Cajunquilter's Cooking Site

moving

2011-02-24T17:20:00.004-06:00

http://cajunquiltercooks.wordpress.com/about/

to here

Last Post for the day

2011-01-30T19:01:00.000-06:00

Yeast Dinner Rolls

These are like the dinner rolls you get at a steak house, or at places like Ryan's or Golden Corral.

1 cup water
2 tbs butter
1 egg
3 1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
3 tsp yeast

Put all ingredients into bread machine in order given. Set to dough cycle.
If you don't have a bread machine, mix all ingredient together well and let rise for 45 minutes. Punch down. Then follow the rest of the directions.

When finished lift dough from pan, pinch off 12 balls and shape into balls. Flatten a little. Put onto baking sheet sprayed with butter flavored spray. Cover and let rise 1 hour.
Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

These rolls (if they last that long lol) are still soft and fresh tasting on day 4.

Now here are the step by step pictures.

Here is picture of a finished plate

Loose Cabbage Rolls

2011-01-30T18:06:00.000-06:00

Here is the story behind this. My mom was taught by someone when she was young to make russian style cabbage rolls. It was an all day process but they were delicious. She has been gone many years now and I miss those. I have tried a couple times to do them and while they are ok, they just aren't the same. The best part of hers was what she called "the trash". It was all of the leftover meat, cut off cabbage, and the small pieces of cabbage, etc put up on top of the rolls. This cabbage casserole tastes like the trash.

Here is the recipe along with the pictures.

Loose Cabbage Rolls

Start with 1 1/2 pounds ground beef in a dutch oven.

this is with the onions, bell pepper. Saute till all meat is browned, veggies are tender.

Add cut up celery, garlic

Add lots of seasoning, more then you think you need or it will be very bland.

Add cabbage and stir well.

Add in Spicy v8.

Stir well.

Put in covered pot and put in 350 oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Stir and put in oven for about an hour more. Stir again and if cabbage is cooked to your liking, take out, and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes. It is very hot and retains the heat for a long time.

Just to let you know

2011-01-30T15:37:00.002-06:00

Will post rolls and cabbage rolls recipe when I have the finished pictures. They are in process right now.

Blueberry Cobbler

2011-01-30T15:13:00.001-06:00

January 30, 2011

I know I have not been posting much lately, but I am trying to get back on track.

Here is today's menu:

Loose Cabbage Rolls
Homemade Yeast Rolls
Blueberry Cobbler

Here is the Blueberry Cobbler Recipe

I will post the cabbage rolls and yeast rolls above this one.

Blueberry Cobbler

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
dash of salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 stick butter
1 bag of frozen blueberries (you can make this with canned peaches, just drain and freeze the peaches)

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt the stick of butter in the pan you will bake in. I use a 9x9.

Mix all ingredients except fruit together and pour over melted butter.
Sprinkle the fruit around the top of the batter.

Bake for about an hour.
Enjoy!

Chile Con Queso

2010-09-06T12:27:00.000-05:00

Chile Con Queso

Brown ground meat in pan sprayed with cooking spray. I used 93/7 so that I wouldn't have to drain the fat. If you use a different one you may have to drain fat.

Add onions while browning the meat and saute together.

Cut up a 32 oz loaf of velveeta cheese.

Add cut up velveeta and a can of undrained rotel once the meat is browned and onions are tender.

Once the cheese is all melted, keep warm on low in a crockpot. I used a crockpot liner for easy clean up.

This is what I am serving it with.

Tuna Dip

2010-09-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

This is for the non cheese lover of our family (Hi Leslie lol). We all do eat it though lol.

Tuna Dip

One can of tuna in oil

One can of cream of mushroom soup

Mix both together in bowl.

Enjoy with tortilla chips or fritos.

Here is the first of many posts today

2010-09-06T12:13:00.000-05:00

I thought I would blog each of the recipes I am making today.

Here is the first.

Splenda Chocolate Cake

Start by spraying a 9 x 13 pan with canola cooking spray.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place a stick of butter in large bowl. It helps alot if the butter has sat out and softened.

Add 1 1/2 cups splenda.

Add 1 cup milk.

Add 1/2 cup fat free half and half.

Add 2 eggs.

Add 1 tsp vanilla.

Mix. It will be lumpy from the butter. This is ok.

In another bowl mix 2 1/4 cups cake flour.

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda.

Mix all of those together then add them to the wet mixture and stir together to combine.

Pour into prepared pan and bake for 14 to 18 minutes or till toothpick comes out clean from center.

Here is finished product. Allow to cool completely on wire rack. Cut into 12 servings. I will post later how it tastes lol.

Steak in a gravy

2010-08-30T20:27:00.000-05:00

Let me start out by saying sorry, I forgot to take a final picture of the finished product. oh well I did take one at almost the end.

Cajun Steak in a Gravy

Start by cutting up onions, bell pepper, celery and garlic.

Next get a dry black iron pot hot.

Season meat with salt and pepper then brown on both sides.

Sorry this is blurry I must have moved the phone. Remove meat from pan. Add a tablespoon of oil, and all of the veggies except for the garlic.

Do you know what this is? One of my favorite tools, a scraper. Makes getting all those veggies in the pot very easy.

Once there is a little moisture from the veggies, add the garlic.

Here are the next set of ingredients.

Once the veggies are tender, add a little flour, couple or so tablespoons. Stir in well to the veggies and cook a minute or so to get rid of the raw flour taste. Here is the last picture I took. I had added the broth and if it needs to be darker you can add the kitchen bouquet. Now just simmer, stirring occasionally till meat is tender and gravy has thickened a little.

Enjoy!

Baked Stuffed Flounder

2010-08-29T20:10:00.002-05:00

Start by putting a little olive oil and butter in a skillet. Saute' onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic seasoned with a little salt and pepper till veggies are all soft.

Don't use the expensive shrimp and crab in this. The canned one is fine.

One of my favorite finds at Dollar Tree recently! It is to strain cans and works well.

Add the shrimp and crabmeat after draining well. Stir and add in just enough bread crumbs to tighten up the mixture. You don't want alot of breading, or at least I don't.

Once it is mixed well take off heat and allow to cool.

This went into the fridge till I was ready to stuff the fish.

Finished product. I stuffed them and seasoned with salt and pepper. Also sprayed some butter flavored cooking spray over them. Then bake for about 20 minutes at 400. Enjoy! We sure did!

Sugar Free South Seas Chocolate Pie

2010-06-26T15:47:00.000-05:00

Here is the recipe.

1 package sugar free instant chocolate pudding mix
2/3 cup dry milk powder
1/4 tsp coconut extract
1 cup water
1/2 cup cool whip
1 banana cut up
graham cracker pie shell

Line bottom of pie shell with sliced bananas. Mix dry pudding and dry milk powder. Add water and coconut extract. Mix well. Pour into pie shell covering bananas. Top with cool whip and chill at least 2 hours. Slice into 8 slices.

Plum preserves

2010-06-26T15:42:00.001-05:00

Well the plum tree is finally done producing for the year. We managed to give away alot of plums, and canned 37 jars of preserves. Here are a few pictures from those sessions.

I used the recipe from the sure jell paper insert.

Plum Tree and Blueberry Bush

2010-05-20T17:47:00.002-05:00

Here is the plum tree and blueberry bush. There is lots of plum jam in our future lol.

Tomatoes and Peppers

2010-05-20T17:46:00.002-05:00

Here are some of the tomato and pepper plants in the garden.

Cucumbers!

2010-05-20T17:45:00.000-05:00

Here are cucumber pictures from our garden. They are the seedless/english/burpless kind so they will get long.

Crab and Corn Soup

2010-05-18T10:52:00.001-05:00

I am making crab and corn soup and fried shrimp poorboys on homemade rolls. I will try to get pictures tonight and hopefully start posting regularly again.

Crab and Corn Soup

1 stick butter
2 tbs flour
1 onion, chopped
1 pound crabmeat
1 quart milk
2 cans cream corn
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can cream of mushroom soup
tobasco to taste
1 pk provolone slices
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce

Blend together melted butter and flour over low heat and cook for a couple of minutes. Add onions, saute till tender.

Add remaining ingredients and cook for about 40 minutes. Stir often cause it will stick if you don't.

Serves 8 at least

March 21, 2010

2010-03-21T19:35:00.001-05:00

Tonight we had seared tuna steaks, roasted garlic mashed tators, and steamed mixed veggies. Sorry there is no picture, but when we went to take the picture I found the battery in my camera was dead. sigh. so I will charge it and hopefully remember tomorrow to take a picture.

Seared Tuna Steaks

Tuna steaks, about 1/2 inch thick
salt
pepper

In a heavy skillet, after seasoning the steaks with salt and pepper, sear in a small amount of olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side.

Very tasty and extremely healthy for you!

March 16th, 2010

2010-03-17T10:40:00.000-05:00

Last night we had pork tenderloin, parsleyed potatoes, and homemade vegetable soup a friend stopped by with for us. (thanks Marty, it was really good)

Here is the picture....

The recipe for the pork and for the potatoes are listed in the side bar. Sorry I haven't figured out how to post the link in my post... if you know how please share with me. thanks!

March 15th Meal Plan

2010-03-14T21:38:00.001-05:00

I am listing these Monday, Tuesday, etc but we won't necessarily have them on those days, just hopefully sometime this week. I am starting with Monday cause today is our grandson Nicolas' birthday and we are going there for supper.

Monday: Chicken and Dumplings, Rice, Cream Style Corn

Tuesday: Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Parsley Potatoes, Roasted Carrots, Garlic Breadsticks

Wednesday: Red Beans and Rice with Sausage, Rolls

Thursday: Chicken Parmesan, Spaghetti with Sauce, steamed Broccoli, boiled okra, texas toast garlic bread

Friday: Hamburger Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, Peas, Rolls

Yes we love the homemade rolls and they are so easy using the bread machine to mix the dough.

Testing, testing?

2010-03-14T17:46:00.002-05:00

Am I really here? yes lol I am... And I am working on my meal plan for the coming week.. look for it soon.

Sunday February 28, 2010

2010-02-28T20:59:00.000-06:00

Wow it has been 20 days. A long stressful 20 days. We have had 8 deaths affect our family in those few days. I am glad they are behind us and hopefully things are getting better. We have cooked some times during the 20 days, but not alot, and alot of the time we ate meals prepared for us, etc.

But all that to say, here was supper tonight.

We had pork tenderloin, parsleyed potatoes, and corn macque choux.

The pork tenderloin is very quick and easy. It is our go to in a hurry but want something good meal.

Pork Tenderloin

Melt a stick of butter in a heavy oven safe skillet. Season the pork tenderloin with your favorite seasoning blend. Sear the tenderloin well on all sides. Place skillet in oven at 350 for about 20-25 minutes. Let rest about 10 minutes before slicing.
Enjoy!

Monday February 8, 2010

2010-02-09T11:39:00.000-06:00

Supper was Shrimp fetticini, shrimp salad and steamed asparagus.

Very Simple Shrimp Salad

1 head of lettuce
1 pound of salad shrimp boiled with crab boil
mayonnaise
salt and pepper

Cut up lettuce, mix with all other ingredients.

Chill.

Menu Planning Monday February 8, 2010

2010-02-07T22:13:00.000-06:00

Monday - Shrimp Fetticini, shrimp salad

Tuesday - hamburgers, fries

Wednesday - Chinese

Thursday - Fried Fish, Catfish courtbouillion

Friday - Fried Rabbit, fries

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

2010-02-04T20:54:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had pork tenderloin, garlic spaghetti.

Pork tenderloin

1 pork tenderloin

salt, pepper, etc to taste

butter, at least 4 tablespoons

Put oven safe skillet over high fire to heat up. Season the tenderloin. Melt butter and sear tenderloin on all sides. Place skillet in 350 degree oven for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the tenderloin. Slice after letting rest about 10 minutes.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

2010-02-03T21:54:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had calcutta chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans with bacon and homemade rolls. Here is the picture and following that will be the rolls recipe.

Bread Machine Yeast Rolls

1 cup		water
2 tbs		butter
1		egg
3 1/4 cups		flour
1/4 cup		sugar
1 tsp		salt
3 tsp		yeast

1	Put all ingredients into bread machine in order given. Set to dough cycle.
2	When finished lift dough from pan, put in greased bowl and knead a little. Pinch off 12 balls and shape into balls. Flatten them a little. Put onto baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Cover and let rise 1 hour. Bake at 375 for 12 - 15 minutes.

Menu Planning Monday

2010-02-01T08:18:00.001-06:00

Let's see if I can figure out how this linking thing works lol. I am gonna put up a plan for the next week, loosely follow it lol, the days may change, and then try and link to organized junky.

Monday - tonight we go to a cooking demo and will snack there and then come home and eat a sandwich if still hungry. (read hubby will eat a sandwich lol)

Tuesday - Shrimp and egg stew, rice, cream corn, homemade rolls

Wednesday - Calcutta chicken, roasted garlic potatoes, green beans

Thursday - Pork Tenderloin, garlic spaghetti, beets

Friday - maybe go out as it is payday

Saturday - Fried Catfish, catfish courtbouillion, rice, corn

Sunday - super bowl, may be boiling crawfish at oldest daughters house, keri of kerivsgrocerystore

ok off to try to link to organized junkie... wish me luck...

Saturday January 30, 2010

2010-01-30T18:59:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had lasagna, spinach salad with grape jelly viniagrette, and focaccia bread.

Focaccia Bread

Can use as pizza dough

1 tb		sugar
1/4 oz		yeast
12 oz		water
18 oz		flour
1 1/2 tsp		salt
3 oz		onions, medium dice
1 tb		olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons		salt
2 tbs		rosemary

1	Combine the sugar, yeast and water. Stir to dissolve the yeast.
2	Add the flour to the yeast mixture in 4 parts.
3	When the flour has been absorbed, add the first measure of salt and the onions.
4	Generously oil a bowl. Place dough in boil to rise until double. Can be refrigerated 2 hours to overnight.
5	In 13x9 pan, using your fingertips push the dough until it fills the pan. Ease the dough to fit the pan, might have to give it a quick break now and then.
6	Brush the top of the dough with olive oil. Allow the dough to double in size. If adding herbs do so now.
7	Bake at 400 for approximately 20 minutes or till lightly browned.

Servings: 10

Friday, January 29, 2010

2010-01-29T21:33:00.000-06:00

Hubby took me out to supper tonight so no recipes or pictures.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

2010-01-28T19:51:00.000-06:00

Tonight we had baked chicken, parsleyed potatoes, oven roasted carrots and dinner rolls.

Here is how I did the chicken.

Marinade:
1/2 c soy sauce
1/4 c vegetable oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients. Pour over chicken in zip lock bag. Cover and marinate for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. Bake at 325 for about 1 1/2 hours. I used a large pack of thighs, but any cut of chicken would work.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

2010-01-27T19:47:00.000-06:00

If you follow Keri's blog along with mine she won't post for today cause she had supper here tonight lol.

Here is the menu. Crawfish Etouffe, rice, noodles, green beans.

Here is the pictures of her plate and mine. She ate it over rice, I ate it over noodles.

I know I am strange lol. The traditional cajun way is over rice.

over rice

over noodles

Here is the Etouffe recipe.

Crawfish Etouffee

1 stick butter per pound of crawfish
1 lb crawfish
1 onion cut up
bell pepper
salt to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp white pepper
1/4 cup water

Melt butter. Saute onion and bell pepper till tender. Add seasonings. Cook about 10 more minutes. Add crawfish and water. Simmer another 20 minutes.

Monday, January 25, 2010

2010-01-25T19:58:00.000-06:00

Tonight I am cooking Chicken Parmigiana, steamed broccoli, bread sticks.

Here is the recipe.

Chicken Parmigiana

Thin cut or pounded chicken breasts, 4-6
1/2 cup flour
salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cups red wine (white works also but I was out of white lol)
1 can (large) san marzana tomatoes, crushed
2 tablespoons sugar
salt and pepper again to taste
chopped parsley
1 cup grated parmesan cheese, fresh is best
1 pound spaghetti, cooked

Mix flour and salt, pepper and garlic powder together.

Dredge flatten chicken pieces in the flour and set aside.

Heat olive oil and butter in large skillet till hot and butter is melted. Fry chicken pieces till golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

Remove chicken and cover with foil to keep warm.

Add onions and garlic to skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes. Deglaze pan with wine scraping up any chicken pieces left in pot. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes or till wine is reduced by half.

Pour in tomatoes, sugar and salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Simmer 30 minutes. I added parsley at this time cause I used dried. Taste for seasoing and carefully lay chicken breasts on top of sauce and cover them completely with parmesan cheese. Cover and reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer till cheese melts and chicken is heated through.

Serve over cooked pasta.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

2010-01-24T20:34:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had fresh sausage in a brown gravy, rice, cream style corn and fresh french bread.

Hubby cooked and I didn't get before pictures but here is an after.

Here is the recipe for the sausage.

Fresh sausage

onions

water

Brown sausage well in dutch oven. Add diced onions, water to cover. Simmer till almost all of the water is cooked out. Add water to cover. Simmer till reduced to about 1/4 of liquid.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

2010-01-23T18:33:00.001-06:00

Hamburger steaks, mashed tators and peas was the menu.

Here is the before picture...

Here is the after....

Here is the recipe..

Hamburger Steaks

2 lb ground meat
seasonings of your choice
onions
bell pepper
mushrooms
cream of mushroom soup
beef stock or broth

Season ground meat with your favorite seasonings. I don't add anything other then salt, pepper and garlic to my meat, but if you want to add anything else, go right ahead. I won't be there to see lol. Shape into steaks.

Brown both sides of steak in dutch oven. Add onions, bell peppers, mushrooms. Mix together all other ingredients with some more seasonings and pour over steaks. Simmer for about an hour. Go easy on the salt as the soup, and stock are both salty.

A recipe, but no pictures

2010-01-22T16:47:00.001-06:00

Hopefully soon I will be back in the swing of things. But I recently did cook our favorite french dip sandwiches for supper after the funeral. Here is the recipe.

French Dips in the Crockpot

beef roast 4-5 lbs
2 packages dry italian dressing mix
2 packages au jus gravy mix
2 cans beef broth or water and bouillion to make up 3 3/4 cups
sliced onions
seasonings of your choice but go easy on the salt because of the sodium in the mixes and the broth or bouillion.

Place the roast in crockpot. Mix all other ingredients except onions in a bowl till well mixed. Pour over roast. Add sliced onions around the roast. Cover and cook for about 4 hours. I have an auto setting on mine and it starts out on high and after a couple of hours switches to low. Flip roast over and cook for another 2 hours. Pull the roast apart or slice. Put back into crockpot and let cook for another 30 minutes to an hour in the juices. Serve on your favorite hoagie type bun or french bread.
Serve juice on side to dip into.

We served with chips.

So sad

2010-01-13T10:17:00.001-06:00

I probably won't post much over the next few days unless I need the distraction. My mother-in-law is losing her battle with cancer and old age. She probably won't make it till tomorrow.

Monday January 11, 2010

2010-01-11T20:10:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had buffalo wings, parsleyed potatoes, baked beans.

Here are the players....

Here is the recipe for the parsleyed potatoes..

Parsleyied potatoes

small red potatoes, quartered
water to cover
chicken bouillion cubes (about 6 broken up)
butter
salt
pepper
parsley

Boil the potatoes in the water with the bouillion cubes. When they are tender, drain, toss with melted butter, seasonings of your choice and parlsey.

Sorry I don't mearsure.

Peppered Rabbit

2010-01-10T20:19:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had peppered rabbit, rice and corn.

I will post pictures but not the recipe cause it wasn't that great.

Here however are the pictures...

Saturday January 9th, 2010

2010-01-10T08:23:00.001-06:00

Sloppy Joes, french fries, canteloupe

Here are finished pictures

and here is dessert

and here is the sloppy joe recipe.

Sloppy Joes

16 oz		lean ground beef
3/4 cup		finely chopped onions
3/4 cup		finely chopped bell peppers
1/2 cup		ketchup
1/2 cup		water
1 tablespoon		white vinegar
1 tablespoon		worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs		yellow mustard
1 tablespoon		splenda
6		hamburger rolls

In large skillet sprayed with butter pam, brown the meat, onions, and bell pepper. Stir in ketchup, and water. Bring to a boil. Add vinegar, worcestershire sauce, mustard and splenda. Mix well. Lower heat and simer 6-8 minutes ( I usually cook it for at least 30 ) stirring occasionally. For each sandwich, spoon about /2 cup filling between bun halves.

Servings: 6

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: 1 serving

Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information provided by the recipe author.


Amount Per Serving
Calories		227.00
Calories From Fat (28%)		63.00
		% Daily Value
Total Fat 7.00g		11%
Sodium 298.00mg		12%
Carbohydrates 25.00g		8%
Net Carbohydrates 25.00g
Protein 16.00g		32%

Friday January 8th, 2010

2010-01-08T22:00:00.001-06:00

Tonight we had canteloupe, parmesan cheese noodles, and shrimp and eggplant casserole.

I forgot to take a before picture but here is an after.

Here is the recipe for the casserole.

Shrimp and Eggplant Casserole

Peel and dice 2-3 nice size eggplants.
Boil them till just starting to get tender.
Drain well and saute the eggplant with onion, bell pepper, celery and lots of seasoning of your choice.

When the veggies are tender add in the shrimp. Saute until the shrimp are done. Add enough seasoned bread crumbs to firm up the mixture. Put into sprayed casserole and top with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 till nice and bubbly.

enjoy!

Fajitas!

2010-01-07T19:36:00.001-06:00

Tonight we are having fajitas for supper.

Here are the ingredients. And sorry but I forgot to take a picture after it was made.

But here is the guacamole recipe I used.

Guacamole

2		avocados
1/2		red onion, chopped fine
1		jalapeño, seeded and minced
2 tsp		cilantro
2 tbs		lime juice
1/2 tsp		kosher salt
		pepper
1 pack		cherry tomatoes, cut into 6 pieces each

Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avocado from peel and coarse cut into small pieces. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Servings: 8

Wednesday January 6th

2010-01-06T19:49:00.002-06:00

The menu tonight was thrown together at the last minute. We were supposed to go to cooking demo but hubby ended up working late.

So we had Jambalaya, green beans, and rolls

Here are the ingredients except for the onion I used in the green beans. I forgot to grab one for the picture.

Here is the Jambalaya, I made it with smoked sausage and chicken.

I used a can of fresh style green beans, drained. First I browned some bacon cut into small pieces and some onion diced. Then I added the drained green beans, a little pepper and cooked it down.

And here are the rolls and yes they are brown and serve. Since I wasn't planning on cooking I didn't have time to make fresh ones. I ran to the grocery at 5 to get the ingredients and had supper on the table at 7.

January 5th, 2010

2010-01-05T10:08:00.000-06:00

No cooking tonight, going to Johnny Carinos with some friends. So hubby and son (he is 19 lol) will fend for themselves.

January 4th, 2010

2010-01-04T18:51:00.001-06:00

For supper tonight we had Shrimp in a creamy tomato sauce over spaghetti, oven roasted carrots, and garlic bread.

Here is the recipe for the carrots. It was a new one for me and I usually don't enjoy carrots but I could have eaten the whole bowl of these and we will have them again soon. Hubby enjoyed them alot too.

Oven Roasted Carrots

Peel carrots and cut into 1 1/2 to 2 inch lengths. Then cut in half. Coat lightly with vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.

Roast in 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or till lightly browned and tender.

Here are pictures of supper.

Fried Venison Backstrap

2010-01-03T19:30:00.000-06:00

I did cook tonight, made fried venison backstrap, three cheese mashed tators, and corn.

But I forgot to take a picture lol. If you want any of the recipes, just let me know. I will try to remember to do better tomorrow.

No Cooking Today

2010-01-02T12:04:00.000-06:00

We had leftovers for lunch and we are going to our grandsons birthday party and then out to eat chinese with them.

New Years Day Menu

2010-01-01T20:07:00.001-06:00

Today we had pork roast, rice, lima beans, black eye peas, cabbage with fresh sausage, homemade bread and homemade carrot cake.

Here is a picture of a plateful of food and a piece of cake.

This is how I made the cabbage and sausage:

1-2 large heads of cabbage
2 pounds of fresh sausage (your favorite one)
1/4 cup of water
seasonings to taste

Start out by browning the sausage in the pot. Add the cut up cabbage and water along with seasonings.

Cover and stir often till the cabbage is as tender as you like it. We enjoy it very tender and actually with a little "brown" to it.

WOW!

2010-01-01T11:09:00.000-06:00

I just now realized I haven't updated or posted here since August. Where has the time gone?

Well if you look under blogs I read, you will see that I added 54 new links between yesterday and today. Why 54? Well because I am 54 years old of course lol. Actually I went to http://orgjunkie.com/ and saw that she does a menu planning Monday and alot and I do mean alot of people post links to their blogs/sites where they list their menu ideas and some of the recipes. I thought what a great way to get new ideas and recipes. Also I quickly scanned some of their main pages and there is alot of good stuff on them. So I posted the links here, so that you and I can browse the sites and the menus and recipes if we need new ideas.

Each week I will try and get the first 54 that post and add any new ones. I figure the same people won't always be the first 54 to post so I will get at least a few new ones each time. And who knows, maybe I will figure out how to link my plan if I post one on here.

Later today I will take a picture of my plate of food for new years and post the picture here along with a recipe or two for you.

Till next time, Happy New Year.

August 5th

2009-08-06T10:32:00.002-05:00

Last night we had pan "fried" catfish, rice with bacon and green onions and bacon wrapped green beans.

Here is the recipe for bacon wrapped green beans.

I used a can of whole green beans, drained well.
Cut bacon in 1/2 strips.
Season the green beans with your favorite spices but go very easy on salt because of the bacon.

Wrap a half slice of bacon around 3-5 whole green beans. Place on a wire cooling rack over a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or till the bacon is cooked.

August 4th

2009-08-04T21:51:00.001-05:00

Tonight we went to a cooking demo. He was doing appetizers and because he did a few different kinds I was full when I got home.

Here is an easy scallop one that he did.

Melt a stick of butter in a heavy skillet.
Toss scallops with seasonings of your choice.
Sear scallops and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side.
Deglaze with white wine and continue cooking till the wine and butter have reduced into a thick sauce.

enjoy!

August 3rd

2009-08-04T21:49:00.000-05:00

Last night I went out to eat with some friends. I searched online for a recipe for what I had, and well this isn't it, but it may hit the same flavor points.

CHICKEN CON QUESO
8 to 10 chicken breasts
1 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes with green chilies
Place chicken breasts in crock pot. Cube cheese and place over chicken. Pour in tomatoes. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve over rice or tortillas.

August 2nd

2009-08-03T11:24:00.001-05:00

Last night we had Shrimp and Okra Gumbo.

Here is the recipe.

Shrimp and Okra Gumbo

Serve in soup bowl over rice.

Hubby makes it in a huge pot so that we can freeze small bags for later meals. For that reason I will not give many measurements.

For each pound of shrimp, use a pound of cut okra. Can use frozen okra.

Use one can of rotel per 2 pounds of shrimp.

Here is the method.

Make a roux with 3/4 cup oil to 1 cup flour. Make it dark like chocolate. Make sure you stir constantly so it doesn't burn. Also be careful, roux is extremely hot and will cause a really nasty burn. Add the roux to a pot of slowly boiling water.

Saute onion, bell pepper, garlic for a couple of minutes in a small amount of oil. Add okra and saute' until okra starts to brown a little and loses the sliminess. Add to roux/water mixture. Then add rotel and cook for awhile. Season to taste when you add the roux. This needs to simmer for a couple of hours minimum. Add shrimp during last hour.

August 1st

2009-08-03T11:08:00.000-05:00

Here is the recipes we had on August 1st.

Barbecued Shrimp

Serve as meal over mashed potatoes or pasta or over french bread as an appetizer.

20 each (16/20) shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 oz canola oil
1 tablespoon plus 5 tsp green onions, chopped
2 oz dry white wine
1 tsp fresh chopped garlic
4 tbl worcestershire sauce
1 tsp tabasco sauce
1/2 tsp paprika
8 oz butter

1. Place a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Add oil and cook shrimp until they are just done, you will have to do in batches if your skillet isn't large enough. Don't over crowd the pan. Remove shrimp and set aside.

2. Add green onions and cook for 1 minute.

3. Add white wine and reduce by half.

4. When wine is reduced, add the garlic, worcestershire, tabasco, cayenne, and paprika. Shake the pan well. Cook for one minute. Reduce heat to low.

5. Cut butter into small chunks and slowly add to pan. Stir to melt butter. Add shrimp and toss well to coat with the butter mixture. Can garnish plate with green onions.

Bacon Wrapped Chipolte Shrimp

1 lb 21/25 shrimp
12 slices bacon
1 cup honey
5 oz chipolte tabasco sauce
3 tbl cajun power garlic sauce

Wrap 1/2 slice bacon around shrimp securing it with a toothpick and set aside. Combine all other ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes. Heat skillet and add 2 tablespoons of oil. When skillet is hot, add bacon wrapped shrimp. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side. Cut off heat and add sauce mixture tossin shrimp till covered completely.

We had both of these with a loaf of whole wheat french bread.

Italian Garlic Ring

2009-04-11T19:39:00.000-05:00

1 can of buttermilk biscuits, cut in half
1/4 cup of italian dressing
1/4 cup of parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1/3 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 Tablespoon parsley

Preheat oven to 425. Spray a pie plate with cooking spray. Toss the biscuit halves in the italian dressing, then in the parmesan that has the garlic mixed in to it. Arrange in a single layer in the pie plate, sorta in a circle. Top with the mozzarella and parsley. Bake 15-20 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes then cut in to 6 servings.

This is a healthy replacement for garlic bread and is very tasty.

Tonight's Supper

2009-03-04T09:14:00.000-06:00

Well no pictures today but I will post what I am cooking.

Oven Pot Roast

1 nice size beef roast
garlic
onions
carrots
potatoes
seasonings of your choice
bell peppers

Last night hubby stuffed the roast with minced garlic, salt and pepper, minced onions, and he seasoned the outside well with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

This afternoon I will get out my trusty black iron pot and cover and brown the roast well on all sides. Then I will saute the onions, bell pepper and a little garlic (hey we are cajuns after all lol) until they are just tender. Then back in the pot with the roast, some beef broth or water, and the cover will go on and I will put it in a 350 oven. After about 1 hour, I will turn the roast over and check if it is beginning to get tender. If so I will add in the carrots. If not I will wait another hour and check and flip again. Once it just starts to get tender I will add the carrots, and about 15 to 20 minutes later I will add potatoes. Once the veggies are cooked I will take it out of the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before hubby carves it. Alot of times it is actually to tender to actually carve lol and he will just pull chunks off.

I will make a little rice, cause he and my son can't have roast without rice lol.

Since I have an abundance of carrots right now I will make one of hubby's favorites.

Carrot and Raisin Salad

Carrots
raisins
pineapple
a little mayo

shred the carrots. Drain crushed pineapple. Add the raisins and pineapple to the shredded carrots. Mix with a little mayo and chill.

Today's Spaghetti and Meatballs

2008-11-02T11:18:00.000-06:00

I called it that cause I rarely make it the same way twice lol.

Today's is something like this.

I just started it at 11 am and it will simmer till about 6 or 6:30.

I saute'd some onions and bell peppers in a little pam. I seasoned them up with some salt and pepper. When they were nice and tender I added in alot of garlic, hey we are cajun you know lol. Stirred that for a minute or two, added in some italian seasoning, a dash of cayenne pepper, a dash of black pepper, a dash of white pepper, and yes I use all three and no it is not peppered. I am only putting in a small dash of each. Try it sometimes, you will be surprised at the flavor differences. I chopped up a roma tomato left over from last nights tacos and added that in for a couple of minutes. Then I added in a small can of tomato paste. Stirred well, let simmer a minute, added in a can of tomato sauce, 16 oz size, and then a can of petite diced tomatoes, a can of sliced mushrooms (large can) cause I didn't have fresh and don't feel like going to the store, and a can of beef broth, and a 1/4 cup of sugar. Oh and 2 bay leaves. This will simmer till about 4 when i will make and add the meatballs. I will do my easiest recipe I think today which is ground meat, onion and garlic powder, salt and pepper, mix well, roll and drop in simmering sauce. Cook for another hour or so on simmer. I make the meatballs sorta small so they cook faster. Will serve over boiled pasta, probably spaghetti lol. Will have steamed broccoli and boiled whole baby okra or brussel sprouts depending on what is in the freezer. Also have some dinner rolls to use up so will brown those to sop up the extra sauce.

Our Favorite Chili Recipe

2008-09-26T13:42:00.000-05:00

1 1/2 lbs stew meat
1 med onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups spicy tomato juice
1 cup beef broth
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tbs chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Brown meat and onions, drain if necessary. Add all ingredients and simmer over low heat at least 2 hours or till meat is very tender. can add more tomato juice if needed. I have never had to add more but I do cook it on very low. Garnish with your favorite chili toppings.

Servings: 4

Creamy Burrito Casserole

2008-09-26T13:29:00.000-05:00

Creamy Burrito Casserole

1 lb ground meat
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1 can refried beans
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can fiesta nacho soup
8 ounces light sour cream
1/4 cup milk

Brown ground meat. Add taco seasoning along with cumin, chili powder and salt and pepper to taste. Cook according to taco seasoning instructions. Remove from heat. Stir in refried beans. Mix well. In bowl, mix cream of mushroom soup, nacho cheese soup, sour cream and enough milk to make it just pourable. Put some soup mixture on the bottom of pan. Spoon meat mixture into tortilla, and roll as burrito. Place on top of soup mixture. Continue till pan is full. Spoon any leftover meat over burritos. Pour soup mixture over burritos. Top with shredded cheese. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, or till bubbly.

Servings: 6
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

2008-08-26T07:56:00.000-05:00

I am trying something new this morning.

I used 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (you could use thighs)
about 6 teaspoons of minced garlic
salt and pepper to taste
1 zuchini cut in half moons
2 yellow squash cut in half moons
1 bell pepper chopped
1 onion chopped
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3 teaspoons of worcestershire sauce

I seasoned the chicken and placed in a crockpot bag that I had sprayed with pam. Oh the chicken was frozen cause I forgot to take it out last night lol. Then I washed and cut up the veggies. Mix the balsamic and worcestershire with the garlic and salt and pepper. Toss the veggies in the mixture. Pour over chicken. Cover cook on low 6-8 hours. I used the auto function on my pot. It cooks up to high for about 2 hours and then reduces to low heat.

I will serve with rice and crescent rolls.

Taco soup

2008-08-16T08:41:00.000-05:00

Taco Soup

1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 pkg taco seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
chili powder to taste
cumin to taste
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 can chili beans, undrained
1 can kidney beans, undrained
1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
up to a cup or two of water, depending how soupy you want it

Brown the meat and drain. Add all ingredients to the crockpot and stir well. Cook on low for about 6-8 hours.

Serve with your choice of toppings:

sour cream
cheese
tortilla chips

Texas Campfire Chili

2008-08-12T18:03:00.000-05:00

1 1/2 lb stew meat cut into small chunks
2 cans spicy v-8
1 can beef broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons pepper
1/4 teaspoons cayenne
1 cup water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 onion, chopped

Brown meat and onions. Add all other ingredients and simmer till meat is tender.
Serve with your choice of toppings.

suggested toppings:
corn cakes
sour cream
fritos
crackers
bread and butter
cheese

Raspberry Chicken

2008-08-10T09:20:00.000-05:00

This is a rather strange sounding recipe I found right after hubby found out he was diabetic. It has become a family favorite that my very picky eater son requests often.

Here is the recipe. Sorry I forgot to take a picture yesterday.

Raspberry Chicken

chicken tenders or boneless, skinless breasts
jar of raspberry jam or preserves ( i use the sugar free due to diabetes in family)
can of mountain dew, 7-up or sprite (again i use diet )
about 2 tablespoons of butter
Your favorite seasonings to taste

The original recipe called for just a little jam and mountain dew but we like the "gravy" over roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and I found it was way to dry with less.

Melt the butter in a large skillet. Season the chicken and lightly brown the chicken, you aren't really looking for alot of color on it just to seal in the juices. Mix the mountain dew and raspberry jam in a bowl and add a little seasoning. Once it is mixed well pour over chicken, stir gently and cover. Simmer on medium high heat for about 45 minutes, turning chicken about every 15 minutes. After about 30 minutes I uncover and turn heat to high to reduce sauce by 1/2. We serve with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and whole kernel corn.

Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs

2008-08-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

Ingredients:

Meatballs:
1 pound ground turkey
1 cup bread crumbs
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1 egg, beaten

Sauce:
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 cans crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 cup beef broth
2 teaspoons dried italian seasoning
2 teaspoons white sugar
3 teaspoons salt

In a large bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs, parsley, parmesan, garlic powder, and beaten egg. Mix well and form into 12 balls. Heat a small amount of oil in large skillet. Brown the meatballs. Add all sauce ingredients and stir, start in crockpot while you mix and brown the meatballs. Add meatballs to crock. Simmer on low for 6-8 hours.

Side dishes:

steamed broccoli, boiled okra, garlic bread

Chicken and Dumplings

2008-07-18T18:42:00.000-05:00

Last night we had bacon sandwiches and since i figure everyone knows how to make those I didn't blog it lol.

Tonight we are having chicken and dumplings, rice (hubby is cajun after all), and cream corn.

Here is the chicken and dumplings recipe.

Brown your chicken pieces in a little oil. Season the chicken first, and pieces with bone in will give the gravy a better flavor. Add onions, bell pepper, and a little more seasoning. Saute a little till onions are translucent. Add chicken stock or water to cover chicken by about 1/2 inch. Simmer on medium low for about 45 minutes. Taste gravy and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Fluffy Dumplings

1 1/2 cups flour
1 tablespoon minced parsely
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, if desired
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons oil
1 egg, slightly beaten

In medium bowl, combine first 5 ingredients. Stir in remaining ingredients just until dry ingredients are moistened. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto hot chicken that is slightly boiling. Cook covered, 12 to 15 minutes or until dumplings are fluffy and no longer doughy.

Out to eat!

2008-07-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

Tonight my wonderful husband is taking me out to eat chinese. So no recipe today!

3 Decker

2008-07-15T21:11:00.000-05:00

Sorry no pictures today. I forgot to take one lol.

But here is the recipe. It can be 2 decker, 3 decker, 4 decker etc.

Basically take any kind of beef steak you want, season with your favorite seasonings, put a couple tablespoons of worcestershire sauce on it, add bacon under the steak if you want, put in a 13 x 9 pan. Place potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, the list is endless on top. Season the veggies. Wrap well with foil and bake at 350 about an hour and a half or till the veggies are done and the steak is tender.

Tex Mex Salsa Chili and Green Onion Corn Cakes

2008-07-13T12:55:00.000-05:00

I found a recipe a few years back for a tex mex chili. I have tweaked it till it is what we like.

Here is the easy recipe.

1 can tomato soup
1 can red kidney beans, chili flavored gravy (if you can't find this regular kidney beans is fine)
2 cups water
2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1/2 cup salsa (any kind you like, i use a medium heat chunky one)
a little salt (optional but i find it is sorta bland if you don't add a little)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

Dump everything in the pot, stir well and simmer about 45 minutes.

I will serve this with green onion corn cakes.

Here is that recipe.
1 (8 1/2-ounce) packages, corn muffin mix
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoons vegetable or corn oil
2 scallions, thinly sliced
Butter, for greasing griddle pan

Mix together 1 package of corn muffin mix with 1/2 cup milk, 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoons vegetable oil and sliced scallions. Batter should be thick. Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle pan over moderate heat. Nest a pat of butter into folded paper towel and wipe hot pan surface with it to lightly grease. Pour corn cake batter into the hot griddle pan or skillet in 3 or 4-inch rounds. Cook 2 or 3 minutes on each side, until golden. Transfer to a plate and repeat with remaining batter.

We put one or two of these on top of bowl of chili and dig down through to get a bite of each. yummy.

Crockpot French Dips

2008-07-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

Very easy, tasty recipe.

Put a beef roast in crockpot. I love using the crockpot bags. Makes cleanup so easy.
I use 2 packages of Au Jus Gravy Mix and 2 packages of zesty Italian Dressing Mix for about a 5 pound roast. Also 2 cans (about 3 1/2 cups) of beef broth. I also add a little cajun spices. Mix well. Pour over roast. Cook about 4 hours on high. I have an auto setting on my crockpot and I use that. It cooks for an hour or two on high then goes down to low. After 4 hours I flip the roast over and let go another 3 hours. Remove roast, slice and put back in gravy. Let cook about 1 more hour. Enjoy on french bread or your favorite bread. Serve the gravy on the side for dipping.

We usually have fries or chips with them. Yum! Also freezes well.
If you try it let me know how you like it.