Gluten Free Muffin Donuts

THESE ARE SO AMAZING! The key to doing gluten free baking is to not expect it to turn it out. So when it actually does, your tastebuds are in heaven! Someone shared this link on Facebook and my pregnant self immediately began craving donuts. So what do I do...I start baking :) Here is the original link and recipe. The only thing I did differently for this recipe was to substitute normal white flour with Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. (It's my go-to when I need a flour substitute) The ratio for substituting this flour is 1:1. It turned out wonderfully!

Preheat Oven to 350'F

In your mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients

1 1/3 Cup Flour

1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder 

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/4 tsp Cinnamon 

3/4 Cup White Sugar

In a separate bowl combine your liquid ingredients

1/3 Cup Oil (can substitute applesauce or bananas)

1 Egg

3/4 Cup Milk

Then combine your liquid and dry ingredients and mix until smooth

Put into muffin tins lined with muffin paper cups

Bake for 25-30 Minutes till cooked through. Check with toothpick to make sure it comes clean. 

While still hot top with brown sugar and cinnamon. (You can dip them in a little bit of butter to help the sugar mixture stick) 

SUPER FLUFFY ON THE INSIDE!!! 

ENJOY!!!!

Steak Umm Stir Fry

Whenever I think of Steak Umm's I think of momma making them on the stove top. Shortly after getting married I sought out ways to snaz this stuff up a bit. I discovered they actually have a website full of great recipes using Steak Umm's. You can find those other great recipes here.

Now, on to the good stuff!

Every time I make this I change it a bit based on amount of ingredients, but here is the generic baseline.


Ingredients

14 steak umms cooked and cut into strips
1 red bell pepper diced
1 green bell pepper diced


Marinade

4 tablespoons teriyaki sauce
4 tsp corn starch
2 tsp sugar

Sauce

1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Cook up steak umms in a skillet and lay on paper towel to drain. Once drained cut into strips.

2. Cook diced peppers in a little bit of oil till softened

3. Mix up your marinade while your peppers are cooking and let steak strips soak in the marinade bowl.

4. Once peppers are cooked, add meat back to skillet and stir in sauce.

5. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer till thickened (15 minutes or so)

Serve over rice

This stuff is so good! Sweet but hearty :)

Tater Tot Casserole

This stuff is amazing! I don't think I have EVER made tater tot casserole, but man was it good. 

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef

1 medium onion diced

1 can progresso gluten free creamy mushroom soup

3 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1/2 red pepper diced

1/2 green pepper diced

1 tsp garlic powder

dash of salt and pepper to taste

1 bag of Oreida Tater Tots

Directions

In a sauce pan, brown meat and sauté onion and peppers till cooked add in spices

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Drain off grease

Add soup, ketchup and worcestershire sauce to sauce pan and cook 2-3 minutes till mixed well

Pour into shallow baking dish

Sprinkle on cheese of your choice 

Top with frozen tater tots

Bake on 425'F for 20-25 minutes till tots are brown

ENJOY~~!!!! 

Blog Challenge

Random Facts about Me

(oh this is hard)

I'm obsessed with lists! It's how I have been nesting lately. (budgeting every penny for specific items, then going out and trying to find them cheaper than full price, so I can save. I then log them in a spreadsheet.)

Sharing B-days runs in the family: My sister, dad's sister, and great aunt share a b-day. My mom's sister and I share a b-day and My daughter is due on my sister's (and aunt's and great aunt's) birthday. 

I love Jeeps: Can't explain this one, other than I really want a red Jeep wrangler. 

I have a "Water Tower Toe": My second toe is longer than my big toe. 

I hate when people ask, "Whats your favorite type of Music":  I don't have a favorite. I can honestly say I enjoy pretty much all genres. It would take forever for me to list all the music I like. 

I can't act for beans:  While many in my family can grace the stage with their presence, it's best if I remain in the audience or at the most work as stage crew. 

I have yet to see all Star Wars movies: Not sure how I got my hubby to agree to marry me, I would have thought that was a deal breaker for him. :)

I'm a crazy cat lady: They are my friends and Yes, I talk to them. I only have two...but if they didn't poop so stinking much I'd probably have more. 

I have a disease referred to as PIPA (Pregnancy Induced Pillow Addiction): It should really be PIPABA (pregnancy induced pillow and blanket addiction) but that is hard to say. :) I have to be completely engulfed by comfy things in order to sleep now. 

I hate to cry: Makes me feel weak, but I'm totally loving being prego. I feel like I have an excuse to be all crazy emotional and break out into tears for no apparent reason. 

My family is Everything: I just love them all!

Tom Hanks & Meg Ryan: Need I say more? Ahh, I just love them in movies. I feel like my life wouldn't be complete without those two. 

*** Sorry about all the prego related things, I just can't help myself! 

Questions for Me

If you could go anywhere in the world; where would it be and why?
Paris, so many great photo opportunities there~! Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower, gorgeous rivers, Arc de Triomphe, Napoleon's Tomb, The Louvre, I could go on and on!  

What's your favorite nail color?
On my toes: Red or Pink. I do not like my finger nails painted unless its clear or french tipped. 

What is something that you would never eat?

Anything that is looking at me or still has limbs attached. Otherwise, I like to think I'm adventurous when it comes to food. 

How long do you take to get ready in the morning?

About an hour and 10-20 minutes (1hr in the shower, 10-20 minutes on hair make-up) lol If I actually care to do my hair it turns into 2hrs. 

Scary movies? Or no?

I always get this weird urge to watch scary movies, then regret it them minute its over. :) Last scary movie marathon was the Saw Series...I am now scarred for life! 

What is your ultimate date night?
Any night with my hubby where he laughs. I love his laugh. Im not real into the whole formal romantic dates, too much pressure (even when married). I'd much rather do something fun where we can goof off. 

Questions for You

Most Embarrassing Moment. BE HONEST!

What are your pet peeves?

What animal would you be if you could choose? 

What animal do you think other people would say you are? (you can ask someone)

Favorite Show

Favorite Guilty Pleasure

What do you think is the dumbest thing created by man. (Sport, Food, Game, Place, Law) Be creative! 

If you could live in someone else's shoes for a week, who would you choose. 

Biggest Fear

Favorite Memory

Who do you look up to the most

Mini Meatloaf

This stuff is so good! Sorry I didn't take many pictures. I didn't plan on doing a post about this. I was half expecting it to fail. But it was so yummy! Hubby better hurry up and get home before I eat it all :)

Preheat oven to 350'F

Ingredients

1 lb of ground beef (fills a six hole muffin tin)

2 tablespoons ketchup

1/4 cup oats (I did just a little less then 1/4 cup)

1/4 cup onions (I actually forgot to add the onions) whoops

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp italian seasoning

1 egg

Directions

Grease Muffin tin well to prevent sticking.

In a bowl combine raw beef, onion, ketchup, mustard, oats, brown sugar, salt, pepper, egg, and italian seasoning. Mix really well.

Put a scoop in each muffin hole and add a dollop of ketchup to the top.

Bake for 30-40 minutes.

ENJOY!

So easy!

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Perfection. Thats all I have to say. This recipe is so easy and yummy! Far better than any chinese restaurant and there aren't all those nasty preservatives and heavens knows what else in it!

Preheat Oven to 350'F

Chicken

3-5 chicken breast or 6-8 Chicken Tenders
salt and pepper
1 cup cornstarch (or enough to coat the chicken) 
2 eggs, beaten
2 tbsp oil

Veggies and Pineapple

1/4 of green pepper sliced
1/4 of yellow pepper sliced
1/4 of red pepper sliced
1/4 onion sliced
1 can of pineapple chunks

Sauce:

1 cup brown sugar
4 Tablespoons ketchup

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ginger

red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon cornstarch 

Directions:

Thaw out your chicken and trim off fat and "weird" pieces. Cut into 1 inch squares

In a bowl beat the two eggs till smooth

In a large zip lock bag, put in 1 cup of cornstarch salt and pepper.

Dip your chicken pieces in the egg then place in zip lock bag. 

Twist up the top of the bag...or seal it...and shake shake shake. I kinda had to massage the pieces of chicken while in the bag to get them coated well. 

Heat up oil in skillet and dump your chicken onto the skillet. Cook until outsides are golden brown. 

Place Chicken in baking dish. 

Adding a little more oil if needed, cook peppers, onion, and pineapple till tender and pineapple is browned slightly 

While that is cooking prepare your sauce

Whisk all ingredients until smooth then pour over chicken

Once the veggies are cooked add them to the baking dish, stirring them into the sauce. 

Bake at 350'F for 15 minutes. Stir then bake for another 15 minutes till sauce is thickened.

Serve with rice or any of your other favorite stir fry veggies. 

You will not be disappointed! This recipe is awesome! 

Cornflake Crusted Chicken (Gluten Free)

Going gluten free has been one of the best decisions I have made for my health. It really isn't that hard once you put your mind to it. Some say, "Oh I just don't know how you do it!" I suggest quitting cold turkey. There is no easy way to say goodbye to little debbie, subway and all those horribly wonderful fried foods. Just walking away and not looking back is the only way to really do it. I have been gluten free for almost 10 months! Haven't cheated once, sadly though, cross contamination happens whether you want it to or not. The best thing about going GF, is you are forced to be creative. You can no longer just order pizza cause you are too lazy to cook dinner, and while yes, McDonalds is still an option, why would I go pay 6 dollars for a salad I can make at home? Cause thats really all you can get when it comes to fast food. So YAY for being creative. This recipe was so good, I'm making it two nights in a row. Which really doesn't happen often. It gives you the texture of those wonderful fried chicken fingers, but doesn't require any frying or flour. It doesn't get easier than this. So here we go:

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 boneless skinless chicken tenders)
3 cups cornflakes (gently smashed so the flakes aren't so big)
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 large egg
1tsp water
Salt
Pepper
Poultry Seasoning or Cajun Spice

Preheat Oven to 400'F

Line a baking sheet with foil (I DEFINITELY recommend this. Makes clean up so much easier!)

Directions

• Pat salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning of your choice onto both sides of chicken (I used cajun spice and montreal chicken spice to give ours a kick)
• Mix egg and water in a bowl
• Mix melted butter and cornflakes in separate medium sized bowl
• Dip chicken into egg bowl coating both sides well
• Then dip egged chicken into cornflakes being sure to fully coat the entire piece
• Place on foil lined baking sheet
• Once all pieces are coated and on baking sheet, put some more flakes on the top of the pieces just to make sure they had a good coat. (toss out leftover cornflake mixture) You shouldn't have very much leftover though. 
• Then if you are crazy like we are, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top of the pieces to make them even a little spicier :) Of course you don't have to use any spicy toppings. It would be just as good with just salt and pepper and a poultry seasoning. 
• Place in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until done. 

Now, if your man, or yourself, is anything like my hubby... food is always dunked in some sort of sauce. BBQ, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch...its rare a meal is eaten by him without some sort of dip. So I got creative for him. :) 

I did this by taste, so I really have no clue on measurements...but here is a guess.

Spicy Ranch Dip

1/2 cup ranch dressing

3 tablespoons of chili seasoning

1 tsp garlic powder

pinch of salt

Red pepper flakes to taste

Honey Mustard Dip

1/2 cup mayonase

2 tablespoons mustard

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 tablespoon lemon juice

ENJOY

Crazy and Love Struck: Part 2

So apparently when you write a blog post at 5 a.m. you tend to forget a few fun tid bits that should be included in your blog. I could probably add to this all day long, but we will just start with a few, and see where it takes us.

My Old Man:  Jon is 7 years older than me. I LOVE IT! I don't know why, something about your man being older is attractive. Maybe its because it keeps me feeling young! ;-) It is funny to think about the age gap we would have had if we had known each other our entire lives. I was only 11 when he graduated from high school. Jail bait!

Jon's Age          Lizzy's Age
       8 yrs                   1 yrs
     15 yrs                   8 yrs
     20 yrs                 13 yrs
     25 yrs                 18 yrs
   
When we met, I had just turned 20 and he was about to turn 27.

Family Approval.  When Jon and I first started talking, and he started talking marriage to his family, I got a call from his sister-in-law, Jen. Jen and her husband had met online as well, so she knew what we were going through and had a few "questions" for us. At the time, I didn't think any of those "issues" she was talking about would be a big deal, let alone even occur...now it cracks me up how valid all of those questions were and how many of them actually are a part of our daily lives. These were just some of the questions she asked...

Question:                                                                                             

1. "What are you going to do if he leaves his socks lying around?"  
2. "What if he doesn't shower"                                                      
3. "What if he doesn't shave"                        
4. "He has ALOT of computer stuff, be ready to have a computer room instead of a nursery."

Result Now: 

1. Well for one, when it happens, we are both guilty, but in general we don't wear socks, FLIP FLOPS!
2. Yes, He does shower, Thank The Lord
3. We compromised, the Goatee instead of the caveman beard
4. This one is funny, because my idea of a lot and his idea of a lot was drastically different. When things started getting shipped to our new apartment from Iraq, I realized what I had gotten myself into. He sent home trunk after trunk, one of which weighed 200lbs. NO JOKE! And when I finally thought nothing else could possibly be added to his supply of computer stuff...we had to get the rest out of his mom's basement, (which was a suburban full) and some from a friend that had been storing it for him while he was deployed (that one was only a car load) and I say Only! HA!....Now, its just life, I married a software engineer, so this is what I get. Luckily he is more than willing to get rid of stuff he won't ever use, he has gone through his stash a few times since we have gotten married and donated a lot of it. Now, it is all nicely organized! And in case you are wondering, yes we have a nursery room, Jon got moved to the living room and garage. 

There were more questions, I just can't remember them. 

Getting to know Jon: My family was also eager to hear about this mysterious guy I met online. I first told my parents about him while eating at O'Charlie's for my dad's birthday. It was the day after Jon and I first emailed. I tried to hint to them how serious I was about him already, but it was a couple more weeks till they really caught on. At first it was just a few that knew our plans, but before I knew it, everyone in the family knew. We just couldn't keep it a secret. We wanted to get married. The big deal breaker was my dad. Jon and I originally were going to wait to get married till the fall when he was home for good and we had some time together first...but we just didn't want to wait that long. In our minds and hearts there was no point in putting off the inevitable. I told Jon it was up to my dad, if dad said it was okay, then I would marry him in June. I couldn't believe it when my dad said yes. My dad is a great judge of character when it comes to guys my sister and I date...and the fact that he gave us his blessing was huge. 

I met his family before I even met him. I can't remember exactly when this occurred, but it was sometime after the phone call from Jen. Jon really wanted me to meet his family, which was another huge amount of brownie points for him. Family is extremely important to me, and the fact that we had that in common meant the world. Some of my friends were still a little hung up on the idea that he could be a psycho and this could be a cruel joke...lol...but what psycho would want you to meet his family? So I knew it was a good thing. 

I first met Jen and Aaron and Little Leo. We met at Edinburgh outlet mall and then went to cracker barrel. I remember Aaron's first response was, "you are taller than I imagined." Lol, yup, I am tall...but what he didn't know, was I was thinking the same thing about him. I kept trying to imagine how tall Jon was and him and Aaron are about the same height. I was glad to know Jon would be a good deal taller than me. Leo was adorable, quiet, but as cute as can be. I was definitely a lot quieter that night than I usually am, but it was fun meeting some of Jon's family. My first impression of Jen was I can really see us being close friends. Something just clicked and there was that instant comfort level. Now 3 years later we talk daily and I love it! 

Then I met Jon's Mom, his sister Michele, and his niece Sara. Let me just say, I fell in love with sara the minute I saw her. She was a handful but so fun. We all met at a craft show and spent the day together. Jon's mom gave me a little wallet sized picture album of pictures of Jon. From newborn up to current. I still love it! It was great seeing Jon and how much he had changed over the years.

 The first impression of his family was they were all people I could get along with and consider family as well. I didn't feel that awkward distance that sometimes you have with in-laws.

I'm sure there will be more to come in the future. But right now, I'm drawing a blank on the exciting facts. What can I say, sometimes "baby brain" hits hard. :) Ha!

Hope you have enjoyed our crazy love story. If you didn't read part 1, be sure to. 

Fried Apples "Cracker Barrel Style"

Sometimes you just get a hankering for "comfort foods." This recipe is SUPER easy. Really, it is hard to mess up...but it is so good!

Ingredients

2 cups apple juice, 
1/2 cup apple juice 
4 large golden delicious apples, unpeeled ,cut 1/2 inch wedges
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon apple pie spice or (1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon butter

Directions

Core and slice your apples, do not peel, unless you really want to. 

Place apples and 2 cups of apple juice in a medium sized pan

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until fork tender. (Really watch them, it doesn't take long for them to become mushy...then you will have applesauce! Not fried apples) 

While those are cooking, in a small bowl whisk together 1/2 cup apple juice, cornstarch, sugar, and spices. Making sure the cornstarch is not clumping together. 

Once the apples are fork tender, use a slotted spoon to dish out the apples and place them in a baking dish. 

Add the spiced juice to the heated apple juice in your pan, stir constantly till it is thickened. Adding in the butter towards the end to melt and help thicken. 

 

After its nice and bubbly and thick, poor over apples in baking dish. 

ENJOY! 

These would be fantastic over ice-cream, pancakes, really anything! This time I only cut up 2 apples for the amount of sauce it called for and will be using the rest of the "glaze" on pork chops tomorrow. 

Easy Sew Bibs and Burp Clothes

Earlier this month we found out we are having a little girl in June! Im ecstatic! The "nesting" bug has hit me hard. So I set out to make some practical things I can use once little Junebug gets here!

So here we go. Easy Bib for your little one!

I used a plain white terry cloth (basically towel fabric) and 100% cotton flannel. This would be a great project to recycle those old ratty towels that you just don't know what to do with. You could even use old t-shirts instead of the flannel.

BIB

Dimensions (pre-sewing)                                                               Dimensions (finished product)

12 inches long (from top of neck loop to bottom of bib)         ~              11 1/2 inches
6  1/2 inches (from bottom of neck loop to bottom of bib)      ~               6 inches
9 in wide (very bottom of bib, the top will be curved)            ~                8 1/2 inches
4 inches (circumference) for the neck hole                              ~               4 1/2 inches

Instructions:
Start off with your terry cloth. Fold your cloth in half and trace out the dimensions of the bib with a pen. I had a previous bib to trace or you can use the dimensions above and a ruler to mark off the sides. Folding it in half helps if you are free handing it. Then use your rotary cutter (or scissors) to cut along the pen marks. If its folded in half, be sure not to cut on the fold...or else you will cut your bib in half. :)

When you unfold your bib, it will look like this (below)

Next lay out your flannel or t-shirt material and place your terry cloth on the flannel. It is helpful to have your flannel, right side up so when you cut it, you are immediately ready to pin, and you do not have to re-align it. (in the picture it is wrong side up) 

Using a pen, trace around your terry cloth, or if you are brave (or lazy, like me) use your rotary blade to cut around the terry cloth. 

Next lay your two pieces right sides together. (meaning the printed side of the fabric will be against the terry cloth) 

and Pin Pin Pin! 

unless you are brave...or lazy... and decide to free hand it without pinning (not recommended). While pinning, make a mental note, or two pins, where you will stop sewing, leaving a hole. This way you can flip it right side out. 

 

Then cut a single slit to divide the two neck straps. 

Simply sew around the edges leaving a 1/4 in seem, and the hole. 

Once you flip it right side out it will look like this (below). If you have trouble getting the neck straps to flip inside out, a pen is handy. 

Then, using a zig zag stitch, sew around the entire bib, sealing up the hole and helping the fabric to lay flat. 

Finished Front

Finished Back

Then the final step is to add either velcro or snaps to the neck. Which I have yet to do... I plan to add a few snaps to the top so I can adjust the size of the neck hole as the baby grows. 

BURP CLOTHES

The Burp Clothes are essentially done the same way...minus the neck hole. 

Dimensions of Burp Cloth: (pre-sewing) 

18 inches long

11 inches wide

I know the typical burp cloth is smaller, but hey...those kids can really launch it and I'm taking NO chances. The majority of my shirt will be covered :) 

Start out the same way, folding your terry in half and measuring each side. I did a few that weren't perfectly square, but no big deal. 

Then lay your flannel on the terry, trace and cut. 

Next place your flannel right sides together and then pin pin pin!

Next stitch 1/4in around the entire thing, but leaving a hole so you can flip it right side out. DO NOT FORGET THIS! its very annoying when you do...

Flip right side out and sew all the way around, being sure to seal up the hole. Again I used the zig zag with a 1/4 in seem. 

And you have yourself an easy burp cloth! 

This was so easy and fun, and it was a great way to use up my random scraps. 

Plus they are super cute!