Menu Plan Monday-4th of July!

I hope everyone had a great weekend, and is looking forward to a great Fourth of July weekend! My parents are coming to visit for the 4th, so I'm sure we'll have a great ole time (how many times can I type great in this post?!) 

 I did really good last week, and made everything I set out to! That doesn's mean everything tasted and turned out well, but I at least attempted my menu plan. Here's what we have cookin this week!

Monday- Lemon Garlic Tilapia, rice, and broccoli 

Tuesday- Grilled lemon pepper chicken (chicken breast marinaded in lemon pepper marinade, then grilled), mashed potato balls (recipe below), green beans

Wednesday- Homemade mini corn dogs (recipe below)

Thursday- Lasagna (mom and dad arrive!)

Friday- Parents here; might be going out to celebrate Kai's birthday; which is the following weekend! 

Saturday- Marinaded pork loin, homemade baked beans (recipe below), cream corn casserole (recipe below)

Dessert- 4th of July cupcakes! 

Recipes

Creamed Corn casserole

1 pkgs corn muffin mix (Jiffy or Corn-kits are the best)

1 can cream style corn

1 can whole kernel corn, slightly drained

8 oz sour cream

1 egg

1 stick butter

Put the stick of butter in the baking pan/casserole, and put in the oven to melt while the oven is preheating. Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients; pour into pan with melted butter. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until the center is set and the edge is starting to brown.

Mashed Potato Balls

2 cups cold mashed potatoes

1 egg, lightly beaten

¾ cup chedder cheese

½ cup chopped green onion

¼ cup real bacon bits

½ cup dry bread crumbs

oil for frying

Place the mashed potatoes in a bowl; let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Stir in the egg, cheese, onions, and bacon bits. Shape into 1 inch balls; roll in bread crumbs. Let stand for 15 minutes. In an electric skillet; heat 1 inch of oil to 375. Fry potato balls, a few at a time, for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with spoon onto paper towels to drain. 

Mini Corn Dogs

1 2/3 cups flour

1/3 cup cornmeal

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 tsp. salt

3  TBl cold butter

1 TB shortening

1 egg

¾ cup milk

24 miniature hot dogs

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Beat in egg and milk; stir into dry ingredients until a soft dough forms. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth. Roll out to ¼ in. thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter. Fold each dough circle over a hot dog and press edges to seal (dough will be sticky). Place on greeased baking sheets. Bake at 450 for 10-12 minutes. 

Homemade baked beans

• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 pound bacon strips, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a Dutch oven, mix onion, pork and beans, mustard, maple syrup, light brown sugar, ketchup, and lemon juice. Top with the bacon pieces. Bake, covered, for 45 to 60 minutes.

This post is linked to Orgjunkie

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes

I must be bakers challenged. I somehow continuously mess up cut out sugar cookies and messed these up. The cupcakes sunk in while  baking and I"m not really sure why. Well....I have a hunch, but I just didnt want to admit it. I added a little bit more cream soda to the batter, and I think that screwed it up. That's the only thing I can think of! 

The batter; however, is slap ya silly good. 

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes

First, gather your ingredients 

2 cups flour

1-1/2  tsp. baking powder

1/2  tsp. baking soda

1/2  cup butter, softened

3/4  cup granulated sugar

1/4  cup packed brown sugar

3  eggs

1 TBL molasses 

 1-1/2  tsp. vanilla

1/2  cup buttermilk

1/2  cup cream soda (not diet)

1/2  cup toffee pieces

directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; set aside.

2. In large bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high 30 seconds. Add sugars; beat until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, on low until combined. Beat in molasses and vanilla.

3. Alternately add flour mixture, buttermilk, and cream soda to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until combined. Stir in the toffee. 

Fill cupcake tins 3/4 full. I always seem to fill mine too full, so be careful! 

Bake about 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool. (here are mine that are too full and sinking in the middle)

Brown Butter Frosting (while cupcakes are baking, you can make the frosting)

In saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat until lightly browned; about 8 minutes.

 Remove from heat and let cool. In mixer bowl, beat 1/4 cup softened butter with mixer on medium for 30 seconds. Add cooled brown butter to mixture; beat until combined. Add 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla plus another 1/8 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a dash salt. Beat in 2 tablespoons buttermilk until spreadable. 

Frost cupcakes, and sprinkle with remaining toffee pieces!

This post is linked to Tasty Tuesday  and Tempt my Tummy Tuesdays

Menu Plan Monday

I'm a little late on my menu planning today, but I'm here! It's just been a little busy. Kai and Keira arrived yesterday afternoon, after being in Austin for 5 days with their grandparents.We had a sit down family dinner for Father's day; the first time since Kade left for Disney on June 4th! Crazy. Edwin is still recovering from his surgery, so we've been moving slowly around here! Please continue to pray for his healing; as well as, a job and a move to Dallas! I'm so ready. 

Monday- Good ole Spaghetti with Chicken and garlic sausage, and garlic bread

Tuesday- Chicken Teriyaki quesadillas (left over chicken from bacon wrapped teriyaki kabobs on Father's day!)

Wednesday- Pizza and Pizza rolls from Pizza Hut. We saw the commercial yesterday and gotta try them! 

Thursday- Crispy Parmesan Chicken Bake, corn on the cob, and rice

Friday- Salmon Patties (new recipe from Edwin's mom. I'll let you know how it goes!) 

Saturday- Croissant chicken (I still haven't made this. I want so badly to make it, because I think the kids will really like it! Something always comes up though. Here's to another try!)

Dessert- Cream soda toffee cupcakes. Oh my lanta; Am I excited to make these????!!!!!!! So excited. You'll have to wait til I make them for pictures and the recipe. Yum, Yum

This post is linked to OrgJunkie

Father's day ideas/man food and gifts

I dont really think we're going to do much for Father's day (which is also my dad's birthday and brother and sister in law's anniversary!), since Edwin just had surgery this morning! He's doing well and recovering, aka; sleeping. Continue to pray for healing and his recovery, as well as for my mom (she had surgery yesterday).  If he's up for it, I'll cook some man food! Here are a few ideas for some yummy man food you can cook! 

Pan-Seared Steak with Spinach, Grapes, and Almonds

Recipe Here

Yummy slow cooker ribs

Recipe Here

Herbed Beef Tenderloins 

Recipe Here

Beer Dip

Recipe Here

Bacon wrapped teriyaki chicken skewers 

Recipe Here

Desserts

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Recipe Here

Cupcake Fun from Bakerella

Recipe Here

Golf Cupcakes 

Recipe from Martha Stewart

Need homemade gift ideas for your husband or father? Check out ideas; Here,Here, Here, Here,

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

I think I may have posted these before on my other blog, but I couldn't find the recipe; so maybe I didnt! I was going to make these at the cabin tomorrow, but I decided it would be easier to make them at home, instead of lugging all the ingredients with me! Edwin LOVES these. Like I said before, I don't like peanut butter and I like these! Yes I know; how can I not like Peanut Butter?! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup 

1-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (I use low fat; almost an entire 18oz jar)

6 cups Special K (original) 

2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips

Directions:

In a Dutch oven, bring the sugar and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved.

My pretty dutch oven

 

Remove from the heat, then stir in peanut butter and mix until combined. It's difficult to get an exact measurement since the peanut butter is so sticky. Just do your best!

 mmm; creamy

Add cereal; stir

Using a metal spatula or spoon, press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. pan.

 

In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips; stir until smooth.I usually put it in for about 45 seconds, then stir and cook another 25 seconds or so. Spread over cereal mixture. 

Refrigerate for about 1 hour, or until chocolate is set! We like to keep it in the refrigerator and eat them that way, but they're also good a little softer if you just leave them out (after they set in the refrigerator first). 

Edwin cutting into the bars BEFORE the chocolate was completely set. He couldn't wait.

Cut into bars and and eat ...

I like to make them kinda bite size, so it's easier and more fun to eat for the kiddos. Then you can just pop them in your mouth! 

Menu Plan Monday- First week of summer!

Summer has officially kicked off for us! We had a great weekend filled with swimming, going to the movies, eating ice cream, and relaxing. We've talked to Kade twice and he's already having a great time in Florida! So this week we're leaving on Thursday, to stay at my parent's cabin out in East Texas. We haven't been in a while, and Edwin is itching to ride some four wheelers and dirt bikes! The kids also really love it there! Here's our tentative plan for the week

Monday- Grilled Chicken fajitas

Tuesday- Teriyaki Chicken, rice, and green beans (I didnt make this the other week)

Wednesday- We might be going out to dinner with some friends. If not; we're going to just have kids night; If you can find it, eat it!

Thursday- At the cabin; Spaghetti 

Friday- Pizza

Saturday- Crock Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, boiled carrots 

Sunday- Left overs; eat what you can find! Driving back to houston! 

Dessert- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (Edwin's favorite!). I"m going to make this at the cabin, so i'll post pictures and the recipe next week. I dont even like peanut butter, and I like these! 

Palm Tree Sugar cookies

For real people, I need help finding a great roll out sugar cookie recipe! I've tried three and one was a "no fail sugar cookie" and it certainly failed me! Grrr....

Well, I made some palm tree cookies for Kai's end of the year luau party. The icing is amazing! It's Martha Stewart's hardening royal icing. Just perfect for sugar cookies.  Im not going to post the sugar cookie recipe, because it wasn't spectacular, but I'll show ya this picture! 

So pretty, sprinkled with sugar

Hardening Powdered Sugar icing

1 lb powdered sugar


5 Tbs meringue powder (found in the baking isle) 


½ cup water


liquid or gel-paste food coloring (optional)

1. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, meringue powder, and slowly add ½ cup water on low speed. Beat until mixture is fluffy yet dense, 7 to 8 minutes.

2. To tint icing a different color, dip a toothpick into food coloring, and gradually mix it in until the desired shade is reached.

Tinting my icing green

My little palm trees 

Kinda looks like broccoli 

Nothing left to do, but taste!

I certainly have not perfected the hardening icing, but practice makes perfect! The kids always love what I make and think the cookies are the greatest ever; and that's what it's about! For more about my day and my kids last day of school, hop over to my other blog to read more! 

Add pizzaz to summer strawberries!

My kiddos love strawberries with sugar. I saw a picture in Family Fun magazine, and decided to attempt to add some pizzaz to our strawberries. 

First, gather your strawberries

Add some food coloring to a bowl of sugar. It will be clumpy, so work through the clumps and add more food coloring til the desired color is reached. 

Get some icing! I used strawberry icing, but I think cream cheese icing would be good too

Ice the bottom of the strawberry

Dip in the sugar!

mmm; pretty!

Plate and serve!