Biscuits & Gravy

For the last few Saturday mornings I've been making big breakfasts before the fam heads off to Zoey's basketball game. (I'd love to cook big brekkie's every Saturday, but it just doesn't always happen.)

This morning was a first: biscuits & gravy. I know, I know: "WHAT?!"

I'm just not a fan of this meal.

I dislike sausage, which is all I ever see in a traditional 'biscuits & gravy'.

So, I found a recipe to replace the sausage with bacon!

SO AMAZING!!!

I didn't have a chance to get the gravy photographed.

(Hungry guests consumed it very quickly!)

The picture up top is of the leftover biscuits.

I used THIS recipe as a starting point.

I used a whole package of bacon & doubled up on the flour & milk.

♥

On the menu...

I remember my mom making grocery lists when I was younger & she'd always ask for our input & ideas when trying to come up with meals for that week. I'm afraid we weren't really helpful. "I don't know mom. Just cook what you always cook." I was always certain whatever she cooked would be yummy & scrumptious. Except if it was split pea soup. Or something to do with saurkraut. Those weren't my favorites. Now, the creamed eggs on toast was a smashing hit. As was her lasagna. And chili.

Flash forward some twent-five years later, & I'm in the same predicament: can someone please help me put this grocery list together?? I ask my kids & hubby. And I get the same responses every week: it's either silence, or "I don't know's" or someone will suggest we eat banana splits for supper.

But now, I have Pinterest to aid where the fam cannot. I admit that most of the pins on my "Tasty Eats" board involve sweets & desserts, but there's other stuff in there too. And you can be certain it doesn't include one recipe for split pea soup!

So, here's what's on the menu for the next few days...

► Grilled Chicken Cobb Salad (Made this last night. YUMMERS!! Served with THESE corn fritters, which have become a summer favorite this year.)
► Zucchini Waffles (I love breakfast for dinner!)
► Tater Tot Casserole (A family favorite & frequently cooked one-dish meal!)
► Meatballs in Tomato-Basil Cream Sauce (This will only be the second time I've ever made meatballs! And these meatballs look super easy to make.) (UPDATE: The meatballs were soooo easy to make. My 8 year old made them! They were so moist & delicious!)
► Hoping to attempt this Rustic Plum Tart next week also.
► For Labor Day there will be some steaks a-grillin', along with a really yummy grilled potato salad. To make the potato salad: halve or quarter about 1 1/2 pounds of baby new red potatoes. Secure them in a foil packet: folding foil over & crimping edges to seal. Grill on your BBQ, turning over once, until potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes. (THEY TASTE AMAZING!!!! My kids wouldn't stop eating them!) Follow Step #2 HERE for the potato salad dressing.

When I was a kid, my family sat 'round the table & ate mom's lovely homecooked meals.

Every. Single. Night.

Though I'm not as awesome in the kitchen as mom was (& still is), & though I don't frequent the kitchen as much as she always did, I sure try my best.

Although, from the look of that menu, it appears that I'm well on my way to being awesome... At least for this week anyway.

♥

Foil Dinners

I recently made foil dinners for my birthday. The first time I made them was when Tia & I grilled some around a campfire a couple summers ago--on one of the hottest days of the year. I think it was 105 degrees or something?? We were dorks.

Foil dinners are so easy to make! And fun, too! The kids can get involved making their own---choosing whichever meat & veggies they prefer.

I used hamburger, but you can use whatever meat you want--cooking times will just vary. All you do is grab 2 pieces of foil, about 12 inches, & double them up. Shape a burger patty--salt & pepper it up--& place it (uncooked) in the middle of the foil. I would use a burger that doesn't have a lot of fat in it. 85/15 is what I used. Next, chop up all sorts of veggies. I used carrots, little red potatoes, & celery. What about asparagus? Zucchini? Onions? Etc. I cut them no bigger than 1". I also opened a can of green beans & sprinkled some of those on. What about canned corn? Canned peas? Etc.

I plopped all the veggies on top of the patty.

Now you'll open a can of cream-of-chicken soup & place 3 heaping spoonfulls on top of the veggies. Cream of mushroom soup would work too. (But I hate mushrooms! BLECK.)

Sprinkle everything with your favorite seasoning. I have a seasoning salt I like to use to flavor food. And also a mesquite burger seasoning which is quite yummy.

Meet two sides of the foil in half & fold down tightly. Fold the remaining ends up tigtly as well. Make sure the juices won't leak out.

Place the foil packets in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Check after 45 minutes & see if the meat is cooked & the veggies are tender. It will be REALLY juicy & VERY hot!

I fit 8 packets in my oven--these make GREAT leftovers for lunch!

Try making foil dinners with strips of steak. Or, chicken tenders with veggies---sprinkled with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, & herbs. Mmmm...

Click HERE for some foil dinner recipes from Cooks.com

Happy Foiling & Munching!!

♥



Easy Fresh Salsa Recipe

Game day tomorrow! Do you have your snacks ready? I know this is a bit late, but I wanted to share a super easy fresh salsa recipe with you to try...whenever.

You'll need:

Fresh Cilantro (chopped)

1 Fresh Avacado (somewhat firm)(peel and dice)

1 Medium Onion (diced)

1/4-1/2 Cup Frozen Corn

1-28 oz. Can of Petite Diced Tomatoes

1-10 oz. Can of Rotel (with lime juice and cilantro)

Yes. You can use fresh tomatoes! Remember, I said "super easy"!

A few tips:

Soft avacados will still work but make the salsa a bit pasty in texture.

If you like your salsa chunky...drain the liquid off the tomatoes and rotel.

This recipe has been altered a bit from the original given to me...

but this is the way my family and I like it!!

Salsa will keep for a few days in the fridge...

but is best eaten ASAP!!

ENJOY!!!