PB Pie

Source: littlebittybakes.com via Tara on Pinterest

You really can't go wrong with pb. This was delightfully easy, light, and yum.

Umm, No

Source: blogs.babble.com via Tara on Pinterest

Don't even try this. Hard. Weird texture. Took forever in microwave. Just don't.

Taco Bar

Source: mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com via Tara on Pinterest

Easiest tacos ever! Juicy and tasty. 

Grilled Cheese Italiano

Source: marthastewart.com via Tara on Pinterest

Followed recipe all the way...for a change. Used a jarred, high quality marinara. Hearty app.

Frozen Mimosas

Source: pbpickles.com via Tara on Pinterest

Truth: I did not make my own sorbet, but I did use an all natural/all fruit variety. Two flavors: blood orange and raspberry. So, one not really a frozen mimosa, but still delightfully delicious.

Power Balls

Source: gimmesomeoven.com via Tara on Pinterest

Made these sans coconut. Replace that measurement with half oatmeal, half flax seed. This was in addition to the what the recipe called for. Super delicious. Felt guility eating them for breakfast. Didn't stop me though. Fed them to girls for dessert. No complaints. I decided to call them Power Balls. :)

Kitchen sink cocktail

1 cup Malibu 16 oz frozen fruit, mixed-strawberries, peaches, pineapple, mango 1 cup ice 1/2 cup Cake vodka

Trifecta Pie

Yum! This one is a keeper. I know because my mom said so.


Peanut-Butter-Banana Icebox Pie

Snicker What?

Source: jaseyscrazydaisy.com via Tara on Pinterest

These were quite good. For my mom to say they are rich, means that they really, really are. I didn't add peanuts, but probably should have. The extra salt would have been a good addition.

Chillin

Source: ohhellologan.com via Tara on Pinterest

I saw these on Pinterest and was reminded of how awesome they are! I made them last summer and will this summer, too! Champagne + Popsicle!

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/salads/spicy-pasta-salad-with-smoked-gouda-tomatoes-and-basil/

Must try this: spicy, creamy, and fresh.

Slow Cooker Molten Lava Cake

Deliciousness. Warm. Gooey. Sweet. Chocolaty. Goodness.
1 box Devil's Food Chocolate Cake
3 eggs
8 oz sour cream
1 cup water
1 box instant chocolate pudding
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup veggie oil

Mix in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours.

Voila.
Top with vanilla ice cream. Just cuz.

EZ-Ziti

http://www.marthastewart.com/312465/baked-ziti-with-crunchy-italian-salad-an?center=854190&gallery=275529&slide=285037



Super easy recipe. Easy on the wallet, too.

Gulf Flava

http://www.marthastewart.com/891901/slow-cooker-cajun-stew


This served over smoked gouda cheesy grits is awesome. I added extra diced tomatoes in their own liquid.

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Made these for dinner last night. I added several more tbs of pesto to the mix. Make sure you salt enough. They need it especially if your pesto is homemade. I thawed some from my summer batches. I also used ricotta instead of the recommended cheese mixture.

http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/pesto-chicken-stuffed-shells.html

Not Yo Mama's Meatloaf

I started with this basic recipe, but swapped out the bread for about a cup or so of tortilla chips. They gave it a Southwest twist. I also topped it off with BBQ sauce instead of ketchup. Instead of a loaf, I made them in a muffin pan. They cooked in about 50 mins at 350.

Betty Crocker Classic Meatloaf

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce on the Food Network

Last week in an effort to be GF, I made this sauce and served it over pan-fried pork chops on a bed of quinoa. Yum.

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce on the Food Network

Revelations of the Week

Kids
I can no longer keep a running list of what Charley says. She can now say it all. Clean and cook were the words of the weekend. and Boom. :)
Three is just a preview of the teen years. One minute this child is a small adult with thoughtful things to share with the Earth. The next minute she is irrational, screaming, and out of control. Good times ahead!
Mason's teacher said he is an angel at school. I have my doubts. Love you, Mase.


John
He's the bomb. He brought me home a butcher block island as an early Valentine's Day present. I am spoiled...but I'm worth it. What a surprise! It is beautiful and fun.

GF
Canned icing is almost across the board without gluten. Hallelujah. The GF brownie mix I've been buying is amazing.
I was okay with the whole G-free movement until I opened up this month's Southern Living. I had a breakdown. I'm also not sure how my identity will survive without glutens, but we'll see. Things seem to be better. No headaches and no acne. That's worth it!

Me
I've had a case of the January's. I'm already feeling better with February knocking on my door this week. It is great for my psyche that the daylight is getting longer again. That alone creates a smile.

Gluten or Not to Gluten?

After several months of odd but not serious symptoms, John suggested that I see how my body reacts to a gluten free diet. After four days this is what I know: I will die without flour.

If I don't die though, these are things that to know:

• Gluten free noodles are not noodles at all. Just eat the sauce.
• Gluten free chocolate chip cookies could be worse. They are kind of gritty but WAY better than no cookies at all. 
• Salads swapped forever for sandwiches will just be sad.
• Tomato soup just tastes like marinara. Disappointment.
• There are way more gluten free choices at restaurants and stores than I would have ever imagined. 
• Foods that are delish and are naturally gluten free are plentiful (peanut butter and hummus!)

So far my symptoms are fewer but not gone. John thinks more than four days will be necessary to see if this works. I'm ready to throw in the towel! I have a doctor's appointment on Friday to check on some things. My hope is that there is NO gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Again. Sad. I have a whole new appreciation for folks who eat GF. Wow.

Christmas Recipes that Rocked

Chicken Lasagna with Roasted Red Bell Pepper Sauce

4 cups finely chopped chicken

2 8 oz containers of chive-and-onion cream cheese

1 16 oz bag of frozen spinach thawed and drained

1 tsp pepper

1/4 garlic salt

9 no boil lasagna noodles

2 cups shredded Italian blend cheese

For Sauce

1 12 oz jar of roasted red peppers
1 16 0z jar of creamy Alfredo sauce
3 oz Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper


Preheat oven to 350.
Blend first five ingredients.
Layer in a lightly greased 11 x 13 pan 1/3 of the roasted red bell pepper sauce, 3 noodles, and 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Repeat twice. Bake covered at 350 for 50-55 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 more minutes.


To make sauce:
Process all sauce ingredients in a food processor until smooth.


I served it with a tossed salad, rosemary bread, and little saucers of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs. Good eats. I also built it before we went to the Christmas Eve service and threw it in the oven when we got home. Make-aheads are the bomb.


Everyone in my family liked this. They voted to keep it on the rotating menu. Mason, my pickiest eater, asked for it every week. Avery who doesn't like spinach (she thinks) said she couldn't even taste it. I might play with the recipe a little bit and add some artichokes next time. Also, using a roasted chicken from the deli would make it even easier.


OREO Balls
I also made a peppermint version. I used the peppermint Oreos and then crushed up candy canes to sprinkle on top. I used my coffee bean grinder to chop them up. I'm not sure this was a great idea. There was really weird smoky, peppermint haze coming from the grinder when I opened it up. 

Super yummy and they travel well for gift giving.


Lindy's Cheesecake


I used chocolate graham crackers for the crust. 3 cups of crushed grahams and a stick of melted butter. I did not use the almonds. My cake did end up cracking as it cooled, but I had hope for awhile. It was in good shape when I took it out of the oven. I didn't use the full amount of the orange and lemon peel, but I'll use even less orange the next time. I like the crispness of the peels against the creaminess, but I don't want it to taste orange-y. For the topping, I mixed jarred chocolate sauce with heavy whipping cream and cocoa to thin it out some. Delish.


I also made leg of lamb roast and a duck. I honestly have no idea how I did it. They were good, but I can't replicate the process. It was makeshift. I am still full from all this. It was worth it!