Easy Vegetable Lo Mein

Ever since having this baby I have been on the lookout for fast and easy recipes that I can throw together as my husband is driving home from work. This is a great one that only took about 20 minutes to make. We ate it with  pot stickers that we bought from Costco. This is an easy one to to alter according to the ingredients that you have on hand. Try adding chicken, different oriental sauces (Panda Express has a whole line of sauces that you can buy at the grocery store) or vegetables to make it your own.

Servings: 4

2 packages oriental flavored Top Ramen
2 Tbsp canola oil
1 16 oz package frozen stir fry vegetables
2 tsp soy sauce (or to taste)
2 tsp oyster sauce (optional)

Boil water and cook Ramen for about 3 minutes then drain. In a medium skillet, preheat oil. Cook vegetables, stirring frequently until they are tender, then add noodles, sauces, and the seasoning packet that came with the noodles. Cook until everything is heated thoroughly. Serve immediately.

Chocolate Frosting

Usually when I make chocolate frosting, I use unsweetened cocoa powder. Unfortunately, that wasn't really an option this time because I used the rest of it in the chocolate cake that I made. But I did just happen to have an unsweetened chocolate baking bar, which worked really well. As far as the cream cheese, I don't think it would normally be necessary, but I just really wanted to add it. The frosting turned out great.

2 oz Unsweetened chocolate baking bar
4 Tbsp butter
1 lb (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 oz cream cheese (optional)

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over low heat. Combine powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and cream cheese. Stir in chocolate mixture and beat until smooth.

Chocolate Cake

I haven't made many homemade cakes in my life, but this afternoon, I thought it would be fun to try out a chocolate cake. After doing a little bit of internet research, I found a recipe that I thought looked pretty good. Actually, it turned out to be pretty much the best chocolate cake I have ever had! Maybe I will never make a box cake again. Seriously, I had no idea that a homemade cake could taste that good. If you are looking for an awesome cake to make, this is definitely one that is worth trying out.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Blend the following ingredients together:

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1-1/2 Teaspoons baking soda

1-1/2 Teaspoons baking powder

3/4 Teaspoon salt

Stir in:

1/2 cup melted salted butter

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

3 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat on medium speed until well incorporated then turn mixer to slowest speed and add:

1 cup boiling water

Pour into buttered and floured 9 x 13 baking pan or two 8" circle pans.

Bake for 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
Let cool completely before frosting. 

Crock Pot Roast

The other day I went to Macey's, a local grocery store and was looking for a good Sunday dinner. Every week they offer a crock pot meal for a great price. This time, the meal was a roast (which would normally cost $15 all by itself) with all of the ingredients to make it, plus a dozen rolls for only $15 total. I decided it was worth a shot, especially because I have been interested in using Campbell's Golden Mushroom soup again. It turned out amazing! If you are looking for a hearty home cookin' type of meal, this is a great one to try.

Serves: 6-8 people

2-3 lb beef chuck roast

2 cans (10.75 oz) Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup water

2 oz dry onion soup mix

1 lb baby carrots

5-6 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered

1 medium yellow onion, sliced

Mix golden mushroom soup, onion soup mix, and water. Place roast in the crock pot and coat with soup mixture. Add vegetables and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours.

Stuffed Poblano Peppers

Recently, I went to a mini-class about healthy cooking. They asked us to bring copies of healthy recipes that we make at home. Because I had just made this recipe, I decided to bring a copy of it and share it with the class. When I made this, I was surprised at how easy it was. It sure seems like it would take a lot longer and be a lot more difficult. This will definitely become a lasting addition to our family recipe book.

Serves: 4-6 people

Ingredients:
4 poblano peppers
1 cup uncooked rice
½ lb sausage or chorizo (optional)
1 15 oz. can black beans
1 cup frozen or canned corn
1 can petit diced tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
¼ cup cilantro, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese

Combine 1 cup rice with 2 cups water. Bring to a boil and then simmer until rice is soft. While rice is cooking, prepare peppers by slicing them in half and removing seeds and ribs. Preheat oven to 400°

Preheat a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes or until onions begin to soften. Add sausage and cook until meat is no longer pink. Stir in rice, beans, corn, tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, salt and pepper, and a bit of the shredded cheese and simmer for 5-7 minutes.

Place peppers skin side down on a baking sheet and spoon mixture into each half. Bake them for approximately 25 minutes or until peppers are tender and slightly browned. In the last few minutes, sprinkle shredded cheese over top and continue to cook until cheese is melted. Garnish with cilantro.

A Week of All New Recipes

Well, after having my baby preterm and practically living in the NICU for a month, I am finally back home and adjusting to life with a newborn. Although it is true that he spends most of his time sleeping, I have been surprised at how much time it takes to feed him, change him, and do everything else that it takes to care for this little guy. I imagined that I would have TONS of free time but that is just not the case.

This is the first week since leaving the hospital that I have planned to try out new recipes every single day, plus I have some other recipes that I have been meaning to post, so make sure to check back often to see what has been cooking here!