Raising a Homemaker

I have been teaching Allison things that she will need to know when she is blessed with a husband, home and family of her own to care for.  When I married I was not very prepared for what would come as a homemaker.  I never really enjoyed cooking with my mother or my grandmother...mostly because I was such a picky eater so why learn to cook what I wasn't going to eat right? 

 When I married Jonathan I found out he wasn't quiet as picky as me and much to my surprise he expected me to cook.  Needless to say we lived on Hamburger Helper for a long long time.  

Not wanting Allison and her husband to fall into the Hamburger Helper trap and the fact that Allison has really shown an interest in cooking lately.  So we have been slowly working on teaching her to follow a recipe and cook a meal for our family.  I plan in the near future to have her working on a recipe book for her hope chest.  The point of this post is to share the creation she cooked for us last night.  

Ravioli Casserole. 

1lb hamburger meat browned

1 cup of mozzarella cheese

1 jar spaghetti sauce

1 pkg frozen cheese ravioli's

In a 9X11 pan spread out 6 oz of spaghetti sauce and place 12 ravioli's on the bottom of a pan.  Top ravioli's with 13oz of spaghetti sauce, 1/2 of cooked meat, and 1/2 of the cheese.  Then add another layer of ravioli's on top and repeat with the remaining sauce, meat, and cheese.  Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Let it set 5 minutes before serving.  

And let me assure you it was delicious.

You could also use spinach ravioli, but Sam's was out so we got the cheese kind instead.

Blessings, 

Lisa Marie

Homemade Bread

One of my goals for 2011 was to make homemade bread. I found this recipe and gave it a try. I have cooked it twice now and it worked great!! Sure was YUMMY!!!

Make It Yourself Homemade Vanilla

This past September 2009 I made Homemade Vanilla. This really made the best Vanilla I have ever used!

What I started with:

• 24+ organic Tahitian vanilla beans (ordered from a vendor on Ebay see my link below)


• 15 4oz clear Boston Round Bottles (see link below to order)


• Large Bottle of Svedka Vodka - recommended by others online.


• Funnel


• Measuring Cup
  
• Knife or Kitchen Scissors
  

First I gathered all my items.

Next I washed and air dried all my bottles and lids.Cut the vanilla beans length wise, then cut into approximately 3 sections to place into the bottles.
Place 6 cut pieces of vanilla beans into the bottles.Measure 1/2 cup of Vodka.
Use the funnel to pour into each bottle.

After the bottles are all filled I placed the lids on each bottle.

Placed them into a card board box closed the lid and placed into a cool dark place (my closet) and left until March 2010 (6 full months)

Removed and started using!! Great Stuff and smells so GOOD!!! This would make a wonderful Christmas Gift. It would work out great if you started in June or maybe save for Christmas in JULY as a make ahead gift.

Supplies Used :

Vanilla Beans came from HERE

Glass Bottles came from HERE

Christmas in July - Day 3

**This is a repost - but this is the easiest candy to make and makes a great gift or snack while watching those Christmas movies!!!

This is yummy and super easy Christmas candy to make!

All you need is :
Mini pretzels
Hershey Kisses
M&M's
All you need to do is:

Place pretzels flat on cooking sheet. Then place one unwrapped Hershey kiss on top of each pretzel. Place in 200 degree oven for 5 minutes. Finally press the chocolate down into the pretzel with an M & M candy. Put candy onto wax paper and place into refrigerator for 30 min to set the chocolate and voila a yummy quick treat.

WARNING: These are addictive!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!


I have seen this all over the Internet so I am not sure whom to credit with the recipe.

Allison - Chef in Training

Allison and I have been working on cooking skills lately. This is her first attempt at Taco Casserole and it was delicious:

Recipe:

1.5 pounds ground beef

1 can re fried beans

1 pkg taco seasoning

2 cups mozzarella cheese

1 bottle of taco sauce

1 bag of taco chips

Brown meat and drain. Add in taco seasoning according to the package directions and simmer. Layer in a 9X13 inch pan re fried beans, then place meat on top, next add the mozzarella cheese, top with sauce (we use about 2/3 of the bottle....this may very depending on how much you like sauce). and place in the oven uncovered on 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Serve with Taco Chips ....Yum Yum Yum .... This is kid approved!!!

I hope you all enjoy!!!

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

New Yummy recipe!! INGREDIENTS
1 pound cooked and drained spaghetti
5 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
2 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup butter
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Put cooked spaghetti into 9x13-inch baking dish. Place chicken on top of spaghetti.
In medium saucepan heat together soup, water, butter, and bouillon. Bring to a boil and then pour over the pasta and chicken. Put shredded cheese (to taste) on top and press down a bit.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes.

This recipe turned out to be super easy and was really enjoyed by all, even the picky kiddos!! i got the recipe from one of my favorite spot All Recipes.

Blessings,

Lisa

Yummy....Pizza Pockets

Recipe hunt results.... found a great recipe.....

I followed this recipe HERE ...exactly and got these:

They made my entire house smell sooooo yummy!!! and they tasted even better!!!

Sand Art Brownie Update

From this to This:
These are hands down the best brownies I have ever made. Everyone in my family raved over them. My husband said he did not ever want them from a box again. The combination of white & chocolate chips with the walnuts and brown sugar...yum yum yum...Sorry there was not enough time to picture them in the pan....they are gone. This was the lone survivor...but its gone now also :OP

Go here to see my other pictures ..... or here for directions from Organized Christmas for this and other Gifts in a Jar .

Christmas Gifts

This year we are giving homemade Christmas gifts! This recipe is for Sand Art Brownies from Organized Christmas....and excellent site!!



Materials:
12 wide-mouth quart (4-cup) canning jars
1/2 yard print cotton fabric1 round
(6 yards) craft ribbon
2 pieces cardstock (for gift tags)

for 1 jar:
2/3 t. salt
1 1/8 c. flour, divided
1/3 c. cocoa powder
2/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. walnuts or pecans

Instructions:
Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.
Layer ingredients as follows:
2/3 t. salt
5/8 c. flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. flour
2/3 c. brown sugar
2/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. walnuts

Cut twelve 7-inch circles from cotton fabric. Top each jar with fabric circle, and tie with ribbon.
The website has free tags and instructions for making 12 at a time. Since I try everything first I used the breakdown above for 1 jar. I have not baked these because we have too many sweets around at the moment. Hopefully I will this weekend and I will post the turn out!!! But they were supper easy and cute to boot!!

I separated out the ingredients before hand to make it quicker to set up

This about half way thru stacking the ingredients.
Completed jar with out the fabric.
Completed jar with fabric and jute ... I did not cut my fabric large enough so it looks a little short on the jar.
I hope yall enjoyed this one.... Merry Christmas!!!!

What we are having for lunch!!!

This was my attempt at homemade lunchables. My kids always want to get those for lunch, so I deciede we could make out own and make them more fun. We cut out shapes from our bologna in the shape of fall leaves, & pumpkins. Just a fun lunch. Allison said it was way better than the boxed ones :O) ... One Point for Mom!!! Have a great day!!!

Favorite Recipe

Favorite Recipe from my Recipe Box for Oatmeal Boiled Cookies. This recipe is courtesy of my Aunt Kim & my Mawmaw. I can not remember which of them I saw make it first. I know my Aunt made them more often it seems like, but I am not sure. These are really easy to make, but make sure the weather is sunny with no chance of storms outside or they will just not turn out.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar


• 1/2 cup milk


• 1/4 # butter


• 2 1/2 cups quick oats


• 1/2 cup peanut butter


• 2 tsp vanilla flavoring

Bring the sugar, milk, & butter to a complete rolling boil on top of stove. Cook at a rolling boil for 1 min 30 seconds (I usually use the timer on my microwave for exact time). Remove from heat and add oats, peanut butter, & vanilla. Mix well! Spoon mixture onto wax paper to allow cookies to cook and harden!!! Enjoy!!

Banana Nut Bread

This is a recipe that I borrowed from Monica @ the homespun heart . The only thing I changed was that I placed it in 3 smaller pans and it still cooked up wonderfully for me. Thank you Monica!!!


3 1/2 c. flour
1 1/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. oil
4 eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. mashed banana
walnuts

I dump all the ingredients in my Kitchen Aid and mix it together, adding the nuts last. Divide batter into two loaf pans prepared with cooking spray.

Bake about 55 minutes at 350. ( I used 3 smaller pans so I only baked the bread for about 40 minutes @ 350 )

I am new to baking bread and wanted a recipe that was tried and true. I so enjoy reading Monica's blog and when I saw her recipe that she uses with her family, I thought I would try it ....& I had GREAT results and my family loved it. One loaf was eaten that night, and the next was consumed with breakfast the next day. I had only one loaf to freeze...maybe its time to make another batch...whatch think?

Homemade Christmas Gifts Part II

The second gift idea I found was Peppermint Bath Salts.

Material Needed:

12 tall jelly (12-ounce) canning jars with lid and rings
2 4-pound cartons Epsom Salts (approximately 16 cups)4 pounds sea salt or Kosher salt (approximately 6 cups)1/2 teaspoon glycerin, divided12 to 15 drops peppermint essential oil12 to 15 drops red food color
3 pieces cardstock (for tags)

I broke the recipe down and only made 1 jar to test. I only had quart jars so that is what I used. I will use a smaller jelly jar for the actual gift giving, but you can get the idea. Also I did not have enough red food coloring so I used green. I plan on giving this gift to my nieces & a couple of ALI's friends with a loofah ..not sure how to spell that.

Directions:
Wash, rinse and dry canning jars.
Empty one carton Epsom Salts into large mixing bowl or batter bowl. Add 3 cups sea salt, stir well. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon glycerin and 6 to 8 drops essential oil. Mix well.
In second large mixing bowl, empty one carton Epsom Salts, and add 3 cups sea salt. Stir well. Add 1/4 teaspoon glycerin, 6 to 8 drops essential oil, and food color. Stir until completely blended. Color should be even.
Tip: use a heavy-duty stand mixer (such as Kitchenaid-brand) to mix bath salts easily. Set mixer to lowest setting and mix until color is even--but don't try this with hand mixers or smaller stand mixers!
Holding canning jars at an angle, layer salts in jars, alternating white and colored mixtures.
These 2 gift ideas we have tried out. I can honestly say both were easy to put together and worked out great. The cookies from part I were yummy...and the bath salts were fun and we all smell like peppermint! This site here has other ideas for gifts in a jar, but we have only tested the 2 I mentioned. I will be testing others as time permits. Happy Christmas Planning!!!

Homemade Christmas Gifts Part I

This year my DH & I are planning to give as many homemade gifts as possible to our family and friends.

I do not like to give anything that I have not tested before hand so in this quest...I have worked on 2 gift ideas that I have made, packaged, and tested. These are both gifts in a jar for easy gifting.

1. M&M Cookies in a Jar
Ingredients for 1 Jar - Ingredients for 12 Jars here
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups M&M-brand chocolate candies
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder





Instructions:
Mix together flour, soda and baking powder. Layer sugar, M&M-brand candies and flour mixture in quart-size canning jars. Pack firmly.





Recipe Instructions (include on gift tag):
Empty jar of cookie mix into mixing bowl; blend thoroughly.
Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until completely blended.
Roll into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees until edges are lightly browned, about 12 to 14 minutes.
Cool on cookie sheet for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.





We followed the very simple directions and made very delicious cookies that were enjoyed by all in our family. They instantly went on our list of gifts to give. I have some SIL that will be getting these yummy treats. I the pictures I have not decorated the jars. I plan on adding fabric and ribbon to the top before giving.

Pretzel Recipe

Trying out a recipe for pretzels. My family loves salty pretzels when ever we are at a theme park. There's something yummy that we just can not resist. So I thought it would be neat to make them at home.

Pretzels
2 pkg Yeast
2 T Sugar
1 1/2 cup Warm Water
4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 T Salt
1 Egg
1 T Water
Kosher salt

Combine Yeast, Sugar, & 1 1/2 cups Water. Set to the side for 10 min.

Mix Flour and Salt and combine with Yeast mixture after 10 min. Flour hands and work until dough is no longer sticky. Roll into 12 inch pieces and fold into pretzel shape.

Beat egg and mix in water. Brush onto each pretzel shape then sprinkle with Kosher salt.

As you can see from my picture ... pretzel turned out a little fat. When rolling them out make sure the dough is rolled small it will rise alot when baking.

Enjoy your yummy treat!!!

Favorite Biscuit Recipe

This is my favorite Biscuit Recipe. My daughter LU got the recipe from a cook book in her cooking class at school. It is similar to Red Lobsters Garlic Bay Biscuits.

2 cups Bisquick
2/3 cups milk
1/2 - 1 cup cheese (I put about a cup in the recipe only calls for 1/2 but we like them cheesy)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 t. garlic

Mix Bisquick, cheese, and milk together. Spoon on to baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 min @ 450. Then melt butter & garlic in microwave and brush over biscuits. Yum!

This is supper simple and a new favorite for our family!! I will post pictures if I can remember to take them before we eat them all :O0

Have a great weekend!

Easy Pizza Dough Recipe

I love to make homemade pizza with my family. Everyone can help pick the toppings or the amount of sauce/cheese they want on the pizza. Jennifer over @ Homekeeping Heart has the best recipe I have seen. Check her blog out here : http://www.xanga.com/homekeepingheart/640469284/ideas-for-your-pizza-night.html

Recipe :

1 pk Yeast

1/4 tsp sugar

3/4 cup warm water

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

Dissolve yeast & sugar in warm water. Allow it to rest for 8 minutes.

In a separate bowl combine flour & salt. After 8 minutes pour the yeast mixture over the flour mixture and mix well. (I also add about 1/2 tsp of garlic powder to the salt & flour for my family's taste.. you can play with the recipe and see what you can create).

Turn dough onto floured surface & knead for about 2 minutes.

Makes 12 inch circle.

Bake @ 500 degrees for 8-12 minutes.

The dough cooks up perfectly ever time. My family enjoys pizza night and we now have a set pizza dough recipe. The picture above is our peperoni extra extra cheese pizza before it is cooked. I keep meaning to take the after pictures but we gobble it down so fast that I always forget. HUGE THANKS & HUGS to JENNIFER - Please y'all visit her site.

My Favorite Recipe

This is my favorite anytime recipe. I have used it at holidays and not so special days. It is always recived the same way. With Smiles!!

OOEY GOOEY BARS
1 Yellow cake mix (I like the supper moist)
1 Stick of butter - melted
3 Eggs
1 8oz Pkg of Cream Cheese - softened
1 Box Powdered Sugar

Grease a 9X13 pan. Mix cake mix, butter, and 1 egg. Spread into greased pan. (This will be think and needs to be spread evenly across the bottom of the pan) Next mix the powdered sugar, cream cheese, and remainning 2 eggs together. I usually start with my wisk until I get the powdered sugar somewhat mixed together with the other items. Then use your mixer to blend together well - no lumps. This part will be runny. Pour over the top of the other ingredents and spread as evenly as possible. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. I will post a picture shortly of the finished product.