Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

I don't know about you, but I LOVE using my crock pot!  I usually have a meal from that on Thursday.  We have SPEAR every Thursday from 2-3, so by the time we get home, I am not in the mood to get supper around and cook.  There are times I forgot to get it going, and we do something easy, but most times I actually remember to get something in there!  ;)

This is so easy, most recipes that are crock pot recipes are easy, if for some reason they aren't, I usually don't do them!  ;)

This will seem like a LOT of liquid, but the noodles really do absorb it all.

You could use this as a side dish, or as a main meal.  I actually did put some wings on the grill with this.

Pour milk in crock pot

Then a layer of noodles

Then a layer of shredded cheese

More milk, noddles and top off with cheese

Here it is...  It looks kinda like scrambled eggs, I probably will only use 1-2 eggs instead of 4 next time.  But it was still really good!


Again, it doesn't look like mac and cheese, but it's really good!
Give a try, super easy to put together and it tastes GREAT!!  It's alot healthy than those boxes of mac and cheese.  I haven't bought a box of mac and cheese for soooo long!  It really is way easier than you think to make, even if you aren't using a crock pot!  ;)


Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

1 pound noodles (whatever kinda you want, I used elbow- Infact I may have use more than 1 pound, I had a 2 pound box and used all but 1/4 of it... we eat alot... ;))
7 cups of milk
1 egg
4 cups cheese (I used sharp cheddar, cheddar and pepper jack)
Salt, pepper, and garlic salt to taste
1 tsp dried mustard

Grease crock pot VERY well! Scrambled the egg in the milk,  and add seasoning, then place a bit of milk in bottom of crock pot. Then add some noodles, then some cheese...  Repeat layer, and then put lid on.  Cook on low for 2-5 hours...  It took mine about 4 hours on low.

I stirred it after 2 hours of cooking, then again right before serving.  I did taste it to see how the seasoning was and if I needed to add anymore, but ti was fine...

Super easy! ;)

Eggs in the Nest

Growing up my mom would make these!  LOVED them, but I was the one picky one that did NOT like "snot" in my egg!  It HAD to be cooked all the way through!  Something about snotty eggs, eww....  Oh wait, I take that back, my dad didn't like snotty eggs either!  ;)

I also remember my mom making these and if the egg broke, she would say, it's OK, I'll eat this one!  Very RARELY did she break one, but on the occasion that she did, she took the one with the cooked egg yolk.  It's no fun when the egg yolk is cooked hard, you can't dip your bread in it!  ;)

These are VERY easy to make!  My kids GOBBLE them down!  There are other names for it, but this is what I remember my mom calling it eggs in a nest!  :)  (it really should be egg not eggs....  ;))

Here I served it one nite for dinner with some hash browns.  I had a bag of hash browns in my freezer, so I just dumped some sea salt and Old Bay seasoning on it!  YUMMY!!!!  :oP

 Up close pic of the egg in the nest! ;)

Here it is, look at that yummy egg yolk!!!  We would eat it all, then take that piece of bread that was toasted in the pan, and scoop up all that yummy leftover egg yolk!

I don't season the kids eggs, but for my hubs and I, I add some SPIKE, I'm thinking Old Bay might even be good?

There really is no "recipe" for this, so I'll just tell you what you need below!


Egss in the Nest

One egg person
One piece of bread per egg
Salt, pepper, spike, or any other seasoning you like
Coconut oil or butter

Take one piece of bread and use either a small cookie cutter (shape of your choice!  :)) or a small cup and cut out the middle.
Here's where you can do it 2 ways. This last time I just put some coconut oil in the pan, and then threw the bread in and then cracked the egg in the middle.
My mom (and I in times past) would butter the bread, I totally omitted that step, obviously, to save time.  I was being lazy and I wanted to see if it really made a difference.  I didn't notice a difference at all. So the choice is up to you which way you want to go!  Just make sure if you don't butter the bread, to put coconut oil or butter in your pan before each egg you make!  Or it will stick!

Ok, so chose one option, place bread in pan, then crack egg in the hole, season if you desire, cook for a bit, then flip.
I usually cook all the kids eggs in the nest first, then I go back and cook/toast their little pieces of bread.
Then I make mine and my hubs eggs.  ;)

Viola!  You are done!  How easy is that?  Super good, super easy, and can be made for breakfast, lunch OR dinner!  Score!!!  :D

For Valentines Day I used a heart cookie cutter to cut out the middle!  The kids LOVED that!  :)

Let me know what you think!  Have you ever had these before?  Do you call them something different?

Corn Confetti Eggs

Ok, here it is!  Just like I promised, and on time!  Someone should get me a medal!  ;)  Just kidding...

These are easy, and a good breakfast!  The muffins were actually really good, but I don't remember where the recipe is for the muffins, will have to do some digging.. ;)

But when I find it, I will post it!  ;)

There really isn't a recipe for these.

I just had some leftover filling from the Corn Confetti Quesadillas, so I decided to try something.  I knew I wanted to fix eggs for the kids for breakfast, but I didn't just want the plain ole plain old ones.  I also had just given them the eggs in a flour tortilla, so I didn't want to do that again...

Light bulb went off as I was looking in my frig for things to use.  Ah-ha, leftovers with eggs... Works for me!  So I scrambled 9 eggs (that's just for the 4 kids... :\), poured that into a skillet, then dumped in the leftover corn confetti and added a bit of cheddar cheese.  I probably had anywhere from 1/2 - 3/4 cup of the filling left over.

I stired it around until they were done, added a muffin, and fixed them a smoothie.  We called it a good day! And a good filling, nutrious breakfast!  :)

So really the "recipe" is left over corn confetti filling, how many eggs you need, a skillet and some coconut oil.  Mix it all together, until the eggs are cooked, then serve with fresh fruit, muffins and/or smoothies!

You can EASILY make this into a lunch, or even brinner, which we call breakfast for dinner!  ;)

Feed back is ALWAYS welcome!!  :)



Corn Confetti Quesadillas

LOVE the colors in this!  Not only does it look pretty and good, it tastes good!  :)

This is something that you could easily make a big batch of and just keep the extras in the freezer for a really quick and easy meal when you are short on time or just don't feel like cooking!  :)

The ingredients in this is probably items that you have all the time, and if not, they are REALLY easy and cheap to get!  I don't know about you, but I like easy and cheap!  ;)  But yet, it has to taste good!  ;)

I don't have an after picture because when I cooked these, my husband was out of town on a missions trip and he had the camera, and all I had was my phone, so this is the only picture I got!  I was to lazy to take pics as I went, but really, this is soooo easy!

Corn Confetti Quesadillas

2 cups fresh or frozen corn (I sued a frozen mixed, as in yellow and white, sweet corn, yummy!)

1 tablespoon butter

1/2 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 green pepper, diced

1/2 onion, diced

8 (9-10 inch) flour or wheat tortillas

8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

Heat skillet to medium-high heat, butter, corn, onions, and pepper and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.  Take out of skillet and wipe the skillet clean.

Lay 4 tortillas on counter and place 1/3 cup cheese on each one, then about 1/2 - 3/4 veggies on top of cheese, then add another 1/3 cup cheese.

Place tortilla in skillet, then place one of the remaining tortillas on top, press down with spatula to get out air pockets.  Cook until lightly browned and flip, do the same, cook until lightly browned.

Repeat until done...

Cut into wedges and serve immediately.

My kids also gobbled these down!  I think they ate 2 each of this one too!  ;)  Like I said, I think I am going to make a big batch of this and just put in freezer...  It will be easy enough to break apart what I need. 

I used the leftovers for a breakfast the next morning...  will have that posted tomorrow, so stay tuned!  ;)

Let me know if you made this, any changes, and how you liked it!

Oh, I remember what I did for mine, I didn't have enough cheese for all of them, so I put Pepper Jack cheese on mine, boy was it good and that extra kick!  Yummy!!!  :)

I should also mention, that I HARDLY EVER measure, so these are more like guesses...  If it seems like too much, then back off a bit, but if it isn't enough, add more!  You can't hurt it!  ;)

Pad Thai Wraps

This is a Whole Foods recipe. ;) Super easy and pretty good! Not my favorite, but will make it again! ;)



The 3 older kids ate 2 of these wraps! My youngest ended up digging out the noodles and eating them with his hands! ;) I don't want to say he is getting picky and only eats certain foods, but he kinda is! It could be certain textures too, I dunno. He does eat, so I am not complaining! :)

Take your tortilla


Place a nice big lettuce leaf on top...


Place your peanut sauced covered noodles on top of the lettuce....


Then add the peppers, bean sprouts and crushed peanuts...


Roll up and cut in half, dip in peanut sauce if desired!

Make as many as you need/want! :)




Pad Thai Wraps


1/4 pound angel hair pasta


1/4 cup prepared peanut sauce (plus more for dipping if desired)


1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (I didn't have, so I used rice-garlic vinegar)


4 whole wheat or white tortillas


4-8 large lettuce leaves


1/2 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper


1/4 cup chopped, roasted, salted peanuts


2/3 cup bean sprouts


2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves


Make pasta according to package directions. Drain and pour peanut sauce and vinegar over top, mix to combine. Top each tortilla with lettuce, then divide pasta mixture on each tortilla, arranging it in the center. Top with peppers, peanuts, sprouts and cilantro and then roll up each one snugly, tucking in the ends halfway through. Serve with peanut sauce on the side for dipping.


*I didn't have the bigger tortillas, so I didn't tuck my end in! ;) Let me know what you think! It really is good! I didn't measure my pasta or my peanut sauce, I just dumped! ;)

Cilantro Lime Rice/Mexican Rice Bowl

Trying to come up with some really good, easy adn tasty recipes! But yet, cheap! We are trying to save every little penny around here and what better way by eating beans and rice, right? ;) But not just the normal beans and rice, tasty ones!

Ok, well, the kids and I could eat beans and rice all the time, but my hubs, he needed some extra spice for it! But it's all good! ;)

I think next time I make the cilantro lime rice, I will add a bit more limes, I didn't have enough, so I just used what I had! And maybe a bit more cilantro... ;)

I already had some black beans ready to go, so I just added all the other things to make a Mexican Rice Bowl... So you are getting 2 recipes in 1!!! :)

I thought I took pics of the rice and the Mexican bowl, but I guess i didn't!





Mexican Rice Bowl

Cilantro Lime Rice

Black beans

Diced tomatoes

Chopped cilantro

Avocado slices (I just took an avocado and mashed it up)

Fresh lime juice

Directions:

1. Add cilantro lime rice to a bowl or plate. Top with black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, and avocado slices. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the entire dish. Serve warm.

Note-I didn’t include ingredient measurements because I never measure. This recipe is that easy! I like to make individual bowls so everyone can have add their favorite toppings. Enjoy!



AND here's how to make the rice! :)




Cilantro Lime Rice


1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 teaspoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 (15 ounce) can vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

Directions:

In a a saucepan combine rice, butter, garlic, 2 teaspoons of lime juice, broth and water. Bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, sugar, and cilantro. Pour over hot cooked rice and mix in as you fluff the rice. Serve warm.

Makes about 3 cups cooked rice

(I tripled this recipe! And I didn't have any vegetable broth, so I just used all water.)
Going to be making this one again for sure! ;) Just a different flavor, but good! I also used jasmine rice for this. It's all I get anymore! :)
Enjoy!
Again, sorry that they aren't any pictures for these recipes! It's very colorful! :) You can also use chopped red onion in the Mexican Bowl! :) Really, for the Rice Bowl, anything could go! It's whatever you like and what you have on hand! :)

Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar, Avocado and Sauteed Onions

I wanted to make something for my kids this morning for breakfast, other than cold cereal.

I had not been feeling so hot the last few days... Ok, I'm gonna take that one back, it's been since Wednesday of last week that I fixed them a nice hot yummy meal. I woke up Wednesday with a really bad head-ache, which was basically a migraine, then by Thursday, I was toast. To top things off, my hubs was gone, so, that never helps things! My oldest daughter loves to help in the kitchen, and her way of helping is getting some cereal out and getting the milk for all the kids. Don't get me wrong, it's GREAT! And I soooooo appreciated her help! But I knew it was time to make something for them. I am still so very tired, but this is pretty easy to make!

I was also itching to use my fresh farm eggs that I got Saturday at the Farmer's Market. PERFECT opportunity to use them! Well, half of them anyways! ;)

Let me just say one thing. Farm fresh eggs are THE best! And I am not joking on that one! They are soooo much bigger, fresher (well duh!), yellower, they are just way better!



One avocado mashed and ready (I am going to apologize for the pics, they are dark... I was in a hurry to get this up, so I didn't take the time to go through all of them and lighten them up! ;))


My lil man helping to break an egg!


My oldest really concentrating on her egg breaking! ;)


Saute some onions in some coconut oil


Here are my yummy farm fresh eggs!!!


I whisked the eggs, then added the cheese


Pour your eggs and cheese right over the onions


Cook and stir so they will be scrambled! yummy!


Turn off heat, add your mashed avocado


And viola! Yummy!!!



Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar, Avocado and Sauteed Onions

1 avocado
1 small onion, chopped
6 eggs
1/2 - 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Take your avocado and mash up in a small bowl, set aside.
Place a little bit of coconut oil in a skillet big enough to hold your eggs. Saute the onions until tender. While onion is cooking, break eggs in bowl and whisk. Add your cheese and stir. (You can add some salt and pepper here if you would like).
Add your eggs to the skillet and cook until desired tenderness. Keep stirring to get the scrambled eggs! ;)
Turn off heat and add mashed up avocado. Stir to combine and serve hot!

*You could also dice your avocado and stir it in gently to your cooked eggs.
Add a splash of hot sauce, or red pepper flakes if you want it a bit more spicy. Or you could add a hot cheese instead of a cheddar cheese.