Recipe #140 Rosemary Pork Tenderloin with #141 Roasted Broccoli and #142 Smashed potatoes

Okay, this was from a combination of places...
The idea for the pork tenderloin was from my Real Simple 10 ways... or found here.
the broccoli was from here thanks to pinterest!

for the pork tenderloin
you need:
pork tenderloin
olive oil
rub:
1 Tbsp or so rosemary
1 tsp paprika
2 cloves garlic crushed
1/2 tsp kosher salt

• rub pork with olive oil
• mix rest of ingredients together and rub over meat
• bake at 425 for 30-45 minutes or until cooked through
• cut and serve

broccoli

you need:

some broccoli

olive oil

kosher salt

pepper

4 cloves garlic

lemon juice

parmesan

• spread broccoli out on a foil lined baking sheet
• toss with olive oil, salt and pepper
• top with sliced garlic cloves
• roast at 425 (with your pork tenderloin) for about 20 minutes
• take out and add a bit of lemon juice, a bit more olive oil and parmesan

smashed potatoes

you need:

4 red potatoes

minced garlic

chives

a bit of milk

parmesan

• pierce potatoes in several places and microwave for 5 or so minutes
• cut up, add a little milk and "smash" with a masher 
• add in a bit of garlic, chives and parmesan
• mix up a little more

Recipe #139: Chicken Noodle Soup

So I made this soup for Alex, who was not feeling great this weekend! He eats almost all foods now, which is why I haven't posted many recipes for him lately! This was a quick chicken noodle soup I made for him, I didn't add so many spices and such because I wanted to keep it basic for him, but he seemed to appreciate it!

You need:

1 chicken breast

macaroni noodles (or another of your choice)

carrots

corn

oregano

parsley

low sodium chicken broth

• boil chicken in water
• shred chicken and return to water
• add carrots and a shake or two of oregano and parsley
• allow to boil for a while. add corn and macaroni
• I added extra broth at end because the macaroni absorbed a lot of water!

I actually took out the broth and put it in a cup so he could drink it up! :) he ate the rest with his fingers once it cooled down!

Recipe #138: Apple Pie Bread

So left over apple pie dip equals a delicious bread!

You need:
one grapefruit size portion of bread dough
apple pie dip
flour for pizza peel

• take out portion of dough and allow to rest for about 40 minutes
• preheat oven after 20 minutes and allow the stone to heat
• roll out and put apple pie dip on two thirds of the dough
• roll back up and tuck ends under so it is sealed.
• cut little slits in top of dough
• bake for about 35 minutes

i still need to work on getting the insides to stay inside...but it was still delicious!

Recipe #136 and #137: Apple Pie dip with Cinnamon and Sugar Chips

This was another find on pinterest! Originally from here. I doubled the recipe.

You need: 

for dip--

4 cups diced apples

4 Tbsp lemon juice

6 Tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp flour dissolved in 2 tsp water

• Combine apples, lemon juice, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small pan
• heat until boiling, stirring often
• add flour/water mixture
• heat until thickened
• great warm or cold!

for the chips--

8 tortillas

4 Tbsp butter melted

1 tsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp sugar

• cut tortillas into sixths
• lay on a greased baking pan
• brush with melted butter
• sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top (i had mixed together before adding)
• bake at 410 until golden brown, 8-10 minutes

Recipe #135: Herb Roasted Chicken

I have made this one for a long time, I can't believe I haven't used it as a recipe yet!

You need:
4 chicken breast halves
3-4 potatoes, quartered
1 cup baby carrots
1 cup broccoli
paprika
oregano
cream of mushroom
1/3 cup water

• in a roasting pan, or 9x13 dish empty cream of mushroom and water. mix together
• add in 1 tsp oregano
• mix in veggies
• add chicken on top
• sprinkle chicken with about another tsp of oregano and some paprika
• bake for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink.

Recipe #134: Pretzel Sandwiches

Okay, this is one recipe you really need to have! It is so easy and so delicious! I made it for my teacher inservice on Monday. I found it on pinterest and it is originally found here. Easy and delicious, I actually just make a few tonight to eat for a snack! (It has been a really long week!) The hardest part is really just opening up the candy! The original author used just hugs but I used reese's cups and coconut filled kisses! (which i think were my favorite)

You need:
1 bag of synders snaps
1 bag of hershey's hugs
1 bag of mini reese's cups
1/2 bag of coconut kisses

• preheat oven to 300
• spread pretzels out on a wax paper covered baking sheet
• unwrap candies
• put one candy on top of each pretzel
• put in oven for 2 minutes. (reese's cups might need 3 minutes)
• let it rest for another minute after you take out to continue to soften
• put another pretzel on top and press down
• put in fridge to cool for about 15-20 minutes
• EAT! :)

Recipe #133: Baked Potato Fries

I had this for lunch last weekend! it was perfect...

You need:
2-3 potatoes
olive oil
sea salt
parmesan

• preheat oven to 450
• cut the potatoes into 8 pieces
• put in a ziploc bag. 
• add enough olive oil to coat potatoes
• add in salt and parmesan and toss
• arrange a single layer on a baking sheet
• bake for 10 minutes, then mix up and bake for about ten more minutes

Recipe #132: Hearty Hamburger Soup

This is a recipe my grandma passed along that she has made for 55+ years! My mom has made it for ages too, and after a quick phone call to Japan to check about a substitution and we were good to go! :) We are all feeling a little under the weather and soup was just the thing! I also got to pull out my pumpkin tureen in honor of the cool, fall air. It was a win all around!
I halved the recipe, but I will write down the whole thing...

You need:

3 Tbsp butter or oleo                         
1 medium onion chopped                  
1  1/2 lbs ground beef                                   
1 can (1 lb.12oz) tomatoes ( I used diced with green chilies to give it a kick)                                   

3 cans (10 1/2 oz) consomme plus 2 cans water  (for the half recipe i substituted 3 beef bouillons and  about 4 cups of water)              
10 peppercorns

1 Tbsp salt

4 medium carrots

4 celery tops (I omited this)

6 sprigs parsley (or a tsp dried)

1/4 tsp thyme

I also add in 3/4 cup of barley, or you can add rice, pasta etc!

Melt butter in soup kettle--toss in chopped onions.cook until they are limb but not brown.
Add the ground beef and stir it around until it loses its red look
Pour in the rest of the ingredients.
Cover and cook over a very low heat for about 45 min.
Delicious with bread right out of the oven!

disclaimer...my camera is really old and takes terrible pictures! the soup is really delicious, although my camera can't capture it! :)

Recipe #131: Hamburger and Gravy

My mom made this once for us and it was delicious, so I tried to copy it! :) Alex likes ground meat...and normally if it says hamburger, know that I am probably substituting it for ground turkey, but you get the idea!

You need:
1 lb of ground meat
1 can of cream of mushroom sauce
1 can of milk

pasta of your choice

• boil water and add pasta, cook following directions on package
• form the meat into small patties
• cook through in a large pan.
• pour in cream of mushroom sauce and milk
• allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes

easy meal in a hurry!

Recipe #130: Smore Brownies

After my day, I needed some major chocolate, and this was just the thing!

You need:
1 box of brownie mix and ingredients for that
handful of chocolate chips
2 handfuls of mini marshmallows
4 graham crackers, broken up

• mix up the brownies according to package directions
• add in some marshmallows and chocolate chips
• pour into a pan and bake
• in last 8-10 minutes, take out and add rest of the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers
• put back in oven and bake until done
• enjoy the amazing chocolately goodness!

Recipe #129: 30 min Twice Baked Potatoes

I knew I was going to make baked potatoes tonight, but didn't want to do the same thing again so I was looking at my Woman's Day cooking assistant app and found a recipe for twice baked potatoes...and then I used what I had to add my own spin to it! :) their website is not working right now or i would link it up!

You Need:
3 baking potatoes
1/2 cup of cheddar cheese
6 pieces of bacon
1/2 cup milk
spoonful of minced garlic
paprika
parsley

• key to making this fast...clean and pierce potatoes and stick in the microwave for 10 minutes.
• once done cut in half long ways and let cool
• scoop insides of potatoes
• mix in a bowl with milk, then add bacon, garlic, cheese, and some paprika
• spoon back into the potato skins
• sprinkle a little bit more paprika and some parsley on top
• bake at 375 for 15 minutes

Recipe #128: Pumpkin French Toast

I have some canned pumpkin I am trying to finish up so found this recipe today and decided to make it!

You need:
3 eggs
1/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp cinnamon
sprinkle of cloves
4 pieces of bread

• mix up the ingredients
• dip bread in the mixture
• cook until brown on both sides
• delicious with a bit of butter and cinnamon and sugar!

Recipe #127: Sausage, Broccoli, and Egg Muffins

I made a batch of these this morning! The rest are in the fridge to heat up from breakfasts the next several mornings!
I found it on pinterest, the recipe is originally found here

You Need:
8 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 Tbsp oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 lb sausage
1 cup or so of broccoli
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/8-1/4 tsp paprika

• brown sausage in a pan, drain and add broccoli when done
• mix up eggs, milk, oil, baking powder, cheese, and paprika in a small bowl.
• grease/spray a 12 cup muffin tin ( if i make this again, I would definitely do it with the little aluminum cupcake holders, less mess!)
• spoon in sausage and broccoli
• add egg mixture on top. It did about an 1/8 cup at first then added what was left to make sure it was even
• bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes
• allow to cool before trying to remove from the pan. I found it was easiest to go around edge with a knife, but then to use a spoon to make sure it all came out!

Recipe #126: BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Taking a meal over to a friend so made a big batch of this so we could have some too! Easy, hands off recipe!

you need:
BBQ recipe found here (the taco sauce recipe)
4 lbs pork loin
shredded cheese
hamburger buns

• mix up the bbq recipe in the crock pot. I quadrupled it (x4)
• add in pork and cover with sauce.
• cook on low for 8-10 hours
• shred up pork and mix well with sauce during the last 30 minutes
• serve on buns with a little cheese on top...or if you are Will, pickles.

Recipe #125: Rice Crispy footballs

Perfect tailgating treat!

You need:
1 1/2 bags of mini marshmallows
1/2 cup butter
1 box of chocolate crispy rice cereal
optional: frosting tube to make football seams

• melt butter in a big pot on the stove
• add marshmallows in.
• stir until marshmallows have melted.
• remove from heat.
• slowly stir in cereal, mix well with a spoon coated in butter (keeps it from getting too sticky)
• pour into a greased/buttered 9x13 pan. 
• press evenly using a piece of wax paper coated in butter
• once it has cooled, use a knife or football cookie cutter to cut out football shapes
• use frosting to draw on football seams or other design! :)

Recipe #124: Italian Apple Cake

I found this recipe on Pinterest, but it is originally found here.
I had apples and Will grew up in Italy so it seemed like a great combination...
however, when baking a new recipe on a night when your husband is gone and your child is not sleeping well...not always a good idea! Lets just say the cake was a little drier than it should be, but I would definitely make it again. It was not the American "sweet" kind of cake, but was very delicious!

You need:
2 Cups of flour

4 Eggs

1 Cup of canola oil

1 Cup sugar

2 Teaspoons baking powder

6 apples peeled and sliced

• mix together flour, eggs, oil, sugar, and baking powder in a bowl.
• pour into a buttered springform pan 
• cut up apples and stick into the batter, making big circles all the way into the middle
• bake at 325 for 60-70 minutes or until golden brown.

the original recipe suggested tossing the apples in lemon, i wonder if that would probably make them not brown so much when baked...i guess we will find out next time!

Recipe #123: Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

Easy, but delicious meal. How? Use a jar of alfredo sauce! :)

You need:
2 cups chicken, boiled and shredded
2 cups broccoli
1 jar alfredo sauce
pasta of your choice. I used rigatoni

• Boil water and then add pasta
• After you have cooked your chicken (grilled would be great too, I just always have some cooked, shredded chicken on hand now for Alex) put it in a pan with broccoli.
• Add the alfredo to it. mix well and allow to heat up.
• Serve separate or mix with noodles!

Recipe #122: Pizza Bread...

Yep, different then a calzone, still need to work how much stuff to put in the bread, the top always opens up when baking, but it was very delicious and a tastier alternative to the original plan of spaghetti!

You need:
a grapefruit size amount of boule dough
ground turkey (or hamburger)
spaghetti sauce
cheddar cheese, shredded
parsley

• take our your dough and allow to rest for about 40 minutes (preheat oven and stone about 20 minutes before baking)
• brown meat, add some basil and oregano
• mix with some spaghetti sauce, but not too much. you don't want to to be really wet
• use some flour and a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a thin layer, about 1/2 inch thick
• layer meat and cheese across top of surface (I am wondering if maybe it would help if you did only two thirds of the surface so that the last bit you roll up would not break open...)
• roll the dough up, make sure to turn in sides as you go.
• put bread on the stone in oven.
• bake at 450 for about 30 minutes or until bread is golden brown
• allow to rest a bit before cutting. 

eat with a fork or your fingers! 

(the pasta sauce is best eaten with a fork! Find the recipe here.)

Recipe #121: Pasta Salad

So for lunch today I was going to make spaghetti and and a toss salad. Using almost the same ingredients I made a very different yet delicious meal!

First up: Pasta Salad


This recipe made a ton, so you may want to cut it in half.
You need:
1 box rotini pasta
1 small onion
2 zucchini
1/2 cucumber
2 roma tomatoes
Italian dressing

• cut up veggies.
• saute zucchini and onion, (you don't have to do onion, but will doesn't like it raw) towards the end I added in a little of the italian dressing
• boil pasta
• Add all veggies and pasta to a large bowl. Mix with as much or little Italian dressing as you want.

Recipe #120: Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

yes, I am going to make oatmeal a recipe! :)

you need:
one oatmeal packet
two slices of apple
cinnamon sticks
creamer

• make oatmeal according to package directions
• in the last 30 seconds of microwaving, add apple slices, cut into chunks
• stir together.
• break a cinnamon stick in half and mix in.
• top with a little flavored creamer if you want! :)

Recipe #119: Mini Apple Pies

Another find from pinterest! Originally found here. Perfect for tailgating or parties because they are preportioned already. Super easy to make too!

You need:
2 apples, cut into 8 slices each
1 package of pie crust or make your own
3 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp cinnamon

• cut your apple into 8 wedges
• mix up the cinnamon and sugar and melt the butter
• spread out the pie crust 
• Spread butter around the surface, sprinkle liberally cinnamon and sugar
• Cut into 8 strips
• roll up and apple in each strip until entire apple is covered (make sure it overlaps a bit)
• put on a wax paper lined baking sheet coat top of each piece with left over butter and sprinkle more cinnamon and sugar 
• bake at 425 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

I probably should have put more cinnamon and sugar on the top to give it the darker look. I ended up melting some more butter and giving the crusts one more coat and then adding more cinnamon and sugar before I served it. That made it look better and really makes sure the cinnamon taste was evident too! I want to try this again with the pastry dough...i think that would be really delicious too!

Well, confession, these were the leftover ones I didn't take out with me for tailgating, the other ones looked a little better! 

Recipe #117: Meatballs in #118 Sweet and Sour Sauce

My mom made this, and of course mine things never turn out as good as hers! Meatballs especially...I wonder if it is cause I use ground turkey instead of hamburger...

Anyways for the meatballs you need:
1lb meat
1 egg
1 onion
salt/pepper
1 or 2 slices crumbled bread
1/4 cup milk (or less)

• mix ingredients and roll to the size you want
• turn several times to brown 
• once done move to a plate lined wiht a paper towel to let oil soak out

for the Sweet and Sour Sauce you need:

1 cup water

pineapple can liquid

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/3 cup vinegar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4-1/3 cup flour

• mix dry ingredients then add all liquid but water. Stir together
• Stir in water until it thickens 
• add a bit of ketchup to help sweeten (i did a small spoonful)
• add pineapple chuncks, green pepper and meatballs

Recipe #116: Tortilla Soup

I got this recipe ages ago from a Woman's Day magazine (you can find the recipe here), and have made it several times over the last 5 years or so, but not very recently. It was another perfect meal for a autumn feeling day! Here is my variation

You need:
2 cans chicken broth
1-2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (I borrowed some of Alex's chicken! ;) )
2 zucchini
1/2 cup corn
4-5 tomatoes, diced
pinches of pepper, red pepper, and basil
(We topped this time with cheese and tortilla chips, I did make the crispy tortilla strips one time, and have also used the torilla salad toppers...all delicious!)

• pour broth into large pot
• add zucchini and tomatoes. let them soften
• add corn and chicken
• add in spices
• let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes
• add toppings and serve!

Recipe #115: Quick and Easy Shepherd's Pie

Monday was so fallish, I needed fallish food! And for some reason, Shepherd's Pie seemed to meet the need! :) Mine is not the normal version, but one I put together in about 10 minutes before putting it in the oven!

You need:
about 6 red potatoes
1lb of ground turkey
1/2 onion
1 can of cream of mushroom
1 cup of corn
1 cup of broccoli
handful of cheese

• pierce potatoes and microwave for about 8 minutes, depending on size of potatoes
• when done, cut in half, spoon potato out, and mash
• brown meat and onion
• steam broccoli and corn
• pour ground turkey into a 9x9 dish. 
• add can of cream of mushroom and half can of water, mix together with meat
• mix veggies with meat
• add a handful of cheese.
• Top with mashed potatoes and another bit of cheese
• bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or until potato tips brown a bit

Recipe #114: Pulled Pork Tacos

A little twist on your normal tacos or BBQ pork! :)

I took the general idea from a Woman's day recipe (you should checkout their IPod app!).

It was perfect for leaving in the crock pot, heading out to church and having it ready for a quick bite when you get back!

You need: 

 double recipe of Taco/BBQ sauce found here

2 packet of taco seasoning

about 2 lbs pork loin

taco stuff: tortillas, tomatoes, lettuce, sour cream, cheese, etc

• mix taco sauce recipe in the crockpot
• add two taco seasoning packets and mix together
• put pork in crock pot and coat with sauce
• cook on high for about 3-4 hours
• in last 30 minutes, use a knife and fork to shred pork into small pieces.
• stir it several times to make sure pork is completely coated in sauce.
• enjoy in tacos with your favorite toppings!

Recipe #113: Apple Crisp

Nothing says fall like an homemade apple crisp made from hand picked apples!
Please note...I only pick and use Fuji Apples because no other apple can compare to the wonders of Fuji apples! :)

You need:
Apple filling
6 cups apples (or another fruit, peaches or blueberries are great too!)
2 cups sugar
6 Tbsp flour
2 tsp cinnamon

Topping
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups oats
3 cups flour
1 cup butter
1 cup shortening

*I had a lot of topping left over this time, so if you want to decrease the recipe a bit that would probably be okay!

• Combine filling and put in a 9x13 pan
• mix brown sugar, oats and flour in another bowl
• cut in butter and shortening
• mix together until you form a crumble topping (your fingers work great! :) )
• sprinkle on top
• bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes or when top looks brown

The trio of Apple desserts last night! Apple crisp on the left, apple pizza on the right, apple sauce in the middle!

Recipe #112: Apple Pizza

Well, after a wonderful day of apple picking we came home and I made some pizzas for the crew of hungry apple pickers! I decided the final pizza should be an apple dessert pizza! Simple, but very delicious!

You need:
Pizza Dough, I used the light whole wheat dough found here
2 apples, sliced thinly
cinnamon and sugar
caramels, cut up

• Roll out your pizza dough
• Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar all over top of surface
• spread apples evenly around surface. 
• top with a little bit more cinnamon and sugar, and caramel pieces
• I had rolled up the sides over the apples a bit, but had trouble getting it off the pizza peel and on to the stone on the grill, so that didn't work out quite right.
• grill for about 15 minutes

We cut it into long slices...Will had the leftovers for breakfast so it is a very versatile meal! :)