Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A New Project

I have mentioned my mother’s family cookbook before..the one entitled “Shaw Family Favorites.”

You can see the state that mine is in here.

I have mentioned blogging through this cookbook. Now, after some thought, I realize that I am incredibly picky..and so is my husband. And after reading Julie & Julia, I just don’t think blogging all the way through ONE cookbook is a great idea.

But, I have a new plan….

I am going to cook (and blog about) 100 recipes from the Shaw family cookbook over the next year.

100 recipes by July 1, 2012.

You heard it here.

I don’t think that will be too bad. It’s a little less than 2 recipes a week.

So get ready to see some Shaw family delights!!

Recipe 1 is on it’s way tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Lil Chef



This is what went on in my kitchen this afternoon. I was doing some baking and cooking and I guess Joseph decided to join in. Luckily he did not open my new bread flour and went after some old corn meal mix (that I really needed to throw out anyway. You can't see it, but he actually had a measuring cup out too.


With a face like that, how can you be mad?


Monday, June 27, 2011

Pretty Dog

Shelby may have his neuroses, but dang....isn't he a pretty dog?

No wonder people always think he's a girl....

That and the fact that we named him "Shelby"....which brings about thoughts of a certain Steel Magnolia....

It's still better than "Chester."

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Hazelnut Twists

Hazelnut Twists

Now, it doesn’t get any easier than this. While these look all fancy smancy, they are nothing more than nutella and hazelnuts sandwiched between two layers of crescent rolls, cut, twisted, and baked in muffin tins.

I baked these last weekend while we were at my parents. We had them for breakfast, but I think they would make a great snack or even dessert. I got the recipe out of my Pillsbury cookbook 2003 (of course I did…do I have any other cookbooks?)

Here’s what you need (makes 8):

2 cans crescent rolls (or the baking sheets…you know basically crescent rolls without the perforations)

½ c nutella (or other hazelnut and cocoa spread)

½ c chopped hazelnuts (filberts)

Roll out one can of rolls and press perforations to seal (see why the baking sheets are handy?)

Mix nutella and chopped nuts

Spread on dough sheet to within ¼ inch of outer edge.

Roll out 2nd crescent roll sheet and press perforations to seal.

Lay 2nd sheet on top of spread mixture.

Seal edges.

Cut lengthwise into 8 strips.

Twist each strip onto itself into a coil and then plop twist into a greased muffin tin.

Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes.

I thought they were fantastic, but I tend to be obsessed with all things containing nutella.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Dukes of Hazard?



Not only is my child a "One Shoe Bandit," but he also thinks he is on Dukes of Hazard.

I promise that both doors aren't welded shut...

Way to use your problem solving skills, bud.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Garden Update

It’s been about 2 months since we planted our little backyard garden. I would love to say that it has flourished, but I would be lying. I think this is going to be a learning year and I will be happy if we get anything much out of it. I don’t know why I thought I would be good at gardening….I stink at keeping houseplants alive. I’m much better at animals. Don’t ever believe that if you can’t keep a plant alive that you shouldn’t have a pet….they are much different.

I do have a tomato that is already turning pink…so that is a good thing. And my cherry tomato started putting on little tomatoes over the weekend. So YAY!

We had some bird/varmit issues and had to put up a scarecrow. Just about all our carrot plants, all of our lettuce and spinach and a good bit of the radishes were damaged. L But we haven’t had any problems with that since putting up the scarecrow. I’ve thrown some miracle grow on it a couple of times and that has helped it out a lot as well.

I have added 4 pepper plants (green bell, fat n sassy bell, poblano, and banana). I wanted a jalapeño, but I couldn’t find one, so I put an acorn squash in its place. I have no idea if I like acorn squash but the nursery had a plant for $1, so I thought why not?

Anyway, here are some pictures of how our little garden is progressing….




My precious little bell pepper

The one shoe bandit loves to help water.


This little radish was plucked from the ground yesterday and eaten....by a munchkin.

He really wants to pick the tomatoes....

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Not Your Usual Chicken Tacos

Sorry...I only remembered to take a picture after I had started chowing down!

I found this recipe on my Betty Crocker calendar. I have been trying to make each monthly recipe. This one was actually from May, so I was a touch behind. I have to say that I didn’t know how it would go over. It has baked beans on it….I’m not a huge fan of baked beans and neither is Michael, but I decided to give it a shot. The recipe looked easy and quick which I love for weeknight meals. I modified the recipe a little for what I had on hand.

Here’s what you need (makes 6 tacos):

1 ½ to 2 cups Chicken breast strips (I baked a chicken breast for mine, but then Joseph ate most of it, so I ended up using frozen grilled chicken strips from Tyson so that I would have enough…worked fine)

½ tsp cumin

½ tsp paprika

1 cup BBQ baked beans (from the can)

1 cup shredded cheddar

3 strips bacon, cooked

6 taco shells

Combine chicken, cumin, and paprika. Stir to coat chicken.

Spoon chicken evenly into shells.

Top with beans, cheese, and bacon.

Bake at 400 for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted and shells start to brown.

Give these a try. I really did like them and Michael even liked them. It's also a great way to use leftover baked beans from summer cookouts...hint hint, Mom! :)

Enjoy!!

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Old Timer's Day 2011

This past weekend we went back to my hometown for Old Timer's Day at my church. This was the 10th one...hard to believe. I'm sure when my parents got this thing started, they never believed they would still be doing it 10 years later.

You may be wondering what the heck I am talking about. Well, Old Timer's Day is a get together (for lack of a better word) at Walnut Grove Church in South Fulton, TN. There is an antique tractor show, a BBQ lunch, a tractor ride (or parade), and homemade ice cream. Basically people from probably about a 50 mile radius bring tractors (usually have about 40ish, but this year it rained, so the numbers were down) and folks from around the area come out and look at the tractors and sit and talk. It's a great day and even more fun now that Joseph is big enough to enjoy it.

The J Man himself with his Naner and PawPaw


Family photo

The storm that threatened to ruin the day


This is Joseph's very favorite thing...a lawn tractor that my dad fashioned into a cart. He built the wagon part out of some old floorboards.

Joseph and Michael ready to go on the tractor ride.

He didn't even go to sleep and the ride lasted over an hour. He's made of some stern stuff, that one.


Dad leading the parade out of the church parking lot on his Oliver 77.


YUMMY ice cream. There was strawberry, banana, vanilla, and chocolate.

It was another successful day despite the rain. We still had plenty of people come out and more than enough food and ice cream to satisfy everyone.

Joseph had a blast. He loved riding on the tractors and started chasing after anyone who cranked one up. He thought he should always get to ride. He was also a big fan of the strawberry and banana ice cream.

If you are ever in West Tennessee or Western Kentucky the 3rd Saturday in June, you should come and check it out.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Strawberry Margarita Pie

My mom actually picked this recipe out of my Pillsbury Annual Recipes 2003 Cookbook (as I've said before...best cookbook ever!). My parents have a couple of rows in their garden of strawberries. So, they tend of have frozen strawberries galore. I suppose you can only eat so much shortcake. This recipe is a great one for frozen strawberries. I told her that I would make it and blog it so that she could have the recipe. It got 2 thumbs up from both Michael and I.

Here's what you need:

Crust (the crust is divine!)
1 1/4 c crushed pretzels
1/2 c butter, melted
1/4 c sugar

Filling:
16 oz frozen strawberries, thawed (I just noticed that the original called for 10 oz...but I used 16...do what you want)
1/2 c frozen margarita mix, thawed (I used limeade...it was 2 dollars cheaper...probably should have thrown some orange juice or triple sec in there, but I didn't and it was still tasty.)
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup heavy cream, whipped

Combine crust ingredients and press into the bottom of an ungreased 8 or 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate while making filling.

Whisk strawberries to make sure they are good and broken up.

Stir in margarita mix and sweetened condensed milk.

Fold in whipped cream.

Pour over crust.

Cover and freeze for at least 3 hours.

Slice and serve.

Note: Do you need the extra whipped cream and strawberries as pictured above? Goodness no...but it made for a pretty picture. I personally think you can never have enough whipped cream. It's kinda like buttercream...never too much.

Oh and Mom, it tastes a lot like those little frozen thingys you make at Thanksgiving and Christmas. You'll love it.