Day 013 Caramel Corn!

We had leftover Chicken Pot Pie for dinner tonight, and I was kinda bored since I didn't have to cook. I decided to make my mom's Oven Caramel Corn. I ended up making everyone buttered popcorn and then doing some tidying up before I got started on the caramel. It wasn't ready until well after the girls were all in bed, so they will get to try some tomorrow.

EDITED to include the recipe!

Oven Caramel Corn

15 cups popped corn                                                   

1 cup brown sugar, packed                                           

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/4 cup light corn syrup 

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

Heat oven to 200^o F. Divide popped corn between 2 ungreased baking pans, 13X9 inches.

In saucepan, heat sugar, butter, corn syrup and salt, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around the edges.  Continue cooking over medium heat 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in soda until foamy.  Pour on popped corn, stirring until corn is well coated.  Bake one hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

You can add unsalted peanuts or other nuts to the popped corn if desired, before adding the caramel sauce.

Days 011 & 012

I didn't photograph yesterday's dinner. Serenity and I made a bacon and green pepper frittata. It turned out fantastic. The 2 oldest just kinda poked at it. Serenity eventually picked out all the green pepper and ate most of it. Charisma picked off all the cheese and left everything else. Astra ate almost everything I gave her. I just have to keep giving the kids eggs because we don't eat them too often and when we do they fuss.

Tonight Serenity and I made a chicken pot pie. It was a lot of work. And there was only so much she could help with. I'm not so sure if this was a great kids cooking recipe. I'll have to think on it, since part of my problem was that I refused to boil my chicken and roasting it separately was another step and one that Serenity couldn't really help with. And, it added time. But the end result was fantastic. Charisma and Astra pretty much cleaned their plates. Serenity didn't even want to try it, but eventually tried about one bite of each veggie and all the meat. *sigh* She can be so picky sometimes. My crust turned out perfectly. It was buttery and rich. I kinda wanted to pick it all off and just eat that. lol Now I'm craving apple pie. :P

Here are pics of tonight's meal:

 

Hot out of the oven.

One of the kids' plates. I gave them pineapple too.

A big slice. For some reason there are no carrots in view.

010 Pasta!

Serenity asked me the other day how noodles are made, so I promised we'd make some together. We were going to make it tomorrow when she was out of school, but I had to come up with something for dinner tonight, so we made it today.

I made the pasta dough just before she got home so that it would be ready to use right away.

 Once I got the dough worked through on the largest setting, it was a breeze for her. She thinned it all out and then ran it through the cutter.

We ended up cooking all of it!

And eating all of it too! Serenity and I made the pasta sauce together - Creamy Garlic Pasta with Bacon and Peas. The 2 oldest ate everything but their peas. Astra had 4 or 5 helpings. I lost count. lol

009 Crescent Ring

Today Serenity and I made Banana Streusel Muffins and a Turkey Crescent Ring.

Turns out kids don't like cooked broccoli. Who knew? lol Back to the drawing board. I have another idea I want to play with for next time. Hubby and I enjoyed it, and I make this often. And the muffins were a hit.

008 Burritos!

Tonight I made Beef & Bean Burritos with Serenity. Actually, Charisma helped too! Charisma was so funny. I got them to take turns. Serenity would measure out one spice, and Charisma would do the next. She was so impatient for her turn. "Hey! I want to measure the chili powder!" She is only 2, so it was quite the sentence. You had to hear her. They also took turns adding everything to the skillet. Dinner was a total success. Charisma was falling asleep at the table again because she didn't want to nap today. lol Serenity ate her entire burrito. The whole thing. This kid doesn't care for beef and never would eat beans. And tonight, she ate it all. I rewarded her with peanut butter cookies. hehe

Here she is assembling hers and her sister's burritos. Both kids were a great help tonight!

Day 006 & 007

Yesterday I made a classic with Serenity. I think, the last time I made it I was a kid too! Foil Packet Chicken & Veggies. I want to play with it a bit before I share the recipe we made. I definitely think the chicken could have absorbed more flavour, but it was still very good. The kids had seconds.

Today was a leftovers day, but I did make peanut butter cookies with Serenity. Yesterday she drew me this adorable picture of a dream she had about us making cookies and cupcakes together, and we had decorated each of them with a heart. She didn't mind waiting until today to get baking.

I'll be making dinner with her again tomorrow. I'm not sure what yet, but I'm thinking chicken breasts again, and possibly use the tortillas my husband bought. Maybe I should soak some beans tonight.

I promised Serenity we'd make banana muffins another day too. Something with a streusel top, maybe. :)

Yesterday - Day 005

I have another project idea in mind and this is just the beginning. A hint: it combines all of my favourite things. Should I say what it is? Hmmm From here on out, everything I do in the kitchen will be research. :D

I was excited to make dinner last night. I create something new and Serenity helped me make it. I prepped the veggies and made ahead the rice while she was in school. Hamburger isn't something she's overly fond of, but after helping make the meal, she ate quite a bit of it. I was happy about that!

I am calling it Seasoned Beef and Cheddar Rice. I realize a sprig of parsley would make this dish look prettier, but I have none. lol


I'm looking forward to cooking with Serenity again tonight. She requested chicken, and I have another new idea in mind.