Reindeer Wall Art

I got this new Kaisercraft Beyond the page wall art at the local Scrapbook Store. It's a plain mdf that you can customize. I painted the reindeer and applied glitter and sealing it so it doesn't fall off. I painted the fence and put paper on the posts. I used my glue gun to put it all together and now it's all set to display when I decorate for Christmas. I love how it turned out and can't wait to see it with the rest of my decorations.

Sloppy Lasagna Joes

This is from the November 2013 Rachael Ray Magazine. I know two lasagna recipes in a row, I didn't make them back to back, made them different weeks. Both were so delicious I had to share. The recipe used ciabatta rolls, but the market was out so I used a different roll. Watch your rolls in the oven so they don't burn like mine and I had to redo mine.

Garlic Rolls:

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 lg garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
• 6 ciabatta rolls or sesame semolina rolls, split
• 2-3 tsp grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

1. In a small pan, heat the oliveoil, two turns of the pan, over medium. Melt the butter in the oil. When the butter foams, add the garlic and swirl 1-2 inutes. Remove from heat and stir in the parsley.
2. In a hot ovenn or under the broiler, lightly toast the rolls. Spread with the garlic butter and sprinkle with the cheese. Bake or broil until the cheese melts.

Sloppy Lasagna Filling

•  2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 lbs ground beef
• 1/8 lb pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 lg cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup strained tomato puree
• 1/2 cup cry white or red wine
• 1/4 up milk
• a few leaves torn basil
• salt and pepper
• 3/4 cup fresh ricotta, drained

1. In a large skillet heat the olive oil, two turns of the pan and over medium high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring for about 2 minutes.
2. Add the beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the onion, garlic and crushed red pepper and cook, stirring occasionally about 5 minutes.
4. Add the tomato paste and stir 1 minute, then stir in the stock, tomato puree, wine and milk.
5. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the basil. Simmer until the filling thickens and the flavors meld 15-20 minutes.
6. Season the filling with salt and pepper, then spoon onto the roll bottoms. Top with ricotta and roll tops.

Lasagna Soup

This is from the October 2013 Food Network Magazine. I love these quick meals when I have a long day at work and want a warm meal when I get home.

• kosher salt
• 10 lasagna noodles
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/2 lb hot or sweet italian sausage, casings removed
• 3 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• ricotta cheese for topping

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the noodles and cook as the label directs. Drain and drizzle with olive oil and toss.
2. Meanwhile heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the sausage, garlic and oregano and cook, stirring and breaking up sausage with a wooden spoon, until the sausage is browned about 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring until darkened, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the chicken broth, tomatoes and 1 cup water. Cover and bring to a simmer Uncover and cok until slightly reduced about 10 minutes Stir in noodles, basil and parmesan and heavy cream. Simmer 2 more minutes.
4. Divide the soup among bowls, top with ricotta and sliced basil.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love pumpkin, I love it so much it drives Kyle crazy in the fall. I had some opened pumpkin puree in the fridge I had to use up so these were perfect. These were soft and chewy and just tasted like fall. Here's the link to the recipe:

http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2012/08/from-recipe-box.html

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Since it was chilly when I woke up I knew this would be the perfect lunch to warm up. I used white cheddar cheese since I was using it for another recipe. This soup was extremely creamy and rich and warmed me right up Here's the link to this great recipe:


http://damndelicious.net/2013/10/14/loaded-baked-potato-soup/

Baby Cupcake Gift

 

 

The card is more of an aqua color, not sure why it looks blue in the picture. I saw this idea online and have had it saved for awhile. Made this to send to a dear friend, hope it ships safely. Here is the link to the how to if you want to recreate this idea:

 

http://douangphila.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-cupcake-baby-shower-gift.html



Gouda Bacon Mac and Cheese

I love mac and cheese and love mixing up the ingredients to make it a little different each time. I love gouda cheese, for this recipe I used smoked gouda. I also used my favorite bread crumbs instead of making my own like in the recipe. Here's the link to it:


http://www.shugarysweets.com/2013/03/gouda-bacon-macaroni-and-cheese

Savory Baked Chicken

 

 

I had this saved from an old Taste of Home magazine They used chicken breasts, but I had chicken thighs on hand so that's what I used. The marinade was quick and easy to make and tasted wonderful. So nice to just let the chicken cook in the oven for an hour while I do other things around the house. Since I only have one day off a week right now with work I was able to do some cleaning while this was in the oven.

 

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp rosemary
• 10 split chicken breasts

1. Combine all ingredients except for chicken in a ziploc bag.
2. Add chicken to marinade in bag and place in fridge for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 375
4. Remove chicken from marinade and cook 45-55 minutes or until chicken is done.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Breakfast Smoothie

 

 

I've been working a ton of hours since this is our busy season at work and don't always have time to make a big breakfast. This was quick and easy to make and tasted delicious. Will be making this multiple times before work this fall. Here's the link to this recipe:

 

 

http://www.cookingclassy.com/2013/10/pumpkin-cheesecake-breakfast-smoothie/



Caramel Macchiato Martini

 

 

I have a bunch of drink recipes on pinterest so I decided to start making some of them. This one was a great drink and will be adding it to the list of drinks I make in the future. The salted caramel vodka is one of my favorites and I can't wait to try more drinks with it. Here's the link to the recipe:





http://www.spiritdrinks.com/cocktails/MacchiatoCaramelMartini.asp#.UmPrbBDD_IU

Peanut Butter Oreo Brownie Bar

I made these for work, Target was out of the halloween oreos so I used the regular ones. These are a great party dessert or to make if you're having company over. Here is the link to the recipe:


http://www.kevinandamanda.com/whatsnew/new-recipes/ultimate-halloween-peanut-butter-oreo-brownie-bar.html#_a5y_p=1002643

Orzo with Brown Butter and Parmesan

I made this with the chicken recipe I posted yesterday and was a great side dish. I love trying new side dishes and this was easy to start and let cook while I worked on the chicken. Here's the link to the recipe:

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/orzo-brown-butter-parmesan.aspx?nterms=53248,50044

Chicken with Wild Mushroom and Balsamic Cream Sauce

This was amazing! I sliced the chicken into smaller slices than the recipe did and was something different to make with chicken. This didn't take long to make and wasn't that hard to make so was perfect to make for dinner after a long day at work. Here's the link to the recipe:

http://www.kitchme.com/recipes/chicken-with-wild-mushroom-and-balsamic-cream?invite=xyz-p

Red Wine Braised Short Ribs

 Since I've been working so much I haven't had a lot of time to make a nice dinner. So since I was off today I decided to make short ribs since I haven't made them since last Winter. Last time I served it over Polenta so decided to change things up and serve it over mashed potatoes. Was definitely a wonderful meal for a cool evening. I can't wait to eat the leftovers at work for lunch. Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/red-wine-braised-short-ribs

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Dark Chocolate Frosting

I love fall and trying all kinds of new pumpkin recipes. This is another great one from pinterest and I added some pumpkin sprinkles I had. Here is the link to this recipe:

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/08/18/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-dark-chocolate-frosting/

Scrapbook Layouts

Was in the Christmas spirit so decided to work on some Christmas layouts. Was nice to finally have a day off after working straight through since last Monday. Can't wait to get some more time to scrap again because I always find it relaxing and I love reminiscing looking through the pictures and remembering the joys from the day I took the pictures.

Smore Cookies

These cookies were really good, I made them for work. Next time I'm going to keep them in the fridge overnight before baking. I only put them in the fridge for 2 hours before baking. They still tasted amazing and everyone loved them at work. Here's the link to the recipe:

http://www.averiecooks.com/2013/07/soft-and-chewy-smores-cookies.html

Fettucini with White Meat Sauce

 

 

This is a recipe from the Rachael Ray Look and Cook Book. She added frozen spinach to hers, but I'm not a fan of frozen spinach and forgot to get fresh spinach at the store. This dish was amazing and makes plenty of leftovers.

 

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 lb diced pancetta
• 1 lb ground veal or ground pork
• 3 carrots finely chopped or grated
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 2 lg garlic cloves, grated
• salt and pepper
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup dry white win
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 lb fettucini or pappardelle or tagliatelle
• grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

1. Heat a heavy sauce popt over medium high heat with olive oil. Add the pancetta and brown for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the meat and lightly brown 3-4 minutes. Ad the carrot, onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add nutmeg, stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute. Add the wine and reduce for a minute.
4. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the milk, reduce the heat and simmer 10-12 minutes.
5. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt water and cook pasta according to directions on package.
6. Reserve a little of the starchy cooking water before draining the cooked pasta.
7. Drain the pasta and toss with the starch water, toss with meat sauce and top with grated cheese.

Banana Cream Cheese Bread

Banana bread is my husbands favorite and since we're having company this week I figured I'd make this recipe since it makes two loaves. This was really yummy and will definitely be making it again. This would be perfect to make as a holiday gift for a neighbor. Here is the ink to the recipe:


http://sugarandspice-celeste.blogspot.com/2010/10/cream-cheese-banana-nut-bread-southern.html

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

I made these for breakfast for the week since I had some leftover bananas and I'm always looking for something quick for breakfast especially this time of year when I'm working a ton. Here is the link to the recipe:

http://greenlitebites.com/2009/03/07/banana-oatmeal-cups-with-chocolate-chips/

Christmas 2012 Scrapbook Pages

 

 

I was able to scrap a little today so I decided to work on some of my favorite pictures that I made into 5x7 photos from last Christmas. The pictures are of Aaron with his Christmas surprise (we got him tickets to Wrestlemania and wrapped them in a box inside a box inside a box). Princess in her Santa hat and a cookie I make every year - rainbow cookies. They are definitely a favorite.

Garlic Rosemary Lamb Chops

I grilled these on my indoor grill pan and they were great. I haven't made lamb chops in awhile and was in the mood for them so this recipe was perfect. Here's the link to the amazing recipe:


http://thelemonbowl.com/2012/06/garlic-rosemary-lamb-chops.html

Creamy Parmesan Polenta

This was a great side dish and I put the leftovers in a pan and put in the fridge so I could cut cubes and grill them up for another night. Here is the link to the recipe:

http://www.daydreamkitchen.com/2013/05/creamy-parmesan-polenta/

Mini Cinnamon Rolls

Kyle loves cinnamon rolls so when I saw this recipe on pinterest I knew I had to make it. Such a great dessert when you're looking for something quick and delicious. Here's the link to the recipe:

http://iowagirleats.com/2011/11/23/8-minute-mini-cinnamon-rolls/

Salted Caramel Brownies

These were a great dessert and I brought them to work to share. I love brownies and these were a quick brownie that had a great taste. Here's the link:

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/09/18/salted-caramel-pretzel-crust-brownies/

Scrapbook Layouts