Kraft Enchilada Mac N Cheese

1/2 lb hamburger, cooked
1 box mac n cheese (use the cheap stuff!)
2 C water
1 taco seasoning mix
1 can corn (or a little less)
1 can diced tomatoes (and liquid)
1/3 C sour cream

Boil mac n cheese noodles in 2 C water and taco seasoning mix. When liquid is gone, add cooked meat, corn, tomatoes (and liquid), and cheese package from mac n cheese. Stir well. When heated thoroughly, take off heat and stir in sour cream.

Crepes

1 C all purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 C milk
1/4 C water
1/4 tsp salt
2 TBS margarine, melted

Whisk all wet ingredients together. Add flour. Whisk in well, until smooth. If using a non stick frying pan, you don't need to grease it, if not, grease it. Pour a thin scoop of batter onto center of pan (I used 1/4 C). Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface. (A little bit of batter makes a thicker crepe than you might think.) Flip when the bubbles form on the surface. Serve with fruit. (peaches, strawberries, etc).
*Thanks to Stacey for the recipe and Maren for putting the ward cookbook together.

Broccoli Casserole

Makes an 8x8 pan
2 TBS margarine
1/2 C onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2-3 C broccoli, chopped
1/2 C water
1/2 C cheese, cubed
1 can cream of chicken soup (or mushroom, broccoli, etc)

Sautee onion and garlic in margarine. Add broccoli. Add water and simmer, covered for 10-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Add cheese and soup. Stir until cheese starts to melt. Place in a greased oven safe pan. Cook uncovered at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 30 minutes. Make sure the casserole is one inch lower than the top so that it doesn't boil over.

Nutrition

We did a preschool activity where my little guy and I looked through the grocery ads and found foods that he liked. (He was soo excited to find them!) I let him cut out the pictures (he needs the practice). When we had a good amount, I helped him separate the different foods into piles for the food groups. We did a "treats" section too. I had him glue the pictures on a piece of colored construction paper (one page per food group). Then I wrote the name of the food group on the paper.

Bacon Tomato Melt

2 slices of bread, toasted
2 slices of bacon, cooked
2 slices cheddar cheese
ranch (for dipping)

As soon as bread is out of the toaster, top with cheese and bacon. Allow cheese to melt. Cut in triangles and dip in ranch.

Kraft Fettaccine Alfredo with Chicken

1/2 lb fettaccine, uncooked
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1-1/4 C chicken broth
4 tsp flour
4 oz Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese), cubed
3 TBS grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper

Cook pasta as directed on package. Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5-7 minutes or until chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet. Mix broth and flour in same skillet. Stir in Neufchatel cheese, 2 TBS parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly with wire whisk until mixture boils and thickens. Stir in chicken. Drain pasta; place in large serving bowl. Pour chicken mixture over pasta. Toss to coat. Sprinkle with 1 TBS parmesan cheese.
* Serve with steamed broccoli.

Mexicali Salad

1/2 head lettuce, shredded (lately I've been using romane or green leaf)
1/2 lb ground beef, cooked
1/2 C cheddar cheese, grated

Catalina Dressing
1/4 C vinegar
1/4 C vegetable oil
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C ketchup
1/2 tsp salt (to taste...I don't use this much)
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix Catalina dressing, spices to taste. Mix lettuce, hamburger, and cheese. Pour some(not all) dressing over the amount of salad you are going to eat, then mix it together to lightly coat. The dressing stores well, but causes the lettuce to wilt, so only make what you're going to eat.
* Serve with Taco chips

Oven baked Tilapia

3/4 C olive oil

1 can tomato paste

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp salt

dash of pepper
2-4 fillets of tilapia

1/2 onion, sliced

1/2 green onion, sliced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Put 1/4 C oil in bottom of pan. Blend remaining oil, tomato paste, minced garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Place tilapia, skin side up, in pan. Spread red sauce over it, especially in the middle of the fish. Put sliced onion and green pepper on top. Bake 20 minutes. Serve over rice with green beans.

*I would suggest sauteeing the onion and pepper because it was still hard and a bit bitter. Maybe use less oil..it was a bit of overkill. Good otherwise. Rob said it took the fishy taste away. It reminded him of food in the Philippines.

Chicken Parmesan

1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, filleted (cut in half hotdog way, so it's thinner)
1 egg, well mixed
1/2 C bread crumbs, italian style (or add italian seasoning to regular)
1/4 C parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cans tomato sauce
2 TBS italian seasoning
mozzarella cheese (I used cheddar)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Combine bread crumbs, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese. Dip chicken into egg, then bread crumb mixture. Place in greased oven safe container. Cook for 20 minutes, uncovered. Combine tomato sauce and italian seasoning. Pour over chicken. Return to oven and bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove cover and top with cheese. Let sit 5 minutes. Serve over noodles (spaghetti, bowtie)

Salad dressing Pork

1 1/2-2 lbs boneless pork
1/2-1 C Kraft Ceasar Italian Salad dressing

Cook pork and salad dressing in crock pot until shreddable with a fork (4 hrs on high). It was a little dry, almost burning but not quite. You might want to add some water. I liked it w/o the extra water because it carmelized the salad dressing and made it really yummy. I didn't even need salad dressing it was so flavorful. Serve warm in a green salad with rolls.

Red Chicken Enchiladas

1 pkg flour tortillas (8-10 count)
1 chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces, cooked
3 cans tomato sauce
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 can olives, sliced, divided
1 C cheese, divided
3/4 C sour cream, divided

Combine tomato sauce, 1/2 can of water, and taco seasoning mix in a tall frying pan (easier for stirring). Cook 2 minutes. Put enough sauce at bottom of 9x13 pan to almost cover it. Reserve 1/2 tomato sauce can sauce. To the frying pan and red sauce, add 3/4 can of sliced olives, 3/4 C cheese, and cooked chicken. Stir until heated through and cheese is melted. Put 1 TBS sour cream and 3 TBS of red mixture in each tortilla. Place each tortilla in 9x13 when completed. Pour reserved sauce over all tortillas. Sprinkle remaining cheese and olives. Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve with spanish rice, refried beans, and a green salad.

Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces and cooked
1/4-1/2 lb broccoli, washed and cut into bite-sized pieces and steamed
noodles (fettuccini, spaghetti, bow-tie, rotini)
Alfredo sauce

Alfredo sauce
1/2 pkg cream cheese
1/4 C parmesan cheese
1/4 C margarine
1/2 C milk

Combine sauce ingredients and stir over low heat. Don't let it boil, or it will be grainy. It takes awhile to melt. Top noodles with broccoli, chicken, and sauce.

Ears, Letter E (5 Senses, Part 2)

Sing Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes
Read "E" book again
The Ear Book by Al Perkins
Eleanor's Enormous Ears by Wendy Lewison
Ear Poem: Sound of a Bell by Katrina Lybbert
I hear the sound of a bell, I hear the sound so well,
I like to dance and sing a lot, Whenever I hear that bell.
I hear it ringing loudly, I hear it ringing softly,
I clap my hands and jump and shout, To hear that bell ring proudly.
Draw Ears on Face
Activity: Put ear plugs in and walk around outside. Talk about what he didn't hear.
Sight word: ear(s)
Activity: Sit still and listen to what you hear. Talk about it. Have him go into other room and whisper for them to come back.
Color 'E' page: http://www.beginningreading.com/Refined_Alphabet1_Ee.gif

Homemade Hawaiian Pizza

Pizza Crust

Makes a cookie sheet sized pizza

5 tsp yeast

1/2 tsp sugar

1 1/2 C warm (110 degrees) water

3 1/2 C flour (3 cups first, then as needed)

1 tsp salt

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water and let rest for 8 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine flour and salt. Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture and mix well. Lightly grease and flour cookie sheet. Knead dough for 2 minutes. Roll onto cookie sheet. Stretch to edges. Bake at 500 degrees fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown (Diane). Or bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes (Amelia).

Toppings

I use 1 can tomato sauce and 1 TBS italian seasoning (I buy the green container, 50 cents at Walmart) as my pizza sauce. For Hawaiian style I use most of 1 can of pineapple tidbits (88 cents on sale) and leftover ham from ward parties or Christmas/Easter. Then I sprinkle on about 2 cups of cheddar cheese (cheaper).

Thanks to Diane and Amelia for the recipe and Maren for putting together the ward cookbook.

Letter E, Eyes (5 senses, part 1)

Sing 'Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes'
Read...
I See, You Saw by Nurit Karlin
I Can Read with My Eyes Shut by Dr. Suess
Short "e" and Long "e" Play a game by Jane Belk Moncure
Poem: Eyes by Katrina Lybbert
Some eyes are blue, some eyes are brown,

Eyes can look up, eyes can look down,

Eyes can blink, and wink, and stare,

Come look with me, what's over there?
My eyes see flowers on a hill,

They see a bird with a yellow bill,

Across the road I see a tree,

Among the blossoms sweet, a bee!
I look at you, you look at me,

There are many things that eyes can see,

Can you see all of these things too?

Eyes are important, so true, so true.

Sight word: see

Activity: Have child draw a big circle to be a face. Have them draw two smaller circles to be the eyes. Save this face to add the other body parts.

Activity: Blind fold child and lead them around the yard, talking about how some people can't see

Color E page: http://pbskids.org/sesame/coloring/e.html

Lemon Herb Chicken with Thyme

1-2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 TBS margarine
1 C water
1 tsp chicken bouillion
2 TBS lemon juice
1/2 tsp thyme

Mix four, salt, and pepper in a bag. Add chicken and coat thoroughly. Save coating. Cook chicken in a little bit of oil in a frying pan. Set chicken aside. Add margarine to pan and cook onion until soft. Add flour mixture to make roux sauce. Add water, bouillion, lemon juice, and thyme. Return chicken. Cook until hot and flavors mixed. Serve over rice with broccoli.

Kraft's Speedy Chicken Stirfry

8 oz angel hair pasta, uncooked
2 C broccoli florets
1 lb boneless skinless chicken, bite-sized pieces
1/2 C Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing
2 TBS soy sauce
1/4 tsp ginger, garlic powder
dash crushed red pepper flakes
1/3 C peanuts (individual pack, 2/$1 is the right amount)

Cook pasta, adding broccoli last 3 minutes of cooking time. Cook chicken 6-8 minutes, stirring occassionally. After fully cooked, stir in dressing, soy sauce, and spices. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Drain pasta mixture; place in large bowl. Add chicken mixture and peanuts. Mix thoroughly.
Makes 4 servings, 2 C each. From Kraftfoods magazine

Giant Oven Pancakes and Smoothies

Giant Oven Pancakes
4 eggs
1 C milk
1 C flour
1/4 cube margarine (2 TBS)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Put margarine in 9 x 13 glass pan while oven preheats. Blend eggs. Add milk and flour a little bit at a time while blending. Bake 20 minutes until middle is firm and edges are crusty. Serve with powdered sugar and fruit.

*My cousin Lillian discovered (and Rob loves this) that if you splash on lemon juice, then sprinkle on powdered sugar, it tastes like a lemon bar.

Smoothies
1-2 C frozen fruit
1-2 C milk (depends on consistancy)
1/4-1/2 tsp vanilla (I do 1/2 the lid)
sugar (to taste) OR 2 TBS orange juice concentrate

Mix ingredients together. I love adding 1/2 frozen banana to everything because it gives it a great consistancy.

Orange Chicken

Orange Chicken
1-2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2/3 C flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 TBS vegetable oil

Sauce:
Store-style Enough to eat over rice
1/2 C brown sugar (1 C)
1/4 C soy sauce (1/2 C)
1/2 C orange juice (1 C)
1/4 C vinegar (1/2 C)
1 TBS cornstarch (2 TBS)
2 TBS cold water (4 TBS)

Mix flour, salt, and pepper in small bowl. Dip chicken in mixture until covered. Put chicken in medium heat frying pan in oil. Cook until golden on all sides. Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Sauce: I like alot of sauce to eat with the rice. Store-style would be just enough to cover the chicken. You can tell which recipe I use. Mix all sauce ingredients except cornstarch. Heat to boiling. Mix cornstarch with cold water. Stir cornstarch mixture into sauce. It will be globby if you don't stir the whole time you are pouring it in, maybe a few extra stirs. When it's boiling again, add chicken. Grease pan (I use 8x8). Pour chicken and sauce in. Cover with foil and cook 20 minutes. Remove foil and cook 15 more minutes. Serve over rice and broccoli.

Spaghetti and Butternut squash

Spaghetti
1/2 lb ground beef
1 clove garlic, minced
1/3 C onion, chopped
3 cans tomato sauce
3 TBS italian seasoning, (to taste)

Cook ground beef, garlic, and onion together until beef is not pink. Add tomato sauce and seasoning. Simmer until ready to serve. Cook noodles according to package.

Butternut squash
Cut 1-2" off both ends. Cut in half length-ways. Scoop out seeds. Pierce with a fork in several places so it will cook faster. Cook in microwave safe container with 1/2" water in bottom. Cover with plastic wrap, allowing for some steam to escape. Cook in microwave for 5 minutes. Serve with butter and salt or brown sugar.

Crockpot BBQ Pork and Potato salad

Crockpot BBQ pork
Good for a crowd
Put alot of boneless pork in a crockpot for 4-6 hrs on High. Drain liquid and shred pork. Stir in BBQ sauce. (Amount will depend on how saucy you want it to be).

*This is a good recipe for chicken too. If you keep cooked, shredded chicken in your freezer, all you have to do is defrost in the microwave and stir in BBQ sauce. Served on Hogi buns or nice hamburger buns, this makes a fast, yummy lunch.

Potato salad
6 large potatoes (red is yummiest, but reg. brown works too)
3 eggs
3 green onions
1 pickle
mayonaise (1/2-1 C)
mustard (about 1 TBS)
salt
pepper

Cut potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Boil until fork tender. Cool in fridge. Boil eggs for 20 minutes. Run cold water over them until they are almost cool. Put in fridge. Cut pickle and green onions. Assemble all ingredients in a big bowl. Stir until mixed thoroughly.

Grilled Chicken, pasta salad, Rolls

Grilled chicken: marinade or pour italian salad dressing over chicken right before grilling.
Pasta Salad: I cheated and used a "suddenly salad" box and just added mayo.

Rolls
Makes 16 rolls
1/2 C warm water
1 TBS yeast
1/2 C warm milk
1 egg
1/3 C margarine, softened
1/3 C white sugar
1 tsp salt
3 3/4 C flour (3 C first, then add a little bit as needed)
1/4 C margarine, softened

Mix above ingredients in order (except 2nd margarine). Knead. Cover in greased container in warm place. Rise until double (1-2 hrs). Divide dough in half. Roll into 2, 12" circles. Spread other butter over both. Cut each circle into 8 wedges. Roll wedges tight, starting at wide end. Place point side down on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover with clean kitchen towel and put in warm place. Rise 1 hr. Preheat oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. Bake 10-15 minutes until golden.

Sweet Pork Burritos with Homemade Spinach Tortillas

Sweet Pork
1 1/2-2 lbs pork (boneless)
1 C brown sugar
1 C salsa (I used Sam's Choice mild)

Put ingredients in crock pot in order listed. Cook on high 4-5, until shreddable. It will look like there is too much water, but it will be perfect (if at anytime it looks like it's burning, add some water, I haven't had this problem ever though). Shred pork, leaving liquid in crock pot. Dump shredded pork back in crock pot and stir. Keep warm until ready to eat. Serve in tortillas with cheese, lettuce, and sour cream.

Spinach Tortillas
3 C flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 TBS vegetable oil
1 can spinach

Mix spinach with a blender wand (or in a blender/food processor) until it looks like baby food. Heat for 1 1/2 minutes. Mix flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add vegetable oil and mix in with your hands until it is in pea sized balls (or smaller). Add spinach. Mix with hands (watch out, it's hot!). Make 1" sized balls. Place on floured surface, cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 10 minutes. Heat 10" size frying pan to medium heat. Roll one tortilla on floured surface. Place in frying pan. Flip after 30 seconds or until little bubbles come up. Take off pan after 30 more seconds. Keep finished tortillas covered to keep them soft.