Fresh Blueberry Sauce

This recipe comes from Here. I had another one of those moments of I got to have. I wanted cheesecake with blueberry sauce. Luckily just the other day I picked up a basket of blueberries from my local farmer's market. So on to finding a recipe with ingredients I had on hand and didn't look like I needed to be a rocket scientist to figure out. I love how easy and fast this recipe was. I loved even more that I had everything on hand!! I keep lemons around during fruit season so I can freeze any fruits for this winter. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation:

Wash and crush blueberries (that old potato masher works great here); add sugar, lemon juice and salt. Mix well. In a small saucepan, bring blueberry mixture to a boil; boil 1 minute. Add vanilla( I added the vanilla a bit earlier since I don't like the alcohol taste it leaves for me). Chill.
Serve over puddings, cake, or ice cream. OR CHEESECAKE 

I followed this to the letter. (Well maybe I eyeballed it with the lemon juice)  Poured it over some frozen slices of Cheese Cake (yes its a store bought one, its too hot to bake that long!) I plan on using the extra, and there is lots left, for putting over some pancakes in the morning for QC. I just bet he is going to love it! Now for the picture:This is one of those real small mini cheesecakes and it is soo yummy. Yes I am eating as I type this. 

Cheddar and Herb Biscuits!

This is not my recipe, I got this from another blog that I found thru Pintrest. You will find the blog post here: Stick a Fork in it . Now on to the recipe. As some of you may or may not know I am pregnant and have those urges to bake even though it's a record breaking summer. Today I decided out of the blue to finally try this recipe that I had printed out months ago but just never got to. I wanted mashed potatoes stuffing into biscuits so here you go!

Biscuits:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (my adaption was my spice mix; garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, and pepper)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons shortening
3 tablespoons butter, cold (or room temp works too)
1 cup buttermilk (i never have buttermilk so i use 1 c milk and 1 1/2 tsp vinegar... let them sit together until little bubbles appear on the top, about ten min.)
1 1/4-2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (I used about 1 1/2 cups since QC decided he needed to make sure the cheese was good)

Buttery Topping:
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley flakes (not necessary... just pretty)
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder (again spice mixture adaption)
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, garlic powder and salt. Cut in shortening and butter until coarse crumbs are formed. (I will later come back and add a link with video of me cutting in butter and shortening since I didn't take as many pictures this time. )
Lightly mix in grated cheese. Mix in buttermilk just until moist (dry spots here and there are ok - the biscuits will be tough if they are over mixed). Drop the biscuits onto a greased or lined baking sheet (i got a dozen from mine). Bake for 12-14 minutes, until browned and golden. While the biscuits are baking, in a small bowl combine butter, parsley, garlic powder and salt. Right when the biscuits come out of the oven, brush the butter/herb mixture over the biscuits evenly (alternately, you can dip the top of the biscuit into the butter mixture). Serve immediately.

   Now for mine and QC's review:
              These are nice and soft inside, not too chewy, and a wonderful garlic flavor! I can't wait to fill them later on with my lumpy mashed potatoes! QC is a super picky eater lately and he had this to say "mm mm mm num num more more" He ate half a biscuit in less time than it took for me to eat the same amount.
  And of course can't leave out the pictures:

Final note:

This is now going in my I love file and I will be making these a lot. I expect I just found a new item for those holiday meals!

Again a big thank you to Kristen at Stick a Fork in it for the amazing recipe!

                         

Stuffed Peppers!!

   Ingredients:
4 Bell Peppers any color, I pick ones that are wide and stand on their own
 1/4 onion
 4 mushrooms I like the button ones
 1/2 lb ground meat I used beef this time
 2 servings rice I used boil in bag brown rice 
Seasonings- I don't measure my seasonings as I have my own blend pre mixed use what YOU like! 

Prepare Rice according to the directions. Mine takes 10 minutes to cook once the water is boiling
 While rice is cooking I take the tops off of the peppers and clean them out of the while ribs and seeds (spoon works wonders here) 

Dice the mushrooms, onion, and the pepper that was attatched to the part you cut off! 

Brown your meat, drain and sautee the veggies. Once they start to soften I add in my seasonings and the meat. Stir to get all combined.

 By this time the rice "should" be done. I drained the rice added it to a bowl with the veggies and meat and stirred until combined.

 Spoon into the pepper shells packing it in as much as possible. Place in a pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. I used an 8x8 as that was what best fit my peppers.

 Put in the oven at 375 for 35-45 min. I like my peppers to still have some crunch so I pulled mine at 35min. Yes I am rocking the paper plates tonight. I don't want to do anymore dishes!

 Since it is just me and QC (aka Jared) tonight, I ended up packing up 2 peppers for another time. I will freeze them and reheat another day, by defrosting and putting in the microwave for about 5-7min.




   Now this meal is soo interchangeable. Add what you want with the rice mixture. Don't like mushrooms don't use them! Love fresh garlic add it in (preg aversion for me so I didn't). Want some extra veggies add some peas in. Next time I make these I am soo going to add a can of cream of mushroom just to see how that tastes :)

Meatballs!!!

My hubby loves meatballs! I could take them or leave them and don't make them often but when I do, I do a lot at one time. These are perfect to freeze so you have them for a quick meal later on, I froze mine raw but they are great frozen after baked thru then you can pop one or two into the microwave for the kids at lunch time.

Meatballs.
2 lb of Ground Beef or Turkey (Worcester sauce to make it more beefy when using turkey)
2 Eggs
1/4 c Parmesan
1/2-3/4 cup breadcrumbs (Start with 1/2 c.)
Spices- whatever you like!
2 jars spaghetti sauce




Put meat into the bowl and add everything. Mix well until it holds together. Use the extra 1/4 c breadcrumbs if it isn't holding together well. Just like my meatloaf!



Roll into 2 inch balls and refrigerate covered over night. I put mine on wax paper lined pan and cover with wax paper before wrapping in plastic wrap.

In the morning about 6-8 hours before you want to eat get out the crock pot and set on low. Add just enough spaghetti sauce to cover bottom. Then place in the meatballs. Cover with remaining spaghetti sauce. add 1/2 can/jar water just to thin it a bit. Cook on Low for 6-8 hours. 

Serve with Pasta of your choice. Real yummy with garlic bread and a simple salad!

That night I only made half of the meatballs and froze the other half so I only used one can of sauce. Was another big hit and hubby stopped asking for a while :)

Quicky Chicken and Pasta

Here is another of my quick and easy recipes that is all things I keep in the house most times. I buy my chicken breasts bulk when they are .99-1.49 per pound (no more than that) then I bake up a big batch, dice, and freeze for later. Makes for quick meals when you didn't remember to thaw something. (I think we have all been there at one time or another)


   

Quicky Chicken and Pasta

This recipe is extremely adaptable. For mine I took 1 cup diced cooked chicken, 1 1/2 cooked bow tie pasta, 1 cup peas and carrots. 2 TBSP butter and herbs.

    Brown the butter with herbs. This is totally up to you what and how much. I personally love my onion, garlic, pepper, and parsley.

Add the chicken and veggies until coated with the butter and herbs and warmed thru. 

Add the cooked pasta and stir until coated completely. (Pasta water can be added if its too tight) 

Then serve. I add Parmesan to mine! This made enough for  my little guy and I with enough left for another person! 

To adapt- Use your favorite herbs and spices. Choose the meat you have on hand. Use whatever pasta you want! Double Triple just have fun with it!

Quick and Easy Pork and Rice

I love easy quick meals that fill you up without breaking the bank. This pork I got super cheap on sale (bought bulk and portioned it myself) Was .99 a pound!!!  Most of these Items you will find in my home all the time.  This meal was made one of those days where I was hungry it was day before grocery day and I was running low on everything. 

              My guy was ready to help Mommy

Quick and Easy Pork and Rice

1 lb Pork Cubed
Seasonings of your choice. ( I use garlic and onion powder, parsley, and pepper)
Can of Creamy Mushroom Soup
Brown Rice - About 3 cups prepared (I used white as we had chinese night before)
Shredded Cheese- 2 cups
Baking pan lined with Foil- I use a brownie pan as it seems to be the best size for me.

Season the pork and brown until cooked thru.

 .Serve with a side of veggies or mix in veggies before baking.
Serves 6 

 

We call him "QC" (quality control) Keeps him happy and quiet when I'm cooking and we sing and dance, I tell him step by step what I'm doing as well! Its lots of fun!!

 In separate bowl mix the rice and seasonings with the soup and 1 cup shredded cheese.

 

Add browned and drained pork to the mix.

 

Place into baking pan and top with remaining cheese.

 

  Cook for 20 min at 350 or until warmed thru and cheese is bubbly.

  Serve with a side of veggies or mix in veggies before baking.
Serves 6

Shepard's Pie!

I love love love Shepard's Pie and its super easy too! Its super quick to make and tasty!

What you will need:
  1lb of beef or turkey (have you noticed I prefer turkey yet?)
  1 bag of frozen veggies (be creative use what YOU like)
  Mashed potatoes (this is where I use up any leftover's or make enough for two servings, Hubby is diabetic so we watch the amount of carbs in our foods most of the time) I think I used about 1 cup as that is what I had in the fridge from the Meatloaf Cupcakes
1 spoon flour ( I really don't measure it!)

Heat Oven to 350 (yes this is the temp I use on almost everything)

Brown one pound of your choice of ground meat, add whatever your favorite spice mixture is! (I'll add my spice recipe in another post)

  Add your bag of veggies, I used peas and carrots since that is my toddlers favorite mix.

Once everything is mixed and the veggies start to thaw spray a 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray, add flour to the mix and stir well. 
 Place mixture into pan and spread potatoes on top.

It should look like this. You can add more potatoes if you wish.
I bake mine for about 15 minutes just until the potatoes are hot and the veggies get a little more soft.

This was another big hit with my toddler and I loved it too. Hubby didn't get to try it this time but he loves it any other time.
           Normally I would have added some Worcestershire sauce but I was out today.

Serves 4 generously.  Total cost of this meal was $3.00!!!