Ugh...

Ugh...I feel like I'm on sugar overload.  I don't usually complain about something like that.  However, starting on January 3rd I'm really going to watch my sugar intake.  This is NOT a New Years Resolution.  This is just something I need to do and Jan 3rd sounds like a good day to start.  I'll be back on a routine and can plan a little better. 

Today we are going to have roast beef in the crockpot.  I found a roast beef that was on super sale and looked really nice and lean.  I'm trying something new with the roast beef.  I usually just do it with Cream of Mushroom or Golden Mushroom soup and onion soup mix.  It it always great, but I'm looking for something a little different.  I'm going to wing it and try to make up my own seasonings for it.  I'm not going to do anything crazy to it, just trying to reduce my dependence upon mixes like onion soup mix.  I'll probably throw in some minced onion, some garlic, pepper, and a few other things.  I'm looking forward to it!!  We'll have some baked potatoes and broccoli with it as well.  Here's hoping it turns out well!

Animal pancakes

They came out pretty good.  The pan is a little difficult to use sometimes.  You have to watch the heat and make sure they aren't cooking too fast.  Flipping the pancakes was a challenge, but I figured it out. I needed to use a spatula that really gets under the edge of a pancake so it had to have a bit more of a point than being flat or rounded.  The design only worked on one side, which was fine.   Nicholas thought they were awesome and loved eating elephant, lion, hippo, rhino pancakes.  I tried a new recipe for the pancakes as well.  Not too sure about it.  I think it was a little too sweet. 

All in all....a success.  I look forward to many mornings of animal pancakes!!!!!

New stuff

For Christmas this year, i got a brand new cookware set.  Stainless steel.  SO nice!!!!  My old set for the most part was completely trashed.  There are a few things I saved like my favorite egg skillet, but I also have a new one.  I now have a super nice set of stainless pots and pans.  I'm so excited to use them.  I did use of the pots today for meatball sandwiches.   I will take a picture and post it soon.

I also got a really cook pancake pan that makes animal pancakes.  I'm going to try it out tomorrow morning so we'll see how it goes.  I'm hoping it works well and makes really fun pancakes. I'll be taking some pictures and posting them tomorrow. 

Another awesome gift was a lasagna pan that allows you to make 3 different kinds of lasanga at the same time.  So we will definitely be trying out some different lasagna recipes real soon.  I'll probably make a meat one and a veggie one sometime this week or next week. 

We also got a toaster that toasts the Phillies emblem in the side.  Really cute.  Didn't work too well on the english muffins but worked great on the normal toast.  Nicholas thought it was awesome, but got upset when I put the jelly he wanted on the toast b/c it hid the Phillies emblem.  Funny!!!!

Well, with my new cookware, I'll be trying lots of new recipes....stay tuned!!!!!

Christmas....

Well...I meant to post on Christmas day, but I totally didn't have time.  Not sure why I thought I would. 
Christmas Eve dinner was so delicious.  Salmon, tilapia, and the best calamari in the world!!!  Oh my!  Oh and spinach balls.  They are by far the best appetizer in the world. 

Christmas breakfast/brunch was great as well.  My mom hosts a huge brunch.  We have eggs benedict...yum!!!!!  I need to try to make it sometime at home.  We also have sausage, (turkey and liver...I don't touch the liver sausage, it even smells icky) zucchini bread, banana bread, lemon bread, french toast souffle, hashbrowns, and cookies galore.  Its basically an eating festival all day.  So fun and so very delicious.  

Then for Christmas dinner we go up to my aunt and uncle's house.  We had crespelles (an Italia crepe filled with parmesan cheese in chicken broth) which are my absolute favorite.  I need to get my aunt's recipe for them becasue I just LOVE them.  We also had filet mignon, potatoes, ceasar salad, corn, peas, ham (which none of the Sellevaag family eats...oh well, it looked good),  rolls, and corn bread.  Again an eating festival.  After dinner we had our "Happy Birthday Jesus" cake. 

Yesterday, we had Christmas with the Sellevaag's.  We went down to Tom and Melissa's and had another yummy brunch.  Waffles, eggs, steak, sausage, homemade cinnamon rolls, and cookies.  The waffles were really good.  Another recipe I need to get. Another day full of eating!!!

Sometimes I feel like we eat our way through Christmas, but it sure is fun and yummy.  Christmas is definitely one of the best times of the year.  I love all teh time with family and friends. 

I will write more later about what I got for Christmas b/c it definitely pertains to cooking!!!!  Stay tuned.   

Italian Christmas Eve Dinner

Well, its Christmas time once again.  I feel like this time comes quicker and quicker each year.  This is one of my favorite times of year.  Celebrating Jesus birthday!!  Yes we are having a happy birthday Jesus cake this year. 
We have so many awesome family traditions around this time of year.  I'd love to hear some of your family traditions, so leave a comment with your traditions in it.
Tonight, we have our Christmas Eve dinner at my Aunt Carol's house.  I think this is the 67th year or something close to that.  We have the traditional Italian 7 fish dinner.  Each year its a bit different, but we always have stuffed calamari....so delicious!!!!  I wait all year for it.  We usually also have shrimp scampi, salmon, tilapia, and enough other fish to get us to 7 different fish.  I really don't know how my Aunt Carol does it.  There are usually about 25 of us at the dinner so its a pretty big dinner.  We of course also have antipasta, pasta, and appetizers.  The pasta is either in a crab or clam sauce.  I LOVE the crab sauce. 
Poor Jim hates all seafood so he ends up eating antipasta, some pasta, and jello.  But he loves the tradition. 
I'll write more about what we do on Christmas later because that needs its own post as well. 

Hope you all have a merry Christmas!!!!!

Baking done!

Well, all my Christmas baking is DONE!!!  Here's the complete list of cookies I made:
Peanut Butter Blossoms (4 batches)
Peppermint Meltaways (2 batches)
Honey Lemon Drop Cookies (2 batches)
Raspberry Almond Thumprints (1 batch)
Cherry Chocolate Shortbread (1 batch)
3 Loaves banana bread

When I write it like that it doesn't look like I baked all that much, but it feels quite different.  I think part of it is that these cookies aren't the easiest to make. 
As for the banana bread....I still have yet to find a recipe I'm crazy about.  The one I used this time was pretty good, but still not great.  I'm not sure what I'm looking for.  I know I want it to be moist, with nuts, and banana-y.  I'll have to keep trying!!!  If you have any tried and true recipes for banana bread, please send them my way. 

Dinner this week has been a bit hectic....
Last ngiht we had tortellini soup...a nice easy favorite.  Tonight was leftovers. 

Tomorrow night's dinner is probably my favorite dinner all year.  I'll post more about it in a separate post tomorrow.  Believe me....it needs its own post. 

Tonight....

Apple Turkey Potpie.  This one is so good.  We had it right after Thanksgiving.  I needed to use up some of the things in it like the pie crust so I figured I better get it done. 
Still looking for some vegetarian recipes so send them my way if you have them.  I'd love a veggie stew recipe that is hearty and has been taste tested.  I'm open to other recipes as well....vegetarian or not.  Even if you haven't tested them, I'm willing to be a guinea pig. 

Tonight I also have to make banana bread.  I've tried a few recipes but have yet to find one that I love.  So I'll try another one tonight and hope that it comes out well since it is for my mom's Christmas day brunch.  

Oops...been a while.

Well, I had been very good about keeping this updated, but over the weekend I didn't keep up with it.  That is probably because we ate out most of the weekend.  We didn't really intend to, but we were out and about running errands, and hanging out with some family and friends and it just made sense. 
We had yummy Chick-Fil-A for lunch.  For dinner on Saturday, we went to one of my favorite places, Mosiac Cafe.  Their specialty is waffles so I had chicken salad on a waffle....SO good!!!! 

Tonight, I'm back to cooking.  Tonight is BBQ chicken sandwiches on Sprouted Grain (Ezekiel) bread.
I think we will also have broccoli and potatoes. 
Not sure for the rest of the week, but will be eating at home. 

One thing I've realized is that I eat a lot of Chicken!!!  I like chicken a lot.  It is healthy, low fat, and usually pretty inexpensive.  I guess I need to work on getting some more variety.  One thing I'd like to try is to incorporate more vegetarian dishes/meals.  I want to make sure that we get enough protien as well b/c both Jim and Nicholas are big on the protein.  So any vegetarian recipes would be appreciated!!!!  I really need some ideas with this one!!! 

More cookies....

So far I've made two cookies today.  One more to go.  Already done are:
Peppermint Meltaways (really good cookies, they literally melt in your mouth)
Lemon-Honey Drop Cookies - we'll see how these turn out, They are a new one.  They sound a bit like cough drops, but they smell really good.  From cooking light.

Still to go:  Cherry Chocolate Shortbread

I think I'll try to take some pictures of the cookies and post them on here. 

Again, if you want the recipe let me know. 

Not sure what dinner will be tonight....possibly pizza.  Nice and easy since I have a holiday party in the late afternoon. Next week I plan on trying to make my own pizza dough.  More details will come next week on that escpade.

Pics....Peppermint Meltaways

Honey Lemon Drop Cookies....need to make them a bit smaller next time

Cookies!!!!

Well...not cookies for dinner..although Nicholas did ask for that tonight. 
First, Dinner.  Last night we met some awesome friends, Jen and Chris, for dinner.  I grew up with Chris and we spent just about every day of the summer together at the pool.  We met at Maggiano's, one of my favorite restaurants.  Normally, I'd say Maggiano's is way too expensive.  However, they have this AWESOME deal going on right now.  You get one pasta dish to eat while you are there and then they pack one up for you to go.  All for $12.95!!!!!  How can you beat that!!!  So last night I had Eggplant Parmesan...my FAV!!!  I brought home ravioli for dinner tonight.  Jim had baked ziti last night and gnocchi tonight. 
Tonight began my baking frenzy.  This year I'm keeping it a little simpler, but still making some really awesome cookies.  Tonight I made Peanut Butter Blossoms and Raspberry Almond Thumbprints (one of my and many others favorites).  Tomorrow I'll make two more cookies including a new one.  You'll have to check back tomorrow to find out exactly what I make. 
If you want the recipes let me know and I'll get them to you. 
Making cookies is one of my favorite things about the holiday season.  My house smells so yummy right now.  The hard part is trying not to eat too many of the cookies.  I'm not promising anything!!!  :) 

So yummy...turkey and rice

Thanks to the Redskins game on Sunday, I had left over turkey.  I still have leftover turkey frozen from Thanksgiving and two whole uncooked turkeys in the freezer.  I just LOVE turkey.  So many different things to do with it. 
Tonight, I tried a new turkey and rice casserole.  I thought it was very yummy and am looking forward to having it again tomorrow for lunch. 
Here's the recipe....

1 cup uncooked rice (although it will be cooked before it is mixed in the casserole)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 Tbsp Minced onion
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the rice according to the package (I used long grain brown rice so it took a little while to cook).  Melt the butter, stir in flour until smooth.  Gradually add broth and wine stirring constantly until thickened and smooth.  Add onion and poultry seasoning.  Mix in 1/2 of the cheese.  Stir until melted.  Combine rice, turkey, and sauce in a shallow baking dish.  Sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake at 375 for about 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and brown. 

It was really good, but I think next time I might add some broccoli into it.  It smelled a lot like the wine, but it didn't taste like there was too much.  I didn't add any salt or pepper (we don't use much salt).  I would definitely try this one again!!!

Brownies

Didn't cook dinner tonight....went out with Jim's parents to Gordon Biersch.  Good stuff!!!
I did however, cook brownies from scratch.  I don't think I've ever done it from scratch before.  It was a lot easier than I expected.  One thing it did help me see is how unhealthy they are!!!  When you cook brownies froma mix you don't know what goes into it.  They are still baking so I'll let you all know the verdict later, but based on the batter they are really yummy!!!

6 eggs
1 cup butter,  melted
1/2 cup oil
1 Tbsp vanilla
4 cups sugar
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups cocoa
2 tsp salt

Mix eggs, butter, oil, vanilla, and sugar.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Bake at 350 in greased 9x13 pan for 40 minutes. 

Allow to cool and cut into 36 squares.  I know they are small!!!

I'll let you know what I think when they are done and cooled.


The verdict:  WOW!!!!!  So good!!!  Thick fudgy amazing!!!!!

Yesterday

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday.  However, I also didn't cook anything yesterday.  We had tickets to the Redskins game.  These were not just general admission tickets....they were box seats with an all you can eat buffet.  It was absolutely delicious!!!  Brisket, chicken fingers, hot dogs, fresh carved turkey (YUM), beautiful fruit and veggie platters, tomato mozzerella salad, and so much more.  I was even able to take home some of the turkey.  That will be great for turkey pot pie or some other turkey dishes I'm planning on making. 
Then we went out to dinner with Jim's parents.  The new Silver Diner.  It was wonderful.  I love that they have changed their menu and are more healthy.  It is also really cool that they try to get local food as well.  The new restaurant is really nice too...very bright and super clean.  
A nice break from cooking today!

CORD

Clean Out the Refridgerator Dinner....Definitely NOT one of my favs since I'm not really a fan of leftovers.  But we had so many in the fridge that we needed to eat them up so we don't waste all that food.  Finished up the chicken soup...I think it was even better leftover.   

I think I've decided that on the weekends, I'm going to try to include our breakfast/lunch when we are home.  Today we met my parents to go shopping so we went out for breakfast and lunch....what a treat.

Double T Diner for breakfast...it was pretty good.  Pancakes were a little weird, but Nicholas loved them.  I had a yummy broccoli omelet. 

Lunch was Red Robin....I love that place.  Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Burger for me...SO good.  Such a treat.

Tomorrow should be an interesting day...more to come!

One of my favs...

Breakfast for Dinner!!!!  Pancakes....so yummy!!  Homemade..no bisquick.

1 cup flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup milk
3 Tbsp Butter melted
1 egg

Combine the dry ingredients then add in the wet.  I also like to add some vanilla extract or cinnamon for something special.  You can also add in blueberries or bananas. 

I usually double the recipe and enjoy having leftovers for breakfast during the week.  They freeze really well.
5 out of 5 stars!!!!!

On the menu tonight...

Turkey Tetrizzini...
Pretty good!!  Super easy as well.  Easy way to use up leftover turkey.  I froze some of mine from Thanksgiving and used it in this recipe.   

Cook 1/2lb thin spaghetti.

2 cups cooked turkey
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 cup minced onion
2 Tbsp garlic
3 Tbsp Flour
1/4 cup parmesan grated
1 cup milk
2 cups water

Saute onion and garlic in oil until brown.  Add flour and parmesan and make a paste.
Add milk and water and allow to cook over medium heat until thickened.

Layer turkey, then pasta then sauce.  Repeat layers.  Cook at 350 for about 20 minutes or until bubbly and brown. 

Chicken Fried Rice

So easy and so good....
1 cup uncooked rice (I use brown long grain rice)
1 1/2 -2 cups cooked chicken (diced/shredded)
1 egg
1 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 - 1 cup frozen veggies (I like the carrots and peas, but tonight we had carrots, peas, corn, and green beans. It was what was in my freezer)
Soy sauce (depends on how much you want...I don't measure it)

For best results, cook the rice in advance according to package.
Scramble egg with water and cook.
Saute the onion in the olive oil.
Add all the ingredients together and cook until hot about 5 minutes. I always go easy on the soy sauce b/c you can always add more for those who want it. I'd rather have not enough than too much of soy sauce.

So good!!!!

Tonight's Dinner is.....

Chicken and Dumpling Soup
recipe courtesy of Carissa Coleman

So Yummy!!! Although I think I messed up a little on the dumplings and put too much parmesan in them. Jim loved them, they were a little too salty for me. Nicholas devoured the broth, which is typically the only part of the soup he'll actually eat.

This made the whole house smell delicious. Have some leftover for lunches this week. I love soup on a cold winter night.

Thanks Carissa!!!!!!

BBQ Chicken, Fries, Salad

Well, there you have it...
Homemade BBQ sauce!
It smells good; lets hope it taste good too!
This is a super easy one:
Chicken in the crock pot with bbq sauce
Salad
Fries (Basically potatoes cut up in strips with olive oil and sea salt)

I'm sure the BBQ sauce will be good.

Blueberry Muffins

Ok, they're not for dinner, but I made some homemade muffins today with the help of Nicholas. They look and smell so yummy. Here's the recipe:

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup milk
4 egg whites
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups blueberries

Preheat oven to 400. Mix dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix wet ingredients except blueberries. Then blend together careful not to over mix. Add blueberries, fold about twice just to mix them in.

Pour into paper lined muffin cups. Fill about 2/3 full. I like to sprinkle with a little turbinado sugar on top. Bake at 400 for 20 mins.

Here we go...

Well, I thought it might be fun to blog about what we are having for dinner. My goal will be to post the dinner and a review. So we will start with tonight. Tonight is easy and although not done yet, I already know it will be YUMMY!!!
So what are we eating tonight?
Steak on the grill
Sweet Potato (baked like fries)
Broccoli

How could you go wrong with that combo! I look forward to seeing what other fun things I can come up with for dinner. Feel free to post comments and let me know if you try any of the recipes I post!