Saturday, April 28, 2012

Healthier Reuben on Multi-Grain Ciabatta with Cauliflower Fries! To die for.

Reuben on Multi-Grain Ciabatta with Cauliflower Fries!




Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. Start with a 3-3.5 lb corned beef brisket. Put in a covered roasting pan fat side up with 2 cups water and liquid from package. Cut seasoning packet and sprinkle on fat. Roast at 300 for 4 hours. Take beef out of the oven and set on top (still covered). Bump oven up to 400 degrees



Cut a head of cauliflower into floret quarters. Toss with 3 Tbsp olive oil, seasoning salt, Cajun seasoning, black pepper, paprika, no salt seasoning. That's what I use but feel free to season with whatever you want. Place cauliflower on a cooking sprayed cookie sheet covered with foil. Bake at 400 for 60 minutes or until golden brown turning twice.

Heat a bowl of your favorite sauerkraut in the microwave. Set aside.

Smear Lite Thousand Island Dressing on both sides of a multi-grain ciabatta roll (bought from a local store in Utah called Macey's) Awesome BTW!

Slice the fat off the top of the brisket and discard. Thinly slice the corned beef and place slices on the bottom half of the roll. Top with Swiss and sauerkraut!


Serve the cauliflower fries with ketchup and enjoy!


Sunday, April 8, 2012

Easter Bread Bunny Veggie Tray

Easter Bread Bunny Veggie Tray


This is our veggie tray we make every year for Easter our family get together. It is nice because it doubles as not only a veggie tray, but also the bread or rolls that you might have. It is very simple and always a crowd pleaser.  Here is the recipe and the instructions on how to make it.
2 loaves Rhodes bake and serve bread loaves (thawed in the fridge so it is still cold)
2 sliced almonds or 1 peanut halved
2 large raisins
1 egg beaten

Cut 1 loaf into 1/4 and 3/4 portions. shape the 3/4 piece into an egg shape for the body. Place on large sprayed baking sheet. ( I use a baking sheet turned upside down)



Shape the 1/4 piece into a pear shape and place above the body for the head.



Cut second loaf in half. Cut one of the halves in half again.



The two smaller haves are for the ears. using your hands roll the two pieces into 2 16 inch ropes. Fold them together and place underneath the top of the head as ears.



With remaining half of the loaf, divide this in half. Take one of the halves and cut into 2 pieces. Use the 2 smaller pieces and shape them into 2 large thumper feet and place them at the bottom the bunny body tucked underneath a little. Take a pair of scissors and clip the toes.


Divide last piece of dough into 1/3 and 2/3 portions. Divide 2/3 portion in half an shape into 2 small round hands, and clip them with scissors for fingers.




Divide remaining 1/3 dough into 2 large same size balls for the cheeks and one smaller ball for the nose and place on the face. Cut cheeks with scissors for whiskers.


Place the 2 raisins in the place of the eyes and the peanuts or almonds under the cheeks for the teeth and brush the whole bunny even the eyes and teeth with the egg wash.



Cover the whole bunny with cooking spray covered plastic wrap.


Let rise in a warm place until puffy somewhere from 30 to 60 minutes. I usually turn the oven on to pre-heat for about 2 or 3 minutes and then let it sit in the oven for awhile to get the yeast going. After puffy remove the wrap.



Bake at 350 for 28 minutes or until golden brown.


Let it cool and then hollow out the tummy. Put a bowl in  and fill it with your favorite veggie dip. I put my rabbit on a tinfoil covered piece of cardboard because I never have a tray big enough to hold the rabbit and all of the veggies. Just add whatever veggies you like around the bunny to make a great festive side for any Easter celebration. Hope you all like it.




Thursday, April 5, 2012

Baseball Opening Day Dinner



Baseball Opening Day Dinner 2012

Wanted to bring a stadium feel to our house!
Nathan's longer than the bun dogs
Cracker Jacks (DUH)
Stadium Peanuts
all on a IKEA plate!

 
We are big Cincinnati Reds fans (nice win BTW) and love opening day! I know, Reds fans in Utah? Every since I was a little boy I fell in love with Johnny Bench on the Baseball Bunch kids TV show with the San Diego Chicken! I never looked back and have loved the Reds my whole life.

 We buy the Directv MLB Extra Innings Package every season, otherwise there would be very few "Reds" sightings in the house. Thank You Directv. Simple and cheap but the kids loved it, we had a great time!



Monday, April 2, 2012

WWE Wrestlemania party spread!

WWE WRESTLEMANIA PARTY SPREAD!

This is the food and treats we made for our Wrestlemania party! The kids were so excited to set each station up. We had a blast!


 

Made a CENA fruity pebbles marshmallow treat!
We have a cake pan with inserts to make letters.





The Rock Bottom Hawaiian Punch!
Hawaiian punch and Sprite







Kane's meatball subs from hell!
Kori's homemade meatballs awesome!



Undertaker's tombstone cookies with cream cheese frosting.





Triple H "The Game's Goodies"


Shaemus's "Great White" deviled eggs.




Divas salad.



Zach Ryder's "Browski Beans"


CM Punk chip station.




Saturday, March 31, 2012

Corner Pantry

OUR NEW CORNER PANTRY

Finished Pantry face lift. I think both doors turned out awesome and it really changes the look o the kitchen.



We decided to not only do the pantry door but also the door to the basement as well. Painted sanded then used dark stain.





Prior to antiquing the color of paint was called cranberry zing glidden. We got it at Wal-Mart.



We have been in need of some more cabinet space. Kori asked her dad if he would build us this corner pantry. We gave him some ideas and this is what the finished product look like.



It will really help to have this little extra space. Plus it really didn't take a noticeable amount of space in the kitchen away either.



The pantry blocked an outlet we had in the wall. The outlet on the exterior of the pantry is just an outlet that plugs into the other outlet, So we didn't loose access to anything. I think it turned out great. Sometimes the in-laws are good for something! LOL

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Louisiana Crusted Tilapia with Buffalo Tartar Sauce











BUFFALO TARTAR SAUCE

1/2 Cup light Sour Cream
1/4 Cup light Mayo
1 Tablespoon Sweet Relish
1 Teaspoon Frank's Red Hot
1/2 Teaspoon Hot Creamy Horseradish
1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce
Dash of Seasoning Salt
Dash of Black Pepper

This is Dave's creation due to the fact he likes things spicy! If you are not a horseradish or spicy fan I am sure you could omit it, but I would still keep the Franks to have the "buffalo" taste I doubt it would be very spicy with just the Franks.

DIRECTIONS
MIX IT ALL TOGETHER IN A BOWL! DUH ;)


Louisiana crusted tilapia

There is no real magic trick to this one.
Rinse the fish and shake off excess water. Salt and pepper the fillets then we dip them in Louisiana Fish Fry (we bought it at Wal-Mart) less tan $2.00 an it is awesome stuff.

Then heat up 1/2 inch depth of canola oil in a pan and fry until golden brown on each side. Place on a paper towel to take excess oil off.

This is a real easy and yummy dinner. Hope you all enjoy!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Super cute and easy Easter Tree

Super Cute Easter Tree


I got out my Easter decorations yesterday and found this cute tree I had made a few years back. It was so simple to make and friends of mine have said they would like to know how to make it so here are the simple instructions on how to  construct this Easter decoration.

Materials

1 Styrofoam cone approx. 12 inches tall
A bucket or any sort of pot that the cone will fit into
Some sort of spring like ribbon
Easter grass (What ever color you would like)
Assorted plastic Easter eggs
Some sort of figurine for the top
A handful of rocks

Instructions

Add the rocks to the bottom of the bucket or pot, whichever you decide to use. The rocks are nice to make sure the bottom is weighted down. Using hot glue, glue the Styrofoam cone to the inside of the bucket/pot.  Use the glue and glue the Easter grass all over the cone, as thick as you would like it. Pick out the eggs you would like to use and glue them on top of the grass, spaced as close or as far as you prefer. Cut the ribbon so it fits around the top of the bucket and tie it on. I used a few dots of glue around it to make sure it wouldn't fall off. Last get your figurine and glue it to the top of the tree. And viola, you have a cute new decoration for your Easter celebration!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Best Damn Deviled Eggs Ever!


The Best Damn Deviled Eggs Ever!

12 eggs
4 tsp. light mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1-2 green onions
1 1/2 Tbsp. Frank's red hot sauce
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika

Boil the eggs. I find it works best if you add oil to the water, because the shells come off of the eggs better. 
After the eggs are cooled and peeled, cut them in half and scoop out the yolk and put in a bowl. Mince up the onions very fine and add to the yolks along with the mayo, mustard, Frank's, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Mash up until smooth and spoon back into the whites.
Sprinkle a little more paprika and a light dusting of salt!
The hubby had said that he wanted Deviled Eggs the other day, so I just made these up tonight, and they are SO good!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Sweet and Sour Chicken



2 to 3 large chicken breasts
2/3 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups Whole Wheat flour
1 egg
Water

Cut the chicken breasts up into little bite sized chunks. Once chicken is cut up, put into a Tupperware with 1/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper, put on lid and shake to coat. 
 In a separate bowl add wheat flour, 1/3 cup cornstarch, egg and then add enough water to make a batter about the same as a pancake batter. I also add a dash of salt and pepper to the batter. 
Heat up some oil, about a half inch deep. Dip chicken pieces into batter and add to oil. Once they are golden brown on one side, flip over until they are golden brown on both sides. It doesn't take long. Drain onto paper towels.

Sweet and Sour Sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
8 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Ketchup
1 tsp. Soy Sauce
2 tsp. cornstarch added to 4 tsp. water

Mix together vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup and soy sauce in a small sauce pan. Mix water and cornstarch together in a bowl. Once mix is boiling add cornstarch mix into pan and whisk until thick!

We like to make this in conjunction with the veggie egg foo young recipe previously posted. It is an excellent combo. Enjoy!

Veggie Egg Foo Young

Veggie Egg Foo Young


1 crown of broccoli, cut very small
1 carrot, grated
1 onion, small dice
2 stocks of celery, small dice
1/2 cup frozen peas
Saute until tender in a little bit of olive oil. Once the veggies are tender put into a bowl and let cool. Once they are cool add 6 eggs and 1 Tbsp. light soy sauce.

  Heat up a skillett to medium high heat with some oil spray. Using a ladle pour a half of a ladle full onto the skillet. Once the pattys are firm on one side, flip and wait for them to be cooked all of the way through.


Egg Foo Young Gravy

Boil 1 1/2 cups water with 3 Tbsp cornstarch in a small sauce pan. Make sure to whisk until smooth. Add 1 Tbsp. light soy sauce and 3 beef bullion cubs. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until cubes are dissolved and sauce is thick.
We always make this along side our sweet and sour chicken recipe posted next.
Enjoy! This is one you will not regret, it is truly yummy. This has been a work in progress for a year tweaking this and learning that each time we made it.

Saturday, March 17, 2012

St. Paddy's Day Homemade Reuben


         St. Paddy's Day Homemade Reuben




Put 2 cups of water in a roasting pan. Place the corned beef brisket fat side up (with all liquid from bag) then place seasoning packet on top of brisket.
Add 1 cut up onion
I add 4 drops of liquid smoke
Roast at 300 degrees covered for 1hr per pound.


Bowl of sauerkraut with 4 drops of you guessed it..green food coloring!


Sandwich
Thinly sliced corned beef
Green sauerkraut
Swiss Cheese
Your favorite thousand island dressing
Finally your favorite rye bread
Enjoy!