Rice-A-Roni Pork Chops & Rice

There are so many ways to cook pork chops, One of my favorite ways is pork chops and Rice. it happens to be one of my family's favorite foods. Now how I came to make Rice-A-Roni Seasoned Pork Chops. I was going to cook my grandmothers recipe for pork chops and rice but my day ran long and I didn't have time to cook since it takes an hour. I was going to grill the chops and cook rice for a side dish. But, when I was looking at the box of rice I saw a recipe for Chicken and rice. Went from there and thought I'd try it with the pork chops. Might I say it was really good and something I would make again. I think one thing I might do next is add the broccoli and cheese. Hope you enjoy!

      
What Ya'll Need:
1  package RICE-A-RONI® Chicken

4-6 boneless pork chops             

2  tablespoons margarine

2  cups water

1  cup small broccoli florets (optional)

1/2  cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

salt

pepper

 

What to Do:

In large skillet, sauté rice-vermicelli mix with 2 Tbsp. margarine over medium heat until vermicelli is golden brown, stirring frequently this is important make sure you don't skip this step. Then slowly stir in 2 cups of water, Special Seasonings and bring to a boil. Then add the pork chops, cover and reduce heat to low and simmer 15-20 min. or until rice is tender and water is absorbed. Let stand 5 min. before serving.

Tip* Add 1 cup small broccoli florets during last 5 min. of simmering. Top with 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese before stand time.

 

My Hero, My Brother

True bravery is shown by performing without witness what one might be capable of doing before all the world.The word bravery can often be interchanged with the words of courage, or daring, but what defines courage? The Merriam-Webster dictionary states: "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty". In other words, bravery means the defense of many things at one's own personal loss, or risk.  When the word courage is said, the image that is often seen is one that is at war. This is very true; it is very heroic to defend one's country and the freedom of that country.

Stephen Wayne Jackel Jr. 

 My brother Stephen did just that he was in the Army and served his Country and has since became a Wounded Warrior. Sometimes it's hard to understand why a soldier has to endure pain while serving to protect his or her country. But, you just have to realize a hero can be made in one act of compassion  My brother made a sacrifice, so our country could be free. I will be forever grateful and proud of him for all that he did and that he continues to do. I'm proud of my brother and I wrote this poem for him.

My Hero, My Brother

My Hero is someone I looked up to,
Who others could love to be.

My  Hero is someone, who is very courageous,

loving and brave,

My Hero has Loyalty to his friends and family

and strength beyond most.

My Hero and I have a special bond 

Who's stories are untold.

My Hero has made me laugh, made me cry

and even helped me hide some lies.

My Hero has protected me and you from the world.

My Hero has bruises in his heart and his body

all the tears and scrapes, I wish I could erase.  

My Hero A Brave and Noble Soldier he will always be. 

My Hero is my Brother, a Father, a Husband, a Son and Friend.

My Hero I pray for you that light be in your life always.

My Hero I love you and will forever Honor You!



I wrote this poem for my brother because there are things that are hard to just put in to words and say out loud sometime and I guess you never realize, how much you love someone, Until they're  put in a situation which changes them forever. I wanted my brother to know that no matter where he is or what's going on in our lives I think of him daily and he is never gone and nor will I ever forget the biggest sacrifice one could give and that was his Life to fight in a War in which he lived to see another day but only with a different out look on life. I thank God for keeping this strong man in my life. I love you Stephen and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mini-Cupcake Pops

I love cupcakes. I also love bite sized foods. So when my friend was graduating college and having a party  and the theme was "She stuck with It!"  The idea for Mini-Cupcake Pops came to mind. You could have someone make them for you, buy them made or make them homemade... Just add them to a stick! Enjoy and If you want a homemade treat try my recipe below.

 

 

What Y'all Need: Your favorite cake mix, here's mine for chocolate.



1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

What to Do:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 24 cup mini cupcake pan. Whisk the cocoa powder and 1 1/2 cups boiling water in a medium bowl until smooth; set aside. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until combined. Add the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the cocoa mixture in a steady stream until just combined, then finish mixing with a rubber spatula. (The batter will be thin.) Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer to racks and let cool.

Now for my frosting I like Buttercream of course you can use yours but just incase here is my very simple and easy Buttercream Frosting.

Buttercream Frosting:
1 stick of Butter softened
5 cups of Confectionary Sugar
1 tsp. of Vanilla Extract
4-6 tbsp. of Milk (I use almond)

Cream the Butter add the Sugar, vanilla, and milk. Beat with a hand mixer until it reaches a thick consistency. Just add food coloring to change colors and top with any sprinkles or topping you want!

*Makes enough to frost one cake or 24 cupcakes.

 

Taco Stuffed Bell Pepper

I love taco's and bell peppers, well really I love all kinds of peppers. So what's better then mixing the two. My husband and I love stuffed peppers so when he had the Idea to use the taco mixture I was on board. So, here is the end results of my version to a Taco Stuffed bell Pepper. Simple and Easy!

 

What Ya'll Need:
4 bell peppers
1 pound ground beef
1/2 of a yellow onion, diced
1 can black beans
1/2 cup cheese(your pick)
1 pkg. taco seasoning
Sour cream, Lettuce and Tomatoes all for Topping it off

What to You Do:
Ground beef, drain. Add the diced onion and black beans cook 10 minutes. As that's cooking cut the tops off of four bell peppers remove stems and seeds.  Fill bell peppers with ground beef mixture and top with cheese. Cook for 45 minutes at 365 degrees. Once they are done let sit and cool for 5 minutes eat and Enjoy!

 

Taco Calzone

I'm always ready to try any new recipe. So, When I saw this one on Pinterest I knew I wanted to try it out. My husband and I love Taco's. Thought it would be great to test out a flaky crust compared to a dough crust. I would say it was quite good. I guess my husband liked it so much that before I could even take the picture for this he was coming back for more. I would say this will be made more in my future! Hope you try it out and enjoy as much as my family did.

 

 



What Y'all Need:

1lb of ground meat

1 pkg of any taco seasoning that you like(I use McCormick)

1 small onion chopped up

1 15oz can of black beans(drained and rinsed) I use ones flavored with Jalapenos

1 crescent roll original flavor

1-2 cups of cheese(I use Colby)

sour cream

lettuce

 

What You Do:

In a skillet, brown ground meat. Drain, season with taco seasoning and add the chopped onion. Let cook a few minutes then add the can of black beans. Roll out the crescent roll in the middle place the meat mixture then top with cheese. Cook in oven in a pre-heated oven at 350 for 20mins. Let sit for 5mins when completed and Enjoy!

 

 

 

Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Jalapenos

I LOVE Jalapeno Pepper's! So I like to try new and different ways to cook them. I add them to almost everything and I do it in a way where it adds flavor and not so much heat. My favorite way to cook them is to stuff them. I have had them with shrimp, little sausage's, meat and all types of cheese. When I found this next recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it. I changed a few things, but it was just the way it was cooked I was pressed for time!

Take jalapenos, halve, de-seed and cut all the membrane out of the jalapeno 

 Combine cream cheese and all the spices in a bowl

  Spoon cream cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, until level

Cut bacon strips in half,  why the are still uncooked

 Wrap each in bacon and place on baking sheet.  Bake for 25-30 minutes

If you are grilling, throw these on for 25-30mins temp around 375

Let Cool and Enjoy!

 

Bacon Wrapped Cream Cheese Jalapenos

 

What Y'all Need:

8  ounces cream cheese, softened
1  teaspoon of McCormick Garlic Salt with Parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
12  Jalapenos, halved & seeded(I cut all the white membrane out)
12  bacon strips cut in half, uncooked


What You Do:
Preheat oven to 375F. Take the jalapenos halve,  de-seed and cut all the membrane out of the jalapeno. Combine cream cheese and all the spices in a bowl. Spoon cream cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, until level. Wrap each in bacon and place on baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Then boil for 4-6 minutes. Look at bacon and see if its crisp looking. Remove and Let set for 4 minutes and enjoy!

*Cooking Tip: The 8ozs. of cream cheese will do 24 halved Jalapenos. Make sure to only level with the top of Jalapeno. This keeps it from leaking out and making a mess. Now, if you are grilling as I show above temp 375-400 in grill and cook about 25-30mins, they taste so good.

Recipe Source: Dani's Recipe Creations

Southern Cowgirl Chili

I love chili and everything about it. I can eat it all year round. I have tasted many different types of chili's made many different ways. In the past few years I have made probably close to 20 different chili's. I would try different beans or no beans but changing the spices was usually what I was doing. Then I thought to myself. If I'm using the McCormick band spices to make this why not just save myself time and buy their chili Spice packet and work out taste from there. So I did, and by the end of all the different variations I came up with this was the chili recipe that won not only my heart but my husband. I now call it Southern Cowgirl Chili. I recently took this to a chili cook-off at work and I won First Place. It was a fun moment knowing that not just my family loved but others as well. 

  

What Y'all Need:

1 lb. of ground beef

1 lb. of Jimmy dean breakfast ground sausage
1 can of red kidney beans(drained)
1 can of Bushs Grillin beans Texas Ranchero Flavor pinto beans
1 can of ranch style beans
1 reg. can of diced tomatoes
1 reg. can of rotel
1 packet of McCormick Mild Chili seasoning(cup of water)
1 small onion and bell pepper diced
Salt and Pepper to taste

What to do:
Cook the meats. Add together and then Saute the onion and bell pepper in meat. Stir the chili pkg in a cup of water. Then add everything else in the meat mixture. Stir together! I cook it on med for about 30 mins and then low for like 1 hr but the longer it cooks the better.

Cheesy Hash Brown Potato Casserole

My family loves potatoes and we could eat them everyday and with every meal. This is one of my favorite was to make a potato side dish. I hope your family enjoys it just as mine does.

 

 

Things you need:

1 small-medium onion, diced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 Tbsp. butter
1 28-oz. bag shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups sour cream (we use light)
1 10-oz. can cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (we use 2%)
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
* 1-2 Tbsp. Diced Jalapeno Peppers


What to do:

Preheat oven to 350. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent. Remove from heat.  Place the thawed hash browns, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, cheese, salt, pepper and garlic-onion mix in a bowl and combine well. *If your feeling a little zippy add diced jalapeno peppers to garlic, onion and butter when you sauté.

 

You can top with crushed cornflakes, seasoned bread crumbs, crushed potato chips, or crushed Ritz or saltine crackers, French onion topping. When we make this with jalapenos we add a crushed potato chip that's jalapeno and cheese flavor love how it adds extra flavor.

 

Spread the mixture into a 9×13″ dish cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and place any toppings you may want and a little extra cheese bake another 15 minutes or until the casserole is hot in the center and the cheese is bubbly throughout.

 

 

Recipe Source: Dani's Rustic Creations
Picture Source: NacyCreative

Taco-Filled Pasta Shells



I love Taste of Home and I am always looking for new things to try and when I saw this recipe I new for me the only thing missing was beans. I know beans with Pasta might not sound good to some but don't knock it till you try it. This is a great recipe.

 

 

What Y'all Need:
2 pounds ground beef
2 envelopes taco seasoning

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed

24 uncooked jumbo pasta shells

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 can of refried beans(I use black beans)*

 

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS (for each casserole):

1 cup salsa

1 cup taco sauce

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1-1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

Green onions, chopped

 

 

What to Do..

In skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add taco seasoning; prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese; cook and stir for 5-10 minutes or until melted. Transfer to a bowl; chill for 1 hour. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Gently toss with butter. Fill each shell with about 3 tablespoons of meat mixture. To prepare remaining shells, spoon beans and salsa into a greased 9-in. square baking dish. Top with stuffed shells and taco sauce. Cover and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses and chips. Bake 15 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with sour cream and onions.

Recipe Source: Taste of Home

Cream Cheese Frosting

I have finally found the best Cream Cheese Frosting. I was reading a blog "Life Made Simple" and saw a recipe for Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting loved the idea for the cinnamon rolls but when I saw the recipe for the cream cheese frosting I got excited because I have tried a few variations in my time of cooking but this one was the one. I'm sold and this will be the one I use from this day on.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened
Pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. whole or 2% milk
2-3 c. powdered sugar

Prepare Frosting:
By beating the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, salt and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl until smooth. Add the powdered sugar one half cup at a time. If the mixture becomes too thick, slowly add milk one half tablespoon at a time.

Recipe Source: Life Made Simple