Tag Archives: Humor

Journey With Cookbooks #18

I tried a new recipe. I asked the hubby…

“Any preference for dinner?”

“I really want some spicy fried chicken!! But I’ll wait for when we go pick up my parents.

“So any idea?”

Something spicy!”

So if you can tell by that statement…I choose a spicy recipe!

Spicy Mongolian Beef

The picture looks delicious! But I wonder how spicy is spicy….

Well…

I didn’t realize I was “doing a new recipe” until I was beginning the frying of the beef…so I have no photos of the process beforehand.

To sum it up: I used round steak; because that’s what I had. I thawed and sliced it in strips along the grain. I marinated it in 1 TBsp of soy sauce for 10-ish min. I then added and coated the meat with 6 TBsp of flour. It called for cornstarch, but I never have cornstarch. Then I prepared the pan for frying.

I already did the first round of meat!

I will say. I know understand why you use a wok. It’s tall, deep, and the oil that explodes won’t burn you. I got burned. Not bad, but wow did it make a mess. This was my solution…

It worked. But man did it hurt when the oil got me…!

I was pretty proud of myself coming up with this idea on the spot. I only had about 30sec to think of something. Since the meat was already cooking.

I stopped mid way to take a picture. This round I cooked less time.

With the guard, mitt, and tongs, I probably looked like I was battling the stove.

But I won in the end! 😎 Yum!

Round steak is quite tough but it looks like it cooked correctly. We will have to see when we eat it. Soy sauce and flour made a thick goop that covered the meat before I cooked it. It really does look like I fried it. It has some crunchy spots!

The sauce. And the additional spices…for the SPICY!!

The recipe called for red peppers. Which of course we don’t have and I don’t want to go to the store. Mostly because I am in my pjs already. So instead I used cayenne pepper. I only put 1/2-3/4 tsp. I didn’t really measure. I just sprinkled it; we will see how spicy I made it!

sauté…Sauté…SAUTÉ!
Our trusty rice cooker.

I started the rice when I was defrosting the meat. So it should be done here soon. Right around the perfect time, I might add. 😎

I added the sauce.

The sauce consisted of soy sauce, brown sugar, and oil. I believe since the spicy part needed to sauté, the sauce will just take on the flavors.

I will explain this picture.

I realize this picture looks the same as the one above but I added the watered flour mixture. (Most people use cornstarch) but if you can see those small clumps in the top center…that is flour that cooked and formed a lump. I tried to whisk it in…it wouldn’t so I… just scooped them out and then…

Look! No more white clumps and thickening up nicely.

Yep. I cheated! I decided to take out the imperfections instead of trying to make it work. Mwahahahaha!

Add the steak!

Looks really yummy. I think I should have cut the meat up thinner, but since it is not the steak it really called for I wanted to make sure I didn’t make a texture similar to shoe.

Looks yummy!

I still don’t know if it’s too spicy. I didn’t taste it.

Well I finished the food, and I will say… WOW! That was a bit spicy. Good! Definitely still delicious, but spicy. So two and half glasses of milk later…

Taste: 8.5! I think I will measure out the cayenne pepper next time. And maybe stay between 1/4-1/2tsp. Just to be on the safe side. I give it an 8.5 because it was almost too spicy. I prefer spicy to be enough where I can still enjoy it.

Look like photo: 9.5! Just because their steak looks thinner.

Easiness: 8. It wasn’t the simplest recipe to follow. Since some steps were left out and I had to improvise. Also the exploding oil; which is considered my fault because I did not have the correct pot. To understand look at the next photo…

😳

I don’t know if you can see all the oil splatters…but I will be cleaning this stove constantly these next few days. Because the burners are probably covered in oil splatter as well. 😑

Leftovers

It made a decent amount of leftovers. Two servings like this.

Leftover sauce

I might use this on some chicken. I think the flavor of the sauce will taste just as good on chicken.

This watermelon is from the 4th. I feel like I’ve been eating it everyday and it never seems to be making a dent…when will it be gone?

Enjoy your Thursday!! The week is more than halfway done. 😎

Life As A Mama #43

When visiting grandma we went on a new adventure…

The Beach!!
Chase the cousins!!
The wind, the sand, the…
The ocean!
It should be a peaceful relaxed day for mama 😎
What? Wait!?! NO!!!!
Runaway baby, straight to the water…!
I compromised. Went waist deep but must stay with mama.
Long exciting day! She napped the whole way home 🥰

So normally when little kids see the ocean for the first time you think… they will be timid, afraid, run away from the waves…

Yeah, no. Once she saw the water that is all she wanted to do. I spent the entire time holding her arms, otherwise she would have booked it out farther. 😳

We were at the beach for almost 4 hours and probably 3 of it was spent in the water. We played in the sand for a smidge. But two things ruined that idea. One: she was over it when I showed her the sand crabs. “She doesn’t like bugs.” Second: the water would destroy her castles, so it seemed like she gave up. 🤣

But overall it was a fun day. But I should say since we went out to waist deep, I spent the day lifting her up when a wave would seem to high. So I assumed the slight squat position while arm curling for those 3 hours. I was so sore the next day…

Journey With Cookbooks #17

Today’s recipe was a repeat with a twist!

The fried chicken taco, but as…

Only frying the tortilla and using ground beef. I wanted the crispy crunch from the tortilla but I didn’t want to eat something drenched in oil. The husband approved.

We are trying to eat better. I love food, but I am discovering I gain weight easily now as an adult…I miss the younger days…

Anyways…

Again defrosting. It seems to be taking forever.
Also the tortillas…

I forgot I already used up all the tortillas…so I have to section some off so they defrost faster. Now it is definitely a good thing I am frying them or they would be super soggy. 😣

I think, I thought I would be cooking for a billion people…I had a brain fart.
Only about 1/2” of oil.

Normally I would probably add some oil, but instead I just went with what I had. It should be fine.

So I decided to dry and remove as much of the excess oil as possible. Paper towels are awesome!
Huh?

At this point I decided to add to my cooking preparation. Salsa. Homemade! I found a recipe a while ago and it was a big hit with the hubby and Eli! And me. But no one really cares. Haha 😂

The recipe.
Combine all to bowl. The sweetness used in this recipe is honey. And I didn’t have a jalapeño, and I didn’t have any red pepper flakes…so I just used 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper.

We have a large food processor; I got it as a Christmas present. But sadly I never want to use it because I would rather not have more dishes. I know that is stupid and lazy, but I am that way occasionally.

The hubby wants 3 and I will have 2.
Meat!

So for the meat, I will say I did drain off all the excess fat off the meat. I didn’t want any extra calories. So didn’t add the spices and chilies until after.

4 rounds in my mini food processor later…!!
So the extra tortillas, I made as chips. So that when I want a snack I can have some chips and salsa.

The chips are just fried. I didn’t add any salt or lime juice. I wanted them to be a vessel for the salsa.

The garnish.
Eli’s dinner.

I was not about to fight the battle today. If she would eat…she ate some of daddy’s breakfast, all of her own, a big serving of Alfredo noodles, and some cookies today so far.

Back to the cooking. Now I know why to add more oil.

Because after I finished the chips I only had a thin layer of oil covering the bottom of the pot. Not good. Could have burned the pot…

The process of my creation. I thought of it after I made the hubbies plate. Mwahahahaha 😎
A dollop of sour cream.

The thought was…to cover the tortilla with the amount of sour cream you would normally top your taco. But let’s be honest. That dollup is huge…! I used way too much. Did I wipe the excess…no. I did that throughout the recipe but not now. Makes no sense.

Meat layer.
Cheese.
Topped with lettuce and drizzled salsa.

It was delicious. We had planned to eat it flat like that, but as soon as we picked it up, it folded into a taco.

It is not really a recipe I can score. Since it was a mash up of ideas.

But taste…10!!

Life As A Mama #41

This Spring is more like Summer… I’m missing the cooler temperatures here…

It’s hotter here than where my family lives…🥵
Warm weather does mean…walks in the neighborhood.
Water time with Daddy!!
We got a small pool. Eli loves the water.
Warmer weather means happy moods.
Funny faces contests…!
Splish splash!! More pool time!!
While making lunch she shoved an entire carrot in her mouth. (Her hair was also crazy!)
Day is over. Now time for sleep…
Just happy days ending with happiness! ❤️

When the warm weather is here it means we can do more things. Yes it means that Eli overheats in any temperature above 65 degrees, but playing in water she survives.

I hope your days can be warm, and spent with family! 💕

Original
by emily2jane
06-11-21

Journey With Cookbooks #16

Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadilla!

Another Google recipe.

I wish I could find a cookbook that is only ground beef recipes…

This recipe says it takes 45min…🤨 another easy dinner!! A mom’s happy plan.

My ingredients!!
Defrost the ground beef.

When I initially brought the beef up, I thought I had already put it in water. But alas no, I did not. So now I have to wait the 30min.

The tunes are on!

Unless I am trying a new recipe I don’t listen to my iTunes. I usually just roll with my Spotify playlist. Mostly because I used to listen to wide range of music and I would rather Elizabeth’s first words be from an bad song.

Fears of a mama.

Back to cooking.

Dice the onion. Do you see the cute cow butter dish in the back!?! It was my hubby’s grandma’s. I am a lover of cows too!
I have chosen applesauce and corn for the sides to dinner. I know it’s not a real vegetable but it works.
Beef!

I forgot to take a picture of cooking the beef, but let’s be honest…you know what it looks like. It looks the same as always. And this is me draining the fat off.

Oil, onion, salt, pepper!
And my foot down in the left bottom corner…

Sorry. I am a little goofy today as I write this recipe up. No, my foot is not included into the food.

It doesn’t seem right…?

This recipe does not have pictures with the steps. Hopefully this is right…

Warming up the cast iron skillet. I like how the tortilla crisps. The meat mixture looks okay now.

I love Tim McGraw.

I had to skip various songs. Some were too random for my brain. Also some had some colorful words.

Starting to look yummy!!

I added the green onions. It was not in the list of ingredients, but green onions always add more delicious flavors.

Interesting mix.

I’ve already given the hubby his and Elizabeth her Mac n cheese. This one is Mama’s!!
Yum!

Of course the night I choose to make a quesadilla, is the day when we are out of salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. 😞 it was still delicious but I was bummed about the lack of extras.

But to the scoring.

Look Like Picture: 9. Mostly because I used the cheese I had. It was the cheddar jack mix from Costco. Not really the right taste, but still worked.

Taste: 9. I think it worked. But I think it would better with some diced green chilies mixed in. I’ve been in a spicy mood. The hubby liked it. He gave it an 8, just because he wasn’t very hungry to begin with.

Easiness: 10! It was easy. Another easy peasy recipe for a baby brained mama. Meaning… “dumb moments”. I have those days occasionally often. 😂

Hope you enjoyed the post. But also my music playlist.

Life As A Mama #40

An interesting twist to making dinner…

Chips…!
Self explanatory. But instead of going to the store and spending money I decided to make some chips. Also they are healthier!
Chips on one side, dinner on the other…
So delicious looking!! But I’ve got to focus on making dinner or they all will be gone before dinner is done…
Teriyaki chicken with broccoli! Should be yummy! But…
Patience…have patience…
Chips. Chips. Chips. Chips. Okay this is ridiculous. Having one should be okay…!
😦
Oh no…
Wonderful…😑

So almost all of the chips were moist and had bites taken out of them… I got to eat a few, but most of them will be put into an Elizabeth bag. Elizabeth approves of my chips at least, but it is so sad.

I hope you enjoy your Thursday!! Hide you chips from your two year old…

Original #40
by emily2jane
5-20-21
Thankfully I had my phone to capture the crime in action…

Journey With Cookbooks #15

New recipe…

Creamy Ground Beef Pasta!!

Another google ground beef recipe. We still have a lot of ground beef to go. My mother can attest to it; she has seen the goods. 🤩

Do you notice the flowers in the background?
🌸

I was given anniversary flowers/ Mother’s Day flowers. The hubby did good!

Back to the food…

Looks so yummy!! I wish mine had looked like that…

Defrosting the beef…again imagine some calming music… Instead I had…

This is where I am at in my music from 10years ago…strange choices…
Noodles and beef!

Browning the beef and cooking the curly-cue noodles!!

The spices!!

I tasted a few noodles just to make sure they were not poisonous. Not that I love noodles, but for the safety of my family 🤨

This recipe was not really what I expected. I grabbed the tomato sauce, but it didn’t really register in my mind. I thought this recipe was more of a cheesy Alfredo pasta…

💪Wonder Mama!!

I have gotten into the habit of trying to wash the dishes often throughout the day. Because then when it’s dinner time, all I have to do is dinner dishes. So I am probably in the kitchen, at the sink, about 70% of my day…

Heavy Cream! Cheese! Noodles!!

How could it be bad…? Three awesome ingredients will be added to meat. It already is delicious!

Not quite the same…

See how the google picture is so vibrant while mine is kind of boring. Probably because of the cheese type.

But it still tastes good. Yes. I tried it.

The family meal!

Have to have my healthy food… SALAD!! We also had some leftover Hawaiian rolls. It seems like I added a salad just for the refreshing green color. 😂

My food! I did not eat three Hawaiian rolls…I ate two though!

Overall another easy recipe. Especially since I got the ingredients measured out beforehand and I was able to just add as I needed. In total, it was only about 30min to make.

Look like picture: 6. The noodles are the same but the consistency and color are quite different. But I give it a 6 because compared to the photo only the color is different.

Taste: 8! A solid 8. Mostly because it was not what I expected. So my brain was a little shocked. Whereas the hubby and daughter loved it!! If you try this, there is a distinct tomato taste. Almost like a creamy tomato soup pasta. With meat. Can’t forget the meat!

Easiness: 10! Another easy, chill, calm recipe for a mom who is frazzled. I wasn’t frazzled today, but on a day where I am I will probably make this again.

So to sum this recipe up. Not what I expected. Still good however. And the family approved. So I’ll be adding it to my cookbook.

Thinking…I might make a secondary google inspired cookbook called: The Frazzled Mama. Then when I am uninspired to cook; I can find an easy recipe! 🤔 I like this plan!!

Enjoy!

Journey With Cookbooks #14

Today’s recipe was bagels…

It was from ‘Crusts: The Ultimate Baker’s Book’

Du du dunnnnnnn!!

I was in the mood to try something new. And let’s be honest bagels are awesome!!

My mixer

So I forgot to take pictures of the dough…but I used the mixer of awesomeness!!! It sadly did not like the dough though…

Our mixer is only four years old. It shouldn’t be dying.

They look good 🤩

So it actually looks okay.

I’ll layout the process I’ve already done. -mix dough in mixer until ball is formed.

-roll the ball of dough on a cutting board with a light dusting of flour.

-divide ball into 12 pieces. (I miscounted and cut 14)🤪

-roll into hotdog shapes and form bagels.

-put a light dusting of cornmeal on pan and place bagels on top. Let the bagels chill in fridge overnight.

-… imagine the corny elevator music…

-next let bagels sit in room temp for 2 hours to let puff up.

Now the next picture!

Boiling…
Boil them…

I didn’t realize you have to put them in boiling water for about 1 min. It makes sense, but when they came out of the water they looked really bumpy and were super slippery. I dropped them upside down a few times!

Speaking of bumpy. It reminded me of a toy we had in my childhood. I don’t remember the name but it was a figurine that had stretchy limbs…so you could make him punch himself. But his skin was similar to the bumpiness. Strange… back on topic…

Baking!!

I should say, at this moment I was worried. I was worried it was going to be another failure. Normally I don’t worry but when you put days into something you really hope it works well. But to stay positive…if they come out hard as rocks, like the first time I made biscuits, I will just take them outside and have a bagel fight with Elizabeth!

So pretty!

Now relax! 🙂 they came out better than I expected!!

🥳

Awesomeness!! They are a little crispy on the bottom but they are still soft enough to eat!!

If I keep this up I will never buy anything ever again. Which saves money and I gain experience. A win win. The hubby will be happy. So an extra win!

Mine.

I love just plain bagels. They are delicious to me!!

The hubby’s.

Elizabeth took a bite of daddy’s and made the best disgusted face. It was priceless. Almost like her gramma experiencing lobster. So she proceeded to steal mine. At least I have 12 others to choose from.

Look like photo: 9. Just because I think I need to cook it less time. Meaning I will be trying again.

Taste: 9. Again just because I need to adjust my cooking time. By 5min? We will see.

Easiness: 7. It wasn’t too hard but just since it was a two day process you have to make sure to have space in your fridge. That might have been the hardest part, rearranging the fridge. 😂

Well enjoy your Tuesday!! Maybe have a bagel! 🥯

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 39

Life Of Two Best Friends: High School CHPT 38

CHAPTER 39

Practice was nothing. We got in and swam for about thirty minutes, and then coach stopped us. I was not complaining.

“Everyone, I hope to see you at the Matthews’ house for our annual carbo-load. I already discussed it with George’s father and he will have it all ready for us,” Coach yelled at us in the pool. “So get out, head home to change, grab your parents, and maybe grab something to drink. I don’t remember if I told Adam to get drinks,” Coach turned to me.

“This is all news to me; but yeah, maybe bring your own beverge,” I yelled over my shoulder as I climbed out of the pool. “We good to go, Coach?”

“Yeah. Get out of here. See you all at the Matthews’ by four-thirty,” Coach walked off.

“You heard Coach. Get out,” I wait as all my thrilled teammates hurry to the locker rooms.

Walking in the front door, I stop suddenly…the house looked like Party City exploded. I wandered through the party decorations looking for the culprit. There he was panickily running back and forth in the kitchen. ‘My poor dad.’ Instead of interrupting the “chicken with no head”, I decided to clean and set up the living room.

The living room was done; it was not too bad now. I did not use all the decorations that Dad had chosen. Some of them were questionable; meaning too young, not too old. As I set up, I kept an eye on the panicked one; he was somewhat better now. It was about four o’clock and I was setting up my final folding chair. ‘Wow. seventy chairs later and I am finished.’

“Son. When did you get here? You set up the living room,” Dad had come up behind me!

Turning I saw one happy Dad. I thought he might cry. “Of course. You looked like you might explode when I got home, so I decided to help you out. Is it to your liking?”

“What happed to the baby farm animals. I thought Lily would enjoy those,” Dad said as he scanned the room.

“That makes sense. I was totally confused why you got baby animals for a bunch of teenager guys. Lily will definitely like the farm animals. I’ll go get them,” before Dad could stop me I was off to the guest room to gather the farm animals. ‘Dad did choose something that Lily will probably take home with her. Sorry Coach.’ I hung them up around the designated kid area. “Good?”

“Good. Do you think you help me a bit more. I just need some help dicing some vegetables,” Dad said probably dreading having to go back to the kitchen.

“No problem Dad. While we work though, I want to hear about your date?” Shoving my Dad’s body back into the kitchen. ‘Gosh. I understand why he didn’t want to come back, the kitchen had also exploded.‘ “Wow, Dad…you really did a number in here. Hopefully whoever you end up with is a wizard in the kitchen.”

Dad just chuckled and move me in front of a cutting board; my new home for the next few minutes.

“I definitely agree with your thought of finding someone who does not know me. The woman last night was too giggly and only asked me about my fame and accomplishments. I was done within the first five minutes,” Dad said as he arranged the sandwiches on a platter.

“That sucks Dad. You will find someone. But dating without them knowing YOU will be difficult. Maybe you should look into online dating. You could just upload a profile without a photo. The woman would get a big surprise once she found out who you were though,” I chuckle, while turning to look at Dad. He was doing the sandwiches; I don’t think he heard a word I said. “What are you doing? It looks like you are murdering the sandwiches.” I walked over and looked over his shoulder, ‘He was, as I expected, murdering the food.’

“I was trying to make it look elegant. Do you not see it?”

“It looks more like an elephant ran through the food,” I ducked from the smack; reflexes… because I know my dad.

“Go get ready for the people coming. They should be here…” Ding Dong! “as I said, they have arrived. I’ll attempt to make it less like an elephant mess and more like an elegant mess.”

Dad practically threw me out of the kitchen. “No appreciation for honesty. I’ll go. I’ll go,” I laughed with my hands up, as I went to answer the door.