On to 2013

So, I tried to update that blog and make it look different and all pretty; I worked on it for an hour or more, and nothing happened!  I am totally bummed :( ....

With 2 more days left of this year, I decided that this would be my last blog for 2012, and can I just say that it has been an amazing year.  I really hope that people continue to read my blog and share my stories.  I still have so much to learn, I am still growing as a cook with you.  It has not been an easy ride, but; I am not giving up!

So here is what I have decided that I will do for 2013. I am going to pick a theme and cook that each month.  It won't be the only thing I make in the house, but it will be the only thing that I blog about.  In this, I hope the learn something new.  One month is going to be potatoes (I don't know how to make mashed potatoes taste good).  So here goes nothing....

January= Blog-a-versary (Ill make things that I already have in the past year)
February= Crock Pot
March=Potatoes
April=Rachael Ray
May=Side Dishes
June=Salads
July=Hamburgers/Hodogs
September=Apples
October=Fall/Pumpkins/Breads
November=Turkey
December=Cookies

Now I do have 6 recipes I have to get through before I can blog-a-versary.  And I will blog about them because, the 22nd of Jan is the date of the one year of blogging!!!  

So have a safe and wonderful New Years!  And I will see you back here in 2013!!  Happy New Year!!!!

Merry Cookin' Christmas, this home chiefs dream!!!

I could not have asked for a better Christmas this year!!! Of course I asked for a TON of cooking things!!  I really get excited when I get them!!  Especially when it is something that I don't have and I need, and as much time as I spend in the kitchen trying out new things, I really want to have everything I can within reach!!  So, the first awesome thing that I got is my Kitchenaide mixer!!!  Since Hubby and I got engaged, and made our first gift registry I have wanted it.  I really thought that I would NEVER get it!!  I got it!!  I am so excited!  I have to learn to make mashed potatoes!!  Oh, and now I can bake, I really hate hand mixers!  Next, "The Crockin' Girls" cook book!  I found this find when I had to take one of my clients to the book store.  I figured if he was going to spend hours looking at books, then so was I.  What a find!  Was so excited to get that for Christmas!  

Speaking of cook books, I got TWO more!!!!  (Pinterest might get a break from me, NOT!!!)  Rachael Ray's Burger Book, (I was totally geeking over that, I love Rach!!! I am currently watching her talk show).  And Taste of Home, Grand Prize winners!  Hubby was excited too.  He really doesn't say it enough, but I think that he really likes when I find something new to make!  

Now, I got lots and lots of Rachael Ray handheld gadgets, and a chip and dip server, and a pot!!  ALL IN ORANGE!!!  

In none cooking news!!!  I am a super nerdy, cool, crazy, Harry Potter fan.  Hubby and I went to Universal Studios JUST to go to the new Harry Potter expansion!  And would walk all the way down there just to get Pumpkin Juice and Butter Beer!!!  Hubby got me an amazing gift, the Harry Potter, DVD/Blu Ray/Digital download trunk set.  It has all the extras and probably weighs a good 20lbs.  This girl is in love!  I also go diamond earrings, and a heart ring that looks like an infinity ring!!  I did pretty well this year!!  

I am so very thankful for all the gifts in my life!  From my Hubby, family, friends, furbabies, and you readers of course!!  As this year draws to an end, it has really been an exciting one!!!  2013 should be even more exciting!!  (3 is my fave number btw!!!)  I should have at least one more blog in me, with some previews of what I'll be making in 2013!  Thanks for reading!!!

December is not the month to blog

Wow December is way past here and really flying bye.  I just haven't been able to cook, let alone blog.  I've just been too busy.  Trust me, in January I will be back, and I will be cooking!

Let me catch you up to date just a little bit, as to why I haven't been blogging.

1) WORK!!  So when I took this job in May I didn't think that I would be this busy, (I make my own schedule).  But, with one client abruptly ending last month, and then trying to meet with a new client that is about an hour away from my home, I have been uber busy.  Which is good for my wallet most of the time ;).

2) SICK!!  I have just about gotten over my bout with bronchitis, only to get this stupid stomach thing that is going around.  Which is not good for my wallet.  I have missed some work. I hate that!!

3) Wonderful visitors!!!  My bestie and her family stayed with us for 1st week of the month.  Now I should have been cooking, but I was sick then too, and it's so much easier to order take out or go out when you cook for four adults.  I enjoyed every minute of their visit, and Abby (my boxer) is currently missing her new boyfriend; Gizmo (bestie's boxer).

4) Christmas shopping!!  I am so dissapointed in myself this year!!  I am usually done by the 15th or so (I know that was a few days ago)!  I am not done, NOT even close to done. I wanna be done, I hate being at the stores during this time.  However, some have said they either want nothing or don't know what they want.  This makes it really hard on me.  Plus usually when I am shopping my clients are with me, and they usually get in the way.  

5) LAZY!  For whatever reason I have been really lazy lately.  Maybe the working?  I don't know, I am thankful that this week is the last week of school.  I do wish that we had a month, but we come back for about a week and a half, and then we are off again for 5 days.  BREAK time for me.  (Ya right!?!?!?!?).

I know that these are a lot of excuses, but it really is the truth.  I have been really busy.  If I don't blog again until Jan, I really hope that you have a fantastic holiday!!!  I really do love the giving of this time of year.  I hope that you get something that you want, even if it is to have your family sit down for a meal.  My wish is to spend the entire day surrounded by love!!  I can't wait for Abby to experience her very first Christmas, we go all out for our dogs!!!  Again happy holidays and thank you for stopping by and reading my blog!!

Peace, Love and Joy!!!!

Crystal

Needs more salsa...cilantro died

I have come to the conclusion that I am not supposed to have fresh herbs in my home.  Every time I get them, as soon as I touch them, or use some they die :( !!!  I use a lot of cilantro, and I really don't care for it as much as I use it.  I don't mind the taste, it is really the smell of it that gets to me.  Anyways...

All the recipes that I have been finding on from Pinterest.  I need to make a Rachael Ray recipe, just to say that I have in this year, cause I haven't.  But, Pinterest is addicting, and there is tons of good stuff on there.  If you don't have an account you really should.  Now where I find time to work, cook, blog, and do Pinterest I have no idea.  There are tons of other projects that I need to do, decorating my home and shopping for Christmas are just two of them. Plus I need to get out to the movies and see "Wreck it Ralph".  Plus my boxer needs to go to doggie obedience training.  Where are the hours in the day???  One thing at a time I guess!!!

And one more thing before I talk about food:  If you are coupon shopping and you shop at Target you might as well forget it.  If they have a good deal going on, then you might be able to save, but really it is so expensive.  I saved only 12$ and spent 124$.  Was not happy with that at all!!!

Who doesn't like a recipe that starts off witeh the word "Cheesy"?  If you don't you really don't know what you are missing!!!  I keep so much shredded cheese on had that I just have it when I need it (most of the time, this time around Hubby had to buy some, and we are through half the bag).  So if you aren't hooked on cheesy, what about rice?  Okay, unless you can't eat it, but I love rice.  It really takes any flavor, and even alone it tastes so good, for the most part I think that RICE is better than pasta.

I made "Cheesy Chicken and Rice Bake" it was so good.  But, I didn't have cilantro, and I didn't have enough cheese.  I also think this dish could use a few more things.  You can find the recipe here:
 http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/cheesy-chicken-and-rice-bake/

or here:

Recipe Description

A quick, easy and healthy casserole to throw together when you’re pressed for time!

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except for cilantro and mix thoroughly to combine. Make sure the yogurt and cheese are stirred in throughout the entire bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired. Transfer to an oven-safe dish and top with extra cheese if you would like. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

To make this process easier, I always have cooked chicken on hand, and use Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice. If you have those two things, this can be throw together in a matter of minutes! It can also easily be made ahead of time and reheated.

Ingredients

• 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 4 cups Cooked Brown Rice
• ¾ cups Frozen Corn
• 15 ounces, fluid Can Black Beans, Drained And Rinsed
• 1 cup Plain Greek Yogurt (or Sour Cream)
• 4 ounces, fluid Can Green Chilis
• ½ cups Salsa
• 1 cup Low-fat Cheddar Cheese, Plus More For Topping
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Cilantro For Garnish

Crystal's Recommendations: Cheese, Cheese, Cheese and more cheese!!!  I used sour cream!  I needed the Cilantro.  And I am gonna say onions, 2 cups sour cream and 2 cups salsa.  There is just so much rice that it really absorbed the sauce.  Enjoy!!!!

If only I could make money from Blogging....

A thirty minute meal, that wasn't from Rachael Ray!!!  

I would love to make a ton of money from cooking and then blogging about what I have done.  I would get to do all the things that I love, hanging out with kids, hanging out with my fur babies, cooking, writing, and making money!!  Since I can't do that, I will just write for fun and the love of cooking and improving.

So the title is my hits and misses, and lately I have had a lot of hits, and hardly any misses.  I think I am getting better.  That's what I want to say about it anyways!!!  

This recipe is totally easy, and totally simple and takes like 30 minutes or less to make if you use my cheats!!!!

It's called Cilantro Lime Shrimp and cheat number one is:
get steamed shrimp from the seafood counter.  You can put it in the fridge for about a day or two, and you just heat it up in the pan.  Cheat number two is keep garlic on hand.  The longer you have it the more garlic-y it tastes!!!  

You can find the recipe here: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/cilantro-lime-shrimp.html
Or here:

Ingredients: 

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 lb shrimp, shelled and deviened
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 lime
• salt and pepper 

Directions: 

Heat a large frying pan on medium-high heat. Add oil to the pan, when hot addshrimp. Season with salt and pepper. When the shrimp is cooked on one side, about 2 minutes, turn over and add garlic. Sauté another minute or two until shrimp is cooked, careful not to overcook. Remove from heat. Squeeze lime all over shrimp and tosswith cilantro. Serve hot.

I served it over rice.  It is really yummy, the lime gives it a really good flavor. It's almost Thanksgiving, a day where you will no doubt spend all day in the kitchen.  Don't do so before hand!!!!

I don't like Lasagna....

It's almost that time, time to stuff your face with TURKEY, and then try and sleep for a little bit so you can get up at 10pm and hit the black Friday sales to try and stuff your tree!!!  (I LOVE BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING!!! IT IS MY FAVE).  I wanted to get all my grocery shopping for the week done today, so that I don't have to do it anytime this week cause everything is crazy.  (I still have to get dog and cat food and cilantro, I can never win!!)  While at the grocery store with the hubby, he asks, "What are you making for dinner?"  I told him Lasagna, and he was not pleased at all.  He wanted me to make anything but that, until I explained that it was Enchilada Lasagna, and he was okay with that.  

Let me tell you that this recipe is better than okay, it is AWESOME!!!!  Every bite was good, and we ate it way too fast, but it was soooo good.  This dish does have ingredients that you normally would not put together.  (A can of Cream of Celery soup, wouldn't think Enchilada there.)  But, the dish blends so well that you don't notice what is mixed together.  

You can find the recipe here: http://www.mogwaisoup.com/2009/08/enchilada-lasagna.html

Or you can find it here:
Enchilada Lasagna

Ingridients:

2 tbsp of vegetable oil
1 lbs chicken breast, chopped to bite pieces
5 cups of mexican blend cheese
1 can of cream of celery
1 can of cream of chicken
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup canned and chopped green chillies (drained)
small corn tortillas
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:
Brown chicken in a pan on 2 tbsp of oil. Season with salt and pepper. 
In a bowl combine cream of celery, cream of chicken, sour cream and green chillies.
Prepare the dish you will assemble the lasagna in. Put 1/2 cup of cream mix on the bottom of the baking dish and spread. Layer a row of tortillas followed with cream mix, chicken and cheese. You should be able to make 3 layers like this. Last layer doesn't need chicken, just a ton of cheese. preheat the oven to 425 degrees and let it bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese is nice and melted and golden brown on top.

She doesn't tell you where to put the Cumin, and the sauce without it doesn't taste as good so I added it to the sour cream/soup mixture.  I also used really big tortillas, and just cut them in half.  I like the Chi Chi's ones the best, they come out much tastier, and not dry.  This dish is so beyond good.  Hubby is eating left overs for lunch tomorrow!!!  So make this dish, I promise you will not be dissapointed!!!!

I could live without it...

Being open and honest with you about my kitchen experiences was the point of my blog.  This post in no exception.  Let me first start off with a coupon/sales paper experience.  I am NOT an extreme couponer, I love to save, but I don't go out of my way like the people on the show.  I have, However been waiting all year for the Thanksgiving food sale paper's to come to my door.  Last year they were so awesome, that I got enough canned veggies that I didn't run out until about July of this year.  Mainly I was waiting for the Target paper, I got canned veggies, gravy, and "Stove Top" Stuffing all for 49 cents a piece.  When I got my paper this year, I was more than a little bummed, the costs of the veggies went up 20 cents.  The cost of the gravy went up to a $1.  And the Stuffing is not even on sale.  I was more than a little bummed.  I have also been waiting all year for the meat sales.  They usually start in September and go on until Christmas.  I can stock up enough meat to get Hubby and I through the winter (I usually don't get enough chicken, and have to get that again.)  Again no such luck, there is a sale on Turkey 59 cents per pound, however you have to buy $30 worth of groceries.  I am saying this because I want to get a little bit political...if every thing is going up how are we expected to get through, and make the economy good again?  Gas is going up and down, and food is effected by that.  I just don't get what he did in the last four years?  Health care is high, I don't go to the doctor because I am not sure if a) i am going to be covered or b) if it is going to cost me an arm and a leg? I am middle class, and I am suffering most days.  I can pay my bills, I work, I don't cheat; but my tax breaks are being taken away, and health care sucks...please tell me how this is going to work...

Okay I am off my soap box now...I found a recipe that I think is Sandra Lee.  (Her and her semi homemade drive me crazy.)  Anyways...I feel like it was lacking flavor and the special thing that makes you wanna go back for more.  It's called Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken.  But I added some things to it.  

You can find the recipe here :http://www.semihomemademom.com/2012/02/slow-cooker-salsa-chicken.html

Or here:

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (frozen is fine)

1 cup salsa

1 can condensed cream of chicken soup

1 packet taco seasoning

1/2 cup sour cream

6 tortillas

Place chicken in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning on chicken. In a bowl, combine soup and salsa. Pour over chicken. Cook on high 4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks and stir in sour cream. Serve on tortillas or as desired.

One thing I did, I used bone in Chicken.  But I cooked it for the four hours and it did not shred.  I fried up onions, and added lettuce and cheese to me it just didn't have the kick.  Hubby ate two of them.  I am taking what I have left over to my grandparents to see if they like it, and as a thank you for taking care of my puppies.  You can try this but, I don't recommend it but you might like it.