Friday, December 30, 2011

2011 is over!

I can't believe 2011 is over already. I am so glad I got back to my food blog and met so many new friends and found some awesome cooking blogs. Please take a minute to visit some of the bloggers in my 'Links' down below to the right. You will be happy you did!

This year had its ups and downs, but it ended with a wonderful Christmas and I am looking forward to New Years with my In Laws. How many people can say they look forward to time with their In Laws? I am truly lucky.

I think next year I will start adding additional posts highlighting my favorite things, starting with my most favorite thing of 2011...

snuggle brothers
Steeeeeeve. He has tried our patience, made us laugh, and most importantly he has become best friends with our older dog Tanner. After we lost Joey we knew we had to get another dog and Steve ended up being the most perfect match for us.

Happy New Year to you all, thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful 2012!

Monday, December 26, 2011

Reuben Casserole

A lot of people eat pork and sauerkraut for new years, this recipe is a good way to use up any extra sauerkraut you may end up with.

recipe from taste of home 2005
This comes from Taste of Home, one of my favorites. Preheat your oven to 350 and lets gather up some ingredients.

ingredients
You need some kraut, onions, corned beef, swiss cheese, garlic, sour cream, butter and some bread.

sauerkraut and garlic in
Rinse and drain the sauerkraut.

swiss cheese
Shred the swiss.

corned beef - YUM
Chop up the beef.

onion
Dice up the onion. Chop up your garlic too, that didn't make it into the pictures.

everyone in
Combine the sauerkraut, onion, garlic, beef and sour cream in a bowl.

bread cubed
Cube up your bread, I just used white bread.

cheese on
Put the meat mixture in a greased casserole dish, I am using cute Pyrex of course! Put the cheese on top.

bread on
Put the bread on top and drizzle with the butter. Put it in the oven for about a half an hour and that is it, you are ready to eat!

Reuben Casserole
I used my toaster oven so the bread got a little extra toasty, but it was still great.

Reuben Casserole
I am so glad I made two servings of this because I also enjoyed the leftovers.

I hope you all had a happy holiday season and are looking forward to a new year!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Spicy Sesame Noodles

This recipe is also from the Healthy Cooking for Two or Just You that I mentioned in my last post. I really recommend it if you are cooking smaller portions. The funny thing about the recipe I am sharing today is that I planned on making it just for me. Then the hubby started lurking in the kitchen and asking questions about what I was making. So after he scanned the ingredients he decided to give it a try. So I doubled the recipe and we actually ate together...and he LIKED it. I was pretty excited.

So here is the recipe that was husband approved:

Spicy Sesame Noodles
Most of this is probably in your pantry already. Get a pot of water boiling and start gathering ingredients.

ingredients
You will need pasta, tahini, ginger, red pepper, rice vinegar, oil, garlic, soy sauce, mushrooms, onion and celery...which I didn't have but it was fine without it.

ginger grated
Chop up your veggies and grate the ginger. You also need to chop your garlic but I missed getting a picture of that.

sauce combined
Combine the water, soy sauce, tahini, vinegar and red pepper flakes if you want them. Oh look there is the garlic hiding behind the measuring cup!

veggies in for 3 minutes
Get your noodles into the boiling water and get your veggies in the pan for about 3 minutes.

garlic in for one minute
Add in your garlic and stir for about a minute.

boil the sauce until it is smoooooth while stirring
Pour the sauce mixture in and stir that around until it is bubbling and smooth.

pasta in to get saucy
Drop in the pasta, give it a stir, and you are done!

Spicy Sesame Noodles on Pyrex!
Tasty, simple, spicy...the trifecta! My husband ate two servings, I would say that was successful.

I cannot believe Christmas is next weekend!! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season, stay safe and eat well.