Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

Yum,these are deliscious.

Garlic CheddR Biscuits

 2 cups of bisquick

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup shredded cheddar

2Tablespoons melted butter

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

 

Pre heat oven to 450 degrees

Mix the bisquick,milk and cheese in a bowl,

Mix the butter and garlic salt and set aside 

Drop spoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown

Brush tops of biscuits with melted garlic butter

Barbeque Glazed Meatballs

This recipe is so easy that's why I'll be serving it on Sunday while everyone watches the big game.

What you need

1 bag of frozen Meatballs

1 Cup of famous Dave's Barbeque sauce

1 jar of grape jelly

Combine sauce and jelly in a saucepan.Cook and stir over medium heat until jelly melts.Add meatballs. Heat over medium low heat for stirring occasionally for 15 minute or until they are hot. 

Crab Dip

Today I have been busy planning what I'm serving while we watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. One of the recipes I found on Pinterest that I saved is for Crock Pot Crab Dip. It's very easy and very tasty.

 What you need

1 Can of Bumble Bee white crab meat

1 block of Philadelphia Cream Cheese softened

1/4 cup Sour Cream

1/4 Cup mayonnaise 

1 teaspoon garlic salt

Chopped green onions for garnish

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl except the green onions and stir.

Transfer to a mini crock pot,cook on low heat approximately 2 hours 

Serve with pita crackers

White Dishes and Sharpie Pens

I saw this idea a while back and thought what a great craft for kids,and then I thought it would be fun for adults too. You Ned some white dishes or mugs,(You can get them at the dollar store)some Sharpie pens and stencils. I hink the stencils would be good for older children,where younger ones could just decorate free hand. Once they are decorated put them in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.They are food safe.

 I think I'm going to have to try this.

Rotisserie Chicken

There are so many uses for a  Rotesserie Chicken,and at $4.99 you can't beat the price when you need something quick. It wasn't that I was in such a hurry today but I didn't have any chicken breasts and I wanted to make soup. It's been so cold and it's snowing again,so I thought a nice hearty chicken noodle soup would taste good. I sent John to the store to pick up two,one for the soup and one for making some chicken salad and the rest for another meal of Chicken,mashed potatoes and gravy. So for around $10.00 I am getting several meals out of these two chickens. I'd say that's a bargain.

The Pasty

Those responsible for bringing the pasty (sometimes called the Cousin Jack) Into the Lake Superior

Region during the middle 1800s were the Cornish Miners or other wise known as " Cousin Jacks". Back in Cornwall the wives baked the pasties in the morning,rolled them in their aprons and hurried down to the mine shafts. The men gathered under the trees at the noon hour,

received a sizzling hot meal in the only possible manner it could be supplied.

When these sturdy miners came to Michigan the pasty came too,not only for the Cornishmen,but for the Scandinavians Italians,Finns and other nationalities that followed these hardy breed of pioneers down the mine shafts. It didn't take long for others to realize that cold sandwiches did not compare with the steaming,succulent contents of the "Cousin Jack".

The pasty consists of a tasty,economical meal of roast beef,onions,carrots potatoes,and rutabaga,seasoned and nicely wrapped in a delicious crust and baked.

I had my first taste at my grandmothers. She made them the traditional  way they did back in Cornwall.

As time went on and our family grew,making an individual pasty for each person became quite a process,so my grandmother began making them in a pie plate,a tradition my mother carried on as have I. She could make two pies that would serve eight people in half the time.The only other change that I have made is I don't add rutabaga.

Beef Pasty

1 lb roast beef it I to cubes

1 smal onion chopped

2 potatoes cut into small cubes

2 large carrots sliced

Rutabaga cut in chunks

Pie crust I use ready made but you can make it from scratch if you want

Place all the ingredients in a bowl add salt and pepper and mix

Line the pie plate with one of the pie crusts 

Add the beef mixture

Top with other pie crust

Cut a few vents in top 

Bake at 350 for about an hour

We are having one for dinner tonight.

If it's Friday it's Art

Today in Art we painted on Canvas. I had the kids choose several different colors drop small blobs of paint on the Canvas in different places,and then blend the colors together. It was very interesting to see which colors each of them chose. 

Julia

Benedict

Emerson

Blaise

Camoulflage Cake and Homemade Ice Cream

Saturday is Blaise's Birthday,but since they will be here tomorrow for Art we are going to have a little celebration. Blaise loves anything to do with Hunting and anything Camoulflage. So I have made him a Camoulflage Cake and for the first time I am using my Ice Cream maker. The dining room is decorated,cake is cooling ready for frosting and the Ice Cream is churning. I think he's going to be one surprised little boy.

Pasta

I always try and keep several kinds of Pasta in my pantry. Spaghetti,elbow macaroni,lasagna noodles,penne and rotini.It's my go to staple when I'm in a hurry,like tonight. John is going to the gym and I have my knitting class so tonight I am making a very easy but deliscious pasta dish. Tonight I am using Penne. I like the way the sauce clings to it.

Pasta Bake

1lb turkey sausage,you could use ground beef but I like the spiciness of the sausage

1 Jar of Marinara Sauce

1 lb of Penne 

2 Cups of Parmesean Cheese

Brown the sausage,add the jar of sauce and cook on low.

Add the Penne to boiling salted water and cook until el- dente 

Drain and add to the sauce and put it in an oven safe baking dish

Sprinkle the 2 Cups of Parmesean on top and bake it in a 350 degree over until cheese is melted and it's heated through.

It's actually a very easy dish but a real crowd pleaser.

Leftover Tuesday

Every Tuesday we get to spend the day with Hudson. We usually are there until almost six o'clock,so the idea of going home and cooking something didn't exactly thrill me. At first we decided we'd stop and get carry out but that got old after a while. What I finally decided was to make sure we always had some leftovers. I might make a meatloaf on Sunday and with only the two of us there's always plenty leftover,for sandwiches and another meal. Yesterday I made a big pot of Sloppy Joes with onion potatoes and corn. There was plenty left so we will have that to go home to tonight. I am very fortunate that John doesn't mind eating something two days in a row.

Onion Potatoes

4 large potatoes,peeled,cut in half and then quartered

1 packet of Lipton Onion Soup mix

Extra virgin olive oil

This works well baked in a glass dish

Preheat oven to 350

Place the potatoes,and soup mix in the baking dish

Add salt and pepper if you like I did not I thought the soup was flavor enough

Sprinkle with 1 to 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and toss to coat

Bake until potatoes are soft

Vanilla or Chocolate

Today my Kitchen Aid Ice Cream maker arrived. The bowl has to go in the freezer for at least 15 hours and then I can make some ice cream. It came with a recipe book and so many ideas I'm not sure what flavor to make first. Probably Vanilla,with some chocolate chips. I can't wait to give it a try. 

Apple Crostata

I decided to make an Apple Crostata today for dessert. I got the recipe from who else my favorite Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond. Of course she makes her pie crust from scratch,something I haven't attempted yet. I used ready made pie dough. Hopefully it will be just as good.

Apple Crostata

1 sheet of ready made pie dough or you can make it from scratch

2 small golden deliscious apples peeled,cored and cut into 1/8 inch slices

1 small pippen apple peeled cored and cut into 1/8 inch slices

1/4 cup plus 1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 egg white beaten with 1 Tablespoon water for egg wash

2 Tablespoons toasted almonds 

Place rack in center of oven. Preheat to 400 degrees

Combine apples with sugar reserving 1 tablespoon and lemon juice in a large bowl. Toss lightly and set aside for 5 or 10 minutes.

Place a piece of parchment on a large cookie sheet,lightly dust it with flour. Roll out the pie dough onto the parchment covered cookie sheet. Spoon the apple mixture over the dough leaving a 2 inch border. Fold the dough over the filling leaving the apples exposed in the center. Pleat loosely and pinch the dough to seal any cracks. Brush crust with egg wash,sprinkle with the tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle on the almonds. Bake until crust is golden and apples are tender,about 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes slide Crostata off parchment and cool to lukewarm before serving.

Swedish Smorgasboard

 Our Church was started by the Swedes about 100 years ago,so tonight we are celebrating with a  Smorgasboard of Swedish delicacies,most made by Members of our Church. After dinner there will be a program celebrating our 100 years as a Congregation. It should be a lot of fun.

One of the Swedish Recipe's I love and am sure they will serve tonight are the melt in your mouth Swedish Syrup Cookies.They are so delicious. My mouth is watering just thinking about them.

Swedish Syrup Cookies

2 Sticks of Butter

1 Cup of Sugar

2 Cups of Flour

1/3 Cup Light corn Syrup

1teaspoon vanilla

1teaspoon Baking Soda

Blend butter and sugar,add remaining ingredients,mix until it resembles a pie crust like texture.with your hands divide in 4 parts. Roll each part out on to 2 cookie sheets spreading them from end to end. Pat the dough with your hands to flatten and,bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. Cut diagonally while still warm about 1 inch wide. 

If it's Friday it's Art

Today we made Jeweled Heart Sun Catchers. 

This is a fun project for any age. I had them make hearts sinc the nectar holiday is Valentines Day,but you could do tree or star shapes at Christmas or just about any shape you can think of.

What you need

Clear Plastic Milk Cartons

Glue

Jewels

Ribbon

Paint Brushes

Hole punch

I did not have any plastic milk cartons so I used sheets of Shrinky dink. I traced a heart shape on the plastic and cut them out. I then punched a hole in the top. I had the kids spread the glue on the heart shape with the paint brush and then begin putting the jewels on. The jewels come in all shapes and sizes. Once they're all in place let it dry and then take a piece of ribbon,thread it through the hole and hang it in a window. The results are beautiful,and like everything no two were alike.

Barbeque

I love Barbeque Chicken,but since there's 2 feet of snow on my deck,it's not likely I'll be using the grill. I found this recipe among my Moms favorites she gave it 5 stars, so I thought I'd give it a try. I had some boneless Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks. I browned them in a little oil and butter added some cloves of garlic,about 5,some chicken stock about a cup and cooked the Chicken until it was tender,and most of the liquid was gone. In a bowl I mixed 1 cup of Barbeque sauce I used Uncle Dave's but any kind will do and 1/2 cup of honey. I pored that over the chicken and cooked it on low for another 20 minutes. Tonight I'm serving it with some rice and broccoli. I sampled a little and Mom was right 5 stars.

Prep work

Part of today was spent gathering supplies for Friday's Art. I'm hoping that what I got is going to work,the craft called for plastic from clear milk cartons,and since I don't buy the gallon jugs I needed to come up with a different idea. I purchased Shrinky Dink Film which I think will work just fine for our project.heres a peek at the supplies,you'll have to wait until Friday to see the finished products and directions.

Time to Start Planning

I know it's only January and even though some people camp in the winter,were not one of then,but this is a good time to begin planning. I am very excited at the prospect of traveling the open road again. I love planning our trips. Searching on line for the perfect campground,reading what annemities they have,and of course this time around making sure they have pull through sites.

Several places we are hoping to get to are Shipshewana,which may be our maiden voyage,to kind of test our experience towing a 5th wheel,the upper peninsula stopping to visit John's Mom and then up to Calumet where my Grandmother was from as was John's dad. I have addresses where they lived and quite a few of our ancestors are buried in the Cemetary up there. We would love to go back to Tennessee and next winter hopefully head to Florida. We will definately go to Wisconsin to see Sam,Kristine and the kids and stay in Marathon Park,maybe that should be our maiden voyage. It's a wonderful park,never crowded and we could get a lot of practice maneuvering the 5th wheel around. 

Things seem to be coming together,the basement is loaded with all the things we need. In April the hitch will be installed in the truck,and once the 5th wheel is prepped we will be ready to go. I can't wait,guess I better get busy and look at some campgrounds.

Broccoli Salad

It seems like most of my Blogging is about cooking,well it is a passion of mine. Years ago while I was still working,a co- workers Mom used to come visit her every Friday night and bring dinner,no carry-out real home cooking. The first time I tasted this salad I knew I had to have the recipe and fortunately for me she's one of those people who loves to share. It's easy and delicious.

Broccoli Salad

Broccoli Florettes

1 med red onion

1/2  Cup Golden Rasins

1lb cooked crumbled bacon,you can use bacon bits if you prefer

Combine all ingredients

Dressing

1 Cup mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons White Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Sugar

Combine and chill  stir the dressing into the salad right before serving

Tonight I serving it with White Chicken Chili and a whole grain baguette. 

Great Cooks

I have been truly blessed in my life with some amazing cooks. My grandmother was what I like to call an old fashioned cook. Everything was made from scratch. I can remember watching her make homemade pie crust. Rolling it out on the kitchen table,while my grandfather pealed the apples,that came from the tree in their back yard.My Mom was what I'll call a more modern cook. She followed in her mothers footsteps,made a lot of things from scratch,but she did take a few short cuts like using ready made pie crust. I think I am a little of both. I love making things from scratch,but for me ready made pie crust is the easy way to go. I have tried making pie crust from scratch and it's never flaky enough,But I do have my grandmothers recipe and I am determined this year to make a pie from scratch. With all this talent and a few blessings it shouldn't be that hard.

What's Cooking

The first time I thought about making a Quiche I was a little intimidated,but I love trying new things,so I searched for a simple,but easy recipe that looked good enough to serve company. I found one changed it up a bit to suit our taste and it's the one I make all the time now. 

I hope you'll try it.

Asparagus and Cheddar Quiche

Pre-Heat oven to 425

Ingredients

1 store bought pie dough

3 Tablespoons butter

1 Small onion chopped

1 Bunch of Asparagus chopped into 1/2 inch pieces

Kosher Salt, Pepper

2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard

1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

4 Eggs 

1 Cup Heavy Cream you can use 2% milk if you want

1 1/2 Cups Cheddar Cheese

Roll pie dough onto pie plate and crimp edges. Pierce bottom several times with a fork. Bake in oven for 6-8 minutes until slightly browned. Remove from oven and cool. Turn oven down to 325.

Filling

In a large skillet over medium high heat add butter,onions,asparagus and garlic. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes until asparagus is soft. Remove from heat and cool completely.

In a large bowl add cream,mustard and eggs whisk to combine.

Once Asparagus mixture is completely cooled add it to the pie crust.pour egg mixture in and top with cheddar cheese.

Bake for 35 minutes or until eggs are set. Cut into wedges and serve.

I serve mine with fruit.

If it's Friday it's Art

The 3 Cs,in my life Camping,Cooking and Crafts. Since I won't be doing any camping until Spring,cooking and crafts will take over most of my blogging for a while.

Every Friday I do Arts and Crafts with my grand-children. I've been doing this since Julia who is 12 was old enough to hold a crayon,and glue things to paper. Each week I try and think of a fun project for them to do. Since there are 4 of them ranging from age 2 to 12,I try and plan a craft that the oldest won't think is too babyish and one that won't be to hard for the youngest. Some weeks though I have to think of two different ones. Like today,Benedict did a salt painting and the other three made clothes pin people. I think they all enjoyed themselves.

In case you'd like to try any of these with your children or grand-children here is what you need. 

For salt painting you need watercolor paints,paper and table salt.

Using Salt along with watercolor paints gives the picture texture. First you lightly dampen the paper,with water. Using your watercolor paints,paint a picture. While your paint is still wet,but not in puddles put some salt in one hand and using a pinching motion with your fingers lightly sprinkle the salt where you want a deep vivid effect. Once the painting is dry rub the salt from the surface of the paper.

For the clothes pin people You need clothes pins,fabric,lace,yarn,sequin's,glue and sharpie pens. It's a fun project for really any age. Several other ideas we came up with were attach a pin back to them,or tie them on a package. Make some and see what ideas you come up with