Healthier Shepards pie

http://iowagirleats.com/2012/03/15/healthier-mashed-potatoes-that-actually-taste-good/

So I use ground turkey instead of beef and it was super good!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

OK. So I know we didn't really grow up with rhubarb and last year I posted a few recipes that were pretty good made with it, but this is one you have to try. I was worried because rhubarb has kind of a funky flavor when you try it just plain—it is really sour and has a strange taste, but the beauty of rhubarb is that it gives into peer-pressure and takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with, in this case strawberries.

So here is what you do:

Make your favorite pie crust (you will need enough for both the pie pan and the top of the pie). Don't bake it, just put it in the bottom of the 9 inch pie dish, nice and pretty.

Filling:
4 1/2 cups rhubarb cut into 1 inch pieces (I made mine a little thinner...probably a half inch)
a cup of strawberries hulled and halved
3/4 cups sugar
1/3 cup flour

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Pour into the pie crust. Roll the cover for the pie out and if you have a cute little cookie cutter like a star, cut holes in the crust. If not, just cut some slits. Put it on top and seal it all together.

Bake at 375 for 45–55 minutes.

It is delicious!

If you need some rhubarb, come visit. I'll send you home with tons! Those things grow like weeds. Don't fear the rhubarb!

*Recipe from my Farm Chicks in the Kitchen cookbook

Spinach Salad with Strawberries

This is different than your typical spinach and strawberry salad. The dressing is amazing. My friend made it for me after I had Jefferson. It is super yummy.

Salad:
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 pkg. spinach
1/3 c. bacon
1 c. strawberries slices
purple onion chopped (however much you like:)

Sugared nuts:
1/3 c. sugar
1 c. pecans, almonds, cashew, or walnuts (I like pecans)

I usually put the sugar and nuts in a sauce pan and stir over med. heat until the sugar
sticks to the nuts.
After cooking I pour the nuts onto a wax paper to cool then add to the salad.


Dressing:
Mix in a blender
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2. c. strawberry jam

Dirt Cups

I got this recipe from Nate's sister. These are dirt cups spiced up a little. We made them today for Lucy's playgroup. I think adults like them more than kids! ;) They are seriously really yummy and super fattening. The recipe makes a TON so half it if you don't want to be eating them for a week.

1/4 c. butter
1 (8 oz) pkg softened cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
3 1/2 cups milk
2 (3 1/2 oz) vanilla pudding
1 (12 oz) cool whip (I used whipping cream this time b/c I had it)
1 pkg crushed oreo cookies
gummy worms

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Set aside. Mix together milk and pudding. Let sit five minutes until thick. Add to cream cheese mixture. Add cool whip and mix. You can layer the oreos and pudding if you want. Add gummy worm to the top and enjoy!

Apricot Chicken

Okay this recipe is kind of made up, but Becky asked for it so here it is:

3-4 frozen chicken breasts
1 small jar salsa
1 packet taco seasoning
1 cup apricot jam

cook all of this in the crock pot until the chicken shreds. In the last hour add 1 can of black beans rinsed and 1 can of corn. And your done! Then I serve it like taco salad with chips, lettuce, tomato and all of the fixings.

Crock Pot Fajitas

I'm pretty picky about my crock pot recipes but this one is really good!

http://www.stacymakescents.com/fix-and-forget-friday-crock-pot-chicken-fajitas

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas 

1 yellow onion, sliced
3 sweet peppers, sliced
1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs
1/4 to ½ cup chicken broth, depending on preference (leave this out if you prefer a drier fajita filling)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cumin
1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
Squirt of lime juice
Tortillas
Fajita fixings

Combine sliced onion and peppers in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Lay chicken on top of veggies. Pour chicken broth over top. Sprinkle everything with cumin, salt, and chili powder. Give a nice quirt of lime juice over the top. Cover and cook on low for 4-8 hours (or on High for 4 hours) or until meat is shreddable. When meat is done, shred with two forks and stir back into juices. Serve meat mixture with slotted spoon on tortillas with your choice of fixings.
- See more at: http://www.stacymakescents.com/fix-and-forget-friday-crock-pot-chicken-fajitas#sthash.tLDh8PtQ.dpuf

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas 

1 yellow onion, sliced
3 sweet peppers, sliced
1 ½ pounds boneless chicken breast or thighs
1/4 to ½ cup chicken broth, depending on preference (leave this out if you prefer a drier fajita filling)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cumin
1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
Squirt of lime juice
Tortillas
Fajita fixings

Combine sliced onion and peppers in the bottom of a greased crockpot. Lay chicken on top of veggies. Pour chicken broth over top. Sprinkle everything with cumin, salt, and chili powder. Give a nice quirt of lime juice over the top. Cover and cook on low for 4-8 hours (or on High for 4 hours) or until meat is shreddable. When meat is done, shred with two forks and stir back into juices. Serve meat mixture with slotted spoon on tortillas with your choice of fixings.
- See more at: http://www.stacymakescents.com/fix-and-forget-friday-crock-pot-chicken-fajitas#sthash.tLDh8PtQ.dpuf

Side Dishes!

Okay the post you have all been waiting for! I have been neglecting the blog and I'm back! I'm always looking for good side dishes and ways to cook veggies and thanks to pinterest I've found a few new ones that we really like. Here they are:

Broccoli:

http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html

Cabbage (my favorite... thanks Martha):

http://www.marthastewart.com/315062/roasted-cabbage-wedges

Potatoes:

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2008/06/crash-hot-potatoes/