Looking at a different view

Well I am finally Mrs. Maples, and now if I get called a "Brat" I guess I deserve it. haha Now that we are starting on our own adventure its time to think of some more recipes to cook. Quick ones in fact. :) I have to admit it is hard to cook for just us two. I am so used to cooking for my family that it is taking an adjustment but I am getting a hang of it. We have been married for 3 months and I have only made one meal twice so that is an accomplishment. The hardest part I have is creating a menu and this month I am trying to plan the whole month to see if I save any money and time. I am putting it to the test and experimenting with my mom to see if doing a month budget is effective.

Other than cooking I have started to put my patience to the test and make some crafts to decorate our house. Its been a challenge but I am starting to learn that making a mistake isn't the end of the world. Being OCD and a perfectionist, challenging my patience hasn't killed me yet. ;)  Though that crooked stop light that I drive past work makes me cringe, don't be surprised if I make the news or something if you hear of some crazy person out there with a ladder.




I forgot to mention that a few weeks ago my husband made the most delicious stake dinner. He sauteed mushrooms, onion and a spicy pepper with the stake that he seared on our grill that we got for our wedding. While it was cooking he saved the juice from the take and cut it into strips and put it in the onions and mushrooms to finish cooking. On the side he made some Mexican style beans. Next time we may serve it in a sandwich or on top of some rice. Sure was worth cooking that rather than the red velvet pancakes I was begging for. Even more he gets brownie points because he may have cooked it better than I could have. ;)


This picture doesn't look very good but it sure tasted good.

Crazie Dazie Boutique

My mother in law is so talented and makes these cute hats and blankets for all ages... I personally love these owl hats. Check out her store Crazie Dazie Boutique  on etsy or here some of her latest projects. :) She does car seat covers as well as blankets and bracelets. 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/craziedazie?ref=pr_shop_more

Pizza

This is my husbands favorite pizza. He loves it and makes for great left overs or to feed a big family.


Hamburger
Pepperoni
box of pizza mix or own pizza dough (the box has the sauce included)
Cheese
Mushrooms
Any other pizza toppings you like. I have done peppers, onion, and bacon as well.

This is very quick and simple. I bought a box of pizza mix that included the sauce and dough ingredients, and made it to save a little time. I spread the dough on my cookie sheet and then put on all the toppings. Cook for 15-20 mins until cheese is melted and crust is nice and crispy.

Enjoy!

Spaghetti and breadsticks. mmmm delicious

For my Spaghetti I made it in my crockpot where it could cook all day long.

Ingredients

• 1 onion
• 1/2 lb hamburger
• 1/2 lb sausage (Italian is what I used)
• 1 can mushrooms or 1 cup mushrooms cut to preference
• 1 packet of spaghetti seasoning
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 small cans tomato sauce
• 1 lg family size spaghetti sauce
• 2 bay leaves 
•  garlic salt, salt and pepper, parsley flakes to taste
• 1 can olives (optional) 

I sauteed onion and mushrooms, cooked up the hamburger and sausage, and mixed in the packet of spaghetti seasoning. With the tomatoes I put in a blender to make it not as chunky but its up to you what you like.

For the Bread Sticks I found this recipe on  Pinterest and LOVE IT!!!! 

Ingredients 

• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbsp. yeast
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 cup butter
• Parmesan cheese
• garlic salt
• parsley flakes (optional)

Instructions

1. Combine water and yeast in small bowl.
2. In larger bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
3. Add yeast water and mix. ( I just use a wooden spoon).
4. Knead and let rise 20 minutes.
5. Melt one cube of butter, and pour onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle the butter with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese.
6. Roll the dough into a rectangle the size of the cookie sheet, and use a pizza cutter to cut into 12 one inch wide strips. Double the long pieces of dough in half, and twist to form the bread stick.
7. Roll each bread stick around in the butter in the pan until completely covered. When all bread sticks are arranged in the pan, sprinkle tops with garlic salt and Parmesan cheese. Don't be shy, get 'em good! Add parsley if desired.
8. This makes 12 large bread sticks, or 18 or 24 smaller bread sticks.
9. Bake at 400 for 12-15 minutes. Watch closely, remove when they start to brown. Yum!

What I found funny was that everything was homemade except the Cesar Salad.

Chicken Nachos

These were so tasty we had them 3 days in a row!

Ingredients:
Chicken
1 box Spanish Rice
1 can Black Beans
1 can black olives
Salsa
Sour Cream
1 Avocado
1 Onion
1 bag Corn Chips
1 bag of cheese



Instructions:

Boil Chicken then shred it up and saute in olive oil with onion (season with salt and pepper). Cook up one box of Spanish Rice (microwave is the easiest). Then once your chicken and rice is cooked, start layering all the ingredients with some cheese in between the layers of chicken and rice. Cook in microwave for 1 min and top with Sour Cream, Salsa, and Avocado. 

This recipe is so simple and tasty that you will find your self making it all the time.

Enjoy!