September in Review

The Recipes
Favorites are noted with an asterisk!

Breakfast

• Pumpkin Pudding Cinnamon Rolls with Rum Cream Cheese Frosting*
• Sour Cream Silver Dollar Blueberry Pancakes*
• Banana Walnut Muffins

Main Dishes

• Baked Chicken Fajitas
• Buffalo Chicken Chili
• Tuna Mac and Cheese Casserole*
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes*
• Bacon-Wrapped Gouda Stuffed Chicken*
• Cheeseburger Pizza
• Lemon Chicken*
• Italian Chicken Soup*
• Homemade Tuna Alfredo Helper
• Fajita Burgers
• Sweet & Savory Pork Chops

Side Dishes

• Best Broccoli of Your Life*
• Cheesy Garlic Sticks 
• Brazilian Pao de Queijo
• Broccoli Bites
• Texas Roadhouse Buns {Copycat}*
• Atomic Hashbrowns

Desserts

• S'mores Rice Krispie Treats 
• Peanut Butter Cup Blondies*
• One Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes for Two*  

  

There were two cookbook features this month: Sweet Magnolias and Weeknights with Giada.

I participated in Secret Recipe Club this month and posted Brazilian Pao de Queijo from Bewitching Kitchen.

Also since I now have sponsor spots open - meet my current sponsors {here} and see what recipes they shared on their spotlight day!

I want to revisit my resolutions again and update on how well/awful I'm doing on them:

• Get on a schedule - I want to get on a good blogging schedule - like blog posts during a certain time of day on a certain day, etc.
• Catch up on adding the printable feature to old recipes. -I really need to work on this one still.
• Work on emptying bookmarked recipes. - almost done!
• Leave reviews {comments} for recipes I've tried where I got them. - Need to find a way to keep track of the new recipe reviewing system I have.
• Use breadmaker, cake pop maker, and KitchenAid pasta attachment. - I made dumplings which is close to pasta, so I will be trying to use my attachment in October.
• Add tried recipes to my Master List. - gotta work on this too.
• Figure out which recipes have been posted that aren't in a binder or on my Master List. - DOOOO IT!
• **NEW** Plan December & January's themed weeks - including recipes and the banners.
• **NEW** Don't forget the food bucket list! Make stuff off of it.
• **NEW** Make November menu plan and grocery lists for Oct/Nov ahead of time.
• **NEW** Organize and use what is in my freezer.  

If you missed them, you can find Sunday Social, Oh, How Pinteresting Weds., and Tasty Thursdays by scrolling all the way down and finding the little label cloud. Click on whichever you want to see :)

I really enjoy doing these monthly wrap ups - you can find January {here}, February {here}, March {here}, April {here}, May {here}, June, July {here}, and August {here} by clicking the links! 

Tasty Treasures

Time to show off the most clicked from 20 Sept's Tasty Thursday :)
Check out these delicious treats!

#1: Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Pasta// Hezzi D's Books & Cooks

{image via}

#2:  Fresh Mango Ice Cream {Egg-Free & No Machine}//Chocolate & Chillies

{image via}

#3: Crockpot Tortellini Lasagna//Semi Homemade Mom

{image via}

You can also grab this nifty button if I featured your recipe!

Just highlight, copy/paste in rich text or compose mode.

This week's Tasty Thursday is still open (and will be until Tuesday), so feel free to stop by and add a few recipes! :) Make sure to check out the other recipes linked up too!

Atomic Hashbrowns

Excited to share another Jeff Mauro (Sandwich King!) recipe - this one is perfect for spicy food lovers! It was kind of fun to make too - I'm glad I watched the episode beforehand though :)

(Print)
What you need:

• 2 lb. Russet potatoes, peeled, grated, and dried
• 1 tsp. garlic
• 1 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 2 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Toss potatoes with seasonings.

Add half the butter and half the oil to a pan and heat over medium heat.

Add potatoes and pack them down tightly.
Fry for 5 to 7 minutes.

Flip onto a baking sheet and add remaining butter and oil to empty pan. 

Add potatoes back to pan, cooked side up, and fry for another 4 to 5 minutes.
Serve cut in wedges.

Recipe from Jeff Mauro

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

These were recreated by Fried Ice & Donut Holes for October 2012 SRC {here}

Sweet & Savory Pork Chops

Loved these pork chops - I used some thin ones this time, but will try it with thicker chops next time. I am an onion lover - you cannot go wrong adding tons of onions!

(Print)
What you need:

• 4 pork chops
• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 large onion, sliced
• Salt and pepper
• Steak seasoning

Directions:

Season pork chops with salt and pepper and steak seasoning.
Melt butter over high heat and brown pork chops. Remove to a casserole dish.

 Add sugar, Worcestershire, and onion to leftover butter and cook for 7 minutes.

Pour over the top of the pork chops.

Bake, covered, at 350* for 20 minutes.

Recipe from Mrs. Happy Homemaker

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

Tasty Thursday #79: Texas Roadhouse Buns {Copycat}

Welcome back to Tasty Thursday!!

We rarely eat out as a family - so when we went school shopping for my oldest (he just started Kindergarten!), I thought it would be great to treat the family to some Texas Roadhouse. The kids have never been because of my oldest's suspected peanut allergy. Of course, now we know he isn't allergic to peanuts and we were happy to bring them. I think the Roadhouse is the only good restaurant up here where we live - and it's pretty awesome that they have steak on the kids' menu. Matthew LOVED that. We came home wanting more rolls. I knew I had a copycat somewhere...so a week later, I made this recipe. It is dead on - the butter is awesome too! I actually froze half the dough to make more rolls later :)

(Print)
What you need:

• 4 tsp. active dry yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 cups milk, scalded and cooled to room temp
• 3 tbsp. melted butter, cooled to room temp
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 7 to 8 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 whole eggs
• 2 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and 1 tsp. sugar.
2. Add yeast mixture with milk, sugar, and a few cups of flour until batter resemebles the consistency of pancake batter. Let stand until foamy.
3. Add butter, eggs, and salt. Beat well.
4. Add flour until dough is no longer wet and sticky, but still pliable and soft.
5. Knead for around 5 minutes.
6. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour to an hour and a half.
7. Punch down and divide into rolls on a lightly floured surface. Rest for 10 minutes.
8. Shape and place on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until doubled, about an hour.
9. Bake at 350* for 10 to 15 minute or until golden brown.
10. Brush with butter and serve with honey butter (recipe follows)

Honey Cinnamon Butter {Copycat}
What you need:

• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar*
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1. Whip butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Add honey, sugar, and cinnamon. Whip until combined.

*I may reduce this amount next time. Perhaps up the cinnamon slightly too. Trust your tastebuds!

Recipe from Eat Cake For Dinner

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

Pinterest Weds #61

Pickled Banana Peppers

We go through these like no one else's business. I needed a recipe.

Source: thenymelrosefamily.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

This is the most brilliant idea ever!

Source: bakingwithblondie.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Nutella Coffee Creamer

For my Nutella & coffee obsessed husband.

Source: mrsinthemaking.net via Sarah on Pinterest

Eggplant Marinara Sauce

Sounds like a perfect first timer eggplant recipe.

Source: meetpenny.com via Sarah on Pinterest

S'mores Granola

We all love granola. The kids especially love s'mores!

Source: crazyforcrust.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Smothered Pork Chops

These look like a pork chop version of Chicken Fried Steak.

Source: mybiscuitsareburning.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Buttery Triple Berry Cobbler

You had me at butter.

Source: loriannsfoodandfam.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Apple & Snickers "Salad"

I actually keep meaning to save this one. I think I've had it before. Maybe.

Source: raysofpurple.com via Sarah on Pinterest


They pinned me, they really pinned me! See what recipes of mine are being pinned {here}

Linked up at... 

Broccoli Bites

This will definitely be a must-have instead of French fries or chips - they in a way, almost taste like a French fry. I had to swat my husband away from them while I finished dinner because he couldn't keep away (:

(Print)
What you need:

• 16 oz. broccoli, chopped
• 1 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
• 3 eggs
• Bread crumbs, to your liking

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together.

Form small patties and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 15 minutes at 375*.
Flip and bake for another 10 minutes.

Recipe from Stacey Snacks

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

One Bowl Vanilla Cupcakes for Two

I got the hankering for sweets one night and I didn't really have anything in the house. I figured I would just have to suck it up and get over my craving. I had been working on cooking through my Pinterest boards and I saw these cupcakes. I immediately ran into my kitchen to see if I had the ingredients on hand.

Clearly, I did! I used leftover rum frosting from my pumpkin cinnamon rolls for the topping and some pretty diamond-like sparkly sprinkles. My mom just sent me some decorating stuff and I wanted to use them. I finally made pretty looking cupcakes! I was starting to think that I didn't inherit my mom's talent for decorating cakes!

Secret Recipe Club: Brazilian Pao de Queijo

I'm so excited this month to share with you all a recipe from Sally's blog: Bewitching Kitchen. Sally is a sweet, sweet (and didn't I mention sweet?!) lady who was born and raised in Brazil and after living in California and even Paris, is settled in Oklahoma! Since taking on the task of Group D's hostess, I've been waiting to get Sally's blog. She always emails me back and always has the kindest words. Not to mention she is funny too :) I really love that on her about me page, she has the same Julia Child quote that I do on my sidebar intro over there on the left! I'm always incredibly impressed by all you career gals who food blog on the side - seriously - Sally is a biochemist and molecular biologist. That is just unbelievably awesome - go science!

Last month I stepped out of my comfort zone a little with preparing a Thai dish. Since Sally has a great number of Brazilian recipes on her blog, I decided I definitely wanted to step out of my comfort zone again and pay a little homage to my assigned blog's heritage. Although I have to mention, I really really wanted to make the Hoegaarden Beer Bread. It's one of my husband's favorite beers. But I didn't have any sourdough starter :( I also almost made the Brigadeiros in addition to the recipe I finally chose: Brazilian Pao de Queijo or little cheese bread.

These are little cheesy popovers. We paired it with Italian food (soup to be exact) for dinner one night. I'm not sure about you all, but popovers scare the living daylights out of me! I know not to open the oven or they will deflate and all kinds of other difficult obstacles/things that can go wrong, but my popovers really didn't turn out as popovers. HOWEVER (big however!), they still were super tasty. They were crunchy but smooth. They tasted like a vegetable roasted Ritz cracker - and I mean, think of how perfect that is with a tomato-y Italian soup?! My husband ate 1 or 4 more after he said he was so stuffed that he couldn't eat anymore. The kids ate them before they even touched their soup. I have to admit I ate them throughout the night until they were just gone :) I did a little research and will be trying these again really soon. I will be ready and a little more confident because even if these popovers "fail" - they are still incredible!

(Print)
What you need:

• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup tapioca starch
• 1/4 cup farmer's cheese (Sally used Mexican, I used Colby Jack)
• 1 tbsp. Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• Rosemary and kosher salt, for topping

Directions:

Place all ingredients except for topping into a blender.
Blend until well incorporated and smooth.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400*
Pour batter into mini muffin tins, no more than 3/4 tin full.

{I thought I'd be smart and use a squeeze bottle - except that there is cheese 

in there, so that wasn't the best idea. LOL}

Top with rosemary and salt.

Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and serve!

Recipe from Bewitching Kitchen

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

A peek at my past SRC recipes: Brisket & Veggies, Banana Custard Cream Pie, Chicken Egg Rolls, Hamantaschen, Lemon Fettuccine, Crispy Buttermilk Baked Chicken, Coffee Toffee, Spicy Jack Bacon Jalapeno Cheeseburgers, Grilled Chicken & Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce, and Thai Banana Pudding.

**Sunday Social #81**

{Fantastical Favorites}

What I loved from my blog this week...

Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

{Around the Web Favorites}

What I loved from everywhere else this week...
The following pictures are owned by the blogs linked underneath. I have no rights to these droolicious pictures! 

Pumpkin Better Than... Cake ~ Something Swanky

Source: somethingswanky.com via Sarah on Pinterest


White Chocolate Cranberry Pumpkin Bars ~ Flying on Jess Fuel

Source: jessfuel.com via Sarah on Pinterest


DIY Vanilla Wafers ~ The Baker Chick

Source: the-baker-chick.com via Sarah on Pinterest


How to make Puff Pastry ~ Annie's Eats

Source: annies-eats.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Hawaiian Ham Quesadillas ~ Budget Bytes

Source: budgetbytes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Baked Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal {For Two} ~ Amy's Cooking Adventures

Source: amyscookingadventures.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Homemade Clif Bars ~ Brown Eyed Baker

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Spaghetti Sauce ~ Pioneer Woman

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Easy Tiramisu Bars ~ Betty Crocker

Source: bettycrocker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


15 Tips for your Crockpot ~ Six Sisters' Stuff

Source: sixsistersstuff.com via Sarah on Pinterest

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