Try this quick and easy tip:
Take all your toppings and mix in a bowl with sour cream or salsa. Fill the shells with your mixture!
These tacos have meat, black beans, black olives, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream all mixed together!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Taco stuffers
Ever ready to take that first big bite of a taco and all the filling falls out??!!
Try this quick and easy tip:
Take all your toppings and mix in a bowl with sour cream or salsa. Fill the shells with your mixture!
These tacos have meat, black beans, black olives, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream all mixed together!
Try this quick and easy tip:
Take all your toppings and mix in a bowl with sour cream or salsa. Fill the shells with your mixture!
These tacos have meat, black beans, black olives, shredded cheese, salsa and sour cream all mixed together!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Pork enchiladas
A round 2 recipe ( as Sandra Lee calls it). I had cooked a pork tenderloin on the grill a few days ago for a lunch with friends and had a good amount left over.
Slice any left over meat in strips. Chop in a food processor until it is minced or similar to chunky ground beef. See photo.
Add three handfuls of shredded cheese. 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream. 1/2 a tub of Mexican cheese. See photo. Fold together.
Spread mixture on flour tortillas and roll. Spray a baking dish with non-stock spray and line the bottom with rolled tortillas.
Top with remaining Mexican cheese and another handful of shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for 10 mins or until warmed throughout.
Other combinations you can add to the mixture:
Black beans
Refried beans
Black olives
Jalapeños
Caramelized onions.
Slice any left over meat in strips. Chop in a food processor until it is minced or similar to chunky ground beef. See photo.
Add three handfuls of shredded cheese. 2 tablespoons of cream cheese or sour cream. 1/2 a tub of Mexican cheese. See photo. Fold together.
Spread mixture on flour tortillas and roll. Spray a baking dish with non-stock spray and line the bottom with rolled tortillas.
Top with remaining Mexican cheese and another handful of shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 for 10 mins or until warmed throughout.
Other combinations you can add to the mixture:
Black beans
Refried beans
Black olives
Jalapeños
Caramelized onions.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Money Saving Tips
Who doesn't like saving a buck? Getting free stuff? Stretching a dollar as far as it will go? I sure do! Check out some of the great links to money saving coupons that I've added to this site.
As the daughter of a home economics teacher, my sister and I learned these things at an early age. Some of favorite tips are couponing, piece freezing, and buying in bulk.
So, we probably all have seen some form of those extreme couponing shows. I've never felt like those results were anywhere close to obtainable for the average consumer. However, some of my best couponing deals are for laundry soap, fabric softener, toothpaste and other hygiene products. If you use a coupon and get the smaller size, you can get lots of things close to free! Buying the smaller size is the key! If you can save money here, you can add the savings back to your grocery bill or anywhere else you need extra cash. I can save about $20 each trip.
Buying in bulk and piece freezing go hand in hand. I buy chicken breast, hamburger meat, and pork chops in big family packs and divide into smaller resealable freezer bags. Another tip I like, is to add marinade to the meats before freezing and write on the bag what it is. This is a great Sunday project.
I also like to take my large crock pot and cook several pounds of hamburger meat or chicken breasts up at one time. Meals go much faster and easier when the protein is precooked.
Recently, I've done some comparison pricing between the discount stores and the large bulk discount stores. Not on everything, but for the most part, buying in bulk is cheaper. I buy what's cheaper at the bulk store and then the smaller things at the discount store with a coupon. With these two things together, I can feed my family of three for less than $200 for the entire month! Try some of these tips and see if they work for you and check out the money saving coupon links I've added! Happy shopping!
As the daughter of a home economics teacher, my sister and I learned these things at an early age. Some of favorite tips are couponing, piece freezing, and buying in bulk.
So, we probably all have seen some form of those extreme couponing shows. I've never felt like those results were anywhere close to obtainable for the average consumer. However, some of my best couponing deals are for laundry soap, fabric softener, toothpaste and other hygiene products. If you use a coupon and get the smaller size, you can get lots of things close to free! Buying the smaller size is the key! If you can save money here, you can add the savings back to your grocery bill or anywhere else you need extra cash. I can save about $20 each trip.
Buying in bulk and piece freezing go hand in hand. I buy chicken breast, hamburger meat, and pork chops in big family packs and divide into smaller resealable freezer bags. Another tip I like, is to add marinade to the meats before freezing and write on the bag what it is. This is a great Sunday project.
I also like to take my large crock pot and cook several pounds of hamburger meat or chicken breasts up at one time. Meals go much faster and easier when the protein is precooked.
Recently, I've done some comparison pricing between the discount stores and the large bulk discount stores. Not on everything, but for the most part, buying in bulk is cheaper. I buy what's cheaper at the bulk store and then the smaller things at the discount store with a coupon. With these two things together, I can feed my family of three for less than $200 for the entire month! Try some of these tips and see if they work for you and check out the money saving coupon links I've added! Happy shopping!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Anchovy Spaghetti?
I know. I know. Anchovies? If you don't like them, just omit. The recipe is just as good with or without. You could also substitute chicken. But really, just try it! It's a minimal investment in adventure. This is an adaptation of a recipe I saw on Food Network. Of course, it's hard for me to follow a recipe without dissecting it and starting over with my own version. So here is it.
•start water to boil for any type pasta you prefer. add pasta to boiling water and cook til tender.
•in one sauce pan, add plain breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to toast. This takes about 6-8 mins.
•Next, Olive oil, salt, chopped onions, dash of crushed red pepper and garlic sautéed over medium heat until brown. About 3/4 the way to browning, add anchovies. Make sure they are cleaned and deboned.
•Once the onion mixture is brown, add about half a can of chopped black olives and half a can of diced tomatoes. I prefer the Hunts brand.
•Combine pasta, onion-tomato-olive mixture. Top with breadcrumbs and toss.
Enjoy!
•start water to boil for any type pasta you prefer. add pasta to boiling water and cook til tender.
•in one sauce pan, add plain breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to toast. This takes about 6-8 mins.
•Next, Olive oil, salt, chopped onions, dash of crushed red pepper and garlic sautéed over medium heat until brown. About 3/4 the way to browning, add anchovies. Make sure they are cleaned and deboned.
•Once the onion mixture is brown, add about half a can of chopped black olives and half a can of diced tomatoes. I prefer the Hunts brand.
•Combine pasta, onion-tomato-olive mixture. Top with breadcrumbs and toss.
Enjoy!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Pineapple upside down cupcakes
Another one of my crazy food inventions that was A----mazing! Line a muffin tin with cupcake papers. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of crushed pineapple in the bottom of each one. Top with yellow or vanilla cake mix about 3/4's full. Bake per package directions. Cream cheese icing to top when cooled. So sweet! So moist! Top with a pineapple chuck. 
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Grilled pizza and okra
You don't have to be a chef to make great food. You just have to think outside the box. I took a store bought pizza and added a ton of extra toppings and threw it on the grill. Add whatever you like. I added extra cheese, black olives, basil, oil olive and chopped tomatoes. The crust will get done before its hot all the way through so you will have to move it to the top rack of your grill after about 10 mins. If you don't have a top rack, then move over indirect heat.
A weird pairing but....
I've never liked okra but in Oklahoma it's kind of a staple. I'm on a mission to find a recipe I'll like. I started with a handful of wheat crackers and pulsed them in a chopper. I mixed in chopped okra and olive oil. Sauté on the grill until crisp. About 20 mins.
The result? Delish! The boys had several helpings!
A weird pairing but....
I've never liked okra but in Oklahoma it's kind of a staple. I'm on a mission to find a recipe I'll like. I started with a handful of wheat crackers and pulsed them in a chopper. I mixed in chopped okra and olive oil. Sauté on the grill until crisp. About 20 mins.
The result? Delish! The boys had several helpings!
Grillin days of summer
I bought a new grill this summer and have been breaking it in right! I've never had pork chops so tender. So tender, you can cut them with a fork! I rub them with grapeseed oil and put a heavy coating of Weber's Chicago steak seasoning. Turn the heat up to
Medium high and let them get a good sear and then reduce the temperature.
Here's our Sunday spread! Pork chops, squash, hot dogs and onion burgers. I've experimenting with dessert too. Today, I combined strawberrry, mango, peach frozen fruit with a dab of butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Place on the grill until it bubbles. Pour over pound cake. Delish!
Medium high and let them get a good sear and then reduce the temperature.
Here's our Sunday spread! Pork chops, squash, hot dogs and onion burgers. I've experimenting with dessert too. Today, I combined strawberrry, mango, peach frozen fruit with a dab of butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Place on the grill until it bubbles. Pour over pound cake. Delish!
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Angelfood Apple Crumble Cupcakes
Angelfood Apple Crumble Cupcakes? Doesn't sound like it goes together does it? You'll be surprised!
*Dice up 4 small apples, toss with cinnamon and set aside.
*Make an Angelfood cake mix according to package directions.
*combine equal amounts melted butter, brown sugar, raw oats.
Line muffin tins with cupcake papers. Spoon a small amount of the Angelfood cake batter into the bottom of the liner. Add apples up to the rim of the muffin tin. Top with oat and sugar mixture.
Easy and super good!
*Dice up 4 small apples, toss with cinnamon and set aside.
*Make an Angelfood cake mix according to package directions.
*combine equal amounts melted butter, brown sugar, raw oats.
Line muffin tins with cupcake papers. Spoon a small amount of the Angelfood cake batter into the bottom of the liner. Add apples up to the rim of the muffin tin. Top with oat and sugar mixture.
Easy and super good!
Pancake cones
Saturday mornings are a great time to spend with the family and wow those kids! What better way than to surprise them with ice cream cones for breakfast, or so they'll think!
Prepare pancake batter per package directions. I make mine a little thicker than usual. Fill a cone about 3/4 the way full. Place in muffin tins to stabilize when they go in the oven. This is the tricky part. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Add your favorite jam or preserves to the top for a healthy finish! There are endless combinations of fun and healthy ingredients that can be added to the batter or on top. Enjoy!
Prepare pancake batter per package directions. I make mine a little thicker than usual. Fill a cone about 3/4 the way full. Place in muffin tins to stabilize when they go in the oven. This is the tricky part. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Add your favorite jam or preserves to the top for a healthy finish! There are endless combinations of fun and healthy ingredients that can be added to the batter or on top. Enjoy!
Friday, August 3, 2012
Summer salads
One of my favorite things in the summer is a light salad. These two are so quick and easy.
Tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper. Basil, parsley and cubed mozzarella.
Tomatoes, grilled corn taken off the cob. Use the Rachel Ray tip of slicing over a bowl or towel. It's easier to catch the kernels. Cucumber cubed. Olive oil, salt and pepper. You could also add mozzarella to this one too.
You can eat these for a light meal or add as a side dish. You could add cooked, cubed chicken to either of these and make a heartier meal.
Tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper. Basil, parsley and cubed mozzarella.
Tomatoes, grilled corn taken off the cob. Use the Rachel Ray tip of slicing over a bowl or towel. It's easier to catch the kernels. Cucumber cubed. Olive oil, salt and pepper. You could also add mozzarella to this one too.
You can eat these for a light meal or add as a side dish. You could add cooked, cubed chicken to either of these and make a heartier meal.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Bama's Strawberry Key Lime Cupcakes
A friend from Alabama had asked for a key lime pie which started my wheels turning. I'd never had key lime pie little on made one. I found a recipe and made it a few times to good reviews but I was looking for something a little more challenging. I took a cake mix and added key lime juice to mix. Made regular package direction cupcakes and then took the icing recipe from the key lime pie and tried it on the cupcakes.
I have even hollowed out the middle of the cupcakes and filled with the icing. Add the strawberry and done! Sometimes we just need someone to ask us to do something we've never done before to inspire greatness. Thanks Bama!
I have even hollowed out the middle of the cupcakes and filled with the icing. Add the strawberry and done! Sometimes we just need someone to ask us to do something we've never done before to inspire greatness. Thanks Bama!
Zucchini stuffed shells
A quick weeknight favorite of ours is stuffed shells. Boil store bought jumbo shells until tender. Rinse in cool water so they can be handled. For the filling, add equal amounts of your favorite cheeses. For tonight's recipe, I used mozzarella and a cheddar blend combined with a couple of tablespoons of cream cheese. You can also use ricotta. A shake of parmesan cheese to finish. Combine well. For this recipe I also shredded a zucchini in the filling just to hide some extra veggies. Stuff the filling in the cooled shells. Arrange in a shallow baking dish sprayed with nonstick spray. Pour store bought spaghetti sauce over the top of the shells. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350• for about 12-15 mins. 
Welcome to Food Endeavors!
Welcome to Food Endeavors! For about a year, I've been compiling pictures of different meals, desserts, and random concoctions of ingredients. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I have! Visit often to see what I've been up to, get inspiration and find ways to stretch your food dollars without sacrificing taste or quality! I'm by no means an expert or classically trained. I'm the granddaughter of a restaurant cook, who ignited my passion in cooking and the daughter of a home economics teacher, who taught me the skills. Join me in this Single Mom's Guide to Gourmet!
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