Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Apr 11

March’s Tasty Treats

March was busy, busy, busy. I think I went through twenty-five pounds of flour and sugar. I was in the kitchen all the time, but I learned a new tasty skill too. Here are some of our favorite treats from March.

I’ve been making brownies from scratch, and this recipe is really good.

I made a few Bundt cakes during March.

I also got to make many cookies for a cookie catering gig.

I made a batch of Ham & Cheese rolls for the boys. They liked them, and they are quick to throw into lunch boxes too.

I made a batch of Cinnamon & Raisin biscuits. I think next time I need to make buttermilk biscuits instead of baking powder biscuits. The kids kinda liked them, they all gave them a try.

Chocolate Snack Cake is one of my favorite week-night desserts.

I made a Pumpkin Pie for St. Patrick’s Day. Pumpkin Pie is James and Dylan’s favorite.

His & her’s late night snacks.

During Spring Break we got out the Ice Cream maker. This was our first attempt at making homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream. It was pretty tasty, even though it was a bit more like a milkshake.

On the first day of Spring we made Banana Muffins for afternoon snacks, and a coconut cake for dessert.

I turned the coconut cake into a Raspberry Zinger cake. It is one of my favorites.

We had a few more ice cream making ingredients hanging out in the fridge. We made a cake, and tested out a batch of Vanilla.

We celebrated Dylan’s 6th birthday. He wanted a Chocolate Bundt Cake.

We also made another bath of homemade Mint Chocolate Ice Cream for the birthday party. This batch was just right.

Before we knew it, the month was almost over. It was time for Easter, and we celebrated with our family.We celebrated Dylan’s birthday with more cake and homemade ice cream. I made a Peach Pie and a Cherry Pie to go with the homemade vanilla ice cream too.

It was a tasty month! April hasn’t been quite as busy in the kitchen.

 

Apr 1

April’s Monthly Menu

I can’t believe I am typing this one out already, March flew by way too fast. It was a very fun month though, and I’m hoping that April will bring along some pretty weather, and slow down just a bit. I’ll be busy in the kitchen, I’ve got an easy menu planned for the month though. So here we go it’s April’s Monthly Dinner Menu.

  • 4/1/2013: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, and Homemade Breadsticks
  • 4/2/2013: Salmon Bites, Salad, and Homemade Breadsticks
  • 4/3/2013: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 4/4/2013: Hamburgers and Chips
  • 4/5/2013: Nacho Bar
  • 4/6/2013: Pancakes and Bacon
  • 4/7/2013: Chicken Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, and Homemade Rolls
  • 4/8/2013: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 4/9/2013: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Green Beans, and Homemade Breadsticks
  • 4/10/2013: Popcorn Chicken and Tater Tots
  • 4/11/2013: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, and Cheese Dip
  • 4/12/2013: Pizza Rolls, Pasta Salad, and Homemade Breadsticks
  • 4/13/2013: Homemade Sausage Rolls, Hash Browns, and Scrambled Eggs
  • 4/14/2013: Panko Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Homemade Rolls
  • 4/15/2013: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 4/16/2013: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 4/17/2013: Chicken Burritos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 4/18/2013: Popcorn Chicken, Corn, and Pasta Salad
  • 4/19/2013: Nacho Bar
  • 4/20/2013: Belgian Waffles and Bacon
  • 4/21/2013: Pulled Pork Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Homemade Salsa, Cheese Dip, and Re-fried Beans
  • 4/22/2013: Salmon Bites, Salad, and Homemade Breadsticks
  • 4/23/2013: BBQ Pork Sandwiches and Chips
  • 4/24/2013: Tostadas, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Homemade Salsa
  • 4/25/2013: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 4/26/2013: Tacos, Tortilla Chips, and Homemade Salsa
  • 4/27/2013: Cinnamon Rolls, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, and Scrambled Eggs
  • 4/28/2013: Pot Roast with Potatoes and Homemade Bread
  • 4/29/2013: Hamburgers and Chips
  • 4/30/2013: Panko Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, and Homemade Biscuits

Time to make some lists and get to it. I’ve got to run to the store this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

Mar 19

Let’s Make Some Ice Cream

Yesterday’s Spring Break activity was dusting off the ice cream maker, and making homemade ice cream. Thade found a recipe that he wanted to try, and Dylan and Agnes were on board too. We went to the store and got all of our supplies.

My littlest helpers were ready too.

Thade popped in to help a bit later.

We mixed in all of the ingredients, and all of the kids took turns stirring. We split the mixture into two batches.

We loaded up the ice cream maker,  and set the timer on the oven.

We couldn’t wait, we had to try just a little bit.

Once the two batches were mixed, I put them both in a large plastic bowl in the freezer. I checked on the ice cream about every thirty minutes, and gave it a good stir to distribute the chocolate chips. I think it took almost two hours before the ice cream was at soft serve stage. We couldn’t wait though, we had to try it.

The kiddos loved it! Agnes said it was yummy.

Dylan really loved it! He wanted seconds.

Thade loved it too! He also wanted seconds.

I also really really really liked it. It was crazy tasty! I am going to have to make this again. Dylan has already requested another batch for his birthday party.

 

Mar 8

February’s Tasty Treats

In February we had lots of snow, and I spent a lot of extra time in the kitchen. I tried out a few new recipes, and made lots of sweets too. Here are a few of our favorites from February.

I made several batches of Breadsticks throughout the month.

The kids have been snack crazy! I can’t seem to keep the house stocked up well enough for them. I’ve been making several batches of No Bake Cookies for after-school snacks.

Panko Popcorn Chicken has quickly become a family favorite for dinner.

Sunday night’s I usually make a big dinner with dessert too. Dutch Apple Pie is one of my favorite Winter treats.

I’ve been making lots of Butter Rolls too. They are a fast and tasty side.

As you can see. I like Ice Cream with my Dutch Apple Pie.

We had a few snow days, and those call for cookies.

More Breadsticks for Spaghetti night.

I made Mini Cherry Pies for James for Valentine’s Day dessert.

The Mini Pies are one of his favorite desserts.

The little pies hold a scoop of ice cream perfectly too.

I made some Red Velvet Cupcakes for my birthday. The kiddos are starting to like them too.

James and the kiddos got me Donuts for birthday breakfast. So tasty!

One very cold Winter day, I made some Mac & Cheese from scratch. It was pretty good, but my recipe needs to be tweaked a bit.

The kids had another day home due to the snow. That calls for another batch of cookies, and hot cocoa too.

I talked the family into trying something new for dinner. I made a batch of Pizza Rolls, and the whole family liked them. The boys took them to school for lunch, and had them for after-school snacks too. I’ll be making these again soon.

March will be another busy month in the kitchen. I need to have lots of treats made ahead for Spring Break. With both of the boys home, they are going to be hungry. Time to get back to the kitchen.