Sunday, December 27, 2009

Menu for this week:



Monday:

Breakfast-Pancakes
Lunch-Turkey Sammie
Dinner-Broccoli Ham Au Gratin (eat one-freeze one)

Tuesday:

Breakfast-Bacon and Eggs, Biscuits
Lunch-Leftovers or Sammie
Dinner-Split Pea Soup with Ham

Wednesday:

Breakfast-Oatmeal and yogurt
Lunch-soup
Dinner-"out"

Thursday:

Breakfast-Peanut Butter on Toast
Lunch-Quesadillas
Dinner-Homemade Pizza

Friday:

Breakfast-Muffins
Lunch-Egg Sammies
Dinner-Pintos, Fried Potatoes, Fried Cabbage, Cornbread

Saturday:

Breakfast-Crescent Sausage and Cheese Roll-ups
Lunch-Leftovers
Dinner-Chili

Sunday:

Breakfast-Muffins
Lunch-Spaghetti Casserole (eat one-freeze one), Salad
Dinner-Leftovers

Broccoli Ham Au Gratin

1 Onion, chopped
1 tb Butter, melted
1 cn Cheddar cheese soup
6 oz Sharp process cheese roll (using Cheez Whiz)
1/2 t Garlic powder
8 oz Mushrooms, sliced, drained
10 oz Chopped broccoli, thaw & drain
3 c Cooked rice
2 c Ham, cooked and diced
2 oz Pimiento, diced & drained (I omit)
1 cn Fried onion rings

Saute onion in butter in a Dutch oven until tender. Add soup, cheese, garlic powder; stir until cheese melts. Add mushrooms, broccoli, rice and ham. Gently stir in pimiento, and spoon into a lightly greased 12 x 8 x 2" baking dish. Cover and chill 8 hours. To bake, remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Bake, covered, at 350 for 40 minutes. Sprinkle onion rings over casserole, and bake an additional 5 to 8 minutes. Note: Unbaked casserole may be frozen. To bake, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Bake, covered, at 350 for 40 minutes. Sprinkle onion rings over casserole, and bake 5 to 8 minutes. From: Southern Living.


Spaghetti Casserole

(Makes 2 casseroles, 6 servings each)

16 oz. pkg. angel hair pasta
1 ½ pound ground beef (I use ground turkey)
26 oz. jar spaghetti sauce
2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
2 c. shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese

Cook pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, over medium heat, cook beef, drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomato sauce. Remove from heat. Drain pasta. Combine soup and sour cream. In two 8 inch square baking dishes, layer half of the meat sauce, pasta, soup mixture and cheese. Repeat layers. Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole 350 degrees 55-65 minutes or until cheese is melted.

To use frozen casserole: Thaw in fridge overnight. Remove from fridge, 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas to all!



This is our tree in our dining room. Robyn decorated it this year all by herself. I think she did a very good job.

My house if filled with wonderful Christmas scents today. I can smell the broccoli and cheese casserole and the green bean casserole baking in the oven. I can smell the Cider Wassail heating on the stove. We will be taking these to my mil's today for Christmas dinner. Yum-o!

I just want to wish all my family and friends a very joyous and merry Christmas from me and my family. Please have fun today and enjoy your family and God bless you.

Christmas Blessings,

Pam

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I need some accountability.

So, I'm going to start a weekly post on my tasks that I need to accomplish for the week. This is what my week of December 21st looks like:

Monday: Grocery Shopping, Clean-up Main Floor of House, Photograph dd for Christmas card (I know, I know...nothing like getting those cards out early! Dh is the photographer in the family for the Christmas cards). Guests at 6:00 for Pizza, Soda and Sweets!

Tuesday: Take dd to my folk's house to spend a couple of nights. Possible lunch date with dh. Pick up stocking stuffers. Wrap dd's gifts while she is gone. Quiet evening with dh.

Wednesday: Do some Freezer cooking. See this week's menu. Clean up kitchen afterwards and as I go along.

Thursday: To my folk's house to spend afternoon celebrating Christmas Eve with them and bringing dd back home and to church for 6:00 Christmas Eve services. Later, cookies and hot cocoa by the fire as Daddy reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Robyn doesn't believe in Santa Claus, she's 10 ya know. But fairies, Tinkerbell, you betcha! "Fairies aren't real!" Dems fighting words!

Friday: Christmas Day! Watch dd's excitement as she opens her gifts. Off to mil's to spend the day and have Christmas Dinner. Daddy is going to read Luke 2, the Christmas passage.

Saturday: Do some work here in the house-hmmm...where to begin, probably in the master bath and bedroom and under kitchen sink, as the garbage disposal died and we need to get a plumber here to replace it. Must get all the junk out from under there so he can do his work! Ugh!

Sunday: Church, no Sunday School services today. Home for a day of rest and menu/grocery shopping planning (shouldn't have much of that to do as I am well stocked right now). Just some good quality time with family. Next week there will be much more to accomplish around this house as well as taking down of Christmas decorations. Seems like we just put them up!

What's your week look like?

Blessings,

Pam

Okay, it's Wednesday and here is where I am. Haven't gotten groceries yet. That will happen today after the plumber gets here and leaves. Garbage disposal died and he is putting in the new one that dh bought today. Dd is at her grandparent's house and we didn't pick up any stocking stuffers yet or done the Christmas wrapping. We will do that tonight too. Just being honest here. I'll update more later in the week.

Okay, it's Sunday afternoon and I've stuck to everything but working in the Master Bedroom. So, not too bad. How did you do? Did you accomplish everything on your "to-do" list?

My Menu This Week-Lots of Freezer Recipes



All three meals this time (subject to change as the cook desires!) And extra freezer meals to feed the freezer as well as the ones planned to eat this week.

Monday:

B-Yogurt and Oatmeal
L-Leftovers
D-Evening here with friends, pizza, soda, sweet treats!

Tuesday:

B-Pancakes and Bacon
L-Going to visit folks-maybe lunch out with dh at favorite Chinese Restaurant
D-Turkey and Biscuit Pie (freezer friendly-one to eat now and one to freeze for later) recipe to follow

Wednesday:

B-Yogurt and Oatmeal
L-Spicy Bean and Ham Soup
D-Freeze Ahead Burritos (a freezer friendly vegetarian meal-this will make for some good future lunches or dinners), chips and salsa

Thursday: Christmas Eve

B-Breakfast Casserole, OJ
L-To folks to spend the day and pick up dd
D-Planning to make Lasagna Roll-ups for the Freezer-may take some to folks-we may or may not eat dinner here

Friday: Christmas Day!

B-Leftover Breakfast Casserole, Cinnamon Rolls, OJ
L-Going to mil's to have Christmas Dinner-here is what she has planned: Ham and Turkey, Dressing, Roasted Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Gravy, Rolls, Broccoli and Cheese Casserole (I'm bringing), Green Bean Casserole (I'm bringing), Deviled Eggs, Wassail (I'm bringing), and desserts (she wouldn't tell us what it's a surprise!)

Saturday:

B-One Eyed Sailors, Bacon, OJ
L-I'm sure we will come home from mil's with plenty of leftovers!
D-Ham and cheese Ziti (Freezer friendly-one for now, one for later), Spinach, Tomato and Basil Salad

Sunday:

B-Crescent Sausage Rolls, Fruit
L-Turkey and Noodles Soup (from turkey carcass in freezer), Homemade bread of some sort
D-Lovely Leftovers

Freezer Friendly Turkey and Biscuit Pie

2 cups cooked diced turkey or chicken
1 cup frozen green beans
10 oz. Can cream of chicken soup
1 ½ cup frozen corn
½ c. chicken broth canned or prepared with bouillon

In large mixing bowl, combine diced turkey, green beans, soup, corn and chicken broth. Transfer to a greased 2 quart casserole dish. Cover and freeze up to three months.

To prepare:

1 tube buttermilk biscuits

Thaw casserole in fridge or microwave. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange biscuits across top of casserole slightly overlapping. Bake 30-40 minutes.

Lasagna Roll-Ups

12 lasagna noodle -- cooked and drained
1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese -- shredded
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese -- grated
1 pound lean ground beef

Brown the ground beef and let cool. While noodles are cooking, mix the cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese in with the meat. Drain noodles. Lay out flat and spread some of the meat mixture over the length of it. Roll up noodle, place seam side down on cookie sheet and continue with rest of noodles. (You can cut the rolled noodles in half if desired). Freeze and store in ziplock bag.
To cook: Place amount needed of frozen lasagna rolls in shallow casserole dish. Cover with cheese sauce or spaghetti sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until roll is heated through and sauce is bubbly.
I keep a lot of these made up in the freezer.

Ham & Cheese Ziti

2 16oz packages ziti noodles
1 cup butter/margarine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup flour
2 tsp salt
8 cups milk
2 tsp Dijon mustard
8 cups Colby cheese, shredded
16oz cooked ham (deli style), cut into thin strips
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated

This recipe makes 2 13x9 casseroles.

Cook and drain pasta according to instructions (you may need to do it in two batches if your larges pot isn't large enough.

In large saucepan or deep skillet, melt butter on low heat. Add garlic and saute for about 30-40 seconds, stirring the entire time. Next add flour and salt, using a whisk to ensure no lumps remain. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring the entire time, until there are no lumps and the mixture begins to bubble.

Slowly add milk, stirring the whole time, while you bring it to a boil. Once boiling, allow to continue to boil for 1 minute, then add mustard and Colby cheese. Continue stirring until cheese is melted. Add ham and pasta, stirring well. Pour into 2 13x9 casserole dishes. Cool and freeze.

On cooking day:
Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350F. Place casserole dish (uncovered) into oven and bake 30-45 minutes or until heated through and bubbly. Serve.

Freeze Ahead Burritos

2 cans black beans
2-3 cups rice, cooked
1 large onion
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 T combined dried basil, cumin, chili powder, cayenne to taste
1 pkg. flour tortillas, burrito size
1 small can tomato sauce

Sauté onion and garlic in a little oil. When onions are soft add spices, cook 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat. in large bowl combine 1 can beans with juice and 1 can drained. Add tomato sauce. Mash beans. Add cooked rice and onion mixture. Stir well. Roll up burrito style. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze. Reheat in microwave.

Spicy Bean and Ham Soup

1 cup cubed cooked ham
1 cup salsa
15 oz. black beans, rinsed and drained
14 oz. chicken broth
1 green onion, chopped

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours. 4 servings



I also plan to take advantage of good chicken/turkey prices here and do some meals for my freezer to eat later in the winter. Here is my plan:

Chicken - Taco bake

2 cups cooked rice -- (2 to 3)
2 cups cooked shredded turkey or chicken -- (2 to 3)
1 can tomato sauce -- 8 oz.
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 can refried beans -- (1 to 2)
1 cup grated cheese. -- (1 to 2)

we like brown rice, but you can use white instead....I have even used ham and
crumbled ground beef if you happen to have it on hand. Layer in a 9x13 baking dish the cooked rice. In another bowl, mix taco seasoning and tomato sauce. Add shredded chicken and coat it well with tomato mixture. Layer this chicken mixture on the rice in pan. "Frost" the chicken layer with the refried beans. It may take up to 2 cans for that, especially if you want a good thick layer. Top off with grated
cheese.

Wrap for freezing and pop it into the freezer. When ready to bake, thaw
and bake uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes or until hot all the way through
and the cheese is nice and bubbly. Enjoy!

I have made this chicken-taco recipe before and it is good.


Chicken Enchiladas

1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion -- chopped
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 cups cooked chicken -- chopped
1/2 cup Monterey jack and cheddar cheese mix
8 " round flour tortillas --

NOTE: next time try with salsa added to chicken mixture.
Melt butter in skillet, add onion and cook until tender, add chili powder and
chicken. In small bowl mix together sour cream and soup. Add 1/4 cup of
soup mixture to chicken, you want to make the chicken mixture nice and moist.
Fill tortillas with approximately 1/4 to 1/3 cup chicken mixture and roll
tightly. Spread a little of soup mix on bottom of pan. Put tortillas in and spread remaining soup mix on top. Sprinkle with cheese. (Can be frozen at this point) Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. For 2 people makes two 8x8 casseroles.


Chicken Tetrazzini

10 oz dry spaghetti -- (10 to 12)
3 cups grated cheese - Jack or Cheddar
3 Tbs. margarine
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
1 can cream of mushroom soup -- (10 3/4 oz)
1 can cream of chicken soup -- (10 3/4 oz)
1 10 3/4 oz soup can milk
3 cups cooked -- diced chicken
salt & pepper

Cook spaghetti as directed until al dente; drain. Sauté onions in margarine.
Mix onions and remaining ingredients with spaghetti in a large bowl. Put
mixture in containers and freeze. To prepare for serving, thaw tetrazzini and put in a baking dish. Bake uncovered in a preheated 350* oven until bubbly, about 30-40 minutes. (or can microwave or heat on stove) For 2 people makes 5 casseroles.


MEXICAN CHICKEN BAKE


1 can cream of mushroom soup -- (10-3/4 oz.)
1 can cream of chicken soup -- (10-3/4 oz.)
1 3/4 cups milk
2 cups cooked chicken -- chopped
1 large onion -- finely chopped
1 cup salsa
2 1/2 cups grated cheese
12 corn tortillas -- each cut into 8
pieces

Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter two 8 inch square pans. In a medium bowl combine soups and milk. Stir to blend well. Add chicken, onion, salsa and 2 cups of the grated cheese. Divide between both pans. Layer tortilla and chicken mixture topping with remaining grated cheese. Freeze. Bake thawed casserole 35 - 45 minutes or until bubbly on edges and hot in the center.

Mexican Chicken Rolls

1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 package Monterey jack cheese with
peppers ( 8 oz) cut crosswise into 8
equal slices
1/3 cup butter or margarine melted

Combine first 5 ingredients in a shallow dish; set aside. Place each chicken breast between 2 sheets of wax paper; flatten to 1/4 inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Place a slice of cheese on each chicken breast. Rollup from short side, and secure with wooden picks. Dip chicken rolls in butter, and dredge in bread crumb mixture. Place rolls, seam side down, on a baking sheet. Cover and freeze until firm; transfer to a largeheavy-duty plastic freeze bag and return to freezer. Freeze up to 6 months.
To serve, place frozen chicken rolls in a lightly greased
11- x 7- x 1 1/2-inch baking dish; bake at 400 ° F for 30 minutes.

These are really good.

You can use your own homemade cream of "whatever" soups in these recipes. I do that sometimes or buy Aldi's brand of soup which is very inexpensive.

Have a blessed week,

Pam

I Corinthians 13-A Christmas Version




1 CORINTHIANS 13 – – A CHRISTMAS VERSION -

By an unknown author

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy anothers home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can’t.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Monday, December 14, 2009

The girl has pierced ears!




My daughter now has pierced ears! She was adamant that she would never have pierced ears. I knew this would change. She is a girly-girl after all. We went to Claire's at West Town Mall and she was nervous but did just fine. She said it didn't even hurt! I'm so proud of her. I look forward to all the pretty earrings she will get to wear when her ears are healed.

Pam

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Turkey Corn Chowder

I made this recipe this week and Robert and I really liked it. Thought I would share.

Turkey Corn Chowder

1 chopped onion sauteed in 1/2 stick of butter
2 cups chicken broth
3 cups diced cooked turkey or chicken
1 c. sliced celery
5 cubed potatoes

cook until the potatoes are tender then add:

1 can whole kernel corn and 1 can creamed corn
1 quart milk

Heat well, but don't boil. I generously sprinkled with salt and pepper to taste.

My Menu This Week




Stuck to last week's menu pretty well. Didn't make the chicken soup as the turkey chowder lasted longer than I thought and didn't make the chicken and black beans with cream cheese as I ended up making a big pot of mixed beans Saturday with the leftover ham bone and we decided to eat those after church. Yum-o!

Here is my plan for this week:

Monday-Apples and Pork Chop Bake, Brussels Sprouts, Macaroni and Cheese, Rolls

Tuesday-Brushetta Chicken Bake, Tossed Salad, Recipe found at http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/bruschetta-chicken-bake-65546.aspx

Wednesday-Good ole leftovers!

Thursday-Baked Ziti, Salad, Garlic Texas Toast

Friday-Spicy Beans (black) and Ham, Dad's Sausage Cornbread

Saturday-Leftover Buffet!

Sunday-Hamburger or Chicken Helper (made with ground chicken or turkey), Fruit, Crescent Rolls

You can find more menu ideas at http://orgjunkie.com/

Pam

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I haven't forgotten.

Remember my post of September 9th? I do. It's been hanging over my head ever since I posted it. I haven't forgotten, really. I am just still in the list making mode. Yeah, that's it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. lol

I have a ham cooking in the oven today. It smells sooo good. I feel very nesty. Well, actually, I feel pretty nesty all the time. Especially in my red recliner. Yes it is mine, and you better not be sitting in it! lol Since my pc needs more ram, I have been using my laptop a lot. I sit in my red recliner and just surf away. It's very addicting. Oh, you didn't know that? lol I especially like a roaring fire, my red recliner and my laptop nowadays.

Well, anywho, we are expecting a little friend of dd's over this evening to spend some good quality girlfriend time together. Aren't 9-10 year olds sweet? They have even made a schedule so that they can get in everything they want to do in the little time they have together. Ahhh...

Well, off to unload the dishwasher and reload it. I call this rebooting the dw. You can use that saying too, if you want too. lol I am way too goofy today.

Pam

Sunday, December 6, 2009

My Menu This Week

Well, I stuck to last week's menu plan to a tee. This week I am going to try a few new recipes. If I like them I will post them here later. Here is this week's dinner plans:

Monday: Yummy leftovers from Sunday (I did a crock pot boneless turkey breast, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato casserole, stuffing and crescent rolls.) It was yummy and the leftovers will be just as good.

Tuesday: Turkey Corn Chowder (new recipe), Tossed Salad, Biscuits or Crescent Rolls

Wednesday: Beans and Franks, Corn Bread

Thursday: Ham, Hash Brown Casserole, Brussels Sprouts, Peach Cobbler

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Crock Pot Chicken Soup,(new recipe) Homemade Bread

Sunday: Crock Pot Chicken with Black Beans and Cream Cheese (new recipe), Tortillas

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Who doesn't like breakfast for dinner?

Hubby and daughter have gone to mil's house to get her Christmas decorations down from the attic. I am going to surprise them with breakfast for dinner when they get back. I am going to make Breakfast Pizza, throw together a fruit salad with odds and ends and make Pillsbury's cinnamon rolls pour some orange juice and put on a pot of decaf. The pizza uses crescent rolls. The stores around here have those Pillsbury thingies on sale every week and with coupons they are a bargain too hard to pass us. And oh so convenient! I have been looking up recipes using cresent rolls and will be incorporating those into my future menus. Here is the breakfast pizza recipe.

Breakfast Pizza

Serving Size : 6

1 pound ground pork sausage (my dad buys this fresh for us)
1 (8-ounce) can refrigerator crescent rolls
1 cup (4-ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 cup (4-ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese (don't have this so will just double the cheddar)
5 large eggs -- lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Brown sausage in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles; drain. Set aside. Unroll crescent rolls, separating into 8 triangles. Place triangles with elongated points toward center on a greased 12-inch pizza pan. Press perforations together to form a crust. Bake at 375' for 8 minutes on lower rack of oven. (Crust will be puffy when removed from oven.) Reduce oven temperature to 350'. Spoon sausage over dough; sprinkle with cheeses. Combine eggs and remaining ingredients; pour over sausage mixture. Bake at 350' on lower rack of oven 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden. Cut into wedges to serve.

Pam