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©Life of a Foodie and Her Family 2008-2013, Lynn Tabor

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2/29/2012

Lunch 2/29/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch.  I hope she hits a grow spurt soon.  She isn't very hungry lately or nothing tastes very good.

Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter and Fluff
Toasty Peanut Butter Crackers
Capri Sun
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Apple Slices
Florida Strawberries
Gogurt
Chewy Granola Bar

2/28/2012

Lunch 2/28/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch today.



White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly Sandwich
Florida Strawberries
Apple Slices with Caramel
Gogurt
Pretzels
Chewy Granola Bar
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Breakfast on the Go
Capri Sun

2/27/2012

Lunch 2/27/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch

Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly Sandwich
Capri Sun
Peanut Butter, Chocolate Banana Breakfast on the go
Chewy Granola Bar
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Colby Jack Cheese Cubes
Apple Slices
Fresh Florida Strawberries...YUM!

2/24/2012

Lunch 2/24/2012 - Pizza Friday Snacks

Here is Miss V's snacks for Pizza Friday!

Capri Sun
Chewy Granola Bar
Chips Deluxe Gripz
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Pretzels
Caramel and Apple Slices
Red Grapes
Gogurt

2/23/2012

Lunch 2/23/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch today.  You can tell it is getting warmer out, she asked for salad.

Salad with:
Fresh Express Spring Mix Greens, Celery, Snap Peas, Carrots, Craisins, Walnuts,Colby Jack Cheese, Chopped Tomato, Grilled Chicken, Homemade Croutons, Balsamic Dressing

Gripz Cookies
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets - orange
Chewy Granola bar
Star Wars Gogurt
Capri Sun

2/22/2012

Lunch 2/22/2012

Here is Miss V's Lunch

Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter and Fluff Flower
Apple slices with caramel
Ants on a log
Colby Jack Cheese Cubes
Capri Sun
Florida Natural Fruit nuggets - orange
Melon jello
Chewy Granola Bar
Small slice of King Cake
Star Wars Gogurt

2/21/2012

Lunch 2/21/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch

Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter and Fluff Flower
Horizon Vanilla Milk
Carrots and Dip
Pretzels and "cheese" dip
Chewy Granola Bar
Toasty PB Crackers
Star Wars Gogurt
Colby Jack Cheese Cubes
Red Grapes
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets - Strawberry

2/14/2012

Lunch 2/14/12 Valentines Day!

Here is Miss V's lunch.  It only took me another few minutes to make it festive.




The bread I made yesterday and that was the most time consuming obviously.

Three mini heart peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches
Colby Jack cheese slices cut into hearts
English Cucumber slices cut into hearts
Fresh Florida Strawberries
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Sweet n' Salty Trail Mix
Chocolate Peanut butter Breakfast on the go packet
Chewy Granola Bar
Toasty Peanut Butter Crackers
Melon Explosion Jello
Horizon Chocolate Milk

2/13/2012

Taco Tater Tot Casserole

I came up with this for dinner tonight.

1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
3 to 4 tbs Taco Seasoning
1 cup water
1/2 to 1 cup salsa, your choice
8 oz frozen corn, thawed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups mexican style four cheese blend (without the seasoning)
1 pound tater tots

Preheat oven to 425

Brown and drain your ground beef.  Stir in the taco seasoning, water and salsa.   Add the corn and black beans and cook until hot and bubbly.

Place meat/corn and black bean mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. 

Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese over the meat.

Place tater tots ontop of the cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the tots and broil until cheese is melted and getting a bit brown.  Tater tots should be nice and crispy by then.

Pink and White Swirl Bread

Today I was thinking that I needed to make some sort of cute bread for Miss V's Valentine's Day lunch.  I have been using cookie cutters and making heart sandwiches and I remembered someone making colored bread.

So I made two pounds of white bread dough.  I figured that I would just split the dough in half and tint just one half.  Well I did and it was HARD!  I ended up pulling out my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook to mix in the pink gel.  It worked much better.  Next time I will do what my friend did and just add the color with the water and make two batches of dough.

So here is what it looks like:









I also split the dough into two pans.  I think next time I will just use one loaf pan and make a much taller loaf.  These will have to be itty bitty sandwiches. 

Cute huh???

I enjoy reading any and all comments! Feel free to ask any questions you have, about this recipe. If you have tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it or if you would change it in any way.

Lunch 2/13/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch


Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly on whole wheat bread cut into hearts
Strawberries
Snap peas
Horizon Strawberry Milk
Sweet n' Salty Trail Mix
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets
Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bar
Pretzels and "cheese dip"
Melon Fusion Jello

2/11/2012

Chocolate Waffles

Since I picked up the newest issue of Food Network magazine, Miss V has been asking to make the Chocolate Waffles.  We finally got around to making this morning.

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons vegetable shortening
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup chocolate syrup, plus more for topping
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cooking spray
Confectioners' sugar and/or berries, for topping (optional)

Directions
Melt the butter and shortening in a small saucepan, stirring to combine; remove from the heat and set aside. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar in a large bowl.

Whisk the eggs, milk, chocolate syrup and vanilla in a large liquid measuring cup or a separate bowl. Whisk the egg mixture into the flour mixture until combined. (The batter will be slightly lumpy.) Whisk in the butter mixture until combined.

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Preheat a waffle iron and spray with cooking spray. Ladle some of the batter into the waffle iron to within an inch of the edge (1/3 to 1/2 cup batter, depending on your waffle iron); cook until crisp. Transfer the waffle to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Divide the waffles among plates. Dust with confectioners'sugar and top with berries and/or chocolate syrup.


Miss V declared them "two thumbs up", but a little to sweet.  I think next time I will use much less syrup on top.  She loves chocolate, but not if it is to sweet.  She is a fan of dark chocolate and well so am I.

Lunch 2/10/2012 - Pizza Friday Snacks

Here is Miss V's snacks for Pizza Friday!

Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bar
Florida Natural Fruit Nuggets (Green Apple)
Apple slices
Florida Strawberries
Peanut Butter Chocolate Breakfast on the Go pack
Pretzels
Capri Sun

Tater Tot Casserole

I really do not have a standard recipe for this because I usually "wing it" with what ever may be in the freezer.

1 pound ground beef
1 packet of brown gravy mix
1 cup cold water
3 cups frozen mixed veggies (thawed)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 package tater tots
2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

Preheat oven to 400.

Brown the ground beef and drain.  Pour water and brown gravy mix over the ground beef.  Cook until thick and bubbly.  Stir in the mixed veggies.

Spread the meat/veggie mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.

Sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the meat/veggie mixture.

Place tater tots on top of the cheese.

Bake for 20 minute.  Sprinkle remaining cheese on the tots and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and the tots are crispy.

Lunch 2/8/2012

Here is Miss V's lunch today.


Dark Chocolate Dreams Peanut Butter and Fluff Heart Sandwich
Apple Slices
Green Grapes
Pretzels with "cheese dip"
Chocolate Peanut Butter Breakfast on the Go Packet
Chewy Granola Bar
Trail Mix Granola Bar
Horizon Vanilla Milk

2/07/2012

Lunch 2/7/2012

Miss V's lunch today.


Peanut butter and strawberry jelly on a Whole Wheat Goldfish
Colby Jack Cheese cubes
Snap Peas
Green Grapes
Fruit Snacks
Trail Mix Bar
Pretzels with "cheese" dip
Berry Blend Breakfast on the Go Packet
Toasty Cheese Crackers
Capri Sun

2/06/2012

Antipasto Platters

Here is the antipasto platters that we brought to a Superbowl Party.

I love finding great things in the clearance section at Target.


 Pepperoni, Italian Dry Salami and Genoa Salami



 Meats, Caprese Bites, and Marinated Feta.



 Extra Mozzarella Pears with basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, extra Marinated Feta, Sweet Cherry Peppers and Mezzetta Italian Olive Antipasto.

Caprese Bites

I kind of made this up yesterday.

1 cup of balsamic vinegar
Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer.  Reduce the vinegar until thick and syrupy.

Mozzarella Pearls
Grape Tomatoes (cut in half)
Basil Leaves (sliced in half lengthwise)
Toothpicks

Spread the vinegar syrup in the bottom of a small serving dish.

Take a half of a basil leaf and fold in half and then half again.  Skewer it onto a toothpick.

Then add one half of a tomato cut side down.

Then gently skewer the mozzarella pearl.

Place the skewer mozzarella side down onto your vinegar syrup.

Continue until your dish is full.

I totally forgot to snap a picture of the process.  I will try and make a couple this afternoon and update with pictures.

Easy Taco Casserole

I made this for dinner Friday night.  It was pretty good, but did not photograph very well. The recipe comes from the Taste of Home Ground Beef magazine.

1 pound ground beef
1 cup salsa
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I subbed sour cream, the idea of cooked mayo turns my tummy)
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups crushed tortilla chips
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 cups shredded lettuce

In a large saucepan, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the salsa, mayonnaise and chili powder.

In an ungreased 2-qt. baking dish, layer half of the meat mixture, chips and cheeses. Repeat layers. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Just before serving, top with tomato and lettuce. Yield: 6 servings.


It was kind of bland.  I think it would be better with taco seasoning.  I also used mild salsa and I could have used medium for more flavor and spice.

Marinated Feta and Olive Skewers

Repost (with picture)

I made these to go on an antipasto type of platter for a superbowl party.
2 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp finely grated orange zest
4 tbs fresh orange juice
1 tsp cracked black peppercorns
4 oz feta block cut into 24 cubes
24 fresh mint leaves
12 pitted green olives, cut in half
1/4 large English cucumber cut in 1/2 inch chunks
24 toothpicks

In a medium bowl, combine the fennel seeds, orange zest and juice and pepper. Gently stir in the feta. Marinate for 1 hour at room temperature of up to 3 hours in the refrigerator.

To assemble the skewers, push a mint leave about 3/4 inch up the toothpick, then add a chunk of cucumber, and an olive half. Gently place a cube of the marinated feta on the end.


Lunch 2/6/2012

Here is Miss V's Lunch

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jelly on a Whole Wheat Goldfish
Florida Strawberries
Carrots & packet of Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
Colby Jack Cheese Slice
Peanut Butter Crackers
Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bar
Pretzel Sticks
Sweet n' Salty Trail Mix
Capri Sun (lemonade)

2/03/2012

Lunch 2/3/2012 - Pizza Friday Snacks

Here is Miss V's snacks for Pizza Friday!
Pretzels
Fruit Snacks
Sweet n' Salty Trail Mix
Gripz
Capri Sun Lemonade
Danimal Smoothie
Strawberries
Snap Peas with Green Goddess Dressing

2/02/2012

Pierogi Beef Skillet

This also comes from my new Taste of Home Ground Beef magazine.  I can say this one came out much better than the one from last week.

1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
1 package (16 ounces) frozen cheese and potato pierogies, thawed
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed and drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain, reserving 3 tablespoons drippings.

Sprinkle flour over beef and drippings; stir until blended. Gradually add beef broth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in the pierogies, vegetables and seasonings. Cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with cheese. Yield: 4 servings. 

I did find it a bit bland so I added 1/4 tsp salt and some extra pepper and Italian seasoning.


Lunch 2/2/2012

Here is Miss V's Lunch

White Chocolate Wonderful Peanut Butter on a whole wheat Goldfish
Fresh Florida Strawberries
Snap Peas with a tablespoon of Green Goddess Dressing
Danimals Smoothie
Colby Jack Cheese Stick
Oatmeal Raisin Chewy Granola Bar
Sweet N' Salty Trail Mix
Nut Blend Breakfast on the Go packet
Peanut Butter Crackers
Horizon Vanilla Milk