cornbread salad, restautant style steak and bbq potatoes

Dare, I say it?  I found love again.

I'd had this dish a summer or two ago for the very first time.  Never got the recipe or even its name, but I never forgot it.  Finally, I ran across it again on Pinterest.  (It's been my board cover ever since.)  And so, last night it debutted and despite the audience's lack of enthusiasm, I was taken by its color, its appearance, its taste.  Yes, it was true love.

I used this recipe.  And I admit there was one thing I would change...it called for 2 to 3 cups of cornbread.  Now, it's a known fact that this girl loves her some cornbread...bread...rolls.  Who's counting?!  Don't judge!  So, for me, it personally wasn't enough.  I used one package of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix baked in an 8x8 inch dish and only had 3 pieces (or a third of the pan) left.  Next time, they're all takin' the plunge.

Today, I sat in bed with my cornbread salad - yes, I said "in bed" - and ate it straight out of the trifle bowl.  It's a sin but look at it this way, no one else will eat it and I was doing some internet research.  Don't judge!

I think we had the best dinner eva last night.  I'd bought filet mignon for the Mister's homecoming.  I cooked it "restaurant style" and it was near perfection. (We weren't fans of the butta.  Next time, I'd do butta, garlic and parsley.  And leave out the thyme, it was a little overpowering.  I'm undecided on the lemon zest, I didn't think it did much.)  One thing I do agree on...there's no room for steak on the grill any more.  At least not for this sister.  I am restaurant-style all the way baby!

I made 2 batches of my infamous yeast rolls.  They turned out to be the best eva as agreed upon by us all.  (I usually criticize my food pretty heavily, so that was something to note!)  We also tried this new recipe for "BBQ Potatoes".  Mmm, they were so good and so easy.  We all ended up being stuffed.  I think it was all the butta.  Yep, I blame it on the butta.

Photo courtesy of Kayotic Kitchen

I mentioned that I'd baked cookies for the Mister's homecoming but I didn't mention the cake we made, with inspiration from here.  Can you tell we love it when he comes home?  I love the gold sugar crystal sprinkles we used for the heart. That cake was gone in days.

 

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

Photo courtesy of Taste of Home

Since the weather's cooling off here, hot food and drinks are on the menu!  We happen to fancy this recipe (found in my Taste of Home Most Requested Recipes book.)  It's perfect for cool mornings, makes a good amount, it's EASY and even the picky kids will like it!  You'll love leftovers or sharing with neighbors.  And really, you could substitute any fruit you like.  (You'll find my edits in blue.)

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar - 3/4 cup or to taste
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon - pumpkin pie spice + dash nutmeg
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted - could substitute unsweetened applesauce
3/4 cup chopped, peeled tart apple
1/3 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches - 2/3 cup canned peaches
1/3 cup fresh or frozen blueberries - excluded (I'm the only blueberry fan)
Additional milk, optional - add a little sugar and spices, to taste

In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.  Combine the eggs, milk and butter, add to dry ingredients.  Stir in the fruit.

Pour into an 8-in. square baking dish, coated with cooking spray.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 min. or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cut into squares.  Serve with milk if desired.

EDITOR'S NOTE: If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before adding to batter.

As for serving with milk - my grandma always made what she called "Milk Sauce" (it was really nothing more than sugared up milk with spices) to pour over cobblers, etc.  This is a perfect recipe to use "Milk Sauce" with.  Just be careful, the baked oatmeal is a little sweet if you use 1 cup of brown sugar.  When making the oatmeal, I would start slow with the sugar and add more if need be.  Enjoy!

Easy Italian Chicken Sandwiches

Tonight, we tried something different.  Wasn't sure our crowd would go for it as it got dirty looks from the littles.  Surprisingly, they liked it.  The cheese hid the veggies and they were pleased with the taste.  Will definitely make again.  {Sorry no photos.}  My additions/substitutions are in blue.

Easy Italian Chicken Sandwiches

6 boneless chicken breast halves
1 tbsp. black pepper to taste
1 2/3 oz. dry Italian salad dressing mix
28 oz. chicken broth 16 oz. - too salty, will try water next time
1- 8 oz. jar of mild giardiniera

Place ingredients in crock pot in order listed.  Cook on low 6 hours. Or high for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken and shred using 2 forks.  Mine was so tender, I shredded it right there in the crock pot.  Return meat to crock pot.  Serve on Italian bread or rolls.  I used hot dog buns (easier for the littles to handle) toasted in the oven.  Topped with a slice of muenster cheese.  Pop back in oven until cheese is melted.

to bring you up to speed

We are temporarily settled here in IL.

After having my GPS stolen, I can manage a trip to the local Wal-Mart without getting lost, but I dare venture much further. 

School got under way this morning and we are seasoned Cross Country parents with one meet under our belts. {ha!}

Praise God, our kitchen is now fully stocked and regular meals have ensued.  We've had the W's over once for dinner and collarborated with them last night.  I altered a Pampered Chef recipe to our liking and made...

Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells
1 - 24oz. container cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella
1 - 9oz. box frozen spinach, thawed & chopped
1 lb. sausage, browned & drained
2 tbsp. Italian seasoning
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water
1 box jumbo shells
parmesan cheese to top
extra mozzarella to top

Cook jumbo shells in boiling water for 15 minutes or until done.  Mix cottage cheese, mozzarella, spinach, sausage, Italian seasoning & garlic together to make filling.   Using a spoon, stuff shells with sausage filling.  Pour 1/2 cup (or more if needed) spaghetti sauce into bottom of 13x9" & 8x8" pans (This recipe will make enough to fill a 13x9in. and also an 8x8in.)  Lay filled shells on top of sauce until pan is full.  Pour remaining sauce over shells.  Pour 1/2 cup water into spaghetti jar and shake, pour over shells.  Sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese, cover & bake on 425 degrees until sauce is bubbly (about 30-45 min.)  Sprinkle with parmesan cheese & serve.

Tips: next time, I'll try using manicotti & piping the filling in using a Ziploc bag with a corner cut off to save time and effort.
(sorry, no photos, they're gone.  long gone.)



I made a boat load of this (because it makes a boat load) and shared it with friends.  Instead of grating the soap, I microwaved it and then crushed/crumbled it but, the smell was so strong we had to open the windows.  Therefore, I'll definitely try the food processor on the next go round.  I just need to actually put it to work and hit the laundry mat, ugh.

 

 

Hmm, what else?  I'm dying to have my sewing machine I could be making soo much but, looks like it's stuck in VA for a while, along with my jackets and all our fall clothes.  sniff sniff.  I could stuff no more in the car.  OK, well I could've but then I wouldn't be able to see out the back glass and that's just a teensy bit important to me while driving 14 hours.  I prefer to be comfortable if possible, ya know?  Also, some friends of ours were visiting family in September and offered to bring some stuff out but, their plans changed.  They're flying instead of driving.  It's OK, we don't need that stuff.  Not like an epi-pen or blood pressure medicine or anything, geez.

 

I am thankful to have what we have, it could be worse.  I promise I'll try to take some real pictures.  I'm a little hesitant to step outside this town with no GPS.  Does that make me some kind of freak?  Maybe just a whiner?  Just askin'.

yum-o!

So, I finally sorta got it togetha.  I did some cleaning and straightening, organizing and emailing, but I just can't bring myself to sew.  What is wrong with me?!

Now, as I prep for dinner because we have a hectic evening coming up, I glanced at my inbox and these recipes were staring me down.  While I just received them and have yet to make them, don't they look yum?!...

Bacon and Tomato Crescent Pizza

Photo courtesy of Pillsbury.com

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mini Pies

Photo courtesy of Pillsbury.com

Peanut Butter Creme Cookie Cups 



Photo courtesy of Pillsbury.com

Mmm, can't wait to try them!