fAST fOOD fRIDAY

We're having tacos tonight. No grilling, much to Turbo's displeasure. I wish I had more faith in our weatherman...I didn't think this 80 degree stuff was really going to happen.

Anyhoo...tacos it is.

I figure you can manage the main course on your own, but here's a side I make nearly every time. Since Rex is not a big meat eater I created this so he has something to fill his tortillas with!

Black Beans & Rice

In a large skillet over medium heat, saute chopped onion and chopped red, yellow & green pepper in olive oil. When the veggies are tender add a large can of black beans (drained) and heat through. Add a handful of frozen corn and cooked white rice. Stir and season with any brand of dry chipotle seasoning (both McCormick and Mrs. Dash make some, or you can create your own). Heat through and serve.

Super Simple!!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

Last night another E gang came over to enjoy some company, dinner, & to learn how we made the dino soaps for Christmas. I was busy cleaning up, getting ready, & wrangling my kids most of the morning. That's how it happened...no fast food friday. Whoops.

Ah well. I figure Saturday is good enough to share what we ate!

Since it was kinda hectic here I tossed a few things in some crock pots and let them do their magic.

Pot 1: Italian Beef (that recipe is a few FFF's ago, you can get it there.)

Pot 2: Italian Sausage

This is what I did with the sausage...

Place 2 jars of spaghetti sauce (any flavor) in large crock pot. Add 1 large can diced tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped onion, and sliced green pepper. I also add some salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Let this simmer on low for a few hours, stirring occasionally.
About 1 hour before serving, precook some Italian Sausage (I use 2 packs of Johnsonville) in boiling water on the stove. This should take 5-10 minutes. Cut these into 1 inch slices and add to sauce. Let simmer until serving.
I pair these with rolls and cheese for grown ups and a bowl of whole grain penne for the kiddos.

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

Not sure what we are doing for dinner tonight.

I know what you're thinking...slacker. And you're right. I'm off the ball. If you're an everyday EFC reader, you'd know my posts are a day behind.

What can I say...I've been busy. Can't really say with what? A couple of projects, a baby who has decided naps are beneath her, a pile of laundry. (Glorious life I lead, huh? Don't even ask about my shower schedule...)

No dinner for us tonight, or you either. But here are some treats I found on the side of a cake mix box we had in the cabinet. (Rex was particularly 'active' Wednesday and we pulled this out and made it to keep him busy for, I dunno, 20 minutes. Of course, we then followed it with a 'dance party' while they were in the oven. Not sure about your kids, but mine need more than a few minutes to work off their energy sometimes.)

I was pleasantly surprised with how easy they were to do and how tasty they were the next morning. (Ah, did I say that out loud...yes, I ate them for breakfast...shame on me...)

Peanut Butter Bars

1 pack butter cake mix
1 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup water
1 egg
1 can chocolate fudge frosting
1/2 cup peanut butter
Chopped M&M’s
Chopped peanuts

Prepare cake:
Heat oven to 350. Spray 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray.
Combine cake mix, peanut butter, egg & water. Spread in pan.
Bake 20 minutes, until puffy. Cool completely.

Prepare frosting:
Mix peanut butter and frosting. Spread on cooled bars.
Top with candy & peanuts. Cut into bars.

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

We've got a jam packed weekend ahead of us. A bridal shower, a birthday party, a man-date watching only college basketball (& over eating & heavily drinking with the guys), a weekend guest. Ok, fine, it's just Patti so we won't be pulling out all the stops, just sitting back and enjoying the company (and some margaritas).

Since she will be arriving tonight, and we have a handful of things to do before tomorrow, we're ordering a pizza for dinner. We already have it planned out. (Well, Patti doesn't, so if you object after reading this PK, call me...)

I know it's Friday and I promised food, so I'll share some dessert this weekend. I just got all of the stuff out to make a banana cake. (DELISH!) It's pretty involved and I would normally not make it if Todd weren't home and I still had dinner to do. I'll save that one for another time. Instead I'll share these super easy banana bars. Trust me, you'll love them.

Banana Bar Treats with Cream Cheese Frosting

Cake:

1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups mashed banana
2 eggs
1 8-ounce carton sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 15x10x1-inch pan. Beat butter with electric mixer for 30 seconds in a large bowl. Add sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined. Beat in banana, eggs, sour cream, and vanilla until combined. Beat or stir in flour until combined. Spread in pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until top springs back when touched. Cool on a wire rack. Prepare frosting and spread over top. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
In a large bowl, beat one 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened, and ½ cup butter, softened, with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Beat in 2 cups sifted powdered sugar and ¼ tsp vanilla until combined.

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

I'm a huge fan of the Oprah show (go ahead, laugh...just get it all out...I'll wait). Though O and I don't always see eye to eye, I love some of these best life shows she has been putting out lately. Like the ones to spend wisely, be healthier, organize your home/life, etc.

This week she had meal makeovers with some pretty awesome celebrity chefs. Since I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff, I'm going to try out one of the recipes.

I'm going to do the Cat Cora
Quick Jerk-Rubbed Pork Chops
with Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries.

You can find the other recipes here if you'd rather browse and find something more suitable for you.
Lots of them sound really yummy!

Enjoy!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

60 degrees never felt so wonderful! Could it be that spring has finally sprung? I'm crossing my fingers. Tightly. Since the weather is so glorious, we'll be grilling for the 3rd day in a row. Huge, fat, tasty pub burgers. YUM!
I believe every well rounded lady should know her way around the grill, charcoal and gas. If you don't yet, get your fanny out there and learn! Wow those boys with something they think is sacred only to them!

The Soundtrack: Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs,
You Can't Buy A Gun When You're Crying
listen to my fave, Devil Do here

The Meal: (well it's really a side...) Layered Salad
this one's pretty cheap and it serves a bunch.
modify it for your fam.

what you need:
chopped lettuce, I use romaine and iceberg
1 cup celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 pack frozen peas
1 1/2 cup mayo
2 tsp sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar
cooked and crumbled bacon, about 6 slices
(feel free to add or subtract contents, we throw in red & green peppers.)


what you do:
layer in the order listed. (add any extras before the mayo)
do not mix
chill for a few hours before serving

Enjoy!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

I found this in a SEDOL cookbook from my Aunt Nancy many years ago. It's super simple and Todd & the boys love it.

The Soundtrack: The Flaming Lips,
At War With The Mystics
check out the album under the music tab here
(Rex & Nate love The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song!)

The Meal: Hamburger Stroganoff
this costs under $10 for 4 people

what you need:
1 small chopped onion
1 clove chopped garlic
1/4 cup butter
1 lb ground beef
2 TBSP flour
pepper to taste
handful of sliced mushrooms
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
egg noodles, about 1 cup per person

what you do:
saute onion and garlic in butter.
add beef and brown.
add pepper and mushrooms, simmer for 5 minutes.
add soup, simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
stir in sour cream and heat through.
serve over cooked noodles.

Enjoy!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

Oh, I so love this recipe. I just got this from a friend after eating it and raving about it for at least a week after her shindig. I don't think I'll go back to the 'old' way we used to make Italian Beef, at least not any time soon. Since it's a slow cooker, you 9-to-5ers can plop it in on low before you leave in the morning and it'll be darn near perfect when you get home. We serve it up with some chips or a slaw and some fruit for the kiddos. It's a nice simple meal for a Friday night or your March Madness get together!

The Soundtrack: (Ok, this is a slow cooker and I won't be doing much so I'll share the album Rex and I listened to while making cookies yesterday...)
The Muppet Show, 25th Anniversary Collection.
listen to our fave Mahna Mahna here

The Meal: Slow Cooker Italian Beef
I bought a top round roast at Sam's and all the condiments at Jewel for about $25 to feed 7-10 people. Feel free to adjust this to feed your family.

what you need:
6 lb. of chuck roast
2 packets of au jus
2 packets of zesty Italian dressing
2 jars of peperoncini peppers
garlic powder
crusty rolls (we use Gonnella French Rolls)

what you do:
mix 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and the two packets of Italian seasoning together and rub it on the meat. let the meat sit in the slow cooker over night.
cook the meat for 8 to 10 hours. when you start the meat add 1 cup of water and one cup of pepper juice. also add the peppers.
1 hour before the meat is done add the packets of au jus. (you can add sliced green peppers too.)
when the meat is done take it out of the slow cooker and remove any fat. when all the fat is removed, shred it and put it back in the slow cooker.
serve on rolls with your fave cheeses and peppers.

Enjoy!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

I am posting this really early, but I've made it lots before and it is super easy. Plus I promised the boys we would go for a walk at the mall with their cousin today, so I won't have time to do this later....

The Soundtrack: Lily Allen, It's Not Me, It's You.
listen to The Fear here

The Meal: Linguine with Asparagus
I LOVE asparagus this time of year, this quickie from Rachael Ray is delish!
This should cost less than $10 for 4 people.

what you need:
1 pound linguine
1 onion, cut into wedges
chopped garlic, about 4 cloves
1 bunch asparagus
crushed red pepper to taste

what you do:
cook linguine according to package.
in a large skillet cook onion and garlic in olive oil until tender, about 5 minutes.
add asparagus and 1/4 cup water. cover and cook till crisp, about 4 minutes.
season with red pepper.
toss with linguine.

Enjoy!

fAST fOOD fRIDAY

The Soundtrack: Regina Spektor, Begin to Hope.
listen to Fidelity here

The Meal: Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
This costs about $10 for 4 people.
Use a bag of frozen stir fry veggies or select your own fresh ones.

what you need:
3 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 bottle teriyaki marinade (I use Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Teriyaki)
stir fry veggies, about 1 cup per person (I'm using broccoli, red & green peppers, green beans, & carrots)
cooked rice

what you do:
marinade the chicken using half of the bottle for at least a half hour.
saute chicken in olive oil until no longer pink, tossing old marinade.
add veggies and remaining bottle of marinade, stir fry until veggies are tender.
serve over rice.

Enjoy!

Friday Forecast

I was trying to think of something to spice up the blog. Though I'm sure my rants and raves are enjoyable, there has got to be only so much any one person can take of my daily complaining. My cousin does some cool day specific things with her blog (Wedding Wednesday, Friday Five) and I've decided I am going to rip her off a bit.

Starting this week I'll be posting fAST fOOD fRIDAYS.

I'm a fairly busy person, despite being unemployed outside of the home, and preparing a dinner that's kid friendly, tasty and nutritious on the fly tends to be my day-to-day specialty. So, every Friday I'll tell you what I'm making, where I got the stuff, and (if I can remember) about how much it costs to put together.

My goal is to share some of the things that keep us running behind the scenes. Besides a bottle of wine here and there, listening to really loud music and chopping vegetables is the best way I've found to stay sane in this crazy family of mine!