The Always Festive Peanut Brittle

I adore peanut brittle. For as long as I can remember, my Grandmother would have some made up for Christmas Time. It is the perfect amount of sweet, salt and crunch. Eating peanut brittle is easy. Making it? Not so much. You can easily burn the corn syrup and sugar, and just as easily, under cook it in fear of burning. Here is a solution to all of those problem... Microwave!

In the microwave, you don't have a direct heat source on your syrup/sugar mixture, so you don't have to worry about it burning. Lets get started.

1 c sugar
1/2 c white karo syrup
1 c raw peanuts
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking soda

In a big glass bowl put in your sugar and your karo on top of the sugar. Don't stir just yet, or your are going to get frustrated with it all sticking to your spoon. Microwave on high for 2 minutes to relax the syrup. Remove and stir well. Return to the Microwave and cook on high for 4 minutes. Remove and stir in your peanuts and the salt. Return to the Microwave and cook on high for 4 1/2 minutes. Remove and stir in the butter and vanilla. Return to the Microwave and cook on high for 2 minutes. Remove and gently stir in the Baking Soda. Adding the baking soda will cause it to look like it's foaming, that is normal. Quickly pour it out onto a lightly greased cookie sheet. Allow to cool for 30 minutes to an hour and break apart.

There you have it! 13 minute Peanut Brittle! Enjoy!

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Luke 2:11

Beef Enchilada Rice

This meal is amazing. 30 minutes, start to finish! Pair it with some hot sauce and chips and you are good to go! Lets get started.

1 lb hamburger meat
1 medium onion diced
2 tbs chili powder
1 tbs oregano
1 tsp cumin
1 tbs minced garlic
1 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 - 4 oz can green chilies
4 oz can of water (use the empty green chilies can)
1 c minute rice
slice sandwich cheese

Brown your hamburger meat in a nonstick skillet on medium heat, with all of your spices and the onion. After the meat is brown add the diced tomatoes, green chilies and water. Stir well and bring to a boil. Next add in your minute rice and take the pan off the heat. Cover and let sit for 5 to 7 minutes, or until rice is tender.

Next place the sliced cheese on top and replace the lid. Allow to sit for another 3 or 4 minutes to let the cheese melt a bit.

My kids love this dinner. In fact, in my home it has been renamed Beef and Alotta Rice. My sweet daughter couldn't quite get 'enchilada' out! This is a great meal when you are in a hurry and still want something tasty. And there you have it, Beef Enchilada Rice. Enjoy!

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

Groceries!!!!

I buy groceries one month at a time. If I MUST go back to the grocery store between trips, it is for milk or bread. I try my best to stay under $200 when I bulk shop, but with 2 in diapers, 1 on formula and starting baby food, and a growing 7 year old, I've had to raise that number to $250. Now, I do not buy beef. We eat it, I just don't buy it. My amazing in laws provide us with 1/3 of a calf every year and that sees us through. If I were buying beef, I imagine my bill would be closer to $300. But here we go, this is an inside look to my shopping method.

I make a list. Detailed. I don't get ANYTHING that isn't on the list. When I make my list I look through my pantry and decide what I'm low on, or out of. I also buy in staples. Everything that I buy can be used in many ways to make any meal I want. When you buy recipe specific groceries, you run out of them a lot faster. Here is my Grocery Receipt from my most recent trip.

boneless skinless frozen chicken breast - 4.95
hormel turkey pepperoni - 2.98
off brand shredded cheese (2lb) - 7.58
string cheese pkg - 2.97
3lb hot dogs - 4.35
20oz pimiento cheese - 4.78
3lb sliced bacon - 9.98
2 box butter sticks - 4.76
off brand breaded chicken strips - 6.87
      (I don't often buy pre-made anything. But these I use at lunch time with my 2 year old on days that I don't have leftovers to feed him)
3lb dinner sausage - 6.99
bag of salad - 2.98
bag of fresh spinach - 2.98
celery - 1.57
bag of yellow onions - 2.98
grands biscuits 2ct - 3.80
     (Again, I usually make my own biscuits, but in the morning when we are all running late, these work best)
off brand mayo - 2.06
diced tomatoes 2ct - 1.50
large can refried beans - 1.51
can of cream of mushroom 2ct - 1.77
tomato soup 2ct - 1.08
cream of celery - 0.56
*chocolate bark - 1.94
*almond bark - 1.94
*chocolate chips 2ct. - 4.00
mozzarella cheese - 7.28
turkey lunchmeat - 2.94
*hershey kisses - 2.94
*coconut flakes - 1.99
*mini pretzels - 1.27
all purpose flour 2ct - 2.96
rotel tomatoes 2ct - 1.76
canola oil - 2.12
rice sides 4ct - 4.00
     (I don't normally get these, but they were on sale. So instead of getting more long grain rice, I got these)
shortening 2ct - 5.00
pretty baby girl headbands - 2.99
     (not on the list... but she needed them!!)
10lb sugar - 4.72
crisp rice cereal - 2.24
corn flakes - 1.36
brown sugar 2ct - 3.00
baking powder - 0.98
gravy mix 2ct - .66
*roasted peanuts - 1.87
sweet potatoes - 3.85
baking potatoes - 3.15
clementines - 7.88
2gal whole milk - 5.16
corn tortillas 90ct - 2.20
dish detergent - 2.73
baby formula - 21.00
baby food 7ct - 5.88
18ct eggs 2ct - 5.12
2 loaf bread - 1.76
***Sales tax - 0.71
***Total - $199.33
*These items are for specific holiday goodies! I don't always buy these things.

Several items for my my 7 year old's lunches or my own lunch. The rest can be made into whatever meal I want! That is where we get to be creative! And yes, these things give me a month worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners! I rarely buy name brand and I try to always buy in bulk. It may look more expensive, but by ounce it is usually cheaper.

These prices are HEB. This is the first time I shopped there and will probably be the last. Nothing wrong, just a smaller store. I usually shop at Walmart, but got so sick of how busy it always is. I could not find the diapers I usually get at the small HEB and ended up having to go to Walmart anyway. Oh well, learned my lesson.

Also, I didn't need things like toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste or laundry soap this month. Next month, I will, but my bottom line bill won't fudge much. Know why? When I don't need these more expensive items, I stock up on things I use the most, so I won't have to get them next time!

I'm not sure if I've explained this well or if I have just confused you, but what I'm trying to get across is that if you really budget and stick to a list, you can save a lot of money! We are a family of five. Two adults and three children, ages 7, 2, and 3 months. If I can buy groceries for $250 or less and it last me all month, you can learn to do it, too. It might take you a couple of months to really get it down, but you can do it!

Make the most of your dollar. After all, God only asks for 10% and leaves the other 90% to spend however you see fit. 90%! Make the most of it, be a good steward of the blessings God has given you!

"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything." Genesis 9:3

The Incredible Edible... Meatloaf!

Meatloaf. What a terrible name. It's gross just thinking about it. I don't like my meat in the shape of a loaf and I don't like the steps that must be taken to create such a loaf. So, I have altered my Meatloaf Making into something a bit more tolerable for squeamish, picky, me! I have several different recipes (all mine) that I use to fit my current mood. Here we go.

Mexican Meatloaf                    Cheesy Meatloaf/ Regular Meatloaf
1 lb hamburger meat                 1 lb hamburger meat
1 can diced tomato                   1 tbs minced garlic
1 can green chili                        1 tbs minced onion
3 tbs chili powder                     1/2 c. italian breadcrumbs
1 tbs cumin                               3 tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs minced garlic                    1 c. picante sauce
1 tbs minced onion                    1 c. Shredded Cheese
1 c. picante sauce                      Ketchup
crushed tortilla chips

Ok, I don't like mixing up meatloaf. Even more, I don't like the idea of adding eggs to it. Yuck. So, this is what I do. I put my completely thawed meat into a large mixing bowl, add my ingredients, push the bowl to arms length and turn my head. At that point, I stick my hand into the bowl and just start squishing and mixing and all that yucky stuff. After I've got it mixed well, I dump it into a 8x8 baking dish, or a 5x11. Spread it all out where there is no resemblance of a loaf anywhere, just one big square meat patty. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until completely cooked through.

After you bake your loaf of meat, it will shrink up a bit and have a lot of juice around the sides. Gently pour the juice off the meat and add your crushed chips, ketchup or shredded cheese to the top. Stick it back into the oven for another 5 minutes or so to cook the top onto the meat.

There you have it, go ole comfort food at it's best. Meatloaf.

 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of your table laden with choice food." Job 36:16

Christmas Time

Christmas time is an amazing time to give, to love, and to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior. It is also an amazing time to bake. Want to give an unforgettable, request for repeat next year, kind of gift? Bake something, cook something and do it with love!

This month is dedicated to things sweet. Coconut Balls, Chocolate Covered Pretzels, Santa's Thumbprints, and so much more!

Keep checking back for these delicious recipes and encouragement from God's very breath.

Would a Cake by Any Other Name Taste as Sweet

I combined a delicious Cake recipe with a delicious icing recipe that are equally easy to make! Lets get started.

Cake: (my Grandmother-In-Law found this in the local newspaper)
1 Yellow Cake Box Mix
1 Coconut Pecan Icing

Icing: (I found this on the internet while looking for a light, fluffy icing for my kids birthday cakes)
1 pkg Instant Chocolate Fudge Pudding
1 pkg Cool Whip
(You can make this icing sugar free by getting sugar free pudding and sugar free cool whip. It is still delicious, I've done it!)

Prepare your cake as directed on the box. Stir in the Coconut Pecan icing. Pour in two 9 inch rounds or a 9x13 and bake as directed.

Now for the Icing. Prepare the pudding. The box will tell you 2 cups of cold milk. Just use 1 1/2 cup. This way it will mix thicker and won't be too runny when you add your cool whip. After your pudding sets and is thick, gently fold in your cool whip. Put it back into the fridge until you are ready to ice.

Bake your cake as directed and allow to cool completely before icing. If you ice while it is too warm, your icing will melt into the cake. After you ice, put the cake into the fridge so the icing won't get too warm and run. There you have it, easy, a bit different, delicious cake! Enjoy!

"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord: 'He is good; his love toward Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid." Ezra 3:11

Easy Broccoli Rice Casserole

What kind of Thanksgiving Dinner doesn't have Broccoli Rice Casserole? All that cheese, the broccoli... yummm! Lets get started!

2 c. frozen broccoli (chopped)
1 c. minute rice
1/3 lb Velveeta
1 can Cream of Chicken (actually, any can of 'Cream of' will work. I only had Chicken when I made this last)
1/2 c. milk

In a medium sauce pan, combine Velveeta, Cream of Chicken and milk. Heat on low until Velveeta is melted completely. Add in your rice and frozen broccoli. Transfer to a 9x13 baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes, or until rice is done. Remove from oven and had a handful of shredded cheese on top!

I have made this into a main course casserole by boiling 2 chicken breasts, cubing them and adding them to the mixture before baking! Easy, huh? Enjoy!

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15