Friday, July 9, 2010

One of my Favorite Things

Ivy in the kitchen...teaching her early how to love and serve others in the home.

Making apple crisp
On top of the refrigerator is where I keep my favorite cook books. I own every cook book of Paula Deen (my favorite lady) and Katie Lee Joel (best meat loaf recipe ever!)
Here is where I keep the rest of my cook books and recipes.

I said in yesterday's post how much I love to cook. I didn't grow up cooking but my dad loves food and loves to cook . I think it was my friend Ashley who got me into cooking and I have loved it ever since. I LOVE having Ivy in the kitchen and cooking something with her. She has her own chef's hat and apron (thanks mom), her own set of cook books (I was just thinking today how I need to get Lucy her own set now), and she thumbs through them to tell me what she would like to make....although she eats and licks tons of the ingredients and I have to keep my eye on her. The girl loves food like her mama!
I had been looking for something quick to write my tried and true recipes in. Something that I could grab quick and not have to sort through all of my books to get to. The set of recipes that I make all the time. Then my gal pal Paula Deen came out with this cute recipe journal to write in. It has recipe cards in the back and it has sections for different categories. Now, I use this more than any of the other books and guess what....I HAVE ONE AS A GIVEAWAY!

So here's how it is going to work. You leave me a comment under this post and tell me your favorite tried and true recipe. The one you make the most. It can be the one your family loves the most or the one you make the most when guests come over. You don't have to write out the whole recipe but I think it would be fun if I post the winner's recipe after the contest is over. I am going to leave the contest open until Monday morning, then I will probably have Ivy pick a name out of a bowl. Good luck!
* my cookbook wish list:
"Home cooking with Trisha Yearwood, Stories and Recipes to Share with Family and Friends", by Trisha Yearwood
"The Pioneer Woman Cooks", by Ree Drummond
"The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen, Live Well,Laugh Often, cook Much" by, Teri Edwards, Serena Thompson

13 comments:

  1. Hey Kelly!

    Here's a recipe that I started making a few years ago that is always a hit! Super yummy!

    I made this in my 7 qt crock pot and it filled it up all the way. You will want to adjust the portions of the recipe to fit your crock pot and your families needs. When I made this last night, I fed about 15 people and we had leftovers! (In fact, I might even try this at the next PBC Potluck!)

    Crock Pot Lasagna

    3 lbs ground beef
    Fresh or minced onion
    Garlic (I used garlic salt and it was fine)
    Brown and drain

    1 roll of sausage (this really ads flavor) Brown this too

    2 boxes of Shell macaroni (cooked and drained)

    Mix the above in your crock pot and then ad the following...
    16 oz (or less) sour cream (you can also use cottage cheese)
    1 jar of spaghetti sauce
    1 can of tomato sauce or tomato soup
    1 can stewed, diced tomatoes
    (Martha Ann suggested 1/4 cup of sugar, but I decided to try it without it and it was fine)
    Mozzarella Cheese (I didn't have this kind of cheese so I used a "Mexican Blend" and it was fine)

    Mix all this together in your crock pot and cook on high for 3 hours or so.

    Enjoy!!

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  2. One of our favorites is Italian Meatloaf! Italian bread crumbs, basil, oregano, italian seasoning and lots of monterey jack cheese! Very moist and flavorful and always a hit (if you like meatloaf!)

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  3. What a FUN, idea. Love it, girl! We love chicken in the crock pot--so EASY! Coat a whole chicken with olive oil, top with Garlic, any seasoning you have in your pantry, cook on low for 8 hours. The chicken FALLS off the bone, it's THEE, BEST! It even works when the chicken is frozen. We love it with salad and some brown rice. Perfect, easy meal. Have fun with your give-a-way!

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  4. Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    2 tsp. butter in saucepan
    add shrimp
    add creole seasoning (more = spicier)
    add salt, pepper, chives, and parsley to taste
    (boil pasta of your choice while doing this)
    add mushrooms, asparagus, and diced tomato (add towards the end so they don't get soggy)
    add about 1-2 cups of heavy whipping cream
    bring to a boil
    add a tiny bit of flour to thicken sauce
    add pasta to the pan
    mix
    let sit on low for a few minutes
    *It is easy, cheap, and makes TONS...great family meal. :)

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  5. Our new Fave recipe is Pioneer Woman's sloppy joes:
    * 2 Tablespoons Butter
    * 2-½ pounds Ground Beef
    * ½ whole Large Onion, Diced
    * 1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced
    * 5 cloves Garlic, Minced
    * 1-½ cup Ketchup
    * 1 cup Water
    * 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
    * 2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)
    * 1 teaspoon Dry Mustard
    * ½ teaspoons Red Pepper Flakes
    * Worcestershire Sauce To Taste
    * 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)

    * Salt To Taste
    * Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
    * Kaiser Rolls
    * Butter

    Add butter to a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add ground beef and cook until brown. Drain most of the fat and discard.

    Add onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook for a few minutes, or until vegetables begin to get soft.

    Add ketchup, brown sugar, chili pepper, dry mustard, and water. Stir to combine and simmer for 15 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste. Also add tomato paste, Worcestershire, and Tabasco if desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

    Spread rolls with butter and brown on a griddle or skillet. Spoon meat mixture over the rolls.
    So tasty!!!!

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  6. Kelli! I love your new blog! What a great idea girl! Our family has so many favorite recipes that its so hard to pick just one. We love cooking meals, but mostly my girls and I love love love to bake. And our favorite recipe is a chocolate ganache covered, chocolate peanut butter cheesecake. Its seriously amazing. Tons of calories Im sure, but soo worth every bite. Miss you and love you!

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  7. The biggest hit in this house while the kids were growing up was my Pineapple cream cake. Everyone loved it and wanted it on their birthday.I am not a great cook but I love to bake. mom x0 x0 (don't put me in the drawing)

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  8. Kelli~ Wow...it's kind of hard to pick out a favorite recipe. I think right now the kids love my pulled pork in a crock-pot for BBQ sandwiches. Also, my peach cobbler is a huge hit with the kids :) They are both super easy!! Feel free to put me in the drawing :) Becca

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  9. hmmmmm, my newest fav and EASY recipe is crispy onion chicken. crush a can of french's fried onions. dip thawed chicken tenders in egg then dip in the onions. bake and wah-lah! super moist and flavorful chicken...great with ellie kriegers honey mustard (mayo, mustard and honey)...yummy!!! hope i win :) hehehe!

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  10. Do I have to pick just ONE...it changes so often. A favorite simple dessert (tested at the fire house) are chocolate chip cream cheese bars. One of my new favorite dinner recipes is the Chicken Spaghetti from Pioneer Woman but my husband loves a copy cat recipe from CPK...Tequilla Lime chicken pasta. My favorites change with the season! I have a favorite salad, to. K...I'll stop talking now!

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  11. I like your chicken square recipie. Put me in the drawing...you know i need it.

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  12. Well these are quite addicting so beware when making them but they are the BEST ever peanut butter cookies...just like liking the peanut butter out of the jar.

    Peanut Butter Cookies

    1 cup sugar
    1 1/2 cup Peanut Butter (I use creamy Skippy)
    2 egg Whites
    1/2 tsp vanilla

    Preheat oven to 350. Cream together sugar and eggs. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Drop cookies onto parchment lined baking sheet. Press top of cookies with a fork to make a pattern. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until just set and slightly browned (I like them slightly undercooked since they stay softer longer) Makes about 1 1/2 dozen. Enjoy!

    Okay I'm glad it's after 9pm or I would be tempted to go make these right now!

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  13. So I see all of your cook books but I don't see mom's cookbook???Did you know that mama Mary made cookbooks a couple of years ago and gave to us and family and friends for christmas...such a good idea!@! I will have to have her give 1 to your mom for ya:)

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