One of these days. . .

my blog will look cute.

My Mo is really growing up. He is so sweet and so funny. Today he had 6 dirty diapers. Thats right 6. He's pretty good at eating to say the least.

Mo's favorites:

canteloupe
watermelon
sweet potatoes
sweet peas
hot dogs (He's #3 and they are diet hot dogs sliced correctly)
pretzels (minus the salt--I won't tell you how we get the salt off!)
blueberries
pizza crust
shoes

I made him the best baby food last night. I combined and processed sweat peas and carrots with a bit of peach sauce(like apple sauce just peaches). It was really tasty for no added salt or other spices. I think tomorrow he is trying an avacado. Whatcha think?

I haven't been in the kitchen much lately--just makin' easy stuff. I do have a new favorite for breakfast. Frozen blueberries with plain cheerios and milk. Yummo. (add Splenda of course). e

MY LIFE

is so very busy. Lately, I have cooked nothing new. We just "get by" at meal time. I thought I would comment tonight on eating out and eating easy--whats affordable, whats good, etc., you get it.

First, try the new Domino's pizza. It is YUMMY. The special now is a $10 large. Be sure and get hand-tossed. Hand-tossed is the actual only "new" pizza. Let me recommend veggie lovers. It is yummy.

2nd, I love Sonic Burgers--plain and simple---just a #1, no butter on the bun, no mayo or mustard BUT ALL the veggies. So stinking good.

3rd, McD's ice cream cones are hard to beat--when the ice cream is fresh. I hate it when the ice cream is AIRY.

4th, Don't knock a Taco Bell Bean Burrito Fresco Style.

5th, Try some of WM's preseasoned roasts, briskets, etc. Hey not bad and NO WORK! I try to hit WM early Monday a.m. All the meat they don't sale over the wknd is marked WAY down! Also, try their shrimp-precooked, frozen, not bad.

6th, buy melon--now is Peak time--look for roadside stands--LOCAL!

7th, Try Oscar Meyer Light hot dogs. Not bad.

8th, McD's yogurt parfaits are tough to beat!

Well thats all I've got tonight--not much I know.
The kids are well and I am blessed.
E.

Grill Alert---chicken--

Yes, I know absent I have been. Busy I have been.
Those of you who know me know I hate to waste. I had some boneless skinless breasts in dire need of grilling. (I've been on a grilling kick). I marinated them in Marzetti's coleslaw dressing and black pepper overnight. I know crazy you say. I grilled them the next evening after removing the excessive marinade. They were AMAZING--so moist. I served them with seasoned salt and bbq sauce. I am making a concerted effort to desalt. So, many times I salt after cooking only, not before.

Grilled Chicken Thighs--I've discovered thighs. So here is how it goes. Remove skin from thighs--I used my kitchen shears. Marinate in Light Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing and black pepper overnight. Grill the next evening. Superb! Very Asiany--if you are in to those flavors. I grilled them on Medium heat for 6 minutes a side. Remember it takes dark meat longer to cook than white. Thank goodness for thighs!

Third, if you do not own an electric smoker---PURCHASE ONE NOW!! Ladies and gents, its an outside crock pot. I've been on a smoking kick lately too. More on that later! E

The Mexican Stack

This was FAB! Really FAB! I hope I can remember how I did it----Here goes--

The Mexican Stack
1 large can crushed tomatoes
2 T. tomato paste
3 cups low sodium chicken broth--I made my own with ch. base and water
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. powdered garlic
4 cups shredded cheddar
1/2 lb-1 lb. browned ground beef--I seasoned mine while cooking with garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper--not too much seasoning---I also used about 3/4 lb.
12 corn tortillas
sour cream
large oval crock pot.

All seasoning measurements are approximate! I don't measure. I eyeball and use my palm! Mix tomatoes, paste, broth and spices. Grease crock pot. Place 3 tortillas in bottom--will need to tear tortillas to fit. Sprinkle with cheese and beef. Cover with good amount of sauce. Repeat layers until tortillas are used. The last layer is sauce. Can top with additional cheese if desired. Bake on low for 5-6 hours. Let cool a bit before serving. Serve with dallop of sour cream, cilantro and hot sauce (if you can take the heat!) This is so good! We all loved it!

Excellent Fish Tacos

If you've never tried fish tacos----shame on ya! Try this

Fish Tacos
8 tilapia filets thawed
1 serving crushed Doritos--about 14 chips or so
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
3/4 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper--about 1 tsp.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix above ingredients--except fish. I used my processor. Beat 1 egg. Dip filets into egg wash and then into coating. Place on greased foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 12 minutes or so.

Warm flour tortillas. Stuff each tortilla with desired amount of fish, sour cream, tomatoes, cilantro, hot sauce, salsa--(you get the idea). These were DELICIOUS! My family loved. Note--Be sure and drizzle filets with a little lemon juice after cooking to kill strong fish flavor--yummy yummy---and VERY EASY! e

Steak and Egg Burritos

Forgive me--I'm on a Mexican kick.
This was a great way to use left over steaks and too many eggs

Steak and Egg Burritos
leftover steak--about 3/4 lb--sliced into bite size pieces--no fat left please
3-4 beaten eggs
1/2 of a medium onion chopped
1/2 of green or yellow or red pepper chopped
1/2 cup fresh cheddar shredded
flour tortillas
pinches of--garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, salt, pepper
toppings--i.e.---cilantro, sour cream, extra cheese, salsa, hot sauce
1 T. Canola oil

Stir fry veggies in oil over medium high heat--flavor with ground cumin, garlic powder and pepper while cooking. Decrease heat to medium. Add cooked(already seasoned) steak. Mix well to combine and heat steak. Add eggs. Cook slowly over medium heat--be gentle with eggs. Season to your likings. When eggs are cooked through add cheese. Mix well. Stuff tortillas with this mixture and desired toppings. Enjoy!

A Mexican Fiesta-Chicken (something) and Refried beans

I'm back. Tired, run down, busy, but I'm back.

Chicken (something)
1 1/2 lbs. cooked chicken breasts chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can Rotel
1/2 cup FRESHLY shredded cheddar

Mix all. Place into greased casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Refried Beans
1 can pinto beans--rinsed and drained
Pinch of onion powder, garlic powder, cumin
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 soup can water

Mix all in food processor. If you don't have a food processor, use a potato masher.
Heat to desired temp--I nuked mine for about 3 minutes.

Place desired amount of Chicken "something", refried beans, sour cream, and cilantro in a flour tortilla. Add salsa and hot sauce if desired. Roll up and enjoy!

This is delicious! My entire fam LOVED it including me!