On My Radar #4

Good morning readers!  We officially had our first snow fall last night!  I saw on the news last night, that the rain we were getting was to turn into snow over night.  So right when I woke up I peeked outside, and there it was! About an inch and still coming down.  I am one of those crazy people who do love the snow...especially the first snow fall, it gets me all excited, and giddy inside. 
Snow means the Holidays are nearing.
Snow means bundling up in our favorite sweaters, scarves, gloves, coats, and boots.  I definitely love dressing for winter. 
Snow means hot cocoa with marshmallows. 
Snow means sledding, building snowman, and snow angles with the kids.
But snow definitely has some down falls too...

Pumpkin Over Night Oats

Oatmeal for breakfast is super simple, and good for you.  I eat it quite frequently.  I have noticed on healthy food blogs, they tend to make a lot of "Over Night Oats," and I have always been interested in it.  I wasn't quite sure how I would like eating Oatmeal cold, and I have to admit it was a little WEIRD, BUT it was tasty, and a fun new way to eat it!  Also, it's ready right when you get up, so all you have to do is grab a spoon and dig in.  There are so many different variations as to what can be put in it, so experiment!  You just need some sort of liquid substance, and a lot of the bloggers use yogurt, plus some other milk product usually.  If you want to change it up a little you have to try this!  This would also be perfect for a hot summer morning! By the way I am running low on my last little bit of pumpkin. ;)

Pumpkin Over Night Oats

MmmmMmm!

Black Raspberry Oat Bars

So it seems I have recently fell in love with baking.  A good thing, and a bad thing.  The good part is all the delicious treats that can be made baking, and the bad thing is that a lot of those treats put a real hurting on the waist line.  Whew, it's a tough life, with a lot of tough choices. :)  I will continue to bake delicious treats though, no doubt about it, just may need to do more exercising to make up for it. :)  I definitely couldn't live without the yummy-not-so-good-for-you treats, so don't worry! I know I can make a more healthy version of some baked goods, but you know some recipes just shouldn't be messed with. I'm sure you know what I am talking about.  So relax, and enjoy these Black Raspberry Oat Bars with their one and a half sticks of butter in them. They are worth it, trust me. :)

Black Raspberry Oat Bars

Grandma's String Bean Casserole

Most of us have Grandma's that are, or were the best cooks around right? They put a special touch on everything they make, and it turns out great.  Even if we attempt the same recipe, it doesn't seem to turn out quite as good right? Just because it didn't have Grandma's touch. :)  I swear everything my Grandma made was delicious, and my whole family loved it.  My Mom has been making my Grandma's String Bean Casserole for a very long time now, and it is a huge hit every time.  My Dad requests it quite frequently.  I have made her dish twice now, and will continue to make it many more times because my Husband is in love with it.  It is SO simple and requires few ingredients.  This is a very special recipe to us, and at first my Husband didn't want me to share it with all of you.  He said "we should keep it a secret." :)  I know Grandma would be proud though, and be happy that we are sharing it.  Thank you for the recipe Grandma.  We miss you and your cooking. :)
Please let me know if any of you make this, and I hope your family loves it just as much as we do.

Grandma's String Bean Casserole

This warms my tummy just looking at it.

On My Radar #3

Happy Saturday to you all!  I hope you all are having a great day so far!  I can't wait to show you these recipes I found around the web, they sure look tasty! Check out their blogs/recipes to see more!  I will hopefully be making some or all of these shortly! This post, has really helped me figure out new recipes to try, and helps me plan ahead!  I hope it has given you some ideas as well.  Continue to have a great Saturday!  I'll be back Monday :)

Eggnog Bread Pudding with Craisins

Another Eggnog recipe already?! Yes sir-ee!  What better way to prepare for the Holidays, then to start baking up all this yummy goodness?! Hey, if you make it now, you have a chance to test out recipes before you make them for the whole family, right? :)  Plus most people love the Holidays, and why not make them last a little longer??  I have always had a fascination with bread pudding, and the funny thing is, I have NEVER eaten it.  Yeah, I know.  I had a little eggnog leftover in the refrigerator from my Eggnog French Toast with Eggnog Syrup, and some Hoagie Rolls from when I made this Hot Italian Hoagie.  I'm not one to let anything go bad, well at least I try not too, so this morning I whipped up this SIMPLE and OH SO TASTY Eggnog Bread Pudding with Craisins(dried cranberries).  I thought to myself, how hard can it be to make Bread Pudding?  I came up with a very easy version, that is really good, and I plan on making it for my whole family around the Holidays.  I am sure they will like it, and you will too if you try it!

Eggnog Bread Pudding with Craisins

Oh goodness this is good!

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Is there anyone else out there that likes putting cinnamon and sugar on toast?  I love it!  I forget about it most of the time, but once I remember, it usually is a staple in my house for a good week or so.  It's such a good dessert, that is quick and easy, and requires very little that most people always have on hand.  Yum!  Cinnamon is also good for you, so that is a plus!  I have had my eye on this Cinnamon and Sugar Pull Apart Bread for many moons now, and I finally got around to making it, and HOLY MOLY, it could quite possibly be the best thing on earth!  I instantly fell in love with it!  It's so much fun to make, and seriously just looking at it makes me happy.  It's so pleasing to the eye, and undeniably pleasing to the stomach.  I shared some with my Mom, and she texted me later, and said "Yum! To heck with dinner!" :)  Dessert before dinner is how my Mom rolls, and if I had that in front of me too, I wouldn't pass it up.  This is definitely a keeper in my book!  I already can't wait to make it again!! Seriously...go try this! :)

Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread

Can you say it with me "Holy Moly!" :)

Chinese Orange Chicken Lightened Up

My husband and I enjoy Chinese food every once in a while.  We would probably eat it more often if it wasn't full of fat.  I have wanted to make my own Chinese food at home, and have once, but it didn't turn out tasting exactly how I wanted it to, or resemble the Chinese dish I was trying to re make, as much as I would have liked.  It was still good, but you definitely want a dish that tastes like the real deal.  This recipe tastes as close as ever in my book.  It is SO tasty, and if we ever want Chinese food, I will definitely stick to this recipe, plus try my hand at some other Chinese dishes.  This is way lower in fat, and is SO good.  If you like Chinese food, please make this at home, you will love it! 

Chinese Orange Chicken Lightened Up

So delicious!