Scones? Biscuits?

I don't know if these are called scones or biscuits.  I'm not familiar with the differences because I'm a total rookie at baking, so I'm sorry if I'm confusing you.


Whatever they are, they are delicious and perfect to serve alongside a bowl of chili or soup. 


The original recipe is from Betty Crocker, however, I've sort of changed it over time and customized it and made it my own.


It's a perfect "base" recipe.  I've made ham and cheese, just cheese, lemon poppyseed, lemon raspberry, blueberry, lemon blueberry...and so on and so on.  My sister did an apple cinnamon one.....those were good.  I sprinkle the tops with salt before baking if they are a savory one and if they are sweet I do sugar.  I've also made a lemon glaze and when they come out of the oven and are still warm, I put them on a cooling wire rack and pour the glaze over top.


You can really play around with it....and if I can make these and be successful at it, you can too!  Believe me...really easy.   The hardest most frustrating part it cutting in the butter...but that's only because I have no patience and don't like things that take time.


Printable recipe here.


Let me know if you try it and how they turn out!

Betsy's Chili for Slow Cookers

I had a favorite chili recipe I was using, then a Facebook friend sent me this one.  I threw out my other one and replaced it with this one.


It has a couple of weird ingredients in it, but you just have to trust me and try this.


We made it for 17 people on our annual Thanksgiving weekend.  We made two kinds of chili (a healthy turkey one loaded with vegetables and this one) and served it with freshly baked cheese biscuits and spinach salad.  We had sour cream and grated cheddar for those who wanted to top theirs with it.


They both were a hit and absolutely delicious.


Get the printable recipe here for Betsy's Chili.


I'm going to try the turkey and vegetable one at home soon and when I've done that, I'll post that recipe.

Baja Fish Tacos

I'm not a huge seafood fan...I actually don't like it at all, but I like to try new ways to make it hoping I will like it.  I like fish and chips...I like shrimp and I don't mind crab in some things...like stuffed mushrooms and creamy fatty cheese dips....but that's where it stops.


I've tried a few recipes where I liked the fish and this one was one of them.  It's really easy and super fast...my kind of weeknight meal!  This is a version from beantownbaker.com

combine taco seasoning (make it at home...just omit flour and cornstarch), lime juice and orange juice.

add fish

toss to coat and let sit while heating oil in skillet

add to hot oil

meanwhile, cut up an avocado

and add to sour cream

stir until chunky...add salt and pepper to taste (we're really classy and fancy around here, so I served it right in the sour cream container...it's how I roll...just keeping it real)

by then the fish should be done

add coleslaw, avocado mixture and fish to warmed up tortilla and enjoy!!

PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE


Let me know if you try it and how it turned out for you!!

Taco Seasoning

Quit buying it!

You probably have all the ingredients in your cupboard.


I got this from recipezaar.com...supposedly it's a Taco Bell Copy Cat recipe...I don't really ever eat at Taco Bell, so I don't know, but what I do know is it works and we love it.


You'll want to make adjustments according to how spicy you want it.  Also, if you're not adding water to make that thicker type filling, then omit the flour and cornstarch.


1 tablespoon flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon sugar


Combine and store in air-tight container.

To make taco meat, brown 1lb ground beef, drain fat, add seasoning plus 3/4 cup of water.  Bring to boil then reduce heat.  Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.


PRINTABLE RECIPE HERE

October 12 - 15

Okay, here are my meals for this week...



Tuesday - grilled chicken breasts with spinach salad

Wednesday - pita pizzas (what can I say...I love them...and they are easy!  I have lots to do this week, so I'm trying to keep it simple)

Thursday - beef barley soup

Friday - broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken and some sort of vegetable...and maybe rice too...I don't actually know yet.




My sister has invited her family over once a week to help me use up some of my roasts, so that will be our Saturday tradition for a bit.


I, also, plan on attempting perishky (mennonite meat bun things) this weekend...hopefully on Sunday.  I'll let you know how they turn out and if they do, I will post a recipe (although I'm not using a recipe, I'm using verbal directions from my mom...eeeeeek).


Wish me luck!

Philly Beef and Cheese

If you are like me and have approximately 492 roasts in your freezer, you are always looking for a different way to serve roast.


I get sick of just plain roast or beef dip and Ben doesn't really like bbq beef sandwiches, so I'm always on the hunt for trying it a new way.


I was looking around the internet and saw many variations and different versions of this one and got a little overwhelmed.  I decided to go home and make up my own based on all the recipes I saw.  I wanted something easy and quick and that is exactly what this is.


I put my roast in my slow cooker that morning with some beef broth.  I cooked it on low all day while I was at work.  When I got home, I took it out of the slow cooker and let it cool....then I shredded it.

Then I mixed mayonnaise, minced garlic, salt, pepper and parmesan in a bowl.

And because marble was the only cheese I had, I used that.  If you are wondering why I only had marble...you can read part of that story near the end of this post.  I normally would have used swiss, provolone or havarti for this.

In a skillet I sauteed onions, green peppers and mushrooms (mmm....I love that combo) until soft.

Then on panini buns (you could easily use subs too) I spread the garlic mayo, added the cheese and shredded roast beef.

I broiled them in the oven until the cheese was all melted and gooey.  When they came out of the oven, I piled the green pepper mixture on them and served it with a mixed green salad.

Yeah...it was pretty flavorful and delicious!  The best part though was how fast and easy and simple it all was.  A perfect weekday meal for the busy person.

Pita Pizzas

This is one of my "go to" meals.  It's what I make when I'm feeling lazy or don't know what to do.


It also works well for a "treat" when I have my niece or nephew over because they find it fun to "build your own pizza".


I make mine different each time because I generally use what I have on hand.  I didn't need to buy anything extra to make this dinner.  It's fun to be creative and see what you come up with.


I love thin crust pizzas so I use the thin pitas.  Ben likes the real pitas better and sometimes I buy them for him, but the "pocket" pitas were what I had in the freezer this time.

On my pita I brushed olive oil....sometimes I do pizza sauce, but I felt this pizza called for olive oil.

Then I sprinkled oregano, thyme, basil....

...and a little parmesan cheese.  I didn't leave it like that...I actually did spread it out a bit more. 

Because I had roasted chicken deli meat already, I chopped it up and added it.  Normally I would probably use real meat...I'm not the biggest fan of deli meat.

I love artichoke hearts...I have one of those costco size jars in the fridge.  I chopped some up and added them...

...and some feta as well.

And because I was feeling extra naughty, I added a little extra parmesan on top again.  Look at the pizza, not the mess around it, please. 

I forgot to take a picture of it, but I did add some pineapple on top...I love pineapple on pizza.


Bake it in the oven for about 20ish minutes at 400F.  It's a preference thing...sometimes I forget about them too and then we have extra crispy pizzas...mmmm.

Then cut it into quarters and it's perfect!  Everyone can have their own individual pizza to suit their taste.


That's why it works so perfect for Ben and I.  I like mine different.  I, also, like to put the cheese at the bottom if I'm doing a more traditional pizza with mozzarella.


Ben likes more "normal" pizzas...pepperoni and mushroom, meat lovers...those kind...and he likes his cheese on top.  We can't share pizza...we don't like the same kind...ever.


Here's a picture of Ben's...

We normally don't have "marble" cheese in this house. I don't understand marble cheese, so I don't really like it.  I don't eat cheese I don't understand.  We would normally have some mozzarella kicking around but the grocery store was out of it.  Weird right?  Who runs out of mozza?  I'm not even sure what made me get marble instead.  I normally would just leave it or get havarti or provolone or something completely different...not marble.


Maybe it was a full moon.