How to make The Perfect Whipped Cream

As a little girl my granny always made homemade whipped cream.  I really didn't even know about artificial whip topping. Fast forward to my engagement.  For my very first Thanksgiving away from home, my husband and I ate at his parent house.  When they pulled out the pie the family threw a tub of artificial whip topping on the table.  Now I am not opposed to this stuff but on Thanksgiving the real stuff is in order, Right? When I asked for whip cream they replied  its on the table.  I died a little inside.  Pumpkin pie should only be served with REAL whipped cream. 

Fast forward to today.  I decided that it was time to share a few tips for amazing Whipped Cream. Just like grandma makes.

Heavy Whipping cream

Sugar

Vanilla

Start with a chilled bowl. This one is super important.  I like to stick my bowl in the fridge or freezer for about an hour before I make my cream.  When you chill your bowl your cream whips up faster and stays stiff longer. 

Start whipping your cream. After about a minute or so add your sugar and vanilla.  Add sugar and vanilla according to taste. For a half quart I usually add about a tablespoon of sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla. 

Continue whipping until the whip cream starts to make small peaks.

If you have to store in the refrigerator use a fork to whip your cream a bit before serving.

Linking up! {Here}

Let it Snow...Snowballs Recipe and Blog Hop

I have teamed up today for our monthly blog hop to share with you a little snow.  

So way back when I was a little sprout my grandma use to make these yummy little desserts every Christmas.  She made dozens of them and delivered them to here neighbors and family.  I loved them.  And then I grew up and life happened and she stopped making them.   So about 8 years ago I asked every member of my extended family what there favorite "grandma" recipes were.  You know you all have those favorite recipes that Grandmas makes, right? Well the Snowball recipe was revived. I compiled the recipes and made a cook book of all grannies recipes. Each m;ember of my family has a cookbook.  Most of them still use the cookbook at least once a week.  

So move forward 8 years, I am finally getting around to making these yummy little treats!  They truly are to die for.  My cute little neighbor calls them Hawaiian Snowballs.  They are delicious!  Check out my post on how to make these for your next party or just because they are so good.

Snowball Dessert Recipe

White Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Cocoa Sticks

Just before Christmas I found these delightful Marshmallows.  I love anything Peppermint. So I grabbed a bag and took them home.  These yummy cloud like treats are about the size of silver dollars.  I just had to make something delicious with them.

Easy Chicken and Rice Soup Recipe

Here in Idaho winter has rolled in.  We were blessed this November to have mild weather.  But December is already proving to be cold and blistery.  I love snuggling down with a hot bowl of soup on a cold day.  I made Chicken and Rice soup the other day and my kids loved it.(it is hard to please 4 kids some days)  So today I am sharing my recipe for Chicken and Rice Soup.

Chubby Hubby Mousse Bites

I love Chocolate, peanut butter and pretzels together. Don't you?  So I took a recipe from last year  (Mousse Balls) and added a little twist!  These yummy Chubby Hubby Mousse Bites are to die for. You can ask my Fitness friend Andie from Maybe I Will.  She ate two of them.  And that is saying a lot from someone who works out twice a day and is a super health nut!  Make up a quick batch and take them to neighbors.  I promise you will be asked for this recipe!

Easy, 5 Ingredient Pumpkin Bread Recipe

 

I love Pumpkin Bread, it is one of my favorite treats. Especially this time of year.  I wanted an easy way to make Pumpkin Bread with out all the work.  I decided to try my hand at making this yummy treat with a light, airy texture and flavor.  This Pumpkin Bread came out perfect!

Almost Lasagna (Recipe)

This recipe is one of my favorites!  It tastes just like lasagna but so much easier to to. You can add extras to pack a punch or just leave it the way it is for your picky eaters. Serve it up with a side salad and garlic bread and your meal is complete! I love doubling this meal and putting one in the freezer for when I need a quick dinner.

Hot Drinks on Cold Winter Nights: Hot chocolate & Wassail Recipes

Over the years I have tried and tested many recipes for Hot cocoa and Wassail. With the holidays around the corner I thought it would be fun to share my favorite hot drinks for those cold winter nights, snowman making, or Christmas caroling.  First up is my favorite creamy hot cocoa mix just the way we like it!

Cheesy Chicken & Corn Chowder

A few weeks ago I spent the afternoon preparing and freezing corn.  I was able to get 12 quart bags of corn.  Yummy! I decided to find a great chowder recipe for my sweet corn. I found a few that looked good but not exactly what I wanted. So that means I make up my own.  I wanted mine to have lots of veggies, meat and cheese.  So I came up with this chowder that was delicious and filling.  Add a a slice of my fresh homemade wheat bread and you have the perfect meal on a cold day. 

Maple & Brown Sugar Applesauce {Blender Style}

Apple Season is just about here. I love drying, juicing and saucing them.  My kids love to head to grandma's house and pick bushels of them to eat. So this year while canning with my buddies we decide to make Maple Brown Sugar Blender Applesauce.  

This apple sauce is so easy to make.  Here is how we made it.

Easy Lunch Box Ideas for Back to School!

With school starting its time to start thinking about school lunch!  I have a couple of picky kids. So when it come time to packing a lunch we tend to put the same things in our boxes everyday.    I have been searching the internet world over for awesome lunch ideas. I want easy and nutritious for my kids.    No boxed stuff if I can help it.  So today I am sharing my lunch ideas.  Most are homemade and I even had my older boys make them.

Check out my KPVI segement below. I am sharing all these amazing meals!

Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies {Recipe}

One of my favorite cookies were the soft molasses cookies they use to sell in the bag with the white icing on top.  As a kid we didn't get them very often, but I loved it when we did.  Over the years they were harder to find.  So when I was visiting Pennsylvania several years ago I visited an Amish Bakery.  They had the most amazing baked goods! I was so excited when I found the Molasses cookies!  I savored each bite!  When I got home I searched for a recipe that would be similar to that amazing flavor I loved. I finally found one.  This recipe makes the most amazing soft ginger molasses cookies.  They come out of the oven crispy on the outside and soft in the middle.  I dare say they are even better the next day!

Goldfish Cheese Puffs {Snack Mix}

With summer in full swing, my sons has a few camping trips coming up.  I saw these new Goldfish Puffs at Target and decided to give them a try.  My Son is just about to turn 12, so regular goldfish are good but he is getting older and his taste are changing.  These new Goldfish puffs are right up a teenagers alley.  I decided to turn these Yummy Goldfish Puffs into a fantastic trail mix for all the boys to eat around the campfire.  

Goldfish Puffs

Cherry Limeade Concentrate {Recipe}

So after posting about my Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate I decide it was time to try my hand at Cherry Limeade.  I loved cherry limeade as a kid and I love myself a good Lime Rickie.  So I bought a lot of Cherries and Lime Juice and busted out a few bottles!

 

Can you see all that yummy pulp?  It's the best part for me!

Want to make a yummy batch for yourself?  Check out how I made mine!

Creamy Chicken & Pasta {Recipe}

 

I love a quick, easy meal that I can throw together for dinner.  Even better when I pull it our of the freezer and bake.  I love making Cheesy Chicken & Pasta for my family and adding a fresh veggie and french bread or biscuit. This recipe can be made the same day or doubled and half placed in the freezer for later! Here is how I made it.   

Easy Homemade Honey Butter {Recipe}

So a while back I made these Homemade Fried Scones.  Probably the best recipe I have ever found for Utah Scones. So this time I am sharing my delicious homemade honey butter to go with them or on a thick piece of homemade wheat bread.

Cinnamon Waffle Bites

***Warning if you don't like easy things, skip this post.  It can't get any easier than this!***

So the other day I was cleaning out my fridge. Oh I dislike this job.  It reminds me of  the leftovers I forgot about. I really hate wasting food!  I found some packaged cinnamon rolls, tucked way in the bask.  I am not sure how they got in there.  I guess I bought them but I can't remember when or were. They were really close to expiring. I debated on throwing them away. But then I thought, why waste them.  So I did something a little unconventional.  I threw them in the waffle iron!

Homemade Restaurant Style Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

Do you love Restaurant styled fruity lemonades?  Fresh lemonade is one of my favorites! I love a tall glass of lemonade with a sugar rimmed glass. Served with a steak and potato.  Yum!  I wanted this lemonade all summer long.  I found this recipe online and tweeked it just a bit to fit my fancy.  I love home canning.  {Check out my canning post.  I am kind of a canning nerd!}Especially when its tastes so good! So I used my home canning and food storage skills to bring you this yummy drink!

Tyson Chicken Fries {Casserole in a Cup!}

Do you ever have one of those days when your afternoon is so buys that your may not be able to have a healthy dinner? We have a day or two each week that we are on the run every afternoon after school or on Saturdays with sports. So I decided to take a little shopping trip to Sam's Club and find myself some quick and easy healthy family dinner ideas.  Tyson Homestyle Chicken Fries are delicious and easy to turn into a great meal. So I have taken a family favorite chicken dinner recipe and turned it into a healthy on the go meal.

Cinco De Mayo Menu

Cinco de Mayo is this weekend! Ariba!! Today I am sharing my quick dinner menu with you. Nothing fancy just plain old American styled Mexican food. Of course these are the main items but I will be adding all the fixings. And maybe some decor or dressing up for the kids!! Enjoy.

  

4 ingredient Guacamole- The Benson Street

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork -Chef in Training

Cilantro Lime Rice-Pineapple & Coconut

Queso Dip & Chips- Chef This UP

Lemonadas- Maybe I Will

Cinnamon waffles and Fried Ice Cream -Plain Chicken

What do you have for or do for Cinco De Mayo?