Pinteresting Recipes

I've had some great luck with a few recipes on Pinterest the past couple of weeks, so I thought I would share them. I do not consider myself a very good cook, but for the sake of our budget (and health) I am determined to start cooking a lot more. Ya'll, I haven't been to Sonic in over a month.

That's a record right there.

Source: memoriesoncloverlane.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I made this feta dip for a women's event tonight at church, and there wasn't any left. I consider that a success! I thought it was really good. Instead of cutting up tomatoes, I just used a can of diced tomatoes. I wouldn't do that in the summer, but it's February. And it was still delicious.

Source: foodwishes.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

This chicken parmesan bake was really good. I was surprised at how much it really did taste like chicken parm. If you try it, make sure you get smaller more light and fluffy croutons. I got home and realized I had croutons that resembled giant melba toasts. Still good, but I think everything would have blended better if they had been more crouton-y.

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

These tacos were so good and so so easy. Try them. Now.

Source: onceamonthmom.com via Amanda on Pinterest

I made Max a batch of these french toast sticks. I used whole grain bread and added in butternut squash puree. I cheated and just bought two jars of baby food butternut squash. So far, so good. I can just pull a few out at a time, microwave them, and he really likes them. I may add a little butter when I give them to him.

Crescent Goodness

Okay...seriously. Is there anything you can't put inside a crescent roll?

I am no stranger to pigs in a blanket, and I have been known to stuff crescents with chocolate chips every now and then. But Pinterest has opened up a whole new world of crescent goodness.

I love it.

Source: mrfood.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Chicken Crescents

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Chocolate Crescents

Source: cookingwithdirections.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Breakfast Crescents

Source: fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Cinnamon Crescents

Source: cooking4carnivores.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Ham and Swiss Crescents

Source: joyinmykitchen.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Smore Crescents

And on and on it goes...

Chicken Fried

I'm no food stylist (or photographer), but there are few things in life as good as my grandmother's fried chicken, potato salad, and gravy and bread. Yum! Thanks Nana!

The Best Thing You Never Thought You'd Eat

A few weeks ago, our Bible Fellowship class had a party to celebrate the end of summer. Everyone had to bring their favorite summer dish. I was a bit stumped about what to bring, so my sister-in-law Amy suggested this recipe. I'm not going to lie. I was a little worried about it, because I would have never put all this together. But, she promised it was always a good choice, and she was right.

This business is good. I wouldn't recommend eating it everyday for breakfast, but it's a great party treat. Seriously...make some, and you won't be sorry.

Corn Salad

2 cans sweet kernel corn
1 cup ranch
1 packet taco seasoning
1 bag shredded Velveeta (two cups if you want to self-shred)
1 bag Fritos

Mix all together, saving the Fritos to mix in at the last minute. Nothing worse than a soggy Frito.

Note: I bought Fritos Scoops and didn't add them in. We just ate it as a dip. Either way- delicious. Thanks, Amy!

Food and Fun Were Had By All

These days, my dad spends a couple of hours every day inside of a hyperbaric chamber. It looks kind of like this:


On the inside, it looks kind of like this:


He is in there with other people, and they get to watch movies. Not the best time of his life, but not torture. The doctor said that spending time in the chamber has saved his leg, so I'm sure he won't complain!

All of this time in the chamber, though, means my mom is driving him out to Dallas every morning, and then she has to keep herself busy for a few hours. Yesterday, I went to hang out with her, and we had a lot of fun.

First, we found this:


There isn't a person in our family who can resist that light. After we consumed our weight in hot glazed goodness, we went on over here:


Oh my. I have always wanted to go to Central Market, but I have been content with Market Street, since we have three within ten miles. Well, no longer. How have I lived in the metroplex without knowing how great it really was? My mom and I walked around forever looking at vegetables and cheese. We even picked up my dad, loaded him up in his wheelchair, and headed back for lunch!

I am in love. They are having their Hatch Fest right now, and although I was scared to try it at first, we had a blast trying all of the samples. My favorite was the Hatch pesto. Yum! I am just sad that I waited until two weeks before I move to find it. Oh well. If I go everyday I can get in at least 10 more visits!

I'm Basically a Four-Year-Old

So, I have been trying to eat a lot better lately, and for the most part I have succeeded. But tonight Mike wanted a cupcake from the Cupcakery, and that peanut butter and chocolate cupcake was calling my name. I have never tasted anything so wonderful. And judging from the picture, it had been awhile since I had anything sweet.

Plant Eater...Sometimes

Lately, I have been a big fan of salad. It may have even become one of my favorite foods. Now, for those of you that have fallen out of your chairs, rest assured. I would like nothing more at the moment than to go to my nearest steakhouse and order a fillet and baked potato. With Butter. And Cheese. And Sour Cream. Shoot, you can even melt some butter over the steak for me if you want. Yum.

Enough about my heart attack on a plate. Back to the salads. I like a good salad, but I never seem to make a very good one at home. I can make one out of a bag of course, but leave me to my own devices and soon I'm mixing ranch dressing and crushed up ramen noodles. BUT...today I did it. I made an edible salad. I was so proud of myself that I just had to share.

See, I had a salad yesterday at Paradise Bakery, and despite the fact that one of the fork tongs broke off in my mouth and I almost died from Fork Lacerations to the Intestine, I really enjoyed it. So...I took mental note of everything in it and marched myself up to Market Street last night to buy the ingredients. Again, you don't need to worry about me, because while I was there I felt the need to eat a chicken fried steak. And macaroni and cheese. And mashed potatoes.

Anyhow, without any further ado I give you my salad. Don't laugh at how simple it is.
*Chopped Romaine...not even from a bag, thank you.
*Craisins
*Bleu Cheese crumbles...I have a deep love for this stuff
*Sunflower Seeds...dehulled please
*Lite Caesar Dressing...or the hard stuff if you want.

That's it. Do you have a favorite salad? Would you like to share it with me? If so, leave it here. But I'm not going to lie. I may decide to eat steak instead.

Favorites: Freezer Style

Every once in a while I buy something I just really like, and the Reynolds Handi-Vac fits the bill. It is a small, battery operated way to vaccum-seal your food before you freeze it. So far, I am a big big fan. I HATE when food gets freezer burn. It's just gross. Plus, it seems like the food defrosts a lot faster when I use the Vac. That's what I call it for short. It's just a cute little name I have. I got mine on sale at Target, but I have seen them everywhere. I don't use it for every little thing, but I do take my meats out of the store containers and put them in the bags.

So...just thought I'd share. But don't take my word for it (cue Reading Rainbow music here).

Shower Stuff

Today we had a shower at my house for my best friend Katie. It was so fun, Katie was adorable, and I can't wait to meet Ms. Anne Grace very soon. The shower went really well, and even though we had over 30 women crammed in our house it all ran smoothly. My mom and I found a new shower game to play, and it is now definitely our favorite. So easy and less awkward that some. Basically, you set a timer and every once in a while it goes off (we did every 3 to 5 minutes). When the timer goes off, whoever's present is being opened gets a small prize (a candle, lotion, etc.). The way we played, Katie got a prize every time, too. It was really fun. Here's some pictures of the day.

<
The first picture is of the Big Six. These are the girls I lived with my senior year of college. They were all bridesmaids in our wedding, and I love them. The other picture is of Kristin, Katie, and me. And p.s.: I think it's so funny that the "C" is right over Katie's stomach in that first picture. So cute.


I used my mom's Cricut to make the centerpiece and the banner. That little guy could change your life.

Gourmet...or Not

My poor computer is broken, so until I can load me some pictures you are stuck with my randomness. And yes, I know "load me" is poor grammar for those of my family members who are currently judging me.


Have you seen these? I got some at Wal-Mart after the mom told me about them. They are SO good and SO easy for a week night. Grab the box, grab a pound of chicken, and voila. They have all sorts. I don't really know who "they" are, but I like them. Try one when you don't have time to be gourmet-fabulous.

Oh Dear

These have been sent to tempt me. Not good...but oh so delicious.

More State Fair

Because I am about to go workout (see post about all fair food consumed), I will just leave you with these fun pics of the State Fair and a few words of explanation.


If you aren't eating these corny dogs, you may as well go home.


Sister, Brother, and Mom getting those feet massaged...if you count having your feet vibrated off your body as a massage.


Wow...really?


My brother proving that the State Fair can pretty much heal anything...


Big Tex...or as I like to call him...friend.


Hailey rockin' out with a fried dinner roll. Seriously...one the best things I ate all day.


Who knows...


The Midway Barker. You don't have to feel really sorry for him like I did when I was little. It's just mirrors.


Mike taking down the chicken fried bacon...yum!


My dad with a train...pay no attention to all of his braces...


Hailey and Joe...because we can't leave out Joe!

Food Frenzy

As promised I am ready to give you all of the details of my family's day at the State Fair of Texas. Are you ready? Here it is: we ate. A lot. That about sums it up, but for those of you who need a little more substance I will deliver.

Here's the list of foods I consumed:
1. Fletcher's Corny Dog...the 1st thing we eat every year
2. Fudge...the second thing we eat every year
3. Fried pickles...the third...you get the picture
4. Fried avacado chunks
5. Fried grilled cheese
6. Fried dinner roll
7. Funnel cake...has anyone else noticed that they all start with F?
8. Fried Chocolate Truffle
9. Chicken fried steak sliders
10.Sweet Potato Fries
11. Chicken Fried Bacon
12. And one of Joe's nachos

There were some things I missed this year, but don't worry...I'll probably go back for more.

Tomorrow's Post: State Fair Pictures!

Venetian Veal Pie

Here you go people...I promise you won't be disappointed! This is the best I could figure out the recipe. Of course my grandma has been making it forever, so she has made a few changes. I tried to figure most of them out. Sorry if this is confusing!

Ingredients (For pie innards...just because I like that word)

1 lb round or sirloin steak
1/2 C flour (for coating meat)
1/4 C butter (for cooking meat)

2 C tomatoes (1 tall can)
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1/4 C chopped onion
3 Tbs grated Parmesan
1 Tbs sugar
1 tsp sweet basil, 1/2 tsp each of salt, garlic salt, and oregano.

1/4 lb of sliced cheddar

Crust Ingredients

1 1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 C grated Parmesan
1/2 C oleo
4 or 5 Tbs water

For Crust

Combine crust ingredients and mix as for any crust. Roll out about 2/3 of dough and line pie pan. Make circles of remaining dough for top.

Innards Instructions

Cut meat into 1 inch pieces. Flour and brown in butter. Add remaining ingredients (tomatoes, tomato sauce, onion, Parmesan, sugar, and spices). Cook slowly until meat is tender stirring frequently and adding a little water as it cooks down. Pour into unbaked crust, top with 1/4 lb of sliced cheddar and then circles of dough (see crust directions!) Bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown.

*Note: My grandmother says she skips the flouring and cooking the meat in butter. She just throws all of the ingredients (but not the flour!) into the electric skillet and cooks until the meat is done.

Hummus

I'm going to be honest. When I worked at my old school, I pretty much ate whatever I wanted. Everyone else did, and I followed the crowd. I don't know if you have heard about elementary schools, but they are like a food vortex. Basically, all sorts of food is constantly coming in to the school for various events, and none of it ever comes out.

My new school is a little different. I am surrounded by people who eat carrot sticks and snow peas for lunch. Sheesh! I will admit that it is intimidating. In the past I would have carried my Sonic breakfast into school loud and proud as if to say, "Don't you wish you were me...Ha!" Now, the few times I have stopped by to pick up breakfast this year, I have buried it in the bottom of my bag and pulled it out in the privacy of my office.

This is probably not the best solution, though. The best solution is probably to actually eat healthier. So...I am making an effort. This is my 4th day without any tea or soda. That's a big deal for me. I have also been trying to cook more at home, and I have been trying to find healthier snack foods.

Now, before I came to Frisco, I thought hummus sounded like a disease you don't tell people you have. But...a couple of the girls at school let me try some, and it's actually pretty good! I bought some at the store (Sprouts) yesterday, and it's my favorite yet. Basically, hummus is steamed and pureed chickpeas, but I like the ones that have stuff mixed in. The Artichoke Spinach Hommus (everyone spells it different) is great. Try some for yourself...it's better than hiding fast food in your purse.

Foodie Weekend

What a weekend! We went to the Ranger game on Friday night (see post below), which is always a good time. On Saturday I got the cooking itch. I had told Mike that once September rolled around I would start cooking more. So, Saturday morning I busted out the recipes and got to work on a grocery list. Be impressed please. I usually shop at Target, but Market Street just opened in Frisco and I had to check it out. I took Mike along for the ride, and it was SO amazing! It's like a grocery store on steroids. It's like Disney World for foodies. It was SOOOOO crowded, but we managed. Here are a few pictures.





When we got home, I had more food in my fridge than ever before. And when I say ever before, you could probably take all of the food I have ever had in my fridge and it wouldn't equal what is in there now. That afternoon, I decided that I just had to make these cupcakes. Cupcakes with cookie dough inside...nothing but yummy. For the recipe go here.



The fun didn't stop there! This Wednesday is Mike's birthday, so we met my family for a celebration lunch on Sunday. It was Kristy's birthday, too, so it was a family event.







Finally, I cooked dinner on Sunday night (another Kelly's recipes creation), and invited some friends over for dinner. Yes, I am basically Martha Stewart now. Let's just see if I can keep it up!