Oreo Goodness...

My friend Sarah has been making these Oreo Balls for a while. Well last night I decided that I had to try them. The recipe is really easy (thanks Sarah!)


OREO COOKIE TRUFFLES
Take one package Oreo cookies and place in food processor. Pulse until you have cookie crumbs.
Combine the cookie crumbs with one package of softened cream cheese. (I think the packages are 8 oz)
Stir to combine well.
Scoop cookie mix with a small ice cream scoop, rolling each one and placing onto cookie sheet lined with parchment.
Place Oreo Balls into freezer to cool.

While they are cooling, melt one bag of chocolate (your choice) I used milk chocolate mixed with some semi-sweet chips. You could use dark or white also.

When balls feel cool enough to dip, dip each in the chocolate and place back onto the cookie sheet with parchment. Decorate with sprinkles, or crushed candy canes if you want.  Cool until chocolate is hard. Place in container and store in refrigerator.

These were SUPER easy to make, and SO yummy! I had leftover melted chocolate, so I dipped some other cookies too. :)

Portabella Pesto Panini

Brian took the leftovers from last nights Korean short ribs to work for dinner. So tonight I decided to make a quick veggie Panini. I had portabella mushrooms in the fridge. Here's what I did...

Portabella Pesto Veggie Panini

Take a large portabella mushroom cap and cook over medium heat with a small amount of olive oil. When mushroom starts to get soft, add in some slices of onion. Saute until mushroom is almost fully cooked then add 1-2 tbls balsamic vinegar. Make sure the heat is not too high or the vinegar will burn. Continue to cook with onions and mushroom until vinegar caramelized and coats the veggies.

To build your sandwich, start with two slices of sourdough bread. Spread with pesto on both slices. 
Layer sandwich with sliced cheese (I used Gouda), portabella mushroom, roast red peppers, onions and a second slice of cheese. Spritz bread with light olive oil and toast in a pan on both sides.

Keep in mind that I used veggies that I had in the fridge. Be creative! :)

It's been a while....

Long time no post.
It's true, life has been crazy the past six months. I am finally getting some time to wind down, relax and cook!
In July, Brian was hired at Boeing in Charleston, SC. We quickly started the search for a new home and moved on August 1st. The week that we moved, we also found out that we were expecting a little one! :) We were thrilled to find out that a baby was on the way, but boy did that make things even more hectic!

Fast forward...
Brian has been loving his new job building the new 787 Dreamliner. I was laid off a month ago, and am now a stay-at-home mom to be. We are loving Charleston and are finally getting to explore some of the awesome things here. The history of the city is amazing.

I am 23 weeks pregnant and growing by the minute it seems. The little one is kicking up a storm inside my belly. It likes to do Karate around 2am every night. We are keeping the gender a surprise, which is exciting.

Now that I finally have time to cook I have some recipes!

Tonight I'm making Korean Short Ribs in the crock pot.


Place 2-4lbs Short Ribs in the bottom of a crock pot.


In a bowl, wisk together the following:


1 c. soy sauce
1 c. brown sugar
4 tbls sesame oil
4 tbls rice vinegar
4 tbls minced fresh ginger
1 head of garlic, peeled and minced
1 teas. red pepper flakes


Pour mixture over the short ribs and cook for 4-6 hours (or until meat is fall apart tender)


Taste sauce and add more pepper flakes or vinegar to taste (optional)


Serve ribs and sauce over rice. Garnish with fresh green onion and sesame seeds.


YUM!

Harris Teeter Triple Coupons 5/18-5/24

Harris Teeter triple coupons means that they will triple any coupon with a face value of 98 cents or less!
That means that a 75cent coupon in worth $2.25 :)

Here's what I got:

Total before coupons: $162.51

Total After Coupons:

$20.73

The stores were wiped out of many of the free items, but I still managed to get some great deals. Going to try back tomorrow and at some other stores to see if I can get the other items on my list!

Growing Garden!

 TOMATOES! :)

Garden Goodness..

Not much time to cook lately with my new job, but I did get to work on the garden today. So excited that things are growing beautifully. Two kinds of lettuce are doing great, along with the spinach. Swiss chard has sprouted. Sugar snap peas are going crazy, and I have tomatoes on some of my plants already!

Today I made a trip to Lowes and added some new things. I was excited to find two different kinds of dark heirloom tomatoes (black prince and black jewel)...and I finally found my favorite yellow pear tomatoes. :)
I planted those next to my cherry tomatoes and four kinds of heirlooms I had already planted. That makes 10 tomato plants!

I also planted some Jalapenos and Serrano chilies, and a couple sage plants.

The sun was out and it felt great to be outside and in the dirt.

The front of the house got some pretty pink annuals to spruce up the porch. And..my lilies are starting to bloom!

Happy to have the heat back...it brings fireflies!

Brian and I went on a walk on Thursday night with with dog down to the small park in our community. It was a perfect night, not too hot and the stars were out. When we got down to the park the wild honeysuckle was blooming...my absolute favorite smell! He picked me a large handful of it to put in the house. :)
Can't wait for him to get home from Iowa, so we can take a walk down there again!

Asian Chicken Wings

Threw this together for dinner tonight.

ASIAN CHICKEN WINGS:


Tossed fresh chicken wings in cajun seasoning and olive oil with a pinch of brown sugar, baked them in the oven until crispy, about 30-45 mins. ( I like mine extra crispy)

In a small saucepan heat sweet chili sauce (I used Franks but any kind will do)
add, 1 teaspoon siracha (or more if you like), 1 teaspoon soy sauce, a pinch ground ginger, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1-2 teaspoons sesame seeds. (everything can be added to taste)

Cook sauce for about 10 mins until reduced and thickened.
Let cool.

When chicken wings are crispy take out of the oven and toss in sauce.
Garnish with freshly chopped green onion or chives.

Whole Wheat Bread

Today I spent the morning making some whole wheat bread dough. It was really simple and the bread is super moist and delicious, as well as being healthy.

Here is the recipe:

Whole Wheat Bread

1 1/2 cups warm water (105-110 degrees)

2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (this is normally 1 packet)

1/4 cup sweetener, Honey or Sugar (I used local wildflower honey)

Combine these ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. Give them a quick stir and then allow to sit for 5 mins.

Until the yeast becomes active (foamy)

Next add:

1 1/2 teaspoons salt 

2 tablespoons oil (Sunflower, Butter, Olive oil, or Canola) I used olive oil

2 cups flower (unbleached all purpose, wheat, rye, or anything else) 

I used unbleached organic whole wheat

Start mixer with bread hook attachment on

Next:

Continue to mix adding 1/4 cup of flour at a time, slowly until dough begins to pull away from the bowl.

Continue adding flour, this time 1 tablespoon at a time until dough is pulled away from bowl completely.

Let your mixer run for 8-10 minutes to knead and incorporate ingredients in the dough.

Add a tablespoon of flour at a time if needed. 

(Remember: you can always add flour, but you cannot take it away!)

The dough should now be soft and slightly sticky

Transfer dough ball to oiled bowl and cover with a damp towel.

Let rise in a warm area for 1-1 1/2 hours

Once the first rise is complete, knead bread on floured surface a couple of times.

Shape into round loaf (or log for bread pan)

Place on oiled baking sheet (for round loaf) 

or oiled bread pan (for bread loaf shape)

Cover again and set aside for 1 hour.

With 30 mins left of your second rise, preheat your oven to 425 degrees

Fill a shallow baking pan (I used a pie pan) with a cup or so of water and place on the bottom rack of the oven (this will create steam)

Once the bread has risen the second time, brush with olive oil and place in the oven

Let bake for 10 mins at 425 degrees.

After 10 mins, reduce oven temp to 375 degrees, and continue to bake for approx. 30 mins.

Bread should have a golden crust and sound hollow when tapped.

Remove from pan and let cool before slicing it.

I must say, this bread is delicious!

Great Trip to Walmart

I have a love/hate relationship with Walmart. The new coupon policy they have has been good so far. Today was a great trip, I even got PAID to take all my things!


Here is what I got:

8 Similac Infant Formula (3.84 each) = 30.72
2 Noxema Bikini Razor (1.97 each) =    3.94
8 Bic Twin Mens Razor (0.97 each) =   7.76
2 Reach Dental Floss     (0.88 each) =   1.76
2 Sensodyne Toothpaste (0.97 each)=   1.94
1 Ivory 2pk bar soap      (0.97 each)=   0.97
4 J&J First Aid Kit         (0.97 each)=   3.88
_____________________________________
Item total...........................................50.97


Coupons Used:                           -


$5.00 off any Similac  (x8)                = 40.00


$2.00 off any Bic Razor (x8)            =16.00


$2.00 off Noxema Razors (x2)         = 4.00


$1.00 of any Sensodyne (x2)           =$2.00   <---- This is an internet printable.

$1.00 off any 2 J&J first aid (x2)   = $2.00


$1.00 off Ivory Soap                        =$1.00


$1.00 off Reach Floss (x2)              =$2.00


_______________________________________
TOTAL COUPONS             = $67.00




SUBTOTAL= 50.97
+ TAX         =   2.18
__________________
                       $53.15
                     -$67.00 IN COUPONS
                     -$1.00 DONATION TO CHILDRENS MIRACLE NETWORK


______________________________
I WAS PAID $12.85 !!!   :)


LOVE IT!


(I know...... I don't have a baby. But a special Baby Boy Gale-Schreck will be receiving the formula in the mail soon! xoxo)

Harris Teeter Super Double Coupons 4/27-5/3

This week Harris Teeter had a super double coupon event. This means that all coupons with a face value of up to $1.98 will be doubled. (max of 20 coupons per day per household)

For example: a coupon for $1.50 off Philly Cooking Creme will be doubled (to $2.99) making the item free because the normal price is $2.99

My first trip was a great success, although I accidentally deleted the photo.

Here is what I bought:

• 12pk Lipton 1/2 and 1/2 tea lemonade
• Snackwell Fudge Drizzled Popcorn snack packs
• (3) Weber Grilling Spice Blends
• (2) Biltmore Marinade
• (12) Fuze Beverages 20oz
• (2) Milka Chocolate Hazelnut Bars
• (3) Minute Frozen Steam White Rice
• (3) Minute Frozen Steam Brown Rice
• (3) Reach Mint Dental Floss
• Chunk of Machego Cheese
• (2) Buitoni Fresh Pasta 
• (4) Philadelphia Cooking Cream
• Riceworks Rice Chips
• Kraft Big Slices Swiss Cheese
• Baileys Hazelnut Coffee Creamer

My totals for this trip are :

TOTAL SPENT: $15.75

TOTAL SAVED: $118.58

The next trip was a few days later. I took some days off to celebrate my birthday.

This trip I got a photo of.....

This trip included:

• (4) Bags Tostitos Chips
• (2) Tostitos Salsa
• (3) Mr Clean Magic Eraser
• (6) Degree Deodorant
• (6) Crest Pro Health Toothpaste
• (6) Oral B Toothbrushes
• (5) Reach Dental Floss
• (1) Minute Frozen Steam Brown Rice
• (25) Sobe Lifewater
• (1) Smart Balance Milk
• (1) Salad Mix
• (1) Cippolini Onion Dip
• (1) Artichoke Lemon Pesto
• (1) Pimento Cheese Spread

The totals for this trip are as follows:

TOTAL SPENT: $26.25

TOTAL SAVED: $93.79

WEEKLY TOTALS SO FAR:

SPENT $42.00

(This is a higher than average spent amount. I splurged on the Sobe Lifewaters because Brian loves them! With my coupons they ended up being $0.69 each)

SAVED $212.37

I will be going again tomorrow to see if I can get some more free stuff. The stores were low on inventory today, so I will see if I can get the stuff that they were currently out of tomorrow before the event ends. 

If you bring it, I will cook...

My husband really knows the way to my heart. Today he came home from work with a basket of fresh strawberries from the local farm he passes to and from work. 

So of course I had to make something for dessert..

But first...... DINNER!

Note: When I cook, I tend to not use measurements. I will try to get as close as possible to an actual amount, but everything can be changed to suit your tastes.

Baked Balsamic Herb Chicken with Baby Potatoes 

and Asparagus with Garlic Lemon Aioli

Toss in a large bowl:

Fresh Thyme chopped

Fresh Rosemary chopped

Fresh Chives chopped

Fresh Parsley chopped

Fresh Garlic, chopped (not too small or it will burn)

Add: 4 tablespoons olive oil

and 4-5 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar.

a pinch of salt

pinch of freshly ground pepper

Next Add:

3-4 Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts

12-20 Baby Potatoes (enough to fill the rest of your baking dish)

Toss all ingredients together and transfer to baking dish.

Top each chicken breast with slices of fresh lemon

Bake at 400 degrees for aprox. 30-45 mins (until chicken is cooked and potatoes are browned)

When done, remove from oven. Transfer chicken to a plate. 

With potatoes in the same baking dish begin to slowly mash/chop them. Not too much, just enough that the fluffy insides can soak up all the herb/garlic/balsamic juices. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with Steamed Asparagus 

with Aioli:

Lemon Zest and juice from one lemon

Fresh chopped Chives and Parsley

freshly minced garlic

1/3 cup mayo

Stir together and drizzle over asparagus.

For Dessert: 

Fresh Strawberry Tart

Begin by making a graham cracker crust.

1pk Graham Crackers (crumbs)

5 tablespoons sugar

3-5 tablespoons butter

combine until a damp sandy texture

Press into a springform pan and bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 mins or until golden brown

Next for the filling:

I cheated and used Jello French Vanilla pudding mix.

I used a little bit less milk than the recipe called for and added pure Vanilla extract.

Top with Fresh Strawberries and a drizzle of Nutella.

YUM!

Clipping coupons and cooking great food are my two most favorite hobbies.
So with the suggestion of friends, I have created this blog. I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing. But I'm trying it out.

Yesterday I made soft pretzels. Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
• 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1 large egg

Instructions

1. Combine the warm water, sugar and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow it to sit for about 5 minutes. Add the flour and butter and using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead about 5 minutes until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl. Remove the dough from the bowl, and place the dough in a glass bowl oiled with vegetable oil. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.
2. Divide the dough into 16 pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 12 inch rope. Using a sharp knife, cut rope into 1 inch pieces.
   
   
   NEXT!
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Using a large sauce pan, fill with water. Bring the water to a boil and add the baking soda.
3. Place the pretzels into the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Place pretzels on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silpat mat.
4. Beat one large egg. Brush the top of each pretzel bite with the beaten egg. I sprinkled half of mine with course sea salt, and left the other half plain. 
5. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 6-8 minutes.