Pecan Creek Boutique

Hey friends-

I know I know it has been forever since I last posted.  Life has been super crazy this year.  We started our own business doing landscaping, and I have been experimenting with a lot of foodie things to keep my sanity up.  We also found out that we have another bun in the oven!!! Yep you heard me, number 6 is on its way.  We couldn't be happier! We are so excited!  Morning sickness is in full force right now, which has also prolonged any posting, but rest assured, I am bound and determined to get back in the saddle after the holidays and get some yummy recipes for you that I have been working on.

Right now, I am excited to announce that in a month and a half I will be participating in my very first Boutique!  It's called the Pecan Creek Boutique.  Here is the link to their blog.  http://pecancreekboutique.blogspot.com/  Also, stop on over to their Facebook page to enter an amazing giveaway that they are having. (the link is on their blog)

I will be selling my famous Tamales there, for the holidays.  I know what you are thinking... why would I buy the tamales when her recipe is on the blog?  Well, I will tell you why.... one... Have you ever made tamales? Tons of work... enough said... lol.  Let me do the work for you! Also, I've been playing around with the recipes a little and made them even better. AND if that doesn't convince you, then come get the other 2 kinds that I have available that are not posted yet.  I'm not the kind of person that refuses to share a recipe. I think its lame.  I'll get around to posting the others, someday, but for now... COME TO THE BOUTIQUE!

I am also going to be selling my cheese balls and salsa. Super yummy, super good time!

The boutique will be on Nov 17th from 8 am-1 pm.  They have some amazing vendors. I am so excited to be a part of it.  So come on over and get some Christmas shopping done.  Don't forget to check out their blog for more information. See you there!

Freezer Meals Day 15- Very Berry Pops

Ahhhh, it's blasted hot outside!  And the summer has just begun.  Its time to bring out the cold snacks.  Like these Popsicles.  Nutritious and delicious, but it doesn't taste like chicken.  The best part is that it is super simple to make. 

Very Berry Pops

4 cups mixed berries ( I used Costco's frozen triple berry blend and some frozen cherries)

1 cup apple juice (or water/other fruit juice)

2 tbsp sugar

4-6 Dixie cups

4-6 Popsicle sticks

Blend ingredients in a blender until well blended. Pour mixture into the cups and place a Popsicle stick in the center of the mixture. Freeze until hardened. Tear the cup away from the Popsicle and serve immediately.

Day 14, Sloppy Joes

As good ol' Rico (from Hannah Montana) would say, "Hay-yoooooh" I'm back!  Thanks for all of your prayers and support for my sweet sister Hayley.  She is officially in Remission! What a miracle it is!  The disease that was attacking her kidneys is gone!   Her kidneys are pretty beat up, but we are hoping for continued progress and she will most likely be able to avoid a transplant. 

Life has been pretty crazy around here the past few weeks.  We started our own business back in January.  We have had the amazing blessing of too much work!  Its been hard to juggle it all but feel like we are starting to get our feet under us and will be able to handle the growth a little more in the next few months. 

5 kids has kept me plenty busy as well.  I'm enjoying having them near me and love spending time with them. I'm trying to soak it all in because next thing I know, they will be grown and gone.  I love being a mom to these sweet princesses.  We have so much fun together!  They love to help me cook and bake and are getting pretty good at it. 

Okay okay, enough rambling... on to the Sloppy Joes!!!  Its kid friendly week...still...  And here is a fabulous one.  This recipe comes from The Pioneer Woman. Love her!!!

Sloppy Joes

2 Tablespoons Butter

2-1/2 pounds Ground Beef

1/2 whole Large Onion, Diced

1 whole Large Green Bell Pepper, Diced

5 cloves Garlic, Minced

1-1/2 cup Ketchup

1 cup Water

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

2 teaspoons Chili Powder (more To Taste)

1 teaspoon Dry Mustard

1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)

Worcestershire Sauce, To Taste

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste (optional)

Salt To Taste

Pepper, To Taste

Hamburger buns or rolls

Butter

Melt butter in a large skillet and toss in the ground beef or turkey.  Cook thoroughly until browned over medium heat.

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

Stir in remaining ingredients to combine. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

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

Where's Jennie?

Life kind of stopped with Day 13 last week for me!  I'm sorry I didn't keep going.  My sister was put in the hospital last week for Kidney Failure. She has since been diagnosed with Wegeners Disease.  It's not a very fun disease to have.  She has started some massive treatments, including chemo, dialasys and plasmapheresis. I have been trying to take it all in and wrap my head around the situation.  And of course be with her as much as possible.  She will be in the hospital another couple of weeks. 

For the time being, pretty much anything extra is on hold, so I can try to be there for her and for my family.  Please keep her in your prayers.  She is only 21! I promise to get back with the rest of the freezer meals, when life settles down a little more. I've got some good ones for ya!

Have a great day and happy creating!

Freezer Meal Day 13- Grilled Ham and Cheese

I got to spend the day with my sweet sister yesterday.  She is in the hospital with acute kidney failure.  They will be doing a minor surgery on her today to get some answers.  If you all could remember her in your prayers it would be greatly appreciated!

Moments like these, whether big or small, are exactly why we need to prepare now with freezer meals!  Something always comes up, whether its a sick child or other family member, too many places to be at once and cant get dinner going, or you just feel too lazy to cook.  These freezer meals have saved me a lot of stress and time!

Here is another yummy freezer sandwich that goes along with the PB and J for the Masses that I posted earlier.

Grilled Ham and Cheese

Bread

Sliced Cheese ( I used American)

Sliced Ham

Butter (softened)

Wax paper (if desired)

With two slices of bread, add a slice of ham (or more if desired) and a slice of cheese (I used a couple slices). Put sides together and spread the outside with butter.  In a fry pan or on a griddle, grill (at low to medium heat) both sides until golden and the cheese is melted. Allow sandwiches to cool and wrap individually with wax paper (if desired). Put in freezer bags.  Label and freeze

To Thaw:  remove a sandwich from the bag (still wrapped with wax paper) and microwave on high for 30-45 seconds.  You can also grill them again until thawed and crisp again. ( I nuked it first then grilled it.  It was awesome!)

Freezer Meals Day 12- Pigs in a Blanket

It's kid friendly week here at Mommy's Kitchen Creations!  Today I've got a super easy one for you.  My kids like to call these mummys, because their grandma made them these for Halloween.  They are nice to just pop in the microwave and heat them up.

Pigs in a Blanket

1 pkg Crescent rolls

2 small pkgs Lil' Smokies

Preheat oven according to package directions (for the crescent rolls). Un-roll crescent rolls and combine 2 triangles together to create a square.  Pinch seams together.  Cut 5 rows lengthwise and then one cut in half cross wise, to make 10 pieces.  Wrap each piece around a link and place on a cookie sheet.   Bake according to crescent roll package directions. 

To Freeze- when cooked, allow them to cool and place cookie sheet in the freezer. When frozen, transfer to a freezer bag. Label and freeze. 

To Thaw: Toss in the microwave and heat through.  You can also bake them according to package instructions, and just add about 5-10 minutes for thawing time.

Freezer Meals Day 11- Chicken Tenders

It's kid Friendly Meals Week this week.  All week I will have some fun freezer meals that are great for those crazy day lunches, or even dinner... for your little ones.  Every time we decide to eat out my kids tell me they want chicken and french fries.  So today, I have some chicken fingers for you that you can freeze ahead of time and have ready to microwave at a moments notice. 

Spend one afternoon making a bunch of these, and you'll save tons of time and money in the long run. 

Chicken Tenders

1 1/2 lbs Chicken Tenders

1 1/2 C. Flour

2 Eggs beaten

1/4 C. milk

1 C. Bread Crumbs

1 C. Panko Bread Crumbs

1 Tsp Season Salt

Salt and Pepper to taste

Sprinkle raw chicken with salt and pepper.  In a small shallow dish, add the flour with a dash of salt and pepper.  In another shallow bowl add eggs and milk. Beat well.  And another shallow dish, mix together the bread crumbs, season salt, salt and pepper. 

Coat tenders with flour and then dip in the milk/egg mixture. Then coat with the bread crumbs.  Place the tenders on a cookie sheet and bate at 375 for about 15 minutes. 

To Freeze:  After baking, allow them to cool.  Put cookie sheet in the freezer and freeze the tenders. When frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.  Label, date and return to the freezer.

To Thaw:  remove desired amount of tenders and heat in the microwave (about a minute for 3 or less tenders) in the oven (375 for about15 min.) or deep fry them on medium until golden brown.