Pancakes

This is a recipe for pancakes that I make my family at least once a week. I guarantee once you make them and taste them, the box stuff will never due again! This is a combination of a couple different recipes that I found and made it my own. Please try, and I know you won't be disappointed!


Buttermilk Pancakes

3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter, or oil
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I usually us 1/2 all purpose, 1/2 whole wheat flour, just so I don't feel so guilty afterwards)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, add the milk, then I melt the butter in the same liquid measuring cup then add the buttermilk to that and then add to the milk and egg mixture. Then add in the flour, baking powder and soda and mix well! If you like thick pancakes, add more flour to make a thicker batter. Heat a large skillet, or a griddle to medium heat, coat with cooking spray or use a touch of oil then add the batter, I use a soup ladle. When the surface is all bubbly, and around the edges looks set up they are ready to flip. Be careful with the heat, to hot and they will burn before they are ready to be flipped! Cook other side till golden brown. Serves 4, with leftovers!

I hope you try these soon, and I'm sure you will make them again! Take care, and enjoy!

Peanut Sauce

This is a recipe for a Thai inspired peanut sauce for over top of noodles or rice. It is hard to get my hubby to try new things, but this is one thing, because I told him it had peanut butter in it, that he did try, and really enjoys! I serve this over thin whole wheat or whole grain spaghetti. I hope you try this!

Peanut Sauce

1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon mild curry powder
1 tablespoon sesame oil (If you don't have this just use all canola oil, I just love sesame oil!)
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon chopped jalapeno pepper (fresh or from a can)
1 cup peanut butter
1 1/4 cups water or chicken broth
1/3 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves (if you don't have these, don't worry, just omit)

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, saute onions and garlic in the oils till tender. Then add the jalapeno pepper and cook for another minute or two. Then add the water/chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, curry powder, and ground ginger. When it is warm add the peanut butter and stir until smooth. Very last thing add the fresh chopped basil.
*Do not boil!! It will curdle..

Fathers Day Card

Happy Fathers Day Card

I made some fathers day cards yesterday for the fathers in my life. They are simple, but I have a hard time making masculine cards for some reason, unless they are for little boys.

I hope you all have a great week, and thanks for looking! Take care!

A walk in the park...

A walk in the park...

Last week I took the boys to the park because it was a beautiful day, 75 and sunny! While there I took one of the sweetest pictures of my boys. Check them out..

Being a Stay at Home Mom is no walk in the park but then my little Monkey's do something like this that melts my heart and it makes it all worth it! Thanks for looking, and take care!

Sugar Free Freezer Slaw

This is a great recipe for those family reunions, BBQ's and picnics this summer. It is easy, can be made weeks ahead of time, and won't get "fizzy" when it sits out. You can also make this and freeze in smaller containers for when you just need a side to go with your hambugers and hot dogs. Not only is it good, but it is healthy and you won't be beating yourself up for eating it. I hope you try it this summer! Enjoy, and take care!

Sugar Free Freezer Slaw

1 large head of cabbage, or 2 small
2 tsp. salt
1 cup carrots shredded or chopped
1 cup vinegar
¼ cup water
2 cups splenda
2 tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. ground mustard


Finely chop cabbage and put in a colander in the sink, then sprinkle with salt and let sit for 1 hour. Meanwhile warm vinegar and water on stove with celery seed and ground mustard (ground mustard adds a little bite, so if you don’t like it spicy just omit). When vinegar mixture is warm add splenda and stir until it is dissolved, let cool. After 1 hour rinse cabbage well and shake dry and put in a big bowl. Add carrots and coat with vinegar mixture. Put in a large freezer safe container and freeze. Take out of freezer 2 hours before serving.

*Note* Sugar may be used instead of splenda if you don't mind the calories!

Baked Onion Rings

I made these onion rings for my parents, nephew, and my two little boys the other night, and they were a BIG hit to put it lightly. The fact that my boys ate the whole thing, and not just the crunchy coating says a lot, so I thought I would share.

Baked Onion Rings

1 1/2 cups cornflakes or corn chex, whichever!
1/2 cup plain dried bread crumbs
1 egg
1/2 cup low fat buttermilk
1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt and pepper
1 large onion cut into slices then taken apart to make rings
1/4 cup oil (extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, or whatever you have on hand)

Preheat oven to 425. Put cornflakes in a 1 gal. ziploc bag, and roll with a rolling pin until small crumbs. Then I add the breadcrumbs, and spices to the crushed cornflakes then mix it all together. Whisk together the egg and buttermilk, then whisk in the flour slowly so you don't get any lumps. Put rimmed cookie sheet with the oil in the oven and get it screaming hot. Dip onion rings in egg mixture, then dredge in crumb mixture (I put the crumb mixture on a paper plate so I can just throw the whole mess away when done). Then place the coated onion rings on hot oil coated cookie sheet. Bake until golden brown, 10 - 15 minutes. Enjoy!

*Adjust the spices to your liking, if you like it spicy by all means use cayenne pepper, or if you don't like spice at all, just salt will do!


I am still on my diet, but I figure these are baked, and everything in moderation. Right? Take care!

A DIE with a T, DIET..

A DIE with a T, Diet....

Okay, so I've been slacking on posting, but it is hard to write about things that you can't eat. I don't mind being a curvy girl, but the curves have gotten a little out of control. I've been experimenting with some desserts so hopefully I'll have something good enough to be worth posting soon. Thanks, and take care!

Thank you's!

A Simple Thank You


So today is my big boys last day of preschool, sigh.. He will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and I think preschool teachers are some of the hardest working people out there. To let his teachers and bus drivers how much we appreciate them I made them each a pack of birthday and thank you cards. Here is a picture of a variety that I made, simple, but nice I think.

The stamps are from Stampin Up!, and the ribbons are various ribbons that I have picked up and collected over the years. Thanks for looking!

London Broil

Here is a recipe that I use all the time when I make london broil. I love london broil, because it is like getting steak, but on a hamburger budget!

London Broil

1 - 2 lb. london broil
3 tablespoons steak sauce
3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or whatever kind of oil you have on hand
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt, or plain salt if that is all you have
1 teaspoon pepper

I mix everything together in a large ziploc baggie, and marinate the london broil for at least 8 hours, 1 - 2 days, even better! Grill, or broil in your oven to your liking. Slice thin across the grain, and leftovers are great for steak fajitas, or tacos.

Easy Buttermilk Biscuits

Easy Buttermilk Biscuits

4 cups self rising flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix flour and sugar. Melt butter in microwave, then I add the buttermilk to the melted butter, and stir into flour. Put dough on a floured surface, and dust top with flour then roll out till it is between 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick. I use a pizza cutter and cut it into squares, and brush the tops with butter, and bake on parchment for 12 - 15 minutes. You can also make this the night before, and store in a covered container, then just roll out, and bake.

These are so good I hope you will try them out some weekend!!

Easy Homemade Waffles

I make these for breakfast and for breakfast dinner. Yummy add in's that I use a lot are chopped pecans, and mini chocolate chips. Enjoy!!



Easy Homemade Waffles


1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 teas. baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teas. salt
2 cups milk
2 tbl. butter melted

Combine dry ingedients then stir in milk, and butter. So easy, and yummy!! You can also use buttermilk instead of milk. I mix the batter then put it in my waffle maker.

This recipe is for an "alfredo" sauce I make for my family. My boys, all 3 of them, LOVE it, and it holds up well for reheating. I always make steamed broccoli, and fresh bread to go with it. Some grilled chicken would be excellent on top.




Fakey Jakey Alfredo Sauce

2 - 3 Tbs. Extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbs. Chopped garlic (I keep a jar in the fridge)
1 block 8 oz. cream cheese (regular or reduced fat, whatever you prefer)
2 cans evaporated milk (regular or fat free, I use what I have in the pantry)
1 - 1 1/2 cups grated parmesean cheese
salt
pepper
garlic powder

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped garlic, and saute until translucent. Add block of cream cheese, and then I use a whisk, and smash it down and stir until soft, creamy, and combined with garlic and oil. Once cream cheese is smooth whisk in the cans of milk slowly to make sure that is stays creamy. Then whisk in the parmesean. The amount of parmesean varies depending on what kind of milk you use and how long you cook it. I just add it until it is slightly thickened, and it will thicken more as it cools. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your liking.



You might have noticed that I don't incorporate meat into many of my recipe's and that is because my hubby does not eat meat, well technically he does eat fish and hot dogs, yes of all things, HOT DOGS, but that is it. I have also noticed that my two little boys aren't big meat eaters either, and I guess I have just coordinated my meals around them. Thanks for reading, and I hope your family enjoys this as much as mine!

Beer Bread

This is a super easy recipe that my Mother in Law gave me years ago when my husband and I got married. I changed it up just a little bit, and have made it enough times that I think I have pretty much perfected it! It is a big hit in my family with a good meal!

Beer Bread

2 1/2 cups self rising flour (Don't have any? I'll put that recipe too :)
1/4 cup sugar
1 - 12 oz. beer (Any kind, but the darker the better!)
Butter for on top

Preheat oven to 375, Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredient, except butter. Stir till the dough is moist. Put in loaf pan, and I put 3 pats of butter on the top. Bake for around 45 min or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Self Rising Flour

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt

*Note: If you are making your own self rising flour be sure to whisk the dry ingredients to sift them before adding the wet ingredients!*

That is all there is to it! I hope you try this, I know I am making it Thursday evening for dinner!
Enjoy!

A card for my Momma!

Mom Card


Here is another Mother's card I sent out yesterday. This one is the one I made for my Momma. I used the peach and green cardstock, with the cream squares cut out using my scallop square punch, and the rest was cut out with the Cricut and layered. The stamped background is from the "Polka dot punches set". I used my scallop punch (Martha Stewart) at the bottom so the stamped cream cardstock inside could peak out, a little bit of brown ribbon finished it off. Happy Mother's Day Momma! I hope you like it!

Cube Steak Parmesean

I figured since I did my baked pasta recipe a few days ago, that I would do my cubed steak parmesean today, which is really good baked on top of the baked pasta. When this is done it tastes like a flat meatball. Many times what I do, is cut the cube steaks in half to make them go farther. In todays economy, every little bit helps!

Cubed steak parmesan

½ cup Italian style bread crumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
4 – 6 cube steaks

Bread cube steaks in bread crumb, parmesan cheese mixture brown on top on stove in a little extra virgin olive oil (or whatever you have on hand). Place on top of baked pasta, cover with a little spaghetti sauce, and cover. Not doing baked pasta, just bake in your favorite spaghetti sauce for at least 1 hour at 325, and serve over pasta.

Mother's Day Cards

Flower Pot Card


I have been busy trying to finish my Mother's day cards to send out, so I thought I would share one. This one is a flower pot card. I saw lots of them on splitcoast stampers, and decided that I would try them out. They are fun!

Here is a link to the flowerpot tutorial. http://sluman.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/01/25/flower-pot-pocket-card/

Easy Baked Pasta

I made this last night, and it is always so good and easy, and my family loves it! So, I thought I would post the recipe. It was so nice to throw this in the oven, and after working outside all day to just be able to sit and eat. I'm sure you could probably do this in the crockpot on low for 6 - 8 hours.


Easy Baked Pasta

2 cans or jars of your favorite pasta sauce doctored up with sugar garlic powder etc...
½ can or jar of water + or -
1 lb of pasta noodles favorite shape (Good quality like Barilla so it doesn't get mushy)
2 cups of mozzarella or Italian blend cheese

Preheat oven to 375
Place sauce, water and uncooked pasta in an oven safe non metal baking dish.
Place in oven and bake covered for 1 – 1 ½ hours depending on shape of pasta, and add a little water if needed. When noodles are done sprinkle with cheese and let melt. Serve with a salad and fresh bread.
*I usually add turkey pepperoni on top of the cheese to part for my boys, then we call it pepperoni surprise! You could also mix in frozen meatballs, or sausage and bake them with the pasta.

I have made quite a few of these little cards because they are so quick, easy, and cute! You could also put Happy Birthday in place of the saying. The lady bug is made using 3 different sized circle punches, just cut the red one in half and place at an angle to look like wings. I saw a card similar on splitcoast stampers and used the materials I had on hand to make one. The flowers are cut out using the cricut, then a 1/2 inch yellow circle in the middle using a dimensional. Thank you for looking!

Pulled Chicken

This chicken is good in taco’s or burritos, a welcome change from ground beef or turkey. This can also be put in the crockpot on low for 6 – 8 hours.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 pouch reduced sodium taco seasoning
2 small cans tomato sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup of water

Place everything in a skillet and cook over low heat, covered, for 1 – 2 hours, or until chicken starts to fall apart. Shred with a fork, and serve with cheese, tortilla or taco shells, and whatever toppings you like. If you don’t have tomato sauce, I have substituted with tomato soup, and just omit the sugar.

Hope you try this! It is a crowd pleaser..

Black Bean Burgers

Black Bean Burgers

3 cans black beans drained and rinsed
1 pouch reduced sodium taco seasoning
1 cup salsa
1 cup frozen corn
½ - 1 cup chopped peppers, however you like them. (I either use birdseye frozen corn w/ peppers, or I keep a baggie of tri-color peppers chopped up in my freezer for this type of thing)
1 meduim onion chopped
3 eggs
Bread crumbs until it is kinda like playdough consistency..

Mash black beans partly, add eggs and taco seasoning then stir. Add in veges, then stir in bread cumbs till the right consistency. I make them into patties, dip each side in bread crumbs, then put in the fridge for a while so they can set up, but it is not necessary.. I bake them in the oven on 400 – 425 till heated through and slightly crispy around the edges.. Enjoy!

Rainy Day in Ohio...

Well, this is my first entry on my blog.. I am a stay at home mom of two boys and I have so many hobbies I lost count. I love to cooking, baking, and crafting.. Cleaning, not so much! Haha!! I thought I could share my recipes, crafted goodies, and pictures with my friends and family. Well, here we go.. I don't lead a particularly exciting life, but I do enjoy and feel blessed to be able to stay home with my boys. Take care, and check back often!