• Kids in the Kitchen

    Karlie’s so proud of her “heart” shape plum

    The girls love hanging out with us in the kitchen.  They pack their own lunches for school (almost everyday) plus they like to pitch in with making dinner many nights too.  Learning to use a knife to cut fruit, vegetables, and other items was an interesting process, but they have done really well and are getting better.  While they are cutting produce and we are making dinner we enjoy a few minutes of chit-chat and catching up from that days events.

    Brina cutting up her peach

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    C

    Last week was pretty full of fun activities with the girls off from school for Spring Break.  We got to spend some time together with our family both at home and a few days in Charleston.  I was so sad that the girls had to go back to school this morning, but thankful for our fun time together.  Having the menu ready in the evenings has been a big benefit for our family and makes the evenings go much smoother.   Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree):  Spaghetti & Meatballs, French Bread
    • Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Sandwiches, Fruit Salad
    • Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Pot Pie, Fresh Fruit
    • Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree):  Pasta Casserole, Steamed Vegetables
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    Last week was pretty full, but thankful for some time spent with family and friends.  Having the menu ready in the evenings has been a big benefit for our family and makes the evenings go much smoother.   Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

    Our Weekly Menu Plan

    • Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Cheeseburger & Macaroni, Asparagus
    • Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Tacos, Corn
    • Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Chicken Noodle Soup, Homemade Bread
    • Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree):  Blueberry Pancakes, Fresh Fruit
    • Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

    I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

    Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

    As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

    Photo by Liz

  • Super Easy Way to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

    I am all about finding ways to help make cooking even more efficient in our household.  Our refrigerator typcially has a carton with hard boiled eggs in it for making a quick egg salad sandwich, to stick in a smoothie, make deviled eggs, salad topping, or many other uses we find for it.  Several years ago my husband started putting the eggs in the steamer to hard boil them.  I LOVED it!  It is super easy and my eggs don’t crack (once or twice an egg has cracked if it already has a weak spot or was knocked when put into the steamer)!

    Steamed Hard Boiled Eggs

    • Eggs
    • Steamer
    • Water

    Stick the eggs in the steamer (we usually do between 10 to 12 eggs depending on how many we have in the carton).  Fill the water level up to high.  Steam for 25 minutes.  Once it is done steaming remove the lid and allow eggs to cool.  You can run cold water over them if you need them to cool quicker.  Use hard boiled eggs or place back in the carton to use for later.

    If you come to our house and open up an egg carton you may encounter something like the picture above.  I make sure to mark the eggs that have been hard boiled with an “X” so anyone that wants to grab an egg whether regular or hard boiled it is easy to decipher which ones are which.  This especially comes in handy with kids who like to help in the kitchen! 🙂

  • Easy Saltine Toffee Candy

    The Easy Saltine Toffee Candy is one of our favorite treats to make around the Holidays.  It is delicious and super easy to make!  This year we included a bag of Easy Saltine Toffee Candy in our gifts to our  neighbors!  After making it we placed the candy in decorative bags and put a bow.  The Easy Saltine Toffee Candy is always a hit and you probably already have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

    Easy Saltine Toffee Candy

    • 1 sleeve salted Saltine crackers
    • 1 stick butter
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 2 cups chocolate chips
    • Sprinkles (optional)

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray jelly roll pan with non-stick spray.  Place a single layer of saltine crackers on the jelly roll pan (1 sleeve).

    Melt brown sugar and butter in a saucepan over medium heat.  Once boiling, let it boil for 3 minutes.   Immediately pour over crackers and bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes (or until bubbly).

    Remove from oven and spread chocolate chips over the top of the crackers.  Let stand for 5 minutes.  Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate.  Shake some sprinkles over the top.  Cool completely in the freezer for 1 hour or until the chocolate hardens.

    Remove from freezer, break into small pieces, and serve .  Store any leftovers in the fridge or freezer.

    The sprinkles are optional.  You can leave the top plain or add many other great items on it (such as nuts or a drizzle of white or red chocolate) to give it an extra special touch.

    Side view of the Easy Saltine Toffee Candy

  • Family Recipe: Bierocks

    You can pack your bierocks with more meat less bread if you want! I usually do a mix of both (more bread and more meat) so people can choose what they want to eat. This one is a picture of a more bread.

    My Grandma taught me how to make this delicious recipe that is basically a dinner roll stuffed with hamburger, sauerkraut, and cheese called Bierocks (although the first half of the word is pronounced like the word “beer” it does not contain any actual beer).  Even though the combination sounds a little interesting it really tastes amazing!  I am not sure where the recipe actually originated from but I do have family from Czechoslovakia so maybe that area.  I remember as a kid helping my Grandma make this recipe and have great memories of spending time together talking while cooking for the harvest crew.

    Fresh out of the oven and ready to be eaten!

    Every once in awhile I like to make up a big batch of Bierocks so we can eat some right away and the rest I like to stick in the freezer to pull out on those busy days for a quick meal.  I have used a number of different bread recipes to make Bierocks and they all have turned out well.  Today I will share the latest bread version I made earlier this week using Money Saving Mom’s Freezer-Friendly Pizza Dough.  We have made this pizza dough so many times and love it, so we figured why not try using it to make Bierocks!

    Dinners ready…….Bierocks…..come and get it!

    Bierocks:

    • DOUGH
    • 2 cups warm water (105 to 115 degrees F.)
    • 2 Tablespoons active dry yeast
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 4 Tablespoons oil (vegetable, Canola, or olive oil)
    • 5 cups flour (can use all whole-wheat, half white/half whole-wheat, or all white)

    Pour the warm water into a bowl and sprinkle the yeast over it. Stir to dissolve.

    Add the remaining ingredients and mix.  Put onto a floured surface and knead dough for two to five minutes until smooth and no longer sticky.  Take the kneaded dough and roll out.  

    Note:  I used this recipe but split the dough into thirds, two of the pieces I wrapped and put in the freezer for future pizzas or other recipes and used the remaining third to make the Bierocks.  I love that I get the base to 3 meals out of 1 pizza dough mixture! 🙂

    • FILLING:
    • 2 pounds Ground Beef
    • 1/3 Onion (diced)
    • 2 teaspoons Salt
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper
    • 2 cans Sauerkraut
    • 1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese (or mixed cheese)

    Brown beef with onion and seasoned with salt and pepper.  Drain any excess oil off the meat.  Mix the sauerkraut into the meat and cook on medium for 2 to 4 minutes until the sauerkraut is mixed well.

    Cut the dough 3 to 6 inch circles (depending on the size you want it to be).   Place 1 ice cream scoop (or 1/4 to 1/2 cup) of meat filling onto each circle.  Sprinkle about a teaspoon of cheese over the top of the meat.   Bring the four corners up over the filling and pinch together to seal on the bottom.  Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Place seam down on greased baking sheets.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the bierocks.

    Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes or until the dough starts turning a golden brown color.  You can rub a little bit of butter over the  tops of the bierocks immediately after taking them out of the oven for additional flavor and color if you want.  Makes approximately 24 Bierocks

    You can eat these plain or (my favorite) with a touch of ketchup.  Any leftover Bierocks after eating them for dinner are wrapped individually and put in a freezer ziplock so we can easily pull one, two or more out at a time, stick them in the microwave (or toaster oven) and have a meal ready in minutes.

    Ground hamburger and sauerkraut mixture

    Bierocks stuffed and ready to be baked

    Cheese sprinkled over the top of some of the Bierocks (we like the cheese inside and out but it is optional).  I made some with cheese and some without since we have a family member who cannot have dairy.

    Picture of the Bierocks without cheese!

  • Family Recipe: Karen’s Fresh Fruit Dip

    If you need a super quick recipe to throw together right before the guests arrive you should try my great Aunt Karen Younger’s Fresh Fruit Dip.  It is easy and a hit with everyone.  The fruit looks amazing next to the white dip!

    Karen’s Fresh Fruit Dip

    • 1 (8 oz) package Cream Cheese (soften)
    • 1 (7 oz) jar Marshmallow Creme

    Mix together equal parts of soft cream cheese and marshmallow creme.  Stire well together, cut up fresh fruit and dip.  Works really well with tart fruit.

    My great Aunt Karen added a note on the bottom of recipe – “No double dippers, (smile).  Enjoy!”

    Love that this recipe is quick, easy and delicious!

  • Book: Better Homes and Gardens

    Grandma Willa gave me this cook book –  Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book as a wedding gift and we use it all the time.  Grandma Willa is one of the most amazing cooks I know.  I am thankful for the times we had cooking together.  Grandma is still cooking a lot of meals for family and friends but due to distance I am not able to participate in her cooking adventures as often as I like.  Below is the note she put in my cook book, which I treasure even more then the cook book itself:

    What’s Cooking?

    Bridgette,

    My Aunt Zell Body, gave me a BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS cook book as a Wedding gift.  It was my first and faithful cook book, and I found it to have many helpful hints as well as great recipes.

    I and the girls wore one out, and almost the second one over the many years.  If I couldn’t find something, needed to substitute, know cuts of meat etc….. I’d go to old faithful BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS.  I hope this new version is as good or better than my old one was.

    Happy Cooking!!!

    Love,

    Grandma Willa

    “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35

  • Recipe: Confetti Dip for Veggies or Chips

    This is a colorful dip to make for when you have people coming over.  It is good on vegetables, crackers, or chips.  Great appetizer or snack for guests.  I received this recipe from a church friend at my bridal shower Andy Conn.

    Confetti Dip

    • 2 1/2 cups sliced and shredded Beef (lunchmeat)
    • 1 (8 oz) package of Cream Cheese (softened)
    • 1 Tablespoon Green Goddess Dressing or Ranch
    • 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
    • 1/2 cup Green Onion (chopped)
    • 1/2 cup Yellow, Orange or Red Pepper (chopped)

    Mix well and refrigerate.  When ready to serve set out with veggies and crackers.

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of January 12-18, 2011

    Here are this weeks deals at Save A Lot.  The deals are continuing from last week if you haven’t had a chance to take advantage of these deals.  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.49 per lb

    Ground Beef (73% Lean) – $1.79 per lb

    Fairgrounds All Meat Hot Dogs – $0.75

    Banquet Brown n’ Serve Sausage Links (40 count) – $2.99

    Carolina Ground Turkey (16 oz) – $1

    Shaner’s Chicken Breast – $5.79

    Fairgrounds Lunchmeat – $2.99

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Take & Bake Pizza (Pepperoni or Sausage) – $5.99

    Armour Lunch Makers – $1.99

    Wylwood Broccoli – $1.29

    Coburn Farms EggsZactly – $1.49

    Coburn Farms Low Fat or Light Yogurt – $0.50

    Tony’s Crispy Crust Pizza – $0.8
    Use $1/2 printable coupon from Tony’s
    $0.39 each after coupon

    Household

    Xtra Laundry Detergent – $1.99

    Charmin Basic Double Roll Bath Tissue (12 rolls) – $5.00
    Use $0.25/1 coupon from 12/26 Proctor & Gamble (Expires 1/31/11)
    $4.75 each after coupon

    Facial Tissues – $0.99

    Produce

    Iceberg Lettuce – $0.89

    Fresh Pineapple – $1.50

    Yellow Onions – $0.99 each

    Grocery

    Malt O Meal  Frosted Mini Spooners or Berry Colossal Crunch (42 to 50 oz) – $2.99
    $0.75/1 printable coupon from Malt O Meal
    $2.24 each after coupon

    JJ’s Apple or Cherry Pies – $0.33

    Krunchers Kettle Cooked Potato Chips (Assorted Varieties) – $2.00

    Mantia’s Grated Parmesan Cheese – $2.55

    Save-A-Lot Soda – $0.69

    J. Higgs Potato Chips – $0.99

    Caskey’s Chunky Soup – $1.49

    J. Higgs Crackers – $0.79

    Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69

    O’Days Mac & Cheese – $0.33

    Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.39

    Mantia’s Spaghetti – $0.79

    Sundia True Fruit Cups – $0.89

    Instant Oatmeal – $1.49

    Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce – $0.79

    Kool Aid Bursts – $0.99

    Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce – $0.99

    Hargis House Vienna Sausage – $0.37

    Hargis House Chicken Vienna Sausage – $0.37

    Hargis House Chili with Beans – $0.99

    Hargis House Beef Stew – $1.79

    Hargis House Corned Beef Hash – $1.49

    Hargis House Chili without Beans – $1.29

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.