Chocolate Éclair Cake

I love a good summer dessert.  This is so easy to make and no bake so it wont heat your house up during the summer months,

Chocolate Éclair cake

This cake needs to be prepared 12 hours in advance.  It needs to be refrigerated overnight

You will Need

• 1 box chocolate graham crackers( you will have leftovers)
• 2 boxes (3.4 ounce) chocolate instant pudding
• 1- 8oz thawed tub of cool whip.  Full or fat free is fine, (I use fat free)
• 2 ½ cups milk, (I use skim)
• 1 can chocolate frosting

Directions

Mix pudding, thawed cool whip and milk in large bowl, beat with whisk until smooth

In a 9X13 ungreased pan, layer graham crackers to cover the bottom

On top of graham cracker layer gently spread half of pudding mix. Careful not to move crackers.  ( I put dollops of mix in many areas to make spreading of mix easier)

Layer another row of graham crackers, add last half of pudding mix.

Layer final layer of graham crackers.

On top of graham cracker layer put a tub of chocolate frosting, again careful not to move crackers.  You may want to microwave frosting 20 seconds to make it easier to spread.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 hours or overnight.

Cut into slices.

Enjoy!!!

Cheese Steak Sliders

I was looking for something different to eat when I came across a box of Steak Umm’s that I had in the freezer.  I decided I wanted to make sliders and use my Kings Hawaiian rolls.  I have a picky family, but after they tried these for the first time they wanted more.  I will be making these weekly.  Finally a new dish everyone enjoys!!

 

 Cheese Steak Sliders

1 box steak umm, 9 oz.

1 bag Kings Hawaiian Rolls, 12 oz.

1 onion, sliced

1 pepper, sliced, I had red, any sweet pepper will do

1 table spoon butter melted

garlic powder

Mayonnaise

Directions:

pre heat oven to 350 degrees

Cook Steak umm per directions, you will need the whole box

while steak is cooking, they cook fast, slice onion and peppers.

I like to put the cooked steak on paper towel after done to remove excess grease. Cook until they are all done, set aside

In the same fry pan, when steaks are done, fry the peppers and onions until onions are translucent.

Cut the top off the entire pack of rolls, cut it so it stays one large piece.

put the bottoms of the rolls in a 9×13 baking dish

spread Mayo on the bottoms of the rolls.

place steak umm on the top of mayo so they cover all the rolls, place onions and pepper on top.

Add mayo to the top of the rolls and place top over now.

With a pastry brush, brush top of rolls with melted butter, sprinkle garlic powder over the top.

Cover pan with aluminum foil cook for 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Slice and enjoy!!

Tip: Because its hot out you can also make these as directed, but instead of putting them in over, wrap completely in aluminum, foil and cook on grill, just a few minutes to melt cheese.

Mexican Soup

After watching the movie FOOLS RUSH IN, I had to make the soup mentioned in the movie, Mexican Meatball Soup.  This is great for a cold day and it is very filling.  It is great frozen and reheated in the microwave for lunch too.

 

MEXICAN MEATBALL SOUP

 

INGREDIENTS FOR THE MEATBALLS:

 

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1onion, chopped.  (Seperated)

1/4 cup uncooked rice

 

INGEDIENTS FOR THE SOUP

10 cups water

1 can diced tomatos, drained

1 onion, chopped seperated

½ tablespoon oil

½ -1 tablespoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic from a jar, or 1 clove garlic copped

3  potatoes, cubed

1 large carrot, peeled and sliced about ½ slices

2 celery stalks, chopped

1 can tomato sauce

 

BEFORE YOU MAKE THE MEATBALLS:

 

In a large soup pot add 10 cups water and ½  tablespoon salt.  Heat on medium, start the meatballs.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR THE MEATBALLS:

 

Add ½ the onion to a large bowl along with all other meatball ingredients.  Mix well and make into golf ball size meatballs.

Place in the soup pot to boil.

 

DIRECTIONS FOR THE SOUP :

 

In a sauce pan add ½ tablespoon oil and onions, cook until translucent, add garlic, mix to combine, now add 1 can drained diced tomatoes.  Add this mixture to the soup pan.

Add potatoes, carrots, celery and 1 can tomato sauce, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon black pepper

 

Cook on medium for about one hour, check the vegetables for fork tender, and be sure the rice is cooked through in the meatball.   Taste the broth and add the other ½ teaspoon salt if needed.

*I have had this recipe for a long time not sure if it’s a family generated recipe of not but my family makes a lazy version of meatball soup  that I will be sure to post here too.

Enjoy!!!

Rae

My favorite YouTube Channels

If you read yesterdays post you know I cut my cable and I rely on YouTube for a lot of my entertainment.  So today I thought I would share my favorites.

Reis World

this channel takes you along on shopping trips showing you the latest available in local stores along with showing a lot of the prices and information so you can go out and get the items your interested in.

Auntie Coo Coo

Another shop with me channel that often shows how the items are used in her home.

Crystal Tara

This is a mom of 4 including twins that shows you a glimpse of her Mom life which includes cooking, cleaning, shopping and day in the life.  A great holiday channel to watch for décor tips.

Love Meg

This channel takes you on a journey of a New Home and move.  She is decorating the new house and there are a lot of DIY projects and organization.  The family is sweet and Southern and the kids are little Mimi Me’s of the parents  a cute channel to watch.

Clutter Bug

Need organization and humor this is the channel for you.  She tells it like it is whole giving you great tips and DIY’s.

Old World Home

Ever hear of the $5 Goodwill challenge, If so this is the channel that started it.  You get a variety in this channel with the new mom of an adorable baby boy who takes you with her during her daily tasks.

Do It On A Dime

A great channel, one of my favorites.  Just like the name says do it on a dime is a inexpensive way to get you home looking and feeling its best.  You also get a look into mental health due to an unfortunate family situation.  The channel is mainly upbeat with  a few videos thrown in here or there to make sure your taking care of yourself.

Nicole Burgess

In a few words, KETO and Dollar Tree Hauls.  If you like those things here is the channel for you.

So here are a few to try and I hope you give them a thumbs up or subscribe if you too enjoy the channels.

*This is not a sponsored post

I Cut The Cord

I received my Spectrum bill one month ago today and I noticed the bill was about $10 higher.  I called the cable company and they were unable to work with me getting the price lower, so I decided to get rid of cable.  I kept the internet service and phone because I depend on a land line so my bill was cut by over half.

Anyone that knows me knows that I had a great relationship with my DVR and I would never want to miss a show.  I was noticing that I would watch my DVR and sometimes just erase shows that I now found uninteresting.  I was watching YouTube and Netflix a lot.  So I decided to cut the cord and see what happened.

The first initial feeling was wow I just saved my family $110 a month.  Then I was like now what.  So I looked into free services.  I now use TUBI, its a free service that lets you watch movies.  They have a lot of older shows but I found myself watching quite a few.  I also found a live TV App Pluto That was a fun find because I found myself watching old shows.  While I do have Netflix I find myself watching that most nights.  Some favorites of mine are OA, The Office, New Girl and the many movies available.  I also have Amazon Prime, so I watch shows like Monk and Psych.  Not to mention my many DVD’s that I have collected over the years.  I also have bought antennas to get live channels and local channels.  It takes a minute to set up but once you find the sweet spot its clear TV watching.  I even bought a $10 antenna from my local Family Dollar.

Do I regret my decision.  In a word NO!!  I think once the fall shows come out I may be a bit sad to miss some shows and I will miss Hallmark movies this Christmas. I did however find out that in my area Spectrum has a new streaming option for internet customers.  For a fraction of the price you can get local and I believe 10 channels of your choice from a list to add monthly.  I think I may give myself the gift of a month subscription in December to watch the new Psych Movie and to watch Hallmark Christmas movies.

As I said its been a month now and I have noticed other changes.  The TV isn’t on all day and I listen to a lot more music.  My house and garden are cleaner and I am more organized.  I am using my time more wisely and finding there are more important things than a TV show and time spent well with family is priceless.

Do you have cable?  Could you live without it?  Please let me know in the comments down below.  Have a happy Summer!!

*This is not a sponsored post

Lazy Pierogi

Looking for a different side dish for dinner, Lazy Pierogi is a great choice.  It has noodles and bacon, what more do you need. Enjoy!!

 

LAZY PIEROGI

 

INGREDIENTS 

1        (11 OUNCE) bag of egg noodles, or you can use any other kind  (cooked per directions) 

2        tablespoons butter 

1 large onion, chopped 

1 can cream of mushroom soup 

¾ pound sliced bacon 

1 large can sauerkraut, or 2 regular size cans

 

DIRECTIONS  

Sauté onions with butter until translucent. 

Add rinsed and drained sauerkraut mix, cook about 1-2 minutes on low to combine. 

Pour mix over cooked noodles. 

Add undiluted mushroom soup and combine. 

Fry bacon in clean fry pan, remove from pan crumble, add to mix. 

Put the entire mix in casserole dish. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

Serve warm.

 

Happy 4th Of July

Have a Happy, Safe Holiday!!

Budget Recipe: Rice Krispie Treats

I love making nostalgic recipes.  Those tried and true desserts that mom always made.  But I am always looking to stay on budget with my grocery list.  Sometimes its hard when Brand specific items are used in a recipe.  I decided to check out my local Wegmans for store brand items to see how I could save.  I found Crisped Rice cereal for $1.50 and marshmallows for $.99.  I already had butter, so my treats cost $2.49 for a 9X13 tray with some cereal to spare for breakfast for a few mornings.  I call that a win!  If your new to budgeting with recent events in your life or just realizing you want to start a nest egg, check out store brands.  With Aldi’s and Save A Lot in addition to Walmart and Wegmans you’re likely to find that you can get a exact match in taste or real close to it for a fraction of the price.  Comment below to tell me how you save on groceries.

 

Rice Krispie Treats

2 tablespoons butter

1 bag marshmallows, large or small

7 cups crispy rice cereal

DIRECTIONS:

in a large microwave safe bowl, melt butter 45 seconds.

add marshmallows to bowl, mix to coat the marshmallows with the butter.

Place in microwave and cook for 1 1/2 minutes

Add cereal to bowl, mix well to fully coat all cereal, be sure to fold it all in so they are coated well.

pour cereal into a 9×13 pan.  Let sit about 30 minutes before cutting, I find you get better squares if you let them sit.

slice into squares and enjoy!!