Quiche

In honor of spring, I'm posting a recipe for quiche (or as my kids call it "egg pie"). Serve with some fresh rolls (from the bakery or your freezer is perfect) and a yummy Spinach Strawberry salad (posted 7-18-07) and you'll have a yummy spring meal. By the way, it uses milk instead of cream.

Quiche
1 Pie crust

1/2 c. (or to taste) onion, chopped
1/2 c. butter
3 garlic cloves
1/2 green pepper, chopped

Saute veggies together (5-7 minutes)

1 tomato, chopped
handful shredded cheese
chopped ham (optional)
salt and pepper

Mix in with sauteed veggies and spoon into crust.

Mix 4 eggs
1 c. milk
salt and pepper to taste

Spoon egg mixture over veggie mix. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with another handful of cheese on top. bake for another 35-40 minutes. Enjoy!

Lucious Loaves

The other day my friend and I were chatting while waiting for our kindergartners to get out of school and she mentioned that she had some banana bread in the oven at home. Mmm....That sounded so good. As luck would have it, I happened to have 3 beautifully black bananas just begging to be made into bread. Yesterday I was still digging out of my organizing project, but today (in a freshly organized and clean kitchen I might add) I found I had plenty of time to make it. While it was baking, I picked up Twilight (again), but the heavenly aromas coming from my oven were somewhat distracting. Neither Lyndsi or I can wait till those beautiful loaves cool so we can try it!

Banana Bread

1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
3 mashed bananas
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 c. flour
1/2 c. nuts (optional)



Mix shortening and sugar together. Add bananas and eggs and mix. Add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. Makes 2-3 loaves.

Menu for Sat. Feb 23-Mar. 3

I love having a menu plan for my meals. It takes the thinking out of dinner, and let's face it, who really can think of a good meal on an empty stomach? Unfortunately, this weeks meal is not packed with nutrition-at least in the main courses. We will be minus one at the table due to crazy work schedules, so I'm catering to the kids for a few days. Here's our meal plan for what it's worth. (By the way-feel free to share what you're having for dinner!)

Sat.-Grilled pork, veggie, and potatoes
Sun.-Hot dogs and chips
Mon.-Pizza (most likely little Caesars) and salad
Tuesday-Chicken nuggets, veggie sticks w/ ranch, and probably some fruit
Wednesday-Mac 'n cheese and ????
Thursday- Chicken salad, rolls, strawberry spinach salad, maybe some extra veggies
Friday- Salmon and ??? (any good recipes out there?)
Saturday-Tacos
Sunday-Quiche and salad

There you have it!

Fresh Tomato Salsa

I've discovered that I love taking pictures of my food to go along with the recipes, but this one was sooo good I couldn't get a picture before it was gone. Jeff and I ate almost the whole thing in one night which by the way is a bad idea unless you have a big bottle of tums around! Jeff especially loves fresh salsa and has been trying to find a really good recipe for a long time. This is probably the best I've had.

Fresh Tomato Salsa

3 c. chopped, ripe tomatoes 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 green onions with tops, sliced 1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. green bell pepper, chopped 1 tsp red wine vinegar (we used apple cider v.)
1/2 c. purple onion, chopped 1/2 tsp salt
2 T. lime juice 1/4 tsp cumin
2 T. fresh cilantro
1 T. jalapeno, chopped (I think I'd only add this if I wanted it really spicy)

Mix all ingredients. If time permits, refrigerate salsa for two or three hours before serving so individual ingredient flavors will blend. Serve it with any tortilla dishes, grilled chicken or hamburgers, or tortilla chips.

Popcorn Popping

Popcorn is like the year-round snack. You eat it while playing games, watching movies, eating at Wingers (sorry-had to throw that in), watching fire works, and just hanging with friends and family. My cousin gave me this recipe for flavored popcorn that is yummy. I made some today for Valentine treats, but am thinking by just changing the flavor of Jell-O, you can make them for any holiday/season. How fun!

Candied Popcorn

INGREDIENTS12 cups popped popcorn1 cup light corn syrup1/2 cup sugar1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any flavor1 1/2 cups PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONSPlace popcorn in large bowl.Mix syrup and sugar in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add gelatin; stir until dissolved. Add peanuts.Pour over popcorn; mix well. Cool about 5 minutes. Shape into 18 balls, each about 3 inches in diameter.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love to bake, but I do not make a good chocolate chip cookie (I know. How very sad.), that is, until last Sunday. (They didn't look so blue, though...) It's amazing what happens when you turn back to something that has worked in the past! I got this recipe from a friend in high school and it has not failed me yet. Jeff thinks they are a little "cakey" and we both think they could use some vanilla (I would do a tsp). However, 4 dozen cookies were gone in less then 3 days and we only shared 6 with neighbors. Here's the recipe:

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups of flour (you will need to add more, but this is a good starting point)

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

chocolate chips

Mix together. Drop on cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Peaches and Cream

If you've read my blog, you know I am trying to eat and be healthier this year. For one of my snacks, I am supposed to do 1 milk and 1 fruit. I came up with this little goodie that actually tasted like ice cream.

1 serving of fruit (I used canned peaches)
1 serving of milk
handful of ice

Blend it all up until smooth and enjoy!

Simple and yummy and no sugar needed!