I Got It From My Momma!!

So yesterday, I spent pretty much all day standing in our kitchen prepping meals for the up coming week.
 All the recipes I followed are from the Good Cheap Eats book.

I'm making 5 meals this coming week and they are ready to be cooked. I didn't cook anything before hand, except for the chicken for the chicken black bean and rice soup. I boiled the chicken legs in water with garlic, carrots, celery, and half an onion so that I got some chicken stock for the week as well. It turned out very well.

Three Jars of Chicken stock for soup and making rice this week.

I also got out the bread machine and made some amish white bread. It turned out so fluffy and good. I had some toast this morning and the slice of bread was a tad bit too big for the toaster. That's good bread right there.

As for the other meals, I made my own "Rice a Roni" jars, (one cup of rice with all the seasonings I need for the meal).
And also made my own "Shake-n-Bake" for tonight's dinner.

 I've got vegetables cut and ready to go, and everything measured out.
 I feel very accomplished. And also, I have missed doing stuff like this. I used to when I lived at home and was first married. But after a few years, and after having to work three jobs at a time, I've just fallen out of routine and just forgotten how much fun I had doing prep work and making sure that the pantry is full of ready to go meals and what not's.

Chopped and measured out, ready to be cooked.

The Green Beans already have olive oil and seasoning on them, ready to be roasted in the oven!

Beef, Chicken, and more vegetables in the freezer. 

 
Not pictured is my sourdough starter! I'm very excited about this, I love sourdough bread and rolls. I'm a bit nervous at how it will turn out, but the recipe and instructions seem simple enough.
 You can get all the recipes I am using from the Good Cheap Eats book, and also the blog .

My momma got me this book for Christmas, and I've been using it everyday sense then.

 Happy Sunday.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Freezer Cooking

Well I did my freezer cooking. It was a long, wonderful day.
I had music turned up, I was rockin a cute outfit, had my list of to do's. I did pretty good.
 I started at about 12 pm. And didn't stop until about 6 pm. Now it wasn't a full 6 hours of cooking. I had to stop to eat, let some things cook for a bit, then cool. Then freeze a bit before I could wrap them and put them in freezer bags so they wouldn't stick to each other. But I had fun.
 I had Pinterest pages pulled up and ready, I had my cook books out. And I had my phone ready to call Mom if ever I needed to ask for help. :)

 So what did I make?
Well I made 24 Bean and Rice Burritos, 20 Sausage, Egg and Cheese Bagel Sandwiches, 26 Twice Baked Potatoes (13 whole potatoes cut in half) 8 Bean and Rice Enchiladas for dinner, and 24 Pizza Cupcakes.
 I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but it was alot of baking time. And a lot of dishes too.

So...

 Bean and Rice Burritos,

You can either make your own black bean, re-fried beans, or buy them canned, I got mine canned at Kroger on sale, 4 for $5. and I used 2 cans for the freezer batch and 1 can for dinner. Also the enchilada sauce I used for dinner was 4 for $5 so I added that to my cart.
 I heated up the Beans in the Microwave, added some salsa, a can momma gave me that she made and canned, and stirred it up. Then I cooked some brown rice on the stove, a gal. bag momma gave me. :)
 After the rice was cooked and cooled, I laid out the tortillas on the table, spread the beans and rice on them, rolled them up, and set them in a large brownie pan that was lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking and from having to use oil spray and wash the pan after. Then when the pan was full, two layers, I stuck the pan in the freezer. (Wrap after they freeze a bit.)

 Then I went onto...

Breakfast!

 I found a way to make boiled eggs in the oven, also how to crack an egg in a muffin tin to make egg muffins for breakfast sandwiches. Well, I cracked 12 eggs into a bowl, and whisked them up and added about 1/4 Cup of Milk. Then I got a glass baking dish and oiled it, Poured the eggs into the dish and baked at 350* for about 10-15 mins. WONDERFUL!! Way better than trying to make eggs to shape in a skillet and having to stand over top and adjusting the temperature. All I had to do was peek in when the timer went off about half way through then let it cool and cut the eggs into 20 squares. :)

 While the eggs were cooking, I got the sausage ready. I have a square muffin tin, I think it's for brownies and such, but this worked too, and smushed the sausage into the bottoms of the tin. Then I baked them too!! SO EASY! 350* about 10-15 mins.

 As the sausage and eggs were cooking/cooling I got the bagels going in the bread machine.
I used the recipe mom gave me, and about 1 hour later, I was slicing the bagels open and putting the egg, sausage, and cheese on them! I wrapped each one and put in a freezer bag. Breakfast ready to go. Pre-cooked so you can lay it out in the fridge over night, and eat it cold if you like. Or put in a lunch box. :)

 As all that was cooking, baking, freezing, cooling, I was smashing the,

Twice Baked Potatoes.

 The day before I put the potatoes in the crock pot. Cooked on Low for about 6 hours, some got a little too done but were still good.
 Then I cut them all in half, scooped out the insides, and added some sour cream, cheese and butter and whipped it up with a mixer. Then I put the insides back in the potatoes laid them out on a baking sheet lined with paper, and stuck them in the freezer. You don't have to bake them again if you don't want too. I didn't because they were baked to done the first time, so I didn't worry about. After they froze a bit, I wrapped each one and stuck them in a freezer bag.

 So now we have some good, lunches/snacks/breakfast.

 I want to make some good dinners, so Crock Pot Bags are next. I need to get some more veggies at the store to finish those and do some more research on how to make pasta in the crock pot alone with chicken/beef/veggies. So come back later and I'll have some recipes for those too.

 Also, sorry I didn't take very many photos. I never really think about it until I'm covered with yuck or my camera is dead. I'll do better next time. :)

 Until Then,

Many Blessings,
 ~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Freezer Cooking....

Married for 1 year 10 months and 20 days, I'm still trying to figure out a good grocery budget for me and my husband. He needs lunch at work, then a good dinner after. I eat after work, and then just snack the rest of the day. My husband eats A LOT! He is like a bottomless pit, like he has never had a meal before and will never have one again. I kind of get at him about eating like that, but like always, it goes in one ear and out the other. ;)

 Well, sense we moved money has been a bit tighter than normal. So I'm trying to stock up and some freezer meals. Just small ones that have a lot in them to keep my vacuum cleaner satisfied.

 I found some good ideas on pinterest, and of course, Momma!! (Freezer Cooking, Happy To Be Home)

So this week I'm going to try to make a bunch of meals and snacks for the freezer, I went shopping yesterday and got $100. worth of food. Now momma said that on a website she found a family lives on $100. per person, per week. Now... as much as I love that idea, I think here it will have to be $200. per person, per week. Haha.

 I got alot of frozen vegetables, and cheese, and butter. And, soft tortillas. Have you seen the commercials for the new Taco Bell breakfast with the egg, sausage and cheese burritos? Well i want to make lots of those. Also just regular burritos. I'll make some mini pizzas, mini meat loafs, chicken pot pies, Lots of mini stuff. Stuff that will fit in a lunch box, heat up in the microwave, and can be eaten in a hurry.

 I've made stuff like this before, and it was fun and made me feel good to open the freezer and see all these meals just waiting. I also want to make some crock pot meals. Chicken and rice, soups, stews, pasta, all of it!!

 Well, sense I haven't started cooking yet, that's tonight and the rest of the week, Here are some ideas I found on pinterest that will be my starting point.

easy breakfast bake

Pizza Cup Cakes

Chicken Pot Pie Cup Cakes

Creamy Veggie Soup

Baked Eggs for Breakfast Sandwiches

Pretzels

Hamburger and Hotdog Buns

Mini Meat Loaf

Breakfast Quesadilla

Breakfast Bowls.

And Many Many More!!!

Many Blessings,

 ~*Arielle Caitlynn*~

Dinner Time!!

Here is what is for dinner....

HOGIE STEAK SANDWICHES! (just like you get at the fair!)

• You will need; 1 large onion
• 2-3 Peppers in any color you like (the red orange and yellow ones were on sale)
• 1 Pack of White Mushrooms
• Lots of Butter
• Salt, Pepper, and Seasoned salt (can opt out the seasoned salt or keep it and get rid of salt.)
• 2-3 Lbs of Cubed Steak
• Worcestershire sauce
• French rolls, or home made rolls.

1. In an Iron Skillet, Saute the Onions and Peppers and Mushrooms in 2T. Butter. As they saute,
2. Cut the Steak into 1" Strips, and season with salt, pepper, and seasoned salt, set aside.
3. After peppers, onions, and mushrooms are done, Add 2T. Butter to skillet and brown.
4. Add Steak strips to skillet. Let sit for 1 min or longer (DO NOT STIR) until browned. Then Flip and Repeat until the steak is cooked through.
5. Add Veggies, and Sauce.
6. In Same Skillet (after everything is removed) Butter Rolls on one side and Toast.

Pile High, Add some Tomato and Mayo and Pickles and You got your self one heck of a great

 Hogie Steak Sandwich!

Mac-N-Cheese!

You will need:

• 4C. Dry Elbow Macaroni
• 1 Egg Beaten
• 1/4 C. (1/2 stick) Butter
• 1/4 C. Flour
• 2 1/2 C. Milk
• 1lb Cheddar Cheese (I used a whole pack of shredded, 2 C.)
• 1/2 t. Salt, seasoned salt and pepper. (or to taste)

1. Cook Macaroni. Set aside.
2. In a sauce pan on Med-Med High heat, melt butter, and sprinkle in flour, Whisk Together and cook 5 mins. WHISK CONSTANTLY! Don't Let It Burn!
3. Pour in Milk, whisk until it's smooth, WHISK CONSTANTLY!! Cook 5 mins. reduce heat to Low.
4. To tempura egg, slowly add 1/4 of sauce whisking constantly until smooth then add egg to sauce pan. Whisk until smooth. Then Add Salt and Pepper and Seasoned Salt to taste.
5. Butter a baking dish, add pasta, then add sauce on top. Stir together. Add Cheese, mix in.
6. Bake 350* for 20-25 mins, or until cheese is melted and kind of crusty on top.

EnJoy!!! 

Blessings,

 ~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

"HONEY. WHAT'S FOR DINNER?!?"

In a Skillet, 2 chicken breasts, pan seared. Add half a bag of frozen spinach (let it cook a bit on low) then add some fettuccine sauce, then some diced tomatoes. Let it all simmer til it bubbles. (not too long) Turn burner off, add some mozzarella cheese, and some parmesan throw some more tomatoes on top. DINNER!! (I only had two chicken breasts left but this could easily make dinner for 4-6. :) Made it up on the fly!

How about Dessert!?! :)

Preheat oven to 500* 2C.apFlour, 1T Baking Powder, 11/2t. salt, 3T Sugar, 1 stick unsalt butter cut in to little pats put in freezer. 3/4C Butter Milk. Combine Dry Ing. Cut in Butter from freezer. Add Buttermilk mix til all combined. Turn out onto floured counter. Knead a few times. Add Frozen Berries. I did 3 handfulls. Knead, Grab small dough ball, place in buttered Cast Iron Skillet, make sure all dough is used and covers the pan, you want it kind of thick. Bake 500* 8-15 mins. About half way, brush melted butter on tops and sides of biscuits, and drizzle some honey on top, finish baking. Let stand 5-10 mins, Serve warm! So Good, I took a bite and said, "OH MY GOSH! THIS IS GOOD!!!!"

Hope you enjoy! :)

 Many Blessings this beautiful evening.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Good Morning!!

It's a beautiful pre-summer day. I'm up early, and waiting on my coffee and doing some yoga in the morning sun coming through my living room windows.

 I work today at 11:00 am, and I'm not sure when I'll be home. But I am happy to have at least this one job this summer. My Darling Husband has been laid off for the month of May so he is a very busy bee trying to get a second job that may lead into a better (paying) full time job. I'm still working at the college, setting up, serving at, and cleaning up banquets. There are not as many this year as there were last, but I'm happy to still have some paying hours.
 I'm also happy to have some days off too, I'll be going home some, to help momma in the garden and with her soap business. I'm also cranking out some home made stuff myself!!
 Caity's Home Made Concoctions will be rolling into business soon!
I'll be making Little Guy Neck Ties,

 Coffee Cozies,

 & Little Girrly Head Bands. I'll be branching out to make more things as well but in time.
 I can't wait to start an online business with Momma! It will be so much fun. We have always talked about doing it and now with her selling her soap and homemade do-dads at the shop, she is really taking off, I just have to catch up a bit. We are going to make a small dream come true.
 Things here in the apartment on Main St, are about the same. Wake up, drink coffee, check email, facebook, my darling wakes up, get ready for work (if I work that day) read, sew, crochet while watching a movie during lunch... about the same. Just different work hours now.
 I'm not going to complain about work, lack of, or too much. I'm content where I am right now. Yes there is always that deep down secret, not so secret, wish of having more money to get a bigger place and setting up a savings account for future little ones when they come around, but for now I'm content. Nothing wrong with that. We are happy, we have food, bills and rent are getting paid, so no worries. God will provide.
 Well my friend(s) it was nice Chatting with you. Until we meet again,
Many Blessings.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

When Life Gives You Lemons...

 You make do... (me)

I found this little picture today, and it just kind of made my day.

Pinterest Photo

I have been trying to teach myself to sew my own clothes. I am finding lots of good ideas and patterns from other blogs on Pinterest and I'm just trying my hand at everything. I really want to make more skirt and dresses, but Now I really would like to try to maybe make some pants and tops too.

 My Darling and I are trying to save as much money as we can, so that's why I'm trying to make my own clothes. I'm mending and sewing and knitting and crocheting like crazy! I'm also thinking about making and selling some of my home made Coffee Sleeves at a store in my hometown where my Momma sells her soap and other crafts. I just need to get some made up and e-mail the stores owner. :)

 Not a whole lot has been going on in my life as far as exciting or life changing. The weather has been in the low to mid 70's this week. Yesterday I could have guessed it to be in the 80's it was so hot. And I was in a skirt (nice and flowy and knee length) and a tank top with a little shoulder cover and sandals. I was very warm by the time I got to work. Today how ever, it's raining and chilly. But it's better than snow I guess.

 This past weekend I got to go visit with my family. My little sister was sick over Easter, so it was nice to see her up and about and cleaning the cow pin. ;)
 This weekend I'm going back to help in the garden and just relax.

 I haven't been cooking much, but today I think I'll make some fish with some stir fried vegetables and a cup cake or two for dessert.

Rachel Ray Tilapia - 1 cup grated parmasean, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp lemon pepper / garlic salt, 1 Tbs parsley, dash red pepper flakes Coat fish with olive oil and cover in cheese mixture, bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes until fish is white in middle

Cup Cakes For Two- for when you just don't need a bunch of sweets laying around - 1 egg white, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup flour 1/4 heaped teaspoon baking powder, pinch of salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons milk

I think this will be a very good lunch to have while watching a movie and crocheting.

 Hope you are having a wonderful day whom ever you are.

Many Blessings,

~*Arielle*Caitlynn

What a weekend

 Today I slept in til 9:30am. As my darling went off to work I got myself ready for house work. I took a shower, put up my hair, put on one of my favorite skirts, and tied on my favorite apron.

 I mixed, I kneaded, and I baked my butt off today.

 What did I make?

No Bake Energy Balls,

~*Caitys Kitchen*~

1 C. Dry Oats (non instant),

1/2 C. Peanut Butter,

1/2 C. Ground Flax Seed,

1/2 C. Chocolate Chips,

3/4 C. Honey,

1 t. Vanilla,

1 t. Cinnamon (sugar if you like a bit of sweet.)

1/2 t. Ginger,

 Mix together in a bowl, roll into balls (easier said than done, gets very sticky) I put mine in the freezer to harden a bit, Store in the fridge.

Instant Energy before a walk, run, bike, shopping trip, what ever! They are very good. I'll be making more of these.

~*Caitys Kitchen*~

 Soft Pretzels! (For the freezer.

1 1/2 C Flour,

2/3 C. Milk,

2 T. Oil,

2 t. Baking Powder,

1 t. Sugar,

1/2 t. Salt.

 Mix in a bowl to form soft dough (will be very sticky). Plop out onto a floured surface knead twice, divide dough into TWO Balls, knead 10x's each, Let rise for 15 Min.s Divide each ball into Eight (8) equal balls, roll the balls into ropes, Twist ropes into Pretzel shape, Place onto greased baking sheet, brush with egg wash and lightly salt, Bake 425* for 11 mins.

This is a recipe my little has used for a long time. The book she got it from she won from the library a very long time ago. I don't remember what we entered, but we each got a cook book. (The women who worked at the library noticed that we always checked out cook books along with craft book. So we always got cook and craft books if/when we ever won anything.)

 I am keeping the pretzels in the freezer, so that when I get home from work, and am hungry for a snack, I can just grab one and heat ti up in the microwave and chow down! :)

~*Caitys Kitchen*~

More Cheese-It Crackers!!


I LOVE these! They are as addicting as the boxed kind, but WAY better for you. I will make so much more of these!!


 I have also made....

~*Caitys Kitchen*~

Mini Chicken Pot Pies.

For these, I used one large chicken breast, seasoned it with Italian dressing, then shredded it. Added some frozen stir fry vegies, let them all cook together.

~*Caitys Kitchen*~

 Then made a Biscuit mix from scratch,

3 C. Flour,

4 t. Baking Powder,

1 t. Salt,

6 T. Shortening,

1 C. Milk.

Sift all dry ingredients then cut in shortening and milk. Knead on a floured surface. (roll out to 1/8" thickness and  cut and bake at 425* for 12 mins.)

I took some bits of the biscuits and smoshed them into a muffin tin, added the chicken pot pie filler, then placed some more biscuit on top. Baked it for 12 mins at 425* and TADA!! :)

They are sooooo good. I love them.

Hope you have a good Snow Day Tomorrow!

 Many Blessings,

~*Caitydid

Gold Fish Crackers

 GOLD FISH CRACKERS...

These were super easy to make and sooooo good! I'll be making these more often than not. I got the recipe from Pinterest, and the link sent me too the cup cake project blog I copied the recipe and gave it a try. This is how they looked.......

 And now here is the recipe....

1 C. A.P. Flour, 4 T. Cold Butter cut into small pieces, 8oz of Cheese, I used left over shredded colby jack and shredded sharp cheddar (to use it up before it went bad) 1/2 t. Salt and Pepper. 

Pulse the above ingredients in a processor until it looks like corn meal.

 Then add water VERY SLOWLY like a drop at a time with the processor on low. Only add enough water to make the "meal" Ball Up and Ride the Blade. I knew when that was because my processor almost took a dive off the counter! :)

 Then Wrap the Dough Ball in Plastic Wrap and Put in Fridge for 20mins-24hrs. 

Roll out to 1/8" Thickness, using a small cutter I used stars. Cut out as many as you can. Place on a baking sheet lined with Parchment paper. I didn't have any so I just sprayed the pan with oil. I sprinkled mine with just a touch of salt. You could also sprinkle with Parmesan cheese too. Yummmm... Bake 350*f til they are golden and crispy or about 15-20 mins. 

 Then Enjoy!