Banana Muffins

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup sugar (this time I used regular  sugar, next time I am going to attempt it with Splenda to help with the weight watcher points)
2 eggs or 4 egg whites (I used egg whites)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 very ripe bananas
1/2 cup skim milk
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line eighteen muffin cups with liners.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer at medium speed, beat the sugar, applesauce, egg whites and oil until frothy.   With the mixture at low speed, add the bananas and milk and then the four mixture slowly.  

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Spoon the batter into the cups.

Bake 20-25 minutes.  



**5 weight watchers points each **

Waffle Mix

1 1/3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup oil

Combine everything together, store mixture in refrigerator overnight for best results.  

Broccoli Cheese & Potato Soup

Following weight watchers is really nice because there are SO many family friendly options out there.   One of my favorite websites is www.skinnytaste.com she has such great ideas and recipes that are all centered around weight watchers.  


1 small onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth (low sodium)
1 cup fat free milk
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
1/4 teaspoon salt & pepper
4 cups broccoli florets, chopped into small pieces
1 1/2 cups reduced fat shredded cheese
2 slices reduced fat american cheese
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese

In a large pot, melt butter.   Add vegetables and saute until soft.

Add flour, salt, and pepper to the pot and stir until smooth.

Add chicken broth, milk, and potatoes and set heat to high until it comes to a boil.   Reduce heat to low and cover and cook until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.

Add broccoli and parmesan and stir well to incorporate.   Adjust salt & pepper to taste.   Cook uncovered until broccoli is soft, about 5 minutes.  

Add shredded cheese and american cheese, stir well and remove from heat.   Using a potato masher mash up the potatoes really well within the soup to help thicken it up.  

http://www.skinnytaste.com/broccoli-cheese-and-potato-soup/

Homemade Fluffy Pancake Mix

So we ended up with a ridiculously large bag of flour from Costco from our holiday baking so I decided instead of buying pancake mix I would mix up our own.   You just add an egg and 1 cup of milk.  

12 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons baking powder
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt

Mix everything together and store in an airtight container.  

To make the pancakes use 1 cup mix combined with 1 egg and 1 cup of milk this will make 4-6 pancakes depending on the size you prefer.  

Ranch Roasted Red Potatoes

12oz red potatoes washed and quartered

1 package Ranch dressing dry mix 

Non Fat, olive oil cooking spray 

1 teaspoon salt 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees 

In a large bowl combine the potatoes and spray lightly with the cooking spray.   Then, add in the ranch mix and salt, and toss well to coat each piece evenly.   

Spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray and spread potatoes out evenly on the baking sheet.   

Bake in the oven approximately 20-25 minutes.

Serves 4 

Oven Mini Burgers

My daughter hates anything cooked on the BBQ grill, I know she is crazy!   That being said she loves hamburgers so I found this great way to cook them in the oven and she (and the rest of us) love them.

1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package mini buns - we really like the Sara Lee Hawaiian Mini Hawaiian Rolls
Your favorite cheese - either sliced or shredded will work

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

In a bowl combine meat, bread crumbs, onion, and salt.   Gently press mixture into a pyrex 8X8 dish (sprayed with cooking spray) so it makes one large patty of even thickness.   Poke holes in the meat using a fork.   Bake for 30 minutes.   As it bakes, the meat will shrink away from the sides of the pan and some grease will pool to the sides.   Once it is completely baked remove pan from oven and carefully drain grease.   Top with cheese and return to oven until cheese is melted.

Makes 10 mini burgers.

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

First you need to make the meatballs, I use my universal meatball recipe.   

1 pound lean ground beef 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1/4 cup bread crumbs 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1 egg 

1/4 cup of good quality parmesan cheese 

3 tablespoons ketchup 

1 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper 

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley 

Combine all the ingredients together and mix together well but do not over mix just mix until everything comes together well.   

For the sauce - combine all ingredients together 

1 cup chopped bell pepper  

20oz can of pineapple chunks in juice (keep the juice)

1 cup chopped onion 

2/3 cup brown sugar 

1 cup ketchup 

1 cup water 

4 tablespoons vinegar 

4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.   Place meatballs in a large baking dish and then pour the sauce mixture over the meatballs.  Bake for one hour uncovered.    You can serve this over rice or egg noodles.   

Easy Meatballs

I use this recipe for meatballs for many different recipes that call for meatballs, I have tried every frozen meatball out there and there aren't any that we love.   I will often make a huge batch of of these and just freeze them and pull them out as needed for different recipes.   

1 pound lean ground beef 

1/2 cup finely chopped onion 

1/4 cup bread crumbs 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1 egg 

1/4 cup of good quality parmesan cheese 

3 tablespoons ketchup 

1 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper 

1/2 tablespoon dried parsley 

Combine all the ingredients together and mix together well but do not over mix just mix until everything comes together well.   

Baked at 400 degrees for for 15-20 minutes - depending on how big you make your meatballs will make the time more or less.   We prefer smaller meatballs so my cook times is usually towards the 15 minute mark.   

Super Sloppy Joes

I used to make sloppy joes using a can of manwich and one day I stumbled upon this Rachel Ray recipe and I have not gone back to the canned manwich.   This is another recipe that freezes really well so you could always double it and freeze it for those crazy evenings.  

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 pound ground beef (lean)

1/4 cup brown sugar 

1 tablespoon McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning 

1 onion, chopped 

1 bell pepper, chopped 

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce 

2 cups tomato sauce 

1 small can tomato paste 

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.   Add oil and vegetables to the pan.   Once the vegetables are soft, add the meat.   Break up the meat really well adding the steak seasoning as you go.   Add sugar and all the spices.   Reduce heat to medium and  add the remaining ingredients.    Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.    

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/super-sloppy-joes-recipe4.html?vty=recipes/rachael-ray/super-sloppy-joes-recipe.html

Cornbread

If your having chili (or vegetable soup even) you have to have cornbread with it.   This is a great recipe and it makes a TON so it is great for a group.   You can also store the leftovers in the fridge and toast in the toaster oven for leftovers.   

1 cup cornmeal 

3 cups all-purpose flour 

1 1/3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt 

2/3 cup vegetable oil 

1/3 cup melted butter

2 tablespoons honey 

4 eggs, beaten

2 1/2 cups milk 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9X13 baking dish 

In a large bowl, stir in the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Pour in the vegetable oil, melted butter, honey, beaten eggs, and milk.   Stir just until moistened.   

Pour the batter into the greased baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for at least 45 minutes.   Realistically it is more like an hour.   

Marsh Chili

Nothing beats a cold day like chili!   This is our famous Marsh chili that everyone always seems to love.   It freezes really well so I usually at least double the recipe but I have quadrupled it before as well.


1 pound lean ground hamburger meat
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 stalk celery, chopped
15oz tomato sauce
12oz water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon dill seed
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 can kidney beans

Warm a large pan with 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil.   Soften the onions, celery, and green pepper.  Add the meat.   Add tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil.   Add seasonings to the pot.   Slowly simmer for at least 2 hours (but the longer the better).

Add the beans immediately after you turn off the heat and let cool in pot.   If serving immediately wait 10-15 minutes after adding beans before serving.

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

The crockpot and I aren't always friends, there have been many nights we have ended up ordering pizza because my crockpot meal turned out beyond disgusting.   This recipe however is fool proof and is SO yummy and makes a ton so there is some to freeze for other crazy nights.

4-6 chicken breasts (4 will leave you a little leftovers and 6 will leave you a good bit to freeze)
1 jar (or homemade) of your favorite salsa - sometimes I even run by our favorite Mexican takeout and order some salsa to use
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
1 can corn (drained)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)

Put everything but the corn and black beans in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours.   About an hour before you will be eating shred the chicken using a fork and add the corn and black beans.



Another great idea for leftovers is to turn these leftovers into a quesadilla filling, quesadillas are always a huge hit in our house.

As Good As Cracker Barrel Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup and grilled cheese is probably my favorite childhood meal, I have looked and looked for a long time for a great homemade vegetable soup and I finally found one!!

10oz bag of frozen chopped onions
12oz bag of frozen peas
12oz bag of frozen corn
12oz bag of frozen lima beans
1 can of green beans (with the juices)
28oz diced canned diced tomatoes
4 beef bouillon cubes (I usually just do 2 though)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 celery stalks, sliced thinly
2 large russet potatoes peeled and cubed
8 cups water
32oz V8 vegetable juice

Before you get started you need to dig out the biggest pot you own...yes I am serious the BIGGEST one you own.   No the one you are thinking wont' work, go BIGGER!    Trust me you will be pouring it into the biggest pot and making a huge mess if you use the smaller one.

Pour everything into the pot and stir.   Bring to a boil.   Lower the temperature and cook for at least 4 hours on low  

You could also do this in the crockpot you would need to cook on low for at least 8 hours.

This recipe makes a TON and it freezes really well.    Hope you enjoy it and don't forget the grilled cheese sandwiches to go with it.


http://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/2014/09/copycat-cracker-barrels-vegetable-soup-kid-friendly-things-to-do-com/

The BEST mashed potatoes

For the longest time I always thought mashed potatoes were just potatoes, milk, and butter.   WRONG!!   I stumbled upon this recipe last year and I have been making these for every holiday and they are always a huge hit.   Over Christmas I made an entire 5 pound bag of potatoes and there was almost none left.   

http://www.southernliving.com/food/how-to/how-to-make-perfect-mashed-potatoes

3 pounds yukon gold potatoes 

2 teaspoons salt, divided 

1/3 cup butter 

1/3 cup half and half 

4 oz cream cheese, softened 

3/4 teaspoon black pepper 

Peel the potatoes and cut into 1 inch pieces.   Bring potatoes, 1teaspoon salt, and cold water to a boil in a medium size pan.   Reduce heat and cook 20 minutes or until fork tender.   Drain.   

Return potatoes to pan, add butter and remaining ingredients.   Beat until smooth.   DO NOT over beat.   

Crockpot Macaroni & Cheese

I usually do not try new recipes out on company but I needed another side dish for Christmas dinner and I really didn't have room in the oven for anything else so I headed over to Pinterest to try and find a crockpot macaroni and cheese recipe.  

http://iheartrecipes.com/best-slow-cooker-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-how-to-make/


3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded colby cheese
3 tablespoons butter
2 3/4 cup of half and half
15oz can Campbell's cheddar cheese condensed soup
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Combine the half and half with the cheddar cheese soup and mix until nice and smooth.  

Sprinkle in the paprika and black pepper, mix well.

Pour the macaroni into crockpot and then add the cheese soup mixture.   Then add 1/2 of the shredded cheddar and colby and the butter.

Mix well

Top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Cook on low for 4 hours.  


**I used cooking spray on the insides of the crockpot and it made cleanup very easy**

Holiday Breakfast Strata

What does your family have for Christmas breakfast?    We always have the same breakfast casserole and we all look forward to it because it is so good!   What makes it even better is that you make it the day before and just put it in the oven and you have an easy no mess breakfast.

Sausage Strata 

1 pound ground pork sausage 

6 slices buttered bread, cubed (white bread works best)

2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

6 eggs

2 cups milk 

1 teaspoon salt 

1 teaspoon dry mustard 

Place sausage in a large, deep skillet.   Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown.   Drain and set aside.

Sprinkle the cubed bread into a 7X11 baking dish.   In a bowl, beat together the eggs, milk, salt, and mustard.   Pour the egg mixture over the bread cubes in the baking dish.   Cover well and refrigerate overnight.  

Remove the casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before you want to begin cooking it

Bake at 350 degrees for 75 minutes.

Cheese Spread

With the holidays coming we always do appetizers for lunch on Thanksgiving and Christmas.    One of my husband's favorites is his grandmother's cheese spread recipe.   It is definitely an indulgence and why we only have twice a year.

Grandma Brown's Cheese Spread

1 - 8oz cream cheese (softened)
1 jar cheese spread (softened) -I usually use the Kaukauna brand
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix everything together really well using a mixer.   Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.   This tastes best when you make it beforehand and let it sit in the fridge at least 24 hours (which is a huge help at the holidays).   We usually serve this with some sort of bread or crackers.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Mitochondrial Disease

If you are like most people when you read that our son has Mitochondrial disease you paused and thought to yourself, what is that, I have never heard of that.   Don't worry your definitely not alone with not knowing what Mitochondrial Disease is.  

http://www.umdf.org/what-is-mitochondrial-disease/

^^This is a great site to really explore mitochondrial disease and all the complex things that go with this disease.   To keep it simple though, what it really means is that when Benjamin eats his body doesn't convert food into energy well at all.   Picture a battery and that battery draining in power that is basically what is happening to Benjamin's body.   Benjamin is nonverbal and cannot walk without help, he can walk while holding your hand and while using his walker.   Even though he doesn't talk he lets us know his needs/wants in his own way and almost always understand what he wants and needs.   

With mitochondrial disease Benjamin also experiences seizures, thankfully we have been seizure free for over a year thanks to Keppra!   He also has other medical issues such as chronic constipation, cerebral palsy, reflux, decreased bone density and neutropenia.   We are very thankful that the is doing really well and we have had minimal setbacks recently.   

I hope this helps you understand Mitochondrial Disease a bit more.

Marsh Meatloaf

Meatloaf is a touchy subject in our family, everyone of course thinks they make the best.   Here is my recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

For the meatloaf:
1 pound hamburger meat (I use the leanest one)
2 eggs
14 Ritz Crackers, crushed
1/3 cup Ketchup
2 dashes of Worchestershire Sauce
1 package Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1 tablespoon of water
Salt & Pepper (couple of dashes each)

Mix all ingredients together well - the mixture will be wetter than what you are probably used to.

For the Sauce (you could always double this part if your family likes the topping, I know mine love this part):
1/3 cup Ketchup
1 teaspoon Mustard
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar

Mix all ingredients for the sauce together.


Split the meat mixture into half and put half on one side of a large pan (with rack) and the other half on the other side.   Pour sauce over top evening.

Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour.

Introduction

Hello there!   I am new to blogging and I thought I would just jump right in.   My name is Kerri and I am 35 years old, married almost 13 years to an amazing man and we have 8 year old boy/girl twins.   Our twins are Benjamin and Katelyn.   Benjamin has mitochondrial disease and his sister is a typical developing 8 year old.   This blog is going to encompass our life and more including cooking, family, cleaning and more!   Thanks for reading.