Beef Stroganoff, Thrifty Gypsy style

Hi all!  I know I've been absent, what's new right?  I have a "summer fun" post coming up so stay tuned.  But I wanted to share todays dinner with you.   We are going to our trainers barn for  lessons this afternoon and it's 40 miles away so I wanted to have dinner ready for John if we aren't home.
 
I had a package of organic beef chunks and it was a little too hot out for stew.  I always want to make things and then almost always don't have one or two ingredients.  But my skill (sometimes) is improvising!  

Recipe

1 package of beef chunks - I cut them smaller than how they are packaged
1 package of mushrooms halved and sliced
1 large onion chopped
1 cup of beef broth
1/3 brick of cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
a few tablespoons of half and half
flour and/or corn starch
1 lb of Campanelle pasta

Start by boiling your pasta, when it's done put 2 tablespoons of butter in it to keep from sticking.   Season your beef with garlic powder, salt and pepper and brown in a little olive oil.  Take out and put aside, then add a lil butter and put your mushrooms and onion in the pan for a about 5-7 minutes.  Add your beef back in pan and add broth.  Let simmer on low for 10 mins.  Let your cream cheese get room temp and add it along with the milk and half and half and stir to let it break up and meld in the "sauce".  Let simmer for another 5 mins and then add your corn starch and stir real good so it thickens.  Put pasta in your dish and pour this over the top!  Serve with a mixed green salad and voila, you're done! :)

XOXO

Snow day

Well it seems as though everyone has been hit with snow!  We go 22 inches in 24 hours!  We have really been having an old fashioned winter here in upstate NY! 

 

 

Yesterday during the snowfall I made taco soup, chili and  cornbread.  Today I made spinach and feta quiche and broccoli ad cheddar quiche.  I hope we have leftovers for 2 days!!   What are you all up to?  I'd love to know!

XOXO

Move over Sandra Lee

There is something to be said for "semi" homemade.   She definitely coined a market!   Whenever I go somewhere, dinner, visiting a friend and etc.  I like to bring something.  And I was one of those people who HAD to make something, like move heaven and earth to do it.  Aka-stressmyselftothemaxtodoit!    

The thought of bringing a box of store bought brownies made me crazy.  Honestly though, I have come so far as to do JUST that a few times.  I'm getting easier on myself.  Part of my "learning how to say no" phase of life.  I think I could start a whole blog series with that one.  Anyway, a story for another day. ;)


I like to cook, but I also like to not stress myself out.    I was going to my sisters house a few weeks ago and I told her I would bring dessert.    Of course that weekend was full of swimming, karate, horse riding and etc.  You get the idea.  So low and behold it's Saturday night and I hadn't even thought of what I was bringing.     I love trifles.  They are usually pretty to look at.  The dish can be found at Walmart or Target for about $6 - $10.   I think Pampered Chef has a fancy one that has a cover and all.  For much more money of course.    They are usually just layering ingredients and fun to scoop out too!       

I usually make strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits (and every blue moon homemade whipped cream!)  because it's my dad's FAVORITE dessert. :)


It doesn't take anytime at all to throw together.  Sometimes, if the strawberries aren't very sweet, I will cut them up and sprinkle a bit of sugar on them.  Then I let them sit in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.  But I didn't do that this time (they were sweet) and it was still delicious.

Ingredients-

2 -  packages of store baked biscuits 
3-   big packages of strawberries
1-   16 oz container of cool whip  (I kind of ran out of cool whip, I would do another 8 oz or just get 2 - 16 oz for next time!)


layer them all! :)

Voila!  Strawberry Shortcake Trifle! 

XOXO

Easy Bolognese Sauce

Lately, I have been using my Crock pot A LOT.  Like 2-3 times a week sometimes!   I like recipes that do not require a bunch of prep.  Throw it in and let it cook is my style.  Now, I do  cook some recipes that do require a bit of prep.  But if I have to dirty 2 or 3 pans and THEN the crock on top of it, I usually don't make it.

I kind of made this one up as I went along.  I'm 100% Italian and believe me when I tell you, we make A LOT up as we go along!  This coming from someone who didn't know how to make anything but coffee and toast when I left home as a young adult!    Anyway, last week I was in the mood for meat sauce.  Lately I'm big on one dish dinners, of course with a little salad.    We are busy usually after dinner  and it's just easier.  




I didn't have any ground beef, but I knew I had about 3/4 lb of sausage to use with it.  Ground beef would be great and I know some like to mix both ground beef and sausage.  The sausage has a lot of flavor so I didn't need to season it too much.  I also cook with turkey sausage as well.

  So here is my made up as I went along Bolognese that I think you'll really like!

1/2-1 lbs of sweet Italian sausage browned bulk style (aka small pieces) 
2 tablespoons of Olive oil
1/2 small onion chopped fine
2 or 3 cloves of garlic through your press (minced is fine too)
 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
15 oz can of diced tomatoes
8 oz can of tomato sauce (you could also use paste if you like a thicker sauce, I didn't have any on hand)
Fresh basil (I keep fresh basil in my freezer, is it still really fresh? lol)  you can use dried of course
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 cups of water,  Now the water is up to you, I used a little more because I knew it was going to cook on high and didn't want to have to worry about it getting too thick.  I would use as much or as little as your comfortable with and adjust your cooking time accordingly.

I browned the sausage, put the Olive oil in the crock pot with the onions and garlic and added the rest of the ingredients.  Gave it a good stir and left  it on high for 4-5 hours.  You could also cook on low for longer.  

I cooked a lb of capatavi pasta and when it was done, drained it and dumped the contents of the crock pot into the pasta, mixed it up really good and served it with Romano cheese!  

YUM!   My family loved it!

buon appetito!

XOXO

My boys turn 12! And pumpkin cake...

My first born twin boys are 12!!!

How could twelve years go by so quickly?  How can they be 12 if I was just pregnant yesterday?  I want time to stop or at least slow down!    I have very caring, warm, loving boys, who are also BOYS!  Those of you who have boys know what I mean.  Which usually means beating each other with light sabers one minute, building legos the next, then jumping and doing flips on the trampoline that I repeatedly tell them NOT to do, to playing house and reading with their little sister.  Blessed we are to have them!

There is a mad dash in our house.  It begins at Thanksgiving and the Saturday after we decorate for Christmas. Ten days later is my birthday, then two days later is my niece's birthday, ten more days after that is my oldest sisters birthday and then 2 days later is Christmas Eve, which we host!!  Christmas day we go to my parents house.  NYE is pretty low key, we stay home or go to my parents house.  Then a week later is my boys' birthday party.   See?  I wasn't kidding when I said there is a mad dash! 



We had a great family party.  I could not think of what to cook until literally 2 days before the party.  I was making myself crazy.  Then I decided on baked ziti and oven roasted chicken with sausage, salad and Italian bread!  Two BIG baking pans basically, but not a lot of work to feed a crowd!   


My mother always helps me out and makes one of the cakes.  We always have two, since there are two birthday boys.   They requested chocolate this year.  But I needed a non-chocolate choice for our non-chocolate eating guests.   I remembered buying a Mary Engelbreit cookbook at a book fair a year or more ago and there was a delicious sounding  pumpkin cake recipe in there.  And I had a can of pumpkin left over from making Thanksgiving pies.   And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!    

Pumpkin Cake 
1 cup veg oil
1 (15 oz can) pumpkin  (I used half of a 28 oz can)
3 eggs
3 cups of sugar
3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cloves (I omitted the cloves, I didn't have any and I think they overpower some recipes but that is my opinion only!)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350.  grease and flour a bundt pan.  In a large bowl add the veg oil, pumpkin puree, and eggs, blend well.  Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix until well blended. Pour batter into prepared bundt pan  bake for 60- 75 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Mine took 75 mins, and I checked at 60 but wasn't done yet.
Remove from the oven and turn out onto plate.  Cover with plastic wrap until cook to hold in moisture.  I made mine the day before and then "frosted" it with Cool Whip!  Moist and yummy!

XOXO

Happy 40th!!!

Taking another small break from the Home Tour for a special day!

This past weekend we celebrated John's 40th birthday!  His actual birthday was during the week, but we decided to have it on Saturday.  Which also happened to be St Patrick's day!  What FUN!!   I made corned beef and cabbage for the very first time.  And literally quadrupled a Racheal Ray recipe for Shepard's pie.  And I'll toot my own horn and say it came out pretty darn good!!

Here is the GIANT pot I did 20 lbs of corned beef and cabbage in!

I suggest drinking this when you are making something you have NEVER made before for 25 people! ;)

The start of the Shepard's pie

The end result of the Shepard's pie!

The birthday boy blowing out his candles :)

The weather has been SO BEAUTIFUL here in upstate NY!  I have been a painting fool (hence my absence from the home tour)  I bought these window boxes last year at my favorite consignment store and I am painting them the same color as our shutters.  They will go on the front porch between the columns when I'm done.  I got all 5 of them for $35.  Bargain!

I stained the garage stairs (the door needs the tape taken off and painted!!)  and still needs a coat of poly.

My little sister is moving into her house next week and I have been waiting for a nice day to finish her kitchen chairs.  They are black and the seats are stained.

Stay tuned for more of the Home Tour!!

XOXO

Homemade Guacamole and some randoms!

If you like guacamole, I PROMISE you will LOVE this!  And you will NEVER EVER buy it again!  I got this recipe from my cousin's husband and he's a fantastic cook! 

3 avocados
2 medium vine-ripe tomatoes cut fairly small (for color and taste)
1 very small (or half of a regular size) onion chopped fine
1 garlic clove pressed
1/2 lemon for juice
salt to taste

pair with Stacy's Pita chips ( my new weakness) or tortilla chips and ENJOY!!! :)

Just a few pictures of fall in our neck of the woods.  I haven't taken many, but plan to take more photos.   I can't believe today is October 1st!    Love this time of year! 

Kris had a "fun run" at school and he finished great!   Of course we all cheered him on! 

                           

And here is a typical lazy Saturday morning with Johnny and Madi on the sofa!  So cozy!  I crave and long for these days, but also know how short they are.  Enjoying them little while we can!

Linking up with Home and Family Friday's and Feature yourself Friday's!  Come and joing the fun! :)

Happy Friday! :)
XOXO

Fresh from the garden

Lately,  I am just feeling blessed.  It has nothing to do with our new home.  It has more to do with the fact that my husband and I love each other entirely.  We have three beautiful children.  Make no mistake, life is not perfect.  I have blogged about it before.   But it doesn't HAVE to be perfect.   I have three little human beings that are growing into wonderful people.  And honestly, I'm just PROUD!

Today was "clash" day at camp.  They were supposed to wear outfits that clashed, so I snapped a quick picture of them before they were out the door at 7:45 am!  They have been having a great summer.    When they got home today, Kris said to me "mom, there was a boy on the bus that looked sooo lonely, so I went and sat with him".   He went on to say how GOOD it made him feel.  I can't tell you how happy it made me!!  My other son Johnny has such a kind, empathetic heart as well.   To know that these two are learning lessons like this makes me so happy, proud and warm my heart!

  Kris has special needs, which I have talked about before.  He got hurt at camp yesterday, fell near the pool.  So his counselor called me to let me know.  She said he was fine and didn't cry.   Then she proceeded to tell me how he was having a wonderful summer and was such a good boy.    After hearing for years what is wrong with him, this again brought me to tears!

And Kris is so lucky to have Johnny, he looks out for him constantly!  He watches over him (and his sister) like a mother hen.   And I tell him what a wonderful boy (and gift) he is !    I had to share this today.  Because in our world, it seems like there are so many negative things.  And I want to focus on the positive.  I want to teach my children about the GOOD in the world.   I know there is good left, we just have to find it and pull it out sometimes.    Thank you for letting me babble share this!

Ok so onto the subject to my title!  The garden!  The garden has been through many ups and downs.  Seems we have a little visitor (aka bunny!) who is feasting out there!  So far he has eaten all the escarole, celery, kale and ALL my impatients, a geranium and some lobelia that was apparently trailing too low!!!   However.... we have been adopted by an older kitten!   This wasn't convenient because my hubby is HIGHLY allergic.  But she was skin and bones when she found us and my boys have been feeding her and taking care of her ever since.   so needless to say she is an "outside" cat.  I'm sure we will need her when we move into a middle of a FIELD! :)

Meet Chloe............

Because of her, we have herbs!  And strawberries and some other goodies still growing.  Seems Mr bunny is afraid of her!  For good reason too because she has left a few "gifts" for us,  a couple of mice and a bird........  

Anyway, onto the herbs!  I picked basil, tarragon and rosemary! I also picked some grape and cherry tomatoes.  I'd like to tell you that the lettuce is mine, but Mr Bunny enjoyed that before we could!      Oh and our strawberries have been producing great! We eat them raw or make smoothies daily!

And last but not least, Miss Moo moo!  She picked out her own dress and shoes!  I had her in something else, she revolted (I put my foot down) and while I went to my room she took it off and got this dress out of her closet.  Me thinks I'm in trouble!!!!!!!!!

XOXO

Easy Smoothies

My family likes to have dessert.  Now that doesn't mean that we have dessert every night.  On the occasion we do have dessert, I usually make milk shakes, cookies, brownies or refridgerator cake (I'll share this recipe soon too, VERY easy).   However, the things I named aren't the "healthiest" things to have. Although homemade and probably better than store bought.  At least I know what is in them since I make them! :)

I was trying to be a little more health conscious in my dessert choice.  I'm sure you can find a million recipes for smoothies, with blueberries, raspberries and etc.   But the other night I just made up my own.  And since they all requested it again the following night, I guess it was a hit!     
The "recipe" is
crushed ice (I filled the blender up about 1/4-1/3 the way full)
4 cups of skim milk
1 ripe banana
1 container of Chobani Strawberry yogurt. (if you haven't tried chobani yet, TRY IT, it is like a dessert by itself!!  Fat free too!)

Chop, then liquify for a few seconds and your done!  Voila, smoothies!  Enjoy!!!

Easy Homemade Applesauce (really!)

During one of my recent trips to a local grocery store (with awesome produce and prices!) I picked up a bag of apples. My family is more of a Granny Smith eating family. So when I saw these Red Delicious apples I knew I could make some applesauce!

The kids love to eat it just like this. But I enjoy it with my morning oatmeal. And maybe a little vanilla ice cream after dinner!! Anyway, here is the super easy recipe.

9 or 10 apples (any variety you like)
peeled (or if you like the skin, by all means leave it!) and cut up into small pieces

1 cup of water

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 or 2 tsps of cinnamon

pour water over chopped apples, dump in brown sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil for a few mins and then let simmer for 10-15 mins and voila! Yummy Applesauce!

*Now we leave ours "chunky" because we like it that way. If you like yours more like jar applesauce, just mash it with a potato masher or your beaters! :)

Old faithful

I had a completely different post written out. And then blogger decided that someone else was editing my blog at the same time as me (or so they said) and it went into cyberspace!!!! Let's just say I wasn't particularly happy since it was my part 2 post to my road trip with lots and lots of pictures.......................... Anyway, onto today's post! Said in my most cheerful voice!!

Do you have a cookbook collection? I should have taken a picture of all my cookbooks at the end of my island. I have a a lot. But I stacked these to show you the array of cookbooks I have. Yet, when I'm going to make something I have never made before, I always consult with Old Faithful. Which would be my old tattered copy of The Complete Family Cookbook. There are a few reasons that I do this. For starters, it never has those exotic have-to-run-to-the-store ingredients when it's 3pm and snowing 2 inches a minute out. It always has down home recipes whatever they are that everyone in my family seems to like. Tonight I made Chili con carne with homemade cornbread and a salad. Perfect meal for such a snowy day! And Old Faithful did not disappoint!!!