Easy Apple Turnovers

Let me start by saying there are easily a million different 'recipes' for this.
I, in no way, made this up.
I'm sure I saw it in one of my cookbooks, or on pinterest, and the idea stuck in my mind ... 

Southwest Salad

One of my favorite summer dishes is Southwest Salad. 

Heck, I make it year round, we just tend to eat salads more in the warmer months. 

For us, it is inspired by our love of restaurants like Chipotle and Qdoba.
{My husband goes for the ginormous burritos, I opt for a massive salad.}
So, this is a way for us to fill that desire, while staying home, and on budget.

Recipe Binder

I've been slowly working on organizing things around our house, to help keep things neat and tidy, and to help us save some money around here. So, I decided to make a recipe binder, which is something I've been wanting to work on for a while now anyway.

Blackberry Cobbler

One of the desserts my husband really likes is blackberry cobbler. And there is a restaurant where we live that makes a good one. So we were a little bummed when we went there for my birthday and they were out. Actually, a lot bummed. So, I decided I was going to figure out how to make a good blackberry cobbler. 

Easy, Healthy Peach Cobbler

Last week my in-laws made a trip down to a local orchard to get peaches, and brought me back a bag full. So, I wanted something easy I could make with them, since they were ripe and ready to eat.

Our First Harvest

Earlier this week I made our first harvest from the garden:

Brown Bag Popcorn

If you're on pinterest, you probably have seen the brown bag popcorn pin. I haven't, but I also don't use pinterest that often. Or, if you follow Little Pink Monster, you saw her blog about it. And if you don't do either, you're still in luck. I decided to try it for snack today, since it would be quick, easy, and quieter than the air popper (since Baby was napping). 

And .... It works!
Put some kernels in a brown bag, fold the top closed, microwave, and eat!
Mine only took about 2 minutes to heat, so listen carefully. 

I seasoned mine with a bit of oil, some salt, and a bit of pepper.

YUM!

Mexican Macaroni Melt

This is so good, and so easy to make it's ridiculous.

You'll need to cook 1 lb ground beef (or turkey) and cook 1/2 box of macaroni noodles.

Drain and season the meat with taco (or chili) seasoning, then layer macaroni, beans, tomatoes, onions, peppers, lettuce, meat and cheese in a 9x13 dish. Bake on 400 for about 10-15 minutes (just to melt the cheese). Serve with tortilla chips, and enjoy! 

White Lasagna

Tonight for dinner we had a 'white lasagna'.

What's a white lasagna? Something I just made up (I think).

And it turned out pretty awesome. And is easy to make.

(And it's basically baked alfredo, but using lasagna noodles)

Lasagna noodles, chicken, alfredo sauce, cheese, tomatoes & seasonings. 

Cook noodles, then layer noodles, sauce, chicken, cheese & tomatoes in a 9x13 dish. Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes (just long enough to melt the cheese), then serve.

Yum! I baked peppers & onions into ours too, but I think it would also be good with some broccoli :)

Not Just a Momma

I tend to forget that 95% of the time. 

I did have a life before getting pregnant. I was a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. And I enjoyed many things. I still am all of those roles, and I still enjoy doing many different things. However, I just hardly ever have the time at the end of the day. So - here is a post for me.

{ If you would like to keep up on the momma happenings, check out MommaEmu }

Sunday night I made a rather kick-butt lasagna, if I do say so myself (and, I do). I would show you, but we gobbled that bad boy down too fast. It's a pretty standard homemade lasagna though.
1 lb ground beef, 1 box of noodles, 1 jar of sauce, 1 bag of cheese, and some spices.
Cook & drain your beef, cook your noodles, then in a 9x13 pan layer noodles, sauce, cheese & beef. Repeat until you've filled the pan or used up everything. I top ours with some garlic powder and Italian seasonings.

I also baked some cheesy-garlic biscuits to go with it.

They are pretty stupid-proof, but if you need help, The Diary of a Small Town Girl did a post the other week.

I'm hoping to try out a different kind of lasagna later this week.
I'm also hoping to work on an easy craft project at some point.

I also wanted to share some of what I'm looking forward to in the coming weeks & months.
~  Spring. The nicer weather so baby and I can get out more.

~  Gardening. I really want a garden. So, we need to find a tiller, and start working.

~  Baby John starting on foods. It will be so exciting to see what he thinks of real food.

 ~  A new car. Well, new to us, we buy used. We've been talking (and talking and talking) about getting me a bigger car, but now we really need to get one. My car can only hold me and the baby. And I'm sure my husband would like to go out with us sometime, and not have to take his car. And I would like to not have to ride in the dashboard of his car. So I am looking forward to getting a bigger, better, safer family car.

~  And - big one - My brother's wedding! At the end of June my brother is getting married, and I'm one of their bridesmaids, which I am super excited about. So, I have all of the upcoming wedding events too!

Baked Chicken Dinner

I forgot to take a pic before I started chowing down.

Baked Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, and Green Beans.

This was a pretty easy meal, actually. And my husband came home and ask why I cooked such a fancy meal. Also, I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've ever made baked chicken. I am usually not a huge fan of baked chicken, for 2 reasons: 1 - it's hard to tell if it's fully cooked and 2 - the breading gets all soggy on the bottom.

{Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing the bottom side of the chicken from getting soggy?}

To make the breading I just ground 2 handfuls of 'crunchy onions' and a few crackers together, and added a bit of salt, pepper, red pepper and parmesan cheese. (I baked 3 med. chicken breasts with this, adjust how you need)
I coated the chicken in a honey mustard/bbq mix, then the breading mixture, and baked for 30-35 minutes at 425 degrees. The chicken was perfect, fully cooked but still moist in the center, and the topping was crunchy without being too hard. The only problem was that the breading on the bottom of the chicken was soft and soggy.

And I made chocolate peanut butter cookies, too!

{ Cake Mix Cookies }

Top Secret Family Fudge

Family Secret Fudge

Whenever I set out to do a food post, I do 3 things :
* Get out the recipe/instructions
* Gather my ingredients & supplies
* Grab my camera

When I do a post, I take pictures as I make it. I don't make a special 'pretty' version just for pictures, or make 18 batches of something, to get enough perfect pictures. What you see is what we eat.
Making fudge today was no different, except my husband was home, and he knows the 'family secret' to our fudge. Yup. So he asks me:

' Are you really going to take pictures of you making fudge with the recipe off the container? '

Umm... yes.

That's my family secret. We can read.
No ... (Story time...)

Growing up, my Nini always made fudge for the holidays. No one else could make fudge, it was Nini's territory. Once she was too old to be making fudge, one of my aunts took over the fudge making, and the 'family secret'. Nobody else dared to make fudge, and if they did try, it never turned out like Nini's fudge.
So, we all assumed it was some top secret fudge recipe, only to be really known by a select few.
Until a few years ago, when Nini passed away, and I got tired of waiting around for fudge, so I said Screw it, I'll try to make some myself, and, if it's not like Nini's, oh well, I'll keep trying. And so I set out on the great fudge adventure. Luckily I got it on the first try. 

(And, I've tried other fudge versions, meh, I still like this one the best. It's like Nini's.)
As I made my first batch several years ago, my dad started telling stories of making fudge with Nini when he was little and the different jobs he had helping her.

So now, every year at the holidays, I make fudge, because it's yummy, and to remember Nini.

And, yes, I took pictures of me making family secret follow the jar fudge.

Just follow the directions on the jar (I get the "big" container - it makes more fudge).
Also, I use 12oz of milk, not 10.
And I only use 4c of sugar.

And I like to make flavors other than just chocolate.
Use silicone utensils when making fudge, they are easier to clean in the end,
and don't melt into your hot fudgey mix (don't ask how I know this).

And, use metal pans. Coat in butter and put in the fridge or freezer until you're ready for them.

(A tip my dad told me about, that he used to do. He was the butter-the-pans-boy.)

Shortbread Sugar Cookies

I follow this recipe, just, half as much. Since I'm not baking for an army.  I also use cookie cutters, instead of a cookie press.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/shortbread-cookies-ii/detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 cups all-purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in vanilla; add flour and mix well.
3. Put through cookie press and form cookies onto baking sheets. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes.

If you're using a cookie press, after you make the dough, you can fill your press and go.
If you're using cookie cutters, form dough into a ball, wrap in clear-wrap, and refrigerate for about 30 mins. {I also place the cookie cutters I'll be using, and my silicone mats in the fridge to cool}
After 30 minutes, roll out and cut your cookies. (I also keep a dish of oil nearby, to dip my cookie cutters into, so they don't stick)  Bake, cool and decorate.

I used wheat flour this time, and added more vanilla extract (and some almond). You can actually use any extract you want, add food color, even add cinnamon, nuts or chocolate chips if you want.
{And, since there is no raw egg in this, its safe to eat as you go}

Cake Mix Cookies

Probably some of the easiest cookies you can possibly make - Cake Mix Cookies.
(I found this recipe on the internet years ago, I'm not sure what site it was from, but there are probably tons of versions if you search google)

1 box cake mix (apx. 18 oz)

1 egg

½ cup butter (1 stick) – softened

2tbs water (if using chocolate mix)
frosting & decorations

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, combine all ingredients, drop on cookie sheet and bake 9-12 minutes.
Let cool and decorate.

Oreo Cream Pie

I'm not a fan of pie usually.  I actually only like the cream pies (like the frozen turtle pie). Yum Yum! I don't eat fruit pies, nut pies, pumpkin pies, or chicken pot-pies. I also don't like cheese cake (which, is like a pie anyway).  I'm more of an ice cream gal.

So, this year for Turkey Day I decided to make an Oreo Cream Pie.
It's a pretty idiot proof pie to make, and if you remember my apple pie,
you will see it's very similar to make.
PS - the filling itself is so good you could probably just skip the
'make into a pie' step, and just grab a spoon.

I made mine using pre-made deep dish pie crusts that just needed to be baked/cooled. You could do any type of crust you want here.
(I also baked both crusts, since I was doing 2 pies; the filling recipe is for 1 pie)

When I was looking at the pudding box, I noticed they have a recipe for a similar pie.
But, I don't like it. It's too pudding/custardy tasting. If I want pudding, I'll just make pudding.

You Need:

Pie Crust (Regular or Graham Cracker)
16oz Heavy Whipping Cream
Pudding Mix
Cookies
2 tbs Confectioners’ Sugar
 (powdered sugar)
Chocolate Syrup

Hand or Stand Mixer w/ whisk attachment
( Oven & Refrigerator )

Directions :

1 – Prepare crust.
If using a preformed graham cracker crust, skip to step 2.
If using a ready-made crust, bake and cool according to package directions.
If making crust from scratch, bake and cool according to your recipe.
~ While your crust is baking/cooling, smash some cookies to use in filling ~

2 -  Make Pie Filling (Oreo Cream)
~ If you didn’t bake a crust, smash some cookies to use in your filling now ~
In large bowl combine 16oz heavy whipping cream with 2 tbs. confectioners’ sugar.
Whisk together until a thick, frothy cream is formed, just starting to form peaks
(whisking on a med-low speed works best) .
Now slowly whisk in your pudding mix, then lightly stir in your add-ins (cookies, chocolate chips, etc.). You may need to use a spoon, or your beater attachment.

3 – Fill Pie Crust
Gently scoop your filling into pie crust, lightly smooth out the top, then top your pie with additional cookies, chocolate, etc …
Refrigerate 30min – 1hour+ before serving. 

The fun thing about this pie, is that there are so many possibilities for it.
Basically any type of pie crust, any type of pudding, any type of add-ins.
You can also use food color/gel to dye the filling, and concentrated candy flavors to vanilla pudding for any flavor you want.  

Vanilla peach. Chocolate cherry. Mocha mint. Peanut Butter. mmmm....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How do I transport my pies?

Yeah, ghetto. But it works. 2 glass pie pans and some tape.

I do set it in a basket to keep it from sliding around the car too much. 

Where do I find such weird brands I cook/bake with? 

Aldi.
The pie crusts were a 2 pack for $1.89, and the cream 16oz for $1.89.
Both are "seasonal items" but are much cheaper than other stores. And usually in stock now.
(Walmart is almost always out of their brand whipping cream)

Whipped Apple Pie

Whipped Apple Pie

An easy, no bake pie solution. 

You need :
Deep pie pan
Food Processor
Electric Mixer
2-3 Lg. Apples (your choice, I used Stayman)
1 stick butter (softened)
1 pack graham crackers (or ginger snaps)
1 carton (16 oz) heavy whipping cream
Vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar

Caramel

Butterscotch Chips (optional)

There are several steps, which are going to seem like a lot, but, once you know what you're doing, you'll find you can do them all at once. 

First you're going to make the pie crust.
Crush the graham crackers or ginger snaps into small pieces using the food processor.
Combine in a bowl with butter, then put in pie pan and form crust. Place pan in the fridge.

Next you're going to prepare your apples. 

Wash, core, and peel if you'd like, then slice into small chunks.

Place chunks into a bowl, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, butterscotch chips, caramel, and any other
"pie fillings" you'd like. Set aside.

Now you're going to make the whipped cream.
Pour your heavy whipping cream into the bowl of your mixer, add some vanilla (or, any other flavor you'd like) and whisk. If your mixer doesn't have a whisk attachment, use the beaters.
I start out blending on low, and work up to a medium speed. Only whip until it's thick, but light and fluffy. 

Now you're going to fold your apples into the whipped cream. Slowly! Break your apple mix into 3 or 4 parts when mixing it in. You want to mix in the apples and coat them with whipped cream, but not over beat the mixture and ruin the whipped cream (It's really not as hard as it sounds). Then place the whipped cream apple mixture in your pie crust, top with caramel and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. Yum!

I also like to make a variation of this using pudding mix near the holidays. You may want to watch for it around Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Homemade Apple Sauce

I was hoping to hold out on an apple sauce post until further into fall, but, oh well.

It's cooled off here, soon the leaves will be changing, and I had some apples I needed to do something with,

so, we get apple sauce.

My apples came from the grocery, but hopefully later this fall I'll get to go up to the orchard and pick some apples. I loved going to the orchard with the class I used to work with, it was beautiful up there.

{If you live in Central VA - check them out: Carter Mountain Orchard }

Homemade apple sauce is pretty easy to make.

I make mine in the crock pot, but you can do it on the stove as well.
You'll need apples, cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg, water and lemon juice
(or you can use apple juice, or orange juice). 

Wash your apples, peel if you'd like, remove the seeds and cube them.
Then put your apple cubes into the crock pot to cook.
(Set the crock pot on high for faster cooking, or low for an all-day cook)

 I used 5 apples (2 granny smith, 3 fuji) and added 1/2 cup of orange juice.
I also added just a dash of cinnamon. I love the smell when it's cooking.

After sitting on high for 2 hours, you get this :
(or on Low, for about 4 hours)

mmmmmmm .....
Doesn't that look yummy?!? But it's not ready yet.

Turn it down to low and let cook another hour.
Now is the time to add your cinnamon, and sugar, nutmeg, and anything else you want.

After about an hour on low, your apples should be soft enough to puree or mash into apple sauce,
or you can eat it how it is - just let it cool a bit first. 

Also, the former educator coming out:

Look at that apple seed starting to sprout.
I save my seeds to plant, in the hopes of growing my own apple trees.

Now, enjoy your apples.

And some pictures from my past visits to the orchard.