Yummy (& Inexpensive) Dinner!

It's been a LONG time since our last post and we had a delicious dinner tonight so I thought I'd blog about it and share w/ friends.  We've frequently talked about yummy, inexpensive dinners and this one is definitely up there as "a keeper"!

Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries

• 8 chicken thighs
• 6 small red potatoes, quartered
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, or as needed
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place chicken and potatoes into a large bowl. Pour olive oil over them, and stir to coat. Scatter the chicken and potato pieces in a large baking dish, or cookie sheet with sides. Sprinkle with rosemary, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven, uncovered. Baste during the last 15 minutes for extra crispness.

This was super easy to make and it was delicious.  I made a green bean casserole to go with it - another super easy, but delicious item.  My 20 month old daughter cleaned her plate and my hubby was smiling when he was finished.  Hope you enjoy!

Long time no post!

I have been MIA from PG but I am back!  And back with a delicious new recipe.  :)  I have a slight obsession with all things pumpkin flavored and this new recipe did not disappoint.  It would make a perfect addition to your desserts list for Thanksgiving!!

Pumpkin Pudding Cake Recipe


3 eggs
1 large can of pumpkin (29 oz.)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

1 can evaporated milk (12 oz.)
2 tsp. cinnamon

1 box yellow, spice or white cake mix  (I used yellow)

1 cup margarine (I used real butter... who uses margarine, especially when it comes to baking??)
1/2 c. chopped nuts

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x13" pan. In large bowl, mix first four ingredients. Add milk and spices. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle cake mix on top. Dribble margarine over cake mix. Sprinkle nuts over top. Bake 50 minutes.


Before Pic (going into the oven):

After Pic (fresh out of the oven):

Helpful hint: If you have dry cake mix spots on top after baking, melt a bit more margarine, dribble it over dry spots and broil on low for a minute or two.

SOOOO Good! 

What are some of your favorite fall recipes???

GLAM,
Ali

Bargain (but Delicious!!) Dinner

A while back a friend of my in-laws told us a little secret about these delicious mussels that look and taste gourmet but are super inexpensive and super fast to make.  Ever since then they've been a staple for a bargain, but delicious dinner of ours!  Let me introduce you to....

Pier 33 Gourmet Mussels

Enjoy a delicious and healthy gourmet meal in minutes. Rope cultured in the cold Antarctic waters of Southern Chile, immediately cooked and vacuum packed before being quick frozen to lock in the freshness and purity of the sea. Mussels are a good source of Omega 3s, iron, and Vitamin C. We’ve done the work for you – just heat, serve and enjoy!
Whole shell mussels in 1 lbs packages and four delicious varieties: Butter Garlic Sauce, Tomato & Garlic, White Wine,and All Natural
(no sauce added).

Mussel Meats (No Shells) available in 8oz. packages in Butter Garlic Sauce and All Natural.

Great appetizer served with your favorite crusty bread, or as an entrée on your favorite pasta or rice.

Ready in 5 minutes!

Like it says above - you can eat these as an appetizer or as an entree.  We have always eaten them as an entree over angel hair pasta and it's so scrumptious.  It also literally only takes 10 minutes tops and that includes the time it takes you to boil the pasta.

On top of being a great bargain to begin with, Harris Teeter had them on special last week - Buy One, Get One Free!  So I stocked up!  You can find these in your local grocery store in the seafood section.

Bon Apetite,

Stro

I HEART BLEACH!!!

OK I know I'm getting old when I am posting about a cleaning product. 
As much as I hate cleaning, I LOVE relaxing in a clean house once I am finally done.  I have recently decided that out of all the cleaning products on the market these days, there is an old faithful that is just my favorite.

That's right.  BLEACH. 
It is super cheap, it majorly disinfects, and I just love that "MAN this house is CLEAN" smell that bleach gives off! 
I recently came across this list of uses for bleach and thought I'd share with all my PGs.

1. Mix ½ bleach and ½ water to make a cleaning solution for mild dew, stain, tub-ring, shower curtain, shower door, and around the toilette.

2. Use undiluted bleach to kill weeds, moss, and algae in your yard.
3. Mix ¼ bleach and ¾ water to use for kitchen cleaning solution. It is great to kill germs on the counter top, and stove surface.
4. Add a capful of bleach plus one sugar cube in the vase to make a mixture for your cut flower to make them last longer.
5. Shine porcelain objects using bleach to rub around the outside of your porcelain, let them sit for ½ hour, then rise them out, and towel dry them.
6. Brighten glass wear by adding ¼ bleach in your warm soapy water, let them sit for 15 minutes, then wash them as usual.
7. Clean plastic lawn furniture by mixing ½ bleach and ½ water in a spraying bottle and spray them down, then rise.
8. Cure poison ivy by wipe the bleach over the affected area, and it will dry up.
9. Cure smelly feet by mixing 1 part of bleach with 3 part of hot water, soak for 10 minutes, and dry with a hair dryer.
10. Sore throat relief by mixing 2-3 drops of bleach with a 16 oz of warm water, then gargle until the glass is empty.

I'm not sure about #10, but the others are great ways to use our friend bleach! 

Do you like to clean?  What cleaning products do you use??

GLAM,

ALI~

Fast, Easy, & Economical Meals!

I hate the rush of having to fly in the door from work, figure out something to cook for dinner, get it made as fast as possible, and then finally sit down to eat.  By the time dinner's over, it feels like the night is gone and its time for bed already!  So, I am always on the lookout for quick, easy meals to cook on work nights. 
Here's what's on the menu tonight.......even though its not a work night......

TATER TOT CASSEROLE
This is one of our family's favorites.  Definitely not on the "light" side so avoid it if you're on a diet... but otherwise, your family will love it too!

1lb. ground beef

1/4 large onion diced
1 pkg frozen tater tots
1 - can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 empty soup can of milk
1 1/2 - 2 - cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
Brown ground beef and diced onions, adding salt & pepper to taste. Drain. Pour ground beef & onion mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 casserole dish. In a separate bowl mix together the soup and milk. Pour the soup mixture over on top of the ground beef layer spread evenly to cover the meat mixture. Top with tater tots, sprinkle with grated cheese over the entire casserole. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and cheese is completely melted.  DELISH!  Its almost like a cheeseburger and french fry casserole.  :)

What are some of your quick, cheap family favorites??

GLAM,

ALI~

Hey good lookin'! Whatcha got cookin'!?

Okay, so this blog has been a little neglected lately.  That's because we've been hard at work and hard at work being mommies, wives, friends, sisters, daughters, etc.  I finally had a few free minutes so I thought I'd blog about what's cookin' for dinner!

Today is my day off so I have made a promise to myself to get things done on my days off.  That includes laundry, cleaning, errands and having dinner ready for when my hubby gets home from work.  Crock pots are a life saver because they let me do just that - get all my errands and chores done while dinner is cooking away all day and I haven't wasted 3 hours preparing, chopping, cooking, steaming and baking.  Tonight's dinner is Crock Pot Chicken and Black Beans and boy does it smell delish!!  Below is the recipe and guess what - I was a "bargain shopper" on this one because we already had all of the ingredients in our cabinet.  If this meal tastes as good as it smells it'll definitely be a keeper.  

Crock Pot Chicken and Black Beans

3 to 4 boneless chicken breast halves, cut in strips

1 can (12 to 15 ounces) corn, drained

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

2 teaspoons ground cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 onion, halved and thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper, cut in strips

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes

1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on LOW about 6 hours.
I usually leave out the green peppers and I only add 1 tsp of cumin.  But do what suits your taste.  Now warm some tortillas.  Place your crock pot mixture in the tortilla, add lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Roll it up and you have a fabulous burrito!

Bon Appetit,

Stro

Cheap-o Shopping! I MEAN CHEAP!

I have recently re-disovered the Dollar Tree.  Why have I been neglecting it all this time?  I used to shop there on occasion in college, and then somehow I must have just forgotten about all the great things that can be found there. 

We have a tradition at work of decorating co-workers desk areas when its their birthday.  The $ Tree has everything you need.  Streamers?  Check.  Balloons?  Check.  All kinds of other loud, fun, birthday decor?  Check.  Considering most of this stuff is going to be thrown away almost immediately, why spend lots of money on it?  They even have pretty cute patterns.

I have a toddler, and wow, you can make a child's dream come true by taking them to the Dollar Tree.  They will think they have hit the jackpot!  You can find anything from bubbles, to plastic bugs, to balls, water guns, etc.  Can you tell I have a boy?  Again, lots of these things will either get ruined or tossed after very little use, so why not just spend $1, and then WHO CARES if it gets messed up?!

You can also find seasonal items there.  I have found several cute Christmas ornaments, as well as different decor items for the different seasons.  We are leaving to go to the beach next week, and I found all kinds of fun beach toys.  And even a 2-pack of kites for $1! 

If you're on a budget, don't forget to check out your local Dollar Tree/Dollar Store.  It is worth the trip, I promise!  I steer clear of the food area... but everything else is super!  Have fun!

GLAM,

Ali