Category Archives: Nico in the Kitchen

Jul 24

Kitchen Time

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This week I’ve been baking desserts, muffins, and biscuits non-stop. I whipped up a big batch of Zucchini Muffins (thanks to my mom’s Farmer’s Market buy), and they were really tasty. Dylan even liked them, but Thade wouldn’t give them a try. I really liked the green specks of Zucchini in the muffins, and it is a good way to sneak in some veggies too.

Vacation Bible School  starts next week. I have volunteered to make 15 dozen cookies, and I can’t wait to get started. Our Church uses about 70 dozen cookies a day for all of the kiddos, and Thade can’t wait to go. I think I’ll spend tomorrow in the kitchen and get the cookies done and delivered by Sunday.

First I had better go and get to all of the dishes, and then the fun part of cookie making.

Jul 11

Green Beans and Potatoes, the Right Way

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Right before the 4th of July a very good friend of mine handed me a big bag full of Green Beans from her garden, and I was more than happy to accept the garden goodies. I thought that my last batch of Green beans and potatoes looked a little sad. With a little help from my friend’s garden, I had plenty of green beans to make a better looking batch to serve  for the 4th of July.

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Now there is a proper batch of Green Beans and New Potatoes! Oh so tasty too!

Next year I am going to have to plant a bunch of green bean plants, and share the green bean love too.

Jul 8

Coupon Bonanza: Pizza Buffet at Home

One of the boy’s favorite meals is called Appetizer Buffet. I pick out a few frozen appetizers to bake at home, and set up a big buffet on the table, pass out plates, and let everybody dig in. Usually I pick up whatever is on sale and looks good, but this time when Appetizer Buffet was on the menu I decided to go through my coupons and see if I could find some good deals.

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I came up with enough coupons to make a tasty Pizza Buffet at home. Let’s break down the costs…

  • Red Baron French Bread Pizza (2 pk) $3.33 ( I had $.75 in coupons)
  • Red Baron French Bread Pizza (2 pk) $3.33 (I had $.75 in coupons)
  • Digiorno Flatbread Melts $2.78 ( I had $.75 in coupons)
  • New York Toast: Garlic Cheese Bread $2.98 (I had $.40 in coupons)
  • 1/4 Jar of Pasta Sauce: the jar was $1.09, so I used about $.25

The Buffet supplies came to $12.67, and I had $2.65 in coupons, so that gives me $10.02 for lunch/ or about $2.50 a person. The best news though, I used only 1/2 of the pizzas and garlic bread, so I had enough left over for a fast dinner for the kiddos. Shopping wisely with coupons gave me 2 full meals for 4 hungry people for about $10.00, I think that is a great deal! No complaints from the boy’s either, they loved the buffet, and I have a few more coupons to keep this simple meal going.

Jul 2

July Monthly Dinner Menu

Wow, June flew by way too fast! I think I even forgot a few things that I was supposed to get done in June, but oh well, July is here, and it is time for another menu. Here is what I have planned for dinner in July.

  • 7/1/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 7/2/09: Chili, Saltines, No Bake Cookies, Brownies, and Chocolate-Butterscotch Rice Krispies Treats
  • 7/3/09: Pancakes, Bacon, and Orange Juice
  • 7/4/09: Hot Dogs, Chips, Pasta Salad, Corn Salad, Brownies, and Chocolate Bundt Cake
  • 7/5/09: Grilled Chicken, Pasta Salad, and Green Beans
  • 7/6/09: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Angus Burgers, and Fries
  • 7/7/09: Chicken Chow Mien, Rice, and Chow Mien Noodles
  • 7/8/09: Popcorn Shrimp, Mac & Cheese, and Fries
  • 7/9/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 7/10/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 7/11/09: Grilled Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Bean Casserole
  • 7/12/09: Chili, Saltines, and Brownies
  • 7/13/09: Chicken Fajitas, Re-fried Beans, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 7/14/09: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
  • 7/15/09: Chicken Nuggets, Fries, and Mac & Cheese
  • 7/16/09: Chicken Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 7/17/09: Sausage, Biscuits & Gravy, Cinnamon Rolls, and Orange Juice
  • 7/18/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 7/19/09: Beef Stroganoff, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans
  • 7/20/09: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, Angus Burgers, and Fries
  • 7/21/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 7/22/09: Nacho Buffet
  • 7/23/09: Baked Pasta, Black Olives, and Garlic Bread
  • 7/24/09: Soft Tacos, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 7/25/09: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread
  • 7/26/09: Popcorn Shrimp, Mac & Cheese, and Fries
  • 7/27/09: Bean & Cheese Quesadillas, Tortilla Chips, Cheese Dip, and Salsa
  • 7/28/09: Chicken Nuggets, Fries, and Mac & Cheese
  • 7/29/09: HH Lasagna, and Garlic Bread
  • 7/30/09: Salmon Cakes, Corn, and Rice
  • 7/31/09: Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits, and Orange Juice

I’ll be posting July’s lunches soon. Time to get back to the To Do List!

Jun 29

Garden Green Beans and Potatoes

We didn’t have too many Green Beans out of our garden, but I thought that with enough Potatoes and Vidalia Onions there would be enough for a tasty dish. I also get an excuse to use my tiny Crock Pot, which I totally love…

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For the dish you’ll need:

  • Green Beans
  • One Vidalia Onion
  • Red or Russet Potatoes
  • Bacon
  • A cup of water, a few shakes of pepper, salt, and garlic salt.

It’s simple… Cut all of your cleaned veggies into bite sized pieces, and toss them in the Crock Pot. Add in the water, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Fry your bacon, and then chop it into little pieces too, and toss them in the Crock Pot as well.

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Give it a good stir, and set your Crock Pot on high, and wait for dinner.

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After a few hours of cooking, you can move the Crock Pot setting to low, and just try and resist grabbing a bite of potatoes every time you walk by.