MOPS Frozen Cookie Exchange

Here is a little tutorial for those who have not participated in the frozen cookie dough exchange before. I know the first time I did this I was a little confused about how this would work.

Mix your cookies as directed then scoop onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. It doesn't have to be neat, just make sure they are not touching.

Then put the cookie sheet in your freezer for at least an hour. I have a tendency to forget mine are in there.

After they are frozen, put 4-6 cookies in a small freezer bag that has been labled with the cookie name and baking directions. You can write that info on each bag or make labels using your computer which I think is faster. These are not labeled because I'm not sure this is the cookie I'm bringing to the exchange.

You will need to bake up some of your cookies to bring to the exchange for us to try...which is the best part!!

You will also need to bring copies of your recipe for each person. Once everyone has RSVP'd you'll know how many copies to make. I took the easy way last year and printed on ready-made paper that I got at Walmart. Some people will choose to write each recipe out on cards or copy to white paper then cut and paste on recipe cards.

Put your bagged cookies in a cooler and come ready for some yummy fun!

Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs

Spicy Honey Brushed Chicken Thighs recipe

Quinoa (keen-wah) is a high protien, high fiber grain that has a slightly nutty taste/texture. This recipe is super easy, suprising, and delicious. I did not add as much lemon juice as the recipe calls for b/c that's not my favorite flavor in a salad. recipe

Caramel Corn

1 C packed brown sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1/3 C butter
1 T molasses

1 1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
12 C popcorn (I use one large bag 98% fat free microwave popcorn)

Preheat oven to 250. Coat a large jelly roll pan (has 1 inch sides) with cooking spray.

Combine sugar, syrup, butter and molasses in a saucepan, bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring once.

Remove pan from heat, add vanilla, soda, and salt.

Pour sugar mixture over popcorn, stirring well to coat. Spread mixture onto prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring at 15 minutes. Let cool and break apart.

If you find that the popcorn is still "chewy" after it cools you may need to bake it a little longer.

One of our favorites

This is absolutely one of our favorite dishes. The ingredient list is long but it is very easy to assemble. It also reheats/freezes very well.

Pulled chicken recipe

Dinner This Week

Hearty Lasagna recipe (fabulous lighter version of lasagna...but could use a little more salt)

Shrimp Salad with Shrimp recipe (I know this is terrible but everytime we have this for dinner it is followed by a trip to the ice cream shop)

Cajun-oven-fried chicken

Tomato basil soup and ham roll-ups

Dinner Tonight

Chipotle Bean Burritos.....easy and yummy! recipe

New and Spicy

Two new recipes we've tried this week that are super yummy....but both spicy.

Spicy Ham and Black-eye Pea Salad (you could easily substitute greek yogurt for the sour cream) recipe

Spicy Shrimp with Linguine (this would be great even without the pasta) recipe This was SUPER spicy....one of those things that burns your lips but you keep eating it....I would cut down the amount of red pepper next time.

Weekly Menu Plan 5-23-10

Sloppy Joes recipe

Chicken salad roll-ups recipe

Shrimp and Crab Salad recipe

Beer Can Chicken (I've made this many times but I'm going to try something I read in "Cook This Not That" and brine the chicken overnight in Coke)

Spicy Chicken Cakes recipe

WAY too yummy!

We're just wingin' it here this week for meals....yeah we'll see how that works out....but in the meantime here is a FANTASTIC recipe for those of you who need some extra calories :)

Clone of a Cinnabon recipe

Yummy Dinner!

Tonight I fixed "Steak Tips with Peppered Mushroom Gravy" from Cooking Light. It was fantastic and very quick and easy. I served it with egg noodles, but mashed potatoes would be good as well.

recipe

Dinner Tonight

I've made/had many different versions of chicken tortilla/chili soup. This one is going to be my new "go to" recipe. Easy, yummy.....and my 5-year-old actually ate more than one bite!

Chicken Tortilla Soup (adapted from Paula Deen....don't get scared...it's pretty low-fat if you don't add all the extras)

1 T olive oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped (I used green)
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 t minced garlic
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (I used diced)
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 C shredded cooked chicken (I used chopped raw chicken and sauteed it with the veggies)
1 1/2 C chicken broth
1 1/2 t cumin
1 1/2 t salt
1 t chili powder
1/2 t poultry seasoning
1/4 t pepper
1 C frozen corn, thawed
1/4 C heavy cream (don't panic...this is very little fat per serving)
2 T chopped fresh cilantro

Garnish: crushed tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped avacado (which is a healthy fat BTW)

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil. Add onion, pepper and jalepeno; cook for 4 min. Add garlic and cook for 2 min. Add tomatoes, soup, chicken, broth, cumin, salt, chili powder, poultry seasoning, and pepper, stirring to combine. Stir in corn, cream and cilantro. Heat through.

The Lady's Oven-Roasted Ribs

This recipe is from the Lady and Son's cookbook by Paula Deen. I am not a rib-lover...but these are fantastic!...and incredibly easy. What more could you ask for?

5 lb slab pork ribs
4 t liquid smoke (this smells gross but works great)
1 t salt
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t pepper
2 t seasoned salt

Rub each side of ribs with liquid smoke and seasonings. Refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours. Roast for 1 1/2 hours at 325.

Meal Plan Week of February 21st

Blueberry Waffles



Blue cheese chicken
"fruit" salad....both of these are new recipes so I will post with updates



Ribeyes
Grilled veggies

Spaghetti.......so this is my "rough" recipe

brown mild italian sausage or hamburger...remove from pan
saute chopped onions and mushrooms in a little olive oil
add 2 cans petite diced tomato with garlic/olive oil and 1 tomato sauce
add 2-3 tsp minced garlic and approx 1 tsp sugar
add back meat and simmer....the longer the better
I puree the sauce with a hand blender so it is not so chunky b/c my girls like it better that way.

Update on New Recipes

I tried two new crock-pot recipes this week and they were both GREAT! Definite do-overs at our house.

The Sweet Aromatic Chicken was tender and only mildly sweet. It would be great for those of you that are currently avoiding processed foods. I do believe chicken breasts would work but probably wouldn't be as tender. I would probably use bone-in breasts and just remove the skin.

We also loved the souped-up round steak. I mixed 1 can reduced-fat cream of mushroom soup, 1 can beef broth, and 1 package onion soup mix and poured it over round steak in the crock pot. I cooked it for approx. 7 hours on low. I then took the meat out and whisked in 1 T flour and turned the pot up to high. I did put the meat back in to keep it warm. The meat was good but the gravy was fantastic! My 2-year old kept asking for more.

I hope you get a chance to enjoy these 2 really easy main dishes!

Weekly Menu Plan 2-14-10

Happy Valentine's Day! It's a strange mix this week as I try to use up some of what we already have in the freezer and pantry....but here's what's on the menu. The cheese soup recipe is not for beginners :)

Meatloaf recipe
steamed veggies
rolls

Sweet Aromatic Chicken recipe
brown rice
green beans

Round Steak with mushroom gravy (I'm winging this one so I'll post what I did if it works out)
mashed potatoes

Cheese Soup:

Approx. the same amount of Carrots, celery, potatoes, onions, chopped
Enough water to cover the vegetables
Cook until veggies are tender (DO NOT DRAIN)

Make a white sauce: (double this if making a big pot of soup)

1/2 stick butter, melted in a pan
add 1-2 T of flour
slowly add milk stirring constantly (add milk until thick white sauce forms)
Add 2 C sharp cheddar, until melted

Add white sauce to veggies
Add chopped ham if desired

This will thicken if left overnight which you might prefer.

Super Bowl Supper

This is what we ate for the Super Bowl yesterday. It was really great, but I won't make it again if the Colts are playing....I'm just superstitious like that.

King Ranch Chicken Casserole (adapted from Southern Living)

1 Rotisserie chicken, skinned and shredded
2 T butter
1 med onion, chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 tsp bottled minced garlic
3/4 C chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cans Rotel, drained
1 t oregano
1 t cumin
1 t Mexican chili powder
3 C sharp cheddar
Lime flavored tortilla chips

Preheat to 350. Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onion and saute 7 min, then add pepper and garlic and saute 4 min. Add chicken broth, soups and next 5 ingredients. Cook, stirring, 8 min.

Layer 1/2 of chicken in 9x13 pan. Top with 1/2 soup mixture and 1 cup cheese. Cover with crushed chips. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Let stand 10 min before serving.

Where to get fabulous meat very cheap!!

This past year my parents and I decided we would split a pig from a local farm where they live. My Dad went and bought a couple if single items that they sell there and prepared them. They were fabulous! And it was great knowing that I was giving my family the best quality, all natural, meat available. We then went back and split a cow. How nice is it to go to my freezer when I need to make a meal??? The absolute best part......it is much cheaper per pound than buying meat in the store. If you've got room in your freezer I would certainly check into it. This is the farm that we purchase from. I do not know if they ship anywhere because my parents brought my meat to me.

http://cloverfieldnaturalmeats.com

You can also check out localharvest.org to find farms in your area.

Little Bits of Yumminess

I made these cupcakes for Schafer to take to school for her half-birthday.

This was my first attempt at making scones. They actually turned out really well even though the dough was terribly crumbly and difficult to work with. I did modify the recipe by adding 1 t vanilla and used dried cranberries and white chocolate chips. recipe

Weekly Menu Plan 1-24-10

I will be posting some recipes from last week's menu because a couple were fabulous but right now I'm skipping ahead to this week. Pretty simple this week and based on what's on sale and what is in the freezer.

Lobster tails recipe (these are VERY easy and on sale for $4.99 at Publix)
Steamed veggies
Blue cheese mashed potatoes

London Broil Tacos
2 lbs london broil
pkg taco seasoning
1 c onion
1 T vinegar
1 can green chiles

Rub seasoning on beef and put in slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 9 hours. Shred meat and use to fill burritos.


Fiesta shrimp recipe

Steak
Green beans
Creek fries (layer potatoes, bacon, butter, onion, salt and pepper: grill for 45 minutes)

Meal Plan Week of January 10th

It's a yummy week at the Summers' house!

Risotto recipe (I add chicken breast or tenderloin to this to make a complete meal)

Best Pot Roast recipe

Spinach Fettuccine recipe

Steak
Blue cheese mashed potatoes
Salad

Sliders recipe
chips
fruit

Meal Plan Week of January 3rd

I'm BAAACK! I've taken a nice long break from blogging to do A LOT of holiday cooking but it's back to the grindstone around here! Hope you enjoy this week's menu.

Roasted Chicken recipe (use the leftover chicken to make the chicken noodle soup!!!)
steamed broccoli
macaroni and cheese

grilled shrimp
Tangy sweet salad dressing over mixed greens:

¼ cup sugar
1/8 cup white vinegar
1 T. apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 bag sweet baby lettuces
1 (8.25 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
½ cup slivered almonds, toasted

In a small bowl with a lid, combine sugar, vinegars, and garlic. Shake until sugar dissolves. Add oil and shake vigorously to combine. Combine salad, oranges, and almonds in a large bowl. Add dressing just before serving and toss gently.


Hamburger Helper (I seriously can't believe I'm going to eat this but I have about 30 lbs of hamburger in my freezer and it was B1G1 at Publix this week.....my kids will probably love it!)


Chicken Noodle Soup
2 T butter
3 med carrots, sliced
1 onion, chopped
1 C celery, sliced
1 pkg mushrooms
3 qts chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 t thyme
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2 C shredded cooked chicken
2 C uncooked egg noodles

In large Dutch oven, melt butter. Add carrots, onion, celery, and mushrooms, cook 6-7 minutes, or until tender. Add broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in chicken and noodles, simmer 8-10 minutes or until noodles are tender.