7 Layer Mexican Dip

Hi Everyone welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. I hope you are having fun getting ready for Christmas at your house. We are finally taking a deep breath and enjoying this lovely season.

This week at Lisa's blog she has a great Tex-Mex casserole. So I thought I'd give you a layered mexican dip that we love. I took a double batch of this to a party last week and it was GONE in 15 minutes! Now that will make you feel good.

So here is a family favorite of ours.

7 Layered MexicanDip

Ingredients

2 cans of Frito Lay bean dip

1 container of Dean's guacamole dip ( you can also use avocados and salsa mixed together)

1 16 oz container of sour cream

1 packet of taco seasoning

2 cups shredded colby jack cheese

2-3 roma tomatoes- diced

1 bunch of green onions - chopped

1 small can of sliced black olives

Here goes... this is SO Easy!!

In a 13x9 dish begin to layer the ingredients

1. spread the bean dip evenly on the bottom of the dish

2. layer the avacado dip next

3. mix the sour cream and taco seasoning in a bowl. Then layer it on top of the avadado

4. sprinkle the cheese as the next layer

5. sprinkle tomatoes over the cheese

6. sprinkle the green onions next

7. sprinke the black olives ( I never use all the olives... it is to taste)

There you have it! Serve with Tortilla chips or Frito Scoops. You will love it. I think it is best when it has set up over night.

Be sure to check out all the great recipes at Lisa's site!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

People Puppy Chow

(This was originally posted on Dec. 23, 2008 by me)
Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, he is at Lisa's blog.(If your post was DELETED, go HERE for an explanation.)


Now... on for the fun! Today I'm posting a recipe of some goodies our family received a few days ago. We have only a little bit left- it is SO good! My sweet friend Becky made it. Don't let the name scare you.... you won't let your dog anywhere near this stuff because you'll be too busy eating it yourself!

People PUPPY CHOW

1 c. Creamy Peanut butter

1/2 c. Butter

1 (12 oz.) pkg. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 (12.3 oz.) box Rice or Corn CHEX-cereal

3 c. sifted Powdered Sugar

Melt together butter, choc. chips, and peanut butter over a medium-low heat. Put cereal in large pan or roasting pan and pour chocolate mixture over it, stirring until well coated. Put powdered sugar in large brown grocery bag or large container with lid. Pour in coated cereal and shake well. Cool in fridge.

Don't say I didn't warn you... you are going to be addicted!

Now, please have a Wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Always remember the tiny baby whose birth we celebrate... the baby Jesus, the Savior of us All.

Yummy Sweet Potatos from our Thanksgiving

Welcome to Temp My Tummy Tuesday!


You want to stop by my sister's blog, Blessed With Grace for all the recipe swapping fun!

My aunt Joan made this incredible sweet potato recipe from Southern Living magazine for our Thanksgiving feast.




It is called Classic Sweet Potato Casserole. You can find the recipe on the Southern Living website and get all the details. The yummiest part is the two different toppings on it. Marshmallows anda pecans!

Lana's lasagna

(This was originally posted by me on Jan. 12, 2009. This week I had a request for this recipe from a friend so I thought I would repost for you all as well )

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, he lives at Lisa's blog.

This week is my Lasagna. I have, as many of you recall, use recipes as I see fit, they are more like a guide. Much of what I do daily is strictly throw together from memory. It allows for me to be flexible with the ingredients I have and it allows for variation. I like that. I have been making lasagna since college. My one time roomie, Christy was a great cook and I learned lasagna and manacotti from her.

So here is my the lasagna I made for the family on Thursday. Kathryn and I had fun doing this together in our fancy aprons. It is not fancy lasagna... it just regular old plane jane lasagna. I'm going to include in my recipe what you can add to spice it up and add Excitement. But this week, was a use what you have kinda of day.

Lana's Lasagna ... with variations

(these are my variations)
1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage or a mixture of the two)
1 jar spaghetti sauce - I add seasonings to mine liking such as basil, oregano, parsley and garlic (you can really effect the taste here, so use your imagination and change up the type of sauce you usually buy)
1 -15oz container of ricotta cheese (use skim or whole... it doesn't matter to me)

2 cups mozzarella cheese (skim or whole...same as before)

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese ( go for the good stuff if you can... not the kind in the tall green container please... you'll be grateful, I promise)
1 egg
lasagna noodles - (use oven ready/no boil- I figure if Giada can use them, so can we)

salt, pepper and parsley to taste

Brown your meat and drain it. (I usually add garlic and onions to the meat when it is cooking. I didn't have any this time)

Add your sauce to the meat and let it simmer as long as it takes you to mix the other ingredients.

Mix all the cheeses, egg , salt and pepper and parsley together in a large bowl.

Are you ready? Preheat oven at 350 degrees. This is the FUN part. Putting it together. You need a 13x9 pan. Lightly grease the bottom. Pour a small amount of sauce mixture on bottom. This is not a thick layer, but one so the noodles don't stick. Next take three noodles and place in the pan, but don't allow them to touch as they will expand in the cooking process. Next cheese. Here is where you need to think. How many layers are you making? Divide the cheese & sauce accordingly. If three full layers, divide by thirds. This time I only had 6 noodles, so if I divided the cheese in half. After the cheese layer, place three more noodles down, then sauce then cheese. Then finish with a sauce layer on top. Make sure all noodles are covered with sauce. Add a bit more Parmesan on top, Cover with foil and cook for 35 - 45 minutes, until it is all bubbly and wonderful looking.

Yep, that my darling daughter and cute husband. Thanks honey for making an appearance for the blog.

Add some garlic bread and that's how we do it at our house.

Yes... this lasted a few days, another good recipe when you know you need leftovers.

Easy Turtle Candies

This week for Tempt my Tummy Tuesday I've got a quick and easy candy recipe. I have not tried these but at friend at work has and she loves them. I can not wait to add this to our Christmas goodie list!

Easy Turtle Candies

1 bag Rolo candies
1 bag square shaped pretzels
1 bag of pecan halves


Preheat oven to 375 degrees

1. -Place pretzels on a cookie sheet with wax paper.

-Place a Rolo on each pretzel

-Put them in the oven for approximately 5 minutes. Don't let them melt

-Take out of oven and push a pecan half on top of each Rolo.

- Set in a cool area or fridge to harden

Have fun with this one!

Be sure to check out all the recipes at Lisa's Blog!

Orange Spice Tea

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, He lives at Lisa's Blog. PLEASE DO NOT HOST YOUR OWN Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Mr. Linky. Thank You.

We are having our first really cool and wet day here in Central Texas. I'm loving it even though I got soaked 3 times today due to umbrellas breaking and falling apart. Needless to say, I made a trip to Target for nice new BIG umbrella.

When I picked Kathryn up from school we came home made hot chocotale with marshmellows for Kathryn and I had a wonder hot cup of orange spice tea. It was wonderful. I like the Bigelow teas, they are Oh so nice.

So what cozy drink do you like for that cold, wet days and nights?

Stay warm and have a fun time Trick or Treating with the kiddos!

Libby's Pumpkin Bread Kit

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, He lives at Lisa's Blog. PLEASE DO NOT HOST YOUR OWN Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Mr. Linky. Thank You.

Did you think I was done blogging all together? Well it has been a very long month. There is so much going on at our home right now... one day I'll let you know how crazy it is. Right now though, here is a great easy Pumpkin Bread Kit. Lisa and I were shopping at SAM'S when she was in town last week. We both got so excited when we saw this Libby's Pumpkin Breat Kit. You get to sets that make two loafs each. In total 4 loaves of yummy, delicious Pumpkin Bread. All you need to do is add eggs, water and oil. How easy is that?

How does it taste? FANTASTIC!!! Everyone in the house has really been enjoying it.

At my SAM's it was very reasonable, I believe around $8 or $9. Gotta love that! So if you happen to come across this little gem, I totally reccomend it!

not feeling so tempting today...

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, He lives at Lisa's Blog. PLEASE DO NOT HOST YOUR OWN Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Mr. Linky. Thank You.


Well I haven't felt very much like posting recipes lately... I am PREGNANT!! It is great news but I am really suffering with Morning- All day sickness. So the last few weeks, I just have not been in the mood at all to post anything about food. In fact the worst of it hits right around 4pm when I am thinking about what we are going to have for dinner.

So my question to you is... what did you do to help with the nausea of pregnancy? Does anyone have a great suggestion? I know everyone has differnt experinces when it comes to pregnancy, so I'd love to hear from you and what worked and did not work for you.

I am finding that I feel a lot older than my first pregnancy. It has only been 6 years since I was last pregnant, but it feels A LOT longer than that and my body feels much older.

So, please keep me in your prayers! I hope that after my first trimester I'll feel more like talking about food and recipes...

Chocolate Croissant bread pudding

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, He lives at Lisa's Blog. PLEASE DO NOT HOST YOUR OWN Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Mr. Linky. Thank You.

So, I have never been a huge fan of bread pudding. BUT when I saw this recipe in Woman's Day this month, I thought, "that is a bread pudding I can eat!" I mean really people, there are 3 ingredients!!!! I hope you like it too!

Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding

INGREDIENTS
2 boxes (3 oz each) cook & serve vanilla pudding and pie filling
1 qt (4 cups) whole milk
4 chocolate croissants (about 4 oz each)

PREPARATION
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Have a 3-qt shallow baking dish ready.
2. Whisk pudding mix and milk in a large bowl for 2 minutes, or until thoroughly blended.
3. Cut croissants in 1-in. pieces. Arrange in prepared baking dish. Pour pudding mixture over croissants, pushing pieces into the liquid.
4. Bake 50 minutes, or until bubbly around edges and a knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool about 10 minutes before serving. If desired, dust top with confectioners’ sugar.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Hello everyone and welcome to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, He lives at Lisa's Blog. PLEASE DO NOT HOST YOUR OWN Tempt My Tummy Tuesday with Mr. Linky. Thank You.

Hi Everyone! Did you know Lisa is so sick? Our very own (BlessedWithGace) Lisa. Please be praying for her. She has the swine flu... YIKES!

Today I'm tempting you with Peanut Butter! I'm a big fan of Peanut Butter. I mean really... it is good stuff. I've posted a Nutter Butter Pie recipe before.
It is a good one but today I've got another good pie recipe. It comes from the Jiff website It is called Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie. This looks so good and I just can not wait for you to make it.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Pie

Ingredients:
• 1 (14 oz.) canEagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk, divided
•2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

•1 (9-inch) graham cracker crust
•1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
•1 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
•2 cups frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
1. COMBINE 1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Place 2 tablespoons chocolate mixture in small resealable plastic bag for drizzle. Spread remaining chocolate mixture evenly onto bottom of pie crust. Chill 10 minutes.

2.BEAT remaining sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese and peanut butter in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon over chocolate layer. Cut corner off bag with reserved chocolate mixture. Drizzle over pie.

3.FREEZE 1 hour or until firm.


Enjoy!

*picture from the Jiff website

Help... Kindergarten blues

Welcome to another edition of Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. It has been great having new people join in, every week. We are getting a good grouping of recipes. If you are new to the carnival, let me catch you up. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We invite you to share a recipe, kitchen/ cooking tip, great food find, anything foodie. Write about it on your site, make sure you mention TMTT and link back to Mr. Linky on Lisa's site.


Well, I must admit, this has been a tough week. My little girl started Kindergarten. How can that be? It was only 5 short years ago we brought her home? She was so tiny. I'll never forget getting her all strapped into that giant car seat for the first time and my sweet husband just sitting in the hospital parking lot with tears rolling down his cheeks saying, "what do we do now?" I said, "we take her home and become parents."



And that is what we did. So much fun and so many tears, but 5 of the best years of my life to date.



I'll admit to you, I have had a tough time this week. I trust and believe that God is watching over her and will protect her. But man... it is just hard! I want to believe that her adorable "Barbie" like teacher knows best and that she is seeking the best for my child, but she does have a room full to care for. I have found myself praying for her teacher a lot this week. I'm praying that she grows to love my dear daughter so and that she will have a special bond with Kathryn. I know it is a lot to ask, BUT my God says that whatever I ask in His name, He will give it to me if it is in His will.
I am also praying that Kathryn begins to adjust more quickly to this new world called school. She was not too impressed with the first week and all the rules. She does suffer from only- childism, and that is hard to overcome. It is a whole new world dealing with so many kids and adults who don't know you hung the moon.

As you see before we left for school Tuesday morning she was so excited. But a mere hour later she looked at us like we were crazy to be leaving her at school. It tugged at my heart like nothing else has.

It will get better and she will begin to adjust... till then and to the end of time I will continue to pray for my baby.


Now, for Tempt My Tummy Tuesday... I am asking you for some help... do you make your kids lunch or do you send them off with money for the cafeteria? We are packing our lunch for now. In our stylish new Princess lunch box. It is so cute.

What I'm having a hard time with is getting her to eat enough. Lunch is only 30 minutes and this is apparently not enough time for her as each day she is coming home with more food uneaten. So what are some of your idea for lunch box staples that will fill her up and that she can get to and eat quickly. They eat lunch at 10:45 (eee gads... so early) but they are allowed to take a snack to eat on the playground in the early afternoon. BUT she is not eating her snack and comes home famished!

So... ideas please on lunches and snacks.

Thanks!

getting ready for school

Hi all! I'm taking a Tempt My Tummy break this week. My daughter starts Kindergarten on Tuesday and we are having a special family day. Hubby took off from work and so did I so that we could have one last little day of fun before our world completely changes.

Say a prayer for this mama... I'll be hugging my baby good bye and bringing home a school kid.

See ya next week...

Lemon Crisps

Welcome to another edition of Tempt My Tummy Tuesday. It has been great having new people join in, every week. We are getting a good grouping of recipes. If you are new to the carnival, let me catch you up. My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We invite you to share a recipe, kitchen/ cooking tip, great food find, anything foodie. Write about it on your site, make sure you mention TMTT and link back to Mr. Linky on Lisa's site.

This week I am featuring a recipe I just found in my Women's Day magazine for this month. It looks so good and I can not wait to try it. It is Lemon Crisp Cookies
If you do not have access to the magazine, you can find the recipe at Woman's Day.com


Lemon Crisp Cookies

1 stick unsalted butter softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 Tbsp each grated lemon zest and lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp each baking soda and salt
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

Lemon Drizzle
1 cup powdered sugar
4 to 6 tsp lemon juice

PREPARATION
1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Beat butter and sugar 2 minutes or until fluffy. Beat in egg, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and salt until well mixed. On low speed, beat in flour just until blended.

2. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 11⁄2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool on baking sheet 1 minute before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

3. Drizzle: Stir ingredients in small bowl until blended. Drizzle over cookies

Kraft... great ideas for families

Hi Temp My Tummy Pals! This week I'm highlighting a website Kraft Foods.

They have so many great recipes and fantastic meal plans.
Go to the "1 Bag, 5 dinners" section for a full meal plan for a week, plus a shopping list. You will love that.

What I really like is it is cooking for real people like me and you! Who does not need a little help packing lunch for the kids? They have ideas for school lunches that will keep your kid excited to eat healthy lunches you prepare.

I also like the Healthy Living section of the site, they have message boards and lots of great healthy alternatives for eating well.

I hope you enjoy browsing the site and I hope you find a new family favorite from there as well.

The Food & Family magazine is a great value as well if you like print. It is always full of great stuff too.

Don't forget to go to Lisa's blog to link up for all the Tempt My Tummy Fun.

pictures from Kraft website www.kraftfoods.com