Grandma's Pound Cake

Easter Sunday dessert! MmmmMmmmMmmmm!!! Us Jilek's, we grew up eating my grandma's pound cake all the time. It was/is always a special treat. :) I know you will love it too! And I know the ingredients seem heavy... but it's worth it!

Grandma Jilek's Pound Cake

1/2 lb butter
1/2 cup Crisco
3 cups sugar
5 large eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract [or try almond extract, your choice] 
2 tsp lemon extract

1. Set the oven to 325 degrees. 

2. Cream butter, sugar and Crisco together. Mix well.

3. Add 1 egg at a time. Mix well.

4. Add sour cream. Mix well.

5. Add flour and baking powder. Beat together well.

6. Add milk and flavoring. [Make sure to add this last] Beat together until smooth.
 

7. Grease and flour bundt pan lightly.








Carefully pour the mix into the pan.  

Smooth it out.


Bake 1 1/2 hours.  









**DO NOT OPEN OVEN WHILE THE CAKE IS BAKING**

Listen, I know it's tempting, I do it almost every time I bake. But Grandma Jilek said, "Now Stephanie, don't open the oven while it cooks or it will go flat!" So, take her advice as I did! If you want to look at the cake during it's process, simply turn on the oven light and watch, but do not open the oven! :)

Once it is cooked, take it out and let it cool for about 10 minutes. 











Then place on a cookie rack.
 

ENJOY!



I made a glaze to drizzle over top. We usually have it plain, but the glaze was a nice touch. It's delicious either way! But here is the glaze if you want it:

Lemon Glaze
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbs milk
1/2 tsp lemon extract

Mix together and drizzle a bit on top of your piece!  

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! He is Risen!

First meal @ the Brown's

Do you remember the first meal you had at your husbands house when you were "talking" or "dating"? I do!! And we made such fun out of it! We call it "Stephanie's Rigatoni Macaroni with a little bit of broccoli and chicken" haha! And you have to sing it with a little bit of an accent, that makes it all the better! ;) This meal quickly became a favorite to all of us, and I make it regularly! I hope you like it as much as we do! :)

Stephanie's Rigatoni Macaroni 

Ingredients:
8 oz dried rigatoni
2 cups broccoli
2 1/4 - 2 1/2 lb Rotisserie chicken
15.2 oz package of *Alouette garlic and herbs soft spreadable cheese
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, dried and snipped, chopped
1/4 tsp pepper, to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. If using fresh broccoli, add to cooking pasta during last 3 minutes. If using frozen, cook per package instructions.

3. Remove meat from Rotisserie chicken, drain pasta and broccoli and set aside. [This past time I used leftover chicken breasts we already had cooked instead of a Rotisserie. Both work fine]







4. In a large pot, combine milk, cheese, tomatoes, and pepper.

5. Cook, stir until cheese is melted, on medium-low heat.

6. Add sauce to pasta and broccoli.

Then add chicken. [You can add the chicken to the pasta and broccoli previous to this step]

Add more milk if needed.

7. Heat through, about 5-8 minutes.

Enjoy!! 











*Walmart carries Alouette Garlic and Herb soft spreadable cheese near the deli.

Spring Cleaning Week

Spring Cleaning in a Week

This is my goal because I am on my "spring break." So this week, I have decided to maximize my time and clean clean clean! Luckily, we live in an already pretty clean apartment. And we JUST got our carpets cleaned. But, things like the baseboards and windows, have never been cleaned [I know, that's bad!]. But it will get done this week. :) My tip, don't overwhelm yourself, clean room by room. And if you can, blast some music and make it fun!

You can try this plan by spreading the to-do list out over a 2 week span or longer, to make things a little easier. Especially those who are working, moms, or going to school, or all 3 of those. ;) You're my hero!

I hope you all have a happy week! And a happy Spring cleaning! 

 Also, meals to come are Memere's Macaroni & Cheese, Grandma Jilek's Pound Cake, & my parents Beer-can Chicken. Your mouth watering yet?! ;)

Monday:

·       Laundry [Usual Monday chore]

·       Go through closet and drawers, clearing out Winter clothes. [Remove any clothes you don’t wear or haven’t worn over the past 2-3 months and donate]

·       Reorganize drawers

·       Put Winter clothes in bin, label and put away

·       Organize Summer clothes

Tuesday:

·       Dust [Usual Tuesday chore- maximized]

§  Usual surfaces

§  Cobwebs

§  Ceiling fans & Light fixtures

§  Vacuum vents

§  Dust/Wipe down baseboards

§  Take apart standing floor fan – clean in bathtub of warm water

Wednesday:

·       Bathrooms [Usual Wednesday chore]

§  Clean counters, shower/tub, toilet, floor

§  Wipe down bottom half and back part of toilet

·       Floors

§  Sweep/ Vacuum/ Mop bathrooms floors, kitchen floor and any other hard surface floors

§  Sweep deck & Wipe down railing, chairs, & table

Thursday:

·       Bedding

§  Remove linens, place in the wash

§  *Clean out vacuum/ wipe pole etc. (before using on your bed)

§  Vacuum mattresses

·       Rugs

§  Beat rugs outside

§  Hang over railing to air out

·       Windows

§  Wash each window [If possible, inside & out]

Friday:

Finish whatever didn’t get down during the week. Then CRASH!

** If you have the extra time ;) start going through paper work, kitchen cabinets, bins… de-cluttering and reorganizing the little things. 

Buttermilk Biscuits

We love carbs! I'll admit it. . .  Taylor is a huge bread guy and now biscuit guy, so that makes me a baker! ;)

I typically don't eat breakfast unless it's made for me. Sound ridiculous? It probably is, but mornings aren't the easiest time for me to eat, it really takes work. [haha, few will understand]. So, in making these biscuits I was hoping it would be something quick and easy to warm up and eat in the mornings, with a nice hot cup of coffee [Mmmmm!]. These biscuits were so extremely simple and fun to make. It's delicious with any dinner meal, and for breakfast, just add a little jam! :)

Buttermilk Biscuits - adapted from Fearless Homemaker

You will need:

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 cup cold butter
1/2 cup buttermilk
3-4 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing the tops of the biscuits

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Combine flour, salt, & baking powder in a mixing bowl. You can use a food processor if you don't have a mixing bowl.

3. Add butter, in pieces, and mix well. [see picture]

4. Using a spatula, slowly add buttermilk. Stir until it turns into dough.

5. On a floured surface, knead dough. *FOUR TIMES* This is what is recommended, so I'd follow the rules. Only knead the dough 4 times.

6. Roll the dough out and using a round cutter or small cup, mold out the biscuits. Place them on wax paper on a baking sheet.

With melted butter, brush tops of biscuits.

Bake 10-15 minutes.

Num num num!!

ENJOY!










Pssssssst! With Easter just around the corner, I will be making my Grandma's Pound Cake, you will want the recipe, so keep an eye out!! :)

If you love asparagus . . . .

If you love asparagus, you will love this! I am starting to make different greens to cook with our meals. We have green beans a lot, they are a safety for me. ;) But recently, asparagus has been on my mind, so more asparagus recipes will be coming soon. I've made this recipe before when we had friends over, they enjoyed it too! So to her, here's the recipe!! And to all of you, try it and enjoy!

Asparagus Gratin - adapted from Apron Appeal

You will need:

1-2 pounds asparagus
3 cups water
2 tbs unsalted butter
2 tbs flour
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
salt & pepper, to taste

Note to self & you: Use a bigger pot then this!!

1. Turn the oven on to broil. Line your baking dish with paper towels. Snap asparagus, keeping  both stalks and ends.

2. Bring water to boil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add asparagus ends & 1/4 tsp salt, cook covered, for 5 minutes. Remove & discard.

3. Add asparagus stalks to the pot, cook for 2-4 minutes. [Recipe says to cook and cover, I didn't cover and they turned out fine]. Remove and place in baking dish on paper towel.

4. Keep asparagus water in a measuring up, measuring 1 cup. If there isn't enough to make 1 cup, just add water.










5. Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Whisk in flour, until golden, about 1 minute.

Whisk in asparagus water and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat and let it thicken, about 3-5 minutes.

6. Off heat, whisk in 1/2 cup Parmesan and Cheddar cheese, until smooth.

Season with salt & pepper.
*Don't use too much salt!

Let stand about 5 minutes.

Isn't that pretty?!!

7. Remove paper towels from baking dish.

Pour sauce over asparagus and spread it out over the entire dish.

Take other 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over top. Broil 4-8 minutes, until cheese is golden and asparagus is tender.

ENJOY!





* Biscuit recipe to come! :)

Best part of all :)

Two enthusiastic thumbs up! 

Broccoli Casserole

Our meatless meal this week was a Broccoli Casserole dish. I have to confess though, I was seriously nervous on how this was going to turn out and already had Chinese take out planned for when it didn't taste good. . . . But! It was delicious :) and the husband loved it! [He liked it so much he went back for seconds & decided he wanted it for lunch the next day]! Surprise to me! I honestly just got nervous because it was a new recipe and well... you never know until you try it. Right? I was so happy it turned out well and we both really liked it. *Thank you Lord!*

You will need:

2 packages [10 oz] frozen broccoli spears
1 can [10.5 oz] cream of celery soup
1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, separated
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1 cup [or a few handfuls ;) ] potato chips

1. Grease your crock pot. Add the broccoli, celery soup, 1 cup cheese, & onions. Mix lightly.

2. Crush a handful of chips on top.


3. Cover & cook on Low 5 to 6 hours or on High 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

4. Once it's cooked, take another handful of chips and crush over top & add rest of cheese. Let it sit for about 10 minutes.

5. Serve & Enjoy!!

My apologies, I forgot to take a finished picture. It turned out really well. I added a little bit of pepper once it was in the bowl. You won't need any salt, the chips and soup has enough.

This made a great meal, but would also make a great side dish. :)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Chicken Cacciatore

I am all about making cooking in the kitchen quick & simple during this season. I go to work at 2 in the afternoon and usually don't get home until 6:30, right around the same time Taylor gets home. So, eating dinner at a reasonable time is, well... unlikely! It usually happens around 7 or later. This brings me to my crock pot. I love my crock pot! My lovely sister gave me a beautiful blue one that gets a lot of attention. :) [If you don't have a crock pot, no worries, you can cook this on the stove too]. This chicken cacciatore meal is super simple! A big thank you to my MIL, Gisele, for the recipe. 

Chicken Cacciatore 

You will need:

1 Garlic Rotisserie Chicken [already cooked]

1/2 cup or so of Red Cooking Wine

2 Jars of Garlic & Onion Spaghetti sauce

Spaghetti Pasta [or your choice of pasta]

Parmesan Cheese

[Now, you don't have to use that flavor rotisserie chicken or spaghetti sauce, that is just what I use].

1. Empty Spaghetti sauce into crock pot.

2. Pour some wine into each jar, swish around to clean out the jar and pour into sauce.

3. Cut or shred chicken into bite size pieces, add to sauce.

4. I cook ours on low for a few hours, though you don't need too. 

5. Before serving, cook pasta. Follow directions on the box.

6. Plate your food then sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serve with your choice of greens! ;)

Enjoy!!