Fancy Duds Potatoes

In an effort to get creative and well I really want to win this cooking contest where I could win a giftcard, see SITS Girls Logo for contest details. I'm going to play around with one of my family's favorite recipes. Now a little history....

In my junior year of college I thought I'd play house and doing some cooking. My roommate and I had a great little duplex with a huge kitchen, I had a boyfriend that I wanted to show off for and I wanted to prove to my parents that I really was a big girl making it on my own. So what did I do? I hosted Easter dinner at my house. I ordered a ham from Honey Baked Ham, 'cause lets be honest I didn't know the first thing about cooking a ham, and ham is a staple for Easter. After that I searched for some great side dish recipes. Somehow someway I found this amazing recipe. After a few tweaks to make it my own and a little bit healthier, I call it my...

Three Cheese Gourmet Scalloped Potatoes

• 1 large clove garlic -- minced
• 1 shallot -- minced
• 3 tablespoons melted butter
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt (sour cream works too)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1/2 pounds red potatoes -- sliced 1/8" thick
• 3 ounces Gruyere cheese -- grated
  
• 1 ounce Swiss cheese -- grated
  
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese -- grated

1. Saute first 3 ingredients for 2 minutes.
   
2. In a separate bowl whip together the milk and yogurt. You may need to add more milk depending on the consistency. Your yogurt should dissolve into the milk and the milk mixture should be the consistency of cream. Salt and pepper the mixture and add to the saute pan.
   
3. Add potatoes and bring to a boil over medium heat.
   
4. Transfer 1/2 of the potatoes to 9x12-inch casserole dish.
   
5. Add 1/2 of the Gruyere cheese and 1/2 of the Swiss cheese.
6. Transfer remainder of potatoes and carefully pour milk mixture into the dish.
7. Add remainder of Gruyere and Swiss cheeses and top with Parmesan cheese.
   
8. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes. Let stand 20-30 minutes before serving.

I quickly added it to the menu, among other things that I can't remember because this dish outdid everything else on the table! And quickly because a requested dish at our table every year, it became famous at my office pot luck and has quickly grown into my signature dish that I bake for others.

Unfortunately you just have to imagine what this yummy recipe looks like because my camera sucks and if I posted a picture of this ooey gooey goodie well let's be honest it wouldn't be so appetizing.

Mama's Crockpot Meatloaf

I have a great meatloaf recipe that I love to make, its so yummy my mouth's drooling just thinking about it but of course since I'm trying to stay out of the kitchen that recipe would not be the best thing to make right now. Instead I decided to experiment, I've never made meatloaf in the crockpot, well and honestly I've never made traditional meatloaf. I always either do meatloaf stuffed peppers or my sun-dried tomato turkey meatloaf. So this was most definitely going to be interesting. Googling meatloaf brought up a million different recipes but non seemed to match exactly what I had in mind so I combined a few and here's what I came up with.

Menu: Mama's Crockpot Meatloaf, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and a tall glass of milk.

Mama's Crockpot Meatloaf

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef
1 lb of ground pork
2 1/2 cups of breadcrumbs (make your own or store bought)
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 eggs
2 tbsp of worchestershire sauce
1 tbsp of ketchup
2 tbsp of milk
salt & pepper to taste

Line your crockpot with 2 strips of aluminum foil (needs this to get the loaf out) and set the time on low, either 8 or 10 hours depending on your needs.

1. In a medium bowl combine your breadcrumbs and milk, allow to soak for 5 minutes.
2. Combine the beef and pork, making sure to mix well so that you don't have any beef/pork sections.
3. Combine the meat, breadcrumbs and next 5 ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Shape the mixture into a loaf and place in crockpot.
   
5. Generously cover with extra ketchup.
6. Cook until done, you may need to drain the juice from the crockpot about half way through the cooking.

Now I like my meatloaf to have a crisp crust and I found that this was not achieved when done in the crockpot so just prior to serving I placed the loaf on a sheet pan, set the oven to 400 degrees and baked it for about 15 minutes.

While the meatloaf was crisping I prepared a package of instant mashed potatoes and heated up a can of green beans. When all was done, just plate and serve.

There's nothing like a home cooked meal of meatloaf, my son kept making yum yum faces and grunting while eating this so according to him it's delicious!

Apron Strings

Never did I think the day would come when I understood the necessity of aprons. Oh I remember watching all the classic tv shows where the women wore aprons and played Susie Homemaker. I remember thinking, now why do they wear those things, I don't see the purpose and surely that's the reason they went out of style. I mean I grew up never seeing my mom in an apron and she was most definitely an 80's Susie Homemaker of a stay-at-home-mom. So alas my thoughts were they were just a fashion trend something that came and went like hoop skirts, corsets, poodle skirts, bell bottoms and jordash jeans. Flash foward to 2008 and for the first time in my life I understand why those women wore and NEEDED aprons! It's like a lightbulb went off. Oh and it's not just because I'm doing more cooking, no I've always cooked. It's because now I understand that when you have a child following you around in the kitchen, while you dredge the roast in flour, that child will get into something they shouldn't and there's no time to find the towel from the sink to wipe your hands before you grab said child. It's a necessity to have that apron on your waist so as you run to grab your little monster, you can quickly wipe your hands and snatch him up without getting flour all over your nice black work pants or your child.

Now since I have only just seen the light, I don't actually own an apron and have had to resort to wear a kitchen towel tucked into the waist of my pants. But that is most definitely going to change because I have found some really cute aprons that I'm falling in love with, if only I could decide which to get.

Rick Rack Attack, a really cute online store has authentic vintage aprons with the classic rick rack ribbon.

Sommer Designs, was recently featured on the Pioneer Woman's blog, and has modern fashionable hostess style aprons.


Carolyn's Kitchen, has your "sex-kitten" style aprons that will be sure to make your husbands swoon. I'm thinking I might have to get one of these for a naughty night when our little monster goes to grandma's house.


And of course the mother of all handmade trading/selling sites, Etsy has a multitude of sellers displaying aprons.

Oh so many to choose from, I might just have to get a few. If aprons are like towels they'll get dirty and I just have to have one for everyday right? ;)

Light King Ranch Chicken

After the sun went down last night I decided to whip up a casserole for dinner tonight. Since its been so crazy hot the idea that I'd have to use the oven to bake this delightful dish really put a downer on my plans until I decided to go ahead and make it the night before. This way I kept cool in the kitchen while making this and tonight all we have to do is pop it in the microwave!

I think my husband could love me for this dish and this dish alone. I seriously have to put it under lock and key to keep him from eating it all in the first 30 minutes of its life. I did wake up this morning to find that the casserole, mind you for tonight's dinner, well only half of it survived the night. (Husband's been working the night shift at home) Trust me when I say this meal won't last long, so you'd better grab your fork and protect your plate when this baby hits the table!

Menu: Light King Ranch Chicken, "kick it up a notch" salad, and big glass of lemonade.

Light King Ranch Chicken

Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
Vegetable cooking spray
2 cups chopped cooked chicken breasts
1 (10-ounce) can fat-free cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (10-ounce) can fat-free cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (10-ounce) can diced tomato and green chiles
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
1 (8-ounce) block reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Sauté onion and bell pepper in a large skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until tender.

2. Stir in chicken and next 6 ingredients; remove from heat.

3. Tear tortillas into 1-inch pieces; layer one-third tortilla pieces in bottom of a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with one-third chicken mixture and one-third cheese. Repeat layers twice.

4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly.

Allow plenty of time to cool off 'cause nothing is worse than getting burned by scalding cheese. So while it's cooling mix up that cool crisp salad. Here's what I like to use:

romaine lettuce
hopped tomatoes
sliced red onions
sliced cucumber
1 cup of canned corn
1 cup of drained & rinsed black beans
avocado (if you've got one)
Spicy Ranch Dressing (add a few splashes of tasbasco sauce or mix salsa in)

Viola, your salad is done and the casserole is cool so grab a plate and dig in!

Note: Freeze casserole up to 1 month, if desired. Thaw in refrigerator overnight, and bake as directed.

Recipe and picture courtesy of my favorite website CookingLight.com

Chipotle Pulled-Pork Sandwiches

Oh the dog days of summer in Texas and I have a new found love affair with my crockpot. I used to think crockpot cooking was only for winter where warm soups and roasts were just the thing to take the chill away but THINK AGAIN! With a 2 week run of 100 plus degree temperatures and my poor a/c cranking up every 5 minutes, I dread the idea of even turning the light on in the kitchen. So this week out came the crockpot again, we're best friends now. During the fall I usually make this meal on the stove per the directions but I thought I'd give my new best friend a crack at it, and sure enough it turned out even better than on the stove. The meat was so tender and just fell apart.

Menu: Chipotle Pulled-Pork BBQ Sandwiches, coleslaw and your choice of ice cold beer.

Chipotle Pulled-Pork BBQ Sandwiches

Ingredients:
1 (7-ounce) can chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 (1-pound) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups thinly sliced onion
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon sugar
6 (1/2-ounce) slices provolone cheese
12 sandwich-cut bread-and-butter pickles
6 (2 1/2-ounce) Kaiser rolls

1. Remove 1 chile from can; reserve remaining chiles and sauce for another use. Finely chop chile. (If you like it spicy, use another or two, which come on bbq is supposed to be spicy right)
   

2. (Ok this is where the directions call for a saucepan but instead just throw the meat in and then cover it with the rest of the ingredients. ) Place chopped chile, barbecue sauce, and the next 4 ingredients (barbecue sauce through tomatoes) in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook 10 minutes or until sauce thickens and pork is very tender. Remove from heat. Remove pork from sauce; shred pork. Return pork to sauce. (Since we cooked it in the crockpot no need to remove the pork, just take two forks and shred it in the crockpot and then give it a good mix)
   

3. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, thyme, and sugar; cook 10 minutes or until golden, stirring occasionally.

4. Heat a large nonstick skillet (or your panini maker) over medium heat. Place 1 cheese slice, 1/2 cup pork mixture, about 2 tablespoons onions, and 2 pickle slices on bottom half of each roll. Cover with top halves of rolls. Add 3 sandwiches to pan. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches, and press gently to flatten. Cook 2 minutes on each side or until cheese melts and bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook). Repeat procedure with remaining sandwiches.

Doesn't this just make your mouth water! Now grab a bag of dress and serve coleslaw, mix it up and plate next to your ooey goey sandwich.

Now an important note, choose your bbq sauce wisely as this can make or break your sandwiches, you want to make sure it's not too sugary tasting because it'll be overkill with the pickles, too spicy itself and you'll be dying with the chipotle, not too smokey either because that's what the chipotle is for. I'd suggest a nice mild to medium flavor bbq sauce with a hint of kick whether its name brand or a local specialty.

Recipe and picture courtesy of my favorite website CookingLight.com

My Favorite Things: Part 2

Paciugo Gelato (pronounced Pah-choo-go) is a gelateria artigianale, producing small batches of gelato containing no cream and no added preservatives. Paciugo Gelato is made daily according to recipes created in Turin, Italy and by utilizing the latest Italian technology without compromising the traditional nature of the product.

Only the finest ingredients are used to produce Paciugo Gelato, including fresh fruit, fresh pasteurized homogenized milk and the highest quality imported chocolate and nuts. Paciugo Gelato is produced daily in a variety of flavors chosen from over 200 recipes that will tantalize your tongue and turn you on to this Italian classic.

With 70% less fat than traditional ice cream and served in micro-bowls your figure will thank you as well. Started in Dallas in 2000 their 20 stores can now be found through the country and their 1st international store located in Mexico City. You can visit them in store or they do delivery stations for parties or corporate events.





Bare Escentuals, also known as bareMinerals, is an amazing makeup system that I have fallen in love with.

Bare Escentuals uses only the finest ingredients in their products. Made with crushed minerals from the earth, 100% pure bareMinerals:

• is free of preservatives, talc, oil, fragrance and other potential skin irritants
• is free of fillers and binders
• is weightless
• provides adjustable coverage—from light to full
• will improve the condition of the skin over time

True to their slogan, "makeup so pure you can sleep in it", I sleep in it every night and rarely have a breakout. All ages and skin types can benefit from bareMinerals—especially those concerned with skin sensitivities, allergies, scars, blemishes, rosacea, wrinkles and pigmentation. (of which I have super sensitive skin, allergies and mild rosacea) The foundation provides impeccable coverage for every skin type and skin tone, and also protects with a natural SPF 15 broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation carries the Skin Cancer Foundation Seal of Recommendation.

The dual shades of foundation powder provide the best coverage for a changing skin color throughout the seasons from summer to winter, you never have adjust you foundation for a tan. Simple and light it provides full coverage without that yucky heavy feeling.

Starter kits can be purchased at a variety of b&m stores such as Sephora or online through their website.

Travel Tips

I'd like to say I could plan a vacation and then relax on that vacation but honestly that's not my personality type. I admit it I'm OCD and proud of it, I mean we've all got our quirks right? At least mine isn't the stinky, gross, or type that can hurt people. So when I plan a trip, something I do quite often. I like to plan trips and daydream of traveling to places I'm sure we'll never go to because of time or finances but at least a girl can dream, and a girl with ocd can plan! I've got planned vacations to Alaska, Las Vegas, Disneyworld, Italy, Hawaii, Mackinaw Island, Seattle... anyways that's here nor there. I posted earlier about finally getting to take a vacation getaway Big Cedar Resort outside of Branson Missouri and I thought I'd share some of my tips for planning vacations. (Trust me I've got our 3 days planned out for every hour.)

Starting Points
Whenever I start to plan a vacation I always check out the top two travel guide sites to get advice as to their recommended activities, restaurants, hotels and itineraries.

Hotels
After I check out those sites I hop on over to the best forum in the world for learning how to bid and break into Priceline and Hotwire. They have each state broken down into their own section as well as areas for top travel sites. Here you can research the going rates for bidding on hotels, see the amenities legends for hotels and learn the star ratings based on city zones. The community members are helpful and can aid you in scoring great hotels for deep discounts.

BetterBidding.com

I usually end up doing a little research on the rates and what hotels are available and then get great hotel reviews.This site is extremely helpful because you get real customer reviews and pictures of the hotels. It lists the going rate (usually from places like Priceline) as well, so you can compare the rates from what people are getting through BetterBidding vs standard deals.

After doing this research I hit up all the well know travel deal sites, Priceline, Hotwire, Orbitz, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Expedia. Search for my hotels or destination and compare the prices.


Flights & Rental Cars
If we need a rental car I quickly look up the current rates at my preferred company and then head over to another great forum, especially if you have frequent flyer points/miles. They have a great section for rental car discount codes to use when renting a vehicle.
Again if we're driving and after we've scored a great deal on a rental car I check this great resource for gas cost estimates from AAA.

http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/

Attractions & Activities
Once the flight, car, and hotel have been secured, I'm free to start googling activities and restaurants. While many hotels have preferred vendors or affiliations with restaurants and can offer discount pricing, I have found that more often than not you can score better deals for activities outside of your hotel's concierge or resort. I would recommend starting with your destination's town website, tourism website or chamber of commerce website. From there find out your desired activity, google the activity and location for local providers.


Food
For great food finds I recommend checking out the experts advice. The foodnetwork and the travel channel are great resources for top notch restaurants as well as finding cheap eats.

Shows like $40 a day; Giada's Weekend Getaways; Diners, Drive-ins and Dives; Have fork will travel; Rachel Ray's Tasty Travels; Rachael's Vacation; Road Tasted; and Roker on the Road all serve up a great resource for fabulous food fare at your destination.


The travel channel serves as an excellent guide for cuisine with their shows Food Paradise and Taste of America. But their advice doesn't just pertain to shows, true to their name they are one of the most knowledgeable sites regarding all aspects of travel. So be sure to check out their guides , ideas and forums.


So now you have your flight, car, hotel, activities and food. You're all set and ready to hit the ground running on a well planned, every detail secured, ocd kind of girl's vacation. Now's the time to hit the mall to pick up some great vacation clothes and accessories!