Guest Post: Keeping it Simple's Kiddos-Peyton's Creation

Summer Vacation is here!  My kiddos are both experimenting in the kitchen these days.  My oldest asked if I could feature her on "Keeping It Simple" if it turned out.  She put a lot of thought and research into creating a "s'more bar" that she could do all by herself without following a recipe.  Here is what she came up with.

Graham Crackers (broken into squares)
Jumbo Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips
Milk
Graham Cracker Crumbs

She placed the graham cracker squares in a baking pan.
Then she added a marshmallow to the top of each square.
Put in a 350 degree oven until marshmallows were soft enough to push down (5 to 10 minutes).
Meanwhile, she melted chocolate chips on the stove top with a little bit of milk.
She added the melted chocolate to a baggie and snipped the end off, then piped it onto the crackers.
Lastly, she sprinkled with graham cracker crumbs.

I am not a big s'more fan, but these were definitely edible.  She was so proud of her creation and that it turned out.  An easy snack that you can make with your kiddos...wouldn't these be perfect on a rainy day with blanket tents "camping indoors"?  Or if a backyard campout gets rained out/kids chicken out?

Mini Quiche

I had some leftover pie crust to use up from a cobbler that I made and decided to try mini quiches.  I will definitely be making these again.  This is my go to pie crust.  It is so flaky and easy.

CRUST:

2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup warm water

•  EGG MIXTURE:
•  6 eggs
•  1.5 cups milk
• salt and pepper

• FILLING:
• cheese
• mushrooms
• ham
• bacon
• sausage
• etc 

For the crust, mix all ingredients with a fork.  To roll, lay out a piece of wax paper.  Put dough on wax paper.  Cover with second piece of wax paper.  Roll crust between two pieces of paper.  Cut with a glass.  (Should be able to get 12 with a few dough scraps leftover)  Place one pie circle in each of 12 muffin tins sprayed with cooking spray.  (If you want to make it even simpler, you could use store bought crust...but I like this recipe much better than store bought).


Sprinkle crust with cheese of choice, if desired.

Beat eggs with milk, salt, & pepper.  Add fillings to egg mixture if you are making them all the same.  Otherwise, add egg to each muffin tin and top with filling of choice.  (Customized for each family member's liking...or if making for a brunch, provide a variety...lots of possibilities).  I had some egg mixture leftover.  4 eggs & 1 cup of milk may be enough.

Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes, or until egg is set.

Cherry Crisp (5 ingredients)

My husband sent me a recipe on FB that someone else had posted.  If you know my husband, that is somewhat comical.  So, with his request, I made it...TWICE this week.  So simple, so yummy.

1/2 c butter (I used cold, cut into small pieces)
1 c brown sugar
1 c flour
1 c oatmeal (I used old fashioned once, and quick cook once...I preferred the old fashioned)
1 can cherry pie filling
(vanilla ice cream)

Mix the first four ingredients together, until crumbly.  Press half of the mixture into a pie plate.  Add can of cherry pie filling on top of that.  Crumble remaining mix over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Spoon into bowls while still warm and top with vanilla ice cream. 

Crockpot Pork Tenderloin (only 4 ingredients!)

This pork tenderloin was so easy and so yummy.  My 6 year old, who isn't a big meat fan, had seconds and thirds.

2 pounds of whole pork tenderloin
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 can of golden mushroom soup
1 can of french onion soup

Place tenderloins in crockpot.  In bowl, whisk together the 3 soups.  Pour over tenderloins.  (DO not add water)

Cook, on low, for 4 to 5 hours.  Remove & slice.  The soups make a delicious gravy over mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.

Andes Brownies

I made these on St. Patrick's Day when we had dinner at our friends' house (the highlighted post is from her & her sister in law's blog, Scrappy Love...check it out!)  I used the Andes Baking Chips as garnish on my "Shamrock Shakes", but because it was only used as garnish, I had about a half bag left over.  So, today, Ellie & I made some delicious brownies!

box mix brownies for 9 X 13 pan (or homemade...but you know me, I "keep it simple")
1/2 tsp mint extract
leftover Andes Baking Chips

Prepare box mix according to directions (adding eggs, oil, water accordingly) and also stir in the mint extract

Bake according to directions

Immediately after the brownies are out of the oven, sprinkle Andes Baking Chips over the top.  Let cool completely so that Baking Chips harden.  Enjoy!

White Pizza Dip

My sister made this last month for a family get together.  It was SOOOOO yummy.  Yesterday I had my "Biggest Loser" results party/potluck, so I made this into a healthy recipe, using whole wheat french bread and fat free cheeses/sour cream.  Those that ate it seemed to enjoy it.  Today, I brought the leftovers to work, and everyone loved it.  Definitely a "make again" recipe.  (I forgot to take a picture, so if you want to know what it looks like, take a peek here.) 


1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream (I used fat free)
1 cup (8 oz.) ricotta cheese (I used fat free)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (I used fat free)
1/4 cup (1 oz.) chopped pepperoni (I used the mini ones and left them whole)
1 loaf Italian or French bread, sliced (I used whole wheat)

Preheat oven to 350°. In shallow 1-quart casserole, combine Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix, sour cream, ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and pepperoni. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake uncovered 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve with bread.  (I actually made mine in a mini crockpot instead)

Cheesy Garlic Chicken

This was REALLY good.  My 6 year old, who is not much of a meat eater, had 4 helpings.  I found the recipe on the back of the Lipton packet.

 CHEESY GARLIC CHICKEN



4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)

1 medium tomato, coarsely chopped (I used a can of Petite Diced)

1 envelope Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix

1/3 cup water

1 Tbsp. Olive Oil

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz.)

1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

(Next time I think I will also add some quartered artichoke hearts)

Preheat oven to 400°. In greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish, arrange chicken and top with tomato.  In small bowl, blend Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix, water and Olive Oil. Pour over chicken.  Bake 20 minutes. Top with cheeses and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and chicken is thoroughly cooked.