Thursday, December 30, 2010
Flourless Chocolate Cake
Monday, December 27, 2010
Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry

Thursday, December 23, 2010
Chicken in Wine Sauce

Monday, December 20, 2010
A Mean Meat & Bean Taco Dip
It's also a great side dish or appetizer to make to use up leftovers - taco meat, beans, cheese, salsa, shredded lettuce...you get the picture, right?
Mean Meat & Bean Taco Dip
*Photo courtesy of Kitchen Centsability*
2 cups of taco meat (beef or chicken)
1 cup refried beans
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup salsa
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced black olives
Layer ingredients in an 8x8 baking dish in the order listed. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until melted. Serve with tortilla chips as a side, or with your favorite Mexican meal.
Well, two more days of work and then off 11 days for Christmas! Lucky me! Although, we will be busy traveling, spending time with both families, squeezing in appointments while I'm off work, and just hanging out!
I'm looking forward to a week one-on-one with the little man, maybe he and I will come up with some new recipes???
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Peanut Butter Balls


Tuesday, December 14, 2010
2nd Annual Holiday Baking Extravaganza






Sunday, December 12, 2010
Mini Beef Wellingtons







Roll out puff pastry and cut into small squares. Drop one piece of beef, along with veggie mixture onto pastry and place another pastry square on top, then seal edges. Place on baking sheet and brush with egg wash mixture.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Mouthwatering Blueberry Pancakes


blueberries
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Holiday Gift Package Winner
I have been reading Biz' food blog for many, many months now, and she just keeps drawing me back with her mouth-watering meals. And I guess you could say I'm paying her back, as I won a giveaway of hers earlier this year, and now she has won mine!
Biz, I hope you enjoy this holiday package!
Stayed tuned in the next day or so for recaps of my work holiday gathering we had this weekend. We had SO much food. Isn't that always the case?
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Saturday, December 4, 2010
Holiday GIVEAWAY reminder!
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Wednesday, December 1, 2010
1st Food Blogging Anniversary Holiday GIVEAWAY!
Check out my very first post, back on December 6th, 2009. Wow. I've come a long way! At that time I was staying home with the little man who was about 4 months old, and starting up this new little hobby!
I've learned a LOT, cooked a LOT, and made a LOT of wonderful friends. I hope each and everyone one of you still enjoy reading my food posts!
To celebrate I have a surprise Holiday gift package I'm giving away. An adorable little gathering of holiday "baking" items I found at Target last weekend (love that store!).
- A Great Holiday Baking Cookbook
- 3 copper Christmas cookie cutters
- 1 very cute Christmas tree cookie spatula
All in time for your holiday baking!
Simply leave a comment telling me your favorite holiday meal, baked good, drink, etc. And if you don't bake, enter anyway, you have friends don't you? You have until Sunday, December 5th at 12:00pm CST to enter.
So get a crackin'! I can't wait to read all of your responses (don't be afraid to attach recipes, I'd love to try out your favorites!)
Happy Holidays!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Delicious Dip (yep, that is really what it is called...)

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Cheeseburger in Paradise Soup

Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday Night Supper Club - Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad


- Cheeseburger soup
- Chicken & Dumplings
- Garlic Parmesan Toasted Bread
- Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
- Brownies
- Wine! (none for me...boo)
My good friend Erica had the soup idea since she was hosting and it hit the spot as it was a chilly night. Ugh...winter is coming!
The Cheeseburger soup is such an easy recipe, which I'll be posting soon, as it was my original recipe from back in the day. I promise you it is one that both kids and adults will enjoy!
Until then, here is my good friend Pam's Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad recipe...so good!

1 pre-washed bag spinach leaves
1 c. dried cranberries
1 c. sliced almonds
bottled raspberry vinaigrette
Toss all ingredients and coat with dressing if serving immediately, or keep salad and dressing separate for each to top later.
Enjoy - I hope everyone is having a great weekend! We are having the first of two Thanksgivings tomorrow, so I better rest up for the good food!
Monday, November 15, 2010
Oatmeal Butterscotch Crispies

Saturday, November 13, 2010
Bring on the Pink!
I'll be cooking up some yummy recipes this weekend as well, stay tuned!
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Monday, November 8, 2010
Ricotta Filled Chocolate Chip Bars

Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Saturday, October 30, 2010
Bacon Puffs


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Monday, October 25, 2010
Frugal and Filling: Oatmeal
**On a side note, the appetite is back, flu is gone, and 16 week baby doc appointment went well today!**
Now, eat your oatmeal!
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For those of us trying to squeeze by the recession, oatmeal - a veritable visual sludge - can be our knights in shining armor. Like many foods bland in and of themselves (like pasta and rice), oatmeal is versatile. I could go on and on about oatmeal cookies, muffins and pancakes, but this post will be about oatmeal and toppings you can find around the house that can be varied enough to make you feel like you've broken your fast in a different kitchen every morning.
Here are some basic tips:
- Add fresh or frozen fruit. Bananas are great fresh (and with a little peanut butter) and frozen blueberries will add a wonderful temperature and texture contrast.
- Add dried fruit like cranberries, dates, cherries, raisins and even shredded coconut for a trail mix taste. Add chocolate chips and granola bits if you want to take the theme all the way. Plus, the texture difference between the oatmeal and granola will keeps things interesting.
- Chopped nuts (almonds are a great choice) will add not only texture but protein to your meal.
- Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar and drizzle maple syrup for a fall-inspired breakfast. Add chopped apples - either fresh or cooked in a skillet with butter and a dash of cinnamon - for more variety.
- You'll be surprised what a spoonful of yogurt does both for taste and texture in your oatmeal. The same can be said for jam or fruit preserves. If you have more than one type of jam in your house, you can add variety during your week.
If you are looking for easy, specific combinations, try these:
- Banana Cream (thinly sliced bananas, cinnamon, and some non-fat sweetened condensed milk
- Blueberry Almond (frozen blueberries, almonds, milk and flaxseed)
- Coconut Banana (shredded coconut, light coconut milk, bananas and almonds)
- Peaches and Cream (canned diced peaches, half and half and brown sugar)
- Pumpkin Pie (canned pumpkin, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg and sliced almonds)
Try stopping by your local farmer's markets (if still in season) and see what fruits you can get your hands on. Many vendors also sell their own homemade fruit and jam preserves that don't have the unhealthy chemicals and fake-tasting high fructose corn syrup.
So, if you are ever at a loss of what to make for breakfast (quickly and cheaply, lest the kids wake up to a distinct lack of yummy smells from the kitchen), break out the oatmeal and your arsenal of toppings and mixtures for a healthy, filling and delicious meal.
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Friday, October 22, 2010
2 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cake

Sunday, October 17, 2010
Trio Enchiladas

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Thursday, October 14, 2010
Guess What's Coming!
Please don't leave me.
Here are two recipes that are coming up!
- 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cookies (yes...I said 2 ingredients!)
- Crock pot Barbecue Meatballs
Can you tell we are having a food day at work? Ha!
I hope everyone has a great Friday tomorrow and enjoys their weekend...stay tuned for these easy-peasy recipes, plus a guest post later next week!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches


Saturday, October 9, 2010
Baby Bump

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Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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Sunday, October 3, 2010
Melt in Your Mouth Banana Muffins

Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My Camera is Failing Me!
Our one and only camera was purchased the day after our wedding back in 2006 right before we checked into the downtown Marriott in Des Moines that night and then bordered a plan the next morning for our honeymoon.
Needless to say, it has seen better days.
It sometimes takes me 10-15 tries of turning the camera on and off to get those damn pics off of it. Tonight I had zero success.
I meant to show you my "go to" rice casserole that I make at least once a month, because of it's simplicity, but that will have to be another night. I just can't give you a recipe without a picture.
It's like chocolate covered strawberries without the champagne.
A shame.
So bare with me and I'll keep trying. In the mean time, if you see any giveaways for a stellar camera please let me know!
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Monday, September 27, 2010
Brown Sugar Zucchini Cookies

1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar (I replaced this with 1/2 c. agave nectar)
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 c. shredded zucchini

Friday, September 24, 2010
Announcement #2
I announced earlier in the week that I was going back to work. That started Wednesday, daycare started yesterday, and this weekend we are visiting the in-laws, therefore my blog has been neglected!
Sorry, folks. I do have some recipes on back order to share with you, including a rice casserole and zucchini cookies, but I just haven't had the time or energy to put them up. Hang in there, they are coming.
As for announcement #2...
Let's see if you can guess.
- For the last two months I've been eating cereal, fruit, pizza and ice cream.
- I've been going to bed around 8:00 p.m.
- The couch has been my best friend.
Guessed yet?
You got it. We are expecting baby #2!!! Little man is going to big brother. I'm 12 weeks along and everything is going great. Not to say that weeks 6-11 were pleasant. Nothing like feeling nauseous 24/7. All you ladies out there with kids know what I'm talking about. That has since mostly passed, but I definitely still have some food aversions.
Due to those food issues, my posts have been lacking. I haven't been in the cooking/baking mood, and frankly I didn't think you like to see my endless cereal bowls that made my dinner table.
I promise I'll post a belly shot soon. And yes, there is a belly. No one tells you how much faster the second one pops out!
And I promise to share recipes soon! Just have been busy baby making, finding/starting work, finding daycares, and turning my nose up to most food.
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Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Announcements





Friday, September 17, 2010
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole


Thursday, September 16, 2010
Mama Bosso Pizza
