Sister Swap: Beef Stew Recipe

Welcome back my sister Rachel, with another scrumptious looking recipe!

I have another recipe for you all today! Since Naomi is just beginning to cook 

(and at the moment doesn't have a full kitchen), I'm bringing you one of my faves on the easy and quick scale. First, if you don't have a crockpot (aka slow cooker)-GET ONE! 

They're amazing! Throw everything in and let it sit all day, come home-dinner's done. 

One of the best inventions ever in my opinion. So here's the recipe:

 

Beef Stew

1-2 pounds stew beef (you can usually find pre-cut at the store, but any steak meat is fine)

4-5 red potatoes or 3 russet potatoes

1 large carrot

1 celery stalk

1/3 onion

1 garlic clove

2 cups beef broth

2-3 cups water

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

 

Total Prep time: 15-20 minutes

 

1. Cut the beef. Even though I usually buy mine pre-cut, it's a bit larger than bite-size.

2. Mix the flour and spices. Throw this and the beef in crockpot and stir till beef is completely coated.

3. Chop your veggies. I usually use red potatoes, so I don't bother peeling them. Russett potatoes skins are thicker so you may want to peel them first. You can also use more veggies than this. This combo is what I've found makes a good meat to veggie proportion for my tastes. Add the veggies as they're sliced.

4. Stir up beef and veggies to mix and get seasoning mix throughout.

5. Add the beef broth. Add enough water to be 1-2 inches above the beef and veggies.

6. Turn on crockpot and leave! If you're home, stir every so often-if you won't be home, don't worry about I. Cook on low for 10-12 hours or high for 4-6 hours. Enjoy!

 

Tip: If you want to do all the prep work the night before, 

the morning of will be even quicker-dump and turn on.

Sister Swap: Corn Pudding

So you may be confused by the name "Corn Pudding" but stick around because my 

sister Rachel is going to share a household recipe that has become a family tradition.

 If it makes you stay, let's call it Corn Bread Pudding.

MMM, my mouth is watering already so with that I'll let her take it away!

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This recipe has LONG been a favorite in our family. It shows it's face at all holidays and several large family gatherings a year. Naomi and I are just a little addicted. As in, the holiday would probably be ruined if we didn't have corn pudding. (Well that's a slight exaggeration.) So here it is:

Corn Pudding

1-16 ounce can whole kernel corn

1-16 ounce can creamed corn

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup sour cream

1-8 1/2 ounce package corn muffin mix (I usually use a Jiffy box, but it works just as well with 1 cup corn muffin mix of any brand)

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

  

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix all ingredients-except cheese-in medium to large bowl.

3. Pour into a 13x9 baking pan.

4. Bake for 20-30 minutes (it really depends on the oven, I've done 20 and up to 40), until it looks fairly cooked through or set.

5. Sprinkle cheese on top and cook for approximately 10 more minutes.

6. Serve with your favorite meal and enjoy!

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1 John 3:16-18

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought 

to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's 

goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, 

how does God's love abide in him? Little children, 

let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Sister Swap: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Hello again! This week I'm sharing a recipe. I got the original recipe (pictured) from a friend of mine. If you like all the ingredients feel free to follow it exactly. I'll be sharing how I do it-since I modify it for my families tastes. This makes about 10-1 1/2 cup servings. Being that it uses canned ingredients I don't try and half it. However, it freezes fantastically for an easy dinner later.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

(modified ingredients)

1/2 onion-chopped

2 bell peppers-diced (any color)

3 cloves garlic-minced

1 jalapeno-seeded and minced

1 rotisserie chicken-skinned, meat pulled off, and shredded

1 can kidney beans-partially drained

1 can black beans-drained and rinsed

1 can corn-drained

1 large (28oz) can crushed tomatoes-do not drain

1 can (14.5oz) can petite cut tomatoes-do not drain

1 quart chicken stock/broth

2 Tbsp chili powder

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp coriander

1 Tbsp cumin

2 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

olive oil

I like to prep everything before I begin. After you start adding things, the soup progresses quickly so it makes it easier to have everything ready. I chop all the veggies, measure all the spices into a single small bowl, shred the chicken, open all the cans, and drain the ones that need it. With everything pre-prepped, you can just grab and dump.

To freeze- I use the twist on Ziploc containers, leave about an inch of space (liquids expand when frozen),  mark the date and throw it in the freezer.

Hope you enjoy!
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Want to see my post on Rachel's blog? Check it out!

Saturday Sister Swap

 

Saturday the Second! I'm glad to be back for our second Sister Swap. Today, I'm gonna talk about sewing. Naomi is a fantastic refashionista (I'm sure you've noticed by now). But in case you're new  to the wonderful world of sewing, I'm gonna share a few starter tips.With the kind of sewing you may want to do for refashioning, I highly suggest a machine. Hand sewing is time consuming, frustrating, and not nearly as durable. Although, I will admit it worked for people at some point since clothing's been around longer than sewing machines.

Tip 1: Naomi's mentioned this, but if you're taking in a shirt or pants, turn them inside out first. This allows you to mark or pin on the wrong (since it's not showing) side of the fabric. 

With the item being inside out, you can put it on, mark/pin, and easily slip it back off.

  

Tip 2: For most clothing, use a 1/4-1/3 inch seam allowance. Sewing on the edge of the fabric can lead to stitches coming undone or fabric unraveling and the item coming apart (and I know no one's looking for a wardrobe malfunction!). Most machines will have a built-in/pre-marked guide.

Tip 3: After sewing, try the garment back on. 

Make sure it fits like you want and you don't need to take it out and try again.

Tip 4: NEVER EVER CUT EXTRA FABRIC OFF TILL YOU'VE COMPLETED TIP 3!!
If you cut the fabric off before trying it on and then realize it doesn't look/fit/work like 

you wanted it to-and you cut the excess off-you're screwed. Just saying-I've done it.

Tip 5: Cut the excess fabric off. Now if you've completed Tip 3, and it's exactly 
how you want it-cut it off! Remember Tip 2 though, and leave some room so 
your seams don't come out.

Tip 6: Have fun! The best part of thrifting and refashioning is creating a piece 

of clothing that's uniquely yours. No one else will have that exact item.

  

This is my puppy, she wanted to assist me today-wouldn't take no for an answer 

as you can see. Hope these are helpful! If you have questions you can email me 

(mywholesomehome@yahoo.com-or link it to my name) or Naomi. 

So what fantastic find are you going to refashion now that you have all the tips you need?!

Sister Saturday - What She Wore

Well folks (yep, that's you) it's time to join forces with my sister. We are both new to this blog world and we figured, "why not." It will probably be a while before we ever join forces with any other bloggers, for the pure fact that we're newbies (wink wink, I'm not opposed to  joining forces someday though). So we're teaming up together for guest posting. And hey, we're sisters who are now actually friends too, so it's fun for us anyways! So each Saturday I'll be posting for her and she'll be posting for me. 

Rachel is the Who's Who over at My Wholesome Home, where she documents her journey to living a more wholesome life. She posts recipes (which I love - because I am just learning to cook), and she'll be posting home decor, organization, and tips and tricks to living organic. I hope you'll check her out. Maybe I'll tell you more about her later, but for now I'll let her tell you about herself.

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The fun things about today's outfit:

1. Striped Button Up - American Eagle boyfriend shirt thrifted for $5.

2. Boyfriend Cardigan - Mossimo by Target about 6 years ago

3. Jeans - American Eagle original bootcut, 

love that they brought back this fit and it's not a low rise, $30

4. Shoes - American Eagle, Christmas present from Hubby.

5. Jewelry - leather name bracelet with Tinkerbell, Disneyland souvenir from highschool; gold Austrian crystal cross necklace, brought back for me by my brother from his travels while in the Navy.

My day job is in the US Air Force. I love my job, not so much the mandatory daily uniform. My style is very laid back. After wearing a uniform for five days, my weekend wear is all about comfort (though I try to have some class). Unless Hubby is taking me to dinner (rare since we eat exclusively organic), I don't wear heels. My weekends are spent grocery shopping, cleaning, and catching up from the week. This outfit is a staple in my wardrobe. Jeans, flats, and a button up are my go to's. This week has been a bit chillier (it is still March)-thus a sweater-but the thin shirts like this one are ideal in the hot Nevada summers that last most of the year.

I just launched my own blog at My Wholesome Home. This week has been crazy making sure everything posts on time, looks right, and is getting promoted. I can't wait to see how it takes off. I love that Naomi and I have launched our new ventures at the same time. She's been a great help to me while I set up my blog since she started Patterned Love a few weeks earlier. We are so excited to be guest blogging each week! 

What piece of your wardrobe is your number one staple?

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And with  that dear readers, I'll give you a verse.

Proverbs 18:24

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.