Fruit fly don't bother me

Fruit fly don't bother me.
Fruit fly don't bother me.
Fruit fly don't bother me.
For I belong to somebody.

Well, that's not exactly how the song goes, but it's what I've been singing lately.

I learned how to trap fruit flies a few years ago and this tip works every time.

FRUIT FLY TRAP

Just put a few tablespoons or maybe 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in the bottom of a cup.
Add a couple drops of dish washing liquid.
Then fill it to the top with water to make a deadly snow cone for the little buggers.

Sometimes the process needs repeated the next day. Put a cupful in every room where fruit flies are a problem.

Fruit fly don't bother me!

Have a lovely day!

The party is when?

You know how it is.

Maybe you forgot a get-together. Or one of the kids neglected to tell you about the school BBQ and you're supposed to bring a dish to share.

Keep this recipe in your back pocket and the ingredients on hand. You never know when a party will sneak up on you!

AMBROSIA - QUICK AS A WINK!

Ingredients:

3 cans of chunk pineapple
3 cans of Mandarin oranges
1 jar of Maraschino cherries
Couple handfuls of mini marshmallows
16 oz (two normal tubs) whipped cream
Optional: shredded coconut, pecans, walnuts

Instructions:

Drain the fruit
Mix all ingredients, except whipped cream, in a pretty bowl
Gently stir in the whipped cream

Then, cover the bowl and hop in the car!

Have a lovely day!

A serious new year's post and apple crisp

 

How is 2014 treating you so far? 

I can't help reminiscing about when I was a stay-at-home mom--about 10 years ago. We were able to keep the bills paid and even had extra money at the end of the month for music lessons, pizza outings, and savings.

Where are we today?

Well, to say the money doesn't go as far as it used to is an understatement. In addition, I see no reason to believe the economy will get better soon. 

How's that for a new year's sentiment from an otherwise "Pollyanna" blog?

It's time to get busy. Seriously.

Whereas frugality was a lifestyle choice for some, I believe it will become necessary for all but an elite few. But most of us will need to get super creative with how we live. Creative with food, creative with transportation, creative with recreation, creative with utilities. 

Frugality is but a distant memory.

The good news is that when we start thinking about life OFF the treadmill, we find unexpected joy. By eating the food we grow, our bodies become healthy. By working outside to produce that food, our lungs enjoy fresh air and our muscles tone. By pooling resources with our neighbors, our communities strengthen.

Hey wait. Maybe this is still a "Pollyanna" blog.

How about a dessert recipe?

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

8 medium apples from your backyard orchard (Ha! Made ya look.)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2/3 cup butter, softened

Directions:

Butter a 9x13 baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Skin and slice apples.

Arrange apples in the dish.

Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the apples.

Bake for about 30 minutes.

Serve warm.

It's up to us to keep spirits up. We've got a lot of work ahead, but we can do it!

Have a neighborly day! (I'm serious) 

Banana bread and a weirdo

I was feeling guilty about the three overly-ripe bananas on my counter. 

But, as they say, when life gives you black bananas, make banana bread!

In the photo, you can see the Little Weirdo coming to the kitchen for a taste.

Here's my recipe:

Banana Bread (fit for a weirdo)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons oil
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
2 or 3 bananas, peeled and mashed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour two loaf pans.
Beat ingredients together.
Pour batter into the pans.
Bake for about one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  (set timer for 45 minutes and check periodically)

Have a lovely day!

 

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Here is a classic holiday potluck recipe. 

I attempted it once before except I used shredded cheddar. 

I think the secret is to use Cheese Whiz or a knock-off of it. The second try was the charm! 

Throw in some chopped ham pieces and you've got a meal.

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Ingredients:

3 T butter
1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli
1/3 cup milk
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (8 oz) of Cheese Whiz or something similar
1 ½ cups Minute Rice
1 ½ cups water 

Directions:

Melt the butter in a skillet and sauté the broccoli until a bit tender.
Stir in the milk, soup, cheese sauce, rice, and water.
Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.
Pour the mixture in a buttered 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

I'm curious. Is this how you make yours?

 

Egg rolls with spicy orange dipping sauce

I have made these easy egg rolls many times but keep forgetting to post the recipe. Well, here it is. 

The spicy orange dipping sauce is also good when you want to jazz up some bland chicken nuggets. Yum.

Egg rolls

Ingredients:

1 box of phyllo dough (1 pound box of 40 sheets)
1 bag of shredded cabbage (or slaw mix)
Butter, approximately one stick

Directions:

Grease a baking dish with butter.
Melt some butter in a bowl.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Unwrap one of the packages of phyllo dough and flatten 
  the sheets.
Cover with damp paper towels to keep them from drying. 
  They dry out quickly!
Grab a couple of sheets of phyllo dough and butter them.
Put some shredded cabbage at one end and roll it up, egg roll
  style. You can tuck the ends in but I'm lazy.
Continue until all the sheets of phyllo dough are used.
Brush tops of egg rolls with melted butter.

I only prepare half a box of phyllo at time since that much
   feeds my family.
Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes until golden.

*Most of the time my phyllo dough rips willy nilly. I just go
    with it. No big whoop.

Spicy orange dipping sauce

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups water
2 Tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
2 1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

Mix ingredients and bring to boil.
Cool for 10 minutes.
Stir in 3 Tablespoons corn starch plus 2 Tablespoons water
  over low heat until thickened.

 

Nachos with chicken aka tornado chicken

My kids kept reminding me about the time I was making chicken nachos the night the tornado sirens blared. We all headed to the basement and had to delay dinner. 

I guess the kids now associate chicken nachos with tornadoes. 

They keep saying, "Make that tornado chicken again."

All you need is some cooked chicken, spices and nacho stuff, of course.

After we had the baked chicken the other night, I put a few leftover cooked chicken breasts in the freezer.

Tornado Chicken Nachos

Shred two cooked chicken breasts.
Put them in a microwave-safe dish.

Add:
A splash of water
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder

Put a lid on it and microwave it for about a minute and a half.

Melt some cheese on top of tortilla chips, add the meat, salsa and black olives. 

Don't you love having leftover cooked meat on hand? 

I know. Me, too!
 






This post was shared on:
The Prairie Homestead
Mad in Crafts
Adventures of a DIY Mom
Growing Home Blog 

Baked chicken is so easy

I buy those three-pound bags of frozen chicken breasts. 

It's the best deal, isn't it? I think it is.

Anyway, here is my recipe for baked Panko chicken.

Baked Panko Chicken

Ingredients:
3 pounds of thawed boneless chicken breasts
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Butter a 9 x 13 pan. 
Place chicken in the pan and drizzle butter over the top.
Mix the Panko and spices.
Sprinkle over the top of the chicken breasts.
Bake for about 30 minutes or until done.
  (Chicken is done at 165 degrees.)

Mr. Cool says baked chicken smells good to him!

Have a lovely day!

Pork without much touching

This recipe works with pork chops and pork loin chops.

I use this recipe if the cut looks like this or is similar to it:

Pork Chops

Ingredients:
8 pork loin or rib chops 
1 onion, chopped
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup catsup 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place the pork in an ungreased 9 x 13 pan.
Salt the meat if you like (I don't do this anymore).
Stir together the onion, brown sugar and catsup.
Place a dollop of the mixture on each chop.

Cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil.
Spoon some sauce (from the bottom of pan) over the chops.
Bake for another 30 minutes or until done.  

I like this recipe because I don't have to do anything with the meat ahead of time. You don't have to cut it, beat it with a mallet or watch baseball with it. 

Meat has cooties, but I'm sure you knew that.

Have a lovely day!

 

Corn on the cob in the microwave

 

I would rather make corn on the cob in the microwave than on the stove, especially when the burners are occupied with other things.

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Directions:

Husk and rinse 4 ears of corn.

Place corn in a microwave-safe baking dish.

  (no need to add water)

Cover. I use plastic wrap.

Microwave on high for 7 to 10 minutes.

Notes:

For 2 ears: microwave 4 to 6 minutes.

For 6 ears: microwave 9 to 12 minutes.

For the photo above, I added butter and rosemary. 

Pretty isn't it?

We've grilled it, too, right in the husks.

How do you prepare corn on the cob?

Cake mix cookies

Have you ever made cake mix cookies? 

So very easy.

Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:
One box of cake mix
One stick of butter
One egg

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix ingredients.
Drop by rounded spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet. 
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until cookies are a little golden.

Options:
Before baking, add chocolate chips or roll dough in flax seeds, nuts or sprinkles.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

Have a lovely day!

Chicken wrap buffet

There really should be more last-minute supper options. What's a procrastinator to do?

This little number is a favorite in our house (for now). I better be careful, though. Serve it too many times and it will become a dreaded meal.

My list of dreaded meals continues to grow. I find an easy recipe everyone loves and I can't help myself: it's all we eat for three weeks straight. Then no one will touch it for a few years.

It's my own fault.

This recipe is still a go at our house. See what your family thinks.

Just be careful! You could be walking a fine line here.

Chicken Wrap Buffet
(I didn't list quantities. It depends on how many to serve and their preferences.)

Ingredients:
Soft shell tortillas
Chicken, cooked and sliced/chopped (I cook frozen spicy patties--to get things done)
Bacon, cooked and crumbled
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Tomato, washed and chopped
Celery, washed and chopped
Onion, washed and chopped
Lettuce leaves, washed
Ranch dressing

Directions:
Place chicken and bacon on the edge of a tortilla.
Add a sprinkling of cheese.
Top with tomatoes, celery, onions and a bit of ranch dressing.
Put a lettuce leaf on top.
Roll tortilla tightly.

My guys can each eat three of these.

Here is how I like mine:

Some crushed tortilla chips would be good on top, I bet!

Have a lovely day!

Good for what ails you

It all started Sunday with a tickle in my throat. 

You know the rest: congestion, no energy and not much sleep.

Just when things were looking up, a cough arrived at the party.

Fortunately, this stupid hack gives me an excuse to take my medicine! 

OK, it's really a hot toddy. But I like to put a medicinal spin on it.

Here's the recipe:

Hot Toddy Cough Medicine

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 tea bag
1 Tablespoon lemon juice (from the big green bottle)
1 Tablespoon honey
1 Tablespoon whisky

Directions:
Put the whisky in the bottom of an empty mug.
Pour in the boiling water.
Add tea bag and steep to desired strength.
Remove tea bag.
Add lemon juice and honey. Stir.
Sip.

Is something going around or is it just me? *cough*

I mean, it's summer for Pete's sake!

Have a lovely day!

Italian salad dressing

Homemade Italian salad dressing is one of those empowering recipes. Make it yourself and save all the money!

It's one the first things I learned how to make as a new bride, which means it's super simple. I've had the decanter in the photo for a long, long time. 

It has dummy-proof markings on it:
"V" for vinegar. "W" for water. And "O" for oil.

Next you are supposed to dump in a little packet of spices. An OVERPRICED little packet of spices. 

I still follow the handy markings on the container, but now I use my own spices. 

Here's the recipe:

Italian Salad Dressing

Ingredients:
1/4 cup vinegar
1/8 cup water
1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup vegetable oil
1/4 Tablespoon garlic powder
1/4 Tablespoon onion powder
1/2 Tablespoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/2 Tablespoon parsley
1/2 Tablespoon sugar (to taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions:
Put ingredients in a container with an air-tight lid and shake vigorously.

Have a lovely day!

Baked apples in caramel sauce

The other night, the family was clamoring for something sweet.

I tried this on a whim and it went over well.

You should try it!

Baked apples in caramel sauce

Prepare the apples:
Peel and slice 2 apples. I used green ones.
Put apple slices in a microwave-safe bowl.
Stir in 1 Tablespoon sugar.
Shake the cinnamon jar once over the top. Not too much.
Microwave about 1 1/2 minutes on high. 
Test with a fork. Microwave longer if desired.

Prepare the caramel sauce:
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 Tablespoons butter
Pinch of salt
1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring (or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract)

Mix together the brown sugar, milk, butter and salt.
Heat the mixture over medium-low heat for about 6 minutes. 
Add maple flavoring.
Heat another few minutes until desired thickness or until your patience runs out.
Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.

Drizzle some caramel sauce over the apples. 

Top with whipped cream if you have some and if you are in the mood.

There will probably be some extra caramel sauce. And that's juuuuust fine.  :)

Have a lovely day.
 

This post was shared on:
Robyn's View -- Foodie Friends Friday 

Cream cheese fruit dip for real life

 

I made this fruit dip the other day. It was healthier than my normal recipe with all the powdered sugar.

Cream Cheese Fruit Dip for Real Life

Ingredients:

8 oz. cream cheese

1/3 cup honey

2 Tablespoons milk

Directions:

Mix ingredients well until fluffy.

Serve with chopped fruit.

Here's the real life part:

Apparently, there is something sticky on the table along with a laptop, cooling rack and some drumsticks. Yeah, I live with drummers.

What's that you say? I can't hear you! It's too loud in here!

Have a lovely day!

 
Shared on these sites:
Mad in Crafts
Flour Me with Love
Pursuit of  a Functional Home
Adventures of a DIY Mom
Growing Home Blog

Lemon bars--pucker up!

These lemon bars were so easy to make and the ingredients are usually on hand.

Everyone really liked them so I'll serve them again and again!

Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

Crust:
2 sticks of butter, softened
2 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour

Topping:
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
6 Tablespoons lemon juice (I used the kind in the big green bottle)

Later:
A sprinkling of powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour a 9" x 13" pan.
Mix the ingredients for the crust and press into the pan.
Bake for 15 minutes (it won't look all-the-way done yet).
Allow crust to cool slightly.
Mix the ingredients for the filling and pour on top of the crust.
Bake for 25 minutes. 
Sprinkle powdered sugar over the top.

Everybody pucker!

This post was shared on:
Growing Home Blog
Handy Man, Crafty Woman
Life with the Crust Cut Off