Roasted Broccoli

This is the best broccoli I have ever put in my mout....mmm...mmm.mmmm:-)

Cut fresh broccoli up into bite size pieces  spread on cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper and crushed garlic...mix together. Bake in pre-heated 425 oven for about 15-20 minutes...turning once. Once the broccoli is fork tender and starting to brown, it's done. Pull it out and squeeze a little lemon juice all over it...and shred a little fresh parmesan on top too....YUM!!!!

Parsley Garlic Grilled Chicken

So, I totally bought parsley instead of cilantro...OOPS! Had to make up a recipe....and it turned out AWESOME!!!

Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1 cup fresh parsley
2 tbsp soy sauce
4 garlic cloves (roughly chopped)
3 tbs olive oil
2 tbsp teriyaki sauce
few dashes of pepper
few dashes of Thai chili sauce

Mix everything above in a food processor (except chicken)...then pour marinade over chicken and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Grill chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until chicken is done...ENJOY!!!
This is really a great recipe....doesn't need any sauce or anything to go with the chicken. It's healthy too!!!

Mummy Cupcakes

These were super simple...and they turned out super cute! I just made a regular batch of chocolate cupcakes and put the icing on in a mummy pattern. Then I added black gel dots and red sugar dots for hte eyes...that's it!!!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

These are pretty darn tasty! I was suprised:-) Super easy too!!!

First off...Happy Halloween everyone!!! Here is our pumpkin this year:-)

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:

Scoop seeds out of pumpkin and rinse under cold water...getting all of the stringy stuff off of them.
Spread out on roasting pan and sprinkle with salt, cumin, garlic powder and chili powder. Toss together to coat all of the seeds and roast in 350 oven for about 30 minutes....or until the seeds are toasted brown. They will smell awesome too....so you will know they are done:-) I tossed them around on the pan about half way through the cooking. ENJOY!

Beef Stew

Perfect Fall Supper!!!

Ingredients:

• 1 lbs boneless chuck roast, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp freshly ground pepper
• 1 yellow onions, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 2-3 tbsp cup flour
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 3 cups beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 3 carrots, peeled, cut into 1-inch slices
• 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cut in eighths

DIRECTIONS

1. On medium-high heat, add the vegetable oil to a large heavy pot (one that has a tight fitting lid).
   
2. When it begins to smoke slightly, add the beef and brown very well. Add the salt and pepper as the beef browns.
   
3. Once browned, remove the beef and set aside.
   
4. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes, until softened.
   
5. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add the flour and cook for 2 minutes stirring often.
   
6. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
   
7. Add wine and deglaze the pan, scraping any brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. The flour will start to thicken the wine as it comes to a simmer.
   
8. Simmer wine for 5 minutes, and then add the broth, bay leaves, thyme, and the beef.
   
9. Bring back to a gentle simmer, cover and cook on very low for about 1 hour.
   
10. Add potatoes and carrots and simmer covered for another 30 minutes or until the meat and vegetables are tender. Taste and adjust seasoning.
    
11. Turn off heat and let sit for 15 minutes before serving. 

ENJOY! This is wonderful stew!!!

Re-fried Beans (Crockpot)

I LOVE re-fried beans. It has taken me a few tries....but I have finally figured out how to make them just the way I like them:-) They are delicious!!!!!!

I didn't use measurements....so bare with me on this. You might have to just play with the seasoning until you get it just the way you like it.

Ingredients:
Dried pinto beans (about 2 cups)
1/2 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp dried onion
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp chopped jalapeno
2-3 cups of water

Directions:
Put beans into crockpot. Cover them with water. You want the water about 1/2 inch about the beans. Add all of your seasonings and stir. Cover and turn on high for 5-6 hours or until beans are tender. You might have to add water as they cook if they look like they are getting a little dry. Once the beans are tender, get a spoon and spoon out extra moisture(keep on the side in a bowl). Mash the beans with a fork...or potato masher...or heck, you could probably use a blender..lol. I used a fork which I am sure is the hardest way...but it worked! Once you have them all mashed up you can add back in the sauce that you took out...as need to get the right texture of the beans.

These are really yummy!!!! I am not sure my hispanic friends would approve...lol. I might be doing em' all wrong:-) But they ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sloppy Joes

Who doesn't love sloppy joes??? YUM!!! I have always bought the can stuff....but tonight decided I would make my own. It's so easy...and is SOOOO much better than the can stuff. Try this...and you will never eat the can stuff again. Not to mention it's much healthier for you when not used from the can. The more processed the worse it is for you:-(

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1 small yellow onion (chopped)
3/4 cup ketchup
pepper
1 1/2 tbsp mustard
1 1/2 tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 tsp garlic (dried)
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp BBQ sauce
1 tbsp vinegar (any kind will do)

Directions:
Saute onion for a few minutes in pan (with a bit of olive oil) and then add the beef. Cook until done...then drain grease and return beef to pan. Add in all remaining ingredients...stir...taste (you might need to tweek it a little to your liking). Simmer for about 15 minutes...serve open face on buns. Toast in oven with cheese on top. YUMMY!!!!!

I added a little BBQ sauce for flavor...but if you leave out the BBQ sauce it's more like the regular sloppy joe flavor.

Kids will eat these bad boys up! Hope your family enjoys these as much as we do!!!