Monday, February 6, 2012

Day 14

Successfully transferred my youngest daughter into a Montessori Charter school today.  She is so excited.  I am very happy to see her excited about school again.  She was not thriving at the standard public school.  I should have done this a lot sooner.

As promised here is the Baked Ziti recipe.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1 lb ziti
1 large container of Pollo Ricotta cheese
2 large cans of Hunts Spicy & Zesty Sauce (or 32 oz of your favorite sauce)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (more/less to cover the dish)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Brown meat stirring frequently, adding one spice in and thoroughly mixing it into the beef before adding the next spice.  Drain any excess oil from browned meat. Stir in enough sauce to cover meat.  Do not make it soupy.
Prepare ziti but do not overcook, make it al dente (firm)


Layering
In a 9 x 13 glass container cover bottom with sauce. Next spread the pasta.  Next spread the meat.  Next spread the ricotta cheese. Next spread over another cover of sauce.  Next spread over the mozzerella cheese and finally sprinkle the parmesan cheese. Place in oven until the cheese is bubbling. (Approx 20-30 minutes)


For dessert we had brownies.  This is the recipe I used.  I doubled the recipe and cooked in a 9x13 aluminum pan.  We don't like frosting so we used powdered sugar.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-brownies/




Buon Appetito

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Day Twelve

What a fun day.  Went to Home Depot to get supplies to make a tree stand for the kids.

While we were there they had the kid workshop going on and Rosie made herself a nice keepsake box. 

Then we got to practice archery shooting.  Shout out for my husband and his creativity on making us a great Bow Stand and Arrow and Bow Rack.



We are trying to practice and then go into competition in the Hunter Free Style Class.  Wish us luck. 

Oh my bread came out very good.  I love it in the morning with real butter on it.  Yummy.


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Day Ten

Boy this day just flew by.  Time goes by quickly when your having fun cooking.  Since I got my 6qt Artisan Kitchen Aid Mixer in the beginning of January I have used it at least once a day.  It surely makes cooking easier and enjoyable.  Today I made the Strawberry Pie again.  (See recipe & pictures in Day Five).  I really think its the best pie ever.  I also made Oven Fried Chicken and Buttermilk Biscuits.  Yummy.  Still haven't practiced shooting this week.  Very bad girl.  Oh well there is always tomorrow.

Oven Fried Chicken Recipe

1 whole chicken cut into pieces
1 cup miracle whip or mayonnaise (I used miracle whip)
2 cups Panko Seasoned Crumbs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Place Panko Crumbs in a large rectangle glass dish
3. Coat chicken pieces with the miracle whip or mayonnaise
4. Place chicken in Panko Crumb dish and coat till well covered
5. Place chicken in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish for 45 to 60 minutes.  (Check at 45 minutes.  Chicken is done when juices run clear)



Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup softened butter or margarine
3 tablespoons shortening
3/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in large mixing bowl
3. Cut in butter and shortening until its somewhat crumbly
4. Gradually stir in (at lowest mixing speed) 3/4 cup buttermilk until all the flour is scraped off the sides of the bowl
5. With slightly floured rolling pin on a slightly floured surface roll out dough to desired thickness & cut into desired biscuit size.
6. Bake in over for approximately 8-10 minutes.




Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Day Nine

Darn migraine is still lingering on.  Didn't sleep all that well last night.  Have Scouts & Faith in God for Girls tonight at church.  Managed to make Beef Taco's for dinner.  It was a hit.  Anyone that knows my Rosie knows that she is the pickiest eater on the face of the planet however she ate the Beef Taco's so that accounts for something.  No shooting practice again today.  Oh well there is always tomorrow.