Apple Crisp Pizza

This one got great reviews. It was the first time I had made it. Whew.. didnt get to try it before I served it up so good thing it didnt cause me to lose my reputation. Ha Ha. I made it just as written with the store bought crust and all....The only change was that I made mine more oblong to fit my rectangle pizza stone...oh yeah and I used a pizza stone.:) Enjoy!

mini pumpkin cheeseballs

These are almost too cute to eat!!

The ingredients:
1 package cream cheese
1 1/3 c. shredded cheddar
1 tablespoon finely grated onion and the juice
2 dashes red devil
1/4 tsp yellow mustard
mix well and chill to firm and able to handle.
then roll into ball and add a sprig of parsley and a small
pretzel piece for the stem. These can be made in advance and
stored in an airtight container in the fridge. To serve place on crackers.

Nana's Banana Bread (angies)

I got this recipe from my great friend Angie. I literally tried 5 recipes one day to find the best recipe and this one topped the charts.

Nana’s Banana Bread

5 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 ripe mashed bananas

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and spray bottom of a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.2.Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. 3.Add granulated Sugar and brown sugar; Beat until well blended. 4.Add egg, egg whites and vanilla; blend. 5.Mix in the mashed bananas, and beat the mixture on high speed for 30 seconds. 6.In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder.7.Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with the cream, ending with the cream. 8.Mix in the walnuts. 9.Pour batter evenly into prepared  loaf pan.10.Bake until golden brown, and toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean (About one hour and fifteen minutes.)

Oreo Pumpkin Cookie Balls

Here is the recipe link:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/oreo-pumpkin-cookie-balls-124155.aspx
 I changed it up by tinting the white chocolate with orange food coloring and then  drizzling with milk chocolate.

Peanut Butter Fudge Pumpkins

These were super cute. I saw the recipe on Pinterest which by the way did not turn out to be an edible recipe! So I reused the peanut butter fudge recipe from further down on my blog. Added orange food coloring and rolled into one inch balls. It was very easy to take a toothpick and press in the "lines" and then top the mini pumpkins with a chocolate chip "stem"

Kabobs!

I love these fruit kabob ideas. Made this one the other day with cheese and grapes.

I have made this several times in the past...

                                                 

Posh Piggies

I just love these. Very tasty. Only difference is because it is fall I did leaf cut outs. The sauce was perfect for it. But I think for a brunch you could even just have warm maple syrup and breakfast sausage. Here is the link.
http://dunkincookingthesemi-homemadeway.blogspot.com/2009/01/posh-piggies.html

So yummy personal spinach dip cornocopias

I found a great tutorial for making bread cornocopias for sandwiches and I thought "that would make an awesome individual spinach dip holder! Here is the link to the tutorial.I thawed frozen bread dough and followed these instructions.
http://www.diamondsfordessert.com/2009/12/turkey-for-lunch-turkey-for-dinner_03.html
 I then made spinach dip according to the back of the Knorr vegetable dip package found in the soup aisle. Best recipe ever!

the birthday/engagement cake :)

We recently had a birthday party that was spy/detective themed formy sons girlfriend that was a secret engagement party as well. She said yes! We knew she would :) So I made her a half and half cake.

My favorite cheesesteak quick meal :)

This one is fast and so very very worth it! I instantly want to be Guy Fieri describing it. The saltiness of the roast beef...the creaminess of the cheese...the smokiness of the sauteed peppers and onions...the chewiness of the bread..its a rockstar in your mouth. ha ha.
Anyhoozit....
Heres How I make it:
I cut up some peppers and onions and sauteed them in some olive oil. I then take the best deli sliced roast beef I can get. (for me thats safeways primo or walmarts prima della) and add that to my skillet and toss it around to heat it through. Next I layer this onto french bread cut in half lengthwise. add slices of white american cheddar and broil in the oven til the cheese melts. Thats it.

Paula Deen's Brie En Croute

Well though not my favorite recipe. I made this for the first time and there were requests for it. I will say that the brown sugar/walnut taste was very yummy. But I think this is a hit or miss depending on your tastes. Some will think its devine others will pass.

Here is the pic: Its very pretty to look at!

I serve mine with baguette slices and green apple slices. Some people just took a hunk and ate it that way.

Here is the link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/brie-en-croute-recipe/reviews/index.html

You really must watch the video to get the full understanding. I highly recommend it!

Hello Pumpkin..How Do I Love Thee?

I love love love the fall season. Pumpkin recipes galore. In fact my sisters and I dedicate a whole board on pinterest board to pumpkin. We have even discussed a party with nothing but pumpkin recipes. We get each other :)

Here is the link to the recipe:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Granny-Kats-Pumpkin-Roll/
This pumpkin roll recipe was taken from allrecipes.com and is scrumptious! I dont change a thing except for how I turn it out to cool. Instead of roll with a towel I spray another piece of parchment paper and roll the cake to cool. Something about rolling my food in a damp towel gives me the heeby geebees.

Knorr Vegetable Dip in a Pumpkin

this is super cute. Unfortunately I had to steal this picture because for some reason my picture poofed off my camera. But I am sure you can use your imagination if you didnt see it in person .:)


recipe
Small hollowed out pumpkin
Knorr vegetable dip/soup packet
1/2 cup mayonaisse
16 0z. sour cream
Assorted Vegetables
Mix ingredients and chill. Fill pumpkin and serve with assorted vegetables.

Pumpkin Cheeseball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
2 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese
1 packet of hidden valley ranch
several slices of cooked bacon bits (fresh not jarred)
2 green onions diced
several dashes of worchestshire
chopped pecans (toasted)
Broccoli piece for stem
Assorted crackers

Mix ingredients and chill. Toast pecans and let cool. When cheese is firm enough.
then mold it into a ball. Roll in pecans and create lines to shape into a pumpkin. Place Broccoli "stem" on top. Arrange on platter with crackers.
This recipe can be adapted with any cheeses or spices you prefer.

Autumn Cheesecake bites

Here is another attempt at the quick take dessert. This took me a little more time

 and didn't present as well as I would have liked. Apparently it was very yummy though :)

I bought a frozen cheesecake and cut out circle shapes. I garnished them with

some of the caramel dip for the apples and some melted chocolate

chips and quick toasted pecans. They each sit in a small brown paper baking cup.

 I placed the plate in the center of a fall wreath for presentation. :)

Fun Pinterest Projects :)

I love this super easy friend gift. Great little hostess gift too :)

An individual caramel dip with an apple :)

Another fast one for the kiddos or class party. You can 

either use the already cut apples for super duper fast or cut them yourselves

 and toss with some lemon juice.

A big container of caramel dip is like $3 at walmart.

That is a candy corn nose and two milkdud eyes.

Make me some happy boys Meatloaf :)

Here is how I throw it together:

Biggest package of 93% hamburger

1/2 onion (chopped)

a few stalks of celery (chopped)

an egg or two

a couple cups of shredded up bread

lipton onion soup mix

throw some worcestershire (?) on that baby til it looks good

splash some milk on there to wet it up

Mix it up

Form it into individual loaves. 

Mine makes 14.

Cook that at 375 for about an 45 to 60 minutes

here is the magic....

Mix ketchup about a 1/2 cup with about 4-5 tablespoons of brown 

sugar and a teaspoon or two of dry mustard. spread on top and bake

another ten minutes. Let rest. Yummo!! Yay Mom!

Katie's Cupcake Tower

Took me forever to finally get these up :)

That is a Giant solid chocolate guitar on top.

The Cupcake tower was an idea adapted from Pinterest. It is styrofoam squares and cake boards that are covered in wrapping paper and hot glued together.

Here is another example :

So fun and can be adapted to any event or size :)

Some cute packaging ideas

Courtesy of Martha Stewart today I found a cute economical way to package fudge for a friend. Several of these could be made for favors or gifts for any occasion. Here are two.

Instead of cutting up the fudge I cut one large slab and wrapped it in wax paper.

you can decorate with paper ... gift wrap... bows...you name it. Cute Idea Martha!

My fancy it up Quiche

Puff Pastry Quiche

5 eggs (beaten)
1 1/3 c. heavy cream
8 oz. meunster cheese (shredded)
4 slices ham (chopped)
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 cups frozen spinach

1. Add a little olive oil to a frying pan. Cook onions til translucent. Add ham to pan and get some color on it. Add frozen spinack and let cook through til wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool off a bit.
2. Beat eggs in a bowl. Stir in heavy cream. Add shredded cheese. Stir n vegetables and salt and pepper to taste.
3. Roll out puff pastry squares onto lightly floured surface. cut with cookie cutter ( i used flower shape but you can use circle) Place shapes in a greased mini cupcake pan. brush tops with an egg wash for browner tops ( 1 egg and 1 tbsp water beat together). Fill with 1 tbsp of egg mixture and Bake for 15 minutes at 400. Let sit for 5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack. Serve Warm.
Note: Quiche is one of those things that have endless variations. Substitute your favorite cheese or meat and veggies.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudge Cut Outs

Alton Brown's Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients

• 8 ounces unsalted butter, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pound powdered sugar (1/2 bag)

Directions

Combine the butter and peanut butter in a  microwave-safe bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave for 2 minutes on high. Stir and microwave on high for 2 more minutes. (Use caution when removing this mixture from the microwave, it will be very hot.) Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and stir to combine. The mixture will become hard to stir and lose its sheen. Place parchment paper in a baking dish and spray with non-stick spray. If you want thicker fudge put in an 8x8 pan. For cut outs spread in a 13x9. Place in fridge or freezer to chill. 

                       

                                                         Chocolate Cream Cheese Fudge

• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 tsp heavy cream
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 cups chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation:

1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray. or a 9x 13 for cut outs.

2. Chop the chocolate into even pieces with a large knife. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, stirring after every 30 seconds to prevent overheating.

3. Place the softened cream cheese and the heavy cream in the bowl of a large stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment until smooth. (Alternately, a hand mixer can be used.)

4. Stop the mixer, add the melted chocolate, and beat until well-mixed. Stop the mixer again and add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix until the fudge is smooth and well-combined. Stir in the nuts by hand, if you’re using them.

5. Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and spread it in an even layer. Let it set at room temperature for 2-3 hours, or in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

6. Once set, cut the fudge into small squares and serve at room temperature. Fudge may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks.

                     You can decorate as shown with either chocolate drizzled or colored white chocolate.

My yummy square stacked egg white omelet :)

Do your attempts at omelets usually look like this?...

I am not the perfector of omelets! so over the years I have developed what works for me. Maybe you are challenged too and could use the encouragement. Omelets are a great way for me to add veggies. You can put anything in there. Today's omelet has peppers, onions, tomatoes, fresh spinach, and mushrooms sauteed in a little olive oil.

So heres my trick. I use a griddle pan. Put a little olive oil and crack on my 3 egg whites. As it cooks i form it into a long rectangle by just pushing it around.

When its time to flip. I cut into two squares. I was talking to my son and not remembering to make this too pretty today but ... oh well. it all eats the same :)

Its add a little cheese time! I prefer Monterey Jack for its ooziness but today we have cheddar.

And then start stacking....one eqq square and veggies..

then top with the cheesy square side and top with a little extra veggies...season to taste.

 with a side of 100% whole wheat toast

 and a soup mug of coffee. For my Keurig using buddies >> a little money saver...I use extra bold coffee and the large setting and then the small or medium with the same k-cup and it doesn't require more creamer but gives me an extra amount of caffeine loveliness. :)

Picture Frame Menu Board!

Pinterest Mentioned. Mama Approved. :) This is my version of the popular menu boards popping up lately. This site has great ideas to incorporate as well. I did not laminate my cards but it did help me to think in terms of italian night, etc. I like to plan this way anyway so it fits with my plan perfectly. I love the clothespins and the idea that you just swap the meals around if you need too. I chose to do my cards with a red background and I love the little red bottle caps for each day of the week. I think it would be easy to change your themes by season or holiday and for me red fits most of those easily. Right now the kitchen has a red, white, and blue theme for the summer. Here is the link from Pinterest. 
http://thecreativemama.com/the-end-of-reinventing-the-meal-menu-planning-and-the-ultimate-menu-board/

Working on the new look :)

Well I have poked around enough to figure out a few things to get this far on making a cute page. Its much better than the last but still not there. Whew! what do you think?

Banana Walnut Muffins :)

Soooo....my mom dropped in today :) Ha Ha you gotta love my mom. Peeks behind all the doors and gives me her advice. She means well. Love you Mom!!! I am certain I will probably be the same. But in an effort to be inviting and home-y, I made her and Bob some banana muffins....not to mention make the house smell better :) I used the basic Betty Crocker muffin mix. I definitely would have changed one thing. I would have used 1/2 brown sugar. It needed that depth of flavor and sweetness. I may even try half whole wheat on the next batch. Its again a basic mix that you can add any fruit into. Very quick to make and I doubled up the batches and made a dozen jumbo muffins.

MUFFINS

Preheat oven to 350. Grease Jumbo Muffin tins. Makes 12.

(this would make 24 regular muffins but up the temp to 400 and bake for 18 minutes)

3 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour

2/3 cup white sugar (optional:1/3 white, 1/3 brown)

4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 beaten eggs

1 1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup cooking oil

In a medium bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center and set aside.

In another bowl combine egg, milk, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir until just moistened (batter will be lumpy)

Now here is where you get creative. 

Fold in 3/4 cup of blueberries and 1 teaspoon of grated lemon peel.

or

1 cup of coarsley chopped cranberries and 2 extra tablespoons of sugar

or

3 to 4 mashed bananas and 1/2 cup of chopped nuts

Optional Streusal Topping:

Combine 6 tablespoons of all purpose flour, 6 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Cut in 4 tablespoons butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts.

(I would have done this but forgot and had already put them in the oven)

I always brush the tops with butter when they are done.

Another nice touch is dusting with sugar.

or for a savory muffin:

1/2 cup shredded cheddar or monterey jack

I would even add some green chilies and then brush the tops with that Papa Johns garlic butter that I never use except in a recipe.

Bake for 30 minutes and cool on a rack for 5.

Serve Warm

The new old door!

This is a picture of the cool old door we salvaged from Show Low EMS before they tore down the old quarters. I just love it! My boys like to point out that the door is a little short. I figure that if the dog can't crawl under it then we are good. ha ha

Rub a Dub Dub ...somebody should finish the tub!

And not a lot done in the bathroom today (translate that as nothing done) so I thought I would post a picture of one of my completed projects. This is a pic of our new towel rack. I bought an oar from walmart and drilled holes and added door knobs. One for each kiddo! Also painted the walls a chocolate brown!

New Haircut!

Well, here it is. The reveal of the haircut! It rained on me for quite a while but still love it. I was so tired of the dead hair pony tail. This haircut is way more fun , like me :)