No-guilt muffins

The butter was added for aesthetic purposes....they're not so guilt-free with a big blob of butter :)

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cups Flour
3/4 cup oats
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup honey
1 Tbsp cooking oil


1. Lightly spray 12 muffin tins.
2. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
3. In medium bowl combine dry ingredients
4. In small bowl combine egg, applesauce, milk, honey and oil
5. Add wet to dry and mix until just combined
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Cool on wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from tin.
8. Serve plain or with butter and jam!

Mango Salmon and Indian rice pilaf

Grilled Salmon with Indian Flavors and Fresh Mango Chutney from Cooks Illustrated

If your fillets are less than one and one-half inches thick, decrease the grilling time by roughly thirty seconds per side. If using a gas grill, heat it for ten minutes and then grill the salmon over direct heat for four to five minutes per side. To test fillets for doneness, either peek into the salmon with the tip of a small knife as described below or remove the salmon from the grill and squeeze both sides of the fillet gently with your fingertips (raw salmon is squishy; medium-rare salmon is firm, but not hard).

INGREDIENTS

Marinade
2	tablespoons vegetable oil
2	tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 1/2	teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2	teaspoons ground coriander
1 1/2	teaspoons table salt
1/4	teaspoon cayenne pepper
Chutney
1	mango cut into 1/2-inch dice
3	tablespoons lemon juice from 1 small lemon
1	tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Grilled Salmon
	vegetable oil for grill grate
4	salmon fillets (center-cut), each 6 to 7 ounces and 1 1/2 inches thick
	Ground black pepper

1. For marinade: Mix vegetable oil, gingerroot, ground cumin, ground coriander, salt, and cayenne pepper together in shallow bowl; set aside.2. For chutney: Mix mango, lemon juice, and cilantro in small bowl; set aside.3. Ignite enough charcoal briquettes or hardwood charcoal to fill slightly less than two shoeboxes, and burn until completely covered with thin coating light gray ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Marinate salmon while coals are heating. Spread coals in single layer to make medium-hot fire (judge by holding outstretched hand 5 inches above coals for 4 seconds; if you cannot make it the full 4 seconds, fire is too hot). Position grill grate over fire and rub cooking area of grate with oil-dipped paper towel wad. ***You may bake or broil these as well instead of grilling. 4. Generously sprinkle each side of fillets with pepper. Place fillets in an oiled grill basket, if you like. Place fillets skin side down on grill grate; grill until skin shrinks and separates from flesh and turns black, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip fillets gently with long-handled tongs or spatula; grill until fillets are opaque throughout, yet translucent at very center when checked with point of paring knife, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to serving platter and serve with mango chutney.

Indian-Spiced Rice Pilaf with Dates and Parsley from Cooks Illustrated

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2	cups basmati rice or long-grain rice
2 1/4	cups water
1 1/2	teaspoons salt
	ground black pepper
3	tablespoons unsalted butter
1	small onion , minced (about 1/2 cup)
2	medium cloves garlic , minced
2	teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1/8	teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8	teaspoon ground cardamom (found at world food stores, it's a lot cheaper than at the grocery store)
1/4	cup chopped dates
2	tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

1. Place rice in medium bowl and add enough water to cover by 2 inches; using hands, gently swish grains to release excess starch. Carefully pour off water, leaving rice in bowl. Repeat four to five times, until water runs almost clear. Using a colander or fine mesh strainer, drain water from rice; place colander over bowl and set aside. 2. Bring 2 1/4 cups water to boil, covered, in small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add salt and season with pepper; cover to keep hot. Meanwhile, heat butter in large saucepan over medium heat until foam begins to subside; add onion and sauté until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic, ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom to sautéed onion; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds longer. Add rice and stir to coat grains with butter; cook until edges of rice grains begin to turn translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir hot seasoned water into rice; return to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until all liquid is absorbed, about 16-18 minutes. Off heat, remove lid, add dates and parsley (do not mix in), and place kitchen towel folded in half over saucepan; replace lid. Let stand 10 minutes; fluff rice with fork and serve.

Chicken Roll ups

For the roll portion you may use prepared crescent rolls in the tube or homemade crescent rolls. This is pictured with the homemade kind, but be sure to roll it thin enough bcse mine were a little too thick.

Ingredients:
2 cans crescent rolls, or 16 traingles of homemade dough
4 cups cooked, shredded chicken
8 oz softened cream cheese
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2/3 cup walnuts, chopped
1 small can mushrooms, chopped
salt and pepper to season

Gravy: 1 can chicken soup and 1 can chicken broth
Topping: 1/2 cup melted butter and an herb mixture of herbs de Provence (or Italian) and grated Parmesan cheese


Directions:

1. Boil chicken and shred.
1 a. Saute vegetables until tender.
2. Combine all other ingredients with chicken.
3. Roll out crescent, place about 1/8-1/4 cup in the center and roll it up with the small end on the top.
4. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
5. Rub with melted butter and sprinkle herb mixture on top.
6. Cook on 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
7. While cooking, heat up gravy on stove. Pour over cooked rolls.
Enjoy!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

It's crucial to cook the pasta until tender--just past the "al dente" stage. In fact, overcooking is better than undercooking the pasta. Whole, low-fat, and skim milk all work well in this recipe. The recipe can be halved and baked in an 8-inch-square, broilersafe baking dish.

INGREDIENTS

Bread Crumb Topping
6	slices white sandwich bread (good-quality, about 6 ounces), torn into rough pieces
3	tablespoons butter (cold), cut into 6 pieces
Pasta and Cheese
1	pound elbow macaroni, or any pasta
1	tablespoon salt
5	tablespoons butter
6	tablespoons flour
1 1/2	teaspoons powdered mustard
1/4	teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1/2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
5	cups milk (see note)
8	ounces Monterey Jack cheese , shredded (2 cups)
8	ounces sharp cheddar cheese , shredded (2 cups) 1/4 cup grated Parmesean cheese or use any combination of cheeses 4 slices bacon, fried and drained, broken up chopped tomato
1	teaspoon salt

1. For the bread crumbs: Use any oldish bread you have on hand. I used Costco's Parmesean cheese bagels. Break them up and chop them in a food processor.

For the pasta and cheese: Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat broiler. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add macaroni and 1 tablespoon salt; cook until pasta is tender. Drain pasta and set aside in colander. Now fry bacon. Once it is cooked, set aside. Then In now-empty Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat until foaming. Add flour, mustard, and cayenne (if using), Worcestershire sauce and whisk well to combine. Continue whisking until mixture becomes fragrant and deepens in color, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk; bring mixture to boil, whisking constantly (mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken). Reduce heat to medium and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 teaspoon salt until cheeses are fully melted. Add pasta and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes. Add bacon crumbles. 4. Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 9-by 13-inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly with bread crumbs. Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes, rotating pan if necessary for even browning. Cool about 5 minutes, then serve. Garnish with fresh chopped tomato and dried or fresh basil. It adds a nice fresh flavor.

Recipe adapted from Cookillustrated Classic Macaroni and Cheese recipe

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

BBQ Chicken Sandwich



Bobby Flay's lime-cumin coleslaw recipe

We didn't have the pepper or red onion and it was still good...though I'd recommend following the recipe. It make a ton!


BBQ Chicken in a slow-cooker
**I halved the recipe for 2 large chicken breasts--enough for 4 sandwiches.
--I love this recipe bcse it's easy and you can use frozen chicken!!! I cooked it on low, reviews suggested cooking on high made it too dry. If you find that during cooking it's ready to shred, then shred, cook about 1 hour more, and turn to serve/warm so it doesn't overcook.
--I did not have Italian dressing so I just added about 1/4 cup olive oil, couple tablespoons red-wine vinegar, some Mrs. Dash, 1/8 tsp smoked paprika, salt, and some garlic powder.

Serve on Ciabatta bread. And if you buy them from Costco use the leftover rolls to make the overnight French toast!

One chicken--2 recipes

First, check out this website called tastespotting.com for pretty pictures of yummy food. My friend Rachel posted it on her blog.

The first combination of recipes makes 2 different dinners. I forgot to take pictures.

The first found from www.cooksillustrated.com (we have a subscription and have found fabulous recipes from this magazine/website).

French Chicken in a Pot

Check out the link to find the easy recipe. Eat it with potatoes and veggies and your done.

***A note on dutch ovens. You don't have spend 100's of $'s on one. Just go to Walmart or somewhere else and buy a 6 or 6.5 qt one made by Lodge (about $50) or Tramontina ($40). CI tested them both against Le Creuset's model (which we bought on eBay). They are both enameled cast iron, thick bottomed and have tight fitting lids. They are really handy to have!***

Then the next night use the leftover chicken meat, leftover broth and perhaps veggies and make this Simple Chicken Pot Pie (also from Cooks Illustrated). I did not add the Sherry, used green onion bcse it was all I had and used a Pilsbury frozen pie crust instead of homemade.

Left over Enchiladas

If you have left overs from the Cafe-Rio Salads make Enchiladas!
Here is a great recipe to some homemade enchilada sauce. Just roll up the pork, beans, and rice in homemade tortillas. Top with with the sauce and shredded cheese. Garnish w/cilantro.

Recipe of the week

Overnight Caramel French Toast



This is a great recipe for breakfast or dessert. It's super easy to make. And it's very rich (and fattening) but oh, sooo yummy!

Ingredients:

French Baguette, better if it's one day old
--you may use French Bread but it is not as effective bcse it absorbs more of the egg mixture


Egg Topping:
3 Eggs
1/2 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

Caramel Sauce:
1 C brown sugar
6 Tbsp butter
1/3 C whipping or heavy cream
1 Tbsp corn syrup

Directions:
1. Slice bread into 1-1/4" pieces.
2. On medium heat, heat all caramel sauce ingredients just until the butter melts. Do not boil.
3. Pour into 9x13" glass dish.
4. Combine all egg ingredients into a shallow dish. Dip bread slices and coat both sides.
5. Place in 9x13"dish.
6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
7. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes

Recipe of the week

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened--almost melted
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk-chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/4 cup toffee chips

Directions:
Cream softened butter and butter w/wooden spoon. Add eggs. Mix in salt, vanilla and baking soda. Mix in flour. Mix in cocoa. Fold in chips.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on pan for 5 minutes before removing. They will be gooey but if you keep in oven too long they will over bake and be too hard. Store in airtight container. Enjoy!

Best Children's clothing

Mostly infant and toddler clothing. I know nothing beyond 4 years old. Here is a list of my favorite brands for certain types of clothing. I have shopped around for this stuff a lot in the last 4 years. And I look for the best quality and style at affordable prices. I never buy anything at full price. Give me your opinions too!

Carter's: reasonable price and great quality
GAP: high price (but have excellent clearance), the most stylish, great quality
Walmart (Faded Glory): cheap price and cheap quality. stylish. The waists bands stretch really quickly. Some have expandable waist band which is a bonus.
Ralph Lauren (found at Ross or TJMAXX): Great quality but not enough to always buy it for the cute little pony. high price.
TCP: reasonable price, stylish, cheaper quality on some things.
Old Navy: same as TCP
Gymboree: higher price (have excellent clearance), stylish, high quality.

Best basic white onesie: Carter's
Best graphic onesie: Gymboree. They are super soft and have strong snaps (though they are a little too close together)
Best socks: for newborns, the cheapy white kind that have the little row of balls at the top. The kind that keep them on their feet. But for infants and toddlers I like TCP. I used to swear by GAP but Samuel got holes in his just from wearing them in the house. TCP are very similar to GAP. Actualy, though, right now they both cost $2 a pair when you buy them in multiples. They are both triple roll. Gymboree and Old Navy claims they are triple but they are dinky. Some kids w/fat ankles may not do well w/these. Try the sporty ankle kind from TCP.
Best boys jeans: TCP all around for price, quality, style. Osh Kosh is a good brand but they get holes in the knees like the rest so I don't think they're worth the price.
Best Jammies: Carter's all around for all ages. Don't buy TCP--lame, thin and broken zippers. GAP are overpriced and run small.
Girls pants:(non jean) TCP and the GAP. Gymboree has some good ones too.
Skirts: GAP, Gymobree.
Girl's Shorts: Old Navy and Gymboree
Boy's Shorts: Gymboree.
Girl's shoes: Target, TCP (for cheapy ones)
Boy's shoes: Target or TCP or Walmart snow boots, GAP flip flops
Dresses: Jillian's Closet (?) from TJMAXX.

I only shop sales. Kohls has excellent sales, end of season clearance and on Carter's stuff. Of course Costco usually carries Carter's stuff too. If you prefer to shop online look for promotion codes, even the expired ones have worked for me. TCP has shipping for $5. GAP has specials for free shippping w/a minimum purchase of usually $100 but sometimes less. And each of these places exchanges or returns. and TCP has done it w/o the receipt although the cashier was kind of upset about it. But it says on the online receipt that they allow it. And I have been tempted to order $100 worth of stuff from GAP and just take half of it back to the store bcse sometimes they have cheaper prices online or offer a bigger selection and vice a versa.
Hope this helps! Happy shopping!

Recipe of the week

Quiche

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Ingredients:

1 ready made roll out pie shell
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground white pepper (black is fine too)
pinch of ground nutmeg
about 1/2 tsp dried basil
about 1/2 cup grated cheese, preferably Gruyere or swiss

meats:
your choice of shredded chicken, or lunch meat or about 4 slices cooked bacon, cut into small pieces or combination thereof

frozen spinach, thawed (enough to cover half of the bottom of pan)

Directions:

Place pie shell in quiche dish or pie dish. Heat in oven for about 6 minutes or just until golden brown. Be sure to have enough hang over on edges bcse it tends to shrink down and will then allow the mixture to get under the crust...making for a soggy quiche.

Meanwhile, mix all ingredients, except for meats, cheese and spinach in bowl.

When pie shell is ready place spinach, cheese and meat, evenly over bottom of quiche. If you have too much of these ingredients, you won't have room for the liquid mixture. It should be just enough to cover bottom of quiche.

Then place that on oven rack and gently pour mixture into tart pan. Gently slide rack into oven and bake for about 35-45 minutes. It should be golden brown to dark brown on top and not jiggly in the middle!

Serve w/sauteed green beans seasoned w/salt, pepper, and lots of butter. Add some whole or slivered almonds into it!

Bon appetit!

TCP

The Children's Place

15% off until March 9th. Webcode: E18MY7BAAT28

OR

webcode: E18MY7K1AK28

Picaboo

25% off orders of $100 or more! until Feb 29th. Use code FEB25H

Picaboo

Valentine's boxes

We made Valentine's Day bags for FHE. We signed a few Cars cards and put them in each bag. Luckily our door is metal so I just stuck them to the door w/magnets. We can leave each other notes and read them to each on V-day. What traditions do you have?

Recipe of the Week

Cafe Rio salads




MEXICAN SALAD BAR (similar to Café Rio and Bajios)

Tortillas (uncooked from Costco)
Pork, chicken or beef
Grated cheese
Lime cilantro rice
Romaine and/or red leaf lettuce
Pinto or black beans
Corn, frozen, thawed (Costco)
Guacamole or avocadoes
T omatoes
Mango or other salsa
Olives
Lime cilantro dressing

PORK, CHICKEN OR BEEF

4 lb. meat (approx) – cook on medium heat in crockpot all night, break apart next morning and add:
1 qt tomato sauce or enchilada sauce or salsa or tomato soup, diluted
2 garlic, pressed
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 T. cumin
3 c. Dr. Pepper or Coke (2 cans)
3 T. molasses
½ t. salt
Continue cooking on low for a few hours

LIME CILANTRO RICE

1 qt. water, boil
2 T. butter
1 t. salt
½ t. cumin
1 lime, juice from
2 T. cilantro, finely chopped
2 c. rice – simmer for 20 minutes

LIME CILANTRO DRESSING

1 package ranch dressing mix
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. mayo (half can be sour cream)
1-2 garlic, pressed
5 green onions or 2 T. finely chopped onion (opt)
½ bunch cilantro, finely chopped or use food processor
2-3 tomatillos, finely chopped or salsa verde
½ lime, juiced
4 t. sugar
½ t. salt
½ jalapeno or 1/8 t. cayenne or other

PINTO OR BLACK BEANS

2 c. dry beans, cook on high in crockpot over night in abt 6 c. water, drain and rinse, then add:
3 c. tomato juice or tomato soup, diluted
4 garlic, pressed
2 t. cumin
1 t. salt
¼ c. olive oil
¼ c. chopped cilantro and 1 onion (opt)
Cook on low for a few hours.

To-go supplies box

I am sure this is nothing new to some of you but this



is a great thing for marker/crayon/pencil storage, especially for on the go.

Decorate it w/stickers, label it as "markers" so as not to be confused w/wipes. Recycle, reuse or restore!

Snapfish

snapfish

$5 off orders of $25 or more on Valentine's Day gifts. Code: VDAY05
expires on Valentines day.

Recipe of the week!

Crock- Pot Taco Soup
Yield: 6-8 servings
Time: 4-6 hours on low

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, cooked
1/2 cup onion, chopped
28-oz can whole or diced tomatoes w/their juices
14-oz can black beans w/their juices
17-oz can corn w/juice or 2 C frozen corn
8-oz can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 pkg taco seasoning
OR use these spices (much yummier!):
1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 C chili powder

other:
bacon crumbles
cilantro
sour cream
grated cheese
tortilla chips

Directions:
1. Brown beef and onions in skillet. Drain.
2. Combine all ingredients in crock-pot except the other ingredients listed.
3. Cover. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
4. Ladle into bowls and top w/other ingredients and serve with chips on the side.

bloggy giveaways

bloggy giveaways

Take a look at this website. It gives a 500+ long list of blogs that are giving things away for FREE. Anything from homemade aprons to gift cards to stores. You leave a comment on their blog and you are entered into a drawing. They choose a winner. Good luck!

My cousin Sarah is doing one on her blog for her beautiful artwork. Sign up to get 2 free prints or $40 worth of art!

Sarah Jane Studios

The Children's Place

Save 15% off all your purchases online using this code A18NHFYNAM18

Save 20% off all your purchases online using this code B18NHFYNAM18

Now through Feb 10th. For online purchases, they can only be used once on your entire order (where as in the store, if you have the actual coupon, it can be used multiple times). Cannot be combined w/any other offers except w/TCP credit card deals.

The Children's Place

more Redbox

My friend just sent me this link to more Redbox FREE movie rental codes. They show the percentage of actually working. I have not tried any of them (except the ones I mentioned earlier) so I don't know if they work. Yay for saving $1! Thanks Rachel!

redbox codes

Shutterfly

Shutterfly

Enjoy Up To 30% Off Your Order!

Discount levels:
Merchandise totaling $20-$29.99
This offer is good for 20% off that order

Merchandise totaling $30-$39.99
This offer is good for 25% off that order

Merchandise totaling $40 or more
This offer is good for 30% off that order

Qualifying orders must be placed between January 24, 2008 (12:01 AM) and February 5, 2008 (11:59 PM) (Pacific Time).

Picaboo Photo Books--Hurry!

20% Off Any Order Until Jan. 31st. Use Code 2PJANL AT Checkout.

Picaboo

I love this company! I have made several photo books through them. Their prices are comparable to Mypublisher.com and Shutterfly. They quality is close to excellent. Their customer service is great and they have specials often. It's super easy to use and they have a TON of background layouts and colors. Happy photobooking!

Redbox

Current Redbox FREE rental codes (can only be used once, I tried using twice w/the same credit card and it does not work)

DVDONME

and

GROUNDHOG (until Feb 3)