Bunko Supper

We have a group of girls that get together to play bunko once a month.  This month it's at my house.  The menu is Corn and Crab Bisque, Salad with homemade House Dressing, and Lemon Cake!  There goes the diet!  Check back Wednesday for pictures and recipes!!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

These days it does not hurt to save money.  My mom was telling me about how some ladies at her church make their own laundry detergent.  She said she was gonna give it a try herself.  The liguid recipe makes about 3 1/2 gallons.  She makes in a 5 gallon bucket that has a lid.  The cost is about 7 cents a load!!!!  That't right, I said 7 cents!!!!  It sounded great, but I didn't want to deal with keeping my wild 2 year old daughter out of it.  I did a little looking around and found a recipe for powdered detergent.  I liked this idea.  I am making a batch and see how well it does and how long it last.  Here is the recipe and I will updated after I have used it awhile and let you know what I think.  I would love to hear from any of you that may already use this or something close to it.

2 cups Fels Naptha Soap (finely grated)

1 cup Washing Soda

1 cup Borax

■Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.

■Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

 

It's easier if you use a food processor.  Make sure you cover the top with a damp towel so the you don't breathe the powdered dust it makes.  You can also substitute your favorite soap for the Fels Naptha Soap.  I read also that it is good for sensitive skin.  Make sure you get Washing Soda and Not Baking Soda.  They are different.  These items can't all be found at Walmart.  I found them at Kroger, Sunflower, and Rameys.

 

Thanks and Enjoy,

Dana

Fruity Chicken Salad Sandwich

As you will find out in future post, I am a very, very picky eater!  I don't like alot of foods.  I have always been interested in finding a recipe for chicken salad without eggs and pickle relish.  My search lead me to fruity chicken salad.  At first, I didn't think that I would like the texture of the fruit (see I told you I was picky).  So, I began to work on a recipe that included the seasonings and fruits that I liked.  After a few trials, I got it! 

FRUITY CHICKEN SALAD

1 apple diced

2 cups grapes

1 cup fresh pitted cherries

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp dill

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp onion powder

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

2 cups chicken (cooked and diced)

1/2 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

Toasted pecans (optional)

Mix fruit and next 6 ingredients together.  Add chicken, mayo, and sour cream.  Mix well, then add toasted pecans.  Serve on croissants or on lettuce with crackers.

You can change out the fruit and use leftover chicken.  I used  a rotisserie chicken.  I also used low fat mayo and sour cream. 

Thanks and Enjoy,

Dana

FEATURED!!!!

I am so excited.  My blog post about Karlee's 2nd birthday has been featured on three sites; The Cake at Home Mom, Birds Carfts, Sweet Bambinos and Maddy Cakes Muse .  Please go check out these sites.  They have some awesome ideas!!! 

Thanks!!
Dana

http://www.thecakeathomemom.com/

http://birdcrafts.blogspot.com/

http://sweetbambinos.blogspot.com/

http://maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com/

Seafood Monday

We love seafood at our house.  I would have to say that crab, shrimp, and lobster are my FAVORITE foods.  I love them in dips, sauces, main courses, sandwiches, and the list goes on and on.  Last night we went to an engagement party and I ate something that I have never tryed before.......Lamb chops with mint jelly.  Mmmm good.  I actually was surprised.  I really think they tasted like steak, but I've gotten off the subject.  They also had a hot crab dip served with toast points.  It was very good.  It gave me the idea to start Seafood Monday.  So, check back each Monday for more seafood recipes that we love. 

HOT CRAB DIP

1/2 pound crabmeat

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

1 tbsp. lemon juice

1 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp. dry mustard

1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese

pinch garlic salt

paprika, for garnish

Remove cartilage from crabmeat. In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sour cream, may, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and garlic salt until smooth. Add enough milk to make mixture creamy. Stir in 2 tbsp. of grated cheese. Fold crabmeat into mixture.

Pour mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 325° until mixture is bubbly and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Serve with crackers, toast points, or pita chips.
 Makes about 4 cups of dip.

Courtesy Maryland Department of Agriculture

Thanks and Enjoy!!!

Dana


Next Monday......Shrimp and Grits!

Karlee's 2nd Birthday

I am very excited to be blogging for "The Cake At Home Mom".  I am very new to the blogging world.  I love to cook.  So, I decided to start a blog about my cooking adventures. Sometimes, I may venture out alittle bit but will always come back to what I know best......COOKING!!   I hope you enjoy my daughters 2nd birthday. 

My sweet daughter turned 2 this week.  She is a mischevious angel!  For her birthday, I pick something that she loves to design the theme around.  Last year it was Elmo, this year it's Flowers!  She loves flowers.  So, I started with her dress.  My sister has a sewing business.  Her site is http://www.satinstitchescustomclothing.blogspot.com/.  I picked out the design and fabric for her dress and she made it for me.  The colors in the dress are where I got the blue and pink from.

Satin Stiches Custom Clothing

  I wanted to be able to make everything myself.  I have looked at the Cricut expressions for awhile and finally decided to purchase one.  I made the cupcake toppers, banner, cupcake wrappers, and labels.  I also planned on my purchases of papers and supplies when Hobby Lobby had things for 50% off.  This helped with the cost. 

Oreo Pops                               Fancy Cakes

Vanilla Cupcakes with Fluffy White Frosting

Malt Balls, Mints, and Suckers          Pink Lemonade              

Cookies N Cream

Now the most important part......FOOD!  I didnt want the usual cake.  I got glazed flower pots from Walmart.  The 8 inch one I lined with Suran Wrap cling and placed a glass bowl inside.  I make a strawberry trifle.  My cousin who makes cakes and cookies, made my cookies for me.  Her site is http://www.lovincookiesncream.com/.  I placed the cookie flowers in the pot.  She also made the K cookies.  I made Oreo pops, pretzel sticks, and the cupcakes.  I also accented the fancy cakes with candy flowers.  For the adults, I made a Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip, Bacon Cheeseball, and Spicy Cheese balls.  The recipes will follow.  Hope you enjoy!

Spicy Ranch Chicken Dip

2 8oz cream cheese

2 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 rotisserie chicken (deboned and shredded)

4 cups shredded cheese

1 cup mayo

1 cup sour cream

1 cup Crystal hot sauce

3/4 cup cooked and crumbled bacon

green onions

Soften cream cheese in microwave, then add dressing, chicken, 2 cups cheese, mayo, sour cream, hot sauce, and 1/2 cup bacon.  Mix together well.  Place in oven safe dish and bake at 350 until bubbly.  Remove and top with the rest of the cheese, bacon and green onions.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Bacon Cheese Ball

2 8oz cream cheese

2 diced green onions

2 hand fulls of diced cooked bacon

Soften cream cheese in microwave and mix in the green onions and bacon.  Line a small bowl with suran wrap and place mixture inside.  Pull suran wrap over the top and pack down tightly into bowl.  Store in refrigerator until firm.  Turn out onto a plate and sprinkle with paprika.  Serve with your favorite crackers.

You can use this as a sandwich spread, too.  Just add some mayo or sour cream and spread on bread.

Coming Soon

Here is a sneek peek at Karlee's 2nd Birthday Party yesterday.  I will be posting everything Wednesday and will also be guest blogging for http://www.thecakeathomemom.com/ next week.  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARLEE!

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER!!!!!

I have been on the search for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe.  I have tried numerous ones and have never found one that had the texture that I wanted.....chewy and crunchy with rich chocolate!!!!  I was over at a friends house helping pack before a trip we were going on and she had cookies in the oven. The smell was delicious and the taste was even better!  The thought that went through my mind was....I FOUND IT!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup crisco

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups AP flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 12oz pkg Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips

Cream sugars, criscon, eggs, and vanilla.  Combine flour, salt, and soda; stir into creamed mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Drop by tbsp onto parchment lined cookie sheet.  Bake 375 for 9-12 minutes or until just browning on edges.  Remove from sheet immediately.  Makes approx. 52 cookies.

YES, I FOUND IT!!!!!

Sandwiches

I made these for the teachers at VBS today and they flew off the platter!  They are very easy to make.  If you don't have time to make the rosemary skewers, that's ok.  You don't have to have them. 

Chicken Caesar Sandwich

1 pkg frozen fajita chicken

1 pkg fresh spinach

2 loaves Focaccia bread

1 bottle Creamy Caesar Dressing

Grape Tomatoes

Rosemary Sprigs

Thaw you chicken and dice up.  Mix chicken, spinach, and 1/3 bottle dressing with some fresh cracked pepper.  Slice bread in half length wise and fill with chicken mixture.  Wrap in foil and store in refrigerator over night.  When ready to serve, slice and top with rosemary tomato skewers.  Place the rest of the dressing in a bowl on the side to use as a dipping sauce for sandwiches.

Here's one more for the day......

Filet Peppercorn Sandwich

Small whole filet

Salt

Peppercorns

1 cup Mayo

1/3 cup Ground Mustard

Ground Horseradish
Sliced aged Cheddar

Spinach

Sliced

Croissant

Rub you filet with salt and fresh ruff ground peppercorns.  Grill your filet until its Medium.  Set aside to rest.  Mix together mayo, mustard, and horseradish to taste.  Thinly slice you filet and place in croissants.  Top with some of your mayo, cheese, and spinach.

Crab Bread

Chesterfields in Hattiesburg, Ms, has a Crab Bread appetizer that is delicious!  They have burned down twice and now they have been sold to CVS.  The owner has stated that he didn't know where or when he would rebuild.  I hope he doesn't take too long.  We love several of their dishes.  I have found a recipe that is close to theirs.  I hope you try it and let me know what you think!!!



Crab Bread


1/2 pound fresh crab meat
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons parsley -- chopped
2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1 loaf French Bread (15-inches long)
1/4 pound sliced Swiss cheese



Combine crab meat, mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, lemon juice and garlic salt. Slice bread in half lengthwise and arrange on baking sheet. Spread cut sides with butter. Top with cheese slices, trimmed to fit bread. Cover cheese with crab mixture. Bake in 350-degree oven until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Cut crosswise into serving pieces.

Recipe Submitted by Joan B. Eaton to Sun Herald July 2005

Cooler Weather.....Fall

As I sit here looking through a few blogs and thinking about school starting, I party came to mind!  Candy apple and Smore's!!!  Sounds like a great theme for GNO (Girls Night Out).  Girl friends, Cool Air, a Fire and Food = Fun Times!!!  I will be hosting one of these parties out by the pool.  Now to come up with different types of candy apples and smore's, table design, and a few different fall drinks.  Any suggestions welcome.  I will be posting recipes and pictures as soon as October gets here. 

Shrimp Dip

Today is MONDAY, and the first day of VBS!!!!  I had an awesome time with my class today.  A room full of third graders.  We always have snacks for the adults that are different from the kids.  Today, I made one of my FAV's, Shrimp Dip.  It's very simple to put together. 

Shrimp Dip

2 pkgs Cream Cheese

1 can Cream of Mushroom

1 can Rotel

2 cans Shrimp

10 dashes of Crystal Hot Sauce

Black Pepper

In a glass bowl add cream cheese and heat 1.5 minutes.  Then add soup, rotel, hot sauce, and pepper.  Mix together well.  Place back in microwave and cook for 3 minutes.  Drain and rinse the shrimp.  Add shrimp to bowl and mix well.  Place back in microwave for 2 minutes.  Serve hot with Sociable crackers or Tortilla chips.

New Recipe

I have a new cupcake recipe book and I thought I would give it a try.  I did and so far I don't like what I tried.

Marshmallow Frosted Vanilla Cupcakes

New things on the Horizon!

Well, I am thinking about starting something new, maybe.  I recently purchased a Cricut.  I love all the custom cupcake toppers, liners, and banners.  Karlee's birthday is coming up and I decided to give it a try.  I will be soon be posting pictures of her party.  I am making the toppers, banner, liners, and food cards.  My cousin from Cookies n Creme (http://www.lovincookiesncream.com/)

 will be making the cookie flowers for her cake.  I am excited to see how it turns out.  Also, Karlee will be wearing her custom made dress from Satin Stitches (http://www.satinstitchescustomclothing.blogspot.com/)

(She wasn't very happy this morning)

I won!!!

I'm so excited!  I was notified this morning from Fabulous Fun Finds that I won one of their give aways.  I never win anything, so I'm was shocked.  Here is the link to them http://fabulousfunfinds.blogspot.com/2010/06/stella-dot-giveaway-with-erin-markland.html

Hope you check them out.  They are always giving away things and finding neat stuff also.

Grilled Chicken

I wanted a new recipe for grilled chicken.  We are tired of the same old way, beer butt chicken, BBQ chicken, etc.  I feel like I sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump.  Well, I found one.  Hope you like it, we did!!!

Mustard Rosemary Chicken

1 whole chicken cut up

1 cup dijion mustard

1/4 minced rosemary

2 lemons (juiced, & zested)

1 tsp red pepper flakes

Mix together mustard, and next 3 ingredients.  Marinate chicken for up to 2 hours and grill.

Easy and good!!!!

Goodies!!!!

Some goodies I made for church fellowship tonight!

Cresent City Grill's "Corn and Crab Bisque"

My favorite bisque is from Cresent City Grill.  So, I set out to find the recipe and I found it.  The warmth and smoothness of this soup is very comforting to me.  This recipe makes alot.  You can use the wine or substitute chicken stock.  I serve it with french bread. 

CORN AND CRAB BISQUE

1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup onion, medium diced
1/4 cup green bell peppers, medium diced
1/4 cup clelery, medium diced
1 tsp garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp basil, dried
1 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 thyme, dried
1 1/2 qts chicken stock
1/4 cup white wine
2 tsp worcestershire
2 tsp Crescent city grill cayenne and garlic sauce (i used Krystal hot sauce)
2 cans whole kernals, drained
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
3 cup heavy cream
2 cup half-n-half
1 tbsp creole seasoning
2 lbs jumbo lump crabmeat


In an 8 qt dutch oven, sweat onion, bell pepper, and celery in butter over medium heat til soft. Add farlic, basil, pepper, cayenne, and thyme. Stir wee, making sure that spices are incorportated. Add stock, wine, worcestershire, and hot sauce. Cook on high heat 7-10 minutes, then reduce heat to medium. While stock is boiling, make a light peanut butter-colored roux with the margarine and flour. Add the roux to the hot stock and stir thoroughly. Add heavy cream, half-n-half, creole seasoning, and crabmeat. Serve hot and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas

I have had several request for this recipe over the past few weeks.  My friend, Jenna, and I went to a Southern Living Cooking class back in 1998. This was one of the recipes that they cooked that night.  I sometimes don't put the spinach in them.  To me, they are better that way (I don't like SPINACH).  Hope you enjoy!


Spinach and Chicken Enchiladas

2 cans rotel

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast

1 cup water

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup AP flour

1 8oz cream cheese, room temp

1 small pkg chopped spinach

1 cup cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups sour cream

2 cups shredded cheese

8-10 flour tortillas

Combine rotels, chicken and water in saucepan.  Bring chicken to a boil; reduce heat, and cook 10-15 minutes.  Remove chicken and stain cooking liquid, reserving 2 1/2 cups liquid.  Save the rotel tomatoes, also.  Cool chicken slightly and chop. 

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat; whisk in flour until smooth.  Cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.  Gradually whisk in reserved liquid until blended.  Add cream cheese, and cook, whisking contantly until incorporated.  Place one cup of sauce on bottom of 9x13 casserole dish.

Press spinach between paper towels to remove excess moisture.  Stir together spinach, chicken, reserved tomatoes, cottage cheese, sour cream, and 1 cup cheese.  Spoon mixture down cneter of each flour tortilla, roll up.  Place seam side down in dish.  Top with remaining suace. 

Bake @ 350 for 25-30 minutes/ sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese and bake until cheese starts turning golden.

Snow Cream

We are suppose to get 5+ inches of snow tonight.  I have my sweenten condensed milk and vanilla ready in the pantry for some homemade snow ice cream!  BRING ON THE SNOW!!!!

1 gallon Clean snow

1 small can sweetened condenced milk

1 tbsp vanilla

Mix, eat, and freeze leftovers!

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is coming up Sunday.  I've been trying to decide on a my menu.  It will be all cajun cusine in honor of the Saints.  I've got part of it.  I know its going to be gumbo and beignets.  Still working on the rest of it. 

BBQ Sides

Well, what a dreary day!  Cold, windy, and nothing to do but cook.  So that's what I've been doing today.  Put on a boston butt this morning and also have ribs smoking now.  Now to work on the sides.  I have been wanting to make a potato salad that doesn't have mayo, eggs, or pickles.  I don't like regular potato salad.  Also, wanted a new baked bean recipe.  So, I got to work on it today.  Here are the recipes.

Baked Beans

1 gallon Bushes Baked Beans

1 1b bacon, diced

6-8 jalapeno's, diced/seeded

1 lg onion, diced

1/2 cup brown sugar

Saute diced bacon, jalapeno's, and onion until onion is translucent.  Drain fat and mix with beans. 

Bake in oven @ 400.

Red Potato Salad

Red potatoes boiled and diced

1 Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese, room temp.

2 heaping tbsp sour cream

salt/pepper

1 handful Shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 pkg Real Bacon peices

1 tsp Onion powder

1 tsp Garlic Powder

2 tsp Parsley flakes

2 tsp Dill Weed

3 Green onions

Dice potaotes and boil in salted water until fork tender.  While potatoes are boiling, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, and the rest to the ingredients.  Set aside.  When potatoes are done, drain and let cool.  Lightly toss potatoes and cream cheese mixture.  Refigerate and serve.




Pulled Pork

Celery Salt
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
Apple Juice
Boston Butt

The night before rub down butt with seasoning and wrap in suran wrap followed by foil and refrig.  Get smoker heat to 225-250 and place butt in aluminin pan fat cap down and pour in apple juice.  Place in smoker.  Every hour spray with apple juice.  When internal temp reaches 150 cover with foil and continue to smoke until internal temp reaches 195.  This may take up to 10-12 hours.  When its done remove and cover with foil and let rest for 30-45 mins.  Pull with forks.

Salsa

Wow!  It's been awhile.  The holidays can be all consuming.  I've also been working on my family cookbook as birthday presents for my mom and sis.  They are complete!  That was a job.  Here is my favorite homemade salsa recipe.  It's one of my sister's.  ENJOY

2 cans whole tomatoes
1 can petite diced tomatoes
2 green bell peppers
1 red bell pepper
1 1/2 white onions (you can use 1/2 red onion to change the flavor a bit)
2 tbsp minced garlic (to taste)
1/2 jar jalapenos
Salt (be careful, adding Tony's as well)
Pepper
Tony's seasoning (usually just coat the top)
Extra virgin olive oil (probably about 1 tbsp)
Red wine vinegar (probably about 1 tbsp)


Chop whole tomatoes fairly well to make the base. Add the diced tomatoes for texture. Chop and add bell peppers and onions (depends on what texture you want). I always chop jalapenos and garlic together just to blend well. Add remaining ingredients. It is always better after it has sit for a few hours.
When you are done mixing everything, if it tastes too acidic or bland, add a little salt. That tends to bring out more of the flavors.