1st Birthday Party

We waited a few weekends after Cade's actual birthday (Sep 28th) to have his party since I knew my mom, brother and sister would be in town  One of the rare opportunities for them to participate in one of the boys' birthdays.  I whipped up this cute bunting for a party decoration.  I felt quite a sense of accomplishment, because I don't usually just whip something up on the sewing machine.  It was way easier than I thought it would be.  At first I was just going to leave the edges raw and hot glue them to the ribbon.  After looking at several tutorials online I just went for it.  I can't really link up to any one in particular, because I really didn't follow them I didn't even measure anything.  I drew a triangle on an old cereal box until it was symmetrical. Cut it out and used it as a template.  I had a quarter yard of each fabric, cut it out in a double layer, sewed them together and then sewed them to the ribbon.  I was pleased with the results.

We invited about 30 family members, most showed up! At least I turned it into more of a potluck.  It was more that I had originally intended but it was fun to see everyone.  I got the cake idea from here.  just box mix, store bought frosting and candy.  Not the cutest cake ever but it works.  The cupcakes how ever had my new favorite frosting. Tasted like light fluffy marshmallow creme. Delicious.

As I was working on party preparations I found this horse nibbling on the Necco wafers.

The puppy cake,  it seems he has 6 paws.  Maybe a birth defect?

They cupcakes with yummy homemade frosting!

Fluffy Boiled Icing

3T meringue powder

1/2 c. cold water

2c. sugar

1/4 c. corn syrup

1/2 c. water

Beat meringue in water till stiff. About 4 min

Mix sugar, syrup and water in 2 qt saucepan. Bring to boil and cool slightly. Slowly add syrup to meringue mixture while beating on low. Beat on Hi 4 min till stiff and glossy. Makes 6 cups.

Birthday Boy

Attempting to blow out the candle

 

loving the sugar rush!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wheat germ streusel banana muffins

I think I have another banana type recipe posted, but these muffins were delicious. I only like to eat bananas with no brown spots so we always seem to have spotty bananas sitting around, and instead of tossing them in the trash I usually trying making them into banana bread. I just stumbled onto these muffins from my Healthy Cooking magazine. These hit the spot. I think Andy wanted me to post this so we wouldn't lose it :o)

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/3 cups mashed ripe bananas (I used about 3 1/2 medium bananas and I didn't measure but it looked closer to 2 cups)
1 egg
2 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp unsweetened applesauce

Streusel:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsp toasted wheat germ
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 Tbsp cold butter
2 Tbsp. finely chopped walnuts

1. In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat the bananas, egg, oil and applesauce until well blended. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
2. Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or use paper liners; fill two-thirds full with batter. For streusel, combine the brown sugar, wheat germ and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts. Sprinkle over batter.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

1 muffin equals 203 calories, 6g fat, 2g fiber, 4g protein.

Rhubarb Dessert

We went to the farmers market on Thursday with the purpose of buying some rhubarb. I have been thinking for awhile that it would be great to have some planted in our yard, but I have yet to do this. I did learn quite a bit about rhubarb though on our little trek. We actually went all the way through the market and found no rhubarb until the very last booth. I asked the lady if rhubarb was out of season, and she informed me that in Iowa no one picks it past the 4th of July. Interesting. I just barely made it. And the best time to plant it is in the early spring. So next year I guess, maybe I can find someone who will share part of their plant. This is one of Andy's favorite desserts I am whipping up for our 4 of July celebration.

Here it is:

Rhubarb Dessert

3oz strawberry jello

1 c sugar

1 white cake mix (dry)

1 c water

1 stick of butter (melted)

Put 4 c. rhubarb in 9x13 pan. Mix sugar and jello and sprinkle over rhubarb.
Sprinkle dry cake mix over top.

Drizzle melted butter over cake mix and pour 1 cup water over all.

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Tastes great with ice cream!!

Double-Chocolate Chunk Cookies

These are my new favorite cookies. I love. them. so delicious. They even turned out pretty as I usually have a hard time making my cookies look pretty while using real butter. At least I think it is the real butter that makes them look weird. Paper thin flat with lumps called chocolate chips. So here's the recipe:

1 bag (24 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (4 cups )

1 cup butter or margarine softened.

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 package (6 oz) white baking bars (white chocolate), cut into 1/4- 1/2 inch chunks(i used white chocolate chips)

1 cup pecan or walnut halves (I left these out as I feel nuts ruin a good cookie)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips in 1 quart sauce pan over low heat, stirring constantly. Cool to room temperature, but do not allow chocolate to become firm.

2. Beat butter, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and melted chocolate until light and fluffy. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in remaining 2 1/2 cups chocolate chips, white baking bar chunks and pecan halves.

3. Drop dough by level 1/4 cupfuls or #16 cookie/ice cream scoop about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until set. (centers will appear soft and moist). Cool 1 to 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

What about breakfast at...Jennifer's

I love breakfast. It is my most favorite meal of the day. Especially when it is a yummy breakfast like pancakes or omelets or waffles not just cereal and toast. So tomorrow my niece is coming over to hang out. She has had a rough week so I am going to whip her up some Oatmeal Pancakes with Strawberry topping to start off our day. It's been awhile since I have made these but they are oh so yummy.

Oatmeal Pancakes
6 servings
prep: 15 min
cook: 5 min


1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup fat-free milk
1 tablespoon sugar
2 table spoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Make strawberry topping; keep warm. Beat remaining ingredients with hand beater or wire whisk just until smooth. (for thinner pancakes, stir in additional 2-4 tablespoons milk)

Spray griddle or 10 inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375 degrees or heat skillet over medium heat. For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/4 cup batter from cup or pitcher onto hot griddle.

Cook pancakes until puffed and dry around edges. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown. Serve with topping.

Strawberry Topping
1 jar (12oz) strawberry preserves
1 cup quartered fresh or frozen (thawed) strawberries
2 tablespoons butter or margarine

Heat all ingredients over low heat, stirring occasionally until butter is melted and mixture is hot.

Runza Casserole

We have really been enjoying this simple recipe this winter. I think I may add it to my list of comfort foods. One of the last times we went to Colorado, we stopped at a Runza fast food restaurant in Nebraska. A nice change from the usual quick burger joint or Subway. We found it to be quite tasty! So here it is in casserole form...

Runza Casserole

2 lbs. hamburger

2 onions, chopped

4 c. shredded cabbage

Salt & pepper to taste

2 tubes refrigerated crescent rolls

1 lb. Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Use 9"x13" pan. Begin to brown hamburger and onion for a few minutes in a large pan and add cabbage to steam. Spread 1 tube of crescent rolls over bottom of pan. Spread meat on top and add cheese. Place second tube on top and pinch together again. Bake 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cover last 10 minutes to soften crust. Perfect for Runza lovers and so much easier than making individual ones.

New England Baked Bean Stew

Here is another souper easy recipe. I made this last night for a couple of friends who came over to hang out. As I was typing it out I realized that I don't really follow the recipe, real close, at least not the cooking directions, but it is the same end result. I don't know if I have ever used Polish sausage in it either. Mainly because I didn't bother to look real hard and find it. Last time I used Kielbasa, which was really good.

New England Baked Bean Stew
prep: 10 min
cook: 20 min

1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1/2 pound fully cooked Polish sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 can (15-16oz) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (15-16oz) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2oz) diced tomatoes with olive oil, garlic and spices, undrained
1 can chicken broth or improvise as desired
1 Tablespoon packed brown sugar
4 medium green onions sliced (1/4 cup)

1. Spray 12 inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in skillet 3-5 min, stirring occasionally,until brown.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients except onions. Cook uncovered over medium-low heat 8-10 min, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.
3. Stir in Onions. Cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are crisp-tender.

Yield: 4 servings

Tasty

Here is another delicious easy recipe for a meat dish. Right now and until I am done nursing, I have to stay away from dairy since Dane is lactose intolerant. Tried and true, if I do eat dairy he becomes very fussy and the diaper rash reappears. The other challenge is tomatoes do not always agree with me. So it seems in many dishes it is either dairy or tomato, (cream of ____ that is dairy too :o(. This poses as a huge challenge when you are eating more than a high school boy. The easiest thing I have found is making a meat dish and then finding a side dish to go with it. Good ol' midwestern meat and potata's.

Tasty Roast

1 (3lb) chuck roast - or any roast would be fine
2 pkg. Italian dry salad dressing seasoning
1 pkg au jus
2 c. water

Cook all ingredients in crock-pot for 8-9 hours on low. Serve on hoagie buns or as a regular meal.
I usually make a gravy out of the juice when it is done.

Black Bean Soup

This is a new favorite soup recipe of mine. I first tried it last year at Panera Bread and loved it so I did a google search to find something similar. Here it is:

4-6 servings
25 min, 5 min prep

1 onion finely chopped
2 garlic gloves minced
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
1/4 large red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 small chicken bouillon cubes
1-1 1/2 cup boiling water
2 (15 oz) cans black beans, undrained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 lemon, juice of ( I was unclear as to what this was, I think I did 1/2 Tablespoon?)
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. In a pot, combine the first six ingredients; simmer for 10 min.
2. Add half a can of black beans, salt and cumin; cook for 5 minutes
3. Puree soup. (I used my blender)
4. Add the rest of the beans to the soup
4. Combine the cornstarch with 1 1/2 tablespoons of water.
6. Add the lemon and the cornstarch to the soup; cook until thickened

Glazed Cinnamon Cake

I tried this recipe out on the gals from work. They came over during their lunch for a quick visit. It turned out to be delicious. It would be perfect for a brunch or with coffee.

Cake
1/2 c butter
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp maple flavoring
1 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp salt
1/2 c buttermilk

Preheat Oven to 350.
Cream butter and sugar well. Add eggs and flavoring and beat well. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to butter mixture in 3 batches alternating with buttermilk. Don't over mix. Pour into greased 9" cake pan and bake 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan and drizzle with glaze.

Glaze
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
3 T milk
1/4 tsp maple flavoring

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

So I decided to put myself on a low sodium diet hoping that it will help my leg/ankle swelling to go down. It's more like a try to eat less sodium diet. I figured I would beat the Dr to it and maybe it won't become a huge problem. I found this delicious recipe on the American Heart Association web site, at least sugar and chocolate don't have sodium in them :o) I made this tonight and it was delicious!

1 3/4 cups all-purpose four

2/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips ( I am pretty sure I almost doubled this)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup mashed banana

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 large egg

1 tablespoon canola or corn oil

6 reduced-fat vanilla wafer cookies crushed (about 1/4 cup)

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan with vegetable oil spray.

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, chocolate chips, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make a well in the center.

Add the remaining ingredients except the cookie crumbs, stirring until just moistened. Don't over mix; the batter should be lumpy. Pour into the loaf pan. Sprinkle with cookie crumbs.

(next time I may press the crumbs in a little so they don't fall off when it's done)

Bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Invert the bread onto a cooling rack and let cool before slicing.

per serving:

Calories 129

Total Fat 2.0 g

Sodium 64 mg

not sure where I lost the rest of the nutritional facts.

**tornado sirens, probably better go**