This was super yummy.
The cheese was $5 for a small brick and Alex didn't even care for that part - so I think next time I will skip that and not even bake it.

Also, I will have to be more careful. When I was chopping my anaheim pepper, I touched my nose - holyheck! My nose has been on fire for the past hour! And my finger as well - I must have had an open cuticle. goodness gracious!

I substituted an anaheim pepper for the called pepper which was a cubanelle.

I also couldn't find crushed fire roasted tomatoes so I got diced.
I also didn't have beef stock so I used beef broth

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/three-alarm-italian-style-chili-mac-recipe/index.html

Trying to decide if Grandma Bonnie could also pull off making a King Cake for Jasmine. She loves herself some King Cake but I don't want to pay $60 to have one shipped.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/mardi-gras-king-cake/Detail.aspx?

When Lindsay and I dropped in on our sweet friend Elizabeth Miller from Milwaukee, she was making homemade caramels.
I'm not a caramel person - or at least I didn't think that I was.
These were delicious!

Grandmas Caramels
By Margaret Earl (Elizabeth Miller's grandma)

1 can condensed milk
1 cup brown or regular Karo syrup
2 cups brown sugar
1/4 lb butter

Combine all ingredients in heavy pan and cook for 20 minutes from the moment you put it on the heat stirring constantly.
Pour into buttered pan or dish.
Cut and wrap in waxed paper.
If caramels are sticky, use corn starch on cutting board.

This morning I had strawberries and lemons. I was thinking that sounded like a yummy partnership. I found this recipe and went for it.

I realized when I was taking them out of the oven that I had forgotten to put the sugar on top prior to baking.

So I made a quick lemon glaze and poured that over to add another layer of yumminess.

http://backtothecuttingboard.com/breakfast/light-strawberry-lemon-muffins/

And the best quote of the night in regards to food:


"Alex, what is the best thing you have on your plate?"

(Let me set this up for you. He had salmon, homemade smashed potatoes with real bacon bits, homemade risotto, and corn with fresh lemonade).

He said "EVERYTHING"

LOVE IT!

I have made this a few times but we love it (especially Jasmine and me)
I made it tonight - didn't have the cherry tomatoes but both kids still liked it.

Yeah!


http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/italian-bacon-tomato-risotto-56806.aspx

It was Ashlee's birthday earlier this week.
I asked her what I could make to help her celebrate.

Her request.....
ICE CREAM CAKE

One of our favorites and easy to make.


http://thekitchenofk.blogspot.com/2010/04/ice-cream-cake-this-cake-was-made-by.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Brownie-Frosting/Detail.aspx?src=etaf

Found a SUPER YUMMY BROWNIE FROSTING!

Really - you have to try this one!

I have posted this recipe before.
Chris had his birthday and so I asked what he would like for me to make him.

Mom's Banana Cake.

Happy Birthday Chris!

http://www.ldsliving.com/story/64185-food-dish-cookie-recipe-contest-winner-recipe

Tried these today.
I saw them in my LDS Living Magazine.
Then someone blogged about them today.
Had lemons and some time.

Success!

Aren't these lemons huge and beautiful? They aren't from my tree - mine are all gone.

Totally want to try these!


http://www.ourbestbites.com/2011/03/orange-kissed-cookies/

I was so excited....
I got asked to make dinner for a family in our ward. I love when I have a reason to cook. (besides my own family).
I was going to make this.....

Creamy Pesto Chicken Casserole

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/creamy-pesto-chicken-casserole/ead128b0-ab01-4ab3-9cad-d3e39896cd7f/

I needed to make a special trip to the store as I had this on my meal list for tonight but only enough for my family. I went to the store with a list (but had several calls at the store which distracted me) and left without the PESTO!

So I googled quickly and found this:

Chicken Alfredo Casserole

http://busycooks.about.com/od/precookedpoultryrecipes/r/chickenalfredo.htm

Jasmine and Alex both gave it a 10.
There wasn't enough for Bret by the time he got home. With casseroles there is so much risk involved with my family, that I have a smaller dish (about 1/2 of a 9X12). I used this in addition to a 9X12.
Since the dish was a winner, I'll have to make a full 9X12 the next time.

I also made my new favorite basil infused breadsticks.

I'd still like to try the Pesto dish. I'll have to remember to keep it on my list.

As a side note, I bought some basil, cherry and grape tomato seeds to plant. My basil and tomato plants are officially sad - time for a refresh.

New favorite Salmon recipe from Jenny:

In a foil packet, layer
asparagus
salmon (with skin side down)
drizzle olive oil and lemon juice
tablespoon of pesto
wrap and bake for 15 minutes at 400

Jazz = 12
Alex = 11

Served with Rhodes Rolls and Mashed Potatoes.
perfect!

Tomatoes
Fresh from my "garden"
Just felt like that was worthy of its' own post.

I made Lemon Pie cookies this week, just like I said I was. They are ok - nothing to write home about.



http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/claire-robinson/lemon-pie-cookies-recipe/index.html