The Brown Bag Special

Cinnamon Roll Waffles! Super Easy & Yummy!

2012-08-26T20:54:00.001-07:00

Hello All! Well, it’s officially the last night of summer! Mom’s across the world are doing a happy dance while teachers are crying in bed! My kids are all very excited about tomorrow! Lila Grace has her outfit all ready and Ethan has his locker combination memorized! My little loves will be headed out the door in the morning with confidence and excitement. They have both requested their favorite breakfast and I thought this would be a great time to share it with yall. It’s so very easy and honestly takes less than 5 minutes and my kids devour it! So, grab your waffle maker and a can of Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls and get cookin! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
refrigerated, uncooked Cinnamon Rolls

1. Place one roll on each square or section of your waffle iron. Close the lid and cook until the done

2. Drizzle with the icing that came with them

3. Yes....that is it! You are done and they are so devine!!!!

Strawberry Romanoff: Tastes Just Like LaMadeline!

2012-08-15T21:31:00.001-07:00

Hello all! I hope everyone is enjoying what we have left of summer! One of my favorite summer fruits is a strawberry. My kids love them too and every summer we go down to the local strawberry patch a pick an entire bucket. So.....we always have plenty of fresh strawberries around the house. We also love to go to La Madeline and have strawberry romanoff for dessert. So, I had the grand idea of trying to make a copy cat recipe! Guess what!??!?! I did a darn good job and it is so yummy! It tastes just like Strawberry Romanoff from LaMadeline! Yippee!

Also, one of my favorite people in the world was in town to help me cook! I call Grace "Sister Soul!" She is actually like a niece to me and is the daughter one one of my closest friends. She now lives in North Carolina and I miss her dearly! She is down visiting and she was my kitchen assistant this week! I love you sister soul and you did a great job in the kitchen!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sour cream

3 tbsps brown sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

12 cup heavy cream

3 tbsps sugar

4 cups strawberries (fresh)
(optional: A splash of brandy or rum)

Mix sour cream, brown sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, & sugar in a mixer until sauce starts to thicken. Chill for one hour and use the fresh strawberries for dipping! Enjoy!

Angel Chicken In The Crock Pot!

2012-08-08T19:36:00.001-07:00

I know what many of you are thinking! Oh my.....another chicken crock pot recipe! Well folks, I would like to give you a warning......if you do not make this recipe you are missing out on the world's best chicken dish! Yes folks,.......its that good! It is so very easy and it tastes like it was made in a 5 Star kitchen! It will be our secret that you just threw the ingredients in the crock pot!

I am making this dish and posting it especially for my super very close friend Meghan Hampton Knox who is currently living abroad in Sydney with her super awesome husband Steve-O! She has a very important job and is in charge of many important things which does not allow her very much time to master the craft if cooking! She is hosting a dinner party this weekend for her boss and requested that I post a fabulous easy recipe that was perfect for hosting! So...... this is to my BFF in Sydney! I love you Megs and can't wait to see you at Christmas!

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves

1 (8-oz.) pkg. fresh button mushrooms, quartered

1/4 cup butter

1 (0.7-oz.) pkg. dry Italian salad dressing mix

1 (10-3/4-oz.) can condensed golden mushroom soup

1/2 cup dry white wineHalf of an 8-oz. tub cream cheese spread with chives and onion

Angel hair or penne pasta

1.)Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.

2.)Add the packet of dry Italian dressing mix and stir.

3.)Stir in the soup, white wine and cream cheese until melted and combined.

4.)Place the quartered mushrooms in the bottom of your slow cooker.

5.)Set chicken on top of mushrooms.

6.)Pour the hot sauce over the chicken.

Cover and cook on low for 5 hours.

Serve over angel hair pasta or penne

Source: The Rainy Day Baker

Baked Creamy Macaroni and Cheese with Ham

2012-07-27T19:33:00.001-07:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer! The kids and I are having a great one and it’s flying by! I decided to whip a southern favorite at the request of my youngest brother Kyle. Even though he is my “little brother” he towers over me at 6’2 and weighs as much as my refrigerator! He is so proud of his size because as a freshman he has been asked to play on his High School Varsity Football Team! Go Falcons! This fall, Kyle will be in the center of the defensive line and I WILL NOT miss a game! So……this mac and cheese is dedicated to my “little bigger brother” whom I call Kylie! I love you brother and I hope everyone enjoys this fab recipe!

Ingredients

12 ounces wide egg noodles

2 cups heavy cream

2 1/2 cups whole milk

2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups grated Fontina Cheese (bagged for shortcut)

3/4 cup of finely grated Parmesan Cheese (bagged for shortcut)

3/4 cup of grated mozzarella Cheese(bagged for shortcut)

4 ounces cooked ham, diced (can used cubed pre-packaged for shortcut)

1 cup of Italian Bread Crumbs

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Spray a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.

Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture, lastly top with bread crumbs. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving, sauce will thicken upon standing. Enjoy!

Baked Spinach & Artichoke Dip with Crabmeat!

2012-07-18T19:41:00.002-07:00

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
3 1/2 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped artichoke hearts
4 ounces cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
6 ounces of canned or fresh crab meat

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.In a small skillet melt butter over medium heat. Once butter melts add spinach and cook just until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
To the spinach add artichoke hearts, cream cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and crab meat. Stir to combine.
Butter a small casserole dish, spoon mixture into the dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
Remove from the oven, stir and sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Turn on the broiler and cook for 3-5 minutes or until top is browned and edges are bubbly.
Allow to cool slightly and serve with crackers or pita chips! Enjoy!

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting!

2012-07-11T19:39:00.002-07:00

Hello all...I hope everyone is having a blessed day. Well, next week my daughter is turning 7 and we are having a princess party! My daughter Lila Grace has been talking and planning this party for quite a while and has some VERY specific requests! She is very adament about having pretty pink cupcakes! So....we tried these out for our practice run! Super Yummy and they passed the Lila Grace cupcake test with flying colors! We hope you enjoy them!

Ingredients:
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
Pinch salt
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/4 c. vegetable oil
2 egg whites
1/3 c. thawed frozen Pink Lemonade Concentrate
1/4 c. buttermilk
Pink food coloring

Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin pan with liners. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, egg whites and lemonade concentrate. Alternately whisk in flour mixture and buttermilk, making three additions of flour mixture and two of buttermilk, beating until just smooth.Add just enough food coloring to turn the batter a light shade of pink.Scoop batter into liners (fill about three-fourths full).

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until tops of cupcakes spring back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on rack.

Pink Lemonade Buttercream Frosting:
3 c. + 3 Tbsp. confectioner’s sugar
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. pink lemonade concentrate
Pink food coloring

Add the butter, confectioner’s sugar, salt, lemon juice, and a few drops of food coloring to the stand mixer and mix on low using the paddle attachment until combined.Turn the speed to med-high until the buttercream is fluffy and uniformly pink. Spread onto cooled cupcakes. Enjoy!

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin pan with liners. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, oil, egg whites and lemonade concentrate. Alternately whisk in flour mixture and buttermilk, making three additions of flour mixture and two of buttermilk, beating until just smooth.
3. Add just enough food coloring to turn the batter a light shade of pink.
4. Scoop batter into liners (fill about three-fourths full).

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until tops of cupcakes spring back when lightly touched. Let cool in pan on rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on rack.

Pink Lemonade Buttercream:
3 c. + 3 Tbsp. confectioner’s sugar
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
1/8 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. pink lemonade concentrate
Pink food coloring

1. Add the butter, confectioner’s sugar, salt, lemon juice, and a few drops of food coloring to the stand mixer and mix on low using the paddle attachment until combined.
2. Turn the speed to med-high until the buttercream is fluffy and uniformly pink. Spread onto cooled cupcakes.

Source: Simply Sweet Bake Shop

Strawberry Mint Lemonade

2012-07-06T15:21:00.000-07:00

Beat the Summer Heat with this Amzing Refreshing Drink!

2 1/2 Cups of Fresh Strawberries chopped
1 cup Fresh Mint, chopped
1 1/2 cups Fresh Lemon Juice (8 lemons)
1 cup of sugar
Zest of 1 Lemon
Place 1/2 the Mint, sugar, and 1/2 cup of the Strawberries into a medium sauce pan with 11/2 cups water. Heat over medium heat for 3 minutes, cover and remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes.
Strain this mixture into the Lemon Juice and mix well
Place the remainder of the Lemon Zest, Strawberries and Fresh Mint into a pitcher and pour the Lemon Mixture over the Strawberries and Fresh Mint.
Add 2 to 3 cups of water and 1 cup of ice, stir and let set for twenty to 30 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

Enjoy!

Chicken Mexican Casserole! A Fiesta in your Mouth!

2012-07-02T21:06:00.002-07:00

Hello all! I finally got my camera fixed! Yippee! So back to blogging! Here is the Mexican casserole that you have all been waiting for! It was another hit! The family loved it and I served it with tortillas and black beans! Another great addition to my dinner rotation!

Ingredients

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies
1 cup shredded cheese, I use mexican or sharp
1 (14oz) can stewed Mexican tomatoes, diced with juice
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 medium onion, diced
1 (4oz) can chopped black olives
2 cups white rice
1 packet taco seasoning
4 cups cubed, UNCOOKED chicken
1 (14.5oz) can chicken broth
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter cut into small pieces

In a large bowl mix together green chilies, cheese, tomatoes, onion, olives and COOKED rice.

(please prepare your white rice before you begin making your casserole)

Cut your chicken into small chunks

Add cut chicken, taco seasoning & chicken broth. Stir until well combined.

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Pour into baking dish.

Sprinkle top evenly with cold butter pieces.

Cover tightly with heavy duty tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes.

Its delicious! You can eat rolled in a tortilla or with just a fork! Enjoy!

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 (14oz) can stewed Mexican tomatoes, diced with juice
1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes with juice
1 medium onion, diced
1 (4oz) can chopped black olives
2 cups COOKED white rice
1 packet taco seasoning
4 cups cubed, UNCOOKED chicken
1 (14.5oz) can chicken broth
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter cut into small pieces

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl mix together green chilies, cheese, tomatoes, onion, olives and uncooked rice. Add taco seasoning, chicken and chicken broth. Stir until well combined. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle top evenly with cold butter pieces. Cover tightly with heavy duty tin foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Enjoy!

Lemon Supreme Cookies with Fresh Lemon Icing!

2012-06-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all, I know everyone has been waiting for the wonderful Mexican food recipe and I want to apologize! My camera is being fixed so I can’t take fabulous pictures! :( Boohoo! So, to hold yall over I wanted to share this amazing lemon cookie recipe that I found and made this week for two of my friend’s birthdays! Enjoy and I hope to have the camera fixed by Monday so please come back for the fiesta in your mouth! Love to all and thanks for being patient! Blessings!

Ingredients

Cookie:

1 package lemon supreme cake mix

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

¼ cup sugar

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (approx. one lemon)

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375º

• In large bowl, combine cake mix, oil, and eggs; stir with spoon until thoroughly moistened

• Shape dough into 1” balls; lace 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet

• Bake for 5-7 minutes or until edges are light, golden brown; cool 1 minute then remove from cookie sheet

• In another small bowl, combine powdered sugar and lemon juice until you obtain a smooth icing consistency; using a teaspoon, drizzle icing over cookies and sprinkle with powdered before the icing sets (if desired)

Tips:

• Freshly squeezed lemons work best

• Icing consistency can be adjusted using either more lemon juice or more confectioner sugar; allow icing to completely set before storing cookies

• Placing wax paper under the cooling racks before icing cookies can make clean-up much easier

A Fiesta In Your Mouth! Preview!

2012-06-24T20:20:00.001-07:00

Hello all, it’s good to be back home! It’s time to go get your ingredients for a fabulous and VERY easy Mexican food dish! Get ready for a fiesta in your mouth! I will post full recepie and step by step pictures on Thursday! Have a blessed week!

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 (14oz) can stewed Mexican tomatoes, diced with juice

1 (14oz) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 medium onion, diced

1 (4oz) can chopped black olives

2 cups UNCOOKED white rice

1 packet taco seasoning

4 cups cubed, UNCOOKED chicken

1 (14.5oz) can chicken broth

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter cut into small pieces

Company’s Coming Casserole

2012-06-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Well....this week I thought I would be adventurous and invite the kids into the kitchen and help me cook! They had a great time and Company's Coming Casserole was a big hit! So grab your ingredients and your children, and get in the kitchen!

Ingredients

1 pound of ground beef
1 bell pepper
1 onion
3 cans (8oz) of tomato sauce
8 ounces of extra wide egg noodles
1 package of cream cheese
1 container (8oz) of cottage cheese
1 container (8oz) of sour cream

Dice your bell pepper and onion. I love to use my Cuisinart's small food processer.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the pepper and onion.

Drain and return to the pot, add the tomato sauce abd mix well.

Cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.

Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain.

Tyler did a great job!

In a bowl mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream.
Lila and Zoe were my mixers!

Now it time to layer your ingredients.

Spread the cheese mixture in the bottom of a 13 X 9 casserole dish.

Top with the egg noodles.

Then pour the meat & sauce mixture on top.

Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until heated through. Serve Warm!

The Company's Coming Casserole was a hit!

I have a happy husband and 3 happy kids!

We missed you E!

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.) In a large skillet brown thw ground beef with the pepper and onion. Drain and return to the pan. Add the tomato sauce and mix well.
3.) Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain.
4.) In a bowl mix the cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream.
5.) Spread the cheese mixture on the bottom of a 13x9 casserole dish. Top with noodles and pour the meat and sauce mixture on top.
6.)bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve Warm!
7.) Enjoy!

Wednesday Night Preview!

2012-06-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wednesday Night Preview: Companies Coming Casserole! Super Yummy! Kids Love it! Get Your Ingredients Early!
1 pound of ground beef
1 bell pepper
1 onion
3 cans (8oz) of tomato sauce
8 ounces of extra wide egg noodles
1 package of cream cheese
1 container (8oz) of cottage cheese
1 container (8oz) of sour cream

The Brown Family's Banana Pudding

2012-06-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

The Brown family banana pudding is a tradition for many of our family gatherings.

It is a hit wherever you take it and a real crowd pleaser.

Ingredients

2 bags of Pepperridge Farm Chessman cookies

6 to 8 bananas, sliced

2 cups of milk

1 (5 ounce) box of instant vanilla pudding

1 (8 ounce) package of cream cheese,softened

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 ounce) container of cool whip origional

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies

Slice bananas and layer them on top of cookies

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix,

blend well using a handheld electric mixer.

Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese

(microwave for 30 seconds to soften)

& condensed milk together and mix well with a handheld mixer until smooth.

Fold the cool whip into the cream cheese mixture and stir well until combined.

Now you have two bowls of yummy sweet mixtures

Now add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture

Stir until well blended

Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas

Then cover with the remaining cookies

Super Yummy! Your Done!

Then give some to someone who you love very much..my grandpa.

I love you Poppy!

Southern Pecan Pie Mini Muffins

2012-05-29T19:12:00.002-07:00

It's hard to believe there are only 5 ingredients in these wonderful little pieces of heaven.

They taste just like pecan pie! They are so easy to make and are a big hit anywhere you take them.

Ingredients

1 cup of packed brown sugar,

1/2 cup all-purpose flour ( I use whole wheat)

1 cup of chopped pecans

1/2 cup of butter (one stick melted)

2 eggs (beaten)

Directions

In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour, & pecans

Using a Pyrex measuring cup, melt butter in microwave.

Then beat the butter and eggs together until smooth.

Then add your egg/butter mixture to your dry ingredients.

Mix ingredients with a fork until combined

Spray your mini muffin pan with a non-stick spray.

Pour your mixture back into the measuring cup to help with pouring your batter into the mini muffin cups.

Pour your batter into sprayed muffin cups.

Cups should be about 2/3 full.

(Hopefully you will be able to fill all 24....I only made it to 22 :)

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool on wire racks when done.

Serve with a cold glass of milk.Yummy!

My kids love them! They will be gone before you know it!