#1 of 51 - 2017

Did you guys read my post about my goals for 2017?  Well I am doing great at them, the one week it has been, and today I am sharing with you my first new recipe of 2017.

We eat a ton of the same things, over and over again.  Partly because we are busy and partly because I am picky and do the cooking.  We were both excited to start new recipes and this one was no disappointment.

The first new recipe of 2017 that we tried was homemade Chicken Chow Mein! :)  Now, I don't ever eat chow mein but Ryan loves it and it looked simple, easy and most of all, yummy!

The recipe was simple and we could make any modifications we wanted.  We used Angel Hair pasta and pan seared chicken breasts.  We couldn't find a vegetable mix that we both liked so we just opted out of the veggies for the first time.

This was by far a delicious and easy recipe that made a ton of food for a really great price!  We saved half of it for another meal and will be adding it to our rotation for sure!  Next time we will add some veggies that we both agree on to add some more nutrients to it.

Super Easy - But Delicious - Banana Bread

Today I am bringing you one of the easiest recipes out there!  My cousin would send this to Ryan constantly while he was in Afghanistan and it is one of his favorites.  I asked her for her recipe and found out that it is so simple.  I have now made Ryan 3 batches in the past week. :)

No need for a mixer or a bread maker today!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Ingredients:
2-3 very ripe bananas
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 beaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and butter a 4x8-inch loaf pan.

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Use a wooden spoon to stir the melted butter into the mashed bananas.

Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes at 350°F, or until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and cool completely on a rack. Remove the banana bread from the pan. Slice and serve.

ENJOY!

Mexican Steak and Potatoes

So today I am bringing you one of my favorite meals from my childhood.  This is my mom's recipe for Steak and Potatoes.

Now I know that it might seem silly to have a recipe for steak and potatoes, but the way we make it is so much different.

I'm not sure there is an official name for it, we have always just called it Steak and Potatoes.  When I describe it to others before I make it I just tell them it is a Mexican version of it.

So without further ado I bring you Mexican Steak and Potatoes per my mom's recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
Top Round Steak
4 - 5 Russet Potatoes
1T Garlic Powder
1T Onion Powder
1T Cilantro
1T Cumin
1tsp Salt
15 ounces tomato sauce
8 ounces water

DIRECTIONS:
Peel and cube potatoes
Cube Steak
Saute in an oiled pan with all spices
Once meat is browned, pour in tomato sauce and water
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender

I make rice and beans on the side and we eat them out of tortillas.  Top with cheese, sour cream and favorite hot sauce and you are good to go.

Super simple and so delicious!

Let me know if you try it out and love it just as much as our family does. :)

Meatball Subs

So I am not known for my cooking skills.

Shocked?  I didn't think so.  LOL.

Well anyways.  I have been trying to get better especially since when I am home on Maternity Leave I want to be cooking and baking up a storm to 1. Save money and 2. Be more domestic.  :)

So I came up with a new dinner for me and the hubs this week and it was a hit!!!

Super easy and quick.

We had Meatball Subs for dinner.

Ingredients:
Frozen Meatballs - Or homemade if you so choose
Marinara Sauce - whichever kind you like
Hoagie Rolls
Mozzarella Cheese - shredded

Directions:
I took the frozen meatballs and put them and the sauce in a pan.  I covered them while over a low heat for 25 minutes.  We then took the hoagies and loaded them up with the balls and sauce.  Top it off with some shredded mozzarella cheese and you are set!

The hubs absolutely loved them and they were so easy!

I know it isn't much, but for this girl who can barely make anything other than boiled pasta it is a step in the right direction! :)

Any good, easy recipes you want to share with me?  I am always open for ideas!

Tacos? Baby H Says Yes!

So as you may know by now, I am not a cook.  Ryan likes to tell me that what I make is delicious and if I had more confidence in the kitchen then I wouldn't say I am so bad at it all the time.

So, with my loving hubby being so supportive, I decided to find a recipe that I will try.

Baby H loves nothing more than Mexican food - and this Mexican Mama is A-OKAY with that :)

I found this delicious looking taco recipe over at Half Baked Harvest, thanks to Kayla, and I cannot wait to try it!

Here is to being brave and trying new things.  :)

I will let you all know how it goes!

Chicken Fettuccine

Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

This recipe has been a go-to of my mom's since as long as I can remember.  We both love it so much!  It is super simple and makes plenty of food.

I hadn't ever made this for Ryan because my husband doesn't like white sauce on his pasta!  Can you believe it??  I know, I know, he is weird.  But after begging asking nicely he said he would try it.

I give you the easiest and yummiest semi-homemade Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo :)

Ingredients:

Pasta - use whichever kind you would like, we like corkscrews so that the sauce gets in between :)

Olive Oil - only enough so your pasta doesn't stick together & enough to coat the bottom of the chicken pan

Alfredo Sauce - I use whatever is on sale - either Prego or Bertolli

Italian Seasoning

Boneless, skinless chicken - I use tenders because they cook faster but once you dice it doesn't really matter

Peas - optional 

Directions:

In a big pot cook your pasta according to the box/bag directions

While pasta is cooking clean and dice your chicken

Throw chicken in a skillet with warm olive oil.  Throw in some Italian Seasoning - this is where you want to add your extra flavors in

Cook chicken thoroughly and drain excess oil if desired.

Toss in Alfredo sauce with Chicken and about 1/4 of the jar's worth of water.

(If you choose to add veggies you would do so now and let them cook as the sauce heats)

Heat sauce and serve.

A semi-homemade dinner in less than 30 minutes :)

Yummy Meatloaf!

So I have started posting things on Instagram that Wifessionals and Wifestyles prompt us on each week.  Last week's prompt was something nice for your husband.  I decided that I would make mine meatloaf.  He loves meatloaf and in the whole 4.5 years that we have been together I have never made it for him.  That all changed when I called my mom and got her recipe.  It is so easy and takes no time at all.  He was super excited and loved it!

Mommy's Easy Peasy Meatloaf

Ingredients:

1 pound of lean beef

1 egg

4 saltine crackers (crumbled)

1 Tbls minced onion

1 tsp season salt

1-2 Tbls ketchup

Directions:

Take beef and break up into microwavable safe loaf pan

Mix in egg, crackers, onion, salt and ketchup with beef

Make into loaf shape in pan

Take ketchup and top meatloaf if desired

Place loaf pan in microwave for 7 1/2 minutes at 50% power

Continue cooking for another 7 minutes but at 100% power

If you like it a little crunchier, continue cooking at 1 minute increments until meatloaf is cooked to your liking

I hope you enjoy this as much as my hubby and mommy do.  Her recipe is delicious and super easy!

Holi-Drink! {12 Days of Christmas}

Day 10 of #12DaysOfBlogging with Amber and Erin.

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Today we are talking about festive, holiday cocktails!  Man oh man, do I love cocktails.  Now don't take this as I have a problem...it is actually quite the opposite.  I have pretty much quit drinking since our honeymoon but I do indulge every once in a while still. 

The problem with the holiday drinks though is that I am picky.  And by picky I mean that there are very few drinks that I actually like.  I like the drinks that are sneaky and yummy.  I don't drink dark alcohol or beer for the most part.  I enjoy vodka and liquors.

Now with that being said - and get ready to GASP - I despise Eggnog.  :(  It is sooooo nasty to me.  Nothing about it is appealing to me.  The eggy taste, the creaminess, the RUM or WHISKEY.  No thank you!  More for the rest of you this way though.

source

So with that I have decided to share one of my most favorite drink recipes ever.  I discovered this when I was bar tending at good ol' Spag.  It quickly became my favorite drink ever and I used to make just a little bit extra each time so I could take a little taste - responsibly of course. :)

I introduce you to - and you're welcome in advance -

The Strawberry Pomegranate Drop

Things Needed:

1 Martini Glass - or any glass for that matter

Ice

Cocktail Shaker

Plain sugar

Lime Juice

Sweet and Sour

Monin Strawberry Puree

Three Olives Pomegranate Vodka

Directions:

::Disclaimer - I just count everything out.  There is no wrong way to make it as long as the proportions are correct::

Take your cocktail shaker and put a scoop of ice inside.

Pour two shots of vodka inside.

Take the puree and put some inside.  As much as you would like it to taste like strawberry.  I usually do about 5-10 seconds worth.

Add a splash of lime juice

Fill the cocktail shaker so that it is about 2/3 full with sweet and sour mix

Cover and shake until you feel the whole shaker turn chilly.

Take your glass and dip the top in lime juice and then sugar.

Strain your shaker contents into glass.

Serve with either a lemon or lime wedge

ENJOY!



Treats! Oh, How We Love Treats! {12 Days of Christmas}

Today is Day #8 of #12DaysOfBlogging with Amber and Erin. 

 

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Today we are talking about my favorite thing to do in the whole wide world!  That's right folks...we are talking about

B-A-K-I-N-G!!

 

Baking has always been a thing while I was growing up.  My mom is not per say an amazing baker but she holds her own with a mixer and an oven.  I remember growing up we were always creating something - my mom's famous chocolate chip cookies or her fudge. 

 

I don't exactly remember when I decided that I loved to bake but I do remember that I have always enjoyed it.  I would be completely happy making a new dessert every single day if my wallet and my husband's health wouldn't decrease.  LOL.

 

I am so happy that I married a man who loves his treats.  I do not eat many ::if any:: desserts with the exception to ICE CREAM, so I love that he will try out anything that I want to make.  I also love that my father-in-law is just like his son and loves my baked goods as well. 

 

Funny little side note:  My husband now works at the same location as his dad and they eat lunch together every day ::super cute:: and now everyone at work is always asking for him to bring in more goodies because they like them so well.  It makes me happy that people love my baked goodness as much as I love making it.

 

Without further ado, I bring you a wonderful and scrumptious

 

Apple Pie with a Caramel Crumble

 

Ingredients:

1 9-inch pie pan - I used glass

1 pie crust - I used Pillsbury Refrigerated Pie Crusts

1 cookie sheet (for placing the pie on while baking)

 

Filling:

5 medium apples ::whichever you fancy:: peeled, cored and cubed

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

 

Crumble:

1 cup oats

1 cup brown sugar ::really as much as you'd like but at least 1 cup::

 

Topping:

1 jar caramel topping sauce

1/4 cup butter

 

Directions:

 

{ONE}

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Place pie crust in an ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate.  Press firmly against sides and bottom.

 

{TWO}

Gently mix filling ingredients in large bowl.

 

{THREE}

Spoon into pie plate and cover all areas

 

{FOUR}

Mix oats and brown sugar in a smaller bowl.  Completely cover the filling with the crumble topping

 

{FIVE}

Take the caramel topping sauce and cover the top as much as you like.

 

{SIX}

Take the 1/4 cup of butter and cube it up and plop (so technical I know) it all over the top.

 

{SEVEN}

Place pie on cookie sheet and place in oven.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until apple are tender and crust is golden.

 

{EIGHT}

Let cool for at least two hours before serving.  If making ahead of time, cover with saran wrap and keep refrigerated and place in oven for warming when ready to enjoy.

 

 

Before Baking

After Baking

 

I hope you enjoy this tasty treat as much as my family did. 

Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies

Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies - the most simple and tasty little treats. :)

I created these while the hubby was in Afghanistan and shipped them over to him in one of the MANY care packages.  He was so excited for all of the baked goodness that he was missing from being home so anytime I could come up with something new for him, that is just what I did. 

These are super easy and not so bad on the tasty side.  I hope you enjoy them as much as my hubby does. :)

Things Needed:

1 box brownie mix

1 package Oreo - Peanut Butter filling

2 eggs

1/4 cup water

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 13x9 pan

Oil Spray

Directions:

{ONE}

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray pan with oil and makes sure to get all edges and sides.

{TWO}

In a large bowl put the oil, water, eggs and brownie mix together.  Mix well until all clumps have disappeared.

{THREE}

Pour 1/3 batter into bottom of pan and spread to cover entire base.

{FOUR}

Take the oreos and place them all over the batter and cover as much of the batter as possible or as you would like.

{FIVE}

Pour the rest of the batter on top of the oreos covering all completely.

{SIX}

Bake for 25 - 28 minutes ::depends on your oven so the time could vary::

{SEVEN}

Let cool in pan completely.

{EIGHT}

Enjoy these gorgeous, tasty, little babies.

Today I am linking up for the first time with Jessica and Ashley for Taste of Tuesday. 

S'Mores Cookies...

These are heavenly and I made them this morning for the hubbers! They look fantastic and were super easy to make!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Jenni for this recipe! 

 

 

S'Mores Cookies Recipe

Ingredients:

11 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup mini marshmallows

5 regular sized Hershey's bars, broken into pieces

1 box graham crackers, broken into squares

 

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line baking pans with parchment paper.

 

Lay out graham crackers on the pan, an inch or two apart if you want cookies or side by side if you want bars.  You may have to add or remove graham crackers according to how much dough you have.

 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sea salt and cinnamon to combine.  Set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butter with white and brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixer and combine on low speed. 

Fold in the chocolate chips and marshmallows.

 

Place tablespoons of dough on graham crackers and press down slightly with spoon or fingertips.  Bake for 5 minutes then remove from oven to press Hershey's bar pieces onto the top (break the Hershey's pieces in half if you want two pieces of chocolate per cookie).  Bake for 5-7 more minutes or until dough is beginning to turn golden brown at the edges.  Remove to a wire rack to cool immediately.  If you chose to make the bars, make sure cookies are completely cool and cut with a sharp knife.

 

 

It made me 36 cookies.  Enjoy!