Berry and Peach Pie

 

Berry and Peach Pie

 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh peaches - peeled, pitted and sliced
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 (9 inch) pie crusts
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened and cut into pieces
• 1 tablespoon coarse granulated sugar



Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Place peaches and berries in a colander for about 15 minutes to drain any excess fluid , then transfer to a large bowl. Gently toss with sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Transfer to a pie crust. Dot with butter, and top with remaining crust. Cut vents in top crust, and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

2. Bake 45 minutes in the preheated oven, until crust is golden brown.

Homemade Pie Crust:

Ingredients:

2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup shortening
5 -7 tablespoons cold water

Directions:
1. Put flour into a mixing bowl with the shortening
2. Using a butter knife, cut the butter into the flour about the size of a pea
3. add salt and water
4. Mix until dough is formed and knead. (Don't kneed it too much. Make sure it is still a bit sticky to the touch.)
5. Roll out on flat surface and cut in half. One is going to be flattened to be the bottom crust and the other cut into strips. You then are going to place the strips all one way until you cover the whole pie about an inch to half an inch apart. Then with more strips starting in the middle the opposite way weave them in and out and do them opposite every time. Make sure on the edges you press it down with a fork and cut off the excess dough. Add a little bit of sugar on top and Ta da!! A beautiful pie crust!
6. Bake at 375 degrees until golden brown!

 

 

           

 

Organizing School Lunches & Treats

IT'S SCHOOL TIME!! At times it is so frustrating to find healthy snacks that our kids will love and actually want to eat! Or when you do find one then they fight about who got more. Or...with my kids they eat only the chocolate M&M's and put everything back. LOL! I decided to be a little more organized and try to avoid these conflicts.

I buy these 1 lb boxes of chocolate and nut mixes or banana chips. There are a ton of different things to choose from depending on what your kids will eat. I buy them at Smith's for about $3.50.

I get out my 1/2 cup measuring cup and start pouring them into sandwhich bags that zip. That way no one can complain the other has more and you can also know how much of something they are eating AND most importantly in my home... they can't just eat the M&M's out of the entire box!! ;)

When they are all measured out and put in their ziplock bag then they go in a bigger ziplock bag to store. Ta da!! :)

 

 

Homemade Mozerella Sticks!

I am all about the easy recipes! I love making food with my kids and the easier it is the better for them to follow the directions as well! These turned out suprisingly SO GOOD!

String cheese chopped into bite size pieces, dipped in milk and bread crumbs, baked at 425 for 8-10 minutes- serve with marinara sauce! It's baked not fried!!



Fishing for snacks!

Does your kids like to fish? Do they like fish crackers? Peanut Butter? or Celery? I have the perfect combo of all of them for you....

What better fun way to let your kids play with their food and eat it too!

(Can try with raisins too!)

Quick and Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Quick and Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothie. . .

Ingredient list for Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

10 oz fresh strawberries
2 ripe bananas
...

3 tablespoons honey
1 cup ice cubes
3/4 cup milk, yogurt (your favorite flavor)

How to make a strawberry banana smoothies:

 Wash strawberries
Remove banana peels
Add all ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth
 Add a few drops of vanilla or almond extract

 

This strawberry banana smoothie recipe is one of the easiest recipes to fix. With all the natural benefits from the various fruits, it is also one of the healthiest snacks you can eat!
I hope you enjoy this!!

 

Halloween Ice Cubes

I know I have done a few things lately with ice cubes and ice cube trays but they are so versatile and fun! And...Halloween is just around the corner and what fun for the kids to see spiders in their ice cubes?! Not so fun if you don't inform them first or let them help you make them. ;)

Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies!

It is almost time for fall and what better way to celebrate it with COOKIES!!

 

 

Orange Creamsicle Sugar Cookies!

1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla (increase to 1 tbsp of making plain sugar cookies)

juice of 1/2 an orange

zest of 1 whole orange

Orange food coloring (as much or as little as you want)

3 cups flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1 cup softened butter

 

Mix all ingredients until combined. Chill for 2-3 hours. Roll out as thick or as thin as you want. Bake 7-8 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool completely before frosting!

 

Frosting:
1 1/2 lbs powdered sugar (approx)
1 tbsp flour (heaping)
2 sticks softened butter
pinch of salt
2 egg whites
2-3 tsp vanilla

Whip together until silky smooth and frost cookies!

 

I will post a picture as soon as I can! These don't last long in the house! Perfect for an after school snack or an activity for the kiddos as well!

Freeze fresh herbs in olive oil

I found this a bit back and tried it. . . AMAZING!! I wish I had found it earlier!!

You mix olive oil and whatever herb you use the most! I like fresh basil or Oregeno! Put them in ice cube trays and freeze! Toss in pan when needed! Easy Peasy!

Cheap Garbage Disposal Cleaner/Deodorizer

 I know this isn't food but it is a definate help when making food and afterwards!!

Slice lemons, put in ice cube trays and cover with vinegar. Freeze. Store in a ziplock bag. Pop one of these little cubes in the garbage disposal and grind away! They get that stinky drain away! Love them!

Crockpot Lemon Chicken

Crockpot Lemon Chicken - Put cube of butter in bottom of crock pot. Lay chicken in pot. Sprinkle Italian dressing packet over chicken, drizzle with lemon juice, pop the lid on. Cook on High 4-5 hours, or Low 6-8 hours! Wahoo! I LOVE this one!! So yummy! And kids love this as well!

Homemade easy Strawberry Cheese Cake!!

Sorry Everyone! I kind of disappeared for awhile!
So, I have found some amazing recipes over the last few months! I am so excited for you to try them!

The first one is...drum roll please... Strawberry Cheese Cake!!!

Ingredients:

2 Rolls of sugar cookie dough
1 Bar of Cream Cheese (low fat is delicious in this as well)
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
Pre made Strawberry Glaze
6 Cups of cut up strawberries

Use 1 and 1/2 rolls of sugar cookie dough, spread on bottom of pan and cook for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Mix 1 bar of cream cheese with powdered sugar. Spread on cooled cookie dough. On top of that spread strawberry glaze, and add the cut up strawberries on the top! Cool for about an hour in the fridge and cut in squares and Serve! :)

Strawberry Glaze:

Ingredients

2 cups fresh strawberries (Stems removed)

1 cup water

1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup sugar

Directions

Cut up the fresh strawberries; add the water, and cook 2 minutes.
Mix cornstarch with sugar (amount of sugar depends on sweetness of berries); stir into hot berry mixture.
Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Cook and stir till thick and clear.
Cool to room temperature.

Stuffed Green Peppers

Stuffed Bell Peppers

My kids absolutely LOVE these! So healthy and so yummy!

Ingredients:

5 Green Bell Peppers

1 Can of Cream of Mushroom

1/2 white sweet onion (Chopped)

2 garlic cloves minced

1 lb of ground hamburger

1 cup of corn

Garlic Salt -to taste

Pepper -to taste

Optional:

Mrs. Dash Seasoning Blend- Extra spicy (I put very little in the mix. About 1/2 tsp.)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the Bell peppers in half and clean the seeds out. Set them aside for later.

Put onions and garlic in skillet with about 1 TBS of butter. Cook till brown. Put the ground hamburger in with the onions and garlic and cook till brown. Put spices in to taste. Put corn in and cook till warm. (If using canned corn empty all liquids out.) Pour the can of cream of mushroom in skillet with the meat mix. Stir until everything has mixed nicely.

Spoon the meat mixture into the bell peppers and place in a 8x12 pan. I like to put butter in the pan so they bottoms of the peppers don't over cook but you can just spray the pan so they don't stick.

Cook for about 15 minutes or until the peppers are in between crunchy and soft. You still want them to have a bit of crisp to them.

Enjoy! Feel free to comment if you try this and tell me what you think!



Yogurt Panna Cotta with Strawberry Sauce

Panna Cotta (Italian for "cooked cream") is a delicious, smooth, custard-like dessert.

Yogurt Panna Cotta

3/4 cups skim milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4- 1/3 cups honey (or sugar)
2 cups plain Greek yogurt (I used non fat)

*Directions *

1. Place 1/4 cup milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the packet of gelatin on top. Set aside while the gelatin becomes moist.
2. In a saucepan, warm the remaining 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup of cream until simmering, but not a full boil.
3. Add vanilla and 1/4 cup of honey, stir and (carefully) taste. If you would like, add a bit more honey. (I used 1/3 cup total)
4. Add the bowl of gelatin, and whisk until the gelatin has fully dissolved into the hot milk mixture.
5. Remove pan from heat, and stir in 2 cups greek yogurt. Stir until fully combined.
6. Pour final mixture into small glasses, bowls, or ramekins. Place in refrigerator for 3-4 hours. The panna cotta will keep well for 2 days. (Make sure they are covered, and that there are no strong odors in your refrigerator to absorb)

When you pour in the panna cotta, pour very gently and slowly at first, to not displace the sauce too much. Fill your glasses or dishes about 3/4 full with panna cotta, then put in the refrigerator to set. Top with a little strawberry sauce and fresh blueberries and strawberries before serving (or anytime after the panna cotta has set).

*Strawberry Sauce*

*This is what I used, but there are about a thousand different ways to dress panna cotta. Feel free to experiment and have fun!!
1/2 cup good quality strawberry jam
3/4 cup fresh or frozen starwberries and blueberries (if using fresh, add about 1 Tablespoon water)
Warm jam and fruits in a small sauce pan. Mix until fully combined and hot. Allow to cool slightly before using.

Taco Filled Pasta Shells

This is another great one to make with kids! I have to warn you it can get a bit messy to make with them lol! But that is half the fun for them!

Taco Filled Pasta Shells:

2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasonings
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese
24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells
1/4 cup butter, melted

Additional Ingredients:

1 cup salsa
1 cup taco sauce
1 cup shredded cheese
1 cup sour cream
Green onions chopped.

In skillet prepare ground beef until no longer pink, drain. Add taco seasonings (prepare as directed) simmer then add cream cheese. Simmer for 5-10 min. Transfer to bowl and chill till cold or Luke warm. Cook shells as directed. Drain and toss (Softly!) with melted butter. Fill each shell with meat mixture. Place shells in greased pan. Mix taco sauce and salsa and pour on top of shells. Cover and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Uncover and pour shredded cheese and green onions and bake till melted. Put sour cream on top your liking. YUM! :)

Chicken Ratatouille

How many of you have kids? How many of your kids have seen the movie Ratatouille? If you or your kids haven't seen it I highly recommend it then try this!

Chicken Ratatouille:

1 package (6.9 oz) beef flavored rice mix
2 TBS butter
2 1/2 cups water
3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
2 medium zucchinis
2 cups FRESH sliced mushrooms
1 small white onion chopped
6 green onions chopped
3-4 garlic cloves
2 TBS light olive oil
3 chicken breasts cut into strips.

Set seasoning packet aside and in large skillet saute the rice in butter until brown. Stir in water and seasonings, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover for 15 minutes till most of the water is soaked. Meanwhile in another skillet saute vegetables and garlic in oil until crisp-tender. (I baked my chicken separate in the oven for 15 minutes or until no more pink at 375 in butter) Add cooked chicken to the vegetables and add rice. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes and Ta-da!!!

REALLY YUMMY RATATOUILLE!! Enjoy your meal and a real fun movie! :)

Cheesy Chicken Bake Casserole

This casserole is my kids FAVORITE! They even came up with the name on it! Pretty darn good huh? :) I just started making this when we were low on groceries and just need something put totgether quick. Kids are a big fan of this!

*Ingredients*

5 cups of wide egg noodles

3 large pieces of chicken baked at 350 (F) then cut in peices

2 cups of frozen broccoli cuts

2 cups of corn

2 cans (10.5 Oz) of cream of chicken

1 1/2 cans of milk (You are going to fill the soup can with the milk)

2 cups of shredded cheese (Save one cup for topping)

*spices to taste or preffernce*
Salt

Pepper

Season Salt

Garlic Salt

*Directions*

Cook noodles till soft, about 10-15 minutes. Bake chicken until middle is no longer pink. Put corn and broccoli in pot with hot water on stove until warm in the middle. Mix cream of chicken soup and milk in bowl with spices to taste and set aside. Mix noodles, cut up chicken, vegtables, 1 cup of cheese and soup mixture in a 9x12 pan. Put in oven at 350 (F) for about 10 minutes then add remaining cheese. Cook until all cheese melted.

YUM ENJOY!!

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

I honestly don't even remember how I aquired this recipe. I have had it for so long sitting in my box that I really wish I would have tried it way earlier. These are SO GOOD!

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

1Cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter; slightly softened
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp fresh orange zest
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp powdered ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries, chopped
6 ounces (about 3/4 cup) white chocolate chips

*Frosting*
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 TBS butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange extract

Additional Ingredients:

1/2 - 2/3 cups dried,sweetened cranberries, chopped
2 ounces white chocolate, melted

*Directions*

1.) Preheat oven to 350 (F). Grease a 9x13 pan then set aside.
2.) In a medium bowl add flour, powdered ginger, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Set bowl aside.
3.)In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs, vanilla, and orange zest and mix well. Gradually add the flour mixture and blend until combined.
4.) Stir in cranberries and white chocolate. Pour the batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
5.) Bake 25 - 30 minutes, until edges are light brown and tooth pick inserted in and the center comes out clean.
6.) Prepare frosting by beating the cream and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla and orange extract. Beat about 1 minute until fully blended.
7.) Assemble dessert by spreading the frosting onto the baked and cooled bars. Sprinkle additional cranberries on top. Drizzle melted white chocolate on top as desired.

I will be posting the picture soon. We made it and ate it before it could be photographed. :) Enjoy!!