Jolene's Recipe Journal

  My husband is very picky about his steak and my son has sensory issues coupled with a bad steak experience from a few years ago, so I searched through Pinterest and assessed my possibilities.  I've gotten my kid to eat chicken, pork and eggplant all by breading it, so I mulled over the idea of country fried steak, but I am terrible at making gravy.   My friend Sue suggested steak fingers, and a quick google search turned up these on Allrecipes.

These were on the menu for Superbowl, but I ended up having so much other food I scrapped them.   My son and I threw them together last night and we really enjoyed them.  I only did a few hot dogs worth, and the rest as plain muffins.    

I’ve always loved cashews, but with my husband and son both having severe tree nut allergies, I’ve had to be very careful. Lately, I’ve been searching for a snack that hits that same crunchy, satisfying craving without any risk—and that’s when I discovered roasted chickpeas. What You’ll Need 2–3 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed Salt, to taste Cayenne pepper, to taste Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste Olive oil, optional (for finishing) Baking sheet How to Make Them Preheat oven to 425°F. Spread the drained and rinsed chickpeas on a baking sheet in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt, cayenne, and freshly cracked black pepper. Roast for 45–50 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally to prevent sticking. If desired, lightly mist with olive oil and add a final sprinkle of seasoning before serving. Tips & Variations Experiment with seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, or cinnamon for sweet or savory flavors. Store cooled roasted ...

We're big football fans, but we're also big fans of football food. Sometimes I go with a theme, sometimes it's picnic style (my son's favorite), but always I have the same game plan-  make a lot of food that's good at room temp or easily reheatable so that I can sit and watch the game!      :) This week I stuck with some old favorites, pulled pork in the slowcooker (pork roast and bottle of Jack Daniels BBQ sauce on low 8 hours, shred, serve on rolls),  nachos (chips and cheese set up on plates so that plus cheese, crackers and fruit. I decided to treat myself to a few spicy dishes since there was plenty of options for the guys to eat.    Combed my to-try files and the first to go on the menu was Sweet and Spicy Jalapeno Poppers from Country Woman.    The chicken and bacon poppers use a mixture of brown sugar and Penzey's BBQ3000 spice mix, so I simply doubled it and dipped the jalapeno poppers first. I had to bake mine lon...

I was a little skeptical when I saw this recipe...  take a jelly sandwich, add deli meat and cheese and then dip and fry it up like french toast.   Oh-kay.    We're pretty much snowed in today and the guys wanted pork chops so I figured it was a good day to experiment with my own meal.    I didn't have raspberry jam, I used strawberry.   Not a huge Swiss cheese fan, so I used shredded mozzarella.    Next time I'd have some sliced on hand, would make it easier to flip the sandwich in the egg coating.      The flavors all meld together into something totally delicious.    Give it a try! Monte Cristo Sandwiches Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 4 servings 1 large egg 3 large egg whites 1/4 cup low-fat milk 1 pinch ground nutmeg 8 teaspoons raspberry jam 8 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread 4 thin slices roasted deli turkey -- (about 4 ounces) 4 thin slices deli ham -- (about 4 ou...

Enjoy a warm bowl of  our Lemon Chicken Rice Soup! It's made with chunks of chicken, fresh carrots, rice and a lemony broth with pepper and parsley.

Chocolate Cream Pie has a chocolate pudding filling in a graham cracker crust, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

I have a million potato recipes. We like them all kinds of ways. I've done potatoes on the grill before, but always in a packet or a grill pan.  I saw this recipe on TOH while poking around one day and put it straight on the to-try list.    

  Starting the week off with a winner!   I saw Carol's review of this and was so excited to give it a try.    I used her changes for the baking powder/soda and omitted the nuts.    Keeping in mind my veggiephobes, I peeled the zucchini before I shredded it and it all but disappears in the finished bread.   I also cheated and tossed the cherries into the food processor and gave it a few pulses.     Lastly, I sprinkled the top with coarse sugar, Tim really likes the crunch it gives baked goods and so do I.  Couldn't locate my 8x4 pans, so had to use 9x5s.   It made 2 nice loaves.  Jake and Tim have already eaten half a loaf!  Thank you, Carol and thanks to Susie Ann! Cherry Vanilla Zucchini Bread Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 2 eggs 1 c. canola or vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 c. grated zucchini 1/2...

Mom made us tons of popsicles growing up.   She poured juice into paper cups, stuck them in the freezer and then stuck sticks in them and let them freeze completely.  We thought she was a magician!  Now there are all kinds of popsicle molds, and I've owned several of them.    Puttering around amazon.com I ran across these molds by Tavolo, and I didn't hesitate, into my cart they went.

Zucchini bread can be so much more than just a sweet treat! This delicious savory Parmesan version is fantastic whether you enjoy it toasted or just as it is. It makes for a perfect snack or a tasty side dish that everyone will love! Another winner here.   Since I've got one confirmed veggiephobe and one recently reformed veggiephobe, I decided to go with summer squash instead of zucchini on this one, going with the "camo" factor.    I used granulated onion instead of grated.  

This Pizza Cake is the perfect April Fools' dessert — it looks just like a cheesy pan pizza, but it’s actually a fun, delicious treat! Had scheduled this Pizza Cake for April Fool's day after seeing it on the Taste of Home website but never got around to it.   Decided since today was the last day of April vacation, it would be a fun thing for Jake and I to do together.   Instead of round pans we baked it in a 13x9 according to the cake mix package directions. He spread the "sauce" out using an offset spatula. Next came the white chocolate "cheese".    Then the fruit roll up "pepperoni" rounds.   Jake said it needed "herbs" so we sprinkled the top with 2 kinds of green sprinkles at the end.    He was very pleased with how it came out and couldn't wait to fool Daddy with his creation! Pizza Cake Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 18 ounce package yellow cake mix and ingredients to make ca...

Looking for a dessert that’s as fun to make as it is to eat? This Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes recipe bakes the batter directly in the cone, making them easy to serve, fun to decorate, and a perfect treat for birthdays, bake sales, or kids’ parties.

These delightful classic waffles are super simple to whip up! They’re wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. They’re perfect topped with a pat of butter and drizzled with syrup, or you can enjoy them with your favorite seasonal fruit! Ok, the first step is admitting I have a problem.  Here goes! I, Jolene Martinelli, am addicted to waffles.   After years of frozen Eggos, and disappointingly flat icky homemade ones, I have finally found a waffle maker that churns out restaurant style and quality waffles.   I love my new waffle iron.  

Green beans are one of the few veggies my guys will eat without complaint so that means we eat them a lot. This is recipe from Taste of Home is one of our favorite ways to have them.  I love that it uses ingredients that I always have on hand.

  Paula Deen’s Lemon Blossoms are a classic treat bursting with bright lemon flavor. This simple dessert starts with a yellow cake mix and instant lemon pudding, making it easy to whip up anytime.

We eat a lot of chicken and I'm always on the lookout for new ways to make it.  A friend from an online community shared this recipe with me.  I didn't have any cooked chicken around, so I boiled my chicken in stock/water to cover for about 30 mins and then shredded it.     Even my son ate half a good-sized sandwich, and normally it's a fight to get him to eat anything with sauce on it.   

My 40th birthday cake-  yellow Betty Crocker cake mix, Martha Stewart's pastry cream, doubled and 1c heavy cream boiled and 1/2c semi sweet chocolate for the ganache.   Jake asked for seconds, something he's never done with cake before.     Martha Stewart's Pastry Cream Print With Image Without Image Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 1 cup milk 1/2 of a vanilla bean 1/4 cup + 1Tablespoon sugar 3 egg yolks 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon flour 1 teaspoon unsalted butter Instructions Scald milk, vanilla bean and 1/4c sugar. In separate bowl, beat yolks with 1T sugar until thick. Sprinkle in cornstarch and flour and continue beating until well mixed. Beat half of milk into egg yolk mixture. Combine with remaining milk and quickly bring to a boil, whisking rapidly. Remove from heat and pour into bowl to cool. Rub top with butter to prevent skin. Cover with plastic wrap and cool. Notes Source: Martha Stewart Living magazine Other recipes y...

Been in an extended cooking slump...  Trying to get a handle on my husband's summer schedule and the weather has been up and down temp wise.    Yesterday was a perfect day to grill, and chicken was next up in the protein rotation.    This was a Pinterest find, from the Hungry Harps blog. 

I made this for the first time in June 2006 and have made it just about every June since! It works with sugar free jell-o, and I've also used a combination of cut up strawberries and rhubarb, or even blueberries and rhubarb. Got this cooling on top of the stove and I had to sneak a taste. WOW! I've never made anything with rhubarb before, but my dear FIL gave us some to try. Very, very good! Strawberry Rhubarb Crunch Print With Image Without Image Yield: 12 Author: Jolene's Recipe Journal Ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups packed brown sugar 1 cup cold butter or margarine 2 cups quick-cooking oats 6 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb -- thawed 1 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 (3-ounce) package strawberry gelatin Vanilla ice cream -- optional Instructions In a bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in the oats. Press half into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish; top with rhubarb....

Snow day today, so scrambled to come up with a lunch we all could eat.  Hot dogs defrost real fast, so started peeking through my recipes and came up with this one from Pillsbury .  

This Powdered Sugar Glaze is my go-to for decorated cookies!  I've been making this one since 2007. 

Absolutely gorgeous here yesterday, sunny and warm.   Tim's started his new job this week, which means eating a main meal at 5pm instead of our usual midday one.    I had peaches and a bunch of other veggies from the farm, and salsa & chips sounded like a perfect light lunch.

Caprese Pasta Salad combines elbow macaroni with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, red onion, and a balsamic vinaigrette.

Our Country Style Tomatoes are filled with a yummy herbed cream cheese, coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and pan-fried to a perfect golden brown! This recipe was featured on Taste of Home's Facebook page recently, and I'd been waiting for an opportunity to give them a try. The tomatoes from the farm this year are amazing! These are a bit fidgety, and make a lot of dishes.

Looking for a show-stopping dessert that's both delicious and nostalgic? This Double Layer Pineapple Upside Down Cake is one of my most requested bakes, a sweet, moist cake topped with caramelized pineapple rings and cherries. When I baked from home to earn extra income, this cake quickly became a customer favorite and it's still one of the most-loved recipes I make today.  What you'll need: 1 box yellow or pineapple cake mix (15.75 oz), plus the ingredients listed to make the cake (i.e. eggs, oil) Pineapple rings Maraschino cherries Crushed pineapple Brown sugar Butter (Full ingredient measurements and instructions are below.) Tips for Baking Success 1. Adjust for New Cake Mix Sizes Cake mix boxes have shrunk over the years. If you're using a 15.75 oz mix , bake the cakes in 8-inch round cake pans for the best results. Want to use 9-inch cake pans? No problem! Use a cake mix upsizer to make up the difference and avoid thin layers that are hard to ...