7 tips to get cooking with your kids!

Not long ago Brody asked me if he could help me in the kitchen. At first I really didnt want him to. Its my kitchen I like things a certain way. But I gave in. I remembered being 9 years old and my mom letting me make chocolate chip cookies one day all by myself. I remembered the joy I had in making those cookies. So I gave in and let him help me. The next time Zach asked if he could help, I did most of the work but at least we tried it out. Here as some tips from Blogger Trisha over at Eat your Beats

Taco in a pan

What You Need

1 lb. extra lean ground beef

1-1/2 cups water

1 pkg. (35 g) taco seasoning mix

1-1/2 cups instant white rice, uncooked

1 cup Kraft Tex Mex Shredded Cheese

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 cups chopped tomatoes

Make It

BROWN meat in large nonstick skillet; drain.
ADD water and seasoning mix; stir. Bring to boil.
STIR in rice. Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 min. Top with lettuce and tomatoes

Onion Dip

 Onion Chip Dip

Time: 3 minutes prep + 2 hours refrigeration Yield: 2 cups 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix 1. Scoop the sour cream into a small mixing bowl and add 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup Mix. 2. Give it a nice stir, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 3. When you are ready to serve, give it another stir, grab some ruffle chips and dig in!

Individual Chocolate Cake

Individual Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup chocolate chips
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon flour
• 1 egg
• Teaspoon Vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 and butter a ramekin or small round oven safe container.
2. Place chocolate and butter in a bowl and microwave for 15 second intervals until melted, stir at each interval. Let cool for a few minutes.
3. In another bowl whisk egg, sugar, and vanilla, then fold mixture in with the melted chocolate.
4. Stir in flour and salt.
5. Pour in ramekin and place in oven for about10-15 minutes. The edges with be done and the middle will still be moist.
6. Enjoy

Mac and Cheese

What you need:

3 tbsp. of margaine
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 cups cheddar shredded cheese (divided)
1 3/4 cup macaroni
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs

Directions:

Heat oven at 350

• Melt margarine in large saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour; cook 1 min., stirring constantly. Gradually stir in milk; cook and stir 3 to 5 min. or until thickened. Add Parmesan and 1-1/2 cups cheddar; cook and stir 1 min. or until cheddar is melted. Add macaroni; stir to evenly coat.
• 
  Spoon into 1.5-L casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray; top with remaining cheddar, then bread crumbs.
• 
  Bake 20 min. or until macaroni mixture is heated through and topping is lightly browned.

Common Cooking Mistakes!

We are all guilty of some of these.... I know I am!! Check them out!

http://www.cookinglight.com/cooking-101/techniques/cooking-questions-tips-00400000064986/print-index.html

FREEZE!!!

If you ask Jon what kind of shopper I am... he will tell you that I will not buy anything unless its on sale. Then he will tell you I go home and freeze it! He says there is no food in our house because I freeze EVERYTHING!! lol
Heres a little guideline that I follow when freezing stuff.

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/31-things-you-can-freeze-to-save-time-and-money.html

Product Review

For the last couple of weeks I have been trying some new products that are now on store shelves. I have been using the products Gain Fireworks and Gain Flings.


I really liked the Gain Fireworks and it is now a staple in my laundry routine. I love how it makes my laundry smell sooo good. I did use the ones from Downy and wasn't as impressed as I was with these. You can shake a little bit or a lot. My towels and bedding have never smelled better. You can get it in different scents if you want. I like the Pink Sweet Sizzler. And I like you can buy the small one or the big one and its a dollar or 2 cheaper than the Downy.

The next product is also a gain product. I am very much a Purex Girl. I have always loved Purex.... until I met these things. Gain Flings. The smell alone is amazing. I just sit here and grab one and smell it.... I washed my laundry in it and I found it did a great job. and I love that there is no mess of liquid.