The Cheese Stands Alone.

Happy Monday!

This weekend was so cold out! So me and A decided to do a few errands, and cozied up in the house. Again another weekend where Redbox won as the the activity of the night - Iron Man 3, and I cooked up some good food. 

In fact, I decided to make some homemade baked macaroni and cheese. Any one that knows me, knows that is my absolute favorite thing to eat. I LOVE cheese. LOVE it. I'm the type that goes to the fridge for a snack and grabs a stick of cheese. 

Yum, so good. 

So when my mom would make mac & cheese as a side to go with dinner growing up, I would help her make it just so I could eat bits of cheese that didn't make it in the pan :) Haha! And I was so spoiled with baked macaroni and cheese, I didn't even know you could make mac & cheese from a box until middle school. I lived off easy mac containers in college, the first year away from home; but alas I have returned to the real stuff. The homemade, 4+ cheeses and oven baked, gooey goodness. 

The good stuff. 

For those of you who do not share in my love for mac&cheese, I apologize. 

Actually, I do NOT apologize. How can you not love cheese? Who are you?

Anywho,

hope this brought a smile to your face to start the week out right! 

P.S. What's your favorite type of cheese!?

-J

Weekend Recipe [R]ecap

This weekend I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. My mom and sisters would laugh, because they are always making fun of me being hungry all the time. I can't help it, my baby girl has me gaining an appetite lately!
 Now since me and A have been working on saving money and preparing for the new baby, I seem to be getting more experience cooking, yes me cooking haha. I am enjoying it and getting some good recipes from my mama :)

Yummy Chili

Homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza

And I'm going to share a quick recipe with you all. Me and A made Philly Cheese Steaks this weekend. I have just been craving really tasty food lately. So, we took a trip to the grocery store and got the following goodies:

What you need:

1lb of thin sliced steak meat - we used sliced ribeye *

Provolone sliced cheese (about 4 slices)

1 green pepper

1 nice size onion

4-5 brown potatoes

vegetable oil (not pictured)

1-2 small loaves of french bread (1 loaf for 2 sandwiches)

Salt/Pepper/Season salt/Garlic - whatever you use to season your meat!

*We used a 1.78 oz steak, but had meat leftover for another 1-2 sandwiches

To prep, chop your green pepper and onions long and thin, like you would for fajitas. You will also want to slice your potatoes into nice size pieces for fries. They don't have to be perfect, they will taste good either way!

Now you can soak your potatoes as some people do, which helps them fry better and makes them more crispy. Or if you are lazy like me, you can just let them soak while you heat up your vegetable oil. Yes, heat that oil up to about 300 degrees. Make sure you dry off your fries before placing in the pot, and let them fry about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown.  

Fry in batches, you can put the finished ones in the oven to keep warm (put oven on 300 to keep warm).

In the meantime, place a dab of oil in a pan and saute your green peppers, onions, and garlic. I like mine to be carmelized, so I cook them a bit longer, but its up to you :). Once done to your liking, remove from pan and place in microwave to keep warm. 

Next its time to cook your meat. Since you have very thin sliced meat, it will cook quickly. Again a little oil in the pan, and brown the meat on med/high heat, about 2-3 minutes on side one, then when you flip it over to the 2nd side- add your peppers/onions back to the mix and top with the provolone cheese. 

Turn down the pan to low heat, and cover until cheese is melted. Slice your french bread open, and load it up with yummy-ness. 

Take your fries from the oven, plate it and enjoy :)

Happy Tuesday!

-J

Quite Amazing

Happy Monday!

*Taking time to remember those who served this country and are no longer with us*

It's funny, lately I've been feeling a sense of peace. 

My nights went from - busy nights working late and jumping into school work; to rushing home from work to get dinner started and appreciating the moments I have to put my feet up on the table and watch Dancing With The Stars. (Old news - but so glad Kelly won, BTW!) 

I made a promise to Jesus that with my extra free time, now that I've graduated, I'd give Him more of my time. My nights are often spent diving into the book of John and picking up on things I missed the last time I read it. It's quite amazing to me that there could be so much within each scripture. In fact the more understanding Jesus gives me, it's like a part of my spirit is awakened and I am becoming more alive. 

For the first time in my life, I am living. 

It's all quite amazing actually...

The peace I have when my house is clean, laundry is done, and I have a plan for taking care of my finances.

The confidence I feel in the choices I make; that I am in full authority and control of my life. 

The understanding that when things do not go as planned or chaos is around me, I can focus on Jesus and  escape my worries. In fact, I can always do this and He will keep me. 

The appreciation I have for those around me; family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and even those I do not know. The beauty of everyone in their own being, 

The fascination I have for being swift to hear but slow to speak. Oh, how much more do I grasp!

The gratitude I have for God's plan for me. 

Knowing that He is in control and because I understand that, I too am in control. It's funny. I would have never thought these would be my thoughts, but I am so thankful that He has changed my mind. I am being continually transformed and I love every moment of it. 

I have also been quite transformed in the kitchen as well. 

Haha! Adrian sure appreciates it. 

Tonight I'm making sausage and onion flat-bread pizzas. 

Yum. 

Have a great week! :)