Why this blog??

Why this blog?? I often find myself stressing over what to make for my family for dinner. We live a busy life and some meals need time to prep, cook and let's not forget shopping for everything you need. I love cookbooks and websites, but there are so many recipe's at times it is overwhelming. The recipe's I will be posting are things I actually made. I will tell you if they are easy or more time consuming. I will also tell you if they are good. Most of these are recipe's I have made for years and continue to make because they are easy or quick and my family loves them and i know yours will too! I will also try to at least once in a whlie try a new recipe I've found on line or in a book and honestly rate it. I always encourage others to send me their favorite recipe's as well! I am a mom... not a chef. But I am a mom who enjoys cooking for her family and making a somewhat healthy meal (some days more healthy than others:) ) In each recipe I will share how I recommend serving it, any substitutions I can think of that are also good, or ways to prepare ahead of time to make the cooking part seem quicker! I am not a photographer, as you can see... most of these pictures are taken from my phone camera, so may not be the best! I love to hear from others who have made these recipes and what they have done to change the recipe... please post comments! Thank you! To "like" me on facebook, go to this link... It's What's Cookin

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Chili con Queso Dip

I made this last night for girls night and it was almost gone before I remembered to take a picture... so next time I make it I will be sure to attach a picture. This is a SUPER simple recipe that is great for a party. You can either make it in a small (16 oz or so) crock pot or over the stove top on a low setting.

*1 can of your favorite Hormel Chili (I almost always use HOT, no beans. Sometimes I do the one with beans as well. Both are good depending on your preference.)
*1 8oz package of Cream Cheese
*1 cup shredded cheese (either cheddar or a colby jack mix)
*Bag of tortilla chips

Place first three ingredients on low in either crock pot or sauce pan over stove top. Stir frequently. Should take about 10 mins for cream cheese and cheese to melt. Mix well and serve with tortilla chips.

Great for football parties!!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Slum Gullion

You are going to look at this recipe and most likely turn your nose up like I did when my friend first gave me the recipe. Sounds so weird. I went to her house one day and she made it and I really liked it. It's not one of my favorite meals, but it's quick, easy and it's a great recipe when you have left overs in your fridge you need to get rid of.

Earlier this week I made a casserole so I had about half an onion and a quarter of a green pepper left over I had to get rid of. I also had a 1/2 lb of ground beef left over from the hamburgers I made last night. I always have noodles in the pantry and ketchup in the fridge.  Below is the normal recipe... but you can alter amounts based on what you have left over.

*1 lb lean ground beef (again, I prefer organic grass fed)
*1 medium sweet onion- large chop
*seasoning (I use Nature Seasoning and Black pepper)
*1 Bag Extra- Wide egg noodles
*Ketchup to taste
**optional- sometimes if I have it I add in 1/2 green bell pepper- lg chop

1. In pan, put in olive oil and onion (as well as pepper if you are using one). Saute till onion browns slightly. Add meat, seasonings, and cook till meat is done.
2. While you are cooking meat, boil the egg noodles. Drain.
3. Add noodles to the pan with the meat and onion. Stir.
4. Serve in a bowl and squirt ketchup over top. Stir till ketchup is mixed in well.

I know... sounds weird. But trust me. It's pretty good!




onion, green pepper and ground beef- cook till meat is done

Add noodles to pan

Serve with ketchup