being filled with all this turkey my creative meal idea juices are still flowing. Seeings how we can't fit anything in our fridge because its stuff with containers of leftovers I dug out the cranberry jelly, stuffing and turkey to try a new Enchilada recipe. Usually we stuff the tortilla with turkey, cheese, black beans, corn and sour cream but this time I decided to spread the tortilla with cranberry jelly, stuffing and turkey. WOW!!! They were a hit and a recipe that I will make after every turkey dinner!!!
Here is the some what of the recipe
Turkey dinner Enchiladas
turkey
stuffing
cranberry jelly
tortillas
cream of mushroom soup
onions
garlic
curry powder
salt & pepper
chicken OXO
Basic white sauce
1. Cut and fry up onions and garlic (I used a small frying pan)
2. In a large frying pan I made basic white sauce.
2 Tbsp margarine
2 Tbsp flour
1 cup of milk
Stir or whisk together until thickens. Add Chicken OXO, curry powder, any spices you like
3. Add cream of mushroom soup and fill the can up with milk. Stir and let simmer. Add any spices you like until it taste the way you like. Add fried onions and garlic.
You don't have to make the basic white sauce but hubby loves to have sauce to add to his other foods so I try to make sure there is lots of it.
4. Pour a little bit of the sauce into a 9*13 baking dish.
5. On a tortilla spread cranberry jelly and top with stuffing and turkey. Roll up and place steam side down.
6. When pan is full pour a little bit of the sauce over the enchiladas. Make sure that the sauce gets in between each enchilada, if it doesn't they will stick together. Pour the rest of the sauce over the dish and top with cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
~ To get rid of the rest of the turkey dinner sever the enchiladas with mashed potatoes, squash, and any other leftovers you have from our turkey feast.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas with the Petersons
Hey readers. I know that you are probably expecting my meal plan for the week but let me tell you its not exciting. You see I have a fridge filled with leftovers that needs to get eaten so for the whole week we will be consuming turkey, turkey and more turkey!
I will be back next week with some creative meals and to tell you how I cooked all the turkey! hehe..
To check out our Christmas adventures head on over here!
I can't wait to post all about my homemade gifts , goodies and treats that we enjoyed over Christmas!
I will be back next week with some creative meals and to tell you how I cooked all the turkey! hehe..
To check out our Christmas adventures head on over here!
I can't wait to post all about my homemade gifts , goodies and treats that we enjoyed over Christmas!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Christmas is this week!!!
I just can not believe that Christmas is here again for another year. Last year at this time I was very preggo and over due just praying for the babe to come out!! Of course he wanted to give Christmas an extra special meaning and decided to make his appearance Christmas morning when everyone else was opening presents. So now Christmas time every year will be a little bit different!!
This past weekend we gathered with hubby's family for our annual gift exchange. This is always a great time together sitting around opening the presents we bought for one another, sipping cider and stuffing our guts with so much food. Its the one time of year that we all splurge on expensive and very delicious cheeses!! I don't know if I am ready to cook after a weekend like that but the family must be feed.
Here's whats cookin in the kitchen Christmas week!!!
Monday: Sweater Party at the Peterson's. Its a pot luck so our lucky dish will be Mexican Mesegna and I might through together this delicious pot luck chip dip.
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Mom and Dad will be coming up and we have been invited out for Jigs dinner (its a Newfoundland thing). I think that after the church service we will come home and enjoy my moms famous taco dip, cheese, crackers and a BBQ meat pie!
Thursday: Turkey Dinner, although I do like Niki's idea of have a big breakfast and then Turkey boxing day but I will have to convince hubby of that one. Maybe next year.
Turkey
Garlic Mashed potatoes
squash
turnip
fiddle heads
sweet potatoes
Stuffing
Cranberry sauce (homemade)
and don't forget we drown everything in GRAVY!!
What Christmas supper for us with out Pumpkin Pie!!! Cold pumpkin pie. We aren't ones for hot pumpkin pie, the one year we did try to serve it hot half a piece ended up in grams tea.
Friday: After breakfast we are heading away for the weekend. To enjoy another Turkey Supper on Saturday.
For more great meal ideas check out Organizing Junkie.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Hostess Gifts
I love the Christmas season because its a time of year when you are always going out to gatherings or you are hosting people in your own house. Since I love hosting I never give up an opportunity to have a party.
I always like to have something special to give my guest or to take to others houses as a hostess gift. This year my gift is chocolate covered spoons that can be added to hot chocolate or coffee.
This year at our Christmas sweater party this will be my center piece when hot chocolate is served. Since I will be having people into my house I used our extra silver wear and dipped the spoons into melted semi sweet chocolate. Some of the spoons got crushed candy cane added to them well others were left plain.
I also dipped some plastic spoons and wrapped them in festive holiday wrap to give out as gifts when we go to other peoples houses.
For more frugal ideas check out Biblical womanhood
I always like to have something special to give my guest or to take to others houses as a hostess gift. This year my gift is chocolate covered spoons that can be added to hot chocolate or coffee.
This year at our Christmas sweater party this will be my center piece when hot chocolate is served. Since I will be having people into my house I used our extra silver wear and dipped the spoons into melted semi sweet chocolate. Some of the spoons got crushed candy cane added to them well others were left plain.
I also dipped some plastic spoons and wrapped them in festive holiday wrap to give out as gifts when we go to other peoples houses.
For more frugal ideas check out Biblical womanhood
Thursday, December 18, 2008
I did it!!!
After years and many failed attempts I finally got lentils to cook for me in a very delicious recipe that I found on $5 Dinners. I stumbled upon the recipe while searching some of my favorite site trying to find something to make my friend Renee because she just had baby number 2. Knowing how much they love dried beans and lentils I decided to work up my courage and try this recipe Honey baked lentils. I used green lentils in the recipe and didn't use the bacon (sorry Stam's). Because it makes such a large dish hubby and I tested them out before we gave it away and we loved them. The only change I would make for next time is cook the onion first before placing it in the dish and I had to cook it in the oven for longer then the recipe called for.
Sorry the picture doesn't look pleaseing but it did taste good. We served it over garlic mashed potatoes.
Woo....now that I got that recipe to work I have a bunch more lentil recipes to try!!
Sorry the picture doesn't look pleaseing but it did taste good. We served it over garlic mashed potatoes.
Woo....now that I got that recipe to work I have a bunch more lentil recipes to try!!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Decorating Cookies
I don't usually do any special plugs for kitchen gadgets because most of the time I pick my stuff up at the local dollarama or a second hand store. There are a couple of nice kitchen tools that I do enjoy using as they make the work a lot easier. These guys have seen their fare share of cookies and cup cakes over the years. I even used them once to decorate the top of my Shepard pie.
They are from a purchase I made at my one and only Pampered Chef party I attended. I had never really been to a party like that before and didn't realize (until it was order time) that most people buy stuff at these party's. I had looked through the book but come on everything was so expensive so as quickly as I could I looked for the cheapest thing available and it just so happened it was these 3 little guys (thanks monthly specials). They have made decorating the Christmas cookies a whole lot easier and you can be more creative when decorating. They only thing I don't like about them is its hard to get the frosting into the tiny opening at the top and its hard to get it out when washing. They do come with a little scrub brush that you can use and it works pretty well. I am sure you can pick these put at yard sales and I saw them on Ebay for pretty cheap as well.
If you are looking for other creative ideas hope on over here
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A homemade Christmas
Hello Readers
Today I want to sent you over to a blog that I enjoy reading myself. It's called Happy to be at Home. Three stay at home moms contribute to the site sharing lots of information; and every week they have specially guest blogger's. For the month of December they are doing a series called Frugal and Fabulous Christmas.
Some of you may remember my post last year on decorations but in case you don't I wrote a guest post for this blog and it was published this past Friday. So hope on over to Happy To Be At Home and check out my Homemade Christmas!!
Today I want to sent you over to a blog that I enjoy reading myself. It's called Happy to be at Home. Three stay at home moms contribute to the site sharing lots of information; and every week they have specially guest blogger's. For the month of December they are doing a series called Frugal and Fabulous Christmas.
Some of you may remember my post last year on decorations but in case you don't I wrote a guest post for this blog and it was published this past Friday. So hope on over to Happy To Be At Home and check out my Homemade Christmas!!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Wow...this week went by so fast with all the practicing we did for the Living Nativity. It was a week of road meals and beans. I didn't realize when I baked the beans on Monday night that it was a 2lb bag and not a 1 lb. Needless to say we have been eating beans everyday this week. One of our new favorite combination is a Mexican Rice dish that I just made up.
There isn't really a recipe so be bold and create it to your family's taste. I cooked some rice and well it was coming to a boil I added minced onions, chili powder, and cumin. When the rice was finished cooking I added cheese whiz, salsa, left over cheese sauce from the scallop potatoes and the baked beans. Oh the spicy flavor of the salsa goes wonderful with the sweet taste of the baked beans. We enjoyed that dish especially when we used nacho chips for forks.
This week is another short week of cooking (oh I love the holidays)
Monday: Stew with biscuits
Tuesday: Sweet and Sour sausages
Wednesday: Christmas Party (making hamburger cheese chip dip)
Thursday: Beef Stroganoff (the recipe is below)
Hamburger
1 can cream of mushroom soup
(3-4 Tbsp) onion soup mix
~Fry hamburger at medium heat, drain grease; add the mushroom soup and the onion soup mix and stir. Add a little milk if the sauce is too thick. Simmer on low heat until hot.
1 bag Egg Noodles(not too big)
1 cube Margarine
1 pkg soda crackers
~In large pot, boil water (8-10 cups). Add some salt. When boiled, add noodles and cook until tender (10-15 min)
~Meanwhile, in large frying pan, melt one cube of margarine at medium heat. When the butter is melted, crush the pkg of crackers and mix them into the butter all at once until they are saturated
~Drain the cooked noodles, and add the crackers. Mix.
~Serve the hamburger sauce over the noodles! Yum!
Friday: Leftovers and we are on our way home for our family Christmas exchange!!!
For more great meal ideas check out organizing junkie
There isn't really a recipe so be bold and create it to your family's taste. I cooked some rice and well it was coming to a boil I added minced onions, chili powder, and cumin. When the rice was finished cooking I added cheese whiz, salsa, left over cheese sauce from the scallop potatoes and the baked beans. Oh the spicy flavor of the salsa goes wonderful with the sweet taste of the baked beans. We enjoyed that dish especially when we used nacho chips for forks.
This week is another short week of cooking (oh I love the holidays)
Monday: Stew with biscuits
Tuesday: Sweet and Sour sausages
Wednesday: Christmas Party (making hamburger cheese chip dip)
Thursday: Beef Stroganoff (the recipe is below)
Hamburger
1 can cream of mushroom soup
(3-4 Tbsp) onion soup mix
~Fry hamburger at medium heat, drain grease; add the mushroom soup and the onion soup mix and stir. Add a little milk if the sauce is too thick. Simmer on low heat until hot.
1 bag Egg Noodles(not too big)
1 cube Margarine
1 pkg soda crackers
~In large pot, boil water (8-10 cups). Add some salt. When boiled, add noodles and cook until tender (10-15 min)
~Meanwhile, in large frying pan, melt one cube of margarine at medium heat. When the butter is melted, crush the pkg of crackers and mix them into the butter all at once until they are saturated
~Drain the cooked noodles, and add the crackers. Mix.
~Serve the hamburger sauce over the noodles! Yum!
Friday: Leftovers and we are on our way home for our family Christmas exchange!!!
For more great meal ideas check out organizing junkie
Friday, December 12, 2008
Creamy Hot Chocolate
Good morning readers. I thought with the cold weather and snow on the ground (or should I say freezing rain) I thought I would share this homemade hot chocolate recipe. I found it last year and after a fun afternoon of sliding this hit the spot.
Creamy Hot Chocolate
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/8 tsp salt
7 cups water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Combine the first 3 ingredients into a large pot. Cook on medium heat and gradually add water. cook until heated through; stir in vanilla.
Serve in nice mug and top with whipping cream and shaved chocolate. Or to make it more of a festive Christmas drink stick a mini candy cane over the side of the mug for a mint chocolate taste.
We will be enjoying this treat this weekend while we are decorating our tree and finishing up our Christmas baking!!
Creamy Hot Chocolate
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/8 tsp salt
7 cups water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Combine the first 3 ingredients into a large pot. Cook on medium heat and gradually add water. cook until heated through; stir in vanilla.
Serve in nice mug and top with whipping cream and shaved chocolate. Or to make it more of a festive Christmas drink stick a mini candy cane over the side of the mug for a mint chocolate taste.
We will be enjoying this treat this weekend while we are decorating our tree and finishing up our Christmas baking!!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Freezing garlic???
The little apartment size deep freeze that we have in the basement has been on of our biggest blessings. This little guy is packed to the gills with meats, breads, squash, berries, and at the moment Christmas baking. This summer after doing a shopping trip in the states I posted about freezing different foods asking you readers what kind of things you put in the freezer. This way I would have a massive list of foods that I could jam into my deep freeze.
Now for your help again. I just recently stumbled across a very large bag of garlic on the reduced rack at the grocery store. The garlic is in the bulb form and I was wondering if any of you have frozen this stuff before. I did do some research and some say you can just peel and freeze others say you should mince , puree and pack in oil. I am just wondering if you guys have any suggestions??
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Making Egg Rolls
Egg rolls are a favorite of ours that we only get as a treat when we order the combo for four from the Rice Bowl. So you can image how excited I was to try out this recipe when I found it one day while reading some ones meal plan. They were very easy to make and actually didn't cost a lot money. It was cheaper to make 18 egg rolls then it was to buy 6 in a package.
So here is my step by step on how to make you own egg rolls.
Recipe
1 lb ground pork
1 tsp minced ginger
2 c finely shredded cabbage
1c grated carrot
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp soy sauce or oyster sauce
1 pkg egg roll wrappers
Once the mixture is cooled you can begin to wrap the egg rolls. First start off by placing the wrapper on a working surface. They place the wrapper in a diamond shape. Place your filling in the center or the wrapper.
Fold up the bottom edge and roll under once. They bring in the two sides.
Next I wet my finger in a little bowl of water and wet the edge of the wrapper. Continue wrapping up the egg roll.
Then place the wrapped egg rolls on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. When ready to cook add two or three to a deep fryer that is set on 375. Let them cook about 3-4 minutes. When done drain on a paper towel.
Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
They also freeze very well. Although the once that I did freeze are gone already as hubby just LOVED these things. Now I know why I should have doubled the recipe. Maybe I will have to make a batch (secretly) and freeze them before I give my friends back their deep fryer.
So here is my step by step on how to make you own egg rolls.
Recipe
1 lb ground pork
1 tsp minced ginger
2 c finely shredded cabbage
1c grated carrot
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 Tbsp soy sauce or oyster sauce
1 pkg egg roll wrappers
1. Stir fry meat and ginger until meat is lightly browned. Add shredded cabbage, carrot and green onion. Cook until veggies are wilted. Stir in soy sauce or oyster sauce. Allow to cool.
Once the mixture is cooled you can begin to wrap the egg rolls. First start off by placing the wrapper on a working surface. They place the wrapper in a diamond shape. Place your filling in the center or the wrapper.
Fold up the bottom edge and roll under once. They bring in the two sides.
Next I wet my finger in a little bowl of water and wet the edge of the wrapper. Continue wrapping up the egg roll.
Then place the wrapped egg rolls on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. When ready to cook add two or three to a deep fryer that is set on 375. Let them cook about 3-4 minutes. When done drain on a paper towel.
Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
They also freeze very well. Although the once that I did freeze are gone already as hubby just LOVED these things. Now I know why I should have doubled the recipe. Maybe I will have to make a batch (secretly) and freeze them before I give my friends back their deep fryer.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Another week gone. I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by. Last week I nailed the egg roll recipe. Thanks to the Dail's for letting me borrow the deep fryer, I will need to give it back ASAP as it is dangerous for us to have it in our house. The recipe made 18 egg rolls and we just finished the last one tonight, sorry to the Dail's for not saving you any...I couldn't stop them (Micah and Weiwei) from eating them.
I will be posting my step by step on how to make these.
This weeks menu is very simple as we are trying to cut back on spending too much this month and we are both involved with the Christmas production at our church. The Nativity Experience will be this weekend so our week is filled with dress rehearsals. This is always a fun time for us as we enjoy being a part of this production each year. There is lots of live stock, cookies, music and of course the message that God gave us the greatest gift of all His Son JESUS!!!
Here's whats cookin this week
Monday: Baked beans and scallop potatoes
Tuesday: Mexican rice
Wednesday: Subs and homemade fries
Thursday: Pork chops and mashed potatoes
Friday: Pizza (first show)
Saturday: ?? Grab something
Sunday: ?? Grab something
For more delicious menus check out organizing junkie
Friday, December 5, 2008
Christmas Decorating
Hey readers. You are in for a treat today as I share some of my simple yet frugal Christmas decoration ideas. If you didn't get to read my decoration post from last Christmas jump on over here to check out my cinnamon ornaments, dried fruit and reused light bulb decorations.
This year I added a few more craft projects to my list of decorations.
This large candy mint wreath turned out very well and is now placed on my bathroom door. It was easy to do and was made for $2 (cost of mints). I actually cut a wreath shape out from a diaper box we had laying around the house. Then using your hot glue gun you glue 2 rows of green mints and then glue the red mints to over lap the green ones. Add some curly ribbon and a ribbon to the top to hang it from.
With the left over mints I did two mini wreaths, one red and one green, to hold up our Christmas card close line. OH to get the cardboard green I just used a crayon and colored it.
The one thing I love about decorating is that you can use what you have around your house to make it more festive. We have 2 shelf's that sit in the bathroom corner. So to decorate them I filled up some vases that I have with shinny beads that I picked up at the thrift store ($2 for a large bag of them) and placed some plastic ornaments on the top of them.
I did the same with this one, which is also in the bathroom.
Excuse this next photo the mantle isn't finished being decorated yet as I am still on the search for some greenery for it. But I just wanted to show these glasses that I filled with beads and placed some gold bells on the top. Also you can see my hanging dried fruit and cinnamon ornaments.
This was my last craft project for this Christmas. Its our homemade advent wreath. I really wanted to do this one but instead it turned out like this. I used a wreath that my friend Niki gave me and placed some glass candle holders around it. Then in the center I put a white glass candle inside a larger candle holder that has big beads in it. Each week we light a new candle. They are suppose to be purple and pink but I thought that as long as I had 3 candle holders the same and one different it would be ok.
For more frugal ideas and lots about Christmas check out Biblical Womanhood
This year I added a few more craft projects to my list of decorations.
This large candy mint wreath turned out very well and is now placed on my bathroom door. It was easy to do and was made for $2 (cost of mints). I actually cut a wreath shape out from a diaper box we had laying around the house. Then using your hot glue gun you glue 2 rows of green mints and then glue the red mints to over lap the green ones. Add some curly ribbon and a ribbon to the top to hang it from.
With the left over mints I did two mini wreaths, one red and one green, to hold up our Christmas card close line. OH to get the cardboard green I just used a crayon and colored it.
The one thing I love about decorating is that you can use what you have around your house to make it more festive. We have 2 shelf's that sit in the bathroom corner. So to decorate them I filled up some vases that I have with shinny beads that I picked up at the thrift store ($2 for a large bag of them) and placed some plastic ornaments on the top of them.
I did the same with this one, which is also in the bathroom.
Excuse this next photo the mantle isn't finished being decorated yet as I am still on the search for some greenery for it. But I just wanted to show these glasses that I filled with beads and placed some gold bells on the top. Also you can see my hanging dried fruit and cinnamon ornaments.
This was my last craft project for this Christmas. Its our homemade advent wreath. I really wanted to do this one but instead it turned out like this. I used a wreath that my friend Niki gave me and placed some glass candle holders around it. Then in the center I put a white glass candle inside a larger candle holder that has big beads in it. Each week we light a new candle. They are suppose to be purple and pink but I thought that as long as I had 3 candle holders the same and one different it would be ok.
For more frugal ideas and lots about Christmas check out Biblical Womanhood
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Christmas Cards
This year we decided to use a family picture that we had taken this fall as our Christmas cards. I have a close relative and friend who has a great photo program on her computer with lots of back grounds who put this together for us. Its great because these were printed off as a normal 4 *6 during a print sale so I got each copy for 10 cents !! Pretty good price for Christmas cards.
Since it is now December we are giving them out to our friends, family and now to all my wonderful blogger friends!!!! But there are always the ones that need to be mailed so what do you do about them. This year I decided instead of making another card to go along with this card that I would decorate the envelops instead.
To decorate the envelopes I used stamps, Christmas colored paper, ribbons and buttons. Also on the back of each envelop was a verse that read:
I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. The savior-yes, the Messiah, the LORD- has been born tonight in Bethlehem. ~ Luke 2:10-11
I think that Christmas cards with pictures on them are the best way to up date peoples photos of you and it saves on paper; as most of the people getting our cards live close by and didn't need an envelope. We defiantly saved on postage this year to as we did a drop off with both of our parents to hand them out. So if you are from the home towns and have not yet received yours yet don't worry its coming!!!
I also wanted to share this picture with all you readers of my son (in the middle) and his two friends. This picture was taken and used on the Christmas card for the Pregnancy Resource Center here where I volunteer. It was simple to do; well not getting them all to look at the camera and smile at the same time. We wrapped up a large box that I got from our local Home Hardware store with bright wrapping paper. Dressed the boys up in the same outfit and stuffed them in the box. For the back drop we used bed sheets to cover up the background and stuck some Christmas hats on their heads, let them play and tried to snap at least one descent picture of them. Oh what did we do before digital?
Every good and perfect gift is from above ~ James 1:17
If you would like to have a picture put in a Christmas card format like we did check out my friends stuff Photo's by mum if you are from this area she is willing to do them for $10 a template.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Monday Meal Plan
Happy December 1st....oh Christmas is coming soon and I just can't wait. I love the holiday season, because its a time to celebrate the birth of our risen LORD and SAVIOR. Thank you God for sending the perfect gift to us!!!
December is such a busy month with lots of Christmas baking, parties and church events. Good thing I have had my "master" baking list prepared for a couple of weeks so I have been able to pick up some sweet deals. Already on the list I have made the inside of my peanut butter balls (they are in the freezer waiting to be dipped) and a batch of sugar cookie dough. This week I will be cooking up some more yummy treats.
Here is whats on the menu for this week
Monday: Corn Chowder and Biscuits
Tuesday: Not sure
Wednesday: Hamburger pie and Mashed Potatoes
Thursday: Beef stir fry, rice and Egg rolls
Friday: Spaghetti and garlic bread
Saturday: Out to our first Christmas party!!
For more meal plans head on over to Organizing Junkie.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Making the list....and checking it twice
With December quickly approaching I thought it was time to share some of my Frugal holiday tips. Today I am talking about my Christmas baking list. This list is such a money saver!! Its easy to start your list as there are probably a handful of recipes (or more) that you make each season.
I created my list using google docs (this link will take you to a recent post on how great google docs is if you aren't using it. ) I started off by making a master Christmas list. This list has all my goodies that I bake, decorations (mostly craft supplies) that need to be picked up and a basic menu of whats cookin in the kitchen Christmas eve and Christmas morning. From this list two more list where created; one was a recipe list and the other an ingredient list. This is why I love google docs so much is that you can link your pages together. The best thing about google docs is that it can be shared with other family members or you can share it out with other women or familys if you do Christmas baking exchanges. Now with my list complete (for about 2 weeks) I have been watching the store flyers for the deals, this is the best part about having your list ready. You can pick up your ingredients for next to nothing prices if you know what you need for the holiday season. I have been buying little things here and there to get me started in my baking and storing it away so hubby can't find it!
I created my list using google docs (this link will take you to a recent post on how great google docs is if you aren't using it. ) I started off by making a master Christmas list. This list has all my goodies that I bake, decorations (mostly craft supplies) that need to be picked up and a basic menu of whats cookin in the kitchen Christmas eve and Christmas morning. From this list two more list where created; one was a recipe list and the other an ingredient list. This is why I love google docs so much is that you can link your pages together. The best thing about google docs is that it can be shared with other family members or you can share it out with other women or familys if you do Christmas baking exchanges. Now with my list complete (for about 2 weeks) I have been watching the store flyers for the deals, this is the best part about having your list ready. You can pick up your ingredients for next to nothing prices if you know what you need for the holiday season. I have been buying little things here and there to get me started in my baking and storing it away so hubby can't find it!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
A wonderful cookie
So last weekend my wonderful sister in law and her family where suppose to be coming up for a visit. She is an independent Norwex Consultant so she was going to be hosting a party here at my house. Along with hosting a party comes the responsibility of being a great host (duah) so I decided to try to make a new kind of cookie. I had had these cookies many times before at our weekly bible study and was just reminded of the delicious taste again just weeks ago. After doing whatever good cook does (search the internet for a recipe) I had found the cookie I was looking for. I usually don't like to try new recipes on guest; ok who am I trying to fool....I am known for that even though hubby doesn't like it that much. I tried them out. OH the cookie was just what I was looking for mixed between a sugar and short bread cookie with the seculant taste of nutmeg.
The recipe (and the picture) comes from Taste of Home and to yours and my surprise I followed it. The only thing I did different was I sprinkled a course cane sugar on the tops and only baked for ~ 9 minutes to get a nice soft cookie. These were delicious and unfortenualty the party was postponded due to the big snow storm we got.
The other bad thing was we ate the whole batch of cookies Saturday night while some friends were over. So much for self control!
The recipe (and the picture) comes from Taste of Home and to yours and my surprise I followed it. The only thing I did different was I sprinkled a course cane sugar on the tops and only baked for ~ 9 minutes to get a nice soft cookie. These were delicious and unfortenualty the party was postponded due to the big snow storm we got.
The other bad thing was we ate the whole batch of cookies Saturday night while some friends were over. So much for self control!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Going green in style!
I think a couple of weeks ago I posted all about these wonderful reusable bags that I had made out of T-shirts I had laying around. Well I just wanted to let all you readers know that they have been wonderful. Many people comment when I walk into the store with my "ZOOM" bag hanging over the shoulder. Also many cashiers take notice when you are using them at the grocery store. For all my Canadian readers if you have a PC master card you receive 50 PC points for every green bag you use and they count these. What a fashionable way to "go green".
For all you readers who didn't get the chance to read about my adventures in T-Shirt bag making check it.
My sewing adventures are getting fun; sorry I haven't been posting much. I am working on some new projects. I will tell you all about my Baby John's that I am making and selling also I have been working on my Christmas goody list and doing up some post of frugal Christmas decorations. Please be patient and keep watching for these exciting things. Also due to the many things I have on the go Question Tuesday will resume in the new year!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Hello Readers! I am sorry about the so few post last week. It was a busy week here with lots of Christmas projects on the go; so that is where most of time was spent. Our meal plan went sort of as planned however I will be carrying over one meal from last week. This week I am trying not to buy anything. It's the last week of the month and since we spent a little extra this month on a delicious breakfast out I have decided to be creative (I mean that is the name of the blog right??) with what I have.
So here is what we are cookin up this week
Monday: Pork chops with twice baked tex mex potatoes
Tuesday: Pizza Braid
Wednesday: Left over pizza
Thursday: Soup and jiffy biscuits
Friday: Sausage and Mashed potato
Saturday: Spaghetti with garlic bread (oh ya this was another meal that I am carrying over. Because of the 15-25 cm of snow we got this weekend our guest weren't able to visit.
Sunday: Meeting at the church
Well readers next week we will be in December....its so hard for me to believe my little one is turning one in almost a month!!! I am working on lots of post of frugal holiday shopping (the list has been made and checked twice), crafty and creative Christmas decorations and of course lots of homemade gift ideas. Be sure to keep reading...
For more great meal planning ideas check out Organized Junkie.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Question Tuesday: Carob Vs Chocolate
What's the difference between Carob and Chocolate??
For many of you who don't know what Carob is...don't feel bad. I did really know much about either; just that I have seen it at the bulk barn before and some of my friends use it in their baking instead of chocolate. So we are going to walk through this together. Please be advised that I have never used carbo before in my baking (I have had it before in a cake and it tasted fine...the color was a bit lighter then a chocolate cake) so if you have used it before please feel free to leave some comments on your option of the stuff.
The carob fruit is a dark brown, flattened leathery pod (or legume). These pods have been around for ages as many scholars believe that this is what John the baptist lived off of as it is sometimes referred to as "locust bean". To make Carob powder (or flour), that looks a lot like cocoa is produced by a continuous process of drying, grinding, and roasting the pods. The resultant flour has a versatile array of uses. It is an incredibly rich food source, and is perhaps the ideal "survival food" since it lasts a long time, requires no special storage conditions, and can be eaten with no preparations. Carob flour contains about 40% natural sugar making it naturally sweet (remember I have not tasted before...this is only what my research is saying). Although carob has a high sugar content it contains 60% fewer calories than chocolate due to it being lower in fat. Carob is caffeine free, a rich source of calcium and potassium, and contains small amounts of iron and some B vitamins.
Carob powder and carob chips can be used whenever a recipe calls for chocolate or cocoa. To replace carob for cocoa, simply use the same amount of carob. To replace chocolate with carob, use approximately three tablespoons of carob powder for each square of chocolate that the recipe calls for.
After all the reading on this stuff I think that I might pick up a small amount the next time I am out at the bulk barn...that is if its not too expensive. One thing to note is that many of the articles I read stated that although there seems to be some healthy benefits that it needs to be consumed in moderation along side a balanced diet, that includes a variety of foods from each of the food groups.
Here are some recipes I found that I will try when I get some of this stuff. If its cheaper then cocoa it may be the new ingredient in my baking. Niki can you help me out with some recipes and maybe the price??
Carob Cocoa
Carob Christmas balls
No bake carob cookies
If you have a question for please email at:
Referenced used for this were
http://www.physicalnutrition.net/carob.htm
For many of you who don't know what Carob is...don't feel bad. I did really know much about either; just that I have seen it at the bulk barn before and some of my friends use it in their baking instead of chocolate. So we are going to walk through this together. Please be advised that I have never used carbo before in my baking (I have had it before in a cake and it tasted fine...the color was a bit lighter then a chocolate cake) so if you have used it before please feel free to leave some comments on your option of the stuff.
The carob fruit is a dark brown, flattened leathery pod (or legume). These pods have been around for ages as many scholars believe that this is what John the baptist lived off of as it is sometimes referred to as "locust bean". To make Carob powder (or flour), that looks a lot like cocoa is produced by a continuous process of drying, grinding, and roasting the pods. The resultant flour has a versatile array of uses. It is an incredibly rich food source, and is perhaps the ideal "survival food" since it lasts a long time, requires no special storage conditions, and can be eaten with no preparations. Carob flour contains about 40% natural sugar making it naturally sweet (remember I have not tasted before...this is only what my research is saying). Although carob has a high sugar content it contains 60% fewer calories than chocolate due to it being lower in fat. Carob is caffeine free, a rich source of calcium and potassium, and contains small amounts of iron and some B vitamins.
Carob powder and carob chips can be used whenever a recipe calls for chocolate or cocoa. To replace carob for cocoa, simply use the same amount of carob. To replace chocolate with carob, use approximately three tablespoons of carob powder for each square of chocolate that the recipe calls for.
After all the reading on this stuff I think that I might pick up a small amount the next time I am out at the bulk barn...that is if its not too expensive. One thing to note is that many of the articles I read stated that although there seems to be some healthy benefits that it needs to be consumed in moderation along side a balanced diet, that includes a variety of foods from each of the food groups.
Here are some recipes I found that I will try when I get some of this stuff. If its cheaper then cocoa it may be the new ingredient in my baking. Niki can you help me out with some recipes and maybe the price??
Carob Cocoa
Carob Christmas balls
No bake carob cookies
If you have a question for please email at:
Referenced used for this were
http://www.physicalnutrition.net/carob.htm
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Meal Plan Monday
Although the calendar is reading November the weather here has been so rainy and mild. The crock pot has been out on the counter as least once a week. I just love how I can throw it all in the pot, leave it, the house smells beautiful and we can enjoy a delicious meal as soon as hubby walks in through the door.
This weeks crock pot creation didn't turn out as I had hoped. I followed the recipe for crock pot chicken and Quino, it turned out sooooo mushy!!! I have never cooked with Quino so I am not sure what it was suppose to turn out like but I am telling you it was like pure mush. If any of you have experience cooking with this grain please help me out!
The new recipe I tried this week was such a hit!!!! This veggie pot pie was the most delicious thing I have tasted.
The best part of this recipe (besides the herb combination being delightful) was the sweet potato topping! Oh how yummy this was. When mixing the topping it was kind of a sticky dough so I just placed it on top of the pie and spread it out (to the best of my ability) over the top.
This is the scrumptious end product. After supper it was rated and place on the Peterson Favorite's. I gave it 5 stars and hubby gave it 4; it would have been a 5 if there was meat in it.
What's cookin in the kitchen this week:
Sunday: who knows...
Monday: Shepard's pie and salad
Tuesday: Chicken Enchiladas
Wednesday: Something fast in the car
Thursday: Shake and bake pork chops and Twice baked Tex Mex potatoes
Friday: Crock pot pizza
Saturday: Family is visiting!!! Spaghetti and garlic bread.
Head on over to Laura's site to see what others are cookin up this weekend.
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