Cake Mix Cookies

A cake mix cookie is the perfect cookie to make when you're having a craving but don't want to work hard!  I made these one rainy afternoon when I was all by my lonesome in the house and the kids were at school.  I was watching old episodes of "The Walking Dead" and I needed a sweet treat, lol.  So, after perusing my cupboards and realizing I had a cake mix and was too lazy to make cookies from scratch, I whipped these chewy darlings up!  Now, be forwarned, these cookies are a mix between cookies and cake, so they're cakey, chewy, and best served warm with a cup of milk or hot chocolate.  Also, you can substitute what ever cake mix flavor you have on hand. 

Ingredients:

- 1 box Cake mix (I used chocolate fudge)
- 1 stick butter, softened
- 2 Eggs
- 1 C. Chocolate chips (optional)

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Toss your cake mix into the bowl, add your butter, and eggs and mix until combined.  This is a VERY sticky, tough batter.  If you find you can't mix it well, you can add a bit of oil to smooth is out.  But I find you get a tastier cookie without the oil. 

2.  Once combined, toss in your chips and combine again.  Now drop by spoonfuls onto your cookie sheet.  You do not need to grease your cookie sheet.  Bake the cookies for 8-12 minutes depending on your oven. 

3.  Remove, allow to cool for a couple of minutes.

Here's the final product....

Very moist, and like I said, PERFECT with a cold glass of milk!  Enjoy!

Italian Style Meatloaf

I love a good meatloaf and this one is a favorite of mine and my husbands!  You still get the comfort of the meal, but you have that nice twist on your regular ol meatloaf. Also, by using dry stuffing mix in place of the bread crumbs, you get a lot more flavor with less ingredients.  Pair this with some mashed potatoes and a nice veggie, and you have one delicious comfort meal!

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
- 1 pkg. dry Stuffing Mix
- 1 can Italian style tomatoes, drained
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 2 small onions, finely diced
- 2 Eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 can Pasta sauce
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Directions:

1.   In a large bowl, toss in your ground beef, onions, stuffing mix, tomatoes, and garlic.  Beat your eggs and toss them in as well.  Now take 1/4 cup of the pasta sauce and add that to the bowl.  Also toss in a generous handful of the shredded cheese. (Then when you realize your bowl's not big enough to mix, change bowls, lol)

2.  Time to get your hands dirty!  Get in there and mix everything together.  Make sure it's well combined. 

3.  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Place your meat mixture into a well sprayed pan and shape into a loaf. 

4.  Bake your meatloaf for 50 minutes.  Remove from oven and pour the rest of the sauce over your meatloaf.  We like a lot of sauce.  If you prefer, use only a cup or so.  Now, sprinkle with more mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 10 minutes.  Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before cutting into it.

Here's the final product......

Meal Plan Monday 10/22 thru 10/28

Nothing exciting on this weeks meal plan...but it's a busy week with work for us, so it is what it is!

MONDAY
- Hot Dogs
- Macaroni and Cheese
-Raw Veggies w/dip

TUESDAY
- Pizza
- Salad

WEDNESDAY
- Apple Cinnamon Pancakes
- Sausage
- Bacon
- Fruit Salad

THURSDAY
- Hamburgers
- French Fries
- Salad

FRIDAY
- Leftovers

SATURDAY
- Bagel Egg Sandwiches
- Fruit

SUNDAY
- Chipolte Beef Tacos
- Cheese Quesadillas
- Brownies for dessert

Sauteed Mushrooms w/Garlic and Onion

Is there a more perfect accompaniment to a grilled steak than sauteed mushrooms with garlic and onion?  I think not!  You can switch this recipe up, make it healthier by not using butter to sautee in, or do whatever you wish.  You will still have deliciousness!  And really, I make these just to eat it without steak!  It's perfect either way.

Ingredients:

- 2 pkgs Fresh mushrooms, sliced
- Red onion, diced
- Garlic (I used the jarred)
- 1/2 stick butter
- Parsley, to taste
- Crushed Red Pepper, to taste

Directions:

1.  Heat your pan on medium high heat.  Add the butter in and roll it around.  When your butter starts to melt and it's sizzling away, add your mushrooms.  And, if your pan looks as beat up as mine, I'll feel a whole lot better about it!

2.  Now toss in your onions and season with the parsley and crushed red pepper flakes.  Let them cook until your mushrooms and onions are cooked through and slightly brown.  Now toss in your garlic.  Let it cook another minute or so.  You add your garlic towards the end like this so it doesn't burn and get bitter.

Here's the final product.....

Very rich and decadent!  And they're only mushrooms!  Make this "side dish" tonight!!  Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumpling Soup

I first saw this recipe on a different blog, thought I would give it a try and was happy, but a bit disappointed.  It lacked something.  So, I made it again, added a few things, left out a few other things and VOILA!  It was delicious!  Plus, it's hearty, gives TONS of leftovers, is cheap to make and uses very little effort since it's made in the slow cooker! Also, who doesn't love a nice dish of comfort food on a cool Fall day?!  Try this o

Ingredients:

- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 3 Cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 32oz container of Low Sodium Chicken Broth
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Mushrooms, diced
- 1 Can of Carrot coins, drained
- 1 tablespoon of Parsley
- 1 Chicken Boullion Cube
- 2 cans (7oz) biscuit dough (if over 7oz cans, use just one)
- Pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  Season your chicken breasts with Pepper.  You won't need salt due to the soup.  Place them into your crockpot.

2.  Add in your butter, veggies and soups.  Pour in your chicken broth.  Now add your parsley and give it a nice stir.

3.  Now place your slow cooker on low.  Cook your soup for 7 hours.  At this point, remove your chicken (carefully...it's super tender and falls apart easily!) and shred.  Place back into the slow cooker and stir.

4.  Now get your biscuits and tear them into bite sized pieces, tossing them into your slow cooker as you go.  Stir them in well, then place the lid back onto your slow cooker and allow your soup to cook for at least another hour.

Here's the final product....

This is wonderful alone, or paired with a fresh spinach salad!  Enjoy this one tonight! 

Fall Mix

I found this idea on Pinterest and had to give it a try!  I've made it my own, and you can too!  It's simple and it's perfect to give as a gift and to snack on at night time!  It's also a great one to let the kiddos help with!

Ingredients:

- Cheese Crackers
- Pretzels
- Reeses Pieces
- Count Chocula Cereal
- Peanuts
- Candy Corn
- Candy Corn Pumpkins

*just a note, you can purchase an Autumn mix of the pumpkins and candy corn in one bag at the grocery store.  Makes it easier to buy just one bag vs two!*

Directions:

1.  Toss it all into a bowl (no measurements...just an equal amount of each...eyeball it!) and mix around a few times.

2.  Pour into whatever container you prefer and munch away!  I put ours into a mason jar, tied a ribbon on it using fall colors, made a label off of the computer and gave it as a gift to my parents.  They loved it! 

Meal Plan Monday 10/15 thru 10/21

Another week, another plan!  I'm trying to get back in the cooking mood!

MONDAY
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Spinach Salad
*special dessert to be determined*

TUESDAY
Breakfast Casserole
Toast
Fruit

WEDNESDAY
Italian Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes
Canned Corn
Salad

THURSDAY
Oven Fried Chicken Breasts
Garlic Butter Noodles
Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce

FRIDAY
Leftovers

SATURDAY
Chicken Alfredo
Salad
Garlic Bread

SUNDAY
Sloppy Joes
Homemade Macaroni Salad
Garden Salad
French Fries

Just a check in....

Just wanted to pop in and say that I have been neglecting blogging a bit!  I know!  But I've had zero time for any new recipes.  This weekend, I expect that to change a bit.  Hoping I can make some yummy stuff! 

Until then.....:-)

Pantry Meal: Fish Fillets/Fettuccine Alfredo/Broccoli

This is a new thing I'm featuring on the blog.  It's called Pantry Meals and it's about using what you have in your fridge/freezer/cupboards to create a meal. 

Sometimes, you're too tired to go all out and create a from scratch or even partially from scratch meal.  Sometimes, you just want to get dinner in everyone's belly so you can stretch out on the couch for 5 minutes. 

Also, pantry meals are usually pretty cheap.  Maybe times are tough and you can't afford much.  Using what you've got on hand can really save you money and usually, you can pull off a pretty good meal. 

So, for tonight's Pantry Meal, I made fish fillets, fettuccine Alfredo, and broccoli.  It turned out pretty good and everyone seemed pretty satisfied.  Plus, it took no time on a busy Monday evening and it was also inexpensive. 

So, look around your pantry and see what you have on hand before running out to the grocery store after work.  You may be surprised to find that you already have dinner on your shelves just waiting to be warmed up!