Calzones

For a while, I was finding recipes on Pinterest like crazy. I still do, but not as rapid as I once did...probably because I already "pinned" so many. Anyway, about the same time I "pinned" the braided spaghetti bread, I found another picture to "pin" for a calzone that looked very similar to the braided spaghetti bread.

Ironically, the first time we ate the braided spaghetti bread, one of the first comments my dear hubby made was "Wouldn't a calzone made like this be good?"

It was fate.

Or something like that.

Anyway, I knew that it had to appear on the menu.

And tonight it did.

I went to the calzone website (seen above) to get an idea but in the end, I kind of followed the braided spaghetti bread recipe. Just in a calzone sort of way. Actually, I made two calzones tonight.

I haven't found many pizza crusts I just love, so I used my now favorite Rhodes white bread loaf (frozen section) instead. Or in this case, I used two. The handy thing is that three come to a package.

I put the loaves out this morning in a bread pan that was lightly coated with cooking spray. I covered it with clear wrap. And by the time I got home this afternoon, they had grown (risen) and were twice the size as they were when I left them. :)

I rolled the dough out on some parchment paper. Then I let it sit for a few.

I did learn today that cutting the sides (like with the spaghetti bread recipe) is MUCH easier to do before adding the toppings.

I just cut "strips" (like fringe) about every inch or so. The slits were maybe two inches deep.

I just made sure to leave a nice midsection for toppings.

Next, I spread pizza sauce on that midsection. My new favorite is Contadina Squeezables. It is awesome for dipping; I love the flavor. So I used it.

Oh yeah, not getting ANY kickbacks from Rhodes or Contadina. I just really like both products.

Next the toppings.

I made one a "meat" calzone with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, and Italian sausage (browned). Then I threw on some Mozzarella and Cheddar. (I just used an 8 oz. block and cut it it into cubes; then I spread the cheese out among the midsection of one of the bread loaves.

The other calzone I made was more of a cheese. I had one half cheese, one half cheese and turkey pepperoni.

Oh, and I sprinkled Italian seasoning on both.

I then crisscrossed the strips, stretching them over to the other side. It looks a lot like a mummy when finished.

I took an egg white and brushed it over the "mummy". I then sprinkled garlic powder, parsley, and Parmesan cheese (shredded) over the top.

Then baked at for about 30 minutes at 350.

We had extra sauce on the table for dipping if needed.

I personally could have eaten the whole thing by myself.

But due to this whole watching my calories thing I didn't.

I will just say I am looking forward to having some more for lunch tomorrow.

The only changes I would make would be to add feta to the "cheese/pepperoni" version. And I would make just a pepperoni one for the boys. Apparently hubby isn't a big fan of Canadian bacon, and the Italian sausage was "just okay" according to him.

Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing.

Yum.

Reba

Braided Spaghetti Bread

The first time I saw this on Pinterest, I knew we had to try it.

Braided Spaghetti Bread.

Go to the website above. Their picture is MUCH prettier than mine.

Anyway, it had bread, spaghetti, and Mozzarella. What else could I possibly need?

Unfortunately, the day I planned on making it, I was running late. I ran to the grocery store, picked up the dough, then came home to find that it would take a while to thaw the dough. So into the freezer it went.

Finally yesterday was my chance. I put the dough in the fridge in the morning before I left for school.

When I was ready to cook, the dough was ready too.

Here is the recipe, followed by a few "sidenotes".

Ingredients:
1 Loaf Rhodes Bread Dough (12 Rhodes rolls can be used instead)...mine came three to a package. Thawed to room temperature.

6 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained (I actually used almost a whole 13 oz. box)

1 cup spaghetti sauce (I used closer to 2)

1 pound (or so) ground beef, browned (optional...that was my option :)

8 oz Mozzarella, cut into cubes

1 egg white

Parmesan cheese

Parsley flakes

Garlic Powder

Directions:
Take the bread dough and roll it out. This was the longest part of the process for me. I just had to really work with the dough. I think part of the problem was that I hadn't thawed to room temp; I had left it in the fridge. Roll it into a 12 x 16 inch rectangle. I recommend rolling on parchment paper or on a greased cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Okay, I totally forgot about the plastic wrap. But it worked fine anyway.

After the spaghetti is cooked and has cooled a bit, mix the spaghetti with the sauce and the ground beef (if using).

Remove the plastic wrap from the dough. Spread the spaghetti down the middle of the dough (about 4 inches across). Add cheese cubes on top of the meat.

Make cuts about 1 1/2 inches apart to about half of an inch within the filling. I found kitchen scissors to work very well to make cuts.

Fold the top and bottom strips toward the filling. Cross back and forth across, alternating each side. Pull the last strip and pull over the bread, tucking underneath.

Transfer the parchment paper to a baking sheet (I had done all of this on a sprayed cookie sheet...no transferring necessary).

Brush with the egg white, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Let cool slightly, then slice.

This was a HUGE hit with the family; every one of them ate more than one helping. Even the really picky child. I was SOOO sad to not have any leftovers to take for my lunch today. I would have eaten it again, gladly. (I could have eaten the entire loaf last night by myself, but I shared) Next time I would make sure to have a salad to go with it. Otherwise, what else does the meal really need?

Because I cooked meat (and lots of it), added more sauce, and put in more spaghetti, the other change I would make for our family of 6 would be to make 2 of them. Mine was SOOO full, it was really difficult to braid. It would have been better to have two doughs ready and just divide the meat/spaghetti mixture between the two.

So mine didn't turn out beautifully. It didn't matter in the end.

It was delicious.

I am already looking forward to making it again.

(I also want to try the calzone version...hubby was almost salivating when I told him about it)

More soon,
Reba

My Manic Menu

Crazy week.

It is only Monday, and it is a crazy week.

And it won't get any better.

At least until maybe Sunday.

Anyway, here is a possible menu which is always subject to change especially when it is a crazy week.

Sunday/Easter:
Breakfast- Overnight Coffee Cake
Dinner- Ham, black eye peas, Rhodes Texas rolls (YUM), 7 layer salad, Manchego mashed potatoes
Dessert- chocolate covered strawberries

Monday: Leftover ham and the fixings

Tuesday: Pepperoni Bread (new recipe), chips

Wednesday: Meatballs and gravy over white rice, carrots and Ranch, rolls of some sort (to be determined :)

Thursday: On Your Own night

Friday: Asian Pork with Mushrooms w/rice (new recipe), veggies and dip

Saturday: Child 4's birthday celebration! Braided spaghetti bread, sweet and sour salad, and of course, for dessert...birthday cake with buttercream frosting!

That is about how far into the future I can see right now. :)

What is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

The Week's Menu (A Bit Late)

I realize that not many people really care about the week's menu. Probably only about six...that would be members of my household. And one of those can't even read this yet.

But putting it on here helps me stay on task, even when I would much rather eat out. Which is nightly. (That I want to, not that I do)

So here it is, a bit late. I do have some recipes to share but it may be a few days. I am trying to finish up some Christmas projects.

Sunday: Lunch out, dinner on your own
Monday: On your own night (due to a child's performance right during our dinnertime)
Tuesday: Eggs and Cheese (one with ham, one without) and toast
Wednesday: Braided Spaghetti Bread (Pinterest)
Thursday: Chick Fil A (for a good cause)
Friday: I have no idea. I can't think that far ahead...

I know, very informative. :)

Reba

Favorite Foods of 2011

What were some of your new favorite recipes for 2011? (No, they don't have to be from here)

I guess I am in reflective mode since the year is coming to an end.

Looking back, here are just a few new "faves"...

Favorite New Meal Recipes
Garlicky Baked Shrimp

Pizza Snowballs

French Dip

Braided Spaghetti Bread

Crockpot Chicken Dip

Cream Cheese Chicken

Tostadas

Favorite New "Snack" or Beverage
Strawberry Smoothie

Favorite Desserts
Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Favorite "Tried and True" Recipes
Mostaccioli

Lasagna in a Bun

Fall Pork Tenderloin

Baked Potato Soup

Spicy Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

These are just a few. I could probably have several categories.

The fun part is that I know that there are so many more recipes out there, just waiting to be tried!

So, what were some of your favorite recipes of 2011?

Reba

The Menu for the Week...

as of right now. :)

Saturday: Dining Out (Hubby's idea...really!)

Sunday: Crusted Pork Tenderloin (new recipe), Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Potatoes, Black Eye Peas, Parmesan Pull Aparts (Pinterest), Chocolate Bar Cake dessert

Monday: Ham/Cheese "Square" Sandwiches, carrots and Ranch, chips

Tuesday: Tostadas, Chips and Salsa

Wednesday: On Your Own night (half of us are at church, so cooking is difficult)

Thursday: Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken, Wild Rice, Rolls

Friday: Braided Spaghetti Bread, Salad

It really does help if I set out a menu. I try to shop for the week ahead, only stocking up on necessities and things on sale we will use. I tend to waste a lot less food that way.

So, what is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

This Week's Menu (short and sweet)

Here is the week's menu...short and sweet. Next weekend, Mark and I will be enjoying some food in the Windy City, so the kids are eating whatever their sitter feeds them. :)

Sunday: take out (we hiked all day and ate on the way home) We did have pumpkin muffins for breakfast. :)
Monday: braided spaghetti bread (Pinterest recipe), salad
Tuesday: Pork Chops Ole
Wednesday: baked potato soup, French bread, Chocolate Lave Molten Cakes for dessert
Thursday: honey glazed chicken strips (Pinterest recipe), wild rice, cheesy bread

Always subject to change. :)

What is for dinner at your house this week?
Reba

Menu Time...

I have one recipe from last week that I still need to share.

But first things first.

I have to share my weekly menu.

Not sure anyone really cares but it is good for me.  Keeps me on task.

And Lord knows, with this crew, I need to be on task.

Oh, quick review...I think I actually stuck with the menu for last week!  Woohoo!

Anyway, here is the proposed menu for the coming week.

It is a different kind of week here, with two headed for the College World Series (as fans, not players), one headed to church camp, and two others in day camps.  It is my one truly crazy week of the summer.

But we still must eat, whether it is two of us or six.

Or in tonight's case...nine.

Saturday:  Shrimp boil (grilled), salad, asagio garlic bread

Sunday:  flank steak (grilled), Oriental salad, black eye peas, hashbrown potatoes, rolls, and chocolate pound cake (with ice cream) for dessert.  We are celebrating Father's Day with my parents and grandmother.  The cake is a belated birthday cake for my now 40 year old husband.

Monday:  Ham/Cheese sliders, sweet potato chips

Tuesday:  Chick Fil A (request of the birthday girl...yes, this makes three birthdays in our family for the month of June)

Wednesday: Butter beef over egg noodles (new recipe), garlic bread, carrots and Ranch

Thursday: Grilled chicken tenderloins (new recipe), potatoes (haven't decided what kind yet), rolls

Friday: Braided spaghetti bread, Caesar salad

Saturday:  Hamburgers (grilled), oven fries, homemade ice cream

I think that about covers it, though you never know.  Things are always subject to change around here...

So, what is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

The Mid-Week Menu (Yet Again)

Here it is, mid-week. And I am just now posting a menu.

But I am cooking.

Well, mostly. :)

As much as is possible this time of year...

Sunday:  Cheesy Sausage and Potato Casserole (new recipe...yum!), rolls

Monday:  Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (I was actually at a social event, so my crew and hubby were on their own)

Tuesday:  On Your Own  (smoothies for the little ones and me, just for fun)

Wednesday:  Braided Spaghetti Bread

Thursday:  Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken, rice

Friday:  Pizza (4 cheese, ham, and pepperoni/Canadian bacon)

Saturday:  Chuck Roast Barbecue sandwiches, chips, and chocolate pie for Child 1's birthday "party" (with family)

That is what is going on at our house.  How about at yours?

Reba

The Menu. Belated.

Still behind.  Recipes to share.  Yet I keep falling asleep before I do.  Story of my life these days.  It will slow down at some point, right???

Anyway, I do have a menu for this week though the weeks and days are getting challenging.  Three of the four kids have activities in the evenings these days (thankfully not always the same days, though sometimes).  I am trying really hard to keep a steady menu whenever possible.  Not fancy necessarily but steady.

Sunday:  Dining out (celebrated my mom's birthday)  We did have the crescent cinnamon buns for breakfast though.

Monday:  Sausage and potatoes, carrots/Ranch, garlic asagio bread (I have to say this is one of the most popular dishes I make around here...)

Tuesday:  Meatballs and gravy, rice, carrots/Ranch (what can I say, it is a veggie they will eat), French baguette

Wednesday:  On Your Own (church, gymnastics, and T-ball)

Thursday:  Ham and Cheese sandwiches, chips (another crazy night)

Friday:  Football game

Saturday:  Braided Spaghetti Bread, Caesar salad

A bit spotty this week but I am trying.

What is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

Middle of the Month Menus

It isn't that I am not cooking. I just haven't cooked a lot of new items lately. Or if they were, they weren't necessarily recipes I wanted to remember. :) Not bad, just not great. I typically don't share unless I really like it or my family really likes it.

And lately with the time change and my allergies/sinus issues, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. And I do. Often. :)

Anyway, here is the menu for last week and this coming week. I even have the week after that planned, so I might as well share that too.

And the good news (well, for me anyway)...it is spring break this week!  That means I will have a little more time during the day to try out some new recipes.  I can't wait!

Week of March 10
Sunday- Pork and Rice, homemade rolls
Monday- Baked Potato Soup, rosemary bread (will share soon...it was really good)
Tuesday- Breakfast for dinner:  waffles and bacon, smoothies (strawberry for me, watermelon slush for kids)
Wednesday- On your Own Night (date night for the grown ups. :)
Thursday-  Poppyseed Chicken, wild rice/white rice mix, carrots/Ranch, Rhodes rolls
Friday- Out and About (Child 2 and I ate out since we were out of town for a volleyball tournament, and the rest of the crew went to a baseball game)
Saturday- tacos, chips and salsa, refried beans

Week of March 17
Sunday- Dinner Out (a rare treat as a family)
Monday- Sesame Chicken (new recipe), fried rice
Tuesday- Hamburger gravy with buttermilk biscuits (new recipe), hashbrown potatoes, fruit
Wednesday- On Your Own
Thursday- Chicken/Bacon/Wild Rice Soup, herb and cheese focaccia bread (new recipe), chocolate buttermilk pie for dessert (new recipe)
Friday- Homemade Pizza (some meat, some four cheese)
Saturday- Glazed pork chops (new recipe), smashed potatoes (new recipe), parkerhouse rolls (new recipe), black eye peas

Week of March 24
Sunday- Sloppy Joes (homemade sauce and buns), fries (new recipe)
Monday- Shrimp/Chicken Pad Thai
Tuesday-Sausage and Potatoes, cheese stuffed rolls, salad
Wednesday- On Your Own Night
Thursday- Crockpot Swiss Chicken and Stuffing (a kind of new recipe...I never blogged about it before), rolls or bread of some sort

Friday- Out?

Saturday- Braided spaghetti bread, salad

There you have it.

We are set.

So...

What is for dinner at your house this week? Or last week? Or next week? :)

Reba

A Menu in the Works

I have been working on the menu for the week. Some weeks it just falls into place. Other weeks, like this one, I am just at a loss as to which direction to go. I try to use different proteins, vary the starches, vary the cuisines. It isn't easy. I doubt my family will ever know how much thought goes into this process. If they did, maybe they wouldn't be so quick to critique what we are having. :)

I do have a recipe I can't wait to share and hope to do so tonight, so check back in.

Anyway, here is where we are right now...always subject to change, of course.

Saturday (yesterday): Braided spaghetti bread, Caesar salad, birthday cake with buttercream frosting For me personally, the whole meal was yum, yum. I am really glad it was my "calories don't count" day. :)

Sunday: Pan seared swai (trying it a new way), Almond rice pilaf, Italian bread with Gorgonzola
(also a new recipe)

Monday: Salisbury steak (new recipe), Garlic-herb mashed potatoes (new recipe), rolls, carrots and Ranch, a dessert of some sort (Child 2's choice)

Tuesday: Chick Fil A (school event that night AND it is our youngest son's birthday)

Wednesday: On Your Own night

Thursday: Pork chops ole, garlic bread

Friday: Crockpot chicken parmesan (new recipe), angel hair pasta, salad, probably a bread of some sort :)

I can't think beyond that. :)

I know it seems silly to post this each week but it does help me plan out our meals and our grocery meal. And it really does keep us from eating out as much; I remind myself we have food and a plan...there is no reason to go out when we can eat at home.

So, what is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

Rhodes Cinnamon Rolls

If you have been reading for a while, you know that one of my favorite brands is Rhodes.  As in Rhodes bread.  I use it for braided spaghetti bread, bread/rolls, breadsticks, pizza, and calzones.  I just discovered their products in the last couple of years and have come to love them BIG time.  I even got a Rhodes "cookbook" for Christmas that I am itching to look through and use.

In the past few months, we have changed up the diets of one of our kids. I am SOOOO thankful that Rhodes products are still in the diet plan.  Or I would be really sad.

By the way, I get nothing from Rhodes for saying all of this. Not even a coupon. But that would be a nice treat.

I just really like their products.

Anyway, I was trying to plan a Christmas breakfast.  And having cinnamon rolls sounded like fun.  While I want to attempt some homemade rolls at some point, I knew that it would be too hectic for that this time of year.  So my next thought was "What about Rhodes cinnamon rolls?"  A quick web search brought up a recipe that I ran with.

And I need to run.

 I mean, these babies are NOT low calorie or low fat.

But they are full of yumminess.

They were a nice way to start our Christmas day.

Ingredients:
One frozen roll of dough (I used Rhodes white bread dough)

1/2 cup butter, softened (1/4 for the dough, 1/4 later for the filling)

1 cup brown sugar

3 Tbsp cinnamon

3 oz cream cheese

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Thaw the frozen roll dough. (I just set mine out on a plate or in a bread pan on the counter, covered with wax paper)  This takes a few hours typically, so plan ahead.

Roll the dough out in a rectangle shape.  I just rolled it until I couldn't really roll it much more.

Spread 1/4 cup of the softened butter over the dough. 

Mix the brown sugar and the cinnamon and sprinkle over the dough.  Leave a little space around the outer edges for sealing.

Roll the dough into a "log" and "seal" it.

Cut the log into slices, about 1 inch wide.

Place the slices in a covered 9 x 13 inch greased pan.  Cover with clear plastic wrap. (I will often spray the wrap so the dough doesn't stick.)

Let the rolls rise on the counter until doubled in size.  In my case, I made the dough the night before, so I let them rise in the refrigerator overnight, then I pulled them out about an hour before cooking to let them finish rising on the counter. That would be a good time to pull out the other 1/4 cup butter to soften.

Remove the plastic wrap and bake the rolls at 400 degrees for about 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, using a mixer, mix the cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy.

Once the rolls are out of the oven, spread the mixture over the rolls.

Enjoy!

Reba

A Spring Break Menu

Here is my proposed menu for the week. Always subject to change. And, yes, I still cook, even on spring break.

Sunday: Eating out (though I did have the pizza grilled cheese and a strawberry smoothie for lunch)
Monday: Swai fish and wild rice (leftovers)
Tuesday: Braided Spaghetti Bread, Caeser salad
Wednesday: Green Eggs and Ham (it is child 3's week to choose...seriously, this is what she chose!), possibly an English Muffin type of bread (new recipe)
Thursday: Sour Cream Chicken (new recipe), carrots/ranch, rolls
Friday: Hamburgers, Fries
Saturday: On Your Own

Now the trick is going to be getting to the store before the monsoon arrives. :)

What are you having this week?
Reba

A Conference Week Menu

I don't think I have ever gone from menu to menu with NO recipes in between. And the worst part is I do have some recipes to share. Just not today.

This is conference week.

I just feel like I am barely keeping my head above water during conference week. Barely.

So the fact that I have a menu and I have gone shopping is a feat in itself.

Not that I ever get any kind of gold stars or anything.

But still, I will hold my head high.

Even with no recent recipes on here.

So, here is the menu for the week...

Sunday:  Braided Spaghetti Bread (held over from Saturday night because I had forgotten there was a very sad Hogs game that night). I cannot tell you how much my family likes this meal.  I have to make two and am thankful if I get leftovers.

Monday:  French Toast (Dad was on cooking duty because I was conferencing)

Tuesday:  Crockpot Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken (new recipe), basmatti rice, Martha Harp rolls, carrots/Ranch

Wednesday:  On Your Own night

Thursday:  Taco Stuffed Shells (possibly...new recipe)

Friday:  Butter Cream Chicken, Angel Hair Pasta, cheesy breadsticks, carrots and Ranch

Saturday:  Grilling out...not sure what yet. Steak maybe?  I really can't think that far ahead yet. :)

I just made a new recipe (Snickers Cake). I can't taste it since it is for teachers at Child 1's school for conference week, but it looks really good. Check out the link if you are interested in trying for yourself. :)

I am also making Snickers apple salad this week. Just not sure when yet...

What is for dinner at your house this week?

Reba

This Week's Menu (possibly)...

Here is our menu for the week.

What is cooking at your house?

Saturday: Braided Spaghetti bread, carrots and Ranch (This meal was carried over from last night since we went to a sporting event instead)
Sunday: Pizza (out)
Monday: Grilled Hamburgers and fries (We call this Marky Rockets night in honor of the restaurant Johnny Rockets)
Tuesday: Chicken Noodle Soup (Maria's request for her cooking with Mom time), Grilled Cheese Rolls, smores for dessert
Wednesday: On Your Own Night
Thursday: crockpot chicken dip over Fritos
Friday: garlicky baked shrimp over angel hair pasta, rolls, salad
Saturday: some kind of pork and potatoes I would guess. I haven't thought that far ahead...

More soon...
Reba