4th of July Party

To celebrate my 14-year-old son's birthday he wants a "Hot Dog Extravaganza"! So we'll borrow the menu from our "Franks N Stein" Halloween Party! Of course we'll have the ketchup, mustard, hot dog relish, Saurkraut, bacon and cheese.

One of my old time favorites: Spicy Onions (sautee sliced onions cut in half, once they are soft, add in tabascco, ketchup, salt and pepper, I don't measure just shake and taste. Should be well coated but not to saucy, simmer until desired tenderness and sauce consistancy. Sometimes, I also add a bit of cooking wine to them:)

The Chicago Dog (which we experienced last summer when visiting my brother) http://www.hotdogchicagostyle.com/chicagodog.php

mustard, relish, chopped onions, tomato slices, pickle spear, Sport Peppers (imported from Chicago), and a dash of Celery Salt on a poppy seed bun (we could not get these in NY)

Thai Dog: Thai peanut sauce, diced cucumbers and chopped scallions.

Chili Dog: mustard, homemade chili, chopped onions and nacho cheese.

Of Course we have to have my homemade Baked Beans (my neighbor Kathy's recipe):

1/2 pound Bacon, browned and crumbled

1 medium onion, chopped and browned in 1T bacon fat

In crockpot, combine 2 large cans of B&M Baked Beans, 1 can Kidney beans, 1 can Butter Beans. Add bacon and onion. Then stir in 1/2 C ketchup, 1/4 C molasses and 1 t dry mustard (Coleman's). Original recipe also called for 1/2 pound of browned ground beef or turkey, I have never felt it needed it. Cook until heated through.

We'll wash it down with Beer and Root Beer! And finish it off with Carvel Ice Cream cake:) HAPPY 4th of JULY to all!!

snacks

After school the girls often have popcorn for a snack. Erin now has braces so that is out. I want a quick,easy, simi health but filling snack to have on hand. We all love trail mix. I was thinking of having a container and making seasonal snack mix. I might do 2 containers and keep one peanut free for when we have peanut allergy friends over. Here is a link to one fun one, Seasonal snack mix. I'd love to collect a whole bunch to keep it interesting. I like one I posted here a while ago.

Southwest snack mix, maybe without the popcorn.

Make-Your-Own Granola Bars

Maeve can bring in a morning snack to school. I offered her the options of home morning snacks from the summer, usually fruit or cracker & cheese, nuts & dried fruit. None are as exciting as the granola bars (not the dry kind Dad gets) or fruit snacks the other kids bring. I don't on a regular basis buy chewy granola bars or fruit snacks - and don't want to make them a habit. To compromise we decided to try making Chewy granola bars that were healthy and even have some dried fruit and nuts. I let you know how they go over at school. Ok. So the first one was not as big a hit as I hoped. Katie had this one pinned it was great.  First batch went in a day, and I didn't even add chocolate chips. This time I am so I'm doubling the recipe  no bake granola bars

Picnic Food

My kids' school always does a back to school picnic, where you bring your own food. I have tried different things with varying success, including feeding them before we go, making something to bring, or grabbing a pizza on the way. Anyone have a great picnic dinner item that the kids can't resist or can eat on the run?

This year I don't think I'll be able to feed them before because of other activities, and my husband and I are going out to dinner after the picnic, so I am looking for something just for the kids.

Pop corn cake

POP CORN CAKE

1 cup popcorn – popped 1 pkg. Large gum drops

Mix and put into greased pan.

8 oz. Peanuts 1 16 oz. Pkg. Marshmallows

melted with 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup oil

Erin's favorite treat. Grandma usually makes it for her at the cabin for her birthday.

Cheeseburger Bread

I am making this for dinner tonight -- http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/food/recipes/cheeseburger-bread/

I think my kids are going to love it! I, of course, had to add relish to it. (My kids love pickles on their cheeseburgers.) Seemed like fun and something very different.

Weekend IN

We are looking at a snowstorm that could dump 2 feet of snow on us AND it is Super Bowl Weekend. I think we are looking at some time inside, by the fire... so what warm and cozy recipes would you make for this family time?

Christmas Taffy

Last weekend my mother-in-law made christmas taffy with 6 grandchildren ages 5 to 10. The kids had a wonderful time. Mine were very excited about getting to rub butter on their hand, something they had never done before. Here is the recipe they used. They made lemon/line and cherry, the red and green colors were great. She divided the candy in half and then put a half of package of koolaide in in each one. Worked great so they could have Christmas colors. I no longer have a picture of the taffy, or the taffy. As Maeve just reminded me it doesn't have to be Christmas Taffy.

Fun & Easy Meals for Kids

My husband will be traveling next week, and I will still have to be shuttling the kids back and forth from events, so I need thing that can be ready when we walk in the door, ie. crockpot meals, or shortly after we arrive home, or in-between runs.

Any fun, tried-and-true meal ideas? I usually try to make fun meals when George is away, but I'm not sure I can keep that up for a week...

SOUP-er Easy!

My kids always love to order Miso Soup when we get Chinese or Japanese food, mostly for the tofu. They have been asking me to make tofu at home, but anytime I have, it hasn't come out right -- mostly apparently because I do "stuff" to it. So tonight, mostly because I didn't have much food in the house and partly because I had 2 running out to soccer practice, I threw together a super easy soup:

I heated up some chicken broth, threw in some veggies from the fridge, added a can of cubed chicken breast and some diced tofu. Really easy and the kids loved it!

chocolate cupcakes

Like Regina we have lots of summer birthday. I also bake what my kids want, within reason. But I'm not the best baker, my cupcakes are always dry. I tried a new recipe this year for Molly's puppy cupcakes and was pleased with the results.

Moist cake recipe

Punch recipe for kids

One of my sisters or sister in law made a Punch for Mom and Dad's 45th Anniversary party! I remember it being a huge hit with the kids. Who has the recipe? Therese wants punch at her Masquarade Ball TONIGHT!

Oreo Truffle Pops

I was looking for a cute end of year/summer bday treat and came across these oreo truffles athttp://bakerella.blogspot.com/2008/01/grocery-item-turns-gourmet.html. I put them on sticks and added sprinkles for a fun touch.

1 package of double stuffed Oreos (minus 7) ground to crumbs in a food processor

1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, brought to room temp

melted chocolate for dipping

mix oreo crumbs into cream cheese, using the back of a spoon to combine well. Roll into balls and refrigerate for about 1/2 hour I used the small Pampered Chef scoop and this made about 25 balls. I put the lollipop sticks in before refrigerating to help hold (also holds better if you dip the tip of the stick in melted chocolate before sticking in the ball). Melt chocolate in microwave or double boiler. Dip balls in chocolate and decorate (we used rainbow sprinkles). If on a stick, place in styrofoam to cool and harden, then refrigerate. If not using as pops, place in mini cupcake liners. They are so cute!

Bakerella has lots of different recipes and shapes for all different kids of cupcake pops, etc. They are so cute!

Waffle Cones

Waffle Cones! While at the ice cream shop today, Erin asked could we make waffle cones at home? I found a recipe on-line and thought we might try it but first wanted to check if anyone has tried it? If so any tips or suggestions?  If not here is what I found if you are interested.

http://www.waffle-recipe.com/recipes/waffle-cone-recipe/

Ho-Ho Surprise

Eileen just asked me for this recipe. She and I discovered it a few years ago and it is indeed a favorite with kids, and most adults enjoy it as a guilty indulgence. I can't find the exact recipe, but I think I can recreate it pretty easily. You could also replace the Ho-Hos or Yodels with Twinkies for a non-chocolate version. Eileen -- if I have done anything out of order, feel free to correct me. One of the nice things about this is you can re-create to suit your tastes.

Slice Ho-Hos in half lengthwise and layer in the bottom of a 9X9 pan (or bigger). Spread a layer of any flavor softened ice cream on top and a layer of chocolate syrup and refreeze. Sprinkle with chopped oreos and another layer of ice cream, same flavor or different. Refreeze. Top with Whipped cream and refreeze or serve. It is fantastic!

Dinner in a hurry!

I just recieved this info and thought others could use it to get through the busy days of spring! Slow cooker sandwiches. All you need is rolls, wraps and a salad and dinner is ready when you come home from a game or are rushing out to whatever. Share what you make and like with us!

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/slow-cooker/soup-chili/slow-cooker-sandwich-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.375768&esrc=nwdr042709&email=1753946067

April fools' meals

Any fun April fools meals to fool your family? Here is what I tried.
fake chicken pot pie

It looked great. I made a big one not individual ones.  It did take time especially because I burnt the pudding the first time, and hadn't planned ahead and had to make a pie crust from scratch. But they were fooled until it was cut. The problem was after all that work, I had to make a real dinner and hide it until needed. It was fun.

Grilled Fish Tacos

We tried this recipe from epicurious.com with tilapia a few weeks ago and it was a big hit. It is on the menu for this week as well. Thought you might enjoy.

2 c chopped white onion

3/4 c chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 c olive oil

5 T lime juice

3 T orange juice

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 t dried oregano

1 lb tilapia, striped bass, or sturgeon

coarse kosher salt

1 c mayo

1 T milk

Tortillas

2 avocados, peeled, pitted and sliced

Salsa Verde 

Lime wedges

Stir 1 c onion, 1/4 c cilantro, oil, 3 Tbsp lime juice, orange juice, garlic and oregano in a med bowl Sprinkle fish with coarse salt & pepper. Spread 1/2 onion mix over bottom on 11X7X2 in baking dish. Arrange fish atop and spoon remaining mixture to cover fish. Cover and chill 30 minutes. Turn fish; cover and chill 30 minutes longer. 

Whisk mayonnaise, milk and remaining 2 Tbsp of lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.

Brush grill grate with oil and heat to med-high heat. Grill fish with some marinade still clinging until just opaque in center, 3-5 minutes per side. Grill tortillas until slightly charred, about 10 seconds per side.

Coarsely chop fish; place on platter. Serve with lime mayonnaise, tortillas, remaining 1 c chopped onion, remaining 1/2 c cilantro, avocados, cabbage, Salsa Verde, and lime wedges.

Green & Gold Oat Bars

I am thinking we might make these Green & Gold Oat Bars for our St. Patty's day dessert. We have orange and green M&Ms. I will probably use Rolos in place of the caramels and choc chips, because that is what the leprechaun left in our trap and it will save me a trip to the store.:)

http://satisfyingmysweettooth.blogspot.com/

Healthy Meals

My husband and I are trying to lose a little weight and get in better shape, and be healthier, in general. I have been adding extra fruits and veggies to every meal I can. 

I'd love some of your favorite healthy meals. If they are kid-friendly, all the better!

Yesterday I made a big pot of vegetarian chili. Added lots of mushrooms, peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes, beans, and cilantro. We'll be having tonight, I like to let it sit a day, if I can. I will be foregoing my favorite toppings of cheese and sour cream. I think I'll toast some tortillas to serve alongside rather than a nice crusty roll.

Look forward to seeing your great ideas.