What do you mean I'm out of Maple Syrup?!?

Don't you just love breakfast-for-dinner night with those fluffy pancakes or crispy waffles that are just begging for that slathering of butter and dousing of maple syrup? The smell of bacon or sausage sizzling away, getting ready to make a new home in your belly?

There is nothing better than breakfast-for-dinner on a busy night when you really are craving something filling, tasty and BAD for you!

The plates are piled high, the kids are flabbergasted that Mom is making BREAKFAST! 

Hold up! What's missing? Where's the syrup?!?

Sometimes I could really kick myself. I mean full on insert-foot-in-backside kick myself!

I forgot it. Me. Mea culpa.

Heres a quick fix to get your food on the table with a minimum of complaint about "Hey, Mom! Where's the maple syrup?"

INGREDIENTS

2 cups sugar

1 cup boiling water

1/2 teaspoon Mapleine or other maple flavored extract.

METHOD

Bring water to a boil.

Add all of the sugar. Stir until boiling and mixture starts to turn clear.

Add the Mapleine and stir.

Remove from heat and let cool before storing in the refrigerator.

I re-purposed an Ovaltine jar for this and keep in the refrigerator. The jar I use actually holds the equivalent of two batches, so I usually just make a double batch, cool, then store. If you like your syrup warm over your pancakes and waffles, no need to cool!

Confessions of a Ranch-aholic

Hello. My name is Stephanie and I’m a Ranch-aholic.

I love Ranch on anything.

Hell, everything!

But what I don’t like is the ranch you buy at the grocery store that’s so full of ingredients that are impossible to pronounce and that taste like a chemical reaction gone bad in my mouth.

So I've been searching, hoping, and waiting for a homemade ranch mix to drop into my lap and I finally found one!


I made this myself from ingredients I already had in my spice cabinet. I only left out the chives she listed, simply because I didn't have them and it’s not something I keep around.

It was DE-LISH and is better than anything you can find in a bottle!

Gwen has even listed a recipe for a “Try It” sized amount, so you can make a quick batch for dinner and try it before committing to the full recipe. Check it out and tell me what you think!

Got buttermilk?

I love Ranch dressing, especially when it’s homemade with buttermilk!

And you’d think that as much as I love my Ranch, I’d keep a container of buttermilk in my fridge, but alas, it isn’t so. So here’s a quick “how-to” you can use when you run out or just don’t feel like spending money on an ingredient you rarely use.

What you’ll need:

• 1-cup measuring cup
• 1Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice
• Milk (any kind should work, my family drinks 2% and it works great!)

In your measuring cup combine 1Tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice and a scant enough milk to fill to the top. Let it sit on your counter for at least five minutes and use as you would in any recipe calling for buttermilk. Don’t freak out when you see the fat from the milk floating on top. That’s the point!

Yep. That easy!

Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

A few weeks ago, I told you about a new recipe (at least new to me!) that I found for Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings on Pinterest.

Source: busycooks.about.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

 

As good as my house smelled all day, it was an unfortunate bust for us. I’m not sure if it was the combination of seasonings, my crockpot or what, but neither the boys or I were very impressed with this dish.

But Hubs ate it.

Probably just to make me feel better.

Do you have a favorite Chicken and Dumplings recipe that turns out great every time? Let me know so I can try it out too!

Menu Planning Week of 07/22/2012

Yay! Internet connection is back and we're finally getting into the swing of things when it comes to meal planning. This week, we're taking it easy, still recovering from allergies, Disneyland, and hiding in the house from the heat.

Sunday - Turkey, Bacon, Avocado Croissant Sandwiches
Monday - Mc Donald's (yes, we cheated!)
Tuesday - Lasagna, Garlic Toast (another cheat, Stouffer's to the rescue!)
Wednesday - Mini Meatloaves
Thursday - Melt In Your Mouth Chicken (new!)
Friday - Walking Taco Casserole (new!)
Saturday - Maple Dijon Chicken

You can see the recipe's pinned from pinterest below:

Mini Meatloaves

Source: taste-for-adventure.tablespoon.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Melt In Your Mouth Chicken

Source: food.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Walking Taco Casserole

Source: via Stephanie on Pinterest

Maple Dijon Chicken

Source: wittyinthecity.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Menu Planning Week # &*)()*&%^

Hey, there! Remember me? LOL I know it's been a REALLY long time since I've done a menu plan, and trust me if it hasn't proved that the system actually works! I seriously spend more time these days thinking about what's for dinner than i should, so soon I'll be right back on the planning bandwagon!

In the mean time, I've been using a couple NEW recipes I've been discovering on Pinterest with great success!

Source: famfriendsfood.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Skinny Spaghetti: This is a "skinny spaghetti" recipe I cam across, and I have to say it fared pretty well. both of the boys liked it, as did Hubs. I paired it with some steamed broccoli for a meat-free meal, but both the Hubs and Logan were hungry again after less than an hour after dinner. Maybe next time I'll pair it with some fish or baked chicken?

Source: food.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Egg-Free Peanut Butter Cookies: I made these yummy peanut butter cookies about two weeks ago because I ran out of eggs and I was SERIOUSLY needing a cookie-kick. These were FANTASTIC and i will definitely be making these again; it may even replace my old stand-by recipe!
The following pins are things I really want to try:

Source: thekitchn.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Ginger and Cilantro Baked Tilapia: We really don't eat enough fish in our house, short of breaded fish fillets, fish sticks, and tuna sandwiches. I'm hoping that by adding at least one fish-dish a week to the rotation, we can start gaining healthier benefits from it over the fried, breaded stuff. This recipe seems to be a way to do that; I love the flavor combination used here with the ginger and cilantro!

Source: cookingwithjoey.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Crockpot. Pizza. Pasta. Just sounds like heaven in a bowl, doesn't it? I love the idea of getting all of those pizza flavors without the pizza prices and pizza heat. Who really wants to spend over $20.00 for a decent pizza or crank the heat in the summer by making your own? Can't wait to try this one out!

Source: tastebook.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Massa Sovada (Portuguese Sweet Bread): I hate to say it, but this is one type of bread that I have NEVER tasted, and according to my husband's family, is absolutely necessary. For the last 12+ years, Hubs, his brothers and his sister have spoken non-stop about the delicious sweetbread their  mother would make and have them deliver around the neighborhood. I'm hoping I can do it some justice by trying to make it myself. PRAY FOR ME!

Back At 'Ya - Menu Planning

So I've basically taken the last three weeks"off" to focus on what I really want to get out of this blog, and it appears to me that I need more "me" and less "stuff". Basically I'll be getting back to basics starting off with my weekly Menu Planning posts. Ready?

All recipes are linked to their sources below!

Monday - Pork Chops with Rice, Salad
Tuesday - Spaghetti, Salad
Wednesday - Oven BBQ Chicken, Stuffing, Steamed Broccoli
Thursday - Mini Meatloaves, Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Veggies
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Saturday - Dinner Out!
Sunday - Arroz con Pollo

Linking up to OrgJunkie's Menu Plan Monday!

I Made Homemade Sandwich Bread And Declare It Good... Enough.

I am not a baker. At all. Baking is all about exact measurements, patience and science.

I hated science in school.

I'm really much more of a "cooker". A little of this, a little of that; eventually you get to a great end result, despite not measuring anything. I'm a dump and stir kind of home-cook.

Beside the basic foods of milk, cheese, butter and the like, our family goes through several loaves of bread every week. I have no problem buying several loaves at the bread store and sticking some in the freezer and one in the fridge when we get home. We go through it so fast, it doesn't have time to go bad in our house.

Now whether it due to miscalculation, more sandwiches and toast than usual, or a serious case of bread eating pests (reminder to call the bug man to solve that pesky problem LOL) we ran out before payday.

WHAT!!!!

I've said before that I am one lazy momma; I really don't feel like packing both boys into the car to trek through the rain yesterday for one stinking load of bread.

So how to solve my dilemma?

You know me; I Googled it!

I found some recipes for homemade sandwich bread that seem easy enough, even for a slacker like me.

I found this one and used it since I had all of the ingredients on hand. The boys and Hubs liked it so much, it was almost gone by the end of the day.

Om Nom Nom!

Definitely another one o add to the list!

Menu Planning Week #14

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter! The Easter Dinner dilemma was solved; I was actually shocked at how easy it was to cook a ham, and man was it delicious! I used this Brown Sugar Bourbon Glazed Ham recipe from myrecipes.com, and MAN OH MAN was it awesome! I also ended up making green beans with bacon, maple-glazed carrots, and scalloped potatoes (from a box, but they were GOOD!) and some homemade dinner rolls that I wasn't too proud of. My mom brought over a HUGE plate of deviled eggs that I got to keep a bunch of.

I ate six yesterday...

Now, on too this week's Meal Plan!

• Monday - Chicken Alfredo (I made an super easy and fast french bread recipe I found here; definitely doing this one again!)
• Tuesday - Spaghetti (may have to make more french bread!)
• Wednesday - Easter Left Overs
• Thursday - Mini Meatloaves
• Friday - Burrito Bar (make your own)
• Saturday - Chicken Enchiladas

My freezer stash is starting to dwindle, so it's time for me to bust out the coupon binder and fill the freezer again; hopefully there are some great sales this week on meats!

Linking to Menu Plan Monday (yes, I know it's Tuesday)

Sunday -

5 Easy Ways To Trash Your Weight Loss Goals

Nummies, nummies everywhere, at least you won't gain weight in your hair...

Meh, so much for trying to be funny, Steph!

So, It's March and by now many people have trashed their resolutions lists.; especially if it pertains to losing weight!

Here are my Top 5 reasons that I know I WILL fail at dieting this year:

#1 Whiskey Caramel Bacon Bars

Source: endlesssimmer.mobstac.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

I think this was my first pin on Pinterest EVER, leading me to pin more and more and more yummy goodness! I need to be making these. WHISKEY. CARAMEL. BACON.

'Nuff said.

#2 Salted Caramel Butter Bars

Source: pipandebby.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

A full pound of butter people; hummina, hummina.

#3 Bacon Wrapped Smokies With Brown Sugar And Butter

Source: tastykitchen.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Sausage, bacon, butter, brown sugar. Serious diet no-no, but a big happy yes-yes in a casserole dish.

#4 Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls

Source: plainchicken.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

Be still my heart! (It will be if I eat the whole thing, and I just might!)

#5 Banoffe "Danger" Pie

Source: brooklynlimestone.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

With Caleb's love of bananas, this is gonna be a hit! I'm so going to be making this one soon, because I have ALL the ingredients in my kitchen RIGHT NOW!!!

What's been your diet trasher this year? Let me know in the comments, and don't forget to link so I can pin those too!

Menu Planning Week #9

Another week, another menu plan! Last week... I really didn't stick to my plan AT ALL! I just wasn't feeling so great, so the plan went out the window. Just a reminder that it's okay of you don't stick to your plan, just make sure you have lots of "easy meal" ideas for when those kinds of days hit, so you don't have to resort to take out or going to restaurants...

... Like we did...

Any-who! Here's this weeks plan, a great pork chop recipe that's great for family dinners or even if you're having company coming to dinner!

There is now a new RECIPE tab at the top of the page where each recipe that is MINE will be added alphabetically, until I can figure out how to link to each one individually. These recipes do not include ones that I have linked through Pinterest, so if you'd like those, feel free to browse the NUMMIES board!

With warmer weather on the horizon, it's time to get out of the Fall and Winter meal mode and into Spring and Summer. Do you rotate your meals "seasonally"?

Linking (once again!) to Menu Plan Monday! Explore and find new meals and menus for your family!

Recipes in this weeks menu plan:

Apple Stuffed Pork Chops

Skillet Lasagna (will need to write this one down, I rarely measure!)

BBQ Chicken

Fish (self explanatory)

Chicken Enchiladas

Spaghetti

Super Spaghetti Sauce

Here's a delicious and quick homemade spaghetti sauce recipe that's sure to get even the pickiest eaters to finish their dinner!

1 pound ground beef or italian sausage, skined and crumbled
2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
1 can diced tomatoes (I like to use the ones with garlic, basil, and oregano already added)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1-2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 bay leaves

Brown meat in pan and drain in a colander; return to the pan. Stir in remaining ingredients until well blended. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Want to bulk up the nutrition? Shred, puree, or chop any additional veggies and add to sauce.

Modified from Hunt's Red - and - Ready Spaghetti Sauce

Recipes By Special Request!

I had a special request today on Facebook asking if I could list all of the recipes I mention on my Monday Menu Planning posts. Is this something you all would like to see? I know I generally just list the main entree, but would you also like to see the sides as well? Any other special requests? Let me know by commenting below!

Menu Planning Week #5 and Chicken Overflow!

Hope everyone had a great weekend and enjoyed "The Big Game" (because we can't call it the other name or we'll get sued, but that's for another time!)

First off, did you stick to your menu plan last week? We did it!

Meh, somewhat...

There were two days where we switched some things around, and two days with take-out, but overall things went well! Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were as planned, but the Mexican Lasagna from Thursday was moved to Saturday, we had friends over Thursday who brought pizza for a late birthday celebration for my big boy, Friday Hubs brought home McD’s and Sunday we had FREE Subway thanks to a generous neighbor who gave Hubs a gift card as a Thank You for mowing her lawn.

This week however, we may have a problem.

Swim, little chickens, swim!

I have no beef or pork, or anything else in the house, but TONS of chicken. How can a mom worth her weight in dirty diapers pass up such a great deal? ($0.49/lb whole chickens and $0.99/lb chicken breasts? Yes, please!) So in putting all that to good use, I stuck two whole chickens in my huge stockpot with some veggies, salt and water. Later today I’ll have a plenty of shredded chicken in the freezer for future meals and a great start to some homemade chicken stock. YUM!

One big project I worked on this weekend was a crockpot full of pinto beans. With that big pot, I made a dozen Bean, Rice, and Cheese Burritos that I stuck in the freezer. Guess what’s for dinner tonight? Along with that, I was able to put an additional four quart size bags of beans in the freezer too. That’ll come in handy later on for dinner on Saturday and future meals likes soups and chili. Another YUM!

So here you go, another attempt at a plan; let's see how we do this week!

Here are the recipes I'll be using this week:
Bean, Rice and Cheese Burritos from Tammy's Recipes
Alfredo (again)
Cheesy Chicken Vermicelli from myfamilymealplan.com


Oh, that pot roast on Sunday? That baby should be free once I use my Fresh & Easy Friends points, and the veggies should be free after using my $5.00 refund card from Walmart that I received after buying my HP printer ink. Free is awesome, right?

Linking up to Menu Plan Monday. Check this site out for lots of sources for new recipes if your creativity is wanning.

Awesome Alfredo!

I hate waiting for a table at Olive Garden, but if you're like me, some days you just have a craving for Italian! Here's a recipe that may help you get over your craving, or at least convince you that waiting in line isn't necessary!

(A word of warning: this is NOT low fat! I only make this occasionally, but it's soooo good!)

1/4 cup butter (1 stick)
1 pint heavy cream
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic powder (more or less for family's taste preferences)
black pepper to taste

Over low heat in a medium sauce pan, combine butter, cream, and cream cheese, whisking occasionally. When completely melted, whisk in garlic powder, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper to taste. When thouroughly combined, simmer over low heat. The longer you simmer, the thicker it gets!

We serve this over pasta with chicken and broccoli or a salad.

Authentic Mexican-Style Shredded Chicken

This is a great and tasty recipe for shredded chicken! We use this for taquitos, burritos, tacos and enchiladas. It's super easy too!

Authentic Mexican-Style Shredded Chicken

• 1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 tsp seasoned salt (I tend to only use 1 tsp to keep the salt to a minimum in my cooking, but the original recipe calls for 2 tsp.)
• 1 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp chili powder (I only use 1 tsp if my kids will be eating this too. Still has great flavor.)
• 3/4 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 2 dry bay leaves
• enough water to cover chicken ( about 2-3 cups ) 

Wash chicken thoroughly and place in a medium sized skillet and add just enough water to cover the chicken. Add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes then reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chicken can be shredded using a wood spatula. If there is any liquid left simply turn up the heat and allow the liquid to evaporate. Let the shredded chicken cool enough to work with.

**For bigger batches, you could double, triple or even quadruple this recipe and cook in a stock pot. Shred and freeze remaining chicken for meals in the future!