Hamburger Stroganoff

Hamburger Helper is always a quick easy meal in our home. I thought tonight I would try to cook a homemade version. I thought that cheesier flavor made a big difference in the taste!

 

This recipe takes the same amount of time as buying the box version, but you can make it healthier and more flavorful.  You can replace the noodles and flour with wheat versions.

 

Hamburger Stroganoff
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 4-5 servings

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 1/2 cups uncooked noodles*
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons flour*
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
3/4 cup white sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet brown beef and drain.
2. Remove skillet from burner and add pasta, milk, water, spices, flour and cheese.
3. Return to burner over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a light simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes. Make sure to stir frequently.
5. Enjoy!

*You may replace the noodles and flour with wheat versions to make the meal healthier.

 

S'mores Bark

My girls and I made this recipe awhile ago. We were craving s'mores, but during the summer in Arizona it is too hot to have a fire. Instead we made one huge s'more for everyone to enjoy for a few days.

This recipe is fun for all ages. You can even bring more fun to the bark by adding white chocolate or peanut butter.

S'mores Bark
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Set Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

24 oz dark chocolate chips
1 cup graham crackers
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
2 Hersey's milk chocolate bars

Instructions:

1. Cover a 15 x 10 cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the dark chocolate chips per the package directions. Stir periodically while melting.
3. Spread the melted chocolate chips on to the parchment paper.
4. Break apart graham crackers and milk chocolate bars.
5. Sprinkle graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate pieces  over top.
6. Lightly press pieces into the chocolcate.
7. Refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the bark to cool and set.
8. Break into pieces and enjoy!

Teriyaki Chicken

I have always had an issue doing one thing at a time. I like to keep my plate full and our bellies! Tonight we whipped up some Teriyaki Chicken with homemade teriyaki sauce. Sorry I could not get a decent picture of the chicken.

Teriyaki Chicken
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 4-6 people

Ingredients:

4 pounds chicken breast
1 cup water
5 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut chicken breasts into thin strips and place on baking sheet. I sprinkled a little bit of garlic salt on each piece.
2. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
3. In a medium saucepan combine the 1 cup water, brown sugar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger and cook over medium heat.
4. Combine the cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl until it dissolves.
5. Add mixture to the saucepan and heat until it thickens.
6. Pour teriyaki sauce over cooked chicken and serve.

We had rice and broccoli with our teriyaki chicken.

Peanut Butter Apple Snacks

I decided to whip up a quick fun snack for them. My kids go wild for red apples and we go through more peanut butter then I could have imagined in a week. I decided to make the snack all their favorite treats...apples with peanut butter spread a crossed and sprinkled with a couple of chocolate chips (I really need to replenish my stock of dark chocolate chips, but the regular ones worked just fine).

Needless to say they were gone before I put the plate down.

BBQ Sauce

Tonight I made a homemade BBQ Sauce that would be good for chicken, shrimp, pork, or anything else you would like to put it on.

 

BBQ Sauce
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Tapatio Sauce for regular or 1 tablespoon for spicy
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 tablespoon mustard
5 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan mix ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Tapatio, and lemon juice.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Turn to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.

BBQ Shrimp

We made a big feast tonight for dinner before our neighbors had to leave for basketball practice. Our table was filled with macaroni and cheese, cheese broccoli, corn on the cob, garlic knots, BBQ shrimp, and brownies for dessert. Out of a pound of shrimp we only had 6 pieces remaining. We laughed that we should have just finished them, but at least I have a little treat tomorrow for lunch.

I used the same BBQ recipe as the previous post. I decided to post it by itself and with the Shrimp in case you were just looking for the sauce alone or with shrimp.

 

BBQ Shrimp Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour for the sauce and 10-12 minutes for the shrimp
Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
Serving Size: 3 people

Ingredients:

1 pound shrimp
2 cups ketchup
1 cup water
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon Tapatio Sauce for regular or 1 tablespoon for spicy
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 tablespoon mustard
5 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:

1. In a large saucepan mix ketchup, water, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Tapatio, and lemon juice.
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
4. Turn to low and simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
5. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
6. Remove tails from shrimp and place shrimp on a baking sheet.
7. Place shrimp in oven to cook for 10-12 minutes or until they are fully cooked and pink.
8. Mix cooked shrimp and BBQ sauce in a medium size bowl.
9. Enjoy!

BBQ Sauce Recipe

Cheese Ravioli

Last night we whipped up some homemade ravioli (my oldest daughters favorite food). They are quick and easy to whip up.

I used the homemade marinara sauce to top it off. If you are looking to cook a little quicker you can use your favorite store bought sauce.

Cheese Ravioli Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

26-27 jumbo pasta shells
1 large egg
30 ounces ricotta cheese
2 pinches of salt
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onions

Instructions:

1. Cook shells according to packaging instructions to al dente. Once cooked drain and let cool.
2. Preheat oven to 360 degrees.
3. In a medium bowl beat medium egg.
4. Add ricotta cheese and salt to bowl. Mix well.
5. Combine shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped green onions to the bowl. Stir all ingredients until fully mixed.
6. In a 9 x 13 dish spread 1/3 of the mozzarella sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
7. In the cooled shells fill the centers with the ricotta mixture.
8. Arrange the layers in a single layer on top of the marinara sauce.
9. Pour the remaining sauce over the shells.
10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Check the ravioli at 5 minutes to make sure the shells do not overcook.
12. Enjoy!

Marinara Recipe