Scalloped Potatoes w/ Ham and Onion

First of all, let me start out by saying I apologize for the neglect!  My dad's been ill, and that's gotten the majority of my focus, so I haven't really felt like cooking.  But, now that he's more stable and now that Spring seems to be easing in, I've felt happier, so cooking's coming back into my life!  Now, on to the recipe...

Who doesn't love potatoes?  Add some creaminess and some ham and onion and you have perfection!  This scallop potato recipe is as easy as they come and the result is divine!  Try this one soon!

Ingredients:

- 2 cans Cream soup (you can use either Cream of Celery, Cream of Mushroom, or even Cream of Chicken!)
- 1 Cup Milk
- Pepper/Parsley/Paprika to taste
- 4 to 5 potatoes thinly sliced
- 1 onion
- 4 slices of thick cut ham, cubed
- 1 tbsp. Butter

Directions:

1.  Slice up your potatoes (and your ham and onion too)  Make sure you slice them THINLY or they won't cook properly.

2.  Layer your potatoes into your 13X9 inch baking pan.  Toss on the sliced onions and the cubed ham.

3.  In a bowl, combine your soups, your milk, your pepper and your parsley.  Whisk together until smooth.  Pour over potatoes.  Repeat.

4.  Sprinkle your casserole with paprika and dot with the tbsp of butter.  Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour.

5.  Remove and stir.  Place back into the oven for an additional 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fully cooked.

Here's the final product....

So full of flavor and so delicious!  I served mine next to a grilled steak and some salad.  Enjoy!

Meal Plan Monday 2/11 thru 2/18

Back on track means back on meal planning!  So, here we go.....


MONDAY
- Fried Pork Chops
- Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy
- Corn
- Salad

TUESDAY
- Chicken Salad on Rye
- Chips
- Raw Veggies

WEDNESDAY
- Chicken Stir Fry
- Rice
- Crab Rangoon

THURSDAY
<3  HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! <3
- Pizza
- Salad

FRIDAY
- Breakfast for Dinner!

SATURDAY
- Firestarter Chili
- Salad and Bread

SUNDAY
- Grilled Hot Dogs
- French Fries
- Salad

Peggy's Chocoloate Eclair Dessert

I was introduced to this dessert years ago by my co-worker and friend Peggy.  It's amazing!  When she brought it in for a pot luck at work, I took one taste and went back for seconds.  Then thirds!  It tastes just like a chocolate eclair but better because you can eat more of it, lol. 

Anyway, I begged Peggy for the recipe and like the doll she is, she was more than happy to hand it out!  Now I make it for my family and we all enjoy it!  It's also perfect for holidays and get togethers because you make it a head of time.  The longer is sits, the better it gets!  Try this one soon!  Oh...and thanks Peggy!!!

Ingredients:

- 2 boxes Instant French Vanilla Pudding Mix
- 4 Cups Milk
- 1 container Cool Whip
- 1 box Graham Crackers
- 1 container Chocolate Frosting

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, mix together the pudding and milk according to directions on pkgs.  Once combined, fold in Cool Whip.

2.  Line a 13X9 inch pan with a layer of graham crackers.  Breaking them to fit if you have to.  Pour 1/2 the pudding mixture over the graham crackers.  REPEAT.

3.  For your final layer of graham cracker, spread each cracker with the chocolate frosting and lay across the pudding layer.  Once covered, use the remaining frosting to try your best at covering neatly.  Truly, it doesn't matter how it looks because it'll taste amazing!

4.  Cover pan with foil and allow to sit overnight or even a day or so.  This helps the pudding absorb into the crackers and make it tasty!

Here's the final product.....

Obviously, I wasn't able to snap a picture before it disappeared half way, lol!  But that's okay.  That just gives me a reason to make it again.  And soon!!!  Enjoy!

Getting Back on the (Food) Wagon

Sorry for the neglect!  A lot of things have been going on in my life right before the new year and I haven't had the drive for cooking or posting due to them.  But....I'm back!  And hopefully in full effect!!

Look for more posts coming soon!  Thanks for bearing with me! <3

Peanut Butter Blossoms

This is the first time I've ever made this type of cookie, but man, it was great!  The peanut butter cookie differs from my usual recipe, but it was pretty great!  Both add a little something to the cookie.  Plus, this was a fun cookie to make with my girls, as they enjoyed unwrapping the Hershey kisses!  I made this for Santa this Xmas eve and I can say without a doubt, he was impressed and happy! ;-)

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Cup Shortening (I used butter flavored Crisco)
- 3/4 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1/3 Cup Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- 1 Egg
- 2 Tablespoons Milk
- 1 Tsp. Vanilla
- 1 1/2 Cups Flour
- 1 tsp. Baking Soda
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- Hershey Kisses unwrapped and ready to go! 

Directions:

1.  Heat your oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

2.  In another large bowl or your mixer's bowl (first time I used the one I got for Xmas...woot!) toss in your shortening and your peanut butter and mix until smooth. 

3.  Now toss in your brown sugar and your white sugar and beat together until fluffy.  Add in your egg, the milk and the vanilla and beat together again until smooth. 

4.  Begin adding in the flour mixture, beating well as you go until well combined.  You'll have a nice firm dough. 

5.  Using your hands, shape dough into medium sized balls, placing them on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake for 8-12 minutes or until slightly brown.  Remove cookies and immediately place a Hershey's kiss in the center of each one.  Remove cookie CAREFULLY from baking sheet and allow to cool completely before serving. 

Here's the final product....

So yummy!  I will definitely be making this cookie again and soon!  Enjoy!

Apple Cinnamon Crumb Cake

This delicious crumb cake has been making it's rounds in our household for years now!  I usually make it for holiday breakfasts, as I did for Xmas this year.  It's moist, crunchy, flavorful, and just perfect with a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate! 

Ingredients:

- 1 Cup + 2 tsp. Flour, divided
- 2 tsp. Baking Powder
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, divided
- 1/2 Cup Walnuts or Pecans, finely chopped
- 2 Tsp. Cinnamon
- 2 Lg. Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Sugar
- 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
- 2 tsp. Vanilla
- 2 large apples, cored, peeled, and cubed

*NOTE:  There are 3 apples pictured, but I only used 2.  I wasn't sure if 2 was going to be enough but it was!

Directions:

1.  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup flour, the baking powder and the salt.  Set aside.

2.  In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup brown sugar, the 2 tsp. Flour, the nuts, and cinnamon.  Set aside also.

3.  Begin coring, peeling and cubing your apples and place them into a bowl and set aside.

4.  Now, in a large bowl, whisk together your eggs, white sugar, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar until smooth.  Add in your oil and vanilla until well mixed.  Slowly add together the flour/baking powder/salt combination into this wet mix.  It will create a smooth batter. 

5.  Now, grab your pie pan and spray WELL with cooking spray.  Add half of the batter to the bottom of your pan, smoothing it out if necessary.  Top with 1/2 the apples, 1/2 the nut mixture.  Add the rest of the batter on top of the crumb mixture and spread out as well as you can.  It doesn't have to be perfect, it will all come together, trust me!  Now repeat the apple and nut mixture, adding the rest of everything. 

6.  Place the cake into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  Either allow to cool before serving or refrigerate until the next day.  But, be sure to warm slightly in the microwave before serving if doing so the following day. 

Here's the final product.....

Sooo sweet and delicious!  I wish I had gotten a photo of when I was cutting and serving, but  I served this Xmas morning, so everyone was hungry and excited, lol.  It was a hit though!  Enjoy!