Friday, July 22, 2016

Foodie FriYAY!! Freezer Meals! Loooong Video of all Day Recipe Making!...





I did a lot of research to get recipes that my family will like and that can be made ahead and frozen.   I like to prep and plan and have meals at the ready so we have good, wholesome, home cooked meals and don't have fret over what's for dinner.  I do have to say that this takes a lot of planning and organizing.  Be sure to check your pantry and fridge to see what you already have and check your recipes over to ensure you have all that you need - you don't want to be 1/2 way through and realize you forgot an ingredient!  I check, double check, and triple check making my list by isle so I can get all that I need at the grocery.  For me, it's easier to go to the grocery one day and then do the meals the next, BUT that does take a lot of fridge space so do what works for you but know that this is exhausting.  It doesn't seem like it would be, but it is. 
Also prepare your containers - I bought several more than I thought I needed and used them all!!!  I bought them at the dollar store and for my family I just needed the small ones that came 3/$1 with lids.  Be sure you have something to cover them with.  Label everything with what it is and the date and how to prepare it.  This will save you a lot of trouble two months from now when you are wondering what mystery dinner has been waiting in the freezer!
When baking your dish remove the cardboard lid!

Prepare!!!  If you know you need 5 chopped onions for all of your recipes, chop them all at once.  Have things ready when you need them!

If cooking meals from frozen they will take a lot longer than if it's thawed.  Add at least twice the time and check it.  How long will depend on how big of a container you have, how packed in the food is, your oven, etc.  So be sure to check often to ensure you aren't overcooking! 

Below are some of the recipes I used.  Some recipes are loosely based on a recipe and tweaked to our liking but I wanted to give you a good idea of what you saw me make.  :)
In no particular order:

Chicken Tot Casserole (Plain Chicken's Recipe)
http://plainchicken.com/2015/07/cracked-out-tater-tot-casserole.html  (check her site out - she's amazing!)
I will cook this for about an hour on 350' from frozen.  Less time if I get to thaw it out first.  (Start with 25 mins if thawed)

Beef Barley Stew:   http://happymoneysaver.com/frugal-food-recipe-beef-barly-stew/
I changed this up a little by omitting parsley flakes and sugar.  I added tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
I will probably put this frozen in the slow cooker before work one day OR cook it on the stove from frozen. 

There are lots of recipes for chili, but I know that my family likes tomato-y chili so I just made it per usual which roughly has a large can of tomato sauce, a can of diced chili-ready tomatoes, one chopped onion, a can of Brooks Chili Mild beans, a pound of browned ground beef, packet of chili seasoning,  a clove or two of garlic, bell pepper if you have it, and salt. 
This is good in the slow cooker or on the stove.  Will cook from frozen either way.  Slow cooker - low 8 hours

Lasagna
I kinda blended lots of recipes together but here's basically what you need for one 9x11 pan....one package of no boil lasagna noodles, tomato sauce - make your own with Italian seasoning, can of diced tomatoes and 2 cans tomato sauce OR use marinara in a jar, one onion chopped, 3-4 cloves of garlic minced, if you have a shallot, chop that up too!  One small container ricotta cheese, one egg, one small container cottage cheese, Italian seasoning, 2 C mozzarella cheese, if you can add a package of fresh mozzarella do that too - you will thank me later!  :)   1 C parmesan cheese, 1/2 lb browned ground beef, 1/2 lb browned Italian (or bfast) sausage
Mix the cheeses (except a little parm and a little mozzarella) with the egg and the Italian seasoning
Layer - a little sauce, noodles, beef, sauce, cheese mixture at least 2-3 times.  Top with remaining cheese. 
From frozen bake about an hour at 350'.  If thawed will need less time - check at 30 mins. 
I was going to use the Pioneer Woman's recipe, but trust me, if you've been cooking a while, you have your own style and ideas of how to make things  - especially if you've made them several times before.  Freezer meal day was not the day for me to experiment on the unknown - I feel more comfortable on auto pilot.  I still want to try her recipe and I will one day when that's the only recipe I'm making. 
http://the pioneerwoman.com

Beef Enchiladas
http://tasteofhome.com/recipes/cheddar-beef-enchiladas
I replaced the refried beans with black beans because I don't much care for refried.  I also did not warm the tortillas.  I used some flour and some corn.  I think I like the corn best..... 
I will cook this for about an hour on 350' from frozen.  Less time if I get to thaw it out first.  (Start with 25 mins if thawed)


Taco Soup
Much like chili this can vary based on your taste.  There are several recipes for this online but my rough outline for this is much like my chili.....  1 lb ground beef, browned (can use turkey or chicken) , 1 onion chopped, 1 can corn, 1 can black beans, 1 large can diced tomatoes, one large can tomato sauce, can of diced chilies - optional, top with cheese and sour cream. 
I will cook this from frozen in my slow cooker. Low 8 hours.

Lasagna Soup - check out the recipe on carlsbadcravings.com  I based mine on that, but honestly I'm not sure what I changed up but I know that I did!  :)  LOL!  Watch the video.  TeeHee! 

Pizza Casserole - 4 cups cooked pasta, 1 lb browned ground beef/sausage mixture, 4 oz pepperoni (I like turkey pepperoni), 1/2 chopped green pepper, 1 chopped onion, 2 minced cloves of garlic, small can sliced black olives, jar of marinara, 2 C mozzarella (plus some fresh if you like....and trust me, you will like!), Italian seasoning
Mix everything together.  Cook for about an hour at 350 from frozen - if thawed check at 25 mins. 

TexMex Chicken Casserole
2 chicken breasts cooked and shredded, 4 cups cooked rice, 1 can diced tomatoes, 2 T taco seasoning, 1 can corn, drained, 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, 2-3 C cheddar, small can sliced black olives
Mix and freeze.  Bake 350' about an hour from frozen.
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/freezer-meals.html

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake
http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/freezer-meals.html

Baked Ziti (or whatever pasta you choose)
http://sixsistersstuff.com/2011/baked-ziti-freezer-meal
Cooked pasta, chopped onion, browned ground beef, spaghetti sauce, provolone cheese slices, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, maybe some garlic if you have it.  (Don't forget some fresh moz!)
I didn't put amounts because this late in the day I was totally winging it.  :)  AND putting them in small freezer containers  you may need more or less depending on how you like it. 
I put pasta on bottom, added sauce and meat then provolone slices and sour cream then repeat layer.  Top with parm and moz.  Same as others - cook from frozen for about an hour.  Depending on size of pan and for about 25 mins if thawed. 







Monday, June 27, 2016

Made With Love; Stampin' Up! Card 3 of 3 - Oh, so cute!!!



Supplies:
·        
Basic Black Cardstock
·        
Whisper White CS
·        
Basic Black Archival Ink
·        
Made with Love Stampset
·        
Corner Rounder
·        
Aqua Painter
·        

Snail adhesive
Dimensions:
·        
Basic Black cut 5 ½” x 81/2” scored at 4 ¼”
·        
Whisper White cut at 5 ¼” x 4” (X2)
Steps:
1.       
Round corners of card base and both pieces of WW
2.      
Adhere one piece of WW to inside of card base
3.      
Stamp kitties and sentiment in Basic Black
Archival ink
4.     
Adhere card front to card base
5.      
Color kitties as desired (I used black ink and
aquabrush)


6.     
Enjoy!

Made With Love; Stampin' Up! Card 2 of 3 in series





Supplies:
·        
Wisteria WonderCardstock
·        
Whisper White CS
·        
Basic Black Archival Ink
·        
Made with Love Stampset
·        
Wisteria Wonder Ribbon
·        
Aqua Painter
·        
Snail adhesive
·        
Glue dot
·        
Inks for watercoloring: Choc Chip, YoY o Yellow,
·        
Peekaboo Peach, smoky slate, blushing bride,
·        
Cucumber crush
·        
Signo White Marker

Dimensions:
·        
Wisteria Wonder cut 5 ½” x 81/2” scored at 4 ¼”
·        
Whisper White cut at 5 ¼” x 4” (X2)

Steps:
1.       
Adhere one piece of WW to inside of card base
2.      
Stamp sweet critters Basic Black Archival ink
3.      
Color sweet baby animals with aquabrush and ink
– let dry (or dry with heat gun)
4.     
Adhere ribbon
5.      
Adhere bow
6.     
Adhere card front to card base


7.      
Enjoy!

Made With Love; Stampin' Up! Card 2 of 3 in series





Supplies:
·        
Wisteria WonderCardstock
·        
Whisper White CS
·        
Basic Black Archival Ink
·        
Made with Love Stampset
·        
Wisteria Wonder Ribbon
·        
Aqua Painter
·        
Snail adhesive
·        
Glue dot
·        
Inks for watercoloring: Choc Chip, YoY o Yellow,
·        
Peekaboo Peach, smoky slate, blushing bride,
·        
Cucumber crush
·        
Signo White Marker

Dimensions:
·        
Wisteria Wonder cut 5 ½” x 81/2” scored at 4 ¼”
·        
Whisper White cut at 5 ¼” x 4” (X2)

Steps:
1.       
Adhere one piece of WW to inside of card base
2.      
Stamp sweet critters Basic Black Archival ink
3.      
Color sweet baby animals with aquabrush and ink
– let dry (or dry with heat gun)
4.     
Adhere ribbon
5.      
Adhere bow
6.     
Adhere card front to card base


7.      
Enjoy!

Made With Love; Stampin' Up! Card 1 of 3



Supplies:
·        
Crumb Cake Cardstock
·        
Pool Party CS
·        
Basic Black Archival Ink
·        
Made with Love Stampset
·        
Pool Party Glitter Ribbon
·        
Signo white pen
·        
Snail adhesive
·        
Dimensionals

Dimensions:
·        
Crumb Cake cut 5 ½” x 81/2” scored at 4 ¼”
·        
Pool party cut at 5 ¼” x 4”
·        
Crumb cake cut at 4 ¾” x 3 ½”
·        
Ribbon cut at 4 ½”
·        
Pool party scrap for onsie
·        
Crumb cake scrap for bunny

Steps:
1.       
Adhere large piece of pool party to card base
2.      
Adhere crumb cake to pool party
3.      
Stamp onsie on scrap pool party and fussy cut
out
4.     
Stamp bunny on scrap crumb cake and fussy cut
5.      
Color bunny’s tail with signo white
6.     
Adhere bunny to front of onesie
7.      
Add ribbon to card front
8.     
Stamp sentiment on card front
9.     
Using dimensionals, adhere onsie to card front


10.   
Enjoy!

Masculine Stampin Up Card featuring cardstock; Card 3 of 3 in series



Supplies:
·        
Crumb Cake Cardstock
·        
Delightful Dijon CS
·        
Whisper White CS
·        
Designer paper from Hobby store
·        
Tip Top Taupe Ink
·        
Delightful Dijon Ink
·        
Circle punches
·        
Snail adhesive
·        
Dimensionals

Dimensions:

·        
Circles cut at different sizes
·        
Crumb Cake cut at 8”x4”; scored at 4”
·        
Designer paper cut at  3 ¾” square
·        
WW CS cut free handed from a rectangle to look
like a mug
·        
Delightful Dijon CS to fit in mug

Steps:
1.       
Adhere designer paper to card base
2.      
Adhere mug and ‘beer’ onto card front
3.      
Sponge edges of bubbles with Delightful Dijon
ink
4.     
Adhere bubbles using snail and dimensionals
randomly


5.      
Enjoy!

Masculine Card; Stampin' Up! featuring Butterfly Basics; series 2 of 3



Supplies:
·        
Cucumber Crush Cardstock
·        
Crumb Cake CS
·        
Whisper White CS
·        
Butterfly Basics Stampset
·        
Tip Top Taupe Ink
·        
Cucumber Crush Ink
·        
Basic Black Archival Ink
·        
Snail adhesive

Dimensions:

·        
Tip Top Taupe  cut at 4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5 1/2”
·        
Cucumber Crush cut a 4” x 5 1/4”
·        
WW CS cut at 3 ¾” x 5”

Steps:
1.       
Adhere cucumber crush to card base
2.      
Stamp card front
a.       Green
is done in generation stamping


3.      
Enjoy!

Masculine Stampin Up Card featuring Owl Punch; Series 1 of 3





Supplies:
·        
Cucumber Crush Cardstock
·        
Basic Black CS
·        
Silver CS
·        
Designer paper from craft store
·        
Owl Punch
·        
Star punch
·        
White Signo Ink Pen
·        
Silver Embossing Powder
·        
Rockstar stamp from craft store
·        
Versamark ink pad
·        
2” hole punch
·        
Snail adhesive
·        
Mombow liquid glue

Dimensions:
·        
Cucumber Crush cut at 4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5
1/2”
·        
2” circles
·        
Designer paper cut a 5” x 5 2/4”
·        
Basic black cut at ¼” x 4 “
·        
Owl punch used with legs cut off
·        
Small rectangles of silver for knobs
·        
Small rectangle of basic black for guitar

Steps:
1.       
Adhere designer paper to card base
2.      
Emboss Sentiment in silver
3.      
Adhere Circles to card front
4.     
Create guitar and decorate as desired


5.      
Adhere stars randomly

Endless Thanks; Stampin' Up! Card 3 of 3 in series





Supplies:
·        
Whisper White Cardstock
·        
Affectionately Yours DSP
·        
Tip Top Taupe CS
·        
Cucumber Crush Ink
·        
Tip Top Taupe Ink
·        
Flirty Flamingo Ink
·        
Delightful Dijon Ink
·        
Dapper Denim Ink
·        
Flirty Flamingo Ink
·        
Rhinestones
·        
Snail
·        
Dimensionals
·        
Endless Thanks stamp set

Dimensions:
·        
WW  cut at
4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5 1/2”
·        
DSP cut at 5 ¼ x 4
·        
Tip Top Taupe Cut at 2 5/8 x 4 1/4
·        
WW cut at 2 ¼ x 4
·        
Scrap WW for banner

Steps:
1.       
Adhere DSP to cardbase
2.      
Stamp the banner and phrase on scrap WW and
fussy cut it out
3.      
Stamp flowers and leaves in center of WW
4.     
Adhere Tip Top Taupe to DSP
5.      
Adhere WW to Tip Top Taupe
6.     
Attach Banner using Dimentionals
7.      
Adhere rhinestones as desired


8.     
Enjoy!  

Endless Thanks; Stampin' Up!; Card 2 of 3 in Series





Supplies:
·         Whisper White Cardstock
·         Peekaboo Peach Ink
·         Old Olive Ink
·         Watermelon Wonder Ink
·         Flirty Flamingo Ink
·         Old Olive Marker
·         Rhinestones
·         Dimensionals
·         Something circular to get a wreath ‘frame’
·         Endless Thanks stamp set

Dimensions:
·         Whisper White cut at 4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5 1/2”
·         Scrap WW – for banner

Steps:
1.        Place circle in middle of card and LIGHTLY trace with pencil to get a ‘frame’ for the wreath.
2.       Starting with large flower stamp evenly around circle (best to do odd number if possible)
3.       Stamp the smaller flowers between the larger ones
4.      Stamp the leaves and hearts
5.       Stamp the banner and sentiment on the scrap WW
6.      Fussy cut the banner out
7.       Attach banner with dimensionals
8.      Adhere rhinestones as desired


Foodie Friday!


Crunchy Chicken Parmesan with Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce
6 chicken Tenderloins
3 cups panko
¼ grated parmesan
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce:
2 cups diced sundried tomatoes
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces cream cheese
1 cup white wine
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon basil
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine panko, parmesan, parsley, garlic salt and rosemary.  Rinse chicken in water, and dredge in panko mixture.  Place on cookie sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Bake in 350 oven for approximately 10 minutes.
While chicken is baking combine sundried tomatoes, chopped garlic, olive oil in sauté pan.  Sauté for 4 minutes until tomatoes are soft.  In sauce pan on medium heat combine cream cheese, white wine, and heavy cream.  Stir until cream cheese is melted.  Add basil and tomato mixture and simmer.  Spoon over chicken.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Monday, June 6, 2016

Endless Thanks; Stampin' Up! Card 1 of 3 in Series



Supplies:
·        
Whisper White Cardstock
·        
Mint Macaron DSP
·        
Tip Top Taupe CS
·        
Flirty Flamingo CS
·        
Mint Macaron Ink
·        
Tip Top Taupe Ink
·        
Flirty Flamingo Ink
·        
WW Thick Baker’s Twine
·        
Glue
·        
Dimensionals
·        
Bold Butterfly Framelits
·        
Endless Thanks stamp set

Dimensions:
·        
Tip Top Taupe cut at 4 ¼” x 11” scored at 5 1/2”
·        
Scrap Flirty Flamingo – for diecutting
·        
DSP cut at 5 ¼ x 4 and 5 ¼ x ¼
·        
WW cut at 5 x 3 ¾
·        
Scrap WW for banner
·        
Twine cut at about 6” (x 2)

Steps:
1.       
Adhere DSP to cardbase at an angle
2.      
Stamp hearts onto large piece of WW
3.      
Stamp the banner and fussy cut it out
4.     
Die cut the butterfly using the scrap Flirty
Flamingo

5.      
Before adhering the WW to the DSP, figure
placement and adhere twine and thin piece of DSP

6.     
Adhere WW to DSP
7.      
Adhere banner using dimensionals
8.     
Adhere butterfly with glue
9.     
Tie tiny bow with second piece of twine and
adhere to butterfly with glue

10.   
Enjoy!  


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