Dinners 14-16

#14-Dinfest

Sometimes we like to mix things up around here and have breakfast for dinner.  I'm sure no one else does that.  We had a mixture of things and we loved all of them except one.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

1 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon(I forgot this, but put cinnamon chips in the batter)

2 cups Bisquick Heart Smart® mix(or make yours from scratch)

1 1/3 cups milk

1 egg

1/2 cup raisins (optional)

In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and 1/4 cup whipping cream with whisk; set icing aside.

In 2-quart saucepan, cook brown sugar, butter and cinnamon over medium heat, stirring often, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat; cover to keep warm.

In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, milk and egg with fork or whisk until blended. Stir in raisins.

Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat (375°F). Grease griddle with vegetable oil if necessary (or spray with cooking spray before heating). For each pancake, pour about 2 tablespoons batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry and bubbles form on top. Turn and cook other sides until golden brown.
Serve pancakes stacked with warm cinnamon mixture between each pancake. Drizzle with icing.

We made a Raspberry-Almond Coffee cake which wasn't very good at all so I am not even going to post the recipe.

Then we had eggs in a way I have never cooked before.  I got it from The Sister's Cafe and they call them Christmas eggs.  They always eat them on Christmas.  This one surprised me because I thought the kids would turn their noses up at them, but they didn't.  They loved them.  Super easy, and fun and you can eat them whenever you want.

Christmas Eggs

12 eggs

1 pint whipping cream (I didn't use the whole pint)

Salt-sprinkle on each one

Preheat oven to 350

Butter a muffin tin

Crack one egg in each muffin hole. Then open your carton of cream and pour 2 tablespoons on each one. Keep pouring and try to give each egg an equal amount until the cream carton is empty. Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt on each one and then simply pop into the preheated oven. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, depending on how soft you like the yolk.  Our eggs took about 16 because the kids do not like runny yokes.  

#15-Baked Teriyaki Chicken

This was a nice easy meal and it was good too.  We all really enjoyed it. 

1 Tb cornstarch
1 Tb water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced (can substitute 1/2 tsp ground ginger)
1/4 tsp black pepper
12 skinless chicken thighs
4-5 green onions, sliced in 2 inch pieces

Combine all ingredients except chicken thighs and green onions in a small sauce pan. Simmer over low heat until sauce bubbles and thickens.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Using kitchen shears, trim an excess fat off chicken thighs. Arrange single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish, lightly greased with Pam. Pour half of teriyaki sauce over chicken thighs, making sure they are completely coated. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Turn chicken thighs over and pour remaining half of sauce over top. Sprinkle green onions on top of chicken. Cover with foil again and bake for another 30 minutes. Serve over rice.

 
#16-Crock pot Chicken Fettuccine

I really love crock pot meals.  Especially on our super busy nights, which always happen to be Wednesdays.  We have swim, drama, swim and cub scouts all in a manor of 4 hours.  It's nice for everyone to come in and get it when it's ready.  I hate that we don't have a sit down meal together as a family, but that's how it is on Wednesdays.We really liked this dish.  Lily devoured it so fast.  I've never seen her eat like that.

• 4-6 frozen chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 pkg.  Italian dressing mix (dry)
• 1 pkg. cream cheese
• 1 can cream of chicken soup

• Combine chicken, broth, margarine and dressing mix in crock pot and cook on high for 3 ½ to 4 hours. Chicken should shred into small pieces.

• Add remaining ingredients and cook on high for another half an hour. Add milk or heavy cream to thin the sauce if it’s too thick. Serve over noodles or rice.

Dinners 12-13

 Slow Cooker Italian Tortellini Soup- super easy

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 medium zucchini, halved, cut into 1-inch slices

2 (14 1/2-oz.) cans ready-to-serve vegetable or chicken broth

1 (28-oz.) can crushed or diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (15.5-oz.) can great northern beans, drained, rinsed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 tablespoon dried basil leaves(Fresh works as well, just add it when you add the pasta)

1 (8-oz.) pkg. uncooked dry cheese-filled tortellini (I think dried tortellini is a bit gross so I used the fresh kind by Boutini.  I stuck it in an hour before we ate dinner.  Probably could have been a half hour. Depends on your cooker)

In 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, combine all ingredients except basil and tortellini; mix well.

Cover; cook on low setting for 6 to 8 hours. (I did mine on high for 4 hours.  I was short on time)

About 20 minutes before serving, stir basil and tortellini into stew. Increase heat setting to high; cover and cook an additional 20 minutes or until tortellini are tender.

My friend had said she wanted to see some Vegetarian meals.  This was one of them.  It turned out much better than I thought it would.  I was sceptical at first.  I made some Italian bread to go with it.  We sprinkled it with Parmesan cheese.  We all liked it.  You could also add some oregano and garlic in it for even more flavor.

Mongolian Beef- a lot like PF Chang's-involved a bit, but way yummy!

• 4 tsp. vegetable oil
• 2 tsp. ginger, minced
• 2 Tbsp. garlic, minced
• 1 c. soy sauce
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. brown sugar (packed)
• 1 c. vegetable oil
• 2 Lb. flank steaks (ask your butcher to cut it into strips for you.  May save some time)
• ½ c. cornstarch
• 3 large green onions

• Make the sauce by heating 4 tsp. vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium/low heat. Don’t get the oil too hot. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to medium and boil the sauce 2-3 minutes or until sauce thickens a little bit. Remove sauce from heat.

• Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/4 inch slices. Tilt the blade of your knife at about a 45 degree angle to the top of the steak so you get wider cuts. Dip the steak pieces into cornstarch to apply a very thin dusting to both sides of each piece of beef. Let the beef sit about 10 min. so the cornstarch sticks. As the beef sits, heat up 1 c. oil in a wok (or skillet). Heat the oil over medium heat until its hot, but not smoking. Add the beef to the oil and saute for just 2 minutes, or until beef just begins to darken on the edges. Stir the meat around a little bit so that it cooks evenly.

• After a few minutes, use a large slotted spoon to take the meat out and onto paper towels, then pour most of the oil out of the skillet. Put the pan back over the heat, dump the meat back into it and stir-fry for 1 minute. Add the sauce, cook for 1 minute while stirring and add green onions. Cook for 1 more minute. Now at this point you can either remove the beef with a slotted spoon or tongs and discard the sauce (this is what P.F. Chang's does) OR thicken the sauce with a cornstarch-water mixture (about a 1 Tbsp-1 Tbsp ratio) to desired thickness and serve it over rice with the beef.

When I started making this Noah came into the kitchen and asked what the wonderful smell was.  He stayed in the kitchen the rest of the time smelling all the different components to this dish.  When it was all finished and he took a bite he said it was AMAZING!  It was good.  It is a process and it does make a mess in the kitchen, but it was worth it. Just plan it for an easy night.

Dinners 9-11

Slower cooker Steak and Potatoes-easy

 We couldn't decide if this dish needed to be eaten in a bowl or on a plate so we did both.  It still tasted good and was super easy.  Throw everything in the crock pot and 5-7 hours later (depends on your pot) viola!  Dinner is done.  We served it with cornbread because it sounded good. We didn't have any leftovers. 

1 1/2 lb beef tip steak, trimmed

brown gravy packet

1teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 cups sliced onions

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 teaspoon sugar

1 bag (19 oz)  frozen veggies (pick your favorite)

4-5 Yukon Gold potatoes-quartered

 Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.  Place onions on bottom. Place meat on top of onions (my steaks were thinner cuts and it wasn't one piece of meat.  That might change cooking times for you).  Put everything else in the crock pot.  Turn it on low and cook about 5-7 hours depending on how your crock pot cooks.

Garlic Chicken

 We were rushed this night because of a last minute activity (we went to go look at a house, which we are moving to in 2 weeks.  aaagh).  This was an easy dish and can be prepared earlier or you can have the kids help chop things which will also speed up the process (I had Damon help me.  He said it was to involved for him).  Such a yummy and light Italian meal.  It can easily be turned into a vegetarian meal.  Just leave the chicken out. I got this recipe from the website The Sister's Cafe.  It has some really yummy recipes.

1 Tb olive oil

1 lb boneless/skinless chicken breast, sliced crosswise

1 tsp salt

1 Tb olive oil

6-8 cloves garlic, crushed (1 rounded Tb)

1/2 lb mushrooms, quartered (we left these out because we don't like them)

1/2 c green onions, sliced

3/4 c red or orange sweet peppers

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)

1/2 c chicken broth

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

1/2 tsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups dry bow tie pasta – cook as directed

1/4 c fresh cilantro, chopped (may use fresh parsley)

parmesan cheese, grated

 

1. Fry chicken in oil over medium heat until done. Sprinkle with salt and remove from skillet. Keep warm. Cook pasta while chicken is cooking in separate pot.

2.Cook garlic in oil until golden. Add mushrooms, green onions and peppers – cook 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, red pepper, cornstarch and salt. Heat to boiling then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Combine chicken, hot mixture, pasta and cilantro in a big bowl. Stir.  Add as much  fresh parmesan to as you like!

Cafe Rio pulled pork- soooooooooooooooooo gooooooooooood!!

           If you have never been to Cafe Rio you won't appreciate the dish as  much, but it is still good.  For the SoCal residents there is one in Orange County and also one in Redlands.  That's about it right now.  They are super good.  Their pulled pork is amazing.  I tried a version of it that I found online and Damon said we didn't need to go to the restaurant anymore because we could just make it at home!  It was that yummy.

• 2 pounds pork ( boneless pork rib meat)
• 3 cans Coke (NOT diet)
• 1/4 c. brown sugar
• dash garlic salt
• 1/4 c. water
• 1 can diced green chilies
• 3/4 (10oz) can red enchilada sauce (I used the whole can)
• 1 c. brown sugar

• Put the pork in a heavy duty ziploc bag or a plastic bowl (I don't like creating more trash than necessary) to marinade. Add about a can and a half of coke and about 1/4 c. of brown sugar. Marinade for a few hours or overnight.
• Drain marinade and put pork, 1/2 can of coke, water, and garlic salt in crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or until it shreds easily, but don't let it get TOO dry) or on low for 8 hours. Remove pork from crock pot and drain any liquid left in the pot. Shred pork.
• In a food processor or blender, blend 1/2 can Coke, chilies, enchilada sauce and remaining brown sugar (about a cup, you can add a little more or less to taste..). If it looks too thick, add more Coke little by little.
• Put shredded pork and sauce in crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours. 

 We used our meat and put them in tortillas and had burritos.  We added all the fixins we like, black beans, guacamole, sour cream cheese and of course tortilla chips

Dinner conversation while eating this yummy food.  I had to make myself stop eating it.

Winter Fun!

 We finally made it up to the slopes and what a beautiful day it was.  We went to Brighton.  We had a great day!

 The kids took ski lessons and Damon and I got 2 hours to ourselves to ski.  I think next time we go we will put them in 4 hour lessons or maybe Damon and I will just head up there one day while the kids are at school.  We have never been skiing with just the two of us.  The kids have always been there with us. 

 The kids all did a great job in their ski class.  It was amazing in the differences we saw in them.

 My boys crack me up.  I have one who goes down very carefully and more concerned about form and posture.  I have the other who just points his skis downhill and goes and likes to go off the trail through the trees.  I won't say which is which, but I'm sure you can figure it out!

That pretty much sums up the day.  We were all exhausted by the end of it.  We are already planning our next adventure up the mountain!

Dinner's 6-8 and Valentine's Day!

 Dinner #6-Mandarin Chicken Stir Fry

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)

1 can (11 ounces) mandarin orange segments, drained and 2 tablespoons syrup reserved

1 can (8 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained and juice reserved

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 teaspoon finely chopped gingerroot

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 package (6 ounces) frozen snow (Chinese) pea pods, thawed and drained

2 medium green onions, sliced (2 tablespoons)

Mix vinegar, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, red pepper, reserved orange syrup and pineapple juice in small bowl; set aside.
  
Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, gingerroot and garlic; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center. Stir in soy sauce mixture. Heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly.

Stir in pea pods, onions and pineapple; heat through. Fold in orange segments. Serve over rice.  

Everyone except me was luke warm to this recipe.  We served it with chow mien and the kids liked that. 

 Happy Love Day!  It's not Valentine's Day without sugar cookies....

 or heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast.

#7  Ravioli Bake (it's not a very pretty dish, but it tasted really good)

1 jar (26 to 28 ounces) tomato pasta sauce (any variety)

1 package (25 to 27 1/2 ounces) frozen cheese-filled ravioli

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of rectangular baking dish 13x9x2-inches, with cooking spray.

 Spread 3/4 cup of the pasta sauce in baking dish. Arrange half of the frozen ravioli in single layer over sauce; top with half of the remaining pasta sauce and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers once, starting with ravioli. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

 Cover with aluminum foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil; bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes longer or until bubbly and hot in center. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. 

I used more sauce and also added garlic and ricotta cheese.  You could also add in extra veggies into the sauce like spinach or broccoli, or if you like meat in your dish add that into the sauce as well.  We loved this dish.  I also made this earlier in the day and then threw it in the oven when it was getting close to dinner time.  We served it with homemade rolls and veggies.

#8 Mexican Chicken and Beans

1 lb uncooked chicken breast strips for stir-fry

1 package  taco seasoning mix

1 can (15 oz)  black beans, drained, rinsed

1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained

1/4 cup water

Flour tortillas, if desired

Spray 10-inch skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken to skillet; cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in center.

 Stir in seasoning mix, beans, corn and water. Cook over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until sauce is slightly thickened. Serve with tortillas and tortilla chips.

We really liked this dish.  We thought throwing in some tomatoes, either fresh or canned (fresh would be better) would be a nice addition.  I also just used normal corn and added in my own fresh red and green bell peppers.   

Dinners 5- Mardi Gras

Celebrating Mardi Gras a little early because of  Cub Scouts Blue and Gold dinner on the real Mardi Gras.

Easy Jambalaya
One box Zataran's New Orleans Jambalaya
Water
Black Beans
Sausage

Follow the instructions on the box and you have a great dinner for Mardi Gras! We did two kinds, one with black beans, one without.  You can also add corn, or tomato sauce for a bit of a mix up.

 

Of course you can't celebrate Mardi Gras without a King Cake!!

and a little bit of craziness...We got to celebrate with family who used to live in Louisiana.  They've actually gone to the real Mardi Gras!

A Quick Trip "Home"

The kids had a few days off this last week so we decided to take a quick trip back down to California.  It was so wonderful to be back down there.  It was such a quick trip, but we managed to squeeze a lot in.

We left Wednesday after school and drove down to St. George.  We spent the night there and then Thursday we headed down to Mortensen Manor.  I met with the accountant to get our taxes done (joy).  Then we relaxed with the cousins.

Friday we got up and drove to Disneyland.  It poured rain on us during the drive, but when we got to the parks it was nice and sunny and warm (well, warmer for us 59*F).  We had a great day at the park.  There was a power outage for 45minutes and a couple of crazy storm clouds that would dump a ton of water and then disappear.  Noah went on Space Mountain and loved it.  There was hardly anyone there which is always nice.  It was a great day at the parks.

Saturday we drove down to San Diego.  We went to our house and cleaned out some stuff.  The kids got to go out to lunch with some of their friends and play at their houses.  Lily got to spend an hour with our old babysitter, Kaitlyn. I got to get my hair done and drive around Scripps.  We Love that neighborhood and miss it so much.  A very short trip, but a productive one.

Sunday we drove back to St. George and met Damon who had flown down from Salt Lake.  We drove back up through snow storms (yippie) and arrived back safe and sound.  A fast weekend trip, but super fun!