What's for Dinner? Day 62--Surprise!

Joe had a work dinner tonight--

Peyton had

 piano lessons

and karate

I had put the kids on a ban from "extra" things as our behavior has not been stellar. . .

. . .and I will even throw myself into that mix :)

So tonight I surprised them by letting them go to McDonalds for dinner and play on the playland.

They were thrilled!

And I got the "you're the best mom ever"

I hadn't had that in a while ;)

What's for Dinner? Day 61

Tonight we had a super easy dinner.

But it was delicious!

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

hot red pepper flakes, to taste

6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (I used 5, but they were huge!)

2 cups marinara sauce

1/4 cup chopped basil

8 oz mozzarella, shredded

4 oz Parmesan, grated

1 (5-oz) package garlic croutons

You can go here for the video directions.  But it is soooo easy!

We had it with pasta and some bread.

My whole family gave it thumbs up!

What's for Dinner? Day 60

Tonight we were lazy!

We had waffles--

but we did get to use our new flip waffle maker we got for Christmas!

(Pictures are courtesy of Peyton)

What's for Dinner? Day 59

Our Amaryllis we planted before Christmas bloomed recently.

Isn't it lovely!!

I love big RED flowers in the winter.

I was so busy cleaning out the garage today that when dinner came around I was so very tempted to order pizza, or grab some fast food.  But becuase I did have something planned and am trying to save by not eating out. . .I broke down and made dinner.

We had an old Girl's camp specialty.  It is so easy and fast.

Santa Fe Chicken

1 cup chicken, cooked and cubed

1 cup salsa (I used Pace-Mild)

1 cup Minute rice

1 cup chicken broth

3 green onions, sliced

1/2 bunch cilantro

Cheddar cheese, grated (I used Colby/Jack)

Bring broth and salsa to a boil; add chicken.  Add the rice and cook per rice box directions.  Top with cheese, green onions, and cilantro.

You can use as a filling for tacos--that's what Joe, Peyton and Addison did.

What's for Dinner? Day 58

This afternoon I had everything planned to make these chicken/bacon wraps with some rice and veggies.

And then when I was paying the bills at work, I realized that there was a bill for Overlake Hospital for some dues that was due TODAY.  Yikes!!

After picking Peyton up from school at 3:00 we had to make a trip to the hospital in Bellevue to deliver the payment so that it wouldn't be late :)

Luckily when we got home, the chicken was thawed and these were very quick to make.

I think they were to be used as an appetizer, but they were pretty good with rice and corn.

Peyton was thumbs up!

Addison was thumbs down!

Joe was thumbs up!

I was thumbs up!

I found them on Pinterest. . .

. . . but they originally come from Paula Deen on the Food Network.

Sweet Chicken Bacon Wraps

Ingredients


1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 4 breasts)

1 (1-pound) package sliced bacon

2/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons chili powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. Cut each bacon slice into thirds. Wrap each chicken cube with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Stir together brown sugar and chili powder. Dredge wrapped chicken in mixture. Coat a rack and broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken wrap on rack in broiler pan. Bake 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp.

Homemade hot pads

Have you ever made homemade hot pads?

I used to all the time when I was little.

My mom "owed" Addison a present and she found a hot pad kit :)

Addison just got it today and is loving it.

Peyton and Addison put all the nylon base pink on all by themselves.

Then I had to help threading the hook through--and Addison LOVED pulling it back through :)

We made a whole little hotpad tonight and she was thrilled.  She is planning on using it in her play kitchen and the real kitchen.

And it's so tiny and so cute :)

What's for Dinner? Day 57

Tonight we tried a recipe I found on Pinterest--I love Pinterest! :)

Addison didn't like the Mango BBQ sauce on the Quesadilla.

Peyton liked it fine

Joe ate a couple

And I really liked the Brisket--quesadilla was good too :)

This is a horrible picture--but they were good.

Dr. Pepper Brisket & Brie Quesadillas with Mango Barbecue Sauce

• Brisket

• 3 lb brisket

• Salt

• Ground black pepper

• 1 Tbsp chili powder

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 16 oz Dublin Dr. Pepper (made with real sugar)

• Mango Barbecue Sauce

• 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 3/4 – 1 cup)

• 1/2 cup ketchup

• 2 Tbsp lemon juice

• 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 1/2 tsp Creole (spicy brown) mustard

• Salt

• Pepper

• 1/4 cup mango chutney

• Quesadillas

• 8 8-in flour tortillas

• 8 oz brie, thinly sliced

• 1 cup monterrey jack, shredded

• olive oil or cooking spray, to brush tortillas

• cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. To make the brisket: Rub the meat with salt, pepper, chili powder, and garlic.

2. Place brisket in the crockpot and pour the Dr. Pepper over the top.

3. Cook on low for 8 hours.

4. Remove from the crockpot and let rest for 15 minutes.

5. Slice against the grain (1/8-1/4 inch thick).

6. To make the barbecue sauce: Heat olive oil in a 2-qt sauce pan.

7. Saute onions for 5 minutes.

8. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.

9. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.

10. Transfer to a blender or food processor and run until smooth.

11. To assemble the quesadillas: Heat a griddle or large pan over medium-high.

12. Lay out the tortillas. Divide the meat, brie, and monterrey jack between the tortillas, placing the meat and cheese on half of the tortilla.

13. Top with a spoonful or two of barbecue sauce and fold the other half over.

14. Place on the heated grill (brushing the tortilla with oil or cooking spray will prevent sticking).

15. Cook until the bottom is crisp and flip over.

16. Remove from heat and slice into thirds. Serve with extra barbecue sauce.

Notes

Yields: 8 servings

Adapted from The Pastry Queen, 2004

What's for Dinner? Day 56

Addison LOVED tonight's dinner!

She had 3 helpings--and made sure that we would have leftovers for her lunch tomorrow :)

I had it a couple of years ago when I came to Seattle to see Wicked with Joe's mom and sister and sister in law and a family friend.  We went to dinner at Mikki's before heading into Seattle and she make this delicious pasta dish.  It was so yummy I asked her to send me the recipe.

So tonight I made it.

I wouldn't have thought Addison would have liked it, but. . .

Rigatoni with Sausage, Artichokes, and Asparagus

Adapted from Everyday Pasta, by Giada de Laurentiis

3/4 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes (2 Tbsp. oil reserved), sliced

1 pound hot Italian sausage, removed from casing

2 (9 ounce) packages frozen artichoke hearts--I used canned in water 2 12 ounce cans

1 small bunch asparagus (8 ounces) trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces--forgot these at the store, oops!

2 large garlic cloves, chopped

1 3/4 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine--just put in more chicken broth as a substitute

12 ounces rigatoni or other tubular pasta--I used Penne

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley

8 ounces (about 1 1/2 cups) fresh mozzarella, cubed (optional)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat reserved oil in a large, heavy frying pan over medium-high heat.  Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking meat into bit-sized pieces with a fork, about 8 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to bowl.   Add artichokes, asparagus, and garlic to skillet, and saute over medium meat until garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.  Add broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes.  Boil over medium-high heat until sauce reduces slightly, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring often, about 10 minutes.  Drain pasta.

Add pasta and sausage to artichoke mixture.  Toss until sauce is almost absorbed by pasta, 2 to 3 minutes.  Rmove from heat.  Stir in Parmesan cheese, basil, parsley, and mozzarella, if using.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serve, passing additional Parmesan cheese alongside.

After mixing I put it in a casserole dish and put in the oven.  Joe wasn't home so it kept it warm better and melted the cheese nicely.  I then sprinkled Parmesan cheese over the top instead of passing if around when serving.  It was yummy!

Addison's pancake and pajama day

Addison had her Pancake and Pajama day at school today

(or was supposed to)

Last year I helped out--

do you remember the searching for pajamas at Target?  and the running into the concrete pole?  and the bloody nose?

Well Addison wanted me to help out again, so I signed up.

And we changed out of our pajamas into our pajamas :) and headed off to school!

On the way to school I looked at my phone and realized that I had missed a call from the school :(

Saying that they were still going to have school but. . .

The power was out

There would be no pancakes

and there would be no parent volunteers

Addison was bummed at first until I told her we could have pancake and pajama lunch after school

That seemed fun!!

Then she told me that it really was more exciting that the power was out than pancakes.

They got to use lanterns at school for lights.

So on the way home she informed me that we would need to eat our pancakes in our pajamas. . .

. . . with the lights off :)

What's for Dinner? Day 55

Tonight we had Navajos Tacos.  They are yummy!

When I was in 9th grade we had an "exchange" student, without the exchange, from the navajoe reservation in New Mexico that came and live with our family for a school year.

There were many interesting things about that year--good and bad.

But one of the good things was that she taught us how to make Navajo Fry Bread.

(I still prefer her recipe, my mom and sister often just use a bread recipe)

Judy


Indian Fry Bread

3 cups sifted flour
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup warm water
1 Tbsp shortening

Combine flour, baking powder, shortening and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Add warm water in small amounts and knead dough until soft but not sticky.  Sometimes more flour or water will be needed.  Cover bowl and let stand for 15 minutes.  Pill off large egg sized balls of dough and roll out into rounds about 1/4" thick.  Punch hole in center of each round, piercing several times with fork to allow dough to puff.  In a heavy skillet or deep fryer, fry until golden brown.

We top with:

Chili
Cheese
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Avocados
Sour Cream
Salsa

They are a thumb's up from everyone--although everyone eats theirs a little different.

i.e. Addison has no chili on hers.



What's for Dinner on Chinese New Year? Day 54

Today is the first year of Chinese New Year 2012!

The Year of the Dragon!

None of us were born in the Year of the Dragon :(

Joe--Dog

Heather--Rabbit

Peyton--Monkey

Addison--Pig

We had Chicken Lo mein for dinner.  With some egg rolls on the side.

Chicken Lo Mein

1 1/2 tsp oyster sauce

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 tsp sesame oil

2 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp white pepper

4 Tbsp peanut oil

1/2 tsp ginger

2 cloves garlic, bruised

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut in strips

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1/2 lb bok choy or cabbage, shredded

1 lb Chinese noodles, cooked, drained and rinsed.

In a medium bowl combine oyster sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and pepper; set aside.  Preheat wok over medium high heat until hot.  Pour in 2 Tbsp peanut oil, half of ginger, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp salt.  Cook until the oil is fragrant (about 30 seconds).  Add chicken and stir fry until done.  Add onions and stir fry about 15 seconds.  Increase heat to high and add cabbage.  Stir fry until limp.  Remove to a plate.  Remove and discard garlic.  If wok is wet or sticky rinse with hot water.  Heat wok at medium high hear.  Add remaining 2 Tbsp oil, remaning ginger, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 tsp salt and sauce mixture; stir about 15 seconds.  Add noodles, toss to coat evenly with sauce.  Add chicken mixture, toss to heat through.

We did however make some Dragon masks for the occasion. . .

Choose the Right!

Tonight we had a Baptism Preview for the children in our ward that are turning eight this year.

"Eight is Great!"

Such wonderful things that happen when you turn eight:

You get to be baptized

You go into Cub Scouts if you are a boy

You get to go to Activity Day activities if you are a girl

You work on the Faith in God program

It's a big, important year if you are LDS.

Being in the Primary I am in charge of this. . .so I spent my afternoon making sure that I had everything that I needed, therefore What's for dinner? Day 53 is nothing special, but the kids loved it!

Frozen Chicken Tenders and Tater Tots.

With some ranch and fry sauce for dipping.

And some oranges on the side :)

Dooby, dooby doo wa. . . Perry!

We got tickets to Phineas and Ferb Live for Christmas.

It was tonight down in Kent.

Luckily Snowmeggedon had passed and we were able to go.

Although I think Joe was hoping that maybe we wouldn't have to :) 

At least at first (the big heads and googly eyes kind of freaked him out).

Actually it ended up to be very fun and the kids loved it!! 

Addison sat in awe the whole time, just staring. 

Peyton was groovin' to the music.

We all four have been big fans of Phineas and Ferb since it first came on.

We love the songs--and they sang all the ones we know!

Getting ready for the show to start :)

Perry, Perry the Platypus

Doofenshmirtz Evil Inc.

The Backyard Beach---I love this one.  My favorite from the beginning :)

One of Doofenschmirtz' cohorts.

S.I.M.P. Squirrels in My Pants

Thank you, Thank you!

The googly eyes and big heads were a little odd at first :)  But it was a fun show!

It was an afternoon show, so we still needed dinner when we got home :)

What's for dinner?  Day 52

Have you ever had Mountain Man Breakfast?

It reminds me of Girl's Camp in the summer :)

That's what we had tonight for dinner.

Mountain Man Breakfast

Sausage, Ham or Bacon (we used sausage)

Potatoes

Eggs

Cheese

Brown sausage.  Set aside.

Boil potatoes (we used 4) for 15 minutes.  Shred potatoes and put in frying pan with some butter and salt and pepper.  Cook until browned and heated.  Turning only once.

Scramble eggs.  Add grated cheese just before they are done.

Mix all together.  We actually did not mix the hashbrowns in because Addison DID NOT want hers mixed :)

It's one of those great camping meals!!  But it also makes a quick delicious dinner.

Hallelujah!!

The power went on just after 2:00am.

Hallelujah!!

It got down to 50 degrees in the house.

Brrrr!!

Peyton won the Blizzard.

He was pretty proud of himself.

We ventured out today after 2 days of being cooped up in the house.

First I went out to get some gas in the car and grab a couple of things from the grocery store.

Remember the store on Monday?

Well today it was not very busy. . .

. . .but it was very sad.

So much food had spoiled during the power outage.

They wer emptying out the freezer sections, meat sections had very little in them, eggs were gone, juice was gone, cheese was gone.

Now I understand a bit the mayhem from Monday.  It never dawned on me that the lights would go out and that there just might not be any food available.

What's for dinner?  Day 51

We went to some friends that never lost power in Bellevue for dinner.

We had Sloppy Joes :)

It was nice to get out

When the Lights Go Down In. . .

. . .the City???

or Sammamish!

The lights flickered yesterday morning at around 7:00.  When the power came back on it was at 1/2 power.  The lights were not bright, the larger appliances and electronics wouldn't turn on.  About 15 minutes later, the power went off altogether.  :(

Long story short--we didn't get power back on until 2:05am this morning.

When the power goes out, it gets cold (since we had been freezing and it was still snowing), the water department in Sammamish blew something and was running on generators (so we were told to not use water, no showers, no toilet flushing, etc.)

And we play on our portable electronics, wrapped in blankets, hats on in the house.

And what's for dinner?  Day 50

Well we were all looking for something warm and yummy for dinner.  No cold cereal or snacks as that is what we had been eating for breakfast and lunch.

We were to have Taco Soup this week and so. . .

I cooked it on the BBQ--our gas grill.

And we ate by candlelight!  In our warm jammies :)

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef

1 onion

1 15 oz can tomato sauce

2 15 oz stewed tomatoes

1 15 oz can kidney beans

1 cup water

1 1/2 cup corn

1 package taco seasoning (scant 1/4 cup)

Brown ground beef.  Add onions.  When ground beef is cooked and onions are soft, add remaining ingredients and bring to boil.  Let cook for 5 minutes.

Serve with sprinkle of cheese, sour cream, avocado, tortilla chips.

We only had cheese and sour cream tonight :(

Then we made predictions on when we thought the power would come back on.

Whoever was the closest gets a Dairy Queen Blizzard of their choice.

Joe was being optimistic :)

What's for dinner? Day 49

Tonight we had yummy bean and cheese burritos!

With a delicious sauce that my parents used to make (they got it from my Aunt Kathy).

You make the burritos with flour tortillas, a smear of refried beans down the middle and a sprinkle of cheese.  Pan fry them in some oil.  Turn once.

Burrito Sauce

This is one of those I don't use an exact recipe for, but it's easy to make.

Brown hamburger (season with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper).  Add two cans stewed tomatoes (I like to chop them up up small or sometimes blend them up.  Add more seasonings and some salsa.  Let heat through.  Add mixture of (1/2 flour and 1/2 water shaken well) to thicken.

Cover burrito with sauce and sprinkle with cheese!  I sometimes like a dollup of sour cream as well!

We ate it with some Spanish rice.

Mmmm!!  Mmmm!!  Good!!

We all like it, the kids ate all of theirs (see picture of theirs below, they insisted)

Burrito and rice.

Addison insisted I take a picture of hers



And then Peyton wanted his too!  He covered his burrito and sauce with rice.  He ate 1 1/2 burritos!!