Mom's Test Meal Mondays #23

 

It's New Year's Eve (eve) y'all!!  I can't believe 2012 is only hours away from being over!! 

 

For the new year, I'm changing up a few things with Mom's Test Meal Mondays!  I am no longer going to do a theme every week.  There will still be weeks where we will have certain themes but most week's it's now just going to be open to you to link up any of your favorite recipes!  Then I'll share features based on a few of my favorites & then still share the most viewed.  I've also created a separate Pinterest board for the recipes linked up to the party, not just the features! 

 

Speaking of favorites ~ I owe y'all a whole crap load of features don't I?!?!  The holidays got me all out of whack with my posting schedule!!  So this week, no recipe, we're going to do some features!!!

 

So let's start with 2 week's ago ~ Comfort Food!!

 

Here are a few of my favs:

 

 

BROWN SUGAR CROCK POT PORK from The Tasty Fork ~ I love brown sugar with pork & the fact that I can make it in my crock pot is just an added bonus!!

 

HOMEMADE CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS from My Biscuits Are Burning ~ this is one of my all time favorite dishes!

 

CREAMY BEEF STROGANOFF OVER BUTTERY EGG NOODLES from The Kitchen of Mama Harris ~ The Hubs picked this one!! He grew up eating stroganoff so this got his vote!! :)

 

And the most viewed link:

 

 

SAVORY BONELESS PORK CHOPS also from The Kitchen of Mama Harris

 

 

 

Now let's talk about Christmas!!!

 

 

CLUB CRACKER CHRISTMAS TOFFEE from Flavors By Four ~ If you haven't tried this stuff, oh man, you're missing out!!  This is GOOD!

 

PROPER FUDGE from Annie's Noms ~ I'm such a sucker for fudge!

 

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT POPCORN from My Sesame Seed Buns ~ I'm also quite the sucker for popcorn

 

HOMEMADE MONKEY BREAD from Growing Up Gabel ~ This was a Christmas morning staple at our house growing up!  I'm weeks away from 32 & I still ask my dad to make it!

 

 

And the most viewed link:

 

 

COUNTRY GRAVY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE from Miss Information

 

 

All of y'all feel free to grab a features button! And congratulations!!

The features will be pinned to my MTM Monday's Features Pinterest Board which you can check out HERE!

 

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So now let's party!

The party is open to any and all of your favorite recipes!!

 

Just the reminders:

• I would love to have you as a new friend!! Please take a minute to follow via GFC, Twitter, FB, or any other social media you prefer
• You are welcome to link up any recipe you like but please only link up a total of 3 recipes. 
• Please feel free to grab the button in the sidebar or add a direct link back to the week's party that you are linking up to
• And finally, go make some new friends ~ spend a few minutes checking out some other recipes that you might want to try out yourself & comment! Everyone loves comments!!
• Please note that by linking up you are giving permission to use the photos along with a link back to your post in the Mom's Test Meal Mondays Features post & on Mom's Test Kitchen's Social Media Networks



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Eggplant Muffuletta #SundaySupper

WHO'S READY FOR A NEW YEARS PARTY #SUNDAYSUPPER STYLE??

 

 

We're kicking off the New Year with a Potluck Party with non other than the beloved Emeril!!  Twenty-Five Sunday Supper Contributors have gotten the privilege to share some of our favorite recipes from two of Emeril's cookbooks ~ Emeril's Potluck: Comfort Food with a Kicked-Up Attitude & Emeril's Kicked-Up Sandwiches: Stacked with Flavor!

 

 

I was so excited when I got my copy of the Emeril's Kicked-Up Sandwiches

 Cookbook & I immediately began reading through the recipes!  There are so many new sandwich recipes in there that I can not wait to try! 

 

 

For this party though, since it's New Years & we all want to start the year off healthy, I just had to pick one of Emeril's hearty meatless sandwiches!  I absolutely love eggplant & was so thrilled to see his twist on the classic Muffuletta sandwich. 

 

This sandwich definitely did not disappoint!  It's not your classic Muffuletta but it's so good!  We never missed the meat!

 

 



EGGPLANT MUFFULETTA

by Emeril Lagasse

Yield: 4 sandwiches

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INGREDIENTS:

• 2 medium eggplants (about 1 & 1/2 pounds), trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 loaf seeded Italian bread
• Basil Spread (page 318)
• 2 cups New Orleans-Style Olive Salad (page 28)
• 4 ounces sliced mozzarella cheese
• 4 ounces sliced provolone cheese

 

LETS COOK:

 

1. Position an oven rack as close to the broiler unit as possible, and preheat the broiler.

2. Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on two lightly greased baking sheets. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush both sides of the slices with the olive oil. Season both sides with the salt and pepper. Broil the eggplant, in batches, until the slices are tender and lightly browned and have released most of their moisture, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and keep warm.

3. Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and move the oven rack to the center position.

4. When you are ready to assemble the sandwiches, slice the loaf of bread in half horizontally. Using a pastry brush, spread the bottom half with a generous amount of Basil Spread.

5. Spread the olive salad (with its olive oil—do not strain) over the top half of the loaf. Layer the sliced mozzarella and provolone on top of the olive salad, and then layer the slices of eggplant. Place the bottom half of the sandwich on top and lightly press. Quickly and carefully turn the loaf over so that the olive salad side is on top.

6. Place the muffuletta on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake until the cheese has melted, the muffuletta is heated through, and the bread is slightly crisp, about 12 minutes.

7. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and carefully transfer the loaf to a cutting board. Press lightly, and cut the loaf into 4 sections. Serve immediately.
 

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Emeril’s Kicked-up Sandwiches, William Morrow Publishers, New York, 2012  

NOTES:

*I made a few adaptations to Emeril's original sandwich based on what was available at my store: when I went shopping, my grocery store was out of provolone cheese so I simply used all mozzarella slices for the sandwiches.  I also used a pre-made Olive Bruschetta in place of his New Orleans Style Olive Salad & used Tomato bread rather than the Italian seeded ~ that was simply taste preference :)

 

 

 

Now for the party!! 

 

First, I get the opportunity to give away a copy of one of Emeril's two cookbooks ~ Emeril's Potluck or Kicked-Up Sandwiches ~ to one lucky reader!!  The winner will randomly be chosen tonight during the #SundaySupper live twitter chat!  Simply follow the #SundaySupper hashtag!

To Enter: Simply send me a tweet with your favorite Emeril recipe and/or New Year's recipe! Be sure to include my Twitter handle @MomsTestKitche1 & the #SundaySupper hastag in your tweet!!  Then join us for the #SundaySupper twitter chat at 7 pm EST!

The Giveaway will end tonight at 8 pm EST & the winner will be chosen via random.org.  Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only.

 

There are more opportunities to win. Remember there are 25 bloggers giving away an Emeril cookbook. Be sure to visit each one of these blogs, check out their post, and enter to win. There are duplicate recipes in the list however each post will be different. It is worth it to visit them all, especially for more chances to win a cookbook.

Sunday Supper NYE Potluck Drinks:

• Champagne Punch by girlichef
• Champagne Punch by Daily Dish Recipes
• Champagne Punch by Midlife Roadtrip
• Champagne Punch by Family Foodie
• Chi Chi Cocktails by The Messy Baker Blog

Sunday Supper NYE Potluck Starters:

• Spiced Nuts by The Cookie A Day Challenge
• Spiced Nuts by Small Wallet Big Appetite
• Spiced Nuts by Home Cooking Memories
• Spiced Nuts by Mama.Mommy.Mom
• Prosciutto Breadsticks & Spiced Nuts by Galactosemia in PDX

Sunday Supper NYE Potluck Dishes and Sandwiches:

• Sopressata and Genoa Salami Calzones by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Paul’s Make the Whole Crew Happy Sausage Meatballs with Red Gravy by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Paul’s Make the Whole Crew Happy Sausage Meatballs with Red Gravy by The Meltaways
• Paul’s Make the Whole Crew Happy Sausage Meatballs with Red Gravy by Craving’s of a Lunatic
• Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich by Supper for a Steal
• Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich by Diabetic Foodie
• Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
• Three Cheese Veggie Sandwich by In the Kitchen with Audrey and Maurene
• Columbia Street Grinder by The Foodie Army Wife
• Columbia Street Grinder by The Weekend Gourmet
• Columbia Street Grinder by She likes ruffles, he likes truffles
• Columbia Street Grinder by Momma’s Meals
• Emeril’s Columbia Street Grinder Kicked Up a Notch New Orleans Style by The Catholic Foodie
• Eggplant Muffuletta by Mom’s Test Kitchen
• A Vegetarian Take on Emeril’s Kicked Up Sandwiches Tonkatsu Sandwich by Ninja Baking
• New Orleans Style Garlic BBQ Shrimp by Comfy Cuisine

Sunday Supper NYE Desserts:

• New Orleans-Style Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce by Magnolia Days
• New Orleans-Style Bread Pudding with 2 Sauces by Juanita’s Cocina
• Angel Cake Sandwiches by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Coffee Cake with Crumble Topping and Brown Sugar Glaze by Damn Delicious

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

 



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A Blast From The Past

As we're only days away from wrapping up the year, I thought I would take you back through the top 12 recipes of 2012!!

 

 

You crazy kids love your desserts!!

 

 

#12

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH STUFFED CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM ICING & PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE FROSTING

 

 

 

#11

SPICY RANCH CHICKEN

 

 

 

#10

CINNAMON BUTTER SNICKERDOODLES

 

 

 

#9

COUNTRY APPLE DUMPLINGS

 

 

 

#8

SOUR CREAM POUND CAKE

 

 

 

#7

ROASTED BROCCOLI

 

 

 

#6

CARAMEL APPLE COOKIES

 

 

 

#5

APPLE PIE COOKIES

 

 

 

#4

BROWN SUGAR COOKIE BARS

 

 

 

#3

CREAM CHEESE SWIRLED RED VELVET COOKIES

 

 

 

#2

RED HOT COOKIES

 

 

 

#1

FRIED PICKLES

 

 

 

 

I hope y'all will join me for a whole new batch of recipes in 2013!!

 

Have a great New Year!! 

  

 

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Mom's Test Meal Mondays Christmas Edition

Happy Christmas Eve Eve y'all!!!

I can't believe it's less than 48 hours before Santa makes his appearance!!  I'm so excited!!  I'm still such a kid when it comes to Christmas!  I still can't sleep in Christmas morning.  Growing up my parents eventually made the rule that I wasn't allowed to come out of my room Christmas morning until after the sun had come up!

This week we are sharing our favorite holiday recipes!  What foods do you love to eat for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or any other reason you celebrate this time of year?  My wonderful co-host Marie from Listening Rather Than Speaking is here sharing a perfect Christmas treat!!

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The holidays to me screams COOKIES, CANDY, AND SWEETS. 

I found this recipe on http://allrecipes.com, a long time ago. 

I tried making them and they came out amazing! :)  I wanted to share this recipe with you! 

Hazelnut Christmas Cookies

Original recipe makes 48 servings

Ingredients

 1/2 cup butter, softened  1/2 cup white sugar

 1 egg   1/2 teaspoon salt

 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted  1/4 teaspoon baking soda

 1/2 cup ground hazelnuts  1 egg, beaten

 1/4 cup multicolored candy sprinkles (jimmies), or amount needed (optional)

PREP 15 mins

COOK 12 mins

READY IN 8 hrs 27 mins

Directions

1. Beat the butter, sugar, egg, and salt together in a mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour and baking soda, and mix just until blended. Mix in the hazelnuts.

2. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and shape into 2 1/2 inch log. Wrap snugly in wax paper, and refrigerate overnight.

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease baking sheets.

4. Unwrap, and cut the log into 1/8 inch thick slices. Place on prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart.

5.Brush tops with beaten egg and, if desired, decorate with sprinkles.

6. Bake in preheated oven until edges are lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool on racks, and store in an airtight tin.

SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! 

GET TO BAKING! :)

&&
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

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So now let's party!

Remember this week's theme is Holiday Favorites.

The party is open to any and all of your favorite recipes, but only recipes that fit the theme will be featured at the end of the week. :)

Just the reminders:

 

• Myself & Marie would love to have you as new friends!! Please take a minute to follow us both via GFC, Twitter, FB, or any other social media you prefer
• You are welcome to link up any recipe you like but only recipes that are consistent with the week's theme will be featured at the end of the week.
• Please feel free to grab the button in the sidebar or add a direct link back to the week's party that you are linking up to
• And finally, go make some new friends ~ spend a few minutes checking out some other recipes that you might want to try out yourself & comment! Everyone loves comments!!
• Please note that by linking up you are giving permission to use the photos along with a link back to your post in the Mom's Test Meal Mondays Features post & on Mom's Test Kitchen's Social Media Networks

And remember, if anyone is interested in being a co-host for Mom's Test Meal Mondays, please email me at momstestkitchen (at) yahoo (dot) com! I'd love to have you!

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An Update & a Discount

So y'all remember a few months ago when I told y'all I was ready for a change?  Ready to lose this baby toddler weight?  Well I started on the Creative Bioscience Diet 1234 & even though the pills are kinda large {I hate swallowing pills!} I have been very pleased with the diet.  It might have been all in my head, but within the first day or two, I was already noticing a decrease in my appetite without the jitteryness that I have gotten from other weight loss supplements.  I wasn't having those 'cravings' or the 'I'm bored so that means I'm hungry' feelings.  I've lost pounds & just overall gotten healthier because I have for the most part cut out all sodas and any other beverages except water with lemon!  I still have more weight I want to lose but doing this diet for the past 90 days has definitely put me on a great path to continue with my goals!!

 

And now, I get to share the opportunity with y'all!!  As the oh so special readers of Mom's Test Kitchen that y'all are, I get to offer y'all a special discount code to try out your own Creative Bioscience diet plan!!  The Life Fit Store offers the lowest online prices available & now you can get an additional 15% off just be using the code:

 

TESTK

 

So are you ready to put that upcoming New Years Resolution in to affect?!?  Here's some more info about the Diet 1234 plan for you:

What will Diet 1234 do all by itself?
Diet 1234 is a weigh management solution that you take on a monthly basis to keep unwanted pounds from making a comeback. It contains many of the same proven, Dr. Oz recommended ingredients, in a blend that is meant to be taken day after day like a vitamin supplement. All by itself Diet 1234 will help you manage a healthy body weight month after month.

What makes Diet 1234 different?
What sets Diet 1234 apart from competitors or other weight management solutions is that it centers around 5 core ingredients all recommended by Dr. Oz and in their recommended doses. No other product on the market even comes close.

Who buys this product, in other words, what needs does Diet 1234 resolve for people?
Diet 1234 helps you continue to control cravings, keep your energy up and burn off fat all with proven ingredients recommended by Dr. Oz.

How safe is this product?
It is our highest rated product for safety.

Is exercise required in order to see results?
No. As part of an overall healthy lifestyle we do recommend daily activity in accordance with your doctors recommendation. You will see better results with a 30 minute walk each day, if you’re able, but it’s not required in order to see results.

Is there a strict meal plan to follow?
No. We do offer a meal plan if you want one to follow but their is not a specific diet. We do endorse a healthy lifestyle by making smart food choices.

Christmas Drop Cookies #BloggersforSandyHook

Did you know that baking cookies could make you cry?  I didn't know that until today.  As I started pulling out the ingredients for the cookies, Princess P grabbed her little stool and came running into the kitchen saying 'I help you mommy'

 

Right there my heart broke.  She has no idea that the reason we were baking was because of a horrible act.  She was just pure innocence wanting to make cookies.

 

So that's what we did.  We made big cookies with lots & lots of sugar sprinkles.  Every kid loves sprinkles right?

 

We made smaller cookies with just as much sprinkles.  We even had a little fun & made cookie cups.

 

Then I picked her up and gave her a hug & kiss.  I thanked God for these moments & I said a prayer for the parents who had lost the chance to have more moments & said a prayer for their angels.

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS DROP COOKIES

Inspired by: Evil Shenanigans

Yield: about 4 dozen cookies 

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INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 & 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 & 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• pinch of salt
• red & green colored sugars

 

LETS COOK:

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheets with parchment paper or non stick foil.

 

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla and almond extracts and beat until well combined.

 

In a separate bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the butter and mix on low speed until the mixture is smooth and no dry flour remains. Fold in large palmfuls of both the red & green sugar sprinkles.

 

Scoop the dough by rounded 1/2 tablespoons and place on the prepared sheet pans two inches apart ~ these cookies spread so make sure to give plenty of room. Sprinkle with more red & green sugar on top if desired. Bake for 8 – 10 minutes, or until the cookies are just golden brown at the edges. Cool for a couple of minutes on the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

 

 

 

I'm not the only blogger today baking or creating for Sandy Hook.  A large group of us have gotten together to show support for the lives lost last Friday.  If you are interested in providing support to Newtown or Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown Youth & Family Services is accepting donations

 



    Also there are a number of shops that are donating their proceeds today directly to Newtown Youth & Family Services.  So if you still have some shopping you need to do, why not shop & give back at the same time?  

Be sure to stop by & check out the other bloggers recipes & crafts that are participating in #BloggersforSandyHook as well!

 

 

This event is brought to you by:

Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks, The Red Headed Baker, Real Housemoms, Crazy for Crust, Something Swanky, Life After Laundry, Two Kids Cooking, Frugal Foodie Mama, The Doctorate Housewife, Heather's French Press, Operation Dinnertime, Lovely Pantry, What's Cooking Love?, Cupcakes and Kale Chips, Occasionally Crafty, Pint Sized Baker, Pineapple and Coconut, Wine & Glue, Lemonsforlulu, A Sweet Baker, Mom On Timeout, The Freshman Cook, Sweet Twist of Blogging, A Family Feast, Julie's Eats & Treats, Eat at Allie's, Here Comes the Sun, The Kitchen is My Playground, Just My Crazy Kitchen, The Sweet Chick, The Tasty Fork, Wholly Delicious Dishes, Chocolate, Chocolate and more , Yours and Mine ARE Ours, Kitchen Meets Girl, Daily Dish Recipes, Sweet Bella Roos, Mom's Test Kitchen

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Santa's Little Helper Cupcakes

Have y'all ever met someone that doesn't like coffee?  Someone that doesn't even really like the smell of coffee?

 

No?

 

Well, Hi, nice to meet you, my name's Jaime!

 

I think I've drank one cup of coffee my whole life & it was 90% Bailey's, 10% coffee.  I'm the person that goes to Starbucks simply to buy gift cards for presents & giveaways :)

 

I'm a tea drinker, always have been.  Nothings better than a big glass of ice cold sweet tea or a cozy mug of hot tea with some lemon and honey.  So when Art of Tea contacted me about trying out some of their flavors & possibly creating some recipes for them, I was more than happy to say yes!! 

 

And they definitely did not disappoint!  They sent me some of their dessert teas to try out & I have loved every one!! 

 

One of my favorite's they sent me is the Santa's Little Helper!  It's a nice blend of dark tea with chocolate & hints of mint!  I knew this was the tea that I wanted to actually turn into a dessert!  These cupcakes turned out super yummy!  The flavor wasn't over powering but the continued flavor between the cake & the icing was perfect!  The Hubs thought they almost tasted like red velvet cake!



 

SANTA'S LITTLE HELPER CUPCAKES

by Mom's Test Kitchen

Yield: 2 dozen cupcakes 

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INGREDIENTS:

for the cupcakes

• 1 box (18.25 ounces) white cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 & 3/4 cup milk
• 1 package Art of Tea Santa's Little Helper Dessert Tea

for the frosting

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup milk/tea reserved
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

 

LETS COOK:

 

for the cupcakes

In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until hot to the touch. Add the loose tea leaves to the hot milk & allow to steep until the milk has cooled ~ all of the leaves should be settled to the bottom of the pot. Pour the milk through a fine mesh strainer into a small bowl or measuring cup.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 cupcake pans with paper liners.

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 2/3 cups butter and 1 & 1/4 cups tea infused milk. Add in the dry cake mix. Beat on low for about 30 seconds & then increase to medium speed for about 2 minutes.

Spoon batter evenly into the cupcake liners, filling about 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread or pipe Santa's Little Helper Frosting evenly over cupcakes.

for the frosting

In a large bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar alternating with the tea/milk mixture slowly ~ I only used about 1/3 cup of the milk. Add in the vanilla & beat until creamy.

 

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