Some kind of casserole?

There was this one time I created a recipe... that was awesome.. and I told someone about it. And I promised to write the recipe down and send it. I made it a few times in total... and thought I wouldn't forget it.

AAaaaaannnd.... now I can't remember.

So... Rissa, this is my attempt at trying to remember exactly how I made the meal I made. I wish I had written down. Because now that I remember making it, I remember how awesome it was when we ate it. I hope this is it!

Some Kind of Casserole
G, S

Saute some chopped onions and pressed garlic together. Add about a pound of ground beef and cook till browned. Stir in 1 drained can of sweet corn or 1 drained can of french style green beans. Add a can of diced tomatoes with chilies. About 1/2 c. - 1 c of ketchup. Shake in a bunch of Worcestershire sauce, like a tablespoon or two. If it's too saucy, let it simmer. When finished, top mashed potatoes and shredded cheddar cheese.

Crockpot Split Pea Soup Zinger

I love soup. Some of my favorite meals are soups. The best part about soups are that they're often easy crockpot meals. A small investment of time earlier in the day reaps big evening rewards, in my opinion. This split pea soup is uh-may-zing.

Crockpot Split Pea Soup Zinger
G, D

Dump the following ingredients in your crockpot and go. 3-4 hours high, double for low.


1 ham hock (I always get a small ham with the bone-in, eat the ham for one meal then use the bone for the soup flavor) or 5 pieces of bacon
2 1/2 cups of chicken stock
1 medium onion chopped
1 potato chopped
2 large carrots chopped (or if you're like me, throw in handfuls of baby carrots till you're satisfied there are enough)
1 c. split peas rinsed
1 cloved of garlic through your garlic press
1 TBSP soy sauce
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
salt and pepper to taste

My Marvelous Granola

It seems appropriate for my granola recipe to be the first to share. I love my granola. I'm a bit of a snob about it actually. I've tweaked recipes until I got what I wanted and it's so delicious I brag. It's true. Ask my friends. They only put up with my bragging since I share the granola.

The one thing about it is that it's crumbly. I've read numerous suggetions on how to get your granola chunkier.. but, I haven't experimented yet. Why? Because I love to stir it into yogurt or pour milk over it like cereal.... and in both cases I don't want big chunks to eat it like that. So crumbly granola it is. Either way, it's marvelous.

Kate's Marvelous Granola
D, V, S

4 c. rolled oats
1 c. slivered almonds
1 c. chopped walnuts
1 c. shredded coconut, unsweetened
1/2 c. wheat germ
sprinkle in ground flax seed if you have some fresh

Mix above ingredients in a large bowl.

Over medium heat melt together 1/2 c. natural peanut butter, 1/2 c. extra virgin coconut oil, 1/2 c. honey while stirring constantly. Once blended remove from heat. Stir in 1 TBSP of vanilla and 1 tsp. ground cinnamon. Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture in bowl, stir until well coated. Spread into a large bar pan and bake at 170 degrees for 3 hours, stiring once per hour.

Once the granola has cooled mix in raisins or dehydrated cherries.

***Granola Snob's notes : To make this recipe Gluten Free omit the wheat germ, add 1/2 c. of other dried ingredients either more oats, almonds, walnuts, coconut, ground flax, or a little bit of each. Please don't buy ground flax. You only get the nutritional benefits if you grind the seed fresh right before using. A cheap coffee grinder works well to grind flax seed. Please don't sunflower seeds or sesame seeds to this granola - they ruin it. Believe me, it's an experience.

Because Two are Better than One

Welcome!

However you came here, whether it was from my other blog, google, recommendation of a friend, I'm glad you've stopped by. This is my secondary blog. I've started another blog because I feel two blogs are better than one.

Actually, it's because I'm frequently asked for many of the recipes I use and/or create. The primary purpose of this blog is to share and review recipes. I plan to share our family favorites. I will also review recipes you send me, giving you a chance to have both your own recipe and blog highlighted here. So send 'em on over, I'll whip them up in my kitchen and give them a try!

I spend so much time in my kitchen it's about time that I put together a cookbook. So this blog is my online cookbook persay.

I will be labeling recipes typically (entree, side dish, dessert, etc) but also with allergen information. My kids need to be gluten free. Please feel free to send in suggestions for allergen labels.

Here is your key : G (gluten free), D (dairy free), V (Vegan), S (soy free)