Brown Sugar Carrots

This is Gray's grandmother's recipes for carrots! They are so easy and very hard to mess up which is a perfect recipe in my book!

16 oz bag of carrots
2 1/2 tbsp butter
1/3 cup brown sugar

Bring a pot of water to a boil, add carrots. Boil until you can stick a fork in them. Drain out water and add butter and brown sugar. Stir together and let cook over low heat for 10 to 15 more mintues, stirring every few minutes. Serve warm.

Grilled Portobella and Brie Sandwiches

I got the idea for this sandwhich from Aggie's Kitchen but ended up just doing it my own way instead. So here is my version

Large Portobella Mushroom Caps
Red Pepper (sliced)
Red Onion (sliced)
Brie
Olive Oil
Buns
Salt & Pepper

Coat vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle them with seasoning. Grill mushrooms, onions, and red peppers until done. Remove from grill. Grill buns remove from heat and add slices of brie to the warm bun. Layer the onions and red peppers on top of the mushroom and add to bun. Serve warm.

Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs

I saw this recipe on Tasty Kitchen and it was posted from Your Everyday Mama's blog! It made a ton of meatballs so we have been eating this for a few days! It's perfect to reheat at the office for a good lunch!

1 1/2 pound Ground Chuck
3/4 cups Italian Bread Crumbs
1/4 cups Parmesan Cheese, Grated
2 teaspoons Salt
1/8 teaspoons Pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 whole Egg
1/2 cups Milk
1 bunch Parsley, Rough Chop
1 whole Mozzarella Ball, Fresh

Mix together bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, Worcestershire, egg and milk. Add ground beef and mix just until combined. Scoop out the amount of meat you want for the meatball and form the meatball around a small piece of the fresh mozzarella. Continue until all the meat is gone.

Now there were 3 different cooking options listed, I used the last one.
1. Cook the meatballs and sauce in a crockpot on low for 6 to 7 hours.
2. Brown meatballs slightly and cook on low in the crockpot with sauce for 5 to 6 hours.
3. Brown the meatballs almost completely and bake at 350 for 10 minutes on a foil lined cookie sheet.

Serve over pasta.

Cream Cheese Brownies

1 cup Canola Oil
2 cups Sugar
4 whole Eggs
2 teaspoons Vanilla
2 cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
½ teaspoons Salt
½ cups Unsweetened Baking Cocoa
1 package (8 Oz) Cream Cheese (softened)
5 Tablespoons Butter Or Margarine (softened)
½ heaping cup Sugar
2 Heaping Tablespoons Flour
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 Tablespoons Milk

Mix together the first 4 ingredients. Next sift together flour, baking powder, salt and baking cocoa then add to the first mixture. In a separate bowl blended together cream cheese, butter, flour, vanilla and milk until smooth. Pour half the brownie batter into a 9x13 greased baking dish, spread out. Then pour the cream cheese mixture and spread evenly, then spoon the remaining brownie mixture on top and spread as well as possible. Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Oven Roasted Green Beans

Another amazing side dish! For so long I was only adding main dishes to our new recipe collection and I was getting so tired of the same sides, they can really change a meal! These green beans were easy and delicious. Recipe from Cooking During Stolen Moments.

1 lb of fresh green beans, trimmed
1 1/2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp black pepper
1 Tsp Italian Seasoning

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Toss Green Beans with 1 Tablespoon of Olive Oil. Mix in Seasonings. Drizzle 1/2 Tablespoon of Olive Oil onto cookie sheet. Spread out Green Beans into 1 layer across cookie sheet and bake for 5 minutes then flip and cook for 10 more minutes.

Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

This is another winner from The Single Dish! Who needs take out when you can make your own!

3 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Seasame Seeds
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 Garlic Clove minced
1 large Egg
1/4 cup Cornstarch
1 1/2 lbs of chicken cut into 2 inch pieces
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
4 Scallions Thinly Sliced (totally forgot to use these, whoops!)
1 1/2 lbs broccoli cut into large florets

In a small bowl combine Honey, Soy Sauce, Seasame Seeds and Garlic. In a large bowl mix together the Egg and Cornstarch. Season chicken with salt and pepper then add to the cornstarch egg mixture and coat well. Heat a large nonstick skillet to medium and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add half the chicken and cook until golden brown, stirring and turning frequently as you cook. Remove chicken and add another tablespoon of vegetable oil and cook remaining chicken. Once that chicken is cook add the other chicken and add the sauce. Also cook the broccoli by bringing a pot of water to a boil and cooking for 4 to 6 minutes. Once broccoli is cooked add it to the chicken as well and toss to coat with sauce. Serve the chicken and broccoli over brown rice.

Patty Melts

These were too good! Even though it is not even close to being cold here and won't be for months I have a feeling this will be one of our favorites during the winter. This recipes came from the Newlyweds and is slightly adapted.

1lb ground beef
1 medium onion cut into rings
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 dashed of worchestershire sauce
8 peices of bread (we used good old fashion white bread)
8 slices of cheese (we used 1 slice of cheddar and 1 slice of provolone on each melt)
4 tbsp soften butter

In a medium size mixing bowl add the egg, seasonings and beef. Mix until combined and form 4 patties. Cook burgers in a skillet over medium heat until done. Add the onions and worchestershire and saute. Butter 1 side of each peice of bread, place 4 peices, butter side down on the skillet. Add 1 slice of cheese, onions and burger. Top with another slice of cheese and another peice of bread and flip after two minutes. Let cook for another two mintues then remove from skillet and serve.

Spicy Sweet Potatoes

I think this is one of my new favorite ways to make sweet potatoes. The sweetness of the potato along with the hint of spice from the seasoning was delicious! Recipes is from Recipe for Disaster?

3 large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Tsp Cayenne Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat the potatoes with olive oil then add the spices and toss together well. Transfer to a well coated baking pan. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, turning every 15 minutes until done.

Slow Roasted Pork

I was running late to work last friday and Gray had the day off so I asked him to put it together. Yes it's easy but as much as I love that man it scares me to death to let him cook. I told him exactly how to do it as I was running out the door and when I got home the house smelled amazing and a few hours later when it was time for dinner we got to taste the deliciousness! The recipe is from Mama Loves Food!

1 Pork Butt Roast
1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1 1/4 cups apple juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Place the pork in the crockpot and coat with worchestershire on all sides. Then pat with brown sugar. Pour the apple juice down the side of the crockpot, do not pour it over the pork, you want to keep the brown sugar on the pork and that will wash it off. Cover and turn on high for 30 minutes then turn down to low. Cook for the majority of the day or overnight. Ours was in the crockpot for 9 hours. Remove from crock pot and shred, mix back with the juices or drain and add your own bbq sauce.

Spicy Black Bean Dip

I made this one up on a whim the other night when friends were coming over and I needed something quick. I have to say, it turned out much better than I thought. We dove right in and I forgot to take a picture of it till after it was gone! Hopefully I will make it again and add a picture soon! (now we make it all the time and I finally got a picture of it)

1 26.5 oz can of black beans
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tbs diced jalapenos
3/4 cup of shredded pepperjack
extra pepperjack to put on top of the dip

Preheat oven to 350. Drain the top liquid off the beans, don't drain all the liquid just what's on top. Mix together beans, chili powder, garlic salt, jalapenos, and 3/4 cup of pepperjack. Bake in oven for 15 minutes, remove and stir, place back in the oven for 15 more minutes, remove and stir. Top with more shredded pepperjack and place back in the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes. Serve with tortilla chips!

Menu Plan Week 38

Sunday - Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs over Spaghetti
Monday - Tomato and Bacon Sandwiches with Bacon Basil Mayo
Tuesday - Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta with Cheese Bread
Wednesday - Banking on getting 100 rushing yard in the game on Saturday and using our tickets for a free burger or chicken sandwich at a local fast food restaurant.
Thursday - Coca-Cola Glazed Ribs with Rootbeer Spiced Apples and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Friday - Grilled Portabella and Brie Burgers with Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes (meatless)
Saturday - White Chicken Chili with all the fixings!

BBQ Pork Ribs

This recipes came from Mama Loves Food!, I adapted it slightly! It was a great and easy way to cook up some great ribs!

Apple Juice (enough to cover the ribs in a pot)
Ribs
All Purpose Seasoning (we used a BBQ Rub instead)
BBQ Sauce

Bring Apple Juice to a boil in a large pot. Add ribs and bring back to a boil. Cover and bring down to a simmer and let cook for 60 to 90 minutes. Remove, season with all purpose seasoning (or bbq rub). Cover with sauce and grill on low for thirty minutes, turning and moving ribs every 10 to 15 minutes and rebasting with sauce.

Cool Corn Dip

This recipe is an original. It's really great served with fritos and perfect for a hot tailgate afternoon or for a cookout.

1 11oz can mexicorn
1 11oz can white corn
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
2 1/2 tsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic (minced)
pepper to taste

Mix together the mayo, sour cream, cheeses, chili powder, garlic and pepper. Add the two cans of corn. Chill over night before serving with corn chips.

Steakhouse Potato Salad

This recipe is from Lynda's Recipe Box. I have seen it on a number of blogs and apparently it was orginally a Kraft recipe. It's the perfect side for a cookout.

3 pounds small red potatoes
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Ranch dressing
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
4 green onions, sliced

Cook red potatoes until you and stick a fork in them, remove from heat and cool. Slice into bit size pieces and mix with bacon, cheese and green onion. In a seperate bowl mix together ranch and mayonnaise, pour the mixture on top of the potatoes. Mix together well and refridgerate.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread

I love pumpkin! We had a noon football game this past weekend so that meant we were having breakfast food at our tailgate, it was the perfect chance to try this recipe from Brandi Castle Cooking: From My Kitchen to Yours. It was delicious!!!

Cream Cheese Filling
1 package cream cheese (8oz)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 egg

Bread
1 2/3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar

Preheat oven to 325. Grease one large loaf pan or two small loaf pans. (I did two small pans)
In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and 1 egg. Beat until smooth.
In another bowl sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. In a third bowl, mix together pumpkin, vegetable oil, eggs and sugar. Blend well. Mix the pumpkin mixture into the flour until combined. Pour half the batter in the bottom of the pan then add the cream cheese mixture and pour the rest of the batter on top. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes then remove from pan and cook on rack.

Zucchini Tomato & Onion Pasta

This recipes from from The Single Dish. Gray and I both devoured it. It was so simple but not lacking in flavor at all.

1 1/2 zucchini, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
3 large tomatoes, chopped
3 tbs butter
1 tbs olive oil
3 tbs milk or heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
3/4 lb pasta


In a small pan add 2 tbs of butter and onions, sprinkle with a little salt. Cook onions over medium heat for around 20 minutes, onions will start to caramelize. Stir often.

Cook pasta according to directions.

In a small sauce pan add olive oil and 1 tbs of butter. Once butter is melted add tomato, zucchini, salt, pepper and pinch of red pepper. Cook and stir from around 5 minutes. Add onion to dish. Stir together and cook for another 15 minutes. Add cream and lower heat to a simmer. Add cheese and pasta. Serve hot.

Apricot Glazed Grilled Pork Chops

This recipe is from the Noble Pig, that blog makes me drool every time I look at it. This recipe was amazing, the glaze was so light and had great flavor. I wish we had known about this in the spring, it seems like a good spring recipe. Either way I am glad to add this one to our collection.

3 1/2 pounds of bone-in pork chops

Marinade:
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
salt and fresh ground pepper

Whisk together in a bowl and pour over pork chops. Let marinate for 1 hour then turn over and let marinate for another hour.

Glaze:
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 cup apricot jam
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Mix together in a sauce pot and bring to a boil, reduce and simmer until the liquid is half of what it was when you started and it is thick and syrup like. Set to the side.

Preheat grill 15 minutes before you begin cooking. Cook pork chops over low heat. Turn and baste with marinade every 5 minutes for 20 to 25 minutes. When chops are done baste with glaze (using a different basting brush) and let the sauce caramelize on the chops. Remove from heat and baste with glaze again.

Zucchini Melts

I saw this recipe on Finding Joy in my Kitchen and knew it would be amazing. What is there not to love?

2 Medium size Zucchini
Seasoning Salt (I used Paula Deen's Crazy Salt)
Mozzarella Cheese

Slice zucchini and lay them in a backing dish. Sprinkle with seasoning salt and bake at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes or until tender. Top with cheese then put under the broiler until cheese is melted a bubbly.

Chocolate Cobbler

This recipe if from Momma Hen's Kitchen, oh my word. As the sweet Madison (who is 6) kept saying, "this is sooo good". I fixed this when we had friends over and all of us agreed that it was awesome. I was a bit nervous about the hot water thing but it turned out great!

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
8 tbs cocoa powder, divided
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup melted margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups hot tap water

Heat oven to 350. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder and 3/4 a cup of white sugar. Stir in milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour batter into a 8x8 pan.

In a different bowl mix together brown sugar, remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 1/2 cup of white sugar. Sprinkle over the top of the batter. Top with 1 1/2 cups of hot tap water, do not stir. Bake in oven for 40 minutes or until center is set.

Grilled Salmon with a Lime Butter Sauce

I found this recipe at Marsha's Kitchen. I adapted the recipe a little bit and it was delicious, the sauce was amazing! It reminded me a bit of the lemon butter sauce at Bonefish that I love. I could have licked the sauce off of the plate...but that's not very lady like so I restrained myself.

Lime Butter Sauce

1 garlic clove minced
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 stick of unsalted butter, melted

Puree together the garlic, lime juice, salt and pepper in blender or food processor. Add melted butter and blend for about 30 more seconds.


salmon fillets
salt and pepper
olive oil

Season the fillets with salt and pepper, brush olive oil on the fish to keep it from sticking to the grill. Grill on medium heat until the fish reaches the desired doneness. Remove from grill and top with 1 tablespoon of sauce. (I topped both of ours with more than that because we had plenty of sauce and it was too good to leave sitting!)

Dill New Potatoes

I found this recipe on the Tasty Kitchen and it was added by Mindeola. It's so easy and maybe my new favorite way to cook new potatoes. I cut the recipe in half for Gray and I and we ate multiple meals with these potatoes.

3lbs new potatoes
1 stick butter
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tbsp dill

Boil the potatoes until done. Drain potatoes and cut them in half (or even quarters if you would like). Melt butter in the bottom of the pot, add chopped garlic and saute for 3 to 5 minutes. Add dill and salt. Stir in the new potatoes and coat well with the dill butter sauce. Serve right away.

Garlic Green Beans

We love the garlic green beans at a local Asian restaurant we go to and so I have tried my best to recreate them. This is as close as I have gotten.

1lb fresh green beans
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Saute the olive oil and garlic on low medium heat for a few minutes to bring out the flavor of the garlic. Add the green beans and turn the heat to medium. Cook green bean, turning every so often until done.

Garlic Butter Burgers

I saw this recipe on Real Mom Kitchen. These burgers were simple yet good, they were the kind that you want to load toppings onto, the burger itself isn't overwhelming but very moist and tender!

2 lbs lean ground beef
1/4 cup butter at room temp
2 cloves of garlic minced
garlic salt and pepper

Mix together the garlic and butter, place in a bowl and put in the freezer. Once the butter is hard cut into tiny pea size pieces and mix with the ground beef. Form 6 to 8 patties and place back in the refrigerator for 15 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper before grilling. Grill over medium heat until done. Don't forget to grill the buns, it adds so much to the burger! Top with whatever your heart desires, some of my personal favs are cheddar and grilled onion, pepper jack and guac, or Swiss and sauteed mushrooms.

Potato Casserole

This is another delicious Pioneer Woman recipe. Of course Gray and I both loved it but when you read the ingredients you will see there is no way for you not to love it! It was a lot easier than I expected! It's not one of those things I would make once a week but it is a good treat! I halved the recipe for the two of us and it was more than enough! (I am posting the full recipe though)

4 whole Russet Potatoes, Scrubbed Clean
2 Tablespoons Butter, Softened
1-½ cup Heavy Cream
½ cups Whole Milk
2 Tablespoons Flour
4 cloves Garlic, Finely Minced
1 teaspoon Salt
Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Heat oven to 400. Slice potatoes and cut them in fourths. Mix together cream, milk, flour, garlic, salt and pepper. Coat the pan with the softened butter. Layer 1/3 of the potatoes then a 1/3 of the cream mixture. Repeat until you end with the cream on top. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 20 more minutes. Remove from oven, top with cheese then put back in the oven for 3 to 6 more minutes. Remove from oven and allow to stand for a few minutes before serving!