French Toast

If you're looking for a good french toast recipe, you're in luck! 

You'll need:

• 1 egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• dash nutmeg
• 8 pieces of sliced bread (we use wheat, although white has a better flavor)

You'll do this:

1. In a medium bowl wide enough to completely submerge a piece of toast, mix together eggs and milk.

2. Add in vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3. After ingredients are well mixed, add one piece of bread at a time to the bowl, completely coating both sides.

4. Using a non-stick skillet, cook each piece of toast on medium heat (325-350 degrees) for 2 minutes on each side until each side is slightly browned. Do you see the yumminess starting to show?!

If you want to keep the pieces that are done nice and warm, you can store them in the oven at 200 degrees, but don't leave them too long or they'll get lonely! They want to be in your belly after all.

Don't forget nutrition. Apples keep the doctor away...

....and also feed little Truetts who are hungry.

5. To serve, I add cinnamon and sugar and cover this warm goodness with maple syrup. How else is there to serve it?

Golf Cake

You'll need:

• 1 box dark chocolate cake mix (and ingredients to make it...like eggs, water, & oil)
• 2 cans vanilla icing
• green food coloring
• frosting bag and grass tip (or a star shaped tip)

1. Make the chocolate cake, baking it like normal.
2. Let it cool completely. 
3. Take a cup and medium sized cup and press the top of the cup down into the cake, making a hole. Twist is gently to break the cake evenly and remove the cup and the round cake piece very carefully.
4. Ice with 1 can of vanilla icing
5. Dye the second can of frosting green (I used 10 drops of coloring) and ice how you like grass to look! :)

I realize I'm not the world's best baker or fancy cake-icer :) but I sure did try! I wanted to make something special for my father-in-law Wes' birthday and I think that he liked it. :) That's all the matters to me!

Baked Acorn Squash

Have you ever had one? If you're not sure you'll like it, try out this easy recipe and take a little risk! :)

You'll need:

1 acorn squash

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1. Preheat your oven to 350. In a 9x11 pan (or something a little smaller is okay too) put just a little water in the bottom of the pan so that it covers (maybe 1/4 inch). Cut your squash in half just like this and place it face DOWN into the water. This will help it absorb the water and cook without burning the edges. Put it in the oven for 30 minutes.

2. Take out your squash. Flip over the halves face up (careful...they're hot!) and add 1 Tbsp butter and brown sugar to each half. Cook for an additional 20 minutes. Wahla!

3. After these cook, it's best to mash up the middles and stir in the melted soupy mixture. It tastes better! I don't cook with butter all that often, but this recipe is worth it!

Easy Potato Soup

Most potato soups are cream based, but not this one! This recipe is simple, quick, healthy, and really really good! Trust me, I made it tonight for dinner!

1 bag (32oz) frozen hash browns

1 carton (32oz) chicken broth

1 cup water

3 Tbsp flour

1 cup milk (I use Soy Milk)

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup real bacon bits

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

Optional:

1/2 diced onions

1 stalk celery, sliced

HOW TO...

1. Dump the hash browns, chicken broth, and water in a crockpot on low. (You can also add 1/2 cup onions and a stalk of celery if you wish, but I prefer it without.) Let this sit 6-8 hours.

2. After step one is finished, mix the milk and flour together in a small bowl and then add to the soup mixture. Turn the crockpot on high for 30 minutes and it should thicken.

3. Add the cheese, bacon bits, and green onions to the top of the soup.

Happy Cooking!

Cooking

A solid 4 square meals is all this girl is hoping for this week. I'll try to add the recipes/pictures of the success stories in the coming days for ya! I'd love to know what you're cooking tonight!

Want to see our menu?

Monday- Grilled Chicken, Watermelon, grilled okra (summer fave), mac & cheese

Tuesday- Sloppy Joes (biggest loser version), potato salad, and frozen hot chocolates

Wednesday- Baked Potatoes, salad, and yogurt & fruit parfaits

Saturday- Chicken and zucchini tomato pasta in creamy lemon-yogurt sauce

Don't know what to make at your house? Let me jog your thoughts real quick... tofu & black bean enchiladas, greek pita wraps, garlic lemon kabobs, enchilada soup, baked ziti, cilantro chutney pizza, chicken & rice casserole, veggie lasagna, homemade chicken noodle soup, bbq meatballs...

Only have 5 minutes? Try this Pulled Pork Sandwich that is stupid easy to make. Check out the awesome recipe here.