And our menu this week is....

I already know that something will change this week - with the holidays, and other activities, I am already anticipating change.  BUT this is the game plan that I will have my pantry and fridge armed!

Monday
Crockpot Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans

Tuesday
Spaghetti Carbonera
Salad
Bread

Wednesday
Chicken Quesadillas
Black Beans
Salad

Thursday
Smashed Potato Soup
Salad
Bread

Friday
Pork Tenderloin in the Crockpot
Rice
Steamed Broccoli

Saturday
Pan Grilled Lambchops
Baked Potatoes
Salad

This post is linked to:
Menu Planning Monday Go check out other menu ideas - I do!

Snow Cream - You scream, I scream, We all scream for snow cream!!!

Miraculously, it snowed here in North Carolina today.  First week of December.  This is not typical.  I recall a few times having a dusting of snow in December as a child.  So today was super special!  We had a beautiful afternoon of big fluffy flakes falling from the sky.  And it stuck to the ground, accumulating like a big white blanket.  And in our home, a nice snowfall means SNOW CREAM! 
I grew up making snow cream.  No true recipe - just snow, milk, sugar and vanilla flavoring.  Snow cream isn't ice cream.  It's similar though in taste to vanilla ice cream but with the texture kind of like a slushie.  Can easily be eaten with a spoon.  If you make it "soupy", you can even drink it with a straw.  Our snow cream was traditionally vanilla but chocolate syrup can easily be added.  Great fun for the kids on a snowy day!
How to make snow cream:

Take a large bowl and big spoon.  Go outside.  Find a "clean" place to scoop snow.  We typically scooped it off the well top growing up.  Now we skim the railing of the deck or any tables on the deck.  Just need clean snow.  How much - depends on how much you would like to make.  This recipe is very loose and easily adaptable.  If you add too much milk, simply get more snow.  Very forgiving.
For about 4 cups of snow, start with 2 cups of milk.  3/4 to 1 cup of sugar.  Depends on your taste.  2 tablespoons of vanilla flavoring.

Stir well and taste.  Sweet enough, need more sugar?  Should be like "melted" ice cream but not like milk.  If needed, add more milk or snow.  See - didn't I say this recipe can not be messed up?
If you need a true recipe, here's one to guide you,
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/snow-ice-cream-ii/Detail.aspx
Enjoy!!!!

Another yummy treat idea! Cake Balls

Cake Balls courtesy of Buy Me Cake

The first time I tasted cake balls, I swear I had a taste of heaven!  It was a chocolate cake ball - imagine fudge, brownie, and chocolate all mixed in a single bite!   There's nothing like them!  I just picked up two dozen cake balls to take to a party from a friend who makes incredible cakes with intricate designs.   Don't count how many balls are in there picture - I can already tell you, 24 are not making it to the party.  Big Guy and Teen laid claim to a few, and Teen saved a few also for her and her friend this evening.
I keep thinking I am going to make cake balls and give them in the treat bags I add to gifts.  For some crazy reason, I have yet to do them though!  But this recipe from Bakerella just might inspire me to do some baking this weekend (especially with our wonderful snow falling!!!)  If you are a fan of Red Velvet Cake, these Red Velvet Cake Balls would be fabulous to receive.
And for chocolate fans, check out this recipe for Moist Chocolate Cake Balls.  All have the same basic concept - bake a cake, crumble it up, add frosting, dip in chocolate.  Sounds sinful right?  Just think of the variations you can make - carrot cake, cream cheese frosting dipped in white chocolate.  Chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, white chocolate dip with a hint of peppermint.  German chocolate cake, coconut icing dipped in chocolate.  Yellow cake, cream cheese frosting dipped in white chocolate.  Oh, the possibilities!

Yummy Food Gifts - Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Crackers

Sounds so simple - Peanut Butter spread on Ritz crackers, dipped in white or milk chocolate!  YUM! This is when I fell in love with Peanut Butter.  I grew up disliking peanut butter. I know, a kid who doesn't like peanut butter, crazy!  And I'm not allergic.  For some reason, I just didn't like the taste.  Now I could eat it for a meal!  White chocolate - I know it's not truly a chocolate, but it would be tops on my "chocolate" list!  The two together makes heaven!
This is a very easy recipe to make for goodie bags or snacks for parties.
What's needed:
waxed paper
Ritz crackers (the classic kind, not flavored.  Store brand is fine)
Creamy peanut butter
White chocolate chips or Almond Bark
Milk Chocolate chips or block of chocolate

Spread about a tablespoon of peanut butter between two crackers.  It's best to prep these crackers before melting chocolate.  I choose to melt my chocolate in the microwave.You can also melt chocolate the traditional way with a double boiler.  Super easy in the microwave, just needs a watchful eye.  Put chocolate in micro-safe bowl.  Melt chocolate at 30 second intervals stirring in between times. If chocolate - especially the Almond Bark - needs to be a bit thinner, add just a tablespoon of vegetable oil and stir well.
Dip prepped crackers into the chocolate once melted.  I find it easy to take the crackers out with a fork.  This also allows the excess chocolate to drip off.  Place covered crackers on waxed paper.  Let cool and set for several hours.  For a bit of color, you can sprinkle color sugar crystals or candy sprinkles (the kind you find for cakes/cupcakes).

Mexican - HomeStyle! Chili Relleno Casserole

One of our favorite dishes at the local Mexican restaurants is Chili Relleno.  YUM!  When I discovered this recipe for Chili Relleno Casserole on A Whisk and A Prayer (cool name!), I was tickled!  But I was a bit scared.  I had never bought any kind of pepper other than a green or red pepper.  Venturing into uncharted waters, I was fascinated by this section of produce I had overlooked before.  The recipe called for Anaheim peppers.  But the grocery store did not have those in stock.  They did have wonderful charts that gave me info on what peppers were similar and the heat intensity of them - staying away from the Habanero Chili!  So with the grocery store's help, I purchased Cubanelle peppers.
Roasting the peppers were super easy!  My fears were needless.  Simple but them on a baking sheet on the top rack of the oven and broil.  5 minutes, flip to other side.  5 more minutes and they were nice and roasted!  Due to the tip in the recipe, I tossed them into a Ziploc bag. Due to time constraints, I left the peppers to cool for about an hour.  The skins separated very nicely.  I sliced the peppers open, removed the seeds.  And this is what I had

Placed peppers in the bottom of a pan.  Browned ground turkey meat.  Mix together eggs, flour, sour cream, olives. Season with salt and pepper.  Layer over peppers, egg mixture, cheese, black beans and turkey.  Create another layer of egg mixture, cheese,black beans and turkey.  Top with enchilada sauce and cheese.  Bake at 350 for about 30 min.
This was so yummy!  The boys said it was "spicy" but they kept eating and eating and eating more!  These are the same two boys who literally drink the salsa at the Mexican restaurant.

A New Twist to an Old Favorite - White Mac and Cheese with Ham and Spinach

Grown up comfort food, with a complete meal in one dish!  What could be better than that?  Other than someone to run my errands for me all over town and clean the kitchen - I'll cook, just need a cleaner!  Last night's dinner of White Macaroni and Cheese with Ham and Spinach was perfect!  Quick to prep, baked for 35 min, and satisfied everyone! 
I started with the lowfat Mac and Cheese recipe from Skinnytaste.com.  The lowfat cheese I had on hand was an Italian blend so I used it versus Cheddar.  Also, as this was our meal - and the Big Guy likes meat! - I add chopped Smithfield ham.  Topped with Italian Bread crumbs and baked in the oven!  It was fabulous!  Two thumbs WAY up!
Lack of pictures is for two reasons - rush on dinner last night due to evening activities and the little leftover was my lunch!  Camera was not handy before I inhaled my lunch while chatting with the most adorable 5 month old!  But here's a bonus shot of my lunch buddy today

Bring out the kid in all of us! Hot Cocoa Mix to Give!

Last night Teen made herself a cup of Hot Chocolate.  Her version is warmed milk and Swiss Miss.  Once heated, she added a large marshmallow on top.  According to Teen - "It's neat how the marshmallow gets all gooey in the hot chocolate!"
Who doesn't love a cup of Hot Cocoa?   Just the thought brings thoughts of warm knitted hats and scarves, a fire roasting outside, laughter, and friends!  Or sitting around the dining room table after a large meal with family and friends playing games.  What a great gift to give or receive!  Perfect for teachers, neighbors, friends or family!  You can easily find inexpensive mugs at the discount or dollar store.  Tie a pretty ribbon around them  Add a candy cane - who wouldn't like a touch of peppermint in their mug of cocoa! This recipe from Family Fun uses 6 ingredients.  Line them up as an assembly line.  Enjoy -  Best Hot Cocoa Mix!