Siggy Spice

My VERY Favorite Chocolate Cake with My VERY Favorite Frosting

2012-02-12T09:49:00.000-05:00

It is spectacular.
It is rich.
It is moist.
It is perfect.
Chocolate Cake is my ULTIMATE dessert. Like last-meal-on-earth favorite. This chocolate cake is true perfection. Topped with that crazy icing made with flour that tastes like a cross between whipped icing and the filling of a Ho-Ho. Maybe I should have called this a deconstructed Ho-Ho Cake.
This is one of those things I really wish I could just make one for each of you just so you could try it. So, please, please, pretty please try this cake.

My VERY Favorite Chocolate Cake
Recipe Source: slightly adapted from Hershey's

2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with non-stick baking spray.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

My VERY Favorite Frosting
Recipe Source: Pioneer Woman - Tasty Kitchen

5 TBSP Flour
1 cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 cup Butter
1 cup Granulated Sugar (not Powdered Sugar!)

In a small saucepan, whisk flour into milk and heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. You want it to be very thick, thicker than cake mix, more like a brownie mix is. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (If I’m in a hurry, I place the saucepan over ice in the sink for about 10 minutes or so until the mixture cools.) It must be completely cool before you use it in the next step. Stir in vanilla.

While the mixture is cooling, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. You don’t want any sugar graininess left. Then add the completely cooled milk/flour/vanilla mixture and beat the living daylights out of it. If it looks separated, you haven’t beaten it enough! Beat it until it all combines and resembles whipped cream.
Grab a spoon and taste this wonderful goodness. If there is any left after your taste test, spread it on a cooled chocolate cake.

Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce

2012-02-06T07:50:00.001-05:00

While I was looking through some of my favorite blogs for some recipes that were low carb/low sugar, I came across this gem from Amber of This Mommy Cooks. I put it on my menu plan immediately for the week and could not wait to try it. Well, it certainly did not disappoint. This is an A-MAZING recipe. While it may seem like a simple stir-fry, this White Sauce is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Now, this recipe will take a little advanced planning since you need to make the sauce the night before. It isn't optional, it needs that long for the flavors to completely transform the taste of the sauce. Just trust me on this. You can use any veggies you would like in this dish. I used a combo of mushrooms, zucchini, a few red pepper slivers, broccoli, and cauliflower. I seriously could not get enough dipping the chicken and veggies in the sauce. Don't hesitate to try this one right away!

Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce
Recipe very slightly adapted from: This Mommy Cooks

Chicken, cut into bite size pieces (or any meat you choose)
Salt
Lemon Pepper
Choice of veggies, cut into bite sized pieces
Soy Sauce (I used 1-2 TBSP total)
Oil of choice

White Sauce

1-1/4 cup real mayonnaise (Hellman's or Duke's)
1/4 cup water
1 tsp tomato paste
1 TBSP melted butter
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4-1/2 tsp Sriracha Sauce (you could also use cayenne pepper sauce)

For the White Sauce:
The night before you want to serve this, make the White Sauce by using a fork or a whisk to combine all ingredients together until mixed and the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate overnight for the flavors to blend.
For the chicken and veggies:
In separate pans, heat a small amount of oil. Season chicken with salt and Lemon Pepper.
Cook chicken, careful not to over cook, add some real soy sauce to taste. For the vegetables, you pretty much do the same thing. Slice up your chosen vegetables, and place in heated oil, season with a little Lemon Pepper and Soy Sauce. Cook until still slightly crisp.

This recipe has been linked up at:
This Chick Cooks

Menu Plan 1/29/12 - 2/3/12

2012-01-29T13:38:00.001-05:00

LOTS of new recipes this week...I went a little crazy on Pinterest this weekend, lol!
Hope you all are having a great weekend - xoxo

Sunday
Bacon Cheeseburger Salad. Kiddos will have theirs on a bun with Potato Wedges.

Monday
Pepperoni Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Caesar Salad, Parmesan Pasta

Tuesday
Japanese Steakhouse Chicken and Veggies with White Sauce, Brown Rice

Wednesday
Seasoned Tilapia with Dill Sauce, Garlic Almond Green Beans, Rice Pilaf

Thursday
Roasted Boursin Chicken, Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower, Mashed Potatoes

Friday
Left-overs or out for dinner

Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Sesame Glaze

2012-01-25T11:04:00.004-05:00

Straight up, this is an amazing way to have broccoli. We LOVED it! I made it to accompany the Bourbon Street Chicken. Yum, yum, YUM! Roasting veggies just gives them an entirely new layer of flavor. I hear it does the same with Brussel Sprout...yet, I still can't go there...bleck!
ANYWHO, I hope you enjoy this...I can't imagine a dish it wouldn't make an amazing Robin too (you know...Batman....Robin) except maybe ice cream. Or Brownies.
Did I mention I have a wicked head cold right now. It is either from kiddo cooties or sugar detoxing...not sure which. It has made me a bit wonky though. I need to go back to bed.
But, before I go...I thought I would share my most very favorite Broccoli song EVA!
Choppin' Broccoli
Make this though. Over and out.

Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Sesame Glaze
Recipe Source: the ever-fabulous Jaime from Jaime Cooks it Up. Go visit her site, she has some amazingly scrumptious eats!

1 pound broccoli
1 1/2 TBSP soy sauce
1 TBSP olive oil
1 TBSP balsamic vinegar
2 TBSP honey
1 tsp peanut butter
1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds

Wash your broccoli and cut off the big stems. Spray a large cookie sheet with cookie spray and place the broccoli on it. Spray the top of the broccoli with cooking spray.
Put the cookie sheet in your oven at 425 for about 10 minutes, or until a fork can be inserted easily into the pretty little vegetable.
While your broccoli roasts away place 1 1/2 TBSP soy sauce, 1 TBSP olive oil, 1 TBSP balsamic vinegar, 2 TBSP honey
and 1 tsp peanut butter into a small sauce pan. Heat the sauce over medium high heat. When it boils, remove it from the heat.
When the broccoli is done, put it in a medium sized mixing bowl and pour the sauce over the top. Stir it all around, making sure each broccoli piece has sauce on it.
Sprinkle 1 TBSP toasted sesame seeds over the broccoli and serve.
Enjoy!

This recipe has been linked up to:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
The Country Cook
Simply Sweet Home
Eat at Home

Bourbon Street Chicken

2012-01-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Yuuuppp!
HA! Anyone who watches "Storage Wars" just said that in Dave Hester's nails on a chalkboard voice.
Anyway, back to the YUP. I meant to go on and say "YUP, just like the Bourbon St. Chicken you get in the mall." It is scrumptious. It is simple. The only change I will make next time I make it is to use chicken thighs instead of breasts. The mall uses dark meat and I just feel like dark meat stays oh-so moist.

Bourbon Street Chicken
Recipe slightly adapted from: Big Oven

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts OR boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
1 -2 TBSP Olive Oil
1 Garlic Clove, crushed
1/4 tsp Ginger (I used dried ginger powder)
1 tsp Sriracha Sauce
1/4 cup Apple Juice
1/3 cup Light Brown Sugar
2 TBSP Ketchup
1 TBSP Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup Water
1/3 cup Soy Sauce
1 TBSP Cornstarch (to thicken sauce if desired)

Heat oil in a large skillet.

Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned.
Remove chicken.
Add remaining ingredients, aside from cornstarch, heating over medium heat until well blended and dissolved.
Add chicken and bring to a hard boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes uncovered.
If you want a thicker sauce, combine 1 TBSP of cornstarch to 1 TBSP water. Add to sauce and stir to thicken.
Serve over hot rice.

This recipe has been linked up to:
This Chick Cooks
Country Cook
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home

Magical Poofy Pancake

2012-01-20T07:54:00.002-05:00

If you have never tried one of these wonders known as Puffy Pancakes, German Pancakes, Dutch Babies, or my favorite, Poofy Pancakes, you MUST try them! I had a bunch of excuses that kept putting them off for me...they didn't look tasty, they looked to hard, etc. etc. etc. I can tell you with 100% certainty, they are FREAKING FABULOUS and seriously one of the easiest things in the world to cook. The kiddos think there is a bit of magic that goes into them...of course that may be because I say some magic words with a flick of my wrist before putting them in the oven.
You can top these with maple syrup, fruit, or my absolute favorite LIQUID GOLD. Can I just say, if you haven't tried Liquid Gold, please, please, PLEASE try that one soon too. In fact, just to pressure you some more, I will include that on at the end of this post.

Magical Poofy Pancake

5 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBSP sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 TBSP butter, cut into 1 TBSP increments

Place butter in a 9x13 dish and place in the oven while preheating the oven to 400 degrees. Once the butter is melted, remove from oven until all the way preheated.
Place the eggs, milk, flour, salt, sugar, and vanilla in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour the batter into the baking dish over the melted butter. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes.
See, told you...easy peasy!

Liquid Gold

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple flavoring (found with all the extract flavors in the baking aisle)

In a medium pot over medium-high heat (you need enough room for this to boil), bring all ingredients to a rolling boil for 2-3 minutes. Watch very carefully so the mixture does not over boil all over your stove.

This recipe was linked up to:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
Country Cook
Simply Sweet Home

Pizza Panini

2012-01-11T08:06:00.001-05:00

Super FAST and EASY recipe coming at you today....and of course, TOTALLY TASTY!
In case you didn't know...panini is just fancy-talk for a grilled-cheese like sandwich. I do not have a panini press, so I put these on my grill pan and topped it with a cookie sheet, weighted with a big-ol butcher block cutting board on top of that. Cause I'ma fancy that way, lol!
Everyone loved these...like I was the "coolest Mom EVER" loved them. I threw a salad on the plate and I was done-daddy-done.

Pizza Panini
Recipe Source: Life as a Lofthouse via Cassie Craves

1 box frozen Texas Toast Garlic bread
Pizza Sauce (jarred or homemade)
Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Pepperoni and/or other favorite pizza toppings

Place the frozen garlic bread on a baking sheet lined with tinfoil, and bake according to package directions, making sure they don't get too crispy.
Meanwhile, heat your panini press, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat.
Take one piece of cooked garlic bread and top with favorite pizza toppings. (Sauce, Cheese, etc)
Top with another piece of garlic bread and place on panini press. Close lid and cook until cheese melts and sandwich is hot. About 2-3 minutes.
Repeat with remaining pieces of garlic bread and pizza toppings. You can serve extra dipping sauce on the side if you would like. Serve immediately!

This recipe has been linked up at:
This Chick Cooks

Menu Plan 1/8 - 1/15

2012-01-08T21:04:00.000-05:00

Time to get the schedule back on track...so here is my first menu plan of the year!

Monday

Salmon with Cucumber Dill Sauce, Rice Pilaf, Garlic Almond Green Beans

Tuesday

Roasted Red Potato and Green Bean Beef Soup, Lion House Rolls

Wednesday

Bourbon Chicken, Steamed Rice, Roasted Broccoli with Balsamic Sesame Glaze

Thursday

Spaghetti, Breadsticks

Friday

Grilled Steak, Loaded Smashed Baked Potatoes, Ranch Wedge Salad

Saturday

Jambalaya, Cornbread

Sunday

GO BRONCOS !!!

Chicken Suiza Melts

2012-01-06T08:40:00.002-05:00

I don't know about you, but I am still recovering from Christmas and New Years...in fact, my tree and decor is still up (((gasp!))) It doesn't help that I tweaked my lower back this week and ended up on a heating pad for the first part of the week. Whatever the reason, my house is still thrashed and I still feel like I ran a 2 week race. It is times like this (as well as many other times our crazy schedule has us running, running, running), I love a super quick and easy meal that is super tasty for the entire family and makes minimal mess. This recipe definitely fits that bill. I made the kiddos little sliders using Hawaiian Sweet Rolls and made ours using store bought Kaiser Rolls. This delicious 15-minute ditty is a definite repeat for sure!

Chicken Suiza Melts
Recipe Source: Cassie Craves via Everyday with Rachael Ray

1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Juice of 1 lime
1 TBSP honey
1 1/2 cups store-bought tomatillo salsa or salsa verde
1/2 cup sour cream
1 rotisserie chicken, skin discarded and meat shredded
4 crusty sandwich rolls, split
4 slices Monterey jack cheese

Preheat the broiler. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and honey, then stir in the salsa and heat through. Mix in the sour cream. Stir in the chicken to coat.
Pile the chicken mixture on the roll bottoms. Top with the cheese and broil to melt.

This recipe has been linked up at:
The Country Cook
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
This Chick Cooks

Roasted Red Potato and Green Bean Beef Soup

2012-01-04T09:22:00.002-05:00

Happy 2012! I trust you all had a wonderful New Year celebration. As for us, we had a total chill-out, X-Box for the hubs, DS for the kiddos, Nook for me, type of night. In fact, I was lost in the world of the Hunger Games....reading the entire series that weekend. It is a great series in case you are of the few (like me) who hadn't read it yet.
I have a super yummy recipe today that I CANNOT wait to make again. In fact, it got gobbled up so quickly that we didn't even have leftovers! Now, while we do not eat Hamburger Helper....it is the base of this soup, which scared me at first, but it totally works. I have not tried the recipe NOT using it, so I can't help you out if you are dead set against using it...sorry :( But, if you are looking for a really tasty, kid and man pleasing, super easy, comfort food-type dish, give this one a try!

Roasted Red Potato and Green Bean Beef Soup
Recipe Source: Moogie and Pap

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 package Hamburger Helper Beef Pasta
5 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (16 ounce) can stewed tomatoes (I pureed a bit since I am not big on chunky tomatoes)
1 package frozen Birds Eye Roasted Red Potatoes and Green Beans

Cook and stir ground beef and onion in a Dutch oven until beef is brown; drain. Stir in sauce mix from Hamburger Helper package. Add water, bay leaf, salt, pepper and tomatoes. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. Stir in vegetables and noodles; cover and cook about 10 minutes longer. Serves 5 to 6.

In case you need a visual on the packaged ingredients, here you go!

Photo courtesy of Birds Eye

photo courtesy of Betty Crocker

This recipe has been linked up at:
Simply Sweet Home
Tidy Mom
The Country Cook
This Chick Cooks

Cheesy Bloomin' Onion Bread

2011-12-29T11:02:00.004-05:00

Here is a quick and scrumptious appetizer sure to please! I changed things up a bit by using the same (amounts slightly modified) buttery mixture I use for my Ham and Swiss Party Rolls instead of plain melted butter. Thanks to my dear friend Avril who introduced me to this yumminess!

Cheesy Bloomin' Onion Bread
Recipe adapted from: Baking and Creating with Avril

1 loaf crusty Sourdough bread. You want something with a good crust on it, otherwise, it will not survive the cutting
14 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese, sliced
1/2 cup Melted Butter (1 stick)
1/4 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 tsp Dry Mustard
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds
1/4 cup Green Onions, white and green parts sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the bread length-wise and width-wise without cutting through the bottom crust.
Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Insert cheese slices between cuts. Combine butter, Worcestershire Sauce, Dry Mustard,and Onion Powder. Drizzle over bread. Sprinkle Poppy Seeds and green onions over the top of the bread, making sure to get into each nook and cranny. Wrap in foil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Unwrap the bread and bake 15 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.

This recipe has been linked up at:
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
The Country Cook
This Chick Cooks
Eat at Home

Choco-Chery Chookies

2011-12-20T08:54:00.003-05:00

Kiddo C loves cherries...I mean LOVES cherries. So, it shouldn't be a shocker that she LOVED these cookies. I mean, really, who doesn't love that chocolate and cherry combination?! These cookies are a delightful fudgey brownie like bite with a splendid cherry surprise.

Choco-Cherry Cookies
Recipe Source: My Tasty Treasures

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
48 Maraschino Cherries (10 oz jar) undrained. (I only used about 30-ish)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350.
In a bowl, combine flour and cocoa powder, set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat butter on high for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add in egg and vanilla and continue beating to incorporate. Slowly, add flour/cocoa mixture.
Shape dough into 1" balls. Make an indentation into each cookie with your thumb. Drain cherries, reserving juice. Press a cherry (or half of a cherry if they are large) into each cookie.
In a small pan, melt chocolate chips in the sweetened condensed milk. Add 4 tsp cherry juice.
Spoon 1 tsp frosting over cherry in each cookie. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for one minute before removing to rack.

This recipe has been linked to:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
Eat at Home

Pecan Crack

2011-12-18T17:32:00.002-05:00

These. Are. AMAZING. Like seriously, unbelievably amazing. Oh, did I mention super-simple to make to boot?! Oh, and did I mention that your house will smell so freaking luscious that your neighbors will be walking zombie-like down the sidewalk towards the smell?! Oh, and did I mention they are AMAZING?! OK, enough of that...go and make these immediately. I will wait until after the holidays for the songs of gratitude to be written in my honor. I am a giver that way ;)

Pecan Crack

1 pound Pecan halves
1 Egg White
1 TBSP Vanilla
1 cup Sugar
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice

Preheat oven to 275 degrees
Beat the egg white and vanilla together until frothy. Stir in one pound of pecan halves into the mixture. Stir to coat.
In another bowl, mix sugar, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Pour sugar mixture into moistened pecans. Thoroughly mix so that pecans are well coated with sugar and spice combination.
Spread on large cookie sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Even though it may not look like it is working, the last 10 minutes or so it really starts drying out and getting that amazing candy crunch on the outside.

This recipe has been linked up at:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home

Oatmeal Coconut Chewies

2011-12-16T08:45:00.002-05:00

These are fabulous cookies....dare I say my favorite of all the auditioning newbies. Butter-y, vanilla-y, with a sublime crispy/chewy thing going on. Even my coconut-hating husband loved them! The oatmeal and coconut just lend the right amount of flavor and texture to kick these babies right to the permanent Goody Tray list....fo' shizzle!

Oatmeal Coconut Chewies
Recipe Source: My Tasty Treasures via Mel's Kitchen Cafe

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened to cool room temperature
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
1 cup quick oats

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl cream together the sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased or lined (silpat or parchment) baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes, until the cookies are set but not overly browned (bake a few minutes longer for a crispier version).

This recipe has been linked up at:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home

Holiday Goody Platters

2011-12-13T09:08:00.001-05:00

...SHHH! Don't tell my neighbors, the Fire Department or the Police Station in my neighborhood, but here are the goodies that will be on this year's Holiday Goody Platters. There are pictures and links to the recipes I already have on the blog, but I need your help deciding which others to share sooner rather than later. What, of these goodies would you like the recipe for right away? Give me your top 3 and I will FOR SURE get those posted by Monday, pinky promise! :) Hopefully I can squeeze in a few more between Monday and Saturday.
Hope you are all remembering to have FUN and take time for extra snuggles during this crazy time of year!

~Holiday Spiced and Roasted Candied Pecans, aka Pecan Crack
~Melted Snowman Cookies
~Oatmeal Coconut Chewies
~Coco-Cherry Cookies
~Deconstructed Popcorn Balls
~Super Simple Peanut Butter Fudge
~Peanut Butter Blossoms
~White Trash Candy (The name of this CRACKS me up)
~Graham Cracker Toffee
~Nutella Potato Candy
~Cream Cheese Mints
~Holiday Nuggets (an almond-y, shortbread-y cookie that looks like a sparkly Mexican Wedding Cookie)

Reindeer Poop - I will make these into small truffle-sized balls....hey, my kiddos named them, lol!

Blinged-Out Holiday Rolo Turtles - Will drizzle with white chocolate and sprinkle with red and green sprinkles

Brown Butter Sea Salt Rice Krispy Treats - Again, will dress these bad-boys up with a drizzle of white chocolate and holiday sparkly goodies

Caramel Crack

BEST Sugar Cookies

And here are some additional ideas for your holiday platter:

Fudge Puddles

Vanilla Pudding Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cappuccino Chip Cookies

Peanut Butter Pretzel Sugar Cookies

Tastes Like the Inside of a Reeses Peanut Butter Cookie

This post has been linked up at:

This Chick Cooks

Scooter's Baked Spaghetti

2011-12-09T09:09:00.002-05:00

We are back from Texas.....WHEW, what a trip! I think I deserve an award or something for going on a 3-day-each-way road trip by myself with 3 kiddos. Or maybe a weekend spa getaway. Or maybe a week-long nap. Or maybe some of my favorite Sara Bee wine administered by intravenous drip.
We had a great time and the road trip was actually a breeze. The kiddos were GREAT and there were no problems. The only meltdowns/temper-tantrums were from me, lol!
During this time of the year, I firmly believe it is of the utmost importance to keep some sense of normalcy. It is too easy to get swept up in the craziness. For me, keeping up with family dinners is vital. Not only does it ground you and remind you of what is really important, but it nourishes your body and soul for this stress-laden season.
This recipe has turned into a family favorite for sure. The unique combination of ingredients gives is an almost lasagna-type quality. Ohhh, the French Fried Onions really bump it up a notch and give such a great flavor and texture. It is a cinch to make and would be a great dish to put together in the morning (sans French Fried Onions) and simply bake when you are ready. We all really, really loved it!

Scooter's Baked Spaghetti
Recipe adapted from: Salad in a Jar

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti
1 pound ground beef
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (26.5 ounces)
1 TBSP butter
1 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/3 cup chopped onions
1 clove garlic, minced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 TBSP milk
2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
French Fried Onions (small can)

Cook spaghetti according to directions on the package. Cook to al dente, drain and set aside.
In a bowl, combine cream cheese and milk. If your cream cheese is not soft enough, you can stick it in the microwave for a few seconds. It should be able to spread easily. Set aside.
In a skillet, saute the onions and peppers until translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, but do not let it burn. Combine vegetables to cream cheese mixture. Add 1 cup of Mozzarella Cheese and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese to the cream cheese/veggie mixture and stir to incorporate.
In same skillet (less dishes) brown ground beef. Drain excess grease. Add spaghetti sauce to skillet and heat.

Using a 10 x 6 dish (I used a 9x13 and was ok), assemble in the following order:
Thin layer of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the casserole dish.
Spaghetti Noodles
Cream cheese/vegetable/cheese mixture
Spaghetti Meat sauce
Remaining cup of Mozzarella Cheese and remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese (or more taste of course)
French Fried Onions (added during last 5 minutes of cooking)

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Top with French Fried onion and continue baking 5 more minutes. (This is the secret ingredient–don’t let them burn.)

Note:
Make this ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze without the French Fried onions. Don’t forget to add them 5 minutes before casserole is finished cooking.

This recipe has been linked up to:
The Counrty Cook
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
This Chick Cooks

Menu Plan 12/5 - 12/10

2011-12-05T10:54:00.000-05:00

Can I just say how happy I am to make and eat a homemade dinner?! After about 2+ weeks of eating out and on the road, I am over to moon to dirty up my kitchen. So, before I give you my final post on the Texas trip, here is my weekly menu plan:

Monday - Pulled Chicken Suiza Melts, Tortilla Chips (new)

Tuesday- BBQ Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Corn
Wednesday- Cranberry Mustard Pork Tenderloin, Rice, Salad
Thursday- Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken, Rice, Potstickers
Friday- Salmon, Cucumber Dill Relish, Rice Pilaf, Green Beans
Saturday- Roasted Green Bean and Red Potato Soup, Cornbread (new)

Puffy Tacos, Pot Brownies, and lots-a Meatballs

2011-11-23T11:19:00.000-05:00

Well, after 3 days in the family truckster we made it to San Antonio! Our trip went pretty smooth....and the only real melt-down happened when Kiddo A wanted to listed to Hakuna Matata...and Kiddo B thought it would be HI-larious to download the Chinese version of the song. So of course, he freaked out, the harder we laughed, and then the more he freaked out some more.
So, let's get to the tasty portion of this blog post!
Road food highlights include:
This SERIOUSLY cool Coke Freestyle machine.

It had so many phenomenal flavor combinations and add-ins. We enjoyed Peach Sprite, Raspberry Sprite, and Grape Sprite. You MUST click HERE to find a machine in your area....it is really so cool! We also enjoyed some Jack in the Box tacos and egg rolls. Of course I had to eat a Breakfast Jack for my Dad....those were his FAVORITE! We were also able to hit Steak and Shake for kids-eat-free weekends as well.
No trip through Charlotte, Atlanta, Houston, and Austin would be complete without some Ikea Meatballs!

Ok, well maybe we only had them in Charlotte and Austin, but I waved lovingly in Atlanta and Houston, lol!
On Sunday night, we went to dinner at the Spaghetti Warehouse

Which was really like the Old Spaghetti Factory, but not. In all honesty, it made me miss the Old Spaghetti Factory. Not that we ever really went all that often, but I have lots of great memories of the OSF in Seattle and Denver....plus when I eat in a bed, I expect to eat pasta with Mizithra Chesse and Browned Butter...and they did not have it (((sniff, sniff))) As it was, the hubs and I spilt one of those ultimate feast plates that had a little bit of everything. Their 15-layer lasagna and Chicken Parmesan was tasty!

Monday for lunch, we stumbled upon a uber-cool place called FREEB!RDS World Burrito.

It was a totally funky joint with a hippy/free lovin' type thing going on. They had a great Taco Special....$5.00 for 2 tacos, chips and salsa, and a drink. I enjoyed one Steak Taco with pinto beans and Spanish Rice and one Carnitas Taco with Black Beans and Cilantro-Lime Rice. Then I totally devoured a Pot Brownie!

They were scrumptious, baked in a pot, lol!

Last night, we went to dine at the beautiful La Hacienda. This was the same place that was on Throwdown with Bobby Flay when he took on the ever-famous San Antonio Puffy Taco as well being featured on Food Nation, Good Morning America, and Emril Lagasse.

It is truly a magical place. FULL of outdoor seating with live music and TONS of twinkle lights hung on the trunks of these amazing trees. We sat down at our table and ordered. I of course ordered the famous Puffy Taco filled with chicken. It was not like anything I had ever had before. It wasn't a fried flour based dough like a Navajo Taco...it was a corn base, but thick and puffy with a crispy outside. It was a textural delight!

photo courtesy of culinary.net

Louis Barrios (the owner) came to our table and introduced himself. When he found out we were from out of town, he went and got us even more food to try and sat there smiling while we groaned in delight with each bite. This is one of those restaurants that the service and management truly infuse their food with love and respect for the ingredients, and that makes it taste even better!
Louis had us try this amazing green sauce that he described as an Argentine Pesto (I think).

It was AMAZING! He first sprinkled it in our rice, which was amazing, but I loved the garlicky/cilantro love on their ridiculously thick, hot, and homemade tortillas best. This is one I will be trying to replicate FOR SURE!
Well, thanks for indulging me in this on-line travel diary of sorts. I don't want to forget any morsel that made me smile on this trip :)

Southern-Fried Roadtrip 2011

2011-11-17T09:02:00.000-05:00

Why aren't we flying? Because getting there is half the fun. You know that.

So...just wanted to give you guys a heads-up. The next few weeks will not be filled with Thanksgiving/Christmas goodies. It will be filled with tales (and hopefully good food) from the road as I take our 3 kiddos on a road-trip from North Carolina to San Antonio/Austin, TX. I will be sharing our trip with you...where we are going, what we are eating, things we are doing, my total and utter craziness, etc. A real Southern-Fried Roadtrip if you will.
We are seriously considering a move to the San Antonio/Austin area and are trekking out there to do some reconnaissance. I have explained before that I am the ying to Pioneer Woman's yang, so do not expect her travel diaries....we will be doing this trip staying extremely budget friendly...so no 5-star hotels and fancy-pants food for us. But that doesn't mean we can't have fun and tasty time, right?
I couldn't leaving you hangin' on the whole Thanksgiving feast though....in case you missed it last year, here are the links for the Thanksgiving Extravaganza we did...there are TONS of recipes from friends and family!
Thanksgiving Appetizer Extravaganza
Thanksgiving Main Dish Extravaganza
Thanksgiving Side Dish Extravaganza
Thanksgiving Dessert Extravaganza
Thanksgiving Traditions and Table Scapes

Better Than Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana

2011-11-14T08:24:00.004-05:00

I am this close to a trifecta my friends! I present to you "Better Than Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana". The name pretty much says it all...it IS better than the Zuppa Toscana soup at Olive Garden. I am working on finding a fabulous salad dressing for the "Better Than Olive Garden's Salad". I already have the breadsticks that I think are way better than Olive Garden's, found HERE. Don't wait to make this one, it is SCRUMPTIOUS!

Better Than Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana
Recipe Source: Steak N Potatoes Kinda Gurl

4 slices bacon, diced
1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups (32 oz) chicken stock
3 cups russet potatoes, cubed
3/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups kale, washed and cut into bite size pieces
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese, grated, to taste

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the grease. Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once sausage is browned and crumbled, remove sausage and drain off grease leaving a tbsp to saute the onion.
Add the onion to the pan; saute until translucent; add garlic; saute until fragrant. Add the bacon and sausage back into the pot.
Stir in the stock and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add kale and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a simmer. Top with Parmesan cheese, when serving.

This recipe has been linked up to:
This Chick Cooks
The Country Cook
Tidy Mom
SImply Sweet Home
Eat at Home

BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Quesadilla

2011-11-07T08:15:00.002-05:00

This combination worked beautifully, amazingly, and scrunptiously. Seriously, don't even question this one, just try it!

BBQ Chicken and Pineaaple Quesadilla
Recipe slightly adapted from: Pioneer Woman

8 Flour Tortillas
Butter
1-2 cups Grilled Pineapple. I used the canned Dole Tropical Gold, each chunk sliced in half once grilled
3 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
Salt And Pepper, to taste
Optional, Cajun or Creole Seasoning
3 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated - I used a Cheddar, Jack, and Mozzarella blend
1 whole Jalapeno, Sliced - I grilled my slices to mellow them out a bit
Cilantro, chopped - to taste
3 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce, more to taste - My favorite is Bullseye original

Preparation Instructions
(To grill pineapple: cut wedges, stick on skewers, and grill over low heat. Cut into slices.)
(To pound chicken, place inside a Ziploc bag and pound with a mallet or large can to flatten to uniform thickness.)
Sprinkle with salt and pepper and Cajun or Creole spice. Drizzle olive oil on a grill pan and grill on both sides until done, brushing with barbecue sauce. Set aside and slice into very thin slices.
Warm griddle over medium heat and put sizzling butter in the pan. Slightly warm and toast tortillas on both sides, then remove from griddle and set aside.
To assemble, sprinkle four browned tortillas with grated Monterey Jack. Arrange chicken slices evenly over the surface. Add pineapple slices and jalapeno slices. Sprinkle on cilantro. If desired, drizzle extra barbecue sauce over the top. Add second browned tortilla on top of each one. (You'll have four complete quesadillas at this point.)
Add to a heated oven to warm, or back to skillet to warm, until cheese is melted. Cut each quesadilla into six wedges. Serve with sour cream, pico de gallo, and lime wedges. Black beans and rice make a GREAT side!

This recipe has been linked up to:
This Chick Cooks
The Country Cook
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home

Sloppy DiMaggios

2011-11-03T10:08:00.004-04:00

Blogging has introduced me to so many wonderful people that I truly count as friends. One of those friends I met VERY early in my blogging life is Jill. Jill had a food blog that was simply wonderful called Sublime Hodge Podge. Though she has decided to stop writing for it, it is still up for a time to go grab her delicious recipes. She is cooking up some good soap though, her Etsy shop, Sudsy Soaps, has the most spectacular soaps I have seen! I am totally dying to try her Twilight Quad Soap Set for him and her. LOVE it!
Anywho, Jill is the one who introduced me to this Rachael Ray recipe. Since Kiddo B is a bonafide chili-dog NUT, she was all over it! Kids and adults of all ages love this Sloppy Joe/Chili Dog hybrid. Like all of RR's recipes, it is super quick and easy! I made my Homemade Hoagie Rolls to serve it on, but you could just use Kaiser Rolls or some other soft and chewy roll from the store. Make sure and try this one soon!

Sloppy DiMaggios
Recipe Source: Rachael Ray
1 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil

2 pounds lean ground sirloin or ground turkey
1 packages beef or pork hot dogs, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 onion, chopped
1 TBSP steak seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
1 TBSP chili powder
3 TBSP dark brown sugar
3 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce
9 soft burger rolls - like at the ballpark. Click HERE to get the recipe for my Homemade Hoagie Rolls.

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat and crumble as it browns. Add chopped hot dogs after 3 to 4 minutes then cook 3 to 4 minutes more. Add the onions to the pan and cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes more. In a bowl mix the spices, sugar, Worcestershire and tomato sauce. Pour sauce over the meat and simmer a few minutes to combine flavors. Slop onto buns and serve.

This recipe has been linked up at:
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
Taste and Tell Saturdays with Rachael Ray
This Chick Cooks

Snickers Caramel Apple "Salad"

2011-10-24T12:18:00.003-04:00

...and by salad, I mean dessert. Make no mistake, this is not a healthy salad...it is a Cool-Whip-Snicker-Bar-Caramel thing with the "salad" portion coming from the ever-so-lovely apples that are EVERYWHERE right now. All that being said, this is a super yummy, completely unexpected treat. This is a perfect dish for a Halloween party as well as a summer potluck.

Snickers Caramel Apple "Salad"

6 (2 1/4 ounce) Snickers candy bars, chill and chop
6 apples, cored and chopped into bite sized pieces. I like the combo of Granny Smith and Braeburn. It is quite sweet, so the tartness of some Granny Smith really balance nicely.
1/2 cup Kraft Caramel Bits (they are by the chocolate chips in the grocery store)
1 (12 ounce) container Cool Whip
1 TBSP instant Butterscotch Pudding Mix
1 TBSP instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
Caramel Sauce for garnish

Mix the dry powdered pudding mixtures into the Cool Whip container until well combined.
In a large bowl, add chopped apples and Snickers Bars. Add the Cool Whip mixture to the bowl and fold gently making sure to coat all the pieces evenly. Warm caramel sauce in microwave, just to make pouring easier. Drizzle top of "salad" with the caramel. Chill for one hour. Enjoy!

This recipe has been linked up at:
This Chick Cooks
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home

Caramel Apple Crisp Pizza

2011-10-20T08:34:00.002-04:00

The NC State Farmer's Market is busting at the seams with apples, apples, apples. It is just such a fall sight for my sick-of-summer eyes. In that spirit, here is a very fall recipe for you! It is super scrumptious and really a snap to put together....my kind of dessert. It is perfect topped off with some vanilla ice cream, you know, to lighten it up a bit, lol!

Caramel Apple Crisp Pizza
Recipe adapted from: Life as a Lofthouse

Pastry for single-crust pie ( 9 inches )
1/2 cup Sugar
3 TBSP All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
3 Large apples, peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces. I like to use 1 Granny Smith and 2 Braeburn. Definitely make sure you use at least 1 Granny Smith...the tartness pairs so well with the sweet. Also, the combos of textures and taste keep it interesting!

TOPPING:

1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/3 cup packed Brown Sugar
1/3 cup Rolled Oats
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1/4 cup Butter, softened
Caramel topping...of course, if you can, use Trader Joe's Fleur de Sel Caramel Sauce

Lay out the pie crust on a pizza pan or cookie sheet. Roll out slightly; fold under or flute the edges. Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add peeled, diced apples and toss. Arrange the apples in a single layer over the pie crust to completely cover it.
Combine the topping ingredients in a bowl and then sprinkle evenly over the apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven, cut into slices, and serve with a drizzle with caramel.

This recipe has been linked up at:
Tidy Mom
Simply Sweet Home
This Chick Cooks

Menu Plan 10/17-10/23

2011-10-18T09:07:00.001-04:00

Monday - Poppy Seed Chicken, Steamed Rice, Peas, Rolls

Tuesday - BBQ Bacon Turkey Burgers, Garlic Potato Wedges

Wednesday - Upside Down Pizza Supreme, Olive Garden Salad

Thursday - Sweet and Sour Chicken, Steamed Rice, Potstickers

Friday - Oven Roasted Salmon, Creamy Cucumber Dill Relish, Rice Pilaf, Garlic Almond Green Beans

Saturday - Spasangna, Cheesy Garlic Bread

Sunday - Dave's Famous Chili and Cornbread