No bake oatmeal cookie balls (also could be considered lactation cookies)

http://www.tasteandtellblog.com/no-bake-oatmeal-cookie-balls/

I'm kind of addicted to these right now. I add brewers yeast, coconut oil, and ground flax. Delicious.

Red Sauce Enchiladas

SUPER EASY!

Brown one pound ground beef, mixed with minced onion and garlic powder (to your taste). Drain.  Stir in one can refried beans (I use fat free ones) and 8 oz taco sauce (I use mild). Stir and warm up.

Pour half of large can of enchilada sauce (I use mild) into bottom of 9x13" pan.

Place a scoop or two of ground beef mixture in tortilla, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over it, roll up tortilla. Place into pan on top of sauce.  Makes 10-12 enchiladas.

Pour rest of enchilada sauce over all of the rolled tortillas. (Sometimes I have to use another small can, it's up to you how saucy you want them. I make sure ALL of the tortillas have red sauce on them or they will dry out).  Sprinkle with shredded cheese (it's up to you how much, don't overdo it!).

Bake in 350 degree oven for around 30 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. Remove foil, back till cheese is melted.

Let rest for 5 or so minutes. Serve with shredded lettuce and sour cream.

Rachel + Bekah update

Ok I know this is meant to be a FOOD blog but im a leader not a follower....lol:P haha just kidding. anyways Rebekah and I just wanted to say Hi to all of you guys and tell you we are doing just dandy:D LOVE YOU GUYS TONS......Speck and Dote a.k.a Rachel and Rebekah.

Homemade Chicken Fingers

This is a DJ and Danielle recipe. I'm not a big fan of chicken at times, it has to be cooked and seasoned just right for me to be able to eat it, so we came up with this idea and I think it is awesome! We are making it again tonight.

You will need:
Bread crumbs, seasoning, and chicken

We used about 3/4 cup bread crumbs
1 cube "MiniCubes Cilantro Seasoning", found in the Spanish Foods section
1 tablespoon Lemon Pepper
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

This made enough for 2 chicken breast with a little left over. I didn't measure everything out so this is all just guessing and to taste. We cut the chicken into strips and coated them in the breading and fried in oil until chicken was cooked through (ours got a little burnt, but it was still good!).

Tonight we are  going to play with other flavors :)

Spinach Lasagna Rolls

What You Need

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1-1/4 cups KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Whole Milk Mozzarella Cheese, divided

1/4 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

6 lasagna noodles, cooked

2 cups  spaghetti sauce

Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.
MIX cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup mozzarella and Parmesan until well blended; spread onto noodles. Roll up tightly.
PLACE, seam-sides down, in 9-inch square baking dish; top with sauce and remaining mozzarella.
BAKE 30 min. or until heated through.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Variation

Save 30 calories and 5g fat per serving by preparing with PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese and KRAFT 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese.

Special Extra

Stir chopped fresh basil and/or sliced mushrooms into sauce before using as directed.

This one is really yummy and super easy! You could probably do just about any combo that you think would be good. We made a pizza variation of this once. Just noodles, pizza sauce, pepperoni, and cheese. Awesome!

Homeade Alfredo

Made this last night and we are eating leftovers today. Justin really liked this. I added in my suggestions in the text :)

 

 

3/4 lb. spaghetti, uncooked

3 cups  small broccoli florets

3 carrots (3/4 lb.), cut into thin slices

Mushrooms (opt)

8 oz. pkg. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, cubed

2 cup milk

1/3 cup  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/2 tsp.  garlic powder or crushed garlic clove

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

(I even added some seasoned salt, and whatever looked good)

Make It

COOK spaghetti in large saucepan as directed on package, adding vegetables to the boiling water the last 3 min. Or boil veggies in a seperate pot just a few minutes.
MEANWHILE, cook remaining ingredients in saucepan on medium-low heat until cream cheese is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring occasionally.
DRAIN spaghetti mixture; return to pan. Add sauce; toss to coat.

Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese.

Special Extra

Prepare as directed, adding 1 cup thawed frozen peas and 1/4 cup crumbled cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon or 1/4 cup OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits to the sauce. Cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Special Extra

Stir in 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 1/8 tsp. white pepper.

Grilled Garden Salad

I also got this recipe from kraftfoods.com
Because squash and zuccini are plentiful in the summer I thought this was perfect. We had this as a main dish, and we enjoyed it, but next time I would make it as a side. Becuase it's only veggies, beware that it will "go right through you" (if you get what I mean ;). Good flavor and really good use of extra veggies! I really liked the dressing as well. Oh, and we also added mushrooms (grilled a bit, too.) And we grilled everything on our George Forman and pancake griddle :)

What You Need

2 ear corn on the cob, husks and silk removed

2 small  yellow squash, each cut lengthwise into 3 slices

2 small zucchini, each cut lengthwise into 3 slices

2   tomatoes, chopped

1/3 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

2 Tbsp.  lemon juice

1 clove garlic, minced

3 Tbsp.  KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

Make It

HEAT grill to medium-high heat.
GRILL corn 15 min. or until kernels are browned and tender, turning occasionally; cool slightly. Meanwhile, grill squash and zucchini 5 min. or until tender, turning occasionally.
CUT kernels off cobs; place in medium bowl. Chop squash and zucchini. Add to corn with tomatoes; mix lightly.
MIX dressing, lemon juice and garlic. Add to vegetable mixture; mix lightly. Top with Parmesan and basil.

Kitchens Tips

Special Extra

Add 6 slices crumbled cooked OSCAR MAYER Bacon to corn kernels with dressing and remaining ingredients.

Asian-Style Lettuce Wraps

Okay, I was very leary of these at first, but Justin insisted that they would be good. Even with Boca burgers. We tried it and I was impressed. Pretty good and filling ( I ate 2 and was good). I did use less dressing than suggested beacuse I saw it on the reviews, so go light with that, but otherwise very good.

 

What You Need

2 cups frozen BOCA Ground Crumbles

1/2 cup  KRAFT Light Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups  shredded cabbage

4 green onions, sliced

8 large  Boston lettuce leaves (we used regular lettuce...it's all good)

Make It

COOK crumbles, dressing and garlic in large nonstick skillet on medium heat 5 min., stirring occasionally.
ADD cabbage and onions; cook and stir 3 min. or until cabbage is wilted.
SPOON onto lettuce leaves; roll up tightly.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Substitute up to 1/2 cup chopped cilantro for the onions.

30 minute shrimp and suasage gumbo

We loved this! I know it's not the "real" southern dish, and I don't think it took just 30 minutes, but we enjoyed it just the same. The shrimp is the most expensive thing, we ended up buying frozen and it was ok. We had to clean it though. Or you could leave it out all together. Also, I was very leary of okra at first, but it had a good flavor just following the directions. Also curtisy of kraftfoods.com.

what you need

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/4 cup  flour

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

1/2 cup  chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 clove  garlic, minced

1 pkg. (14 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Turkey Smoked Sausage, sliced

1 can  (14-1/2 oz.) diced tomatoes, drained

1 can (14-1/2 oz.) condensed chicken broth

1 pkg.  (10 oz.) frozen okra, thawed, sliced

1 small bay leaf

1/4 tsp.  dried thyme leaves

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp.  black pepper

1/2 lb. cleaned medium shrimp

6 cups  hot cooked rice

Make It

MELT butter in large skillet on medium-high heat. Stir in flour. Cook 4 minutes or until golden brown, stirring frequently. Add green pepper, onion, celery and garlic; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
ADD turkey sausage, tomatoes, broth, okra, bay leaf and thyme; stir until well blended. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
STIR in shrimp; cook 5 minutes or until shrimp are opaque, stirring frequently. Remove and discard bay leaf. Spoon over hot rice.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Substitute 1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen cut green beans for the okra.

Stuffed Shells

First off, I get a lot of recipes from kraftrecipes.com. If you sign up (it's free), you can put recipes in a "recipe box", create shopping lists, and read comments about the recipes, thereby giving you a better idea about it. Just a  suggestion.

For this recipe there were over 300 reviews so I knew from those it would be good. It was pretty healthy as well!



Stuffed Shells

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

1 container  (16 oz.) BREAKSTONE'S FREE or KNUDSEN FREE Fat Free Cottage Cheese

1 red pepper, chopped

1   egg white

1 env. (0.7 oz.) GOOD SEASONS Italian Dressing Mix

1 cup  KRAFT Shredded Low-Moisture Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese, divided

20 jumbo macaroni shells (for stuffing), cooked, drained and cooled

1 jar  (13-1/2 oz.) spaghetti sauce

 (I also added some chopped zuccini and mushrooms. This extended it and also tasted great! We made close to 30 shells)

Make It

HEAT oven to 400°F.
COMBINE first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella; spoon into shells.
SPREAD half the sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish. Place shells in dish; top with remaining sauce and mozzarella. Cover.
BAKE 40 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 30 min.

Here is the link if you want to read the reviews...
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/stuffed-shells-52713.aspx

Easy Sweet and Sour Meal

I don't have a picture of it, but it is very simple. Most of it is up to you and what your tastebuds prefer.

You will need:
Pineapple (chunks or tidbits)
Green Bell Pepper, sliced into "finger food" size (Red taste awesome too but are more expensive)
Coconut (shredded. Optional)
Rice
Meat (Also opt. I have used - sandwich turkey slices, pepperoni, and chicken. Ham would probably be good too)
Oil
Sweet and Sour sauce (if you do not want to make it, I found "La Choy" brand is really good)

Get your rice cooking. Put oil in large frying pan and heat over med. Once it is hot add pineapple, green pepper, coconut, and meat (if using raw meat cook before you add). I like to get the meat and pineapple a little browned. Once it is all heated through and everything is to your liking (about 10 min. give or take) put the wonderful mixture over rice, add a little sweet and sour sauce, and enjoy!

DJ and I have made this a lot because we love the flavors and it is really easy. Good on a budget too :)

Molasses Cookies

ok! these are the best!!! I've made them before and family loved them, Phillip loves them I know. So heres go's nothing....

COOKIES
1/2 C. Oil
1 C. Rapunzle
1 lg. Egg (or 3 T. applesause)
1/2 t. Salt
1/3 C. Malasses
2- 2 1/4 C. WW Flour
2 t. bkg. Soda
2 t. Cinnamon, ginger, and cardmom (2 t. of each thing)

MIX
1/3 C. Rapunzle
1 t. Cinnamon
(mix in a small bowl, with just these two)


Mix in order. when all mixed, make balls 1 inch to 1 and 1/4 inch , then roll the balls in the "MIX" so the balls are covered in the mixture. Place cookies apart 3 inches on cookie sheat. Bake 6-9 mins. when done, pull out of oven and hit the bottom of the sheat and then take off sheat and place on a rack to cool off. when you pull them out of the oven, they need to be soft. they will harden a LOT.
bake at 350.

Cabbage Potato dish

Okay, so i'll admit that this dish doesn't look very nice, but it does taste yummy. It's dutch and Justin's Grandma showed me how to make it. It's good for a tight budget, it makes a ton, and it taste really good as leftovers, too (I think better than day 1). I also love cabbage so this made it extra yummy.

3 med potatoes
1 head of cabbage, chopped up/shredded
1 onion
approx 1 cup cheese, any kind (really whatever you have, and any amount, see what you like.)
ketchup
any tomato product (canned, salsa, verde...anything!)

Peel and cut up the potatoes into bite size pieces and boil.
While that is boiling cut up and saute the onion in a wok with a little oil or butter.
Add the cut up cabbage (it will fill the wok, it makes a lot, but it also cooks down!) and some water, half cup or whatever you need so it doesnt stick or burn.
Let that cook down then add the potatoes, cheese, some ketchup or tomato product and stir. It will be saucey, which is nice. The cheese will get stringy. It's kind of a stew, but not. Either way it tastes good and it's cheap to make!

I Need HELP!! any Ideas?

So as some of you know I am at home with dad by myself while mom is out of town with the girls having an AMAZING time........but Hopefully she'll be back soon because I'm not much of a homemaker.

But anyways......do any of you have some good ideas for fast easy meals that I can make for us in just a few minutes? I feel bad because most of the time I am running and he is making most of the food.

Also any good ideas for something I could do for him on Fathers day. Luckily Danielle and DJ are coming down on Sunday and so it wont be just us 2 but still I want to do something special for dad to let him know how amazing he really is.

Thanks girls!! Love ya bunches!!
~Tabi~

Welcome!

Hey Sisters! Welcome to our first blog together! I'll send out the password and info for you to access this and post. Feel free to post recipes (pictures please!), date ideas, good books and or movies. Have fun!