I have slowly discovered that not all days will be a new recipe day…sometimes you want an easy dinner that you know exactly how to make it and you are not panicking.
I’ve had those nights for the past two dinners. One night I made hamburgers; the other I made One Pot Beef Stroganoff. Both delicious!
I’ve been making good headway on the frontier cookbook. More completed than not.
I really do love this cookbook. Anyone who wants to mix up their Cooking, or husband who want a change…get her or yourself this cookbook!
The dinner time one is more of a big family cookbook. Or if you want to have foods stored up in your freezer for easy meals.
Which I do think having dinner plans made ahead of time is a smart idea, but not when you are on a mission to discover new recipes. So I think I will keep this one around, but I’m going to start a new cookbook.
I discovered I had another one!! Elizabeth took all the cookbooks out of their space and placed them throughout the house…😒
I already glanced through, and it looks delicious!
So hopefully by my next cooking post I will have a recipe planned. But this post is for all the moms…exploring is good, but don’t burn yourself out at the beginning. Do your everyday recipes when you get tired. Keep cooking as a fun thing to do not a hassle.
Have a happy Wednesday. It is currently 28 degrees….this is a normal Spring…🙄 I do miss actually Spring…
Another recipe!! Today is called Ranch-Style Chicken. From the Frontier Cookbook.
I actually looked through the recipe and decided to cut it in half. It calls for 6 chicken breast and will serve 12…so 3 chicken breast serving 6 is better for a family of 2 and a bigger smidge.
The only difference for this recipe is I have a horseradish mustard instead of Dijon…should be interesting.
To begin!!
Looks yummy!Well I completely forgot to take pictures of the sliced meat…Then I forgot to take pictures until now…it needs to marinate for about 2hrs in the fridge.
I was focusing on getting it done and in the fridge, that I totally forgot I was going to use this experience for my blog…see, this is what happens when I “read” the recipe…I forget other things…haha
My cheddar cheese…Costco…And again I used what I have. I didn’t want to be wasteful so I used some already cooked bacon from 2 days ago. The chicken is done! Smells yummy. Before putting the chicken in I tasted the marinade, it was good. This is the second round of chicken. I…forgot about pictures again for the first round. My brain must be on baby brain currently.
Husbands…baby brain is a thing. If your wife is being really frustrating just remember part of our smartness goes to our children. Be happy for intelligent children. 😜
For the last 5 min you add the bacon and cheese.
The hubby went to help a friend so I’m going to finish them off by broiling when he tells me he is coming back.
I got hungry so I cut up an apple. Elizabeth decided to help me with that part.
She always helps me when there are apples present.
My little helper…see her hair is crazy and wild. I don’t make it up…it’s real. Salad!! In the picture for the recipe there was lettuce. So I copied that idea.
We have leftover garlic mashed potatoes that the hubby will probably want with dinner. I’m not really a mashed potato type of person. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE potatoes, but not mashed. My older brother is that way too.
I made the “easy” rolls with dinner. The hubby likes them. Me not so much. Preparing for the inevitable…Mwahahaha!
Let’s see the finished product…
Looks not too bad…taste?
Looks like picture: I would say 10. It looks pretty similar. Taste?
Taste: The hubby said…”give it an 8. It tasted delicious, just I was late getting go back and the bacon had been sitting too long in the cheese.” Personally, I think that’s an okay rating! I give it an 8 as well. It was good but nothing too exciting.
Easiness: the marinating part was the longest. So ignoring that, I would give easiness a 10. It was super simple. A good recipe for when I have baby brain.
This recipe was strange. It was easy, it tasted good, but I don’t know if I will make it often. We will have to see in the future.
So last night I ventured into another recipe from the two cookbooks…still the Frontier Cookbook. We had some leftover guacamole that needed to be eaten…Beef and Bean Burritos!! We had all the ingredients and it seemed like it would be a very easy recipe.
Except for the cilantro…I didn’t have that…So her recipe called for certain types of ingredients…but again I used the kinds I have.
Her enchilada sauce is medium…whereas mine is mild, so I added a can of diced green chilies that are medium. It works! 🥸 And the recipe called for refried beans…I’m not a big fan, but the hubby is; so I improvised by including black beans.
COMBINE THE SPICES!! ….that’s it??? 😂While I’m waiting for the meet to defrost I diced the onion…
The recipe called for a whole medium onion…I had half a large onion in the fridge….I called it good. 😎
Oh…I don’t know if everyone knows this and I was just clueless…but this is how you use the can opener…🤯 I saw this a long time ago and my life was changed. The entire stove is being used!!
I love it when the entire stove is in use!! It makes it seem like I’m doing a billion things at once! 😎 I just wish it wouldn’t mean more dishes…
I ummm…decided to pour the entire can of diced chilies…hopefully it is not too spicy for the hubby…Elizabeth needed some applesauce…which she preceded to eat with her fingers…😜Cooking…cooking…cooking…
At this point I have turned on the heat for the beans. It shouldn’t be too long now…
Wow!
So between these two pictures it was potty time for Elizabeth, so I hired the hubby to stir and add the enchilada sauce. He will be rehired in the future. 😎
You add cheese to the beans as they cook. So pretty much you are eating cheese with your meat. Yum!
Look, they are so little and cute!! 😍 I was eating celery as I was cooking. I got hungry and decided to eat something healthy while I waited.
So delicious!!
It doesn’t look pretty but it was so yummy!!! It reminded me of a Paco’s burrito.
The rating shall begin…
Look Like Picture: 9! Hers just looked super pretty with the cilantro…but it was close!!
Taste: The hubby gives it a 9. He said I added too much enchilada sauce to the top, and that it made it a little soggy as he got to the end…but still he said it was yummy!! Elizabeth kind of cheated…she had a bean & cheese burrito…she liked that. Especially as she used it as a vessel to get the sour cream to her mouth.
Easiness: 10! Again like the Tortilla Soup or Sloppy Joe’s recipes it was super easy. Just slowly add and then finish it off with melting cheese via a microwave…
I might tweak this recipe the next time…but we shall see when that is, because…
Lots of leftovers!!
We will be eating this for a while…
1 1/2 burrito was almost too much for me…We might be eating this for Easter…?? We will see 🧐
Well I felt super ambitious the other night. I decided to make the Sloppy Joe’s recipe from the, The Frontier Cookbook. I already have a recipe that I’ve always used, my sister found it. But I decided to branch out and try a new one…I also decided to make those “fluffy rolls” again!
And so it begins again my foe…Mwahahahaha!
If you can’t tell I am taking this rematch seriously…😜
Wow…
So it turns out…I killed the yeast last time. I thought my thermometer worked…nope. I had the water about 60 degrees too warm. We got a meat thermometer; I was able to use it for the water, it’s digital. 😎 Well must wait two hours…
Brown the meat.Since I didn’t read the entire recipe again…😓😂 I didn’t realize I needed 2.5 lbs of beef, so I’m just making half of the recipe. Dicing!!!Yum!
Well my plan of making half went okay…except I forgot about cutting the garlic in half…at least my hubby and I like garlic.
I forgot to take pictures of the rolls…but the dough did double in size! I made bigger rolls because they are for the Sloppy Joe’s .
Don’t kill the yeast, best advice ever!…and I have to admit I didn’t wait the full 2 hrs. It was more like 1.5 hrs. Just because I wanted the rolls to be done around the same time as the Sloppy Joe’s.
All the spices and deliciousness! It called for chili powder and red pepper flakes. Which was different. We shall see. Simmer 20min. ???
Yep that’s right. I decided to be ambitious…French fries it is…but not only that, I’m going to fry them!! I normally bake them in the oven, but since the oven is being used and now I find frying interesting, let’s try it!
So because my knowledge of frying is still small I looked up a fries recipe on google. It was Chef John’s French Fries. I only referenced the temp of the oil and how long. Just because I wanted them to be plain because we already have enough salt… but also I plan to eat them with lots of ketchup!
So I don’t know if you are supposed to do this step when you fry the fries, but when I baked them, I would let them soak a min or two and then pat them dry.
I cut the fries a little thicker than when I baked them, because I like my fries to be crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside!!
I tried to use the meat thermometer again to figure out the temp but it would only go to 165…it showed 180, I just left the oil alone about 5 more min and then began.
This is the same oil from when I did the Spicy Asian Wings. So there is a little bit of flavor added because of the oil. It smells delicious!!
The fries on the left: Well I doesn’t look like much but they have one more round in the oil before the results!Mwahahahaha! I have succeeded! I can’t wait to see what happens when I make it 100% correct…🤩 but I’m super happy with the result!
And this time I tasted it…as I said normally I don’t taste as I go. But I had a little nibble and it was delicious!! 😎
I decided to add a salad to the dinner. Everything was starting to seem a little heavy…
I try and keep the dinners somewhat healthy. Maybe I should say, I try to have one healthy thing to make it seem like we are healthy…haha.
Mission complete!
I will say it looks delicious, but it taste way better!!
Fries done! They came out exactly as I hoped! Crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
The hubby and Elizabeth are already eating. I had to finish the fries so I ate my salad first. Maybe two sloppy Joe’s is too much for me, but I’ll just exercise extra tomorrow!! I’m going to enjoy my hard work!!
Yum!
Well I guess I will be saying goodbye to two recipes I’ve used for forever. “So long, my baked fries and sloppy Joe recipe. You have been great through my journey of cooking but I’ve found my perfect match.” So long!
Well, let’s start the grading!
Look like picture: 10! Except for the bun it looks the same!!
Taste: I guess through this blog post I gave my input. Maybe I was especially hungry this time…But I would also give it a 10! Definitely trying again! The hubby said, “Mmmmmm,” and “I love the fries!” Elizabeth proceeded to copy her daddy. So they would give it a 10 as well!
Easiness: The sloppy Joe’s: 10! It was super easy. Pretty much just prepare and then let simmer. The rolls: 8! I think when I’m less rushed it might even make it to a 10. The fries: 8.5. The time it takes to fry, but still have the fries hot to eat was difficult. But worth it! Baking is easier in that way…you just put in the oven 20min and can still do other things. But since I’ve tasted these French fries…never again…
So all in all a fun and delicious dinner!! It was great that I was able to be ambitious and actually accomplished my goals. I’m getting more confident in my cooking. A big thank you to my hubby’s friend who gifted us the cookbooks!! Cooking has become fun again!!
😎Shocked, frazzled, and terrified all at once…Due to the stress of 2 yr old and puppy…I took the night off of my mama duties…😳 why does it seem like we use every dish possible when I take a day off…Adding to the stress…we payed extra because he was coming to us potty trained…all lies. Why!!!….😫If you ever think this to yourself…it is going to happen…Let the dog back in… Cleaning up his pee…and the pup decided to hold Elizabeth down by her hair…😡 her screams caught my attention right away. Out went the dog. Elizabeth doesn’t understand. The pup is trying to claim the top spot…what the pup doesn’t understand is Elizabeth fights her daddy for that spot everyday…She was okay. Just shaken. Finally Daddy is home, and brought the goods. I’m so done…I want peace and quiet…The piece of resistance…gloves…I’m all good now. Daddy is in charge of pup and baby. I now have gloves for my dish washing. So happy and refreshed! Now to the dishes!!
Yep. You all were probably expecting some grand gift…but to me the gloves are a grand gift.
Our water is harsh and this is what my hands have been like for a while.
They are redder and more painful looking in person. Lotion does nothing…
So truly the hubby got me exactly what I wanted!! He knows me so well!! Thank you Hubby!!😍
Enjoy your Monday. It is super windy here and we lost power, a moment ago, for about 20min.
Sadly I don’t have a new recipe to post about. Because with the Italian Meatball Soup and Tortilla Soup recipes, have lasted a long time.
Also I was correct in my statement in my previous post…my hubby got bored with soup after one day of leftovers… He had leftovers one day and wanted something new.
So I made an old recipe I had found on google. Google was my source for recipes before I got the cookbooks.
The recipe is Asian Mini Meatloafs. You make it in a muffin pan. It made a total of twenty-four mini loaves. Enough to last the hubby through his work shifts.
They might not look so great, but they taste delicious! 🤩 (this muffin is one of the best presents I’ve ever received…thanks sister!)
I finished the Italian Meatball Soup on Thursday. I’m still eating the Tortilla Soup….But I’m getting fed up with it too. 😔
I realize this post is not as much fun, but I will be making a new recipe tomorrow! I think I’m done with soup; there is about one serving left…maybe I’ll “make” my hubby’s lunch and serve him the last serving of soup today…🧐
We shall see…Well enjoy your Sunday. Enjoy your day with family or friends. ❤️
My earlier post about my frazzled brain. This comic will explain why…
All drawings are from actual interactions between the two…
What you expect when getting a puppy. Not the complete truth. And you have to know we got him 2 weeks earlier than expected…I was not mentally prepared yet. Elizabeth gives him super hugs. She does love him ❤️Hubby and Elizabeth only saw the happiness of getting him early…the hubby had work the next day…😒Elizabeth has a buddy to chase around and to be chased now…she gets all her giggles and wiggles out when we go outside now!Usually while cooking dinner I have two things behind me snuggling on the floor. However, puppy + 2 yr old is somewhat of a nightmare for mama. Elizabeth got really mad when all of her toys disappeared. She doesn’t understand that when she runs around with her toys it’s teasing him. She also doesn’t understand he will destroy anything he can get. I was dealing with a naughty baby. Then suddenly I heard his howling. Look out the window and his head is stuck in the gate. 😓They do snuggle behind me while cooking dinner, but sometimes he wants to nap and she was to super snuggle. So sometimes the snuggling turns into fighting. And it continues under the couch as well…😒As it says…she loves him so much. Snuggling on the couch watching a movie at night.
Unless he is outside going potty she is always with him. When he sleeps on the floor under the table…when he chills on the couch…when he hangs with me in the kitchen…
But still a 2 yr old and puppy do not mix well. Also you have to know that Elizabeth has been in the terrible 2s even before 2. And he is not fully potty trained…😖
So saying, “pray for my sanity” you will now understand why…
Well the warmth left Montana, so I wanted something warm to eat!! Soup. Soup is always nice on a cold day.
Again I had to choose a recipe from my cookbooks but this one was not marked. Chicken Tortilla Soup.
Still going through the Frontier Cookbook
Reading through the recipe this one will only take 50min cooking time and only 20min prep. So not too bad!!( in the prep time i always add extra time incase Elizabeth wants to help)
Elizabeth helped mix the spices. My big helper!!Chicken olive oiled and seasoned. I like it that the chicken will be baked…less time I have to watch. More time to make sure baby is not being naughty. All the diced ingredients! I like to dice…Mwahahahaha 😂Cooking the veggies. This recipes is super easy. It’s a lot of adding and waiting. I like this recipe 😎The hubby had to taste it…it was approved.
I feel like every time I’m cooking something new, the hubby has to taste it. Which I guess is good; because I don’t like to taste test as I cook…It’s just a mystery when it’s done…🙃
Once again. Add rest of ingredients, chicken, broth, water, extra seasonings, and salt. Then let it simmer 20min. More waiting.
I think waiting is my favorite kind of cooking. I will be doing this recipe again….waiting…🤓
Last step was to add the corn tortilla strips. Finished soup. Topped with sour cream, red onions, and cheese. Yummy!
As I said simple recipe!! This blog seems more relaxed than previous cooking posts because it actually is. It was so easy and chill.
And the family said yum! Elizabeth actually liked the soup this time!! To me that is an accomplishment in itself.
Look like picture: 8…it actually looks similar.
Taste: 10! Hubby went for seconds!! Elizabeth ate her whole bowl; the table had some too….
Easiness: 10! Sweetest and easiest recipe! 😎
I will definitely make this recipe again!! Especially when I am in the mood to be lazy. However next time I might fidget with the recipe and make less of it. It makes 8 servings. The hubby will get bored with eating soup before it is gone…so I guess I’ll be eating soup for the next few days.
Enjoy your Wednesday. Hopefully the snow is gone for good. I’m tired of the snow….🙃
I wrote this last night. Update on weather…no snow, but everything is froze outside. 😱
Park day…a new park for us…this park seemed more like a park for 5yr olds and up…
She scares me sometimes…she reminds me of my older sister…….Wobbly stepping bridge. I almost slipped…but she was holding my hand jumping across…A slick ladder with only two small holes as hand rails…I tried to help her and she yelled at me “Nooo!”Mama is not allowed on the slide…No matter the height or safety of a slide…she will always go down giggling…Oh no…a pup pup…I did ask the pet owner first. She said of course. Elizabeth is not afraid of dogs…maybe small yap yap dogs, but the bigger the dog the better. She does not like the baby styled swings…she is a big girl swing type…Daddy was off at the doctors…mama is exhausted…Around…and around…and around…Once home after long day at park, shopping, and giggling baby they sleep.Original by emily2jane 3-13-21
I don’t know if this was truly about her fearlessness or just her at the park. But she doesn’t fear anything. Remember she is only 2 years old…I miss that feeling of not being afraid; fears come with age I guess. Being a child is an amazing thing.
My hubby has a friend, from work, who is currently retiring and moving; that decided to gift us his cookbooks. I was thinking like 5-6 new cookbooks…more like 3 dozen cookbooks. It was a God send; I was getting bored of cooking my normal go-to recipes.
There were 3 cookbooks specializing on Italian food…like the unusual, adventurous food…we are giving those to a different buddy. We are brave, but not that brave…let’s be honest, I don’t think I could cook the weird things without getting sick…
So my plan is to go through 3 books at a time. The one pictured below, another by the same author but called, ‘Dinner Time’, and then lastly one called ‘Crusts’. I’ve done a few already. They are delicious!! Sadly I didn’t think of writing my experience until now.
This is being used for today’s cooking session. Thank you Ree Drummond!!
This is recipe # 7 so far. Rigatoni & Meatballs. Serves 6-8…we will be eating the is a while. A new recipe of meatballs from scratch…I have one, but this is more complex.
I’ll take more pictures next time…but I’m cooking the meatballs and sauce. The noodles are later.
You know how reading the recipe all the way through is a smart thing…I always forget to do that. I have 20min after I finish the meatballs…haha 🤪
They look like the picture in the cookbook!! Yummy!!72 meatballs later…😳
This recipe in total is 1hr and 4min…so I guess I lied earlier…
“How much longer?”-Hubby
“10-20min”- me, but with 25min to go…🤓
Elizabeth loves to help mama…or at least hang out with mama when she is cooking. She is pointing at the picture and saying, “Yumm!” Hopefully she likes mine just as much…
I think I will rate them one by one after each recipe. Taste for my family. Easiness to follow. And if it looks like the picture…haha 😅
Hopefully all goes well…
Meatballs and sauce is done! Noodles only 2min left!
Finally finished! Her picture looks so much better than mine… rating out of 10…so guess looking like the picture is more like a 4. Taste: My hubby gives it a 10! Elizabeth gives it a “Mmmmmm” so probably a solid 8. I like it too, but I mostly care about their opinion. Easiness…it is not too bad. If I had read through the entire recipe I would have time managed better. I give easiness a 7.
So overall. I will definitely be trying this recipe again!! Tomorrow night we are using the leftovers for a suggestion from the cookbook…Meatball Sliders.
I will make the mini rolls from scratch…we shall see!!
emily2jane 