Easy Recipes for Kids and Making Homemade Gifts

Do you want an activity that is fun for you and your kids? How would you and the kids like to make someone happy and feel special? Maybe you could make some gifts together for some loved ones? You could make grandma’s or grandapa’s day much brighter, wish a great aunt or uncle a happy birthday or maybe even show you child’s teacher how important they are.

So what would be some great homemade gifts that you and your kids could make together?

Cakes and cupcakes are easy to make and best of all allow for kids to design creative decorations, but today we’ll focus on cookies, specifically the kind that don’t require baking: no bake cookies. There is a big variety of ingredients you could use such as chocolate, peanut butter, oats, etc. One of my favorite no bake cookies is chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies. The combination is to die for! In fact, that makes me picture a bowl of butterscotch ice cream in front of me right now mixed with peanut butter and topped with chocolate syrup. Yum! That gives me another idea for more great recipes for kids to write about in the future.

Chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies take no time to make, are easy and require little ingredients. The kids can help you measure the ingredients, mix them and drop the mix onto the baking sheet. They’ll feel like pastry chefs!

Then store them in the fridge in a sealed plastic container with the cookies sitting between layers of wax paper. Right before delivery place them in a decorative tin box and include a creative gift message. Have your son bring a smile to grandma’s face with a box of these decadent cookies topped with a ribbon tied around it and a message inside like, “Hope your heart is filled with joy today just like this tin is filled with these delicious cookies I made for you. I’m thinking about you grandma!” Your daughter could deliver a gift wrapped tin box to her third grade teacher with a message such as, “You’ve helped me get good grades. Hope these cookies get a good grade too. Thanks Mrs. Carter for everything.”

You and the kids will have fun and Mrs. Carter and grandma will be filled with happiness. Chocolate peanut butter no bake cookies make great grandparents gifts, teacher gifts, birthday gifts, thank you gifts and more. Enjoy spending some quality time with your kids. And they’ll feel good about making others smile.

Easy Recipes You Can Attempt in Your Microwave

The microwave oven is a useful friend when you have leftover ramen sitting in the fridge, and need to just heat it up for lunch. Same goes for instant noodles and some microwave ready foods. However, the microwave oven can also serve as an alternative to regular stove cooking. Here are some simple but delicious recipes you can try at home using your handy microwave.

Scrambled eggs

This is rather common one. Instead of wasting cooking gas, why not cook this in the microwave? Just break two eggs into a microwave friendly bowl, and add some milk, sugar and maybe a dash of salt and pepper. You may add pieces of bacon or ham or anything else that you like in your eggs. Beat the mixture with a fork or whisk and pop it in the microwave oven for about 2 minutes on the “High” setting. Take it out and enjoy! Don’t however try to attempt to boil eggs in the microwave as it might explode. Even reheating boiled eggs is a risk.

5 minute Chocolate Cake

Ever been back from a tired day at work, and craving for a slice of chocolate cake? Well good news for you, you don’t actually have to make the entire cake. This recipe has been a sensation over the internet, and it just takes about 5 minutes. Just mix together 4 tbsp of cake flour, 4 tbsp of sugar and 2 tbsp of cocoa or hot chocolate mix in a bowl or even a mug. Spoon in an egg. Stir in 3 tbsp of oil and 3 tbsp of milk, and mix well. Put in the microwave at High for 2 ½ to 3 minutes (depending on the wattage of your microwave). The cake will rise and might start popping out if you are using a mug, but don’t worry about it, it’s supposed to happen. When it has stopped rising, take it out, let it set and it’s ready to eat. It might not be the richest cake in the world, but it will be a quick chocolate fix.

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Potato chips

This one is simple and yet tasty! Just slice one potato into slices about paper thin (if you have a mandoline this will make it easier). Pour 1 table spoon of vege oil into a produce bag. Then add the potato slices before shaking and coating them evenly. Coat a large flat plate lightly with cooking oil, and lay out the slices on it in one layer. Put in the microwave until it has turned light brown (cooking time may vary according to the wattage, so keep an eye on it). Take it out and toss with salt or any of your favorite seasonings. It is perfect for a TV day in.

Macaroni and Cheese

This is a favorite among those looking for a quick dinner. Put some pasta in a microwave friendly bowl and add water till it is just above the pasta. Put it in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or longer (until it gets al dente and springy). Take it out and drain the water, and pour in cold water to stop the cooking of the pasta. In a separate bowl, microwave a tablespoon of butter for 1 to 1 ½ minute. Take it out and pour in some milk (around ½ to 1 cup) and cheese (as much as you may like). Cook in microwave at high temperature for about 2 to 3 minutes, taking it out every 30 seconds or a minute to stir. Once the sauce is done, add the pasta to the sauce and bon appetite!

These are only a small example of real food you can cook in the microwave. Try testing with others and you may be surprised at what you find

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Quick and Easy Recipes for Sausage and Peppers

Whether eaten on a bun or by itself, sausage with peppers is a delicious meal to make for you and your family.  My first encounter with this tasty sandwich was at a county fair when I was a youngster.  It basically consisted of spicy Italian sausage, onions, green pepper and a tomato based sauce.  Since then I have tried many different variations of this comfort food favorite.  You can experiment with different sauces, peppers, onions and sausage to create your own masterpiece.  Here are a couple quick and easy sausage and peppers recipes for you to try, just in time for Football Sunday!

Sausage and Peppers

What you need:

1.5-2 lbs Italian sausage links
2 large onions, sliced
1 large red or yellow bell pepper, cut in strips
1 large green bell pepper, cut in strips
3/4 t salt
1/2 t oregano leaves
2 T olive oil

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What you do:

Pour about 1/3 c water into a large skillet.  Add sausage to skillet and cook over med heat until water simmers.  Cover skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes.  Remove cover and continue cooking, turning often, for about 20 minutes or until sausage is nicely browned.  Set aside sausage and add olive oil to skillet.  Heat oil and add all remaining ingredients to pan.  Cook over med heat until vegetables are browned and tender, stirring often.  Add sausage to skillet, cover and cook on low until heated through.
Sausage and peppers are great by themselves or with a side of rice.  They are also delicious on a brat bun or crusty roll with your favorite condiments.

Low Fat Sausage and Peppers

What you need:

14 -16 oz package smoked turkey sausage
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, cut in strips
1 large red pepper, cut in strips
14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes
4 oz can sliced mushrooms, drained
2 T olive oil
1 t oregano
1 t basil
1/2 t red pepper flakes
1/4 t garlic salt
1/8 t black pepper

What you do:

Heat 1 T olive oil in a large skillet over med-high heat.  Add onion, peppers, mushrooms, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to skillet and cook until vegetables are softened but still crisp, stirring frequently.  Remove vegetables from pan.  Heat 1 T oil in skillet.  Cut sausage in half lengthwise, then slice in 1/2 inch pieces.  Add sausage to skillet and cook at med-high heat until lightly browned.  Add vegetables and crushed tomatoes to skillet and mix.  Cook over medium-heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through; serve. 
If you’re not worried about the fat content, you may use polish sausage or smoked sausage.

Easy Recipes For Your Crockpot or Slow Cooker: Roast, Ribs, and Stew. All Are Yummy!

If you aren’t already doing so, get out that slow cooker or crockpot and put it to work for you.  You can buy less expensive cuts of meat, cook without heating up your oven or standing over a hot stove, or just put your meal on, go about your day and forget about dinner.  Whether you like roast, saucy ribs, or chicken stew, these recipes are for you!  Each of these recipes will allow you to go home after a long day and have a healthy dinner on the table for your family quickly and easily.

EASY CROCKPOT ROAST
3 lb beef roast
1 can cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 pkg dry onion soup mix
1 cup water

Place roast in crockpot (or slowcooker) fat side up. Combine the cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, and the water; stir to blend well. Pour mixture over the top of the roast. Cook on low for about 10 hours.

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SLOW COOKER SHORT RIBS
2/3 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 to 4 1/2 lbs boneless beef short ribs
1/4 cup butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 1/2 cups beef broth
3/4 cup cider vinegar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/3 cup catsup
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 tsp chili powder

In a 1-gallon size zip-top plastic bag, combine the flour, salt, and pepper; add ribs in batches and shake to coat well.

In a large skillet, brown the ribs in the butter then transfer to a 5-quart slow cooker or crockpot. In the same skillet, combine the remaining ingredients. Cook, stirring, until mixture comes to a boil. Pour the mixture over the ribs.

Cover the ribs and cook on low heat for 9 hours or until the meat is tender.

Yield: about 12 servings.

ITALIAN CHICKEN STEW
12 boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 cans Italian-style diced tomatoes
2 cups cubed zucchini
1 cup diced onion
1 cup baby carrots
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
8 cups cooked pasta

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Combine all ingredients except pasta in the crockpot. Cook on low at least 6 hours or until chicken is cooked through. To serve, place pasta on serving plate or bowl and top with the stew.

Enjoy!

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Quick And Easy Recipes For Scallops

You don’t need a bunch of ingredients or a lot of time to make a
delicious meal with scallops.  A little bit of love and a minimal bit of skill
will bring out the sweet taste of the scallop to your palate.  Here are
three quick and easy to make recipes for scallops that I hope you will
enjoy.

Pan Fried Scallops

What you need:

1 lb fresh sea scallops (medium sized)
1/3 cup bread crumbs
3 T butter
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
dash of paprika (1/16 t)
1 lemon

What you do:

In medium bowl, combine salt, pepper, paprika and bread
crumbs; add scallops and roll until coated.  Heat butter in large
skillet over medium-high heat.  Add scallops and fry until golden-
brown, approximately 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally.  
Serve with lemon wedges.

Scallops Italiano

What you need:

1 lb large sea scallops
2 T olive oil
1/4 t pepper
1/8 t salt
1 clove garlic, minced
11/2 t fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 T fresh parsley, chopped
11/2 c tomatoes, diced
1 T lemon juice

What you do:

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, parsley, basil, garlic,
lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Heat oil in a large skillet, add
scallops and cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes on each
side.  Add the other ingredients from bowl and cook until heated
through (no more than 2 minutes) while stirring.

Quick and Easy Scallops

What you need:

1 lb bay scallops
2 T olive oil
lemon pepper

What you do:

Season scallops with lemon pepper per taste.  In a medium
skillet, heat oil on high heat.  Add scallops to skillet and cook for
5 minutes, turning scallops over halfway through cooking.  
Serve with lemon wedges or melted butter.

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Really Inexpensive and Easy Recipes: Biscuit Hamburger Bake, Spoon Bread, and Pink Flannel Hash

With so many people out-of-work and almost all of us watching our finances, inexpensive family meals are becoming more and more important. Here are some old-fashion recipes that offer you meals that are easy, inexpensive yet tasty. These recipes should be a hit with the whole family while saving you money on your food budget. Biscuit Hamburger Bake is quick, easy, inexpensive, and has meat, vegetables, bread, and dairy all in one dish. Spoon Bread is an old recipe from Tennessee for a cornbread type bread baked in a casserole dish. Pink Flannel Hash uses tuna, potatoes, eggs, etc for a quick, inexpensive meal. So take heart, and give these recipes a try to help you save money on your trips to the grocery store.

BISCUIT HAMBURGER BAKE

This recipe is from an old community cookbook in Southern Indiana where I was born and raised.

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can condensed Vegetable Soup
1/2 tbsp oregano
dash of pepper
1 can refrigerated biscuits
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef with onion until meat is browned and onion is tender; drain well to remove fat. Stir in the can of soup, oregano, and pepper; heat to bubbling. Pour mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish that has been buttered. Top with the biscuits. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread the sour cream over the biscuits then top with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake another 10 minutes.

SPOON BREAD

This is an old Tennessee hills recipe.

2 cups white corn meal
2 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 tbsp melted butter
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 egg whites, beaten

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Add corn meal slowly to boiling water. Let stand for 3 minutes. Add butter to the corn meal mixture. Stir in salt, egg yolks, baking soda, and buttermilk. Fold in the egg whites and turn into a greased baking dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.

PINK FLANNEL HASH

This old recipe was a clipping I found in a box of my late mother’s recipes. I have no idea where this clipping originated.

1/3 cup butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
2 cups finely chopped red bell pepper
1/2 tsp Tabasco sauce
2 cups Idaho frozen southern style hash brown potatoes
1 can (6 1/2-7 oz) tuna, drained and flaked
4 eggs

In a large skillet melt butter; saute the onions and peppers until crisp tender. Stir in Tabasco sauce and potatoes. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until potatoes are tender and golden (about 15 minutes). Stir in tuna. Make four wells in potato mixture; break one egg into each well. Cover and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until eggs are set. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Serves 4.

Enjoy!

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Easy Recipes From Around The World For Kids

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Easy Florentine Rice
Easy Hot Dog Cheese Roll Ups
Easy Hungarian Soup
Easy Meatball Paprikash
Easy Microwave Pizza Bagels
Easy Oven Stew
Easy Pasta Speciala
Easy Pork Chop Dinner
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Soap Making?A Fragrant and Easy Recipe for Handmade Decorative Soaps

If you are looking for a unique party favor, guest soap, or maybe just a clever and crafty item to decorate the home with, try this very easy recipe for making a handmade decorative soap that will explode with a lush bouquet of floral fragrance and will impress your guests, gift recipient, or party goers.

You will need the following supplies:

2 lb Box – natural Glycerin soap found at most craft stores or online – We chose avocado cucumber Plastic soap mold – We chose both square & circle shapes with a flower motif Food coloring – We combined red & blue to make lavender Soap fragrance – We chose a pear berry scent, but you can also mix a variety of different fragrances 1 package of clear lollipop bags – We chose these because of the already built in ribbon 1 piece of decorative scrapbooking paper, 12in. x 12in. 1 piece of plain white scrapbooking paper, 12in.x 12in. – We chose to make our gift tags, but you can also use label stickers instead of making your own Raffia ribbon in a coordinating color – 1.5 to 2 yards, or 15 feet Crafts scissors Hole puncher Glass measuring cup – We used one with a handle for easy pouring Wax paper

Depending on the size of your mold, heat the desired amount of natural Glycerin soap in the microwave.  We used 2 small pieces of soap for a medium size mold.  So, for 2 small pieces heat on high for 10 seconds, then 5 seconds intervals until melted. Note: If you don’t have a microwave, a double boiler can be used.

Add food coloring, 2 – 3 drops per color.  Next, add your soap fragrance, 3-6 drops. Stir quickly and pour in to your mold and let cool (20-40 minutes).  While soaps are cooling, lay a piece of wax paper down on to your work space.  Using your thumbs, apply gentle, constant pressure to release from mold.

Wait 1-2 days until soaps are firm before placing in to the clear bags.  Now, for a few extra special touches, hand address paper gift tags or pre-made labels/stickers and set aside.  Using your craft scissors, cut decorative scrapbooking paper into strips long enough to wrap around the center of your soap.  Once you have determined the size of your strips, cut raffia ribbon the same length leaving enough so ribbon can be tied in to a bow.

If you are right handed, wrap a strip of decorative paper around the center of the soap & hold in place with your left hand.  Using your right hand, wrap the raffia ribbon around and over the top of your strip.  If you are left handed, just do the reverse.  Before securing the ends of the ribbon, we ran it thru the gift tag then tied a bow at the ends.  If you decide to do this step, punch a hole thru the top of your paper gift tag. 

Gently place your nicely wrapped soap in to the clear lollipop bags and nicely tie the ribbon to create a bow.  You now have a truly unique party favor, or unwrapped, an impressive and fragrant home décor item to add to the home. 

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