One Minute Peanut Butter/Chocolate Cake

This is another Pinterest recipe.

Last week, I tried another "microwave cake" recipe with the kids. It didn't work so well. It looked good but it was similar to eating a sponge.

So I was hesitant when I saw yet another microwave cake recipe.

Except the picture (the original one, not mine above) caught my eye. That and the whole peanut butter thing.

In fact, I couldn't get it out of my mind.

So that very night, I just had to try it myself.

And I liked it.

So this week, after dinner one night, I put all of the ingredients out on the table and I let the kids make their own.

The kids liked them too.

The original recipe can be found here.

Ingredients:
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder (NOT soda)
1 heaping tbsp flour
2 tbsp peanut butter (I use the "natural" kind)
2 tsp or so chocolate chips (I used the mini, semi-sweet chocolate)...this is optional :)
1 tsp milk
1 tbsp powdered sugar

Directions:
Mix together the egg, brown sugar, baking powder, flour, peanut butter, and chocolate chips.

Spoon/pour into a greased ramekin.

Put in the microwave for 30 seconds. (I have been putting it for closer to 50...I try to be cautious when it comes to eggs.)

Meanwhile, stir together the milk and powdered sugar.

When the cake is down, pour the "frosting" over the top and enjoy.

I have made the "frosting" both times and it is okay but I would eat the cake without it too...

It is a nice quick fix for a sweet craving, and if you like peanut butter and chocolate, this will do the trick!

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Yes, this looks just like the picture from the Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops I posted the other day. That is because I made both of these things together. And they were delicious together. But though I loved the pork chops, I am pretty sure I could have eaten the whole dish of mashed potatoes. Yum.

This recipe (just like the last) came from this website.

First of all, this recipe calls for roasted garlic. This step takes an hour and 15 minutes. Or in my case, 40 minutes because I didn't think ahead an hour. So, don't make the mistake I did. Plan ahead.

How to roast garlic:
Wrap a bulb of garlic in aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour at 350. After one hour, remove from oven and let it cool off. Then remove the needed number of cloves, peel skin off, and mash with a fork.

Okay, so here is the recipe for the potatoes.

Ingredients:
4 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed
5 tbsp butter
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan (mine was more fresh shredded)
6 cloves roasted garlic
1 1/2 cups warm milk
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper (I use the fresh ground)

Directions:
Place potatoes in a large pan with cold water that covers the potatoes.

Bring to a boil.

Cook for 10-12 minutes (boiling). A fork should easily pierce the potatoes.

Drain the potatoes and transfer to a mixing bowl.

Use the mixer to mix on low until the potatoes are mashed.

Then add the remaining ingredients.

I think I added a little too much milk, so mine were a bit runny.

But even in their runny state, I enjoyed each and every bite!

Happy cooking!
Reba

Weekly Menu

Well, we did fairly well following last week's menu. This week should be easy...not many days to plan for due to sports and kid activities. The good news is that should slow down in a week or two. I am sure ready!

Here is our menu:
Sunday- Pizza (after a hike and no grocery store trip, a necessity)
Monday- Parmesan Crusted Tilapia (a Pinterest recipe...will share soon), wild rice, carrots and Ranch, and rolls
Tuesday- On Your Own
Wednesday- Ham steak, cheesy hashbrown potatoes (Pinterest recipe), black eye peas, 7 Up Biscuits (Pinterest), and possibly the one minute peanut butter cakes (Pinterest...I already tried one myself. Yum!)
Thursday- Teriyaki Chicken and white rice (Pinterest), veggies

Undecided about the weekend due to some sport/kid events.

I rarely list them but I do have strawberry smoothies a couple times a week, and the egg/cheese/bacon sandwich make for a good lunch for me!

So...

What is for dinner at your house this week?

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops

As you know, my latest "interest" is Pinterest. I have been trying to make at least one recipe from my Pinterest boards each week. As soon as I saw the picture and recipe, I knew it was next on my list.

This recipe actually has both a pork chop recipe and a mashed potato recipe, but I am going to separate them out to make it easier for me later when I am trying to find one or the other.

The recipe actually came from this site which apparently got it from this site. Not sure who came up with it originally, but whoever did, thank you. It is a very simple crockpot recipe yet oh, so good!

Ingredients:
6 pork chops (I just used loins)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 envelope DRY Ranch dressing mix (I used Hidden Valley)

Directions:
Place the pork chops in the crockpot. Of course, I am use my handy dandy liners for easy clean up later.

Pour the cream of chicken soup and Ranch dressing over the pork chops. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4. I did the low for 6.

Eat over mashed potatoes or rice...I imagine it would be good with either one.

Very simple, very tasty.

My favorite combination!

I will share the potato recipe soon...they were amazing!

Happy cooking,
Reba

Meatballs and Gravy

This summer, we (me and three) visited my sister for a week. One night she made meatballs and gravy, then served it over rice. One daughter is picky, so she went more for the rice, but the other two (along with me) LOVED the meal. And I have been determined to make it ever since.

Well, sure enough, there is the recipe in our family cookbook, passed down from my mom. And finally this weekend, I had a chance to make it.

I am going to give you the whole recipe, though I have to confess something. My sister suggested a shortcut which comes in handy for those days you just don't have time to roll out meatballs. Schwann's meatballs. And lucky me, our school just had a Schwann's fundraiser, so I was able to get a couple of bags. But if I had had time, I would have made the meatballs.

Meatball Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 cup crushed crackers (I am thinking Ritz would be good)
1 tbsp minced onion
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/3 cup milk

Gravy Ingredients:
1-2 cans cream of mushroom soup (depending on how much gravy you want)
1 package brown gravy mix
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp minced onion
1/8 tsp garlic powder

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix all meatball ingredients together and form meatballs.

Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Drain and place in a layer in a casserole dish.

Drop oven temperature to 325 degrees.

Mix all gravy ingredients together and pour over meatballs in casserole dish.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour at 325.

Good served over white rice, beef flavored rice, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles.

We had ours over white rice. Yum.

Happy cooking!
Reba

This Week's Menu

Here is our menu for the week. Now I just need to get to the store to have all ingredients on hand. I am just thankful it is a fairly normal week at our house. :)

Sunday: Breakfast- Pumpkin Muffins, Dinner-Meatballs and Gravy over white rice (finally!) Recipe coming this week... (sides included a salad and French bread)
Monday: Crockpot Chicken Dip over chips
Tuesday: On Your Own night (sports, sports, sports)
Wednesday: Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes (new recipe), I think we will also try the chocolate chip cookie dough mug cake for dessert if time allows
Thursday: Lasagna in a Bun, Fruit
Friday: Popcorn/Shakes
Saturday: Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Fingerling Potatoes, Katie Bread

What is for dinner at your house?

Honey Sauced Chicken

I think I have mentioned (a time or two) that I LOVE Pinterest. I keep finding new recipes I just "must" try. And I have really been making an effort to try at least one a week. When I first saw the recipe for honey sauced chicken, I was ready to go to the store right then to buy the ingredients. But since our schedule has been busy, I had to wait about a week. I finally had a chance to try it out Wednesday.

By the way, the recipe comes from this website.

I was originally going to make it in the crockpot, but due to time constraints ended up baking it in the oven (30 minutes...done). I would like to try it in the crockpot sometime too.

So, here is the recipe...

Ingredients:
3/4 pound chicken I just used a 2 pound bag of chicken due to family size...I actually doubled everything in the recipe you see. Next time, I will use a couple chicken breasts less.
1/2 tsp salt (I really didn't measure on mine)
1/4 tsp black pepper...I used the fresh ground kind...I don't truly measure it
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup chopped onion or 1/16 cup onion flakes
1/8 cup ketchup
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 clove garlic minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions:
I will give the baking directions since that is what I did. I would encourage you to visit the site above though and read the directions for the crockpot.

Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken. Place in a pan. I had to use a 9x13 due to all of the chicken. I just notice the recipe says to dice the chicken. I didn't. I think next time I make this though I will either dice it or use tenderloins.

Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour the sauce over the chicken.

Confession: I added some sesame seeds to the top of it before putting it in the oven.

Bake at 350 for 20 minutes (I went for 30 since I had big pieces of chicken).

I served it over white rice.

My family liked this, even though I wasn't sure they would. With the red pepper flakes, it does have a little "kick" to it though it also has the sweet side with the honey. Definitely an Asian flair to it.

I will make it again. :)

Happy cooking!
Reba