MENU MONDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Well the birds are singing but the sun is not shining.. Still hazing but maybe give it an hour or so and it will clear up... Had a great weekend with the boys.. They are such good little boys ....Deklan loves to play with my Ipad but he knows he can only play with it after supper is all done so he looks forward to supper being over with... I do not have many games on my Ipad so he always asks if he can put a game on it and I say yes but it has to be a free one...so he starts looking finds one and sees that it is free and then asks me if you can download that one... Love those boys...

MONDAY     Chicken and Rice Chili 

TUESDAY     Tortellini Spinach Bake in a Creamy Lemon Sauce

WEDNESDAY    Crockpot Sauerkraut Cocktail Meatballs 

THURSDAY     Grilled Pork Chops

FRIDAY.     Thai Chicken Pizza

CHICKEN AND RICE CHILI

Spray canola or olive oil
1 red onion, finely sliced
300 g chicken mince
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons  Sweet Chili Sauce, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
5 cups cooked long-grain white rice
12 iceberg lettuce leaves

Spray a nonstick wok or frying pan with oil and heat.  Add the onion and cook for about 2 minutes or until just soft.  Add the chicken mince, garlic and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes or until browned, breaking up lumps of mince with a wooden spoon.  Add the red pepper and cook for 3 minutes more, stirring frequently.  Add the sweet chili sauce, to taste.  Stir in the coriander.  To serve, spoon the chicken mixture and rice into the lettuce leaves and roll up to eat with your fingers.

Well off to work only a couple of more weeks then off on our holiday..talk to you tomorrow

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny

SITDOWN SUNDAY

EVENING EVERYONE

I really am still here , just have had a hectic few days.. Had a great weekend with the boys and had to do a small order for a customer who forgot to order ribbons that they needed for today..Took the boys to Ladysmith days on Saturday and then we had a picnic on the beach at Mill Bay... We all enjoyed it and the weather was great...

Fastfood Friday Recipe

SESAME CHICKEN

KABOB SALAD

4	skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lb. total)
16	fresh pineapple chunks (1 cup)
1	medium yellow sweet pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
3	tablespoons rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2	tablespoons water
1	tablespoon salad oil
1	tablespoon soy sauce
1	teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2	teaspoon dry mustard
1	tablespoon plum sauce or chili sauce
2	cups chopped red cabbage
2	cups chopped bok choy or iceberg lettuce
1/2	cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4	cup sliced radish

1. Cut each chicken breast half into four lengthwise strips. On eight 6-inch skewers, alternately thread chicken, pineapple, and sweet pepper. (If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes before using.)

2. For dressing: In screw-top jar, combine vinegar, the water, salad oil, soy sauce, sesame oil, and dry mustard. Cover and shake well. Remove 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Cover and chill remaining dressing until needed. In small bowl, stir together the 2 tablespoons reserved dressing and plum sauce. Brush over kabobs.

3. Grill kabobs on rack of  10 to 12 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling.

4. In medium bowl, combine cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms, and radish. Divide mixture among dinner plates. Top with kabobs. Shake dressing; drizzle over salads. Makes 4 servings.

SATURDAY DESSERT

RHUBARB BREAD

1 cup milk

1 tbls. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 cups chopped rhubarb

Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 tbls. butter, melted

1/2 cup oatmeal

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans.  In a small bowl, stir together milk, lemon juice and vanilla; let stand for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups brown sugar, oil and egg.  Combine flour, salt and baking soda, stir into sugar mixture alternately with the milk mixture just until combined.  Fold in rhubarb.  Pour batter into prepared loaf pans.

In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients.  Sprinkle over the unbaked loaves.

Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.

3C'S CRAFTS

I thought that Erin would enjoy this craft since she works at South Cowichan Eyecare..This video is on how to make Eyeglass holders.. Great for those who never seem to remember where they put their glasses.... When I was younger I used to think that only old people had these.. But I must be getting old cause I think these are a pretty good idea.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6VPTelr7H4&feature=player_embedded

You can make a pair for every outfit....

I am going to take pictures of my deck tomorrow and post them this week so that you are able to see what I do with my spare time.. Which I do not seem to have a lot of lately...

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny

THRIFTY THURSDAY

MORNING EVERYONE.

Only one more sleep and we get our two little grandsons for the weekend.. Grumpy and I are going to take Deklan to his skating lessong on Saturday morning and then we are going to take the boys to Ladysmith Days then have some activities and a Bull Head Derby so we are sure that Deklan  will like that...

BEEF AND

VEGETABLE

STIR FRY

Recipe ingredients

• 1 lb. (500 g) boneless beef sirloin grilling steak, cut into strips
• 1¼ cups (300 mL) Beef Broth
• 2 Tbsp. (30 mL) cornstarch
• 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. (15 mL) packed brown sugar
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) garlic powder
• 3 cups (750 mL) fresh or frozen cut-up vegetables
• 4 cups (1 L) hot cooked rice

Preparation

Heat large, non-stick skillet, lightly coated with vegetable oil cooking spray over medium-high heat. Cook beef 10 minutes or until browned. Set beef aside.
Stir in mixture of broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, brown sugar and garlic powder. Heat to a boil, stirring often. Return beef to skillet. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in vegetables.
Simmer covered, until beef and vegetables are cooked through - about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over rice

THRIFTY THURSDAY

To keep rice from sticking together:
Add a spoonful of lemon juice to the boiling water when cooking.  When the rice is done, let it cool for a few minutes, then fluff with a fork before serving.

I have decided not to ask to see the sun during the day....I even said please but it does not seem to work... Finishing off a couple of more orders this week and have to do a grocery shop for a couple of snacks for the boys...

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny

CROCKPOT WEDNESDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Just want today to be a sunny day.. teasing me with a little bit here and a little bit there is just not fair... I do not ask for much but some great weather I do not think is much to ask for ...As much as I love hockey it just goes on way to long... how I know that is I went to write Crockpot Smores and I wrote Crockpot Scores...

CROCKPOT

SMORES

8 graham cracker squares (4 rectangles broken in half)

4 jet puffed marshmallows

2 regular sized chocolate bars ( 8 bite sized will work too)

Start by turning it to high with the lid on. While it's preheating, assemble the chocolate on top of 4 of the graham cracker squares. After the crock pot has preheated for 10 - 15 minutes place the chocolate topped graham crackers in the bottom of the crock pot. Place one marshmallow on top of each piece of chocolate. Cover with lid and cook for 15 - 20 minutes, making sure you keep an eye on it (no one wants burnt graham crackers). Place remaining graham cracker on top of marshmallow and press down to make sandwich out of each one. The marshmallow and chocolate should be gooey and slightly ooze out from the graham cracker.

WHERE I PLAY

I am always impressed of what this blog comes up.. she is truly thrifty...

http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/

Well I have tea in hand.. wanted to sip it on the deck but still a bit chilly so heading down to the dungeon talk to you tomorrow

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny 

TIPSY TUESDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Sorry for no post for Monday had a hectic weekend but fun... Would like to congratulate Grumpy's son Kelly for his win at the Hockey Challenge Cup in Vancouver.. I know that coaching is different then  playing but I am sure that the adrenaline must be the same...PROUD PROUD PROUD....

Here is the menu for this week.

TUESDAY     Swedish Meatballs

WEDNESDAY     Crockpot Smores

THURSDAY     Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry

FRIDAY     Sesame Chicken Kabobs

SWEDISH

MEATBALLS

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs, about 3 slices bread
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion or 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed beef broth
• 1 cup half-and-half or light cream

Preparation:

Combine bread crumbs, onion, salt, pepper, nutmeg and 3/4 cup milk in a large mixing bowl. Let milk soak into crumbs for a few minutes. Gently stir in ground beef until well blended; form into balls about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Brown meatballs in butter and oil in a large skillet; remove with a slotted spoon to a 2 1/2-quart baking dish. Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of drippings; stir flour into drippings. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Stir in beef broth and cream. Continue cooking, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens and boils for a minute. Pour over Swedish meatballs in baking dish. Bake Swedish meatballs at 325° for 35 to 45 minutes. Swedish meatball recipe serves 6. 

 

I use a frypan that has an oven proof handle that way it just goes right into the oven after the browning.. Serve over rice and a salad....

 

TIPSY TUESDAY

 

If your cookies tend to burn on the bottom, raise the level of the oven rack or try placing another baking sheet under the sheet that holds the cookies. I also find that if I am baking a casserole and it seems to be sticking on the bottom but the rest of the dish is not cooked I just put a cookie sheet under the casserole and it stops the bottom from burning and allows the food to cook right through..

Busy week again ....got my machine fixed so that was a great thing... starting to see the bottom of the pile of beer flats(that is where I keep all the paper orders in) ..

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny

SITDOWN SUNDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Well today is barbacue day... hope the weather stays nice so that everyone can bring their cars.. Our neighbours always love it when we have our barbacues.... Today is the first |Sunday of my breakfast recipe so what to I post ....let me see I got it....

PHYLLO EGGS

I used for 4 servings

4 sheets of Phyllo dough

4 eggs

1 teaspoon of cheese

(for each )

2 cubes - of Italian style salad croutons

(for each)

4 slices of real bacon-bake in the oven drain

Sea salt for eggs

bit of butter

4 Tooth picks

Minced parsley for garnish

-Butter the cupcake dish, and fold the Phyllo dough so it can fit in the cup of the dish

-Leaving it bit over the edges...so the egg can stay in!

-Put  Cheese in, fit 2 croutons in, slightly push..

-Brake one egg for each cup, freshly ground sea salt and preheat the oven on 350F.

-Butter the edges of the phyllo dough.

-Put aluminum foil on top, and place it in the oven. Now you don't have to tuck the foil, this just to prevent burning sensitive phyllo.

-This is a good time to cook your bacon for the outside as well...will take the same amount of time as the eggs

-Bake eggs for about 15 -20 minutes.

-Take them out carefully I used the two big tablespoons to take them out and place it on the clean baking tin..

-When you do take out each phyllo-egg cupcake, wrap them with bacon. For me was the easiest to just push the tooth pick through..

-Put it back in the oven of 5 more minutes on 400F

3C'S CRAFT

I thought this was quite cute and very simple to sew.. all of us with grandkids need to have one of these at your house for when the little ones come for supper.. I am fortunate to have a booster high chair that was given to me by a couple of my girlfriends as a gift when my first grandchild was born .. This is great to put in a diaper bag and just to have a your house .. just think how cute these could be with all the different fabrics that you can get now a days.

http://crystalscraftspot.blogspot.com/2010/02/fabric-high-chair.html

Talk to you soon

Enjoy

Cheers

Granny

SHOPPING SATURDAY

MORNING EVERYONE
Where did the sun go....two days is not enough... We are heading down to pick up the hotrod and then grocery shopping... We are having our first barbacue of the year for our car friends... should be about 20 people coming so the weather had better smarten up...Got my machine fixed yesterday so that sure does make me feel alot better , just hope it gets me through the summer then I will take it in and have a complete overhaul....

THRIFTYS
Strip Loin Grilling Steaks buy 1 get 1 free
Large Pineapple buy 1 get 1 free
Bacon buy 1 get 1 free(make your own bacon bits)
Baker Potatoes 5lb bag buy 1 get 1 free(Potato Salad)
Avacoados 4 for $5.00
Shushi California Roll $4.99
Cracker Barrel Cheese 700 g $8.99
Europe's Best Fruit $3.99
Hamburger buns buy 1 get 1 free
Tortilla Chips buy 1 get 1 free
Salsa buy 1 get 1 free(love with my omeletes in the morning)
SAFEWAY
Watermelon $.49 lb
Tostitos 2 for $6.00
Heinz Ketchup 1 litre 2 for $7.00
McCain super fries 2 for $6.00
Posicle Frozen Novelties 25% off
Kraft Tex Mex cheese $5.99 have to buy 2
Heinz Beans 4 for $5.00
Bistro Express Rice 2 for $5.00
Strawberries 1lb $1.99 each
Red Potatoes $.99 lb (my favorite)
WALMART
Fresh boneless Skinless chicken Breasts $9.00 each pack
Nestles Drumstick 4 in a box $4.97
Chips Ahoy and Oreo cookies $2.77
Seedless Watermelon $3.97 each
Strawberries 2lb $2.97
Anjou Pears $.97 lb
Beefsteak tomatoes $.97 lb
Grimms Smoked Sausages 450g $4.97 each (great for barbie)
Deli Oven Roasted Chicken Breast $1.37 100 gr
Mini Carrots $1.00 for 1lb bag
Asparagus $1.97 lb
Fresh Expres Salad Kits $2.50 each
Chewy Dipps $2.00
Astro Yogurt $2.97
Fast and Fancy Rice $1.00
Royale Toilet Paper 24 or 48 $11.97
Christie Crackers $1.97

GRILLED

BANANA

SPLITS

Ingredients

• 8 wooden skewers, 6- to 8-inch size
• 2 large, firm bananas, peeled and cut into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/4 of a small pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 8 large strawberries
• 2 Tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon brandy, rum, or pineapple juice
• Vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate ice cream (or a combination)
• Caramel, butterscotch, and/or chocolate ice cream topping
• Chopped pecans, toasted

Method

1. Soak skewers in warm water for 30 minutes before grilling to avoid burning; drain. Thread banana chunks, pineapple pieces, and strawberries onto skewers, leaving 1/4" space between pieces.

2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and brandy. Brush mixture over fruit.

3. Lightly coat the unheated grill rack with cooking spray before heating

For a charcoal grill, grill skewers on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals for 5-10 minutes, or until fruits are warm and bananas are lightly browned, turning skewers occasionally.

For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium-high. Place skewers on grill rack over heat. Cover; grill for 5-10 minutes, or until fruits are wam and bananas are lightly browned, turning skewers occasionally.

4. Place scoops of ice cream in serving dishes. Drizzle with ice cream topping and sprinkle with nuts. Top with fruit skewers and serve immediately

Thought of another variety for those that go camping and can not take ice cream.. how about some scoops of flavored yogourt instead of the ice cream...have not tried it just thought it might work...

In the Thriftsy flyer this week is a recipe for a potato salad done with red potatoes, and different varieties of peas... going to make this for the barbacue tomorrow so will let you know how it turned out and if it is good I will post.. Glad that my friend Pat tried the Strawberry Rhubarb Crockpot Cobbler and that her family enjoyed it... Remember if you try some of the recipes that I post I like to hear about it even if you feel that it needs something added to it I like to know that as well.
Enjoy
Cheers
Granny