Lovin' My Wednesdays!! (Turkey Tamale Pie, Strawberry Banana Margaritas)

It has been super hot this week and I have been dashing from home to the car to work back to the car back home and basically veging out at home..
Today we went to the pool before it got to unbearably hot,  was so nice and peaceful,  had a great breeze blowing,  got a little sun and then came home, showered and Rebekah and I went to Kroger to pick up a few things..  mistake.. lol.. a few turned into a lot..  started dinner when we got back and we have been listening to music and dancing.. lol.. not that this white girl can dance.. I can't,  I don't have rhythm..  but I like to move..  it's just not very pretty..  :)
Then Rebekah decided to give my 11 yr old chihuahua Dylan a bath,  cause she was stinky and now Dylan is acting like Rebekah doesn't exist.. lol..  so funny..  dogs are funny,  love the fact that they are all personality..   since I have been making their dog food they have gotten the I am starving act down..  it's like Dylan learned to suck her stomach in..  lmao..   I got them some greenies and all natural dog biscuits today and got a small bag of the Rachael Ray dog food.. it is also all natural with no fillers,  I am going to mix a small amt of it with their homemade dog food..  they are so spoiled..
I also bought 2 bags of cherries and they are in the fridge,  I plan on  using one to make Cherry pie filling and freezing for Christmas and the other we will more than likely inhale.. we all love cherries..  so good..  I got some peaches too..  mmm.. :)
The smell of chocolate is wafting into the living room from the kitchen.. I love that smell,  I love it even more when I don't have to create it..  Rebekah and Saundra made cookies.. mmmm..  :)  

Turkey Tamale Pie

Olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1/2 each red, yellow and green bell pepper, chopped
4 or 5 small sweet peppers, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs ground turkey or chicken
salt and pepper
ground cumin
chili powder
ground coriander
1 c vegetable broth
2 tbsp dark brown sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
2 oz ketchup
1 14 oz can southwestern style diced tomatoes

In a large oven proof skillet heat the olive oil,  add the onions, bell peppers, sweet peppers, jalapeno and cook about 5 minutes,  add the garlic and cook another 2 minutes.. add the ground turkey or chicken and cook until done,  add the salt and pepper, cumin, chili powder and coriander(I used cajun seasoning because I don't have ground coriander) stir well and let cook a minute.. pour in the vege broth and stir well,  while that is cooking get out a medium bowl and mix the dark brown sugar, vinegar, worcestershire sauce and ketchup.. mix well and then add the diced tomatoes.. stir together and then add to the meat mixture.. stir well and reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.. while that is simmering prepare the polenta to go on the top..

2 c vege stock
1 c milk
1 c quick cooking polenta
1 tbsp honey
2 c shredded colby jack cheese

In a saucepan heat the stock and milk to a boil,  whisk in the polenta, reduce heat and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes to thicken, add the honey and stir well,  remove from heat and pour over the meat mixture,  spread to cover the meat and sprinkle with colby jack cheese.. put in a 500 degree oven and cook for a few minutes to melt the cheese and brown the top..  serve with a green salad..  you could do so much with this recipe,  using black beans or refried beans instead of the meat or for half the meat mixture,  you could add corn and other vegetables to the skillet..  endless possibilities..  :)

The cookies the girls made,  recipe is already here in my blog,  month of May,  they just added coconut to the batter..  they are so yummy!!!

Strawberry Banana Margaritas
1 c strawberries, sliced and frozen
1 banana, sliced and frozen
4 oz tequila
3 tbsp triple sec
2 tbsp lime juice
1 c crushed ice

Place all in a blender and blend until very thick and smooth..  pour into glasses..
Makes 4, can rim the glasses with lime juice and sugar if wanted..

Friendship!! (French Onion Soup, Sundried Tomato Chicken, Salad, Pumpkin Cheesecake

What would we do without friends??  I have been so blessed with great friends,  and lately because of facebook I have reconnected with many people I went to High School with and have formed close bonds with again..  I also have great friendships that I have developed with great people that I work with..  I honestly don't know what I would do without these wonderful people in my life!!   We were not made to go through life alone.. we should surround ourselves with people who lift us up, challenge us to be better,  who are willing to pray for us,  to laugh with us,  to listen to us vent when needed and just be there for us when we need them..  wow.. God is so good to give us all this,  sadly some abuse friendships,  but those are the ones who need the prayer the most.. To all my wonderful friends.. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!  :)

French Onion Soup

olive oil
butter
4 medium onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
beef broth
worcestershire sauce
toasted bread with melted swiss on top

In a saucepan heat the olive oil and butter,  add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until the onions start to carmelize.. add the garlic and cook another couple minutes.. add salt and pepper,  beef broth, worcesterchire sauce and bring to a boil,  reduce head and simmer for 30 minutes or longer..  the longer it simmers the better it is..  top with the toasted bread with melted swiss cheese..

Sundried Tomato Chicken

4 to 6 Chicken Breast
Sundried Tomato Salad Dressing

In a large resealable bag put the chicken breast and about 1/2 bottle of the dressing,  let marinate overnight..  take out of fridge and put in a 9x13 pan,  pour a little more of the dressing over the top and let come to room temperature before cooking.. bake in a 350 oven for about 30 to 45 minutes.. 

Salad

1 large head romaine lettuce
1 bag butter lettuce or your favorite blend
2 granny smith apples, chopped
dried cranberries
chopped walnuts

Cut the romaine into bite size pieces,  toss with the butter lettuce,  add the apples, cranberries and walnuts,  toss together and serve with your favorite salad dressing

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 sleeve graham crackers, crushed
1 stick butter, melted

mix together and press into the bottom of a 10 inch springform pan
bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes

3 8oz pkgs cream cheese
1 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
32 oz can pumpkin
16 oz sour cream

In a large mixing bowl cream the cream cheese until smooth,  add the sugar and mix until fluffy,  add the eggs 1 at a time and mix well after each,  add the vanilla and other spices and mix well,  add the pumpkin and sour cream..  mix well.. pour over the crust and bake in a 325 degree oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes..  turn oven off and open a little and let cool for an hour, then continue cooling on the counter.. refrigerate overnight..  

Independence Day!!! (Pasta Salad, Baked Beans, Watermelon Margaritas)

What a day!!!.. I didn't think I was ever going to leave work.. wow..  longest day ever!!!  How did you spend your Independence Day??  Did you spend it with family and friends,  did you have to work?? What does Independence mean to you??  Do you ever think about it, or do you like so many others, take it for granted??  I admit that I take it for granted...
Last year the girls and I were at the beach watching the yummy police,fire and military men and the fireworks..  we had a great time!!

I made the Pasta Salad yesterday..  it is better when it sets overnight in the fridge.. I also started the beans last night and finished them this am..  still going to do a little experimenting with them..  :) 

Pasta Salad

16 oz spiral pasta
green onion, chopped
sweet peppers, chopped
black olives
Italian salad dressing

Cook the pasta according to pkg directions,  drain and rinse and put in a large bowl,  add the onions, peppers, black olives and Italian salad dressing..  stir well and refrigerate.. before serving stir again and sprinkle with parmesan cheese..

Baked Beans

1 lb dry white beans..  soak in cold water overnight..
the next morning place the following in a crockpot
the beans, drained and rinsed
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c molasses
2 to 3 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp grainy brown mustard
salt and pepper

Cook over low heat for 4 to 6 hours..

Watermelon Margaritas

4 c cubed, seeded watermelon
1/2 c tequila
1 tbsp triple sec
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp lime juice
can add ice for frozen margaritas.. 

Put all in a blender and puree..  rim the glasses with extra lime juice and sugar.. soo yummy!!! 
 

Struggling!! (Taco's, Spanish Rice, Guacamole)

I hate depression,  I hate how it sneaks up on me and catches me off guard.. I am not sure if it has something to do with my neck hurting for a week now,  I know it also had a little to do with it being my brother's birthday.. I have basically slept most of the weekend,  I forced myself to get up today and do a few things..  I made a shopping list,  went shopping,  came home and cleaned the kitchen, cooked dinner,  did some prep for dinner tomorrow,  fed the dogs, ate dinner and cleaned the kitchen again.. 
I hate what depression does to me.. I hate that it takes over and makes me feel the way it does.. I try to fight it.. and I succeed most of the time.. but sometimes,  when I least expect it,  it sneaks up on me and takes me out for a couple days until I reign it in and take my life back..  I think it is why I don't stop for very long.. I push myself constantly probably because I don't want to be taken over by depression,  I am afraid most of the time to let my guard down.. to be still for any length of time..  because I think that it will take over who I am and I will lose myself in it forever..  I don't like that person.. 

Taco's

Ground Turkey Breast
olive oil
onion, chopped
sweet peppers, chopped
garlic, minced
pkt of low sodium taco seasoning
salsa
soft taco shells
cheddar cheese, shredded
lettuce, shredded
tomatoes, chopped
sour cream

In a large skillet heat the oil,  add the onion and peppers and cook for a few minutes,  add the garlic and the turkey breast.. cook until done,  add the pkt of taco seasoning, a little water and about 1 to 1 1/2 c salsa.. cook over low heat for about 20 minutes..  serve with the shells and other ingredients..

Spanish Rice

Olive oil
onion, chopped
sweet peppers, chopped
garlic, minced
1 c rice
14 oz can diced tomatoes(southwestern style)
enough water to make 2 c liquid

In a saucepan heat oil,  cook the onion and peppers for a few minutes,  add the garlic and rice,  cook over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes..  then add the tomatoes and water,  reduce heat to low and stir.. cover and cook until done,  about 20 to 25 minutes..  fluff with fork.. 

Guacamole

3 avacados
1 lime
salt
pepper
salsa

cut the avacado in half, remove pit and cut into chunks..  scrape out with a spoon into a bowl,  squeeze the juice of the lime over the avacados,  stir and add salt and pepper,  add a little salsa and stir.. 

yummy peppers!!

the best peppers..  I LOVE them!!!

Happy Birthday!!! (Buttermilk Biscuits, Sausage Gravy)

In our lives we deal with many different things..  when I encounter someone who is angry and mean I wonder what that person has been through to act like that..  I wonder if their parents loved them...  I honestly try to never judge anyone,  I am human,  I fail..  but I always try my best to be the very best me each and every day that I am given the gift of life..  I personally don't think that a bad childhood,  marriage, etc.  gives anyone the right to be mean to others..  How you deal with everything that has been thrown at you,  and how you treat others is a true test of character..
I loved my brother,  he was good to me..  doesn't mean he was the perfect person,  I know that..  I choose to remember all the good memories..  I remember after he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and got out of the hospital the only thing he wanted our Mother to make for him was Biscuits and Gravy..   I don't know why that memory has stuck in my head all these years..  but it has..  so this morning on the way home from dropping the girls off at work I decided I was going to cook breakfast..   and the funny thing.. There is no one here to eat it...  but I had to do it.. cooking is like therapy for me.. and doing it in honor of someone or for someone is a feeling I can't describe.. 

Buttermilk Biscuits

Self-rising flour
butter
buttermilk.

I don't measure anything..  I just sort of throw in in the bowl and go..
Mix the flour and softened butter in a large mixing bowl with a fork until it resembles cornmeal..  add the buttermilk a little at a time until a soft dough forms,  turn out onto a floured surface and knead a few times adding a little more flour as needed..  but don't work the dough to much or it will get tough..  pinch off about 2 inch size pieces and roll in your hands.. put on a greased sheet pan and continue until all dough is used..  I like to put my biscuits close together..  lightly press down with fingers..   cook in a 400 degree oven for about 20 to 25 minutes..

Sausage Gravy

1/2 lb sausage
olive oil
flour
milk salt and pepper

Brown the sausage in a large pan,  breaking it up as you go..  after it is done add a little olive oil to the pan.. (My sausage didn't render any fat) add flour a tbsp at a time and stir until the sausage is coated..  go slowly with this..   cook the flour for a couple minutes,  then slowly add the milk,  stirring the whole time.. add salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until it boils and thickens..

Avril hoping that if she is good and stays in the corner that I will share with her.. 

what a little brat..  

Back to the Grindstone!! (Orange, Ginger Chicken with Noodles and Vegetables)

I had a wonderful weekend..  Spend Friday night with my daughters and a friend from work watching old movies and eating yummy pizza..  Saturday was spend with the most gorgeous 2 yr old on the planet..  she reminds me so much of all my children rolled into one..  She is smart, funny, fearless and sweet..   She loved having her party at The Bounce House in Canton..  really cute place and a lot of fun..  at first she didn't like the big slide,  but after a while she didn't want to stop.. just watching her run around on her tiptoes made my day..  she wasn't into cake or presents..  she wanted to play..  and after she played that whole time I am sure she slept real good that night..  I got in one of the inflatables with her and wow..  that crap jars the body..  my neck and shoulders..  ouch!!!   getting old stinks..  :) Then the girls and I enjoyed some Chinese Food at our favorite place.. Sunday I took it easy..  well.. ok I cleaned, did laundry and made the dogs some homemade dog food..  they are so spoiled..  but they LOVE it.. lol..  and I know it is so much better than what I was buying them,  even though I was buying the Iams Naturals..  it's not really that good for them..  I have been doing quite a bit of reading..  it isn't pleasant..  and I know now that what they are eating is real/whole food.. not by products or ground up unknowns..  :) 
For dinner tonight I decided to try a new recipe..  

Orange, Ginger, Chicken with Noodles and Vegetables

1 pkg whole wheat linguini, cooked according to pkg directions
olive oil
1 onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast,  cut into 1 inch pieces
Orange, Ginger Sauce( I bought mine this time,  next time I think I will make it)
2 pkgs stir fry vegetables

In a large skillet heat the olive oil,  add the onion and cook for about 3 minutes,  add the chicken breast and the garlic,  cook until the chicken is cooked through,  add half the jar of Orange, Ginger sauce,  cook for about 5 minutes,  add the vegetables,  the rest of the sauce and rinse the jar out with about 1/4 c water.. add and saute the vegetables until crisp/tender..  add the cooked noodles and mix well..  it is yummy,  but there was something in that sauce.. probably the sodium content that made me extremely ill..   so that is why next time I will make the sauce..

I Love Rain!!! (Butterflies with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas, Brownies Ala Mode)

What an amazing day!!!  Got to spend some time in the sun enjoying the pool,  got so spend time with Erica and Rachel and even got to spend time with my kindle.. 
I got to talk to a very wonderful friend for a little while,  this lady is so very special and her family is dealing with so much right now,  but she still has such great faith..  I love her so much and am so thankful that God put her in my life..  Hopefully we can meet for coffee soon..  :)  

So for dinner tonight I made Butterflies with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas  and for dessert,  Brownies ala mode..  yummmmmmyyyyy

Bowties with Italian Sausage, Mushrooms and Peas

1 pkg bowtie pasta, cooked according to pkg directions
1/2 lb Italian Sausage( I use hot Turkey Italian sausage)
olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 c green peas, frozen
parmesan cheese

In a large skillet heat oil and add the onion,  cook for about 5 minutes,  add the Italian sausage and cook until done,  then add the garlic and mushrooms,  cook until the mushrooms are tender and dark.  add the green peas and cook until defrosted..  Mix with the pasta and toss with parmesan cheese..   so yummy

Brownie ala mode

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 c butter, melted
1/2 c cocoa
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 c chocolate chips, melted with a splash of whipping cream


mix in a large bowl until ribbons form,  add the butter and vanilla and mix well..  then add the cocoa and melted chocolate,  mix well.  add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until all incorporated.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes..  

Vanilla Ice Cream
Hot Fudge Sauce

Cool the brownies a little bit and cut into squares,  put on a plate,  top with a scoop of ice cream and pour the hot fudge sauce over the top..  Yummy!!!!