Christmas Crack

1 sleeve Saltines

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

12 oz chocolate chips

toppings of choice (we used mini M&Ms, white chocolate, and pecans)

1. Preheat oven to 375

2. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spray it with cooking spray.

3. Line up Saltines to fill the tray.

4. Melt butter and brown sugar in saucepan over medium heat. Boil for 3 min, stirring constantly.

5. Pour the butter/sugar evenly over the crackers.

6. Heat in oven for 5 minutes.

7. Dump chocolate chips on top of crackers and spread evenly with a spoon.

8. Top with toppings.

9. Cool in fridge for 2 hours or freezer for 20 min.

10. Break into pieces.

11. Keep stored in fridge.

Read more »

Read more »

AKA: Finn finally eats some veggies.

What do you do when you've got tons of pureed vegetables on hand?

You add some butternut squash to your macaroni and cheese recipe.

And whip cauliflower and parsnip into your potato boats.

"What do you mean I don't get any?  I have to eat this stuff STRAIGHT?"

Read more »

You will need:

4 tbsp butter
3 carrots
3 ribs celery
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 1/2 cup flour
1/4 dry sherry
3 cup chicken broth
1 3/4 cup heavy cream
2 bay leaves
3 chicken breasts
1 cup frozen peas
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
salt and pepper

Optional:

2 helpers
2 aprons
0 pants

Preheat oven to 425. Combine in large bowl: 2 cups flour, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt.

Add 1 1/2 cup heavy cream. Look adorable.

Form 8 biscuits.

Wash hands.

Melt butter in dutch oven over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion and a pinch of salt. Cook until soft, about 8 minutes.

Add garlic and thyme. Add 1/2 cup flour. Stir. Add sherry. Stir.  Sneak a carrot.

Add 1 1/4 cup heavy cream.

Add broth, bay leaves. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Add chicken (cut into bite-sized pieces). Simmer 10 more minutes.

Discard bay leaves. Add peas. Pour into 9x13 pan. Place biscuit dough on top. Cook for 20 minutes.

Let cool 10 minutes. Serve.

Enjoy!

Read more »

We had a successful trip to the dentist. No cavities for Ryan or Cael! And Cael was a champ. He got the polish and the foam and everything. I was really proud of how well he sat for it. Plus, he got to be a dental assistant.  He put on the blue gloves and examined Ryan's teeth while Ryan sat in the chair.  Dentist Cael says that Daddy's teeth look like a mustache.  We'll have to have Uncle Dan look into that.

After a long day of playing, the boys needed a little down time.  They learned about how fruit decomposes (I'm glad I missed that episode, ICKY). I am really hoping they don't ask to do the molding pumpkin experiment on their own.  *crosses fingers*  Apparently, Ryan already knows all there is to know and decided he'd skip the lesson.

While they watched things rot, I made dinner. Which was delightful and delightfully easy.* Finn had four helpings and Cael had two!

And then we tucked the boys in bed and made a little something for ourselves. (Don't tell them!)

*Simmer 2 cups heavy cream, 2 tbsp butter, salt, pepper and some Parmesan cheese until thickened (~8 min). Meanwhile, cook chicken, cook pasta, and cook broccoli. Combine! Sprinkle with nutmeg and some extra cheese. Serve to hungry boys.

Read more »

If this isn't your favorite soup it's because you haven't tried it yet.

Not only is it delightfully tasty - it's ridiculously easy to make. Like spaghetti from a jar easy. Really. I'm not kidding. Try it!

You will need:

1 onion
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 can chili beans
1 can black beans, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can tomato sauce (small)
1 bottle of beer (light)
1 packet of taco seasoning
3 chicken breasts

Chop the onion. Toss it in a crockpot. Add everything but the chicken. Stir. Place the chicken on top, then press down until the breasts are barely submerged. (Picture taken before submerged, obviously.)

Cook on low for 5 hours.

Pull the chicken out. Using two forks, pull apart to shred.

Dump it back in. Stir. Cook for 2 more hours (still on low).

Put it in a bow.  Throw on some cheese (cheddar, monterrey jack, both), crushed chips and a liberal helping of sour cream.

Consume!

Read more »

I usually make it a policy not to cook anything that calls for white wine, as I find that leads to having to actually drink the stuff, but I make an enthusiastic exception for this meal. Newly discovered and already one of my very favorites:

Sausage and Fennel Orzotto

We do sweet Italian sausage and half the pepper flakes because that's the way I roll, but I'm sure it's great in its intended form as well.

Read more »

Ryan came home from work and made some Chicken Cordon Bleu breadbowly things that were as tasty as they look.

We're a lucky bunch. ;)

(Recipe!)

Read more »