How To Make Hard Taco Shells In Your OvenPlus . . . A Recipe For Baked Tacos!One Good Thing by Jillee This recipe has got to be one of the bigger successes I have had in the kitchen in a long time! Everyone in the family LOVED these! Not a speck was leftover, which is always a sign that it really and truly was a HIT. This dish has so many things going for it, that there wasn’t much chance it would be a FAIL, but one never knows with me. :-) First of all….it’s TACOS! It’s quick and easy to make. It’s got a “Make Your Own” aspect to it…which always makes me happy. AND…it’s gluten-free! Oh yeah…and it’s delicious. Let’s start with the DIY portion of this dish…making the taco shells. I can count on ONE HAND the number of times I have actually ever purchased hard taco shells from the store. So this tip for making crunchy taco shells in your oven was mind-blowing to me. Let’s not waste another minute! How to Make Your Own Baked Taco Shells by Eating Well Working with 6 tortillas at a time, wrap in a barely damp cloth or paper towel and microwave on High until steamed, about 30 seconds. What???
Nutella: The World Needs You There are times when I feel like an ostrich. It’s like I have my head buried so deeply in all the minutia of daily life that when I stick my head out into the world I’m shocked (and often appalled) and what’s going on. I’ll be honest. With all the uncertainy around us, it is nice to have some things that remain simple and pure, regardless if you’re 7 or 37. And that’s Nutella. No matter what, that thick layer of Nutella that I slather onto a piece of bread always tastes the same and always brings back that pleasant feeling of chocolate and sugar and hazelnuts and fresh bread. And for all those that mock Nutella’s claims of being a healthy snack I’m sending a big dose of “shush” your way. Just shush. Nutella makes people happy. So in honour of World Nutella Day, if you don’t mind, I’m going to curl up here in my little corner of the world with some Nutella Meringues to be followed by a piece of bread slathered in Nutella to be further followed by spoonfuls of Nutella straight from the jar.
Blueberry Coffee Cake Doesn't this look heavenly? A few years ago I put together a recipe book for my family with all of our favorite family recipes, and one of my favorites that my mom used to make was coffee cake. I used her recipe for this, but tweaked it just a little. Here it is: Coffee Cake 1 3/4 cup flour 3/4 cup sugar (I actually used closer to 1/2 cup) 1 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. salt 1/4 cup shortening 3/4 cup milk 1 egg (I added about 2/3 pint blueberries) Grease pan. Topping 1/3 cup packed brown sugar (I used a little less) 1/4 cup flour 1/2 tsp cinnamon 3 tbsp. firm butter Mix topping together. Let me know if you try this recipe & like it!
Creating Through Life: Crock-pot Lasagna Crock-pots are amazing! It's so nice to prep for a meal in the morning and it be ready to enjoy when you get home after work. Making lasagna in the crock-pot is so convenient and it makes a ton. You can have it for multiple days or you can freeze the leftovers. Have you ever made lasagna in your crock-pot before? Directions 1.) * Variations Add chopped onion and garlic to the ground beef in step 2 Use Italian sausage in place of ground beef or with ground beef Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the cheese mixture. John Wayne Casserole Soooo, yeah. The only reason I made this recipe was because it's called 'John Wayne Casserole'. That's it. My husband loves John Wayne. In fact, Jesse's middle name is Wayne because of Heath's love for 'The Duke' (I wanted to name him Jesse Barret J. so his initials would be JBJ, like Jon Bon Jovi, but Heath said over his dead body. I had no idea what to expect with this. I'm posting the recipe as I found it originally, but for my little family of three, I cut it in half and made it in an 8x8 baking dish (I usually cut 9x13 dishes in half the first time I make them just in case it sucks, then I don't have to throw out a large amount of food). Not sure what makes this John Wayne's casserole, but it was certainly good, and something that Heath asked to be added to our favorites...so that's a win! 'John Wayne Casserole' Ingredients 2 pounds ground beef, cooked and drained 1 (1.25-ounce) packet taco seasoning 4 ounces sour cream 4 ounces mayonnaise 8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded and divided 1.
Zucchini fries and seasoned sour cream Have you guys listened to the song Up With the Birds by Coldplay? I am a bit of a CP fanatic. Dan rolls his eyes at me any time I mention Coldplay. This song, though, it is really great. Elijah is spending the night with his auntie tonight, so Dan and I have had special time with our sweet Sammy. The boys are back from their shower. First, prepare the zucchini fries. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. In a small bowl, combine: 1/2 cup skim milk 1 large egg Whisk until combined. In another small bowl, combine: 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Mix well. Cut 2 large zucchinis into 3-inch by 1/2-inch strips. Coat the zucchini strips with the milk-egg mixture, followed by the breadcrumb-cheese mixture. Place onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Seasoned sour cream! In a medium bowl, combine: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 cup sour cream Stir until smooth. Add: Juice from 1/2 of a lemon 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
Baked Cheater Churros Baked Cheater Churros Oops, I meant to update two days ago but I had so much going on! My sister and her boyfriend came up to visit over the weekend, my DB had his law school ball, and I’m traveling all over the states. You know the phrase, “What would you do for a Klondike bar?” Ingredients 1 sheet frozen pastry puff, thawed 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 1/2 cup melted butter Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole This is my sixth month participating in the Improv Cooking Challenge which is hosted by Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker. As always I looked forward to participating and finding or coming up with a great recipe which included the two theme ingredients. This month the participating bloggers were asked to make any recipe of their choosing using the two given ingredients of potatoes & cheese. I knew immediately what I was going to make as this recipe has been a favorite in our home for a few years and as I haven’t made it in ages nor have I ever posted the recipe to my blog, well it was time to make it. Back the end of 2006 when we first brought Maisie home, not only was I very sick but she wanted no part of me putting her down or leaving her so that I could cook. NOTE: A reduced fat & lower calorie version can be found here: Slimmed Down Loaded Potato & Buffalo Chicken Casserole In a large bowl mix together the olive oil, hot sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder & paprika.
Baked Eggs in Potato Skins How is it already Thursday?! I hope everyone else’s week is going by as quickly as mine, although I almost wish I had more time this week! In any case I’ve been running back and forth to the kitchen all day today. It’s finally gorgeous and sunny(but not too hot!) so we spent some time out in the backyard on the swing set and in the sandbox and I still need to get to work on some more popsicle recipes. Even though it’s supposed to rain some more it is definitely popsicle weather now! So I thought I liked baked eggs more than I actually do. Baked Eggs in Potato Skins Serves 2 2 large baked potatoes, already fully cooked and cooled1/4 C cheddar cheese4 eggs2 green onions choppedsalt and pepper to taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. To cook the potatoes if you don’t already have some cooked, scrub and run under water untill clean and dry them off. Cut the already cooked potatoes in half. Note: The potato shells can be propped up slightly to sit flat and hold the egg better.
Instant Mug o' Mac & Cheese in the Microwave My daughter likes her organic boxed mac and cheese just as well much as the homemade stuff I make in the oven. The other day I went to make her our quick box version for lunch and we were out! I knew it was finally time to try something I’d always thought of but never attempted: making mac and cheese in the microwave. Since she only needed a small portion I knew a mug o’ mac and cheese would be just the right amount for her. Instant Mug o’ Mac & Cheese in the Microwave 1/3 cup pasta 1/2 cup water 1/4 cup 1% milk 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese Combine the pasta and water in a large mug or bowl. Remove it from the microwave and stir in the milk and cheese. 10 Tasty Mug Cakes That You Can Make in Just MinutesRainbow Cake in a Jar10 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Baby2 Minute Salted Caramel Mug Cake20 Salads Hearty Enough for Tonights Dinner