Sunday, December 31, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #46

"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board







Featured Post from Last Week:


Sweetheart Fantasy Fudge from Marilyn's Treats





Monday, December 25, 2017

Stuffed French Bread Cheeseburger



Merry Christmas to all!
No matter what holiday you celebrate, I hope it is spent with friends and family.


This is my first year with the girl child as "Santa's Helper".

Her and hubby sort of ganged up on me and used the whole "she's, um, an adult" reasoning. Any mama will tell you, it's a sad (yet happy) moment. I have to relinquish that part of her kid-ness and allow her to be part of the adult-ness of it all.
Oh how bittersweet.
Ingredients:
1 Lb Ground beef
¼ Cup Onion (chopped)
1 Can (10 ¾ oz) Tomato soup
½ Tsp Garlic salt
¼ Tsp Salt
¼ Tsp Pepper
1 Lb French Bread (whole)
1 Tbsp Butter (softened)
8 oz Velveeta (sliced)


Directions:
1. In large saucepan, cook beef and onions
2. Add tomato soup, garlic salt, salt and pepper
3. Simmer for 5-10 minutes
4. Slice the top third off the bread, scoop out middle
5. Spread butter on removed top
6. Spoon beef mixture into bread shell
7. Arrange cheese slices on top
8. Broil 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted
9. Replace bread on top

Print



Come party with me HERE!


Adapted from: Moms who Think

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #45

"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board







Featured Post from Last Week:







Monday, December 18, 2017

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

This is not my story. It was shared with me by an old friend who lives in a different state.

He is a photographer by trade, and was covering a dinner service at a local food pantry. Along with this dinner was a raffle where prizes were being given out.

The big prize that day was a bicycle. As the winning number was read, he watched an 11 year old girl's face just light up with joy.
But, she wasn't one of the needy there eating dinner, she was a volunteer.

He was having an internal battle with himself.
He was angry and upset that the volunteers were included in the raffle. He felt injustice that someone who has enough, got something extra as they were surrounded by those who have nothing.

He described her elation as she headed towards the podium as "clutching her golden ticket while walking into the Wonka factory".

Then he realized what was really going on.

This 11 year old child, who indeed was not hurting for the necessities in life, also had her head and heart in the right place.
She walked to the podium and spoke to the announcer.
Next thing that was said was that the original winner had declined the bicycle.

Other people commented that maybe she just didn't like the look, size, or style of the bike. My friend and I have decided we just believe that she is a good soul and did what she felt was right.

So proud of this child that I have never met.
Her parents have done a wonderful job. She is an asset to the world around her.

Ingredients:
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Vegetable oil
3 Eggs
1 ½ Tsp Vanilla extract
1 Tsp Lemon extract
2 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
3 Cups All purpose flour
1 ½ Tsp Baking powder
1 ½ Tsp Salt
1 ½ Cups Milk


Icing:
2 Tbsp Lemon juice
¾ Cup Confectioners sugar


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Grease and flour 2 loaf pans
3. Combine sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and lemon extract in a large bowl
4. Stir in poppy seeds
5. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt
6. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to sugar mixture, mixing well between each addition
7. Divide batter evenly between each pan
8. Bake loaves for 45 minutes
9. Mix icing and drizzle over warm loaves

Print



Come party with me here!

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #44

"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board







Featured Post from Last Week:











Monday, December 11, 2017

Marinated Flank Steak

Oh what a Christmas-y weekend it has been!

Saturday we hosted hubby's side and did a yankee swap.
So much food, so very much food.
I always make too much, people bring too much, and then someone always ends up bagging out last minute. That's OK though, I have enough food for the three of us for the week!
To make it all the more holiday-rific, we had our first snowstorm of the season! 7 beautiful inches covering all the lights and making it all glow.

Sunday we went to Hubby's aunt's house.
Once again, so much food!
She was doing her best to send some home with us, but, we have no more room in the fridge!
Did yet another yankee swap (oh how I dislike them) and hung out with cousins and kittens! OMG there were two baby kittens there who were so snuggly and perfect!

This is IT my friends, I have no more Christmas on my calendar until the big day itself.
I'm not so sure I know how to deal with this!

What is on your calendar?





Ingredients:
½ Cup Soy Sauce
½ Cup Cooking Sherry
3 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Sesame oil
2 Tbsp Ginger (minced)
3 Cloves Garlic (minced)
½ Tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
1 Whole Flank Steak


Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients
2. Coat both sides of beef with marinade
3. Refrigerate for at least 3-6 hours
4. Cook in a hot grill pan until desired temperature

Print


And the honey! I forgot the honey!

Marinated overnight


Come party with me HERE!


Adapted from: Pioneer Woman

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #43

"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board







Featured Recipe from Last Week:







Monday, December 4, 2017

Kung Pao Chicken

I will preface this post with the following notice...
I did not eat this meal!

Hubby ate it
The girl ate it
They both had another serving the next day for lunch.

I ate all of one stinking bite.
Then this happened....
I only used one chili. I de-seeded and de-veined it. I cut them large so I could see it and pull it out of my dish.
Oh. My. Word.
Granted, I know I am a wuss. My whole day can be ruined if I bite into a peppercorn. BUT!!!!

Hubby and the girl child spent the rest of the meal making fun of me.
I ate white rice with butter and salt.

From what I am told, this dish is delicious.
I will take their word for it. :::sigh:::

Ingredients:
10 oz boneless chicken breasts (cut into bite sized pieces)
2 Tsp Soy sauce
½ Tsp Cornstarch
2-3 Dried red chilies
2 Tsp cooking oil
2 Cloves garlic (minced)
1 Red bell pepper (cut into 1-inch dice)
3 Tbsp Chicken stock
1 Tbsp Chinese black vinegar (can substitute balsamic vinegar)
⅓ Cup Unsalted roasted peanuts


Directions:
1. In a bowl, combine chicken with 1 tsp soy sauce and the cornstarch, marinate for 10 minutes
2. Soak the dried chilies in hot water for a few minutes. When soft, chop.
3. Heat large saute pan, when hot, add oil.
4. Add chicken to pan and sear on both sides
5. Add chilies, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook until fragrant.
6. Add remaining 1 tsp soy sauce, chicken stock, and vinegar
7. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook until chicken is cooked through
8. Top with peanuts and serve

Print


Come party with me HERE!

Sunday, December 3, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #42

"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board







Featured Recipe from Last Week:

White Chocolate Peppermint Blondies from Play Dates Parties




Monday, November 27, 2017

Pretzel Marshmallow Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

I love holiday baking!

I sent cookies and treats around to all the neighbors and some friends and family. I have to ship some to certain friends and family too!

I saw this recipe on Baked Bree and knew this had to be made.
Yup, this was made waaaay back at Christmas...and posted now.

Sorry for the delay!

Ingredients:
1 Cup butter (softened)
½ Cup sugar
1 ½ Cup brown sugar
2 Eggs
2 Tsp vanilla
2 ¾ Cup flour
1 ½ Tsp baking powder
1 Tsp baking soda
½ Tsp salt
1 Cup crushed pretzels
1 Cup peanut butter chips
½ Cup mini marshmallows


Directions:
1. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy
2. Add eggs and vanilla
3. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
4. Add pretzel pieces, peanut butter chips, and marshmallows
5. Drop batter onto prepared cookie sheet
6. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Print


Come party with me HERE!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Smell Good Sunday #41

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving






"Smell Good Sunday" has been a running joke in my house as long as I have been married.

Hubby states it is his favorite day of the week as I am usually cooking up a storm and making the house smell good.

Share with us everything you have been up to this week!

A few rules though:
1. Link directly to your post and not the main page of your blog
2. No etsy shops or products for sale
3. Click around and visit other people, that's what makes this a party!
4. Don't forget, all features are pinned to the Smell Good Sunday Pinterest Board






Featured Recipe from Last Week: