Pumpkin!

There are so many reasons I love Fall.  We've already covered football and now one of the next things on my list is pumpkin.  I love everything about it - I love picking them, I love carving them, I love the way they look on a front porch and I especially love eating them!

My October blog goal was to test a pumpkin recipe everyday during the month.  31 pumpkin recipes!  That was until I came across a little snag.  Grocery stores are wiped clean of pumpkin this year.  Unbeknown to me, there is apparently a pumpkin shortage this year.  Yesterday I finally tracked some down and now I'm 10 days short of my goal.  I'll still see how many I can fit in.  I'm also going to need people to sign up to take goodies out of my kitchen because I certainly don't need to eat them all and my work folks will get tired of pumpkin.

Today's recipe is short, sweet and easy.  2 ingredients!  3 if you count water as an ingredient.

1 box of spice cake mix
1 can of pumpkin
3/4 cup water

I chose to make muffins.  This recipe made 12 rather large muffins.  Smaller muffins are supposed to be just a mere 100 calories - mine are probably closer to 200, but who's counting.  I can't wait to have one tomorrow with my bowl of cereal or maybe I'll have one tonight fresh out of the oven with a slab of butter!  Or maybe I'll try spray butter - nah real butter it is.

This is so easy, fairly healthy and DELICIOUS!

What are your favorite pumpkin recipes?

Cheers!

A Little of This, A Little of That

I swear time flies!  We had a great weekend doing family stuff like going to a high school football game, getting new tires on my car, going to Costco, KK and I went to a Lia Sophia party, and we went to the Children's Museum.  We ate at home all 6 meals Saturday & Sunday which is almost unheard of for us.  We ended that streak last night with a trip to Steak & Shake for dinner.  Sometimes, especially on Mondays, I just can't muster up the energy to cook.  I will never turn down some Chili 3 Way from S&S!

We went with an Asian themed dinner on Sunday night.  I love all Asian food, especially Thai.  I don't, however, cook it very often.  I don't think you can beat take-out when it comes to Asian cuisine. Thai Cafe in Broadripple is a must! I was hoping this meal had more of a Thai flavor than it did, but it was still really good.  I had it for lunch today and it reheated well.  I do realize my picture taking abilities really hinder any desire to try the recipes I post!  Note I added some egg rolls for extra kick!

Tonight we had tortellini - out of a bag.  Spaghetti sauce - out of a jar.  Garlic bread - out of a box.  Looked a little something like this.

Most exciting news out of the weekend is that we officially have a walker on our hands!  I think little ones are so adorable when they first learn to walk.  My blog isn't liking the video I have so I'll just post some cute pics of the walker herself.

Cheers!

Some Like It, Some Don't

I have those recipes I grew up on: Mexican cornbread, tater tot casserole, breakfast casserole, cinnamon rolls, etc. (all to be featured at some point).  These are all things I can make that immediately make me feel like my mom is in the room.  The first time I made each of these for Hubs I expected him to fall in love with the meals as much as I had over the years.  He liked each of them, but didn't quite feel as strongly as I do.  Sometimes I think it is more about the memories as opposed to the recipe or the dish.

Tonight I made Beef Stroganoff for dinner.  This isn't a childhood recipe - my mom actually doesn't even like anything stroganoff - but anything served on egg noodles immediately makes me think of my grandma.  She made the best egg noodles!  No one has ever been able to recreate those.

Even though I didn't grow up on it, I do enjoy a big crockpot full of Beef Stroganoff from time to time.  Again, Hubs doesn't typically feel the same.  Today he finally told me why - it takes him back to a Manchester College cafeteria and apparently the memories of that meal aren't too fond.  He did, however, tell me that mine is at least better than Manchester's.  :)

So if you're ever in the mood for a good Stroganoff, here's the recipe!


2 pounds cubed stew meat

2 cans Condensed Golden Mushroom Soup (if you can't find it, cream of mushroom works just as well)

1 large onion diced

4 Tbls of Worcestershire
1/2 water

8 oz of cream cheese
couple of dashes of Garlic Salt

couple dashes of Hot Paprika

In the slow cooker stir in all the ingredients, except the meat AND the Cream Cheese, together. Once combined add the meat and mix together.

Cook on Low for 8 hours. Cut up the cream cheese into cubes just before serving and turn crockpot on high. Stir the cream cheese in until all combined. You might have to put the lid back on and leave for 10 minutes.

Serve over egg noodles.

Cheers!

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Sandwiches

If you thought Monday's suggestion was easy, this one is even better!  I typically make Italian beef sandwiches once a month during the fall and winter months.  I grew up on it and still love it as much each time I make it.  When I do the Italian beef I take a 3lb roast, add a bottle of Italian dressing and a can of beer.  Let it cook all day on low in the slow cooker and shred when I get home.  I thought to start off this season I would try a different spin. This new method is especially friendly to a low carb diet.  I think in the end it's a tie between which one I like better - give 'em both a try!

Pepperoncini Shredded Beef Sandwiches

3lb Roast of your choice - whatever is cheapest!

1 16oz jar of pepperoncini peppers

Provolone Cheese (or whatever cheese you & yours enjoy)

French rolls

Put the beef in a slow cooker, add the jar of peppers undrained, turn on low, go about your day, come back 8 hours later and it's done!  Shred with 2 forks and put on the rolls with the provolone.  Add a few of the peppers if ya like - that's how Hubs does it!

Cheers!

Slow Cooker Caesar Chicken Sandwiches

A great easy dinner to start off the work week.  I put 2 lbs of chicken breasts in the crock pot this morning with a cup of chicken stock and let it cook away on low while I was at work.  When I came home, I added a bottle of Caesar dressing, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and a bit of black pepper.  Served on buns with lettuce - yum!

Here's the credit for the recipe.  I'd love to say that I come up with recipes, but sadly I'm not that creative.  Not sure what I would do without the Internet!!

Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

adapted from Betty Crocker


2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 bottle of your favorite Caesar Dressing (I used Kraft)

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley (I skipped this, just not a fan of fresh parsley)

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

2 cups shredded romaine lettuce

12 french hamburger buns or buns of your choice (about 2 1/2 inch)

1. Place chicken in a 3-4 quart slow cooker, cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours.

2. Remove chicken from cooker using a slotted spoon. Place on a cutting board and pull chicken into shreds.

3. Place chicken back in the cooker and pour dressing, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and pepper over the top. I only used about 3/4 of the bottle of dressing. Stir until mixed evenly. Cover and cook on high heat for 30-35 minutes or until mixture is hot.

4. Spoon 1/4 cup mixture onto lettuce in each bun and serve!


Cheers!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Clearly my photography could be improved!  Regardless of the picture, this soup is a must try for the fall and winter.  This was my first attempt at homemade chicken noodle soup, all the way down to the stock.  I have to say everyone enjoyed it!  Give it a try and serve with a big loaf of french bread.  It made A LOT!  We had it for dinner, lunch and there is a big container leftover in the freezer.

4 bay leaves


3 chicken bouillon cubes

1 onion, peeled and diced

1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper Seasoning

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 2 1/2 to 3-pound fryer (chicken), cut up

1 1/2 to 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

3 1/2 quart water

kosher salt and pepper to taste



For Step 2:

2 cups sliced carrots

2 cups sliced celery, with leafy green tops

2 1/2 cups uncooked egg noodles

3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

3/4 cup heavy cream (optional)

1/3 cup cooking sherry

1 cup sliced mushrooms

Fresh parsley

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

Seasoned Salt to taste

freshly ground black pepper to taste

crusty french bread, for serving



Directions

For the stock: add all ingredients to a soup pot. Cook until chicken is tender, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove chicken from pot and set aside to cool. Remove and discard bay leaves and onion. You should have approximately 3 quarts of stock. When chicken is cool enough to touch, pick bones clean, discarding bones, skin, and cartilage. Set chicken aside.

For the soup: bring stock back to a boil, add carrots, and cook for 3 minutes. Add celery and continue to cook for 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg noodles and cook according to directions on package. When noodles are done, add chicken, mushrooms, parsley, sherry and rosemary. Add Parmesan and cream, if using. Cook for another 2 minutes. Adjust seasoning, if needed, by adding seasoning salt and pepper. Enjoy along with a nice hot crusty loaf of French bread.

Recipe courtesy of www.pauladeen.com


Cheers!

Shop 'til I Drop

www.annetaintor.com

Ha - this is the old me!  When I was in college and immediately after I shopped A LOT.  I would rather shop and buy great clothes & shoes as opposed to groceries.  Today the majority of our money is spent at Kroger.  I still, however, love to shop.  I love the mall, I love outlet malls, and I especially love online shopping.  My priorities though are different.   I now would much rather buy clothes and shoes for our 2 precious little girls.  There is nothing better than buying great clothes and swimsuits you don't have to try on yourself!

I've always been one that wants an item that is out of the ordinary.  I remember in high school I had my mom take me to a consignment store in Owensboro, KY to buy my prom dress.  I was terrified that I would walk into prom with the same dress as someone else.  I like the challenge of finding something unique, I like those pieces that are one of a kind, and I never want to match someone else in the room!

Since becoming a mom, there are days I feel like I've lost my fashion spunk.  I look down and I've worn the same pair of black pants 3 times in the same week.  I have shoes that I'm coloring in with sharpie marker while sitting at my desk (ala Pretty Woman style).  My closet and dresser have gotten "tired". 

So this weekend we were at the Penrod Art Fair and I came across a necklace that shouted my name.  I knew I had to have it, I knew that I would find just the right outfit for it, but I also knew that my priorities now are a bit different.  So I walked away, I said to Hubs "I'll keep looking."  As we were getting to leave I walked back by the area and said: "I don't think I'm going to get it, how often would I actually wear it?" As I was wallowing in my own lack of decision making, I didn't even notice that Hubs had wandered off.  He went and bought that great necklace, knowing I need my spunk back.

Thanks Hubs for helping me with my spunk! 

Cheers!