March Foodie Pen Pal

Spring is HERE!!! Sun, warmer weather and rain!!  So excited to spend more time outside and open the windows and air the house out!

This post is a little late, sharing my March Foodie Pen Pal Treats!! Deborah was my Foodie Pen Pal this month and she sent me some awesome goodies. Have a look below to see what I got.

This tea is great! I have a tea obsession and a giant cupboard dedicated just to tea!  

I think I was meant to share these with the kids, but I ate them all. Loved the different flavours. 

I have no used this yet, but I have been wanting to try out different salts

Smoked Paprika!! soo good on chicken!!

I bought Deborah the same gum!! The Pomegranate Mint is my Favourite!!

These awesome Dehydrated fruit and nut cookies!! Delicious and lots of healthy stuff. Click HERE for the recipe on her Blog.

This is really good! I haven't had chocolate with chili in it before. I really like the kick!

Thanks again Deborah for the awesome treats!!! I enjoyed them all. 

If anyone is interested in joining Foodie Pen Pals visit The Lean Green Bean. It's so fun to get to know others and to get mail! Especially since it is not a bill!!  

The Best Pizza Sauce Ever!!!

I really wish this weather would make up it's mind. I mean I love the snow and I love Spring, but I would like it to be one or the other. Although I am not looking forward to cleaning up our backyard once everything melts. The damage from the ice storm before Christmas has left a huge mess.

I am enjoying the warm sun though and the flower starting to emerge from the garden.

So I was making pizza last week and realized after I started the pizza dough that I had no pizza sauce or pasta sauce. So I ventured to make my own pizza sauce! Not sure why I have never thought to do this before because it was so easy and way better!!

Pizza Sauce
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1.5 Tbsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
2 tbsp balsamic glaze

Place all ingredients in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil and reduce to low. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes until sauce thickens.

Extra can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week. This also freezes well.

Crockpot Moscow Chicken and Potatoes

Good Snowy Day! Mother Nature teased us the last few days with warmer weather and sun and now it's like a blizzard outside. Although I don't mind, cause I love snow; looking at it and playing outside but not driving in it.

The kids aren't happy, as it's March Break and they don't get a snow day from school! I know when I was in school I was always disappointed when it snowed during the holidays or March Break; Why can't it snow when there is school?

Well this Moscow Chicken and Potatoes is perfect for those days when you're outside playing with the kids (or at work all day) and want to come home to a nice warm meal that's ready to eat!

Moscow Chicken and Potatoes

(adapted from Slow Cooker Moscow Chicken)

20 chicken thighs (or 2 per person) I prefer boneless, skinless

20 bacon strips (or enough for 1 per piece of chicken)

4-5 large potatoes

1-2 tsp ginger, minced 

3-4 tsp garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp seasoning salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 10oz bottle Russian Dressing

Cut potatoes into 1 inch pieces and place in crock pot, sprinkle with seasoning salt and add 1/3 Russian Dressing and toss to coat. Spread potatoes evenly.

Season Chicken with pepper. In a large frying pan, brown on both side. Side aside on a plate to cool a bit.

Wrap each piece of chicken in a slice of bacon and place in a single layer on top of potatoes.

                                   

Rub ginger and garlic over top. Then pour remaining dressing on top of the chicken and spread evenly.

Cook on high for 4-5 hours. Skim fat off the top before serving.

 And serve with steamed vegetables or a salad

Oreo Pudding Cookies

I'm BACK!!! It's been a long time.... WAY too long... I cannot believe that I haven't posted in almost a year. I've been busy and really need to just make time in my schedule to post regularly and take pictures... that is one thing I need to get on top of. I've made some amazing meals and goodies, and don't have pictures to show for them. 

I made these Oreo Pudding Cookies a while back, and have made them a few times. They are a favourite around here. Check out the recipe and go make them! You

Oreo Pudding Cookies

1 cup butter

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg 

1 egg yolk

2 cups flour

1.5 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 pkg Oreo pudding (or Vanilla if you can't find it)

1 cup chopped Oreos

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large bowl or mixer bowl Cream butter and sugars until smooth. 

Beat in eggs. Add Vanilla and stir to combine.

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and pudding mix. 

Add to butter and sugar and mix until combined. 

Fold in chopped Oreos.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. 

Bake 10-12 minutes.