Spaghetti Tacos ala iCarly

Remember iCarly? Your kids will love Spaghetti Tacos! Not really sure if they were a thing or just a line in the show but it’s a meal I will always serve…SO delicious and easy!!!

#100happydays day 9

Broccoli Cheese Soup! #homemade

#100happydays challenge day 1

   
 

P is for Pizza!

Peanutbutter Chocolate Chip Pancakes

My Dad made Ina Garten’s(Barefoot Contessa)pbutter/chocolate cupcakes…

Which inspired these…

Per usual, the base was taken from Better Homes and Gardens Red Checkered Cookbook but doubled.

2 cups flour

1 tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup chunky peanutbutter(slightly melted in the microwave)

2 tbsp brown sugar(I would probably double this and add at least a tbsp white sugar, needed to be sweeter.)

2 eggs

2 cups milk

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

(I’m going to try 2 tsp of vanilla next time)

Combine ingredients, mix well, cook on med-low one ladle for each pancake, cook as usual but melt butter or margarine on griddle before each pancake. Makes about 12 small pancakes.

Jenna approved!!! 🙂 #cleanplate

Cranberry Stuffin’ Muffins

Paige loves cornbread stuffing/dressing and I’ve been meaning to use the Stovetop Cranberry Stuffing in my pantry since Thanksgiving 2012, today was the day. We both went ga ga over them!

1 box stuffing mix, I used Cranberry

1 can chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup mayo

2 tbs Major Grey’s Chutney

muffin pan

Preheat oven to 350. Heat broth to just under boiling, add remaining ingredients, mix to combine, spoon into a greased muffin tin. Bake for 25 minutes. Makes 9 stuffin’ muffins! #MegaDelicious

Ina Inspired

Last night’s supper consisted of bone in, skin on chicken breasts brushed with oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper then roasted on a baking sheet(one with high sides to contain the juices)for one hour at 375. This is the Ina Garten Method and per her usual, Best of Class!

For breakfast this morning I shredded the meat of one chicken breast, added two heaping tbsp of mayo, a good squirt of Dijon, a bit of shredded cheddar, salt and pepper for a nice chicken salad. To add the Ina to the sandwich I added Major Grey’s Chutney to the wheat toast before heaping on the creamy chicken. Chopped pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds would be a good addition.

My coffee pot is dying or died and instead if ending up with a dreaded coffee-less, painful migraine like yesterday, I had to put my inner cheapskate to work and remembered the overwhelming desire I had to save a pretty glass Smuckers Jar, which in turn became my redneck French Press. This part has nothing to do with Ina except for the word French and coffee. Anyway, I didn’t have any ideas for the press part but I took the jam jar and four heaping tbsp(I like my coffee strong, very strong so adjust accordingly)of Maxwell House Dark Roast and poured in 16oz of hot water. Let stand for a few, depending how stout you like your coffee. Set a fine mesh strainer(the kind with a handle)on a small mixing bowl with a spout or large Pyrex glass measuring cup. Pour through the strainer, if you are offended my teeny tiny coffee grounds that are so tiny you can’t notice any texture then put a coffee filter in the strainer. I think they add tremendous flavor and this is truly the best coffee I’ve ever had.

I Call them Pretzel Dinner Rolls…

This recipe is from Facebook, they aren’t overly pretzely but the fun I had making them and the magnificent crunch from dipping them in baking soda water prior to baking qualifies this as a repeatable recipe.

I baked these at 350 for 10 minutes then 375 for 10 minutes on the top rack.

Sincerely, make them just to experience that crunch! Baking soda is an amazing thing!

Crusty Cheese Topping for Pasta Bakes

A cup of Italian Bread Crumbs mixed with 3/4 to 1 cup of your favorite grated cheeses makes a beautiful crust for baked pastas! Top with 1/2 cup of melted margarine or butter and bake until crunchy and bubbly.

I was lucky enough to have the real deal, Parmigiano Reggiano for this one! If you like a good pizza sauce-like marinara, Hunts Garlic and Herb sauce in the can is toooooo delicious! Excellent for pizza bread! It was at stock up price at the grocery store last month, $1.09 for 24oz. I bought a lot and I’ve used it all.

My apple pie recipe is here

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Happy New Year Black Eyed Peas n Carrots

1 lb, bag of dry black eyed peas

2 cans chicken broth

1 bag baby carrots

Salt and pepper to taste

crock pot

Rinse peas in a colander, add all ingredients to crock pot plus enough water to cover. As the peas cook you will need to add a bit more water as it reduces. Cook on high if you’re in a rush or on low for a good part of the day. Serve with cornbread, a sprinkle of coarse salt and a dab of butter or margarine. Enjoy!