STAMPCHIC, Stamping and more!

Tastefully Simple Gift Idea and Recipe!

This is a photo of the gift basket (bowl) Todd and I donated to State Street for their annual United Way auction.  Hope it brings lots in!!  I put several of my favorites in a mixing bowl with one of the little recipe books I made for my Open House in August!  I made a little tag with the same chef from the Voila set (Stampin'Up!).  And of course used my Big Shot to cut the Top Notes out for the tag!  It turned out super cute if I do say so myself!!! 

So here is a new recipe for you all to try!  I'm making it in my crock pot today - love my crock pot!!! 

Asian Pork

1 cup Sesame Teriyaki Stir-Fry Sauce

1 1/2 to 2 lbs. cubed boneless pork

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 cup chopped onions

1 cup snow peas

1 cup broccoli florets

Combine first 4 ingredients in a greased slow cooker; cook on low 6-8 hours or until port is tender.  Add snow peas and broccoli or other vegetables during last 10-15 minutes of cooking.  Serve over hot rice or chow mien noodles.  Makes 5 to 6 servings.

To order Tastefully Simple visit www.tastefullysimple.com/web/akennedy2and be sure to add the Easy Slow Cooker recipes to your order for some super easy suppers this fall!! 

Have a great day!!

Tastefully Simple Honey Teriyaki??

Well, do you miss the Honey Teriyaki?  It is probably my most requested retired product!!  The good news is that we have come up with a new product that is VERY SIMILAR to the Honey Teriyaki!!  I used it last night at my Open House and it is sooooooooo good!!  It is called Sesame Teriyaki Stir Fry Sauce!!  If you would like to try it out just go to www.tastefullysimple.com/web/akennedy2 and place an online order!  Or BETTER YET host a tasting party and earn it for FREE!!  Everyone loves FREE!!  The consistency is a little thinner than the retired Honey Teriyaki and it is a touch less sweet - but, I LOVE IT!!  And it works perfectly in any of the recipes I used to use the Honey Teriyaki in previously!!

So, buy some, make some stir fry and have a wonderful evening!! 

Voila! The recipe book is ready!

This is the little recipe book I created for tonight's Open House!  It has all three crock pot dinners I'm making PLUS a bonus recipe!

I just love this little chef!  Normally I'd add glitter - because glitter goes with EVERYTHING!  Well, with the exception of cooking!!  Our Tastefully Simple products sparkle enough without the added help of my Stampin'Up! Dazzling Diamonds!!  LOL!! 

Really, should be a great event and I hope you will take the time to stop by!!

Best Burger!!!

In July Tastefully Simple's Everyday Easy recipes included eight different gourmet burgers!!  Of course, we love grilling and burgers are quick and easy for us so we make them alot!  As a departure from the normal, dreary burger we tried some of the Gourmet Burgers!  My favorite was the Giddyup Mexi Burgers submitted by Shannon Janco!  YUMMY!!!  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!  Here is the recipe Shannon submitted:

Giddyup Mexi Burgers

1 pkt Giddyup Guacamole Mix

2 Tbsp. Water

2-3 ripe avocados

1 small yellow onion, sliced and sauteed

2 Tbsp oil (I used Olive Oil)

1/2 cup Corn, Black Bean Salsa

2 tsp. Fiesta Party Dip Mix

1 lb. ground turkey (we used beef)

1/3 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

1/4 cup breadcrumbs

Prepare Giddyup Guacamole Mix as directed on package using water and avocados;  set aside.  Saute onions in oil; set aside.  Combine last 5 ingredients; mix well.  Form into 4 to 6 patties.  Broil or grill to desired doneness, turning once.  Top with Giddyup Guacamole Mix and sauteed onion.  Makes 4 to 6 servings.

If you haven't stocked up on the Giddyup Guacamole Mix you better get an order placed!!  It is only available until August 31st!!  Stock up with about five for the winter and that allows you to make Guac 10 times over the next six months!!!  All Tastefully Simple products for this recipe are in BOLD, but just in case you will need Giddyup Guacamole Mix, Corn Black Bean Salsa and Fiesta Party Dip Mix.  To place an order online visit www.tastefullysimple.com/web/akennedy2or call me directly!!  If you would like to see all of the burger recipes you can find them online under the July Everyday Easy recipes! 

If you try one let me know which is your favorite!! 

Stamp a Stack #3 and Menu Planning Monday!!

Here is card #3:

A little card, a little food - what more could someone ask for!! This is card #3 from Stamp a Stack!  Tomorrow I will show you all four together because I cased the fourth card!!  Love to CASE and I encourage everyone to do the same!  Why else would we all show our work if we didn't want it appreciated!  Copying is the highest compliment!!  Anyway, this card is my "man card" from class!  Sometimes I struggle with manly cards but with a little help from my sister we got this one laid out quickly!  Thanks Lisa!!  Anyway, the "recipe" for the card is at the end of the post! 

Here is the weekly meal plan I've been talking about!  We had my mom over for dinner tonight so if you want an honest opinion on the Apricot Chicken Stir Fry ask her!!  We also sent some home for dad!  Todd, the girls and I loved it!  Of course, there is always one picky child in every family and our son is that child!  I try to understand because I used to be that child, but of course, it is every parents job to try to get kids to try new things!!  Maybe it is a middle child thing!  Or it could be a control freak thing - I'm both so guilty as charged!  Download MENU PLANNING WEEK ONE If you need some Tastefully Simple Products to complete these menu ideas just let me know!  There are 13 products total if you include dessert one night!  Everyone deserves a little Classy Chocolate Pound Cake once in a while!! 

All Supplies Stampin'Up!:  Congrats stamp set (FREE during SAB), Close to Cocoa Classic Ink Pad, Sahara Sand card stock, Delicate Dots Designer Series Paper (FREE during SAB), Close to Cocoa card stock, Whisper White card stock, Double Hole Punch (retired), Sponges, Cutter Kit, Silver Brads.

If you need details for SAB please let me know! Don't forget to sign up for class, the Starter kit special and if you place an online order you will get that cute Under the Stars card!!  Hope to see you stamping soon!!  Lastly, blog candy is coming soon!!  Check back and forward the blog to your friends! 

What's Cookin'?? Bayou Baked Pork Chops!

Well, it's Monday and that means it's recipe day!!  And have I got a deal for you!!  Order ANYTHING from Tastefully Simple through me and I'll give you a recipe book with 20 great entrees for only 50 cents!!  That's right, call me to place an order this week and the Comforting Classics recipe book will only cost you 50 cents ($1.99 value)!!  Here is a recipe from that book that I just LOVE!!

BAYOU BAKED PORK CHOPS

Bayou Bourbon Glaze

4 (3/4 inch) pork chops

1 cup chopped pecans

Spread Bayou Bourbon Glaze liberally over both sides of each pork chop; roll in pecans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until pork chops are cooked through.  Makes 4 servings.

I will be serving this with some Parmesan Biscuits, Tossed Salad and fresh pears!  I have a bottle or two here in my inventory if you need it today!  Otherwise, give me a call and I'll have it shipped right to your house!!  Glad to help with any meal or event planning needs!  Host a party in March and earn some of our fabulous new Spring/Summer products for FREE!

What's for Dinner?

Hello!  I'm trying to get on a schedule for blogging and this is going to be my Monday Feature!  What's for dinner at the Kennedy's!!  Now, I know it's Tuesday so I'm going to give you last night's recipe and the recipe for tonight too!  Not bad, two for one!! 

Monday night was Stir Fry night!!  So, since most of you know I have three kids you can imagine the chaos this could cause with picky eaters!  Because of that we keep our stir fry separate and assemble it at the table so I reduce the "ewwwww" comments from the Carnivores!!  (kids that won't eat veggies.)

Chicken Stir Fry:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, cut in chunks

Sweet Pepper Jalapeno Jam (Tastefully Simple)

Onion, Red Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Pineapple, Bamboo Shoots (add whatever you own)

Cooked Rice

The reason I love this is because you can use whatever you have at home!  I used the ingredients listed above last night, but that will vary each time depending on what I have on hand!  I get the rice going and actually use two pans to stir fry.  One for Chicken and one for veggies!  I add half of the jar of Sweet Pepper Jalapeno Jam to the chicken once it is cooked and the other half to the veggies.  I don't like adding the sauce to the raw chicken because I just really don't even like touching raw chicken - yes, I'm weird that way!  This is the easiest and best tasting Stir Fry because of the Sweet/Hot aspect of the Jam!  If you need some, just order it online at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/akennedy2 or drop me a line and I'm happy to get it to you!! 

Tuesday Night is our busy night with volleyball, basketball and prep for scrapbook class tomorrow!  So, we will be having Creamy Wild Rice Soup with Chicken, Beer Bread, Ceaser Salad and if I get to it a fruit salad for the picky eaters that don't like salad!  This is one of our standard Pantry Meals!  I love pantry meals because they are easy and you don't give up anything on flavor!  A little planning and it saves a trip through the drive through and probably 1000 calories!! 

I make the soup on the stove and transfer it to the crock pot once it is ready.  I'm sure you could make it in the crock pot, but I usually just transfer it because then I know it is ready and I keep it in the crock pot to reduce the stirring Ihave to do - also, it's ready for anyone at anytime this way!  I prepare the Creamy Wild Rice Soup according to the box by just adding water.  Then I add the cooked chicken once the soup has started to warm through.  I generally use the TYSON frozen chicken breast because it is so easy! Tonight, I did pull some chicken aside from the stir fry to use for this purpose so I only had to prep chicken once!  Then, just put the beer bread in the oven and in 50 minutes you are ready to eat!  If you don't have that much time just make the bread in muffin tins and then it only takes about 20 minutes!  Super fast and fun!!  Serve it with the Ceasar Salad (I buy the kit in the deli dept) and you are ready to go in no time!! If you need more recipe ideas just check out the Gourmet Gab online or there are thousands of recipes on my Tastefully Simple website listed above! 

Chicken Tortilla Soup...

This is one of my favorite "quick and easy" recipes!  And if you read your labels you can find tomatoes with the least amount of carbs to make this South Beach Diet friendly in phase 2!  I like to throw it in the crock pot for at least 4 hours to let everything mix together! 

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 cans cubed chicken (or go to the deli and get a rotisserie chicken)

1 small diced onion

1 T Garlic Garlic (from Tastefully Simple)

16 oz can stewed tomatoes

15 oz can tomato sauce

4 oz can diced green chili strips

1 can Rotel tomatoes

15 oz can cannellini beans (white kidney beans)

15 oz can black beans

2 T Fiesta Party Dip Mix (From Tastefully Simple)

Serve hot with shredded cheese and crushed corn chips. 

If you don't know a Tastefully Simple consultant just click in the upper right corner of my blog and place an order online!  If you are local and want to make this tonight I have both seasonings in stock!  For more recipes check out the February Gourmet Gab Download Feb09GourmetGab   Have a great day and I'll post a Stamped item a little later today!!

Yummy!!!

OMG!  I tried the yummiest thing last night!  I made the Almond Pound cake from Tastefully Simple as usual for a dessert.  On Saturday I had made one of our Red Red Raspberry Cheeseballs and it was too big for the plate I wanted it on so I divided it.  With the second half I brought it to room temperature and stirred in some Cool Whip.  I cut the pound cake in half horizontally and spread that filling in the middle.  It was to die for!!!  Serve that with some fresh berries an you have a beautiful and yummy dessert!!  I think I'll start a recipe of the week on Mondays - I know this is kind of a lame recipe, but is was sooooo goooood!!  I'm busy getting ready for Hostess Appreciation and I will post the things we are making in the next couple of days!  Thanks for checking out the blog and be sure to come back tomorrow for the Hostess Items!!  If you ever want to order some Tastefully Simple and don't have a consultant just drop me a line and I'll have it shipped right to your door!  Have a great day!!

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball

Hello Friends!  Here is a yummy recipe by my upline, Amy Herman!  Serve this with the Vanilla Bean Chiller mixed with chocolate milk and Kahula and you have a yummy dessert for an evening on the deck with friends!!  All items noted are from Tastefully Simple!  Call me to set up a tasting party in July and receive 50% more product FREE!! 

Chocolate Chip Cheeseball
Submitted by Amy Herman (KS)

Ingredients
2 scoops Vanilla Bean Chiller™
1/2 cup powdered sugar
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
Twisty Grahams™

Directions
Combine Vanilla Bean Chiller, powdered sugar, cream cheese and 1/2 cup chocolate chips; stir well. Chill 1 hour. Roll into ball; coat with remaining chocolate chips. Serve with Twisty Grahams™.