the hunt for {honey mustard} is over

I've always had trouble finding good honey mustard, whether its at a store or restaurant; I'm always afraid of what I'm going to get. All the store bought ones I have tried are too thick and sweet. I came up with a solution that I have been a bit addicted to this week, we have used it as a salad dressing, dip, marinade and on sandwiches.

Honey Mustard

1/2 cup light mayo
2 tbsp. spicy brown mustard
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tbsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. honey
1 clove garlic
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar 

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

Then store in a jar or container. I have gone through two batches so far this week and already need to make more :)

someone gives you lemons.....make lemon cake...or cupcakes...or both

This lemon cake recipe is so simple but is amazing! My mom made it growing up and its the one cake that my husband will eat...he is missing his sweet tooth becuase he can say no to sugar like no one I've ever met. It is the most moist cake that packs a very lemony punch....if you like lemon you will love this cake and its so simple to make!
I made this cake twice in the past week..once for a bridal shower cupcake order and as a cake for husbands birthday.

Very Lemon Cake
1 box yellow cake mix
1 small packet lemon jello
4 eggs
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil

Mix all ingredients and bake according to the box, either 9x13, cupcakes or rounds.

After you remove the cake from the oven let it cool and poke holes all over the top with a toothpick. Then make the
Glaze:
zest from one lemon
juice from one lemon
1-2 cups powder sugar


Mix the lemon zest, juice and sugar a 1/2 cup at a time until you have a "pourable" consistency. Then pour the glaze over the entire cake and let settle before you serve. If you are making cupcakes follow the same steps and if you would like you can top with the frosting of your choice.
These are the cupcakes for the shower all ready to go! 

i could eat this sauce every day....on everything

I have a recent obsession with butternut squash ravioli covered in this sweet sage butter sauce. However, you can put it on anything...I tried it over chicken with baby bella mushrooms and mashed potatoes...lets just say my husbands family was licking their plates. The below recipe is enough for one package of ravioli however if your making it for 3 or more people I would double or triple it.

Sweet Sage Butter Sauce

3 tbl. diced pancetta (or bacon)
4 tbl. butter
1-2 tlb. honey (i used sage honey infused by my
father in law..but any kind will work)
1 tlb. finely chopped sage
2 tlb. cream
salt to taste








Brown your pacetta in a small pan until crisp. Then add the rest of the ingredients besides the cream. Let everything combine and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add your cream and cook slightly, just a minute or so. Then pour over your ravioli, chicken, pasta...whatever your having. It is such a wonderful combination of sweet, salty, crispy and creamy deliciousness! 

 

no cooking for a month?......yes please!

This weekend I took on the challenge of pre-making a month worth of dinners..for a couple reasons. One I just wanted to see if I could do it and two because work has been taking more and more time from me and I don't see it slowing down. This is a good thing...a very good thing however not when it comes to weeknight cooking.
It went better then I expected.... total prep and cleanup was less then 4 hours. I'm going to share the process with you so you can fill in the meals with whatever you like but the prep will pretty much be the same for whatever your making.
I made several crock pot meals in freezer bags and then a few casseroles in disposable pans. Since there are two many recipes to share them all if there is one you want let me know and ill post it for you. Also I duplicated a few of the meals to bulk up my inventory.

To make week night meals even easier my friend told me about this wonderful invention.....

Gosh I'm looking forward to no cooking and basically no clean up!


Crock Pot Meals
Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken with veggies
BBQ Chicken with sweet potatoes
Beef Stroganoff
Beef Bourguinon 
Asian Beef & Broccoli
Pulled Pork
Pot Roast
Pork Tacos
Meatballs in Red Sauce
Porcupine Meatballs

Casserole
Creamy Lasagna with Italian Sausage
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken Broccoli Casserole
White Enchiladas

I came up with a way to assemble everything and save a little time and minimal dish washing. 

First you need to make a list of everything your going to make so you don't forget anything.

Then put and your canned and dry ingredients out so they are easy to access.

Then wash, scrub or peel your veggies...whatever prep needs to be done, do it all at the same time.

Next its time to get choppin. Cut all your veggies and place in neat little piles for you to use as you assemble everything.

Then lay out your freezer bags, if you fold over the top they will stand up by themselves. I placed mine on cookie sheets so I could easily move them around the kitchen. Then place your meats in the bottom of the bag and they are ready to top with veggies.

Now place your veggies over the meat and its time for the sauce and seasoning. I made one at a time just rinsing out the same bowl to save on the clean up. Then its time to seal up your bags and make sure you label what dinner it is and any additional ingredients.

Now pile them up in the freezer and enjoy home cooked dinners with no week night cooking!

Please comment if you would like to see any of the recipes!

Shrimp Peanut Noodles

This post is for my sister in law, sorry J I'm just now posting this recipe...she asked for this about two weeks ago :). This is a recipe that I make at least once a month, it is out of the ordinary for a weeknight dinner so we have grown to love it!

Shrimp Peanut Noodles

1/2 c. chicken broth
3 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter
1-2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
2 Tbsp. honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 pound pre-cooked large shrimp
1 package Udon noodles
Chopped green onions
Chopped cilantro
2 limes, cut into quarters
Chopped peanuts

These are the only two ingredients that are out of the ordinary so here is a visual. Here I used the fresh noodles however you can use dry ones. Be careful of the sriracha..or as my husband calls it "rooster sauce"...its very hot. Start with a little and add more if its not hot enough.

Place the first 8 ingredients in a large pan or in my case a used a wok. Place over med-high heat and use a whisk to break everything up and mix together. At this time you can also place your noodles in a large pot of boiling water, they will take about the same amount of time to cook as the sauce.

Let this simmer for a few minutes until it is all combined and thickens up. Then you can add your shrimp to the pan.
Lets talk shrimp for a minute, you can use raw shrimp however I like to use the pre-cooked frozen shrimp...they cook faster and are easier to deal with. I thaw mine little with cool running water and then throw them in the sauce to heat through.
Place the sauce and shrimp on top of your noodles then top with cilantro, green onion, peanuts and lime slices and your ready to eat!

a sweet baby dedication

A few weeks ago I was privileged to be a part of my beautiful niece's baby dedication. We all gathered together to witness my sister and her husband dedicate her life to the Lord. It was a lovely little gathering full of wonderful family and friends. We all pitched in and made a sweet little dessert table. I made a few things but the recipe I would like to share is this very easy hazelnut chocolate mousse.

 Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse

1 cup chocolate chips (I used the mini ones)
2 tbs nutella hazelnut spread
14 oz heavy whipping cream
2 cups powder sugar
chopped hazelnuts






First you need to set up a double boiler like this...

If your not sure what that is, its just a pot with an inch or two of simmering water and a bowl on top :)

Then you will put the chocolate chips, nutella and two tbs of the heavy cream into the bowl and mix slowly until it is smooth.

Once it it smooth take it off the heat and set aside for a minute. Then whip the remaining whipping cream and power sugar in a separate bowl until it looks like this..

Then fold the whipped cream into the chocolate mixture until combined. At this point you can put it into little cups using a spoon or do what I did and put into a pastry bag.

Pipe it into any small cup, glass, shot glass...get creative. Then top with the chopped hazelnuts for a crunchy bite and enjoy!

Here they are all lined up ready to be enjoyed :)

Here is the little lady all dressed up ready for her dedication!

Easy Dinner & Date Night

Last Sunday the husband and I went on a little date night which included picking out our Christmas tree and having dinner at one of our favorite Mexican food places. I always love going out for dates but I also love date nights in! So the next night I made this easy chicken chili and we decorated our tree we picked out. Here is a recipe you are sure to love!

Easy Chicken Chili

2 tbs olive oil
1/2 chopped onion
1-2 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can small white beans
1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can corn (drained) 
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 packet of original chili seasoning
1-2 cups shredded chicken

Toppings

Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Tortilla chips for chili cheese Fritos 
Chopped green onions

Over medium high heat saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender. While this is cooking mix your seasoning packet with the chicken stock. Then add all remaining ingredients to the pot; do not drain any of the beans or tomatoes, just the corn. Then mix in your seasoning mixture. Cook down for at least 30 minutes. When you are ready to serve I like to lay down some of the chips in the bowl top with soup and then any of the listed toppings you would like, or all of them! I serve mine with warm cornbread and honey butter. This is such a tasty and easy dinner, the prep will only take you 10-15 minutes!

here is our finished tree! 

loving my pretty little birds :)

the pups enjoying the Christmas decorations

and here we are :)