Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Tasty Tuesday - Chunky Cornbread

I got this recipe recently from a Family Circle magazine...it is SO delicious. Definetly my favorite way to eat cornbread!!

Chunky Cornbread

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted (I use margarine)
1 egg
1 can Mexicorn (corn kernels with mild red and green peppers), drained

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, butter and egg.

3. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and stir until evenly moistened. Fold in the Mexicorn. Spoon batter into prepared baking pan and spread evenly.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until top of cornbread is golden. Allow to cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes.

5. To serve, gently remove from pan; cut into 12 squares.

Check out Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for more Tasty Tuesday links!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Menu Plan Monday

Nothing too exciting for dinners this week...trying to use up some pantry items!

Monday - BBQ Chicken Pizza

Tuesday - Spaghetti Pie (from the freezer)

Wednesday - Meatloaf & Sweet Potato Casserole

Thursday - Bean Burritos

Friday - Chili Mac

Saturday - Something take-out

Sunday - Couple's Group...taking either a salad or appetizer

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Tuna & Pasta Cheddar Melt

As promised, here is my much loved tuna casserole recipe. It is SO easy and fast! Also very affordable.

3 cups uncooked rotini (I've also used penne and macaroni)
3 cups water
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can solid white tuna in water, drained (I've substituted 2 2.5oz pouches)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 tbsp. Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1 tbsp. melted butter (I usually use margarine)

Boil pasta in water in saucepan until just tender. DO NOT DRAIN! (The pasta will absorb most of the water anyways.) Add soup. Pour into 2 qt casserole. Gently stir in flaked tuna. Sprinkle with cheese. Top with mixture of bread crumbs and melted butter. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.

I almost always just prepare the pasta in my Rachael Ray pot, which can also be used in the oven, making this a great one dish meal!!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Wordless Wednesday - Z & Uncle Randy


Z likes to try to put his finger in people's mouths. Most people don't care for that.

Hop on over to 5 Minutes for Mom to check out more Wordless Wednesday pics!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Menu Plan Monday...on Tuesday!

Because yesterday was a holiday and L didn't have school, my routine is off and I didn't get my menu plan posted. Sorry about that!

Monday - We had hot dogs and sweet potato fries! Got the fries for super cheap last week.

Tuesday - Lemon Pepper Chicken, Stuffing, Peas & Carrots

Wednesday - Tuna Casserole (didn't get around to making this last week, will share recipe this week!)

Thursday - Chili & Cornbread

Friday - Something easy or leftovers...I'm headed out for the evening.

Saturday - Frozen Pizza, as once again, I'm out for the evening. (I know, I'm a crazy party animal. :P)

Sunday - Stay-in Date Night

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Target Trip 1/11/11

One of the goals I have set out to do this year is to share my savings from at least shopping trip a week. This morning Z and I braved the snow and headed to Target. Picked up a few things for super cheap.

Alexia Sweet Potato Julienne Fries, on sale $2.55
Used $1/1 = $1.55

Hormel Chili w/ Beans, $1.27
Used $0.55/2 = $1.99 for 2

Nescafe Taster's Choice Stick Pack, $1
Used $0.75/1 & B1G1 = $0.25 for 2! (Some store may not allow you to use both of these coupons)

Kraft Shredded Cheese, $2.04
Used $0.75/1 Target coupon = $1.29

Kraft Whole Grain Macaroni & Cheese, on sale $1
Used $0.50/2 Target coupon = $1.50 for 2

Also picked up a few Rubbermaid containers:

15qt size, on sale $4.50 (regular price $5.49)
30qt size, on sale $5.00 (regular price $7.99)

If you are at Target, you should really consider checking out the kid's section for clothes on clearance. I was able to get Z some jeans for $4 and pajamas for $3.50. A lot of items are 30-50% off. Great time to stock up on clothes for next winter!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Menu Plan Monday - January 10

It's time to get back into the swing of things and post my weekly menu. I find that meal planning makes grocery shopping SO much easier, and keeps our budget manageable because we eat what is on sale!

Monday - Chicken Tacos, Velveeta Salsa dip

Tuesday - Chicken Stirfry, Rice

Wednesday - Something simple...dentist appointment for me. Blah.

Thursday - Tuna Pasta Cheddar Melt (will post recipe on Thursday!)

Friday - Spaghetti Pie (planning to make a double batch and freeze one)

Saturday - Pizza Braid

Sunday - Couple's Group...taking an appetizer.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Winter Fun


L did some sledding on Christmas Eve with her Uncle Jared & Grandpa Barton. My husband snapped this awesome pic!

New Year, New Goals

I am always amazed at how I can go weeks without posting anything and completely not realize that so much time has passed. December 2010 will go down in Barton family history as one of craziest months ever. Broken toe, broken furnace, broken van, ear infection, guests in town, trip out of town....it was insane! Happy to be back to some normalcy now that it is January.

Because I've been so pathetic at posting regularly, I'm setting some new goals for myself as far as the blog is concerned.

#1 Post one new recipe a week. I'm making it a priority to try something new at home once a week, and hopefully the recipe will turn out well enough for me to share!

#2 Post one new picture of my kids each week. Because they are just so darn cute!

#3 Post about at least one of my shopping trips each week. I'll try not to bore you with a lot of boring details. I'll just let you know if I have an exceptionally great trip!

I'm gonna stick with that for now. I would like to add more as the year goes on, but we'll see how life goes. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New Year!