Friday, June 29, 2018

monogrammed burlap bags from Etsy

Have I mentioned that I LOVE Etsy! 

I am always looking for great gifts for my preschool teachers.  This is one of my favorites!  I absolutely LOVE this monogrammed burlap bag.  The teachers use it all of the time... for school, for travel, etc. 

Visit Dash Forward on Etsy and check out all of their fun items.  I especially love this burlap bag in all of the colors.....Monogrammed Jute Bag

The bags came in promptly and perfectly - all 18 of them! 



What a great gift - and so reasonably priced! 


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole

I needed a breakfast casserole recipe for a wedding shower that is gluten-free.  I LOVE the Asiago Breakfast Bake... but obviously not gluten free so needed to find another one. 

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, was my first thought.  Also, if you ever get a chance to visit The Mercantile in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.... .you totally should.  We stopped when The Mercantile just opened on one of our many drives to Texas.  We didn't get to eat at the restaurant but we did get to meet Ree and get treats and coffee from the coffee shop upstairs.  I know they now have a new hotel and even have Lodge Tours of the Lodge on their property. 

Back to the recipe... her Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole is amazing... like all of her recipes.  I love that I can make it the night before.  I did read a lot of the reviews and some recommended baking the tator tots first to get them crispy.  I did bake them for about ten minutes or so... not sure if it made any difference.  It was great!


Tator Tot Breakfast Casserole (adapted from The Pioneer Woman and The Food Network)

16 oz bag frozen Tater Tots
butter, for the baking dish
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 lb spicy bulk breakfast sausage
1 medium onion, finely diced ( I used less)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (I used less)
4 large eggs ( I used six)
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 green bell pepper, finely diced
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated pepper jack cheese
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Line up the tater tots in a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.  Add the olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.  Add the sausage and onion and cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.  Drain any excess fat and set aside to cool.  Sprinkle over the tator tots when cooled. 

In a large bowl, mix the milk, half and half, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper, eggs, diced bell peppers and half of both cheeses.  Mix well and pour the mixture over the tots and sausage mixture.  Top with the rest of the two cheeses.  Cover with foil and refrigerate over night. 

Preheat the oven to 350.  Bake, covered for about 25 minutes.  Remove foil and continue to bake until the cheese is brown and bubbly and the casserole is cooked through - probably about another 20 - 30 minutes.  Cut into squares and serve. 

Printable Version

Friday, June 15, 2018

Reese's Stuffed Rice Krispie Treats

This is one of those random recipes that appeared on Facebook from Delish.  The girls love Scotch-a Roos so I knew they would love these......Reeses Stuffed Rice Krispie Treats.  Yum!  I made them this past weekend when Jenna was home.  Jenna shared a few with her friend Sarah and her family.  Sarah texted me this morning and said her mom said...."best thing I've ever put in my mouth"!  They are yummy!


Reese's Stuffed Rice Krispie Treats (adapted from Delish)

cooking spray for pan
5 Tbsp butter
1   10 oz bag mini marshmallows
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
pinch kosher salt
6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal
12 - 16 regular size Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, unwrapped
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, melted for garnish
1/4 melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for garnish

Line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper. In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter.  Stir in marsh mallows, peanut butter and salt... stir until mixture is melted.  Remove from heat.  Immediately add Rice Krispies and stir with a rubber spatula until combined.  Working quickly, press a thin layer of rice krispie mixture into the bottom of the lined 9 x 13.  Add a layer of Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.  Press the remaining Rice Krispie mixture on top of the peanut butter cups.  Drizzle the melted chocolate and peanut butter, then refrigerate until cool... about 30 minutes.  Slice into squares and serve.

printable version

Tuesday, June 12, 2018

Brownie Batter Dip

My friend Susan is a great cook.  She and her hubby have three children and she cooks a lot.  She is ALWAYS trying a new recipe.  Recently, I was at Susan's house for a Stella and Dot party and she had this yummy Brownie Batter Dip.  She said her children love it.  Jenna was in town photographing a wedding so I thought it would be fun to try a new recipe.  I hate to cook stuff like this for just Chris and me. He won't it much of it and I don't need it.  Jenna and Meg... and friends loved it.

Great, easy, fun new recipe.  You kiddos could make it.  We loved it with Nilla Wafers and Pretzels.  I think it would be great with graham cracker sticks, shortbread cookies, strawberries, bananas, etc.





Brownie Batter Dip

1  8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup flour (can choose to use a gluten-free flour)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
mini chocolate chips

Using an electric hand mixer, mix cream cheese and butter.  Slowly add the powdered sugar... mixing carefully. Add cocoa, flour, brown sugar and vanilla....mix well.  Serve with pretzels, graham cracker sticks, shortbread cookies, Nilla wafers, strawberries, etc.  Store in refrigerator but allow to soften at room temperature to serve.

Printable Version


Monday, June 4, 2018

Pear Walnut Green Salad - yummy!

My friend Vicki had me over for dinner a while back.  Both of our husbands were traveling and she made this quick, easy and yummy salad.  She added grilled chicken.  It was great with a grilled meat and I have also eaten it as a side dish.  In the past, I have not been a huge fan of goat cheese.  It was always SO strong.  She added goat cheese on the salad and it was really good.  The soft texture and flavor was perfect with the pears and the walnuts.  She got her goat cheese in a 3 pak at Costco.  I just got mine at the local grocery store.  You totally need to try this salad this summer.... or anytime!


Pear and Walnut Salad

Mixed Greens - I bought the "spring mix"
ripe pear, peeled and sliced
toasted walnuts
craisins
goat cheese - cut into little bite size pieces
grilled chicken or salmon - optional
Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette dressing (could choose another favorite but love this one)

Just add the desired amount of ingredients and toss with dressing just before serving.