Sliced round steak w/ peppers, sweet onion, spinach and snow peas!

I love using things I have in my freezer and adding some things I have in my refrigerator.  I think it totally makes me feel like I can create a meal and not waste anything. Does that make sense to you?  It does to me.  Note:  I imagine you could use any seafood mix to compliment this dish instead of steak!  Hmmm!!

I had about a pound of round steak in the freezer, so I took it out and let is thaw in refrigerator overnight.  If you notice I did cut the steak into strips for easier eating and also it stretched it nicely with the veggies.  I didn't cut the steak until after I had browned it!  Notice illustration below!

Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours,

The snow peas give it and added crisp touch. Wonderful!!!

1 lb. round steak slices (thick)
1 chopped sweet onion
1 large clove garlic chopped
1 red pepper sliced
1 yellow pepper sliced
1 orange pepper sliced
1 can 15 oz. Hunts sauce
1 can water
1/2 bag baby spinach cleaned and stems removed
1/2 bag snow peas
3 T olive oil
90 second Balsmati Rice  or rice of choice

Saute steak in oil oil until it starts to brown.  Add onion and peppers and cook until lightly browned. Add garlic, sauce,1 can water, pinch of salt and pepper.  Cover and allow to cook until meat is tender and peppers soften slightly. Approximately 30 minutes.  Add cleaned spinach and snow peas and allow to cook for several minutes or until spinach has wilted. A great meal while using meat and veggies on hand.  Yum!

This is a crockpot friendly meal.

Brown meat and onion in oil.  Place in crockpot with peppers,  sauce and water.  Cook on low 4 to 6 hours.  Add snow peas and spinach ten minutes before serving.  

Serve over rice!

5/1/13
10/7/14

Cheesecake again!

Another cheesecake recipe for us CHEESECAKE LOVERS!

Being in self quarantine AND self distancing has me baking and cooking most days!!

Today’s cheesecake has heavy cream in it and I’m curious to see if we enjoy this recipe  as much as my all time favorite cheesecake recipe..  Hint:  (It’s my Aunt Alda’s recipe) Which is also here on my blog.

Note:  The last two cheesecake recipes I have made  I don’t use a springform pan.  I have found I like serving it cut into squares.  For pretty presentation you may want to use the springform pan but for casual serving I recommend a 13x9 inch metal pan.




All Aldi ingredients!

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• ¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 5 tablespoons butter, melted
• 
  
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Note:  I separate my eggs and beat the egg whites and fold  them into Batter gently before placing the cake in oven.  Something my mom suggested years ago.

• 
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and melted butter. Mix well and press into the bottom of a 9 inch springform pan. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
• Step 2
  In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Beat in sour cream and heavy cream. Blend in the flour and vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add eggs one at a time. Pour batter over crust.
• Step 3
  Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes, or until center is almost set (filling will be soft). Refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight before removing from pan.

Note:  this cheesecake cracked a bit!  I know some recipes suggest a water bath.  You could try it but I’m ok with it looking like this.  I do top my cheesecakes with our favorite toppings.  Cherry, pineapple, lemon or blueberry.  Yummy!  Enjoy!!

Recipe courtesy of allrecipes.com

Air fryer boneless pork chops

Today was my Second time using my air fryer.  The first was making home cut fries in it.  It took a little bit of adjustment to get the correct temperature but they turned out pretty good.  I’ll be working on getting them to brown better but all in all I like this particular air fryer.

This fryer( insignia brand) seems to be perfect for my hubby and I.  It’s the smaller   Size.  Great for us!(2)

Recipe below.  All approximate amounts.

2 Boneless medium thickness pork chops.  

In a small bowl I added sage, rosemary, paprika, salt, pepper, thyme and garlic powder. ( I didn’t measure)

After misting the pork with olive oil I  Seasoned the pork on both sides with the above mix rubbing it in slightly with my fingers.

360 degrees approximately 16 minutes. 

I complemented the pork with  Garlic red skinned potatoes , cole slaw and baked beans. 

 I think depending on size of pork chops and your air fryer instructions it could air fry 2 or 3 pork chops in the 16 to 20 minute range. I used a 370 degree temperature.

My air fryer would fry 3 pork chops comfortably.  Mine is a perfect size for two.

Read your air fryer instructions and look on Pinterest or google for recipes.

Moist, tender and flavorful.


I sure I’m going to like this short cut to crispy yet  tender way to cook!  Enjoy!,

No fuss Chocolate Cream Pie

No Fuss, muss or Bother Chocolate Cream Pie


Simple to make and it's really delicious without spending hours in your kitchen this chocolate cream pie has simple ingredients and short cuts to help make a dessert to serve in several hours.

You can use chocolate instant pudding (use half and half to really make it delicious).

 I chose to use Cook and Serve pudding which I easily made in the microwave.

This is real whipped cream but if it is more convenient use thawed Cool Whip.  Dust with a little baking cocoa optional.

I covered the pie with clear wrap and will add whipped cream tomorrow just before serving. I allowed the wrap to touch the pudding so it will stay soft until I am ready to top it with cream.

All that is involved is 

3 cups milk (I used regular whole milk)(use half and half if you really want to step it up.
1 large chocolate cook and serve pudding made according to directions in your microwave for a pie.

1 pre made graham cracker crust or you can use a refrigerated pie crust such as Pillsbury's which you should bake ahead of time and cool.

Today I used a pre made graham cracker crust and placed it in my own pie dish.  It broke of course but was easily pushed together. (not perfect but it worked)

This is a graham cracker crust I opted to take out of aluminum pie shell and piece in my glass pie pan. Tossing over and piecing it was so easy and I am sure it will be fine.  I like presentation in my pan much better than aluminum.  Just me you decide what is best for you.

**1 pint heavy whipping cream or Cool Whip to top pie

5/22/15

8/29/17

4 ingredient Banana Bread

Food network sends me a lot of recipe links.  I like a lot of them and make some usually to our liking.

This one caught my eye.  Easy and I had a cake mix I had wanted to use before expiration date.

I made adjustments with ingredients.

4 Ripe bananas (I used 3) mashed) kept a few slices for top before mashing.
2 eggs
I box 15 oz. Spice cake mix(*** I used Betty Crocker vanilla cake mix)
3/4 tsp. Ground cinnamon ( ***optional if you are using vanilla cake mix)

Note:  why not try a chocolate cake mix?  Chocolate banana! Yum!And you could add some chocolate morsels if you like!!

My hubby loved it!  Me not as much but in a pinch I say yes!  Especially if you have ripe bananas and a cake mix..

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan with parchment, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the longer sides.
2. Mash 3 of the bananas with a fork in a large bowl until very smooth, reserving the fourth and least-bruised banana for the bread topper. Whisk in the eggs and cake mix until just combined and no lumps remain.
3. Transfer to the prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a small offset spatula. Slice the remaining banana in half lengthwise, ( I used slices)then place the halves cut-side up on top of the batter, with the curves facing each other. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes.
4. Transfer the loaf pan to a wire rack to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Run a knife or offset spatula around the edges of the pan, then invert the banana bread onto the wire rack and cool completely.  Enjoy!