My current favorite snack

I get on and check every now and then but I haven't been much of a cook since Ava was born (pretty pathetic about it really).  I thought I would share my new favorite snack anyway, even though it has nothing to do with cooking whatsoever.  Chocolate graham crackers.  Yummy.  Just dip in milk and there you are.  I feel like I'm eating cookies, but I'm not. . . so much better for you.  I can only find them in the Western Family version right now though.  Anyway. . . just thought I'd share :)

Biscuits and Gravy

Ok, I've gotta say, the very hardest part of actually making dinner is coming up with a functional meal idea that doesn't require a ton of wild ingredients that I never have on hand and will take 3 hours to cook. If I could just have a list of brilliant ideas that I could come to this website for, I would be one happy camper. If any of you have go-to no-nonsense simple meal ideas, please share them. I'm not looking for anything involved, I just need simple last minute meal ideas.

I came up with a brilliant one tonight! I never have liked biscuits and gravy much, but tonight I had a thing of pillsbury biscuits and thought I'd give it a try.


First, I browned some sausage and the biscuits in for the meantime. While the sausage was browning I stirred up a package of country gravy. First I've gotta say I couldn't have been 15 min. total before it was ready to eat. Second, it tasted so good! I don't know if it will work for you, but it's a new favorite for me.

Pasta Al Forno aka Sweet Heaven

1 lb. sausage (optional)
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 stalk celery finely chopped
1 carrot finely chopped
2 mushrooms finely chopped
3-5 cloves garlic minced
28 oz. crushed tomatoes
1 pint heavy whipping cream (or canned milk)
1 lb. Rigatoni pasta
mozzarella cheese
fresh or dried Basil

Brown sausage. Remove sausage, leaving pan dippings. (Add some olive oil if you choose not to use sausage). Add carrots, celery, and mushrooms to pan and "sweat" (cook for several minutes until tender). Add onion and garlic and saute for several minutes.

Add can of tomatoes, with salt, pepper, and basil to taste. Simmer about 20-30 minutes.

Cook pasta al dente. In large baking dish, put a tiny bit of sauce on bottom. Layer 1/3 pasta, the 1/3 cream (if you're being healthy use canned milk), then 1/3 cheese, then 1/3 sauce twice. On the last layer, switch sauce and cheese so you end up with cheese on top. Cover and bake 45 minutes at 350. Uncover and bake til cheese is bubbly. Add Parmesan at table.

Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Glaze

You thought the last one was bad for you, you'll really like this. But, I've gotta say, the taste is pure heaven. I hope some of you dare to try it like I did because it was sooooo worth it! Do you guys check the Pioneer Woman's website? How often? I love it because she has pictures of every little step (perfect for me who sometimes needs a little extra help) and then just the printable recipe at the end.
The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

Alfredo Sauce

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Add cream and simmer for 5 minutes, then add garlic and cheese and whisk quickly, heating through. Stir in parsley and serve.

Note: I didn't have cream so I used canned (evaporated) milk. Delightful.

Tiny Pies in a Jar

Check out the instructions for these darling pies here

Divinity

In honor of Grandma Brown, I made Divinity the other day and thought it'd be appropriate to post here.

Divinity

• 4 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 3 egg whites
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, water and corn syrup in a medium sized pot and boil until it gets to the hard crack stage. You don't have to keep stirring it, just put the lid on and check it every once in awhile. It will also change color a little bit and be yellowish. Beat the egg whites until stiff...if it makes peaks when you pull out the beaters then you're good to go. Add the candy mixture to the egg whites very slowly. If you're using a hand beater, first make sure it's a sturdy one (I blew one up on my first divinity attempt), and you'll need someone else to help you pour the candy in. If you've got a kitchenaid, just whip it on high and pour the candy in yourself, I repeat, very slowly! Continue beating until it starts to lose it's gloss. Mix the vanilla in by hand and drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper (or tin foil if you're out!) Enjoy! This always reminds me of Grandma!