Chicken Pasta Toss

This is the first recipe I actually invented myself! Stella calls me a chef so I decided I better show her what I can do. It actually turned out REALLY GOOD ( the pictures does not give my creation justice)! And it was really easy. Our cupboards and fridge were empty so I used what I had on hand. We will make this again for sure!

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 onion, chopped small

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

3 T Balsamic Vinegar

3 T Vegetable Oil

2 Chicken Breast, cut into cubes

1 Cup frozen Peas

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/3 cup water

1/2 lb bow tie pasta, cooked

Saute garlic, onions and mushrooms in oil over medium heat until tender. Add cubes of chicken and balsamic vinegar and cook until meat is no longer pink. Add peas and cook 5 minutes. Add mushroom soup and water. Cook for 5 - 10 minutes. Toss in cooked pasta. ENJOY!!

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is one of my all time favorite recipes. Its quick, easy and delicious (and all the colors looks so pretty on a plate). If you ever need dinner on the table in 30 min or less give this meal a try. The original recipe did not call for onions but I think it adds a lot of flavor.

1 2o oz can pineapple chunks and juice

1/3 c white vinegar

6 T sugar

1 T soy sauce

3 T Cornstarch mixed into 1/3 cup water

1 onion, chopped

2 green peppers, cut into strips

4 roma tomatoes, cut into chunks

20 meatballs, precooked

Combine pineapple and juice, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and cornstarch/water mixture in a frying pan. Cook over medium high heat until liquid is thick and clear.

Reduce heat to medium.

Add onion, green pepper and meatballs. Cook for 10-15 min until onions and peppers have softened a bit.

Add tomatoes and cook another 10 minutes.

Serve over rice.

Carrot Cake Pancakes

(Photo courtesy of The Grubery)
This recipe came from my friend Jullee's cooking blog, The Grubery. We made them for breakfast on Memorial Day. They were quick, easy and delicious!


Pancake Mix, prepared
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract

Prepare pancake mix according to package. Add carrots, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Do not over mix.

Heat griddle to medium. Pour 1/4 cup batter for each pancake and cook approx 3 min on each side or until golden brown.

Serve with cream cheese butter and sprinkle with a cinnamon sugar mixture.

Cream Cheese Butter
1/2 c butter, softened
1/4 c cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon


The pancakes were a hit with both of my kids!

Hearty Beef Stew

1 lb Top Sirloin, cut into one inch pieces

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/4 c carrots, chopped

1 c celery, chopped

1 c mushrooms, quartered (or smaller)

3 c frozen hash browns (cubes not shredded)

1 pkg Lipton's Mushroom Onion dry soup mix

1-2 beef bullion cubes

3 1/2 cups water

In a large pot cook sirloin and onions in 2 tablespoons butter until steak to medium and onions are soft.

Add carrots, celery, mushrooms and hash browns. Cook for 5 minutes.

Add Lipton's onion soup, bullion and water. (The water will just cover the vegetables - the starch from the potatoes will thicken up the water --- remember this is a stew not a soup so it should not be too liquidy).

Bring to a boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until carrots and celery are soft.

Enjoy!