Easy Goulash

This recipe is called "Easy Goulash" because that's exactly what it is, EASY. Some may call it homemade hamburger helper. Some may call it goulash. I like to call it a very easy way to "hide" the veggies and the kids gobble it all up. :-)

Since this meal was an experiment on my part, it feeds a small army. My recipes normally do that when I'm experimenting. I'm always nervous about running out of food so I tend to over estimate on amounts. Now that I've made this a bunch of times I know that 1/2 of the recipe is plenty for our family of 5 and we still have leftovers.

Cooking time: 30 min

Servings: Small Army or about 10-12

Ingredients

1 onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

2 lb. lean ground beef

3 cups elbow macaroni

3 Tbsp. tomato paste

2 cans condensed tomato soup

1 can petite diced tomatoes with onions, celery and green pepper

1 small can mushrooms

1 pinch of sugar to garnish each bowl

Salt & Pepper

Preparation

Saute onions and garlic in EVOO over medium high heat until golden brown. Add ground beef and brown. Prepare elbows as directed on package. Once meat is browned add tomato paste, soup, and diced tomatoes and mushrooms. Mix together elbows and meat mixture.

Bon Appetit!

Cake-Brownies

Our Family Movie Night Snack from this past Saturday.

Look at that gooey caramel layer. 

We got this recipe from an Aunt and I have no idea where it originated. We have been making these gooey goodness bars for years now and once you try one-watch out! They are so ADDICTIVE. I'm not exaggerating. There was a time when we first started making them that we made 2 batches within 5 days of each other. And it was only me and the hubs eating them! I'm not telling you this to scare you from making them. I'm just giving you the heads up, you may want to have a party or something to take them to so that you don't end up eating the whole pan.

Cake-Brownies

1 box chocolate fudge cake mix w/pudding in the mix

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 c. evaporated milk, divided

35 caramels

1 c. mini MM's *

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan. Mix together; cake mix, butter, 2/3 c evaporated milk. This will be very thick. Spread 1/2 of this mixture in the pan and bake for 15 min.

It will not cover the entire bottom of the pan and you may have some holes here and there-that's OK.

It will come out looking like this.

While baking... Mix caramels and 1/3 c evaporated milk until melted over low heat in a saucepan.**

When 15 minutes has passed remove from oven and sprinkle 1/2 MM's over brownie layer. Pour caramel sauce over mm's. Add the rest of the brownie mix by spoonfuls and top with remaining MM's.

Bake an additional 20 min. Let cool 1 1/2 hours (if you can). 

*We have substituted 1 c. of chocolate chips, 1/2 c. chocolate chips with 1/2 c. MM's, my personal favorite is 1/2 c. white chocolate chips with 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips. Basically any type of brownie "add in" would work just use 1 c. of it.

**I do not use a saucepan. I use a glass measuring cup and put it in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes stirring occasionally.

An off topic side note: I'm working on putting a button together for my blog so that you can grab it and put it on your own blog if you would like. Here is a little preview:

Enjoy the brownies!

Handmade Holiday Lotion

I love making beauty treatments that are natural, it makes me feel like I'm doing something good for the environment and myself. Do you remember the Holiday Hand Scrub? Well, this lotion goes great with it. They both use very minimal ingredients.

Ingredients/Items Needed:
1/2 c. Water
1/4 tsp. Borax powder
1 c. Olive Oil
4 TBS. Grated Beeswax
2-3 Drops essential oil (I used lavender and peppermint for this so I only used 2 drops)
Blender
Microwave
Heat Proof Bowls
Clean Containers

Bring the water to a boil. Place the borax in a heat proof bowl, carefully mix in the boiling water. Stir until dissolved. Set aside.

Place the oil and beeswax in microwave safe bowl. Microwave for about 3-4 minutes on high, stirring often after 2 minutes, until beeswax is melted.


Pour oil mixture into blender and blend on low speed, slowing add the water mixture. Once everything is in the blender switch to high speed until everything is mixed well (creamy white lotion).


Pour into a clean container. Let cool.

To use: Massage into skin. Use after the Holiday Hand Scrub.

Holiday Hand Scrub

For your well deserved pampering or a last minute gift. This hand scrub is wonderful to keep near your kitchen sink to be used after you have finished scrubbing your pots and pans. As I've said before, I have three little ones, so between the snotty noses and diaper changes I'm constantly washing my hands and in the winter that can be harsh on the skin. 

Here's what you'll need.

1/2 c Sugar

1/2 c Epsom Salt

3 TBS Almond Oil or 3 TBS Olive Oil

3-5 drops essential oil (I used peppermint this time for a more festive scent but normally I like lemon)

You'll also need a jar to store the scrub in. So go raid your stash of recycled jars... What do you mean you don't have a stash of recycled jars... OK. "Hi. My name is Hope, and I have a problem-I hoard cute glass jars to be used for my homemade lotions and potions." I'm not kidding. I have about 25-30 baby food jars in a box in my basement. Can you guess what everyone is getting for Christmas?

Mix the above ingredients in a bowl and scoop into the jar. Recipe yields 1 cup of scrub. 

To use: Moisten hands with warm water. Using about 1 TBS of scrub gently scrub away the dead skin. Rinse well with warm water and follow with your favorite hand cream. Works great on feet as well! 

(don't use it in the shower the oil will create a slip-n-slide)

MI Economy Garlic Toast

What's this? Is it a sandwich? Nope-it's the day old loaf from Jimmy John's. Normally it costs $.50. That's right.  Fifty Cents! (Am I the only one who didn't know about the Jimmy John's day old bread?) This week the Jimmy John's in my neck of the woods is giving it away-For Free! It makes awesome garlic toast or bread for dipping in olive oil and spices.

Slice your fifty cent loaf of bread in half length wise. Spread with butter.... lots and lots of butter. Sprinkle some garlic and onion powder on it. Wrap the loaf up in some aluminum foil and bake @ 350 for about 10 min. Enjoy!

Or...

Warm it up in the 350 degree oven for ten minutes. Slice it up when it comes out-watch out it's hot. And dip your slices in a mixture of 2-3 Tbs. of EVOO (sorry, been watching too much Rachael Ray) and a couple of tsp. of Italian seasoning. Enjoy!