Rich & Meaty Lasagna
If you have a real butcher shop in your town, I HIGHLY recommend that you buy from them. Ever since my friend shared her batch of fresh, ground beef with me, I have been amazed at the difference in flavor compared to the meat at the large chain grocer. My son, Max, asked me to make a lasagna dinner just like Garfield the cat eats. Last week was his birthday week, so I made his favorite meals for... More...
By Jill | 5 comments | Full Recipe...Espresso Brownies
Do I really need to tell you how moist these dark chocolate brownies taste? Should I warn you that as you eat these bad boys, you'll eagerly pinch up every crumb that falls back on your plate and around it? Not to mention the strong urges to hide them away from other family members. Consider yourself warned. HERE'S ALL IT TAKES 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 1... More...
By Jill | 4 comments | Full Recipe...Hot Chicken Fajitas And Black Beans
For the BIG KIDS- Spicy Chicken Fajitas For the SMALLER KIDS - Chicken Quesadillas Here's a super fast dinner that tastes great and caters to the whole family! HERE'S ALL YOU NEED 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into quarters 1 tablespoon oil 1 small onion, sliced 1 fresh jalepeno, sliced 2 cups shredded lettuce 1 jar of your favorite salsa 1 package (2 cups) shredded Kraft Mexican blend... More...
By Jill | 7 comments | Full Recipe...Rice Crispy Sweet Treats
My son has requested this sweet treat for his 8th birthday party this weekend. I realize this recipe is on every rice cereal box and marshmallow bag known to man. And I'm not here to post a new twist on a old recipe. Heck, I say, "if it's not broke, don't fix it!" If fact, I have a real beef with all the ways this recipe is written. I've never been able to remember the ratio of butter to marshmallow... More...
By Jill | 3 comments | Full Recipe...Creamy Lemon Oat Bars
You may as well double this recipe when you make these creamy morsels of goodness. Notice that crunchy, granola crust on the bottom? See that soft, crumbly, granola topping clinging on to the lemony cream center? I'm telling you right now, double up, because these creamy lemon oat bars won't last long. The original recipe comes out of a Betty Crocker Cookie book. HERE'S ALL IT TAKES 1 can (14... More...
By Jill | 34 comments | Full Recipe...My Kids Fav Food: Black Bean Nachos
I make black bean nachos EVERYDAY for my picky daughter. She's four and 3/4 years old. She has loved and eaten black beans since she was one. I kid you not. Oh sure, she eats other foods, but she always wants something involving black beans for at least one meal a day. She's particularly fond of Ranch Style Black Beans, so am I. I've made many attempts to cook black beans but I can't get... More...
By Jill | 2 comments | Full Recipe...Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
When trying to decide what to make for lunch, sometimes the simplest foods are easily overlooked. The grilled cheese sandwich isn't cutting edge, but it is total comfort food. HERE'S WHAT MY KIDS LOVE 4 slices whole wheat bread 1/2 to 2/3 cup finely shredded Cheddar/Monterey Jack cheese blend 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened Heat up the griddle pan on medium heat. Toast bread on pan until... More...
By Jill | 2 comments | Full Recipe...Quick Carrots
Have you ever cooked a pot roast in a slow cooker and forgotten to throw in the vegetables? I do it EVERY TIME! I've done it for so long that I have evolved to cooking the carrots in the microwave in the meat broth. And no one, not family, not other good cooks, not me, can tell the quickly cooked carrots from the slow cooked carrots. HERE'S WHAT I DO Peel and slice... More...
By Jill | 0 comments | Full Recipe...Black Bean Salad, Chicken Quesadillas
This meal was inspired from a Hunt's recipe I found while clipping coupons. Naturally, I didn't have everything the original recipe wanted me to use, so, I made due. KID FRIENDLY Right up front, my kids ALWAYS want simple meals where ingredients are kept separated on the plate. So for them, I made simple chicken and cheese quesadillas. I reserved half the can of black beans to serve on the... More...
By Jill | 4 comments | Full Recipe...Super Hero Sandwiches
We took a family road trip to Pauls Valley, Oklahoma to visit The Toy & Action Figure Museum. If you're ever passing through Pauls Valley, it's worth stopping to check out. For the grown ups, Pauls Valley is home to Bedre Fine Chocolates. Bedre gives tours Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. Back to the yummy sandwich pictured above. I felt it was fitting for my family... More...
By Jill | 0 comments | Full Recipe...Homemade Dinner Rolls
These soft, delicious dinner rolls are ready in one hour from prep to serving. That's really not long when considering how long yeast breads usually take to rise, knead, shape, rise again. (I don't bake yeast breads for that reason. I don't have the time or the patience.) This recipe doesn't involve any extra work in the kitchen. I followed the idea of the recipe from Betty Crocker for soft... More...
By Jill | 32 comments | Full Recipe...Quick & Simple Chicken and Spinach Pizza
As some of you already know, Friday night is movie and a pizza night for my family. It's one of our favorite nights we spend as a family. The kiddos always want their ham with extra cheese, while Chaz and I like to change it up a bit each week. This week's chicken and spinach pizza recipe is our new favorite combination! HERE'S ALL YOU NEED Pizza Ingredients 1 package Mama's Gourmet Pizza Crust extra... More...
By Jill | 6 comments | Full Recipe...
