Potato Hash Egg Nests

Just in time for Easter.......

Of course, I couldn't wait until Sunday to make them, I had to try them out today the day before. So for Easter we may be having some sort of Strata instead-oopsie.

I saw Pioneer Woman's take on these last weekend and decided to try my own version. 

The whole family loved them.

And bonus....these are Vegetarian friendly and Gluten free!!!

This recipe is adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

4-5 large russet potatoes

1tsp salt and pepper

6 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F.
2. In a pan large enough to hold the potatoes, cover with water an inch above the potatoes. 
3. Bring to a low boil and cook until almost tender about 18-20 minutes. 
4. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes, then drain until cool enough to peel.
5. Shred using a hand grater.
6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss gently to distribute seasoning.
7. Spray a large 6 cup muffin tin with non stick spray.
8. Mound 1/2 cup or more potatoes in each well and gently spread out and up the sides, slightly spilling outside is okay. Don't compact the potatoes. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
9. Place in the preheated oven and bake about 20 minutes until slightly browned. 
   
10. Take out of the oven and crack an egg into each cup. Reduce the oven temp to 400F. 
11. Place muffin tin back in the oven for approximately 9-10 minutes for a set white and creamy yolk or longer if you like your eggs more set.
12.  Season with more salt and pepper if desired. 

**This recipe is shared with:
Love Bakes Good Cakes 
 Busy Monday
Recipe Sharing Monday
Made By You Monday

Mop It Up Monday
Open Call Social
Mix it up Monday @ Flour Me with Love
Mealtime Monday @ Couponing and Cooking
Melt in Your Mouth Monday @ Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms
My Meatless Mondays @ My Sweet and Savory
All My Bloggy Friends @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

Simple Creamy Potato Soup

Finally....it's warming up a little here. High's in the 40's-woohoo!

But with the change in weather comes the inevitable...colds and the flu going around again. 

Our youngest daughter woke up the other day with flu symptoms. Let's just say that I am glad she is now 15 and can make it to the bathroom. :/

It took a good 36 hours before I was able to coax her into eating again and that evening I came home and made a pot of this simple, yet hearty and delicious soup. It is one of her favorites. 

After prepping the mirepoix; carrots, onions, and celery, just cube some potatoes. I love to use gold potatoes. 

It's fast, creamy, you can add cheese and make it a Cheesy Potato soup. It's just so good.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp oil

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced celery

2 cups diced carrots-we like carrots

3 cups cubed potatoes

1 quart chicken stock

2 cups water

1 cup whole mild or half and half

3 tbsp flour

salt and pepper to taste

shredded cheese-opt. 

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot to medium heat and melt the butter and oil. 
2. Add in the carrots, onions and celery and stir and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. 
3. Sprinkle in 2 tbsp of flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the chicken stock and water and stir and scrape to combine.  Bring to a slow boil.
5. Cover and lower heat to medium low and cook for about 18-20 minutes, until the potatoes and carrots are tender (I like some of the potatoes to almost fall apart, this helps to thicken the soup).
6. Meanwhile, whisk the milk and flour until thoroughly combined, add to the soup and  stir. Taste and add salt and pepper.
7. Continue to heat on medium low, don't bring back to a boil, until soup is thickened and creamy.
8. Serve with cheese, or crumbled bacon, we like to use oyster crackers. 

This recipe is shared with:

What's Shakin'
Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum
Friday Favorites @ Simply Sweet Home
Foodie Friends Friday @ Busy Vegetarian Mom

Weekend Potluck

    Happy Hour Friday
    Petals to Picots
    I'm Lovin' It
    Kitchen Fun with my 3 sons
   Weekend Wonders
    Real Housemoms

Old Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

The other day I was craving a pizza, but not just any pizza, a deep dish pizza like the kind that Chicago is famous for.
With a nice chewy crust and loads of topping, all covered in a gooey cheese.

Yeah, so I knew I would only be able to have one piece....that's okay, one piece of this deep dish pie is enough.
What makes this such an awesome pie is making it in a big ol' cast iron skillet. If you don't have one at least 12" or bigger, this amount of dough can make 2 pies!

@Salted Nuts

See that dough, tender and chewy, and all the toppings and cheese-Yum!

This dough is awesome too. It came out perfectly! I whipped it up on my lunch hour and when I got home after work, it had risen beautifully-and my yeast had expired 4 months ago-yikes!

Ingredients:

(Dough)
1 pkt. yeast
2 tsp sugar
1 1/8 cup hot water (between 110-115F)
3 cups of all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup corn or vegetable oil

(Toppings)
Pizza sauce or a 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes, drained and crushed and then season with Italian seasoning. 
Cooked, crumble sausage
Pepperoni
Diced Ham
Olives
Mushrooms
Onion
Cheese
whatever you like on a pizza!

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water in a bowl. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes until the yeast softens and begins to form a creamy foam.
2. Combine yeast mixture, flour, corn oil, and salt in a large stand mixer with a hook attachment; knead until dough holds together but is still slightly sticky, about 2 minutes.
3. Form dough into a ball and transfer to a buttered bowl, turning to coat. Cover bowl with a towel and allow dough to rise at room temperature until double in size, 6 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet with 2 tablespoons oil.
5. Press dough into and up the sides of the prepared skillet. Poke holes in dough with a fork to prevent air bubbles. Spread pizza sauce around the base of the crust. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of cheese over sauce; add layer of sausage and/or the pepperoni over cheese. Add another 1/3 cup  of cheese. Repeat the layers of meat. Top with remaining 1/3 cup cheese.
6. Bake in preheated oven on the bottom rack until crust is golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Brush crust with 1 tablespoon butter; season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Remove pizza from skillet and let rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.

This recipe is shared with:
Wednesdays Adorned From Above Blog Hop@Adorned From Above

     Whimsy Wednesdays
     Whatcha Whipped up Wednesday
     Wicked Awesome Wednesday
     Create and Share-Trendy Tree House
     White Lights on Wednesdays
     High Heels and Grills
     The DIY Dreamer
     Gingersnap Crafts
     Wellcrafted Home
     Kitchen Meets Girl
     365 Days of Baking

Showcase Your Talent Thursday

Made U Look
Frugal Food Thursday @ Frugal Follies
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helens Country Cottage

Recipe Round up
     A Glimpse Inside
     Taking a Timeout Thursday
     Pin it Thursdays
     Tasty Thursday
          Live Laugh Linky

Thursday's Treasures
Hookin Up with HoH@House of Hepworths
Frugal Food Thursday @ Frugal Follies
Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helens Country Cottage
Spicy thursday Link Up@DC Instyle

 

Bolognese Sauce (Sunday Gravy)

On Sunday, if we're home and not running after our daughter's sports commitments, I like to make a really nice dinner.

Generally something I wouldn't make during the week, and that requires more thought and cooking time.

Stews, roasts, soups, and about once a month I make a big pot of "Sunday Gravy". In more general terms for those of you not of Italian descent, Spaghetti Sauce.

But this Sunday I leaned toward a tomato-ey Bolognese Sauce. Which means I made a meat sauce and also added in milk. There are probably a gazillion ways to make Spaghetti Sauce.

I typically use whatever I have on hand, mushrooms, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, peppers. And I mince these all in my food processor and them saute them in olive oil until they are softened.

So this time I took 3 Italian Turkey Sausages out of their casing and browned and crumbled it in a large heavy pot.

I then added all the minced vegetables and sauteed them.

Poured in a cup of red wine to de-glaze. 

Next I added two 28 oz. cans of whole tomatoes that I crushed with my hands-be careful they squirt everywhere sometimes.

Added 1 tsp of Oregano and Basil each and 2 bay leaves. Salt and pepper to taste.

Bring to a simmer and cover and cook for 1.5 hrs, stirring occasionally.

Add 1 cup of milk and cook on a low simmer with lid vented for another 30 minutes.

This is best served over a wide flat noodle, but feel free to use what pasta you like.

Ingredients:

• 2 (28-ounce) cans whole tomatoes with juice or crushed tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 pound ground pork
• 1/4 pound ground beef chuck (or use Italian sausage out of the casing like I did in place of the meat)
• 1 onion, finely chopped 
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 8 oz. mushrooms, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound flat pasta or short round like pappardelle, fettuccine, orecchiette or rotini.

Directions:

1. Mince onions, carrots, garlic, mushrooms and pepper in a food processor until fine, set aside. 
2. Break up tomatoes using your hands or a potato masher in a large bowl, set aside.
3. In large, heavy pot over moderate heat, heat oil until hot but not smoking. 
4. Add sausage or meat and sauté until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes.  
5. Add vegetables and sauté until they are tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
6. Stir in red wine and simmer, scraping up browned bits stuck to bottom of pan, until liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. 
7. Stir in tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thickened and brick-red in color, approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes. 
8. Add milk and simmer 20-30 minutes more, partially uncovered.
9. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until almost tender. Drain well and toss with sauce. Serve with grated cheese.

This is shared with:

Trick or Treat Tuesday
Tuesday Talent Show
 Memories by the Mile
Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays @ Blessed with Grace
Tasty Tuesday Party @ Naptime Creations
Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy’s Recipe Box
Two Cup Tuesday @ Pint Sized Baker

Nothing But Country
 Lady Bug Blessings 
Reasons to Skip the Housework
Funky Polkadot Giraffe
HTT Link Party@Housewife How To's
Back for Seconds

Simple Supper Tuesday

What's In Your Kitchen Wednesday
Lil Luna Link Party
Back For Seconds Social
What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots
Wiked Good Wednesday @ I Love My Disorganized Life
Whats Cooking Wednesday @ Buns in My Oven

Ranch Ham & Cheese Mini Calzones

These babies are the bomb! For anyone who likes ranch, ham or cheese, this is the ticket.

And what took me so long to get on the frozen bread dough wagon? I mean not everything has to be from scratch, right?

Fade to an image of my mom giving me a horrified look, and wagging her finger back and forth at me.

Nah, come on. I have made tortillas but there are so many better ones out there that I can buy, and pretty cheap I might add, that I don't feel bad in the least. And no, I do not make all my own bread, mayo, peanut butter, soy sauce or butter.

So there, I feel better now.

I had frozen bread rolls in my freezer and I thought one day on my lunch hour, "I can take these out and thaw them and make mini Calzones tonight". I have found that if I don't think ahead like that, dinner may just be mac 'n cheese, and not necessarily out of that blue box. (I buy whatever brand is cheapest-since I don't eat it)

 I had seen something similar on The Pioneer Woman.

So, I had ham, cheese and decided to add a dollop of ranch. Ergo~~

These are so easy, but you do have to kinda prep a little in advance.
Like spray a baking dish and place those little frozen bread balls in it and cover with plastic wrap that you've sprayed also and set aside to thaw and rise slightly for about 4-5 hours. (or you could plan ahead better, unlike me, and do this the night before and put the dish in the frig).

When ready, slightly flour your board or counter and roll those babies out to about 6" circles. Heap some cut up deli ham and your favorite cheese (I used Meunster), and add a dollop of ranch dressing.

Fold each circle over and roll and pinch the two sides together to make a tight seal.
I brushed mine with a little melted butter, but you don't have to Oh just do it.

Pop them in a preheated 375F oven and bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and poofy.

Serve extra ranch dressing on the side for dipping. 

Now go buy that frozen bread dough!!

Recipe adapted from:The Pioneer Woman

Liebster Award!!!

Well hello!!! I was nominated for a blogging award! How awesome is that?
A big thank you to The Non-Martha Momma !

"The Liebster Award is an award given to Bloggers by other Bloggers! That makes it even more special!”

Here are the Rules:

1.      Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.

2.      Answer the questions the tagger has set for you, then create 11 new questions for the bloggers you pass the award to.

3.      Choose 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to pass the award to and link them in your post.

4.      Go back to their page and tell them about the award.

5.      No tag backs.

Here are my 11 random facts:

1. I was born and raised in the San Francisco bay area.
2. I lived in Pebble Beach for 5 years on a large estate-one of my life's regrets that I ever left. 
3. I have 4 awesome children. 28, 26, 17 and 15. 
4. I always dreamed of becoming a Doctor, but instead life steered me in the direction of accounting. Me, a bean-counter, never would have thought that. 
5. I made a big leap and followed the light of My life to Northern Iowa, 20 years ago. 
6. I have been a serious foodie and aspiring chef all my life. I almost cried when we got the Food Network on TV in our small town.   
7. I could spend hours in a Trader Joe's or Whole foods. 
8. All my kid's friends fight to be the one who stays for dinner.
9. I was very athletic from a young age, but having the vision of a person wearing drunk goggles all my life blew that scenario. 
10. I am humbled by how hard my husband works and how talented all my kids are. 
11. I would eat sourdough bread and butter everyday, but I know that's not healthy ;).

My 11 Questions to Answer:

1. Favorite vacation spot? Anywhere on the coast.
   
2. What is your middle name? Susan
3. Celebrity crush? Tom Selleck
4. Favorite part of the weekend? Least favorite part of the weekend? Sleeping in. Sunday evening.
5. Is this your 1st Liebester award?  Yes!
6. Which side of the bed do you sleep on? The right, it's the furthest from the door.
7. Do you smoke cigarettes or have you ever been a smoker? If you did smoke when and how did you quit? Yes, unfortunately I did and I do occasionally even now-stupid me.
8. American Idol, The Voice, or X Factor....or none? The Voice!!!
9. What were you like in high school? The tallest girl, athletic and smart. Three of the worst attractants you can have at that time.
10. Scariest thing that has happened to you? Being diagnosed with breast cancer at 34, and them again at 41.
11. Favorite late night snack? Popcorn. 

These are the people I’ve nominated for the award, go check out their blogs. Each one is awesome! 

1.  www.phaedrasadventures.blogspot.com
2. www.lemondropsandcupcakes.com
3. www.seasonofahomemaker.blogspot.com
4. www.cheesyrice.com/
5. www.southernortherner.com
6. www.myadventureswithmy2kids.blogspot.com
7. www.latitudeadjustment1.blogspot.com
8. www.thecomfycrafter.com
9. www.viewfromrivermountain.blogspot.com
10. www.bodlefamilyadventures.blogspot.com
11. www.styleoyster.blogspot.com