Recipe: Best Ever Apple Pie

So yes.  I said it.  I made the best ever apple pie.  I have made a few recipes over the years, but this one will stick.  It is going in the cookbook.  Into the annals of history.  Ok.  You get the point.

There is a nifty little video on this link that will show you how to make the crust.  It is simple.  Seriously minutes simple.  

Crust: 

Makes dough for one single crust pie. The recipe is easily doubled for a two crust pie.  I use regular butter here instead of unsalted, so I don't need to add any salt.  If all you have is unsalted butter on hand, be sure to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

• 1¾ cup flour  (about 9 ounces)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1½ sticks cold butter (12 tablespoons), cut into slices
• ¼ cup ice water (approximately)

Place flour and sugar in a food processor.  Pulse.  Add about half of the butter. Pulse.  Add the rest of the butter. Pulse until the mixture turns into coarse crumbs. Through the feed tube, slowly add most of the ice water and pulse until the dough gathers up into a ball.  If it doesn't after a few seconds, add a few more drops of ice water until it does.  Take the dough and flatten it into a disc and place it on a sheet of floured plastic wrap and wrap it up. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Pie Recipe is here

Finished Product!

Recipe: Stuffed Acorn Squash

So I of course found this on Facebook, as I see many recipes.  There or Pinterest.  The devils.

I wanted to make something more fall like, and something that was healthy.  Trust me, more fall recipes are to come.  Patience.

The recipe is here, and my photo of the final product is below.  I had so much of the stuffing I baked it in a casserole dish on the side of the acorn squash.  I loved this so much, that I am definitely making it for the in laws when I have them over next.

Recipe: Pizza Grilled Cheese

So my DH loves it when I make grilled cheese.  I don't make your traditional white bread with Kraft singles kind of grilled cheese.  I go all out.

My usual regular grilled cheese includes good artisan bread, muenster, gouda, and a savory relish/jam.  Since I had some bread left over, and some sliced mozz in the fridge, I tried my hand at some pizza grilled cheese.

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  So good.

You can get the recipe here.

Amazing. 

Recipe: Easy Enchiladas

I made these enchiladas last week, and my husband couldn't get over how good they were.  He loves it when I take pictures of what I make on Instagram, so he then can show his co workers.  He brags about me, and I am ok with it:)

I bought a whole COSTCO chicken, and used that for the enchiladas.  To save money, I used an entire chicken all week!  I used it for two batches of enchiladas, and chicken salads for DH lunch.  I really wanted to make this soup, but it was just too hot out.

Finished restaurant quality product. Or at least that is what DH says.

Recipe: Italian Chicken Bake

I really want to be more frugal with the grocery bill, and also need to make great healthy meals for DH and I.  I bought the tomatoes and cheese at ALDI, and the chicken at Costco.  Pesto is usually already in my fridge all the time (I love pesto).

I found this recipe on pinterest, and knew I had to make it.  I made the chicken, and put it over a bed of cous cous to make sure I had some whole grains in my meal.  DH loved it.  Definitely making it again!!

Still in the pan.  Costco chicken breasts are huge.  Next time I will use a different kind and save those for all of my crock pot recipes!

Finished product.  So good!

Recipe: Fourth of July Mocktail

So I decided to try a special drink for the fourth, without booze.  It was going to be hot out, so I wanted something cute for my MIL and I to drink.

I used this recipe, and it turned out great!  It tasted amazing, and was a huge hit.  Follow the directions to a "t", other wise you will not have the layered look!

So good!

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth!

Recipe: Vegan Tacos

Yes, I just said it.  I made some vegan tacos.  My hubs had some of this in the pantry, and I couldn't let it go to waste.  It was surprisingly really good.  Now I know what to make for our one day a week meatless nights.  I am at least "trying" to go meatless one day a week, to be healthy, and save money.

via google images

I can't wait to go and pintrest myself to death looking for some "meatless monday" recipes.  Do you have any favorites??

Recipe: Easy Summer Dinner

So my guy is on vacation right now, and the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen when we can spend time together, or work on the house.

So yesterday, I made one of my famous easy summer dinners.  There was nothing left.  I paired some potato coated mahi from Whole Foods with some steamed green beans, and some Red Lobster Biscuits.  Did you know they sell the mix at the store?  I used to make these by hand, and now-boom-I have a mix to use!  All you need is water, shredded cheddar cheese, and butter.

It took me about 30 minutes start to finish to make this meal, and it was incredible.  Is it bad DH and I at all of the biscuits?  Even thought the box says it makes 10?  Eh?

Finished Product.  

Via Google Images

Recipe: Asiago Alfredo Spinach and Chicken Pizza

So today I wanted to do something new, and make something delicious before DH went to work.

I had a box of Tastefully Simple Asiago Alfredo Warm Dip in the pantry, and saw the pizza recipe on the side.  So off to the grocery store I went.

I used Pillsbury Whole Wheat pizza crust, and baked it according to the directions.  I took it out of the oven, layered the asiago dip on the crust as the cheese base, and followed with pre cooked chicken, baby spinach, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

You can find the recipe here.

I really enjoyed this.  It is pretty healthy, isn't greasy, and is just plain good.  What is your favorite make at home pizza recipe?

Need to buy more!!

Right out of the oven!

Disappeared pretty quickly!

Mother's Day Brunch

Well folks..another successful brunch in the books!  I didn't do my all out fancy brunch, but something simple to start our day!  I loved being able to do something nice for my mother in law, especially since we have lived with her for the past 6 weeks while we renovate our house!

I made petite crust-less quiche, banana bread, and had mixed fruit to the mix.  I love using SkinnyTaste recipes-especially so I can lighten up some oldie but goodies!

Banana Bread right out of the oven! 

Look at that plate!  So delicious!

Chicken Fajitas

So in all things Cinco de Mayo, I made my famous Mexican salad, and some chicken fajitas.

The salad is always amazing, and healthy, packed with protein.  The fajitas were from SkinnyTaste and they were a hit in my house.  The marinade was amazing.  I let the chicken marinate for about 6 hours, and then put the breasts on the grill.  I made two huge Costco sized breasts for 4 people, and it was enough.  Definitely making these again!

Skinny Fajitas+Skinny Margarita=Huge success.  Now I just wish I took a picture of the food...

Weekend Roundup

I don't normally share my weekends on here..maybe because life has been boring around here lately? Just kidding.  Life has been non stop since I moved home.

Friday my hubs and I met a cousin out for drinks.  Perfect spring day.  Then we had dinner, headed home, and just relaxed.

Original Photo in on my instagram.  Check it out!
Shirt, Jcrew
Necklace Kenneth J Lane

Saturday, I went to my 15 year high school reunion.  I went to an all girls, Catholic High School, and loved meeting up with everyone.  Especially the nuns!

Diva Pic

Say Cheese Class of 2000!

Me with some of my favs.  Been bffs since the first day of high school!

Dress I wore

Sunday I just did usual housekeeping.  Laundry, errands, and relaxed with the in laws.  My MIL made this recipe.  It is sooo good.  Highly recommend it!

Hope you had a great weekend!!

Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

So I am a huge fan of skinny taste, and I know I have posted this recipe on here before.  This soup is incredible.  Perfect for fall/winter, and is extremely healthy.  I didn't use the Carolina Seasoning packet, I made my own seasoning and just used wild rice.  Since I plan to use more whole grains, I bought bulk brown rice and wild rice.  Boom.  

I add the sour cream at the very end, to each individual bowl.  I get grossed out thinking about reheating sour cream.  Doesn't everyone?

Recipe: Light Beef Stroganoff

So I am a big fan of beef stroganoff.  It is awesome.  And I am not talking about the "helper" kind. You know.  That helper.  The one I will not let enter my home.  I lived off of it as a kid, and nevermore.

Ok.  So back to the recipe from Recipes.com for Cooking Light Magazine.  I made it in the crock pot the other day, and it was amazing.  I definitely had to stir it a few times, unlike most recipes, but I still loved how it turned out.

Finished product.  With my wine.  In front of some tv marathon.  Isn't that what Sundays are for?

Bordeaux.  Can't go wrong.  

Musings..

So I have been lucky enough to have my husband around for a few weeks, before he leaves and my life returns to..eh..blah.  Just have to finish my time in the Navy in Florida.  Luckily it is only a few more months.

I made him these recipes when we were home.  I can't wait to try some new ones on him when I move home!

Megan's Meatloaf with all the fixins.  Steamed veggies, garlic mashed potatoes, and some crescent rolls.

Tilapia  with steamed veggies!

Crockpot Mushroom Barley Soup and some good hearty wheat bread

Bite Sized Apple Pie dessert with the meatloaf.  Yum!

Crockpot Tortellini So good.  Especially with my pesto rolls!

Roasted Turkey Panini Fantastic sammich with some macaroni salad

Mexican Salad Made this one with some chicken strips for added protein

This guy was incredibly spoiled here!  Can't wait to make some more delicious home cooking!

Food Hacks

I saw this post, and was pretty amazed at how easy some of things are for the kitchen!

I make the salads in this post for lunch at work all the time!

Recipe: Fav Valentine's Day Baked Goods!

So I am a big fan of simple baked goods.  Not something you have to slave in the kitchen over for hours, just to have someone say "yum".  Nope.  The easier, the better.

My signature dessert is my German Chocolate Cake, but I also love a mean mocha cake. 

I found this one online, and can't wait to make it soon! 

Recipe: Baked Chicken, Risotto, and Roasted Califlower

I made this great dinner this past week, and it only took 40 minutes start to finish. 

From making the baked chicken using Kraft Fresh takes, to starting the Lundberg Risotto, and baking the cauliflower, I was busy the whole 40 minutes making a healthy, hearty meal!  I also had plenty of leftovers for other meals!

Finished Product.  Yum. 

Recipe: Berry Smoothie

So in terms of all things healthy, I made a new smoothie this week for breakfast. 

I love www.skinnytaste.com and I often make a lot of her recipes. 

I found this smoothie recipe, and gave it a shot.  The yogurt has a ton of protein, so it was a bit different than most of the ones I make with protein powder. 

Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe?

Happy Blending!

Megan's Meatloaf

My mom always used to make this meatloaf growing up.  I made it for Mike when we started dating, and he loved it.  I mean, we as kids loved it, but I didn't know he would think it was the "cat's pajamas".  Hmm:) 

Megan's Meatloaf

• 1 Envelope of Lipton Onion Soup Mix
• 2lbs of ground beef
• 3/4 cup of dry bread crumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup of water

Preheat oven to 350degrees.  Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Place the ground beef mixture into a 13x9 inch baking/roasting pan.

Bake uncovered for about an hour.  Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

This serves 8, if you don't want seconds.  I say this serves anywhere between 4-6 people. 

Such a great Sunday dinner!