Taking a vacation...

It's Spring Break time..so it means the kitchen is closed! I'll be back with new food ideas in April! Hope you enjoy the meals that are posted though! Have a nice spring season with your family :)

Asian Shredded Beef

I love Asian inspired meals...the combination of ingredients really sparked my interest while searching for new meals!

Ingredients:

~ 4 lbs. boneless beef or pork roast

~ 1/2 cup soy sauce

~ 1/2 cup hoisin sauce

~ 6 tablespoons ketchup

~ 6 tablespoons honey

~ 2 teaspoons Chinese 5 spice powder (I added a bit more..when I was adding seemed more was needed)

~ 2 teaspoons garlic powder (same comment as above)

Directions:

~ Place the meat into the slow cooker

~ Sprinkle the dried spices directly onto the meat

~ Top with ketchup and honey

~ Pour on the soy sauce and hoisin sauce.

~ Cover and cook for 8-9 hours on low or until the meat begins to shred.

~ You may need to take the beef/pork out after eight hours and cut into cubes. Turn the slow cooker onto high and cook for another hour to get it to shred nicely.

Verdict:

Wow! The flavors were so strong...but in a good way! I was not home and was not able to cut my beef into teh cubes to get it to shred better. as you can tell from my pictures i just had to cut mine into slices, which you coud still get all of the flavors. I am not for sure if i have ever had the five spices before..but it was a really good taste.

Complete menu

~ Asian shredded beef

~ White rice (Brandon and I had it with this)

~Noodles (for Tom)

~ Brocoli

~ salad

Zesty Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

When I found this receipe, I got really excited. I love BBQ chicken and Italian dressing..hahah! So this sounded like a good meal to try out!

Ingredients:

~ 6 frozen boneless chicken breats

~ 1 (12 oz.) bottle bbq sauce

~ 1/2 cup italian dressing

~ 1/4 cup brown sugar

~ 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce

Directions:

~ Place chicken in a slow cooker. In a bowl, mix bbq auce, italian dressing, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce. Pour over the chicken.

~ Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or on low for 6 to 8 hours.

Verdict:

~ Delicious!! I wish I had more of this to eat! While eating you get a good taste of both the bbq sauce and the italian dressing. Great meal! A different taste...but really an enjoyable one.

Complete menu:

~ Zesty BBQ chicken

~ Baked potatoes with shreeded colby jack cheese

~ corn and green beans

~ salad

Italian Bow Tie Pasta

Another pasta meal...sounded like a good combonation of ingredients so I thought I'd give it a try! I am posting the original receipe..but I made a lot of modifications to it...based on our taste buds.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1 onion, chopped

1 garlic cloved, minced

2 (8 oz.) cans pasta sauce (I am pretty sure I used the one from Bertolli that has the name olive oil...just can't think of the total name right now. Also, it was 24 oz. that seemed better to me)

1 (14.5) can stewed tomatoes, cut up (I left this out)

1 teaspoon dried oregano (I shook for a bit, so I'm sure I added more...LOL)

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasonings (same as above's comment)

salt and pepper to taste

1 (16 oz.) bow tie pasta, cooked and drained

1 (1o 0z.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained (I used only half of the package..10 oz. just seemed way too much for my taste)

1 1/2 cups shredded mozzerella cheese

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (both cheese I know I added more..I'm a mouse :)

Directions:

~ In a skillet, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, drain. Transfer to slow cooker, stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, and seasonings. Cover and cook on low heat for 7-8 hours (Mine was cooked for 8 hours)

~ Increase heat to high, stir in pasta, spinach, and cheeses. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Verdict:

~ The spinach gave this pasta meal a nice touch. It was a nice complete meal with the pasta, meat, cheese, and some spinach. It didnt take much work to complete the second step when I got home from work. Delicious! Will definately make this meal again!

Compelte menu:

~ italian bow tie pasta

~ salad

~ green beans

~ garlic bread

Tri-tip steaks with texas toast

I found this receipe in better hoes and garden...and thought that it sounded interesting. It sounded fancy for a nice weekday dinner..hahah! I had to make some modifications to it since we live in the apartment and have no grill, I had to make my steak on the stove top with this grilling pan thing my mom got us. However, I am typing out the directions to the meal as seen in the magazine for you all.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup bourbon

1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce

1/4 cup molasses

2 Tbsp. cider vinegar

2 tsp. chili powder

1 1/2 to 2 lb. beef trip tip steaks

1/2 cup ketchup

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

6 to 8 slices Texas toast

Directions:

1. for marinade, whisk together bourbon, soy sauce, molasses, vinegar, and chili powder. Remove 1/4 cup for sauce. (prick both sides of steak with fork. Place in self sealing plastic bag set in shallow dish. Pour marinade over. Seal; marinate refrigerated, 2 to 3 hours, turning occasionally).

2. For sauce, in saucepan combine ketchup, 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup reserved marinade, 2 Tbsp butter, and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Bring to boiling over medium, set aside.

3. Remove steaks from marinade discard marinade. Brush meat with 1 Tbsp. cooking oil.Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

4. For charcoal grill, arrange medium hot coals on one side of grill. Place steaks on rack directly over coals. Cover and lightly sear on both sides for 4 minutes. Move to unheated side of grill. Cover and grill 12 to 15 minutes more to medium rare. Removee, let stand 5 minutes. Butter bread, place on hot grill.

5. Reheat sauce. Thinly slice steak and arrage on toast, pass sauce.

Verdict:

~ The bourbon taste def. comes out in the meat. If you do not like the taste, I would not recommend this meal to you. However, we all enjoyed it over here. The toast was a nice added touch that we usually do not have in our meal.

Menu:

~ tri tip steak in bourbon

~ texas toast

~ macaroni and cheese

~ green beans and corn

~ salad

Pasta Carbonara

Pasta, bacon, and cheese...all of my favs. need I say more why I tried this meal out!

Ingredients:

~ 4-6 bacon slices, diced

3 tbsp. chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 c. heavy cream

8 oz. thin spaghetti or fettuccine

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/8 tsp. ground pepper

2 tbsp. chopped parsley

Optional additions: sauteed boneless chicken, mushrooms (I did not add any of these)

Directions: IN a large skilled over medium heat, cok bacon about 3 minutes or until limp. Add onion cok 3-5 minutes longer or until bacon is browned, stirring occasionally Add garlic, cook 30 seconds. Drain all but 1 tablespoon bacon fat from skillet. Stir in cream; bring just to boiling point. Reduce heat to slo w and simmer 3 minutes. Keep warm.

Add cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, pepper, and parsley to cream mixture. Toss to coat spaghetti well.

Verdict:

This pasta was super tasty! All of us had a big ol' plate of pasta and enjoyed every bite! Once i get through my rotation of new receipes, I'm going to have to recook this one!

Menu:

~ pasta carbonara

~ shrimp (for the guys)

~ green beans

~ salad

A not so St. Patrick's Day meal

I know I know...you are supposed to have corned beef...but I have my excuses! Tutored, only Brandon and I were home, and I had to get to My Gym with Brandon..so it had to be quick. This is just a menu idea. I love all the food you see pictured above. This is truly the only red sauce I eat and the chicken has a really flavorful taste! I guess this is a product shout out post! LOL! Try it for an easy dinner night!

Product Shout Out!!

I have no pictures from Friday's dinner (3/19/10)...but I have to give a product shout out!
As one of my many gifts at my bridal shower, my mom got me the quesidilla maker! If you dont have one, you really need one! LOL! They are quick and easy to make and the meal is quite delicious!

When I have quesidillas on the menu I get the recooked chicken strips, onion, and mexican shredded cheese to fill them with.

Menu:
~ quesidillas filled with the ingredients of your choice
~ mexican rice
~ salad

Verdict:
Obviously this meal was a hit...we have this meal at least once a month (b/c of the taste as well as the convinence). Really...go out and get one...LOL!

Chicken Dumplins

I love my aunt's chicken dumplings, but she lives in West Virgiina so I dont get that much!!! So i had the idea to look online for a slow cooker receipe for chicken dumplings. I'm so glad that I did!

Ingredients:

~ 4-5 chicken breasts (mine were still frozen)

~ 2 cans of condensed cream of chicken soup

~ 1 onion finely chopped

~ 2 tbsp. of butter

~ 1 roll of pillsbury biscuits (to add later)

~ water to cover

Directions:

~ Place the chicken into the crock pot

~ Add the cream of chicken soup, onion, and butter.

~ Add water to cover the meal

~ Cook on high for 6 hours (that's what I did)

~ With a half hour left with cooking, add the biscuits. A trick I learned, tear the biscuits into very small, thin pieces.

~ Cover and cook for the remaining half hour (or until the middle center of biscuits is not all gooey)

Verdict~

DELICIOUS!! The cream of chicken soup was soo yummy tasting in this meal. The biscuits cooked up nicely to make yummy dumplings! A delicious meal...def. going to cook this one again!

Menu~

Chicken dumplings

Mashed potatoes

corn and green beans

salad

Ginger Beef with Onions and Garlic

I love the taste of ginger! So I knew I had to give this one a try!

Ingredients:

~ 1 to 2 lbs. of beef strips

~ 1 cup of chicken broth (use 1/2 cups if your cooking in a smaller crock pot, mine is larger so it was suggested to use more)

~ 1 yellow onion cut into rings

~ 1 whole head of garlic, peeled

~ 1 inch peeled and grated ginger

~ 1/2 t ground black pepper

Directions:

Put a big of olive oil in the bottom of the crock pot

Add the meat, mine was frozen still

Chop all the onions and peel the garlic, add to pot

Add the ginger, black pepper, and the chicken broth

Cover and cook for 6-8 hours

Since my meat was still frozen I cooked for 8 hours on low.

Verdict:

To me this meal was just okay. The meat did not have a strong taste as i had hoped. It kind of had a more grainy taste to me...it's weird to explain. It was still an enjoyable meal, but not what I was expecting it to taste like. Not for sure if i'll add it to the rotation of food.

Menu:

ginger beef

white rice

brocoli

salad

Tuesday's Dinner

Tonight I didnt do a slow cooker meal. I had been watching my sisters and was at their house so I couldnt set up the slow cooker for a meal tonight. But wanted to share with you what we ate:
~ crunchy tacos
~ ground beef
~ lettuce and onion
~ mexican shredded cheese
~ mexican rice

Simple...and yummy!

Bacon and cheese chicken

I love bacon! I love cheese! I love chicken! So why not give this meal a try!

Ingredients:

~ 2 T olive oil

~ 4-6 breast halves

~ 12 pieces cooked and crumbled pieces of bacon

~ 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

~1/2 cp ranch dressing

~ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

~ Put the 2 T of olive oil at the bottom of the crock pot and spread it around.

~ Put the chicken in the crock pot on top of the oil.

~ In a small bowl, combine the teriyaki sauce and the ranch dressing (yes i know this sounds weird...but dang, is it delcious)

~ Pour the sauce over the chicken. Top with the cheddar cheese and the bacon (i probably added more bacon then what is listed, hey i love cheese :)

~ cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours (I cooked mine for 4 hours on high..and it came out just right~ my chicken was frozen when I cooked)

How well did this meal go over?

~ WOW!! This was soo yummy! There is not one thing that I can find wrong with this meal! The combination of the teriyaki sauce and the ranch dressing was a delicious taste! YUMMY YUMMY!

Menu:

~ Bacon and cheese chicken

~ Mashed potato

~ corn and green beans

~ salad

Lemon Pepper Fettuccine

I saw this in the Food Network magazine and just to let you know, this is a not a slow cooker meal. I LOVE pasta and lemon tastes so I figured what the heck I'll try it! this one made me nervous though b/c I'm not the type to make homemade food like this...LOL! But I figured I'd give it a shot.

Ingredients:

~Kosher Salt

~ 1 box of fettuccine (16 oz)

~ 1 tablespoon, unsalted butter

~ 1 large shallot, minced

~ 1 1/2 cups half and half

~ 1 large egg yolk

~ 2-3 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

~ 1/2 cup garated parmessian cheese, plus more to garnish

~ Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

~ Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook as teh label directs. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup cooking water.

~ Meanwhile, elt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add teh shallot and pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.

~ Whisk the cream, egg yolk and lemon zeset in a bowl. Reduce the heat to low and add the cream mixture and cheese to teh skillet. cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

~ season with salt and 2-3 teaspoons of pepper

~ Add the pasta to the skillet and toss adding enough of the reserved cooking water to loosen the sauce.

How did this meal go over?

~ This meal was totally delicious. I will admit, while cooking the sauce in the skillet I tasted it and wanted more of a lemon taste so I did squeeze some lemon juice into the mixture! This really gave it the lemon taste. No overpowering but a fresh taste. We all had seconds of this pasta. It was not hard at all to make. I did get a complete meal shot b/c I was hungry and it was almost six at night and I was starving! but it was delicious and so yummy. YOu all have to make this!!!

Menu:

~ Lemon pepper fettuccine

~ shrimp (for the guys)

~ Chicken for me

~ green beans

~ salad

Creamy Beef over Noodles

Brandon loves those Hormel meals, so when I saw this receipe I knew it was something that I just had to try for all of us to eat. Plus it sounded soo simple, that really made me want to try it.

Ingredients:

~ 2 lbs. stew beef

~ 2 T butter

~ 1/4 cup milk

~ 1 T worcestershire sauce

~ 1 T black pepper

~ 2 T dried minced onion

~ 1/4 cup beef broth

~ 1/2 t kosher salt

~ 1 t herbs de provence

~ 1/2 block cream cheese

Directions:

~ Place stew beef into the crock pot.

~ Place all ingredients, except for the cream cheese, on top of the beef.

~ Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours (I cooked mine for 10 hours)

~ Put the cream cheese into the crock pot and mix until it is well incorporated.

Our feelings on the meal...

It is delicious. The seasonings used in this meal give the beef such a nice flavor. There was plenty of liquid on the crock pot that made a nice gravy for our noodles. It was a yummy meal and so easy to prep!

Menu:

~ Creamy beef

~ noodles

~ corn

~ green beans

~ salad