Eggplant Spaghetti Bake

Looking back at most of my recent recipes, it seems I have a slight addiction to putting things in a 9x13 baking dish and baking my little heart out. When I first started cooking, when Ed and I first got to South Carolina, it was "We can make this a sandwich". ( I blame this on my four year stint working at Subway :D) Now it seems it's "Let's make it a casserole". LOL These types of dishes are well suited for cooking in advance, where you can just cut off a portion, heat up and you have a nice easy meal.


Ingredients:
3/4 lb eggplant sliced in to 1/4 inch rounds
1/2 lb 93/7 ground turkey, browned
5 oz Ronzoni Garden Delight Spaghetti Noodles, cooked and drained
1 7oz can mushrooms, drained
2 14.5 oz cans stewed tomatoes
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic salt and pepper
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Spray baking sheet with pay spray and place eggplant in a single layer. Roast in over for  about 10 minutes, until tender, flipping once. Spray 9x13 baking dish with pan spray, layer eggplant on bottom of dishes. Either in a mixing bowl, or in the pan you browned the turkey, mix together all remaining ingredients except the cheese. Stir til well combined then pour over the eggplant. Top with shredded cheese, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Makes 6 servings @ 6 PPV
Makes 4 Servings @ 9 PPV


Linked at:
Amee's Fit and Fabulous Fridays,

Steak Bit Lasagna

Ed loves lasagna; I love lasagna. I hadn't made any since I tried to make some crockpot lasagna. Oh, you haven't seen that recipe? Totally not blog worthy :) Maybe when I rework it some. This lasagna came about as an effort to use the ingredients I had on hand, so while it may not be a super decadent lasagna, it ain't too bad :)

Ingredients:
9 no boil lasagna noodles ( I used barilla)
.4 lb boneless shoulder beef steak, any gristle removed, cut in to bits
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp chopped onion
1 24 oz jar Ragu Super Chunky Mushroom Pasta Sauce
1 14.5 oz can italian diced tomatoes ( I pureed mine)
1/8 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese


Preheat oven to 375. In a small skillet, brown meat in pan, add red pepper flakes and chopped onion. Remove from heat. In a mixing bowl, mix the pasta sauce, tomatoes and remaining spices. Stir well to combine. Spray glass 9x13 baking dish with pan spray and begin layering the ingredients. Start with 1/4 of the sauce mix, topped with 3 of the no boil noodles, 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/4 of the cheese. Repeat process, ending with sauce and cheese. Cover dish with foil and bake for 60 minutes.

Makes 4 Large servings @ 11 PPV
Makes 6 Servings @ 8 PPV
Makes 8 Servings @ 6 PPV

YUM!


Linked at:
Cast Party Wednesday, Recipe of the Week: Red Meat Masterpieces

Google Friend Connect Going Away?

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A Toast to Champagne: History and Fun Facts

Brought To By Wine.com, Purveyors of Fine Wine and Champagne

While overindulging is a big no-no, it is sometimes good to take a break and relax. I thought this history of champagne was very interesting and taught me a lot I didn't know! I can tell you after reading through all the stats that a $35K bottle of champagne better get up and dance it's way in to my cup, and find a way to pay my mortgage, hahaha! Thank you to the great people at Wine.com for providing such a fun and informational piece. Visit their site to learn more about Champagne. As always, drink responsibly!!

this post sponsored by wine.com

From The Box: Sunsweet Ones

Have you ever had a prune? That makes them sound so ugly. How about a dried plum? Better! Up until today, I had not. I saw the Sunsweet Ones display in my local Bilo and decided, what the heck! Super Awesome Great decision making, Ang!! Seriously. They were yummy AND they taught me a few things :)

From the wrappers:

*Studies indicate dried plums may aid in reversing bone loss
*Natural fiber and potassium may help normalize blood sugar
*Dried plums have more fiber than apples

When was the last time your snack taught you something?


One serving is 4 prunes, and is only:

100 calories
0 Fat
24 Carbs
3 Dietary Fiber
1 Protein

All of that yummy goodness for only 2 PointsPlus Value :)

The price wasn't bad either, when to compare to traditional carry along snacks. This container cost me $2.50 and contains 5 servings. 50 cents for a yummy sensible snack is good for me! :)

* I was not compensated for this post!

Chocolate Beet Cake

Many many moons ago, I came across this recipe over on Green Lite Bites and I have been meaning to make it for a while. She has a super awesome page; go check her out! Any who, life being life, and my kitchen being my kitchen, I didn't have all of the ingredients to make it exactly like she made hers, so here is my version. I wasn't completely sold on the cake flavor at first. It is definitely chocolatey but it has a bit of an earthy under tone, if that  makes any sense at all. I told Ed to try it and he liked it :) He said it was good, definitely not the worst thing he had ever eaten. Best of all, I got to make it in my super awesome paper pan!
*** recipe revision for a less earthy beet cake!***

Ingredients:

1 box mix Pillsbury Moist Supreme Dark Chocolate
1 8 oz can beets with juice **for less earthy beet cake, drain beets, but retain the beet juice, place the beet juice with the same amount of water** ie: can had 1/2 cu beet juice, use 1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 tbs cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Spray your pan if you need to! I used my paper bundt pan which didn't need spraying :D In blender or food processor, blend apple sauce and beets until smooth. Mix all of the ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until well combined. If the batter seems to thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Pour mix in to prepared pan and bake according to the boxes recommended time, depending on if you are making cupcakes, bundt cake, etc.

Cool, serve and enjoy!

Makes 12 Servings @ 5 PointsPlus each
Makes 14 Servings @ 4 PointsPlus each

Welcome Home Brands Paper Baking Products Review

Ever put a cake in the oven and realize you forgot to spray or grease the pan? Do you like to bake cakes and other goodies to give away as gifts but find a hard time wrapping it up for safe transport?
WelcomeHomeBrands has worked out these kinks for you! When I first saw the products, I had a huge question mark in my head wondering if such things were really possible. I tried the round bundt pan this morning and had much success! I still have a cupcake cup as well as a small loaf pan to try, but I know I will be just as happy with those as I am the bundt pan. It is neat that you have you choice of pre-printed designs for the pans, so you can get them tailored to pretty much any occasion. These little do-dads are made to handle heat up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, perfect to accommodate most baking projects!! They do suggest if you are baking something sticky, you can spray the pans and it will not effect their performance.

The pans

enter the batter

peel and serve! No need to spray!

Want the recipe for this cake? Here it is!

If you would be interested in trying these products, you can purchase them through Amazon, or they are running a special for assortment samplers on their webpage at WelcomeHomeBrands.com.




In addition to the paper products, they have some ceramic products that seem pretty neat too. These products include fruit and veggie bowls with drainage holes and saucers that come with them.




*I was sent a few free samples to try, but all opinions are my own.

*New* Successful Saturday Link up!!!

Welcome to Successful Saturdays! A little early this week, but I am so excited I can hardly wait to get it started!
This is the place where you can come and post a link to your blog to show us all something you did to be successful this past week. It can be a recipe, a craft project, an organizational idea or pretty much anything (other than giveaways! sorry!)


Don't have a blog? Feel free to leave a comment below to let us all know what you have done to be successful this week!

Here's how it works:

-Please link up to the URL of your post, not the URL of your main blog. When it asks for "Name", type in the name of your recipe, etc!
-Please leave a link back to this post in your post and grab my button for your blog(please pass the word to your blog friends for more fabulous recipes & successes!)
-Leave me a comment telling me that you've linked up.
-Please visit at least two others and comment on their wonderful additions to this party.

<a href="http://successful2gether.blogspot.com/search/label/successful%20saturdays"><img src="http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a400/angiewuest02/successful-saturdays.gif"></a>

Taco Chili Soup

This past weekend, my mom and granny went shopping with me :) We had fun going to thrift and consignment shops around town. When it was time for lunch, Ed met us at a locally owned restaurant, Roseanne's. She always has lovely home cooked foods at great prices. As we were leaving, Ed spotted a sign for Taco Soup, so I figured I would give it a go.

Ingredients:
1/2 lb 91/9 ground turkey, browned
1 1.25oz packet of taco seasoning
1 cup water
1 14.5oz can Diced Chili Tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes with some chili powder mixed in)
1 10oz can Rotel Mexican Lime and Cilantro Tomatoes.

Brown Turkey in a deep skillet. Mix in remaining ingredients, stirring well to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat, cooking for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Have a bowl, top some cornbread, or dip some chips in for a yummy meal!

Depending on how you are going to serve it up:
Serves 4 at 4 PointsPlus each
Serves 8 at 2 PointsPlus each

PS and for your viewing pleasure, one of the great finds from the thrift stores :)

It's a good thing he loves me!! :)

Ham, Egg, and Cheese Biscuit Bake

I love to make sure that Ed has a good breakfast in the morning during the week WITHOUT me having to cook every single morning. These sorts of meals are great to make a head and simply reheat the portion you want when you are ready to eat it. Filling, yummy, and easy. It doesn't get much better than that!

Ingredients:
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups Jiffy All Purpose Baking Mix
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 servings thin sliced deli meat, diced ( I used Land O Frost, Honey Ham)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9x13 dish with pan spray. Mix the milk and jiffy mix together, spread as evenly as possible on the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with ham, then pour eggs over the top. Bake for 30  minutes or until cooked through.

Yum :)
8 servings at 7 PointsPlus
6 servings at 10 PointsPlus
4servings at 15 PointsPlus

linked at: Recipe of the week: Ingredient CHEESE, Melt in your mouth Monday, This chick cooks, Newlyweds Recipe Linky, Cast Party Wednesday, TaterTots & Jello, Fusion Friday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Craft Saturday Linkup, Chef in Training Tuesday talent Show, Recipe of the week: Eggs

Right now, I should be... {Writing on the Wall}

I saw this great idea posted over on Mom Does Reviews and I thought it would be great to participate. Up to this point, I have primarily used this blog as a means to post recipes, but aside from a few posts, like this and these, I have kept it rather impersonal. I would really love to start connecting with all of you out there on a more personal level to hopefully help keep all of our motivations high :) I hope you enjoy this and can learn something about me!

Right now you should be doing ______ instead of being on the computer.

Oh this will be fun! There are a plethora of things I could be doing other than being on the computer :)

• I could be cooking, and I guess I still sort of am, since I have some food in the oven. Sunday is my big cooking day, so from now til about 5 pm, I will be in and out of the kitchen, getting food ready for hubby and me for the week.
•  I could be cleaning. I am sure we can all agree cleaning is one of those things that is never really done. Give the wreck that kitchen is going to look like in a few hours, I will start to work on that soon. I do already have some dishes in the dishwasher :)
• I could be making a list. I love a list. And I really do need to make a few! There are things to be purchased from the store, as well as things that need to get done around the house. Oy!
• I could be working out. And I need to.

So here is to me, getting off my tuff, and getting somethings done today, sans computer. Never fear! I will be back later with recipes and such!

image linked to source

Do you have a blog? Hop on over and grab a prompt and link up as well!

Turkey Greenbean Casserole

My good friend Jenny, over at Penny Pincher Jenny,  posted a recipe for Stove Top Casserole. I didn't have all of the ingredients she has, so I improved. I haven't eaten any, but Ed is taking it to work with him for dinner and is very pleased :) It is a good thing because he has another day left to eat it ;)

Ingredients:
1 14.5 oz can French Cut Green Beans
1 lb 91/9 ground turkey
1 packet Lipton Recipe Secrets Onion Soup Mix
1 box Betty Crocker Homestyle Chicken Stuffing
1/4 cup 2% shredded cheese blend.


Preheat oven to 350. Brown ground turkey in skillet. While turkey is browning, pour can of green beans into a mixing bowl and stir in the packet of the onion soup mix. Once the turkey is fully cooked, drain the liquid out of the green bean mixture, reserving for later use, and mix the green beans in with the ground turkey. (if you are worried about sodium content you can use more water and less bean juice, your call) Cook until green beans are heated through. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray and spread the dry stuffing mix evenly over the bottom. Top with the ground turkey and green beans. Measure reserved liquid and add enough water to make a total of 1 1/2 cup liquid. Drizzle over the top of the casserole as evenly as possible. Top with shredded cheese. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

Depending on your hunger level :)
Makes 4 servings @ 10 PointsPlus each
Makes 6 servings @ 6 PointsPlus each
Makes 8 servings @ 5 PointsPlus each

Thank you for the great idea Twinny!

Cutest Apron Ever!

The Product

The Women's Original apron from Flirty Aprons is a feminine, yet durable apron that you will enjoy over and over again. The double-layer thickness protects from spills and messes, and the apron comes in many different patterns and colors. The Original apron has long ties so you can tie it in the back or front, and it is made to fit women of all sizes. Sassy, fun, cute and even sexy

My Review

I was so excited when my package arrived from Flirty Aprons. While I'm not much of an apron-wearer, I sure need one. I am a messy cook and could use some splatter protection and fun in the kitchen. Since the word Apron makes me feel like I'm a kitchen mom, I like to call it my fabulous kitchen accessory, or FKA for short. My Pink Chocolate FKA arrived and I put it to use the same day. My husband thought I looked cute. My son couldn't wait to have his little girlfriends over so they could try it on. (Now that he's nine, he's too cool to wear girly stuff so I couldn't get him to even try it.) I love the pockets and frilly, girly pattern. It makes cooking fun!

My Pink Chocolate FKA (Fabulous Kitchen Accessory) is:

• Sassy
• Fun
• Cute
• Sexy
• Practical
• Well-made. I love the double layers
• Handy (it has 2 front pockets)
• Fits the "real woman" not just model size

The only thing I didn't care for was the tie at the neck. I would have loved to be able to just slip it over my head and go. But, I can leave it tied all the time, so it's really not an issue.

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will get to choose a FKA ($35 value) of their own! You can pick from: Pink Chocolate, Blue Chocolate, Frosted Cupcake, Chic Pink, or Scarlet Blossom apron.

Giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway starts at 9pm 2/14.

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter below. Only 13 Mandatory Entries. Lots more optional entries. Please try to follow us with Linky Follows, as it is a new tool to replace GFC.

Thanks and good luck!

Strawberry Puffie

I love when a food idea turns out better than you imagined :)


Ingredients:

2 crescent roll triangles (normally a tube of dough comes with 8, you can use all 8 but I didn't want to eat it all!)
2-3 strawberries, diced
cinnamon and sugar, for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375.
Press the seams of the two dough rolls together to form a rectangle. Cut in half to form two squares. Put the strawberries in the middle of the dough and roll up the sides around the strawberries, make sure there are minimal openings. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy :)
Makes two servings at 4 Points+ each. If you used the reduced fat crescents, that might bring the PPV down some :)

Linked at:
Eat At Home, Newly Weds Recipe linky, Ingredient Spotlight: Strawberries!

Fun with Wontons! Three New Recipes!

I have been eyeing all sorts of fun little recipes made with wonton wrappers for a while now. I FINALLY noticed them in the produce section at the local grocery store and decided to pick up a pack. I really wasn't too sure what I wanted to make, other then the Krab Rangoons, but I was pretty happy with how they all turned out.



Preheat oven to 375. Spray 24 ct mini muffin pan with pan spray and place one wonton wrapper in each hole (I would wait til after you have all of the rest of your ingredients prepped before putting the wontons out as mine started to get dry around the edges

Krab Rangoon Ingredients (makes 8 wontons) 

1 serving Crab Classic (you could use real crab here, but I had the fake stuff on hand and it is YUMMY!)
we had the "leg portion" version and 1 serving of that is two sticks.
2 laughing cow cheese wedges, light swiss, softened
dash or two of old bay seasoning

Chop up the crab finely, and mix in the cheese. If it doesn't want to mix together well, microwave for about 30 seconds and try again, sprinkle in old bay and divide evenly into 8 wontons. Fold Edges over.
(eat all 8 of these for only 7 PPV, or you can share and count 1 PPV each!) Ed LOVED these and tried to eat them all :)


Strawberry Blueberry Ingredients (makes 8 wontons)
about 1/2 cup strawberries diced
about 1/4 cup blueberries diced
1 packet of splenda (optional)

sprinkle splenda over berries and let sit for about 5 minutes, stir til well combined. divide evenly over 8 wontons.
(eat all of these for 6 PPV, or share and count 1 PPV each!) Ed said these were too "strawberry-ie" but I loved them. He is not a fan of strawberries!

Coconut Carrot Ingredients (makes 8 wontons)
3 oz cooked carrots (mine were steamed soft)
15g sweetened flake coconut
light dash of ground ginger

Smush the carrots and mix in the coconut & ginger. Stir until well combined. Divide evenly between 8 wontons.
(eat them all for 9 PPV or share them and count 1 PPV each) These were good, different but good. Ed said they were carrot-ie. Silly husband!

linked at : Fit and Fabulous Friday

High Dive- And Other Things That Could Have Happened... Review and Giveaway by Brae Craig

Check out Brae's full blog @ I am NOT a volcano!

High Dive- And Other Things That Could Have Happened...

Review and Giveaway 

by  Brae Craig at 

I am NOT a VOLCANO blog

I am SO excited to present this awesome giveaway and review! This Valentines Day, Bill Harley, Grammy award winner and performer will be releasing his newest CD full of music and stories about his childhood- including a summer spent at the local swimming pool, where he fell in love with Kristi, the 17  year old life guard, "Field Trip"- a story all about Bill and his havoc wreaking buddy Glenn, and, just in time, "Monster Valentine" which demonstrates how attempts at humor can go terribly wrong! I have to say, I have listened to this whole CD multiple times, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. My kids, while they didn't mind it, weren't as impressed as myself.  The stories were actually quite long, and they lost interest easily. But I, along with my husband, nodded my head and cracked up loudly every couple of minutes. The stories were funny, and relateable to anyone who has ever been a child, and then grew up- I couldn't help but think back about myself as a kid, and then compare those behaviors to my own children, and then realize that kids are all the same, no matter where they come from! I think that if my kids were a bit older, they would have enjoyed this a lot too. I highly recommend this CD for both it's music and it's stories. You'll laugh and you'll remember stuff you never knew you could!!! Now for the very best part: I GET TO GIVE ONE AWAY!!!!! I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Mom Blog Society. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. (http://momblogsociety.com Please enter to win by rafflecopter below. Contest ends next Saturday at 12:00am, February 18. Winner will be announced on the rafflecopter when they have responded. a Rafflecopter giveaway