It seems that after the Christmas Day meal is done that there are always LOTS of leftovers. For us, that's not an exception. I have a funny story to tell about the Christmas Ham. I shop at a local store called Family Fare, they offer fuel rewards for every $50.00 spent in store (.05 off up to 20 gallons), and at times if you spend $75.00 they will give you a .50 off up to 20 gallon coupon. As you accumulate points you can then also use them to get items free in the store. Around Christmas time if you have 2,000 points you can get a free ham. This is a really great deal. Well, my mom worked VERY hard to get to 2,000 points and then told me to go and use her card and get the Ham that we would all be having here on Christmas Day. The store is literally a hop-skip-and-a-jump down the street from my house. So, I went and picked up the ham and few other things that I needed the week before Christmas. The store was hopping busy, and there were only 3 cashiers working, this included the Manager whose line I was in. Well, she asked me if I wanted to get my Cool Whip free for 200 points and I told her no, instead of hitting just no for that transaction she must have hit no for using all points...so when it came to my ham it didn't ask again, I told her that I wanted to use the 2,000 points for this. So, she credited back the $32 ham and said we'd have to go to the Service Desk to take the points off the card, which I was fine with...When all was said and done she realized that it was just too busy to go and do this, so she told me to have a Merry Christmas and use the points on something else. What a nice blessing. What did I do? I went and got a boneless ham and came home and cut it up into slices and chunks to be placed in the freezer to be used at a different time. I was able to get two hams totaling over $60.00 for FREE. At that time I wasn't working yet, and it was a really great blessing.
So, last night I used some of that second ham to make dinner. The brother came upstairs as it was baking and was salivating over how good it smelled in the house! This always makes me happy! Especially because it was so easy to make!
SCALLOPED POTATOES & HAM
INGREDIENTS:
4 Tbsp. Butter
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 1/2 C. Milk
Salt & Pepper to Taste
2 Medium Onions; thinly sliced
4 Large Russet Potatoes; thinly sliced
12 oz. Ham; Cubed
3 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Preheat the oven to 350. Grease a Baking Dish. In a saucepan melt 2 Tbsp. Butter over medium heat. Add in the Flour and stir. Cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in the Milk. Return pan to heat and bring to simmer while continuing to stir; until thickened. Remove from heat; season with Salt & Pepper and set aside. In a skillet melt butter, add onions and cook until browned. Spread 1/3 of the White Sauce in bottom of Dish. Top with 1/2 the Potatoes, 1/2 the Onions, 1/2 the Ham, and 1 C. Cheddar Cheese. Repeat with 1/3 of the sauce, remaining Potatoes, Onion & Ham, and 1 C. Cheddar Cheese. Top with remaining White Sauce and Cheese. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour; until bubbly and cheese is completely melted.
It was a delicious and filling meal. And really only took me about 20 minutes to throw together!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
I want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! I know that I had a wonderful Christmas with my family! It all started at my house on Saturday when we did our family Christmas here. It was great to watch the expressions on my nieces and nephew's faces when they opened their gifts. Especially when my nephew opened his Thomas The Train items, oh how he loves his trains! :) So sweet. We were all blessed with many wonderful and thoughtful gifts...My parents bought my sister-in-law and I Pandora bracelets with a couple beads on them, they are beautiful and VERY unexpected. I made a lot of Life Expressions signs as gifts, and also made my mom and sister-in-law necklaces from Origami Owl. I also received these BEAUTIFUL teacups from my brother & sister-in-law!
I absolutely LOVE them and cannot wait to use them!
On Monday, we all met at my Aunt & Uncle's house in Illinois. My Mom's brother and his family, and her sisters and their families were all there, along with my Gramma. We had a fun afternoon together and ordered our traditional meal of pizza for supper. We then proceeded downstairs to open gifts together. Then it was back up stairs to have a yummy array of homemade cookies and treats, and the traditional glass of wine for those old enough to partake. The younger bro, Mom & Dad and I made the drive home last night and we attended our church this morning for a WONDERFUL Christmas Service. I then made a Ham for dinner. We had that with a Bavarian Ambrosia (thanks Pinterest), Jell-O and Corn. It was a yummy meal. Overall, I have had an EXTREMELY blessed Christmas and hope that you have too! Let's all remember that among all the craziness and busyness, that Jesus is the reason for the season, and give the praise to Him.
BAVARIAN AMBROSIA:
INGREDIENTS:
On Monday, we all met at my Aunt & Uncle's house in Illinois. My Mom's brother and his family, and her sisters and their families were all there, along with my Gramma. We had a fun afternoon together and ordered our traditional meal of pizza for supper. We then proceeded downstairs to open gifts together. Then it was back up stairs to have a yummy array of homemade cookies and treats, and the traditional glass of wine for those old enough to partake. The younger bro, Mom & Dad and I made the drive home last night and we attended our church this morning for a WONDERFUL Christmas Service. I then made a Ham for dinner. We had that with a Bavarian Ambrosia (thanks Pinterest), Jell-O and Corn. It was a yummy meal. Overall, I have had an EXTREMELY blessed Christmas and hope that you have too! Let's all remember that among all the craziness and busyness, that Jesus is the reason for the season, and give the praise to Him.
BAVARIAN AMBROSIA:
1 small box orange Jell-O
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup orange juice
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved
1/2 cup flaked coconut
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup orange juice
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved
1/2 cup flaked coconut
In a medium bowl, dissolve Jell-O, sugar and salt in boiling water. Stir in orange juice and syrup from pineapple. Chill until thick as unbeaten egg white. Beat until fluffy light with beater.
Stir in Cool Whip until well blended, then fold in pineapple and coconut. I also added drained Mandarin Oranges and Marshmallows to it. Pour into large bowl and chill.
A Christmas Favorite...
This post is late in coming...but, better late than never is how I operate! A few weeks ago I had the privilege of learning how to make a holiday favorite with one of my favorite people! Thanks C. for opening up your home to me for the day, it really was a blast to learn what to do and what not to do. We really must do it again next year, it just seems so much more fun together!
We made Rock Candy together. LOTS of rock candy, all sorts of flavors. I even made some more at home by myself to give as gifts to my neighbors, a friend and my Aunts! So fun!!!!
ROCK CANDY:
INGREDIENTS:
(Single Batch First)
2 C. Granulated Sugar
2/3 C. Light Corn Syrup
3/4 C. Water
1 dram (1 tsp.) Candy Flavoring (I used LorAnn Gourmet Flavoring)
Food Coloring of choice for flavorings
Powdered Sugar
Combine Sugar, Corn Syrup & Water in 2-Quart Saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. (Then quit stirring) Bring to a boil, without stirring. When syrup temperature reaches 260 degrees, add Food Coloring; DO NOT stir, the boiling action will incorporate the coloring. Remove from heat at 300 degrees, when drops of syrup form hard brittle threads in cold water. After boiling action ceases; add flavoring (stand back as you stir as the smell can be very powerful). Stir in the flavoring. Pour candy onto Foil Lined Cookie Sheets and allow to cool and harden. ***It is VERY important that once you've poured onto cookie sheet that you IMMEDIATELY get your pan and all utensils under boiling water to remove the syrup and stop the hardening process.*** Tilt the cookie sheets back and forth to thin out candy before hardening. When cool, break into pieces and place in a strainer, add in Powdered Sugar and shake to coat; to prevent candy from sticking together. Store in an airtight container.
DOUBLE BATCH:
3 3/4 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C. Corn Syrup
1 C. Water
2--1 dram Flavorings
Follow above directions; except place on two foil lined cookie sheets.
We made Rock Candy together. LOTS of rock candy, all sorts of flavors. I even made some more at home by myself to give as gifts to my neighbors, a friend and my Aunts! So fun!!!!
ROCK CANDY:
(Single Batch First)
2 C. Granulated Sugar
2/3 C. Light Corn Syrup
3/4 C. Water
1 dram (1 tsp.) Candy Flavoring (I used LorAnn Gourmet Flavoring)
Food Coloring of choice for flavorings
Powdered Sugar
Combine Sugar, Corn Syrup & Water in 2-Quart Saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. (Then quit stirring) Bring to a boil, without stirring. When syrup temperature reaches 260 degrees, add Food Coloring; DO NOT stir, the boiling action will incorporate the coloring. Remove from heat at 300 degrees, when drops of syrup form hard brittle threads in cold water. After boiling action ceases; add flavoring (stand back as you stir as the smell can be very powerful). Stir in the flavoring. Pour candy onto Foil Lined Cookie Sheets and allow to cool and harden. ***It is VERY important that once you've poured onto cookie sheet that you IMMEDIATELY get your pan and all utensils under boiling water to remove the syrup and stop the hardening process.*** Tilt the cookie sheets back and forth to thin out candy before hardening. When cool, break into pieces and place in a strainer, add in Powdered Sugar and shake to coat; to prevent candy from sticking together. Store in an airtight container.
DOUBLE BATCH:
3 3/4 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C. Corn Syrup
1 C. Water
2--1 dram Flavorings
Follow above directions; except place on two foil lined cookie sheets.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Ah, A Divine Crock-Pot Meal
This morning, before I headed out the door for an interview I threw the things together in the Crock-Pot for supper. Let me tell you, by the time I got back home and opened the front door the whole house smelled so delicious. I could hardly wait until supper. It was definitely as good as it smelled and worth the wait! ;)
HAM & POTATO SOUP
HAM & POTATO SOUP
·
3-1/2 cups peeled,
diced potatoes
·
⅓ cup chopped celery (I didn't have any celery, so I omitted it)
·
⅓ cup finely chopped
onion
·
1 cup diced ham
·
3-1/4 cups water
·
6 chicken bullion
cubes
· 1 t. salt
·
1 t. pepper
·
5 T. flour
·
5 T. butter
·
2 cups milk
Instructions
1.
Stir all but milk,
flour and butter into crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, check tenderness of
potatoes.
2.
minutes before
serving, melt butter in a saucepan, add flour and gradually add milk, stirring
constantly over med heat until thick.
3.
Stir mixture into
crockpot.
4.
Let cook 15-20 minutes
more.
It was nice and creamy, and not watery like most soups. I tend to like my soup to have a little substance to it! Give this one a try, you won't be disappointed.
A One Dish Meal
Who doesn't like an easy to prepare dish that uses very few dishes? I know that I sure love them! This one is no exception and is very easy to make.
I'm back in Missouri and have been since last week. I've had several interviews and have a few more to go. While I've been here, I've also been cooking again. Something that I really enjoy doing. Who would've guessed?? :)
DINNER-IN-A-DISH
INGREDIENTS:
1 Lb. Ground Beef; browned
1 Small Onion; thinly sliced or chopped
2 Small Potatoes; thinly sliced
2 Cans Tomato Soup
1 Can Creamed Corn
Preheat the oven to 375. Brown the Ground Beef. In a 9x13 pan place the Ground Beef. Then layer the Onion, Tomato Soup, Potatoes and Creamed Corn in that order. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours.
It is quite tasty and it encompasses the meat and side dishes all in one!
I'm back in Missouri and have been since last week. I've had several interviews and have a few more to go. While I've been here, I've also been cooking again. Something that I really enjoy doing. Who would've guessed?? :)
DINNER-IN-A-DISH
INGREDIENTS:
1 Lb. Ground Beef; browned
1 Small Onion; thinly sliced or chopped
2 Small Potatoes; thinly sliced
2 Cans Tomato Soup
1 Can Creamed Corn
Preheat the oven to 375. Brown the Ground Beef. In a 9x13 pan place the Ground Beef. Then layer the Onion, Tomato Soup, Potatoes and Creamed Corn in that order. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours.
It is quite tasty and it encompasses the meat and side dishes all in one!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
So much to be THANKFUL for!!!!
I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving is once again only a day away! How crazy!!!! I have so many things to be thankful for this year.
1. I'm thankful for a loving and faithful Heavenly Father who knows what's best for me!
2. I'm thankful for a loving, God-fearing family, whom I love very much!
3. I'm thankful for a loving, faithful, and encouraging church family!
4. I'm thankful for all of my wonderful friends, near and far. You all are so dear to me!
5.. I'm thankful for a warm home.
6. I'm thank for my health...I've been through a lot in my short 32 years, but I'm still so thankful that I have gone through those things, just so that I can be thankful today!
7. I'm thankful for the encouragement from a friend that came at "just the right time" to push me into being a better, healthier me!
I recently, last week recently, started working out at a local gym. I'm on Day #5 of gym work-outs, but have fit in a few walks outside to keep going. I feel GREAT!!!! I have so much more energy, and it really isn't hard to get up and get my work-out clothes on and hit the gym in the mornings, of course it's nice that I have a friend that will be there with me so we can talk and laugh our way through it all! I have tried losing weight and being healthier in the past and failed miserably...the one thing that I've noticed this time is that I'm serious about it and I WANT as much as I need to stick with it. I was also blessed this morning by meeting Crystal, a girl that works at the front desk at the gym I go to. She and I got to talking and she told me about her ongoing journey and then told me that she is working towards a specific goal weight and that there are Doctors in this area of MI that will perform an excess skin removal surgery for free, that's right FREE only after you've reached and maintained your goal weight for a certain amount of time. The reason that these Doctors do this is to use the skin for grafting of burn patients. When she told me this, and even as I type it, I teared up. Not because I want to have plastic surgery when my weight loss journey is done, I would NEVER do that for vanity's sake...but because of the help, the hope that I could offer others. Those that know my family and the story of my AMAZING cousin, know just how much this thought touches my heart! So, now not only MUST I do this for me, I MUST do this for others in need as well. WOW, the Lord sure knows who to put in your path at the right time! What an AWESOME God we serve!!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being close to being able to do this, but I WILL get there and this will be my focus and determination! I have a huge smile on my face because of the mysterious workings of my Lord!
Now that I've told you my story and what I'm thankful for I'm going to share a recipe of one of the many yummy things we will be having on our Thanksgiving table tomorrow! My parents are coming into town tonight and will be here through the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them! Instead of having to do all of the work tomorrow, I decided to prep some food today.
I have never made homemade stuffing before, but this year I decided that I would. I'm amazed at how fast this went together. I will definitely be doing it again!
AWESOME SAUSAGE, APPLE & CRANBERRY STUFFING
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 C. Whole Wheat Bread; cubed (I bought the pre-toasted, pre-cubed bread from my local grocery store)
3 3/4 C. White Bread cubed
1 Lb. Sausage
1 C. Onion; chopped
3/4 C. Celery; chopped
2 1/2 tsp. Dried Sage
1 1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary
1/2 tsp. Dried Thyme
1 Golden Delicious Apple, cored and chopped
3/4 C. Dried Cranberries
3/4 C. Chicken or Turkey Stock (I used Chicken Stock)
4 Tbsp. Butter; melted
Preheat oven to 350. Spread White and Wheat Bread Cubes in single layer on large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes; until evenly toasted. Remove to large bowl (Since I bought pre-toasted I skipped this step). In a large skillet, cook the Sausage and Onions over medium heat; stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the Celery, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme; cook, stirring for 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Pour Sausage Mixture over Bread in bowl. Mix in chopped Apples and Cranberries. Drizzle with Stock and melted Butter. Spoon into serving dish. (I put mine in the fridge for tomorrow.) Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
I want to know what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving? Please share with me! :)
1. I'm thankful for a loving and faithful Heavenly Father who knows what's best for me!
2. I'm thankful for a loving, God-fearing family, whom I love very much!
3. I'm thankful for a loving, faithful, and encouraging church family!
4. I'm thankful for all of my wonderful friends, near and far. You all are so dear to me!
5.. I'm thankful for a warm home.
6. I'm thank for my health...I've been through a lot in my short 32 years, but I'm still so thankful that I have gone through those things, just so that I can be thankful today!
7. I'm thankful for the encouragement from a friend that came at "just the right time" to push me into being a better, healthier me!
I recently, last week recently, started working out at a local gym. I'm on Day #5 of gym work-outs, but have fit in a few walks outside to keep going. I feel GREAT!!!! I have so much more energy, and it really isn't hard to get up and get my work-out clothes on and hit the gym in the mornings, of course it's nice that I have a friend that will be there with me so we can talk and laugh our way through it all! I have tried losing weight and being healthier in the past and failed miserably...the one thing that I've noticed this time is that I'm serious about it and I WANT as much as I need to stick with it. I was also blessed this morning by meeting Crystal, a girl that works at the front desk at the gym I go to. She and I got to talking and she told me about her ongoing journey and then told me that she is working towards a specific goal weight and that there are Doctors in this area of MI that will perform an excess skin removal surgery for free, that's right FREE only after you've reached and maintained your goal weight for a certain amount of time. The reason that these Doctors do this is to use the skin for grafting of burn patients. When she told me this, and even as I type it, I teared up. Not because I want to have plastic surgery when my weight loss journey is done, I would NEVER do that for vanity's sake...but because of the help, the hope that I could offer others. Those that know my family and the story of my AMAZING cousin, know just how much this thought touches my heart! So, now not only MUST I do this for me, I MUST do this for others in need as well. WOW, the Lord sure knows who to put in your path at the right time! What an AWESOME God we serve!!!! Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being close to being able to do this, but I WILL get there and this will be my focus and determination! I have a huge smile on my face because of the mysterious workings of my Lord!
Now that I've told you my story and what I'm thankful for I'm going to share a recipe of one of the many yummy things we will be having on our Thanksgiving table tomorrow! My parents are coming into town tonight and will be here through the weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing them! Instead of having to do all of the work tomorrow, I decided to prep some food today.
I have never made homemade stuffing before, but this year I decided that I would. I'm amazed at how fast this went together. I will definitely be doing it again!
AWESOME SAUSAGE, APPLE & CRANBERRY STUFFING
1 1/2 C. Whole Wheat Bread; cubed (I bought the pre-toasted, pre-cubed bread from my local grocery store)
3 3/4 C. White Bread cubed
1 Lb. Sausage
1 C. Onion; chopped
3/4 C. Celery; chopped
2 1/2 tsp. Dried Sage
1 1/2 tsp. Dried Rosemary
1/2 tsp. Dried Thyme
1 Golden Delicious Apple, cored and chopped
3/4 C. Dried Cranberries
3/4 C. Chicken or Turkey Stock (I used Chicken Stock)
4 Tbsp. Butter; melted
Preheat oven to 350. Spread White and Wheat Bread Cubes in single layer on large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes; until evenly toasted. Remove to large bowl (Since I bought pre-toasted I skipped this step). In a large skillet, cook the Sausage and Onions over medium heat; stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the Celery, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme; cook, stirring for 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Pour Sausage Mixture over Bread in bowl. Mix in chopped Apples and Cranberries. Drizzle with Stock and melted Butter. Spoon into serving dish. (I put mine in the fridge for tomorrow.) Bake at 350 for 1 hour.
I want to know what you are thankful for this Thanksgiving? Please share with me! :)
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Staving Off My NEED To Decorate For Christmas!
That, and saving my sanity as my neighbors have already started! I decided that the way to go was to start my Christmas Cookie baking early and freeze them so that I don't have as much work to do when the time is closer. It has been fun trying a few new recipes and adapting some old favorites!
I LOVE Christmas, and if it was up to me I would leave my decorations up year round! As you can see in one of my pictures on here, I do have a snowman warmer plugged in, but that's it for decorations so far. I'm itching to decorate, but will refrain until after Thanksgiving like a good girl!
MOLASSES COOKIES
INGREDIENTS:
Yields: 6 Dozsen Cookie
1 1/2 C. Butter; softened
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cloves
1/2 C. Molasses
4 1/2 C. Flour
4 tsp. Ginger
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Coarse Sugar for Rolling
Preheat oven to 375. In mixer bowl cream Butter and Sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in Eggs and Molasses. Combine the Flour, Ginger, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Cloves and Salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into balls and roll in the Coarse Sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks.
These smell FABULOUS, and will make your house smell like Christmas! I LOVE it!!!
I LOVE Christmas, and if it was up to me I would leave my decorations up year round! As you can see in one of my pictures on here, I do have a snowman warmer plugged in, but that's it for decorations so far. I'm itching to decorate, but will refrain until after Thanksgiving like a good girl!
MOLASSES COOKIES
Yields: 6 Dozsen Cookie
1 1/2 C. Butter; softened
2 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Cloves
1/2 C. Molasses
4 1/2 C. Flour
4 tsp. Ginger
1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Coarse Sugar for Rolling
Preheat oven to 375. In mixer bowl cream Butter and Sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in Eggs and Molasses. Combine the Flour, Ginger, Baking Soda, Cinnamon, Cloves and Salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into balls and roll in the Coarse Sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until tops are cracked. Cool on wire racks.
These smell FABULOUS, and will make your house smell like Christmas! I LOVE it!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)