Stuffed Pepper Skillet...

I have shared with you guys many times my love for a one pot or one skillet. One dish to clean up YES PLEASE! Today’s recipe fits right into that skillet stuffed peppers, I guess it would be like unstuffed peppers, or stuffed peppers unstuffed or well let’s not worry about the naming of this. Let’s just talk about flavor, flavor, and ease of getting to eat! 

A long time ago I shared my first experience with you guys about making traditional stuffed peppers, you can read about it here . I love my version of stuffed peppers but at times they can be a bit daunting with scraping out the pepper and having to parboil it then stuffing it, just a lot of steps. Steps that Monday through Friday I don’t really have time for. But getting the same flavor without the steps I've got time for that! Let’s do this!

Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Ingredients

1 lb ground Pork, Beef, Turkey (whatever suits you)

½ onion diced

2 bell peppers diced (any color we used red and green Charlot’s choice)

1 box Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice (the kind that takes 20 minutes or so)

1 can Tomato Sauce

1 TBSP Butter

2 Cups Chicken Stock (or Vegetable)

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)

Directions

In a large skillet brown your meat with the onion and bell pepper, season with salt and pepper. Drain. Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese. Allow mixture to set for 5 minutes or so to thicken. Serve with crusty bread YUMMY! Enjoy! 

The Gift that ALWAYS Fits...Food!!!

Well my itty bitty baby sister-in-law is having a big birthday this week. How is it possible that she is 23, because when she and I met I was only 19 so if she’s 23 that makes me…well let’s not discuss that. Regardless of how old she is or how young I once was she definitely deserves to be celebrated. And we did just that is past weekend! I am one who always tries to create gifts that are really going to be loved and appreciated. That was no different for RaRa’s birthday!

 RaRa teaches agriculture education in Northeast Missouri, she is in her first year teach so I know how crazy busy she is. I also know that on those long nights at school coming home to a quick and easy home cooked meal is amazing. So for her present I created a whole basket of joy for her! Wine included, wine always needs to be included. Unless a gift is for a child then it would be different. Ok I’ll just stop now. I just thought a nice bottle of wine went well in this basket. Let me step away from the wine, I found some disposable pans at the dollar tree that were the perfect size for a meal for two people or two meals for one person. They worked perfectly for my lasagna roll ups! 

If you are looking for a quick and easy gift idea think the gift of food it is always well received!

In the basket:

3 pans of lasagna roll ups (enough for two people) (I'll post a recipe for these soon!)

Loaf of French bread

Garlic Herb Compound Butter

Knock You Naked Brownies (Recipe found here)

Bottle of Wine

Wine Glasses

Cheese Grater

Lemon Juicer

Ice Cream Scoop

Kitchen Shears

Fridge Chip Clips (you can never have enough of these)

Baked Cheez-It Chicken Strips

What could be better chicken wrapped in buttery cheesy Cheez-its? Hum I can’t think of much.  Ok I am sure there are many things but apparently not to my lovely little child. You see I am dealing with a bit of a picky eater, a bit might not really cover it. Getting her to eat used to be one of my least favorite things to do, but starting right after Christmas we enacted a new rule that she had to try at least one bite of everything on her plate. You see my kid wouldn’t ask for something else to eat she just would not eat, grrrr. It was like she was on a hunger strike. With the new rule the first few weeks were rough, I mean ROUGH. Today we are so far from where we were, thank goodness!

Last night I made this dish, with the help of my sous chef Charlot. And they were a hit! I had made it several times before as a whole chicken breast but I thought maybe a strip would go over better for her and boy oh boy was I right! This was what she said as she finished her plate , “Momma could you save some of this chicken for me, I really really liked it.” Hum yes I can!

This is a super easy weeknight supper to prepare for your family. These strips stay really moist on the outside while the crust gets really crunchy, perfect for dipping! I served mine with oven fries, and peas (Charlot’s choice), I bit of a weird combo but hey she was happy. Please enjoy with your family, and let me know what you think! 

Cheez-it Chicken Strips

4 boneless skinless Chicken Breast, sliced into strips

½ box of Cheez-its, Crushed (I use the regular ones but you could switch it up to any flavor)

½ cup Flour

1 Egg

½ cup Milk

5-10 dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce

Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 450. Line a rimmed sheet pan with foil, spray with pam. Set up three shallow dishes (I use pie plates). In the first add your flour, season flour with salt and pepper. Beat egg, milk and hot sauce together in the second dish season with salt and pepper. In the third the crushed cheez-its. Take chicken coat in flour then egg and finally cheez-its, place on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken, as you are placing on the baking sheet leave room between strips for optimal crunchiness! Bake for 15 minutes then flip and bake 10-15 minutes more. Enjoy! 

Fat Tuesday...Cajun Dinner Ideas!

Today is FAT TUESDAY, the last day prior to the beginning of the Lenten season. This day is celebrated all over the world but in the US the biggest celebration happens in the big easy, New Orleans. For some reason I cannot think of New Orleans without thinking of good food. Granted I have never visited this great place, someday I will, but I just associate it with amazing food! And for that reason each year on Fat Tuesday I find myself wanting to spice up supper and prepare some Cajun classics. If you have never given some of this food a try you for sure should. Flavor flavor flavor, is all I can really say. Most of my love for Cajun food comes from my dad as he would prepare it for us on special occasions when I was a kid. Tonight would be the perfect chance to give one of these awesome recipes a try. ENJOY! Oh we are having sausage creole tonight! Ill report back on it soon!

Shrimp and Sausage Gumbo Here

Shrimp and Grits Here

PP Spicy Jambalaya Here

Spicy Sausage Pasta Here

Things I Love…Guilty Pleasures

I lead a relatively simple life there isn't much that I do that is super extravagant. Well maybe to some I am excessive, but I don’t view it that way. With that said I do have some guilty pleasures…all of them receive love from me nearly daily!

The first being satellite radio. Now some of the stations drive me nuts because they tend to play the same songs over and over but I do not enjoy commercials on the radio. Plus I do love to scan though and find the ideal song; this provides a cornucopia for scanning. But the best thing is the fact that in my truck when on satellite radio I can replay songs. So yes I have listened to “Let it Go” with my child 17 straight. Nonetheless the rewind button isn’t just for her…I LOVE IT! Yesterday as I was leaving working my truck altered me to the fact that “All About that Bass” was playing…score! I may have listened to it over and over again on the way home! It’s truly the little things with me!

Oh the next love is one that causes me to stay up WAY too late at night watching old “Grey’s Anatomy” episodes or trying to get up to date on “Orange is the New Black” (wow by the way). Netflix sucked me in last summer one day when I was sick and there was nothing on TV, thus I turned to my iPad and my love of Netflix was born. Then for Christmas the hubs gave me a Smart TV. This only deepened the love. Plus Charlot loves to watch “The Magic School Bus.” There’s my good reason for keeping it!

Lastly is a website I discovered a couple of years ago and instantly fell in love! Groopdealz…they have the cutest stuff most of which I never knew I needed until I saw it on there. I can’t say that I order from here all the time, but I will say everything I have ordered has been of excellent quality. I will say that nearly every day I find myself having to resist ordering some adorable item for my child, my home, or me! If you haven’t checked this website out you should! Some of the most awesome little things, gifts, clothes, and home decor for great prices.

Now that all of you know some of my darkest secrets what are your little guilty pleasures?!?!?!?

Note: Sirius XM, Netflix, and Groopdealz have no idea who I am...they just receive my love. Not a paid advertisement.

Things I Love…Babies

The other night the hubs and I were out in the farrowing barn and I was just overflowing with joy. I wanted to snuggle and hold every single baby pig that was in the barn. I may have, don’t tell the hubs. As we were driving home that evening I said to him, “many people can’t resist babies of any kind and yes I think they are all cute but for me it is a baby pig (with the exception of my own child), that I cannot resist.” He then proceeded to laugh at me which is pretty typical.

I just love baby pigs ok let’s be real here I just love pigs, old and new I love them all the same. Ok maybe not the same because the babies are so sweet and cute and snuggly, oh and their noses are the sweetest. They nudge against you, yes they are trying to find a place to nurse, but I find it absolutely irresistible. And the best part is the fact that is isn’t just one or two of them there is usually eight or more, so when one tires of your snuggling there are plenty more in line to receive the love.  

I also love the way that momma sows communicate with their little ones. When you open the door on a cold morning and momma comes out to eat, you bet your bottom that if those babies follow her out she is letting them know it is not ok! She grunts, a barks, and snorts until they all get the point, I imagine she is saying “It is way too cold out here get back inside you don’t even have a hat on.” Not that pigs wear hats but if they did… I’m weird I know.  I also love when momma heads back inside to nurse her babies she is talking to them the entire time. Grunting to give them fair warning that soon she will be laying down so they need to move out of the way. It is amazing how they listen, they all usually move to one side or the other and prepare for the feast! 

Yes I love pigs…I cannot and will not help it! But I think what I love most is that when the good Lord was designing all of the creatures he decided that pigs were the ones that would have 10-14 babies at once and not me! What a relief. I do feel for this girl, she is ready for her babies’ arrival!  

She was being difficult while I was trying to take her picture.
FYI she should be delivering new babies to love TODAY!

Things I Love…Children in Church…

This was from VBS this summer

Today I am starting a week-long series on the things I love. Not just my family and friends but something that strikes me that particular day. I got this idea yesterday as I was sitting in church, listening to the pastoral prayer about love but I didn't just hear his words. I heard a baby cooing, two little ones giggling at each other, and I heard mine saying Momma will you hold me.

What I heard in addition to his prayer may have been more powerful, and made me realize how much I love to hear children in church. I love the sound of a baby cooing, kids giggling, toddler’s whining, mommas quieting, all in the house of the Lord. To me it is the sound of a club, a club of parents who despite all else managed to get up on a weekend morning and get themselves and their children dress and to church. A club of parents who are ready for “battle”, any parent who tells you their child sits quietly through church every time they attend are LYING! Yes some Sunday’s are better than others but we all have had those moments when all we want to do is crawl under the pew, cry and sleep in the following Sunday.

When Charlot was about a year and a half or so we had a particularly bad Sunday at church, I was probably up and out of the sanctuary four or five times, a battle for sure. Shortly after that Sunday our church newsletter came out and in the newsletter was a small little section about children in church. Something about that all members of the church wanted to enjoy the service and if you felt that your child was being distracting there was a cry room and nursery available.  I can’t remember what exactly it said but trust me I was so embarrassed when I read it. Then I became a little hurt and angry, at that point in time Charlot was about the only child attending church. I just kept thinking don’t they see I am trying to do what I believe is right and raise her in a church. That was it, I was doing what the hubs and I thought best, I couldn’t let the opinions of other deter how we were raising our little one.  Sunday after Sunday we would keep bringing her and we would make as many trips as it took to the back of the church. Sunday after Sunday she was there feeling the love of the Lord and that is all that really mattered.

Hearing that sound Sunday after Sunday, tells me that we don’t just give up that parents continue to bring their kids and that gives me hope for all of us. Hope that children are still being raised to have a relationship with Christ, and to know the safe comforting feeling of having a church family. So for me hearing those sounds in church means that the church isn't dying, it will still be here next Sunday, next year and for the next generation of parents in battle.

Since the above story our church has been bless with an amazing new pastor who is so warm and welcoming to young and old alike. And the sound of children can be heard and welcomed each and every Sunday.

I LOVE THE SOUND OF CHILDREN IN CHURCH…

Cooking with Grandma...

Some of my favorite memories from childhood revolve around spending time in the kitchen with my mom. She always encouraged us to help her in the kitchen. Even when we (my brother and I) made stupid mistakes, like leaving plastic wrap on meatloaf and burning soup due to not stirring it, she still wanted us to help her. I don't know if wanted is the correct word or allowed is regardless she was amazing at helping us learn to cook. I seriously credit my love of the kitchen to those nights spent in the kitchen with her. I still love to help my mom in the kitchen, even though now we kind of get in each others way, oops! The best thing is that she is passing this tradition down to my kiddo. Charlot loves to help both my mom and I in the kitchen. I snapped this pictures over the weekend of her and my mom making cinnamon rolls. They both were a complete mess and so was the kitchen when it was done but that didn't really matter because they both were smiling ear to ear.

This may be reason number 4062 that I am so glad that the hubs and I decided to live near and raise our kiddo close to our parents. She will have so many happy memories with them it just fills my heart. Thanks Momma Linda for taking the time when I was little and for continuing to take the time with Charlot. I don't say it near enough!

One Pot Wednesday...Quinoa Taco Bowls

Not exactly one pot more like one pan but still one piece to clean up! Can I get an AMEN! We love and I mean LOVE Mexican style food in our house. Tacos especially! In an effort to expand our food horizons and continue on my journey towards a healthier me I decided that we needed to check out this whole Quinoa thing! I know it has been around and popular forever but as usual I am last to jump on the cool train! So my thought was why not make one of our favorite foods into a healthy hearty simple supper?

This is the kind I bought just for reference

Quinoa Taco Bowls

(serves 6)

1 lb Hamburger

1/2 Onion (diced)

1/2 Bell Pepper (dices)

1 TBSP Cumin

1 TBSP Chile Powder

1/4 TSP Red Pepper

Salt and Pepper to taste

1 can Black Beans (rinsed and drained)

1 can Diced Tomatoes ( I used fire roasted)

1 Pkg Roasted Garlic Quinoa 

1 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock

Taco Toppings-

Lettuce

Tomato

Cheese

Avocado

Sour Cream 

Brown Hamburger with onion and bell pepper, cook until no longer brown, and drain. Return hamburger to the same skillet turn heat to medium add seasonings, stir to coat the meat. Add in beans, tomatoes, quinoa, and stock bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with taco toppings, serve how you would like just serve and enjoy!

Banana Bread Pancakes...

Do you ever have a fierce craving for warm banana bread with butter but you don’t have enough ripe bananas in your house. So again that is just me? I can think of a much better treat that hot fresh banana bread right out of the oven slather with butter, yum! But I always seem to only have two super ripe bananas at once and I mean two isn't enough to make my recipe for banana bread. So to combat this I came up with this recipe over the weekend. Man oh man these were good. They received rave reviews by both Hubs and child.

If you are looking to spice up your typical weekend pancakes or you want to surprise your family with a special breakfast for supper. This is for you! I think you could add some peanut butter or some extra nuts to the batter or oh even some chocolate chips. But I tend to like to overdo it on the add-ins, you just make them to suit your fancy and I’ll be happy!

Banana Bread Pancakes

2 cups Bisquick Baking Mix

1 TBSP Cinnamon

Pinch of Salt

2 Ripe Bananas (Mashed)

1 Cup Milk

2 Eggs

1 TSP Vanilla

2 TBSP Sugar

1 TBSP Maple Syrup

In a large bowl mix Bisquick, Cinnamon and Salt, sit aside. In a different bowl combine bananas, milk, eggs, vanilla, sugar and syrup, whisk until sort of smooth. I know not a real term but you don’t want large pieces of banana. Pour wet mixture into dry stir until combined don’t over mix. Heat a griddle and spray with pam or melt a bit of butter. Pour ¼ cup of batter out on to hot griddle, allow cake to cook until there are bubbles forming around the edges flip and allow other side to cook for a few minutes until a nice golden brown. Serve with butter, syrup and pecans. ENJOY! 

The Miracle of Life…

Love at first sight. The Hubs has a cold hence the mask.

I will never forget the first time I saw a baby lamb being born; it was completely gross, slimy, exciting and scary all at the same time. Pretty much from then on I knew that when I had children I wanted them to be able to experience this as well.

She was so gentle

A little head rubbing

When the hubs and I decided long before we were married that raising livestock was going to be a part of our lives, I couldn’t have been happier. Then when I found a job that allowed be to basically move home so I could not only raise livestock but do it with my family I seriously was ecstatic. I saw the things I had dreamed of falling into place for our family. (I do know I had some weird dreams)

Daisy and Charlot in August. 

Daddy I need to hold one.

So last summer I introduced all of you to Daisy, Charlot’s Berkshire gilt. Charlot showed her last summer and had a great experience with her. We then decided to bring her home to add to our sow heard. She was bred this fall and last Sunday I felt so sorry for the poor dear. She looked like she was so ready to go, and as a mom, I have experienced those last few days before the baby comes. Those days when all you do is pray the baby comes and kind of hope it stays right where it’s at. Anyway that is how she looked; she had the miserable motherly glow!

Whoa little guy 

She's in love

Well this Saturday morning Daisy became a momma! I was picking my momma up to go grocery shopping/picking Charlot up from her other grandma, when momma Linda said Daisy has started and the Hubs was in the farrowing house with her. Hooray! Charlot was going to be so excited. And that she was! As soon as I told her that Daisy was having her babies, she was ready to go home and help. Well we got done in town as quick as possible and as soon as we pulled in the drive Charlot was ready to be in that farrowing house with her dad and Daisy. I made her wait just a minute to be certain everything was ok for her to come in. I got the go ahead from the Hubs and grabbed Charlot. From the moment we walked in there she was grinning ear to ear.

Little bitty hadn't even opened his eyes.

Then she saw something and Daisy started to strain, we told her that another baby was getting ready to come. She got as close and we would let her and with her eyes and big as saucers she watched a baby being born. She helped the Hubs dry it off and get it in with its momma. She just kept saying how cool it was. Charlot and I decided to give Daisy some space after a bit, plus Charlot needed to get in the house to tell Pap what she had seen.

She kept telling the hubs thank you daddy thank you!

As soon as we walked in the house she announced that Daisy “POOPED out a baby.” Oh boy I can’t wait to see what she tells the other kids at the babysitters today! I am happy to say that Daisy and all 9 of her babies are doing well, and Charlot is so in love with them. She has requested to keep all of them; we are going to have to work on that with her.

Hot Ham and Cheese Roll-ups

I do enjoy the Super Bowl each year, not really due to the game, I mean sometimes but I love the food oh and the commercials. Is there anything wrong with amazing food that you graze on all night, the and the Budweiser Clydesdales? Hum NO! The only thing that could make it better is if it were declared that the Monday following the Super Bowl was a National Holiday…no work please! Ok on to today’s recipe!

These are the most perfect football party food! And if you are having party to watch the big game this weekend, give these little jewels a try. Even if you are not having a party make them, make them on a Tuesday, make them for lunch, make them for brunch, make them so so much! Ha! I could help it! My point here is these are really tasty little treats that require little to know work, you could even make them up ahead of time stick them in the fridge, then make the sauce when ready to bake and you have a delicious treat on your hands. On your hands? In your hands...YES! Most importantly get them in your mouth! Enjoy!

Hot Ham and Cheese Rollups

1 can Pillsbury™ refrigerated Classic Pizza Crust
3/4 lb deli ham
12 slices Provolone Cheese

Glaze
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.  Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board and press into approximately a 13×18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. Cut into 12 slices, approximately 1-inch wide. Arrange in prepared baking dish.

 Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth and combined. Pour evenly over the rolls. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or bake, uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and browned. Enjoy!