cooking

‘You have a PIZZA my heart’

Lifestyle

Is it just me or did January last for about a year? Finally, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner.  Jake and I generally keep things pretty low key on V-Day:  we typically exchange cards, I usually get some beautiful flowers, and we usually go out to dinner. Neither of us are very materialistic and we prefer to celebrate the day by doing something together rather than exchanging extravagant gifts. The only “excessive” Valentine’s Day we have had was the year we went to Disneyland before Jake went to basic training (again), and that was more because the dates happened to line up! With Valentine’s Day being on Thursday this year, we are planning to keep it pretty mellow. Whether you are looking for a romantic night in, or looking for a more romantic night without spending too much money, I have one of our go-to date-night-in meals!

Jake and I tend to make dinner together pretty much every night. If you are like us, you will want to make your Valentine’s dinner a little more special. You can do this in one of two ways: You could decide to make a more high-end dinner and select filet mignon, lobster or other aphrodisiacs along with rich side dishes. You can light candles and set mood music….if that’s your thing. To be honest, that kind of dining is not up our alley. If we wanted high-end, we would go out! The other option is to make a meal together that is more interactive! One of our favorites is homemade pizza. Your date can start at the grocery store where you pick out your sauces and toppings for your pizzas. You can also purchase pre-made dough or make your own (click here to see the recipe we use.) Once you are home you can get to cooking. It can be so much fun to clear off your counter and cover it with flour as you roll out your dough. We have been known to try to toss ours only to have it fall on the floor (maybe make some extra dough).  A little bit of mess makes it more fun and light-hearted in my opinion! Instead of making individual pizzas you can also make one pizza together. Take turns adding toppings and making it your own. While your pizza is in the oven you can toss together a quick Caesar salad and open a bottle of wine, then Bon Appetite! This is a fun and interactive way to spend time together on Valentine’s Day.

For one of our anniversaries we went to the Melting Pot and had the best time. The Melting Pot can definitely be a little pricey, but don’t fret…you can still have a cozy fondue night in! All you need is a slow cooker. At the grocery store they do have fondue mix that you can purchase, or you can make it from scratch! Pinterest has so many great savory and sweet fondue recipes to try! If you are in a time crunch and don’t have the time to make your own, you can also purchase a variety of chocolate chips or chocolate melting disks. Milk, Dark, White and Butterscotch, and Peanut Butter chips will do the trick! You will need a clean Mason jar for each flavor (you can find these at craft and grocery stores if you do not have any on hand). Start by filling your slow cooker up with just enough water to cover the jars about half way. Fill your jars about 3/4 of the way with your chocolate chips (or chips of choice) then place jars in water. Let them start to melt on low heat while you stir occasionally. It will take about 30 minutes for them to melt completely. Once they are melted turn off your slow cooker but leave the jars in the water to keep them warm. That its! Gather up your dippers (bite size fruit, marshmallows, mini doughnut holes, brownie bites, cookies, Rice Krispy Treats, etc.) and have a ball dipping and feeding each other! Make sure to purchase fondue forks if you do not already have them, or you can use long bamboo skewers.

fondue

If you’re not into fondue, your dessert can really be anything you want it to be! There can be something so romantic about a delicious chocolate cake or light and fluffy mousse. Break out the whipped cream and maraschino cherries and everyone is going to be happy!

What are planning to do for Valentine’s Day? Big plans or laying low? What kind of Valentine’s Day traditions do you and your honey have?

XOXO, Cait B.

Cheater’s Chili Recipe

Lifestyle

As a bitter, “never forget Deflate-gate” Seahawks fan, I’m calling this recipe Cheater’s Chili in honor of the Patriots being back in the Super Bowl yet again!  Super fast and easy and tastes delicious even with the seasoning shortcuts and canned beans! This recipe does not require long hours stewing away in the slow cooker. You can make this right before the game or in advance!

 

Ingredientschili1

1 pkg. McCormick Chili Seasoning Mix (I use the mild variety; Jake adds cayenne and hot sauce to his servings)

2 lbs. lean ground turkey (I like Butterball brand) or lean ground beef, or a mixture of both

1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cans (16 oz. ea)  Bush’s Chili Beans, undrained

2 cloves garlic, minced

Assorted toppings as desired:  shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onion, corn chips (we like Frito’s or Dorito’s), hot sauce, cayenne, diced jalapenos

Directionschili4

  1. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat.  Drain fat.
  2. Toss garlic in with meat and cook for 1 minute more.
  3. Stir in seasoning mix, tomatoes and beans.
  4. Cover.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Serve with toppings as desired

You can also add ½ cup beer or cola (I prefer Dr Pepper or Root-beer) or a teaspoon cocoa at step 3 to bring out additional flavors.

Serves 8.  We like to serve cornbread  with butter and honey alongside.  If also goes great in mac and cheese or on nachos, fries or a hot dog. Of course a cold beer is the perfect  beverage accompaniment.  For game day you can prepare this early and then transfer to a crock pot on warm or lowest heat to keep for game time.  Enjoy!

chili3

Seahawks game against the Rams (ironic) in 2015!

Penny’s Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Treats

Lifestyle

As a self-proclaimed obsessive dog mom, I am always trying to find ways to not only show love to my pooch, but to also keep her happy and healthy.  I’m sure you have seen the news reports and commercials and are well aware that dog food these days can be chock full of less than nutritious, and sometimes downright harmful ingredients. To combat the abundance of less than healthy foods bombarding the market, we have dogtreat4always made sure that Tilly has the best kibbles money can buy, and we plan to start making her homemade dog food so we completely control ingredients. We have already started making her homemade dog treats.  One of the easiest and most loved recipes I got from my mom.

My parents have a Golden Retriever named Penny, who has a sensitive stomach and sensitivities to a variety of foods.   The recipe I’m going to share is one that contains just 3 wholesome pup-friendly ingredients that Penny and Tilly both absolutely adore! They have been lovingly named Penny’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats.

You will need: 

  • Food Processor or Blender
  • Baking Sheet
  • Saran Wrapdogtreat3
  • Parchment Paper
  • Rolling Pin
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Wooden spoon

Recipe:

  • 1 cup old fashioned, 1-minute, or instant oats to make into oat flour (I use old fashioned)
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin pureé (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1/4 cup natural peanut butter

Preheat oven to 300F

Measure 1 cup of oats and add them to your food processor or blender. Blend until it makes a fine powder. Dump oat flour into mixing bowl then add in pumpkin and peanut butter. Mix ingredients together until a soft dough is formed. Instead of using more flour, line your counter with saran wrap, then dump dough on top. Place another sheet of saran wrap over the dough then roll out using rolling pin to about 3/8 of an inch or slightly thinner if you want them to be a little more crispy. Cut treats out using a cookie cutter of any desired shape (I prefer mini bones! You can find these on Etsy and Amazon!)

On your parchment-lined baking sheet, lay out dog cookies in a single layer and bake for about 25-30 minutes. They will be dry and hard like a cracker. Once they are cool they are ready for your pup to eat!

Make sure to store these in a airtight container. Your dog will be begging for these yummy treats!

I love this recipe because it is SO easy to make and only takes three ingredients. This recipe is also wheat-free which is perfect for dogs who have sensitivities to wheat, like Penny. Make sure when you are buying your ingredients that you purchase all natural peanut butter. Many peanut butters can be dangerous to dogs as they can have Xylitol, a sugar alcohol that is used as a sugar substitute. Xylitol can be deadly to our canine friends so it is very important to be aware of what is in your peanut butter!

I hope you and your pup enjoy this quick and easy snack recipe! Do you make homemade dog food or treats for your pup? If you try this recipe out, let me know in the comments what your doggo thinks!

XOXO, Cait B.

Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken

Lifestyle

I work full time, five days a week, plus an hour commute each way. Let me tell you, once I get home, there is very little I want to do…. least of all cook dinner. It is usually around 6 pm when I finally get home and feel like I do not have the time or energy to create an elaborate meal. To combat this, I have collected some “go to” recipes that are easy to make, home-cooked, but still taste great (in me and my hubby’s opinion.)
One meal my husband and I make almost weekly is Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken with Rosemary Potatoes. I personally don’t eat a lot of red meat, so I’m always trying to reinvent the average baked chicken by making different marinades or using a variety of spices and seasonings. The glaze for this recipe is great because it uses ingredients that I typically have on hand in our pantry, and you just toss it all together in a bowl and mix it up! The potatoes are even easier, but first lets tackle the chicken!

You will need:
2 baking sheets
Nonstick spray

Honey Garlic Chicken Glaze
2 lbs. boneless chicken breast
2 tablespoons olive oil
Half a stick of butter (2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 HEAPING tablespoons minced garlic (less if you aren’t a garlic lover!)
1/2 teaspoon basil (dried)
Pinch of salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
First melt the butter in the microwave, then combine the rest of your glaze ingredients, mixing well so the sugar dissolves. Boom. You are done with the glaze! Now spray your baking sheet with nonstick spray and arrange your chicken. Brush or spoon the glaze on to the chicken so that it is coated. Once this is done you are ready to place it in the oven! Bake the chicken until it is completely cooked, about 20-25 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature of your chicken reaches 165 degrees F. (I suggest using a digital thermometer.) And that’s it! So quick and easy! If you do not have time (or if you are not feeling potatoes), you can serve this with rice or steamed veggies or just on its own! YUM)

Simple Rosemary Potatoes
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1-2 lbs. baby Red or Yukon Gold potatoes (I leave the skins on)
1-2 tablespoons Rosemary (I honestly eye-ball it!)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Wash and pat dry the potatoes and cut them into medallions. You can cut them into cubes or quarter them, but I find that the potatoes do not cook as evenly or crisp up as well. Spray your second baking sheet with non-stick spray, arrange potatoes in a single layer. Drizzle olive oil over potatoes then sprinkle on salt, pepper and rosemary as desired and give a good stir. Bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until you can easily pierce potatoes with a fork. The edges should be slightly crispy. That’s all, folks!

I usually stick the potatoes in the oven first, and about 20 minutes in I add the chicken so it all finishes around the same time. I usually serve this meal with steamed broccoli. Since I’m all about home cooked AND convenient, I use “steam fresh” veggies that are ready after five minutes in the microwave –I always have at least 5 of these in my freezer!

Since this meal serves my husband (who basically eats 2 servings) and me with some leftovers, I would approximate that this meal yields about four servings.

Enjoy!

XOXO, Cait B.

chicken_1