An easy dinner

I made this tonight and the fam liked.

-cook some macaroni

-melt some velvita cheese with a bit of milk

-steam some chopped broccoli and red pepper

-add some s + p.

mix it all together and enjoy a quick and cheap meal.

I served this with some sliced cucumbers.

L.

My Grocery Budget Challenge

The Challenge is going well, although I had to change it from 350 to 400/month. It doesn't go so well when I shop at costco but great when I go to superstore. Eating one veggie meal once per week cuts down on cost too. Hmmmm, what else? Menu planning works great; I have been planning a week at a time and then shopping for only what I need.
So that is my report!! I will keep you posted.
L.

Yummy Spinach and Artichoke Dip.

• 1 C chopped Artichoke Hearts (I use canned)
• 1/2 C chopped frozen spinach, thawed
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/2 C fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or pressed (or more if you’re a super garlic lover)
• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Cover the spinach and artichoke hearts with just enough water to cover, boil over medium heat until tender. (roughly, 10 minutes) Drain when done.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, saute the garlic in just a hint of olive oil, when the garlic becomes a bit translucent and yummy smelling, add the cream cheese and heat until it’s hot.
3. Add the spinach artichoke mixture and the spices, mix well.

I am taking this to my Aunt's birthday.  I am serving it with those topable crackers.  

L.

"I Took His Hand and Followed"

Jackie had written out this poem in Pat's baby book and I thought it was heartwarming for us mommy's with little men....

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,

I didn't make the bed,

I took his hand and followed

Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring,

My little son and I...

Exploring all the great outdoors

Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,

We wandered through a wood...

My kitchen wasn't swept today

But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade

And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest,

Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young,

We climbed a sunlit hill...

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky,

We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected,

That I didn't brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth

Will know, or even care.

But that I've helped my little boy

To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world

May look and see and know.

Lisa's Hamburgers

My burgers are good.  Don't mean to brag, but they are. Here is how to make them.

1lb ground beef

2 squirts of bbq sauce

1 med onion, chopped fine

bread crumbs, about 1/2 - 3/4 of cup, depending how juicy the mix is. add it last.

1 egg

couple swooshes of worchestershire

2 blip blips of tobasco

about 1/2 tablespoon of montreal steak spice

pepper,

salt

3 cloves of garlic, pressed through a presser.

Mix it all together and add the bread crumbs last to make it the consistency you want it.

form a round ball and put on a plate.  Use another plate to squish it down into a little patty.  use wax paper to prevent sticking to plate.

bbq and enjoy.

jaxson liked these as Clark wasn't interested.

L.

Chicken Adobo

about 6 boneless/skinless chicken thighs

1/4 cup water
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 soy sauce
2 cloves of garlic

Put all ingredients (including the chicken) into a sauce pan with a lid. Bring to a boil then turn it down to a simmer for 60min.


I was at work and asked one of the philipino ladies what they cook that is yummy and easy and this was it! There is nothing to it and Jaxson eats it all up! I serve it with rice and usually broccoli.

Meatballs with sweet-and-sour sauce

hey momma's

I made these last night and were easy and good.  Clark liked them too.

Meatballs

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 apple, peeled and grated

1/2 cup fresh white bread crumbs (i made my own with brown bread and it was fine)

1 tbsp. chopped parsley ( i used dried and it was fine)

1 chicken bouillon cube, finely crumbled

2 tbsp cold water

salt and pepper.

2 tbsp of veg. oil.

Mix together all the ingredients for the meatballs and chop for a few seconds in a food processor. Using flourd hands, form into about 20 meatballs.  Heat the oil in a frying pan and saute the meatballs, turning occasionally, until browned and sealed (10-12 mins).  

Sauce:

1 tbsp soy sauce

1.5 tsps corn starch

1 tablespoon of veg oil

1 med onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup of diced red bell pepper

One 14.5 ounce can of chopped tomatoes

1 tbsp of cider vinegar

1 tsp brown sugar

pepper.

To make the sauce, mix together the soy sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl.  Heat the oil in a pan and saute the onion for 3 mins.  Add the bell pepper and saute stirring occasionally for 2 mins.  Add the tomatoes, vinegar, and sugar, season with pepper and simmer for 10 mins.  Add the soy sauce mix and cook for 2 mins stirring occasionally.  Blend and strain, or puree.  pour the sauce over the meatballs and cover and simmer until heated through. about 5 mins.  serve with rice.  

YUM YUM. 

L.