Food is Life.

This topic for the next blog post won by ONE vote! Ya'll are so amazing and I love the interaction I can get with you by vlogging and blogging. I appreciate you voting and providing feedback because this isn't just for me, but I really hope this becomes something you look forward to reading and are excited for the next new post! So...by popular demand...here we go!

My favorite recipes! So, both my parents are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G cooks. My mom is all about presentation and cooks like she's feeding a small army on the daily...she also has two fridges and two freezers for just she & her boyfriend, but that's beside the point (ok, so this is where I get my food hoarding from). My dad is a super simple cook, but most of his recipes are hand-me-down recipes from his family in Canada, which gives me all the feels. I hated cooking growing up. Never enjoyed it. If I was on my own, it was a Michelina's frozen meal, ramen noodle, or spaghetti with garlic salt and butter (I do still love this though)--it wasn't until I moved out on my own that I discovered a deep love for cooking.

Now, it has become my distraction, a hobby, something I adore. I also feel like I show love through cooking meals for people (I know I got this from my parents)--both of them are also so quick to jump on what meal they could cook for someone as a gesture of love. So, you'll read about recipes I've been taught by my parents, my own favorite concoctions, and my favorite Pinterest finds (sources linked too).

Breakfast Sandwiches

I make these all the time--and change up what goes on them too. But the staples are: some type of bread (obv), my favorites are anything sourdough-like the good sourdough bread from the bakery section, or a sourdough english muffin. But we use bagels sometimes too. Anyway, a good ol' fried egg, ham/bacon/both, and I like onion on it. Then we always add a slice of cheese and almost always pepperjack, but an old fashioned processed cheese slice always melts perfectly and lets face it, is delicious. 


To make, I just throw in the egg with some S&P, and when it's almost done I add the ham/bacon in the pan to the side to heat through, and add the onion with cheese on top to get it all melted together...throw it on top of the egg, and then stack it on your bread of choice! And anything savory breakfast calls for hot sauce in this house! 

Egg Cupcakes

These are so cute & fun! I just whip up a bowl of eggs, a splash of milk, and whatever ingredients I'm feeling that morning! Combine them all and put into a cupcake pan (greased!) and bake at 425 for about 15 minutes.
Optional Ingredients are: Eggs (egg whites or egg beaters, kale, spinach, onions, green onions, bell peppers, olives, broccoli, bacon, ham, sausage, carrots, zucchini, summer squash, asparagus, CHEESE...the list goes on! Also, bacon pieces in the salad aisle are super easy and great for this! 

Breakfast Bake

Same as above, except throw it all together in a greased 9x13 dish and bake until golden--probably about 30 minutes. 

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

This is the one I use! 

https://cincyshopper.com/biscuits-and-gravy-casserole/

Quiche

Again, same as above, except use less eggs (usually 6-8) and put into a refrigerated pie crust rolled out into a pie dish. Also, if you like a fluffier & lighter quiche, add in a half a cup of cottage cheese (don't worry, you can't taste it--I don't even like cottage cheese)! 

Tater tot casserole

So EASY and the kids love it! Literally a bag of tater tots, hamburger with S&P, and two cans of cream of mushroom soup. Throw it together (or layer it) in a greased casserole dish--400 for 30+ minutes (the center can take a while depending on how thick your casserole is).

Goulash

1 box of noodles (I like small shells or elbows)

1 can tomato paste

1 lb hamburger or turkey burger

1 tablespoon minced garlic

2 cans tomato sauce

1 can diced tomatoes (can use diced tomatoes w/ green chilies if you want it spicy)

Worcestershire sauce (optional)

Garlic Salt

Italian Seasoning

Red Pepper Flakes (optional)

Salt & Pepper

Boil Noodles & cook al dente. Brown the hamburger with s&p, minced garlic & a splash of Worcestershire. Combine all together after draining the noodles and grease from the meat. Add in remaining ingrediants. I didn't add amounts to the spices because I would say it's all to your liking. Also, if it seems to tomato-y or acidic, add in a little bit of sugar to offset that taste! 

Spaghetti

Same sauce base as above, but I add in chopped bell pepper and onion to sautee with the burger. Also add in other items occasionally, such as: mushrooms, black olives, zucchini or summer squash. 

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

5-6 Large Russet Potatoes, sliced thin

Sliced, boneless ham 

Onion, sliced thin

2 cans cream of mushroom soup (or 1 can COM, and 1 can COChicken)

Combine in crock pot and cook on low for 5-6 hours, or combine in a casserole dish (greased) and bake until potatoes are tender!

Steak & Rice

2 lbs of Round Steak, sliced in thin strips

1 green pepper

1 red pepper

1 large onion

Optional additions:Pea pods, bok choy, bean sprouts, etc.

Soy Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce

Minced Garlic

Corn Starch

Rice

Using a wok, add a bit of oil and get it hot! Add in steak and minced garlic. Once browned, add in peppers and onions with about 1/2 cup of soy & 1/2 cup of teriyaki; Add a lid to steam the vegetables. Once they are tender, add in cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce. Serve over rice.

Sausage, Tortellini and Kale Soup

Here's the recipe! 

https://thebusybaker.ca/rustic-italian-sausage-tortellini-soup/

Pizza

Ok, so this is ONLY on here (because obviously everyone can make homemade pizza) because I add one ingredient to the crust and par-bake it and it is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G: Italian dressing. Just do it.

French bread pizza

Also, this one is just a hack. Buy the $1 french loaf of bread from Wal-Mart, cut it in half and make french bread pizza! SO easy & cheap!

Kung-Pao Chicken

This one is SO good! And I don't use any different types of soy sauce, I just use the same one.

https://inspiredbycharm.com/kung-pao-chicken/

Quinoa Tacos

So, I went vegetarian for about 9 months last year and this was the best thing that came out of it! You make quinoa, just as you would, but add in a taco seasoning packet! Use it just like hamburger. Also, I personally only like this with corn tortillas, lightly fried in a little oil. I don't like the taste when used in a flour tortilla. But if you use corn, these are hands down one of my favorite meals. 

Cajun Shrimp Penne

Here's the link! 

http://forkfirerecipes.com/recipes/creamy-cajun-shrimp-pasta/

Tostadas

Organic Black Beans

Cheese

Tostadas

Whatever toppings you like! 

Super easy--just layer the beans on and your toppings--pop in the oven until cheese is melted! 

Alright all! I think that's most of my favorites! I keep trying out new recipes though and will continue to share. I also have more family favorites, but we have to save some for another post. Hope you enjoy!