Eggnog Muffins

I made these muffins on Dec. 22nd.  My #1 mistake was not using real eggnog, but soy eggnog that had been given to us from the food bank.  The eggnog wasn't that great to begin with, but I thought it would be okay in the muffins.  Not so.  The muffins had very little flavor and tasted more like a sugar cookie in muffin form.  They had a streusel topping, but for some reason it melted into the muffins and was not a crumble topping at all - weird!  I don't know if I'll make these again.  I am curious as to how they would taste with real eggnog, so maybe in January?  I'll post them again if I do.  Mel and I gave these a 7 1/2 out of 10.  Not horrible, but very disappointing!

Spicy Beef Tostadas

I made these for Mel on Dec. 8th.  I don't think I changed much except that I used ground turkey instead of beef (Mel's preference).  Also, I didn't have smoked paprika, so I had to use regular.  -- Note: one of my friends gave me a bottle of smoked paprika yesterday, & I can't wait to use it! --  Instead of serving the lime/cilantro rice and cheesy/smoky beans separate, I added them all to the meat.  Which is why Mel gave it a 9 instead of a 10 - he loved it except that he would have preferred the rice separate.  So next time, the rice will be on the side, but I will still mix in the beans.  

Orange Gingerbread

I just noticed this recipe sitting in my "drafts" - I didn't realize I hadn't published it.  Oops!  I made this sometime in November - I think it was the weekend before Thanksgiving. I can't remember all I changed, but I thought it wasn't going to turn out at all because I ran out of molasses and had to use half molasses and half syrup.  I think this actually made it better, & I will use syrup next time as well.  Oh, and I also ran out of orange juice and had to use a little less than half orange and the rest apple juice.  This was super yummy, though, quite easily a 10!  I brought some of it to work, and all who tried it went crazy over it.  I will definitely make this again!

Tamale Verde Skillet

I made this for Mel on Dec. 6th.  I made the mistake of using BBQ shredded chicken instead of plain, and Mel said the BBQ flavor didn't really go with the enchilada sauce.  (He prefers the red enchilada sauce to the green, so technically this isn't "verde.")  However, Mel said this was still pretty good.  He gave it an 8 out of 10.  If I make it again, next time I'll use regular chicken!

Sausage Alfredo

Sorry, I'm a little behind in posting!  I made this dish on Dec. 5th.  I saw this recipe in 2 different cooking magazines as an advertisement from Hillshire Farms, so I had to try it.  I added 1/2 an onion and a green bell pepper.  I made a meat version for Mel with bratwurst (which he loves more than plain sausage) and a meatless version for myself with vegetarian "sausage."  This is so amazingly good, and yet not many ingredients and easy to make.  Mel and I both give it a 12 out of 10!  We love this so much, I'm making it again this week!  I am even giving y'all a link to this exact recipe: http://www.hillshirefarm.com/recipes/hillshire-farm-sausage-alfredo.aspx

BBQ Onion Burger & Roasted Ratatouille Part 2

I made these burgers for Mel on the 7th.  I accidentally erased the picture of the ingredients.  It was basically a homemade BBQ sauce for some sautéed onions and then you add cooked bacon cut into bite-size pieces.  The burgers themselves were pretty basic with minimal seasoning, I think it was cumin, paprika, salt & pepper.  Mel loved this a lot and said it is a definite 10!

I also made this on the 7th.  It is my re-made version of the ratatouille from my previous blog entry.  I don't know if it can technically be called ratatouille, but it is even better than before!  I didn't take a pic of the ingredients because they were the same except no egg plant, and instead I used butternut squash and Brussels sprouts.  The squash enhanced the flavor by at least double and the sprouts were awesome.  Next time I make this, I will combine both recipes and use all the veggies from both dishes!!  Also, I didn't place it over pasta this time, but Mel (who also thought this was even better) put it in tortillas. 

Tex-Mex Bacon Burgers, Roasted Ratatouille, & Banana Fritters

All three of these recipes came from this Rachael Ray magazine (I got it for free at the library), so I'm just going to include them all in one entry.  I have become a quick fan of Rachael Ray's recipes.  All I have tried from this magazine are wonderful.  I am making another new burger today from one of her other issues.  (Thank you to whoever donated these magazines!)

 

Mel loved these burgers - gave them a 12 out of 10!  I can't remember if I changed anything in the recipe, but I think I followed it pretty close.  I'm sure I'll be making these (as well as all of Rachael Ray's burger recipes) again!

 

The day I made the burgers (Oct. 27) I also made this ratatouille for me.  I also give this dish a 12 out of 10!  A vegetarian's dream dish!  The only thing I changed was that I forgot to buy the red peppers, and I added dill.  Also, I decided to use angel hair pasta instead of the orecchitte pasta that it called for because I thought a thinner noodle would taste better (Which I'm sure it did; I don't think a thick pasta would have been as good).  Also, I added some Italian cheese blend after baking.  I am going to make this again today after I make a new burger for Mel.  However, I am going to substitute the egg plant for butternut squash, and add Brussels sprouts (I got the squash & sprouts at the food bank this week) and still use zucchini & Onion (also from the food bank) and the same herbs and tomatoes.  I am out of angel hair, so I'll use the spaghetti.  I'll blog about it with the burger and let y'all know how it turns out!  P.S.  Mel also tried this and gives it a definite 10!

 

 

I made these on Nov. 1 as a breakfast treat.  And what a treat!  Yum!  Mel and I both give them a huge 10!  They were a pain to make as they were fried (which I rarely do) and therefore, messy, so I won't make them often, but they are worth the effort.  The only thing I changed was adding ginger & nutmeg to the cinnamon (I think she called for cinnamon, if not, I added that too) and I also added vanilla & almond extracts.  They were like puffy little fluffy donuts.  Did I already say, "yum!"? 

 

 

Oatmeal Casserole

I made this for our breakfast on Oct. 17.  I actually very rarely eat, much less make breakfast, so I decided to make this is a special treat over the weekend.  I don't remember where I actually got this recipe from, but I have had it for many years.  I am not sure if I have ever made it before, but it is really yummy.  Mel and I both give it a 10!  It is such a wonderful and filling breakfast.  I did not have coconut or nuts to add, so I used little packets of snack mixes from a healthy snack company called "Graze"  ( they have awesome food, by the way).  We topped it with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon sugar, and extra milk.  I think I will make this once a month.

 P.S.  Sorry the pictures turned out so dark, this camera works better outdoors than in.  

Green Chile Burgers

I made these for Mel on Oct.10th.  He said they are excellent, a 10!  I changed the recipe quite a bit, but basically just used the concept of the diced green chilies in the burgers.  I used ground turkey instead of beef, and canned chilies instead of fresh.  I also did not make the sauce that goes with it because it called for tomatillos, which were way too expensive.  Instead, Mel topped these with sliced tomatoes, leeks, mayo, and sriracha sauce.  I'm looking forward to trying yet another burger idea from this same Rachael Ray magazine next week (even though I don't eat them!).

Meat Lover's Tamale Pie

I made this for Mel last Sunday.  The recipe is called "Pork Lover's Tamale Pie," but I used three kinds of meat, so I changed the name.  I used ground turkey, beef bratwurst, and bacon.  Also, I do not have an oven-proof skillet, so after cooking the meat and making the cornbread dough, I placed it in a cake pan and cooked it in the oven that way.  I think I also changed the spices used, but stayed pretty close to the recipe.  Mel loved, loved, loved this dish!  Gave it 12 points out of 10 and can't wait for me to make it again!   

Cleaning Tips

I don't usually post cleaning tips, but these work so great, I just had to share! 

I got the first tip from a show called "The Fab Life."  To clean a greasy pan, place one dryer sheet in the bottom, fill with warm water, and soak over night.  You will be amazed at how quickly and easily the pan comes clean of grease.  I still wash it in the dish washer afterwards, but it makes it so much easier to rinse before the dishwasher.

I don't remember where I got this second tip from, but it is also amazing.  Because I have asthma, I am chemical-sensitive.  Plus, I am in between paychecks right now, but have a clogged sink.  A super safe and much cheaper way to unclog a sink is by dumping some baking soda in the sink (I didn't measure it).  Fill the sink with hot water and let the soda dissolve down the drain.  If it doesn't dissolve, just use a Q-tip to push down the clumps.  This works just as quick as Drano.  I repeated the treatment just to make the sink work even better, so a second dose of baking soda may be helpful as well.