Hang in there Everybody....

I really still like cooking (I think)....

I am just not feeling up to it since I am pregnant and a little under the weather.  Hopefully this shall pass soon and I will be back to my old self.

 Merry Christmas. 

Hickory Dickory Dock.....

My kids are in love with these little mouse chocolates! 

They are EASY and delicious (that is if you like to eat mice)

Here is what you will need:

1 Can Maraschino Cherries (with stems)

1 Bag Hershey Kisses

1 Bag Chocolate Chips

1 Small Bag Sliced Almonds (for ears)

Frosting for eyes 

(I used a white and blue, but you can do black, red or whatever)

Lay out wax paper on your counter.  Unwrap Hershey kisses and put in a bowl. Put sliced almonds in a another bowl.  Drain maraschino cherries.  

Heat chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl for 1 minute.  Stir and heat for another 30 seconds or until chocolate is melted and smooth. 

Dip a cherry into chocolate and then add a kiss.  Set on wax paper.  Continue to do the rest of your cherries.  Add almonds for ears and then use a couple drops of frosting for eyes.  Let cool  over night or put in the fridge for an hour.

Have Fun!

Thanks Gaylene for the GREAT idea!

Mango Salsa

This is a sweet salsa with a kick! My friend Natalie made this once for dinner and I LOVED IT! This recipe is a little different from other mango salsa's because it has cucumbers.  It is fresh and light, sweet and hot.  Perfect for dipping, taco salads, or served over chicken.  Enjoy!

3 Mangos, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

2 medium cucumbers, chopped

1/2 red onion, chopped fine

1 jalapeno, chopped fine

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 lime

Dash of salt

Combine ingredients in medium bowl, squeeze lime juice over all and stir. 

So easy and soooooo tasty!

Ali's Granola

I have a little obsession with GRANOLA.  I LOVE IT!  Honestly what could be a better snack, a little bit of sweetness and some healthy goodness.   

I always just throw granola together without a recipe, but I DID actually write down the measurements this time....it's a miracle.

1 cup oil (I prefer coconut, but you can use canola)

1/2 cup Honey

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

3 T. Vanilla

1 T. Sea Salt

4 cups oats (quick or rolled will do)

3/4 cup chopped salted peanuts

3/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds or sunflower seeds or both

1/3 cup chopped Almonds

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine oil, honey, brown sugar, vanilla and salt in microwave safe bowl.  Heat for one minute (in microwave) and stir until brown sugar is dissolved.  Add oats and nuts and mix until well combined.  Pour onto 11x15 size baking sheet and spread evenly.  

Bake for 3o minutes stirring every 10 minutes.

You will know it is done when the oats begin to brown slightly. remove from oven and add raisins and dried cranberries.  Press into pan and let cool for 20 minutes.  When it cools you can scoop out granola and break into bite size pieces.  

Enjoy!

P.S.  Happy Birthday Dad

Sushi Love...

My kids love Sushi, but it costs a pretty penny to take the whole family to the sushi bar.  Needless to say we have perfected the homemade sushi roll, and it's a good thing.  

My friend Cyndi shockingly said  "My goodness.....

I have never seen a two-year-old eat so much sushi".  

  Yep even my two-year-old

I can roll 10 california rolls for about 8.00.  Less than a dollar a piece....

 that is cheaper than Taco Bell! 

You should try it out.

Secret Donut Recipe....

I have been reading the book "Farmer Boy" by Laura Ingalls Wilder to my kids.  Alamanzo (the main character, and laura Ingalls Wilder's future husband) constantly is sneaking a donut from his mothers kitchen.  His mother was a fabulous baker, every meal was accompanied by apple pies, sweet breads and donuts (she's my kinda lady)

 I have never attempted to make donuts, nor have I fried much of anything in my life so I thought I would give it a whirl.  I needed a recipe so I did a quick google search and here is what I found  www.secretdonutrecipe.com

As I scrolled down the web page I realized that it was none other than Brad Flickinger, my neighbor? Too funny.  So here is my neighbor's recipe for donuts, they turned out REALLY GOOD (even though I burned the first 30 of them).  Enjoy! My kids loved 'em.

Parmesan Chicken

Parmesan Chicken

This recipe is a WINNER with kids....a glorified chicken nugget if you will. 

Very tasty, moist and a great EASY dinner. Enjoy!

 

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 cup butter

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. garlic salt

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. pepper

1 lb. chicken tenders, defrosted

Mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, paprika, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  In a separate bowl melt butter.  Dip chicken in butter and then roll in bread crumbs.  Place in 9x13 pan and cover with foil.  Bake 300 degrees for 1  1/2 hours.  Uncover the last 15 minutes.  

Mom's Orange Rolls

These ORANGE ROLLS are AMAZING!!! Possibly my FAVORITE

family recipe of all time.   

I am just teasing you with these pictures because you are going to have to wait 'til the recipe book comes out for this one. 

Granola Bars.....

Honey-Oat Granola Bars

 

4 C. quick-cooking oats

1 C. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1 C. chopped salted peanuts or almonds

1 C. semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 C. sunflower kernels- pumpkin seeds are good too

3/4 C. butter, melted

2/3 C. honey

1 teas. vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, salt, peanuts, chocolate chips and seeds. Stir in the butter, honey and vanilla until combined (mixture will be crumbly).  Press into a greased parchment paper-lined  15" x 10" x 1" baking pan (parchment paper is essential).

Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until browned and bubbly.  Cool for 15 minutes; cut into squares.  Cool completely before removing from pan.  Yield:  3 dozen

Recipe of the Week-Watermelon Salsa

Watermelon Salsa

4 cups watermelon, cubed (small) 

3 kiwis chopped fine

1 yellow pepper diced

1 purple onion

1/2 bunch cilantro

-zest of one lime

-Jalapeno if you want a little kick.

Combine all ingredients and chill.  Serve with tortilla chips or cinnamon and sugar tortilla chips.  YUM!