Epic Fail

"Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate, first one says "Oh my, it's getting late"  

The BK and I don't have any children, at home, but that doesn't mean we don't like to carve a mean pumpkin...So we drive all over the county to find the best pumpkins we can. The BK decides, maybe, we should roast some pumpkin seeds. I'm not a huge fan, but I find a couple recipes on Pinterest. Mmmmmmm...Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Seeds sound uh~maz~zuh~ing! 

On a cold, rainy, fall Tuesday, we begin the carving process. And I begin the roasting process:

Step 1:

After digging the guts out of old Jack, place the seeds in a bowl of hot water. This makes it easier to get all the stringy guck off your seeds...

Step 2: 

Spread your seeds on a baking sheet and allow to dry overnight.

Step 3: 

Transfer your seeds to a mixing bowl...coat with 1 tbs of olive oil and add 3 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 cup of sweetener, combine well. *Note: the original poster used Truvia Baking Blend, but I chose to use Sugar in the Raw. 

Step 4:

Spread seeds, evenly, on baking sheet and bake in a 310 degree oven for 30 minutes. Spread seeds around, and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

(I will admit a gigantic screw up...I read 3 tbsp on cinnamon instead of tsp! So I added a bit more olive oil and sugar. )

This was an epic fail. Epic. Fail. Oh, the cinnamon and sugar glaze tasted delicious...the seeds, however, had the texture of cardboard. I did a little digging around...it seems like the oven should've been set at 300 degrees and the seeds stirred more often. 

If you want to try this recipe, for yourself, you can find the original recipe here...
Maybe your attempt will be a success!!

                                 

not so MANIC MONDAY

"i can't keep my hands out of the cookie jar..."

FLASHBACK january 23,2014

the bk and i  are killing some time. we stop by the parent's place. dad offers us cookies. mmmmm. i like cookies. these cookies are delicious! i leave with a bag full!!!

FLASH FORWARD yesterday

i want something sweet, but i don't want to spend all day, in the kitchen, making a mess. then, i remember dad's delicious cookies and how simple they are!! 20 minutes later, we have cookies!!

SUPER EASY AMAZING SPICE COOKIES

ingredients:

1 box spice cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter (softened, not melted)
cream cheese icing (optional)

preheat oven to 350〫.  mix together cake mix, egg, and butter until dough forms. roll into balls (about an inch), flatten slightly. bake 8-10 minutes. frost while still warm. makes 24.

*my butter was not softened because i decided to make cookies last minute. i popped in microwave for about 10 seconds, until just soft.
**let icing set before storing in an air tight container.

ENJOY!!

not so MANIC MONDAY

"if you seek perfection in sugar confection..."

FLASHBACK february 15
dinner, drinks, and board games with friends is on the agenda. i want to take something. i can't show up empty handed. hmmmmmmm...time to check out my "toot sweet" board on pinterest. i find the perfect valentine recipe. blonde brownies with M&M's!! a treat to take AND an opportunity to give a pinterest recipe a try!!

FLASH FORWARD today
it's a boring monday. why not bring a little happiness to the people in your life? this recipe is quick, easy, and delicious! another pinterest success!!

VALENTINE BLONDIES

ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup to 1 1/3 cup M&M's (i used valentine colors, but you can use plain if you want)

preheat oven to 350〫. 
mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. set aside. melt butter. combine brown sugar and butter until well blended. let cool slightly. add egg and vanilla. mix well. add flour mixture, a little at a time, until completely blended. spread, evenly, in 9X9 pan. sprinkle M&M's over the top. bake 20-25 minutes.
enjoy!!

and click here to follow me on pinterest!

not so MANIC MONDAY

"mamas in the kitchen with the mac n' cheese..."

FLASHBACK january 24, 2014
another mandatory friday night means we need to come  up with another dish for dinner. that means i get to try another pinterest recipe!! i find the perfect side dish involving 4 of my favorite things: beer, bacon, cheese, and pasta!!

TODAY
it's a comfort food kind of day. and my mandatory friday night side would actually make a delicious main course for a simple monday dinner. you should give this pinterest success a try!!

BEER BACON MAC AND CHEESE

ingredients:

12 oz thick cut bacon
2 tbs unsalted butter
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground chile de arbol (or cayenne to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 c beer (i used great lakes christmas ale)
1/2 c chicken broth
2 c milk
1 tsp worcestshire sauce
1 8oz bag of shredded mild cheddar cheese
16 oz dry elbow pasta

boil pasta until al dente. drain and set aside. 
cut bacon into bite size pieces. fry, over medium heat, until crispy. set aside and reserve 2 tbs of the drippings, discarding the rest. 
melt butter in skillet with reserved bacon drippings. whisk in flour. allow to cook a minute or two to cook off flour taste. add spices and beer. bring to a bubble for about 3 minutes. add milk. when it comes to a bubble, add worcestshire, bacon, and cheese. whisk to combine.
add pasta. stir to combine. allow to cook over low heat for about 5 minutes.
pour into casserole dish. sprinkle with chives (optional). serves 4-6.

  

                         

enjoy!!!

bonus: kathy brought another successful pinterest recipe to mandatory friday night. click here to try CAKE BATTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES. they were delicious!!!

SUNDAY SUCCESS!!

"hot potato hot potato..."

we've had this discussion before...sundays are made for jammies, couches, blankies, and football. and january sundays should include a pot of something warm. so off i go...into the land of pinterest...in search of the picture cold weather recipe. BOOM!! crock pot loaded baked potato soup!!

the bk put this concoction together the night before. two reasons...#1~i was at work and #2~it called for slow~cooking 8 hours and we wanted to enjoy it during our football game (GO BENGALS!) without having to get up at the crack of dawn. CLICK HERE for the original recipe, or follow ours:

CROCK POT LOADED POTATO SOUP


ingredients:

5 lb russet potatoes, diced and not peeled
4 tbs minced garlic
1 large yellow onion, chopped
64 oz chicken broth
16 oz cream cheese, softened
shredded cheese, bacon, sour cream, chives for garnish (optional)

combine potatoes, garlic, onions, and chicken broth in crock pot. cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 5 hours. scoop 3 ladles of soup into food processor and mix in 1 package of cream cheese, add back to crock pot. repeat. serve topped with cheese, a dollop of daisy, bacon pieces, and chives.

**this makes a GIGANTIC pot of soup. if you half the recipe, you will still have about 6 servings. or make it all, and freeze for later.**

enjoy this pinterest success!!!

SCRUMPTIOUS SATURDAY

"one potato...two potato...three potato...four..."

FLASHBACK november 5

mandatory friday night is coming...the "let's make a plan" email is going around. time? 6(ish). place? linksies. food? yes. we are grilling out...we don't even care that it's 30 degrees outside. it's byom (bring your own meat), byob (beverage), and a side to share. b has already said she's bringing deviled eggs. well boo...i've been dying for an excuse to make these again. so, yet again, i hit up pinterest, looking for the perfect side.

FLASH FORWARD mandatory friday

i decide on "crack potatoes", because...easy. and you can't go wrong with potatoes, cheese, and bacon.

CRACK POTATOES

ingredients:

2~ 16 oz containers of sour cream
2c cheddar cheese, shredded
2~ 3 oz bags real bacon bits
2 packages ranch dip mix
1 large bag (30 oz) frozen hash browns (shredded)

preheat oven to 400〫.  mix sour cream, cheese, bacon, and ranch dip mix in large bowl. stir in potatoes. spread evenly in 9X13 baking dish. bake for 60 minutes.
easy.

                     

PINTEREST SUCCESS!!

MANIC MONDAY

"when i say you're a pork chop, you best believe you're a pork chop..."

FLASHBACK yesterday
it's a typical sunday in the bird's nest. football. facebook. pinterest. lazy, lazy sunday. i decide it's the perfect time to test another recipe i find on pinterest.





EASY OVEN~BBQ PORK CHOPS

ingredients:

6 pork chops, ¾ to 1 inch thick
1 med onion, halved and thinly sliced
¼ c vinegar
¾ c water
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tbs worcestshire
½ c ketchup
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp salt





preheat oven to 350〫.  place chops in a 9X13 baking dish.  top with sliced onions. mix remaining ingredients in medium bowl and pour over chops. bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.

SUCCESS!!!

^with fresh corn and gralic mashed potatoes made with purple potatoes^

FLASH FORWARD today
it's monday. dinner is always boring on mondays. so throw these puppies in the oven and read a book for an hour. or, better yet, scroll thru pinterest and try your favorite recipes to see if they're a pinterest success or an epic fail!

not so MANIC MONDAY

"and eatin' hot chili...eatin' hot chili...i love hot chili..."

FLASHBACK yesterday
yeah. so. sometimes you only flashback 24 hours. duh. anyway, it was a rainy, cool, lazy sunday. the plan for the day? football. football. and, yes, football. it's the perfect day for a big bowl of chili.

















FLASH FORWARD today
looking for something easy and comforting for dinner on a cool, crisp, fall day? here is the perfect chili!

BIRD'S EASY CHILI

ingredients:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 small onion, diced
1 15oz can light red kidney beans
1 15oz can dark red kidney beans
1 28oz can baked beans
1 26oz can spaghetti sauce
½ c chili powder
½ c sugar
1 tbs cumin
1 tbs pepper
salt to taste
red pepper flakes to taste (i cup my palm and fill for the perfect heat)

brown meat and onions until cooked thru. add all beans and spaghetti sauce. add spices *all spices can be added to taste*. let simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
yeah. it's that easy.

happy fall feasting!!

not so MANIC MONDAY

"it's just another manic monday..."

FLASHBACK a few weeks ago
FINALLY!! we pick up our csa veggies (click here to learn more about community supported agriculture) and get bell peppers. big, fat, red bell peppers. the bk starts complaining that we never have stuffed peppers. hmmmmmm. i wonder why not?
FLASH FORWARD a few days later
i search the web for a good stuffed pepper recipe. i'm not really feeling any of them. then, i remember, my sissie in~law posted one on her blog a loooonnnggg time ago (click here for her original recipe). let's try that!!

EASY PEASY STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

ingredients:

4 bell peppers (i used 2 red and 2 yellow)
2 pounds of ground beef (can substitute ground turkey)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 14 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 c water
⅔ c jasmine rice (you can use whatever, jasmine is my favorite)
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dried oregano 
salt and pepper to taste
dash or two red pepper flakes (not in original recipe but i wanted to add a little heat)
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

cut the tops off the peppers. remove seeds and membranes.  place peppers into boiling water for 3 minutes.  sprinkle insides with salt and place upside down on a paper towel to drain.
in a deep skillet, cook the meat and onions till meat is browned, drain fat. stir in undrained tomatoes, uncooked rice, worcestershire sauce, and oregano, 1 cup of water and a dash of salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes. bring to boiling; reduce heat. cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender. stir in cheese. remove from heat.  place peppers into a baking dish and fill with meat mixture.  If there is any remaining meat mixture just put in dish around peppers. you can sprinkle shredded cheese on top of peppers, if you want. bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.
serves 4.

yummmm!!! enjoy!!!

SCRUMPTIOUS SATURDAY

"this is the shoe and these are our people..."
FLASHBACK september 4, 2013
the bk is busy, busy, busy making plans for tailgating at the shoe. *for those who don't know, but everyone should know, the shoe is the home of the osu buckeyes* all he is responsible for is the sound system. nope. not good enough for bk. out comes pinterest and tons of tailgating recipes.

FLASH FORWARD today
off the bk went, with two delicious dishes in tow! try them for your next tailgate adventure or football party!!

CANDIED BACON

ingredients:
¼ c brown sugar
2 tbs rice vinegar
2 tbs maple syrup
black pepper to taste
1 lb thick cut bacon

preheat oven to 350〫. place a cooling rack over a baking sheet. place bacon on cooling rack and bake for 10 minutes. turn slices and bake for 5 additional minutes. 

mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and black pepper in small bowl.

remove bacon and brush both sides with brown sugar mixture. return to oven and bake another 5 minutes. repeat basting until bacon is crispy and brown, approximately 35 minutes.

and BOOM!!

TAILGATE SANDWICHES

ingredients:
20 small hawaiian sweet rolls
1 lb black forrest ham (or meat of your choice)
20 slices of provolone cheese (or your choice)
8 oz container of softened cream cheese
½ cup (1 stick) melted butter
1 tbs yellow mustard
1 tbs worchestshire sauce
2 tbs minced onions
¼ c grated parmesan cheese
2 tbs poppy seeds (optional)

preheat oven to 350〫. lightly coat 9X13 pan with cooking spray. layer pan with bottom halves of rolls.  top with the ham. top ham with cheese. spread top halves of rolls with cream cheese and place on top of cheese, lining up with bottom halves.
in a medium bowl, mix butter, mustard, worchestshire sauce, minced onions, and parmesan cheese until well combined. pour evenly over sandwiches. sprinkle with poppy seeds.
cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. cut at seams and serve warm.

*note: we made up sandwiches the night before and heated the next morning. easy peasy.*

turns out they were a hit. pinterest successes!!
HAPPY PINNING!!

TASTY TUESDAY

you guys!! i came home from work, sunday, and the bk had cooked dinner. it was fabulous and i just had to share!!

HAWAIIAN CROCKPOT CHICKEN

ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breasts (original recipe called for 12 drumsticks)
1 c ketchup
1 c packed dark brown sugar
½ c soy sauce
1 tbs grated fresh ginger (or ¼ tbs ground, because who has fresh ginger just laying around)
a splash of sesame seed oil

cover chicken with sauce and cook, on high, for about 2 hours. shred chicken with a fork and return to crockpot. cook an additional 2~3 hours. (you can shred chicken before serving, he just preferred it to simmer in sauce a bit).

we served over jasmine rice with a side of sauteed vegetables. you could, also, serve on hawaiian bread as sliders.

happy crockpotting!!!