Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chinese Rice

Hello friends! I have been listed as a poster of this wonderful little blog but have never actually posted. So I thought I might share a delicious recipe that is a HUGE favorite in our home. Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chinese Rice!

Sweet and Sour Chicken:
4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
3/4 C Sugar
3/4 C Vinegar
1/4 C Chicken Stock
4 tbs Ketchup
1 tbs Soy Sauce
Dash Salt

Directions: Cut chicken into small cubes. Dip in beaten egg and then cornstarch. Brown lightly on both sides. In a pot, add sugar, vinegar, chicken stock, ketchup, soy sauce, and salt. Bring to a boil (until sugar is melted). Put chicken in a square, glass pan. Pour sauce over the top. Sprinkle LIGHTLY with garlic salt. Cover with tin foil. Bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Chinese Rice:
2 tbs Olive Oil
3 Large Carrots chopped
3 Large Celery sticks chopped
1/2 an Onion Chopped
1/2 a package of bacon chopped
4 eggs
2 cups of Rice

Directions: While Rice cooks... put olive oil in large frying pan on low to medium heat (depending on your stove), add carrots, celery, and onions. Let cook until done. (Add a little soy sauce to them and other seasonings that you like...I do salt, pepper and a little garlic salt). When they are done, set them aside and fry the small bits of bacon. When bacon is done add it to the veggie mix. Then beat the eggs and scramble them in the pan (so they get the yummy bacon flavor). When the eggs are done mix it all together in a bowl. Fry the rice in the same pan...and then add the whole mix together.These pictures don't really make it look very good, but I promise it's DELICIOUS! Happy Cooking!

Super Mario Baby Shower

The Mission: Jessica's Baby Shower

The challenge: Mario themed for a boy

I must say I was quite surprised at the lack of Mario stuff out there. I was so very lucky to find a stamp on etsy. And with help of Samantha, Suzi, and Natalie, we pulled off a great shower!

We framed one of the invites. {And we used plastic gold coins as accents.}

This is my favorite. It was so fun to put together. I am loving the bright happy colors.Brought to you by the letter "P"Triangle banner.Sam found some super cute clothes to put on the clothes line.The Diaper CakeThe food table...so FUN!And last but not least the beautiful Mom to be {Jessica} with her diaper cake.
Thanks for letting us throw you this shower.
I had so much fun!
Now we just wait for Baby Preston!

oh...and MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Christmas Wreaths

I made the first wreath a year ago. All I did was buy a plain 24 '' wreath and some holiday picks in the colors I wanted and wire them to the metal circle supporting the wreath. This year I made the other two wreaths for my mother and sister and I did the same thing. It's really simple and looks great for a whole lot less money than buying a pre-decorated wreath.

Corn Maze Munch

CoRn MazE MUnCh!

This is so so good.
Someone brought it in for a potluck at my Mom's work.

Definitely a must try!

Ingredients

1 (11 oz.) pkg mini pretzels
1 (10 1/2 oz) pkg mini peanut butter filled crackers (ritz)
1 C. dry roasted peanuts
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter
1/2 C. light corn syrup
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 (10 oz) pkg M&M's
1 (18 1/2 oz) pkg candy corn

Directions
In a large bowl, combine first 3 ingredients.
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over mdeium heat; boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mix will foam)
Pour over pretzel mixture and stir until coated.
Pour into greased 15x10 pan.
Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Break apart while warm.
Cool completely.
Toss with M&M's and candy corn.
Store in airtight container.

**We made it last night to take to the football game. We left with 5 quart size bags and only came home with one. It was gone this morning. So today we made it again, with some revisions. We added some Chex cereal and some of those tiny soup crackers and cheerios. We also leave out the candy corn. Just be sure that you don't cook the mixture too long as you will not see it fowm when you add the baking soda. It should about double in size. The first time we made it it didn't. The second time it did. So just don't cook too long.**

my FIRST post:)

Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ginger

2 1/2 c. flour

3 Tbsp. molasses

2 c. pumpkin (canned pumpkin mix)

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together and drop by the spoonful on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Hello Dolly's

Well...I have always known them as Six Layer Bars...never knew they were called Hello Dolly's till I told my mom I could not find the recipe. But now I know.
These are very similar to Jessica's Candy Grahams they are just slightly different. And SO SO EASY!!!!
Ingredients
1/4 C. Butter
1 C. Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 C. Coconut
1 C. Chocolate Chips (6 oz.)
1 C. Chopped Nuts
1 CAN (15 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions
Melt butter in a 9x9 pan.
Cover evenly with graham cracker crumbs.
Make thin layers in order: of coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over all.
DO NOT STIR!
Bake at 350 degree for 30 minutes.
Cool before cutting

*** These are my absolute favorite dessert. I request these for my birthday. And as Jessica's I would highly recommend doubling these!***

ENJOY!!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cupcake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended; stir in chocolate morsels, walnuts, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

Beat remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, butter, sugar, and 1/3 cup brown sugar until creamy. Add egg, and beat until blended.

Combine flour, soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir into butter mixture.

Place paper baking cups into miniature (1 3/4-inch) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons batter into each cup.

Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Spoon morsel mixture over cupcakes, and bake 10 more minutes.

Note from Me: We doubled this recipe and it made 24 regular cupcakes. They are delicious!!! If you like Blonde Brownies you will love these!

Recipe from HERE

Banana Bread

{Okay....I totally forgot to tke a picture so I am borrowing one...

this is basically what it would look like. HaHa}

Banana Bread!

I have had a serious craving for it and the other night my Mom and I set out to make it!
Seriously Delicious..It did not even last a week...and the recipe was doubled!

Ingredients:
1 C. shortening
1 1/2 C. sugar
6 eggs
5 1/4 C. flour
3 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
3 C. mashed bananas
1 1/2 C chopped nuts {optional}

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream together: shortening and sugar.
-Add eggs and beat well.
-Sift together dry ingredients.
-Add to creamed mixture alternating with bananas, blending well after each addition.
-Stir in nuts.
-Pour into well greased 9x5x3 loaf pans and bake @ 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.
-Insert knife to check if done.

So good!!!! Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Super Easy Bulletin Board

Look at this treasure I found at Goodwill on Saturday for $9.99.

So I decided to make a bulletin board for my kitchen/great room. The following is a list of items needed for this project:

1. Beautiful ornate frame :)

2. Corkboard

3. Spray paint (I used ivory satin from Walmart)

4. Burnt Umber craft paint

5. Hot glue gun

6. Nails and hammer

7. Tacs for bulletin board

I started off with a few coats of spray paint on my frame. After those dried completely I watered down the craft paint a lot and brushed it on. I immediately wiped it off with a paper towel. This brought out all the detail and imperfections.

Then, my hubby cut down the cork board to size and I hot glued into the frame and then added nails as well to strengthen it. That is seriously it! Hang it on the wall and enjoy! Here are some pictures

Gyozas

Gyozas

These are delicious! My Dad went to Japan on his mission and I remember my parents making these when I was younger. We gave it a go on Friday. They turned out amazing!
Ingredients:
1 lb. ground chicken (or pork)
1/2 Napa cabbage
1 bunch green onions
Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 T. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. sesame chili oil
gyoza wrappers/skinsWhat to do...
-CUT up cabbage REAL FINE, sprinkle with salt, mush up cabbage with hands for 2-3 minutes.
-ADD very finely cute up green onions.
-ADD ground chicken/pork with garlic powder and ginger,salt and pepper, soy sauce,and sesame oil,
- MIX with hands like meat loaf...mush well.
- Put in wrappers- COOK on med-high in 2 T. vegetable oil to coat pan. Make sure the pan is HOT. Be sure to not over-crowd the pan. Roll them to cook them on ALL sides.Sauce: white vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame chili oilServe with Rice or eat alone....just EAT them...they are so good!

{ We also added shredded carrots, and finely cut bean sprouts to ours and
they were SO good, and yes we ground our own chicken.
Which took forever, but it was much cheaper.
We doubled this recipe and are freezing some.}

FEATURED!

Guess what!?!?!?!
Samantha's baby shower was featured on Creative Parties and Showers

Go check out there site...It is packed full of amazing party and shower ideas!
We are excited to have our new followers!

Candy Grahams

The first time Patrick took me to meet his mom he told me that she was making his favorite snack/dessert- Candy Grahams. Now the only experience I've even had with a candy graham was in Jr. High where you could buy a candy graham for $1 and it consisted of some card stock where you could write a message and then add a sucker and it would be delivered to the recipient. So I was very surprised that something like that would be his favorite. Boy was I wrong! Candy grahams are NOTHING like candy grahams of ole!

THE INGREDIENTS:
1/2 C Margarine
1/2 C graham cracker crumbs (@ 1 sleeve)
1 Can Eagle brand sweet and condensed milk
1 Pkg of choc. chips
1 C angel flake coconut
1 C chopped nuts (pick your favorite)

Now I always double this recipe, quadruple it if there is a potluck at work!

Step 1: Crush graham crackers into crumbs and mix with melted butter. Spread, and push to flatten in a 9x13 pan (or biggger if doubling)
This is also known as the worst step of the process.... takes forever and my fingers always hurt!

Step 2: Pour Eagle brand evenly over the top. Top with choc chips, coconut and nuts. Press gently.

Step 3: Bake 25-30 min at 350 degrees . Cool thoroughly, then cut!
Now this part is very important. Cut all the corner parts and bring them to my house because those are the BEST parts!!!

Cookie Dough Cuppy-Cakes!

I saw this recipe here and was waiting for the right occasion to try it out. Lucky for me my manager asked me to make cupcakes for a team members birthday this week and try it out I did!

THE INGREDIENTS:

1 package yellow cake mix (I recommend Pillsbury low-sugar yellow cake mix)

1 package sugar-free vanilla instant pudding mix

1 cup milk

1 cup vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 package chocolate chip cookie dough

Your favorite frosting, enough to frost 24 cupcakes

THE MIXING:

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place cupcake wrappers in 24 muffin pans.

2. Combine all cupcake ingredients (except cookie dough and frosting, of course) in bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on low until combined, scrape bowl, then mix on medium for 2 minutes. Batter will be very thick.

THE PREPARATION:

3. Divide batter between cupcake pans (about 1/4 cup in each cupcake wrapper), each cupcake wrapper should be about 2/3 full. Roll cookie dough into 24 balls and place one on top of each unbaked cupcake.

*Now this is where the recipe and I differ. In the original post the cookie dough was pushed into the batter. I was afraid that this would result in uncooked cookie dough, which is never good overnight, and I made the cookies the night before. Also important to make sure you have regular cupcake wrappers not just Christmas ones, or else you might have to run back to the store.

THE BAKING:

4. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until tops spring back when touched. Cool 2 minutes and remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

THE RESULT:

5. Frost with your favorite frosting (chocolates always good) and garnish with a baked cookie (cut in half placed in the frosting), sprinkles, or toasted pecans.

While I myself didn't try one out (I wasn't feeling like something sweet at the time) they were a HUGE success! People are work are STILL talking about them! Someone even said I bake better then his grandma. I don't know about all that, but I do know they were super tasty!

Lime Meringue Pie!

Okay, so if you like Key Lime Pie, you should like this as well.

Pie Filling
1 ½ cups sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Dash salt
3 slightly beaten egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
½ teaspoon grated lime peel
1/3 cup lime juice
Use whatever kind of crust you want! My husband whipped up a graham cracker crust for me real quick on this one.

In saucepan, mix sugar, cornstarch, flour and salt. Gradually add hot water, stirring constantly. Cook and stir over moderately high heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.

Stir a moderate amount of hot mixture into egg yolks (so the yolk doesn’t cook itself in the pan) then return to hot mixture in the pan. Bring to boil and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add butter and lime peel. Slowly add lime juice, mixing well. Pour into your crust.

Meringue
3 egg whites
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
6 tablespoons sugar

Beat egg whites with vanilla and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until stiff and glossy peaks form and all of the sugar is dissolved.

Spread Meringue over pie filling. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until meringue is golden. Cool. Enjoy!

P.S. If you're not into meringue, just put cool whip on top of the pie because the filling is seriously delish!

NEW button

I just made a new button by following April's directions... and I actually did it!
Thanks April!!!!


<center><a href="http://oh-snaps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="oh snap button" src="http://i586.photobucket.com/albums/ss303/KrissaReann/OhSnapButton.jpg" /></a></center><textarea>

So GRAB ONE!
It matches now :)