Happy Home

No longer a food blog........

2011-02-20T08:37:00.000-08:00

Well I have really fallen behind on my "food blog". I still cook all of the time, but I never find time to add what I cook to my blog. DH is back to eating healthy again, which I don't do, so it is going to be fend for yourself at my house. I am just getting over the flu - after having it for a week. It was the first time I have ever had it and man is it rough. Next year I will be getting the flu shot.

Meatball and pasta bake

2010-10-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

15 meatballs either homemade or prepackaged
1 Box of bow tie pasta
1 jar marinara sauce
Motzarella cheese

Bake pasta to package directions. Put pasta in 9X9 baking dish. Pour in cooked meatballs and jar of sauce. Cover and bake for 30 minutes at 350. With 5 minutes left, remove cover and top with motzarella cheese and bake for remaining 5 minutes or until cheese it melted.

Sybergs chicken breast

2010-10-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

If you have never had Sybergs wing sauce, it is awesome. The restaurant is in St. Louis but you can get the sauce at many grocery stores.

1 package of boneless skinless chicken breasts
Sybergs wing sauce

Preheat oven to 350 and put chicken breasts in a greased 9X13 baking pan. Brush Sybergs sauce on both sides of chicken. Bake chicken for 30 minutes turning chicken and basting upside of chicken every 5 minutes.

The chicken stays moist and has lots of flavor!

Chicken and pasta casserole

2010-10-03T15:57:00.000-07:00

So I tried this new recipe and it is awesome. The only problem is - there is no name for it - at least that I can find.

1 can of chicken breast - drained
Egg noodles
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1/4C of milk

Cook noodles to to package directions. Put noodles in 9X9 baking dish. Stir in chicken, milk, and soup. Mix together. Put casserole dish in oven at 350 for 3o minutes.

We loved it!

Easter decorations around the house

2010-03-11T16:43:00.000-08:00

Dining room table - need to iron the tablecloth, but wanted to take the pic.

Front door

Basket of eggs on the bathroom sink

Shelf in the kitchen - need to return the mason jars to their owners :)

Bunny in the plant in the dining room.

Easter decorations - Living Room

2010-03-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

This is the coffee table - the plant is in an Easter basket.
On one of the end tables.
The other end table.
Close up of the bunnies on the coffee table.

Meatloaf muffins (made with stuffing)

2010-02-17T06:16:00.000-08:00

During our recent snow storm, I had planned to make meatloaf muffins - only to discover that I didn't have any breadcrumbs. Instead of breadcrumbs, I modified my normal recipe to use stuffing. Please see the recipe below.

Ingredients
*Turkey, Ground turkey, 93% lean, 23 oz
2 eggs
1T of onion powder
1T garlic powder
1T Italian seasoning
1 serving Stovetop Stuffing Mix, 6 serving
Water, tap, hot, 1 cup (8 fl oz)

Directions
Mix all ingredients and place in prepared (sprayed with Pam) muffin tin. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Crunchy Chicken

2009-06-09T03:48:00.001-07:00

We have entered the summer months and with DH playing softball twice a week, me playing volleyball once a week, and camping on the weekends - I only get to cook about once or twice a week. We still eat at home most nights, but it is just mini pizzas, steak hoagies, chicken tenders - easy food. Last Monday I got to cook and tried crunchy chicken.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup dry potato flakes
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 pack of boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup butter, melted

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease or line with foil a baking sheet or a 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, combine potato flakes, Parmesan cheese, and garlic salt. Stir until well mixed.
Dip chicken pieces into melted butter or margarine, and roll in potato flake mixture to coat. Place in prepared pan.
Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until chicken is tender and golden brown.

It's been awhile!

2009-05-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

Wow - I have not posted on my blog since January. That is completely unacceptable. So far this year, DH and I have a had a very tough time. We have had 2 deaths in the family and DH got laid off. Luckily DH got called back to work - thank goodness. We just went on vacation last week, so I am rested and ready for some change. With summer approaching, it is time to start eating healthier for bathing suit season. Summer is our busiest time of the year. DH is playing softball 2 nights a week and I am playing volleyball once a week. In less than a month we will begin camping most weekends. I will keep posting any new recipes I will be trying!

Health, Wealth, & Happiness 1/1

2009-01-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
Baked ham
splash of OJ
1/2T honey
1/2T mustard
1T of brown sugar
cloves

Directions:
Preheat oven to cooking temp that the baked ham says. Make slits across top of ham. Stick cloves all over the ham. Mix remaining ingredients and baste ham. Put ham in oven for amount of time the directions of baked ham says. Baste ham every 15 minutes. Served with sauerkraut, mashed taters, and rolls.

Meatloaf Muffins made 12/30

2009-01-04T08:15:00.000-08:00

Modified from Rachel Ray.

Ingredients:
1 - 1.5lbs of ground beef
1C bread crumbs
2 eggs
splash of milk
1t of parsley
1t of onion powder
1t of garlic powder
1T of ketchup
salt & pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray muffin pan. Mix ground beef, breadcrumbs, parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper. In a separate bowl lightly beat eggs and add a splash of milk. Pour egg/milk mixture to the ground beef mixture. Fill each muffin cups up to about 2/3 full. Put a little ketchup on each each muffin. Put in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Served with mashed taters, green beans, and rolls.

Menu for 12/29-end of January

2008-12-28T14:32:00.000-08:00

Monday 12/29 - Tacos, refried beans, spanish rice
Tuesday 12/30 - Meatloaf, mashed taters, green beans
Wednesday 12/31 - Going to a friend's for dinner
Thursday 1/1 - Ham, Sauerkraut, mashed taters

Do not cook Friday & Saturday

Sunday 1/4 - jumbalaya
Monday 1/5 - Baked chicken, au gratin potatoes, corn
Tuesday 1/6 - Turkey, mashed taters, and stuffing
Wednesday 1/7 - Pork chops, green beans, mac n cheese
Thursday 1/8 - chicken fried chicken, mashed taters and corn

Do not cook Friday & Saturday

Sunday 1/11 - chili
Monday 1/12 - enchiladas, refried beans, spanish rice
Tuesday 1/13 - "best ziti ever", salad, garlic bread
Wednesday 1/14 - one pan chicken bake (with potatoes). green beans
Thursday 1/15 - Breakfast - waffles, biscuits and gravy, bacon

Do not cook Friday & Saturday

Sunday 1/18 - pork loin, baked potato, salad
Monday 1/19 - salsa chicken, mashed taters, corn
Tuesday 1/20 - meatball hoagies, baked mac n cheese
Wednesday 1/21 - pizza casserole, salad
Thursday 1/22 - beef quessadilla, spanish rice

Do not cook Friday & Saturday

Sunday 1/25 - crockpot chicken and ranch potatoes, green beans
Monday 1/26 - Pork chops, mashed taters, corn
Tuesday 1/27 - chicken parm, au gratin potatoes, salad
Wednesday 1/28 & Thursday 1/29 will be left open for meals we did not get to eat in the month.

Time to start the year off right!

2008-12-28T13:47:00.000-08:00

I plan our meals by the month and I saw somewhere (I am not sure which Nestie - if it was you please let me know and I will reference you) that people put their menus in the blogs. Since I plan out so far in advance, I thought it might be a good idea to add mine here. I will begin the beginning of January. Thanks

Beef and Rice Enchiladas

2008-03-08T07:23:00.000-08:00

8 flour tortillas
1 pound ground beef
1 package of spanish or taco rice
1-2 Cups of shreded cheese
1 can enchilada sauce
2-3 T of sour cream

1. Brown ground beef and drain and prepare the rice
2. mix the can of enchilada sauce with sour cream
3. put enough sauce on the bottom of 9x13 dish so the tortillas do not stick.
4. Assemble the enchiladas - lay out the tortilla, put down a bit of cheese, then some rice, then some ground beef, a bit more cheese, and some of the sauce. Roll up tight and lay seam down in dish. Repeat with the the remaining tortillas.
5. When the tortillas are in the dish cover with sauce and top with cheese.
6. Broil for about 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.

"Better than Sex" Cake

2008-03-03T10:04:00.001-08:00

Ingredients:
1 box triple chocolate fudge cake mix (betty crocker) - include what you need to bake the cake
1 12oz jar of hot fudge
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1C mini Chocolate chips
1C pecans
1 tub cool whip

Prepare cake according to directions on box for 9X13 pan. Use the back of a wooden spoon to poke holes all over cake - do not push all the way through to the bottom of pan.

In a bowl mix hot fudge (warm slightly in microwave to make it easier to mix) sweet and condensed milk. Evenly pour the mixture over cake.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (best if overnight).
When ready to serve, spread thawed cool whip over cake. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and pecans on top.

Cheesy Chicken

2008-03-03T10:02:00.000-08:00

Ingredients -
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1/4t garlic powder
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Place chicken in crockpot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. mix soups and garlic powder. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Oven fried chicken

2008-03-03T09:55:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
1 pack boneless skinless pork chops
1 beaten egg
1 1/2t of milk
1/2t of hot sauce
1/2 c panko bread crumbs
1/2t thyme
1/4t paprika
1/8t pepper
1/4t salt
1/2t garlic powder
1/4c parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Combine egg, milk and hot sauce in a bowl.
Combine panko, thyme, paprika, parmesan, pepper, salt, garlic powder, in a shallow dish.
Dip chicken into egg mixture and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the coated chicken into a baking dish with cooking spray.
Bake for 350 degrees until chicken is no longer pink.

Crock Pot Pork Chops

2008-03-03T09:50:00.001-08:00

It has been a very long time since I have added a post - time has just gotten away from me.

Ingredients:
4 boneless pork chops
2T real maple syrup
2 t Cumin
2t chili powder
2t paprika
2t onion powder
2t garlic powder
1T brown sugar
splash of worchestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup chicken stock

Combine all ingredients (except pork chops and chicken stock) in a bowl. Consistency will be paste like. Coat pork chops with the paste using you hands.

Pour chicken stock in bottom of crock pot and put in pork chops. Cook on low for 6 hours.

I will add pics later.

Homemade meatball hoagies

2008-01-16T03:41:00.001-08:00

I made these yummy meatball hoagies Monday night for dinner. They were so delicious and easy - great dinner for a work night.

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
hoagie rolls (I got mine in the bakery section at my grocery store)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch salt, or to taste
1 (14 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
2 Cups Motzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, gently mix by hand the ground beef, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, garlic, parsley, Parmesan cheese, and egg. Shape into 12 meatballs, and place in a baking dish.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cooked through. Take the hoagie rolls and remove some of the bread from the inside to make a well for the meatballs. Brush with olive oil, and season with garlic powder and Italian seasonings. Slip the hoagie rolls into the oven during the last 5 minutes of the meatball's time, or until lightly toasted.
While the bread toasts, warm the spaghetti sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. When the meatballs are done, use a slotted spoon to transfer them to the sauce. Spoon onto the baguette and top with a handful of motzarella cheese. Return to the oven for 2 to 3 minutes to melt the cheese.

Serve with fries and a salad and enjoy!

Salami and cheese - Yummy!

2008-01-12T09:50:00.000-08:00

For lunch today I thought I would try something new. Instead of a ham and cheese we made salami and cheese.

Salami
Bread
butter
Italian Seasoning
Motzarella cheese

Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Heat skillet and put on slice of bread (butter side down) put salami on top of bread and sprinkle motzarella cheese on top of salami. Add italian seasoning and put another slice of bread (with butter on top). Let bottom slice of bread turn brown and then flip the whole sandwich.

This was a nice twist on something so simple. It was great for lunch!

Breaded Pork Chops

2008-01-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

6 boneless pork chops

garlic

onion

all season salt

pepper

bread crumbs

milk

Mix milk, garlic, onion spice, all season salt, and pepper. Put chops in mixture and let soak at room temperature for 30 minutes. Mix bread crumbs and parmesean cheese in another bowl.Take chops out of milk mixture and dip in bread crumbs. Place chops on a grease rack on a cookie sheet. Cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until pork chops are finished. I served these with green beans, mac n cheese, and garlic bread.

Herb Roasted Turkey Breast

2008-01-07T15:39:00.000-08:00

1 3lb turkey breast dethawed

butter

rosemary, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme

Spread unmelted butter on turkey.

Cook on 350 degrees for 2.5 hours.

Baste every 30 minutes

Allow to sit for about 15 minutes before slicing.

Baste:

Melt butter and add dry spices.

Homemade mashed taters.

2008-01-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

For dinner on Thursday I made homemade meatloaf (which has already been posted on here) and mashed potatoes. For anyone who has never made homemade mashed potatoes - they are super easy and much cheaper than the store bought kind.

4 baking potatoes
butter (up to you how much to use)
milk (amount is up to you)
salt and pepper

Peel and quarter the potatoes. Put potatoes in pot and put enough water in pot to cover the potatoes. Boil potatoes for 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add some butter to the pot and a little milk. Use either a potato masher or mixer to mash up potatoes. If the potatoes are flaky add a little more milk. Add salt and pepper for taste.

BLC Lemon Chicken

2008-01-03T12:23:00.000-08:00

For dinner last night I made a modified verson of the Biggest Loser Cookbook recipe - Lemon Chicken. This is really an easy recipe and very delicious.

1lb of boneless skinless chicken breast
garlic powder
pepper
all season salt
grill seasoning

Mix garlic powder, pepper, all season salt, and grill seasoning. Rub the mixture on the chicken breasts and place on a plate. Put the plate in the fridge for fifteen minutes. Heat a skillent and put each of the chicken breasts in the skillet for 2 minutes per side or until each side is brown. Place each chicken breast into a greased baking dish. Put in the oven at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked.

I served this chicken with au gratin potatoes, green beans, and rolls.

Ranch Panko Chicken

2007-12-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

For dinner last night, I made Ranch Panko Chicken. I served this with cornbread stuffing and corn.

1.5lb of chicken breasts
1 envelope of Ranch dressing
1C of Panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix envelope of ranch dressing with Panko breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Wet each chicken breast and dip into bread mixture. Place in a greased 9X13 glass baking dish. Cook in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

Pot Roast

2007-11-13T04:58:00.001-08:00

I am so far behind in updating my blog that I am just going to enter my most recent recipe.

Sunday I made homemade pot roast in the crock pot.

3lbs bottom round roast
1 bag of baby carrots
1 small onion
1 can beef broth
4 potatoes

Peel and quarter potatoes. Slice down the onion.

Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat. Season roast with thyme, parsley, salt and pepper. Brown each side of roast.

Layer in crock pot: potatoes, carrots, onions, roast. Pour beef broth over the roast.
Cook in crock pot for 6 to 8 hours.

Enjoy!

Homemade calzones

2007-10-19T13:27:00.000-07:00

I made this for lunch last Sunday to eat while we watched football. This recipe is quick and easy and perfect for dinner on movie night or while watching a sporting event.

1 roll of Pillsbury pizza crust dough
Mozzarella cheese
pizza seasonings
butter
garlic seasoning
your choice of topping
Pizza sauce

Preheat oven to the temperature specified on outside of Pillsbury dough container.

Roll out the pizza dough and divide in half. On one half of each square put cheese, pizza seasonings, and your choice of toppings. Fold pizza half over half with toppings and close with a fork.

Bake calzones for 13-18 minutes until calzones are golden brown.

For outside of calzone melt butter in microwave and put garlic into melted butter and brush garlic on outside of calzone.

Put pizza sauce in individual cups for dipping and Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*******Extra Info********
In my calzone I just had pepperoni and cheese and in DH's there was pepperoni, cheese, and banana peppers. Both of use thought bacon would be good in one of these calzones.

Baked Ham!

2007-10-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

I am about 3 weeks behind on this post, but here it is nonetheless!

For Sunday night football, I made baked ham. This is one of the easiest things I have ever made. It makes quite a bit so we had enough for leftovers.

Baked Ham:
Ingredients:
Pre-cooked ham (choose whatever size works best for your family)
Honey
Brown Sugar
Mustard
Cloves

Pre-heat oven to the temperature stated on outside of ham. Put ham on foil lined pan. Make slits across the top of ham and stick cloves all over the top.

For glaze:
Mix equal amount of honey and mustard and 1T of brown sugar. Stir until mixed completely.

Bake ham for time stated on outside of ham. 20 minutes before the ham is complete, add glaze to the ham. Once the ham is finished cooking, remove cloves and slice down.

When we had this I also made mac n cheese and green beans. Try it on a cool day this fall, it is a wonderful and filling meal.

Football Chili!

2007-09-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

We have purchased the NFL ticket on Direct TV so we have set up a sports bar in our basement. We already had a bar and a big screen, but we have also added 3 additional tvs so we can watch 4 games at once. We have about 3 friends over each Sunday. Yesterday I made a huge pot of chili and we ate on it all day. This is the easiest recipe ever!

4 pounds of ground beef
5 cans of tomato soup
2 cans of light red beans
2 cans of dark red beans
Garlic
1T Onion powder
3T chili powder
3T Cumin

Brown ground beef and drain.

Put beef in stock pot, add all other ingredients. Taste throughout cook time and add extra of each ingredient as necessary. Let cook on low/medium heat for 30 to 45 minutes. Enjoy!

Beer cheese dip

2007-09-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

I made beer cheese dip for our fantasy football draft and it was almost gone by the end of the night. This dip is very very easy and I recommend this for everyone.

Ingredients
1 can of cheese sauce
1/4 can of beer

In a pan heat cheese sauce and pour in 1/4 can of beer on medium heat. Stir continuously until beer and cheese sauce are thoroughly mixed. Only needs to be on the stove for about 4 minutes.

To Serve -
Create a bread bowl out of Rye or Pumpernickel bread and pour cheese in center.

If you need to keep it warm, pour cheese into a crock pot (keep on warm / low). Cut up a loaf of dark rye or pumpernickel bread.

Basic Deviled Eggs

2007-08-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

I made 20 deviled eggs for the draft this past weekend. I do nothing fancy with mine, but if you are looking to make excellent deviled eggs.

10 eggs
mustard
mayo

Boil 10 eggs for 10 minute and then remove from heat and chill in refrigerator.
Peel eggs, cut in half, and remove yolk.

Smash the yolks, add a tablespoon of mustard and stir. Add enough Mayo to make the yolks/mustard creamy.

Take a plastic bag fill with yolk/mayo/mustard mixture. Cut hole in corner of plastic bag and fill the half eggs.

Alternate: Add paprika, chives, bacon bits, etc on top on deviled eggs.

Marvelous Meatballs!

2007-08-30T06:05:00.000-07:00

I have made these meatballs probably 2 or 3 times, but this year they were requested for the draft. If you need an easy appetizer - This is definitely it.

4 packs of frozen meatballs - 80 meatballs total, but we had about 15 guys there.
3 packets of brown gravy

Put meatballs in crockpot.
Prepare gravy as directions say to and pour over meatballs.
Add any seasonings you desire - I used a little thyme this time :)

Cook for 4 hours on low heat - stirring occasionally.

Draft Day!!!!

2007-08-30T06:02:00.000-07:00

Saturday August 25th we had our big fantasy football draft at our house. I had so much fun with it this year. I made all kinds of good food and really didn't have many leftovers. I am a very picky eater and unfortunately I didn't make anything that I would eat, except the brownies, but everyone said everything was good. I will post the recipes today with what I made :).

Meatloaf Monday - Yummy!

2007-08-21T03:16:00.000-07:00

Last night my husband and I needed some comfort food so I made meatloaf. Below is the recipe that I use everytime I make meatloaf.

2lbs ground beef
1 C bread crumbs
1 C milk
1/4 C parsley
Salt & Pepper
Dash of oregano.
1 egg
1/4 T ketchup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix thoroughly ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, parsley, oregano, salt & pepper.

Form into a loaf and put into the oven. Top loaf with ketchup.

Cook 1 hour.

With this I made mashed potatoes, corn, and texas toast with cheese.

This is an excellent feel good meal.

Simple Chicken and Rice

2007-08-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

Tonight we had a chicken and rice dish that was wonderful and easy on a weeknight. Instead of paying / eating the Campbell's box dinner - I just created my own.
Preheat oven to 375.

Take 1/2 a box of white rice and stir in 1/2t of oregano, parsley, and chicken seasoning and put into a 13X9" glass baking dish. Pour in 2.5 Cups of hot water and 2T of butter. Mix together. Put chicken breasts on top of rice and pour Campbell's chicken gravy over each chicken breasts. Break up Ritz like crackers into very small pieces and put on top of the gravy covered chicken breasts. Cook for 30 minutes or until juices run clear.

Serve with corn and some rolls and you are good to go.

Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops

2007-08-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

Last night we had these for dinner. They were fabulous. The crust on the outside is very flavorful. My husband does not normally comment on what I make - since he will eat just about anything as long as he does not have to cook it, but last night he said he really liked these and would like to have them again. In addition to the pork chops, I served mac n cheese, green beans, and rolls. This recipe is quick and easy - give it a try! (I have pictures and will add them at a later date)

Pork Chops (however many you need)
2 Eggs
Italian bread crumbs
Parmesan Cheese
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper

Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Whisk 2 eggs together in a bowl. Put bread crumbs (enough to cover each pork chop) on one plate and on another plate put parmesan cheese on another plate (enough to cover each pork chop). Season each pork chop with salt and pepper. Cover each pork chop with parmesan cheese, then dip in egg, and cover with bread crumbs. Put into skillet and cook until outside is golden brown. It took me about 6 minutes per side. Enjoy!

I am not sure where I found this recipe but if it is yours - please let me know so I can give you the credit!

No time to cook!

2007-08-02T07:50:00.001-07:00

Is anyone else out there having the same trouble I am? I cannot find any time to make real meals since we do something every night of the summer. I am so ready for fall and football season so I can cook again. Please check back later and hopefully there will be more things on here :)

Getting started!

2007-07-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping by. I am currently working to get my blog up and running so stop by again and hopefully I will have more on here :)