Bryans 40th Birthday

I got this recipe from Bryans Aunt Connie. She is a wonderful cook and all of her recipes are amazing. This is one of Bryans favorite desserts so I decided to make it for his 40th birthday. I had to make this for his actual birthday because I had a surprise party planned for the following Saturday.

heres the recipe:

http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/ubbs/archive/CAKESandFROSTINGS/Cheesecake_Mocha-Chocolate_Chip_Cheesecake.html

i add a chocolate ganache layer because we are all are crazy about chocolate and i had to have a frosting so i could write happy 40th bryan on his cake.

to make the ganache...add 6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips and 1/3 cup cream to a pyrex and microwave until chocolate melts and then let it cool a few minutes and then 'frost' the cheesecake. i used white chocolate in a frosting bag to pipe the happy 40th bryan on his cake.

Cheesy taco soup

Im so sorry that i havent posted recipes in awhile. Now that the kids are back in school and i have a regular routine. I promise ill be better about posting recipes.

Cheesy Taco Soup

I had this soup at a football party last year and it was amazing. I decided that i would go home and try to figure out the recipe. I tried a few times but it wasnt quite right...this time i think ive got it down.

heres the recipe

ground 1 1/4 lbs of lean ground beef and a little chopped onion if you like onions. (i dont like them so i dont add them)

drain any grease after you are done.

add 1 tsp cumin

add 2 tbsp chili powder

add 1 tsp coriander

add 2 tsp minced fresh garlic

1 tsp mexican oregano (if you have it...not critical...but good if you do have some on hand)]

1 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup tomato sauce

mix together.... I take a little of the taco meat out right now for my little boy that hates soup

Then i add 2 cans of PETITE diced tomatoes

1 can enchilada sauce (red chili kind)

i added the rest of the can of tomato sauce that i used for the taco meat too

1 can evaporated milk

1 can corn drained

1 can black beans or pinto beans (whichever you like)

1/2 bag of velvetta shredded cheese

add chicken broth to get a soupy consistency...(about 1-2 cups)

mix together and wait for cheese to melt.

YUMMY...

Orange Julius Pops

Its been over 100 degrees for awhile and its just plain HOT when you add that humidity in...so weve been making a lot of pops in the zoku lately.. My kids LOVE orange julius so it seemed like a great idea to make a popsicle out of it. I made the orange julius like i normally do and then i added it to the zoku. Then waited the 9 minutes for it to freeze.

heres the recipe

http://threehungryboys.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-blog.html

Raspberry Cream Pops

Im in love with the zoku. You can get one from williams and sonoma or amazon. Its well worth the $50. Ive made popsicles almost every day this summer. I think its a necessity for moms in Texas. Its amazing to me to be able to make pops for my boys in minutes and i love that i can choose what i put in them.

My boys love the pudding pops the best but these were a close second

I had fresh raspberries so these sounded good today.

1/2 cup raspberries

1/2 cup half and half or cream

1/2 cup yogurt (any kind you want..i used the smoothie kind because i had it on hand)

3 tablespoons sugar

a small amount of mini chocolate chips (optional) this made them even better...how can you go wrong with chocolate??

Combine all of this in the blender until pureed and add to the zoku and wait for them to freeze. Make sure you wait to take these out until they are totally frozen (i waited about 12 min or so) or they wont come out in one piece.

Oven Roasted Coconut Sweet Potatoes

i saw this recipe on pinterest from the New York Times and I knew i HAD To make it because i just ordered coconut oil from amazon and ive been wanting to use it and I love roasted vegetables.

1 1/2-2 lbs sweet potatoes peeled and diced into small squares

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 teaspoons brown sugar

salt

pepper

nutmeg

mix together oil brown sugar salt pepper and nutmeg. Add sweet potatoes and coat with the mixture. Put on cookie sheet and roast for 45 min-an hour or until tender and carmelized.

Green St Patricks Day White Chocolate Pudding

1 cup sugar
7 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tsp salt
mix together in large pan with whisk
add 5 1/2 cups of milk
add 1 tsp vanilla
tiny amount of wilton green food color
whisk milk into dry ingredients until combined
whisk often while its cooking so the milk doesnt scald
cook until mixture boils and thickens.
take off heat and add
3 TBS butter
2 squares of chopped white chocolate (about 2 ounces)
mix together until combined
put into small bowls
add whipped cream to the top and green sprinkles.

Rainbow Fruit Salad

I thought it would be fun to celebrate St Patricks Day with a fun rainbow fruit salad with our dinner. My kids seem to eat a lot more fruit if i present it in a fun way. They are sure to love this.

Beef Stew

Beef Stew

1 1/2 lbs sirlion steak, cut into cubes

2/3 cup flour

1 tsp garlic salt

salt

pepper

combine flour and spices in ziploc bag

cut meat into cubes

coat pieces of meat in flour mixture

add about 2 tsp oil to skillet (enough to coat)

and add coated pieces of meat and brown until meat is browned. I browned mine in two batches so the pan wasnt overcrowded and the meat could cook evenly.

add 1 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes to crockpot

add 4 cups of beef broth

2 tsp garlic

1/3 cup red wine

2 tsp minced garlic

1/2 cup pureed vegetables (this is optional because you cant taste it but it adds vitamins and increases the nutritional content to this soup. I usually add something i have frozen in my freezer..this time i used butternut squash)

add diced carrots (4-5 carrots)

add diced potatoes (about 4 medium sized potatoes)

cook on high for 5 hours or so and then add 1 can corn, 1 cup frozen peas, and 1 cup frozen green beans.

cook until meat and vegetables are tender. about 6-8 hrs total.

Enchilada Casserole

I brought dinner to a new mom this week and thought id try something new. I love the crockpot chicken with black beans but its hard to bring to a new mom. This was perfect because i brought it to her in the morning and she could take it out and cook it right before they were ready to eat dinner.

corn tortillas

cooking spray

4 pieces of cooked chicken- you can shred it or chop it

1 can black beans

1 can corn

kraft garlic cooking creme (its new...in the cream cheese section..its cream cheese with the consistency of sour cream)

2 cans green chile enchilada sauce

1/2 cup sour cream

2 tsp garlic minced

cheddar jack cheese or kraft mexican cheese

spray pan with cooking spray

arrange tortillas on the bottom of the pan

in a food processor, add the enchilada sauce, sour cream, garlic and 1 package of kraft garlic creme. Process it until the mixture is blended well. Reserve half of the mixture to add to the top of the casserole later...Add half of the mixture to a large bowl. Then add chicken black beans and corn to the bowl and mix that together.

Then add the chicken mixture on top of the corn tortillas and add cheese to the top of that. Then add another layer of corn tortillas and add more chicken mixture and cheese. (Like you would a lasagna.) Add the reserved cream cheese enchilada sauce mixture to the top of the last layer of corn tortillas and add a little more cheese to the top of that. Cover and bake for 45-60 min at 350. YUMMY!

Our Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been making the boys chocolate chip cookies for years and i finally found the best recipe ever on smittenkitchen.com. (one of my favorite cooking blogs) You can add different kinds of chocolate chips and nuts or add m&ms...whatever your kids like. I usually make half with just chocolate chips and half with both chocolate chips and nuts. Its chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside...cookie perfection.

Chocolate chip cookies

1 cup butter cold but cut into small pieces

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp vanilla

1 tsp flaky sea salt

2 1/2 cups flour

2 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup nuts (toasted and chopped)-use less if you are only putting nuts in half the recipe

Preheat oven to 350. Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs, vanilla and baking soda. Then add flour and salt. Mix together well and then add chocolate chips and nuts. Scoop into balls with a cookie scoop and bake until pale golden brown. Its about 12-14 min in my oven.

Tortilla Soup

I make this in the crockpot because i think its better if it cooks all day and I can make it when the kids are in school. You can make it on the stove too if you dont have 8 hours to wait. I just add shredded rotisserre chicken from costco or sams club.

Tortilla Soup

2 TBSP olive oil

1/2 onion diced finely

4 to 5 cloves of garlic

1 pablano pepper, seeded and diced OR one green pepper and 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 teaspoon coriander

2 tsp cumin

cayenne pepper to taste (i use about 1/2 teaspoon if kids are eating it and more if they arent)

2 TBSP tomato paste

6 cups organic chicken broth (i like pacific brand from costco best)

2-3 chicken breasts

1/4 of a bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped finely

juice of one lime

tortilla chips (or make your own from corn tortillas)

Put Chicken breasts and chicken broth in the crockpot. Heat olive oil on medium high, add onion, peppers, garlic, salt, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Cook about 5-7 min or until the onions and peppers are tender. Make sure you stir often so it doesnt burn. Add the tomato paste and stir. Go add this to the crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hrs and then add cilantro and lime before serving. Add tortilla chips to each bowl and serve.

Chocolate Pudding

What it looks like when its done

I got this recipe from my friend Jacqueline Smith's blog. http://mac-aroni-n-cheese.blogspot.com/ I used to think it was hard to make pudding and since I had never had homemade pudding before i made it myself...i thought that was true. Couldnt be further than the truth. This is not any more difficult than pouring the jello powder in the pan and whisking milk in.

Thanks to Jacqueline.. i will NEVER buy store bought pudding again because this is 1000 times better than jello pudding. I think jello needs to make her recipe instead.

Here is her recipe for chocolate pudding. Its one of the desserts that makes my boys do their happy dances if they see me making it.

Jackis amazing pudding:

3 cups milk (any fat content will work but i usually use 2% milk)

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup cocoa

2/3 cup sugar

dash of salt

3T butter

1 T vanilla

In a saucepan, over medium heat, mix cornstarch, cocoa, sugar and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth. Boil until it thickens and then take off the heat and add the butter and vanilla.

Pour into 6 of those small disposable ziploc bowls and refrigerate with the lids off until cold. If we arent eating it for dessert that night (a rare occasion because if they see me making it...they will eat any dinner i make to get this pudding for dessert) , i put the lids on.

Chocolate pudding!

i got this recipe from this blog. http://mac-aroni-n-cheese.blogspot.com/search/label/recipe

Her recipes are amazing and shes crafty too.

Here is the recipe for the pudding that makes my boys do a happy dance when they see memaking it.

3 cups milk

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup cocoa

2/3 cup sugar

dash of salt

3 T butter

1 T vanilla

in sauce pan over medium heat, mix cornstarch, cocoa, sugar and salt. Gradually add milk, whisking it until smooth. Boil and stir until it thickens. Take off heat and add 3T butter and 1 T vanilla. Pour into those little disposable ziploc bowls with the lids.

Crockpot Chicken with Salsa and Black beans

This is too easy to be this delicious. You will love this recipe because it cooks itself. It literally takes 5 minutes to make and it tastes amazing.

Take 4 frozen chicken breasts

add 1 can drained corn

1 can drained black beans

1 jar salsa (any kind you like. i used joe t garcias medium salsa in mine)

cook on high for 4-6 hrs or until chicken is fork tender. Then add 8 ounces of cream cheese cubed and cook another 30 min or so. Then mix together. THATS IT!! SO EASY!!

I serve mine with rice or make tortillas and use it as filling for chicken tacos.

Beef with Snow Peas

Ive been looking for a good recipe for this for a long time and Ive finally found one that the whole family loves. I changed this recipe up a little but its basically the same.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/beef-with-snow-peas/

here is how i made mine:

Slice flank steak or sirloin thin. (in strips) Add to bowl.

Make marinade

1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce

3 tablespoons cooking sherry

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger

2 teaspoons minced garlic

whisk together in a bowl and add to the bowl with the meat. I let mine marinate in the fridge for about 2 hrs.

8 ounces snow peas (i used a whole bag of the ones you get in the produce section so i think it might have been a little more than 8 ounces)

1 cup petite mini carrots (also in fresh produce section)

Cut ends off snowpeas. Add 3 tablespoons oil to skillet. I used 2 tablespoons peanut oil and 1 tablespoon sesame oil for flavor. Add carrots to pan and saute about 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add snow peas and cook another 1-2 min. Dont overcook because they are better a little crisp.

put cooked vegetables in a bowl and set aside.

Add another tablespoon peanut oil to pan, wait for it to get very hot and then take tongs to get the meat out of the bowl without the extra marinade. Save the marinade, you will need it later. Cook meat in two batches to ensure even browning. Set aside first batch of meat while you are cooking the second batch. Make sure pan gets very hot again before adding second batch. Then put all the meat together and add the vegetables and the remaining marinade in the bowl and cook for another minute or until marinade thickens.

Four out of five of us LOVE nuts so i add about a 1/4 cup roasted peanuts to each of our plates.

Rice

I make mine in a cuisinart rice cooker. I add 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice and 3 cups water

Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

These are Chases favorite muffins. He will eat them as fast as I can make them. I make them in the mini muffin pan to make them bite sized but you can make them in a regular sized muffin tin or even make banana bread if you like.

I add about a cup of mini chocolate chips so its more like a dessert but a healthy one. As a nutritionist, Id rather them have a little chocolate and eat the healthy muffin than have no chocolate and not eat the muffin at all. I adapted this recipe from the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld. I love this book and ive used many of her recipes and ideas for getting more vegetables into my boys.

3/4 cup all purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

mix all this together in a ziploc bag.

NOTE: You can use 3.4 cup wheat and 1.2 cup white flour if you think your kids will still eat it. Mine prefer this ratio. You can also use all white flour if you like.

I use my kitchen aid mixer and add:

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

mix this until combined well then add

2 egg whites

1 1/2 cups banana puree

1/2 cup pureed cauliflower

(you can skip the cauliflower and add 2 cups banana instead)

1 tsp vanilla

then add your bag of dry ingredients to the mixing bowl

add 1 cup of mini chocolate chips and mix well.

Spray muffin pan with non stick cooking spray

I use a cookie scoop to add the batter to the pan. it makes less of a mess than any other tool that ive tried.

Bake at 350 for about 10-15 min. Different ovens will vary but mine takes about 12 min.

Baked Potato Soup

I have been wanting to find a good baked potato soup that is similar to the ones you find in restaurants. I also wanted to find a way to add a vegetable to it without my kids knowing they its in there. I decided to add pureed cauliflower to it because its colorless and undetectable in a white creamy soup. It adds vitamin C and antioxidants to the soup.

Heres how to make this soup:

6 baked potatoes

2 cups frozen cauliflower..steamed and pureed

12-15 slices bacon

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup flour

7 cups milk

2 tsp garlic

2 tsp parsley

Cheddar Cheese

Sour cream

green onions

Bake 6 medium sized potatoes in a 375 degree oven until they are soft. Take out and take the skins off of them and chop into cubes. Set aside.

I used about 2 cups frozen cauliflower and steamed it in the microwave until it was soft. Then i pureed it until it was like mashed potatoes. Set aside after its pureed. After i pureed it it was about a cup of puree but you could definately add more if you like.

chop up bacon (about 12-15 slices) I like to chop it before i cook it because its easier to cut.

fry in skillet until done

drain grease and set it aside

Now for the soup part...

add 2/3 cup butter to a dutch oven

let melt and then add 2/3 cup flour and whisk it together with the butter. Add 7 cups of milk and whisk that together. Heat mixture until it gets thicker. Make sure you stir it often so it doesnt stick to the bottom. Once its thickened, add the cauliflower puree. I also added 2 tsp chopped garlic and 2 teaspoons parsley for color. Then i added the chopped potatoes. Put into serving bowls and then put bacon, shredded cheese and sour cream in each bowl. You can also add green onions to each bowl if you like them.

One more drink idea

My boys LOVE hot cocoa.. I decided that it would be fun to have special Christmas hot cocoa. I took the cups dipped them in chocolate and then in crushed candy canes and then added hot cocoa to their cups. They look pretty and festive...perfect for Christmas morning.

heres the hot cocoa recipe I use. I mix it up and put it in a glass jar. I like Alton Browns recipe the best of all the ones Ive tried.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hot-cocoa-recipe/index.html

My boys favorite drink

Forgive the quality of these images..i took them from my phone.

So ive decided that its time to start a cooking blog with all things related to feeding my three hungry boys. Im going to post our favorite recipes and tips and tricks I do to get my kids to eat healthier sometimes without them knowing it. I make the majority of our food from scratch because I avoid additives and processed food wherever i can.

My first post is going to be about something Ive loved since I was little. Orange Julius. Ive tried several recipes and this one is my favorite. Ive been making them for my kids for years and its a favorite of everyone around here. Its not the healthiest recipe from a nutritional standpoint because of the sugar but it makes up for it with the orange juice and calcium content that 3 growing boys need.

heres how i make mine:
6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
2 cups milk (fat content doesnt matter..i use 1%)
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
This part is critical.... 1 1/2 to 2 cups of SONIC ice..its the best and its worth the drive to sonic..unless you are like me and keep a bag in your freezer because you like it that much...The reason its the best is because it blends well and you dont get the big chunks of ice that you do if you use the ice in your freezer.

Add all the ingredients to your blender and blend until its combined.