Oatmeal Carmelita

I was looking for new Christmas goodies for our neighbor gifts.  My friend shared this recipe with me that her and her mom  make almost every year. They turned out really yummy!!!

 

 Oatmeal Carmelitas

~ 2 cups all-purpose flour
~ 1 teaspoon baking soda
~ ¼ teaspoon salt
~ 1 cup butter, at room temperature
~ 1½ cups light brown sugar
~ 2 cups quick-cooking oats
~ 14 ounces caramel candies, unwrapped
~ ½ cup evaporated milk
~ 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
~ 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until combined and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until fully incorporated. Add the oats and mix on low briefly to just combine.
4. Transfer approximately half of the dough mixture to the baking dish. Spread and press the dough into the baking dish until you have an even layer with no cracks or crumbles. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven.
5. While the dough is baking, combine the evaporated milk and caramels in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir the mixture constantly until all the caramels are melted and you have a thick sauce. Allow to cool until cookie base comes out of the oven.
6. Once out of the oven, sprinkle the cookie base evenly with chocolate chips and pecans, and then carefully pour the caramel sauce over the cookie base, nuts, and chocolate. Use an offset spatula to spread the caramel sauce into an even layer.
7. Sprinkle the remaining cookie dough over the top of the caramel-chocolate-nut mixture a handful at a time, making sure to get an even coating over the whole dish.
8. Return the dish to the oven, baking until the topping is lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
9. Once out of the oven, cool the dish to room temperature and then refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator.

Korean Beef

I came across this recipe and it called for ground beef. That is how I made it, but I don't think it worked. The taste was awesome, but the texture was off in my opinion so next time I will use flank steak.

 Korean Beef

~ 2lbs flank steak

~ 2 medium onions chopped

~ 1-2 T minced garlic

~ 1 cup brown sugar

~ 1 1/4 cup soy sauce

~ 2 T sesame oil plus 1-2 tsp more for sauce

~ 1-2 tsp FRESH GRATED GINGER

~ 1-2 T, crushed red pepper flakes(depending on how spicey you like things

~ Salt and pepper to taste

~ 1 bunch green onions,

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add the 2 T.  sesame oil and ground beef and cook until almost done. Drain most of the fat and add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is tender. Meanwhile, in a bowl Whisk the brown sugar, soy sauce,1-2 tsp sesame oil, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes. pour this mixture over the beef and bring to a boil. Simmer for about 20 minutes so the flavors can blend. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve over steamed rice and top with the green onions.

Homemade Laundry Soap

It started with homemade all purpose and window cleaner, now I make my own laundry soap. I got this recipe from a friend, who got it from a blog, who got it from another blog. Not sure where it originated but I love it and will probably never go back!

Homemade Laundry Soap

1 (4 lb 12 oz) Box of Borax

1 (3 lb 7 oz)  Box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 

1 (3 lb) OxyClean

2 Bars of Soap

1 (4 lb) Baking Soda

1-2 (55 oz) Bottle if Laundry Crystals

 

 

Grate soap and add all ingredients into a large trash bag to mix. I keep mine in a big bucket with a lid.  It smells awesome and you only need to use a little per load. Cheap(er) and awesome!

Low and Slow (All Day Pork)

My coupon-er friend let me know about about pretty good pork roast sale. I don't typically care for pork, but my family does. I told her to pick me up about whatever she got herself. I ended up with about 13 lbs. She suggested that I cook it all at once, divide it up and freeze it for quick dinners. I rubbed it down with what I deemed the BEST RUB EVER! and cooked it at 200 degrees for about 11 hours. My hubby was concerned that was too long, but when I stuck my fork in, it literally fell right apart. I ate it two days in a row, and I would say that is pretty good for a non pork lover.

BEST RUB EVER!

1/2 Cup salt
1/2 Cup chili Powder
1/4 Cup garlic powder
1/4 Cup onion powder
1/4 Cup black pepper
1/4 Cup sugar
1 TBS dry mustard
2 bay leaves crushed

Mix it and rub it on any and everything! Store leftover in the freezer.

Cajun Sausage Alfredo

Tonight I made something that I never thought I would make, and I got the recipe from an ad in a magazine, which I also never do. Not sure why, but I just don't. I came upon this recipe and thought it was something different and quick and I would get the stuff to have on hand for a night I don't really feel like cooking. Throughout the day, it just started sounding good, so I decided to give it a go. It was so good. It tasted almost identical to a dish I get at Jazz. Son number 1 loved it. The other two were just kind of eh about it, but Hubby and I both loved it. And the best part.... It is so easy and quick. Literally, the time it takes to boil noodles......


Cajun Sausage Alfredo

1 pkg. Smoked Sausage
8 oz. pasta, cooked, drained
2 c. heavy cream
2 t. Cajun seasoning (I used Weber. SO GOOD!)
1/2 c. grated Parmesan


~ Cook noodles 
~ Saute sausage for about 5 minuets
~ Add cream and Cajun seasoning and boil. 
~ Reduce heat, simmer 4 minuets.
~ Stir in Parmesan.
~ Add pasta and toss

You can also add veggies to this. I added peas (cause that is what was in the picture....). Yum!!!

The Best Chocolate Zucchini Muffins EVER

I say that they are the best because anything that makes me eat that slimy, gross squash HAS to be the best. I'm sure the chocolate has NOTHING to do with it. Right? We briefly had an over abundance of zucchini in our garden but we lost the plant due to heat and some weird looking bug. Grrrrrrr. I made a batch (24) of these muffins and they were gone the next day. This coming from myself who hates zucchini and also a few kids who thought the idea of chocolate and zucchini was literally the worst possible thing you could do. I mean, how could you insult chocolate that way!? We were all pleasantly surprised. :)



Chocolate Zucchini Muffins (24)

 preheat oven 350 degrees

1 1/4 c. sugar
1 c. unsweetened applesauce (can use oil)
3 eggs
3 t. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. baking powder
2-3 c. shredded zucchini
1 c. chocolate (this is optional but really, why wouldn't you?)


~ Beat sugar, applesauce, eggs and vanilla until smooth.
~ Combine flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder.
~ Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth.
~ Stir in zucchini
~ Fold in chocolate chips.
~ Bake 20(ish) minuets until center is done.

NOM NOM NOM 

You could make these a bit healthier by swapping half whole wheat flour half white and maybe adding some flax seed and reducing the sugar and using dark chocolate chips. YUM!

Easy Stuffed Peppers

This is one of those recipes you think, Eww! There is no way that is good! Well you would be wrong. I got this one from my father in law. He uses it for stuffed jalapenos, but they were just too hot for me. I decided to use fresh green bell peppers from our garden and TA DA! So yummy!


Stuffed Peppers

1 package breakfast sausage
1 box  Zatarain's Dirty Rice
1 can Cheese Whiz (yeah, I know, just trust me)
6 green bell pepper (could use any color bell or just about any pepper you like)

~ Cook sausage, drain
~ Cook rice as directed
~ Mix sausage, rice and cheese whiz together

~ Cut peppers in half longways, take our seeds.
~ Fill peppers and place on foil lined baking sheet.
~ Bake 400 degrees for around 20 mins.

My Goodness, My Guiness (Drunken Cupcakes)

Beer and dessert? Yes please. Desserts are one of my most favorite things to make. I like to try new ones. Last year I made Irish Whiskey Brownies for St. Patrick's day. They were good, just a little strong.

This year, I ended up not cooking for St. Pat's day, but I was asked to bring dessert for Easter.  I found the recipe for these babies and decided that I had to make them. They are really good, although they don't have much of a beer flavor. They actually taste a lot like gingerbread. Enjoy


Drunken Cupcakes

* 1 box devil's food cake mix
* 1 T. ground cinnamon
* 1 t. ground nutmeg
* 2 c. confectioner's sugar
* 1 can Guinness

Prepare cake per directions on box, only swap the water for beer. Add cinnamon and nutmeg. Bake according to box.

For icing. Boil 1 c. Guinness until it is 1/2. Add 2 T. at a time to confection's sugar until you get a thick icing. Spread on cupcakes and enjoy!

Cheeseburger Casserole

I got this yummy dinner from my good friend Alisa. I was impressed that my two light eaters asked for seconds.  Those two hardly ever do. I was also that my one son ate it since it is full of tomatoes. He ate it and wanted more. This is easy and has few ingredients that are usually on hand.  Next time I think I will add some veggies to it but it is fine the way it is.

Cheeseburger casserole  

 * 1lb ground beef  

 * 1 medium onion, chopped  

 * 1 28oz can diced tomatoes 

 * 1Tbsp Worcestershire sauce  

 * 1 tsp dried oregano   

 * 1/2 tsp garlic powder  

 * salt & pepper to taste  

 * 12 oz med-wide egg noodles  

 * 2 cups shredded cheese 

 

 Brown hamburger with onions. Add tomatoes, Worcestershire, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper.

 

Cook Noodles according to package. Combine and stir in cheese. You could even add a little cheese to the top and toss it in the oven until it gets melty. 

 

I know this may sound weird, but I added just a bit of pickle juice to my serving. Tasted just like a cheeseburger. :)

Ham and Cheese Sliders

I had these sammies at a baby shower a couple years ago. People went nuts over them. They were good and something different. I found them again while surfing on Pinterest and thought that Hubby would like them. I was right.

The original recipe calls for Swiss cheese, but we prefer Provolone. These are simple, quick and a big hit all around. Great for a week night meal, or make a big batch for a party.


Ham and Cheese Sliders

* 24 dinner rolls
* 24 pieces ham
* 24 half slices Swiss or Provolone cheese
* 1/4 cup mayonaise
* 1/4 cup miracle whip

Sauce

*1/2 c. melted butter
* 1 T. poppy seeds
* 1 1/2 T. mustard
* 1 T. onion flakes
* 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

*Combine mayonnaise and miracle whip.
*Cut rolls in half. Spread mayonaise-miracle whip mixture on each side of the roll.
* Put a piece of ham and a piece of cheese on each roll. 
*Place rolls close together in a greased 9x13 pan until pan in completely full.
*Mix together all ingredients of Poppy Seed Sauce. Spread evenly over the tops of all the rolls.  *Cover with aluminum foil and Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Make Ahead Breakfast

My oldest son isn't the biggest fan of cereal everyday for breakfast. He will eat it but would rather not. I also love anything breakfast, but when school is in rarely make time in the morning to fix a hot breakfast. One of my goals has been to get up early and make breakfast for everyone, but I still find myself sleeping until the very last possible second.

So, to remedy that, I decided to make a big batch of breakfast foods and put in the freezer. That way we can have hot breakfast very quickly. I am going to be making these this weekend.

Breakfast Burritos   Preheat 450

1 lb. breakfast sausage
1 lb. bacon
1 lb. ham (I won't use this)
2 lb. red potatoes, cubed in bite size pieces
16 oz. shredded cheese (any kind will do)
24 soft taco shells
12 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1/3 c. olive oil
S&P and any other spices you prefer

~ Brown meats.
~ Toss potatoes w/oil and S&P. Roast 30 mins.
~ Scramble eggs w/milk

Layer meat, potatoes, eggs and cheese in shells and wrap. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Wrap each burrito individually in plastic wrap and place in freezer bag. Return to freezer.


Pancake Muffins    Preheat 350

Mix up your favorite pancake mix.
Brown breakfast sausage.
Mix together.
Spray muffin tin with cooking spray, fill with pancake mix.
Bake for about 13 mins.

The Snozberries taste like Snozberries! (Reese's Peanut Butter Bars)

I was skeptical. I always am when someone posts a recipe claiming that "It tastes like the real thing!" Or "Tastes so good make you wanna slap yo mama!" I am especially skeptical when it comes to desserts with peanut butter in them. I like peanut butter, not the hugest fan of peanut butter in things. As far as Reese's go, I really only like the mini ones because I think they have the best peanut butter to chocolate ratio. My hubby, however, is absolutely gaga over anything choco/peanut butter. Reese's are his most favorite thing.

I came across this recipe a while back, thinking that I would make it for him sometime. I bought what I needed, but just never got around to it. He has just finished a  25 hour shift, that's right, 25 hours. Something broke, and it HAD to be fixed, and they had to stay until it was. After 25 hours, he came home for 5 and then was back to work this morning regular time. He is beyond exhausted . I thought it would be nice for him to come home to something yummy (besides me :).)

I whipped this dessert up for him. It was super quick and easy and no baking. It just needs to set in the fridge and it is ready to go. I just went in to take a bite just to see. And oh my. It actually tastes, like a Reese's. :) I really think it made his not so great day. My son said it was BETTER than Reese's! Not sure, but it's pretty close.. It's amazing how Jiff and Nestle chocolate chips can taste like Reese's.
This one is for sure going in the recipe binder.

"Reese's" Peanut Butter Bars

1 c. butter ;melted
2 c. graham cracker crumbs (bought or make your own)
2 c. confectioners sugar
1 c. plus 4 T peanut butter
1 1/2 semi sweet chocolate chips

~ In a medium bowl, mix melted butter, crumbs, sugar and 1 c. peanut butter until well blended.

~ Press into a ungreased 9x13 pan.

~ Melt chocolate chips and 4T peanut butter together and pour over the peanut butter layer.

~ Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

YUM!!

Drunken Pork Chops

I am not a huge fan of pork, but this recipe is so stinkin good! It is probably one of my new favorites.


Drunken Pork Chops

5-6 pork chops (I have used bone in and boneless, I prefer boneless)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bottle of beer (I have tried dark beer, and lighter beer, and the BEST was Coors!)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup ketchup

Spray a skillet with cooking spray. Season pork with salt and pepper, and just brown both sides. Do NOT cook all the way thru.

Combine beer, ketchup and brown sugar and pour over chops and simmer for 45 minuets. Remove pork from skillet and thicken the sauce. Combine 1\4 c water with 1 T of cornstarch in a small cup and pour in sauce and stir until just thick. Put chops back in and flip to coat.

I serve this with mashed potatoes. So good!!

Crock-pot Pork Chops and Taters

I haven't blogged for a while..... It's summer, it's hot, and I don't feel like cooking!!  That is why I LOVE my crock-pot. This is a recipe I found in a crock-pot recipe book. I chose it because it only had a few ingredients, and it ended up being one of my favorite recipes, even tho I am not generally a pork fan.




 Crock-Pot Pork Chops and Taters

 6-8 boneless pork chops
3-4 (ish) pounds of potatoes ( I like to use either red or yellow potatoes)
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
Pepper to taste

~ Just throw everything in your crock-pot and cook 6 hours on low. YUM!
~ If you really aren't a fan of pork, chicken can be substituted. Still YUM!!

Cheater Fish Tacos with Chipotle Mayo

I am not a big fist eater. At all. I will however eat fish sticks, and breaded fillets (like Long John Silvers!). Hubby saw a commercial for frozen fish fillets, and they said they would be great for fish tacos! Hmm I thought, that would be something different. So I bought some frozen beer battered fish fillets, baked them and used them for fish tacos.

Usually this wouldn't warrant a whole post, however, I discovered a little magic to add to these tacos....

Back up about a month ago. Hubby and I went out to eat at Granite City. I ordered shrimp tacos. I don't know why I did this. I don't like shrimp that much, but they sounded good so I ordered them. They were so good! They came with this sauce that was amazing. I didn't really know what it was, but I was determined to duplicate it.

  Then I forgot about it........
Until Tuesday night. I was looking for a sauce to put on my fish tacos. I searched fish tacos on Allrecipes.com, and was looking thru the posts and came across a Chipotle Mayo sauce. I thought that is sounded good so I tried it.

Chipotle Mayo Sauce

First buy one of these


1/2 c. mayo
2 peppers
1 T. adobo sauce
1/4 cayenne pepper

Put in blender and pulse until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Long story short. It tasted almost exactly like the stuff at Granite City! WHOOO HOOO!!

 

BBQ Chicken Pizza

This is a pseudo knock-off of Minsky's BBQ Chicken Pizza. My friend told me once to order it, and have them put cream cheese on it. It sounded questionable, but I did and LOVED it.

BBQ Chicken Pizza
2 c. shredded chicken
2 c. BBQ sauce (I use KC Masterpiece original)
1/2 c. cilantro ; chopped
1/4 red onion ; chopped
2 c. mozzarella cheese
cream cheese
pizza crust of your choice

I like to put chicken and bbq sauce in the crock pot and let it cook for several hours.
Spread cream cheese on pizza crust.
Top with cilantro

 Spread chicken and BBQ mixture

 Top with cheese and bake!  YUM!

Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde

2 lbs tomatillos; shucked and washed
1/2 red onion; cut cup
1 Anaheim pepper; halved, washed and seeded
1/2 jalapeno pepper (or whole); halved, washed and seeded
1/2 c chicken broth
 t. salt
1/4 t. sugar
1/2 c. fresh cilantro (or more if you like)

Preheat broiler. Place tomatillos, onion and peppers on foil and broil until they start to blacken, then turn over (carefully!) and roast until the other side starts to blacken. The tomatillos should be soft. Transfer all to blender, plus all juices. Add broth, salt, sugar and cilantro and blend up until salsa consistency. Enjoy!

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Yum Yum. I made these last night for dinner and they were a HUGE hit. They are one of my favorite new recipes that I have tried lately. They will definitely be thrown in rotation.


Creamy Chicken Taquitos


1/3 cup (3 oz.) cream cheese; softened
1/4 cup green salsa
1 T lime juice
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
3 Tb chopped cilantro
2 cups rotisserie chicken
1 cup grated pepperjack cheese
Flour tortillas


Mix together cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, and spices in a bowl. Pour over chicken. Add cheese and cilantro. Mix all together and spread in tortillas. Roll and spray lightly with cooking spray (I used butter flavor)
Bake 15 minuets @ 425.

Italian Beef Roast

From my Mother-In-Law. Oh so yummy!!


Italian Beef Roast
2-3 lb roast (the cheaper the better)
1 packet of ZESTY Italian dressing mix (make sure it's zesty or it won't taste right)
1 jar of pepperoncini, juice too
1 can of beef broth (I use the lower sodium because of the whole jar of peppers)

Throw all of this in the crock pot on low in the morning and it will be ready for supper time. I take out the peppers and toss them and open a new jar to have with my sandwich. NUMMY I serve it on Italian bread.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Forewarning ~ This is NOT healthy!! :)

I have made this a few times recently for people, and then been begged for the recipe. :)

1 package of cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use sharp cheddar)
1 cup of Franks Red Hot
1 cup of ranch dressing
2 large cans of chicken (you know, the stuff that somehow still smells like tuna???)

Throw it all in the crock pot and wait for the cream cheese and cheddar to get all melty and ENJOY!!! Great with Tortilla chips or even in a tortilla shell as a roll up.