Nancy's Sloppy Joe Recipe

Hi Friends,
I was looking through a Taste of Home cookbook the other day and I ran across a recipe that looked similar to my above finished product. It looked good and I thought I'd like to give it a try. (don't even remember the name of it, it was bacon cheeseburger something or other) Anyway, the recipe had you make the bread from scratch and the meat sauce was made from scratch too. It was just one of those days where I didn't have time for all that fuss. I needed quick and easy and things that were on hand.

I had a loaf of French bread and a can of Sloppy Joe sauce so I thought I'd do the Semi-homemade version of what I remembered seeing. To start with, an easy way to cook the bacon (one package) is to cut it with kitchen sheers first and then cook it in a pan. If you use a pan with high walls it helps keep the splatters to a minimum. Drain the bacon.

In another pan I browned the ground beef (a little over one pound) and added 1 can Sloppy Joe sauce after draining the beef.

I cut a 'V' shape in the French bread and placed 5 slices of American cheese. On top of the cheese place the cooked bacon and on top of that place the ground beef mixture.

This recipe served my family of 5 and I had tossed salad, cooked broccoli and carrots with it. It was different than a standard Sloppy Joe and the kids gave it 2 thumbs up. We also put mustard and pickles on our sandwiches. It was so much easier than the original recipe that inspired me.

I'd love to hear what quick and easy recipes you are feeding your families these days.

Enjoy your weekend,

Nancy

This Post Links To:
Craftaholics Anonymous
Women Who Do It All

Homemade Corn Tortillas

Last night for supper I tried my hand at making homemade tortillas.  I've NEVER made tortillas ever.  I've always purchased them premade.  Let me tell you they were stupid simple to make.  Seriously.  And they were yummy!

I've told you before I'm a home test cook for Cook's Illustrated magazine and have been doing this for over  a year now.  Cook's Illustrated tests and re-tests all their recipes and then they send them to select cooks around the US for us to make in the home kitchen.  Because of living in New Mexico I am sent quite a few Hispanic or Native American Indian recipes.  At least I'm getting to branch out with my cooking and try some new flavors.  I've never been asked to test something like gumbo from the south or New England clam chowder. 

A while back I was asked to test a recipe for  empanadas.  The recipe called for Harina.  I had to look up what Harina was and I didn't even know if our grocery store or Walmart carried it.  It is corn flour, masa, or really just ground up corn.  Funny how I've been shopping at my Walmart for 3 years now and I never ever noticed it on the shelf.  So after making the empanadas I had quite a bit of this corn flour left over and I didn't want it to just go to waste.  Remember I am eating from my pantry this month.  You can read my previous post about doing eating from my pantry HERE.

I decided that for dinner we would have a meatless dinner and I made black bean soup and tortillas. 

The tortilla recipe comes from the side of the Quaker corn flour package.

To make 12 -- 6" tortillas you use:

• 2 cups Quaker Masa
• 1 1/3 cup warm water

Directions:

• Heat an ungreased skillet over high heat or a griddel from 475 to 500 degrees F.
• Combine the masa and warm water and knead to blend well and form a ball.  Add a bit more water if necessary.

• Divide dough and shape into 12 balls.  The diameter of the balls is about 1 1/2 inches.  Cover to prevent from drying.
• Roll out or press each ball between 2 sheets wax paper to form a 6 inch circle.  (I must confess my circles were not very pretty but did get better as I did more.)  Carefully peel off wax paper.
• Cook on ungreased skillet for 30 seconds or until lightly browned and edges begin to dry.  Turn tortilla and continue cooking for 1 minute.  Turn tortilla again and continue cooking for another 30 to 45 seconds or until desired doneness.

The kids put a little honey on their tortilla and a little butter with cinnamon sugar on it was delicious as well.  Mike and I tore ours into pieces and dipped the pieces into salsa.

What an easy thing to make.  It is so nice to know what exactly is going into our bodies.  I know if I need corn tortillas I will be making them because seriously, 2 ingredients!!!  Not only are they easy to make but they are super frugal.  I promise you they were every bit as good as the premade ones at the store.
Baskets of blessings,
Nancy

This post links to:

Chocolate Turtle Recipe - Super Easy and Oh So Good

The kids and I have been doing some Christmas crafting and cooking. These Chocolate Turtles are a great knock off of the expensive ones you buy in the store. I can't keep my family out of them!

Chocolate Turtles

Pecan Halves

Bag of Pretzels

Bag of Rolos (I used 2 bags)

Toast your pecans in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes.

Remove pecans from the oven.

Lower your oven temperature to 250.

Place the Rolos one on a pretzel.

Bake at 250 for 5 minutes until the Rolos soften.

Press a pecan half onto each Rolo.

Let the chocolate harden.

I have to make some more now!

Enjoy!

Nancy

Best Recipe for Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! At least it is here in the Jacobs' house!

Every year I have to make a batch of Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments so when I tell you I'm giving you the best recipe, I'm truly giving you the best recipe I've ever run across for these little Christmastime nuggets.

Now don't limit these to just ornaments. Put a couple of these into a small basket in your bathroom for a great air freshener. Hang one in your closet to get rid of musty smells or shoe odor. Place one under the seat of your car to help get rid of any fast food smells it might have. Please remember not to let the children or anyone eat these. They do smell yummy.

BTW...Did you notice the one on the right shaped like a basket? Too cute!

Enjoy!

Nancy

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

1 cup cinnamon--Get it at Sam's Club or Costco for best prices

2/3 cup applesauce

3 Tablespoons white school glue--Remember to stock up on this during back to school sales

Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl.

Wrap the thick dough in plastic wrap and let it set for about 1 hour.

Take some dough and roll out between two sheets of wax paper. I find it best to work with about 1/2 of the mixture at a time.

Roll the dough to about 1/4" thick.

Cut with cookie cutters

or

Shape into circles and press with your rubber stamps

or

Press dough into ceramic cookie molds

Be sure to create a hole for hanging before dough dries. I used a small straw.

or

Press a straightened paper clip into the back of the shape to act as a hanger.

Let ornaments dry for several days turning them from time to time to keep them from curling.

Printable Recipe Cards

Dear Friends,

These are some of the sweetest Christmas recipe cards I've seen on the www. They are from Shabby Princess. You can download them now just in time for your cookie exchanges and recipe sharing. Best of all, they are FREE! Link to download is HERE. Be sure to look around the site for other great digital scrapbooking fun. How cute would these recipe cards be in a handwoven basket along with some homemade yummies from your kitchen!

Enjoy!

Nancy

Christmas Cookie Recipes - Free e-book

Dear Friends,
A free downloadabe 99 page e-book that contains 50 yummy cookie recipes.
Enjoy!
Nancy

Copycat Recipes

FaveCrafts has partnered up with Recipe Lion to create this free e-book of copycat recipes. Below is the link to download the recipes. The recipes are listed below.

http://www.recipelion.com/Restaurant-Recipes/27-Secret-Restaurant-Copycat-Recipes-eCookbook

Hard Rock Cafe Twisted Mac 'N Cheese

Applebee's Bourbon Steak

Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings

KFC's Coleslaw

Pizza Hut Original Pan Pizza Crust

Boston Market-Style Squash Casserole
Wendy's Frosty
Cheesecake Factory Cajun Jambalaya Pasta
Melting Pot Green Goddess Dip

Red Robin-Style Bonzai Hamburger

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Hash Browns

T.G.I. Friday's Hot Artichoke and Spinach Dip

Panera Tomato Mozzarella Salad
Pizza Hut Dessert Pizza

Chicken Fried Rice Benihana Style

Cinnabon's Cinnamon Rolls
McDonald's Big Mac Sauce
Panda Express-Style Orange Chicken
Ruby Tuesday Chicken Quesadilla

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Fried Apples

Pizza Hut Thin Crust Pizza Dough

Enjoy!

Nancy

Free e-book The Old Schoolhouse Digital Holiday Supplement - Crafts

Link and photo complements of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

For those of you familiar with The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, you know what a great Christian magazine this is for kids, moms, homeschoolers, families etc. They have published a free online e-book. It is 175 pages of beautiful crafts, recipes, songs, learning activities and more.

I looked through my copy and I'm in awe at the crafts and recipes listed in it. I suppose I could print it out (that would be a lot of printing though) because it is truly a beautiful magazine. Clicking on the picture should take you to it, but in case it doesn't, click HERE. I promise you won't be disappointed. There's no basket patterns in it, but there is quilting, beeswax candles, making your own butter and so much more. It is chuck full of homespun crafts recipes and ideas.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is asking that the word be spread about their free e-book. With so much garbage that is out there to read these days I am happy to spread the word when it comes to Christian living.

Have a blessed week,

Nancy

Halloween Candy - Candy Corn Cookie Bark and Candied Apples

The kids and I continue to cook. They love to work in the kitchen and are old enough to do candy making safely. The kids liked the candied apples best but my favorite was the Candy Corn Cookie Bark. (I'm not kidding, the Candy Corn Cookie Bark is seriously yummy!) For the candied apples, I just used the recipe from Joy of Cooking.
Enjoy!
Nancy

Candy Corn Cookie Bark
Recipe adapted from Your Home Based Mom
Ingredients:
One package of Oreos broken but not crushed. Keep in large chunks.
3 cups pretzels, broken into pieces.
2 lb. white chocolate, almond bark
2 cups candy corn
Colored sprinkles

Directions:
Melt almond bark over low heat in a large saucepan.
Add Oreos, pretzels and 1 cup candy corn to the almond bark and mix, coating well.
Cover a large cookie sheet with wax paper.
Pour almond bark mixture onto cookie sheet.
Sprinkle remaining candy corn and colored sprinkles over the almond bark while it is still wet. Tap the sprinkled candy corn lightly into the almond bark mixture but let it stay on the top for decoration.
Place cookie tray into refrigerator until set and firm. Remove and gently break bark into small pieces. Store in air tight container.

Halloween Smores in a Jar

Look what the kids and I made! I actually saw this the first time at Easter with those little marshmallow bunny peep candies. What a great gift to give. Be sure when you give it to put it in a holiday basket filled with paper raffia or lined with a holiday napkin. Also, have patience and take your time when getting those little ghosts to stand upright in their place. They want to fall over. Enjoy!
Nancy
ps. What do you think of my photography skills here? I'm trying some of those fancy close-up shots and I have a frame around my picture. I'm learning! (thanks Anne for your Power Point help) These were suggestions from the book I told you about the other day Blogging For Bliss by Tara Frey.

Halloween Smores In A Jar
Ingredients:
1 quart mason jar
1 sleeve graham crackers
1 package holiday marshmallow peeps
one bag of holiday M&Ms candies
1/3 cup of brown sugar

Directions:
1. Crush 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the graham cracker crumbs in a 1 qt jar. Pack down the crumbs a bit.
3. Arrange 8 to 12 marshmallow holiday peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
4. Carefully spoon remaining cracker crumbs in the center of the jar to support the peeps, pressing down to keep it snug.
5. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup M&M's in holiday colors.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon. If you have any room left over, fill the jar to the top with M&Ms.

Cooking directions:

1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl.
Snip the peeps into bits with kitchen shears or cut up with a knife.
Return the peep bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 8" or 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Needlecraft Magazine 1925 and Cornflake Macaroons Recipe

While visiting my parents this summer I stumbled upon a treasure of old magazines that belonged to my grandmother. They are all sewing or needle working magazines. This one is a Needlecraft Magazine from 1925 and it cost 10 cents! I think it is so interesting to know that my grandmother and I shared similar interests when it came to hand crafts. The magazine contains many handcraft patterns as well as articles.

I wanted to share portions of the article from this magazine titled Serving Afternoon-Tea by Louise B. Moss Associate Professor of Domestic Science, Pennsylvania State College. I enjoyed reading it and hope you enjoy the snippits from this vintage treasure.

"One of the simplest and most delightful things to serve on a cool fall or winter afternoon is afternoon-tea. It is well to have the essentials in your 'emergency' cupboard. First the tea, orange pekoe being the favorite, next a box of lump-sugar or old fashioned rock-candy. As many prefer lemon rather than cream in their tea, and lemons are not always available, it is well to have some candy lemon-balls on hand which may be used in place of the sliced lemon and sugar.

Nothing is nicer to serve with tea than dainty sandwiches. Plain bread-and-butter sandwiches made of very thin slices of white bread are delicious. The butter must be spread on evenly and the crusts removed to make them more attractive.

Usually we wish to serve some sweet with the tea. Many delicate little cookies may be bought but homemade cookies and cakes are nicer. Remember when making cakes for a tea, they must be small and dainty and easy to eat. A layer-cake with thick, soft frosting is not suitable, as that type of cake necessitates the use of a fork.

A tea-wagon is most convenient when serving afternoon-tea, for all necessary articles may be placed on it and then it may be wheeled into the room where you will serve.

If plans are carefully made beforehand, many guests may be entertained at tea with comparatively little labor. The main points to remembered are that the refreshments must be dainty and the tea-table must be set in such a manner that it will be attractive at all times and be convenient for those who serve."

They list several tea recipes. Here is the recipe given for Cornflake Macaroons

2 whites of eggs

1 cupful of shredded coconut

1 cupful granulated sugar

2 1/2 cupfuls of cornflakes

1 teaspoonful of vanilla

Salt

Beat white of eggs stiff, gradually add sugar and continue beating. Fold in remaining ingredients. Drop by teaspoonfuls on to a greased baking-sheet. Bake in a moderate oven until light and golden brown.

(Nancy's note: I am guessing that a moderate oven would be 350 degrees and until light and golden brown I would start checking them after 8 to 10 minutes)

I have been enjoying reading through the articles written in these magazines and seeing how life was several generations ago. My grandmother lived out on a farm so I have a hard time picturing her having afternoon tea, but perhaps she did from time to time.

Blessings,

Nancy

How to Weave a Bacon Bowl - It's Edible!

Valerie over at Frugal Family Fun Blog gave me permission to use her instructions and photos for this fantastic bacon basket. It combines two of my favorite things in life, weaving and food! I hope you give it a try and be sure to visit her blog. Valerie has some great tips, recipes and wonderful ideas on activities to do with children. Tell her Nancy sent you.

To make your own bacon bowls, you will need a package of bacon, and small microwave safe dish, kitchen scissors, and a glass baby food jar.
Clean the baby food jar very thoroughly and be sure to remove all adhesive from the label. Place the baby food jar upside down on the microwave safe dish.


Lay two pieces of bacon to make an "X" over the bottom of the baby food jar as shown. Use kitchen scissors to trim the ends.


Next, weave slices of bacon around the ends. Are you getting hungry yet??



Cover the entire thing with a wet paper towel, and place in the microwave for about 4 minutes and 30 seconds total, checking after every minute. Microwave times vary, and ours is DIEING a slow and painful death, so yours may cook up much faster.

Set aside and allow to cool. Carefully pull the bacon bowl from the baby food jar, and fill with salad or eggs.

Here are some ideas for bacon bowls:
Fill with lettuce, tomato, and ranch dressing. The lettuce and tomato make this a healthy snack.

Or fill with scrambled eggs for breakfast! Wouldn't this be a unique appetizer for a brunch?


Who says weaving has to be limited to traditional basket making supplies. Have some yummy fun with this culinary craft.

Hugs and Blessings,

Nancy