Cooking With Kids Thursday: Christmas Tree Cones!

These Christmas Tree cones are a fun “cooking” project you can do with your little ones.   They will be working on their fine motor skills while having a blast!  It is also a great way to use some of that Halloween candy that is still sitting around.  Thanks for the idea Pigtails and Tutus!

Here’s all you need for this:

  • sugar ice cream cone
  • frosting
  • green food coloring
  • small candies and sprinkles for decoration

Here’s how to make it -> Christmas Tree Cones Tutorial

 

Cooking With Kids Thursday: Meringue hosts


I have never really attempted making any kind of meringue because it always seemed so difficult, but these ghosts are just so cute I may have to give it a try.  My kids will have so much fun designing their own ghosts…and then eating them.  Thanks Sunset!

Here’s what you need to make these:

  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 16 to 24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips or pieces semisweet chocolate

Here’s how to make it ->  Meringue Ghosts Tutorial

 

Easy Sweet & Sour Pork Recipe

I got this recipe from my mother in law when I was first married.  It is quick and easy to make and our family enjoys it!  You can substitute chicken for the pork if you’d prefer.  We always use ham because I’ve got plenty of chicken recipes and this gives us something a little different!

Here’s the recipe:

Easy Sweet & Sour Pork Recipe
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
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Serves: 6
 

This is a quick and easy sweet and sour pork recipe!
Ingredients
  • 1 t. soy sauce
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1½ T cornstarch
  • dash of salt
  • ½ c. pineapple juice or water
  • 3 T cider vinegar
  • 2 T ketchup
  • Pineapple, onions, green peppers
  • Chopped ham

Instructions
  1. Mix soy sauce, sugar, cornstarch, salt, pineapple juice, vinegar, and ketchup in a pan. I usually double these ingredients (except the sugar) so we have more sauce! Stir constantly over low heat until thickened and translucent.
  2. Add pineapple, onion, green peppers, and ham. Cook for 10 minutes until heated through.
  3. Serve over rice.

If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few others you might want to check out:

Bourbon Chicken

Melt in your mouth meatloaf

Get more menu planning inspiration here–> Menu Planning Monday

 

 

Menu Planning Monday: My Menu Plan for the week of 10/21

Since I’ve gotten back into the routine of menu planning, one of the things that I have really enjoyed is hearing my kids say things like “you make the best meals.”  Eating together as a family has also become a great way for us to catch up on the day’s events, share funny stories, and stay connected.  When we think about going out to eat, we’ve actually discovered it doesn’t have the same appeal that it once did, especially when we think about the money we would be spending.

This week is another busy week for our family, so we’ve got lots of quick fix and slow cooker meals!

If you’re new to menu planning or would like tips for getting started, check out this post here–> Tips for menu planning

You can also view hundreds of meal plans each week at Orgjunkie.com

SUNDAY:  Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup – it has been awhile since we have had this, but it sounded good and everyone loved it!  It’s quick and easy to make, too!

MONDAY:  Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy I have been meaning to try this one for awhile and when I finally got around to adding it to our meal plan, I realized that I actually had a few different versions pinned on Pinterest.  This one looked the easiest to me although I will be making some changes because I hate onions, so the french onion soup mix doesn’t work for me.  I’ll post my review after we try it!

TUESDAY:  Sweet and sour pork  – I got this recipe from my mother in law.  It’s been awhile since we’ve eaten it, but it’s quick and easy to make and was something different, so I decided we needed it on the menu this week!

Ingredients:
1 t. soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 T cornstarch
dash of salt
1/2 c. pineapple juice or water
3 T cider vinegar
2 T ketchup
Pineapple, onions, green peppers
Chopped ham

Mix ingredients in a pan. Stir constantly over low heat until thickened and translucent. Add pineapple, onion, green peppers, and ham. Serve over rice.

WEDNESDAY:  Chicken Ranch Tacos (slow cooker) – Our family fell in love with this recipe the first time we tried it.  It’s quick and easy to throw together, too!

THURSDAY:  BBQ chicken – This is quick and easy.  We were supposed to have it last week, but I ended up making something else instead.

FRIDAY:  Spinach chicken wraps – This is a quick and easy favorite.  I buy grilled chicken strips and a Caesar salad mix.  I add in tomatoes and some cheese and we mix it all together and fill wraps.

SATURDAY:  Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup – If I had to make a list of my family’s top 10 favorite meals, I’m pretty sure that this one would be included.   It’s another recipe that is quick and easy to make and everyone loves it!

See my menu plans from previous weeks here–> Menu Planning Monday

Looking for more quick fix menu ideas? Sign up for Ready, Set, Eat by clicking on the image below! It’s completely free and you’ll get recipe ideas delivered to you by e-mail!

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Cooking With Kids Thursday: Terrifying Tarantulas

I am so not a spider person so these kind of freak me out, but my kids would seriously think these are the coolest!  They are fairly easy to make and your kids will get plenty of practice writing their letter “v” while making the legs.  Thanks for the idea Better Homes and Gardens!

Here’s all you need to make these:

  • bag of candy melts (in brown or black)
  • resealable plastic bag
  • wax paper
  • sprinkles
  • 1-inch candy truflles

Here’s how to make them -> Terrifying Tarantulas Tutorial