Frightful Fingers

Happy Halloween!

I made these frightful looking fingers a couple of years ago and posted them on Stamping Up North and thought I'd share the recipe again on this blog.

They were alot of fun to make AND  fun to serve....the adults liked them just as much as the kids I made them for!

Here's the recipe page I made for my scrapbook:

Peanutty Pork stir fry

This is my new favorite stir fry recipe!

I love the combo.....pork, red pepper, carrots, and pineapple. Very pretty as well as tasty! The peanutty sauce is just perfect over rice and the chunks of nuts on top add a nice crunch. I doubled the recipe as it serves only 2....the 3 of us ate it all. Next time I may double it yet again, as I think leftovers would be just as good the next day!

Peanutty Pork Stir fry

{Taste of Home}

1{ 8 oz.} can of pineapple chunks

1/2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into strips

1 Tbsp. sesame oil

3/4 c. red pepper, sliced

3/4 c. carrots, chopped

3 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

3 tbsp. teriyaki sauce { I omitted}

2 green onions, chopped

1 tbsp. creamy peanut butter

1/4 c. chopped dry roasted peanuts

Drain pineapple, reserving juice, set aside.In a large skillet, stir fry the pork in oil until no longer pink. Add the red pepper, carrot,and onions. Cook until crisp tender. Stir in the soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, peanut butter and reserved pineapple juice, Bring to a boil, cook and stir 2 minutes until thickened. { I added a bit of corn starch} Stir in peanuts and pineapple. Serve with rice. {serves 2}

Friday Favorite Finds

Here's the finds I pinned for this week!

Coconut cream cake

Annies Eats

applesauce

caramel apple panini

Pb chocolate chip cookies

Louanne's Kitchen

caramel apple grapes

busy mommy

Check out the others at Friday Favorite Finds.

Coconut Joy Candy......12 weeks of Christmas

I often make coconut dipped candy balls for the holidays, you can find that recipe here.

BUT this year....... I think I will make these instead!

I saw the recipe in a Taste of Home magazine and knew I'd like them. I made just a small batch to try them out and both Brent and I agreed...they are awesome! 

Buttery, rich and delicious, are just a few words that come to mind. They were easy to make and only have a few ingredients. They look pretty on a tray and would be great for a cookie exchange!

Be sure to check out the other 12 Weeks of Christmas recipes, and thanks to Meal Planning Magic for hosting the blog hop!

Coconut Joys

1 1/2 c. flaked coconut
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. butter, melted {I used less}
1 oz. milk chocolate, melted
2 Tbsp. chopped pecans

Mix the coconut, powdered sugar and melted butter. Roll into 1 in. balls. Use the end of a wooden spoon to make an indentation.. Fill with melted chocolate, sprinkle with nuts. Store in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

M and M cookies

I needed to make a quick batch of cookies so I grabbed this basic recipe I've made quite often. I like it because the cookies stay so soft!

M &M Cookies

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening {I used butter}
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
2 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
m &m's
Mix and bake at 350.

Mondays with Mom...Party Potatoes

Time to share one of my moms favorite side dishes....Party Potatoes. She loved to serve them with a ham dinner...and to take them to church potlucks. ALOT of church potlucks!!! She always came home with an empty dish,too. It's a hearty, warm, delicious potato casserole.

Mom was always doing something for someone...and at church was the first to volunteer if something was needed. It seems to me she was always baking something to run over to a neighbor or to bring to a church bake sale.

Mom seemed to sense when somebody needed a helping hand or just a visit. She always knew exactly what to say at exactly the right time, too. Her advice and council is one thing I miss the most.

Brent and I are going to be moving to a new town soon, and are excited and happy about it, but also a bit apprehensive, too. After all, we have lived here for 25 years, so it will be a big change for us! Brent will be starting a new job and I will be looking for one. My sister reminded me today of what mom used to quote so often to us. "God goes before you and makes all the crooked places straight."

What a comfort that is to know!

My sister could not have said anything better.

I'm ready to go....what an adventure it will be!




Mom's Party Potatoes

1 {32 oz.} bag of frozen hash browns
8 oz. sour cream
1 can cream of potato soup
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 can of evaporated milk
1 c. of shredded cheddar cheese

Mix the soups, sour cream and evaporated milk together in a large bowl. Stir in the hash browns and pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake, covered, at 350 for 1 1/2 hours, or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle cheese on top and return to oven until melted.

Bagel Dip

Here's a great recipe for Monday night football...bagel dip.

So easy...and disappears quickly.

I love the dill flavor!




Bagel Dip

1 1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. real mayonnaise
1 small onion, diced
1- 2 tsp. Accent seasoning
2 (2 1/2 oz} pkg. Budding corn beef, chopped
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
2 tbsp. dill weed
Mix and refrigerate overnight. Cut up 2 packages bagels and serve.

Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting, 12 weeks of Christmas

I make these every fall, and often again around the Holidays. I found the recipe a few years ago and it became a "go to recipe" right away.
The moist pumpkin flavored cookie is just smothered with rich creamy browned butter icing. Unbelievable. I love every bite.

Here's the recipe and page I made for my scrapbook:

Check out the other 12 weeks of Christmas blogs for some great recipes, and thanks to Meal Planning Magic for hosting this blog hop.

Caramel Apple Nachos

I joined a monthly cooking challenge at Lady Behind the Curtain.  It's called the Improv Cooking Challenge. Every month there will be two ingredients that we are to use in a recipe.

This month the two ingredients are caramel and apples. There are just so many awesome possibilities, but I knew right away what I wanted to make.

Caramel Apple Nachos.

I saw them in a Taste of Home magazine and put them on my ever growing "have to make" list.

They were SO much fun!

I think this would be a great recipe to make with kids. It's easy...... and what kid wouldn't love to dump marshmallow, caramel, nuts and SPRINKLES on anything? And then eat it!

Basically, they taste like caramel apples and are just another way to eat them. So if you like caramel apples like I do, you will definitely like these!

Apple nachos

36 caramels
1 T. water
30 large marshmallows
1/3 c. butter, cubed
4 medium tart apples, cored and cut into 1/4 in. slices
1/3 c. chopped roasted peanuts
1/3 c. mini chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. Halloween sprinkles

 In a microwave bowl, melt caramels and water. Stir until smooth.
Meanwhile, in a large sauce pan, melt the marshmallows and butter. Arrange apple slices on a large platter.  Drizzle with caramel and marshmallow. Sprinkle with nuts, chocolate chips, and candy sprinkles. Serve immediately.

Pork Tenderloin Rub

This rub is delicious! Just look at the crust on this:

So moist and flavorful!

I've made it many times and have to say it's become my favorite way to prepare a pork loin. Whether I grill it or bake it in the oven, it always turns out wonderful. There are never any leftovers..one piece just leads to another!

Pork Tenderloin Rub

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. brown sugar

1 tsp. seasoned salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne

2  one pound tenderloins

Mix all together and rub over the tenderloins. Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. Remove and let set 30 minutes. Bake at 350 for 35-45 minutes. (Use a meat themometer.)

Taste of Home School... Pork Sliders

This is another recipe from the Taste of Home School. It was awesome! I loved the combo of pork with  sweet tangy cranberries and the bite from pickled red onions.

I made these for munching on during last Sunday's football games. I served them with chips and wedge salad. The dressing was Neely's Homemade French. You can find the recipe for that here.

It was a tasty lunch!

Roast Pork Tenderloin Sliders

1/2 c. red onion, sliced

1/2 c. red wine vinegar

1/4 tsp. salt

1 lb. pork tenderloin

pepper to taste

8 buns

3/4 c. cranberry sauce

In a small bowl, combine the onion, vinegar, and 1/2 tsp. salt, stirring to dissolve the salt. Let stand at room temperature for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Season the pork loin with salt and pepper and roast at 450 for 25 minutes. ( 145 on meat thermometer} Remove and let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Spread cranberries onto buns, add pork slices and top with onions.

Friday Favorite Finds

Here are the tasty recipes I found this week to pin on my boards on Pinterest! Check out the other Friday Favorite Finds here.

Of Muses and Meringues

Hot Chocolate Cookies

With style and grace

orange dark chocolate and coconut bites

Scalloped Hasselback Potatoes

A cozy kitchen

kiss my whisk

slow cooker pulled buffalo chicken sandwiches

what megans making

cinnamon apple pancakes

Tips from the heart of the home

chili stuffed potatoes

Peppermint Meltaways

These little goodies just melt in your mouth. Really....they are so rich and buttery. Definitely one of my favorites. In fact, I like these so much I have to give most of them away or I eat them all.

What a fun addition to a cookie tray...nothing says Christmas like candy canes!

Here is the recipe and the page I made for my scrapbook:

Be sure to check out all the other 12 weeks of Christmas goodies! Thanks to meal planning magic for hosting this blog hop.

Taco pasta shells

Doesn't this look delicious?

It is!

So easy and so flavorful, it's a wonderful dish to make any night of the week.

I served it with some chips and salsa, and it was a two thumbs up for all of us!

Taco Pasta Shells

18 jumbo taco shells
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1 1/4 lb. hamburger
1 tsp. chili seasoning
2 tsp. taco seasoning
3 oz. cream cheese
1 c. salsa
1 jar taco sauce
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. shredded monetary jack cheese
1 c. crushed tortilla chips

Brown the hamburger and add the chili seasoning. Sir in the cream cheese until heated through. Boil the pasta shells, drain and toss with melted butter. Fill the shells with the meat mixture. Pour the salsa in a 9x13 pan and place the filled shells on top. Pour the taco sauce over all. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with crushed chips and cheeses and bake for 15 minutes. Garnish with sour cream, black olives, chopped green peppers, and chopped tomatoes.

links
cast party wednesday

Mondays with Mom..scalloped corn

One of my favorite side dishes that mom used to make was scalloped corn casserole. Tasty, warm and comforting, it made any meal special!

She had an old silver dish that she baked it in. I have it now, and use it quite a bit.....it brings back such good memories!

I really have no idea what it's made out of, but she used to bake in it. On the back it says it's handmade. In the center are some flowers. It's one thing I will never part with!

The only change I have made to her recipe is to add some cheese on top.  Leftovers are great the next day..if there are any!

Mom's Scalloped Corn

2 cans cream style corn

1/2 c. milk

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

2 c. crushed cracker crumbs

2 Tbsp. butter

2 eggs, beaten

Place butter in a baking dish. Melt in the oven. Mix the crumbs into the butter, then add the rest of the ingredients. Stir. Bake until set, about 25 to 30 minutes at 350.

Pina Colada Muffins

I guess I should have posted this recipe in the summer...it seems more appropriate than fall, but truth be told, we eat these year round! Brent likes a breakfast sweet on the weekends, so I often whip up a quick muffin Saturday mornings. This is one of our favorites.

I got this recipe years ago from a co worker. Every Wednesday she would get up early and bake the BEST muffins to bring to work for coffee. It was such a treat. She's retired now, but I made sure I got some of her recipes!

Every bite is moist and delicious, with tiny chunks of pineapple. I love the topping...the coconut toasts up sweet and crunchy as it bakes.

I usually make half a recipe and get about 8 nice size muffins out of it. BUT I don't half the awesome topping. I use it ALL!


Pina Colada Muffins

2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2     8oz. cans of crushed pineapple, NOT drained
2 eggs
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. coconut extract

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda.
In another bowl, mix eggs,oil, and pineapple. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 full.

Mix topping:
1 Tbsp. melted butter
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. coconut

Sprinkle on top of muffins and bake at 375 about 20 minutes or until light brown.

links
cast party wednesday

Friday Favorite Finds

It's Friday!

Time for Friday Favorite Finds!

Here are this weeks finds I pinned on Pinterest......

          Karen Cooks

      Pull apart butter buns

Saveur.com

Toad in the hole

        

Cucumber Salad

Martha Stewart

 Burger Potato Bites

Better Homes

Weight Watchers Chocolate Marshmallow Bark

Dr. Oz

Cream wafers..twelve weeks of Christmas

If you are going to make a Christmas cookie this year.....make these little jems. Not only do they look festive, but they taste amazing!

The cookies are a bit time consuming, but well worth the effort. They literally melt in your mouth! They are flaky, light, and delicious.

I also like that they are small...that way you have room to try more sweets on the goodie tray! You can change the color of the frosting to fit the holiday or occasion,too. {Make sure you use real butter and heavy cream for this recipe..no substitutions.}

Here is the recipe and page I made for my scrapbook last Christmas:

Check out all the other Twelve Weeks of Christmas blogs for some great recipes,and thanks to Meal Planning Magic for hosting this fun blog hop!

Turtles....12 Weeks of Christmas

I'm posting this recipe on the Twelve Weeks of  Christmas Cookies blog hop.

 Christmas?

 I know that sounds strange....it's not even Halloween yet. But, I liked the idea of this as soon as I read about it on Meal Planning Magic. And yes...Christmas is coming....only 13 weeks away....as they end the blog hop on Dec. 13. How much fun it will be to have so many holiday recipes to look forward to each Thursday blog hop!

 This is a recipe I got from my daughter a few years ago, and I've included these turtles on our Christmas tray every year since. They're perfect for the holidays, or for anytime actually. Nobody can resist a fresh made turtle!

Soft chewy caramel, crunchy pecans and chocolate....I can never eat just one.

Pecan Candy Clusters

2 c. milk chocolate chips, divided

64 pecan halves (about 1 1/2 c.)

28 caramels

2 Tbsp. heavy cream

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper, set aside. Melt 1 c. chocolate chips, stir until smooth. Drop by tablespoons onto prepared sheet. Immediately place four pecans on top of each chocolate drop. Place the caramels in a 1 qt. microwave safe dish, add cream. Microwave, uncovered for 2 minutes, stirring once. Spoon onto the middle of each cluster. Melt the remaining chocolate chips, sir until smooth. Spread over caramel. Let stand until set. 16 candies

(Note: I skipped the chocolate on top.}

Mondays with Mom...Apple Crisp

Fall reminds me of my mom.

She loved to watch the leaves change....yellows and browns were her favorites. My grandma would come to visit from California....in the fall....as it was also her favorite time of the year. They would often go for long drives together to see all the beautiful colors.

Mom loved to bake in the fall,too. Apple pies, pumpkin pies, ginger cookies, apple coffee cakes and one of my favorites.... apple crisp.

The recipe she used was from her trusty old Betty Crocker cookbook. It's a simple recipe...very basic...and really lets the apples shine. She always topped it with whipped cream, but I like it with ice cream. Schwans has some new vanilla that I love....it has tiny flecks of vanilla bean.

Smell the warm apples and cinnamon....take a bite......close my eyes......and I'm back home in moms kitchen!

Apple Crisp

(Betty Crocker}

4 c. sliced apples

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/2 c. flour

1/2 c. oats

1/3 c. butter, softened

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

3/4 tsp. ginger

Grease an 8 inch pan and pour in the sliced apples. Combine the rest of the ingredients and crumble on top of the apples. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes or until apples are tender. ( I like them very tender so I usually bake it at least 45 minutes and put some foil over the top the last 15 minutes}

Links
Mangia Mondays
recipe sharing monday