Friday, May 25, 2012

The Christmas Table~ Recipe Review

It's May, Memorial Day weekend and we're hot here in Ohio! Is everyone ready for the big cookouts and the weekend welcome to summer??
I have some recipes, and even though the cookbook is Christmas, these will be extra yummy for your holiday weekend.

I'm doing a review for Gooseberry Patch, and the cookbook is called The Christmas Table. This is a really good cookbook! And everything is made with ingredients that I have on hand.




The first recipe I made is called Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese. All I can say is YUM! And so easy! I think this recipe is perfect for a cookout. In fact, I may end up making this and taking it to a get together next weekend.

Easiest Baked Mac & Cheese

2-1/4 c. water
2 c. elbow macaroni, uncooked
1/4 c. butter
16-oz. container sour cream
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese

In a saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. In a greased 13"x9" baking pan, stir together uncooked macaroni, butter, sour cream and cheese. Pour boiling water over top; stir to combine. Bake, uncovered, at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. Serves 4-6.

*I used Dreamfields penne pasta in place of the elbow macaroni. It was what I had. :)




Francie's Greek Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
1 onion, diced
2 tomatoes, chopped
4-oz. pkg. crumbled feta cheese
1 c. pitted black olives

In a large serving bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss with Greek dressing just before serving.
Serves 8.

Greek Dressing

1/3 c. canola oil
1/3 c. olive oil
1/3 c. red wine vinegar
1 T. dried oregano
2 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1 t. garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a tightly covered jar; shake well.



Cinnamon Roll Cake

18-1/2 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 T. cinnamon
2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. milk
1-1/2 t. vanilla extract

Prepare cake mixture according to package directions; spread half the batter in a greased 13"x9" baking pan. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter. Run a table knife through the layers to create swirls. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla, adding more milk if needed to reach desired consistency. Spread over warm cake. Cut into squares and serve. Serves 10.




 How would you like to have a copy of this cookbook?? Leave a comment on this blog post and you will be entered! Please leave an email address so that I am able to contact you. :)  Giveaway starts now, and will end June 10, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. I'll announce a winner at 7:00 p.m.





Have a great holiday weekend!


Thursday, May 10, 2012

Hearty Pork Chop Dinner

Hearty Pork Chop Dinner


4 pork chops
2 T. olive oil
1 sweet onion, sliced into rings
salt and pepper to taste
26-oz. jar spaghetti sauce
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
16-oz. pkg. spiral pasta, cooked  (I used Penne, it was what I had on hand)

Brown pork chops in olive oil in a 12" skillet over medium heat; drain. Reduce heat to medium-low; spread onion rings on top. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk spaghetti sauce and brown sugar together; pour over pork chops. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes; serve over warm pasta. Serves 4.


Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is finally here! I love spring on the farm.
We've had so many flowers blooming and a lot of the birds have come back for the season.
We've had several baby calves born, and we're almost done calving.



We've even found time this spring to do some fishing at our pond. We have not been fishing since before Emily was born, and I almost forgot how much I enjoy it! Emily even caught her first fish, and would you believe, it was a 16 inch bass!! Now I know my first fish was not that impressive! She did good.


Emily has been helping me with the babies. She loves working with them and they seem to respond so well to her. We have six babies still on the bottle, and 4 babies have been weaned. Only one boy in the calf barn. Poor little guy surrounded by all those girls!



Hope everyone is enjoying their spring so far! It's been a beautiful one here!
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