[FROM MY KITCHEN] don't just pin it...try it! 2.0

On the weekend we tried another Pintrest recipe. I made beef pepper steak for my husband and parents after I put them all to work hanging lights, installing a TV bracket and ironing. ;)

Here are the links:

The Pin: Beef Pepper Steak
The Source: Omaha Steaks

Out of the blue one day last week I got a craving for beef pepper steak something I had not had in YEARS! I chose this one because it looked easy...other then beef + veggies there was only one other ingredient...italian dressing. Seemed odd so I gave it a try. I followed the recipe to a T other then I didn't use "Omaha Steaks". ;)

The Consensus: The italian dressing as a marinade for the beef was good - it had a bit of a tang to it. It seemed to lack in the "sauce" department. I felt like it could have used something more for flavor. If I was to make it again I would get creative and add something for a bit of a kick.

(image source: Omaha Steaks)

Do you have a great beef pepper steak recipe? Care to share?

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

[FROM MY KITCHEN] don't just pin it...try it! 1.0

I am crazy about Pintrest! It has changed the way I look for recipes and inspiration however I tend to "pin" more then actually "try" :( My solution for this problem...over the next 12 weeks I am going to pick one of those recipes and actually give it a try!

Here we go!

The Pin: Pumpkin Fettuccine with Sage
The Source: Camille Styles

I originally pinned this pasta dish because it looked very simple and I like pretty much anything pumpkin. I made a few alterations when cooking to make it a little more to our liking...

          - crisped up the fresh sage by sauteing it in butter, it becomes crunchy and delicious!
          - increased  the ration of pumpkin to cream, the more pumpkin the better ;)
          - doubled (or more) the spice amounts noted in the recipe and also added cayenne pepper

The Consensus: It was GOOD! It was EASY! It was QUICK! We don't actually eat pasta that often at home but this is a recipe that will be added to the repertoire :)

What are your favorite pinned recipes? Let me know + enjoy your weekend :)

[FROM MY KITCHEN] paleo pumpkin banana mini loaf

Paleo Pumpkin Banana Mini Loaf

*makes 2 loaves

1 1/3 cups of almond flour

1 tsp baking soda + baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 eggs

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 tsp vanilla

2 tbsp agave syrup

1 medium banana, mashed

1/4 cup of chopped pecans

1. preheat oven to 350'

2. in a medium bowl, combine all the the dry ingredients and set aside

3. in a small bowl, combine all wet ingredients

4. add the wet ingredients to the dry + stir

5. let mixture sit for 15-20 minutes before pouring into a small bread pan

6. sprinkle chopped pecans on top of mixture once in pan

7. bake for 45 minutes, test with a toothpick to make sure loaf is done

8. leave the loaf in the pan for 10 minutes before removing

Enjoy!

[FROM MY KITCHEN] pumpkin cinnamon rolls

Sooooooo, it snowed yesterday :(
To cheer up I made these for breakfast...

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

*this will make you about 10 rolls

Cinnamon Filling:

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 tbsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

Dough

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tbsp white sugar

1 1/2 tsp baking soda + baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1. preheat oven to 425'

2. in a small bowl, combine all the the cinnamon filling ingredients and set aside

3. in a medium bowl, whisk together the first 4 ingredients in the dough

4. add the sour cream to the dry mixture and fold until a ball of dough is formed

5. on a floured surface, roll out the dough until it is approx. 1/4" and a rectangular shape

6. with a knife spread the cinnamon filling out onto the dough

7. roll up the dough and slice in to rolls so they are approx. 2" tall

8. place all the rolls in a greased pie dish, they should be close together but not touching

9. bake for 25-28 minutes, eat warm!

Enjoy!

[FROM MY KITCHEN] mexican pickles

Mexican Pickles

These pickles are amazing! We put them on tacos, fish and salads...or just eat them from the jar!

They are easy and quick to make and will  last in your fridge for about 3 weeks :)

Ingredients:

1 bunch of radishes, sliced

2-3 carrots, sliced

1/4 - 1/2 a red onion, sliced thin

1 handful of cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno (or more if you like heat!)

1/2 cup of white sugar

1/2 cup of white vinegar

1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup of red wine vinegar

(if you need more brine, just use the same ratios to make as much as required)

Directions:

1. slice/chop all of the veggies, mix together in bowl and put into a mason jar

2. to make the brine, bring sugar and vinegar to a boil, remove from heat and set aside until cooled down to room temperature

3. pour brine over veggies and place in the fridge

4. leave pickles for a few days to develop the flavors

Enjoy!

[FROM MY KITCHEN] hybrid oatmeal cookies

I was being super lazy on the weekend and wanted to make cookies, so......

I picked up a bag of Quaker Oatmeal Cookie mix and added something a little "extra" to them. If you like oatmeal raisin and Dad's cookies...you will LOVE these! :)

Hybrid Oatmeal Cookies

*this will make about 16 cookies

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups of Quaker Oatmeal Cookie Mix

1/4 cup of water

1/2 cup of raisins

1/2 cup of shredded coconut

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 375'

2. put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix! you need to stir/beat for about 1 minute to for a stiff dough

3. drop 1 heaped tablespoon on the batter onto a parchment lined cookie sheet

4. bake for 11-15 minutes, mine took 14 minutes and they are still soft and chewy...once the edges start to brown you can take them out

5. let cookies cool before removing from cookie sheet

Enjoy!