CarriesCooking

The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook - Pre-order Yours Now!

2009-11-27T11:58:00.006-05:00

My real life friend and fellow cooking blogger, The $5 Dinner Mom, has a cookbook coming out December 22! I was so excited for Erin when I first found out about her cookbook. But, now I am excited for you because the cookbook is ready for pre-orders.

If you would like more information on how to pre-order this cookbook and how to get a FREE 'The $5 Dinner Mom's Holiday Recipe Pack' check it out here.

I know I can't wait to get my hands on it!

Catalina Blueberry Chicken

2009-11-16T17:41:00.007-05:00

Ingredients

2 cups blueberries (I used frozen, defrosted)

1/2 cup Catalina salad dressing

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts

Directions

I started with 2 cups frozen blueberries

Use a potato masher to mash the blueberries.

Add Catalina dressing and spices and stir well.

Add chicken to baking pan and cover with mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. (I used a spoon to baste the chickens about half way through.)

Easiest Chicken Pot Pie

2009-11-14T18:07:00.010-05:00

Ingredients

1 can biscuits (I used Grands Original Flaky Layers)

1 cup cooked chicken (shredded)

1 1/2 cups mixed veggies (I used leftover green beans, corn, and carrots)

1 can cream of chicken soup (condensed)

1 teaspoon Thyme

Directions

Spray pie pan with cooking spray.

Divide biscuit in half, flatten and press into pie pan.

After using 4 and a half my pie pan looked like this.

Take chicken and vegetables and mix in a bowl.

Add cream of chicken and thyme and mix well.

Use mixture in bowl to fill the pie pan.

Again pull apart remaining biscuits (in half) and flatten out and put on top of pie, pressing the top and bottom of the biscuit crust together to form a seal.

Place pie in an oven preheated to 425 degrees for 45 minutes. (I used aluminum foil over the pie to prevent over browning after about 20 minutes.)

Baked Italian Cornmeal Chicken

2009-11-11T17:30:00.006-05:00

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

1/3 cup cornmeal

1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

Put butter in baking dish and place in cool oven.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
When oven is heated your butter should be melted like this.

Place cornmeal in a shallow bowl.

Add Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese and mix well.

Place chicken in melted butter and coat both sides of chicken.

Coat chicken with cornmeal mixture and place back into butter.

Place chicken in oven for 30 minutes or until done.

Easy T-Bone Steak Grill

2009-11-08T16:30:00.009-05:00

My mother-in-law is not a cook. Other than some of her famous desserts, she basically doesn't cook. So, sometimes when she comes to visit she brings something that she hopes I will cook up and then invite her to stay for dinner. This is often t-bone steaks. Today is one of those days. So instead of making homemade pizza we are have steak, broccoli and scalloped potatoes for dinner. And since it is almost 70 degrees here in my part of the Midwest I am grilling out.

Ingredients

T-Bone steak (I started with about 3 pounds)

1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

1 tablespoon McCormick Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning

Directions

Put steak in a dish to marinade.

Cover steak with Worcestershire Sauce.

Sprinkle steaks with spices and press into meat.

Marinate meat for at least 30 minutes.
Place steak on warm grill (or broil in oven)
Cook for 15 minutes or until done. (We like our steaks to be a medium doneness.)

Balsamic Vinaigrette Apple Chicken

2009-10-19T17:22:00.004-04:00

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette salad dressing

1 teaspoon Olive Oil

1/4 to 1/2 cup chicken broth

1 large golden delicious apple (cored and sliced into about 16 pieces)

Directions

In a small bowl combine chicken and dressing. Let sit for 30 minutes.
Heat Olive Oil in a large skillet on medium high heat.
Add chicken to skillet and brown on both sides. (about 2 minutes each side)
Add chicken broth to skillet and scrap skillet (I use a silicon spatula) to work brown bits into broth.
Add apple and cover.
Reduce heat to simmer.
Cook until done (about 25 minutes)

We Have A Winner of Our 6 Month Supply of Krogers Ice Cream!

2009-10-18T20:09:00.003-04:00

Thanks to all of those that entered the contest! Random.org choose comment number 14 as my winner. So, congrats goes to Rachel. Check out Rachel's blog, The Simple Life of the Boreings. Rachel, be on the lookout for my email so I can get your prize to you!

I would also like to thank Kroger's for allowing me to do the giveaway.

Homemade Pumpkin Soft Pretzels

2009-10-14T15:03:00.004-04:00

The pretzels on the left are the pumpkin and the right the regular. (Made them for DH who has job interview today.)

Ingredients

1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree

1/4 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups Flour

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 1/2 teaspoons Active Dry Yeast

1 egg, beaten

Coarse salt to taste

Directions

Measure all ingredients into mixer, except egg and coarse salt.
Mix until forms into a ball. (I use a stand mixer with dough hook.)
Cover and place in warm place to double in size.
Divide dough into four equal pieces and roll each into a rope.
Form into pretzel shape and place on a greased cookie sheet.
Brush each pretzel with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
Bake in preheated oven at 450 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

If you don't have a stand mixer only use 1 1/2 cups flour and stir with a spoon until mixed well. Then add remaining flour and knead by hand until forms into a smooth ball.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree and Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

2009-10-02T20:20:00.006-04:00

When I learned Erin from 5DollarDinners the reason that my grocer had no canned pumpkin I decided to buy a pie pumpkin and make my own. I have made my own once before and found it

to be pretty easy. (I need to have pumpkin this time of year for my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and some pumpkin bread.)

My pumpkin that I purchase for $1.79 at a local market.

I sliced the pumpkin in half to clean it out. Look at all those seeds!

Use a large spoon to scrape out the pumpkin and put the seeds aside to clean and roast later.

Then cut the pumpkin into fourths and put on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil. Next, put the pumpkin in the oven preheated to 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

While the pumpkin is in the oven. I start to work on the pumpkin seeds. Run water over these slimy seeds until they are clean.

Then mix in about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and salt to taste.

Next, spread the pumpkin seeds out on a cookie sheet. Wait for the pumpkin to finish roasting before putting the seeds in the oven. (350 degrees for 30 minutes stirring the seeds every 10 minutes.)

After the pumpkin is pulled from the oven and the pumpkin seeds are placed in you can start spooning out the pumpkin into a blender or food processor. (You may wish to wait until the pumpkin cools some. I can never wait.)

Once the pumpkin is in the food processor puree the pumpkin until it is smooth.

When done put the pumpkin puree in jars or bags. You can freeze this puree and keep it up to 3 months.

When the pumpkin seeds are cooled enjoy them. Ours never last more than 24 hours.

Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream Give Away

2009-09-30T21:05:00.006-04:00

I'm so excited to be offering a giveaway with Kroger. Even better I am giving away a 6 month supply of ice cream! (or rather a gift card so you can buy Kroger's Deluxe Ice Cream)

The summer season is over. Fall and cooler weather has arrived. But that doesn't mean the season for eating ice cream is over. Just last week I was given a gift card for a 6 month supply of ice cream. I drove to my Kroger and went looking for some ice cream. I was surprised by the large variety of flavors available. First, I grabbed some cookies and cream which is my husband's favorite. Next, I found the classic chocolate flavor for my daughter who loves chocolate. While looking at the flavors I was excited to see they also had sherbet one of my favorites so I grabbed a rainbow flavored sherbet for myself. (If I had more freezer space I would have grabbed a peppermint ice cream for myself too, but I will wait until November or December for my favorite Christmas ice cream flavor!)

How is the quality? It is great. Of course this is coming from someone that loves Kroger branded foods in general. (In my opinion, you can never go wrong with the Kroger brand.) My daughter has decided to eat my husbands cookies and cream ice cream. You should see her devour her dinner so she can have ice cream for dessert. My mother in law had the chocolate ice cream and said that she liked it. As for the rainbow sherbet it is heavenly. I love sherbet because it is sweet and light with just a little bite to it. Perfect.

If you would like a chance to win your own 6 month supply of Kroger's Deluxe Ice Cream you can:

Leave a comment explaining your take on ice cream as an all season dessert.
Tweet the following about the giveaway: Check out @CarriesCooking giveaway to win a 6 month supply of ice cream from @KrogerDeals http://bit.ly/2xvvKQ Please RT (Then leave a comment letting me know.)
Visit the Kroger website and leave me a comment letting me know.

Do all three to up your chances of winning.

A winner will be announced on Friday, October 16th. The winner will be chosen using www.random.org. If I am not able to contact the winner within a weeks time a new winner will be drawn.

Grilled Herbed Buttered Bread

2009-08-25T09:16:00.001-04:00

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon basil

1 teaspoon parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning

1 teaspoon sugar

1 loaf Italian Bread

Directions

Mix all ingredients well, less bread.
Cut bread into thick slices.
Spread a generous amount of Herbed Butter on one side of the bread.
Place bread on grill and cook until bottom is toasted. (I put my bread on the warming rack on the grill. If you don't have a warming rack put toast on coolest part of grill and watch closely to make sure it doesn't burn.)

Note: I always check my grocery's bakery section for manager specials on bread. I got my Italian bread for $.79!

Pork and Zucchini Kabob

2009-08-24T06:22:00.003-04:00

Ingredients

1 pound pork loin cubed

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 large zucchini cubed

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Mix teriyaki sauce, lemon juice and soy sauce in a bowl.
Mix in cubed pork and let marinade for at least 30 minutes.
In a separate bowl drizzle olive oil over zucchini and stir to coat.
Sprinkle salt and pepper over zucchini while stirring.
Alternate pork and zucchini on skewers.
Grill for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until done.

Recipes Coming

2009-08-20T12:03:00.004-04:00

Pork and Zucchini Kabob with Corn on Cob and grilled Herbed Butter Bread

Spiced Nectarine Chicken with Roasted White Potatoes and left over bread and corn

Grilled BBQ Pork with Buttered steamed veggies and Knorr Pasta side

Be on the lookout for these recipes.

Also, see how I saved money on the bread, Knorr pasta side, and the pork.

Simple Chuck Pot Roast

2009-08-06T07:36:00.002-04:00

Crockpot Recipe Wednesday

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 2 pound Chuck Roast

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon thyme

2 cloves garlic minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

Directions

Add roast to crockpot.
Pour remaining ingredients over roast.
Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.

Pancakes

2009-08-04T07:54:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it but my stock pile of Bisquick has run out. So, I came up with this recipe for some great pancakes. (We like our pancakes on the thinner side. If you like them thicker try a little less milk.)

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour

1/2 cup Whole wheat flour

2 tablespoons White sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

2 eggs

4 tablespoons butter melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

Pour all dry ingredients in bowl and mix well. (I like to use a batter bowl.)
In separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients with a whisk.
Pour wet into dry and whisk until smooth.
Pour about 1/4 cup into heated skillet per pancake.

Menu and Grocery List (Jul. 27 - Aug. 2)

2009-07-24T23:57:00.000-04:00

Menu

Monday
Whole Oven-Barbecued Chicken
Green Beans
Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday
Saucy Stir - Fried Pork
Wednesday
Inside Out Ravioli
Green Salad
Thursday
Tacos (Freezer Friendly)
Refried Beans
Friday
Baked Chicken Fingers
Fries
Saturday
Orange Honey-Glazed Ham
Broccoli
Dinner Roll
Sunday
Free Day

First, I want to explain what I have called the 'free day'. I have used other meal planning services and found that there was always one day that my family would eat out. The free day is the opportunity for you to either eat out, catch up to my meals, if you are behind, or make something that you or your family loves.

Second, a great suggestion was made to have one meal a week that is freezer friendly. (Thanks Andrea, from MommySnacks) You can either make the meal and eat it, make it and freeze it, or double the recipe and do both. If you have the space, it is great having a few premade meals in the freezer. Just put the meal together, don't cook it, and freeze it. Then when it is time to eat it, defrost and follow the cooking instructions.

Grocery List

Bakery Item
Dinner Rolls (Suggested side)

Baking Supplies
1 1/2 cups Bread Cumbs fine, dry (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1/2 cup bread crumbs (Inside Out Ravioli)
1/2 cups brown sugar firmly packed (Orange Honey-Glazed Ham)
1 teaspoon cornstarch (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)

Basic Cooking Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil (Inside Out Ravioli)

Beverage
1/4 cup orange juice (Orange Honey-Glazed Ham)

Canned Goods
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce (Inside Out Ravioli)
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste (Inside Out Ravioli)

Condiments and Salad Dressings
1/4 cup honey (Orange Honey-Glazed Ham)
1/4 cup zesty italian dressing (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce (Whole Oven Barbecued Chicken)

Dairy, Eggs, and Milk
1/2 cup butter melted (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese grated (Baked Chicken Fingers)
2 eggs beaten (Inside Out Ravioli)
1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded (Inside Out Ravioli)
2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded (Tacos)
1 cup Sour Cream Suggested Topping (Tacos)

Ethnic Foods
1 (16 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce (Inside Out Ravioli)
2 tablespoons soy sauce (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
Refried Beans (Suggested Side)
Salsa (Tacos)
12 Taco Shells (Tacos)

Frozen Foods
1 (10 ounce) package spinach frozen, chopped (Inside Out Ravioli)
Green Beans (Suggested Side)
Broccoli (Suggested Side)
French Fries (Suggested Side)

Herbs and Spices
1 tablespoon basil (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1 tablespoon Thyme (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1/2 teaspoon pepper (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Taco Seasoning)
1 tablespoon Chili Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon Paprika (Taco Seasoning)
1 teaspoon Salt (Taco Seasoning)
1 teaspoon italian seasoning (Whole Oven Barbecued Chicken)

Meats, Fish, and Seafood
6 Chicken Breast Boneless, skinless halves cut into 1 1/2 inch slices (Baked Chicken Fingers)
1 pound ground beef lean (Inside Out Ravioli)
4 - 5 pound ham (Orange Honey-Glazed Ham)
1 pound pork tenderlion cut into thin strips (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
1 pound Ground Beef (Tacos)
1 whole chicken 3 pounds (Whole Oven Barbecued Chicken)

Pasta, Rice, and Beans
16 ounces pasta elbow, or other (Inside Out Ravioli)
2 cups rice instant, white, uncooked (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)

Produce
1/2 cup onion chopped (Inside Out Ravioli)
1 clove garlic minced (Inside Out Ravioli)
1 red pepper cut into thin strips (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
8 ounces sugar snap peas (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
3 green onions diagonal sliced (Saucy Stir-Fried Pork)
Green Salad (Suggested Side)
Potatoes (Suggested Side)
Lettuce Suggested Topping (Tacos)
1 large Onion (Tacos)
1 Tomato Suggested Topping (Tacos)
2 small lemons (Whole Oven Barbecued Chicken)
2 cloves garlic peeled (Whole Oven Barbecued Chicken)

Soup
1 10 3/4 ounce can Tomato Soup Condensed (Tacos)

Be sure to check your refrigerator and pantry for any of these items that you already have. Also, don't forget to add items for breakfast, lunch and every day items. Going grocery shopping is much easier if you have a list of everything you need. Check out the Master Grocery List to make sure you aren't missing anything.

Were Have I Been?

2009-07-23T06:05:00.003-04:00

First I want to apologize for my long absence. I have loads of excuses, some of which I will explain but I still hate that I have been gone so long. So, I am sorry.

Now, to explain... In February I adopted a second child and I had a stoppage of posting at that time. Makes sense right. Well, I started posting again with a new commitment when I started to feel like I could get an awake moment away from my kids. Things were going well and then I found life getting away from me again. I didn't know what happened and then it hit me. My daughter was out of school.

Why did it take me so long to figure out why things got crazy? Well, my daughter only had school 2.5 hours a day 2 days a week. But, apparently that made a big difference. Add to that my need to jam pack every ounce of fun to be had during the summer including two camping trips. Add a visit from a social worker for a post adoption follow up, and my desire to 'home school' my daughter during her summer break. And that is how you end up with a mom with no time for herself or her blog.

I wish you knew how many times I had started to post but then I felt so bad about being away that I just never finished the post. I have been cooking, and I hope that you have been too. I still love to cook, although I really wish someone would come clean up my kitchen after every meal for me! Anyone want the job?

Anyway, I am writing to let you know that I am back. I can't promise perfection, in fact I can promise that it won't be. I am planning on some changes that I hope you like. More on that later.

Thank you to anyone who has taken the time to read my rambling. I just really needed to get it all out there. I am sure I needed to get it all said more for me than anyone else. Be looking for a menu to come out tomorrow! And much more to follow!

Displaying Your Childs Art Work

2009-06-08T10:00:00.001-04:00

CarriesCooking's Home Recipe

My daughter loves to paint. I hate to throw them away but who has space for all those. My only solution is to display the artwork of my daughters choice in the playroom. I bought six document frames from my local dollar store. Check out what my daughter choose to display below.

Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken

2009-06-06T10:00:00.002-04:00

CarriesCooking's Summer Grill Out

Welcome to my new Saturday feature that will have you itching to get the grill out.

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless halves

1/4 cup worchester sauce

1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper

Directions

Place chicken in a shallow dish.
Pour worchester sauce over chicken. (Turning the chicken to coat)
Sprinkle chicken with lemon pepper on both sides.
Allow to marinade for at least 30 minutes.
Place chicken on warm grill, turning once
Cook for 20 to 25 minutes depending on thickness of chicken (Be sure to check for doneness.)

Menu and Grocery List (June 8 - 14)

2009-06-05T10:00:00.002-04:00

Menu

Monday
Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken
Broccoli
Dinner Roll
(Tuesday Prep - Defrost steak)
Tuesday
Flank Steak with Red Onion Marmalade
Baked Potato
Corn
(Wednesday Prep - Defrost and cook, if you have time, chicken)
Wednesday
Chicken Tetrazzini (Freezer Friendly)
Green Salad
(Thursday Prep - Defrost ground beef)
Thursday
Tacos
Refried Beans
Friday
Pizza
Breadsticks
(Saturday prep - defrost chicken)
Saturday
Sweet-and-Sour Chicken
Rice
Green Beans
Sunday
Free Day

First, I want to explain what I have called the 'free day'. I have used other meal planning services and found that there was always one day that my family would eat out. The free day is the opportunity for you to either eat out, catch up to my meals, if you are behind, or make something that you or your family loves.

Second, a great suggestion was made to have one meal a week that is freezer friendly. (Thanks Andrea, from MommySnacks) You can either make the meal and eat it, make it and freeze it, or double the recipe and do both. If you have the space, it is great having a few premade meals in the freezer. Just put the meal together, don't cook it, and freeze it. Then when it is time to eat it, defrost and follow the cooking instructions.

Grocery List

Bakery Item
Dinner Rolls (Suggested side)

Baking Supplies
3 tablespoons sugar (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
1 tablespoon Corn Starch (Sweet and Sour Chicken)

Basic Cooking Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
2 tablespoons Vegetable oil (Sweet and Sour Chicken)

Canned Goods
1 8 ounce can Pineapple Chunks, with juice (Sweet and Sour Chicken)

Condiments and Salad Dressings
3 tablespoons vinegar distilled, white (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
1 tablespoon Vinegar (Sweet and Sour Chicken)

Dairy, Eggs, and Milk
1/2 cup butter (Chicken Tetrazzino)
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream (Chicken Tetrazzino)
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese grated (Chicken Tetrazzino)
3 tablespoon butter (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
1/2 cup sour cream (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
2 cups Cheddar Cheese Shredded (Tacos)
1 cup Sour Cream Suggested Topping (Tacos)

Ethnic Foods
1/2 cup salsa (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
Refried Beans (Suggested Side)
1/4 cup soy sauce (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
Salsa (Tacos)
12 Taco Shells (Tacos)

Frozen Foods
Frozen Pizza (Pizza)
Broccoli (Suggested Side)
Green Beans (Suggested Side)
Breadsticks (Suggested Side)
Corn (Suggested Side)

Herbs and Spices
1 teaspoon salt (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
1/4 teaspoon pepper coarsely ground (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
to taste salt (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
to taste pepper (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Taco Seasoning)
1 tablespoon Chili Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Dried Oregano (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin (Taco Seasoning)
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder (Taco Seasoning)
1/2 teaspoon Paprika (Taco Seasoning)
1 teaspoon Salt (Taco Seasoning)

Meats, Fish, and Seafood
4 chicken breast boneless, halves, cooked (Chicken Tetrazzino)
1 1/2 pounds flank steak (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
4 chicken breast skinless, boneless, halves (Sour Cream and Salsa Chicken)
1 pound Chicken Breast Boneless, halves, cubed (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
1 pound Ground Beef (Tacos)

Pasta, Rice, and Beans
8 ounces spaghetti (Chicken Tetrazzino)
Rice (Suggested Side)

Produce
2 (8 ounce) cans mushrooms drained (Chicken Tetrazzino)
2 medium red onion thinly sliced (Flank Steak w/ Red Onion Marmalade)
Potatoes (Suggested Side)
Green Salad (Suggested Side)
1 cup carrot strips (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
1 clove Garlic minced (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
1/2 cup Green Bell Pepper Sliced (Sweet and Sour Chicken)
Lettuce Suggested Topping (Tacos)
1 large Onion (Tacos)
1 Tomato Suggested Topping (Tacos)

Soup
2 (10.75 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup condensed (Chicken Tetrazzino)
1 10 3/4 ounce can Tomato Soup Condensed (Tacos)

Be sure to check your refrigerator and pantry for any of these items that you already have. Also, don't forget to add items for breakfast, lunch and every day items. Going grocery shopping is much easier if you have a list of everything you need. Check out the Master Grocery List to make sure you aren't missing anything.

Lemon and Garlic Linquine

2009-06-05T06:30:00.002-04:00

Ingredients

16 oz linguine

1/2 cup olive oil

6 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons parsley

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions
Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl.
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat.
Add garlic and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
Add lemon juice and pepper.
Reduce heat and simmer 1 minute.
Add sauce to drained pasta and toss well.
Add cheese and parsley and toss again.

The Magic of The Dry Erase Marker

2009-06-04T22:53:00.003-04:00

CarriesCooking Tips

I think I have mentioned this before but my family includes some big eaters. My husband is a big eater, my kids (although 1 and 3) can be very big eaters, and I am a big eater. Even though we might eat more than what is technically considered a serving size we almost always have some leftovers.

I always package the leftovers up and put them in either the freezer of refrigerator depending on what it is and how much is left. When I package the leftovers I try my best to put it in a reusable container. (I do this as not to create excessive trash and because it is cheaper.)

Confession time. Although my goal is to clean out my refrigerator once a week of leftover and any spoiled food it really doesn't happen that way. Then when I am looking for a quick lunch I wonder how long has this leftover been in the refrigerator or freezer.

My solution, since the cleaning clearly isn't happening, is the dry erase marker. I write what the leftover is and when it was first made. Then I clearly know if the food is good enough to still eat. I find that I eat leftovers more often this way! This is great as it means less food going in the trash, which I just hate.

So the next time you put leftovers away, get out your dry erase markers and get writing!

Apple Spice Cake

2009-06-02T18:47:00.002-04:00

Baking with CarriesCooking

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups flour

4 cups apple sauce

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Mix flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, spices and salt well in a large bowl.
Mix in apple sauce just until blended.
Pour into 9x13 inch pan that has been greased and floured.
Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place on rack until cool.

Check out other baking recipes here.

Starting next Tuesday, just in time for summer, check out CarriesCooking's Summertime Desserts!

Cooler For The Car

2009-06-01T22:17:00.003-04:00

CarriesCooking's Home Recipe

These days whenever I leave the house I pack a little cooler. Below is a picture that I took of the cooler today at a park where I took my kids to play and have lunch. I take it with me everywhere. As you see there is a pink ticket in it from Sunday's trip to a local amusement park. It also has a weed that my daughter picked for me at the park.

What do I keep in this cooler?

snacks
drinks
sunblock
wet wipes
band aids

With 2 kids ages almost 4 and almost 2 they are always hungry or thirsty. It is best if I have something on hand. It is also handy for unplanned trips to the park. (The one in the picture was planned!) It also helps to prevent trips to or thru fast food joints. I have come to depend on my cooler. I don't leave the house without it.

Menu and Grocery List (June 1 - 7)

2009-05-29T21:00:00.000-04:00

Menu

Monday
Hamburgers
Corn on Cob
Baked Beans
Tuesday
Bread Crumb Beef
Baked Potato
Peas
Wednesday
Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole
Green Salad
Thursday
Beef and Bean Chimichangas (Freezer Friendly)
Refried Beans
Friday
Pizza
Green Salad
Bread Sticks
Saturday
Thai Chicken Thighs (Reader's Featured Recipe)
Rice
Sunday
Free Day

First, I want to explain what I have called the 'free day'. I have used other meal planning services and found that there was always one day that my family would eat out. The free day is the opportunity for you to either eat out, catch up to my meals, if you are behind, or make something that you or your family loves.

Second, a great suggestion was made to have one meal a week that is freezer friendly. (Thanks Andrea, from MommySnacks) You can either make the meal and eat it, make it and freeze it, or double the recipe and do both. If you have the space, it is great having a few premade meals in the freezer. Just put the meal together, don't cook it, and freeze it. Then when it is time to eat it, defrost and follow the cooking instructions.

Grocery List

Bakery Item
4 Hamburger buns (Hamburgers)

Baking Supplies
1 1/2 cups Bread crumbs Italian Style (Bread Crumb Beef)
1/4 cups peanuts chopped (or cashews) (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Basic Cooking Ingredients
1/4 cup Olive oil (Bread Crumb Beef)

Beverage
2 tablespoons lime juice (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Canned Goods
baked beans (Suggested side)

Condiments and Salad Dressings
ketchup (Suggested Topping)
mayonnaise (Suggested Topping)
mustard (Suggested Topping)
pickles (Suggested Topping)
1/4 cup peanut butter (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Dairy, Eggs, and Milk
1 tablespoon butter melted (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1 (16 ounce) package Monterrey Jack cheese shredded (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1/2 cup Romano Cheese Grated (Bread Crumb Beef)
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese shredded (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
1/2 cup milk (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
cheese (Suggested Topping)

Ethnic Foods
8 12 inch flour tortillas (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
2 cups taco sauce (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
Refried Beans (Suggested Side)
1/4 cup soy sauce (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Frozen Foods
1 1/2 cups corn whole kernel (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1 cup mixed vegetables frozen (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
Frozen Pizza (Pizza)
Peas (Suggested Side)

Herbs and Spices
2 teaspoons chili powder (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1 teaspoons garlic salt (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
1 teaspoons ground cumin (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
2 teaspoons Parsley flakes (Bread Crumb Beef)
to taste Pepper (Bread Crumb Beef)
to taste Salt (Bread Crumb Beef)
1/4 teaspoon black Pepper ground (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne Pepper (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Meats, Fish, and Seafood
1 pound ground beef lean (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
4 tenderloin Steaks or your favorite (Bread Crumb Beef)
1 pound ground beef formed into patties (Hamburgers)
2 cups chicken cooked and cubed (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
8 Chicken Thighs skin removed (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Pasta, Rice, and Beans
2 cups egg noodles medium, cooked and drained (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
Rice (Suggested Side)

Produce
3/4 cup green bell pepper diced (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
3/4 cup onion chopped (Beef and Bean Chimichangas)
3 to 4 cloves garlic finely chopped (Bread Crumb Beef)
Corn on Cob (Suggested Side)
Green Salad (Suggested Side)
Potatoes (Suggested Side)
lettuce (Suggested Topping)
onion (Suggested Topping)
tomato (Suggested Topping)
2 tablespoons cilantro fresh (Thai Chicken Thighs)
cilantro chopped, fresh (Thai Chicken Thighs)
2 teaspoon ginger root fresh, minced (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Soup
1 (10 3/4 oz) can cream of Mushroom Soup (Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole)
1/2 cups Chicken Broth (Thai Chicken Thighs)

Be sure to check your refrigerator and pantry for any of these items that you already have. Also, don't forget to add items for breakfast, lunch and every day items. Going grocery shopping is much easier if you have a list of everything you need. Check out the Master Grocery List to make sure you aren't missing anything.