Cool & Creamy Chocolate Fondue

Light and fluffy, delicious!

Served up and ready to eat

Strawberries, Pears, Peaches and some Cinnamon Chips.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 container (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon rum or vanilla extract (optional)

Assorted fresh fruit dippers such as whole strawberries, apple, peach or pear wedges
Cinnamon Chips or Chocolate-Drizzle Cinnamon Chips

Directions:
Place chocolate morsels and half of the whipped topping in microwave safe bowl.  Microwave uncovered on high 1 minute or until chocolate is melted and smooth, stirring after each 20-second interval.
Fold in remaining whipped topping, cinnamon and rum extract, if desired; mix until smooth.
Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes

Serve and enjoy

Yield: 2 cups (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (2 tablespoons fondue): Calories 80, Total Fat 5g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 7g, Protein 0g, Sodium 0mg, Fiber 0g,
Cinnamon Chips:



The yummy chips
Ingredients:
8 (7-inch) flour tortillas
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly spray tortillas with water.
Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over tortillas.
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges and bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and crisp.
Remove from baking stone; cool completely. Repeat

Yield: 64 Chips (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (4 Chips)
Calories 40, total fat 1g, Saturated fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 6g, Protein 1g, Sodium, 130mg, Fiber less than 1g.

**NOTE**
Place 1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl, microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring after each 20 second interval or until chocolate is melted and smooth. Drizzle chocolate evenly over cinnamon chips; let stand until set.


Enjoy
Jess

Spring Pasta Salad

This is a wonderful, and healthy pasta and very light for summer!

Veggies cut up and ready to sautee

Sauteing in some garlic and olive oil

Noodles added

The final product, we decided to add a little shrimp to the pasta.

Ingredients:

1 package (12 oz) uncooked Fettuccine noodles

1 large carrot, peeled and cut into julienne strips

1 small yellow summer squash, cut into julienne strips

1 small zucchini, cut into julienne strips

3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into strips

2 table spoons olive oil, divided

2 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 cup snipped fresh bail leaves

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1 ounce shaved fresh Parmesan cheese

Directions:

Cook Pasta according to package, drain. 

Return to stockpot, keep warm

Meanwhile, prepare vegetables.

Cut carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini into long julienne strips.

Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and remove seeds; slice tomatoes into thin strips.

Heat stir-fry skillet over medium heat.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil and minced garlic, cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until garlic is softened and beings to brown.

Add carrot, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatoes and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt; stir-fry 1-2 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Add remaining oil, remaining salt, basil and black pepper to pasta; toss gently.

Stir noodles into vegetables, toss gently.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve immediately.

Yield: 8 Servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 180, Total fat 5g, Saturated fat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 26g, Protein 7g, Sodium 360mg, Fiber 2g

**Note**

We added some shrimp to the dish the nutrients do not include shrimp.

Heat olive oil and garlic in a sautee pan 1-2 minutes

Add shrimp and cook through

Toss in or serve on the side.

Enjoy

Jess

Apple Berry Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

This Apple Berry Salsa is sweet, Delicious and Healthy

Ingredients:
2 medium Granny Smith apples
1 pint strawberries, diced
2 kiwi, peeled and diced
1 small orange
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons apple jelly or apricot jam

Directions:
Peel, core and slice apples and coarsely chop
Dice strawberries and kiwi place everything in a bowl.

Zest orange to measure 1 teaspoon.
Juice orange measuring 2 tablespoons.
Add juice, zest, brown sugar and jelling to fruit mixture; mix gently.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Spoon into serving bow, serve with baked cinnamon chips

Yield: 3 Cups (16 servings)
Nutrients per serving (3 tablespoons)
Calories 30, total fat 0g, saturated fat 0g, cholesterol 0mg, carbohydrates 8g, protein 0g, sodium 0mg, fiber 1g.

Cinnamon Chips:

.

Ingredients:
8 (7-inch) flour tortillas

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly spray tortillas with water.
Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. 
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar evenly over tortillas.
Cut each tortilla into eight wedges and bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and crisp.
Remove from baking stone; cool completely. Repeat

Yield: 64 Chips (16 Servings)

Nutrients per serving (4 Chips)
Calories 40, total fat 1g, Saturated fat 0g, Cholesterol 0mg, Carbohydrate 6g, Protein 1g, Sodium, 130mg, Fiber less than 1g.
**NOTE**
Place 1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl, microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-1 1/2 minutes, stirring after each 20 second interval or until chocolate is melted and smooth.  Drizzle chocolate evenly over cinnamon chips; let stand until set.

Enjoy!!
Jess

A Sunny Saturday

Today my dad and Cindy came over to hang out, the weather was beautiful.  Kellen got to play outside all day long.  It is so nice having a deck that I can lock and watch him on.  While Andy and I cleaned all the windows and the house, Kellen got to sit outside, play ball and drive his car.  The sun came out and he really wanted his glasses.

Driving his car on the deck in style

The dogs got to play outside all day, and the sun came out just in time.
Dad and I cooked (since I can't do all that work at the moment) while Andy was playing and swinging with Kellen.  He is getting really good at hitting and catching. (we work on these things daily).

We are also very ready for this baby girl to come and join our family, we will be 38 weeks on Monday....and counting down :-)

I love, LOVE that he can play outside all day, he was beyond ready for bed tonight and so am I.
Hope everyone enjoyed the weather and the weekend.

Love
Jess

Tuesday

SORRY, it has been awhile since I have blogged...we have been so busy.  Last weekend I was gone at a retreat, I sure missed all my boys.  They kept busy playing outside and working on some much needed yard work.  Kellen is really enjoying being outside and playing.  If I can't chase him around all day because, well I am 37 weeks pregnant, I just let him play ball on the deck.  Our deck has a gate and it locks so he can just play out there with the patio door open playing ball.  He loves driving his 4-wheeler and he car that Grandma Carol got him for his birthday last year.
 
We all head up the road and went to his cousins Cole & Austin's birthday party on Sunday.  He sure had lots of fun, he kept wanting to play with Chopper (their dog) like he plays with Linkin.  Chopper is a pug and he did not enjoy Kellen laying all over him, but he found a nice spot on Andy's lap so he could be apart of the action and stay away from our little man.  Kellen really liked when Chopper gave him lots of kisses. 

 He loves running around outside, and this is one of my favorite outfits :-)

I was going through some pictures and found these two.  This is my cousin Angela back when they lived next to us when we were youger.  Look at how innocent she looks....love this picture.

This one is of Ashley and Angela at our house around the same time....oh my :-).

Jess

Bike

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Swinging

Just melts my heart

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:)

Someone had a long day with daddy

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Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Chicken Enchilada Pasta

Sauteing the onions, peppers and garlic, smelled wonderful!

Letting all the ingredients simmer

Finally, the pasta is added and is ready to serve.

Ingredients
Serves 4-5

2-3 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {or shredded rotisserie chicken…I used the breasts} and I just cut them into tiny bite size pieces….it is easier then shredding them.

2 tbsp. olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce
2/3 cups red enchilada sauce
2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby & monterrey jack}
1 cup sour cream
1 box Penne pasta
Directions

Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet and cook onions for about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic & red pepper and cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Add cooked chicken, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, salt, & enchilada sauces. Let sauce simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

Add cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and heated through. Now toss in the sour cream, but whatever you do, DO NOT bring to a boil! Cook on low heat or the sour cream will curdle. Stir until sour cream is well mixed and heated through.

Drain pasta & return to pot.

Pour sauce over pasta and mix well.

Serve and garnish with avocado, tomato, green onion, and a dollop of sour cream.

Enjoy

A Beautiful Day!

Today has been a wonderful day so far, we woke up to little (or not so little) Linkin barking at nothing, had some breakfast and went to play outside. Kellen got to drive his 4-Wheeler, and he even said, "Grandpa, drivin," it was really cute!! He played ball, went on the swing, went on the slide then we went walking in the woods, the dogs even got to come along. They had lots of fun running around and playing. My dad snuck up on Andy, Kellen and Linkin.....Linkin started barking and was being the little protector of the house.

 Kellen got to ride his 4-Wheeler all around, he was having so much fun and knew exactly what he was doing!

 He played on his little jungle gym for awhile, he loves going down the slide!

We were trying to play fetch with Linkin, but Merc wouldn't leave him alone to play....so they just played instead.

The dogs were really running around playing

Merc was tired, but was having so much fun!

Kellen kept Grandpa on his toes!

Of course Kellen had to play ball, that is his back swing....swinging lefty already.  I am anxious to see if he is lefty or righty!!

Then we all went hiking in the woods behind our house.  Kellen had lots of fun and held Andy's hand the whole time.

After the hike Kellen went down for a nap and I layed down to rest.  Andy and my dad took Merc and Linkin and went hunting for sheds.  They were gone for an hour or so.  They got back just in time for Kellen to wake up and started playing again.

For supper I made Chicken Enchilada's; Cassie, Joe, Easton, Layla, and Cindy came out to enjoy the supper.  Kellen was very good with the baby and the dogs played some more.  When we went to bed last night, Linkin fell asleep and was snoring sooo loud...I think they had a a fun day I know we did!


Hope everyone had a wonderful, beautiful Saturday!
Jess

Lasagna Cups

My dad came down for the weekend, tonight we made lasagna cups and some brownies.  We had a long day of cooking, they take quite a long time to prep, but are totally worth it.

If you like lasagna, then you will love these. Basically, this is just the super cute version of plain ol’ lasagna. All the same stuff you would typically see in the making of a regular lasagna, just with a little more prep work. More or less, this is a method you can adopt while still using the lasagna recipe that everyone is used to. OR try this version out!
Feel free to add in or omit anything you’d like. Make this your own. That’s the beauty of cooking!

Quick note: I used a new product called cooking cream {a Philadelphia product}. If you can’t find it in your store, just add in more ricotta!

 The Sauce simmering, smells wonderful!

 All rolled up and ready to bake!

Baked and ready to eat!  They were so Delicious!

Ingredients:
For the sauce-2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion
1/2 pound lean ground beef cooked and drained
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small zucchini, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-6 oz. can tomato paste
1-8 oz. can tomato sauce {+1/2 can water to wash out can}
1-14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon sugar
salt & pepper to taste

For the cheese filling-1-10 oz. tub Philadelphia Italian Herb & Cheese Cooking Cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, grated & divided
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 egg

21 lasagna pasta sheets




Directions:
For the sauce- heat olive oil over medium heat and saute onions, pepper, zucchini and garlic until tender, 5 minutes. Stir in cooked ground beef and tomato paste until well incorporated. Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook 30 minutes or so. {The longer it cooks, the better it will taste!} This will be very thick.
For the cheese filling- stir all ingredients together excluding half of the grated mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
For the pasta- Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta sheets 2 minutes less than package directions and drain. Place pasta on greased baking sheet until you are ready for assembly.

For assembly-

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line 12 jumbo muffin tins with squares of parchment paper.

If they don’t stay in on their own, that’s ok–the pasta will help with that. Line the edges of the muffin tins with 1 pasta sheet per cup. {Pasta sheet will overlap about 2 inches.}

Spoon about 1/2 tablespoon of sauce into the bottom of each cup {#1}.

Next cut 9 pasta sheets into quarters and press one of these pieces of pasta into the bottom on top of the sauce {#2}. 

Top pasta sheet with a generous tablespoon of sauce {#3} and then a generous tablespoon of cheese filling {#4}.

Repeat this pasta-sauce-cheese layering one more time being sure to press out any air bubbles.

Top these lasagna cups off with a 3rd piece of pasta, more sauce and the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until everything is hot and bubbly. Serve hot.

Initially I was not going to add all of the vegetables, but I decided to do it anyway.  You can not even tell they are in there, and it adds so much flavor and crunch!

Enjoy

Queso Cheese Dip

Yields: About 2 cups queso

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup white onion, finely diced
1 large jalapeno, seeds and stem removed; finely diced
12 oz white American cheese, shredded
4 oz Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded (don’t use pre-shredded)
1/2 to 1 cup cream, half-and-half, or whole milk
1 – 2 roma tomatoes, seeds removed and diced
1 small bunch cilantro, roughly chopped

Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Saute the onion and pepper until softened and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the shredded cheese and 1/4 cup of the cream. Quickly stir until the cheese is melted. Add the tomatoes, cilantro, and additional cream a little at a time until you reach desired consistency. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, tortillas, or on tacos, burritos, etc.

Thursday

Thursday was my mom's birthday, the big 50 :-).

Kellen learned to say, "Happy Birthday Grandma," it made her very happy!
Andy, Kellen and I surprised her at lunch time at a hibachi grill by her work.  She was very excited to see Kellen walk into the resturant!!  We had lots of fun and Kellen loved seeing Grandma!

 Grandma had to wear a birthday hat, and Kellen didn't like it, or was very confused.

 Ashley and Aunt Sue came to lunch too.


After we got done eating, Andy went to work; Kellen, Ashley and I went to Under Water World at the Mall of America.

He was very excited to see the fishies :-)

 He really liked the sting rays!  He would say, "OH WOW," as they would pass by!!

Looking up at the sharks

We could see the turtles far away, finally we got to the area where they were and one swam right over the top of us; Kellen loved it

He was such a good boy so he got some ice cream when we came out. He sat and ate it like a big boy.

We forgot a stoller so he got to walk (holding Aunties hand) through the mall and though the exibit!  He was such a big boy and listened very well the whole day!

He got very tired after all that work walking around, slept the whole way home :-)

Homemade Baked Salsa

• 3 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered
• 1 jalapeno, stem removed and roasted
• 3-4 small cloves garlic ~~minced
• 2 tbsp cilantro
• 3-4 tbsp water
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt to taste

Chop tomatoes, jalapeno and cilantro to desired consistency.  I like to chop them up, and keep a little chunk, if you like smooth salsa put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

Add oil to a deep skillet, and add all of the ingredients. Season with salt and simmer uncovered stirring occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes.

Depending on the size of your tomatoes, makes about 1 1/2 cups. You can refrigerate a few days or freeze the rest.


To roast a Jalapeno:
Turn broiler on high, I usually put it on 500.  Put the jalapeno in the over closest to the broiler and bake about 10 minutes.  Keep checking it, when the sides are crispy and bubbly remove from oven, and put in a paper bag to cool.
Peel the skin off and remove seeds and stem.

Be careful while handling it after it is roasted everything will be spicy.  I use gloves so I don't itch my eyes and have them burning...

Yummy!!

Monday Night Supper

One of my favorite things to make is White Chicken Enchilada's, Andy and Kellen also love it.  It is very easy and super yummy!!

Chicken, beans (black and pinto), Onions and some cheese all ready to be stuffed into taco shells for baking!

Roll up the mixture into taco shells, stuff as much or as little as you want to.  I used burrito shells because that is what I had, either one works fine.

 Pour the green chili sour cream sauce over the top.  The green chili's add lots of flavor but does not make it spicy, so it is great for kids and people who don't like the heat.

Add a little bit of Cheese

Out comes a perfectly browned dish!

Here are the directions:

10 soft taco shells

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken (you can also used shredded chicken, this is just easier)

1 Onion~~I use red

1 can black beans-rinsed

1 can pinto beans-rinsed

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

2 cups chicken broth--I use the low sodium, you can't even tell.

1 cup sour cream

1 (4 oz) can diced green chillies

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan

2.  Cook Chicken and onion until onions are at desired softness,

3. Then add both cans of beans and 1 cup of cheese.

 

4. Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.

5. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute.

6. Slowly add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.

7. Stir in sour cream and chilies.

***Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.***

8. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.

9. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

You can make this dish with no chicken for vegetarians also with out the onions, and beans.  Just with chicken, chicken and cheese, just cheese or all of the ingredients. 

Happy cooking!

A Weekend of Fun!

Kellen and I were up in the cities this past weekend, we went up Thursday afternoon and came home Sunday evening. On Thursday we got to hang out with dad, we went shopping for some new toys for his place so we don't have to use water bottles and whatever Kellen can find to play with anymore.  After shopping Kellen needed a nap and dad made some supper.  After his nap he wanted to eat, but we tried to get some pictures in first.....that was not a good idea!



Grandpa and Kellen being goofy!  We tried to get a good picture of them, but Kellen wasn't cooperating!!



Kellen Playing with his new bat and ball.  It was a little heavy, but he figured it out fast!

Mom came over for just a little bit to see Kellen before heading to bed. Friday we went on a really long walk, I think my dad tried to put me into labor, but it was wonderful and the weather was great. We went to lunch, met my mom for a little shopping, Kellen took a nap, then my mom and I went out to see one of my very best friends Liz for a party she was having. We sure had a fun time, laughing and just relaxing. I tried to get home before the little man went to bed, but he was out cold when I got there.

 Kellen playing with Grandma, Grandpa got him some new toys, so he was showing her and singing.

Saturday mid afternoon, we had a play date with Serena, Kyleigh and Issac.  We went to a play place in Ham Lake.  Kellen had so much fun playing basketball and then we went on the slide.  A big boy slide, we couldn't get him off of it.  We needed to take a break for lunch and he threw a fit saying, "OH slide, OH play pease."  He was sweating and needed to at least drink something before we went back to let him play.  I told him if he took one bite he could go slide, well the crying stopped (after about 10 minutes I swear), and hate the entire plate of mac and cheese, sucked down his water and off we went. 

After the play date dad and I got some lunch and we went over to Great Grandma Anderberg's house.  I put my blinker on to turn in the complex and Kellen started saying, "Dabie" for my uncle David.  I thought to myself, NO way he knows that this is where they live....is he really saying David?  Sure enough, he absolutely was!!  We weren't there for long before Kellen says, "goodbye," started to put his jacket and hat on to leave.  So we left and he went over to Grandma Carol's house for a sleep over.

Sunday

Liz getting gift bags ready for the baby shower!

 The fantastic diaper cake Liz made!!

Kellen had so much fun playing with Honor!  When it was time to open gifts Honor wanted to watch, but Kellen kept asking her to go downstairs and play, she wasn't going to until the presents here done (I don't blame her lol).  So we took Kellen down and he discovered Tony was downstairs, he played by himself and played some football with Tony!  When it was time to leave I had to put him over my shoulder to get him out of the basement :-).

Kellen waiting for Honor to come and play!  The basement has an awesome kids area and Kellen just loved it! 

The whole way home he talked about Liz, Honor, Sailor, Tony, Daisy and Buster.  He actually woke up this morning (Tuesday), saying Honor, Daisy, Buster....and elephant never forgets I guess.  So we had a skype date, he really loves those!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend, we sure did!!

Jess