Hellmann's Coupon and wheel Spin

So on my quest for good deals and free finds I came across this website. All you have to do is sign up for free to get 3 chances a day to spin the wheel for prizes. The chance of winning something HUGE is probably slim...but i got a .75 coupon which doubles to 1.50 so BI WIN FOR ME! lol heres the website if you wanna check it out!

http://www.bestfoods.us/promotions/therealfoodproject/prizes.aspx

Cheesy Ranch Potato Bake

• 4 pounds russet potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle Ranch dressing
• Crumbled bacon (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. Place the potatoes in the baking dish. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Evenly distribute the butter over the potatoes.
3. Cover dish with aluminum foil, and bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, until potatoes are tender. Remove from oven, and mix in the cheese and Ranch dressing. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Crockpot Jambalaya

Ingredients

• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 pound frozen cooked shrimp without tails

Directions

1. In a slow cooker, mix the chicken, sausage, tomatoes with juice, onion, green bell pepper, celery, and broth. Season with oregano, parsley, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and thyme.
2. Cover, and cook 7 to 8 hours on Low, or 3 to 4 hours on High. Stir in the shrimp during the last 30 minutes of cook time.

Server over red beans and rice or just plain rice and ENJOY!

Cajun Dirty Rice

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound beef sausage
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 (8 ounce) package dirty rice mix
• 2 cups water
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
• 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef, sausage, and onion; drain.
2. In a large pan, combine rice mix and 2 cups water. Add diced tomatoes and chilies. Stir in the kidney beans. Bring to a boil, then add meat mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Return to boil, reduce heat, and cover, stirring occasionally. Cook for 25 minutes, until rice is easily fluffed with a fork.

Shrimp Etouffe

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce
• 1/3 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
• 2 tablespoons seafood seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 cup fish stock or water
• 1-2 pounds medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

Directions

1. Heat the butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour, and stir constantly until the mixture turns 'peanut butter' brown or darker, at least 15 or 20 minutes. I use a large fork with the flat side to the bottom of the pan in a side to side motion. This is your base sauce or 'Roux'. It is very important to stir this constantly. If by chance the roux burns, discard and start over.
2. Once the roux is browned, add the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the skillet, and saute for about 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fish stock, and season with the seafood seasoning. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Season the sauce with hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper (if using), and add the shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque.

Serve with rice and seasoned french bread for dipping!

Shepherd's Pie

Aaron has been on my back for the last two weeks to make this for him. So after a few trials and a lot of errors I made one that he likes! Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, cubed
• 1 tablespoon butter
• salt and pepper to taste
• Frozen mixed veggies
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 3/4 cup beef broth or water
• 1 package of brown gravy mix
• 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm. Drain and mash. Mix in butter. Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside. (Or instant mashed potatoes work WONDERFUL too!!!)
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F 
3. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add onion and cook until clear. Add ground beef and cook until well browned. Pour off excess fat, then stir in flour and Worcestershire and cook 1 minute. Add ketchup, beef gravy package and beef broth/water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Spread the ground beef in an even layer on the bottom of a 2 quart casserole dish. Next, spread a layer of mixed veggies. Top with the mashed potato mixture and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Poke Cupcakes

 

Ok. These are the moistest, yummiest, easiest cupcakes I have ever made. In fact I wont keep you any longer read, enjoy and go bake!

Start with a white cake mix. Mix as directed ( I use applesauce instead of the oil! Better for you and you cant tell the difference!)

Bake as directed! (I know I need a new pan)

Cool em off

Get a Long tined fork

Carefully poke holes into the cupcakes but dont o all the way down.
Just ALMOST all the way!

Next you take 1 pkg jello (any flavor) and pour a cup of boiling water
over and stir until dissolved. Pour over the cakes, then transfer the
cakes to a new foil covered pan and pour again with leftovers. Let
 cool completely

After theyve cooled top them with whipped topping, either homemade or
 cool whip. You can eve stir in some pureed strawberries to add to the
flavor. WONDERFUL! 

Heres the inside of one. MMM MM Delicious! 

Fried Pickles...Take that Razzoos!

So, since we have left the great state of Texas there have been many food related items that I miss...Mexican food being first then among other things there are fried pickles. We used to go to hooters or Razzoos to get them. Well I just dont feel like I should be walking into Hooter's with two boys under 2 and there arent any Razzoos. So time to get creative! You can play with the spices to make them any way you like, but this is how Aaron and I have decided we like them! Enjoy!

• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• A couple of dashes of hot sauce
• 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 (32 ounce) jar sliced dill pickles, drained
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep-frying

Directions

1. In a small bowl, mix together the egg, milk, 1 tablespoon of flour,hot sauce and Worcestershire sauce. In a separate bowl, stir together the remaining flour, cayenne, and pepper.
2. Heat oil to 350 degrees F  in a deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet. Dip pickle slices into the milk mixture, then into the flour mixture. Repeat dipping.
3. Place the pickles carefully into the hot oil. Avoid over crowding by frying in several batches. Fry until pickles float to the surface, and are golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.

Dip in ranch and Enjoy!!!