Happy Halloween

                                This is SO true! I would always go for the Raisinets. 

                                                     Perfect video for Halloween

CHICKEN TAMALE PIE

Now that I'm back in Florida I have quite a few places to grocery shop. Gregory's yard needs lots of work and when I'm in his area Hitchcock's usually has great sales.

Picked up chicken thighs for 99 cents a pound. I adapted the recipe from Pinch Of Yum. It called for chicken breast but I  subbed thighs, which I used six.

Lindsey's recipe ( Pinch Of Yum) called for the chicken to be shredded. The old crockpot came out and I added 6 thighs, some white wine I had leftover and sprinkled with Slap Ya Mama. My crockpot runs hot and the thighs we done in about 4 hours, cooked on low.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup fat free milk 
1/4 cup egg substitute ( used 1 egg )
1 1/2 tablespoon taco seasoning-divided ( used 3/4 teaspoon slap ya mama)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes ( didn't use)
1 (14 3/4 oz) can of cream-style corn
1 (8.5 oz) box corn muffin mix ( used Jiffy)
1 (4 oz) can drained chopped green chilies
1 (10 oz) can red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded chicken breast ( used 6 thighs)
3/4 cup white cheese ( used Mexican blend)
Cilantro and crumbled cotija cheese for topping ( didn't use)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Combine the milk through the green chilies and add 1/2 tablespoon of the taco seasoning in a large bowl, stirring until moist. I added all of the Slap Ya Mama at this point. Pour into a pie plate which was coated with cooking spray.

Bake in the 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes. 

When the cornbread is done- it will be just barely set and golden brown. Pierce the surface of the cornbread with a fork.  

Pour the enchilada sauce over the cornbread crust.

Lindsey added 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning to the shredded chicken breast at this point. I cooked the thighs with the Slap Ya Mama so they were ready to add.

Top the crust with the enchilada sauce, shredded chicken and cheese.

Place the pie back in the 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes or until cheese has melted.

Remove from oven and let it sit 5 minutes.

MM 67 Weeks

                   Welcome to our home! Are you ready for yellow dog hair?

The Biggest Part

Jello Chocolate Chip Cookies***

*

I'm content. I have neighbors that like cookies! 

*** This recipe won a blue ribbon at the  Suwannee County Fair!

ingredients:

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter softened (used unsalted)
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup light brown sugar
4 tsp. vanilla
1 package (3.4 oz) Jello brand pudding- vanilla flavored(instant)
2 eggs
1 package (12 oz) chocolate chips

directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Mix flour and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.

Combine softened butter, sugars, vanilla and pudding in a large bowl.

Beat until smooth and creamy.

Add the eggs - one at a time and gradually add the flour mixture, then the chips. Batter will be stiff.


Drop by rounded tsp. about 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in 375 preheated oven for 8-10 minutes.

Source: Taste of Home

Note: This is a soft chewy cookie. 

Hint: Use seasonal color chips to make "special" chocolate chip cookies. Christmas has red and green chips and Easter has pastels.

Pork & Ramen Stir Fry

Ingredients:


1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes ( I use Sriracha to taste)

3 teaspoons canola oil ( used 1 teaspoon sesame oil and 2 teaspoons hot chili oil)

1 pound boneless pork

1 cup fresh broccoli 

4 cups coleslaw mix

1 can bamboo shoots, drained ( didn't use)

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 packages Ramen noodles - each package is 3 oz. Discard the season package

Instructions:

1- Whisk the first five ingredients together in a small bowl.

2- Heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.Add the pork (which I cut into bite size pieces) and stir fry 2-3 minutes until it's no longer pink.  When the pork is done, remove from skillet and place pork on a dish or in a small bowl.

3- Add the remaining oil to the skillet that you used to fry the pork and add the broccoli and stir fry for about 3 minutes. Add the coleslaw mixture, bamboo shoots and the garlic. Stir fry for another 3-4 minutes.

4- Stir the soy sauce mixture into the above ingredients. Add the pork and heat through.

5- Cook the ramen noodles according to the package directions ( remember discard the seasoning package). Drain and add the pork mixture. Tossing to combine.

I added toasted sesame seeds when I served it.

adapted from- Julies Eats and Treats 

MM 66 Weeks

Florida grass again! NOT happy that Luna isn't around and has no one to play with except us. Gabe has been doing lots of walks early and late in the evening due to the heat.

Max was excellent on the way down.The little prince had the whole back seat to himself and with the crate and his blankets he traveled first class.

MM 65 Weeks

The Goodbye Kiss

                                                                                                                                                                   
 There's a new dog on the street- Ziggy. Ziggy is about 6 months old, tiny and loves to play. He's usually tied up but he does the great escape whenever Gabe is walking Max.

The first time they met, Ziggy took Max for a romp in the woods. Gabe had to send Luna after them to bring them back. 

Ziggy and Max were having a blast running around Luna's yard. Luna was NOT happy being the third wheel. She went after poor little Ziggy like he was a mortal enemy.

Poor little guy didn't know what was happening. One moment he was having fun and the next he's being run out of "town".

They say dogs don't show feelings. Tell that to one jealous Luna!

Potato Taco Cakes

Jo-Ann has a wonderful blog- jo-ann-growingingrace.com. I saw this recipe and I adapted it to what I had left in the house. Jo-Ann has step by step instructions with photos for this recipe.

ingredients:

1 can ( 16 oz) re-fried bean ( used low fat)
3 cups mashed potatoes
3/4 cup flour
2 eggs- beaten
3 teaspoons taco seasoning ( used 1 tablespoon Slap Ya Mama)
1 can green chilies-drained ( didn't use )
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese (used a Mexican Blend)

directions:

Add the mash potatoes,  re-fried beans and flour to a medium size bowl. With an electric mixer, mix until smooth.

Add the two beaten eggs to the above mixture. 

When the eggs are well combined add the taco seasoning , can of drained chilies and the cheese and mix all ingredients until well combined.

In a large skillet add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place about a tablespoon of the mixture in the skillet and fry until brown on both sides.

Serve with additional cheese or salsa.

Cajun Pumpkin Black Bean Soup with Ramen Noodles

There were a few packages of chicken parts in the freezer and it was time to make some stock.

Once the stock was made I browsed  Pinterest. Every recipe I wanted to make, I didn't have the ingredients. I decided to "wing" it and create a soup with what I had on hand.

ingredients:

8 cups chicken stock ( I don't add salt when I make it)
1 28 ounce can pumpkin puree  
 2- 15 ounce can black beans - rinsed
1 cup half and half 
2 tablespoons Slap Ya Mama ( depending on how much spice you like add more or less)
2 packages Ramen Noodles crushed - toss out the flavor package

directions:

Add chicken broth,pumpkin puree, blackbeans, half & half and Slap Ya Mama to a large pot. Stir until well combined.

Simmer slowly until hot but do not boil.

Add the crushed ramen and heat until the noodles are soft.

Garnish with cheese or toasted ramen. I also used green onion to garnish.

Household Medications For Pets

Baked Ravioli

This is a recipe for when you are in a hurry and need to toss something together quickly.

Gabe sure didn't complain, he loves pasta and enjoyed it.

ingredients:

1 bag ( 25 ounces) frozen ravioli ( placed the ravioli in single layer in pan)

1 ( 26 ounce) jar marinara sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Parmesan cheese for sprinkling the top of the dish

directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Spray the bottom of a 9 X 13 baking dish with cooking spray

Spread  some of the sauce to cover the bottom of the dish.

Place the frozen  ravioli  on top of the sauce.( make sure the ravioli don't stick together- it takes longer to cook when they aren't separated)

Add more sauce and then the cheese.

Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes and carefully remove the foil from the dish and bake another 15 minutes and it's bubbly.
Let it stand 10 minutes.

As soon as I took it out of the oven Gabe was ready. I should of picked up bread but he was so happy to have pasta again that he didn't care.

Gabe was so cute, asked me not to "misplace" the recipe. It's where I can find it and I get to share it with all of you.

Recipe from Tasty Kitchen

Asian Meatballs

 This recipe adapted from Cooking with Sara: Asian Meatballs . 

ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds ( used 2 tablespoons, we like sesame seeds)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs ( used 3/4 cup spicy hot chipotle panko)
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion
1 tsp.toasted sesame oil ( used regular sesame oil)

Glaze:

2/3 cup hoisin sauce *
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar 
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Combine ground beef, sesame oil, green onions, toasted sesame seeds, egg and breadcrumbs in a medium size bowl.  Mix well and form into balls. Place on a baking sheet. 

Add meatballs on the baking sheet to the 400 degree oven and bake for 15- 20 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. 

Combine the hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil and garlic in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes. Stir frequently, you don't want it to burn.

Place meatballs on a serving dish and drizzle the glaze over the warm meatballs. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

How to toast sesame seeds- HERE

As usual I didn't have hoisin sauce. I thought I had it but it's at Gregory's place, which doesn't help me in NY.

Looked up how to make my own hoisin sauce- used this RECIPE


   

MM 64 Weeks

                                                                        Some quiet time

Next to one of the piles I plan to bring down with us. Guess he's making sure he's not forgotten.

Baked Sesame Chicken

 Linda C  posted many wonderful recipes. This is a favorite in her home.

Linda's recipe can be found HERE. It's on the very bottom of the page.

There was no source and found This, which is similar to what Linda posted.

Didn't have chicken breast. I cut up a 3 pound chicken.

ingredients:

2 tablespoons soy sauce ( used low sodium soy)

1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds*

2 tablespoons all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt( didn't use)

pinch of black pepper

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast ( I cut up a 3 pound fryer)

2 tablespoons melted butter

directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

On a piece of wax paper or in a  medium bowl mix the sesame seeds, salt and pepper and flour.

Dip the chicken pieces in soy sauce. Dredge the chicken in the sesame seed mixture.

Arrange the coated chicken in a 9 X 13 baking dish, which I sprayed with butter PAM. Drizzle the melted butter over the single layer of coated chicken.

Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or until juice from chicken runs clear. Baste with drippings once during cooking. Garnish with additional sesame seeds if needed.

How to toast Sesame seeds HERE

Migaloo

Albino Humpback Whale

                                                                 Photo:Jenny Dean

Carol's A-Z Cookies

Carol posted this recipe and I wanted to bring cookies to the in-laws when we visited. I had all the ingredients, except the coconut which is never in the house. Didn't have chocolate chips but did have a bag of peanut butter chips which I used in place of the chocolate.

Gabe's parents live in a huge apartment complex. A nurse is on call 24 hours and they have activities to keep them busy. I knew if I made a large tin my MIL could share with her friends.

Carol's recipe is HERE

                                                                              Gabe's Parents

The real name of the cookies -A-Z Everything But The Kitchen Sink Chocolate Chip Cookies. Carol adapted the recipe from Cookin with Love @ Tasty Kitchen

ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1  teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ( used saigon cinnamon)
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup crushed corn flakes
3 cups old fashion oats
1/2 cup coconut *
1 12 ounce package semisweet chocolate chips**
1 cup chopped walnuts ( didn't add)

directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda,salt and cinnamon and set aside.

In a large bowl ( used my kitchen aid mixer) cream the butter and the sugars until light. Add the eggs,one at a time.Add the milk and the vanilla, mix until combined.

Slowly add the flour mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in the cornflakes, oats, coconut, chocolate chips and nuts.

Roll dough into a ball the size of a walnut. Place on prepared pan 

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool on cookie sheet 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Makes about 5 dozen

* I don't like coconut so it's never  in the house. 

** I didn't have chocolate chips so I used peanut butter chips.

As you can tell by the photo, my in-laws loved them!