Decoupage Pumpkin

I am always on the lookout for easy crafts.  I found one of the easiest crafts to do WITH YOUR KIDS.    I had one of those small real pumpkins, that are pretty impossible to carve. Did I mention this project is super cheap, almost free if you already own a bottle of Mod Podge.  I saw this project on t.v., but could not remember.  So I googled it and found directions over at Make and Takes.

What you will need:

Mod Podge

2-3 sheets of tissue paper

Small Pumpkin

Take your tissue paper and cut several banana shaped cut outs.  Coat the back of the paper with a thin coat of your mod podge.  You can do 2-3 at a time, but don't do to many because the paper needs to be wet when it is applied.  Press the paper to the pumpkin and carefully smooth out any air bubbles, but don't worry about wrinkles.  Continue til the pumpkin is covered.  Let is dry about 15 minutes and then do a top coat of mod podge.  The design opportunities are endless.  You can add an initial, or pictures.  I have a safari bathroom, so I choose a cheetah print with a bow on top.

Kettle Cooked Cajun Potato Chips

Have you ever purchased those kettle potato chips at the store?  They are my favorite chips.  I usually purchase the plain chips and sprinkle Cajun seasoning on top of them, delicious!  However, last night I forgot to pick up my bag of chips at the store, so I thought I could make my own.  I googled and found a recipe over at www.lifesambrosia.com.  Her recipe is super easy and all you need is potatoes, 1 1/2 cups of oil and seasoning.  Also, your kids will think you are really cool for making homemade potato chips.

What you will need:

3-4 potatoes thinly sliced

1 1/2 cups of vegetable oil

Your choice of seasoning

You will need a heavy two quart sauce pan.  Heat the oil over medium high heat.  While the oil is heating up, I peeled and sliced my potatoes.  I used my food processor, that has a slicing blade.  Once the oil is hot, place some of the potato slices in the oil.  You will cook them for about 6 minutes, depending how thick your slices are.  Mine were pretty thin and took about 4 minutes.  Once they are done, take them out and place on a plate lined with paper towels.  While they are hot add your seasoning, so it will stick.  I used Cajun seasoning.  However, you can have fun and try all kinds of seasoning (curry, sea salt, etc).



Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

I found this recipe at Tanya's blog the Sunday Baker. These are my kids favorite chocolate chip cookies. Kids love them because they are so simple yummy cookies. I love that they have pudding in the mix to help the cookies stay moist all week. I hate when I bake cookies and the next day they are hard as a rock. This recipe makes 8 dozen cookies, so you may want to cut it in half.
What you will need:

4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 t. baking soda

1-1/2 c butter (3 sticks) softened

1-1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

1/2 c. white sugar

2 (3.4 oz.) pkgs. instant vanilla pudding

4 eggs, room temp

2 t. vanilla extract

4 c. of add-ins (like chocolate chips, m&m's, nuts, chopped candy bars)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir together flour and baking soda in seperate bowl and set aside; in a large bowl, cream butter, brown and white sugar. Beat in pudding mix until well blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. When smooth, slowly add in the flour mixture, mix completely. Finally, add the chocolate chips, or the add-in of your choice. 

Smoothered Cube Steak Casserole

Don't be fooled by the ugly picture.  This casserole is yummy.  It is a Sunday comfort meal at its best. I like to cook with cube steaks at least twice a month.  They are affordable and kid friendly.  The casserole has just a few ingredients, and it is simple to cook.  I saw this recipe over at Siggy Spice, and am I glad I tried it.  It is now in the family dinner rotation.

What you will need:
4-6 cube steaks
1 packet dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cans water
1 c. Minute rice (brown or white, I use brown)
flour, salt & pepper

Mix flour, salt & pepper. Dredge cube steaks through flour. Brown cube steaks on both sides in a skillet of hot oil. You do not need to cook all the way through, just brown both sides.  Transfer cube steaks to a 9x13 baking dish. Mix soups & water together. Pour over cube steaks. Sprinkle rice over all (aiming most to be in the liquid portion). Cover with foil & bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. 

Mommy's Kitchen Peanut Butter Balls

Peanut Butter Balls

I am always on the look for something healthy and yummy to put in my kid's lunches.  Mommy's Kitchen has some of my favorite food blog recipes.  I have had this recipe for a few months and was hesitant on trying it, thinking my kids would not like it (too healthy for my kids).  What was I thinking, these little treats are delicious!  An EASY recipe, that your kids can help you make in the kitchen.  Another perk, they are no bake so you don't have to worry about heating up the house.

What you will need:
1 - cup honey
1 1/2 - cups creamy peanut butter
2 - cups dry powdered milk
3 - cups quick or old fashioned oatmeal, uncooked
1 - 2 - tablespoons wheat germ
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Mix all together (except chocolate chips) with hand mixer. If you use chocolate chips, and them after you mix.  Form into balls with hands and freeze on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper until firm (about an hour). Remove from freezer and store in a large zip lock bag in the refrigerator.

Come on, could it be any easier?

The Pioneer Woman's Pork Sandwiches with Cilantro-Jalapeno Slaw

I love food blogs, and one of my favorites is Ree Drummond's.  I love her step by step process, pretty pictures and funny wit.  I also love cilantro, so when I saw her recipe for pork sandwiches with cilantro-jalapeno slaw, I knew it was a keeper. You can also put your leftover pulled pork on tortillas to make delicious fajitas.   

The Pioneer Woman cooked her pork roast in the oven.  However, with temperatures reaching 109 down here, I cooked mine in the crock pot.

Pork Sandwiches with Cilantro-Jalapeno Slaw

Here is what you will need:

• 1 whole Onion, Peeled And Quartered
• 1 whole Pork Butt (pork Shoulder Roast)
• Salt And Pepper
• 1 can (11 Ounce) Chipotle Peppers In Adobo Sauce
• 2 cans Cola (Dr Pepper, Coke, Etc.)
• 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
• 12 whole Good Quality Kaiser Or Deli Rolls
• 12 Tablespoons Butter
• 1/2 head Cabbage, Sliced Thin
• 1/2 head Purple Cabbage, Sliced Thin
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Halved Lengthwise And Thinly Sliced
• 1/2 cup Whole Milk
• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon White Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2 cups Cilantro Leaves, Barely Chopped

Start by placing your onions in the crockpot.  Then put in your pork roast and generously salt and pepper.   

Pour the can of chipotle peppers over the pork (include the sauce.) Pour in both cans of Dr Pepper. Add brown sugar to the juice and stir in.

Put your lid on your crockpot, and set to low.  Cook for 8-10 hours depending on the size and temperature of your crockpot.  Mine took 9 hours.  If you are home, flip the roast two or three times while its cooking.

Remove meat from pot. Use two forks to shred meat, and throw away any large pieces of fat. Strain as much of the fat off the top of the cooking liquid as you can and discard it. Return the shredded meat to the cooking liquid, and keep warm until ready to serve.

Cilantro-Jalapeno Slaw

Combine shredded cabbage and sliced jalapenos in a bowl. In a separate bowl mix milk, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and cayenne. Pour over cabbage. Toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate two hours.
Before serving, toss in cilantro leaves.