Summer Fun and Easy Recipes for Kids

Happy July! I can't believe I am already a whole month into summer.  I've been doing a little bit of experimenting with quick and easy recipes that are also simple for kids as well so this week is all about snack recipes.  Keep in mind that these recipes were made over the course of the last month not all in one day :) One of the first recipes I made was a recipe that my friend Jack shared.  Jack also has dreams of being a chef one day and although he is a young 10 years old he has a lot of talent. The recipe is for jello fruit roll ups.  The best part is you can choose any flavor you want from blue raspberry to cherry.  Another great thing about this recipe is that is only takes a few ingredients and there done super quick.  Here is the recipe for the fruit roll ups: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/05/jello-fruity-roll-ups-recipe.html.

 

 

Another cool recipe found on Pinterest by my sister Katy is a recipe for gummy bear and sprite popsicles.  It is a perfectly cool recipe for summer, especially in Arizona!  Again, this recipe only takes a few ingredients and is very easy to make with kids.  However the only down side to this recipe is being patient until they are frozen but it is well worth the wait!  Here is the recipe for the popsicles: http://www.diy-queen.com/2013/02/gummy-bear-popsicles.

 

Oh and it is nice to have cute models, too...

 

My last snack recipe is a ice cream sandwich recipe.  The best thing about this recipe is that you can use any chocolate chip cookie recipe and any ice cream combo.  One of my favorite custards to use is Culvers vanilla custard.  However, any ice cream would do and another favorite is the new Dreyers Custard available in stores now.  Here is one of my favorite cookie recipes: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/best-chocolate-chip-cookies/.

 

 

My next recipe is a lunch recipe relating to pizza but much quicker by using crescent rolls.  My mom actually saw this recipe on Pinterest and thought it would be fun and tasty to try out.  They were actually very good.  However I would suggest doubling the recipe depending on how many people you have.  For my hungry family doubling the recipe would have been the perfect amount.  Here is the recipe for the pizza rolls: http://thebestblogrecipes.com/2014/10/stuffed-pepperoni-pizza-crescent-rolls.html.

 

 

 

My last recipe is a quick and easy drink. Strawberry lemonade! It is so simple and so delicious  It too is also perfect for hot summer days out by the pool.  Here is the recipe for the strawberry lemonade.  Here is the recipe for strawberry lemonade: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/All-Natural-Strawberry-Lemonade/.

 

 

That is it for this week! I want to say thanks again to Jack and my sister Katy for sharing their recipes with me.  I always look forward to trying out new recipes! Don't forget to check out my next blog post!

 

Mother's Day and PEACHES!

To continue our annual tradition, this Mother's Day we picked peaches at Schnepf Farms.  You may have remembered my post from last Mother's Day as we also picked peaches. Peaches are the best fresh and when you have to work to get them they taste 10 times better.  The best part of picking was as we finished and began to pay for the peaches, my siblings and I were anxious to eat them an the man checking us out said that we could have tasted them while we were picking! If I would have known that I would have already eaten five peaches! They are that good! 

 

 

Although my older sister was unable to join we still had a very fun time picking peaches.

 

 

And having older sisters comes in handy when you can't reach the BIG peaches.   

As I picked the peaches the amount of things that I could create with these delicious peaches went circling through my mind.  Because I made my grandma's peach pie last time, I decided to try something different. I decided to choose a  double crusted peach pie, however instead of the top crust I used a crumble from a separate recipe.  The two combined tasted so good.  You may have to adjust the crumble recipe, because it made a little too much for my pie.  Here is the recipe for the pie: http://www.food.com/recipe/simple-peach-pie-128494.  And here is the recipe for the crumble: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016691-peach-crumble-slab-pie.

 

Izzy really enjoyed the peaches that fell on the floor for her.  Who knew she liked peaches so much?

 

Although it should have been more "pie" shaped, we were so excited to taste it that we didn't let it set all the way.  But who cares what it looks like after all its what is on the inside that counts right?  It tastes SO good!

 

After I made the peach pie recipe, one of my friend's mothers shared another easy and delicious recipe for peaches.  I highly recommend this one! Here is the recipe: http://www.bhg.com/recipe/desserts/cheesecake-stuffed-peaches/.

 

 

Not only did they taste good but they looked pretty too.

 

Here is the final product.  They were so good.

 

We picked the peaches on Saturday so we still at to cook something for Sunday breakfast.  Part of my Mother's Day gift to my mom was breakfast that included all of her favorite things.  We spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to do for her, and decided on something she could really enjoy (and we could too!)...food.  Everyone loves food.

 

 

I found the recipes for her breakfast on Pinterest however if you try to find the recipes on my Pinterest account, you wont find them because they are on a secret board :) I like to make things first and only share my favorites! Her breakfast included a copycat Starbucks cinnamon swirl coffee cake.  I knew this would be perfect for her because she was so upset when they added a new set of sweet treats with a Paris theme, which did not include her coffee cake.  Here is the recipe for the coffee cake: http://www.saltandchocolate.com/2008/05/cinnamon-coffee-cake-bread.html.  I also cooked a spinach and mozzarella bake.  Even the picky eaters in the family enjoyed this recipe.  It is so quick and easy to make.  Here is the recipe for the egg bake: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2012/03/recipe-for-spinach-and-mozzarella-egg.html. Along with these two dishes I also made fruit and yogurt parfaits and bacon of course.  I think my mom really enjoyed her Mother's Day gift and we did too.

 

I am on summer break now so I will do my best to post regularly!

 

Breakfast!

You may have missed last weeks post and the week before and the week before and the week before, but that is okay because they don't exist!  It has been quite awhile since my last blog post but that doesn't mean I have stopped cooking.  I have been super busy with school, but thought it would be a perfect time to start blogging again because summer is only three weeks away!  This weeks post is all about breakfast.  Since Sunday morning is a guaranteed time with family I like to cook a nice breakfast to share.  So this week I am spotlighting a few of our past Sunday breakfast favorites.

 

 

My mom's favorite meal is breakfast and one of the unique breakfast side dishes she has discovered here in Arizona is cheesy grits.  She originally was introduced to cheesy grits at LoLos Chicken and Waffles (highly recommended if you visit Arizona!) when the waiter insisted she tried them.  Here is the recipe for our homemade grits: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/grits-recipe3.html.  Also a part of this breakfast meal was our breakfast burritos.  These breakfast burritos are perfect fresh or frozen.  They are extremely convenient for a freeze and thaw breakfast on the go.  Another delicious discovery I have found in Arizona is chorizo.  It is like a spicy breakfast sausage that is perfect with eggs or in a burrito. It is also good for dinners as well.  This particular recipe is my "recipe".  All I did was prepare chorizo, cheese, green and red pepper, and shredded potatoes or hash browns in a burrito.  Then I served it with a side of sour cream and/or salsa.  My family really enjoyed it!

 

 

 

 

My second favorite food (second to potato pancakes) is biscuits and gravy.  I am not one to go for the sweet breakfast foods so I really enjoy finding new salty breakfast dishes.  One of my favorite shows on the Food Network is the Pioneer Woman.  She cooks a lot of southern meals that I really enjoy. This is one of her recipes.  Although it is only the recipe for the gravy, it is the perfect recipe.  You can choose to either make the biscuits from scratch or to buy them.  I bought the Pillsbury biscuits that you can just pop in the oven and they worked out great.  Here is the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sausage-gravy.html.  My sister loved them so much that she asked me this morning to make them for her next week!

 

 

 Another recipe I had been dying to try is a breakfast skillet, there are so many different recipes for breakfast skillets that it all just depends on what the people you are feeding like.  Izzy really enjoys all of the recipes.  You can also scramble the eggs or leave them over easy. (They look prettier overeasy!) I believe I first found this recipe on Pinterest while searching for breakfast recipe and it looked so good that I had to try it.  It tastes as good as it looks.  Here is the recipe or the breakfast skillet: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2014/11/25/crispy-hash-breakfast-skillet/.

 

 

 Last but not least, is today's breakfast recipe.  In search of new recipes that my family had not tried, I found this one: FRENCH TOAST.  I never have really liked French toast because I don't personally like eggs BUT with this recipe I barely even noticed there was even eggs involved.  My family loved this sooooo much, especially my mom.  Here is the recipe: http://www.justataste.com/2014/01/easy-cinnamon-french-toast-sticks-recipe/.

 

 

To go along with my breakfast recipes I thought I would share a few pictures from the Fractured Prune.  It is a delicious donut shop in Chandler.  They fry the donuts and then you are able to pick the toppings.  It is delicious! 

 

That is all of the recipes this week but I hope to continue to post throughout the next couple of weeks and the summer.  Feel free to also find me on Pinterest to follow my food boards and lookout for some of the recipes I have recently posted on this weeks blog post!  I hope you have a good week!

National Bacon Day!

I hope you had a good Labor Day Weekend!  I spent this weekend with my family cooking up a variety of different recipes for Labor Day and National Bacon Day!  National Bacon Day was August 30.  In case you missed it this year, you can prepare for next year!  The first recipe I chose was for a Bacon Quiche.  It made for a perfect Saturday morning breakfast along with hash browns, fresh fruit, and cinnamon roll waffles! I found the recipe on Pillsbury.com when searching for Bacon recipes.  I am also confident everyone will enjoy this recipe!  Here is the recipe for the Bacon'n Cheese Quiche: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/baconn-cheese-quiche/19288cf4-0cdc-46cc-bc86-4c9bfa799695.  

Here are the cinnamon roll waffles!  We love making these on the weekend.  All you have to do is buy a can of cinnamon rolls.  Place one cinnamon roll in the waffle maker, and cook until slightly golden.  Then top with frosting!  So GOOD!

The next recipe I chose was for a BLT Pasta.  The recipe I found was on FoodNetwork.com under 50 things to make with bacon.  I really, really love bacon...to the point where I have my own board on Pinterest just for bacon recipes.  Of course I have to remember that everything is good in moderation. ;)  Here is the recipe for the BLT Pasta: 

BLT Pasta:  Cook 8 slices bacon: drain and chop. Cook 1 chopped red onion. 3 sliced garlic cloves: some red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon salt in 3 tablespoons drippings. Add 5 cups grape tomatoes: cook 12 minutes. Add 1/3 cup cream; cook 2 minutes. Toss with 12 ounces cooked Penne.  4 cups arugula, the bacon, some basil and a splash of pasta water.  Top with Parmesan.

Another Bacon recipe I chose was for Maple Bacon Cupcakes.  In the world of cooking there are semi-homemade recipes and homemade recipes.  I found a recipe for French Toast and bacon cupcakes on a blog awhile back.  This is the homemade recipe:

-3/4 cup butter, softened
-1 cup sugar
-1 1/2 cups cake flour, sifted
-1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/2 cup milk, room temperature
-1 teaspoon nutmeg
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-3 eggs
-2 sticks butter, softened
-2 3/4 cup powdered sugar
-2 teaspoons heavy cream,room temperature
-1 teaspoon maple extract
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Fry (or bake) up some crispy bacon and set aside.
3. In a standing mixer, combine the butter and sugar and mix.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
5. Add the eggs to the creamed butter one at a time, waiting for each one to be fully incorporated before adding the next. Then add the milk.
6. Stir in the dry ingredients.
7. Divide the batter evenly in the muffin tin.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25-27 minutes.
8. Remove the cupcakes form the oven and cool completely.
9. For the frosting: Mix all 4 ingredients together.  Beat on high speed until fluffy.
10. Frost your cupcakes and cover them with crispy bacon pieces.

We also added a maple glaze to our cupcakes - 1/4 c milk 1/2 c powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp maple flavor)

I have made the homemade recipe multiple times and they are very good.  Another French Toast and Bacon Cupcake recipe I found was on BettyCrocker.com.  This recipe is a semi-homemade recipe which I have also made before.  Here is the recipe: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/french-toast-cupcakes/9f843b70-91b3-4117-9a4a-22f4afcd1f83.  However, this weekend I noticed that Pillsbury had their own pre-made maple cake mix and frosting.  It is super easy but the cupcakes aren't as spectacular as homemade!  

After all of the Bacon recipes, I was ready to try some new recipes!  Labor Day is one of the perfect times for cooking out, and what better way to do that than grilling burgers! This recipe requires you to make your own burgers patties and mix the raw meat - ewwww!, however it is worth it in the end!  They are very, very delicious... Here is the recipe for the burgers: http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/tastiest-cheddar-bacon-burgers/5914ac59-78ec-4088-afa8-0c399b28c3b8.

That is it for this week!  I hope you have noticed the new layout of my blog page!  Feel free to scroll down to the bottom and fill out my survey and like my page on both Facebook and Twitter! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Izzabeleandcompany/510988409035407?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bakingaddict99

 I would like to know what you guys would like to see more of on my blog!  Also over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of my favorite after school snack recipes and I would like to highlight some of yours.  Send me your favorite recipe at izzabeleandcompany@gmail.com and I will try and highlight your recipe sometime during the school year!  Thanks for reading and happy cooking!

Also don't forget to check out my Etsy business for puppy tutus and headbands!  Here is the link to my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IzzabelesCreations.

Quick and Easy!

Hello Everyone! Sorry I missed a post last week but school has kept me very busy, but that didn't keep me from cooking.  Continuing along with the budget meal planning, I have cooked about four-five recipes a week (depending on my schedule). Some of the recipes include a few of my favorite snacks and easy dinners.  This week before doing our weekly grocery trip my mom downloaded a free Wal-Mart app called "Wal-Mart's Savings Catcher".  Basically you link your receipts to the app and it will let you know if there is a lower price for the items you bought.  If there are lower prices elsewhere, it will give you the difference back.  It is worth a try!

 

One of the recipes I chose this week was for quesadillas.  They are simple and SO good.  My sister would consider this one of her favorite recipes.  Although my brother does not enjoy it because it has peppers in it.  So be careful with picky eaters ;)  I can not seem to find the link to the recipe, but all it takes is a few tortillas filled with sweet peppers, onion, Serrano pepper, and cheese. 

 

 

Along with the quesadillas, I made a Pico de Gallo salsa and homemade guacamole out of fresh avocados from the farmer's market.  My parents have always liked the Pico de Gallo and guacamole from Chipotle so I decided to try it myself!  It turned out delicious but you have to be careful when storing the guacamole because it will brown if left open.  Here is the recipe for the Pico de Gallo: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pico-de-gallo/ and here is the recipe for the guacamole: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/perfect_guacamole/.

 

The next quick and budget friendly recipe this week was for what I call "chicken melts".  It is basically chicken, cheese, and pasta sauce on frozen garlic bread.  The recipe also calls for fresh basil but my family does not enjoy that so I decided to leave it off. 

 

 

Here is the finished product of the chicken melts.  It is perfect with a side salad!

 

Chicken Pot Pie is probably my sister, Rebecca's, favorite recipe.  I have tried the mini pot pies but had never tried making a large chicken pot pie.  The recipe I found was from AllRecipes.com. Again very easy and very delicious.  My dad said it was "exceptional".  :)  Here is the recipe for the chicken pot pie: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chicken-Pot-Pie-I/Detail.aspx?evt19=1.

 

 

The last dinner recipe I am highlighting this week is for a Chorizo and Potato Frittata.  If the name is that fun to say it must be good!  When looking for budget cooking recipes, this one appeared and my mom stopped and told me I had to cook it!  It is perfect for dinner or a breakfast casserole.  I am not a big egg person and even I liked it.  Here is the recipe for the frittata: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/chorizo-potato-frittata-10000001892143/. 

 

 

Another set of recipes I tried were for some of our favorite snack ideas.  For example, this recipe is perfect for an after school snack.  My mom found this recipe on Pinterest and it is as easy as it looks.  All you have to do is slice the apples - red or green, spread them with peanut butter, dip in granola, and drizzle with chocolate!  My siblings really enjoyed them and would definitely eat them again.

 

 

This next recipe is for cookies called swig cookies.  They are sugar cookies with a unique twist.  You have not experienced true happiness until you have tried this recipe.  Trust me you will want to try it.  The idea of this recipe is that the cookies are kept cold and the frosting is kept at room temperature. Do Not overcook!!  All I can say is try them...  Here is the recipe for the cookies: http://therecipecritic.com/2014/06/swig-sugar-cookies/.

 

Oh, and this is one of Izzy's favorite recipes too. :)

Last but not least, August 20th was national lemonade day.  How could we not celebrate it?  I chose a recipe from Paula Dean's website.  Here is the link to the lemonade: http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/lemonade/.

 

 

That is it for this week.  I hope you enjoyed my recipes this week and try them for yourself! (especially the swig cookies...seriously though)  Come back next week to see what is cooking!

 

Don't forget to check out my Etsy at Izzabeles Creations! I just recently lowered the prices on some of my tutus as I prepare to unveil some new styles!  Just in time for the holidays!