Kitchen Meets Culinary Clutz

It was a two pill moment but I can deal with taking just one. I'm disappointed with myself for even taking the painkiller, but I was desperate to lower my pain level and eager to salvage what was left of any sleep time.

I hopped into the shower and let the hot water pitter-pat against my swollen back. While seated in the shower I worked on kneading the pain out of my legs.

It's been a long while since I've blogged. Surgery was on April 23rd. I spent a week in the hospital. I only experienced one traumatic event while in the care of the nursing staff. Mistreatment by a nurse left emotional scars that will take some time to heal. She was fired. Enough about that topic..



The rest of my hospital stay was nice. I was taken care of. The staff made me feel like a princess.

At home I'm working hard to rehabilitate my back and legs. I have good days and bad days. On the good days I take advantage of getting out to enjoy the sunny weather. I'm not allowed to drive so its a treat when I get to join my husband for an errand, lunch, or a visit to the zoo. Sometimes I think it's more of a burden than anything because I can handle only so much time on my feet before I become fatigued and experience discomfort in my legs and back.

My husband and kids have been very supportive in my trek to healing. It's rough when I can't lift a gallon of milk without pain, even more rough when I can't bend down to pick up a napkin I've dropped.



I really anticipate the day when I will have the strength to return to the kitchen, tend to my garden & flock of chickens, and enjoy time with my family without the annoyance of pain and discomfort.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

Love to all,

Had a hankering for Macaroni & Cheese today.. I don't normally try recipes printed on food packages but I was feeling brave!!

This recipe passed its taste test by my roughest critics who found it worthy of second helpings!

Velveeta Down-Home Macaroni & Cheese

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) Butter or Margarine, divided
1/4 cup Flour
1 cup Milk
1/2 lb. (8oz) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked, drained
1/2 cup Kraft Cheddar Cheese, shredded
6 Ritz Crackers, crushed

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Melt 3 Tablespoons butter in medium saucepan on medium heat.

3. Whisk in flour; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly.

4. Add Velveeta; cook 3 minutes or until melted, stirring frequently.

5. Stir in macaroni.

6. Spoon into 2-qt. casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with cheddar.

7. Melt remaining butter; toss with cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over casserole.

8. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Makes 5 (1 cup) servings.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

About a month ago, Marie surprised our classroom with these decadent cupcakes! Marie is the Student Store instructor at my school. She has an awesome job!! She and her daughters made these cupcakes! Instructions are so simple, anyone can make these scrumptious treats!






Gourmet Candy Bar Cupcakes

1 box chocolate cake mix, plus
Ingredients required on box to make cupcakes

1 canister milk chocolate cake frosting

Fun size candy bars: snickers, Reese's, Milky Way, Etc..

Jumbo chocolate chips, for garnish

Directions:

1. Line muffin pans with muffin liners and lightly grease with cooking spray, set aside.

2. Slice candy bars in half. Reserve one half of each bar for garnish after cupcakes are frosted.

3. Prepare cake mix as directed on box.

4. Fill a muffin cup 1/3 full with cake mix. Insert half piece of candy bar, and cover with 1/3 more cake mix. Continue with each muffin cup until all are filled.

*Note: To remember which flavor candy bar was placed in which muffin cup, color code the cups with different color muffin liners.

5. Bake as directed on back of cake mix box.

6. After cupcakes have completely cooled, pipe each with frosting.

7. Garnish each cupcake with the second half of each candy bar, sprinkle with jumbo chocolate chips, and enjoy!

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Source: Marie B., Central Cubs Student Store Instructor

 

Culinary Clutz here,
Thought I'd share a few photos that didn't make the cut in tonight's cooking experience...
Enjoy!

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
• 4 1/2 teaspoons butter, softened (If you have a kitchen scale, weigh out .75 or ¾ ounce)
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each), coarsely chopped (Cheaper to purchase a “Giant” 7-oz bar and weigh out 6.2 ounces)
• Colored sprinkles, optional (I didn’t use sprinkles..)

1. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup peanut butter, butter, confectioners' sugar and salt until smooth; set aside.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips, candy bars and remaining peanut butter; stir until smooth. (Bec’s Note: Microwave on 50% power for 1-minute, stir. Return to Microwave and heat at 50% power for 1 minute longer, stir until smooth.)
3. Drop about a teaspoonful of chocolate mixture into paper-lined miniature muffin cups. Top each with a scant teaspoonful of peanut butter mixture (it helps to partially roll each spoonful of peanut butter into a little ball); top with another teaspoonful of chocolate mixture, (making sure the peanut butter is completely covered on all sides).
   
   
4.  Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container. (It may be wise to store in refrigerator if your candies become too soft outside of fridge.)

KtBug came home from school the other day raving about an Ambrosia-like concoction that was so delicious she just had to buy the ingredients to make it for everyone at home. KtBug's friend said that his mother called it Pink Sh--, so we'll just call it Pink Stuff..

BbGirl gets to be the Guinea Pig and try Kt's Pink Stuff first.

It's super easy to whip up and could make a delicious dessert to accompany your Valentine's Day Dinner.

KtBug folding the ingredients into the Cool Whip, Yum!

1. Spoon Cool Whip into a large bowl.
2. Dice Strawberries and Bananas.
3. Fold Strawberries, Bananas and Marshmallows into Cool Whip and serve.