Cheeseburger Casserole

I love casseroles for school nights. Easy to throw together and kids love them as well.  This one will seem familiar as it is based on one of Americas favorite sandwiches, the cheese burger Enjoy!!!

 

 

6 ounces uncooked rotini pasta (about 2 cups)
2 teaspoons oil
1 ½ cups onions (finely chopped)
1 garlic clove (finely chopped)
1lb lean ground beef
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup chopped dill pickles

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13” inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, drain.
Step 2: While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook until soft (about 5 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the ground beef and cook while breaking up into chunks with a spoon or spatula until browned. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomato paste, and then add the tomatoes and mustard. Let the mixture bubble gently until it is slightly thickened (about 2 minutes).
Step 3: Toss the meat mixture with the cooked pasta and spread it into the prepared baking dish. Top with cheddar cheese. Place the baking dish into the oven and bake until the cheese has melted (about 15 minutes). Remove from the oven, sprinkle the chopped dill pickles over the top and serve.

A Twist on a Chicken Sandwich

Chopped Skillet Chicken breast and Mushrooms on bread halves, warmed gently under the broiler.

Pepperjack was placed over the chicken and mushrooms and broiled until melted.

Romaine, red onion and tomato were added.

Oh yeah, and bacon too.

The melted cheese held all of the meat and mushrooms in place, ensuring even mouthfuls of each. Mmm, good.

Hummingbird Cake

Hummingbird Cake is made up of bananas, pineapples and nuts topped with buttery cream cheese sting!

cooking club recipe

Hummingbird Cake

3 c sifted all-purpose flour
2 c sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 c mashed ripe bananas
1 c chopped pecans
3 eggs, beaten
3/4 c canola oil
1 (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple in 100% juice
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c cream cheese (4 oz.), softened
3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 c powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 c finely chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle with flour, tapping out excess.

Whisk flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in large bowl.

 

Gently stir in bananas, 1 cup pecans, eggs, oil, pineapple with juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla until blended (batter will be thick).
  

Spread in pan.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with some moist crumbs attached, top is deep golden brown and cake just begins to pull away from sides of pan. Cool completely in pan on wire rack (or in microwave overnight).
 

Beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl at medium speed 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth and creamy.
 

Beat in powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until well-blended.
  

Stir in 1/3 cup pecans. Or not.

Spread frosting over cake. Sprinkle nuts over frosted cake if you forgot to stir them into the frosting. 
 

Store in refrigerator. Serve at room temperature.


Assuming you are the chef or master-baker in your household, chances are you have served up items much classier than this one such as flaming goods or foods made completely of sugar. But if you aren't a chef or master-baker or cook-extraordinaire of any means, get some of this before you are left with this:

The Last Bite.

You'll regret it if you don't because this cake is good even if you aren't a banana fan.

Cost:

• bananas: $1.20 (a hefty SWAG)
• eggs: $0.43
• crushed pineapple in juice: $0.89
• cream cheese: $0.75

Total: $3.27, but this doesn't take into account the pecans, oil, sugars etc. So I'll add in another $2, no $3, bringing total cost for this cake to $6.27. That makes each of 16 servings $0.39. Yep, thirty-nine cents. 

Are You Aware of Mold

As home owners there are many things that we need to be aware of . Having mold in the house is one of them. As home - owners we try to keep up with repairs so they do not get worst. Mold can affect a homes indoor air. Exposure to some types of mold can lead to health issues such as eye irritation, wheezing and nasal congestion. The environmental protection agency draws awareness to mold in the month of September.

As a home owner you should become aware of all leaks in the home. The roof, foundation, faucets or pipes can all be the cause of leaks. When found leaks should be fixed at once. When leaks are not fixed they can build up extra moisture which can allow mold to grow.

Humidity also lends a hand in mold growth. The humidity of a home should be 30 to 50 percent. Inexpensive moisture or humidity meters located at your local hardware store can tell you what the humidity in your home is

When building or remodeling be sure to use a surface coating that will help prevent mold from growth. Drywall and gypsum boards also has protection from humidity. Treated drywall and materials are perfect for high humidity areas like kitchen and bath.

I have been lucky not to have my home located in a flooded area but have had the opportunity to witness the damage that a flood can do. If you are involved in a flood check with the CDC to see what is recommended in removing all carpet, upholstery, drywall and ceiling tiles. The work of removing damage normally needs to be done with in 48 hours. It is recommended by the EPA to hire a qualified mold specialist.

Mold has a musty or moldy odor so your nose will be the early detector. You should not sniff or touch the mold if you suspect mold please call in a professional. I had a dear friend that died from exposure to mold as he was trying to remove it from his home on his own. This is dangerous work and should be done by a professional. 

As a final tip and an important one you should check the exterior of your home for ground water on a regular basis. Water build up easily causes mold so knowing your home is the best way to avoid it. A downspout can help route water coming off roof away from the house. 

Cream Puffs

Cream Puffs
From K and K test Kitchen

For the puffs
1/2 cup butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water
1 cup sifted flour
3 eggs beaten

Add butter and salt to boiling water and stir over medium heat until mixture boils.  Lower heat and add flour all at once and stir vigorously until mixture leaves side of pan and forms ball around the spoon.  Remove  from heat and add 1 egg at a time beating thoroughly after each addition.  Drop one tablespoon of mixture onto baking sheet.  Bake at 450°F for 20 minutes and then turn oven down to 350°F and cook an additional 20 minutes.  Do not open oven until the end of the cooking time!!

For the cream filling
2/3 cup sugar
5 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups of milk
2 eggs or 4 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons of butter

Combine dry ingredients in top of double boiler; stir in milk gradually.  Cook over boiling water until thickened; stirring constantly.  Cover and cook 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally (I turned it down slightly).  Stir a little of the hot mixture into slightly beaten eggs.  Slowly stir in remaining hot mixture.  Cook over hot water (not boiling) for 2 minutes stirring constantly, but gently - you don't want scrambled eggs!  Add butter to hot cooked filling.  Chill slightly and add vanilla.  Chill before filling the puffs.  Fill the cream puffs just before serving.  Sift powdered sugar over top of the cream puffs.

To fill the cream puffs:  Fit a small tip onto a pastry bag.  Fill the pastry bag with the cream filling.  Cut a small "X" into the side of each puff.  To fill, insert the pastry tip into the hole formed by the "X" and fill until the cream starts to come out of the hole.

Wordless Wednesday: Step families are Real Families

National Step Family Day is celebrated each year on September 16th. Christy Bogeld is the founder of this special day that celebrates all step families. More than 50 % of all Americans or one in every three Americans is part of a step family. Step families are also commonly refereed to as a blended family. 

This past June on the 11th day my son officially became part of a step family. He married his high school friend and together they are sharing her son. It seems that he went to work and college and she took a different turn and got married to a man who left the relationship after the baby was born. This did not deter my son as the little man became as much of his son in time as it is hers.

So here's to all the great step families out there. 

Life is Good with Biscuit and Gravy

One of the most common dishes requested for breakfast at our house is Biscuit and Gravy. It is a year round feast here at our house but other places it is a seasonal dish. At our house it is as an honored and loved dish. Biscuits and Gravy has been honored with a week of its own. The week occurs the second week of September.

My husbands grandmother was a lady who cooked daily for miners in her time. Her daddy and husband were both miners. Cooking for these men was not always easy but when I met her I can tell you that she was a seasoned cook. She knew how to cook adding a pinch of this and a pinch of that, there was no measuring cups in her kitchen. When you went to her house you simply took a seat and enjoyed a nice breakfast, lunch or supper. It was nothing for her to make up biscuit and gravy to serve the whole bunch. Like grandma I believe biscuit and gravy can be served any meal of the day.  

 

 

 

Homemade biscuits covered with that rich "country" "white" "sausage" gravy made up from the drippings of cooked sausage, white flour, milk and bits of real sausage. Of-course, the dish is made even better when seasoned with pepper. Individuals in southern Illinois like it so much that the home I work in makes the dish for breakfast 2 times a week per request. 

 

 

 

 

Sausage Gravy Recipe

8 ounces breakfast sausage

2 tablespoons shortening or lard

3 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups milk

salt and pepper, to taste

dash cayenne pepper, optional

PREPARATION:

Cook sausage in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring and breaking up with a spatula. With a slotted spoon, removed the browned crumbled sausage to a paper towel-lined plate. Add 2 tablespoons shortening, vegetable oil, or lard to the drippings in the skillet.

Add flour, stirring until blended and bubbling. Gradually add 1 1/2 cups milk; continue stirring and cooking until thickened and bubbly. Add the crumbled sausage. If too thick, add a little more milk. Taste and add salt and pepper. Stir in a dash of cayenne pepper, if desired.

Serve over hot split and buttered biscuits. Serve sliced tomatoes or fresh fruit with these, or serve as part of a bigger breakfast.

Truck Driver Appreciation Week.

The week of September 11 - 17 is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. It is a week for trucking industry to get an opportunity to formally recognize the efforts of professional truck drivers. State trucking associations, industry suppliers and motor carriers of all sizes host appreciation events this week for the men and women who safely deliver the country's freight.

Professional truck drivers are important individuals who work in our communities year round. They truly deserve our respect and praise. The truck driver friends I have work hard for their families some are gone for weeks at a time others are home at night but they all work hard delivering goods that we need.

If you are a truck driver there are many deal that are coming your way set up with you the hard working deliverer of goods. These include

Several companies have conducted appreciation events and specials to celebrate truckers, including companies like Swift, Love’s Denny’s and several others. Thank you all for driving and keeping safety in mind

• Swift Transportation will celebrate its drivers all week inconjunction with the company’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
• Trucking Moves America Forward is extending its educational outreach program to showcase the necessity of truck drivers to the public. This includes targeted advertising on billboards along major highways, digital advertisements and an op-ed campaign in media outlets.
• The Freightliner Dealership Fyda Freightliner is recognizing its customers by offering complimentary treats and coffee along with a daily “Fyda Freebie” gift which will be different each day.
• For the entire month of September, Love’s is giving away more than 20 million My Love Rewards points and 2,000 of its loyalty members will win 10,000 points instantly, worth $100. Drivers can enter to win 500,000 points by swiping the My Love Rewards card on fuel, merchandise or tire care purchases during the month-long event.
• RoadPro is partnering with a variety of brands to give truckers a chance to win products from brands such as SiriusXM, Globetech, Garmin, Howes, FPPF, Plantronics and ToughTested as part of the RoadPro and Friends Trucker Appreciation Prize-a-Day Giveaway. RoadPro’s council members and sales team will also be handing out RoadPro ballcaps to truck drivers.
• Denny’s will offer special discounts and prizes at participating travel center locations and will also host a sweepstakes to win prizes such as Denny’s gift cards or free Grand Slams for a year. Diners will also have the chance to receive discounted meals with scratch-off card deals and a discount key tag that is good through Dec. 31, 2017.
• Boss Truck Shops is hosting free barbecues at all 44 Boss Shop locations during Driver Appreciation Weeks on different days. Contact Boss Truck Shops for details on specific days and times.

Sex Makes No Difference

Cancer plays no favorites. It does not care if you are a male or female. It treats everyone as equal and destroys and interrupts lives of all those affected. September helps draw attention to cancer and all those touched by it. Those that suffer from cancer, the family and friends affected and those that are in search of a cure. 

Prostate Cancer affects men and the prostate gland. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and is directly in front of the rectum. A males prostate holds the urethra of a man and helps make some of the male hormone. As a man ages the prostate grows. This growth is because of hormones and much of it is normal. However, there is growth that can be considered BPH BPH can be treated with drugs or surgery.

The prostate holds several types of cells. Most cancer cells will start growing in the gland cells. There are some aggressive cancers that grow and spread quickly. There are those prostate cancers that grow very slowly and some that one never knows is there 'til it is too late. The risk of prostate cancer goes up with age, other family members who also have prostate caner, the diet of red meat and dairy, and being over weight. Other common risks include smoking, being a fire fighter, std's and vasectomies.

Each year around 220,800 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed. For men, prostate cancer is the second most cancer found.One out of every seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer sometime during their life. An average of 1 in every 38 lives will be claimed by prostate cancer.

Early signs of prostate cancer are not commonly found by simply symptoms. The most common way to diagnose prostate cancer is through a PSA blood test or a rectal exam. Symptoms of trouble urinating, keeping or having an erection, blood in the urine, pain in the spine, hips, ribs or other bones, weakness or numbness in legs or feet or loss of bladder or bowel control should be looked into. 





Ovaries are small, almond shaped organs located in a woman. Women normally have 2 ovaries with one located on each side of the uterus. Their job in the body is to store eggs and produce female hormone estrogen and progesterone. 

Ovarian Cancer is a disease that starts when malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the ovaries. The cancer cells will grow out of control and form tumors. There are a variety of tumor types that can start in the ovaries. Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors can be cured by removing one ovary or part of it at a time. Cancerous tumors are treated differently depending on how far the cancer has spread before diagnoses. 

The 5th leading cause of cancer deaths of women between the ages of 35 and 74. One in every 75 women will develop ovarian cancer during their lifetime. The American cancer society estimates around 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer will be diagnosed each year. Early diagnosis and treatment are the key to survival. 

Happy Birthday Roald Dahl

Happy Birthday, Sept. 13, to author, Roald Dahl. His works include James and the Giant Peach, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, The Witches, Fantastic Mr Fox, and The Twits Roald Dahl has shared 21 books for children and over 50 short stories for adults. Many of his works has been recorded in 14 different languages. Movies have also found their inspiration from books that Dahl wrote such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach.

Dahl had a secret writing place in a cottage located in the yard garden where he could spend time alone and write. No one was allowed inside the cottage. While Roald was terrified of spiders he would spend time behind the yellow door in the white cottage.

 Roald Dahl born on the 13th of September 1916 in Llandaff Wales. He was named after the famous Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Dahl has seen times through out his life from happy to sad to even days of war. When Dahl was 4 years old his older sister passed away. He was very close to her. This sad event was followed by Dahl's father passing away just a few weeks later. Dahl's mother was expecting when his father passed and a younger sister was born later.

Dahl attended a boarding school at the age of 9. He would attend til the age of 13 where he would enroll in public school. It was during the time at the new school that he would be bullied. It was through these experiences that Roald would write of children fighting back against evil individuals.

After school Dahl desired to travel and took a job at a Shell Oil Company that sent him to East Africa.  Later her would enter the royal air force during WWII. He would be injured in a traumatic airplane crash that would leave him suffering from headaches as a result of a broken skull. Unable to go back to the war front He took off for Washington D.C. where he told his stories and had his first book published.

Dahl would marry an actress Patricia Neal. They would have 5 children and Dahl would begin writing children books. November 23rd 1990 would host the day that Roald Dahl would be buried in the church yard of St. Peter and St. Paul's Church


Odd Facts about Roald Dahl

Roald's parents were Norwegian
Dahl had two steel hips andsix operations on his spine
Roald Dahl wrote the screenplays play for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Short stories were rote by Dahl and published as Tales of the Unexpected
Roald always wrote in pencil on yellow paper

Pumpkin Snack Mix

• 
  
• 
  
• 3 quarts popped popcorn
• 4 cups Cheerios
• 4 cups Corn or Rice Chex
• 2 cups salted peanuts
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 package (16 ounces) candy pumpkins

In a large greased roasting pan, combine the popcorn, cereal and peanuts. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat; quickly stir in vanilla and baking soda until mixture is light and foamy.
Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered, at 250° for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in candy pumpkins. Cool completely.Yield: about 5-1/2 quarts.

recipe source Taste of Home

Family Time In Kitchen

Today more than ever kids are wanting to get in the kitchen. I believe that they should learn to do every aspect of working in the kitchen including planning, cooking and cleaning. Getting in the kitchen with your family is great time to communicate and spend time. It is time for team achievement where everyone has a job or "position" to play. 

Every member of the family can play a part. Starting at the young age of 3 or 4 toddlers can help out as well. They will love the fact that they can help out like everyone else. Now, they're help may not be much of a boost and may take more time getting them involved sets up a desire for them to be in the kitchen as they grow. Good habits are easier taught earlier and are more memorable when enforced. 

Make sure that everyone knows what role they are playing. Write a chore chart so everyone knows what is expected. A chore list is also a great way to include additional tasks outside of the kitchen. Simply tack the list to the fridge or somewhere where everyone will be able to visually see it.

Making chore time fun and enjoyable is a lot better than boring old work. We have been known to sing in the kitchen while completing chores. Chores can also easily be turned into games. Offer lots of praise as you go along, encouraging each other makes work funner and more enjoyable. Stay positive and while it may not be the way "you" would do it your children are learning and helping out as well. There will be times that they will wine or protest chores that is just the nature of children. Simply remind them that they are part of the family and as such they are required to complete their tasks as well. 

Slow Cooked Stuffed Cabbage Leaves

Today, September 13th is the day for positive thinking. It is a great day to wake up and tell yourself it will be a wonderful day, keep a smile on your face, get out there and enjoy life with your family and friends. There are days when life will grab a hold of me and try to bring me down. It is the manner of thinking that keeps you going. I find keeping a smile on my face helps to keep a good attitude. Making others laugh is a great way to keep the feeling in the room positive as well. While you are out there enjoying life you may want to go ahead and have supper in the slow cooker. Try this recipe of slow cooked stuffed cabbage leaves and enjoy supper and your life. 

12 leaves cabbage
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup cooked rice
1 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Immerse cabbage leaves in large kettle of boiling water for about 3 minutes or until limp; drain.
Combine egg, 1/4 cup of sauce, onion, salt, pepper, beef, and cooked rice.
Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over meat.
Place in slow-cooking pot.
Combine tomato sauce with brown sugar, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce.
Pour over cabbage rolls.
Cover and cook on low 7-9 hours.

recipe source here

shared at
turn it up tuesday

National Day of Encouragement

Many of you have visited here before know that I work in a facility. The thing that you may or may not know is that it is a center where older individuals with memory and behavioral issues live. This often leaves these individuals sad and alone for one reason or another. It is my job to take care that their needs are met. Needs such as that they get their shower, eat and are taken care of. To me it is also important to encourage them to do all that they can do for as  long as they can do it. Today, September 12th is the national day of Encouragement. 

The day was created by the Encouragement foundation at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The day has been signed by the mayor of Searcy Arkansas in 2007, that same year it was signed by the Govenor of Arkansas and even President George W. Bush on September 12th officially made the day National Day of Encouragement.