Turkey Noodle Soup

Homemaking hasn't been so happy the past month and a half! We've had a slew of illnesses hit our home and we're just now feeling normal again.  Last week as we started feeling better I made a redo Thanksgiving dinner (since we were sick on Thanksgiving) It was wonderful, plus I had tons of leftovers to get us through our week. Today was time to use up the rest of that Turkey, so I made one of my most favorite meals of all time, Turkey Noodle Soup.
It is not like traditional noodle soup, but just trust me....it's amazing!

Turkey Noodle Soup

First you take that picked over turkey carcass...yes, the whole thing....and plunge that baby into a big pot and fill it with water. boil that sucker for a couple hours until all that turkey is falling of and tender, and the water is infused with flavor. Now, cool it, strain all that delicious broth and reserve it. Start picking all the turkey off the bone. discard the bones, and add the turkey pieces to the broth. This is where I like to add salt, 1/2 a tablespoon, 1 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp Italian seasoning.
Now, for the noodles.....amazing, wonderful, delicious, easy to make, noodles
throw these ingredients in a bowl:
2 cups flour, plus more for rolling
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp olive oil
knead these together...roll out  to a thin layer on heavily floured surface, then use a pizza cutter to cut in cute little strips.
bring broth and turkey to boil, then add the noodles.  that's it....sooooo easy!!

Buttttttt......you have to serve this amazing soup over mashed potatoes....yummmmm!!!

November Menu

click here for November menu

October menu

It's been a long time since I posted. I guess it will take me a while to get used to blogging again!
In my absence from the blogging I have been working on (trying to) decorate my empty house! I love to garage sale....so Ive been revamping my garage sale finds, so look for those posts to come about my fun projects!!
Anyway.....I wont delay anymore....here's my two week menu (a few days late!) Click here for my two week meun plan!  I will be posting a few recipes in the next coming days, so check back!!

Sweet and Spicy Honey Chicken (Slow cooker)

Sweet and Spicy Honey Chicken

6 boneless/skinless chicken thighs
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbls. Dijon mustard
1 tbls. chili garlic sauce (more if you like spicy)
2 tbls. corn starch

Pat chicken dry then season with salt and pepper then place in slow cooker.  Mix together honey, syrup, soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, mustard, and chili garlic sauce.  Pour into slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.  Remove chicken and chop into bite size pieces.  turn slow cooker onto high setting, and stir in corn starch.  Let sit until sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes.  Add chicken back to sauce.  Serve over rice. If desired, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Homemade Pizza

One of my kids favorite things is getting to make their own pizzas.  They get to do everything, from helping make the dough and sauce, to rolling out the dough and filling it up with their favorite toppings.  We had a play date yesterday(with 4 extra little ones), so I veered from my original menu plan and went for homemade personal pizzas. It was a hit with all the kids.  Here is my recipe for amazing and easy pizza dough if you wish to try making your own!!

Pizza Dough

3 1/2 cups flour
1tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup non-fat dry milk
2 tbls. sugar
3 tsps. active yeast (I love saf)
1 1/2 cup warm water


Preheat oven to 425 degrees, then mix together flour, salt and olive oil in stand mixer until well combined.  Add dry milk, sugar and yeast.  Slowly mix in warm water. You don't want the dough to be too sticky to handle, so add more flour as needed.  Knead, then place in oiled bowl. Cover to let rise for about an hour in a warm place, or in the fridge overnight. (This dough works great for cheese bread, pizza, or desert pizza. I also like to use the leftover dough to make fried scones the next morning!).

If making a big pizza, I split the dough in half, and press the dough onto a baking sheet.  add sauce, cheese ( I use a mixture of mozzarella and monterey cheddar), then toppings. If I am making it for just the adults I sprinkle the top with oregano and parmesan, then brush the crust with melted butter and garlic salt, It tastes a little more sophisticated like this!!

Ok....you've got your pizza made, now put in in the oven on the bottom rack for 8-10 minutes for personal pizzas, or 12-14 minutes for a whole pizza.  I check the bottom of the pizza to make sure it's slightly browned and crisp before removing it from the oven.

 

yummmm!!

cooking tip! (Onions)

 I hate chopping onions, don't you?  If I need to chop lots I don't mind pulling out my food processer, but for one onion, it just doesn't seem worth getting the processer dirty. So here are my favorite minced onion tips:

1. I love to keep a bag of frozen onions in the freezer, just in case I run out, or I am really short on time. You can buy these in the frozen vegetable isle.*
2. If I happen to have lots of onions and time on hand (and contacts in!) I will bust out my processer and chop up a bunch to make my own frozen onions! Just chop, spread on a baking sheet sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, and then pop them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer them to a large freezer bag!
3. My new favorite go to....grating! I just pull out my trusty cheese grater, and run the onion on it...it only takes a few seconds! 

*when a recipe calls for 1 onion, I usually use half a cup of the frozen minced onions.
                                          

new 2 week menu

I've spent two weeks feeling just terrible that I haven't come on to add my recipes! I'm so terrible at this blogging thing, but I am trying. I think I have almost got it figured out, after some tinkering and figuring out how to make a new blog!! I am pretty proud that I've done this much though!! That being said....I plan on coming on a couple times a week to add some of my own recipes. I have some great recipe finds from Pinterest, I haven't quite figured out the etiquette of linking to those recipes. If you have any advice for me, please comment or e-mail me. In the meantime, I suggest you follow me on Pinterest follow me! to find some of my favorites go to my board labeled "Made it, Loved it".

I know that sometimes it doesn't take a recipe, it just takes an idea... I hope that if nothing else, I provide you with some ideas to help better your life and your homemaking!!


Click here for my new 2 week menu!!

2 week menu

Honestly, I've been in a cooking slump lately, mostly because of my broken dishwasher :( ....but, I sat down tonight and decided it was time to get back into my old habits and routines. I sat down and wrote out my beloved, trusty menu plan!! I like sit down at the end of each month and write out 4 lists:
1. Monthly Menu
2. grocery list for the first 2 weeks
3. grocery list for week 3 and 4
4.any weekly produce purchases

This helps me in a few different ways. I am going to the grocery store once a week (for produce) and then only every 2 weeks for all the other stuff. I spend less money, and I buy less junk food. I'm much less stressed, and even though some of my meals take long to prep/cook, I actually spend less time in the kitchen (no scratching of head, whilst standing in front of the pantry).
The food that I make is (mostly) preservative free. I don't buy the cream o' something cans anymore...I try to make everything from scratch. It tastes better, is healthier, and it's much cheaper!!

In my cooking I'm all about; improving my skills, involving my kids, saving money, and having fun!

ok...so without further ado...click here


I have had many requests for my menu plans, so here it is. If you want any of the recipes or my shopping list just comment and I will get them posted asap!!
(this is only a 2 week plan, and since 3 of my kids are going to be in school I didn't plan lunches for all those days).