Foodie Friends Friday #10 & Ranch Dressing Mix

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday #10

#10! Can you believe that?

There have been some changes made to make the prizes

a little more fair.

Inlinks is randomly choosing the winners.

The voting will still go on, and the winners of the voting

can claim "Recipe with the most votes" badge.

Yup, there are still bragging rights.....

And of course, there is still the recipes with the most clicks.

 The prizes here at Foodie Friends Friday have been pretty amazing,

don't you think?

The prize this week is coming from our own Robyn's View.

Thank you Robyn!

Ranch dressing mix?

Oh yeah, I'm in.....

Everything in my house is eaten with ranch dressing.

I think I should buy stock in the stuff....

You are going to love this long lost recipe....

My daughter created these Chocolate Cherry Whoopie Pies,

and they are out of this world fantastic. 

Make sure you save this recipe for Christmas time.

PERFECT!

 Thank you so much for being a part of our Lady's Night Out.

It was so much fun, and kind of broke up the week

with something exciting instead of the same'ole, same'ole....

The lucky three winners chosen by Inlinks are:

Busy Vegetarian Mom

Me, me, me, me....A'lil Country Sugar

Hun.....What's for Dinner

 From our last week's Foodie Friends Friday, the recipes 

with the most clicks are:

Cozy Cakes Cottage

Family Food Finds

From Calculus to Cupcakes

Every single one of these blogs are amazing. 

Take some time to visit them by clicking the high-lighted links.

And when you visit, tell them I said "Hi".

 The voted top three recipes, voted by you the readers,

belongs to:

Cozy Cakes Cottage

Project Healthy Ever After

Project Healthy Ever After

We appreciate all the help from readers.

If you didn't participate, Foodie Friends Friday

wouldn't exist.....

Thank you so much!

The Inlinks random three winners are:

What's Cooking in the Burbs

Vegetarian Mamma

Veggie Nook

Congratulations to the three of you, and I hope you

enjoy your pepper jelly....

One of my faves!!

A'lil Country Sugar host favorite is:

This Peach Cobbler Pound Cake from The Slow Roasted Italian

Peach Cobbler in a cake???? I am for sure trying this one.

I already have it pinned to Pinterest......

Now onto the rules that no one likes, but must be applied:

Your hosts are:

 Cynthia at Feeding Big http://FeedingBig.blogspot.com

Foodie Friends Friday http://ww.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  

Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au

R Dawn at http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com

Michelle at http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.blogspot.com

Skye at http://www.avirtualessence.blogspot.com

Pinterest & Spontaneous Treasures Thursday

 Oh, I have the most perfect Pinterest meal planned for you this week.

Wait! I have the perfect meal planned for ME this week.

I will be making this meal!

I hope you join me this week, or next, in creating this scrumptious food.

 I am a huge root beer fan.

And I have to really force myself to stay away from it.

Yes, self-induced face punches work.

That's how bad my hang-up is on root beer.

This chicken sounds amazing, 

and what caught my eye was the huge A&W letters.

This recipe comes from High Heels & Grills.

Give them a visit to see what more awesomeness 

they have to give.

 I'm cheating a little bit with this broccoli salad recipe.

I have already made it, and love it.

This is the perfect side to any meat entree.

Veggies are always good!

The Broccoli Salad comes from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

 And to add a little more veggie, in place of potatoes,

this Zucchini Parmesan would be perfect. 

Kind of like fake French Fries....

Just pretend they are potatoes.

This awesome looking zucchini comes from Spark Recipes.

Sweets for last, right?

Or are you one of those people that likes to eat

dessert first?

Any time of the day is good for sweets, right?

The reason this recipe caught my attention.....

It's called magic crust custard pie.

Magic crust? Oh yeah, I'm in, 

because I cannot make a pie crust to save my life.

Just look at some of my pie recipes....

The truth lies there.

This awesome pie comes from Hot Eats & Cool Reads. 

I hope you have as much fun with this meal as I'm going to....

And I hope I'm making your menu plans just a little easier.

Stop Being LAZY! Bar-B-Q Beef Sandwich

 You guys really need to send me an email every once in a while and tell

me to STOP BEING LAZY! 

It has been a long time since I have gone to the kitchen to create my own food.....

No recipe included!

Just start grabbing ingredients and throw together. 

Use my imagination and create something wonderful for you to eat.

So, with that being said, this will be a walk through recipe.

 This is what I did:

I took a chuckeye boneless beef roast,

put it in a large pan with lid,

covered it almost completely with water,

added about 5 TBS of beef soup base,

1 whole sliced sweet onion,

sprinkled with garlic powder, sea salt, and crushed black pepper.

Put the lid on it and baked it in a 300 degree F. oven for about 5 hours.

 Once it was done,

I scooped out the roast and onions and placed them in a shallow pan.

I used two forks to shred the beef (removing any visible fat).

 Once the beef was shredded, I put together my own bar-b-q sauce.

At least that's what I'm calling it anyway.....

In a saucepan:

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery and onion

1 (4 oz) can fire roasted green chiles (mild)

Place these two ingredients in a blender or food chopper, and blend till saucy.

Place blended tomato mixer in a saucepan and add:

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. prepared mustard

1/4 c. molasses

1 tsp. beef soup base

Bring to a simmer and simmer for about 3-5 minutes

Pour the sauce over the shredded beef

 I stumbled upon this chopped Asian salad the last time I was at Sam's Club.

I mixed the salad and dressing together and placed the mixture on top of 

my bar-b-q beef sandwich.

Talk about AMAZING!

I just know you will love this creation of mine. 

Everyone in my house did.

ENJOY!

This recipe is linked to:

Gooseberry Patch ~Recipe Round Up
Recipes for my Boys ~ Thursday's Treasures
The Better Baker ~ Weekend Potluck

It's Party Time: "Girl's Night Out!"

We are going to have a little fun today.

Everyone likes fun,

right?

Right!

Link up your best 3 recipes for finger foods or cocktails, 

for a chance to win a set of three fun wine glass charms.

Your next get-together with your girlfriends will be

decorated to perfection. 

And you will be the talk of the town.....

(Put you name here) ____________

sure does know how to throw a party.

She has wine glass charms class......

When I think of "Girls Night Out" I automatically flashback

to my early twenties.

But that is not always a pleasant flashback.....

If you know what I mean?

But if I fast forward to the here and now.....

I have been doing a lot of reconnecting with old friends.

Friends that I spent my early twenties with and then

drifted apart because life got in the way (families, jobs, and

growing up).

So a girls night out now is reminiscing, catching up with

our children stories, laughing, and drinking wine.

And a great glass of wine is the icing on 

reconnecting with old friends.

Wendy at Stuck Together Magnets is willing to supply

three lucky recipe winners with a set of three wine glass charms.

How cool is that?

Who knows, when reconnecting with old girlfriends the charms

may just be the key to conversation,

memory sparks,

and giggles....

The recipe that I'm bringing to the party is not a finger food

by any means, but it does come equipped with alcohol....

Yes, this has vodka in it and tastes just like a Bloody Mary

(one of my favorite drinks).

Please except my invitation to "Girls Night Out",

have fun,

good luck,

and make sure you invite your girlfriends to join.

Your hosts:

Foodie Friends Friday at http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com

Tracy at http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Lois at http://www.wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com

Angie at http://www.alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com

Cindy at http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Sarah at http://www.everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com

Erika at http://www.chefpickykid.com

Foodie Friends Friday #9 and Hot Pepper Jam

Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday #9

 Oh do we have a great giveaway for the three lucky winners

this weekend.

Our own Dawn from Spatulas on Parade

is giving away some hot pepper jam.

This is coming from Dogwood Acres.
U.S. residents only please.

The memories of hot pepper jam are so vivid to me....

My mom used to make it. And we (brothers) loved it.

It is best to eat on toast with scrambled eggs.

I am only hoping and praying that I am a winner

of this awesome jam.

 For my feature from lost in the archives this weekend

I'm bringing you this:

Jalapeno Popper Dip 

This is the perfect recipe to go along with the giveaway.

And I just know you will love it.

 Our Click Stars from last weekend are:

#3 Jams n Pans with Apple Carrot and Walnut Cakes

(Good Work!)

#2 My Biscuits are Burning with No-Bake Butterscotch Pretzel Bars

(Awesomeness!)

#1 Hun....What's for Dinner with Swedish Berry Blondies

(Congratulations!)

And the winners of the awesome lavender body scrub

from Farm Girl's Glitz and Glam goes to:

#3 Rants from My Crazy Kitchen with Chicken Pot Pie 

(Crazy Awesome!)

#2 Hugs and Cookies XOXO with Reese's Overload Cake

(I'm drooling! Congrats!)

#1 Jams n Pans with Apple Carrot and Walnut Cakes

(Congratulations!)

A'lil Country Sugar host favorite is:

Blondee's Diary with Gnocchi (made with cauliflower)
Awesome way to cut out the starch.....

Now onto this week's linky party.....

Here are the rules that no one likes, but must be followed:

Good luck to all who participate.

Your hosts are:

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  

Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au

R Dawn at http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com

Michelle at http://www.fromcalculustocupcakes.blogspot.com

Skye at http://www.avirtualessence.blogspot.com

Something New: Spontaneous Treasures Thursday (Menu Plan)

Before I just throw this at you (pie in the face),

I would like to take some time to explain my intentions.

I think it's convenient to be able to go to one

place to plan a meal.

Don't you think so?

Sooooooo, since I spend countless hours

at Pinterest....

Yes, COUNTLESS hours!

I am going to put those hours to good use for you.

I like to get recipe ideas from Pinterest,

recipes that are versatile,

recipes that can easily be adapted to the ingredients

in my kitchen (and your kitchen),

and recipes that are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.

So I'm going to create a menu plan for you that will

benefit you for one day of the week.

Any day of the week.

Any day you choose to be good to your family.

I can manage to be good to my family just one

day a week.

How about you?

I'll supply the menu plan, you supply the day.

Deal?

Great!

Yes, your benefits are very important to me.

Your life simplicity is very important to me.

And that is what I'm here for.

I blog for YOU

not for myself.

So, let's get started with menu plan, one meal, week 1 

Oh and, one other thing that I forgot to mention.

I am not stealing pictures or implying plagiarism.

I have spent 4 years in college and I know how serious

those two crimes are.

Every picture and recipe will be linked to their sources,

and all credit is held within those recipes and pictures.

I am just simply supplying an ease for one meal a week. 

And you have no idea how much this going to 

help me too. 

We can do this together.....

Who will make this meal first?

On your mark

get set

GO!

 This Crock Pot Easy Beef Stew grabbed my attention

because it is made in the crock pot.

Is there anything more easy than placing ingredients

in a pot and letting it cook all day?

I think not!

With this recipe I am going to sub the frozen 

veggies with fresh veggies.

I will just throw the fresh peppers and onions in half way 

through the cooking time.

In place of the water I'm going to use vegetable broth.

While the stew is in the crock pot, 

let's throw together this awesome looking Honey Beer Bread I 

found at Lemon Sugar. 

Beer Bread and stew must always be served together.

No excuses!

And I have some Samuel Adams, Blackberry Witbier that

will be AMAZING in this bread.

Top a slice of this bread with a little honey butter, 

and you are good to go..... 

For a little something sweet, but not too heavy, 

I found this Peach Crunch Cake at Walking on Sunshine.

This is so easy to throw together,

and everyone has canned peaches and cake mix on hand, right?

And just think, you could switch up the cake mix flavor

(white cake, spice cake, carrot cake, etc....)

This is one perfect meal.

A meal that would make your family happy.

And a happy family is a good thing.

Or you could make this for that

rugged man of yours to keep him happy.

The way to a man's heart is though his stomach.

Throw a few candles on the table

and call it "ROMANCE".

Now I just realized I made myself 

sound bias......

Men, you can treat your women too.

I would like this meal made for me.....

It's Just A Thang....Mexican Stuffed Roasted Peppers

 I seen these come through Pinterest from Simply Love Food,

and I knew right then and there that they had to be on MY plate.

But I put my own twist on them.

 Is there anything more beautiful than colorful peppers?

Okay, maybe a slice of blueberry cheesecake....

But right now the beauty is the peppers.

And if I would have known that a roasted pepper was 

out-of-this-world-amazing

I would have been roasting them years ago.

 You can even top these bad boys with sour cream if you want.

I will for sure be making these over and over in my kitchen.

 Do you remember the homemade taco seasoning that was just

presented the other day?

Yup, it's in here.

And so is some of our left-over grilled brats (jalapeno brats).

Just a tid-bit of information....

it's easier to remove the casings before the brats are cooked.

But anyway, I managed to get a little meat out of those

grilled brats without using most of the casing. 

Once you try these on your own plate,

you will be making them again, and again.

I hope you enjoy these as much as we did.

Quote from a taste tester: 

"I am not a fan of beans, but these are AMAZING!"

Chalk one up for the 'Lil Country Sugar cook 

to get a bean hater to eat beans....

Mexican Stuffed Roasted Peppers

Olive oil

6 left-over grilled brats (try and remove meat without using the grilled casing)

1 c. chopped purple onion

1 heaping TBS of homemade taco seasoning

2 c. cooked rice (I used white basmati rice)

3-4 bell peppers, halved and seeds removed (I used 3)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 c. frozen corn

1 (15-16 oz.) jar picante sauce, or salsa (I used medium heat picante)

Shredded cheddar cheese

Optional toppings:

fresh cilantro

sour cream

sliced avocado

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat the peppers with olive oil and roast in a baking dish about 20-25 minutes. Remove the peppers from the oven and allow to cool until you can handle them.

In a bowl add the taco seasoning, cooked meat (brats), chopped onion, black beans, corn, and rice. Add in the picante sauce and mix well.

Carefully spoon the mixture into each half of the roasted peppers (mine were heaping) and place back into the baking dish. Cook the peppers for another 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are cooked all the way through. Before removing  from the oven sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese. Place back into the oven until cheese is melted.

Top peppers with your choice of toppings.

This recipe is linked to:
Thursday Treasures ~ Recipes for My Boys
Foodie Friends Friday
The Better Baker ~ Weekend Pot Luck
Six Sisters Stuff ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday

ASAP!! Bloody Mary Salad

 This is my off day....

And on my off days I do nothing but sit around,

drink wine,

and eat the foods that I present to you on Mondays,

Wednesdays,

and Fridays....

FOR REAL!

And drinking wine is my favorite part.

Why do you think I'm partial to recipes that call for alcohol?

I had to get this recipe to you ASAP! 

So, that means I'm interrupting my wine drinking day.....

So, that means this recipe is pretty darn special.

 I bet if you search my blog you would find at least twelve

recipes that call for some kind of liquor.....

And I know what you're thinking.....

"I'm following an alcoholic." Right?

I would be thinking that if I were you.....

I found this recipe at Framed Cooks, and when I saw the title,

I started doing flips.

For real!

Flips!

A Bloody Mary is one of my all time favorite drinks.

Don't forget, you're following an alcoholic.....

I also have to share with you the obsession I have with 

pretty plates and antiques.

I have it bad!

I sometimes go to a local antique store in my tiny little town

and walk around the store all day long.

That pretty bowl and glass salad tongs came from that store.

It's called The Green Awning Gallery.

And you can find their blog here.

Make sure you bookmark the blog because Kathy has some

awesomely amazing decorating ideas.

Oh, and I was telling you about a Bloody Mary Salad....

I'm not only an alcoholic,

antique freak,

but also a side tracked Sally.....(no offence to any Sally)

Sorry!

Bloody Mary Salad

4-6 ripe heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges (I used garden tomatoes)

1 bunch of celery, cut into 2 inch sections. Include some of the leafy part!

1/8 cup capers (I used pimento stuffed green olives, sliced)

1/4 c. olive oil

3 TBS horseradish (I used finely minced onion)

1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

2 TBS vodka

1 tsp. celery seeds

1/2 TBS Tabasco (or less if you like), (or more if you like)

Fresh ground black pepper and coarse salt

Gently combine tomatoes, celery and olives in a salad bowl.

Combine all remaining ingredients except for salt and pepper in a medium sized mixing bowl. Whisk together. Then add the salt and pepper to taste. 

Pour dressing over salad and mix gently. Garnish with a scattering of celery seeds if desired and serve.

This recipe is linked to:
Thursday Treasures ~ Recipes for My Boys
Swanky Stuff Link Party ~ Something Swanky
Foodie Friends Friday
The Better Baker ~ Weekend Pot Luck

It's All About The Seasoning: Homemade Taco Seasoning

 Are you one to make your own taco seasoning, or do you buy those little

pre-made packets?

I have decided to make my own. 

It seems like there is so much more flavor in homemade.

And most usually you have all the spices on hand in your

spice rack.

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning

2 TBS chili powder
2 TBS ground cumin
2 TBS garlic powder
2 TBS onion powder
2 tsp. crushed red pepper

Mix all together and store in air-tight container.


This recipe is linked to:
Foodie Friends Friday
Lemon Sugar ~ Share it Saturday
Amee's Savory Dish ~ Fit and Fabulous Fridays

Foodie Friends Friday #8 & Lavender Body Scrub

 Welcome to Foodie Friends Friday #8

Just look what is in the waiting for you this week....

Farm Girl's Glitz and Glam is giving away 

"Lavender Scented Body Scrub"

to the top three voted recipes this weekend.

How cool is that?

Lavender scent makes me sleep like a baby...... 

 We are coming into the fall season (quickly).

The leaves are already beginning to fall and I have

thoughts of pumpkins, apples, cider, and fall picnics.

Lost in the archives is this great recipe for

Butternut Pound Cake. 

 Last weekend the click stars were:

#3 Homemade Twix Bars from Hugs & Cookies XOXO

40 clicks (Check them out....very yummmy!)

#2 Kit-Kat Cake from Love Bakes Good Cakes

41 clicks (Gorgeousness right on a plate!)

#1 Parmesan Zucchini Bites from 

The Fountain Avenue Kitchen

53 clicks (Perfect for Fall!)  

The top voted recipes, and winners of the Electronic Cookbook 

goes out to:

#3 Gluten Free Spice Cake from Amees Savory Dish

(Congratulations!)

#2 Cooking from a Stay at Home Mom won three times over with

Cheddar Bacon Fries

Salted Caramel Cake

Corn Dogs

Make sure you go and check out her recipes.

(Awesome job SAHM!)

And the #1 spot goes to:

Spatulas on Parade with Molasses Cookies

But since Spatulas on Parade is a host, she will be passing

her prize onto her host favorite.

A'lil Country Sugar host favorite is:

This gorgeous Chickpea Noodle Soup from The Garden Grazer

This is perfect for a fall meal!

Now onto this week's linky party.....

Here are the rules that no one likes, but must be followed:

Good luck to all who participate, and hopefully you will be

relaxing with the lavender body scrub soon.

Your hosts:

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom http://www.busyvegetarianmom.com

Robyn's View http://www.robynsviewathome.blogspot.com

Angie at A lil Country Sugar  http://alilcountrysugar.blogspot.com/  

Sarah at Everything in the Kitchen Sink http://everythingkitchensink.blogspot.com

Marlys at This and That  http://marlys-thisandthat.blogspot.com/

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine http://wifeofthecolonel.blogspot.com/

Lindsey at Family Food Finds  http://www.familyfoodfinds.com

Cindy at Cindys Recipes and Writings  http://www.cindysrecipesandwritings.com

Keira at Luscious Delights www.lusciousdelights.blogspot.com.au

R Dawn at http://www.spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

Ericka at http://www.chefpickykid.com