Spring Fling Cake

Well, spring hasn't quite sprung here in the Pacific Northwest....so here's a special occasion (or not!) yummy cake to brighten a rainy day!

SPRING FLING CAKE

1 yellow cake mix
1 11oz can mandarin oranges (including juice)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
Combine ingredients with mixer. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9" cake pans. (Tip: Liberally grease and flour!)
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes
Chill and frost. (Cut each layer in half if you want a 4 layer cake)

FROSTING RECIPE:
2 large cans drained crushed pineapple
2 sm boxes instant vanilla pudding
2 9 oz Cool Whip
Mix dry pudding with drained pineapple. Fold in cool whip.
Frost chilled cake. Keep Refrigerated.


For more great recipes check out the Recipe Swap at Grocery Cart Challenge!

"Mama, Meat Ball"

I've been having trouble getting my almost 3 yr old to eat dinner.....so if he chooses not to eat on any given night - I just let it go and I guess he'll tell me if he's hungry. That is if he can convey it to me in a 2 word "sentence"! For the longest time he's talked only in colors and numbers. He's just now putting 2 or 3 words together. Now that's progress! I put him to bed tonight around 9pm. I forgot to check on the hunger issue before putting him down. After about 15 minutes I hear this little voice from the bedroom...."Mama." Just a minute T..... "Mama"....... What T? "Mama, MeatBall" Funny child. So - 9:15 and I let him get up so he can eat some meatballs....which by the way wasn't what we had for dinner! But I admit at this point that if meatballs is what he'll eat then meatballs I'll make. But only because he's 3 mind you!

Seafood Chowder

I'm always looking for ways to cut corners or eliminate steps so when I find recipes that do just that I hang on to them! This is one of my favorites and it's been on my menu plan for weeks but I haven't been able to find seafood at a great price!

SEAFOOD CHOWDER

1/2 c chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T olive oil
1 can Cream of Celery Soup
1 1/2 c milk
1 T snipped fresh basil or 1 t dried
1/4 t pepper
1 # fresh or frozen seafood - your choice
1/4 c white wine
In a large saucepan saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until tender, not brown.
Add the Soup, milk, basil and pepper and heat until bubbly.
Add the seafood and return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 3-5 min or until seafood turns opaque. Stir in wine, heat through.
I've used scallops, shrimp, tilapia, cod - They were all yummy! It can easily be doubled and I've also made it without the wine, still good!

Be sure to check out Gayle's Recipe Swap for more great recipes!

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Well, fishing season is open for a very limited time....wishing my hubs would bring home a fish. This recipe is the only way I make salmon or steelhead now. It's the best I've tried! Be sure and check out other great recipe ideas for next weeks menu at Grocery Cart Challenge!

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

1 cup brown sugar
6T bourbon
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
2T fresh lime juice
2t grated fresh ginger
1/2 t salt
1/4 t fresh ground pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
Combine ingredients in ziploc bag with salmon.
Marinate for 30 minutes
Remove fish and discard marinade.
Place salmon on a broiler pan sprayed with cooking spray.
Broil 11 min or until fish flakes easily when tested with fork.
optional: sprinkle each fillet with 1/2 t sesame seeds and 1 T green onions.

Get Well Soon!

"Get Well Soon" Works For Me!
Well, so far I have not got the creepin crud this winter. I usually get it once a year. Two years ago it lasted for over 3 months, that irritating cough...plugged ears....you know what I'm talking about! Last year it didn't hang on for near as long, thank goodness. But this year everyone around me has had it - even those in my immediate household. The only thing I have done differently is my "Get Well Soon" Vitamins from Arbonne International. I have my own account with them to get a discount. It's not sold in stores - so here are a couple of options on how you can get it:

1. Contact someone near you who sells the product.
2. Leave a comment with your first/last name and email address and I can generate a registration code for you and for $15 you can sign up for your own account and get 20% off for one year.

Be sure to check out www.wearethatfamily.com for hundreds of ideas that work for others! It's great reading!

Menu Plan Monday

Meals For March 1-7

I always make a list of 6 or 7 meals and then choose from the list throughout the week. Tonight is easy night b/c my house is a mess and I need a nap. :) My kitchen is smaller than some RV kitchens....so even a few dirty dishes takes up all my counter space!

Dinners:
Costco Meatballs/Stroganoff
Firecracker Chile & Cornbread Muffins (Best Chile I have ever had!)
(Chile Recipe in Among Friends Cookbook - Heart & Soul)
Savory Sweet Roast/Potatoes (Roast Recipe from Fix-It and Forget It pg 97)
Sticky Chicken
Homemade Pizza
Fajitas from leftover Roast
Enchiladas from leftover chicken

Snacks/Quick Breakfasts
Bran Muffins
Granola Bars
Monster Cookies
Honey Grain Bread for lunches (Oster Bread Machine Manual/Recipes)

Check out more great recipe links and menu plans at Organizing Junkie! Get Inspired!