Birthday Burgers

Tomorrow is Chris' 30th birthday. Happy Birthday Babe! For his birthday dinner he wanted some hamburgers on the grill. I know that I just posted about making hamburgers on Independence Day, so I will just touch on a few pointers...

First: Use ground hamburger meat to form your own patties as the pre-made patties tend to dry out and don't have as much flavor.

Second: For juicier burgers add a wet ingredient like 2-3 T Worcestershire Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Terriyaki, etc...

Third: Feel free to add extra flavor to the burgers with Salt and Pepper, Garlic, Diced Onion, bacon bits, cheese, etc...

Fourth: When forming the patties try to make the inside flatter and the outside fatter so that the patties have a slight bowl like shape. The inside of the patties tend to cook slower then the outside so if the inside is thinner then the outside it should help it cook more evenly.

And finally: Don't over cook! The burgers need to cook through so as to avoid foodborn illness, but you don't want to char them since that will just make them dry and chewy. Cook them for around 5 minutes on each side. Feel free to cut into the center of one of the burgers to check for done-ness. If the center is still pink then cook an additional 2-3 minutes and check again. Otherwise if the center is cooked through take them off and serve them quick so they don't dry out.

Now enjoy this tasty summertime treat!

Fiesta Ranch Quesadillas

My parents are in love with fiesta ranch mix. They love to use the mix with sour cream to make a dip for veggies. While we were living with them I had a night that I was in charge of dinner and wanted something mexican. My parents didn't have any taco seasoning so I thought I would try their fiesta ranch seasoning instead. Well it turned out incredibly delicious, so now I will pass it on to all of you!

What You Need

2-3 Chicken Breasts

1 Package of Cheese (cheddar or quesadilla blend)

1 Package Tortillas

1 Package Fiesta Ranch Seasoning

Directions

Cut chicken into thin strips. Place cut chicken into hot lightly greased skillet and add fiesta ranch seasoning. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through. Remove pan from heat. Warm up and lightly grease another large skillet. Place a tortilla in the warm skillet top with cheese, chicken, a little extra cheese, and another tortilla. Cook over medium heat till bottom cheese is starting to melt, and tortilla is starting to brown, then using a spatula and your hand (with the spatula on the heated side of the quesadilla and your hand on the still cool other side) flip the quesadilla over. (Make sure you get your hand out of harms way so you don't burn yourself, but try to make sure all the ingredients stay inside the tortillas!) Then cook this other side till the quesadilla is heated through and the tortilla is nice and crisp. Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a cutting board and cut with a pizza cutter, then place the slices on a serving tray. Serve with salsa, guacamole, and/or sour cream, and enjoy!

Chicken Crescent Sandwiches

I happened across this recipe at a Relief Society recipe exchange. It is super yummy, and a cinch to make.

What You Need

1 package Pillsbury Large Crescent Roll Dough

2-3 Chicken Breasts

1 8oz Package Cream Cheese (go for the reduced fat or fat free for a healthier option)

1 Small Can Mushrooms (Sliced)

1 Small Can Olives (Sliced or chopped)

1 c Cheddar Cheese

Directions

Let Cream Cheese reach room temperature (this makes the cream cheese much easier to work with and mix in). Boil the chicken breasts until they are cooked through, then remove from water and shred them. With a beater mix the cream cheese till it is smooth. Add the mushrooms, olives, chicken and cheese and stir till well blended. Place dough (still flat) on greased cookie sheet. Take cream cheese mixture and spoon onto each dough triangle and then roll the dough into the shape of a crescent making sure there is 1-2 inches between rolls so they don't bake into each other. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until dough is cooked through and turns golden brown. Serve with a side of veggies, and/or fruit.

Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken is one of those recent dishes that I tried and just can't get enough of. I loved the way that this Chinese restaurant in Colorado springs prepared it, so I thought I would adjust my recipe to mimic theirs.

What you need

3-4 boneless skinless Chicken breasts

1 Egg (Beaten)

1 c Plain Bread Crumbs

1 c Chicken broth

1/2 c Sugar

2 T Lemon juice

1/2 t Lemon zest

1 t Salt

1 T cornstarch

Directions

Slice each Chicken Breast in half along the depth of the breast and pound flat ( so they are only 1/2 in thick). Dip each chicken breast half in the beaten egg then coat with the bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a lightly greased cookie sheet and cook in the oven at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or so (just until meat is cooked through. (If you prefer you could just fry the chicken instead) While the chicken is cooking combine the rest of the ingredients in a saucepan (making sure that you dissolve the cornstarch in the broth before you start to heat it up, otherwise the cornstarch will not dissolve and will just get clumpy). Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens. Remove Chicken from oven and slice into strips. Put on plates then pour sauce over the top. Serve with rice and veggies.

Noble's Stroganoff

This is a great recipe that my dad created and is one of my family's all time favorites!

What you need

Beef (cubed, I prefer to get the beef that is sliced thin for stir-fry and then I cut the slices into cubes)

Terriyaki Sauce

Sour Cream

2 Cans Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 package Egg Noodles (go for the No Yolks brand, they are by far the best!)

Directions

In medium sized sauce pan start boiling water and cooking noodles. At the same time in another medium sized sauce pan add Beef and Terriyaki Sauce so that there is about 1/2 -3/4 in of sauce in the bottom of the pan. Let simmer till the meat is cooked through, then add the 2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup, and a heaping large spoons worth of Sour cream (around 1/2 c worth). Stir and let simmer, till noodles are cooked through. The sauce should be creamy with a bite to it do to the Terriyaki. If the bite is too strong add more sour cream, if the sauce is too creamy with only a little bite, then add more Terriyaki. Serve the sauce over the noodles, and don't forget a side of veggies (green beans or broccoli work really well with it).

Dinners & Shopping July 26- Aug. 1

Dinners

Monday - Noble's Stroganoff

Tuesday- Lemon Chicken

Wednesday - Crescent Sandwiches

Thursday - Fiesta Ranch Quesadillas

Friday - Hamburgers

Saturday - Foil Dinners

Sunday - Honey Sesame Pork

Shopping List

Monday

Beef cubed or sliced for stir-fry (I prefer the thin sliced)

Terriyaki sauce

Sour cream

Cream of Mushroom Soup x 2

Egg Noodles (the best or the no yolks noodles, worth the extra cents I promise!)

Tuesday

Chicken

Bread crumbs (plain)

Lemons

Soy sauce

Chicken broth

Wednesday

Package Pillsbury Large Crescents

Chicken

Cream Cheese (try for the reduced fat or fat free)

1 Small Can mushrooms

1 Small Can Olives

Cheddar Cheese

Thursday

Tortillas

Cheddar or quesadilla cheese blend

Chicken

1 Package Fiesta Ranch Mix (you find it in the salad dressing isle with the other ranch dressing mixes)

Friday

Ground Beef

Hamburger buns

Sliced Cheese

Bacon

Lettuce

Tomato

Saturday

Beef (cubed or sliced thin for stir-fry)

Potatoes

Carrots

(make sure you have plenty of aluminum foil as well)

Sunday

Pork Loin

Garlic

Ginger

Sesame Oil

Sesame Seeds

Honey

**Don't forget to add to your list any sides, fruits, veggies, salads that you would prefer to go with each meal along with any other foods for other meals, and basic ingredients that you might be out of.

Swiss Steak

This is another Noble Family recipe that I absolutely love! Trust me, the flavor is AMAZING!

What you need

Medium sized Chuck Roast (or other beef roast)

1 large can diced or whole tomatoes

1 onion sliced into strips

1/2-1c water

Salt and Pepper to taste

Place roast in crock-pot with tomatoes, onion, water, and salt and pepper. Cook over low heat 6-8 hours. Serve roast and veggies separate, then use roast sauce to make a gravy. Serve with mashed potatoes and additional veggies or salad.

Saturday Night

Take the night off from cooking! Find a sitter and another couple to go on a double date with. Grab a couple pizza's and invite some friends over to play games, or watch a movie. Any which way have a fun night tomorrow!

Ashley's Tacos

What you need

Ground Beef

1 Small can of Tomato Sauce

1 package Taco seasoning

Garlic Salt

Refried Beans

Cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Sour Cream

1 package of Hard shell Taco Shells

Brown the beef in a large sauce pan. Try to get the beef into really small pieces while you brown it. Once the meat is cooked through mix in the tomato sauce, taco seasoning, and sprinkle with garlic salt. Let simmer on low for 5-10 minutes, while you warm up the refried beans and taco shells, and cut up the lettuce and tomato. Serve as a make-it-yourself taco bar, and enjoy!

Hot Dogs

Nothing like another lazy day dinner!

What you need

Hot Dogs

Hot Dog buns

Yep it is that simple! Throw some hot dogs on the grill. If you don't have a grill then I find that the toaster oven works great, and a frying pan works well too... Serve on buns with your choice of condiments, chips/fry's, and fruit.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

What you need

Spaghetti Noodles

Spaghetti Sauce

1/2 Package of Frozen Meatballs

Thaw meatballs. Boil spaghetti noodles in a medium sauce pan. In another medium sauce pan start heating meatballs and sauce. Add cooked noodles to sauce and meatballs, make sure the noodles get coated with sauce so they don't stick together, and finish heating through. Serve with a salad or other veggies, and garlic toast.

Sandwiches

No cooking today!

What you need

Hoagie Sandwich Rolls

Lunch Meats ( I love smoked turkey and virginia ham the best! Get them from the deli counter, the price is about the same as prepackaged, but the quality is much better!)

Sliced Cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Mayo

Mustard

Pre-wash and cut lettuce and tomatoes. Have everyone make up their own sandwiches as they please. Serve with Chips and Fruit.

Sloppy Joes

Sorry I don't have a ground breaking recipe for Sloppy Joes, but personally I like the store bought seasoning packets best. I prefer McCormic, or Lowrys personally...

What you need

Ground Beef

1 Can Tomato Paste

1/4 c water

Sloppy Joe Seasoning

Hamburger Buns

Brown the beef, and drain off excess fat. Add tomato paste, water, and seasoning. Reduce heat to low, stir until it is all dissolved and evenly distributed. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on hamburger buns. I like mine with cheese, I also heard that eating them with pickles is really good as well. Serve with french fries, veggies, and/ or chips.

Meals July 19-25

I am keeping it really simple this week to not only cut cost, but also to limit cooking time due to the excessive heat down here in Arizona.

Meals

Monday- Sloppy Joes

Tuesday- Sandwiches

Wednesday- Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday- Hot Dogs

Friday- Tacos

Saturday- Eat out

Sunday- Swiss Steak

Shopping list

Monday

Ground Beef

Tomato Paste

Sloppy Joe Seasoning

Hamburger Buns

Tuesday

Hoagie Rolls

Lunch meat

Sliced Cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Wednesday

Spaghetti Noodles

Spaghetti Sauce

Frozen Meatballs

Thursday

Hot Dogs

Hot Dog Buns

Friday

Ground Beef

Tomato Sauce

Taco Seasoning

Refried Beans

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Lettuce

Tomato

Sour Cream

Hard Shell Tacos

Saturday

Eat Out or Grab a Pizza...

Sunday

Beef Chuck Roast (or other roast)

Large Can Diced Tomatoes

Onion

Goulosh

This is a recipe from my mom. Now it is such a familiar recipe that I have to throw it in the mix time and again. It is extremely simple yet very delicious!

What you need

1 bag macaroni noodles cooked

1 lb ground beef cooked and drained

1 large can diced tomatoes (or 2 small cans work too)

2 c shredded italian blend cheese

Cook noodles and beef. In large casserole dish or pan combine noodles, beef, tomatoes, and 1 cup shredded cheese. Top with additional cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove cover and bake additional 10 minutes. Serve with salad, garlic bread, or other veggies. I hope you enjoy this family favorite!

Ashley's Pork Rib Dinner

This is one of my family's favorite summer meals. It is a combination of recipes that we have observed over the past couple years and improved to make it our own. The ribs we got from a bbq show, the cauliflower from a neighbor, and I am not even sure where the roasted potatoes came from... Any way enjoy this wonderful summer treat!

What you need

1 package boneless Pork Ribs

brown sugar

paprika

salt

pepper

garlic powder

BBQ sauce

Take the pork ribs and rub with brown sugar then sprinkle with additional spices on each side of ribs. Let sit for 15-30 minutes, then place on the hot grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side then baste with bbq sauce and cook for 2-3 minutes more per side.

For the best cauliflower ever...

1 head cauliflower

butter

salt

pepper

Cut out the un-edible center part of the cauliflower but keep it in the shape it grew in. Place cauliflower on 2 sheets of aluminum foil that are overlapping in opposite directions. Smear cauliflower with butter then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Loosely wrap cauliflower with aluminum foil one sheet at a time so that it is completely sealed. Either place on the grill for 1 1/2 hours, or place in oven at 425 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

For Roasted Potatoes

3-4 potatoes (I like red ones personally)

1 red bell pepper

1 green bell pepper

1 onion

Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Olive oil

Cut potatoes into small cubes. Cut peppers and onion into small chunks.

For oven cooking spray cookie sheet with oil then put veggies on in a single layer and sprinkle with seasoned salt. Bake at 425 for 1 hour, stirring and flipping over every 10-15 minutes.

For skillet cooking spray skillet with oil, add veggies, sprinkle with seasoned salt, cook over medium high heat for 20-30 minutes (until veggies are tender) stirring/flipping every 5 minutes.

For grill cooking make pan out of aluminum foil sheets. (Using 4 sheets of aluminum foil laid over each other so that one is vertical and the next is horizontal and so forth, fold sides up and in on themselves so you create the appearance of a cookie sheet.) Spray your aluminum foil cookie sheet with oil, add veggies, and top with seasoned salt. Place on hot grill and let cook for 30-45 minutes stirring/flipping every 5 minutes.

Strawberry Pie

So I know it isn't a dinner recipe, but it is such a good recipe that I thought I would share it anyway. This is my Grandma Noble's recipe for Strawberry Pie which is just to die for!

What you need

1 pie crust already cooked

4 c strawberries (which is the equivalent of a 1 lb tub. I prefer them sliced but you can always do them whole)

1 1/2 c water

3/4 c sugar

2 T cornstarch

1 large package strawberry JELLO

Place strawberries in precooked pie crust. In saucepan combine water, sugar, and cornstarch, then heat over medium high setting until the mixture starts to turn clear (it will still be a little milky, but you will be able to see the difference). Remove from heat and add strawberry JELLO. Let cool slightly then poor over strawberries. Refrigerate until set ( at least a good 2-3 hours), then slice and serve with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Date Night

Tomorrow night is date night! So grab a sitter, make some mac and cheese for the kids, and take the night off!

Fried Tilapia

What you need

Tilapia or other white fish (fresh or thawed in milk)

oil for frying

1 c flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t sugar

1 egg

2 T oil

1 c ice water

1/2 t baking powder

Heat 1 1/2- 2 in deep oil in frying pan on high. Mix all ingredients, except for fish and frying oil, in medium sized bowl until smooth. Pat fish dry with paper towel, then dip in batter. Fry for 4-5 min per side or until golden brown. Let cool on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedges, malt vinegar, and french fries.

Suiza Burritos

One of my favorite restaurants in Arizona is called La Parilla Suiza. I ordered a burrito at this restaurant that I absolutely loved and so I tried to recreate the recipe. Enjoy!

What you need

4-6 slices bacon

1 onion diced

1 bell pepper diced

2-3 chicken breasts

salt and pepper to taste

Cut bacon into thin strips and fry. Remove from pan, drain off excess fat then cook the onion and bell pepper in the same bacon pan. Chop Chicken into small pieces and add to veggies, season with salt and pepper. Once the chicken is cooked through remove from heat and stir in bacon bits. Serve in tortillas with cheese.

Quiche and Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

What you need for Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

1/4 c butter softened

1/2 c sugar

1 T Lemon juice

1 egg

3/4 c flour

3/4 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

1/4 c milk

1/2 t lemon zest

1 T poppyseeds

In medium sized bowl cream together butter, sugar, lemon juice, and egg. In separate bowl sift together dry ingredients, then add alternately with milk to egg mixture. Stir in lemon zest and poppyseeds. Spoon into paper lined muffin tin. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Optional syrup

2 T lemon juice

1/4 c sugar

Combine and heat just until sugar desolves. Prick small holes in top of muffins with toothpick, then gently pour syrup into holes. Let cool before serving.

(recipe from the World Wide Ward Cookbook)

What you need for Quiche

Pie Crust

8 slices of bacon crisply cut and crumbled

1/2 and onion finely chopped

1 c sharp cheddar cheese

4 eggs

2 c whipping cream or half and half

1/4 t salt

1/4 t Pepper

1/8 t cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Sprinkle bacon cheese and onion in pie crust. Beat eggs, then beat in all the remaining ingredients. our onto pie crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce temp to 300 degrees and bake for additional 30 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Then let stand 10 minutes.

If sensitive to egg yolk use the equivalent of 4 eggs in egg whites, decrease the amount of cream to between 1 - 1 1/2 cups, and add 2 T flour to egg mixture. You might also need to bake and additional 10-15 minutes.

Serve with muffins and fruit.

(Recipe from the Betty Crocker's Cookbook)

Mozzarella Chicken

This is a recipe that I saw on a cooking show on PBS, and has quickly become one of our family favorites. I have simplified it to make it easier and less time consuming. Although for the best taste one should make a homemade sauce of crushed tomatoes, Crushed garlic, olive oil, and basil. I find that a simple bought spaghetti sauce works just fine.

What you need

Chicken

Flour

Olive oil

Mozzarella (try to get the good stuff that comes in a blob-like block)

Spaghetti Sauce

Spaghetti Noodles (my favorite are the angel hair noodles!)

Coat the bottom of a saute pan in olive oil and heat at a medium high setting. Dredge Chicken in flour (fancy word for coat the chicken in flour... it helps the chicken dry out and cook/fry better...). Place chicken in hot skillet and cook 4-5 minutes on each side. The chicken should be browned on each side but not cooked all the way through yet. Turn temperature down to a low setting and place a thick slice of Mozzarella cheese on each piece of chicken then top with spaghetti sauce and basil (fresh or dry will work just fine). Then cover and cook on low for 10-15 minutes, till chicken is cooked through.

Serve with spaghetti noodles topped with additional spaghetti sauce, a salad or other veggies, and/or garlic toast.

Dinners/Shopping List July 11-17

Dinners

Monday - Mozzarella Chicken

Tuesday - Quiche and Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

Wednesday - Suiza Burritos

Thursday - Fried Tilapia

Friday - Date Night!

Saturday - Pork Ribs

Sunday - Goulash

Shopping List

Mozzarella (In a block, it is worth splurging for the more expensive "real" stuff!)

Spaghetti Noodles

Spaghetti sauce

Basil

Chicken

Pie Crust

Eggs

Half and Half ( I prefer fat free...)

Onion x 2

Green Bell Pepper x 2

Bacon

Cheddar Cheese x 2 (Or one large, for two separate meals)

Lemon

Poppyseeds

Tilapia

Boneless Pork ribs

Paprika

Red Potatoes

Red Bell Pepper

Cauliflower

Elbow Macaroni

Large can Diced tomatoes

Ground Beef

Italian Cheese Blend

(As always these are basic ingredients needed for the meals specified. The list does not include most side items for meals, or basic ingredients that every kitchen should have like flour, sugar, ect.)

Pork Roast

This recipe is a cinch, and super delicious, definitely one of our family favorites! It is actually a recipe I got from my in-laws. So thanks guys! Love you!

What you need

Pork roast

4-5 garlic cloves

1 c water

salt

pepper

Slice the garlic into medium sized chunks. Using a sharp steak knife poke the roast 2 inches deep or so and shove a little piece of garlic in the hole. Repeat this all over the roast. Place roast in crock-pot with the 1 cup of water. Crush the rest of the garlic and sprinkle on top of and around the roast. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook over low heat all day.

For awesome garlic mashed potatoes, cut 3-4 medium- large potatoes into chunks and add to the roast, and let cook all day. Remove potatoes 20- minutes before serving. Mash with around 1/2 c sour cream, and 2-3 T butter. If potatoes are too thick add milk just a little at a time till you get the best consistency.

To make gravy. Take roast out of crock-pot and pour remaining juices into a medium sauce pan. Cook over medium-high heat. Mix 2-3 T cornstarch with 1/4 c water and add to drippings stirring constantly till it reaches a good gravy consistency.

Serve with the mashed potatoes, gravy, and some veggies!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

What you need

Chicken

Red Bell Pepper

Pineapple

Red store bought Sweet and Sour Sauce

Slice bell Pepper and start Sauteing. Slice chicken into strips or cubes, and add to bell peppers. Cut Pineapple (fresh always tastes so much better!) and add to chicken and bell peppers. When chicken is cooked through top with sweet and sour sauce.

If you prefer fried chicken for your sweet and sour... Instead of sauteing the chicken, place cut chicken into a mixture of 2 eggs (beaten) and 1/2 c cornstarch, then deep fry, add sauteed peppers and pineapple and top with sweet and sour sauce.

Serve with rice, and extra veggies or fruit.

Homemade Pizza

Making homemade pizza is one of my favorites. You can use this recipe to make 2 medium sized, or one large pizza.

What you need

2 1/2 - 3 c Flour (try mixing half whole wheat with half all purpose)

1 T Sugar

1 t Salt

1 package yeast (or if you buy in bulk, which is MUCH cheaper, then use 2 1/4 tsp.)

3 T Olive oil

1 cup hot water

Mix 1 c of flour with sugar, salt, and yeast in large mixing bowl. Add 3 tablespoons oil and hot water (hot enough that it feels really warm, but not scalding hot). Beat with electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir enough remaining flour into dough to make it soft and less sticky. Knead for 5-8 minutes (The recipe says to do this on the counter, but I like to knead in the bowl so you have half the mess to clean up! Add enough flour to the dough while you are kneading it so that it doesn't stick to your hands, but try to to add too much. Adding too much flour will give you a harder, more dense end product. The less flour you add and the more time you let it rise, the fluffier your end product.) Remove dough, grease inside of bowl, replace dough, cover with dish towel or loose serane wrap and let rise at least 30 minutes.

For thin crust preheat oven to 425 degrees, grease 2 cookie sheets, dived dough in half, and roll out dough into each cookie sheet (you can make it into round pizzas, or roll dough out to fill the entire cookie sheet). Bake for 7-8 minutes, remove from oven top with your choice of toppings, and bake for additional 8-10 minutes.

For thick crust preheat oven to 375 degrees, grease one cookie sheet, and roll out dough to fill the entire cookie sheet. Cover loosely and let rise an additional 30-40 minutes. Bake for 20 minutes, remove from oven, top with your choice of toppings, and return to oven for additional 20 minutes.

Serve with Rootbeer and a movie!

(Recipe from the Betty Crocker's Cookbook, which is another one of my favorites!)

Green Chili Pork (for burritos)

What you need

3-4 lb. Pork roast or tenderloin

1/2 c. water

1 T Salt

Pepper

4 c. green chilies, chopped

1 28oz can green chili enchilada sauce

1 onion, chopped

1 t cumin or Mexican spices

Handful of fresh cilantro chopped

1/2 c - 1 c drippings from roast

Cook Pork roast in crock-pot with water salt and pepper 6-8 hours (overnight works best). Remove roast, reserving liquid. Cube or shred meat and place back in the liquid in the crock-pot. Add remaining ingredients and let simmer on high 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Sauce should thicken to a stew consistency. If too thin add cornstarch in water, if too thick add more meat drippings. Serve burrito style with beans, cheese lettuce, tomato, avocado, or any other burrito toppings.

(Another recipe from the World Wide Cookbook)

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

What you need

1 bag frozen Meatballs

1 c brown sugar

1/2 c vinegar

2 t. mustard

1/2 c barbecue sauce

2 t Worcestershire Sauce

Warm meatballs through. In separate bowl combine rest of ingredients, then pour over meatballs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve over rice, with a side of veggies. Or serve with cheese cubes and crusty bread.

(Another recipe from the World Wide Ward Cookbook.)

Busy Day Casserole

This is a pizza style Noodle dish!

What you need

1/2 lb Ground beef

3 c. Macaroni (cooked and drained) You could also use rotini, or other type of small noodle

1 jar Spaghetti Sauce

1 8oz. Package Pizza Blend Cheese

Parmesan Cheese (grated)

Pepperoni

1 can Black

Cook and drain Macaroni. Brown and drain ground beef. Combine beef, macaroni, and spaghetti sauce, then place in 9x 13 casserole dish and top with pepperoni, olives, and cheeses. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly. Serve with salad, fruit, and/or garlic bread.

(Recipe from World Wide Ward Cookbook, which is my favorite cookbook ever!!!)

BBQ Sandwiches

For my BBQ sandwiches I like to keep it simple!

What you need

3-4 Chicken breasts (or a small pork or beef roast)

Salt

Liquid smoke

BBQ Sauce

Place meat in Crockpot and cover with liquid smoke, then sprinkle with salt. Cook on low setting all day. Around 30 minutes before eating shred the meat and stir in BBQ sauce, then let cook another 30 minutes to warm through. Serve on Hamburger buns. I love mine topped with cheese! Serve with veggies, fries/chips, and/or fruit.

July 5 - 11 Dinners

This weeks dinners...

Monday - BBQ Sandwiches

Tuesday - Busy Day Casserole

Wednesday - Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Thursday - Green Chili Burritos

Friday - Homemade Pizza

Saturday - Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sunday - Pork Roast

Shopping list

Chicken BB Sauce

hamburger buns

Ground beef

macaroni

Spaghetti Sauce

Pizza Blend Cheese x 2

Parmesan Cheese

Pepperoni

can of Olives

Frozen Meatballs

Worcestershire Sauce

Pork roast x 2

Can diced green chili's x 2

Can Green Chili Enchilada Sauce

Onion

Refry beans

Cheddar cheese

Tortillas

Lettuce

Tomato

Sour Cream

yeast

Pizza Sauce

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Rice

Pineapple

Red Bell Pepper

Garlic

Potatoes

Happy Independence Day

Hope everyone is having a great independence day! Grill up some burgers serve with french fries, baked beans, or just potato chips. Watermelon, corn on the cob thew list is endless.

My favorite is using ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and grill. I like to make four patties to every pound of hamburger. Top with cheese of course and then whatever else your heart desires.

For dessert try making some homemade ice cream.

Ingredients

2 c Milk

2 c half and half

4 c whipping cream

1/2 t salt

1 3/4 c sugar

2 T vanilla

Place ice cream making canister in the freezer. Warm up the milk in a sauce pan, till it almost boils, then pour in a bowl. Add sugar and salt to dissolve. Then add the rest of the ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Place ingredients in the pre-frozen canister and place in icre cream maker. Turn on ice cream maker, then add ice and rock salt in layers. Keep adding ice and rock salt as it is needed. Let it run till it stops on it's own. Remove from icre cream maker and enjoy!

Have a happy and safe 4th!

Chicken Parmesan Panini

What you need

2 Boneless skinless Chicken breasts

salt and pepper

1 c vegetable oil

3/4 c flour

2 eggs (beaten)

1 c dry bread crumbs

3/4 c parmesan cheese

4 ciabata sandwich rolls

1 1/3 c shredded mozzerella Cheese

1/4 c basil

1 c spaghetti sauce

How to make

Butterfly the chicken breasts (cut in half along the width of the breast. It helps if you place the breast flat on a cutting board, place your hand on top of the chicken then use the knife to slice the chicken halfway between your hand and the cutting board. Just don't cut your hand!) and pound flat. Then season with salt and pepper.

In saute pan over medium heat warm the oil.

Put flour and eggs in separate bowls, and in another bowl mix bread crumbs and parmesan. Coat chicken in flour, shake off excess. Dip chicken in eggs, let excess drip off. Press chicken into bread crumb mixture.

Place 2 chicken breast halves in the hot oil at a time and fry turning once. About 3 minutes total. Then place cooked chicken on a plate/platter with paper towels. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Place 1 piece of chicken on each roll half and top with 1/3 c mozzerella, 1 Tbs. basil and 1/4 c spaghetti sauce. Cover with remaining half of sandwich roll. Place 2 sandwiches in panini press or in a frying pan. (If using a frying pan place a heavy pan on top to press sandwiches, then flip over after 1 1/2- 2 minutes.) Then cook remaining sandwiches the same way. Cut in half and serve.

Can also serve with a salad or other veggies. Or even just with some chips or fries!

(This recipe was obtained from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen)

Date Night

Tonight is date night. Grab a sitter for the kids, and get them a pizza for dinner. Go out and have some fun!

If date night isn't in the budget for you yet then still grab a pizza and a redbox and have a fun picnic with the kids while watching the movie!

Teriyaki Fish

This is a recipe that I actually created out at Chris' parents house.

Things you will need

Tilapia (or other white fish sliced thin)

milk

Teriyaki marinade

Teriyaki Sauce (nice and thick!)

First and foremost you will want to soak your fish in milk. (This actually helps to get rid of/ avoid any fishy taste). An hour or so before cooking drain and rinse the fish then marinate in a small bowl or baking dish.

Turn your oven on a nice high broil (you could also use the grill on a medium high setting). Make sure that the oven rack is on the highest position. If you have a broiling pan you can use that to cook the fish on. I don't have one so I like to use a cookie sheet with a cookie cooling rack on top so you get the nice airflow of a broiling pan. Baste one side of the fish with the teriyaki sauce. and cook basted side up for about 4-5 minutes. Remove fish, flip over, baste other side and return to oven/grill to cook for 4-5 more minutes. Check doneness. Fish should be flaky and moist. If not return to oven for only a couple more minutes, don't overcook!

Serve with rice, veggies, and my favorite, grilled or broiled teriyaki soaked pineapple! Enjoy!