Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins & Pot Roast

I've never really been one to cook every night.  In fact, if I make two good meals in a week, I consider it a domestic success.  But, something about the fall makes us stay in more often and there's nothing like warm comfort food on cold days.

Today, I'm sharing two recipes that have become "go to"s for me recently.  (They really have nothing to do with each other except I like them both and they both start with P. I'm not suggesting that muffins make a great side for a roast or anything - just to be clear.)

First up, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins... I got this recipe from my friend Lea a while back, but it seems like there are lots of other varieties out there too.  Either way, they are delish.  Let's just say this - I made some and took them to the computer guys at my school on Monday (because I spilled milk all over my laptop they have been so patient and helpful), and I had a new computer by Tuesday. ;)

Source

Ingredients:
1 & 2/3 cups of flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 & 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 tsp. mace
1/2 tsp. salt

1 can pumpkin
2 eggs
1 stick butter (melted)

6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (or, if you're me, LOTS more)

To Do:

- Preheat over to 350 degrees
- Combine all dry ingredients (first list) in a large bowl and mix well.
- Combine all wet ingredients (next list) in another bowl.  Mix well.
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix gently to combine.
- Add chocolate chips
- Bake in greased muffin pan for 20-25 minutes (do not overcook - they should be just slightl underdone when removed from the oven... use a toothpick to check)

*Makes about 18 yummy muffins.


And... this is the easiest Pot Roast EVER. Enjoy!

Source - I served mine just like this too.  Ha!

- Brown roast in skillet (optional)
- Put in crockpot with: one packet of ranch dressing mix (dry), one packet of italian dressing mix (dry), one packet of brown gravy mix (dry), and two cups of water. 
- Let cook all day.

DONE! Seriously, SO good.

*I added potatoes, carrots, and onions about two hours before serving to make up for all the msg probably found in those dry packets.  :)  At least it felt healthy.

Hope your weekend is full of comfort food! TGIF!

Wild Rice & Pine Nut Salad

Happy Friday!

I'm joining Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life today to share one of my favorite side dish recipes: Wild Rice & Pine Nut Salad.  I made this two weeks ago for our "Grandparent Dinner," and it was a big hit.

The basic recipe came from Real Simple Magazine (here), but I "spiced" it up a bit for a real Mediterranean twist (and to make it a little heavier for my mom, who is a vegetarian):

Real Simple

Hands on Time: 15 minutes (or longer if you are me)
Total Time: 1 Hour 15 minutes
Serves: 8 or so?

Ingredients:
2 cups wild and long-gran rice blend (discard spice packet, if included) - I doubled this
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley - I used dry because I couldn't find any fresh :(
1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon - Again, I used dry
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt & black pepper to taste
Grapes, sliced in half
Feta cheese crumbles
Kalamata olives


- Cook the rice according to the package directions.  Spread on a large plate or baking sheet and refrigerate until cool.

- Meanwhile, heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden (6 - 8 minutes).  Let cool.

- Place the rice in a large bowl and fold in all the remaining ingredients.

(I made my salad ahead and refrigerated it.  It is best if you bring it to room temperature before serving though.)

Here's mine:

*I served this with grilled chicken breasts marinated in Ken's Light Caesar dressing (my very favorite) and Alton Brown's grilled Brussels sprout skewers.  It was a perfect meal - and, healthy too!*

 Enjoy!

Sausage Thingies: Excellent Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipe

Today at Kelly's Korner, we are sharing our favorite breakfast recipe.  I thought about sharing something extravagant with you... But, I'm just not an extravagant breakfast eater.  So, instead, I'm sharing these yummy, easy, make-ahead Sausage Thingies (creative name, I know) that our friends Daniel & Katie introduced us to recently:

Hands on Time: 30 minutes give or take
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
Sausage (1 lb. mild)
Kraft Old English Cheese (2 small jars approx.)
English Muffins (pkg. of 6)


- Split the English muffins and lay them out on wax paper

- Cook the sausage in a frying pan as you would normally do

- Once sausage is fully cooked, drain fat & return to pan

- Add the cheese and stir until it is melted and well blended

- Spoon sausage and cheese mixture onto English muffins

- Allow to cool for approximately one-hour

- Wrap sausage-thingies (I usually stack them with aluminum foil) and freeze.

- Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 30 minutes (or until muffins begin to brown) before serving.

I eat these as just a quick breakfast from the toaster oven a lot during the school year... But, company seems to be impressed by them with a a little side of fruit too! (Definitely making up a batch or two to freeze before baby comes!)

Cheese Slaw

Today, I'm joining Kelly at her blog to share my favorite appetizer recipe... CHEESE SLAW!

But first, a little disclaimer:  Cheese Slaw is kind-of my specialty. I like to think, at least, that people look forward to it when we have events at our house; and, they always request it when I ask what I can bring to their events.  BUT, alas, when I joined the Junior League a couple of years ago... the truth came out.  It appears that every member of the Roanoke League claims this recipe, as they published it in their Oh My Stars! cookbook years ago... In fact, there it is right on the cover.  (I hope my friends don't ever discover that I didn't exactly whip up this recipe in my kitchen one afternoon.)

Oh well, I keep making it.  It is WAY too delicious and easy --- two of my favorite words when it comes to cooking.  And now, I'm sharing the wealth.  Enjoy!

Cheese Slaw:

1 pound swiss cheese, shredded 

(shredding it yourself is definitely the best; but the pre-bagged kind is ok too when you are in a hurry!)

1 bunch green onions with tops, chopped

1/2 cup finely chopped banana peppers

1/2 cup finely chopped jalapeno peppers

mayonnaise

Combine all of the above ingredients in a bowl.  (Adjust amount of peppers to desired hotness.) Add mayo to bind and mix well.  Store in the fridge for up to one week --- it is best after 24 hours!  Serve with crackers, Frito scoops, or tortilla chips (especially the blue ones).  

*For a fancy touch, hollow out the center of a cabbage, fold back the outer leaves, and use as a bowl for your slaw.  (I'm going to be honest and say I've never done this... But, it is super cute!) 

Now dig in and savor the compliments from unsuspecting guests!

Speaking of entertaining... I have a big weekend ahead of me - one I've been looking forward to for a long time!  Three of my favorite girlfriends from college (plus one baby and one dog) are coming to my house.  I am SO excited for some girl time!  Seriously, I've been dreaming of late nights on the front porch, chick flicks, and manicures. I can't wait!

Then, tomorrow, my mom's best friend is throwing a baby shower for me.  In addition to my girlfriends, my Aunt Delores and five of my mom's sorority sisters & their daughters are also going to be in town for it. Afterwards, we plan to extend the celebrating well into the night at my sister's house/pool.  It's going to be wonderful.

Stay tuned for pictures and details... Happy Weekend!

 

Favorite Main Course Recipe (& Giveaway Winner)

I should not be writing this post tonight.

a.) I have a REALLY busy weekend, so I should get some sleep.

b.) My feet literally look like they are about to pop wide open.  They need to be elevated and rested.

c.) I am going out of town tomorrow right after work (and a work baby shower), but I have not done laundry, packed, or cleaned my house (coming home to a clean house is important to me... or at least it used to be.)

BUT... I've been a slack blogger this week and writing sure beats any of the options under category 'c,' so... here I am.

First, I want to share my favorite main course recipe for Kelly's Korner "Show Us Your Life".  I just pulled out all of my recipe cards and read through them (it's amazing what a girl will do to procrastinate) to pick a favorite.  This may not be THE favorite, but it is one of them for sure... We call it "Party Chicken" because my mom used to always fix this when we were having company - i.e. "a party."  I know why now -- Because it is easy, inexpensive, and people like it.  If you've been to my house for dinner, chances are you've had this.  If you have company over for dinner - or just like to take leftovers for lunch (because this is excellent for that)... I highly recommend this recipe.

So, I bring you... PARTY CHICKEN

No, not this kind (although I'm sure it also would be a hit at a party)...

Source

Ingredients:

4 large chicken breasts

2 oz. can of chipped beef (can be substituted with bacon)

1 cup sour cream

2 cans cream of mushroom soup

black pepper to taste

(Preheat oven to 300 degrees.)

- Line the bottom of a casserole dish with dried beef or bacon.

- Place chicken on top of beef & sprinkle with pepper.

- Mix sour cream with soup and pour over chicken.

- Cover dish with foil.

- Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.

Totally wasn't lying when I said this was easy... The baking is the only time consuming part -- But, that just gives me time to run the vacuum, set the table, take a shower, and make the side dishes & dessert before the guests arrive.

I usually serve with asparagus or broccoli and rice.  Fruit or a salad tops off the meal.

*See another one of my favorite recipes (Chicken Enchiladas) here, and check out lots more at Kelly's blog.

.....

I'm also happy to announce the winner of the Stella & Dot pearl drop earring give away!

Congratulations to Heather at Life As We Know It (super cute blog, by the way)!!

 Email me to claim your prize!

And to the rest of you, thanks for playing!  Don't forget to check out all the great styles at Stella & Dot.  

TGIF. Have a great weekend, I'll be back Monday!

Creative Dessert

Today is our friend Howard's 25th Birthday!!

To celebrate at our small group last night, I made a yummy yellow cake with chocolate icing.  In my normal fashion, I was running slightly behind schedule and Howard was already at the house when I finally finished icing and realized I didn't have any candles for the cake.

Thank goodness for Jeff's innovativeness.

25 tea-lights.

Classy.  (And appetizing... Yes, there is a cake under there!)

Happy Birthday Howard!  We love you!

A few more answers...

Q: How do you really feel about living in the same town you grew up and teaching at our old high school?! Do you run into people you know everywhere you go? From Amanda (WHERE are you moving in Virginia? How exciting!)

A: I could write a whole post about this, but... the simple answer: I really love Roanoke. I am so thankful that I was able to spend my college years in South Carolina and a short little stint in London during college. I think, because of that, I've never felt confined or trapped here. Teaching at ole CS is fun, honestly. SO much has changed since we were there, that it usually feels like a totally different place. BUT, I do appreciate the traditions more and my students LOVE to search out my maiden name in the yearbook and tease me about being editor of the newspaper.

As far as running into people all the time - yes and no. I see lots of familiar faces, but I like it that way. Two years ago, Jeff and I hardly knew ANYONE our age that we DIDN'T go to high school with. Now, that group has grown, AND we have an incredible community of new friends from ALL OVER that we've met at church, jobs, Junior League, etc. I hate when people say there are no young people here - we TOTALLY disagree! :) We have a lot of fun and feel really blessed that we get to share our lives with our families, old friends, and new friends.

Q: What is the recipe for that chicken quesadilla dish you make? And what is the "most difficult" meal you have ever prepared?

A: I'm not big on "difficult" meals.  The other night I made homemade Shepherd's Pie - which was a little hard b/c I had to do the mashed potatoes myself.  Does that count?My chicken enchilada recipe, on the other hand, is SUPER EASY and really really delicious.  If you've ever eaten at my house or had me deliver a meal to you - it was probably this.  It is my "go to."  Eat your heart out... literally. :)

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts (cooked and shredded/cut-up)

2 8oz packages of cream cheese (softened in the microwave, not melted)

1 can black beans

1 can Mexican corn

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can green chilies (depending on how much spice you like!)

2 cans green enchilada sauce

8 - 10 burrito tortillas

Shredded Mexican cheese

- Mix first 6 ingredients together (Drain all canned items)

- Spread mixture generously in tortillas and roll them.

- Place them in a casserole dish

- Top with cheese

- Cover with Green Enchilada Sauce

- Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes

(This recipe makes A LOT of food... I usually place them in two casserole dishes and freeze one.)

(I promise... they TASTE a lot better than they LOOK.)

Q: How did you start blogging? What made you wanna do it?

A: I've always been a "writer."  When I was little, I read and wrote my own stories ALL the time - like, while other kids were playing sports... see, this explains a lot about me.  In high school (and a tiny bit in college) I was on the newspaper staff and always enjoyed "Featurey" stories about people's lives etc.  Then, enter GPAs/jobs/real world, and my "writing life" plummetted.  I became an expert at the 5-paragraph essay and the analytical paper; but, I mostly stopped writing for me.  

Ok, then this story gets corny...  I'd said I wanted to write a book for YEARS, but the story just never really came.  Then, I saw the movie "Julie and Julia" this past summer and realized - I could do that!  (Well, not the cooking part... but you know... I'm especially good at the laying on the floor having break downs part.)  I started blogging in June 2009 and have been going ever since. I've always said that I wished TV and movies would leave out all the "drama" and just tell about regular people... Well, that's what my blog lets me do.  For the first time in years, I get to write with no agenda; and, I hope, give some sense of community, contentment, and laughter to whoever winds up on my page. I'm still VERY much a beginner at this... I just spend a lot - too much - time looking at other blogs to be inspired and learn.  It is an awesome world out there in wide web.

Motivation?

Last night I watched The Biggest Loser next to a man in a spandex leotard on the Stair Stepper.  I'm not sure which was more motivating - 500 pound people working harder than me at the gym and losing 30 pounds in a week, or a man confident enough to bare his ENTIRE body to me at the gym.  Hmm...

Note to Self: No matter how fit you are, spandex leotards are a no go.

Edited to Add: I have NOTHING against spandex itself, in fact, I hope to be wearing a lot more of it myself in the  new year.  (See my Goals for 2010.)  It is the spandex LEOTARD that I have a problem with... If it comes above the waist & is only one peice, you should avoid it at all costs.  Thanks!  *This is especially for my friend Lindsey in response to her post "Announcement" - No, she's not pregnant. :)