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!

Brownie Grave sites

Halloween is just a couple days away!  I can't wait to see all the cute little kids dressed up.  We are keeping it low key this Halloween, so I HAD to make something to get us in the spirit!  These Brownie Grave sites are SO CUTE, delicious, and fun to make! Everyone loves them!  Who doesn't love a good brownie with frosting on top, and other yummy candies?!  They have already been a hit at my house, and since we aren't having a Halloween party, I'll be taking these to share with family and friends.  These are easy to make, but there are some things to do differently if you decide to make them, which I will note as we go.  It will make your life a lot easier.  These are something to be proud of, well at least for me! :)  I have never made a fun little Halloween dessert like this, and I know now that it wont be my last.  It was too fun.  If you plan to whip these up within the next day or two, enjoy, and let me know how they turn out!

Brownie Grave sites

So cute right?!

Eggnog French Toast with Eggnog Syrup

So, I know I am a tad bit early to post any eggnog recipes, but seriously when that stuff hits the grocery store, I snatch some up!  I LOVE eggnog.  My Mom used to make it homemade, and I didn't care for it because of the raw eggs in it.  It just grossed me out.  I can't get enough of the store bought kind though.  Any other eggnog lovers out there besides me?  Maybe I should find a homemade recipe, if there are any that would suit me better?  I know it really isn't healthy at all, but it tastes so good!  I bought the "light" which has 50% less fat, and 30% less calories, which helps, and I can't tell a difference in taste.  A win win situation.  This is my first recipe using eggnog, and I have to say it turned out So stinkin good!  If you love eggnog I don't doubt you will love this!  I have seen recipes around the blog world for Eggnog French Toast, and have wanted to make some of my own, so I did, and the results....eggnog coma(in a good way) I can't get enough of it.  This Eggnog French Toast(made with whole wheat bread) has a nice subtle eggnog flavor, it is not over powering, which means pile on the Eggnog Syrup!  If you make your French Toast with French Bread, you may notice more of an eggnog flavor in the bread, it is up to you, but I definitely think you should try the Eggnog Syrup, it is TOTALLY worth it! :)

Cheese and Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins

 There is a Barbecue joint in Washington that my Husband and I used to eat at that has amazing corn bread muffins.  There isn't anything special about them, but they are just soft, and a perfectly sweet crust on top.  Mmmm they are good.  I need to experiment with corn bread more because I am sure they would be pretty easy to duplicate.  The muffins I made last night were AMAZING but in their own way.  Cheesy and a little hint of jalapeno, just enough for flavor.  They are perfect, unless you are looking for a sweet corn bread.  My inspiration to make these came from A Cozy Kitchen's blog, and you can find her recipe here, On My Radar #1  She makes her corn bread in a cast iron skillet(which I don't have yet...BOO!)  which I'm sure would be awesome.  I decided to follow the recipe on the back of the Albers Corn Meal box, and add in cheese and a jalapeno.  Delish!  I ate two, one after another, before dinner, they were that good!  Try these, you will love them!

Cheese and Jalapeno Corn Bread Muffins



MmmMmmm!