Steak, Pork or Chicken Marinade

I am trying to get some more grilling in before the weather starts to get cold again.

This was a easy marinade that gave a good flavor. You can also try other mustards like dijon.

2/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder

• In a large bowl, mix the olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, liquid smoke, mustard, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Place meat in the bowl, and coat with the marinade.
• Cover, and allow to marinate a maximum of 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the grill for high heat.
• Oil grill grate. Discard marinade, and place meat on grate.

Cake Batter Ice Cream

Cake Batter Ice Cream


My kids love this birthday cake ice cream from a local ice cream shop, so as a back to school treat we made this in our ice cream maker.

1 cup whole milk, well chilled
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups heavy cream, well chilled
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2/3 to 3/4 cup cake mix (we used Funfetti cake mix)

• Place freezer bowl of ice cream maker into the freezer. It is better to keep it in there 24/7 that way it is always ready.


• In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and granulated sugar until the sugar is dissolved.


• Stir in the heavy cream and vanilla to taste.


• Stir in cake mix, making sure there are no lumps.


• Pour mixture into the freezer bowl and let mix until it has thickened (about 25-30 minutes).


• Remove ice cream from freezer bowl and place into a separate container.


• Place freezer bowl and the ice cream into the freezer to further harden.

Back to school, back to reality

Tomorrow is back to school for my kids and also back to reality for me. I was very lazy this summer and did not do much cooking or baking so now that school is back I am also back to my meal planning.

I hate to iron so my "recipe" for today is homemade no iron wrinkle remover. I just made a new batch up for back to school time

No Iron Wrinkle Remover

20 ounces distilled water
1-2 teaspoon downy fabric softener

• Mix the last two ingredients well in the spray bottle.
• Hang garment on a hanger.
• Gently mist with spray.
• Lightly tug and smooth the fabric and allow to hang dry

Sour Cream Banana Bread

This was my son's request so I made it with the kids today. My son asked me to make it everyday :)

Sour Cream Banana Bread

Serves 12 1 loaf

1/2 cup melted butter or oil
1 cup sugar

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mashed banana (I used 3 medium size)
1/2 cup chopped nuts (omit if you don't like nuts)
1/2 cup sour cream

• Grease 1 large loaf pan.
• Cream butter/oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla.
• Add dry ingredients, then bananas, nuts and sour cream.
• Mix well.
• Bake at 350 F for 1 hour.
  
  

Crabcakes

I love crabcakes. These are a low carb version but the only difference is no breadcrumbs. If you want feel free to add about 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs to the mix.

I served these with a smoked tomato remoulade. My husband smoked the tomato's on his smoker and I just blended them with some mayonnaise. I have made them before with this mustard sauce and that is very good also.

Crab cakes

Serves 4

1 pound crabmeat
1 tablespoon small diced red bell pepper
1 tablespoon small diced green bell pepper
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 eggs
1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

2 tablespoons canola oil

• In a large bowl, mix all ingredients, except oil
• Form crabcakes and refrigerate for 1/2 hour before serving
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Cook on 1 side until firm, about 2 minutes, and then flip and cook for about 2 more minute.
• Serve hot with mustard sauce.

Mustard Sauce:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

• Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  Yield: 3/4 cup

Crockpot Alfredo Chicken with Mushrooms and Spinach

This is an easy one pot meal that is great for busy nights

Crockpot Alfredo Chicken with Mushrooms and Spinach

4-6 large boneless chicken breasts

Seasoning salt, to taste

16 ounce jar Alfredo Sauce

3 cloves garlic, cut in half (I used pre minced from a jar)

1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, cut in half

Garlic powder

Freshly ground pepper

chopped 4 1/2 ounces fresh spinach, about 1/2 bag (I used a full bag but I like spinach)

• Place the chicken in a slow cooker and sprinkle on both sides with seasoning salt.
• Add the sauce and garlic; mix to coat the chicken with the sauce.
• Place the mushrooms on top of the chicken; sprinkle with a little garlic powder and pepper
• Cook on LOW about 4 hours or until the chicken is done.
• Add the spinach and cook just until the spinach starts to wilt.

If your chicken breasts are quite large, you may be able to cut each one in half and get about 8 servings

Stuffed Peppers

This is a low carb version so no rice. You can make these with ground beef or ground turkey and add some rice to the stuffing mix if you like it . I used a mexican sausage called chorizo as the meat this time.



Stuffed Peppers
4 servings


2 large green or red peppers, halved lengthwise
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup tomato, chopped
about 2 ounces Salt and pepper, to taste
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded, for topping

• In a large pot, bring about half a potful of water to a boil.
• Add the peppers and boil for 3 minutes; drain. In the same pot, brown the hamburger, onion and garlic.
• Drain the fat and stir in the tomatoes and seasonings.
• Cook until the tomatoes are hot; remove from the heat and stir in the 4 ounces of cheese.
• Put the pepper halves in a greased 8x8" baking pan and fill with the meat mixture.
• Sprinkle the extra cheese on top, if using.
• Bake at 350º for 20-25 minutes.

Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes remind me of growing up. This is a nice and easy recipe with ingredents that most people have in their cabinet. You can make these with ground beef or ground chicken.

Sloppy Joe's

2 lbs hamburger
1 onion, diced
2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2-3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vinegar
1/2 cup ketchup
2 teaspoons chili powder
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon mustard (optional)

1. Brown hamburger and onion.
2. Drain out grease.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 15-20 minutes with lid.