Shepherd's Bowls

All the kids have different veggies that they like, so to make a casserole there is always some picking out of things....it doesn't bother me really, but I got smart last week.  I made all the makings of shepherd's pie but I left them separate so everyone was able to pick their toppings.  Worked like a charm.

Shepherd's Pie

Meat mixture:

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 c. chopped onions

1/4 c. flour

salt and pepper

1/4 tsp. ground savory

10 oz beef broth

1/3 c. water

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 bay leaf

5-6 potatoes

frozen veggies - peas, corn, carrots, beans, what ever you like

Start cooking your potatoes in salted water.  Cook ground beef with the onions, until browned.  Add flour and stir to mix well.  Add the remaining meat mixture ingredients and cook about 10 minutes.  When the potatoes are cooked, mash them (I didn't add any milk to these - wanted them a bit more dense) with a bit of butter.  Cook your desired veggies.  Give the kids a bowl of mashed potatoes, top with meat mixture and let them pick their veggies on top.

This is a fun one, and a good one....

This recipe is from August 2001 - Parenting Magazine.  The kids love it and we also did it at Sparks last night (the ladies requested it on the blog).  I swear it works, it is yummy and the kids have a whole lotta fun doing it.  

Vanilla Ice Cream

Equipment:

about 5 cups of crushed ice 

1 gallon self-sealing freezer bag

1 quart self-sealing freezer bag

3 Tbsp salt

Ingredients:

1/2 c. whole milk

1 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

Pour the crushed ice and salt into the large bag and set aside.  Pour the milk, sugar and vanilla into the smaller bag.  Seal, removing as much air as possible.  Place the small bag into the big bag and seal it.  Shake until the mixture inside the small bag is thick (about 5 minutes).  Remove the small bag and add flavorings, as desired.  Reseal and knead bag to mix.  To serve, spoon ice cream into a bowl - or eat it right out of the bag.  

Flavors:

Chocolate: Reduce sugar in recipe to just 1 tsp and add 1 Tbsp of chocolate syrup immediately after shaking

Chocolate chip:  Mix in 1 Tbsp chocolate chips after shaking

Candy crunch:  Stir in 1 Tbsp candy pieces, such as M&Ms or Reese's pieces after shaking

Strawberry:  Before shaking, add  2 Tbsp mashed fresh strawberries (or frozen and thawed)

Cookies and Cream:  Mix in 2 Tbsp crushed Oreos or chocolate chip cookies after shaking

What's going on

So I have been struggling with the kids complaining (and a bit of the husband too) about what I've been making for dinner.  Apparently what I feel like making is not what they feel like eating.  Ungrateful people!!!  Last week before I went shopping I made everyone, and I mean everyone including Craig, pick a meal for the week.  I've done this before, but it was sort of more like give me some ideas and maybe I'll do it in the next couple of weeks.  I have made the resolve that the 5 meals that are picked are what we are eating.  The other two days are soup and sandwich night and one day is leftover night.  It gives the kids some power, but not too much.  The one funny thing is that last night I made Craig's pick - Ainsley wasn't the happiest with it and started in on it.  I simply told her that it was Dad's meal and I only was making it.  Holy cow, it stopped her complaining right there.  Loved it.  

This is a favorite

This rice recipe is one of the WHOLE family's faves.  I hope that it becomes one of your family's staples too because it is so stinkin' easy.....

Herbed Rice

1 c. rice

1/2 c. green onion, sliced

2 c. undiluted chicken stock 

1/2 tsp of each of the following: thyme, ground savory, paprika

1 bay leaf

s & p to taste

Combine all ingredients together and microwave covered for about 20 minutes.  Check it and if it needs some more time, cook it a bit longer if needed.  (you also can do it in the oven at 325 for 30 to 45 minutes.

Monkey Bread

Don't ask me why, but I found Ainsley on the counter going through my recipe box this morning - she was looking for the monkey bread recipe.  I'm not sure why she had a hankering for it, but we made it today and it was a hit with the 5 kiddies that were here (maybe a couple moms and dad too).  I suggest having the kids do the dipping in butter and sugar....they really don't seem to mind the icky, sticky hands for some reason.  I have no idea why  ;)

Monkey Bread

for the bread:

1/4 c. warm water

1/4 c. white sugar

1 envelope dry active yeast (scant Tbsp)

3/4 c. warm milk

1 tsp salt

1 egg

3 1/4 c. flour

for coating:

1/2 c. melted butter

3/4 c. br. sugar

1/4 c. white sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

for icing:

1/4 c. milk

2 c. icing sugar

Lightly coat 10 bundt pan with butter; set aside.  Put the warm water and a pinch of sugar in a mixing bowl.  Sprinkle in the yeast; let soften and dissolve (about 5 min).  Add milk, sugar, salt and egg to yeast mixture and mix with dough hook.  Add flour and combine.  Let it knead for a couple of minutes.  Transfer to a bowl that has been coated with oil, cover with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Mix together the sugars and cinnamon in a bowl.  Melt the butter in a bowl as well.  Pour a bit of melted butter into the bundt pan to make a thin layer on the bottom.  

Cut 1/2 inch pieces of dough and roll into balls.  Roll in the butter and then roll in the cinnamon mixture.  Place them into the greased bundt pan.  Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for about 1 hour (until it has doubled in size).  If it hasn't doubled in size you have to wait a bit longer - this is very important unless you want to golf balls later!!

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 -35 minutes.  Let cool in pan for 20 minutes and then flip over onto a plate.

To make the icing combine the milk and icing sugar and pour over top.