Neapolitan Poke Cake

I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought I was a genius for doing it.  I swear I didn't even see the idea for it on Pinterest or anything.  I even did a search for it just now, and couldn't find it.  Everybody seems to be all about the Boston Cream, Red Velvet, Oreo or Banana Cream combos.

Strawberry cake mix (poked of course) + chocolate pudding + vanilla frosting (and whipped cream)=
NEAPOLITAN POKE CAKE

I'm sure you could switch the layers around how ever you wanted...
This combination just happened to be what I had on hand.

I think it's the new favorite poke cake over the Boston Cream at our house.

To make the poke cake, bake the boxed strawberry cake mix according
 to package directions for a 9 X 13" cake.
When it comes out of the oven, let it cool for about 5 minuets, then carefully poke holes all over the cake with a wooden spoon NOT YOUR FINGER (it's hot).

Then quickly mix up your instant chocolate pudding as directed for pie and pour over the cake.
Use a rubber spatula to smooth it out.

Put it in the fridge for about 1/2 hour and then frost with vanilla frosting.
If you're using canned frosting- make sure to stir it well or even microwave it for about 15-20 seconds.

Keep refrigerated.

Top with whip cream and fresh strawberries right before you serve it.

Linked to:
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/04/mix-it-up-monday.html
http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/03/on-menu-monday-week-of-april-1-2013.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-28-easter-peeps.html

Gettin' My Garden On

I've been reading a lot of articles on the web about gardening:
good-and-bad-companions-vegetables
The 10 best & easiest to grow herbs
Epsom_salts_and_sugar
how-to-root-a-sweet-potato   {I've already started mine.}
Growing Potatoes In Straw
got-weeds-use-vinegar-not-roundup
handling bare root trees 

I guess I'm just trying to come up with a "recipe" for a great garden!
We started saving egg shells to crush up and plant with tomatoes to give them a calcium boost.

I have Spring fever and I'm ready to be planting, except yesterday we had sunshine and  now today it's raining snowing... it's still to early for Northern Utah.

It's great fun growing a garden, but my favorite part is eating it.
Thinking of fresh herbs and planning for canning (and freezing).
There will be everything for my salsa recipe, so I can have fresh ingredients!  If you check out the index there are a few other canning recipes as well.

I've made a graph of how I'm going to plant everything.  I want to make sure I have room and don't forget anything.  I used a few different charts on "companion plants"- hoping it might help.

I might have to have one big garden, and then a few smaller raised beds/pots.

What do you do to prep for your garden?  What tips and tricks have you learned?

Linked To:
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/03/full-plate-thursday-3-21-13.html
http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com/2013/03/foodie-friends-friday-with-salvaged-home.html?showComment=1363962210082#c452625626338844701

mud bugs

We tried something new and "crazy" this weekend.  My husband found a package of frozen craw fish at Wal-Mart and decided that we needed to try them out... for the blog sake.
They were only $6 and came with the seasonings and instructions so I said, "Why not."

We've been watching too much TV.  Swamp people in particular, or whatever that show is called?

Rinsing off the craw fish...

 Basically we put them in a pot of boiling water {with seasonings} and then let the "soak" for 30 minutes.

Craw fish with cabbage and corn.

 Here's my big red neck husband... he literally got sun burned, so I can say that.  Isn't he cute?

 My husband and his brother had been out trimming our trees 

and decided to light a camp fire in the back yard.

Which worked out well, because they could just throw the shells in the fire when they were done.

I made them be the guinea pigs and try them out first.

Living in Northern Utah we are not big sea food eaters.  Not because we don't like it, but because it's not really available.   At least not fresh.  We decided it was ok, and fun to try... but it wasn't something we would crave.  Maybe if they were fresh and we actually knew how to cook them the right way.

So if you have any tips for us on how to eat craw fish the right way, let us know.  Until then, we will probably stick with what we know... beef.

Linked TO:
http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/03/on-menu-monday-week-of-march-11-2013.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-25-polka-dot.html
http://www.couponingncooking.com/2013/03/mealtime-monday-recipe-link-up-features.html

Another Week, Another Meal Plan

This weeks dinner awaits you:

Sunday   "Classic"
Fried Chicken and Dutch Oven Potatoes{revisited}
Cut your chicken up: see HERE
Lightly 'brown' your chicken pieces and let cool slightly
Meanwhile whisk 3 eggs in a bowl and set aside.
Then mix flour, salt & pepper and paprika in a bowl or large zip lock baggie.
Dip your chicken in the egg and then coat your pieces in the flour mixture.
Return chicken to frying pan (which may need a little oil added to it) and continue to "fry" until chicken is cooked through.

Monday   "New"
From: What's for Dinner? By: Jana Schofield

Sweet and Sour Chicken
6 boneless chicken breasts- browned in oil

Sauce:
1 chicken bullion cube
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
3/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cornstarch
1 cup sugar

Combine in sauce pan and whisk together well.  Bring to low boil, stirring frequently until thickened.
Place browned chicken breasts in dish and spoon sauce over top.  Bake at 325* covered for about an hour.  Serve with rice, spooning more sauce over rice.

Tuesday   "Tried & True"
This is an old recipe of mine that the hubby has been wanting the last few days.


Chicken Enchiladas 
 2+ cups cooked and cubed or shredded chicken breast
 (add a little cumin, ginger, garlic, onion or whatever spices you like)
sour cream
cream of chicken soup
shredded cheddar cheese
enchilada sauce
Tortilla's 10" works best
olives, sour cream and lettuce for garnish

Mix together your chicken and seasonings with sour cream, chicken soup and cheese.
Spoon mixture onto tortillas and roll up.
Place the enchiladas in a lightly greased 9*13 pan and top with the enchilada sauce.
Bake at 375 for about 25 minutes- sprinkling with cheese the last few minutes.
Let cool for 5-10 minutes and garnish with sour cream, sliced olives and shredded lettuce.

Goes great with some hot homemade cornbread!

Wednesday   "Feature"
While searching for Superbowl snacks I came across this GREAT idea HERE.
 They were a hit too!

"Moink Balls"  moo + oink  with rice and veggies


Thursday   "Hubby/Kid Pick"
Breakfast
Start flippin' flap jacks and fried eggs... don't forget the sausage.

Friday   "Quick & Easy"
This is my grandmas old recipe that we always loved as kids.  I love it as a mom too because it's quick, easy and cheap!


Tuna Casserole with peas
1/2 pkg Egg Noodles
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 Cans Tuna

Bring a pot of water to boil and cook egg noodles according to package directions, drain.
Stir in a can of Cream of Chicken Soup and two cans of drained tuna.
Place in a casserole dish (topped with bread crumbs if you like) and bake at 350* for  25 minutes.

Serve with (frozen) peas on the side.


Saturday
Left overs or go out!  :)

Linked To:
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/03/mix-it-up-monday.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-24-and-three.html
http://www.couponingncooking.com/2013/03/mealtime-monday-recipe-link-party.html
http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/category/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday/
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/03/full-plate-thursday-3-7-13.html

I promise I haven't fallen of the face of the Earth.
It's just that me, my computer and my camera are having a fight.  We have a love/hate relationship.
Well that and my kids have been sick {again}... uggg
But I promise to have a new weekly meal plan posted soon, though there may be a shortage of pictures.

At least it's not Monday.

~Cass

Peanut Butter Granola Balls

                                                                                                
I love these things and usually double or triple the batch!  I'm seriously addicted.

• 1/3 cup  honey
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
• 1/3 cup each dried fruit (cranberries & blueberries) 
• 2 TBS flax seed 
• 2 1/2 TBS sunflower seeds
• 2 1/2- 5 TBS pistachios/ almonds and or peanuts, chopped
• {white} chocolate chips optional but recommended

In a small saucepan over medium, heat honey, peanut butter & butter. Stir until smooth, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients.

Let cool to touch and roll into 1" balls.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freeze.

LINKED TO:
http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com/2013/01/foodie-friends-friday-and-build-bear.html
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/02/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
http://www.semihomemademom.com/2013/02/show-share-wednesday-23.html
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/02/full-plate-thursday-2-7-13.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/02/clever-chicks-blog-hop-20-and-lollipop.htmlStrut Your Stuff Saturday Link Party - Week 82   www.sixsistersstuff.com
http://realfoodrealfrugal.com/2013/01/31/make-you-own-bouillon-cubes/

Beef Taco & Rice Skillet

PRINTABLE

Revised from Betty Crocker

Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef
1 pkg taco seasonings mix
1 1/2 cups water
1 cup salsa
1 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 cups instant rice
     (or 2 1/2 cups cooked rice -not instant-)
3/4 cup shredded cheese

Directions:
Brown ground beef and drain grease.
Stir in taco seasoning, water, salsa and corn.
Heat to boiling and stir in rice.
Cover and let simmer for about 8 minutes.

Fluff rice mixture with fork, sprinkle cheese.
Cover and let stand just long enough to melt cheese.

Garnish with shredded cheese, lettuce, corn chips and sour cream if desired.

You could also add a can of black beans to this if you wanted.

LINKED TO:
http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com/2013/01/foodie-friends-friday-and-build-bear.html
http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/02/on-menu-monday-week-of-feb4-2013.html
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/2013/02/wednesdays-adorned-from-above-blog-hop.html
Strut Your Stuff Saturday Link Party - Week 82  www.sixsistersstuff.com

Cup Cakes

Sometimes you just need a cupcake.  And you don't want to deal with making fancy/ cute ones...

I admit it.  I love using boxed mixes and canned frosting~ I know that's lame for a cooking blog, but it's true.
It's just so quick and easy.  There really is something to be said for convince.  And sometimes I don't feel like spending 2 hours making cupcakes that, I'm going to eat 6 of in 2 minutes.  Sshhh, don't tell.

I basically follow the instructions on the box, but I cut down about half the oil and replace
 it with my homemade apple-butter {if you don't have any applesauce is okay too}.  

I also like to add vanilla extract or other flavors depending on what I'm going for.

Favorite combos- Chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting or yellow cake with chocolate frosting and of course chocolate with chocolate...

*Also living at a higher altitude I will add 2-3 tablespoons of flour.

I panicked half way through when I realized I didn't have any cup cake liners. 

>Bad day getting worse here<  

So I sprayed my cupcake tins with Pam and coated with flour... and they came out okay.
UPDATE: I HAVE LEARNED YOU CAN USE COCO POWDER FOR THIS TOO!!! 

Actually it worked better this way, because I didn't have to go around picking up little cupcake wrappers from "little cupcake eaters" who leave them laying around. 

So if you're having a bad day.  Just keep calm and eat a cupcake.  And everything will be okay.

Linked To:
http://www.couponingncooking.com/2013/01/mealtime-monday-recipe-link-up-features_27.html

http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2013/01/mix-it-up-monday_27.html

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/clever-chicks-blog-hop-19-hog-wash_27.html

http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2013/01/try-new-recipe-tuesday-january-22.html

http://www.salttree.net/2013/01/open-call-social-39.html

http://www.semihomemademom.com/2013/01/show-share-wednesday-22.html

http://djssugarshack.com/wordpress1/whatcha-whipped-up-32

http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/01/full-plate-thursday-1-31-13.html

http://www.whatscookinglove.com/2013/01/showcase-your-talent-thursday-44.html

social media buttons

Hello new followers and friends.  I've been working on some social media buttons with the help of Christina.  I could use a little of your help too.

If you'd test out the new buttons in the upper left corner (or below) just by clicking on them.  And then comment with results I'd really appreciate it.

I haven't figured out how to link the e-mail button, or the RSS feed?

It's hard to be a computer "geek" lol  Any tips here would be great.

Thanks!

Lunch Meal Plans

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Here's a week's worth of lunch ideas.

There are a few "tried and true" and a new one to check out too.  

I'm working of a few new things for the blog so if you notice a lot of changes going on... sorry.

How do you like the new "Printable" option for the recipes?  I'm kind of experimenting with it, so let me know what you think.