Posts Tagged ‘family meal’
Hello friends, this time last week I was thinking about my birthday and getting sad, sad not because I was turning 53, but sad that Malik wouldn’t be home to celebrate with me.
At 2:19p.m., Friday afternoon I sent him the following text message, “Big Plans for the Weekend?”, but he never responded. I was up late working on my blog when I heard the roar of a loud engine similar to his car, but his is parked outside.
At 11:04 p.m. I sent him this text, “Someone has a loud engine like yours…thought it was you coming home. Have a wonderful weekend, love and miss ya!”
I continued working on my blog and then at 12:43 am, Malik called to wish me a Happy Birthday and asked if our neighbor, Mr. Reggie had delivered my gift. When I told him, no, he asked me to check the front door…yes, I am crying again as I write…I opened the front door and there stood my baby…the best birthday present I’ve ever received! I was so happy and surprised that we stayed up talking until 3:30 am, then he and his father continued the conversation until after 4:00 am.
I was so thankful to have him home even if was just for a little while because you know he had to go visit a few of his buddies. Later on we all went out as a family for dinner at The Cheesecake Factory at the Christiana Mall. It was the first time for all of us and the meal was delicious. Malik and I shared the Asian Lettuce Wrap, then I had a Skinny Mojito, Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp and took home a slice of Oreo Dream Extreme Cheesecake – “go hard or go home!”
It was nice being with all my men on my special day and that was all the gift I needed which was good because that’s the only gift I got…keep reading you’ll find out why.
Have you ever had an awesome birthday surprise?
Hubby and I got up early Sunday morning to drive him back down to Bowie State University which was once again hard to say “goodbye”, and I didn’t want to let him go, but I was thankful for his thoughtfulness in coming home for the weekend.
Today I am thankful for seeing another year, for my sons, my husband and his diligence in checking his account because someone had compromised his bank card which is why he couldn’t get me a gift. I am thankful they didn’t charge too much before he realized what was going on, please check your Debit/Bank cards regularly!
Now it’s your turn, what are you thankful for this week? Check out what other’s have to say over at TheSitsGirls Challenge.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Today’s Foodie Feature is not a Slow Cooked meal, but a tasty
Turkey Lasagna made with JennieO Ground Turkey.
Ingredients
- 1 package Jennie-O Lean Ground Turkey
- 1 Jar of spaghetti sauce, divided
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup total of chopped peppers, carrots and onions
- 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red peppers
- 1 container of Ricotta Cheese (15 oz)
- 1 package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 3 cups Italian blend shredded cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 12 lasagna noodles, cook and drained
- 1 tsp minced garlic (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 ~ and spray baking pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
Cook turkey until well done then pour in 1/2 jar of spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce, add peppers, carrots, onions, Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions and lay flat onto wax paper.
Mix ricotta cheese, spinach, 2 cups of shredded cheese and egg. Place 6 noodles in pan, and spread mixture on top of each noodle, then add ground turkey mixture.
Cover with remaining noodles and spaghetti sauce then top with Parmesan or additional shredded cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and then bake an additional 15 minutes or until sauce is bubbly.
I served with Garlic Texas Toast and a Marinated Roasted Red Pepper for a tasty Friday night meal for my men.
Here’s a coupon to help you save on your next purchase of JennieO Ground Turkey.
Stay Blessed – No Stress in 2014!
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Hello Friends and Welcome to Slow Cooker Saturday!
The leaves are falling, there’s a crispness in the air; the daylight hours are shorter yet my commute remains long, which is why I love Crock Pot meals. If you are heading to the grocery store this weekend to stock up on milk, bread and eggs why not grab a few other ingredients and make this slow cooked meal ~ Teriyaki Ribs
Grocery List:
3 lbs of Beef Short Ribs
1 Cup Carrots – Baby or full, peeled and diced
1 cup Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
2 Bottles of Stir Fry Sauce
1 package of fresh mushrooms
Dice the carrots, Butternut Squash and make sure to wash the mushrooms thoroughly.
Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray for easier cleanup, or use a Slow Cooker Liner, put in short ribs then top with carrots, squash and mushrooms.
Add 1 cup of water
Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours depending on Crock Pot.
Serve over white or Jasmine Rice and you’ll have a complete, hearty meal for four with leftovers.
Stay Blessed ~ No Stress in 2014
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay
This week’s Foodie Feature is another 4 ingredient, 40 minute meal created with Kraft Recipe Makers. It was an easy breezy mid-week meal that my men enjoyed and got me out of the kitchen in less than an hour!
Ingredients:
Kraft Recipe Makers Chicken Bruschetta Pasta
Wacky Mac Pasta
Chicken Breast
Parmesan Cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions without the salt
While pasta is cooking, cut two chicken breasts into thin strips
Coat pan with Cooking Spray and cook chicken until done and no longer pink, then add 1/2 bottle of Simmer Sauce
Drain pasta and add to skillet with remaining Simmer Sauce and stir lightly
Top with Finishing Sauce and Parmesan Cheese, cover and cook on low heat for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Enjoy this family meal made with Kraft Recipe Makers!
Come back and let me know if you tried it, have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
What a perfect way to kick off the month dedicated to all things food!!!
Friday’s Foodie Feature is Slow Cooked BBQ Beef Ribs – this is one recipe that had my mouth watering and my mind on the Crock Pot all day long. Since we don’t eat a lot of red meat it was definitely a treat for the entire family!
Ingredients:
- Beef Ribs
- McCormick Grill Mates
- Bottle BBQ Sauce
- 1 Medium or Large Onion
- Cooking Spray
- Water
Place ribs inside a large plastic bag, add Grill Mates Seasoning then rub to coat each rib.
I usually get a few extra produce or meat bags from the grocery store which comes in handy for marinating or dry rubbing meat so that I don’t have to touch it.
Rub dry seasoning to coat each rib
Lay ribs flat in the bag, then using another bag cover to seal and place in the refrigerator overnight.
Remove ribs from the bag and dice onion
Spray Crock Pot with Cooking Spray then layer the ribs, diced onion and a little BBQ Sauce
Continue layering ribs, onion and sauce
I had some leftover pineapple chunks so I tossed them in over the last layer of ribs. Added a little water to the empty BBQ Sauce bottle, shaken and poured over fruit – “waste not want not”
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours
Oh how I wish this was “smell-o-vision” because when I walked through the door…oh la la the aroma was overwhelmingly delicious and I know you would have loved it!
These finger-licking-good ribs were served with mashed potatoes and string beans to complete our family meal.
If you try this recipe, make sure to come back and let me know how delicious they were!
Have a fantabulous day – Smooches!
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Today’s Crocktober Foodie Feature is Cajun Chicken (of course) AND Shrimp
Ingredients:
- 1 pound skinless chicken thighs
- 1 large onion
- 1 can stewed tomatoes – undrained and chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound shelled shrimp, deveined and cleaned
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Hot Sauce to taste
- 1 cup of prepared rice
- * diced red pepper and celery rib can also be included
Spray Crock Pot with cooking oil
Place chicken thighs in Crock Pot, top with onion, garlic, tomatoes with juice, paprika, pepper, sugar, and Cajun seasoning
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours – depending on Slow Cooker
In the last hour of cooking add the shrimp, lemon juice and hot sauce.
Serve over hot cooked rice
It is always great to come home to a fully cooked meal with a wonderful aroma.
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
Today’s Friday Foodie Feature is Hearty Beef Stew made with Crock Pot Seasonings
Ingredients
-
1 package Crock Pot Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning
-
2 lbs beef for stewing
-
5 cups of veggies – potatoes/onions/carrots
-
1 1/3 cup of water
Dice veggies and cube beef, however, I chose not to cut beef
Place beef and veggies into crock pot – spray with cooking oil or use liner for easy clean-up
Mix seasoning with 1 1/3 cup of water and pour over veggies and beef
If you cubed beef, stir all ingredients well
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, 4 hours if on high
Come home to a fully cooked meal with a wonderful aroma
Serve with biscuit to sop up the gravy!
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Friday Foodie Feature
This was my second purchase of Simply Spuds Steamables, the first were of the Golden Potatoes and the men really liked them. These Sweet Potatoes are tripled washed, nicely sized and are steamed in the microwave, ready in 8 minutes. They are great for a quick mid-week meal and when you don’t want to turn on the oven.
not sure why 9:00 is showing on the microwave!
perfectly soft and moist after 8 minutes
Added a little butter, hubby wanted brown sugar but he didn’t need the extra calories
This is definitely going to be a pantry staple.
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
You know that during the week I don’t get home until after 6:00 p.m. so I’m always on the look out for ingredients to make dinner an easy-breezy meal. I shop on Sunday’s for fresh meats and veggies and using coupons I’ll purchase pantry items such as Kraft Fresh Take Cheese & Breadcrumb Mix. We don’t eat a lot of red meat and chicken and turkey can easily become boring so it helps to have something like this at the ready that is quick, easy and good.
Kraft Fresh Take Smokey Mesquite BBQ Cheese & Breadcrumb Mix
Chicken Tenders
Separate packet to mix cheese and seasoned breadcrumbs
Rinse chicken in cold water
Spray pan with cooking spray
Coat chicken with mixture, sprinkle extra on top
Bake in preheated oven at 375~ for 15-20 mins or until done
I chose to serve with BirdsEye Steamfresh Rice Blends
Dinner was ready in less than hour
Meal was served on my grandmother’s plate
Kraft Fresh Takes can also be used on fish and pork.
Disclosure Statement
I was not financially compensated for this post, the product was purchased with my own money. The opinions are 100% completely my own based upon my experience.
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Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!
I’ve decided to add something new to the blog – drumroll please…..
You know that I love to cook and in some circles am considered a Crock Pot Queen (sike), no really I just like sharing food finds on Instagram so decided to bring it to my blog.
Today’s 1st Friday Foodie Feature is
On Sundays when I was growing up my grandmother would always cook a big pot of fresh collards, kale, or mustard greens, a tradition that I have continued with my own family. Collards were always the chosen green but I have since discovered kale which is healthier has a sweeter taste and is good when used in a breakfast smoothie. The tradition of having vegetables with dinner also hasn’t changed but when I don’t feel like cooking fresh I’ll use canned or frozen.
I like trying new products especially if they are within my budget which was the case with the Mama Mae’s items at Shoprite. The good thing about Mama Mae’s Lean Mean Collard Greens is that they can be cooked in the microwave, on top of the stove or in the oven but the best thing about Mama Mae’s greens are the ingredients.
- collards
- water
- onions
- garlic
- sugar
- dried turkey stock
- roasted turkey juices/fat
- yeast extract
- salt
- black pepper
- liquid smoke
They tasted homemade because they basically use the same ingredients as I and contain no hard-to-pronounce artificial flavors or seasoning. The box states there are approximately 2 1/2 servings per package which was accurate, they are also low in fat and 50 calories per serving.
Mama Mae’s products are manufactured locally in Englewood Cliffs, NJ and if you like greens, I highly recommend trying them. I look forward to trying some of the other Mama Mae’s items.
Disclosure Statement
I was not financially compensated for this post. I purchased product with my own money. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
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