Recipes/Reviews

9/6/12
Tony's Birthday Cake

1 pkg. Pillsbury Sugar Free Yellow Cake Mix
1 pkg. Instant Vanilla Pudding (3.4oz)
2/3 c. fresh orange juice
1/2 c. vegetable, canola or olive oil
4 large eggs
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 c. grated carrots
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. crushed pineapple (optional)
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1-2 containers of Pillsbury Sugar Free Vanilla Icing

Preheat oven to 350'.  Spray two 9-inch pans with Baker's Joy (or grease and flour).  In large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, orange juice, oil, eggs and cinnamon.  Blend with an electric mixer on low speed 1 minute.  Stop to scrape sides of bowl after 1st minute.  Continue blending on medium speed for 2 more minutes.  Batter will be thick.  Gently fold in carrots, raisins, pineapple and nuts with a rubber spatula.  Divide the batter between pans and bake for 30-35 minutes.

Let cool on racks and frost with icing.  You can also crush pecans or walnuts and cover outside edge of cake if desired.


9/4/12

Tonight was Spaghetti night. I have to tell you, the only spaghetti allowed in this house is mine.  Although, I didn't grow and can the tomatoes, it is from all natural ingredients.  When I was little, I never liked Spaghetti, I loved fresh tomatoes but not spaghetti.  When I was 15, I had a severe reaction to tomatoes and citrus.  I stopped eating all citrus and tomato products and never ate them again until about 4 years ago.  Under the advice of my doctor I was tested to see if I was allergic to them anymore.  Low and behold I am no longer allergic to either.  Apparently, having children changes a woman's body chemistry, GO FIGURE!!!!  I remember that spaghetti in our house came from a jar labeled "Ragu". ICK!!!!!!  In order to make it tolerable my mom always added to it.  (spices, hamburger, garlic, mushrooms)  When I found out I could eat tomatoes again the first thing I made was "Lasagna"  the only thing I missed was homemade Lasagna.   Tony is the one that wanted spaghetti but I refused to buy jarred spaghetti.  Look at the label, so much sodium, sugar and additives to keep it from spoiling.... I found Hunt's 100% natural.  It is as it says (100% natural.), no added sugar or preservatives.  My family loves my spaghetti and although they may eat others out of courtesy, they prefer mine above all others.  Anyway, I'm not here to brag..... if you want to try my sauce recipe.... here it is....

Angel's Spaghetti Sauce Recipe

2 lbs. Ground Sirloin, (or any ground beef or ground turkey you prefer)

2 cans- Hunt's 100% Natural Tomato Sauce
2 cans- Hunt's 100% Natural Tomatoe Paste
1 jar/can mushrooms
Garlic powder (to taste)
Italian Seasoning (to taste)
Salt (to taste)

In skillet, brown the meat. In a seperate pan combine sauce, paste, and seasoning.  Add mushrooms and meat.  Simmer on low.  The longer I simmer the sauce the better the flavor, but it is delicious even if you're in a hurry.  Serve over thin spaghetti noodles (or noodle of your choice).

Really easy......who needs jarred when it's this simple to make it yourself.
Bon appetite.....


9/3/12
I am a "FOODY".  I will post recipes that I think are worth sharing...  I like to make meals from scratch whenever possible.  Beware, I am trying to get back in shape and lose weight so the recipes won't be "Home Cookin'"  but they will be healthy and cooked "AT HOME"....I will also include recipes for desserts (some healthy and some NOT SO healthy).  After all, we can't be good all the time, can we?

I will also post reviews on restaurants that I really enjoy and recommend..... as well as those I really don't enjoy or particularly recommend.  Please note, they will only be MY opinion, everyone's taste is different and some of mine may not be the same as yours.