february 14, 2011 - cafe rio

for valentine's dinner we ordered take-out from cafe rio for the whole family.  our favorite thing from cafe rio, besides their pork, is the tres leche dessert.  we got one for everyone and had a nice time enjoying each other's company.

i have tried making their tres leche cake before and the recipe that i like best is here.

february 13, 2011 - beef stroganoff

i made beef stroganoff for dinner.  another recipe from my friend malia that i modified because i forgot to put it in the crockpot early in the day.  i just cooked mine up in a sauce pan.  the meat wasn't as tender as it would have been from the crockpot, but it was still yummy.  we served the beef and sauce over egg noodles.

beef stroganoff

round steak (i used sirloin steak because that's what i had)

2 small onions ( you can do more or less depending on how much you like)

1 package of lipton onion soup mix

2 cans cream of mushroom

about half a can of water

1/2 cup or more sour cream

sauté the onions after you brown the meat, or just put them in.  mix it all together in the crockpot and cook for 6+ hours, then when it’s done add sour cream, as much as 1 container or as little as half a cup.  serve over rice or noodles.

february 11-12, 2011 - quesadillas and nuts & berries

on friday, february 11, we all made quesadillas for dinner.  nothing to fancy about tortillas and cheese.

february 12, we were bears.

february 10, 2011 - waffles & buttermilk syrup

tonight we had breakfast for dinner and i made waffles and buttermilk syrup.  i got both of these recipes from my friend malia (she's an amazing cook).

waffles

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup oil
1 3/4 cup milk
2 eggs

in a big mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder & salt.  in a separate bowl combine milk, oil and egg yolks.  in another bowl add the egg whites & beat stiff.  mix the egg mixture & the flour mixture; then carefully fold in egg whites.  the mixture will be very lumpy and that makes it perfect!


buttermilk syrup

1 cube butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

heat butter, sugar, buttermilk & vanilla until the butter is melted and sugar is dissolved.  add baking soda last.  CAUTION: the mixture will froth up, so be ready.  i suggest making the syrup in a larger sauce pan than you think you will need.  makes 2-3 cups.

february 9, 2011 - fried rice

tonight i made a fried rice recipe with ingredients i already had out and ready.  i didn't have any ham thawed, but i did have bacon.  so instead of ham fried rice we had bacon fried rice.  i quickly cooked up the bacon and scrambled a few eggs, chopped the green onions and cooked some minute rice.  added a little soy sauce and we were good to go.

february 7-8, 2011 - quick & leftovers

so the past two nights haven't been that great for dinner making.  monday night we went grocery shopping as a family so dinner was really quick and simple when we got home.

on tuesday, february 8th we had leftovers.

february 6, 2011 - flour tortillas and pulled pork

i made flour tortillas from scratch and nathan made pulled pork.

flour tortillas recipe here

pulled pork recipe here

february 4-5, 2011

february 4, 2011 - i was not well this night, so nathan picked up mcdonalds for dinner.

february 5, 2011 - made frozen chicken nuggets and french fries for the crew.

february 2 & 3, 2011 -ice cream & spaghetti & meatballs

february 2, 2011 - we had ice cream.  i know nutritious and filling.

february 3, 2011 - spaghetti and meatballs. the last time i went shopping armour meatballs were on a great sale so i decided to try some.  we ate them tonight and nathan and i were actually impressed with how good they were.  i just boiled some noodles and mixed in some spaghetti sauce.  we topped it off with grated parmesan cheese.

february 1, 2011 - lion house chicken noodle soup

well, it's kind of their recipe...i didn't have carrots so i left them out and so tonight's dinner was a little monochromatic (thanks for the word malia).  

Lion House Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup

2 tsp. chicken soup base, or 2 bouillon cubes
3 cups canned chicken stock (broth)
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cans (10 1/2 oz. each) cream of chicken soup
1/4 cup evaporated milk or 1/2 cup whole milk
Roux (equal amounts of flour and butter used to thicken). I don't even use roux. It is thick enough without it.
2 cups cooked diced chicken
2 1/2 oz. (about 4 cups) cooked noodles

Heat chicken soup base (or bouillon cubes) and stock together. Add carrots, celery, and onion, and simmer until vegetables are tender. Add cream of chicken soup and milk. Thicken with roux as desired, then add cooked chicken and noodles. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 2 1/2 quarts or 10 one cup servings.