Happy Birthday Saundra!!! (Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana Cream Pie)

Today is my beautiful daughter's 24th b'day..  time flies,  seems like yesterday she was born..   have so much to do today..  I already made her cheesecake and the pie..  Just have to make the banana pudding,  and then all the food.. wings, sliders, texas cheese fries, guacamole, pizza..    it's going to be a fun night..  :)


Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Banana Cream Pie

1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed
1 stick butter, melted
1/2 c peanut butter
6 oz chocolate chips
1 1/2 c whipping cream
3 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 c prepackaged vanilla pudding
2 bananas

Mix the graham crackers and butter together.. press into bottom of a 9x13 pan,  bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes..  cut the banana's in half and then cut each half into 3 to 5 slices.. lay on top of the crust  In a bowl melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring after 45 seconds..  spread over the bananas.. Whip the cream until light and fluffy,  add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix well,  add the vanilla pudding and mix well,  spread over the chocolate mixture..   top with peanuts and mini chocolate chips..  

Another Lovely Sunday!!! (Stuffed Pepper Casserole)

Busy, busy day today at work..  but it goes by fast when you stay busy..  I miss working with my Kristin though,  we were Sunday morning partners..  we would get so much done together..
Came home and crashed for a bit then headed into the kitchen to cook dinner.. 

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 bell peppers, chopped
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 lb Italian Sausage,  I used turkey,  and I always buy the hot(casings removed)
2 c minute rice,  uncooked(I use brown rice)
1 big can or jar of prepared Spaghetti sauce
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

In a large pan heat olive oil,  add the onions and bell peppers and cook for 5 to 8 minutes,  add the garlic and cook another minute,  add the Italian Sausage,  break it up with a fork and cook until it is done about 5 to 10 minutes..  add the minute rice and stir well,  cook for about 3 to 5 minutes,  stirring constantly,  toasting the rice..  add the spaghetti sauce and stir well..  rinse can with about 1/4 c water and add to the pan..  add 4 oz of the shredded cheese,  stir well and pour into a 9x13 dish and bake in a 350 oven for 30 to 45 minutes..   remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining cheese.. serve with crusty bread and a green vegetable or salad..    This can be made up to the point of placing in the baking dish and then covering and refrigerating or freezing until ready to cook..  if refrigerated just take out of the fridge and place in a cold oven then turn to 350 degrees and cook for 45 minutes..  if frozen take out of freezer and allow to thaw in the fridge overnight.. then bake..  serve with crusty bread and a green salad..

Monday!!! Bowties with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas, Browies)

I had such an amazing weekend,  even with the hiccup with my car,  I got to spend time with my youngest son Carey William,  I love him so very much..  Even though he didn't hang around for long,  it was good to spend time with him.. I always appreciate seeing him,  for however long it is..  :)   I got a lot accomplished this weekend,  the apt is nice and clean,  still would like to move things out and clean and vacuum behind them,  will need a little Boo help for that..  My bedroom is clean,  I pulled my cedar chest out of my closet and put it at the end of my bed.. I really love it there,  cleaned out my closet and found a pair of shoes I forgot I had..  bought a few new outfits,  :)  got them 50 to 75% off..  cleaned out the fridge and freezer and then went food shopping..  Found a few new recipes I am going to try the next couple of weeks..  Now just need to print out a few pictures and fill up my new collage frame and then put up my wall plaques in the dining room.. 
Had an awesome day at work today..  a 4 1/2 hr shift is always great,  until payday then I feel it,  but sometimes it is worth it..  Went to the nail salon this afternoon and had a wonderful pedicure and fill..  I love pedicures.. they feel so good..  love my funky nails..
I came home and took a little nap then started dinner.. Brownies are in the oven right now.. they smell so very good..

Bowties with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas

1 pkg Bowtie Pasta(Farfalle)
Olive oil
onion, chopped
garlic, minced
2 to 4 Hot Italian Sausage(I use turkey)
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
frozen peas
parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to pkg directions..  In a large skillet heat olive oil and saute onion for 5 minutes, add garlic and saute for a minute,  add Italian sausage and cook until done..  add the mushrooms and cook for about 8 minutes,  add the peas and cook until thawed..  stir in the drained pasta and top with parmesan cheese.. 

Brownies

4 eggs
2 c sugar
1 c butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 c all purpose flour
1/3 c cocoa
1/2 c chocolate chips
1/2 c chopped walnuts

In a bowl beat the eggs and sugar until light yellow,  add the butter slowly, beating to incorporate the butter into the egg/sugar mixture..  Add the vanilla and flour,  mix well,  add the cocoa, mix and then add the chocolate chips and walnuts,  Mix well, pour into a greased 9x13 inch pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes. 

Wednesday should be nap day!!! (Blueberry Pie)

I made it through another 6 day stretch at work!!  That in itself is reason to celebrate.. my form of celebration is resting and staying cool..  though I did have to get my emissions and tag today it has been a very restful, cool day..  :)
I love blueberries,  could eat a pint a day,  and they are very good for you,  not so good as a pie,  but hey..  once in a while is cool..  I also cheated and bought a already made pie crust,  just wasn't feeling making one..  :)  

Blueberry Pie

3 pints or 6 cups fresh blueberries
zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp butter, cubed
Pie crust for 2 crust pie

In a large bowl mix the blueberries, zest and juice of lemon, flour, sugar and cinnamon,  pour in the bottom crust of the pie,   dot with cubes of butter and cover with other crust.. seal and flute the edges and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes until done...

What a Tuesday!!! (Omeletts)

Want to know how to torture me,  you put me in the fitting room at work and leave me there for 8 hours..  that is how..  I do not like that place..  but because I like to stay busy it was very clean when I finished..  stayed busy enough to NOT size the hangers in the closet,  but if I had had time,  it would have so been done..  Since I was in there I decided to prove a point,  that if we have competent people manning it,  then it doesn't get trashed..
So after getting a little adjustment on my car I decided to come home and make omelettes..  I love them,  so quick, easy and yummy..

My BekahBoo being silly with her plain bland omelette!!

Vegetable Cheese Omelettes

Olive Oil
1/2 onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
4 oz mushrooms, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced

Heat oil in a skillet,  add the vegetables and saute until crisp tender,  about 5 minutes.. turn off heat and set aside

3 eggs
2 tbsp half and half or whipping cream
salt
pepper
dash hot sauce or sriracha sauce
Shredded Cheddar Cheese,  or your fav cheese shredded

In a skillet heat olive oil over medium low heat,  in a med bowl break eggs and beat for a few minutes,  add the whipping cream, salt, pepper and sriracha sauce..  pour into the hot pan and tilt pan to spread to the edges..  let cook for about 3 minutes and with a large spatula turn the egg gently,  add some cheese and top with some of the vegetable mixture and more cheese fold in half and let cook another minute..
Serve with Bagels, toast and fruit..