Monday, May 30, 2011

John Deere Girl Blanket

This was, by far, one of my favorite blankets to make just because it was John Deere. I had so much fun making this one for my friend Megan and her coming little girl. I have used this design before on a blanket for one of my nephews except I used blues and browns.
I LOVE it!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Family Favorite Casserole

...That is the official title anyway. I would have personally named it something like "homemade hamburger helper". But whatever, I don't pick the names; I just cook them and eat them. As usual Sundays and Thursdays are crockpot cooking days for our family due to our crazy schedules on those days. So, I found this recipe and gave it a try this past Thursday.


Here is what you need.

1 1/2 lbs ground beef (I used 3/4 to 1 lb since we have a small family)
1 onion (I used minced)
1 1/2 Cups diced potatoes (I used 3 medium)
1 1/2 Cups sliced carrots
1 1/2 Cups peas
1 1/2 Cups maccarroni (added at the end before serving)
1 Can cream of celery, chicken, OR mushroom soup
1/2 lb shredded cheese
2 Cups milk
-Seasonings to taste

1) Cook ground beef on stove until brown. Drain off grease.
2) Line or spray slow cooker. Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker except maccaroni.
3) Cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4 hours. (I cooked mine on low for 1.5 hour and then high 2.5 hours--but I am home during the day and realized the carrots and potatoes were still crunchy)
4) 10 or 15 minutes before serving, cook maccaroni. Drain. Add it to the slow cooker and mix it in.
5) Serve with additional cheese, if desired.

We really really enjoyed this meal and I guarantee we will be having it again. I also love that it is a recipe that you can swap things...for example, don't like peas? throw in corn! or whatever:) I did use fresh carrots but I think that any frozen vegetable will work too.

Cream Cheese Cookies

These cookies are super easy to make, super yummy to eat, and super fast to whip out. The biggest disadvantage to them is that they are really a non-spreading cooking. So, my pictures are fairly accurate...mine only turn out about the size of half dollars. BUT I like them that way because they are fewer calories and more of a snack size for RJ (at least that is why I tell myself to make them smaller). The size and quantity of your cookie will depend on how you complete step 3 and 4 below. Here is what you need.


1/2 Cup shortening
3 oz cream cheese, softened
1/3 Cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 tsp orange, lemon, vanilla, or almond extract (I have used all but almond, and have liked them each time)
1 1/2 Cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
-chocolate chips or pieces to melt for topping, optional

1) Cream shortening and cream cheese until soft and blended.
2) Add sugar and mix until light and fluffy. Add egg yolk and extract. Beat together and then add flour and salt. Mix. (If batter is crumbly and won't form a ball, add a little milk. You don't want it too moist though).
3) Make dough into small balls. (Mine are usually ping pong to golf ball size). Place on greased cookie sheet.
4) With hands or a bottom of a glass, flatten cookies.
5) bake at 400 degrees about 6-8 minutes.

Optional: Melt chocolate and spread onto the cookies. I only do this if I am making them for other people as I am not a big chocolate fan, but they are good with or without chocolate.

Notes: When I flatten my cookies they are usually about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick and take about 8 minutes to bake. Doing this usually yields about 15 cookies for me for a single batch. If you want more cookies, make smaller balls, flatten thinner, or double the recipe. To make larger diameter cookies, make bigger balls and flatten thinner. Be sure to adjust baking time, if needed. When baked, the tops do not brown, so be careful to not overcook them.

Enjoy!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Baby Seat Cover

Even before Ryan was born, I had been wanting to make a seat cover for his car seat. I kept seeing all my friends with these really cool covers that either tie, button, or Velcro around the seat handle. Well, I kept looking for either a pattern or one that I could copy. Then I had Ryan early so I had the newborn adjustment. I FINALLY got around to making one this past week. Considering I was never actually able to see one up close or find a pattern, I am really really pleased with the way it turned out. For this one I used a light flannel since summer is slowly approaching in Idaho.



Here is my finished product.

For now, I just have it tied on. I did sew a button hole and I have cute buttons, but I just haven't decided which way I like better yet.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Sesame Pork Ribs

Here is another simple, easy crockpot meal. It is technically "Chinese" food, but I LOVED it and I really dislike Chinese food. Regardless, it was a win-win for all of my family. Sorry, no picture again. I didn't think I was going to post this one, so we ate without taking a picture of our food.

Here is what you need.

1 medium onion, sliced (I used minced)
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
1/4 Cup soy sauce
1/4 Cup honey
1/2 Cup ketchup
2 Tbsp white vinegar
3 Garlic cloves, minced (I used powder)
1 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
5 lbs country style pork ribs (I think any kind will do and I only used 2 really really LARGE ones since I only have 2 eaters in my house)
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
2 Tbsp chopped green onion (optional)

1) Line or spray crockpot. Place sliced onions in the bottom. Then add the ribs.
2) Combine brown sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and pepper in a bowl and mix well.
3) Pour sauce over ribs.
4) Cook on low for 5 or 6 hours. Sprinkle with Sesame seeds 10 or 15 minutes before serving.
5) Serve and Garnish with green onion (optional).
Enjoy!

***Note: If I were to cook more than my couple LARGE ribs or if I was going to be gone for 6 or 8 hours, I would double the sauce recipe. The given one was enough for what we did, but I personally don't think that it is enough for all day cooking or for a greater quantity of ribs. I guess it depends on how "saucy" your family is.

Also, if we have this again in the summer, I am going to make the sauce and try them on the BBQ grill :)

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Southwest Chipotle Cheeseburgers

I found this hamburger "recipe" awhile back, but just finally got around to trying it last night. It was SO yummy and simple! I use "recipe" lightly because I never ever have followed a recipe for a hamburger. I mean, really, it is just a hamburger. Also, no picture. Sorry, but I figure that we all know what a hamburger looks like.

Here is what you need.

1 pound ground beef
2 garlic cloves or similar quantity in powder
1 onion, finely chopped (I used minced)
1/2 tsp liquid smoke (I didn't have this so I omitted it)
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp Hot Sauce (I admit, I am kind of a chicken...I only used 1 tsp..go with your taste buds)
3 Tbsp tomato paste (ketchup will work to if you don't want to open tomato paste)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Southwest Chipotle seasoning (I use Tones from Sam's)

1) Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2) (Optional) Let sit for an hour to marinate. (I did this just because I had the time)
3) Form into hamburger patties. One pound of meat made 5 patties for my family, but that is just the size of burger we like.
4) Cook on a BBQ grill or in a skillet until meat is to your desired done-ness.
5) Top with cheese the last 2 or 3 minutes of cooking.
6) Serve with your favorite Hamburger toppings.

Enjoy!