Reminds me of Home....

I know that my home is here in Gilbert with my husband and spunky little son, Graham. But there are things that remind me of home when I was with my parents. Eric and I really like to cook, but only because we really like to eat. I make a lot of the same dishes that my mom used to make for us. Here are some of my favorites from "home":

Meatballs and Brown Rice
Tuna Casserole
Chicken Curry Casserole (Mama....I need to get the recipe for this again)
Beef Stroganoff
Chicken Enchiladas
Mama's Pork Chops
Taco Salad

I'm sure I could think of more, but these are the ones that came to mind. Last night we had Taco Salad. It's a great, easy summer salad that makes a fabulous dinner! Here's the recipe:

Taco Salad:

1 lb. ground beef browned with can of kidney beans (drained) added at the end to heat through(salt/pepper beef/beans to taste)
Head of lettuce, chopped
tomatoes, chopped
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped red or green onion
broken tortilla chips
thousand island dressing - Wish Bone (I don't usually like this dressing, but it's great in this!)

Mix all together and enjoy!!

Mama and Papa....I thought of you when we were eating this last night. Miss you. :)

Cooking With My Little Helper

Last week, Graham helped us make Choc-Oat Cookies (will share the recipe below) and he was such a great helper. We were planning to make them anyway, but thought it would be really fun for him to help us. He jumped right in and seemed like he knew exactly what to do. I was surprised and glad that I had asked him to help.

Today, we made peanut butter balls (as some call them, they have lots of different names). They are healthy and delicious. Graham also helped today and loved it! I got the recipe from my friend Krista who posted it on her blog, who got it from her friend Joy who posted it on her blog, who got it from the Mouro Family (who I don't even know). So....thanks, ladies!! This bloggin' thing is helpful!

Here are the recipes:

Choc-Oat Cookies
(It's just the Nestle recipe on the back of the "mega" package of semi-sweet morsels)

1 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 Tbsp. milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups quick or old fashioned oats

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Mix first 3 ingredients together, then set aside. Mix all other ingredients together (in order) in a seperate bowl, except oats, nuts and choc. chips. Mix dry with wet, then add oats, choc. chips and nuts. Bake at 375 for 9 to 10 minutes.

Peanut Butter Balls

1 1/2 cups dry milk powder

1 1/2 cups whole oats

2/3 cup honey

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cups dried fruit (I have used raisins or dried cranberries)

1/3 cup ground flax seed

1/3 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup sunflower seeds (have not tried this ingredient yet)

Mix all ingredients together, and then roll into balls.

Keep in the refrigerator.

Finished Peanut Butter Balls

The Peanut Butter Balls are good for you, and well, the Choc-Oat Cookies are "good" for you too!! Enjoy!