Honey Wheat Hamburger Buns

When I was doing my menu planning for the week I didn't realize that we didn't have any hamburger buns. So, I headed to the store to buy some (can we say "lazy"). The store wanted $3.29 for a package of 8 hamburger buns. I couldn't bring myself to buy them.

I went home and got out the bread machine and decided to make my own. I have tried this once before and they turned out really thick and yucky. The recipe I used is from my bread machine book for honey wheat rolls. Here is how I made them into hamburger buns.

Recipe:
1 cup water (room temperature)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup honey ( I used Agave)
1 egg
2 cups bread flour
1 1/4 cups wheat flour
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Add all ingredients to bread machine and select dough cycle. When bread is done, knead it for 2-3 mins. of floured surface. Tear off a chunk of dough and roll in palm of hand until it's approx. 3 inches round. Keep doing this until you use up all the dough. Place on greased cookie sheet and cover with a clean cloth. Let rise for 1 hour. Push down on dough gently to release the air. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 mins. Makes approx. 14 buns.

I then cut one in half to make sure it was not dense and thick inside. Perfect! I think the bread flour helped a lot. No more store bought hamburger buns for us.

Free shipping on Tropical Traditions Gallon Coconut Oil

Tropical Traditions is offering FREE ground shipping on their Gold Label Virgin Coconut oil in the gallon containers. It is also on sale for only $69.00.

About six months ago I tried Tropical Traditions virgin coconut oil and feel in love with it. The jar didn't last long when I started making my own tortilla shells. Let's see how long this gallon of coconut oil will last me.

Hurry this FREE shipping offer ends Thursday Feb. 24th!!!

FYI: Tropicana Juicy Rewards expire Feb.28

Tropicana Juicy Rewards will expire Feb. 28, 2011. There are still some great deals to get or you could donate your points to help the rain forest. Every 3 points you donate help rescue 100 square feet of rain forest.

I don't know much about the rain forest but I do know it needs our help. Here are some facts you can learn about the disappearing rain forest.

Super Bowl Cake: Packers vs. Steelers

Ahh, the big game is almost here!!

I don't follow football much, but I do love the super bowl. I like to watch the half time shows and the commercials. Another great benefit to super bowl is eating. Just another reason to be in the kitchen cooking up some yummy treats.

My super bowls are spent at work so we just bring the party there. I will bring in my t.v. and my two managers and I cook up some yummy treats for all the employees. This year I am making deviled eggs, cheese and cracker tray, apples with caramel dip and a super bowl cake. Not much cooking going on in the kitchen, but it's still fun. What are your favorite super bowl dishes?

Cheesy Chicken Alfredo

This is a simple and quick dinner meal. I love making dishes that are easy to reheat. We don't have a microwave and that means a lot of dirty dishes when heating up leftovers. Although I don't mind doing dishes I would rather be cooking instead of cleaning. I know, I know, cooking means cleaning up.

Cheesy Chicken Alfredo:

1 lb. boneless chicken breast
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 lb. cooked pasta
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. parsley
Parmesan cheese to top it off


Cook your pasta according the the box, drain and set aside. Cook your chicken breast in skillet or grill. Cut into bite size pieces. In a large skillet add cream cheese, milk, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley. Cook on medium heat until cream cheese is melted. Add cooked pasta and chicken. Pour into casserole dish and top with Parmesan and more parsley.

Cookies for Breakfast? Oh Yeah!!!

Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers has an awesome recipe for breakfast cookies. I just made these and they are delicious.

Any Time Pasta

This pasta is very easy to make and you can add or subtract your favorite ingredients.

1/2 lb. uncooked pasta (I used bow tie pasta)
3/4 cup olive oil
3 Tbsp. rice vinegar
3 Tbsp. Veggie mix
1 cup red pepper, diced
1/2 cup feta cheese
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 15oz. can corn
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1 cup white beans
salt and pepper to taste

In a large pan cook your pasta as directed. In a medium bowl mix together olive oil, rice vinegar and veggie mix. Let this rest while the pasta is cooking. Chop your veggies. Drain corn, reserve 1/4 cup corn juice.

If your using canned beans, great. If your using dried beans, make sure to cook them before starting this recipe, they take a while to cook. I put mine in the crock-pot and let them cook all night on low, then turned them to high the next morning.

When pasta is down pour into large mixing bowl. Add veggies, feta cheese, corn juice and oil mixture. String until pasta is coated. Add salt and pepper to taste. This was a big hit with my family.

The Veggie mix comes from my friend Lisa who owns Howell Mountain Dry Goods. She has a wonderful variety of dry mixes and rubs. The ideas are endless with the wonderful mixes and they are very affordable.