F3 23/50 In the Kitchen

I'm always on the hunt for a recipe for good ole comfort food. I came across a recipe on Paula Deens website for Beef Macaroni and Cheese. I looked at some of the comments posted, and noticed that the original recipe could feed an army -- and another thought it was a little bland.

Sooooooooooo -- I decided to try it but make a few changes. I cut the recipe in half and added a few more ingredients.   It's a simple and quick recipe.  As a matter of fact, you can make this the night before, and throw it in your fridge to bake the next day.

 

Cook the macaroni according to package directions

Brown the hamburger in bacon drippings

  

Saute onions and green bell pepper till tender

Add the garlic, heat for 30 seconds

Add crushed tomatoes, herbs and seasonings

Combine the hamburger, noodles and cheese in a large bowl, fold into a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheddar cheese

annnnndddd -- Voila -- comfort food!

If you're into a no fuss, make your tummy happy entree, give this a shot.

Have a great Wednesday!

;~D Frances

F3 4/50 and other matters

Hola and a happy Friday to you all!

Is it me, or when you get old, does time zip by like nobody's bidness??????

I tried the Pioneer Woman's -- Marlboro Man's Second Favorite Sandwich recipe and wow, zap, zing, holy cow Batman -- we have a hit!  As a matter of fact, we like this one more than MM's favorite sandwich.

This chicken sandwich has just a few simple ingredients -- and is waaaaaayyy to easy!  Really, if you like chicken breast sandwiches, bacon, and cheese -- you  must click on the recipe and try it out.  Why, I do believe it makes for a great Super Bowl sandwich!!!!

I don't have any pictures of it -- because I didn't want my camera around bacon grease, and then Rick and I gobbled down two sandwiches each -- so there was no final product to shoot!

I did however, get a shot of the potatoes I used in making french fries.  I used the only potatoes I had in the house -- which were new potatoes.  And hey -- they came out yuuuuuuuuummmmmmmy too!

 

No pictures of the fries either, they were wolfed down in 3 seconds flat!

Now onto day 4 of the 50/50 challenge -- and I do mean challenge.  My brain cells aren't talking to each other, and I think they've shut off the oxygen to the creative section of my brain.  

So -- since I made fries, I had no clue what to do with the leftover vegetable oil -- so I poured it into a Kerr's canning jar.  Then, I noticed the beautiful amber glow -- and went ahhhh haaaaa -- picture #4!!!!!!!!

Whew -- why oh why did I get myself into a photo challenge???????

Have a great weekend!

;~D Frances

F3 2/50 in a recipe

Howdy and happy hump day (Wednesday for those of you going huuuunnnnnhhhhhh???)!

I'm already admitting that I lack creative vision (or is it that I'm a lazy creative thinker), so day two of F3 are pictures I took while cooking Paula Deen's recipe - Low Country Smothered Pork Chops!

Rick and I both enjoyed the recipe -- however, I changed a couple of things -- and will change something else next go round.

Paula's recipe calls for two green bell peppers and two onions -- I'm not a huge fan of green bell peppers, so I opted to use one onion and one green bell pepper.  The final product to me -- had just the right amount of flavoring of bell pepper.  I also minced up 4 garlic cloves instead of three (hey, got to keep the vampires away).

Next time I make this recipe, I'm going to use boneless pork chops (I should have listened to Rick when we were grocery shopping).  I'm so not a fan of carving my food off a bone -- so boneless pork chops next go round.

 

  

 

The cayenne pepper adds some heat to this recipe!

 

  

And finally (drum roll please), dinner is served!

If you've got a hankering for some pork chops, head over and check out this recipe.  Lastly, I was wondering what low country meant, so I googled it and found this explanation.

Have a great Wednesday!

;~D  Frances

PS -- Is anyone going to call me a cheater if thirty of my fifty days consists of food pictures??????

Soup on a cold winter's evening

There's nothing better than a hot bowl of soup, and an ooeeeyyyy, gooooeeeeyyy grilled cheese sandwich on a cold winter's night.  Well, I guess it could be better if you were eating your hot soup and ooeeeeyyyy, goooooeeeyyy grilled cheese sandwich in front of a roaring fire, in a beautiful chalet in the Swiss Alps!

I did a little googling a couple days ago to find a broccoli cheese soup recipe using fresh ingredients.  I found a couple and kindof combined them to come up with something I thought Rick and I would enjoy.  Well, as luck would have it, the soup was marvelous!!!!!!!

 

 

Here's to hot soup on a cold winter's night!

Cheers!

;~D Frances

chatter, chatter, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

It rained cats and dogs yesterday -- by early morning today -- it turned cold. Ice started forming, and then finally, it started to snow. We won't receive the massive snowfall that we received over Christmas (rats, because it was beautiful), just slippery streets.

I tried a new recipe from the Pioneer Woman last night. I made Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich. OMG -- can you say "easy to make", "delish", "wow, when did I grow another thigh"??????

It is one yummy, clog your arteries, but make your stomach happy sandwich.  Click on the sandwich link, and check it out!  Ooopps, before I forget, I (thinking that the recipe wasn't calorie ridden enough) added pepper jack cheese to the sandwich (I cut back a little and used 2% milk pepper jack cheese -LOL).

 

Now, how about some pictures of the year's first snowfall?

 

 

  

Careful--  I can hear you thinking --  "you call that snow"?  

Uhhhhhhhh Yup!

Have a terrific weekend!

;~D  Frances

Hollah for some Challah (Bread)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a great Thanksgiving day with Rick's sister's family in Altus, Oklahoma!

The only problem was -- I over ate. Actually, I over ate for a family of five! I was so stuffed, I didn't have dinner! What??????? No dinner!

Rick's sister Becky is a wonderful cook. She made two dressings (one cornbread, one squash), mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, green bean casserole and fresh bread! OMG -- if you've been reading my blog, you know that I have tried, and tried, and tried to make a decent bread -- to no avail. She makes no knead breads --- no knead???? Yea, no knead. I think I'm in heaven!

She baked a Challah Bread that is out of this world. I'm not sure if there's anything better than hot, fresh bread and butter!

Becky was so kind, she went over the cookbook with me, showing me how easy the no knead recipes are -- anddddddd -- she's ordered me a copy of the cookbook!  THANK YOU SO MUCH BECKY!!!!!!!  I can't wait to whip up my first batch of no knead bread. Oh yea -- and you know I'm going to post a picture of my beautiful bread creations (that is, if they are indeed beautiful)!

Becky also made a couple of homemade pies -- one chocolate and one pumpkin.  Because I over ate -- I had absolutely no belly room for sweets.  Rick went gaga over the pumpkin pie -- so I asked Becky for the recipe.  It's a Paula Deen recipe which you can check out by clicking here.

Ooopppss -- kindof missed the turkey.  Rick has been deep frying turkeys for the past several years -- because -- it's the only way to go!!!  Once you've had deep fried turkey, you just can't go back to oven baked. 

He normally injects the turkey with Tony Chachere's creole style butter marinade, but none was to be found locally.  So -- the turkey got shot up with some other brand that was just as fabulous.

 

 

 

 

So, it is now the day after, I think I now have room in my belly for more food -- and Black Friday is in full swing.  Speaking of Black Friday -- I thought I'd try my luck at my first ever Black Friday Shopping experience.  I went to one store -- saw the lines that wrapped around the store in order to check out -- and walked back out.  I have no patience with shopping or waiting in long lines.  Guess I'll never be able to experience the wonderful Black Friday sales.  Oh well -- I'll at least keep in tact whatever small amount of sanity I still have!

Anyhoo -- I hope you all have a great weekend!

;~ '} Frances

fotography and food

West window of  Will Tucker's new art studio/gallery (formerly the Muehlberger Building) at 709 Indiana, 

Wichita Falls, Texas

I have two hobbies -- photography and food.  Rick and I used to eat out almost every day of the week.  You get to the point when you just can't figure out where to eat -- because you've made the rounds soooooo many times -- and nothing sounds good.

So -- what's a girl to do???  Cook!  I've been searching high and lo for recipes that Rick and I want to add to "our" cookbook.

One dish that I've been trying to recreate is Penne with Prosciutto & Pink Vodka Sauce.  I first had this at an Italian Restaurant in Boston.   I've tried out a number of recipes - but none made me flip -- until, I made a recipe my own!  I took one off the internet  and added/changed a few things -- and woo hoo -- I finally have a recipe that takes me back to Boston!!!!!!!

If you are a pasta eating machine -- give this recipe a try. It's easy and DELICIOUS!!!

Penne with Prosciutto & Pink Vodka Sauce

Grocery List

1 lb penne pasta

1 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

1 small yellow onion (diced)

2 cloves garlic minced

.40 - .50 lb Prosciutto ham  (cut julienne)

28 oz can of Italian /Plum tomatoes (diced)

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 cup vodka

8 oz (1 cup) heavy cream

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

Heat the butter and olive oil in a pan.

Add chopped onions and saute until tender.

Add garlic and julienned Prosciutto and saute for 1 more minute.

Drain juice from can of Italian/Plum tomatoes into pan, dice the tomatoes and add to pan.

Add parsley, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and vodka.  Simmer for 10 minutes.

Add heavy cream to sauce and reduce for about 15 minutes.

Cook penne according to the directions on the package.

Mix penne in sauce and add Parmesan cheese.  Mix again and serve.

Homemade dog treats

I seem to be sending Rick to the store (a lot) to pick up dog biscuits, probably because I give the dogs treats everytime they come in from potty breaks (they take lots of breaks ---hmmmm --- ya think it's cuz they like treats or something?).

Soooo - I decided that it would be a nice change of pace to make them homemade dog biscuits. I did a little googling to find a recipe in which I wouldn't need to go out and buy lots of groceries and settled on Bow-Wowser Dog Treats.

This recipe is easy -- and the dogs love them (well, quite honestly, my dogs aren't very picky)!  Now, since I'm being honest, I took a little nibble of one right off the cookie sheet -- and it wasn't half bad.  I mean, break out some cheese and slap it on the dog biscuit and we've got a party!

If you're looking to do something special for your pets, check out this website -- head to the kitchen, and whip out some homemade treats!

;')  Frances

Mmmmmm, mmmmmm, good pot roast recipe

Still under the weather, but not so much that I can't eat!!!! Feed a cold - starve a fever???? In my book it's feed everything. I really hate that my favorite pastime is eating. Too bad I can't get a job as a food critic!

I've been trying to do more cooking instead of going out to eat. Why? Uh, well, there's always a lot more leftovers for ---- you guessed it ---- ME!

Well, I had a hankering for pot roast, so I thought I'd do a little googling (and gargling salt water -- good for a sore throat) for a pot roast recipe.

I found myself on the ever so fabulous Paula Deen's website. Paula is a cook after my own heart. Can you say add butter, and then more butter?

Anyhoo -- I looked over her recipe and noticed there were a couple of things missing. The VEGGIES!

So, I tweaked it some, added the veggies, and the crock pot -- and came up with an out of this world recipe for pot roast. Let me tell you -- it was so good -- that Rick wanted the leftovers the next night. He has never wanted leftover dinner (or is it supper???) two days in a row!


This was all that was left! No meat, just a few carrots and potatoes -- Sob! note to self, take a picture of the item, before the meal starts, and not after it's all gobbled up!


MMMM, MMMM, MMMM De Licious Crock Pot - Pot Roast

Shopping list
Onion (1 diced)
Carrots (3 carrots - sliced into 1/4 inch slices)
New Potatoes (6 new potatoes - cubed)
Celery (3 stalks - sliced into 1/4 inch slices)
1 - 3-4 lb arm roast (chuck roast, any roast)
Salt
PepperFlour (1 cup)
Garlic Powder
Vegetable oil (1/4 cup)
Fresh garlic (3 cloves minced)
Bay leaves (3)
Can of cream of mushroom soup
Red Wine (1/4 cup)
Worcestershire sauce (2 tablespoons)
Beef bouillon cubes (4 cubes)
Water (1 cup)

Step one:
- Set Crock Pot to low
- Add Water, celery, beef bouillon cubes, Worcestershire Sauce, red wine, mushroom soup and bay leaves to crock pot.

Step two:
- Mix 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 garlic powder into 1 cup of flour.
- Set aside.

Step three:
- If roast is large, cut into smaller sections (I cut my 3lb arm roast (across the grain) into three smaller pieces).
- Coat all sides of the meat with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder. Rub into meat.
- Dredge the meat in the seasoned flour. Make sure you coat all sides of the roast.

Step Four:
- Heat 1/4 vegetable oil in a skillet. Once the oil is hot, brown all sides of the roast.
- Place browned roast in crock pot.

Step Five:
- Drain all but 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil from the pan.
- Sauté the diced onions until tender.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions for about 30 seconds.
- Pour the onion-garlic mixture over the roast in the crock pot.

Step Six:
- Place the diced carrots over the roast.
- Place the potatoes over the roast.
- Place the lid on the crock pot.
- Cook for 8-10 hours on low.

Note -- if you have the luxury of checking in on the roast at lunch time. Add the carrots and potatoes at this time, for firmer vegs.


Alternate instead of potatoes:
- Cook egg noodles until al dente.
- Serve roast (w/celery and carrots) over the cooked noodles.

Here's to the fabulous Paula Deen, Fridays, Food, Family and Friends!

God bless and have a great weekend!

;} Frances

Polaroid

First and foremost -- a shout out to my birthday boy -- Nickolaus (click on Blog Archive November and you can click on the link for pics of Nick) -- who turned 27 years old today. Happy Birthday Nick -- I love you!

Leave me at home with time to play -- and that's exactly what I'll do. So -- my newest template is the Polaroid. And yes, we have a picture of the very photogenic Stone family! I must get back to cooking. I am making turkey pot pie with the leftovers we had from our Thanksgiving. The recipe is from my friend Vickie. And -- you should try it -- it is very easy -- and very tasty.

V’s Chicken Pot Pie

2 large cans chicken breast (drained)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of potato soup
1 small can of veg all (drained)
½ cup milk
1 onion minced
1-2 cloves garlic minced
2 tbl butter
1 tbl olive oil

2 Pie Crust shells (cook the bottom shell as directed on package). I am soooo lazy that I buy the shells (2 - deep dish in tins) and 1 box Pillsbury Pie Crust (found in the refrigerated section) for the top crust. This way, I have one for now and one for next time. I have never, ever made a good pie crust -- and if I can pick it up ready to go -- then by golly -- that's how it's gonna be!

Cook the onions in the butter and olive oil until tender. Add the minced garlic at the end. Combine all the ingredients in the pan with the onions. Add salt, pepper and a pinch of sage to taste. Heat till bubbly.

Pour into the baked pie crust shell. Add top shell – make a few vent holes. Cook in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes (cover edges of pie with foil if edges cook too quickly) until golden.