Homemade Steak Fries

Homemade Steak Fries


A big hit year around as a side dish for our family.  Below is the recipe, with photos.  Enjoy!

Preheat: 375

Step 1:  Wash and scrub off 3 medium sized russet potatoes for 2 Adults

(add 1 potato more for each child.)

Step 2:  Side Slice each potato like so.

Step 3: Then slice again each oval in half.

Step 4:  You'll need these ingredients, or your families favorite.  

I also like to add a bit of powdered Garlic (not photoed)

Step 5: Toss all spices and fries in a large bowl.

Step 6:  I'm a fan of Pam when cooking or baking; Lightly coat a piece of foil.

Step 7:   The Oven should be preheated by now so lay flat your seasoned potatoes and place in the oven.  Bake for 30-40 minutes.  Check for brown crisping on the outside to complete satisfaction. 

Finished:   The finished product is great!  You can even ask teen age family members to do this fun side dish.  The inside is a fluffy consistency and the outside is just the right crunchy.

Variations:   

Add Bacon while cooking

Add Cheese

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{Sweetheart Giveaway} - Feb. 1st

I've just listed on my Facebook Page the next Giveaway.  It's a fun Sweetheart Giveaway...it starts Feb. 1st and available Re-usable Drink Sleeves are limited. 

Good Luck...

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Pinterest {Girls Night In} - January

Pinterest has, in the past month, grabbed so many new followers/subscribers 

that I wasn't too surprised when I found out some close girlfriends 

were enjoying this healthy addiction, daily like me.

After a month of countless hours spent searching and finding super awesome stuff all over the internet, now available in one place, my girlfriend Casey and I decided we needed to find the time, once a month, to come together for a Girls Night In.  The main focus for our monthly get together's would be to pair a Pinterest Project with Wine and a Pinterest Recipe.  The idea sounded heavenly so about 2 weeks later, last night, we had our first Girls Night In. 

The Evening went a little something like this:

"OMG, How are you? I haven't seen you in what seems like forever, except for on Facebook." a sound of group laughter filled the air, because everyone can relate. "Me too, seems like the days rush by so much faster than I remember, why is that?" 

followed by Adult/Mommy ADD...

"Ohhhhh, what did you bring?  Hey, I saw that, did I pin it?"

I brought this, super easy to do.

Strawberry, Chocolate Nachos

In surround sound, after sampling, "Yum!"

Then, another friend brought this:

Antipasto Kabobs

With one more:

Pretzel Bites

All the food was de-lish, I'm so glad I didn't eat dinner.  Sadly, it wasn't a balance meal, however, it was for a girls night in, sealed with a nice glass of red Pinot.

As for the projects, there was a sewing machine, which in fact was not mine, 

a glue gun, corks, jewelry and paint...

I decided to redo an old frame with cork inside, (I think Pinterest justifies hoarding...haven't decided just yet), and have it hang on our Garage door so I can put notes or just 

about anything else on it.  

I'm sad to report, I don't have a before, but here's the Finished Product.

("Take more pictures next time", I wrote myself a note. )

After

Here are links to the Projects my girlfriends attempted:

Wine Cork Letter

DIY Braided Bead Bracelet  (try and say that five times)

Valentine's Day Ribbon Wreath

Ringlet T-Shirt Scarf (up-cycle of old shirt)

Recycle of Old Curtains into new Couch Pillows

It was a super fun night, and I highly recommend those thinking to start their own Pinterest Girls Night In, go for it.  It's a great way to remember busy schedules can stop to spend time being creative with those you enjoy.

For those looking to learn more about Pinterest, 

The Happy Housewife has a great Article about it.

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Have cans of left over Pumpkin..now what?

Panic Mode! That was me this past October.  I bought 13 cans of canned pumpkin because last year, 2010, there was a shortage.  I love making anything pumpkin, who doesn't. It's a double duty winner, makes the house smell great, and a small effort of mixing ingredients makes for great yummies (is that a word)! 

I received, as a gift, years ago the Jessica Seinfeld Deceptively Delicious cookbook because my youngest wasn't a fan of veggies or fruits.  I was grateful for the gift, seeing my friend knew I was struggling with 'mealtime'.  

Now that he's older, he's more willing to try new foods, but man, it was touch and go there for a while.  I dusted off the cookbook recently because I'm in search of having healthier snacks on hand. As a busy mom, I find I enjoy grabbing a quick snack to hold me over until I can have a meal. If I prepare something healthy ahead of time, I'm better off. I've only got "me" to look out for "me" during the day. 

So, with plenty of canned pumpkin leftover, I decided to try her Donut recipe, with a twist. I'm not an owner of a donut baking mold so I created donut texture muffins instead. Plus, the recipe called for pureed sweet potato, which I did not have, so I substituted more pumpkin. 

Below is the recipe:
Prep Tim - 8 Minutes
Bake Time - 20-25 Minutes
Cool Time - 10 minutes

Preheat Oven to: 350

Ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup of sweet potato puree (I substituted pumpkin)

1/2 cup nonfat milk, lowfat or 1% buttermilk

1 large egg WHITE

1 tablespoon trans fat free soft tub margarine spread, melted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup all purpose flour or whole wheat 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cinnamon or pumpkin spice (I used cinnamon)

1/4 cup confectioners's sugar (I didn't have this on hand, so I used sprinkles)

Instructions

In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, pureed items, milk and egg white, margarine, and vanilla.  

Mix in a separate bowl, flour, baking soda & powder, spice

Mix both together on low.

Pour batter into a gallon-sized plastic bag (or pastry bag if you have on) and cut the bottom tip off of one side of the bag. Squeeze the batter through, into the donut hold. **If using a muffing in,just pour an ice cream scoop worth into each greased section. Bake until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. 20-25 minutes.  


When done, cool on a rack. When cool, dust with confectioners' sugar. I happen to have Valentine's Day sprinkles on hand.


Store in an airtight container at room temp. for up to 2 days and freeze for up to a 1 month.

Enjoy!

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Hand on my Heart

I'm a very compassionate person, and being sentimental means a lot to me; it makes my heart smile.  I'm always excited to hear from people about the things they choose to hold onto because they remind them of something significant or it comes from a different time in their life.  It's a chance to learn more about that person in a different light.  Below, on this heart shaped door accent, is a "hand" button which holds sentimental value and an interesting story.

I've had this button for over 11 years.  

I never knew when I'd need it but with Valentine's Day coming up, 

I decided to put it to use. Over 12 years ago I held a job of which I tell people, outside of being a mom, was the best job I'll ever have!  I was honored/blessed with the experience of holding a personal assistant position to a radio talk show personality, with a very large following, Dr. Laura Schelssinger, yes "the" Dr. Laura.  

During my 2 year's with her, she embarked on the hobby of Beading.  While shopping for exotic beads one weekend, this hand button stood out to me.  So, seeing that buttons weren't apart of her current hobby, I decided to purchase the button myself.

And here, 11 years later, I've finally used it.  (wink, some form of hoarding is ok)

I like it because it symbolizes your hand is on my heart.  I've decided to hang it on the interior garage door that we frequent throughout the day.  It's a great reminder to those passing through, you have my/our hand on your heart.

Remember those that have passed through, often, they've passed through for a reason.

PS: Due to a confidentiality agreement I signed, I'm not at liberty to speak about anything specific regarding her or my time with her but I can tell you...she's a wonderful women, that's misunderstood and does amazing things for people.

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Giveaway, like no other...

I know I'm not alone when it comes to being a Twilight Fan. There are so many of us out there, and the age range is extremely wide.  I decided to share my love for the books with a Giveaway.  Below is the current Giveaway I just posted to my Facebook page....come check it out.

There are two different kinds:

1 - Mrs. Cullen (top photo)

2. Twilight (bottom photo)

Have fun and good luck!

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A project in the making....{Valentine's Day} Card Craft for Kids

A Valentine's Day Card craft for kids 2.5 + years old

I've been doing this with my oldest son for 3 years now, and this will be the first year with my youngest.  It's a great craft, inexpensive and fun learning project for Valentine's Day Cards.

Stay tuned...a Google Docs with the Star Card Cut outs to come soon.

Supplies Needed:

Red (Or any color you like) Glitter

Craft Glue

White Construction Paper

Printer

Scissors

Measuring Spoons

Craft Benefits:

Small Motor Skill - Scissor Cutting Practice

Concept - Portion Control

Science - Glue Hardening

Math - Counting

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