The Mama Test

THE MAMA TEST
I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter.
She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in
her mouth.
I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.
'Why?' my daughter asked.

'Because it's been on the ground; you don't know where it's been,
it's dirty, And probably has germs,' I replied.
At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and
asked, 'Mama, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart.'
I was thinking quickly and replied, 'All moms know this stuff. It's
on the Mama Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a
Mama.'
We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently
pondering this new information.
'Oh.....I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you
have to be the dad.'
'Exactly,' I replied with a big smile on my face.

Best chili ever!

I found this recipe for "best chili ever". It sounded promising so I tried it this afternoon.
Wow!!!! It doesn't lie. The flavor is just incredible. I was worried at first because I tasted it before I let the flavors simmer and it was NOT good!
Let it simmer the whole time and wow- I was floored!!!! I'm not a real heat lover so I toned it down with some tomato juice.
I think you'll love it as much as I do!

Best Chili
Ingredients:
2 1/2 lb. lean chuck, ground
1 lb. lean pork, ground
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion
8 oz. hunt's tomato sauce
1 cup water
1 can beer (12 oz.)
3 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons instant beef bouillon (or 6 cubes)
2 Tablespoons cumin, ground
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons oregano leaves
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon coriander, ground
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon louisiana hot sauce
1 teaspoon cornmeal
1 teaspoon flour
1 teaspoon warm water
Directions:
1. In a large saucepan brown 1 1/4 pounds of the ground meat (the beef and the pork), drain the fat.
2. Remove meat (the beef and the pork). Brown the rest of the ground meat, drain all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
3. Add the garlic and onion, cook and stir until tender.
4. Add the other half of the meat and the tomato sauce, water, beer, chili powder, bouillon, cumin, paprika, oregano, sugar, coriander, cocoa, and hot sauce. Mix well.
5. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, covered , for 2 hours.
6. In a small bowl, stir together the cornmeal and flour, then add the warm water and mix well.
7. Stir into chili and cook, covered, for an additional 20 minutes.

Picture of the week

I put this on facebook so most of you have seen this already- but this is so cute I decided to post it here too:

Halle started reading her books and I looked over and saw this:



How cute is that! She's convinced he likes to listen to her read. I think it might have something to do with that box of cheez-it's sitting right next to her!

Can you believe it???

Yes- I'm actually posting!!
I made this recipe for supper tonight and it's so good I wanted to share it.
This came from Kraft's Food and Family magazine. I love that magazine- they have great recipes that are always inexpensive, easy and they taste great. This recipe didn't dissapoint.
It's meatballs- 2 ways. You make the batch of meatballs and it's enough for 2 suppers served different ways.
Meatball recipe:
2 pds ground beef
1 pkg stove top stuffing mix- chicken flavor
2 eggs
1 1/4 c. water

That's it!! Mix it together. Line a pan with foil and shape into 32 balls - using 1/4 c. for each.
Place 16 meatballs in each pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes at 400 until they reach 160 degrees.

Then you have 2 sauces (one for each night)

Tomato Basil Creme Sauce:
Mix 1 jar (14 oz) spaghetti sauce with 2 oz. cream cheese and 2 T. fresh basil in large skillet. Cook on medium-low heat for 3 minutes until heated through- stirring frequently. Add 16 meatballs; stir evenly to coat. Sprinkle with 1/4 c. parmesan cheese. Serve over cooked linguine noodles.


Creamy Brown Gravy:
Mix 1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy with 1/2 c. sour cream and 2 T. fresh parsley. Cook on medium-low heat 3 minutes until heated through, stirring frequently. Add 16 meatballs and stir to coat. I plan on serving this with baked potatoes.

These meatballs are so delicious. I usually slave over homemade meatballs and I won't quit making them but these are right up there with flavor- very very yummy!

Fundraiser

Friends of mine have started an awesome ministry in Haiti. They are doing a fundraiser to support this cause and they have a matching donor right now.
For more info please go here:
http://www.chipin.com/mywidgets/id/b6a454f679f902ea

They would truly appreciate any support you could offer.