Cinnamon Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar (you can sub out 1/4 cup honey for this)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla (or 1/2 if you like a lot of vanilla flavor)
1 egg - lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup melted butter (you can sub out oil for this or even applesauce)
Topping (if desired):
2 TB Sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
(I usually make this in my mixer)
In large bow, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine the egg, milk and butter; mix well. Add to dry ingredients and mix until moistened. Spoon into greased or paper lined muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until muffins test done. For topping, combine sugar and cinnamon. Brush the tops of warm muffins with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar. Makes 1 dozen.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Just Desserts
Mocha Cinnamon Bars
Stir together 2 t. instant coffee crystals, 1/2 t. each of water, vanilla extract in small bowl. Set aside.
Stir together 2 c. flour and 1 t. cinnamon in another bowl. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat together 1 cup butter or margarine (I use one stick of each), 1/2 c. each of brown sugar and granulated sugar on high until fluffy. Add one egg yolk, beat well. Then beat in coffee mixture, then flour mixture. Beat until combined.
Press the dough into a 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. When it’s brown and not gooey in the middle, take it out, and sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips. I use dark chocolate but you can use whichever kind you like. Optional: sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans. I skip those and sprinkle it with Christmas sprinkles. Cut while warm. They are very rich so I cut them in small squares.
Stir together 2 t. instant coffee crystals, 1/2 t. each of water, vanilla extract in small bowl. Set aside.
Stir together 2 c. flour and 1 t. cinnamon in another bowl. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat together 1 cup butter or margarine (I use one stick of each), 1/2 c. each of brown sugar and granulated sugar on high until fluffy. Add one egg yolk, beat well. Then beat in coffee mixture, then flour mixture. Beat until combined.
Press the dough into a 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 to 18 minutes. When it’s brown and not gooey in the middle, take it out, and sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips. I use dark chocolate but you can use whichever kind you like. Optional: sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans. I skip those and sprinkle it with Christmas sprinkles. Cut while warm. They are very rich so I cut them in small squares.
What's For Dinner, Mommy?
Fajita Seasoning Mix
Ingredients:
•3 Tbsp. cornstarch
•2 Tbsp. chili powder
•1 Tbsp. salt
•1 Tbsp. paprika
•1 Tbsp. sugar
•2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
•1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
•1/2 tsp. garlic powder
•1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
•1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
•1/2 tsp. cumin
Preparation:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour into small glass or plastic container, seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 3 packets of commercial or purchased Fajita Seasoning Mix.
Chicken Fajitas
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 green bell pepper
2 Tbsp. oil
3 Tbsp. Fajita Seasoning Mix
1/3 cup water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
6 flour tortillas
Prepare the fajitas using the same directions found on the package of purchased seasoning mix:
Cut chicken into thin strips. Cut green pepper into strips. Heat oil in large skillet and add chicken. Cook and stir over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Then add three tablespoons of the Fajita Seasoning Mix, water, green pepper and onion. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir over medium heat until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and grated cheese in warmed tortillas.
TO-DIE-FOR MEXICAN CORNBREAD:
2 pkgs Jiffy cornbread mix
1 med onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream-style corn
1 1/2 cups sour cream
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 can of Rotel, drained (include the whole can, drained, if you like it extra spicy)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Mix that together until it's a big gloppy mess. Pour into a greased 13x9 casserole dish, bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes. Serves 12 or more.
Mexican Lasagna
•1 lb. ground beef
•1 medium onion, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 can refried beans
•1 pkg. taco seasoning
•1 1/2 cups salsa
•1 large (24 oz) carton cottage cheese
•Shredded Cheddar cheese (lots of it!)
•6 corn tortillas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain. Add beans, taco seasoning and 1 cup salsa to meat mixture and heat through. Add a little (1/4 cup?) water at this point if necessary.
Line 13 x 9 baking dish with 3 corn tortillas. Spread half of meat/bean mixture over tortillas. Evenly distribute half of cottage cheese over meat. Then add cheddar cheese. Repeat, but before adding last layer of cheese, sprinkle 1/2 cup of remaining salsa on cottage cheese. Then top with cheddar cheese.
Bake for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Serve with taco toppings, a lettuce salad or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!
For those not in the mood for Mexican food:
Creamy Italian Chicken
Makes 4-6 servings
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope dry Italian salad dressing mix
¼ cup water
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
10-3/4-oz. can cream of chicken soup
4-oz. can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
Lightly grease slow cooker. Place chicken in the bottom. Combine salad dressing with water and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours. Combine cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken and cook until heated through. Serve over noodles or rice. Add a fresh green salad to complete the meal.
Note: I always add more chicken to the same amount of sauce and find I can stretch it to feed 8.
Ingredients:
•3 Tbsp. cornstarch
•2 Tbsp. chili powder
•1 Tbsp. salt
•1 Tbsp. paprika
•1 Tbsp. sugar
•2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
•1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
•1/2 tsp. garlic powder
•1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
•1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
•1/2 tsp. cumin
Preparation:
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour into small glass or plastic container, seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 3 packets of commercial or purchased Fajita Seasoning Mix.
Chicken Fajitas
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 green bell pepper
2 Tbsp. oil
3 Tbsp. Fajita Seasoning Mix
1/3 cup water
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
6 flour tortillas
Prepare the fajitas using the same directions found on the package of purchased seasoning mix:
Cut chicken into thin strips. Cut green pepper into strips. Heat oil in large skillet and add chicken. Cook and stir over medium high heat for 5 minutes. Then add three tablespoons of the Fajita Seasoning Mix, water, green pepper and onion. Reduce heat to medium. Cook and stir over medium heat until chicken is cooked through and vegetables are tender. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and grated cheese in warmed tortillas.
TO-DIE-FOR MEXICAN CORNBREAD:
2 pkgs Jiffy cornbread mix
1 med onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream-style corn
1 1/2 cups sour cream
4 eggs, beaten
1/2 can of Rotel, drained (include the whole can, drained, if you like it extra spicy)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
Mix that together until it's a big gloppy mess. Pour into a greased 13x9 casserole dish, bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes. Serves 12 or more.
Mexican Lasagna
•1 lb. ground beef
•1 medium onion, chopped
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•1 can refried beans
•1 pkg. taco seasoning
•1 1/2 cups salsa
•1 large (24 oz) carton cottage cheese
•Shredded Cheddar cheese (lots of it!)
•6 corn tortillas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef with onion and garlic. Drain. Add beans, taco seasoning and 1 cup salsa to meat mixture and heat through. Add a little (1/4 cup?) water at this point if necessary.
Line 13 x 9 baking dish with 3 corn tortillas. Spread half of meat/bean mixture over tortillas. Evenly distribute half of cottage cheese over meat. Then add cheddar cheese. Repeat, but before adding last layer of cheese, sprinkle 1/2 cup of remaining salsa on cottage cheese. Then top with cheddar cheese.
Bake for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Serve with taco toppings, a lettuce salad or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!
For those not in the mood for Mexican food:
Creamy Italian Chicken
Makes 4-6 servings
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 envelope dry Italian salad dressing mix
¼ cup water
8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
10-3/4-oz. can cream of chicken soup
4-oz. can mushroom stems and pieces, drained
Lightly grease slow cooker. Place chicken in the bottom. Combine salad dressing with water and pour over chicken. Cover and cook on low 3-4 hours. Combine cream cheese and soup until blended. Stir in mushrooms. Pour over chicken and cook until heated through. Serve over noodles or rice. Add a fresh green salad to complete the meal.
Note: I always add more chicken to the same amount of sauce and find I can stretch it to feed 8.
Parenting Tips
Christmas, A Time to Teach Generosity
Christmas is a highlight in the life of most children, but much of the benefit is focused on what they get. Of course one of the blessings of Christmas is giving, so look for ways to teach children generosity this year. Here are some ideas:
Involves kids in your gift giving strategy or help them develop their own. Planning, shopping, and wrapping can each provide ways for children to think about blessing others.
Anticipate with your children the delight others will experience when the gifts are opened. Help your child enjoy the fun others will have when receiving gifts.
Ask children the question: "What are you doing this year to make Christmas special for others?" This question alone can help teens think of others instead of just themselves. A short discussion can help move kids from selfish tendencies to generosity.
And most importantly, remind children of the generosity of God by sending us a special gift in his Son.
For more ideas on addressing heart issues in your kids, consider the book, Parenting is Heart Work by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Christmas is a highlight in the life of most children, but much of the benefit is focused on what they get. Of course one of the blessings of Christmas is giving, so look for ways to teach children generosity this year. Here are some ideas:
Involves kids in your gift giving strategy or help them develop their own. Planning, shopping, and wrapping can each provide ways for children to think about blessing others.
Anticipate with your children the delight others will experience when the gifts are opened. Help your child enjoy the fun others will have when receiving gifts.
Ask children the question: "What are you doing this year to make Christmas special for others?" This question alone can help teens think of others instead of just themselves. A short discussion can help move kids from selfish tendencies to generosity.
And most importantly, remind children of the generosity of God by sending us a special gift in his Son.
For more ideas on addressing heart issues in your kids, consider the book, Parenting is Heart Work by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
Gratitude
As the season progresses, we spend a lot of time shopping, wrapping, baking and making plans for Christmas. However, the economy has left most of us trying to be creative and frugal gift givers to the point of we are cutting way back on the gifts. It can be frustrating, stressful and overwhelming when we focus on the physical gifts that bring delight for a brief time on one day out of the year. Take a few minutes and watch the video, Gratitude, and refocus on the wealth of blessings we have compared to so many. Focus on the Giver of these blessings and then spend some time in a gratitude conversation with Him. The reason for this season is, afterall, to celebrate the most wonderful gift ever given to mankind- Christ, the Savior's birth! Don't forget to turn down our music at the bottom of the page.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
A Mom's Prayer
I posted this earlier, but it is so powerful and bears repeating.
Choose joy, pray continously, give thanks!
Despite spilt chocolate milk on the carpet, endless squabbles between kids, magic markers on the walls, car repair bills, and sleepless nights, our script needs to be, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it is still a pretty great day!"
Turn down the volume on the playlist and enjoy Lysa's message.
Choose joy, pray continously, give thanks!
Despite spilt chocolate milk on the carpet, endless squabbles between kids, magic markers on the walls, car repair bills, and sleepless nights, our script needs to be, "If this is the worst thing that happens to me today, it is still a pretty great day!"
Turn down the volume on the playlist and enjoy Lysa's message.
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About Me
- ml4estsmommy
- I am a very blessed SAHM. I am blessed with an abundant amount of grace from my Creator and Savior. He has blessed me with an amazing man as my life long best friend, husband and father of our two precious gifts of energy and life. My days are full with the activities of homekeeping, and the joys and adventures of two healthy and energetic kiddos. I am basking in His grace daily.
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