Sweet and Sour Meatballs

As a kid I hated sweet and sour but as an adult I really enjoy it.  It helps that whenever I make sweet and sour anything it makes my husband extra happy.  I was drawn to this recipe because of the simple ingredients and I was very happy with the results.  I am all about easy and quick meals right now and this one is just that- easy and quick.  Add some veggies from your garden and your set for a great dinner.

1 lb. hamburger
1/4 C. Fine Bread Crumbs
1 Egg
1/2 of an Onion, diced small or 1 T. Onion Powder

Mix all ingredients together very well and shape into small meat balls, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter.  I was able to make 35.  Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.   

Sweet and Sour Sauce:
1 C. Brown Sugar, packed
1 1/2 C. Water
1 1/2 T. Corn Starch
1/4 C. Vinegar
3 T. Soy Sauce
2 T. Kechup

Combine all ingredients in a skillet and bring to a boil.  Add meatballs and simmer uncovered 15 minutes until sauce is thick.  If sauce becomes too thick just add a little bit of water.  Serve over rice.  

Minestrone

Having fresh peas and beans in my kitchen from the garden made me think of Minestrone. I was feeling adventurous so I just came up with this recipe on my own. The only thing I did with a recipe was look one up to see what spices to put in. It has such fresh taste.

1/4 large onion chopped

2 t. oil

3 carrots peeled and chopped

1 clove garlic minced

3/4 quart bottled tomatoes

2 t. beef base

3/4 cup water

1 small bowl green beans

1 small bowl peas

1 can corn

1/2 T. basil

1/2 T. dried rosemary

4 baked potatoes peeled and chopped

Salt to taste

Add onion, carrot into warm oil and saute for about 6 min. Turn to low heat and add garlic. Add tomatoes, and every other ingredient, besides the potatoes. Simmer for 10 min or until cooked through. Turn to low and add potatoes.

Chunky Monkey Pancakes

I found this totally awesome recipe on allrecipes.com the other day.   I must tell you that these are fantastic!  They are a nice, fun change to traditional pancakes.  And who doesn't like chocolate for breakfast?

1 C. Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/4 tsp. Salt
3/4 C. Milk
3 T. Oil
2 Eggs
1 T. Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Banana, diced
1/2 C. Chocolate Chips
1/4 C. Chopped Nuts (I used pecans)

Mix all ingredients together except chocolate chips and nuts.  Mix thoroughly then fold in chocolate chips and nuts.  Spoon onto hot griddle and cook until brown on both sides.  Serve with maple syrup.  Makes 9 pancakes.

Stuffed Quesadillas

I know it has been a long time since anyone has heard from me on this blog.  Where have I been?  Well, I didn't take any exotic vacations but I did have a sweet little baby boy in June!  He is so, so cute and I have been way more interested in cuddling him than in any recipe, no matter how alluring the ingredients might be!

But recently my cookbooks and appliances have been calling my name and I finally feel the urge to cook again.  Here is a new recipe that I tried a couple of days ago.  I love meatless dinners in the summer!  This recipe is completely delicious while also lowfat, quick, very filling and convenient since you probably have everything in your pantry to make this meal right now!  I loved the slightly sweet flavor of the filling with brown sugar in it.  And, by the way, if you end up liking these, give my chicken taco recipe a try.  It's pretty similar to this recipe and my family loves them.

2 T. Olive Oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 Can Black Beans, rinsed and drained
1 Can Corn, drained
1 1/2 T. Brown Sugar
1/4 C. Salsa
1/4 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
Cheese
8 Tortillas

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Heat oil in a skillet and add onion.  Cook until translucent.  Add beans, corn, sugar, salsa, and red pepper flakes.  Cook in skillet until any excess water has cooked out and mixture is pretty thick.  Sprinkle a small amount of cheese over one half of each tortilla then divide mixture evenly among tortillas and spread over the cheese.  Sprinkle a little bit more cheese over bean/corn mixture and fold tortillas over.  Place quesadillas on a large baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until tortillas are crispy and lightly browned.  You can also place them under the broiler for a few minutes on each side.   

Morning Glory Muffins

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a muffin lover. The only muffins I really like are the bran muffins on this blog. Until now! I wanted to make something different for my husband on Father's day. We always do breakfast in bed for Fathers/Mothers day. This Father's day I made him and omelet and these fabulous muffins. They are so good warm with a little bit of butter. Oh... I can taste it now!! You must try these muffins.


2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup flakes coconut
1 apple - peeled, cored and shredded
3 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple sauce
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix all dry ingredients together with carrots, apple, walnuts, coconut. In a separate bowl mix eggs, oil, apple sauce, and vanilla. Add egg mixture to the dry mixture. Grease muffin tin and fill 2/3 full. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes. Makes 18 muffins.

Baked French Fries

I needed some variety in my life so I decided to make some different french fries for dinner. Let me tell you how much I liked these. My kids had some friends over and these things were flying off of the tray. I even gave a few to my neighbor and she said they were really good. Totally different, but so delicious.





Olive oil
4-5 russet potatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
1 gallon ziploc bag


Cut potatoes french fry style. (I cut length wise thinly and then turn and cut length wise again) Lay potatoes on a cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil and toss. Place all spices into ziploc bag. Put potatoes into ziploc and shake well. Dump out the potatoes onto greased cookie sheet and spread out evenly. Bake potatoes @ 400 for 25 minutes turning once during baking.

Fajitas

We love Mexican food! I mean LOVE it. This is one of our favorites. The kids are not big fans of all of the peppers and onions so I try not to make it too often. This is one of my husbands awesome recipes. He is an amazing cook!



Olive oil
garlic
salt
pepper
2 chicken breasts
3 bell peppers (I always use 1 green and at least 1 red)
1 red onion (sliced)
1/2 cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1 TBS cocoa powder (Yes, chocolate makes everything taste better)
cheese
sour cream
Tortillas

Cut your chicken breasts into pieces. In a skillet seal chicken in olive oil and season with garlic, salt, and pepper. Slice peppers into strips removing seeds. Add onion and peppers to skillet. Saute for 1-2 minutes and then add the cayenne, salt, cumin and cocoa. Stir and cover to cook until peppers are to desired tenderness. Serve in a warm tortilla. Topped with cheese and sour cream.

Strawberry Cake

I have been making this cake for years. It has been the favorite birthday cake for a few of my children and now it seems to be a big hit with my children's spouses and my grandchildren. You can make it the night before you need it and it will be just perfect.

Make a regular white cake in an extra long pan (lasagna pan)
Let cool.

Frosting:
Mix together until creamy,
2 cups powdered sugar
8oz cream cheese
Fold in 2 1/2 cups cool whip

Topping:
2 pints sliced strawberries
1 tub strawberry glaze
mix strawberries with glaze, spoon on top of frosting.

Cover and Refrigerate.

White Chocolate Triffle

If you are looking for an easy, delicious recipe for dessert.......... This is it!!
I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Krista. She has been one of my favorite go to people for amazing desserts. You will love eating this first with your eyes and then Wow Wow Wow the taste is yummilicious!! (if thats a word).



3 cups cold skim milk
2 small packages sugar free instant white chocolate pudding mix (vanilla or cheesecake flavor may also be used)
1 14oz. Angel food cake cubed
3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
3 cups fresh raspberries
1 8oz. container cool whip
3 whole strawberries quartered ( Optional, for garnish)

Make pudding.
3 layers: Start with cake
Pudding
Cool whip
Fruit

Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!

Raspberry Oatmeal Bars

I was looking for a quick, easy cookie recipe yesterday and found this one.  It takes about 10 minutes to throw these together and there are amazingly good.  They taste kind of like a really good breakfast bar but it has a crunchy streusel topping that makes these simply delcious.  They are unlike any cookie I have made before.  Take 30 minutes out of your day today to make these and tell me what you think!

3/4 C. Butter, softened
1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
1 1/2 C. Oats (Quick or Rolled)
1 1/2 C. Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 C. Raspberry Jam (Bottled jam not freezer jam)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with an electric mixer for about 1 minute until mixture is light and fluffy.  Add oats, flour, salt, and baking soda to bowl and mix with a spoon until crumbly.  Press a little over half the mixture into the bottom of a greased 8x12 or 9x13 pan.  Spread jam over oat mixture.  Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture evenly over top of jam with your hands.  Bake 20 minutes and cool completely before cutting and serving.  Makes 20-24 bars.