CarriesCooking

The Long & Short of Preparing Dry Beans

2011-02-01T16:14:00.004-05:00

If you have some time and only want to use the smallest of efforts to turn dry beans into beans ready to use check out this video. (If the video is not below you can click here to watch.)

Spicy Garlic Chicken

2011-01-27T18:22:00.004-05:00

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons olive oil

8 cloves garlic minced

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (1/8 teaspoon for a milder flavor)

salt and pepper to taste

1 pound chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon corn starch

Directions

Heat oil over medium high heat in a large skillet.
Add garlic until golden brown.
Add red pepper and chicken breasts that have been salt and peppered.
When the outside of the chicken breasts have been browned add chicken broth.
When broth starts to boil add a lid and turn down heat to a simmer. Cook chicken until no longer pink inside. (about 10 minutes depending on thickness of chicken)
In a small bowl add water and whisk in corn starch.
Move chicken to one side of the skillet and add starch mixture to broth. Stir until thickens.
Serve gravy mixture over chicken.

This Weeks Grocery Trip

2011-01-27T16:06:00.004-05:00

I finally made it to the grocery store this week. I haven't had that much fun shopping in a long time. I had my 5 year old daughter with me and she was such a great helper. She pushed the cart for me, in a very responsible way. She helped me keep track of my Mega sale purchases and checked off the items on my grocery list as I bought them. She beamed in the car after we were done when I told her how proud I was of her and how much she helped me.

Below is a picture of everything I bought at Kroger's today for $59.65. (Except for the gallon of milk that ended up in the refrigerator before the picture. There are 4 packages of chicken breasts, 8 cans of Progresso soup and 3 bags of steam fresh veggies. I should have taken the picture in two shots, it is hard to see everything I bought.)

Oh No! I Didn't Plan My Menu!

2011-01-26T15:32:00.003-05:00

I admit it. I sometimes don't get to my menu for the week even for myself. So, what have I done... Have we eaten out? No. I go with the flow and do my best to make a meal with what I have on hand. I really need to go grocery shopping. I think I will tomorrow! I hope or who knows what we will have for dinner tomorrow. Here is what we have had so far this week.

Monday - Spaghetti (It was on the menu last week but didn't happen because of a change in plans.)

Tuesday - Leftover/Frozen Spicy Chicken Soup (So thankful that this makes so many servings because it is delicious.)

Wednesday - Soft Tacos (I will be using my recipe for taco seasoning and this recipe for Homemade Tortillas. Lucky for me I have lettuce, cheddar cheese, salsa, and ground beef at the ready.)

As it stands right now I will be winging it tomorrow too. Maybe I will be inspired by that grocery trip that better happen tomorrow!

Pretzel Buns

2011-01-25T15:36:00.003-05:00

This past Sunday I tried my hand at making Pretzel Buns. They turned out great so I will share the recipe here.

Ingredients

4 teaspoons active dry yeast

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 1/4 cups warm water

5 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 to 4 tablespoons baking soda

6 cups hot water

1 to 2 tablespoons kosher salt

To see how to make these tasty buns watch the video below. (If video is not included you can find it here.) Be on the look out for a surprise appearance from my daughter!

How To Video of Skillet Meatloaf

2011-01-24T17:38:00.000-05:00

Check out my video on how to make Skillet Meatloaf. Check out the recipe here. If you don't find the video below click here.

Almost Turkey Pot Pie

2011-01-23T17:20:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

Filling

1 pound ground turkey, cooked

1 cup of fresh sliced carrots

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup flour

1 teaspoon sage

1 teaspoon thyme

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

9 ounces corn, frozen, thawed (or whatever veggies you have available)

Biscuits

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tablespoon butter melted

Directions

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
In a large sauce pan add carrots and chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
Cover and reduce heat to a simmer, cooking for about 5 minutes.
In a small bowl mix together flour, milk, sage, thyme and salt.
Add milk mixture to carrots along with butter. Bring to a boil.
Cook for about a minute and then add remaining ingredients.
Pour filling into a 3 quart casserole dish.
In a medium bowl make biscuits by mixing together flour, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and baking powder.
When well mixed add milk and butter, mixing until it forms a ball of wet dough.
Add spoonfuls of biscuit dough around filling. (don't bother to cover all of filling)
Bake in oven for about 20 minutes, until filling is bubbling and biscuits are browned.

Suggestions for Super Bowl Party Menu

2011-01-23T11:35:00.003-05:00

Every year my husband and I host a large Super Bowl Party. I generally have a large pot of chili with fixings, sandwich making materials and snacks. It is a pot luck so others bring things too. I am currently working on my menu for this years party.

Do you have any food suggestions?

What is your go to dish for those football watching occasions?

Do you host or attend a party for the Super Bowl or just hang out at home?

Let me know!

This Weeks Grocery Trip

2011-01-19T18:00:00.000-05:00

Some of my friends that I know outside of the world of the web have learned that I feed my family of four with a budget of $60 a week. (This budget includes toiletries.) I enjoy this healthy and frugal challenge each week. You see the meals I make each week and thus know that we eat well. (At least in my opinion.)

Below is what I picked up this week for $68. I had $3 left over from last week so I consider this only $5 over budget.

How To Video of Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

2011-01-19T12:42:00.003-05:00

I couldn't pass up a chance to create a video to one of my most popular recipes Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings. If you would like to check out the recipe click here.

Below find the video on how to make this easy and delicious meal. (If you don't find the video below please click here.)

Menu (January 17 - 22)

2011-01-17T08:16:00.002-05:00

Here is what we are eating this week!

Monday

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Tuesday

Skillet Meatloaf

Wednesday

Spaghetti

Thursday

Almost Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuits

Friday

Pizza

Saturday

Beef and Barley Stew

Be on the look out for new videos and recipes! I may try making a hamburger pizza. Would you try it?

Chili Cheddar Potato Soup

2011-01-15T11:21:00.004-05:00

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1Tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon oregano

3 cups diced potatoes

2 cups water

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3 cups milk

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

In a large pot heat oil over medium high heat.
Add onion, garlic, chili powder, oregano and stir until onion has softened.
Add potatoes and water.
Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer until potato has softened about 15 minutes.
Add salt, pepper, and milk.
Bring to a soft boil and add cheese.
Reduce heat to a simmer and stir to blend in cheese.
Serve warm.

You can top your soup with more shredded cheddar cheese, bacon, or sour cream.

To see how easy this soup is to make watch the video below. (If there is no video you can click here to watch.)

How To Video of Foil-Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner

2011-01-13T20:18:00.002-05:00

Nothing can be easier than making my Foil-Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner, recipe here. If you don't believe me watch my video below. (The video can also be found here if it is not included below.)

How I Make Everyday Dinners Kid-Friendly

2011-01-12T21:57:00.004-05:00

I am a mom. I am a mom of two small children, age 5 and 3. I am a mom that likes to cook but refuses to cook more than one meal just because what I want to eat may not be what my kids want to eat. However, I am a mom that isn't above dressing up my dinner to convince my kids to eat it.

So, tonight I made a wonderful dinner of Creamy Chicken & Pasta. It was so good I ate all of mine before I had a chance to take a picture of it. My husband and my mother in law both loved it too. (You can see a finished picture of it by watching my video here.) My daughter came over to see what I am making and made the comment she always seems to make when I am making dinner, "Yuck." Yet, when I put her plate in front of her she ate every last bite!

See her plate below.

So here is how I make my meals kid friendly. I pull out a normal serving size for my child. I then separation the meat out and cut it into kid sized bites. I then add a small amount of ketchup for dipping. Then I put the rest of the meal in a separate area of the plate. (This is often veggies or a starch type item.) I add some cheese or yogurt and a fruit to round out the meal. 99% of the time I can get all of the meat, cheese or yogurt and fruit eaten. Sometimes I get lucky like tonight and the veggie/starch gets eaten too. Hopefully, this will help you if you have some picky eaters in your home.

Do you have any tips to offer to make your dinner more kid friendly?

Creamy Chicken & Pasta

2011-01-12T17:00:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

1 pound chicken breast, boneless, skinless, cut into bite sized pieces

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons dried basil

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes, less drained

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne red pepper

8 ounces small pasta

12 ounce bag of frozen broccoli cuts

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped mushroom

grated Parmesan cheese to taste

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large pot.
Start heating water for pasta.
Cook chicken, garlic, basil and oregano in pot until chicken no longer pink inside.
Add tomatoes, whipping cream, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Heat until boiling then reduce heat to low. Continue cooking uncovered for about 10 minutes or until thickened slightly.
While chicken mixture is still cooking add pasta to water to cook and drain.
Stir pasta into chicken mixture.
Serve hot with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

I found this recipe here at the Betty Crocker website. I made a slight change based on what I had available to me.

If you don't find the video below you can watch it here.

Southwestern Beef & Black Bean Stir Fry

2011-01-11T17:20:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound beef, cut into strips

1 medium onion, sliced

1 green pepper, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups frozen corn, thawed

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1/2 cup salsa

Directions

In skillet heat oil over medium heat.
Add beef, onion, green pepper and garlic.
Heat until beef is no longer pink, about 6 minutes.
Stir in remaining ingredients, cover and cook until heated and flavors blend. (about 8 minutes)

If you don't see the less than 3 minute video below please click here to watch.

Maple Dijon Mustard How To Video

2011-01-10T11:06:00.003-05:00

It took me less than 5 minutes to make this video and that is with some do overs and interruptions from the kids. It has been edited down to just under 2 minutes. To check out the recipe click here.

If you don't find the video below click here.

Working Up To Menu Plan Posting.

2011-01-10T07:43:00.002-05:00

My main reason to start this website was not to offer up great recipes but to reduce your stress by offering you free menu plans with a grocery list. I am working up to this. This is what we are having at my house this week.

Maple Dijon Pork Chops

Southwestern Beef & Black Bean Stir Fry

Creamy Chicken & Rigatoni

Foil-Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner

Hamburgers

Chili Cheddar Potato Soup

Be on the lookout for the new recipes and new videos!

Don't forget to let me know what you think of the videos. Do you like them? I am working on volume and length issues. I welcome your constructive criticism.

Spicy Chicken Soup

2011-01-08T13:18:00.005-05:00

Ingredients

2 quarts chicken broth

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder,

2 teaspoons dried parsley

1 tablespoon onion powder

3 to 4 pounds of boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

16 ounces Medium salsa

3 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

16 ounces tomato sauce

3 tablespoons chili powder

10 ounces frozen corn

2 (16 oz) cans chili beans, undrained

8 ounces sour cream

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, combine chicken, chicken broth, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, and onion powder.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer the chicken breasts for 20 to 30 minutes, until cooked.
Remove chicken to cool and reserve chicken broth.
Shred chicken.
In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in olive oil until onion looks clear.
Stir in salsa, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder, corn, chili beans, sour cream, shredded chicken, and 5 cups of the chicken broth.
Heat until boiling then simmer for 30 minutes.
Serve hot.

You can top the soup with tortilla chips, shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.

Below is the video showing how to make the soup.

Video Recipe of Homemade Pizza

2011-01-07T17:39:00.003-05:00

If you would like to make this pizza check out my latest video.

The recipe can be found here.

January 7th Shopping Trip

2011-01-07T13:07:00.002-05:00

Just ran to Krogers and picked up 12 boxes of Quaker Instant Oatmeal, 1 box of granola bars, one box of cereal and one box of soup for $14.86. My husband who eats 4 packets of oatmeal for breakfast at a time will be happy to know we have stocked up for a while.

Spinach and Beef Enchiladas

2011-01-06T22:32:00.003-05:00

I found this great recipe on the Betty Crocker Website. To see their instructions click here.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef, lean

1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)

9 oz frozen spinach (I bought the chopped)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon garlic pepper blend

1/2 cup sour cream

2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack Cheese

10 oz enchilada sauce

8 flour tortillas

1/2 cup salsa

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
In skillet cook beef and onion for 5 to 7 minutes, until beef is brown.
Stir in spinach until thawed, stirring frequently.
Remove skillet from heat.
Stir in chiles, cumin, garlic pepper blend, sour cream and 1 cup of cheese.
Spread about 1 teaspoon of enchilada sauce on each tortilla.
Top with 1/2 cup of beef mixture.
Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in baking dish.
In a small bowl mix together the remaining enchilada sauce and the salsa.
Spoon sauce over enchiladas.
Cover dish with foil.
Bake in oven for about 40 minutes, until heated through.
Remove foil and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Bake for another 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

BBQ Slow Cooker Drumsticks

2011-01-06T12:59:00.003-05:00

Here is a super easy recipe that is sure to please both you and your family. Not only because it tastes great but because it is so easy!

Ingredients

5 chicken drumsticks

1 cup BBQ sauce

1/4 cup water

Directions

Put drumsticks in crock pot.
Pour BBQ sauce over the top of drumsticks.
Add a little water, about 1/4 cup.
Make sure the BBQ sauce coats the drumsticks.
Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.

Chicken and Broccoli-Parmesan Pasta

2011-01-06T10:15:00.003-05:00

Ingredients

8	ounces dried pasta (any type of small pasta such as Elbow)
3	cups Broccoli, cut into florets (I used a frozen that was defrosted)
1	pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
1	teaspoon adobo seasoning
2	tablespoons olive oil
1	clove garlic, minced
1/4	cup sour cream
1/8	teaspoon black pepper
2	tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Directions

	In a Dutch oven cook pasta according to package directions, adding broccoli for the last 5 minutes of cooking. Drain well. Return to hot Dutch oven.
	Meanwhile, in a medium bowl combine chicken pieces and adobo seasoning; toss to coat. In a large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add chicken; cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
	Add chicken to drained pasta and broccoli in Dutch oven. Stir in sour cream and pepper. Cook over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
	To serve, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

If you wish to see the video I attempted to make with this dinner you will find it here.

A Botched Video Attempt

2011-01-05T18:37:00.003-05:00

I have wanted to video myself cooking the dinner I am presenting for years. I finally gave it a try and I botched it. Half way through I turned off my microphone and forgot to turn it back on. So, here is my first attempt. (Sorry, I am not remaking dinner to try to get it right.) Let me know what you think. Please keep in mind that I am only using the webcam on my computer. If it seems worthwhile to do videos I might invest in other equipment to make a better presentation.

Again, I really want feedback. Tell me what you think. Don't be too harsh... please....

Chicken Broccoli Parmesan Pasta Video