Cheesy Green Onions

These have been a Thanksgiving tradition in my family since I can remember.

Ingredients

Green Onions

Cream Cheese

Evaporated Milk

Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Accent Seasoning Salt

First, rinse the onions.  Then cut them evenly like this:

Make sure you cut the little 'hairs' off the bottoms.

You’ll need one block of cream cheese to about four bunches of onions. 

Put the cream cheese in a medium bowl and add about 4 oz. of evaporated milk per block of cream cheese. Then add 1 tablespoon of Accent per block of cream cheese.

Mix it until creamy like this:

Put the finely shredded cheese in a pie plate. 

Spread the cream mixture onto the bottom of the onion about halfway up, like this:

Then just roll it around in the cheese until it's covered.

That's all there is to it!

When you're ready to serve you can put them on a pretty platter if you'd like. 

Enjoy!

Frittata

Our neighbors asked my oldest son to water their animals while they were away on vacation.  In return he could bring home all the eggs he could carry.  By the end of the week, we had so many eggs I didn't have room for them all.  I finally cracked a couple dozen, scrambled them up and baked them in pie plates.  They turned out great and got eaten up.

One pie plate can hold about 8-10 eggs maybe more depending on the size.  I put about 1/2 stick of melted butter in the pie plate first.  Scramble the eggs, add about 3/4 cup milk & a cup of cheese.  I used mild cheddar because it's what I had on hand, but a sharp cheddar would've tasted great!  Then I added some salt & pepper and poured in all into a pie plate. 

You can add your own variations including but not limited to: ham, bacon, green onions, olives, mushrooms, etc. If I hadn't been in a such a hurry, I would've added them all! 

I baked them for about 30 minutes at 350.  The edges will cook faster so just keep checking the center until it's cooked thoroughly. 

Marshmallow Popcorn

I recently heard of marshmallow popcorn and couldn't wait to try it.  I've made it twice in three days.  That's how good it is!

Ingredients
5 cups mini marshmallows
6 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
4 quarts air-popped popcorn

Melt butter in a medium/large saucepan.  Add marshmallows and vanilla and stir until melted.  Pour over popped popcorn and stir well. 

Ooey-Gooey Goodness!!

Mother Goose Popcorn

I LOVE popcorn!  It's one of my favorite treats and is so versatile.  You can make it sweet or salty or even peanut buttery.  YUM!

Mother Goose is one of my favorites and it's super easy to make.

Pop about one cup of popcorn in an air-popper.  Use a big bowl so you have room to stir or shake. = )

Ingredients
6 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. water
1 cup sugar
food coloring of your choice if you'd like it colored

Combine the other ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Turn off the heat and pour evenly onto the popped popcorn.  Use a big spoon and stir it well to coat all the pieces.  If the bowl has a tight fitting lid, put it on and shake the bowl a bit to ensure every piece is coated. 

The popcorn will be sticky until it dries which only takes a few minutes.  When it dries, you'll have a big bowl of sugar coated goodness.

Enjoy!

Butter Sauce For Fish

This is a delicious recipe for butter sauce.  Heat it up and pour it over fried or bbq'd fish.  This is the same recipe used at the famous Garland, Utah Fire Department Salmon Fry.  It's amazing!

Ingredients
1 lb. butter
4 Tbsp. Kikkoman teriyaki sauce
8 Tbsp. lemon juice (use pure lemon for best taste)
2 green onions, chopped
pepper & parsley flakes (enough to taste)

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over low heat.  DO NOT BOIL!

It's the best butter sauce I've ever tried.

ENJOY!

Oven Baked Asparagus

I love asparagus and this is a super delicious way to cook it. 

Rinse the asparagus and pat dry with a paper towel.  Place the asparagus into a baking dish and rub with olive oil, sea salt & lemon pepper. Then bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes.  If you like your asparagus really tender, just increase the heat to 400 degrees. 

It really is fabulous!

                                

Spicy Apple-Glazed Meatballs

I tried a new recipe tonight that was really yummy.  Even my kids liked it!

I found it in Better Homes and Gardens May 2012 edition.  I meant to take a picture of the finished product, but forgot.  It was a pretty dish.

Spicy Meatballs
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 slices bread, torn
1 lb. ground beef (I used almost 2 lbs. and it still turned out fabulous)
4 cloves garlic, minced (I was out and used garlic salt instead)
1/4 tsp. salt (if you use garlic salt, you can omit this)
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I used about half of what it called for and it was still very spicy)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Apple Glaze
1 cup apple juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I only used a pinch)
6 green onions, sliced


In a large bowl whisk together egg and milk.  Add bread and let sit ten minutes until bread is softened.  Add ground beef, garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper and mix thoroughly with hands or a wooden spoon.  Shape beef mixture into one-inch balls.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat; add half the meatballs and turn occasionally until brown and crusty on the outside and no longer pink inside.  Transfer cooked meatballs to a serving dish and cook the other half; drain the fat from the skillet and wipe clean with a paper towel.

For the apple glaze; combine juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, ginger and cayenne in a bowl.  In the same skillet over medium heat, cook and stir the sauce until thickened and bubbly.  Cook and stir two minutes more.  Return the meatballs to the skillet to glaze and heat through.  Transfer back to serving dish and top with green onions.

I served them over sticky white rice and spooned some glaze over them.  I cut back on the cayenne pepper because I didn't want them to be too spicy for my kids.  They still had a kick and my kids noticed, but it wasn't too much.  They ate them up!

It's a very easy, and inexpensive meal.  I will definitely be making them again!

Enjoy!

****Update****

I made these again and took a picture.

They were just as good the second time, only I served them over egg noodles instead of rice. 

I just got word that our troops received their first package!  I still have five or six boxes to ship tomorrow and if anyone else still wants to donate, then please feel free.  These are a few of the things going out tomorrow:

I also had five bags of chips and several hand written cards donated from some kids in Mrs. Christensen's 'Ed Success' class at Alice C. Harris Intermediate School in Tremonton, Utah.

It's been so fun seeing all the donations come in.

I imagine they'll be receiving another box tomorrow or the next day.  And I told them to be expecting a few more over the next week or so.

Thanks again to everyone who has donated! 

Deviled Easter Eggs

On Saturday while my kids were coloring Easter eggs, I made some deviled eggs.  After I made them, I took a picture and posted it on my Facebook page.  I have had at least one person a day ask me how I made them so I thought I would share it here.  They're so cute for Easter!  You could even make them green for St. Patrick's Day.

Ingredients

eggs (as many as you want)

water

apple cider vinegar

food coloring

Filling

Miracle Whip

dill weed

Boil the eggs and let cool.  While they're cooling you can get the color ready.  Fill four or five bowls each with about a cup of water.  If you're doing a lot of eggs, use bigger bowls and more water. Add 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar, and food coloring.  I only put four or five drops per bowl. 

Once the eggs are cool enough to handle, peel them and cut them in half lengthwise.  Place the yolks into a bowl and rinse the eggs with cool water before placing them into the color.  Let them soak for at least five minutes.  I'm sure some of mine soaked for 10-15.  Just keep checking them until they're the color you want.  You can add more food coloring at anytime to make them darker or give them a marble look.

While the eggs are soaking, mash the yolks together and add enough Miracle Whip to make a pasty consistency.  Then add 1 tsp. dill weed and stir well.  If I have celery, I like to dice it up and add it to the filling. 

Once the eggs are the color you want, take them out and place them onto a cookie sheet covered with paper towels to help soak up any excess water. 

You can either carefully spoon the filling into each egg or put the filling into a Ziplock bag, seal it, cut one of the bottom corners and pipe it out.  Or if you have a pastry bag with a nozzle, use it. 

Once the eggs are filled, pour some paprika into the palm of your hand and take a pinch to sprinkle over each egg. 

And there you have deviled Easter eggs!

Aren't they cute?

Another box of chips and crackers was shipped out this morning.  I have at least three more boxes and three more days to ship to ensure they get to Afghanistan by May 5. 

If you still want to donate, please let me know before the 13th.  Thanks!

I shipped out the first box to Afghanistan today! I wish I could see the looks on their faces as packages start arriving. 

I still need to ship these....

and I have a few more items coming next week.

I plan on having everything shipped out by Friday, April 13.  If you still want to donate items or money toward shipping, please let me know. 

And a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has donated thus far.  It is so appreciated!

German Pancakes

I made these for the first time a few months ago and my kids loved them.  The recipe is a snap which makes them even better.

Ingredients
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 stick of  melted butter

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Pour melted butter in a 9x13 baking dish.

Put the remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
(if you don't have a blender just mix in a bowl until smooth)

Pour batter into the baking dish over the butter and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.  You'll know it's done when the edges start to curl up.  Cut into squares and serve with maple syrup or your favorite pancake topping.

Bon Appetit!

Orange Julius

My six year old just ask for an orange julius.  They are super easy to make and a healthy alternative to 'sugar drinks'.  I thought I'd share the recipe while it's fresh on my mind.  We whipped it up in less than ten minutes and suffered mild brain freezes shortly after.

Ingredients
1 can frozen concentrated orange juice, thawed
1 can milk
1/2 cup sugar (you can substitute honey)
1 tsp. vanilla
approx. 15 ice cubes (more or less to change consistency)

Put it all in a blender and blend until smooth.  Serve immediately.  It's delicious!

Have a fabulous day!  = )

Supporting our Troops

I have a dear friend who's husband is serving in Afghanistan. He asked his wife to send some tortilla chips. She said, "They have all the salsa Afghanistan can hold, but no chips."

I'm putting a donation box together to send over there so if you or anyone you know is interested in donating chips or other non-perishable items, I'll toss them into a box and ship it. I'm hoping to have it shipped out by April 13 so they'll receive the chips in time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

 

So far I've had three bags of chips, three bags of sunflower seeds, and a box of herbal tea donated.  I think I'll throw some dry black beans and spices in and maybe some nuts.  They will be so grateful for anything.  I have a cousin who is a teacher and she is having her class write notes to the troops and sending a few goodies as well.  And the wife of a friend told me she had ten bags of chips to donate! Woo-Hoo!

 

This is such a great service project!  If you come across my blog and would like to donate, I have a paypal account you can send donations to.  It would help cover S&H and if I get enough donations, I'll buy more stuff and send another box or two. = )

 

I will post updates with pictures as I receive more donations.  Thanks for stopping by!

I was inspired today!  A friend of mine shared a link that caught my eye.  I clicked on it and was brought to tears almost immediately.  Her dear cousin turned 40 today and is celebrating in an amazing and unusual way. She has asked for anyone and everyone who reads her story to perform a random act of kindness today in honor of her 40th birthday. 

You can find her wish here: www.my40thbirthdaywish.com

It reminded me of a post I read on a blog not too long ago about a young mom of two who did something very similar on her birthday.  I also cried reading her blog.  She is a hero in my book!  You can read her story here: http://ticklestogiggles.blogspot.com/2010/05/my-birthday-was-awesome.html

It brings a smile to my face seeing these acts of kindness performed.  I'm getting excited for summer vacation when my kids and I can do some fun things for strangers.  

Hello!

Welcome to my blog!  I don't know what I've gotten myself into.  I am constantly surfing the internet searching for ways to make my life easier and thought I'd pass it on. I hope to share lots of ideas and even get some feedback from readers.  I will definitely read comments and welcome any thoughts or questions.  It might take a few days for me to get the hang of this, but I promise to try my best and start posting right away.

I love to cook and try new recipes and plan on sharing some of my favorites.  I am also a 'neat freak' and like things clean and in order.  It drives my family crazy sometimes, but I'm sure they appreciate it anyway.

One thing I am not is crafty.  It's quite unfortunate and I wish I were, but I'm not!  So if you're looking for crafty, I'm very sorry.  I'm sure I can lead you to someone who is though.  In fact, I know a few gals with blogs who are very crafty and creative and I will share them with you once I get going.  Maybe I can learn a thing or two as well. ; )

Thanks for visiting and come back soon!

~Jami