laundry detergent

I got this recipe from the Mesa Cannery, but didn't think I would ever try it.  Then my sister-in-law, Cicily, gave it to me and told me she was using it and it worked well.  I looked up some stain removal comparisons online and it worked just as well as Tide.  So, I tried it.  So far, so good.  It has a light smell in the bucket which is not bad or good, but your clothes come out without any scent.  If you use fabric softener, that will be the scent your clothes take.  I've been told that Tide is about 15 cents per load of laundry and this is about 1 cent per load laundry.  I found all the ingredients at Walmart, but I hear the grocery store has them too. 

1 bar Fels Naptha or Zote, grated

1 1/2 C Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

1 1/2 C 20 Mule Team Borax

1 five gallon bucket

Heat 12 C water in a pot and add grated soap.  Stir until melted.  Remove from heat and add washing soda and borax.  Stir to disolve.  Pour 8 C hot water in bucket.  Add soap mixture and stir.  Next add 2 gallons plus an additional 12 C of cold water and stir.  Let sit for 24hrs.  After 24hrs it will have a gel like consistency that needs to be seperated.  The easiest way is to use your hands and break it up.  It will look somewhat like egg drop soup.

dilly’s deli sandwich

This sandwich is inspired by Dilly's Deli.  Their sandwiches and soups are heavenly.  I usually serve this with my potato soup.  One missionary told me it was the best meal he had on his entire mission!  Ya hoo!  Talk about a compliment!

good quality wheat bread
ham, shaved
turkey, shaved
provolone cheese slices
muenster cheese slices
bacon, cooked and drained
lettuce, red or green leaf
tomato
avocado
cream cheese
butter
salt
pepper

Butter the outsides of the bread.  Lightly spread cream cheese on the insides of the bread.  Build one side of the sandwich with provolone ham, bacon, and lettuce.  Build the other side with muenster, turkey, tomato, avocado, salt and pepper.  Carefully press together and place on warm griddle.  Cook on a lower temperature until both sides are browned and cheese is melted, turn carefully.  The lettuce should slightly wilt and the sandwich should be warm all the way through.

grilled cheese sandwhich

Ben made this up.  Props to him!  He fed it to me when Evelyn was a week or two old.  We were at his parents and I was hungry, so he made this up.  It was so yummy that I asked for another.  Now when Ben wants brownie points, he will make me one of these grilled cheese sandwiches!

good quality wheat bread
medium cheddar cheese
cream cheese
onion*
butter

Slice and saute the onions in butter.  Cook until the onions are caramelized and brown.  Butter the outsides of the bread.  Spread cream cheese on the insides of the bread.  Add a slices of the cheddar cheese to each side of the bread.  On one side add caramelized onions.  Put the side with the onions on a warm skillet.  Top with the other side of bread and cheeses.  Brown on both sides until the cheese is melted.  This is great with some dressed up tomato soup or on it’s own.

*You can substitute shallots for the onion for a twist.

cheese crisp & pork and beans

Ben makes this about 95% of the time when it's his turn to cook dinner.  I was skeptical when we got married and he tried to make me this, but it is really good.  Oh and it's pretty messy to eat.  You are going to get your fingers dirty.

uncooked tortillas
colby jack or medium cheddar cheese
pork and beans*

Cook the tortillas on each side until just lightly browned.  Top with cheese.  Bake at 350 until the cheese is melted and just starting to bubble.  Top with hot pork and beans.  Tear a piece of the cheese crisp off and use it to scoop up some beans.

*Ben swears by Van Camp's brand and will eat nothing else.

my salad

I don't know what to call this, but it's just a salad I made up and love to eat.

hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped up
grape tomatoes, cut in half
bacon, cooked drained and crumbled
avocado, optional
cheese crumbles*
lightly salted crispy onions**
cottage cheese

Layer ingredients, except cottage cheese.  Tossing optional.  I like to eat it with cottage cheese on top instead of dressing, but it tastes good with ranch too.

*I buy a package of cheese crumbles that has monterey jack, colby and cheddar.
**Found in the produce section.

avocado sandwich

We love these as a quick snack.

english muffins*
butter
provolone
avocado
salt
pepper

Toast the english muffin and quickly butter and place a slice of provolone cheese on one side.  Cut up avocado and place on of the other side side of the english muffin.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Put the 2 sides together and wait a minute for the cheese to soften and warm up.  Enjoy!

*We also like this on a sourdough english muffin.

pepperoni pan pizza

I saw this recipe on America’s Test Kitchens.  The guy said it may be the best pizza he had ever tasted.  Well, I love pizza and that piqued my curiosity.  So I made it.  When Ben got home the pizza was sitting on a cutting board, out of the pan.  He ate some and asked if I ordered out.  I said no.  Then he asked in disbelief if it was frozen pizza.  I said no.  He asked if I made it.  I said yes.  He said it was the best pizza he had ever had!  Well, besides my thinking so too, that sold me on the recipe!  The kids love to help me make it and eat it too.  I can’t just order the crappy pizza anymore, because this recipe is so much better.  Don’t let the simpleness of the sauce deceive you.  The sauce is integral to making a good pizza, if you ask me, and this sauce is perfect.

1 28oz can petite diced tomatoes
2 garlic cloves pressed
1/2 C olive oil
3/4 C milk, plus 2 additional Tbsp
2 tsp sugar
2 1/3 C flour
1 pkg instant yeast
1/2 tsp salt
1/2-3/4 8oz pkg sliced pepperoni
1 1/3 C sauce
3 C mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 9inch cake pans*

Put the can of tomatoes and garlic in a medium sauce pan.  Bring to a bubble.  Let simmer, stirring and mashing occasionally.  When the can has cooked down to 1/2 of the original volume, turn off the stove.  The sauce makes double what is required for the recipe.  While the sauce is simmering, put pepperoni on a paper towel lined plate.  Cover with more paper towels and microwave on high for 1 minute.  Set aside and start the dough.  First, adjust oven to the lowest rack possible and heat oven at 200.  When the oven reaches 200 turn off.  Lightly grease a large bowl with cooking spray.  Put 3 Tbsp oil in each cake pan.  Heat milk to 110 degrees in a small sauce pan.  While the milk heats, put sugar and remaining 2 Tbsp oil in a measuring cup.  Add heated milk to sugar and oil and stir.  Mix flour, yeast and salt together.  While on low, slowly add milk mixture.  After the dough comes together, increase speed to med-low and mix till dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes.  Turn dough onto lightly floured counter.  Gently shape into a ball and place in greased bowl.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in warmed oven until doubled in sized, about 30 minutes.  Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half.  Lightly roll each half into a ball.  Roll and shape each ball into 9 1/2 inch rounds and set in oiled pan.  Cover with plastic wrap and and set in a warm spot (not oven) until puffy and slightly risen, about 20 minutes.  Meanwhile heat oven to 400 degrees.  Remove plastic wrap from dough.  Ladle 2/3 C sauce on each dough round, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edges.  Sprinkle each dough round with 1 1/2 C cheese and top with pepperoni.  Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around the edges, about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and let pizzas rest in the pan for 1 minute.  Cut each pizza into 8 wedges and serve.
*Do not use non stick pans.

stuffed strawberries

I got this recipe from my sister's friend, Bridgette.  They are addicting.

large strawberries
1 pkg cream cheese
powdered sugar
vanilla

Let cream cheese soften to room temperature.  Wash strawberries.  Cut off a portion the bottom of strawberries, just enough to make them able to stand up.  Cut off the tops of the strawberries and scoop out the middle.  Add three heaping tablespoons of powdered sugar and a couple dashes of vanilla to the cream cheese and beat.  Taste and adjust.  Pipe into the strawberries.

cafe rio salad

My sister-in-law, Cicily, gave me most of this recipe.  I used it for Ben’s graduation party and got tons of compliments.  People said they would pay to eat this and others thought it was catered.  It’s right on for Cafe Rio’s salad.

uncooked tortillas
colby-jack cheese, shredded
lime rice
black beans
barbacoa beef
hearts of romaine, torn up
cilantro, de-vined
creamy cilantro dressing
tortilla strips
cojita cheese
guacamole
pico de gallo
sliced limes

Cook one side of the tortilla, flip and sprinkle with colby-jack cheese.  Once the second side is cooked move to a plate.  Top with lime rice, black beans, barbacoa beef, lettuce, cilantro, creamy cilantro dressing, tortilla strips, and cojita cheese.  Add a scoop of guacamole and pico de gallo on the side.  Squeeze a lime slice over the top and enjoy!

lime rice

2 Tbsp butter
1 1/4 C rice
2 1/4 C chicken broth
3/4 tsp salt
pepper
2 small limes juice and zest
3 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
1/4 tsp cumin

Melt butter with rice in skillet.  Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, cover and cook for 20 minutes.  Makes about 4 cups cooked rice.