Snowman Pancakes

Some missionary friends of mine made these. And I can't stop thinking about them. So cute! And I am sure yummy as well. Asher saw this photo and said, "Ashie eat snowman pancakes?". Can't wait to make them!

Autumn Chopped Salad

Do yourself a favor and make this salad. Even my I-only-meat-husband liked it. Of course I found it on Pinterest. That's where I find everything these days. Mainly because I keep my head buried in it 99% of my waking hours.

It's basically just lettuce, pears, dried cranberries, pecans, bacon and feta cheese. Topped with a mixture of poppy seed dressing and balsamic vinaigrette.  So so yummy. And really it is a meal all on it's own.

Click on picture below for the whole recipe.

Also, if you are like us and are trying to go organic (trying being the operative word) I made this little sheet to keep in my purse when I am shopping to help me remember what I can skimp on and what I need to be more careful purchasing. These are the Dirty Dozen (i.e. always buy organic) and  The Clean Fifteen (i.e. go ahead and buy it in the cheap produce section).

My Favorite Pasta

When Ben is in class and I need a quick, easy and delicious meal for one - This is my go to dinner.

Combine any kind of pasta (I prefer bowties, or a short cut pasta because they seem to combine well the with sauce and catch all the goodies easier) with any of the following ingredients:

Parmesan Cheese
EVOO
Capers
Red Pepper Flakes
Basil
Roasted Cherry Tomatoes (Or even raw is great too)
Garlic
White Wine
Lemon zest and juice
Roasted Asparagus Tips
Salt & Pepper
Shrimp (if you wanna have some protein in there)

My all time favorite version goes like this:

1. Cook pasta according to directions on package. (I like Wacky Mac Veggie Pasta)
2. Heat a good bit of oil (I'd say about a third of a cup) in a small sauce pan until good and hot.
3. Add whole grape tomatoes to oil and cover.
4. Let them cook just a few minutes until they burst then reduce heat.
5. Add lots of grated garlic, about a 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes and capers.
6. When pasta is done, drain and add the whole pan of oil and ingredients to the pasta and mix.
7. Add chopped fresh basil, the zest and juice of one lemon and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to the pasta. Mix.
8. EAT!

Taco Pizza

I have been eating on this since Friday night and loving every bite of it. Easy and tasty! My kind of meal.

Taco Pizza
1 lb ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
2 cans crescent rolls
1 can refried beans
Shredded cheese

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Make taco meat (I'm pretty sure we all know how to do this one - so I'm gonna move on.)
3. Unroll crescent rolls into rectangles. Place in greased casserole dish. I used the big one. Whatever is bigger than the regular 9x11. A 11x17? Anyway, press the crescent roll dough into the bottom of the dish and push up the sides a little.
4. Bake for 12-14 minutes until golden brown.
5. Microwave beans for a minute. Spread them over the baked crust.
6. Top with meat and cheese.
7. Pop it back into the oven for a few more minutes to warm through and melt the cheese.
8. Top with anything you like: sour cream, tomatoes, black olives, jalapenos, green onions, etc.

Makes a ton - hence the large casserole dish but it reheats well.