Family: Movie Night

Tonight was family movie night.  The girls and I started off the night by making one of our family's favorite meals.   

We made pitas from scratch.

Once the pitas were ready we made stuffed them with herbed cream cheese.

The girls also helped me prepare the bean salad.  They peeled the cucumbers and taste tested the cherry tomatoes for quality purposes...lol....

Apparently I worked Abby so hard that she fell asleep on the job standing up.  Good thing her twin, Zoey was there to support her!

We spread our blanket out on the living room floor and enjoyed our

movie of the night. 

After the girls finished their dinner, I made Cinnamon Kettle Corn.

It was a great movie night and mommy got got to enjoy

quality time with my babies.

Movie

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

    Menu    

Oh So Tasty Bean Salad

Herb Cream Cheese Stuffed Pitas

Cinnamon Kettle Corn

Recipe Review: Go Bananas Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies....doesn't that sound like yummy goodness?  I think so and decided to make a batch after seeing whoopie pies featured in the current issue of Taste of Home.  I scored an awesome deal of 10 pounds of ripe bananas for a whole dollar and wanted to use them up quick.  This was my first attempt at making whoopie pies.  The method is simple but they do require a bit of time. 

The cookie is soft and very moist.  I found that refrigerating the dough about 30 minutes before baking made it easier to scoop it out evenly.  You want to bake the cookies and watch them carefully.  After making the first few batches, I realized that my edges were a bit more brown that I like (as you can see in the photo).  When I make these again, I will pull them out just as they are starting to brown on the edges. 

The filling is very soft and I realized as I was putting the filling onto the cookies that it would have been better to let it set up in the refrigerator as well.  The next time that I make this, I think I will pipe the filling onto the cookies. 

My family enjoyed these very much and they were gone quickly.  This is a great recipe that I will be making again.

Go Bananas Whoopie Pie

(recipe from Taste of Home)

{print}

Ingredients 

COOKIE:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda


FILLING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Additional confectioners' sugar


Directions


In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine banana and buttermilk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture.  Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.  For filling, in a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and butter until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread filling on the bottoms of half of the cookies, about 1 tablespoon on each; top with remaining cookies. Dust with additional confectioners' sugar, if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen.


Linked To:
 * My Sweet and Savory:  Let's Do Brunch
 * EKat's Kitchen:  Friday Potluck
 * Designs by Gollum:  Foodie Friday
 * Paisley Passions:  Fun With Food Friday
 * Sweet As Sugar Cookies:  Sweets for Saturday
 * Lamb Around:  Not Baad Sundays
 * Fudge Ripple:  Tuesday Night Supper Club
 * Don't Waste your Homemaking:  Unwasted Homemaking Party

Project Ideas: Table Runner

Photo by A Girl and a Glue Gun

A Girl and a Glue Gun has such a cute and easy project just in time for St. Patrick's day.  But, really, I think it could also be used during spring or even Easter.  This burlap table runner looks like a cinch to make and there is step-by-step instructions to help you.   

Recipe Review: Roasted Roma Tomato Lasagna

We are a lasagna lovin' family.  I have a recipe that I have used for at least six years that my family loves.  Several of my kids ask for as their birthday meal.  I love this recipe, but it's a lot of work.  When I saw Martha make this version of a meatless lasagna, I knew that I had to try it.  First off, the roasted Roma tomatoes are amazing!  I shared this recipe last week because it is so good!  Second, the lasagna is unusual because it is made with a bechamel sauce. I tweaked the original recipe just a bit for my family tastes. 

The family verdict?  Loved it!  They didn't seem to miss the meat or red sauce.  This is definitely a keeper that I will make often.

Enjoy!

Roasted Roma Tomato Lasagna
(adapted from the original recipe by Zahra Tangorra)
{print}

Ingredients
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 pound dried lasagna noodles 
8 cups Bechamel Sauce (recipe follows)
6 cups Roasted Roma Tomatoes, and their juices
2 cups ricotta cheese
4 cups grated pecorino cheese
2 cups fresh spinach


Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and place a single layer of lasagna noodles in the dish. Pour 2 cups bechamel evenly over pasta; top with 2 cups of the roasted tomatoes in their juices, one third of the ricotta, 1 cup pecorino, and one third of the basil. Repeat process twice and top with remaining lasagna noodles. Top with remaining 2 cups bechamel and 1 cup pecorino.   Cover baking dish with parchment paper-lined aluminum foil. Place baking dish on a baking sheet and transfer to oven; bake for 1 hour. Uncover and continue baking until lasagna noodles are tender, about 25 minutes more. Remove from oven and let stand 30 to 45 minutes before slicing and serving.

Bechamel Sauce
(recipe by Zahra Tangorra)

Ingredients
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
10 cups milk
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground nutmeg


Directions
Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir until absorbed, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk, salt, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 15 minutes before using.

Makes about 8 cups.


Linked To:
 * Balancing Beauty and Bedlam:  Tasty Tuesday 
 * Simply Sugar & Gluten Free:  Slightly Indulgent Tuesday
 * Not So Homemade:  What's Cooking Wednesday
 * It's A Blog Party:  Delicious Dishes
 * Dining with Debbie:  What's on the Menu Wednesday
 * It's a Keeper:  It's a Keeper Thursday
 * Paisley Passions:  Thrilling Thursday
 * Miz Helen's Country Cottage:  Full Plate Thursday
 * Prairie Story:  Recipe Swap Thursday
 * Simply Sweet Home:  Friday Favorites
 * Crazy Domestic:  All Things Domestic
 * Life as Mom:  Ultimate Recipe Swap
 * Mommy's Kitchen:  Potluck Sunday
 * My Sweet and Savory:  Meatless Mondays
 * Frugality and Crunchiness with Christy:  Hearth and Soul
 * Six Sister's Stuff: Strut Your Stuff Saturday

Must Try Tuesday: March 1, 2011

This looks so good....and I love a good peanut sauce! 

The green wrap gives me an idea for my

kid's lunches on St. Patrick's day.

Chicken Wraps with Creamy Asian Peanut Sauce

The Sisters Cafe

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I love raspberries and I can't wait to try this bar out...

Raspberry Oat Bars

Finding Joy in My Kitchen

~~~~

Anytime I go to Bennigan's I always order their

potato soup and a Monte Cristo.

I don't have one near me so this is the next best thing...

only because I have to do the dishes afterwards....

Bennigan's Monte Cristo Sandwich

Moms Crazy Cooking

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I love apples with brie....

Grilled Apple and Brie Quesadilla with Whole Wheat Tortillas

Joseph's Grainery

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Another take on my beloved Kolaches....

Runza

Designs on 47th Street

~~~~

I have a bunch of bananas that are

begging me to make this cake....

no problem...I will be happy to accommodate them...

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Love From My Kitchen

~~~~

I will be making this forthwith....like tomorrow....

Croque-Madame Casserole

Beyer Beware

~~~~

Yum-O!  Look at this delightful goodness....

Philly Cheese Steak Panini

Nap Time Journal

Monthly Recap: February 2011

It was a super busy month with all kinds of things going on....basketball for the twins consumed most of my time.   I have so many new recipes and reviews to share for March...hopefully if softball doesn't take out my schedule..lol! 


Here is a new recipe that I shared this month:

Bourbon Chicken

~~~~~~~~~~

I tested quite a few new recipes:

Sausage with Apples, Sauerkraut and Onions

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Boiled Potatoes with Parsley

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Oatmeal Craisin Breakfast Cookies

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Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

~~~~

Roasted Roma Tomatoes

~~~~~~~~~~

I took a few weeks off of Must Try Tuesday, but for the last two weeks this month, there were so many great recipes, that it was hard to pick a few.

Here is a sampling of the recipes that I found!

From Tuesday, February 15...

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Yeast

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Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna Rollups

~~~~~~~~~~

From Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Nutter Butter Truffle Cupcakes

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Fried Pickles

Menu Plan: Week of February 27, 2011

Meal 1

Chicken with Tomatoes and Garlic

Rice

Green Beans

Biscuits

~~~~~~~~~~

Meal 2

Ground Beef Enchiladas

Pinto Beans

Salad

~~~~~~~~~~

Meal 3

Chicken Enchilada Sandwiches

Corn

Beans

Meal 4

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan

Angel Hair pasta

Salad

Italian Bread

~~~~~~~~~~

Meal 5

Farmer's Casserole

Glazed Carrots

Yummy Good Rolls

~~~~~~~~

Meal 6

Oh So Tasty Bean Salad

Herbed Cream Cheese Stuffed Pitas

~~~~~~~~~~

Meal 7

Leftovers or Dining Out

Baking

White Sandwich Bread for the Bread Machine

 

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Homemade Pitas

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Monkey Muffins

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Banana Bread

~~~~~~

Banana Walnut Cupcakes

 

Recipe Review: Roasted Roma Tomatoes

Oh....this is so yummy goodness!  I LOVE tomatoes...anyway that I can get them, but roasted tomatoes....I can't even begin to describe the pure delight they give me.  My children are the same way.  I have two that don't like raw tomatoes at all, but they will eat roasted tomatoes with crackers and cheese.  I keep a jar of this delightful goodnes in the fridge...to be at my beck and call when I need a fix!  I have used it in sauces for pasta and it takes my homemade sauce to another level...no lie!

I discovered this recipe while watching Martha Stewart.  She had a guest on that was making a Roasted Roma Tomato Lasagna, that I have since made.  The lasagna was consumed in one sitting and everyone was full and happy.   I have to say, I think that the lasagna has become my favorite....it is a meatless wonder!  I will be posting the recipe for the lasagna soon so you too can enjoy the goodness.

In the meantime, please don't deny yourself the yumminess of these roasted tomatoes.  You will thank me for bringing it to your attention!

Enjoy!

Roasted Roma Tomatoes

(original recipe from Martha Stewart)

{print}

Ingredients

8 cups Roma or plum tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp salt

1/2 cup olive oil

1 tbsp pepper, freshly ground prefered

1/2 cup garlic, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Place ingredients in a large bowl, mix to combine.  Spread tomato mixture evenly on a large baking sheet and transfer to oven.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes and mash, using a potato masher or back of a spoon.  Return pan to oven and continue to bake until soft and juicy, about 15 to 20 minutes more.

Makes about 6 cups.

Look at those tomatoes....bathing in olive oil, salt and

freshly ground pepper....

Let's not forget that garlic...you can imagine how it is going to carmelize.....

After 20 minutes, they are begging you to mash them and release their juice....

After an additional 20 minutes, you have this most delightful goodness!

Go ahead and sneak a taste...try with a cracker....oh yes...you can thank me now....

Linked To:

* Don't Waste your Homemaking:  Unwasted Linky Party

* Mommy's Kitchen:  Potluck Sunday

* Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker:  Your Recipe, My Kitchen

* Mandy's Recipe Box:  Totally Tasty Tuesday

* From Mess Hall to Bistro:  Made from Scratch Tuesday

Blog Love: Introducing Lilies and Dandelions

I found an adorable new blog that I just had to share with you.  Introducing Brianna and her blog, Lilies and Dandelions!  While she has not been blogging that long, she has been an avid blog reader, like me.  She has a wonderful new post about a natural cleaner using lemons and lavender.  She also just recently posted about a soap making experience and shares some instructions.

To introduce her blog, Brianna is having a giveaway and I must say it is fabulous!  She is giving away a lavender package from Dreamy Whites that includes:

(Photo by Dreamy Whites)

1~ 10" x 12 1/2" bag filled with 3/4 pound of dried organic lavender,

which can be used to refill your sachets

6~ 3"x 4" lavender dryer sachets

(Photo by Dreamy Whites)

1 bundle of dried organic lavender

(Photo by Restoration Hardware)

And from Restoration Hardware,

the France Post Large Lumbar Tarp Pillow Cover (measures 16"x 28")

Isn't Brianna giving away an awesome package? 

You can enter the giveaway by clicking here....