Butternuts & Candy Cane Cookie Bars

I made these yesterday for Mel and me.  The recipe is called "Butternuts" and made w/ butterscotch candies and pecans.  Walnuts were cheaper so I just divided one bag of walnuts between both cookies.  Anyway, I really love peppermint bark, so at least 5 years ago I got the idea to substitute butterscotch for candy canes.  It would be good to melt some white chocolate over both kinds of cookies, so someday I'm actually going to try that!  The cookie dough is a bit crumbly so I decided to make the candy cane cookies into bars, and it worked better, especially since the candy melts and tends to make the cookies spread too much.  The cookies pretty much taste like yummy, buttery walnut shortbread w/ either a butterscotchy or pepperminty kick.  We both love these a lot!  Mel gives them both a 9;  I give the Butternuts  a 9, but the & Candy Cane Cookie Bars a 10!

P.S. I made the dumb mistake of slicing the top of my index finger on my left hand when I cleaned the food processor blade in between crushing the candies, so it's a little tricky to type.  Hopefully there aren't too many typos!!

Peanut Butter French Toast With Caramelized Bananas

I got this idea from a TV show we've been watching on Netflix called "Best Food Ever" about the best places to eat across the country.   I don't remember what restaurant this idea came from, but Mel & I saw it and drooled over it.  I didn't have an actual recipe, but it's basically French toast that I made w/ eggnog (my idea), filled them w/ peanut butter and cooked them some more like a sand which, then made and added the caramelized bananas.  Yummy!  Mel gives this a 10 and I give it a 9!!  I'll probably make it again tomorrow.

Julie's Vegetarian Chili

I made a big pot of chili tonight for our dinner.  Another great meal for a budget!  I got this recipe from an old friend of mine, Cheryl G., but I changed it a little bit.  Again, I did not take a picture of the ingredients, but here's what I used: 1 onion, 2 packages of vegetarian "beef", 2 cans of chili beans (chili-flavored pinto beans), 2 cans kidney beans, 1 can black beans, (I usually use 2 cans black beans, but I must have used one of the cans for the stew I made),  4 cans of diced tomatoes - 2 were roasted garlic flavored, and the other 2 had diced chilies in them, and I used 4 different flavored grinders.  The kitchen is so cold it froze the olive oil, so I sauteed the onion in butter, and my usual 2 types of vinegar (balsamic and red wine).  We like to top our chili with Fritos, I used plain & Mel used chili cheese flavored.  Mel also used Mexican cheese, & I used cheddar.  Mel also likes hot sauce!  It turned out really yummy, and we both give it a 10!  Mr. Sock Monkey liked it too!!     

Julie's Vegetarian Beef Vegetable & Bean Stew

This is my own recipe, which is why I call it "Julie's".  I never make it the same twice, and I think it gets better each time I make it!  It's such the perfect meal for a cold winter day and for a tight budget (because one pot will last a week).  Mel and I both give this a 10!  Mel says it was the best stew he has ever had - says it's "flavor heaven"!  I didn't take a picture of the ingredients because we have no heat in our house so it was super cold in the kitchen & I was trying to get in & out as fast as possible!   (we do have a space heater in our bedroom)  Here's what I used: diced potatoes, onion, & vegetarian stew beef sauteed in the bottom of the pot with olive oil, red wine vinegar, & balsamic vinegar, then added cream of onion soup, mexi corn, garbanzo, kidney, & black beans, diced tomatoes, and yams, then sage, sea salt grinder, and  pepper grinders in 4 different flavors.  So yummy! 

Thanksgiving Dinner

In case you haven't noticed, I haven't posted much lately.  I don't want to whine, but our finances are pretty tight right now so I haven't been able to cook / bake as much as I would like.  Including for Thanksgiving.  If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know I always go all out for Thanksgiving.  I typically home-make 1-2 pies, and at least 3-5 side dishes.  This year it all came out of a box or can.  Sad, I know.  But I did make my own candy yams by adding spices, honey, vanilla, & marshmallows to a simple can of yams.  Mel's turkey is to the left of the yams.  It was only about 1 1/2 pounds, but it was pre-cooked & pre-seasoned since neither one of us has ever cooked a turkey before (and I'm a vegetarian); we decided it was easier to do a small turkey this way.  Yet, in spite of the very simple dinner (it was all prepared in less than an hour), it was all very good.  And even if we had only bread to eat, being with my husband - the love of my life - it would have been feast enough for me. 

My Other Blog

Feel free to check out my blog on married life:  http://thankful-julie.blogspot.com/

Hawaiian Cheesecake Bars

This is yet another Facebook recipe (it's actually a great resource for wonderful recipes!).  I made this last night.  Cheesecake, pineapple, & coconut - what's not to love?  So good, Mel & I both give it a 10!  I will definitely make it again!

A Whole New Name & Look

As I mentioned a few blogs ago, I was going to change my blog name.  I'll re-post the reason why I have changed it from "The Little red Cat" to "The Love Monkey":

"The Little Red Cat" name came from my late cat, Corin.  He was the most beautiful red Abyssinian with the best cat-onality.  When I was dreaming up the concept of this kitchen in 2010 it was around the time he disappeared and I decided that if I ever ran my own place I would call  it "The Little Red Cat" in honor of him.  Now that I am madly in love with the precious love of my life, I want to change the name of my imaginary cafe to honor the best and greatest love of my life. 

I have decided on "Love Monkey," because it's the nickname I use for Mel & I use for each other the most.  Which is why, as you can see by all the new sidebar photos, we buy each other stuffed monkeys a lot.  Wouldn't they look cute decorating a kitchen!

Hope you enjoy the new look!

Stuffed Jalapenos

I made these for Mel's dinner tonight.  This is another recipe from Facebook.  Since they are not vegetarian, I did not try them, but Mel gave them a 10 and asked me to please make them often!  The only thing I did different was that instead of Parmesan cheese, I used an Italian blend.  Mel picked out Italian chicken sausage for his sausage (I don't think it matter what type of meat was used).  Also, I thought fresh cilantro might be a nice touch so I added this as well (which Mel said was a great idea).  As requested I will make these often. 

Pumpkin Crunch

This is another recipe I got off of Facebook.  I would rename it" Pumpkin Custard Cake because it reminds me a lot of custard. It's very similar to a dump cake.  The only thing I changed is that it called for yellow cake, but I don't really like yellow cake, so I used white.  It's really good.  Mel only gave it an 8, but I give it a 9.  I would make this again.  It would be really good with a scoop of  eggnog or pumpkin ice cream -  maybe we'll buy some ice cream tonight!

Pot Pie Biscuit Puffs

This is another recipe posted by someone on Facebook.  This is so easy to make and only 5 ingredients (if you choose to add cheese).  Mel's were made w/ pre-seasoned, pre-cooked chicken and his veggie mix was a southwestern mix, with cream of chicken soup (2nd photo).  Mine was made with veggie beef, a traditional veggie blend, and cream of mushroom soup (bottom photo).  We both had cheddar cheese on top and our choice of seasonings.  It's hard to tell from the photos, but the filling goes all through the biscukt, not just on top.  Mel gives this a  10, but I give it a 9.  But I think it could easily be a 10 if I changed a few things.  First if all, I would change the cream of mushroom soup to cream of onion.  Then I would exchange the veggie beef for the veggie maple sausage.  So easy and good, I will make it again!

John Wayne Casserole

I made this for our lunch today.  I got this recipe from someone on Facebook (I don't remember who).  The pictures are horrible as far as presentation - it doesn't look as appetizing as it is.  Mel gave it a 10.  I gave it an 8 1/2, maybe 9.  I believe it would be a ten if I deleted the mayonnaise from the recipe as I did not care too much for the flavor of the mayo - or used a different type like the brand that has the olive oil in it.  Things I changed: I added fresh cilantro to the recipe.  It called for taco seasoning, but I had forgotten to buy it, so I used what spices I already had at home.  Also, I used canned diced tomatoes instead of fresh.  You're supposed to use dry biscuit mix blended with water as the base.  Well, Mel's was done right (I used garlic cheese biscuit mix) but I under estimated how much I needed & didn't buy enough.  So for mine I used  a can of butter flavored refrigerated biscuits I already had (I had only had 4 hours of sleep & didn't feel like driving to the store).  And I used 16 oz of sour cream (the whole tub) instead of just 4 oz. because it better covered the whole dish.  I added more cheese than it called for as well.  I made two pans and the difference between Mel's &  mine was that his had hamburger, jalapenos, and the above mentioned biscuits, and mine was made w/ veggie beef, no jalapenos and said mentioned biscuits.  I will make it again with taco seasoning & different type of mayo.   

A New Name in the Works

You may notice I changed the title of my blog by deleting the word "dream."  I used to call it my dream kitchen because I once had a dream to run my own little cafe.  I still love to cook, but it's no longer a dream to run my own place.  I am so completely content being a wife that my life feels complete.  Cooking & baking are still huge passions of mine and I love trying new recipes so this blog will still be here. And I especially love cooking for such a wonderful, appreciative, complementary man! 

By the way, in case I never explained it, "The Little Red Cat" name came from my late cat, Corin.  He was the most beautiful red Abyssinian with the best cat-onality.  When I was dreaming up the concept of this kitchen in 2010 it was around the time he disappeared and I decided that if I ever ran my own place I would call  it "The Little Red Cat" in honor of him.  Now that I am madly in love with the precious love of my life, I have want to change the name of my imaginary cafe to honor the best & greatest love of my life.  I would now call it "Soul Mates," "Love Monkeys," "Snuggle Bunnies", "The Happy Wife," or something along that idea.  So new name to this blog will most likely be coming soon!! 

Any ideas from viewers (and a new way you can leave comments) please e-mail me at jludeke@outlook.com.  All comments in reference to this blog, please subject "Blog Comment" since I use that e-mail mostly for junk mail.

P.S.  My dream kitchen would still have a red theme with lots of cat-theme gadgets, art work etc.

"The Little Red Cat" Menu Board for This Week

I'll be making these dishes within the next 2 weeks.  All of them are new to me except for the taco salad.  Looking forward to trying new recipes!

Cream Cheese & Cinnamon-Sugar Croissants

 

I got this recipe from someone on Facebook (I don't remember who posted it) - it was untitled.  It is so yummy and easy to make.  I added what little strawberry jelly I had left (about a 1/4 of a cup) and about a handful of raisins.  Would be good with nuts too.  It is  a little too sweet, but still really good.  Mel gave it a 10, I give it a 9.  I will make this again, and next time with blueberry preserves!

Spinach Salad With Corn, Peas, & Garbanzo Beans

Okay, so I know this is not technically a recipe, but this turned out so good I wanted to post it anyway!  I've been trying to eat more foods with potassium & magnesium so this salad was influenced by some of those foods.  I didn't take a picture of the ingredients because I hadn't originally intended to post about it.  Anyway, here's what's in it: baby spinach, sweet corn, sweet peas, garbanzo beans, raisins, sunflower seeds, low fat cheese, and one of those pre-made salad topping mixes that I think had raisins, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, & cashews in it.  Also, Mel picked out a super yummy Italian & roasted red pepper dressing that I love!  The only thing I would have done different was add sliced tomatoes.  Since this is not a typical post, I won't rate it from 1-10, I'll just say Mel & I both gave it a big thumbs up!! 

Pumpkin Honey Bread

I'll end today's blogs on a high note.  I got this recipe from a friend's post on Facebook.  (Thanks, Diane!)  Mel & I both think this is the best pumpkin bread we have ever had and give it a very high 10!  I added a box of vanilla pudding mix (dry) to make it a little more moist.  I will definitely make it again - probably even again this week!!

Snap Peas With Peanut Dressing

I made this for my dinner tonight.  I posted this about 2 years ago and even gave it a 10.  This time I would only give it a 6 1/2, maybe a low 7.  I was all prepared to make it when I realized the recipe called for orange juice, but I didn't have any.  So I substituted it with lime & lemon juice.  That pretty much ruined it.  It was still edible after I added honey & sunflower seeds to the top.  Next time I make this, I will stick with the orange juice, but add the same topping!

Ham & Potato Casserole

I made this for Mel's dinner tonight.  He loved it!  Gave it a 12 out of 10!  I will definitely make it for him again.  The only thing I did differently was omit the Benefiber powder (as with all the recipes from this booklet) & instead of 1/3 a cup of bread crumbs on top, I added roughly 2/3 so it would cover the whole top!