2/09

Friday the 13th baking day!!

We had a lot of fun, as usual! We made 9 different dishes. It tooks us from 9:30 am to 4 pm. That is a little longer then we like. Next time we need to either only do 8 dishes or maybe do different dishes. Our goal is to be done about 3pm. The picture above is Blair making the pizza dough. She had never made it before and, dispite some technical difficulties, she did a great job. We forgot to warn her to either oil or flour her fingers before empting the bowl, opps! Sorry Blair, but it makes for a great picture!

Mom was our can girl this month. She opened most of the cans. Way to go Mom!

This is a shot of Blair stiring something!

Christy was at her usual post, after making some dishes, of labling and packaging each dish as it finished.

This is a good action shot of Marcy pouring the pineapple juice.

2/09

Blair's Mac and Cheese Bake

First time making this one!

8 oz dried macaroni

6 slices white sandwich bread

unsalted butter

1/4 cup yellow onion, diced

1/4 cup all purpose flour

3 cups whole milk

2 oz fontina cheese

3 oz gruyere cheese

6 oz extra-sharp white cheddar cheese

2 oz parmigiano - reggiano cheese

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Cook pasta so that ouside is cooked but inside is underdone. Make bread crumbs with bread and butter (tear bread into tiny pieces and coat evenly with butter).

Cheese sauce: melt 3 tablespoons butter in 4 quart pot over medium heat, add onion and cook about 5 minutes (until translucent). Whisk in flour and cook until bubbling, not browing. Add milk and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer until thickened (about 4 minutes). Add fontina, 2/3 cup gruyere, 1 2/3 cup cheddar, 1/2 cup parmigiano-Reggiano. Stir until completely melted and sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper, nutmeg and cayanne.

Assemble: mix noodles and sauce. Place in baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese that is left and top with bread crumbs.

To Freeze: We placed it in a foil, throw away, baking dish. Topped with 2 layers of foil. We did not add bread crumbs. We left that up to each person to make and add on their own so they wouldn't get too soggy.

To Serve: Thaw. Bake 375 degreese for 20 to 25 minutes covered. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until bread crumbs are browned or crispy.

2/09

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

This is a new one. How did you like the pre-packed meatballs?

2 cans (8 1/4 oz) pineapple chunks (or tidbits)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 - 1/2 green pepper - cut up and saute

Drain pineapple - save juice - add enough water to juice to make 1 1/3 cup liquid. Combine liquid, brown sugar, cornstarch, vinegar and soy sauce. Microwave on high 8 to 10 minutes, stirring twice with wisk, until mixture is thick and glossy.

To Serve: Cook meatballs - add pineapple, green pepper and sauce. Cook in microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. Serve over rice.

Freezer directions: We bought pre cooked meatballs, divided them and put them in quart baggies. We put sauce and veggies together and into a quart baggie. We made rice and put into a quart baggie. Placed all baggies into a gallon freezer bag.

2/09

Christy's Tortillini Soup

This is a new one. What did you think? Mom got a great deal on the tortillini's!

1 pound ground beef

3 1/2 cups water

1 can diced tomatoes (don't drain)

1 can condensed French Onion Soup (we are thinking next time of using dry package french onion soup and make your self because it is cheaper. Next time we will try that)

1 package frozen cut green beans (9oz)

1 package cheese tortellini (9oz)

1 zucchini chopped

1 teaspoon basil

Cook beef, drain. Add remaining ingredients, bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.

Freezer directions: We did not add tortellini when preparing. We just put on the package to add tortellini and cook for 5 minutes. We packaged in containers with tight lids. We found there was too much liquid to freeze. We are going to lessen the water next time and add water to it when we serve it.

2/09

Christy's Green Bean Chili

Same as last time except we added 2 cans of black beans. What do you think? Do you like the black beans? Would you like more beans? Different beans?

2/09

Hawaiin Chicken

Had last month. Is there enough chicken this time? Is there enough sauce? Was there enough for your whole family?

2/09

Susan's Green Enchiladas

These were good last time. Did we add enough cheese this time? Was 10 enough?

2/09

Pizza Toppings

Alright girls, do we dare try pizza crusts again? Bread next time? Are there any other toppings you would like to try? Let it be known!

2/09

Cream Cheese Chicken

Always yummy. We usually have this one every time. Are we sick of it yet or would you like to have it again next month. Let me know once you've had it!

2/09

Nicole's Speghetti

Made the same as last time. Hope you enjoy!