Spider fruit kabobs

Just wanted to share with you the cute fruit kabobs that i made for boy #1's class party. Anything tastes better on a stick right?! That's what the 2yr old thought anyway. He saw me making them and from then on he wanted all his snacks on a stick:)

Sorry about this first bad photo, i was in a hurry and didn't want to mess with lighting issues.

Banana pop anyone??

Red, White and Blue Cookie Bark

I found this yummy looking treat over at Love Stitched. It's made with crushed Oreo's, pretzels, white chocolate, M&M's and sprinkles.....it had me at Oreo's!!

Click HERE for the full directions and more pictures.

Smore's on a stick

It's no shocker that my family loves Smore's. We make them in the winter in our microwave. We have a Smore microwave maker that looks something like this....

It actually works quite well.

Here are the pictures to prove how yummy they were....

In the spring, summer and early fall we love to roast them outside around the fire pit. This picture is my all time favorite......

Today on Skip to My Lou she featured Smore's on a stick......and i fell in love with the idea! This project looks so fun and it is in the plans for our family this weekend. All you need is some sucker sticks, marshmallows, graham crackers and some melting chocolate and your good to go. Click HERE for complete instructions and a few more pictures.

Tasty Tuesday

I found the funnest idea over at Tidy Mom. These grilled pizza's sound like a great summer idea, i have never thought about making pizza on the grill before. We love to grill as much as we can during the summer so i was excited to find this idea, one more way to keep me out of the kitchen, i love that. We haven't tried them yet but they are on the menu for next week. Head on over to Tidy Mom to see all the directions to make your own grilled pizza's.

Grilled Pizza's

-Jaime

Tasty Tuesday - Grands Taco Melts

Tasty Tuesday

 Today's Tasty Tuesday recipe comes from the Pillsbury website. I found this recipe a few years ago and have made it quite a bit ever since. It's a great kid friendly recipe and a easy one to throw together on a hectic night.

Grands Taco Melts

Ingredients:

• 1 can Pillsbury Grands refrigerated biscuits (any variety)
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
•  1 1/2 C. thick and chunky salsa
• 2/3 C. water
• 1 C.shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican blend cheese
• 1C. sour cream (optional)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.
In medium skillet cook your ground beef and drain then add taco seasoning mix, water and 1/2 C. of the salsa. Cook until thickened.
Take the biscuits and press each one into a 6-in round. OK this is where i do it a little different from the recipe. I find it hard to press the biscuits into a large enough circle without tearing them apart of making holes in the dough. I usually press 2 biscuits together for me and the hubby's and then 1 for each child.
Next fill each flattened biscuit with some of the taco mixture then add one tablespoon of cheese on top of the mixture.
Fold dough over filling and press to seal. Take a fork and press the edges shut, you all know what i mean right?
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Bake 9-14 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with remaining salsa, cheese and sour cream if desired.
ENJOY!!


-Jaime

Tasty Tuesday - Navajo Taco's

Tasty Tuesday

This weeks Tasty Tuesday recipe comes from one of the first blogs that i became thoroughly addicted to....Or So She Says. These ladies are expert bloggers and have developed such a great blog, they discuss just about every topic under the sun including great recipes. 

My hubbys loves a great Navajo Taco, it's a very manly food, i guess? And it reminds us of good ole Scone Cutter in Logan, UT. so when i saw this recipe on Or So She Says.. i knew i had to give it a go. It is wonderful and the hub thought i was awesome when i made this for him. The boys love it too. I usually just end up making there's into a "cheese pizza" which they love.

Navajo Taco's

Here's what you will need:

• Roads Rolls
• Canola Oil
• Shredded Lettus
• Chili
• Cheese
• Tomato(optional)
• Avocado(optional)
• Olives(optional)
• Sour Cream(optional)

Thaw out some Rhodes rolls, smush together 2 for the kid size and mom portions and 3-4 for Man size portions. Then flatten them with your hands and work them into a flat circular shape.

Heat about  one to two inches of oil in your skillet over Med-High heat. If you have a little deep fryer(yes i do and yes i am a bit embarrassed about it) it makes this job not quite as messy. To make sure it is heated enough dip the corner of your flattened dough in the oil,  if it starts sizzling it is ready if it doesn't then wait a while longer.

When ready gently place one or two flattened dough patties into the oil. They cook fast so watch them. I turn them after a minute or less and let the other side cook too. Remove when browned and place on paper towel and then dab with more paper towels to get some of the oil out, be careful though it will be hot. If making kids cheese pizza's immediately put cheese on so it can start to melt.

Now just top with whatever topping you like. It's so yummy and we usually make extra and have scones with honey butter for dessert. I know it's a pretty big carb load but go on a walk after dinner and you'll feel better about yourself:)

Go HERE for more pictures and the Or So She Says instructions.

Enjoy!!

-Jaime

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Tasty Tuesday

Today for my Tasty Tuesday recipe i am sharing with you the recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Cake. I got this recipe from Good Things Utah. I miss that show so much and a few of my favorite recipe's came from watching that show. This recipe came from Aimee Winder of Winder Dairy in Utah.

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 C. butter, softened

1 1/2 C. white sugar

1 C. sour cream

2 large eggs

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

2 C. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp.vanilla

1 1/2 C. chocolate chips

1/2 C. chopped nuts, optional

Mix until smooth the butter, sugar, sour cream and eggs.

Add the mashed bananas and blend.

Mix in the flour, salt, soda,and vanilla.

Add 1 cup of the chocolate chips and all the walnuts if you are adding walnuts.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 glass pan.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 C. of chocolate chips on top and lightly press down with back of spoon.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Serve with or without frosting.

ENJOY!!

DIY Freeze Pops

I saw this "cool" idea over at :Under the table and dreaming. I have never even thought about making our own freeze pops. I may have to try it this summer because we have a new trampoline and in case no one knows trampolines tend to attract children. I could probably go broke keeping the kids in Popsicles this summer so maybe I'll try making some lemonade or kool-aid ones. Great idea. For all the How To click HERE.

She also has a great tutorial on how to make holders for the freeze pops so your kids little hands don't get so cold holding them, i know I've heard that complaint more than once at my house.

Adorable huh! For the tutorial click HERE

Strawberry French Toast

 Tasty Tuesday

Today i am going to share our favorite breakfast recipe. The credit for this one goes to the hubster. He is the breakfast maker in this house. I am NOT a morning person and he knows this very well so he wholeheartedly took on the role of breakfast maker long ago, bless his little heart!We like french toast and we like strawberry waffles so one morning we decided to mix them together a bit and waalaaa, delish!

 French Toast

Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• 6 slices Texas toast thick bread
• 3 tablespoons butter
• powdered sugar
• butter
• syrup

Directions

1. Mix together the eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, salt& cinnamon.
2. Heat a large skillet, or griddle.
3. When the skillet is hot, add 1 tablespoon butter.
4. If the butter smokes, your pan is too hot; turn down the heat.
5. Dip each slice of bread into the batter for 30 seconds on each side.
6. Let some of the batter drip off, then put in skillet.
7. Cook each slice 1 1/2-2 minutes per side until each side is golden brown.
8. Add more butter, if necessary, to cook all of the slices.
9. To serve, put on plate, dust with powdered sugar. Serve with butter & hot syrup

Strawberry Syrup

Need:
1 Pint of Strawberries
2C. Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Lemon (optional)

Take tops off strawberries and cut into quarters.
In food processor or blender, process strawberries
Stir in sugar and lemon, cook over low hear until sugar is dissolved.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
Strain out seeds
put in the fridge to cool a little while you make the french toast or waffles.
When you take it out of the fridge you will want to skim the film that has developed off the top.

Hope you enjoy! It's great for a fun week night dinner too!

-Jaime

Making Frosting

Yesterday afternoon i did part of my homework for my cake decorating class. I made my 3 batches of frosting that are all varying consistency's. One stiff for roses and such, one medium for boarders and one thin for frosting the cake and for writing on the cake.

I only made a slight mess in the process.....

giving my mixer a work-out

Ooops!

Homework done!

Now for a extra special treat for you all........A super special secrete(OK not really secret) recipe....

Buttercream Frosting Recipe

1c. solid white vegetable shortening (packed)
1/2 tsp. vanilla Wilton flavoring
1/4 tsp. butter Wilton flavoring
1/4 tsp. almond Wilton flavoring
2 Tbs. Water
1 lb. powered sugar (app. 4 cups)
1 Tbs. Wilton meringue powder
A pinch of salt
Cream shortening, flavoring and water. Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed. Blend an additional minute or so, until creamy.
Add water by the Tbs. to achieve desired consistency.

I got most of this information from the Wilton Course 1 student manual. I hope it's not illegal to post it on the Internet but it's a yummy recipe so i wanted to share....


-Jaime

Tasty tuesday - Skillet Enchiladas

Tasty Tuesday

I have a lot of great recipes that i have collected over the years and i thought i would start sharing one a week with you. Most of them are extremely simple, i am no chef. I like quick and easy and delicious is a requirement as well.
Tasty Tuesday may be a little dessert heavy. My cook book is about 25% dinners and 75% desserts. Oops, yes i enjoy baking a bit more than cooking but i am working on evening out the cook book, one recipe at a time.
Some of these recipes i have gathered from my childhood, some are from family members and others are Internet finds. Hopefully you try a few and fall in love with at least one!

The first Tasty Tuesday recipe comes from my Mother in law, who is a great cook by the way......

Skillet Enchiladas

What you need:
1lb. Hamburger
1/4 C. Chopped Onions
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 10oz can of enchilada sauce
2Tbs. chopped green chili (fresh or canned)
1/2 C. milk
Shredded cheddar cheese
Flour Tortillas.

1. Brown your meat and your onions together in large skillet. Drain once browned and return to the skillet.
2. Add to your meat the following....1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 10oz can enchilada sauce, 2 Tbs. chopped green chili and 1/2 c. milk.
3. Let simmer for 20 min.
4. Fill 6-8 flour tortillas with shredded cheese, roll up and place seam side down in the skillet on top of your meat mixture.

5. I usually scoop some of the meat mixture on top of the tortillas just to aid in the cheese melting process.

6. Cover and turn heat up just a smidgen so that the cheese will melt faster, usually only takes 5-10 min.

7. Dish it up and enjoy. These pictures were taken with my old camera so they are not the best. Trust me these taste much better than they look.

Thanks Charlotte for the yummy recipe!

-Jaime

Peep cupcakes

How cute are these cupcakes from Home Made Mama's? We have a major weakness in this house for cupcakes so i may just be making these for our dessert on Easter Sunday.

Click HERE for all the details on how to make these adorable cupcakes. They even have a little marshmallow tails, ahhh.

Rainbow Treats

OK OK i know St. Patty's day is over but i had to share the fruits of my labor from yesterday. I spent way too much time on these rainbow treats but it was worth it in the end.

These cupcakes are so cute on the inside and darn it they better be because they were somewhat time consuming. Just don't think your going to whip these up quickly after dinner, they take some time to add the colors layer by layer. My kids loved them and i am thinking about going to have another one right about now..... Find the directions at familyfun.com

And i did end up making the rainbow jello also. It was easy and they kids LOVED it!!

Find the recipe HERE

You can make these fun treats for lots of occasions. I'm sure i will be making them both again soon!

-Jaime

Rainbow jigglers

How fun are these...


Head on over to nobiggie.net to learn how to make your own rainbow jello for your St. Patrick's Day treat.

What's cookin' good lookin'?

Does anyone else cringe at those three little words,"What's for Dinner?" I am not a great cook but i do try. I enjoy baking more which is probably why my cookbook,and my butt, is very dessert heavy. I don't mind cooking dinner but it's often a challenge when you have two kids hanging on each leg, no one out there knows what i mean right?:)

Well i think as long as we have to get dinner in the oven every night or hey even dish up Chinese take out, we might as well look cute doing it.

I happened upon this fun Etsy shop that specializes in doing just that. Wonderland Avenue's aprons make me want to spend more time behind the stove. Take a look at just a few of the cute aprons in her shop......

This one matches my kitchen colors, yep it's going on my list of must haves.

And how about a recipe to go along with the cute aprons......

Chocolate Chip Banana Cake

Ingredients:

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar

1c. sour cream

2 large eggs

2-3 very ripe bananas, mashed

2c. flour

1tsp. salt

1tsp. baking soda

1tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 c. chocolate chips

1/2-1c. chopped nuts(optional)

Mix until smooth the butter, sugar, sour cream and eggs.

Add the mashed bananas and blend.

Mix in the flour, salt, soda and vanilla.

Add 1c. of the chocolate chips and all the walnuts.

Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 glass pan.

Sprinkle the 1/2 c. of chocolate chips on top and lightly press down.

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Enjoy.

-Jaime

Super Bowl Snacks

Is everyone ready for the big game on Sunday?? Well i honestly can't tell you who is playing but i can tell you what we will be snacking on! I actually do look forward to Super Bowl Sunday because i love the commercials. I do not however watch even one second of the game, i despise football with a passion. I hope and pray that my boys are involved in any and all sports aside from football. I find it a total snooze fest but hey I'm a girl and a girly girl at that. I commend you women that can sit back and watch the big game with the hub and actually know why he is yelling at the t.v but i am not that gal, nope, not at all.
So today i am going to share with you a couple of my favorite appetizer and sweet treats recipes:


Chex Mix (the gooey kind)
1 1/2 c. Karo syrup
1 c. Sugar
1 1/2 cubes of butter
Bring above ingredients to a boil, boil for 2 min.
Then turn off heat and add 1 tsp. vanilla.
Pour over :
1 box Rice Chex
1 box Golden Grahams
Optional add in's
- Almonds
-pretzels
-coconut
Stir and enjoy!






Avocado Dip

Peel 3 small or 1 lg and 1 small Avocado's
Mash up with fork or use food processor.
Add in
1/2 c. taco sauce
3 shakes of garlic salt
1Tb. lemon juice
Stir and enjoy.

We usually have Sub sandwiches or pizza for our meal and then just snack on chips, dips and something sweet as we watch the game, or the commercials in my case.

Happy Football/Commercial Watching!!

Mmmmm....doughnuts

I made these yummy little morsels last night for dessert, they are dangerous but delicious. For the recipe head on over to Get Off Your Butt And Bake.