FUNDRAISER: Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas

Hey fellow blog readers!!!!

God has laid something HUGE on my heart and I'm taking action!!!!

A dear friend of mine's daughter that I went to school with back in Iowa, is fighting a very long and exhausting fight to brain cancer.  I have shared their blog address many times (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate), so many of you have already heard and read about her, anyways, for a few years now they have done an incredible Christmas event for the Phoenix area by doing something called Kate's Crazy Cool Christmas!  Each year, by donations alone, they provide many of the families' who have little ones battling cancer with a load of Christmas gifts to bring them some cheer!  Many of these families aren't even home for Christmas, but instead in the hospital celebrating with a sick one!  I don't know about you, but just thinking of this puts me in my place!  I can't even BEGIN to imagine going through something like this, but in spite of all the sadness, Kate's family has organized this great event to bring so happiness to some hurting families! 

So, in hopes to check off some needed items requested on their list, I am going to offer two kinds of bread and donating ALL PROCEEDS to this event!!!!  I am offering my Oatmeal Bread (5 mini loaves) for $10 or I'm also offering my Crescent Rolls (16/batch) for $10.  To make it easier, I'm only selling in batches.  These will be on a 'made to order' basis, so please e-mail me to place an order at bbaltzly@gmail.com.  These breads freeze VERY WELL for up to 3 months or so!  These are also great for the Holiday gatherings and parties coming up!  This is an ASKING donation of $10/each, if you'd like to give more, I will just add and purchase more of the items on the list!!  THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN THIS!!!!!  God bless!

UPDATE on 11/15:  A few Iowa friends have asked how they can get in on this!  So, I went to post office today and here's what I found!  I am more than happy to ship you some bread to Iowa!  Unfortunately since I am donating all the ingredients I can't cover shipping! :(  But if you want to order, I found the cheapest for fastest delivery is 2-3 day priority for $10.95.  For this size box, ordering two batches would be more worth your dollar! :)  I'd make it an even $30 for two batches shipped!  :) 

$10 for 5 mini loaves of Oatmeal Bread

$10 for 16 Crescent Rolls

Strawberry Lemonade

One of my favorite drinks to order at restaraunts are Strawberry Lemonades!  The fresh kind, not the "fountain" kind.  Not many restaruants offer it but every time I get to order it, I LOVE IT!  It's pretty easy to make it for yourself at home! 

2 - 12 oz lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 c sugar
20 ounces frozen strawberries, thawed
9 c water

In a blender, puree sugar, strawberries and 4 c water.  Leave somewhat chunky.  In a large pitcher combine lemonade concentrate, 5 c water and strawberry puree mixture all together and stir.  Serve over a full glass of ice!

Zaycon Chicken

REPOST:  October 5, 2011

 I am here to tell you this is an AMAZING price for chicken and WELL WORTH ordering a case before they are SOLD OUT!  GO NOW to this link:  http://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf10027, SIGN UP and order!!!  This event most generally sells out so I would be inclined to believe it will be gone again rather quickly.  Go!  Go NOW and register and order!  SERIOUSLY! :)

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WOW!  I'm impressed!!!!  So, many of you saw my post about the amazing chicken deal.  Well, I picked my chicken up yesterday and wanted to show you what I got so that if this event comes to your town, or again comes to the valley that you all can get in on it! :)  TOTALLY impressed!  WOW!  I do know that this company also has "ground beef" events, and FOR SURE, if they offer this in the Phoenix area, I'm participating. 

A few weeks ago, I found out about this chicken event.  Basically, this company offers AMAZING product for an AMAZING price.  This chicken is hormone and injection free.  This event was for boneless, skinless chicken breasts in 40 pound boxes for just $1.49/lb.  WOW!!!  This is stuff I normally used to by at like Sprouts because they offer the chicken with no fillers, it's healthier, better for you, etc.  You also pay an arm and a leg for the stuff at Sprouts!  Not here.  I was so excited. 

I went to the website, registered, and then bought my box ahead for the event day.  This event SOLD OUT, so if it comes around again, you need to be QUICK about ordering! 

My friend and I went yesterday to pick it up!  It was the smoothest, most slick adventure to getting chicken.  Felt a tiny bit guilty as a matter of fact! :)  So, we brought our printed "receipts" with us.  They had a big refrigerated semi trailer in the parking lot of a church in Gilbert.  They had orange cones everywhere and a definite flow of traffic set up!  There was ONE entrance, and about half way around the "U" there was someone checking your name off the list and then they'd put laminated "numbers" of how many boxes you were picking up under your wipers and then you'd keep driving forward and on either side of the trailer you pulled up.  Then there were about 8 people there taking the boxes off the truck (already premeasured and pre packeaged) and putting them into your trunk and off you went!  That was it!  SO EASY!

Got home and immediately started prepping my chicken by taking the yucky stuff off (I'm pretty picky about this! :)) and then putting them into a variety of Ziploc bags.  I decided to bag mine very specifically so that in the future it's super easy for me to make my meals.  I had some in stir fry fashion where I cut my chicken into strips, I put 3 breasts in several bags for when I make soups or taco meat, and then I put 4-5 breasts into a few bags for when I make Christy's Chicken or dishes like Chicken Fillets over Rice, etc.  I LOVE IT!  I am going to show pictures below for you to see.  Wish so bad now that I would've taken pictures of the pick up location.  Maybe next time!  I got a total of about 42-44 single breasts.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS IF IT COMES AGAIN TO PHOENIX OR COMES TO YOUR AREA!  Go to the website here and check for events:  http://www.zayconfoods.com/refer/zf10027.  If you continue following my blog or my JoJo's NumNums facebook page, I will announce again when I hear they will be here.  It's my understanding they come about 2 times a year.

Here is how the chicken comes. The breasts are together.

 Here you can see the box that it came in.

Here's all my chicken prepped several different ways!

Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha

You have no idea how happy this makes my heart!  With the help of my dearest friend (who used to work at Starbucks), we figured out the combination and I'm telling ya'll, if I were blindfolded and had one cup of Starbucks and one cup of one made from home, I COULD TELL NO DIFFERENCE!

So, here it is!

Now, before I start, sorry for the poor photography.  Drinks I've found are awfully difficult to take pictures of!

 Again, sorry for the not so great picture! :(

This doesn't do it justice! :)

For the homemade mocha additive:
1 can evaporated milk
3/4 c dry cocoa
3/4 c sugar

In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cocoa until there are no more lumps.  Slowly add the can of evaporated milk using a whisk and whisk until everything is completely combined.  Refrigerate any leftovers (which you'll have tons unless you're feeding an army!)

Homemade Mocha!! MMMM!

Salted Caramel Mocha (Hot or Iced)
2 shots espresso
4 pumps Toffee Nut Syrup (FROM STARBUCKS)
2 T mocha
1 - 1 1/2 c milk (steamed for hot version)
Caramel Syrup (ice cream topping)
Coarse Sea Salt

Mix espresso, syrup and mocha until it is blended.  Add the milk and stir.  Top with whipped cream, some caramel syrup and coarse sea salt!

You'll notice the chocolatey look here.

NOTE:  Starbucks sells the Toffee Nut syrup to any customer for $7.95/bottle.  $1 for the pump (this is important cause it's calibrated specifically for the drinks).  This will last you MANY drinks.  You pay over $5 for ONE drink, so think about how much you are saving by just making them at home!  

Shepard's Pie

My dear hubby, though not a stitch of Irish in him, LOVES him some SHEPARD'S PIE!!!!  This is a very common "meat and potato" recipe at our house!  My kids too inhale this stuff, and it's SO NICE cause it's "all in one" so I don't have to cook any veggie sides, etc!  What could get better than that!? :)

So, here it is! :)

1 lb ground beef
1/4 c Worchestershire Sauce
1 packet Brown Gravy Mix
2 T flour
1 c water
1-2 bags frozen mixed vegetables
2.5 lb potatoes (red are the best, but russet will do)
1 stick butter
1 c Cheddar Cheese, shredded

In a frying pan, brown ground beef in the Worchestershire Sauce.  When the meat is done cooking, add the dry packet of Brown Gravy & flour and coat the meat.  Add 1 c water.  Simmer a few minutes until the gravy has thickened.  Mix the frozen vegetables (don't need to heat), and hamburger mix together in a 9x13 pan.  Peel and boil potatoes and mash either by hand or in a food processor or in a Kitchen Aid with a stick of butter.  Layer potatoes on top of the meat/veggie mix and top then with cheese.  Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes.

Note:  I DO make a double batch and freeze this dish just before the bake time.  On dinner day, I just set on the counter in the morning and bake as instructed above.

Chewy Soft Pretzels

 Roll about 20" wide.

 Swing right side to the middle.

 Swing left side and cross over the right side.

 Cornstarch bath in HOT water and cornstarch.

Bake & top with melted butter and whatever toppings you like.

4 t yeast

1 t sugar

1 1/4 c warm water

4 c flour

1/2 c sugar

1 1/2 t salt

1 T olive oil

1/2 c baking soda

4 c hot water

1/4 c kosher salt, for topping

 

 

Dissolve yeast and 1 t sugar in warm water. Let stand until it foams and bubbles, about 10 minutes. In your bread machine bowl, put in 1/2 c sugar, salt, olive oil.  Measure 4 c flour on top of the moist mixture and start the dough cycle.  When the timer goes off, divide the dough into 12 equal parts.  Roll each out like a snake about 20 or so inches wide.  Form into a pretzel.  Dip into baking soda warm water (I mix soda and water and JUST bring to a barely simmer and turn the burner off) for about 30 seconds and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Bake in a preheated oven of 400 degrees for 8 minutes, until browned.

Cornbread

So, not so long ago (maybe a year), Benjamin took me on a nice date to a high class restaraunt here in Phoenix that rotates around the top of this tower while you dine.  AMAZING!  Not to mention the AMAZING waitress we had!  She was just a doll!  Worked hard and sought out ways to make our night more pleasant.  She just went the extra mile!  Such a neat place!  Anyway, while dining in this place, they served us Cornbread.  Not a huge fan of Cornbread myself, I offered my hubby my piece, but he MADE me try a bite at least.  Needless to say, he never got my piece! :)  It was AMAZING!  And I ate every last bite! :)  He teasingly asked our waitress if he could have just one more piece of cornbread and she obliged, and with it, she brought out a card that had the printed recipe!!!  The actual recipe this restaraunt uses!  Oh, were we happy! :)  I've made it a few times since we ate there and every time it's the same, incredibly addicting!  So, I'm sharing it now with you!

1 lb (4 sticks) butter
2 c sugar
2 c cornmeal
8 eggs
28 ounces cream corn (see recipe below)
3 c flour
2 T baking powder
2 T salt
6 oz cheddar cheese

Cream the butter, sugar and cornmeal. Add eggs one at a time -- mix until incorporated. Add cream corn (see recipe below) and mix until incorporated. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Mix until incorporated. Add cheese, mix. Grease pans.  Preheat oven to 300. Bake about 1 hr until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

This recipe yeilds either 1 - 9x13; or 2 - 9x9; or 4 - large loaf pans. 

Note:  This can also be frozen UNBAKED, and baked the day of serving.  See pictures. 


Cream Corn

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen corn kernels, thawed
1 c heavy cream
1 t salt
2 T sugar
1/4 t pepper
2 Tbutter
1 c whole milk
2 T flour
1/4 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a skillet over medium heat, combine the corn, cream, salt, sugar, pepper and butter. Whisk together the milk and flour, and stir into the corn mixture. Cook stirring over medium heat until the mixture is thickened, and corn is cooked through. Remove from heat, and stir in the Parmesan cheese until melted. Serve hot or use for recipe.

Crunchy Romaine Toss Salad

 The yummy homemade dressing!!!

 The crunchies you'll put on top!!!

 Fresh sliced strawberries!

The Salad!

Lettuce Salad:
1 head Romaine lettuce, washed and cut
1 lb strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced
3 green onions
2 heads of brocoli

Crunchies:

2 pkg Ramen noodles, crushed
1 c slivered almonds
1/2 stick butter

Dressing:

1 c vegatable oil
1/2 c red wine vinegar
1 c sugar
1 T soy sauce

Cut, wash and prepare lettuce and put in a large bowl.  Wash and cut brocoli into small bite size pieces.  Cut green onion and put over lettuce with the brocoli.  In a small saucepan, melt butter.  Add DRY broken up Ramen Noodles and almonds and saute until they are golden.  I would suggest a medium heat and watch closely stirring frequently.  These will burn quickly if they are not watched.  In another container (I use a Ziploc Twist and Lock) and mix together oil, red wine vinegar, sugar and soy sauce.  Cover with lid and shake until everything is well combined.  When ready to eat, serve lettuce bowl part onto your plate, top with strawberries, crunchies and the amount of dressing you desire!  Eat!  This is so light and so refreshing!  You will want seconds!  I DO NOT recommend putting EVERYTHING all together in one big bowl as once it's all combined it all must be eaten!  If you serve separately, you can use as leftovers!

Paul Specials

This recipe is one I will always remember from way back!  My mom used to work as a waitress at a small restaraunt where she grew up where these sandwiches were served!  Simple, yet there's something I can't explain about how good they are! :)  They just are! :)

1 package hamburger buns

1 lb pork sausage (I use my breakfast sausage recipe.), browned and drained

1 can pizza sauce

1 lb shredded Mozzarella Cheese

Toast your buns on broil in the oven watching very carefully!  They toast quickly when on broil.  Take them out of the oven and put a heap of cheese on the top bun and a spoonful of pizza sauce on the bottom bun.  Add a spoonful of your browned pork sausage on top of the sauce.  Throw back into your oven at 350 and bake until your cheese is melted.  Usually about 15 minutes.  If you like your cheese a little more crispy put it on broil at the very end for about a minute until it is golden!  This is a great meal for a larger group party.

Cherry Scones

I'm back!  So sorry for the LOOOOONG extended time between today and my last post.  Ahem.  I will try to do better!  The funny thing is that I have tons of recipes typed in posts ready to share, but haven't uploaded all my pictures yet, so they aren't getting posted too quickly!  Hard to find the time right now to do that!  Things get busier the older my kids get! :)  I thought it was the other way around. :)  Boy am I wrong!

So, I just got back from a visit to meet my new NEPHEW, Nolan Whitson, a few weeks ago!  Oh, and I got to see my sister and BIL.  :)  That was great too! :)  I'm smitten with that sweet baby boy, but that's not why you all are watching my blog for new recipes, so I guess this proud auntie will move along! :) 

Anyway, while I was out there, the Royal Wedding took place and Nolan just so happened to wake up at 3AM for a feeding, so what perfect timing to get up and watch the Royal Wedding!  Won't ever forget this morning.  My sister and I watched as we drank hot breves and ate................ready for it............these very Cherry Scones!  OH MY!  Let's just say I felt rather "royal" while eating and watching, so here's the recipe! :)  My sister is an AMAZING cook herself, and gave me a great stack of new recipes for me to try and she's given me permission to post them as I see fit!  She briefly mentioned she wanted to "featured" on the blog, so here's to you, sweet sister!!!  Love you!

 Dough just out of the mixer!

Roll the dough out on flour surface to 1/2" or so thick. (mine here was too thin! :()

 Cut into 8 triangles!

 Bake!  I put mine in for 12 minutes and these are too done! :( 

Would've taken out at 10 minutes had I been watching! :)

2 c flour
1/4 c sugar
1 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
6 T cold unsalted butter cut into 1/2" slices
1/2 c dried cherries
1/4 c sliced almonds
2 eggs
1/2 c whole milk
1/2 t almond extract


Preheat oven to 425. Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Cut in the butter until mix resembles coarse meal. Mix in cherries & almonds.

In a separate bowl combine eggs, almond extract and milk. Stir into the flour mixture just until moist. (If sticky, add a little more flour.) Turn dough and make into a ball. Flatten to 1/2" thick. Cut into 8 wedges.

Brush tops w/ milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake 15 min.

NOTE:  These freeze VERY well, just pull them out frozen and place on your cookie sheet as little or as many as you need and bake.  May need a few extra minutes, but not much!  The morning of the royal wedding we pulled them from the freezer and they were baked a very short time later!