Taco Casserole

Yes, it's the "C" word again, but I love casseroles. How can you go wrong with cheese and chips??? The pictures may not look too great, it is hard to capture the flavor but be assured it is great and will certainly be a crowd pleaser. I always have several servings whenever I make this and tend to overdo it, so just a warning, pace yourself and enjoy!

Taco Casserole
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
4 oz mushrooms, chopped (optional)
1 oz taco seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
14 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
8 oz can tomato sauce
4 oz bag Doritos (I use more)
2 TB cilantro (optional)
2 cups Mexican cheese blend
3 oz can fried onion rings

Brown beef, add onion, garlic and mushrooms saute 3-5 min. Add seasonings. Stir in tomatoes and simmer 10 minutes.  Remove from heat. Put chips in bottom of 9x13 dish, pour meat mixture over top and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese, top with fried onion rings. Bake 18-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

I served mine with black beans and Mexican corn.



Cake Pops!

Follow this link to the Cake Pops Web page. You will find the most fun ideas for these treats. I finally bought her book at Williams Sonoma. They are definitely more challenging that I thought, but I think they came out cute for my first try and the kids loved them. They take quite a long time to make but they make about 50 pops, so you will have plenty to share!

The kids loved how they taste too. This one was chocolate cake mix, chocolate icing and chocolate candy coating (you can never go wrong with chocolate!). Since I don't like cake they weren't much of a hit for me but the next time I think I am going to try to make them with Oreo truffle recipe (I have posted it in the past just look it up in the archives) instead of the cake. I have also seen them made with gooey brownies, that is definitely another option I will be trying out!

Excellent Enchiladas!

 This meal was a delicious, easy, throw together dinner I know you will love. The entire family loved it!

 For the enchiladas I mixed cooked chicken (you can boil or bake it and dice it up in bite size pieces, sometimes I use leftover baked or rotisserie chicken for this and it is great), salsa, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and I like cumin in mine I think it gives it an extra kick. Mix all these ingredients together in a bowl and lay flour tortillas in a casserole dish, spoon the mix in the center of tortilla and roll up, continue until pan is full. Spread cheese over the top and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly. Sooooo easy and yummy every time. This can also be frozen.

These are black beans from the can. I used one can whole black beans and one can of re fried. Heat them both in pot and add the special sauce pictured below and it is wonderful!

I got this sauce at one of those international market grocery stores. My girlfriend told me about it and we love it. She uses it on chicken too and says it is great. I have yet to try it, but think I will cook the chicken for my enchiladas with this next time!!

This doesn't look too appetizing now, but it is just to show how quickly Aaron devoured it and was on to his second serving before I could take a picture to share with you.

Enjoy!

Newest Obcession

So my newest obcession in jewelry making has been to incorporate vintage fabrics into my pieces. It is so soft and light you forget you are wearing jewelry and the pieces are easily mix and match like you would a piece of clothing and certainly layerable. Check out our blog or facebook page for a full selection of jewelry.

My Artist Market Blog 

My Artist Market on Facebook

Necklaces for $10-$15

Bracelets $28-$32



Rings $10-$12





Hairclips $5-$8

A Paula Quest Update

It was time to try another Paula Dean meal, the recipes I chose were:

Black Bean Dip Appetizer

Cold Cucumber Salad

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Cheese Muffins

and Gooey Butter Cake (yes again, but it is soooo yummy!)

My favorite was definitely the Black Bean Dip

2 TB butter

2 TB chopped onion

4 oz can green chilies, chopped

1 tomato, diced

2 tsp. chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

1 tsp. house seasoning

15 oz. can black beans

1 cup shredded cheddar

4 oz. block Velveeta Mexican cheese, diced

3 oz. cream cheese, diced

Melt butter in skillet. Add onions and saute until tender, about 5 min. Add green chilies, tomato, cilantro and seasoning, and cook 5 min longer.  Add beans and cheeses and simmer until hot and bubbling. Serve hot with tortilla chips.

I used a crock pot for this recipe and just sauteed the onions and things then threw everything together into the crock pot to melt. I would probably add more cheese to this mix next time too.

Country Living Favorites

There were so many beautiful artists and shops at the Country Living Festival it is hard to list all of the wonderful things I saw. But I would like to share with you some of my favorites.

One of the largest tents was Earth Angels. It was filled with many different "real" artists and many of the most fabulous displays and wares, from paintings, jewelry, felted softies, handbags and more. This is a great website to find wonderfully beautiful things to crave and awe over.

Earth Angels

This is an Artist at the show that can also be found on the Earth Angels website. Her booth was amazing, full of beautifully whimsical things. Her watercolor paintings of the most adorable faces on children and animals along with her color palate being so dreamy. I was in awe at all her ideas she had lots of cardboard cutouts and recycled papers, fabrics and things it was right up my alley and probably my most favorite at the entire show, she was a true artist!

Krys Kirkpatrick Design



One artist had beautiful collages made with shredded pattern pages and shaped into 40's or 50's style dresses. They were absolutely adorable I love, love, loved them!

One Girl



Country Living Festival

I had the best time with my sister and mom this weekend. The Country Living Festival at Stone Mountain Park was a dream full of great artists, ideas and beautiful vintage finds. I was in heaven with all the spectacular finds in one place. We took two days browsing through every booth and drooling over all the pretty things. The prices were very reasonable, hence, I bought lots of great things, a few things for me and plenty of things I will incorporate into some of the jewelry and items I am making to sell. I have gotten lots of new ideas and am anxious to get started on creating, nothing like seeing and talking to new artists to get the juices flowing!

This is the glass blowing artist demonstrating making a bottle, it was mezmorizing.

Aunt Laurel is such a good sport taking the kids to the pumpkin patch and petting zoo up the street, they enjoy their visits from Aunt Laurel and are always anxious for the next visit. 

October

October is almost over and has gone by so quickly. We have had a busy, fun month!

The Mule Camp in Gainesville was a real success!





Mule Camp Market, Gainesville, GA

Come visit us this weekend October 8-10 at the Fall Mule Camp Market on the downtown square in Gainesville, GA.  We will have a great selection of jewelry, home decor items, furniture, paintings and more to choose from. We would love to see all of you! Here is a sampling of some of the items you will see.

Another Paula Meal

So I made another Paula dean meal for the family when my sister came to visit. The meal we planned was:

TOMATO CANAPES

BAKED SPAGHETTI

FETA CHEESE AND TOMATO SALAD

AND THE ULTIMATE!!!

GOOEY BUTTER CAKE!!!

Ingredients

Cake:

Vegetable oil cooking spray

1 (18.2- ounce) package yellow cake mix

1 large egg

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted



Filling:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (1 pound) box confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted


Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan with vegetable oil cooking spray.

In the bowl of an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan and set aside.

In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, eggs, vanilla extract, confectioners' sugar and butter. Beat on medium speed until smooth.
Pour the filling over the cake mixture and spread it evenly. Bake until the center is just a little bit gooey, about 40 to 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into pieces and serve.

Plan "B"

So I made several more of Paula's recipes, so far there aren't any good enough to brag about. I liked them, but the rest of the family didn't so I won't waste your time with them.





This is the Chicken, Goat Cheese and Rice Casserole with Pecans and Cherries







This is Mini Artichoke and Gruyere Quiches



I think I am going to change up to plan "B" on this Pracht and Paula Quest. I have several of her cookbooks so I am going to start with the gooey, yummy, cheesiest ones first and get to the "meat" of the recipes to share with you. So stay tuned for more to come....

My Paula Quest

So, my dear sister suggested I watch the movie "Julie and Julia" since she loved it so I thought I might like it too, even though we have complete opposite taste in movies, I enjoyed it and decided since I like to cook and bake maybe this would be a great adventure for me to try out. I began looking through the numerous cookbooks I have: Sanda Lee, Dinner Doctor, Betty Crocker, and seeing as I have four Paula Dean cookbooks I think the choice was obvious, not to mention the fact my family loves cheese, butter and gooeyness. So I have begun my quest through the newest cookbook of hers, "The Dean Family Cookbook". I would like to share the most incredible recipe I have made so far and my husband absolutely flipped over it!

There is no shortage of cheese and gooeyness in this recipe. And in my definate opinion the fried egg has to be over medium, the runnier the better.

Enjoy this one for sure and if you have any youhave tried please tell us about them.

Foodnetworks Paula Dean Recipe Link

CROQUE MADAME

Ingredients


8 slices sourdough bread
8 ounces Gruyere, very thinly sliced
12 ounces smoked ham, very thinly sliced
2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 extra-large eggs
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Butter 1 side of each bread slice.

Set half of the slices of bread buttered side down in the griddle or cast iron skillet, and cover each with a slice of cheese. Place 3 or 4 slices of the ham over the cheese, and place the top slice of bread over the ham, buttered side up. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches until bottom is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Remove sandwiches and place on a plate. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the top of each sandwich, and then place a slice of cheese on top. Put the sandwiches back onto the griddle or skillet then place in oven, cooking until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over high heat. Cook each egg sunny side up. Turn egg over and cook 3 minutes longer for a soft-cooked egg, or 5 minutes longer for a hard-cooked egg. Repeat with remaining butter and eggs.

Place 1 fried egg atop each sandwich. Season egg, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve sandwich immediately.

Loaded Potato Soup

6 slices bacon
1/4 cup green onion
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 cup whole milk
1 (20 oz.) bag potato wedges
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Remove from pan and drain fat, reserving 1 tsp, and saute onion in drippings until tender.  Add broth. Whisk in sour cream and milk. Add potatoes, salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes, or until heated through.  Top with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese and chives.

I have been looking for a potato soup recipe with lots of flavor and richness and this one is great, Enjoy!

Spring Front Door Look

I changed the pot at the front door to look more springy. I love how my birdhouse turned out and am glad i finally got to use the pussy willow sticks my mom got me two years ago. I think it turned out really cute and inviting.  Now I need my friends to come a knocking! I was thinking of adding a simple wreath to the door, what do you think?

Such Sweet Stitches

This is an adorable sampler of stitches I found Here. I think it is such a cute idea, my wheels are turning to do something with this idea. Maybe I could do one in a calendar format, or just add some hints of it on a pillow.  Anyone have any suggestions?

Adorable Painting

This Painting is so adorable I had to share it with you all!

The "OCD"/"ADD" Staircase look

OK so for those of you who are a tad OCD and like to count your steps as you walk, but also have a touch of ADD and are easily distracted and not sure what number you left off at, this is a perfect sollution. This is such a cute idea for a staircase. If I didnt have old license plates on the back of mine I would totally do this. Anyhone up for the challenge????

A Surprise Inside

I wanted a little extra pizzaz to my cabinets and it was too much for Aaron to replace the doors with glass fronts. So, just to add a little extra touch I took scrapbook paper and doublesided tape and stuck it to the back of the cabinets. So now when I open the doors to get a dish or glass it is like a little surprising touch of something pretty!

Crunchy Granola

This is a great recipe for granola. Very peanutty flavored. I made it without dried fruits but I think I will use them next time I make it to give it a sweet kick too.

6 cups rolled oats
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups nuts
1/3 cup vege oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix granola:  Heat oven to 325 degrees.  Combine oats, coconut and nuts in large mixing bowl.  Combine oil, brown sugar, peanut butter, honey, cinnamon and vanilla in small saucepan over medium heat and stir until smooth.  Pour over the oat mixture and stir until well combined.

Bake granola:  Line shallow baking pan with foil.  Spread mixture in the pan.  Bake until browned - about 50 minutes- stirring every 10 minutes with large spatula.  Cool in the pan on a wire rack; then stir once more.  Store in airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Easy Brunswick Stew

This is the easiest recipe I think I have EVER made. It alsways turns out really good.

1 small can BBQ pork
1 small can BBQ beef
1 can white chicken
1 can cream corn
1 can whole kernel corn
1 - 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

Mix all ingredients in crock pot, add hot sauce to taste. Cook on high for 2 hours, simmer on low another 2 hours.