Triple-Layer Chocolate Cake

Eric and I saw this cake on some show on PBS and Eric just HAD to have it. You'll probably think I'm crazy but I am not a big fan of chocolate cake. I would choose white cake over chocolate any day. But I gotta' admit - this cake was fabulous.

1 chocolate cake mix

1 package chocolate pudding mix

Fix cake and pudding according to directions on package. If you have two 8" round pans, use those for the cake mix. I used one deep 8" round. After the cake cools, you will cut each cake in half to make the layers. The best way to cut the layers is to use one of these:

This is a contraption that has a very thin piece of wire going across and that slices right through the cake to make your layers. If you do not have one of these a piece of thread or maybe even dental floss would work. A knife would probably work as well, but a little more difficult to get a straight cut, I think. I set each layer on a plate once it is cut.

Once the pudding is set, spread it generously on the bottom layer, place the next layer on top of that, then another layer of pudding, then another layer of cake. Spread pudding all over the cake as if you are frosting it - top and sides. The 4th layer of cake is going to be crumbled up and sprinkled on the top and sides of the cake.

Pour yourself a large glass of milk and enjoy!!!

THE Best Gingerbread Cookies EVER

This is a recipe I got from my Mother-in-law. LOVE LOVE LOVE these cookies. I love my cookies soft - especially my Gingerbread men - and this recipe makes them fabulously soft! Now, make sure you include the ground cardamom - I believe it is the secret to making these cookies so delicious! I'm not sure how easy it is to find - I got mine from my Mother-in-law, but it should not be too difficult. The recipe has a funny name - and upon doing a little research I have found that it is a popular Swedish cookie recipe. Anyway, here it is:

Old Fashioned Papparkakor

3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. soda
1½ tsp. ginger
1 ½ tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cloves
¼ tsp. ground cardamom
½ cup butter
¾ cup sugar
1 unbeaten egg
¾ cup light molasses
2 tsp. grated orange rind

Sift together dry ingredients, cream butter and sugar, add unbeaten egg and molasses and orange rind; beat well. Stir in the dry ingredients gradually, mixing until blended. Cover; chill overnight. (Dough may be used in small amounts-will keep in refrigerator for one week.) Roll out on well-floured surface, to 1/8” thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutter. (This is a good recipe for gingerbread men.) Place on greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes at 375.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is my 2nd most favorite soup recipe on the planet! And it is even easier than the potato soup ! (see previous post)

1/2 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1(15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1(10 oz) can enchilada sauce (red)
1 medium onion, diced
1(4 oz) diced green chilies
1(14 1/2 oz) can chicken broth
1(15oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 clove garlic, cut or smashed
1 Tbsp. dried cilantro

Combine all in crock pot. Cook 4 to 5 hours on LOW. Top with sour cream, grated cheese, tortilla chips.

You can also add black beans! Just drain and rinse them first. I also like to top it with avocado chunks. YUMMY!

Ham and Potato Soup

Soup weather has arrived!! This soup is my absolute most favorite soup on the planet. And it's easy to make!

http://mlre.org/index.php?recipe=293

I love to serve this in bread bowls. You can usually get bread bowls at Winco - 2 in a package over near the bakery.

YUM YUM!

Menus 9/29 - 10/5

It's been a rough couple of days so I'm finally getting around to posting menus. I'm gonna start with today since I didn't cook last night (Eric made fried rice) and I'm going through Monday because my parents are coming up this weekend and I wanted to make sure I make yummy stuff while they're here!

Tuesday, 9/29: Sweet and Sour Chicken

This is a recipe from my mother-in-law which you can find here. Delicious and easy too!! One thing I do differently is cut the chicken up - I think the flavor permeates more when it is in bite sized pieces. Serve over rice. Sometimes I like to buy the frozen oriental veggie mix and mix that in too. Yum. (I just realized I have posted this one already but I did it with pork last time)

Wednesday, 9/30: Hamburgers

We just got a Costco rebate so we "splurged" and bought the yummy frozen sirloin patties. Hamburgers are a favorite around here.

Thursday, 10/1: Hawaiian Haystacks

I am so excited for Fall - but I had to squeeze in my favorite summer dish one more time!

http://kristiescookin.blogspot.com/2009/07/menus-83-87.html

Friday, 10/2: Tortilla Soup (!!)

I have been WAITING for cooler weather so I can start making my favorite soups!!! This is one of my favorite favorite favorites and it is so easy! Got this from my fabulous sister-in-law Jenn.

1/2 lb cooked chicken, shredded
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1(10 oz) can enchilada sauce (red)
1 medium onion, diced (I use onion powder)
1(4 oz) diced green chilies
1(14 1/2 oz) can chicken broth
1(15oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 clove garlic, cut or smashed (I use garlic powder)
1 Tbsp. dried cilantro (I've never found dried cilantro but fresh is good too!!)

Combine all in crock pot. Cook 4 to 5 hours on LOW. Top with sour cream, grated cheese, tortilla chips.

Saturday, 10/3: Creamy Meatballs and Potatoes

I may have posted this one before but here it is again. It is a Metler family favorite and a recent favorite of my moms! When I asked her if she had any requests for dinner while she was here - this is the first one she came up with. So, try it...it's delicious!

Sunday, 10/4: Tri-tip

Tri-tip Friday got postponed to Sunday this week. Same 'ol Same 'ol.

Monday, 10/5: Chicken Pot Pie

I just made this a couple weeks ago - but it was so good and I want my mom to taste it! So here we go again. http://kristiescookin.blogspot.com/2009/09/menus-914-918.html. The only thing I'm going to do differently this time is add small cubed potatoes! I think that will be delicious!

Enjoy!

Menus 9/21 - 9/25

I want to share something I learned last week: I was comparing prices on rice at Winco and found that the bulk rice is cheaper than the bagged rice - only by a few cents - but every cent counts, right? I also learned that "converted" rice is the way to go! I have always wondered how restaurants get their rice to be smooth and non-sticky...it's converted rice! I love it!

Ok, on with this week's menus. I'm trying really hard to try things that I wouldn't normally - or to at least try new things instead of making the same stuff over and over.

Monday, 9/21: Chicken with Polenta

This is from the Southern Living Top Rated cookbook. There are a few adjustments I'll be making to the recipe - I'll post my review later!

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=259127

Tuesday, 9/22: Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin

Once again, from SL Top Rated - I love that cookbook!
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=258166

Wednesday, 9/23: Gringo Tamale Pie

Ok - I was going to make this several weeks ago and I never got around to it because I didn't have any corn meal like I thought I did! So I have corn meal in hand and we're gonna give it a shot now! Go here for the recipe.

Thursday, 9/24: Sausage and Mashed Potato Casserole

Haylie loved that sausage so much last week so I wanted to do another sausage recipe. So this is what my search turned up:
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1898465

Friday, 9/25: You guessed it, Tri-tip!!

Tri-tip Friday. Gotta' love it.

Sausages with White Beans Review

I hope you checked out this recipe on Michelle's blog. It was fantastic. I know I've been fairly blessed that Haylie is not a real picky eater - she usually eats what we put in front of her without much fuss - but you should have seen her scarf this down! I usually give her 4-5 pieces of meat no matter what we're eating - that is what I expect her to eat. She ate her 4-5 slices of sausage and asked for more! She probably ate a total of 8-10 slices of sausage. And she liked the beans too. Anna enjoyed it as well. Even if you are not a huge fan of sausage (which, btw, I am not usually) - you should definitely try this one.

5 out of 5 stars, for sure!