Sausage Casserole

If you are looking for a breakfast dish to serve to your family that everyone is sure to enjoy, you have to try this casserole. Not only is this a great tasting breakfast but it also makes a tasty dinner entree too.  Who does not like breakfast for dinner every once in a while? We sure do. I also think that this recipe is very easy to modify if you have picky eaters. Take this dish to your next family brunch gathering or breakfast potluck and I am sure it will be a hit. Very easy, tasty recipe that reheats well if you have leftovers.

Sausage Casserole

Source-www.allrecipes.com

1 lb breakfast sausage

3 C Shredded Potatoes, drained & pressed

1/4 C butter, melted

12 oz Cheddar Cheese

1/2 C onion

1 16oz Small Curd Cottage Cheese

6 Jumbo Eggs

1. Cook sausage and drain.

2. In a 13x9 dish stir together the potatoes and butter, line bottom of pan with potato mixture.

3. In bowl, mix sausage, cheese, onion, cottage cheese & eggs. Pour over potato mixture.

4. Bake 375 for 1 hour or until toothpick entered into center comes out clean. Let cool about 5 minutes, then enjoy!

This recipe does not call for any sort of topping but I layered mine with shredded cheese. I also added 1/2 C of green pepper instead of onion. Very tasty:)

Striped Delight

CHOCOLATE...Need I say more!  I have actually made something very similar to this in the past using a graham cracker crust and vanilla pudding instead of what this chocolate recipe calls for and it's fantastic. But I must say not as fantastic as this chocolaty goodness. While making this dessert I kept coming up with alternative ingredients...like using Golden Oreos and vanilla pudding, which would be a great alternative to make if someone is not a fan of chocolate. What I love about this recipe is that it can be altered to any ones liking. Check out the Kraft Foods website to see a video and directions on how to make this dessert. I would love to know what alternative you would make, leave me a comment and let me know. I would also love to see pictures of your Striped Delight!

Striped Delight

Kraft Foods

35 Oreo Cookies

6 TBSP Butter, Melted

1 Pkg (8oz.) Cream Cheese, Softened

1/4 C Sugar

2 TBSP Cold Milk

1 Tub (12 oz) Cool Whip, Thawed

2 Pkg of JELL-O Instant Chocolate Pudding

3 1/4 C Cold Milk

1. Start by crumbling the cookies into fine crumbs using food processor. (I used blender after crushing cookies somewhat with my hands & it worked just fine). Put crumbs into a bowl and mix in melted butter. Then press onto the bottom of the 13x9 dish. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2. Mix together the cream cheese, sugar and 2 tbsp of milk in a bowl until well blended. Stir in about 1 1/4 C of Cool Whip then spread over the cookie crust.

3. Mix pudding mixes and milk together for about 2 min. Then pour pudding over the cream cheese layer and let stand about 5 min or until thick. Layer the remaining Cool Whip on top of pudding layer and refrigerate 4 hours.

Cheesy Chicken & Bacon Quesadillas

If you are in need of a quick and easy meal, I just may have something for you. A while back one of my favorite blogs Kevin & Amanda posted a recipe that I just knew I had to try. I did however not include the avocado that the recipe called for partially because I was to chicken to try it. Even without the avocado both Jeff and I REALLY enjoyed these quesadillas. You should be able to get 4 quesadillas out of this recipe. ( I only got 3 but they were very generously filled)

Cheesy Chicken, Bacon Quesadillas

Source: Kevin & Amanda Blog

4 Tortilla Shells

1 lb of chicken breast cooked & cut into bite sized pieces & seasoned with salt & pepper

1/2 C Scallions, diced

8 Strips of bacon, cooked and cut into pieces

1 avocado, diced (optional)

shredded cheddar cheese

2 tbsp butter

1. Cook bacon & chicken seperatly then set aside

2. Add about 1/2 tbsp of the bacon drippings to a skillet and saute scallions until soft (about 2-3 minutes)

3. Add the cooked chicken to the scallions and cook about 5 minutes until chicken starts to brown, remove from pan.

4. Rinse out pan from chicken & scallions or use another skillet and add about 1/2 tbsp of butter to the skillet over medium heat. Place tortilla shell into the foamy butter.

5. Start to layer one side of the tortilla shell with Chicken, bacon, avocado, & cheese. Use tongs to flip the other half of the tortilla over and press down.

6. Cook the tortilla shell between 1 or 2 minutes each side or until golden brown.

These quesadillas certainly do not need any sort of dipping sauce becasue they are so full of flavor but if you want to try something anyway I used sour cream and Jeff dipped his in ranch dressing and LOVED it!

Enjoy!

Freebies In My Mail Box

I know this may sound sad but I get super excited when I stop at the mail box everyday of course not for the bills that are probably in there but I never know what awesome freebie will be there waiting for me! I LOVE to get FREE things in the mail...who doesn't? Over the last couple weeks I have received lots of great freebies. Yes...All of this stuff I got for free delivered to my mailbox! I am a deal-seekin, coupon clipper always looking for an awesome bargain.

• Bazaar Magazine
• Wisk Laundry Detergent
• Head & Shoulders
• Advil Liqui-gels(Actually received a coupon for a free bottle 24ct)
• Shout Color Catcher
• Zebra Z-Grip Pen
• Pack of Extra Gum (Mint Chocolate Chip)
• Breathe Right Strips
• Garnier Moisturizer Sample
• Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
• Cottonelle Flushable Wipes(Received coupon for a free tub)
• Trial Size Vaseline Intensive Rescue Moisture Locking Lotion
• Family Circle Magazine (not pictured)

Other items not pictured that I have received in the last couple months

• Playtex Tampons
• Gain Dish Soap(10 oz)
• All You Magazine(2)
• Crest Toothpaste
• Kotex Tampons
• Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
• Bodycology Cherry Blossom Lotion
• Dove Shampoo Samples
• Crest 3-D White Strips

If you are interested in receiving freebies in your mail there are TONS of blogs out there that can help you get started. Here are a few that I really enjoy reading...

http://www.freesamplefreak.com/

http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/

http://www.allyou.com/

Always check back here on my blog for more links to samples  and other deals that I may find. Please feel free to sign up to receive e-mail updates from me so you don't miss anything!  Happy Monday!

Cinnamon Caramel Corn With White Chocolate

As I was searching food blogs for some new ideas I came across this amazing treat at Our Best Bites. I actually fell in love with the site and plan on trying more recipes. You should really check it out, you will not be disappointed. The recipe actually calls for pecans or another nut of your choice but I did not put any in mine and it turned out fantastic. I think the next time I make it (which I am sure will be soon) I will drizzle chocolate along with the white chocolate on top...Hope you enjoy this as much as Jeff and I have:)

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans & White Chocolate

Recipe By: Our Best Bites

12 C popped popcorn

1   C pecan halves, roughly chopped (can also use peanuts or walnuts) Optional

1   C brown sugar

3/4 T cinnamon

1/4 C Karo Syrup ( or may sub with honey)

1 Stick Real Butter (1/2 C)

1   TSP vanilla

1/2 TSP baking soda

3 Squares of almond bark

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

1). In a large bowl combine popcorn and chopped pecans then set aside.

2.) In a microwave safe bowl combine brown sugar and cinnamon, mix well. Chop butter into chunks on top of mixture. Pour corn syrup over all of that. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. Return to microwave for 2 minutes. Remove and stir then microwave again for 2 minutes.

3). Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda, stir to combine. The mixture will foam and rise. Pour the mixture over the popcorn and stir VERY well until everything is evenly coated.

4.) Spread the popcorn mixture onto a cookie sheet with edges (line with foil or parchment paper) and place in the oven for 30 minutes, stirring mixture every ten minutes. In the last few minutes take a piece out and let cool, sample it to see if it is crunchy enough, if not ready cook another 5 minutes and then sample again if needed.





5.) Take out of oven and place on another cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil to cool. While popcorn is cooling melt the almond bark as directed on packaging. Drizzle with a fork over the mixture. When the bark has hardened and popcorn is cool, break into pieces.





The Debut

Well I think I have finally got enough figured out on here to publish so here it is. It is still a work in progress and not complete but its a start.  I have so many ideas of things that I want to add to my blog so please check back soon as I will be adding things as I have time. I would love to know what you think and if you have any suggestions of things you would like to see. ....Please enjoy!

The Beauty of FALL

We spent some time last weekend enjoying what fall has to offer us. The trees showing off the most beautiful fall colors, leaves crunching beneath your feet as you walk, the smell of fall and the company of two very handsome little boys Lincoln & Carson and of course Abby!