Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Snow Cone Syrup

Andrew loves crushed ice.  I found a snow cone machine at a garage sale for $2 and decided to give it a try!  It works really well and gives shaved ice.  Normally Andrew will just eat the ice on his own, but today we decided to make some syrup to go with it!  Luckily for Andrew his Mommy loves Snow Cones, but hates the price of them.  This is a great compromise.

This is an easy recipe and can be a variety of flavors based on what flavor of Kool Aid you pick up!  Today was strawberry, but we have 3 other flavors ready to be made!

Snow Cone Syrup

Ingredients:
3/4 cup of Water
3/4 cup of Sugar
1 packet of Kool Aid

Directions:

1) Make a simple Syrup of the water and sugar by heating the water to a boil and melting the sugar in it.
2)  Slowly mix in the Kool Aid.
3) Place in a container and cool in the fridge for an hour. 
4) Put over your crushed ice and enjoy!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Tortilla soup

As I was in a clean out the fridge mode, and it was cold again, I decided to make a tortilla soup earlier this week.  It was a great use of some homemade chicken stock, shredded chicken, and my pantry staples!

Brian and I both enjoyed it as well as Brian's parents when we supplied dinner for watching the kids last night!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

6 cups chicken broth/stock (I used homemade)
1/2 a large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
Shredded chicken (I used about a cup--this is what we had left, definitely could put more to taste)
1 can of rotel
1 can of corn
1 package taco seasoning (I used my own)
1 teaspoon cumin (to taste or optional)


Directions:
1. Sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic on the stove to develop the flavors (3-5 minutes on medium/medium high).
2.  In a crockpot or finish adding to the pot you sautéed the above mixture in, add the rest of the ingredients, heat until hot!
3. I did on low for four hours and just adjusted seasoning at the end!

Add any garnish you would like...cheese, chips, avocado, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Brownies...completely from scratch

As we looked at the big game menu, we realized dessert was missing, so I mentioned brownies thinking I had a box mix. Nope, all out.  This was a simple found recipe online, can't remember where.  I will try to find it again.

Brownies
  • 1 1/4 cups margarine
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 3/4 cup cocoa
  • 2 cups nuts (optional)

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter and add cocoa; mix. Stir in sugar and blend in the eggs, one at a time. Add vanilla. Stir in flour and nuts; mix well.
Bake in greased 9 x 13-inch pan for 30 minutes in preheated oven. Let cool on rack, 20 to 30 minutes. Cut into 20 square pieces.

Rich, fudge and yummy.  It might have been requested for Monday night bible study as well!

Spicy crackers

These have been at mom 2 mom a lot this semester and I knew they would be great for the big game!

Andrew loved them until he would hit a hot spot, then it was I need milk!

Spicy crackers:

1 box saltine crackers
1packet ranch mix (or homemade)
1tablespoon garlic powder
2tablespoons red pepper flakes
1cup vegetable oil

Directions:

Mix everything but the crackers.  Place crackers in a Baggie or large mixing bowl with a lid. Cover with mixed oil and shake for 5 minutes.  Every fifteen minutes continue to toss and coat.  Make the day before and the flavors are better!