New Camera & Muffin Update

Yesterday I posted my very yummy muffin recipe without pictures because my camera broke. Partly due to the fact that I allowed my toddler to use it to photograph her toys and other interesting items that you can see here on her blog Rock Steady, but mostly because it was old, had been dropped on the road...several times, and filled with sand. This accumulation of abuses has resulted in the button being stuck in video mode. Last night I went to my local evil Walmart and bought this nifty little thing, it's a little larger than my last one a canon elf but worth it. It comes with high def video, fish eye, and miniaturize that makes everything look like small little toys. I'm supper excited about trying out all my new settings.

 Anyways, back to my original point about the muffins, here are the muffins with banana instead of pumpkin because we already ate all the pumpkin ones. Don't they look yummy, go bake a batch!

Recipe:

download recipe card here

I was going to take a picture of my perfect, moist, yummy muffins but my camera broke...so no picture, but trust me these are beautiful! Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Food Finds: el número dos

In food finds número uno I admitted spending way too much money dining out and cooking the same 5 meals repeatedly. On the hunt for new menu sources and money saving tips I have reverted to an old favorite allrecipes.com. They have recently added a menu section, you can find planned out menus as well as search by type: low budget, gluten free, Italian, Mexican and Vegetarian just to name a few. There are some free menu features but for the full access you will need to become a member and subscribe, right now you can sign up for 2 years for just $22.95. I usually don't subscribe to things that I can otherwise get for free but so far I think it's worth it. $22.95 is what we typically pay when we go out to eat just once, definitely worth it considering that having this resource will most likely save me money many times over.


I'm no expert when it comes to saving money, by far the last person you should look to for advice. Although I am trying to lower my food expenses the largest expendable portion of my budget (next to my Comcast bill that is....I can't live without my internet or my TV for that matter, I love me some HBO!)


What I have done so far that seems to be working is first coupon clip. I am not an expert at this either but I am trying to learn and last week saved $40 on my grocery bill, if you need help check out Coupon Mom. Second, plan out your menu! Seriously this helps. The main reason we were going out to eat was because I couldn't think of anything to make and everything that I could make I either didn't have the ingredients or it would take too long and we were hungry "now". Planning ahead, writing down your menu and pinning it to the fridge is half the battle. Next when you get home from the grocery store prep all your veggies and perishable foods immediately. I divvy up the chopped veggies into plastic bags and write what meal they go with on the bag with permanent marker. Also try cooking some things the day or 2 days before, such as rice, so that when Tuesday rolls around and stir fry is on the menu the veggies are already chopped and ready to saute all you need to do is throw in the pre-cooked rice and viola..dinner!


Now for some pictures to complete this very wordy post, here are a few items on my menu this week.

Food Finds: número uno

I'm in a food rut. We go out to eat way to much at our house. I have lost all inspiration when it comes to cooking. I have been repeating the same 5 meals for months now. How much more soup can we eat, potato cheese soup, taco soup, Italian sausage soup, chili...which is a step away from soup aaaahhh! I can't take it anymore, I'm at a complete loss. "Nothing sounds good, everything takes too much time, lets just go to Cafe Rio." Don't get me wrong I could eat at Cafe Rio everyday and not be sick of it, but it's killing my budget at 21 bucks a pop three times a week, not to mention my waist line.

I've been scouring the web looking for the best food blogs and new menu ideas. I will try to bring you at least one great new site or recipe a week until I run out of ideas or steam. So here is this weeks first food find.

Cook to Bang: recipes to get you laid
I absolutely love this blog, It's funny, full of great recipes and a little raunchy. He brings humor into cooking and turns it from a chore into something rewarding, just what I need.

Bang Yo Chicken Mango Sinwich

Dank Organic Veggie Burritos

Break You Off Something Burritos

 This one is for you Jen. O faced Oatmeal

Recipe: Cheese Cake

This is my favorite cheesecake recipe, it is so delicious and professional looking, yet easy to make.

download & print recipe here

download & print recipe here

download & print recipe here

Link Party:

Remodelaholic

Recipe: Mini Chocolate Tea Cakes

These chocolate cakes are super easy to make and pretty to look at. I happen to have a mini tea cake pan but these would also work as cupcakes or in a bundt cake pan. If you use a bundt pan bake for 50 minutes instead.

 Download and Print Recipe Here

Download and Print Recipe Here

Sweet Sweet summer

As Jen mentioned in an earlier post we found the perfect Peppertowne gift for our sweet cousin Haley, who is getting married this weekend. Along with this gift we made her (which will be revealed soon, and is sure to be the best Peppertowne redo yet) we threw her a beautiful shower. She chose an  

Alice in Wonderland theme and Jen and I went straight to work. Here's a sneak peak at the dessert table.

From left to right: Coconut Macaroons, Mini Chocolate Tea Cakes, Peanut Butter Cookies, Mom's Excellent Cheesecake, and my personal favorite...Mini Lemon Tarts!

Over the next few days I will post all the recipes for you, and check back next week for all the shower decorations and details.

Amy's Aloha Sandwich

Wow have I been a slacker, I haven't posted anything in so long! I thought this summer was going to be full of accomplishment, yet I feel like I haven't finished anything on my to do list and summer is almost over. I had rows and rows of projects lined up, an unfinished laundry room just waiting for me, and de-cluttering the house. So far they've all taken a back seat to lounging around and playing with my sweet daughter. Here's to a promise that I will be better at posting and an even greater promise that I will work on my to do list...first thing tomorrow!

Now a recipe for you...

Amy's Aloha Sandwich

  Ingredients:

sandwich rolls (I used bolillo rolls)

deli ham, thick slices (I used brown sugar ham) 

swiss cheese

red onion, sliced thin

green bell pepper, sliced thin

1 small can crushed pineapple

mayo

1. Slice open rolls, lay flat and toast lightly.

2. Using a flat griddle or skillet, saute onions and peppers in butter over medium low heat. In the same pan/griddle heat enough ham for one sandwich, when hot add swiss cheese, let melt. Add pineapple to griddle and let sit for a few seconds until hot. 

3. Prepare roll with mayo, scoop ham onto roll, then top with the peppers, onion and pineapple mixture, enjoy!

Ode to Oatmeal

Ode to Oatmeal

Oatmeal. Oatmeal.

What can I say,

You are the best way to start my day.

You're delicious, you're creamy and

oh so yummy!

With one small bowl, you fill my tummy.

Covered with blackberries and nuts from our tree,

Drizzled with honey and 2 Tbs. of cream,

Protien, iron, fiber and vitamin E.

I love you Oatmeal.

This is your jubilee!

Our Basic Oatmeal Recipe

1 cup milk

1 cup water

dash of salt

1 2/3 cups old fashioned oats

Toppings

A little drizzle of cream

Another drizzle of honey

A spattering of fresh blackberries

And a crunched up handful of walnuts

Bring water, milk and salt to a slight boil.  Add oats and stir.  Then reduce heat stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes till oats are cooked.  Dish the oatmeal and add your toppings. 

Then serve while it's hot.  Cause Matt speaks the truth when he says,

"It aint no good cold."

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Think Tank Mama

What's for dinner?

I don't usually post recipes because lets face it I'm too lazy to cook. But this is one of my favorite cheap and easy meals to make. Nothing hits the spot on a cold rainy day, that feels more like late autumn than spring, like mom's hot soup and biscuits.

 Photo credit

Mom's Cheesy Potato Soup

1 onion, diced

1/2 teaspoon garlic crushed

3 carrots, peeled

2-3 potatoes, peeled

1 can chicken broth

1 can evaporated milk

1cup cheddar cheese, shredded

salt and pepper to taste

1. Throw onion and garlic in a pot with olive oil and saute.

2. Meanwhile, chop carrots and potato, I use a food processor because I like mine finely chopped.

3. Add potatoes, carrots, chicken broth, evaporated milk, salt and pepper to the pot. Let simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes until potatoes and carrots are soft. 

4. Turn down heat to low and add the cheese. The big secret in this recipe is never to allow the soup to boil after you've added the cheese, it makes it separate. It will still taste the same but the consistency will change.
Thanks for the recipe Mom!

Biscuits

A few years ago on my hunt for the best homemade biscuit recipe I stumbled upon this one at allrecipes.com JP's Big Daddy Biscuits. They passed the test, easy to make, fluffy, and taste so good. The only change I make to this recipe is to sub half the white flour for wheat and add about 4 Tablespoons of butter in with the shortening. The secret with this recipe...when you cut in the shortening and butter, take your time and mix until it is crumbly and similar to a graham cracker crust, this makes all the difference in the world. Hope you enjoy!

Sunday Pancakes

This is my daughter's favorite food. 

These aren't healthy pancakes, they are Sunday Pancakes. 

And, their only saving grace is the whole wheat.

Oddly enough, this recipe came from Wendy's church cookbook
(Wendy is my talented MIL).

Recpie credit to Ms. Linda Simmons.

Thanks Linda

Photo credit Eatathomecooks.com

Ingredients

1 egg

1 cup and an extra dribble of milk

2 Tbs melted butter

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbs sugar

Melt butter and mix with the egg and milk  (the extra dribble makes the batter just slightly thinner).  Then in a bowl stir dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Next, simply add the two and stir.  Don't over mix.  The batter should have small to medium lumps

Cook on a med/high griddle.  This makes about 8-10 pancakes. 

Enjoy your Sunday Pancakes