Sunday, August 15, 2010

Grilled Cheese Sandwich




This meal brings back memories of the first time I cooked for my husband (boyfriend at the time). Ryan and I had only known each other for a short time. He always cooked for me (omelets, egg burritos, lots of macaroni concoctions and corn). I was always grateful. Getting use to not having my mom there to cook for me was a hard and I was always hungry. I felt it was time that I made something for him so one day I told him to come to my apartment for lunch. After hanging up the phone I looked in my cupboards and saw that my options were very limited. We could have cereal, peanut butter and jelly or grilled cheese sandwiches. I pulled out the butter, cheese and bread and tried to hurry and make these very simple sandwiches. The feeling of needing to hurry was the first mistake. I cooked the sandwiches too high (Tip: cook it low and slow). I got busy trying to pull together other side items and then realized that I needed to flip them over. It was too late, they were burned to a crisp. I only had a couple slices of bread left so I decided to be smart and just pull off the burnt sides and start over again. What a great idea until I burned them again!! Now I was out of bread and he was at my door ready to eat. I scraped off as much of the burned areas as possible and had no other option but to serve them. Ryan laughed and said that it was ok, he was so hungry that anything would taste good. I took one bite of mine and could not eat anymore (and let me tell you I was hungry). He on the other hand ate his and mine. Now that is TRUE LOVE!

If you haven’t made grilled cheese sandwiches before (where have you been?) all you need is bread, cheese, and butter. Spread the butter on one side of the bread. Lay the buttered side down on the grill or pan. Lay thinly sliced pieces of cheese on bread and second slice of bread on top (buttered side up). Let it cook on medium/low until golden brown and then turn. So easy and really yummy when not burned!!

Momma Miller spegettii sauce - The BEST!!


This is the BEST spagetti recipe ever. My mom found it from a Better Homes and Gardens magazine after she was married in 1974. It has been a favorite ever since. She adds new things to it every time. If there is something you think will make this recipe better add it. That is one of the fun things about cooking, you can make it the way you like it.

Serves 4

1 lb Ground beef, Turkey, Byson or Italian sausage (cook meat before adding to sauce)
1/2 Clove of garlic crushed
1 T Dried parsley
1/2 t. Salt
1/2 t. Dried Oregano
1/4 t Dried basil
1/2 t Sugar
Small can tomatoe paste
15 ounce can tomatoe sauce (with green pepper, onion, tomatoes bits in it)
Mushrooms (optional)

Let sauce come to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes.



Omelet"liciou"

Mix 3 to 4 eggs together in a bowl and dump in pan. Cook until almost done.
Cut up your favorite veggies, cheese and meat (ham, turkey or sausage).
Put ingredients on one side of cooked egg.
Fold egg over the ingredients and let cook for another minute on both sides
We love to put sour cream and salsa on top. I make this all of the time. It is so easy to make and really feeling.



Chicken Kabobs

I like this seasoning. My mom found this "Herbes de Provence" at TJ max. It has become one of our fav's. You could use any seasoning for this. Lawry's is also a good one to use.
Add your veggies and meat (chicken or steak) to the kabob sticks. Cook them on the barbeque until the meat is done.
Add a little brown rice and some fruit and you have a meal that looks like you spent lots of time in the kitchen. This is an easy meal to prepare. I bought my kabob sticks at walmart. Very in expensive and they come in a package that will last a long time.

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese


When I was a teenager I loved hanging out with my friends (Kami and Jennie). One day we were at their house for lunch. We were all hungry and decided to make something to eat. They asked if I like mac 'n cheese. I said absolutely. All seemed normal when they boiled water but I got confused when they pulled out some regular noodles and two different blocks of cheese (cheddar and Mozzarella). I watched them add the cut up cheese to the pot of cooked noodles. What a interesting way to make macaroni and cheese. After tasting it I fell in love with the recipe. Mac n' cheese made this way is more filling and real (not processed). So when you ask my kids if they want mac 'n cheese this what they expect to see, and they love it. Another quick and easy meal.

Needed ingredients:
  • Noodles (we use whole wheat noodles)
  • Your favorite cheese. Our favorites Mozzarella and Cheddar
  • I sometimes put chicken/ham/or turkey with it. So yummy!


Cooking in the mountains

My family and I love to camp, fish and hike. We try to go as much as we can during the summer. As our family has grown the job of organizing such an event can be overwhelming. After my list is made of everything that we must fit inside my "swagger wagon" I start to gather it all together. On this trip we decided to keep the food as simple as possible. It made the trip more enjoyable for me. Sometimes it seems that I am always cooking and not enjoying the great outdoors or the family. This was our food plan for this trip.

Thursday:
Dinner: Frozen Pizza (wrapped in tin foil) cooked over the fire. Quick and easy!
Set up Camp!!

Friday...
Breakfast: Homemade granola/cereal with fruit and pop tarts (Ryan's family always had pop tarts while camping. Keeping the tradition alive).
Lunch: Cream cheese and ham on bagels. Chips. Apple. Chocolate pudding cups.
Dinner: Cans of favorite soup/chilli cooked over fire. French bread.
Dessert: Roasted Marshmellows

Saturday:
Breakfast: Cereal with fruit
Pack up camp :(
Lunch: Peanut Butter and Honey sandwiches. Chips. peaches.

Lots of snack food is also part of the deal of course treats make it more fun. We love trail mixes, beef jerky, licorish, nuts, fruit snacks, etc.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

No Bake Cookies

These are so yummy. I always think of my roommates at college and my brother (Aaron) when I make these cookies.

Bring to a boil
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. milk
4 T. coco

Add
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. oatmeal

Stir it all together. Drop the batter on a strip of wax paper/cookie sheet/a clean counter. After about 15 to 20 minutes they will be firm enough to eat.