Homemade Apple Cider

This afternoon after church, I made some of this Apple Cider for my wonderful husband.  In the Fall, this is his FAVORITE drink, so, I thought that I would be extra nice and show my love for him.

Step 1: Rapidly Boil 1 hour

Step 2:  Reduce Heat and simmer 2 hours

Step 3: Remove from heat, cool, and strain

Step 4:  Drink Up!

 This recipe is a WINNER in my house.  We added some caramel to it, and YUMMY!

Caramel Apple Biscuit Pops

Sorry I haven't been on in awhile.  Life has gotten the better of me.

In the spirit of Fall, I ran across this recipe that is a 'must try' sometime soon.  I love to bake, bake and bake some more... here is the recipe, it comes from Pillsbury.

 picture taken from here

Breakfast Tacos

6 tortillas
8 eggs
2 Tbsp Milk
1/4 c chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed)
6 bacon slices, cooked & crumbled (I used Canadian Bacon)
Shredded cheese
Salsa
Ranch Dressing
Ketchup

Scramble eggs with the milk with the spinach tossed in.  Heat tortillas as directed on package.  Arrange small bowls (or mix the bacon and eggs together - this is what I did), on the table for each ingredient so you can pick and choose what to put in the tortilla and fold into a delicious breakfast taco.

I wish I remembered to get a picture of it before diving it, for sure next time.

This recipe was taken from The Source Book, pg. 26 - SacramentoParent.com

African Chicken Treat

This may seem like a strange meal, but, let me tell you that it is very
D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! 

1 1/2 c water
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules (I used a cube, it's all I had)
2 onions, thinly sliced (I used one and just chopped it up)
1 red bell pepper, sliced (once again, I chopped it)
1 green bell pepper, sliced (same as above)
2 ribs celery, thinly sliced (once again, chopped)
8 chicken thighs, skinned
1/2 c extra crunchy peanut butter (I used regular crunchy p.b.)
crushed chili pepper of your choice (I left this out, I am not fond of heat)

Combine water, chicken bouillon, celery, onions and peppers in slow cooker.  Spread p.butter over both sides of chicken pieces (I just tossed it in after the chicken and mixed -- touching raw chicken makes me squirm).  Sprinkle with chili pepper.  Place on top of ingredients in slow cooker.  Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hrs.  Serves 4.

This recipe came from Fix-It-and Forget-It. 
I wish I could get a pic on here, but neither of my cameras are working at the moment :-(

Shirley's Bread... again

Ok, once again, here is my ALL time favorite bread recipe... YUUUUMY!

Shirley's Bread click on the link to get to the recipe.  You can also cut it in half too (that is how I have to make it, cause it won't all fit in by bowl if I don't)

My kids aren't fond of whole wheat bread, but they just can't get enough of this bread.  I made some on Monday, and I am about to pull a third loaf out of my freezer... talk about awsome, wholesome, delicious bread!

Don't freak out... the dough is supposed to be like cookie dough... I never have made a bread that is supposed to be this sticky, but tastes SOOOOOOO yummy.

 

Three - Bean Casserole

Makes 8 servings
Prep: 20 min; Bake: 45 min

1 pound bulk pork sausage
2 stalks , medium, celery, sliced (1 cup)
1 medium onion (1/2 cup)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 (28-ounce) cans (each) baked beans, in tomato-sauce
1 (15-ounce) can lima beans or butter-beans, drained
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon ground mustard
2 tablespoons honey or packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon white or cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon red pepper sauce

1. Heat oven to 400°.
2. Cook sausage, celery, onion and garlic in 10-inch skillet over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain.
3. Mix sausage mixture and remaining ingredients in ungreased 3-quart casserole. Bake uncovered about 45 minutes, stirring once, until hot and bubbly.

Slow Cooker Directions: Substitute 1/2 cup ketchup for the tomato sauce. Decrease honey to 1 tablespoon. Cook sausage, celery, onion and garlic in 10-inch skillet over medium heat about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Mix sausage mixture and remaining ingredients in 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on high heat setting 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes to blend flavors.

** Now, I have to admit, I was in such a hurry to make this recipe, that I forgot to add the brown sugar, vinegar, ground mustard, and the red pepper sauce, BUT it was still a very tasty dish**

From "Betty Crocker's Complete Cookbook, Everything You Need to Know to Cook Today, 9th Edition." Text Copyright 2000 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Sloppy Joe Bake

Makes 6 servings

1 pound ground beef
1 (15-ounce) can Original-Style sloppy joe sauce
2 cups Original Bisquick®
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1 egg
4 slices process American cheese, cut diagonally in half

1. Heat oven to 375°. Grease round pan, 9 x 1 1/2 inches. Make beef and sloppy joe sauce as directed on can.
2. Stir Bisquick, milk, margarine and egg until soft dough forms. Spread dough in bottom and up side of pan to within 1/4 inch of rim. Spoon beef mixture evenly over dough.
3. Bake uncovered 25 minutes. Arrange cheese triangles on beef mixture. Bake about 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

HIGH ALTITUDE (3500 to 6500 feet): Heat oven to 400°.

From "Betty Crocker's Bisquick Cookbook." Text Copyright 2000 General Mills, Inc. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Mexi - Tortilla Casserole

1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 lb ground pork (I used beef)
1 can (14 1/2 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 c shredded cheese
2 c tortilla chips
1/2 c sour cream (I used plain yogurt)
1 can (4 oz) diced green chilies, drained
2 Tbsp minced cilantro

Preheat oven to 350*F.  Heat oil in large skillet over med heat.  Cook and stir onion 5 minutes or until tender.  Brown meat, stirring to seperate.  Drain fat.  Stir in tomatoes with juice, pregano, salt, cumin, and pepper.  Spoon into 11x7 inch casserole.  Sprinkle with cheese; arrange tortilla chips over cheese.  Bake 10-15 minutes or until cheese emlts.  Combine sour cream and chilies; mix until well blended.  Drop by tablespoonfulls onto baked casserole.  Sprinkle with cinlantro.  Makes 6 servings. 

Taken from Cooking for Kids Bible

Oatcake

Serves a family of 6-8  (For extra hungry teens, double this recipe)  taken from Pantry Principles

2 ½ c. Old Fashioned Oats
½ t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. cinnamon
1 c. milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 T. honey
1 t. vanilla
½ c. any dried fruit (cherries, cranberries, raisins, chopped prunes, chopped apricots, etc.)
¼ c. chopped nuts (optional)

Soak oats in milk overnight.  Mix dry ingredients in another bowl.  Mix eggs, honey, and vanilla into oats.  Combine and mix everything until just barely moistened.  Pour into a buttered 9 inch round cake pan.   Bake in a 350F oven for 30-35 min. Test with a toothpick for doneness.

Hint: This recipe may be made through step 2 the night before. Cover and refrigerate wet ingredients. Cover dry ingredients.

Menu Feb 21-27

Sunday
  Breakfast:  Oatmeal
  Lunch: Leftovers or PBJ/H sandwiches
  Dinner:  Mexi-Tortilla Casserole

Monday
  Breakfast:  Oatcake
  Lunch:  Egg Salad Sandwiches
  Dinner:  Creamy Potato Soup
 
Tuesday
  Breakfast:  Cream of Wheat
  Lunch:  Bulgar Wheat
  Dinner:  PBJ/H Sanwiches

Wednesday
  Breakfast:  Bulgar Wheat
  Lunch:  Ramen Noodles w/veggies
  Dinner:  Lentil Chili

Thursday
  Breakfast:  Rice Cereal
  Lunch:  Nachos
  Dinner:  N/A -- we get to go to a dinner

Friday
  Breakfast:  Oats Groats
  Lunch:  Tuna Salad Sanwiches
  Dinner:  Pirate Stew

Saturday
  Breakfast:  Waffles
  Lunch:  Pizza
  Dinner:  Cheasy Vegetable Strata

as I make the recipes, I will post them :)