Do you like pie???

I love pie! ...almost any kind of pie! I was craving lemon pie a few days ago... so off to the Internet I went, searching for a recipe. Here's what I found:

Lemon Freezer Box Pie:

In a bowl mix 1 (6oz) can of lemonade concentrate with 1 (8oz) tub of cool whip and 1 can of sweetened condensed milk.

Pour into a graham cracker pie crust (I use pre-made, but you can make your own)

Stick it in the freezer for 6 hours or over night and serve.

(This will thaw into a soup if you don't eat it straight out of the freezer.)

After making the lemon freezer box pie we were hanging out with some friends and one of them brought up chocolate peanut butter pie.. well shoot! NEW CRAVING! Back to the Internet I went. This time I settled on a recipe from Allrecipes that I altered and made my own.

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Freezer Pie:

Whip 8 oz of cream cheese (pre-softened) in a bowl.

Slowly add 1 c. sugar and 1 c. smooth peanut butter.

In another bowl whip 1 c. cool whip with 1 Tbs vanilla extract.

Fold the cool whip mix into the cream cheese mix.

Pour the filling into an oreo pie crust (once again, I buy them but you can make them if you want).

Pop it in the freezer for at least 4 hours then serve.

 

So... do you like pie? How about freezer pie?

 





Happy Halloween!

Wishing everyone a happy halloween from South Korea! We have lots of fun plans for the day! We are heading over to the fall festival so that the kids can play games and eat and get some treats and then ending our day with trick or treating in our apartment complex.

Did you know that there are FREE  templates for pumpkins online? That's right! You don't have to buy those papers that you will only use once! This year, I used this site to print out our template. I love it! Free is always good!

Here is our completed pumpkin:

 

I'm a sucker for roasted pumpkin seeds and this is the only time of year that I make them at home. Do you roast your pumpkin seeds? If not, here's how you do it:

 

1) Rinse the pumpkin seeds under cold water and pick out the pulp and strings. I usually let them soak for 20 minutes so that more of the goo comes off.

2) Place the pumpkin seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been pre-sprayed with cooking spray. Spray the top of the seeds with more cooking spray and then sprinkle with salt.

3) Bake at 325 degrees F until about 25 minutesor until toasted. Be sure to check and stir them after 10 minutes.

4) Let cool and store in an air-tight container

 

... and of course I have to include pictures of our kiddos(Ry's costume is handmade, as usual):
 

 

Tasty Tuesday

I am going to try and share a dining experience every Tuesday. We will see how well I do with keeping this going... haha!

This week I am sharing an experience at our local E-Mart. For those of you who are not with us here in Korea, E-mart is a lot like Target... just really Korean-ized. I will have to do a whole post on E-Mart later. Anyways... on to the food.

I ordered the Ramen at their food court and this is what I got...

Ok... Lets start with the round pot... that is the actual ramen. It was FANTASTIC!!! It has green onions and egg cooked in to it along with some other green veggies and of course the ramen noodles and a broth that has a little spice to it. The round dish at the top with the three yellow circles are a type of pickled raddish that the Koreas call Danmuji. I'm a huge fan of this stuff. I eat it at every Korean restaurant that we go to that serves it. The next round dish at the top is Kimchi... I HATE this stuff! (Unless it is the cucumber variety) This one is a raddish based kind, unlike most of the kimchi that is made of cabbage and it is SPICY! Below the two round dishes is a "lunchbox" with rice, a fried egg, dried seaweed and slices of grilled SPAM (and there is some cabbage kimchi in the right top corner of the box). Yes, I did say SPAM. I like the seaweed and rice and egg all mixed up, but I could do without the SPAM.

There you have it, a typical lunch in Korea, one of my favorites, actually!

Mini Omelets, Mini Gorilla Breads, and Pumpkin Bread



Breakfast... it has to be fast and easy around here!

 



During my investigations for freezer cooking I came upon a few ideas on breakfast/snack ideas. Mini Omelet Cups are SUPER easy to fix! Mini Gorilla Breads are a little more work and a whole lot of mess, but taste wonderful! Lastly, Pumpkin Bread is just in a class of its own. I know that fall is coming when the pumpkin bread starts finding its way into my kitchen!

Mini Omelet Cups:



I make two batches with different flavors, but the recipe below is for one batch:

 

You will need:

8 eggs

1/2 c. milk

things to add in (bacon bits, cheese, onion, green pepper, etc..)

 

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees

Line a muffin tin with the FOIL AND PAPER liners

Mix eggs and milk together in a bowl. (It should look barely frothy)

Spoon egg mix into each liner evenly.

Sprinkle in whatever additions you want..

(I like bacon and cheese or onion and green pepper and cheese)

Bake for 25 minutes.

Cook completely then place in freezer bags labeled with today's date.

(These last about 2 weeks frozen)

To reheat... Remove FOIL liner and reheat in the microwave.

Remove paper liner and enjoy!

 

Mini Gorilla Breads:

Lets talk about YUMMY! These are like cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese filling!

 

You will need:

1 (8oz) block of cream cheese

1/2 c. granulated sugar

2 Tbs. ground cinnamon

1 stick butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 rolls of refrigerated biscuit dough (10/tube)

1 c. chopped nuts (I use pecans, but walnuts are okay too)

zest of 1 orange

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (LINE YOUR OVEN BOTTOM, these are MESSY)

Spray 15 muffin slots on muffin tins

Sprinkle a few nuts in the bottom of each muffin slot

Cut cream cheese into 30 equal pieces.. set aside

Melt brown sugar and butter in small sauce pan until well combined

Mix granulated sugar and cinnamon well

Dredge both side of 15 biscuits in cinnamon sugar, then place one piece of cream cheese in the middle of the biscuit and close it up inside the biscuit then place in a muffin slot

Sprinkle orange zest on top of each biscuit

Spoon the brown sugar/butter goo onto each biscuit

Repeat with the second set of 15 biscuits placing them on top of the first set

Add more orange zest

Add more brown sugar/butter goo

Top with more nuts

Bake for 18-22 minutes

 

*I choose to freeze half of them and refrigerate the other half... so to do that:

Once they are nice and cool, wrap them in sets of two (or one slot worth) with cling wrap.

When you're ready to reheat, unwrap a thawed bread and microwave for 1 minute.

 

Pumpkin Bread:

Yum... just yum, yum, yum!

 

This is the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook Recipe...

 

What you will need:

3 c. sugar

1 c. vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (not the pie filling stuff)

2/3 c. water

 

Direction:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease/flour whatever pans you are using (I used a mini loaf pan(8) and a 9x5x3 loaf pan).

In XL bowl beat the sugar and oil with an electric mixer on medium speed.

Add egg and beat well; set aside.

In another large bowl, mix flour baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Alternate between flour mix and water adding to the sugar/oil/egg mixture, mixing between each addition.

Beat in pumpkin.

Spoon into prepared baking pans.

Bake 55-60 minutes.

Cook on wire rack for 10 minutes.

Wrap and store any loaves overnight before slicing... the mini loaves should be good to eat now!

 

I love the mini loaves because the hubby can take one to work with him or I can grab one as a snack for the kids on the way out the door since I wrap them individually.

 

Enjoy the recipes!

 

Freezer Cooking Round 1

I have recently been investigating a lot of blogs that have freezer cooking on them. I think that this may very well be the best concept since sliced bread! I have a few different blogs that I have chosen to follow including: Ring Around the Rosies, 6 Cents, and The Test Kitchen of Melissa Fallis. From these three I put together a game plan and set of recipes that I wanted to try and jumped head first into freezer cooking! (WARNING! - Most people are SANE and only cook 5 different meals at a time... I am NOT sane... the Hubby would call me INsane (but I don't think I'm inside sane, do you? silly Hubby! haha) and I prepared 10 different meals for supper and a few other non-supper foods.)

Step 1: Pick your recipes

I chose Teriyaki Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Chicken with Honey Sauce, Salsa Chicken, Savory Chicken, Zucchini Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups, Sausage and Peppers, Lasagna, Easy Crockpot Beef Stew, Slow Cooked Beef Fajitas, Omelet Cups, Mini Gorilla Breads, and Pumpkin Bread. (See... completely NOT sane) (NOTE: I will be sharing the Omelet cups, Mini Gorilla Breads and Pumpkin Bread later)

Step 2: Make your grocery list

This is pretty easy to do... write down how much of each item you need then cross off the items that you already have in your pantry/fridge.

2 bags of baby carrots
1 large red onion
5 large white onions
3/4 c. zucchini
2 c. celery (chopped)
3 green bell peppers
2 red peppers
4 c. baby red potatoes (halved)
4 c. broccoli (you can get this later... it doesn't go in the freezer bag)
2 large cans of pineapple
8 garlic cloves (whole)
16 garlic cloves (minced)
10 oz dried Lima beans
1 box lasagna noodles
1 family size frozen corn
2 cans black beans
1 jar salsa (your favorite)
1 can tomato sauce
2 BIG cans of marinara sauce
4 (8oz) cans Rotel (mild)
2 (15oz) cans Italian diced tomatoes
2 (15oz) cans stewed tomatoes
1 large sausages (I got smoked sausage lite)
4 lbs. cubed Stewing Beef
2 lb beef round steak/roast
2 lbs ground beef (I get the leanest I can find)
4 FRESH chicken breast (you will slice these almost in half for stuffing)
12 FROZEN boneless-skinless chicken breasts
32 FROZEN boneless-skinless chicken tenders
1 1/2 c. Teriyaki sauce
3 c. Soy sauce
4 Tbs white wine
4 Tbs lemon juice
1 c. honey
1/2 c + 4 Tbs ketchup
4 Tbs vegetable oil
olive oil
4 tsp. quick cooking tapioca (this is with gelatin usually)
1 c. chicken broth
1 1/3 c. + 2 Tbs brown sugar (light or dark, doesn't matter)
2 Tbs Italian seasoning
1 packet taco seasoning
2 tsp. cilantro
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground ginger
4 Tbs sesame seeds
1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
3/4 c. panko bread crumbs
4 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tubs ricotta cheese
1 tub cottage cheese

(this was my list for everything except the omelet cups, gorilla bread and pumpkin bread (I had everything I needed to make these)

Step 3: Go SHOPPING and when you get home admire everything that you bought =)

Step 4: Label your freezer bags

You will need the following:

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Teriyaki Chicken - Add 1/4 c. Teriyaki Sauce and contents of bag to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 6-7 hours. Cut chicken up into bite size pieces when finished cooking and stir back into sauce in crockpot. Serve with Rice.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Savory Chicken - Add contents to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 6-7 hours. Add 2 cups of broccoli during last 30 minutes.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Easy Crockpot Beef Stew - Add 1 cup of water and contents of bag to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 4-6 hours. Serve as soup.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Salsa Chicken - Add contents to Crockpot. Cook on LOW for 8 hours. Serve with cheese and rice or tortillas.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Slow Cooked Steak Fajitas - Add contents to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 5-6 hours. Scoop out with slotted spoon onto tortillas. Garnish with sour cream, avocado, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, etc...

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Chicken with Honey Sauce - Add contents to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours. Serve over rice.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Sesame Chicken - Add contents to Crockpot. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours. Serve over rice.

2 Bags labeled: Today's Date - Sausage and Peppers - Drizzle Olive oil in crockpot, add contents of bag. Cook on LOW 6 hours. Serve on bread with cheese on top or with hot noodles.

1 Bag labeled: Today's Date - Zucchini Stuffed Chicken Roll-Ups - Thaw over night. Place on oven pan, spray each chicken roll with cooking spray. Cook at 450 degrees for 30 minutes.

(Note: The lasagna will be frozen in a throw-away pan and labeled after it is wrapped in aluminum foil)

Step 3: Start Bagging everything up.. I do this one recipe at a time, but you can do whatever works best for you.

 

Teriyaki Chicken:

In each bag put:

3 frozen chicken breasts

1/2 bag of baby carrots

1/2 red onion cut into chunks

1 large can pineapple chunks (with juice)

2 whole garlic cloves

1/2 cup Teriyaki sauce

 

Close the bags, shake/mix them up, open each bag to get the air out and then seal them shut and put them in the freezer. 

 

Savory Chicken:

In each bag put:

3 frozen chicken breasts

1 can stewed tomatoes

2 Tbs. white wine

1/2 large onion (chopped)

2 garlic cloves(minced)

1/2 c. chicken broth

salt and pepper to taste

*you can add a bay leaf too but you have to remove it before you serve

(you will need 2 c. broccoli (I keep frozen separately) to stir in 30 min before finished cooking)

 

 Close the bags, shake/mix them up, open each bag to get the air out and then seal them shut and put them in the freezer.

 

Easy Crockpot Beef Stew:

In each bag put:

2 lb cubed stewing beef

2 cups baby red potatoes (cut in halves)

1 onion (chopped)

1 cup celery (chopped)

5oz dried Lima beans

2 tsp. quick cook tapioca

1/2 (15oz) can of tomato sauce

1 Tbs. brown sugar

1/2 bag of baby carrots

 

Get all of the air out and seal up each bag then freeze.

 

Salsa Chicken:

In each bag put:

8 frozen chicken tenders

1 (15oz) can black beans

1/2 bag of family sized frozen corn

1 can Rotel

1/2 jar salsa

1/2 packet taco seasoning

 

Get all of the air out and seal up each bag then freeze.

 

Slow Cooked Steak Fajitas:

In each bag put:

1 lb beef steak/roast cut into strips (against the grain)

1 can Rotel

1/2 large onion chopped

1/2 green pepper (in strips)

1/2 red pepper (in strips)

1 tsp cilantro

1 clove garlic (minced)

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

salt and pepper to taste

(you can add diced jalapeno if you like spice)

 

Get all of the air out and seal up each bag then freeze.

 

Chicken with Honey Sauce:

In each bag put:

8 frozed chicken tenders

1/2 cup honey

1/4 c. soy sauce

1/16 cup onion (chopped)

1/8 cup ketchup

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 1/2 cloves garlic (minced)

(you can add a dash of red pepper flakes if you're feeling spicy)

 

 Close the bags, shake/mix them up, open each bag to get the air out and then seal them shut and put them in the freezer.

 

Sesame Chicken:

In each bag put:

8 frozen chicken tenders

1/2 c. soy sauce

1/3 c and 1/6 c brown sugar

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 Tbs ketchup

1 Tbs sesame seeds (you can toast them... or not)

 

Close the bags, shake/mix them up, open each bag to get the air out and then seal them shut and put them in the freezer.

 

Sausage and Peppers:

In each bag put:

1 sausage (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)

1 green pepper (sliced)

1/2 red pepper (sliced)

1/2 onion (sliced)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 can Italian diced tomatoes

1 Tbs Italian seasoning

 

Close the bags, shake/mix them up, open each bag to get the air out and then seal them shut and put them in the freezer.

 

Zucchini Stuffed Chicken Roll Ups:

Take chicken and slice it in half through the middle until it is almost in two, set aside.

In a saute pan add 1 tsp of olive oil and heat on Med high heat.

Add 4 cloves of garlic (chopped) and cook until golden brown. 

Add 2/3 c. shredded zucchini and 1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese.

Cook for 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Once cool, add 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese to zucchini and mix well.

Scoop evenly onto middle of each piece of chicken and roll up sitting seam side down.

In small bowl, mix 4 Tbs lemon juice and 1 Tbs olive oil.

In another bowl mix 3/4 c panko bread crumbs, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp basil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder.

Brush each piece of chicken with lemon juice mix then coat with bread crumb mix.

Set on sheet pan and flash freeze for an hour.

Transfer to labeled freezer bag.

 

OKAY! LAST ONE!

 

Lasagna:

Boil 18 lasagna noodles.

Brown 2 lbs of ground beef.

In large bowl, mix 2 tubs ricotta cheese, 1 tub cottage cheese,

dusting of garlic salt, dusting of onion powder.

Start with 2 pans.

Spoon a small amount of marinara sauce in the bottom and spread evenly.

Lay 3 lasagna noodles flat.

Add half of the ground beef then a thin layer of marinara sauce.

Lay 3 lasagna noodles flat.

Add half the cheese mixture and spread evenly.

Add a thin layer of sauce.

Lay 3 lasagna noodles flat.

Top noodles with a layer of sauce.

Sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella cheese on top.

 

Cover with 2 layers of aluminum foil.

Write "Today's Date - Lasagna - Bake 375 1 hour"

Wrap with plastic wrap as desired... I fear freezer burn... so I use a ton)

 

WooHoo!!! Now there are 19 meals in your freezer! Yay!

 

 Now the hard part, decided which one to cook!

 

 

 

3 Years - Our Anniversary Trip to Seoul Tower

January 5th 2008 I married the love of my life, Brad. Three years later, we find ourselves in another country, with 1 more kid, a pet, and on a fun adventure. We have never been an a trip for anniversary before. We have pretty much always been travelling home from visiting family since our anniversary is right after the holiday season. This year we decided that we were definitely going on a trip together. We dropped Riley off at school, Elijah off at daycare and headed to the subway. When we finally got off at the stop that is closest to the Seoul Tower, I started taking pictures.

We had to take a cable car at one point... or I guess we could have walked up the stairs that go up the mountain... but it was 15 degrees outside and well... I'm not much for walking all the way up the side of a mountain =) Here are the views on the way up:

We did have to walk a little ways after we got off the cable car, but I got some really great pics of the scenery:

We bought a lock to attach on the fence at the base of the tower. It something that pretty much everyone does when they visit here, so we found our spot and put our little piece of metal on the huge canvas of locks:

Our Lock!

Another part of the fencing that was COVERED in locks

We travelled up into the tower and visited some of the other places that were around like souvenir shops and a little restaurant.

Our Chicken Salad that we had with our meal - YUMMY!

It was a great day to spend together. When we left we got lost in underground Seoul, yikes! That's not something I'm up for again, but we made our way to the Army post in Seoul and shopped at their PX then headed home on one of the buses. What an exhausting but awesome day!

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas! This was our first time having Christmas as just our little family of four. Although we missed everyone, I have to say it was nice to have Christmas on our own this time. Not only did I make stockings for us, but I also made matching PJ pants for all of us!

We got some awesome gifts!

Riley got a Tag reading system, V.Reader system, some really cute clothes, a Barbie that lights up, a Barbie camera, new Hello Kitty sheets and Comforter and some coloring stuff.

Elijah got lots of trucks, some bath toys, a remote control car, lots of clothes, an interactive DVD and book learning set, and some other little things.

Brad got a new laptop case, snow boots, some books, a neck massager, tools, clothes, a new Nerf Gun, and a really nice hard-shell suitcase that isn't in the picture.

As for me, I got a new camera... a Nikon D5000 to be exact! I also got a new food processor, which I LOVE!!!!! I got a sewing accessory case with lots of new thread, some new clothes, a new foot spa, some new Wii games (Jeopardy and Family Game Night with Clue, Twister, Mousetrap, LIFE, and Yahtzee) and lots of goodies in my stocking!

It was such a great day! I cooked a big supper for us and our friend Daniel that included ham, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, rolls, green beans and Brad and Daniel made fudge to end the night.

We're still waiting on some boxes to get here and when they do I will update with what's in them. =)

Ok, so here's the plan...

This year for Thanksgiving we are once again opening up our home to the airmen that are away from their families, including the married couples who cant go see family back in the states. Our guest list is at ten for now, but we have a few more that are going to get back to us. That should make it interesting! Add in our family of four and that's a full house! The menu is pretty much a typical Thanksgiving meal: Roasted Turkey, Spiral Sliced Ham, Gravy, Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes, Pressure Cooker Green Beans with onion and mushroom, Creamed Corn, Bread Dressing, Baked Beans, Rolls, Cranberry Sauce, Cranberry Relish and anything anyone else wants to bring. We will also be having a few munchies until dinner is ready: Artichoke Dip and a veggie tray. Lets not forget dessert!!!! We will have: Cindy's Best Cake, Chocolate and Peanut Butter Fudges, Mocha-Hazelnut Cream Filled Cake, Tiramisu Bites, Mini Cheesecakes, and Gingerbread with Lemon Sauce. I think we should all be STUFFED!!!

Other news for us: We got to see our on base housing today. I like it a lot! It will be so nice to have a real oven, washer AND dryer, American outlets, real closets in all the bedrooms, a balcony that we can have a grill on, walls that you can hang pictures on, a linen closet... I could go on and on... Best of all it wont be 4 miles away from base!!!!! I will do my best to get some pics up on here once we move in next month.