Recipe: Spicy Fried Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 2 large pork loin chops (either bone-in or boneless)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

Steps

1. Mix all ingredients of the rub together.

2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. 

3. When oil is hot (looks wavy), rub one side of pork chop with spices, and place in the pan (spice side down). Rub the other side with spices.

4. Repeat with second pork chop.

5. Cook both sides for 5-7 minutes, then flip over for another 5-7 minutes.

6. Heat over to 350 degrees Celsius.

7. Once pork chops are cooked, place pan in the oven for an additional 5 minutes (if your pan is not oven-proof, place pork chops on a foil-lined baking sheet).

I served mine with oven roasted potatoes and a garden salad.

Recipe: Creamy Chicken Pesto and Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsps butter (I used olive oil)
• 1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken, cut into cubes
• 1 can Campbell's condensed cream of chicken soup (I used the low fat one)
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup prepared pesto
• 3 cups pasta, prepared and drained (I used rotini, the original recipe called for bow-tie)

Steps

1. Heat butter/oil in 10 inch skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the chicken and cook until well browned, stirring often. (At this time I start preparing the pasta).

3. Stir in the milk, pesto and soup into the skillet.

4. Heat until boiling.

5. Reduce the heat to low and let cook for 5-7 more minutes.

6. Stir in the pasta, and cook until mixture is hot and bubbly.

- Recipe from Campbell's Cookbook

Recipe: Pistachio Salad

Ingredients

• 1 tub of frozen whipped cream (thawed)
• 1 package of pistachio Jello/pudding mix
• 1 small can of crushed pineapple
• 1 package of mini marshmallows

Steps

1. With the thawed whipped cream, empty into a large mixing bowl.

2. Add pistachio pudding mix and stir into the whipped cream.

3. Add crushed pineapple and mix in thoroughly.

4. Add marshmallows a bit at a time (sometimes you'll use more than other times - it depends on the consistency you're looking for), and mix in.

5. Chill in the fridge until time to serve.

- Recipe from my Sister

Recipe: Ham & Cheese Casserole [w/ Cheez Whiz]

Ingredients

• 4 cups rotini pasta
• 1 cup cubed cooked ham
• 1 1/4 cup Cheez Whiz
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk

Steps

1. Cook pasta in large pot.

2. In small saucepan, melt Cheez Whiz product over low heat. Add in milk and stir until creamy and smooth.

3. Drain pasta, and pour into 9x13 pan.

4. Mix in cubed ham.

5. Pour cheese sauce over top of pasta, and mix in thoroughly.

6. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.

- Recipe loosely based on leftover casserole from my Mommy, but re-done myself

Recipe: Apple Crisp

Ingredients

• 3 medium apples - peeled and sliced
• 3 Tbsp water
• 3 Tbsp white sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3/4 cup oatmeal

Steps

1. Grease small casserole dish (I use an 8x8 glass dish)

2. Spread apples on the bottom of the dish.

3. Sprinkle water over top of apples.

4. Sprinkle white sugar over the water and apples.

5. In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients, and mulch with a fork or pastry blender. Mix until crumbly.

6. Spread crumbs overtop of apples.

7. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

- Recipe from my Mommy

Recipe: Zucchini Loaf

Ingredients

• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup oil
• 3 cups shredded zucchini (I always use frozen zucchini, so thaw it first, and then squeeze all the water out of it before mixing with other ingredients)
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 1/2 cup coconut or 1/2 cup crushed pineapple

Steps

1. In one bowl, mix eggs, sugar and oil together.
2. Add to the shredded and dried zucchini. Mix in.
3. Add vanilla.
4. In separate bowl combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.
5. Add to zucchini mixture.
6. Mix thoroughly.
7. Add coconut and/or pineapple. If you want both you could do 1/2 cup coconut and 3/4 cup pineapple.
8. Pour mixture into two greased loaf pans.
9. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

*Makes two loaves

- Recipe from my Nana :)

Recipe: Beef Taco Skillet

Ingredients

• 1 lb of ground beef
• 2 tsp garlic powder or garlic salt
• 1 tsp onion powder or onion salt
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 3 Tbsp taco seasoning (full Old El Paso packet)
• 8-9 oz of pasta (I used penne)
• 1 cup water
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (colby jack or mozzarella)

Steps

1. Brown hamburger in large skillet. Drain.
2. Add all above ingredients, except for cheese, to the skillet.
3. Bring to a boil, and then turn down to a simmer.
4. Cover for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top.
6. Cover and cook until cheese is melted.

- Recipe based from The Domestic Geek, with some alterations by myself (green pepper, salts, mozzarella cheese, amount of pasta)

I added the cheese on after, instead of letting it melt in the skillet.

Recipe: Pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1 Tbsp white sugar
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp cinnamon or 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Steps

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar and baking powder together. Mix well with a fork.
2. Before adding the eggs to the big bowl, I like to beat them a little with a fork. Then I add them to the flour mixture.
3. Add milk and vegetable oil. Stir in well.
4. Add cinnamon or chocolate chips and stir to mix.
5. Heat a griddle to 350 degrees. I put about 1/2 Tbsp of oil onto the griddle and spread it around.
6. Pour pancake mix onto griddle. I usually do circles, but like to do Mickey Mouse shaped pancakes. I'd like to eventually get some shape stencils so I can make letters or other objects.
7. Flip after 1-2 minutes (I leave mine longer than usual because I like them a little crispy).
8. Flip again after 1-2 minutes.
9. Serve with butter and maple syrup!

Recipe: Pepper Steak

Ingredients

• top sirloin grilling steak (cut into strips)
• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/2 onion (sliced)
• 1-2 green peppers (sliced)
• beef bouillon cubes/package (I use OXO)
• 1/4 cup soya sauce
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 Tbsp corn starch
• rice to serve over

Steps

1. Fry steak in vegetable oil in large skillet. Remove steak and put into a bowl for a few minutes.
2. Add strips of onion and peppers to the leftover oil in the hot skillet, and saute until golden.
3. Add steak back into the skillet, and mix into vegetables.
4. Prepare beef broth with the bouillon cubes or package. The OXO package requires 3/4 cup of boiled water to be mixed with one package. Add to steak mixture.
5. Add soya sauce and stir in.
6. Prepare thickener by mixing cold water with corn starch in a small cup. Add to steak mixture once it is stirred well together.
7. Bring mixture to a boil, and then let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
8. Prepare rice during the last 5-7 minutes of cooking.

- Recipe from my Mommy

Recipe: Beef Chili

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra lean ground beef (or lean)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 green pepper (optional)
• 1 onion (optional)
• cayenne pepper
• chili powder
• 2-3 cups macaroni or penne
• 1 cup shredded cheese

Steps

1. Brown ground beef in large skillet. Add diced onion once brown.
2. Add diced green pepper, and brown for a few minutes.
3. Add can of tomatoes (including the water in the can).
4. Add can of kidney beans (including the water in the can).
5. Mix together, and bring to a boil.
6. Add cayenne and chili powder to taste (I use quite a bit, but some people don't like it as spicy).
7. Mix in and let boil for 5 minutes.
8. Turn to simmer/minimum heat until ready to serve.
9. Cook pasta and shred cheese while waiting.

- Recipe used by my parents as I grew up, and now one of my own favourites to make.

Recipe: Chocolate Macaroons

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 cups oatmeal
• 1 cup coconut
• 6 Tbsps cocoa
• 1 tsp vanilla

Steps

1. In a large pot, combine butter, sugar and milk.
2. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring often.
3. Meanwhile get other ingredients ready, in separate bowls/containers.
4. Once mixture has boiled, remove from heat.
5. Add in cocoa and stir.
6. Add in vanilla and stir.
7. Add in coconut and stir.
8. Add in oatmeal and stir.
9. When mixture is stirred in completely, drop by spoonful onto wax paper on baking pans.
10. Refrigerate/Freeze until set.

- Taken from my Mom's recipe

Recipe: Mac & Cheese w/ Cheez Whiz

Ingredients

• 1 lb macaroni
• 1/2 cup butter
• 24 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup Cheez Whiz
• 1 cup milk
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup crushed crackers, Corn Flakes or Special K cereal

Steps

1. Butter a 9 x 13 pan.
2. Cook macaroni.
3. Once the macaroni is cooked, pour it into the pan.
4. Mix in the butter throughout the macaroni
5. Spread in the Cheez Whiz and shredded cheese. Mix in well.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Pour milk overtop of cheese and macaroni.
8. Sprinkle crumbs overtop.
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

- Pinned from Food.com

Recipe: Homemade Pizzas (with premade shells)

A family favourite for sure. Now I just need to learn how to make my own shells/dough.

Ingredients

• Premade frozen pizza shells (we buy them from Buns Master)
• pizza sauce
• green pepper
• pepperoni
• shredded mozzarella cheese
• any other toppings you like (mushrooms and onions - my parents like those on it)

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Spread sauce onto shells. Make sure it reaches close to the edges and is even throughout.

3. Add diced peppers.

4. Add sliced pepperoni.

5. Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top of everything.

6. Bake for 10 minutes, or until edges of pizza shell are brown.

Great for toddlers ;)

Recipe: Nutella Brownie Muffins

These are so delicious! My new go-to snack during pregnancy ;)

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Nutella
• 10 Tbsp flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Steps

1. Add first three items to a bowl.

2. Mix all together.

3. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Pour into muffin cups.

5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes.

- from Instructables, pinned from Pinterest

Recipe: Fruit Smoothies [Toddler Approved]

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup yogurt
• 1 1/2 cup fruit
• 2 Tbsp fruit juice
• 1/4-3/4 cups milk (I use closer to 3/4 cups)

Steps

1. Combine yogurt, fruit and juice into the blender.

2. Pulse several times to blend the chunks of fruit.

3. Add milk, Tbsp at a time, to get the desired consistency.

4. Pour into sippy cup with a rubber/soft plastic lid.

If you have too much and want to freeze it, just pour the remainder into a freezer storage bag. When wanting to eat it, let it thaw for an hour, and knead the bag with your hands. Add extra milk to make it the best consistency for you.

- from Once A Month Meals Blog

Smoothies I've Attempted for Ryan

#1 - 1/2 banana, field berry mix (frozen), apple & peach juice, original plain yogurt

My son is going through a very picky stage right now, so I thought smoothies would be the best way for him to get the extra fruits and veggies that he refuses to eat throughout the day. He took four big sips of this smoothie, but it isn't his favourite yet. He at least tried it, and kept trying to take more sips of it (granted the sips were 15 mins - 1 hour apart), which is more than what he's done with any other food lately.

Recipe: Cocoa Banana Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups All Bran cereal
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp baking sodar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup oil
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed (you can also cut 12 thin slices to top the muffins after)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips

Steps

1. Combine cereal and milk into a medium bowl, and let soften for about 2 minutes.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda.
3. Beat egg, oil and mashed bananas into the cereal mixture.
4. Stir into dry ingredients, until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Spoon evenly into a lightly oiled 12-cup muffin pan.
7. Optional: Top with extra banana slices.
8. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

© - All-Bran at All-Bran.ca

Recipe: Tortellini Alfredo

Ingredients

• 2 packages (350 g each) of tortellini (we use beef or three cheese)
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cups frozen peas

Steps

1. Cook tortellini according to package. Usually it's boil gently for 6-8 minutes and then drain.

2. Mix milk and cheeses together in a saucepan. Heat until fully mixed in.

3. Add sauce to tortellini in pot, as well as the peas.

4. Heat over low-medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. Serve with extra parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

- Recipe from Kraft Canada

Recipe: Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients
● 1 lb of ground turkey
● 1 onion, diced
● 2 cans of pasta sauce (I use original, but sometimes use four cheese)
● cayenne pepper
● oregano
● garlic salt
● celery salt
● bay leaf

Steps
1. Brown the turkey in a frying pan, with the onion.
2. Put the turkey and onion into a large pot.
3. Pour in two cans of sauce. If it's too thick, just add a can of water.
4. Sprinkle in cayenne, oregano, and salts (to taste - I love lots of cayenne).
5. Stir in bay leaf.
6. Bring sauce to a boil over medium heat, and then put to simmer.
7. Serve over spaghetti with parmesan cheese.

Recipe from my Mommy

Recipe: No-Bake St. Patrick's Day Squares

Ingredients

• 3 cups Lucky Charms cereal
• 3 cups Chex cereal
• 3 Tbsp butter
• 10 oz (1 1/4 cups) mini marshmallows

Steps
1. Line a tray with parchment paper. (I greased a 9x11 pan with lots of butter/margarine instead).
2. In a microwaveable bowl, melt marshmallows and butter for 2 minutes.
3. Stir quickly, and microwave for 1 more minute.
4. Add cereal to the mixture and mix all in.
5. Spoon mixture into the greased pan.
6. Let sit for 10 minutes (I let mine cool in the fridge - like rice krispie squares).

*Next time I might add more butter & marshmallows to make the mixture more sticky

Recipe from Sugar and Cloth

Recipe: Raisin Bran Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups wheat bran
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup raisins

Steps

1. In a large bowl, mix bran and milk together. Let stand for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in vegetable oil, egg, vanilla and sugar.

3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and baking soda.

4. Add flour mixture to the bran mixture, and stir until moistened.

5. Fold in raisins.

6. Drop by spoonful into greased muffin tin, or into baking cups.

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes (I did 17 minutes and it was perfect).

Makes 12 muffins

- Recipe from Rogers' Wheat Bran bag