May 25, 2013

Recipes (Photo Index)

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$2 Dinner for our Whole Family: Crock Pot Turkey

Feb9
crockpot turkey legs

Over the years, I’ve shared many ways that our family saves money on meats without sacrificing taste or my sons’ need to feed their carnivore selves, but one thing I have never implemented outside Thanksgiving week was to purchase turkey [...]

10 Super Fun, Christmas Rice Krispie Treat Ideas

Dec5
Christmas Rice Krispie Treats

As ovens gear up for hours of Christmas baking, it’s this time of year when I stock up on marshmallows. Yes, my name is Jen, and I am a Rice Krispie treat-a-holic. It started in college when I won fame [...]

8 Fancy Pound Cake Fix ups (Great Last Minute Desserts)

Dec21
Eight Fancy Pound Cake Fix Ups at beautyandbedlam

Everyone needs a few quick and easy dessert ideas which they can whip up in minutes. Preferably, not just any ‘ole quick recipe, but one that mimics having spent quite a bit of time in the kitchen. Guess what? This [...]

Anytime, Anywhere Breakfast Pizza

Apr12
Breakfast Pizza with hash browns, eggs and sausage

Pizza. Pizza in the car. Pizza on the coach. Pizza up high. Pizza down low. Pizza with friends. Pizza alone. Yes, our family consumes a TON of pizza, anytime, anyplace. And it’s a given that anytime pizza is made in [...]

Apple Almond Salad

Jul1
apple almond salad

Summertime is made for salads, and every once in awhile you are introduced to one that is just amazing. Had I seen the ingredients before I tasted it, I would never have thought to try this salad, but when my [...]

Asian Citrus Salad – Homemade Asian Dressing

Jun23
Asian Citrus Salad Recipe

As much as I love salad, I typically stick to my favorite stand byes and don’t venture out with interesting flavors nearly enough. I am so glad that I broke loose with this Asian Citrus Salad. I would never have [...]

Baked Apple Oatmeal: Baked Oatmeal with Apples

Dec2

Attempting to add heartier and healthier meals into our breakfast routine, I have been experimenting with a variety of oatmeal recipes and I have found a winner. I have previously posted a healthier version using only honey as a sweetener, but this time decided to indulge just a tad.
The results sheer bliss, and I guarantee you will get requests for this over and over.

Banana Blueberry Muffins and Banana Pancakes

Oct7

Baking/bulk cooking day is off to a great start. Using up a gazillion over ripe bananas is a challenge, so we started our morning with some delicious banana pancakes. Now, please note that one of the first things my youngest [...]

Berry Banana Almond Delight

Aug7
Berry Banana Almond Delight

Over the years, I’ve shared my journey with whole foods, organic, junk and everything in between. It’s a continuous balance of choosing that which is best for our family, yet making it manageable. When my teens were toddlers, I was [...]

Best Cheese Ball Recipes

Nov20
Best Cheeseball for Thanksgiving

It’s that time of the year when we search for easy appetizers, and in my opinion, there’s nothing better than a good cheese ball recipe. In fact, 99% of the time when I entertain, some form of cheese ball graces [...]

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe (Makes Great Sandwiches too)

Jun13
buffalo chicken dip recipe

Have you ever had those moments when you decide to just have “a bite”, and then too many bites later, you are still standing over that same bowl? Please tell me I am not alone! This Buffalo Chicken Dip is [...]

Bulk Baking – marvelous muffins

Feb9

Are you getting tired of the bulk baking thing?Have I talked you into giving it a try yet?What are you waiting for?Well, since my Blissdom pics arent’ up yet (they are now with some thrifty designer outfits), you’ll have to [...]

Bulk Cooking Day

Jan29

Even though the Pantry Challenge was a huge success, I failed miserably by the end of the month in having meals, snacks and creative cooking ideas ready and implemented. Even with adding on the Super Doubles week, where I shopped [...]

Burritacos

Feb5
Burritacos @beautyandbedlam.com

It’s pretty easy to see after following our meal plan for a bit, that we love Mexican food, and with our large gang, this is a perfect recipe for a large group, and you will need two 9×13 pans. It [...]

Butterhorn Rolls Recipe

Dec9
butterhorn rolls

via Every time my extended family gets together, you can bet this delicious Butterhorn roll recipe will be shared.  Butterhorns are a fairly simple yeast bread recipe with the added benefit that they have a beautiful presentation, so they make [...]

Buttermilk Pancakes from Scratch

Mar5
buttermilk pankcakes

With five children, I need a pancake recipe that is easy on both the budget and my time. This perfect buttermilk pancake recipe from scratch meets both criteria and my kids love it. I can’t double, triple, quadruple the recipe [...]

Celebrate Dad this Father’s Day with a Papa Pizza

Jun16
funny face snacks

Family Celebrations play a large part in my family tapestry, and there’s nothing we enjoy more than preparing those special foods that serve as the “icing on the cake” for family traditions. Tomorrow pick and choose as I share my [...]

Cheesey Cheddar Ranch Chicken

Aug23
Cheesey Ranch Chicken

In my world, I can never create enough recipes that use chicken, and when I make dishes the kids all declare as winners, they don’t mind chicken often. From the first time I made this, it definitely received high ratings, [...]

Cheesey Citrus, Tomato Appetizer – Going Green

Jul2
tomato basil mozzerrella appetizer

Enjoy the blend of flavors with this simple summer Tomato Mozzarella appetizer. With a slightly sweet taste from oranges, you can go wrong with this delightful blend.

Cheesy Chicken (3 ingredients)

Jan21
Baked Chicken_picnik

When I first got married, I was continually looking for easy and quick recipes that caused my hubby to think I might possibly know what I was doing in the kitchen. Quite ironically, it’s eighteen years later, and I still [...]

Chocolate Oreo Truffles – Three Ingredient Delight

Feb25
Easy Chocolate OReo Truffle

I remember the first time that I popped a Chocolate Oreo Truffle in my mouth. I was awed at the deep rich goodness. When I found out that only three ingredients were involved, my heart did a little pitter-patter. Oreo [...]

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Oct26

I sure did know how to whip up Rice Krispie Treats in a microwave.

Many years later, it’s still one of my very favorite treats (especially with peanut butter and chocolate). I’m passing on the tradition by showing my children how to whip up these delicacies in minutes by using our microwave and cereal coupons, of course.

Chocolate Toffee Bars

Dec1
4 Ingredients Chocolate Toffee Bar, Saltines Toffee Bark @beautyandbedlam.com

Homemade chocolate toffee is synonymous with Christmas baking and homemade gift giving, but in my opinion, candy making is difficult. I don’t do well having to watch that candy thermometer at all. Some brilliant person made a homemade copy cat [...]

Christmas Chocolate Mice (Sweet Treat Recipe for anytime of the year)

Dec12
Christmas Eve Mice recipe idea

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” Well, maybe those mice aren’t pitter-pattering in your house, but in ours they sure are… Our Children’s choir concert reception stirred [...]

Christmas Tree Veggie, Fruit, and Cheese Platter Ideas

Dec11
Christmas vegetable platter

I wander through that kitchen of mine. Yes, she glares at me and then mocks me, along with the used scrapbook “store” I own. She mentions that I am supposed to be making ten minute dinners every night, and yet [...]

Cider-Baked Turkey Breast – Whole Baked Turkey

Dec2

For years, I have recommended my easy recipe for Cider Baked Turkey Breast, but had never converted the recipe to a whole turkey. Being stuck with two eighteen pound turkeys that did not get cooked for Thanksgiving, I realized that today was the day to give it a try.

The results for the whole baked turkey were the same delicious old time harvest flavor that I have received with just a turkey breast.

Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake

Apr25
Overnight coffee cake @beautyandbedlam

“Wait, I need to snap a quick picture before you polish this off.” My guests swirled around the kitchen. I had a delicious buffet of treats and breakfast casseroles that I had made, but not one picture to show for [...]

Crab Salad on Tostadas

Nov12
making crabmeat salad

While at the Unilever Test Kitchen, each Family Dish member was tasked with a different recipe to prepare. Stepping outside of my culinary comfort zone, I agreed to make something with shell fish, which typically, I do not eat. Not [...]

Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole Recipe (5 Minute Prep)

May4
Cracker Barrel hashbrown casserole recipe

Be still my heart! I know it’s wrong to look at this picture and swoon, but I have a serious love affair with potatoes. Yes, I am not proud of that fact, but it’s true. Potatoes are my absolute favorite [...]

Cream of Rice: Homemade Rice Pudding

Nov13
cream of rice

Rice is one of my  weekly “go to” staple items.  Whenever my rice cooker steams, you can bet I’ve doubled the amount needed for my recipe, with the sole purpose of having extra rice to freeze for later meals. Typically, [...]

Delicious Dips for any Get Together

Jul14
Southern Caviar Dip

Our family loves to whip up appetizers – more specifically…yummy dips. I understand that dips are supposed to be saved for those special occasions, but why wait for special occasions when they are so easy? I have mastered healthier, low [...]

DIY Breakfast Bar: Feed Your Friends with Ease

Nov6
DIY Breakfast Bar - Breakfast Burritoes

Does the stress of sharing hospitality to groups stand in the way of saying “Yes?” As holiday gatherings approach, and we begin pondering how to feed the friends and family masses that we will host over night, it’s easy to [...]

DIY Homemade Microwave Popcorn (Why Did We Wait?)

Apr12
homemade popcorn

Our Stir Crazy Popcorn popper is a regular appliance on my counter top. We are a huge popcorn eating family. The yummy, homemade and oil kind of popcorn. The kind you just can’t get enough of, and people even ask [...]

DIY Party Bar (Make Your Own Magic Bullet)

Apr16
diy magic bullet with blender

Years ago, our grandmothers had creative re-purposing uses for everything. One of those brilliant tips has somehow been lost on my generation, and I feel it’s my duty to get you as excited about this as I am. The Magic [...]

Doctored Up Snickers Cupcakes (with cake mix)

Oct26
doctored up chocolate cupcakes

Over the last few months, I have had to make a lot of cupcakes. With every thing from graduations to bridal showers to “Welcome to America” gatherings, there’s been a desire for the beauty that only a decorated cupcake brings [...]

Donut Birthday Cake

Nov23

Sometimes as women we put so much pressure on ourselves to be “perfect”  – the perfect mom, the perfect employee, the perfect…(fill in your blank). Especially during the holidays, the desire for Martha Stewart decorations, the Food Network’s Holiday Dinner [...]

Easiest Ever Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Recipe

Mar23
cookie sandwiches

I’m calling all my chocolate loving readers. Can you clap delightfully for that picture? Is it mean to make you stare without sharing? I assure you I would love nothing more than to enjoy this incredibly delicious chocolate sandwich cookie [...]

Easiest Ever Homemade Tootsie Rolls (so much better than the “real” thing)

Feb2
Homemade Tootsie Rolls

I know it’s hard to believe, but I have never liked Tootsie Rolls. Does that aline itself as an American travesty? Is that similar to snubbing All American Apple Pie and Baseball?  If it is, then I have found the [...]

Easy Almond Buttercream Frosting (Tasty Tuesday)

Oct30

For years, the idea of little ‘ole me, whipping up my own delicious homemade frosting seemed daunting. I’m sure there are a few of you out there who still feel the same way, but let me put your mind at [...]

Easy Banana Bread – Baking in bulk

Mar23
banana bread

There are so many things that I love to do with one hour of my time. Some choices benefit me. Some choices benefit my family, and some benefit a whole bunch of people. My choice of an hour benefited all [...]

Easy BBQ Chicken in the Crock Pot

Apr29
Easy Crock Pot BBQ Chicken

There is a  Bulk cooking day in process at our house. Yes, it can be intimidating, but it’s SO worth the time. Where should one start when you no idea what to do? Easy  BBQ Chicken in the Crockpot With [...]

Easy Chocolate Cream Cheese Cake (with hint of coffee)

Jun5
chocolate cake_opt

Creating cakes that look and taste like they came from a bakery is my desire, yet reality sets in and I am drawn to my second choice of finding recipes that can mimic that desire. This easy chocolate recipe takes [...]

Easy Cream Cheese Danish Recipe

Nov30
cream cheese crescent roll recipe

How is it possible to have three, tiny ingredients taste like you spent all day in the kitchen, and have a group of 30 women ask for the recipe? Often, my desire is to bake from scratch, but too many [...]

Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

Nov14

Cream Cheese frosting is by far my favorite frosting to make. Not only is it delicious, but it’s so easy that my children can whip up homemade frosting in a minute’s notice. There are so many versions, and honestly, I [...]

Easy Crockpot Applesauce Recipe: Homemade Applesauce

Nov2
easy crockpot applesauce

I don’t have time to make professional applesauce. As much as I would love a perfectly creamy sauce, the extra peeling and straining time it requires isn’t a priority for me. So I make:
The Easiest Ever Homemade Applesauce in a Crockpot

Easy Dumplings with Savory Soups

Mar9
easy dumplings

There’s nothing that says warm and cozy more than a roaring fire and a bowl of hot soup. Recently, we’ve had quite a few opportunities for that, haven’t we? I’ve taken advantage of these snuggly days by maximizing on a [...]

Easy Homemade Baking Powder Biscuits: Biscuit Recipe for Kids

Apr11
baking soda biscuits

As a Family Manager, one of my goals is to spend quality time in the kitchen with our kids. In a previous post,  I asked my readers when you all learned to cook. It hit me just how emotional of [...]

Easy Homemade Pumpkin Cake

Sep19
Homemade Pumpkin Cake

With fall weather kicking in, my sweaters are coming out, right along with my cans of pumpkin, and pots for chili. Baked goods, which include pumpkin of any kind, are some of my favorites, which is quite ironic, since for [...]

Easy Homemade Waffles without butter

Jan12

We love homemade waffles in this house, but my “Go to” Malted Belgium Waffle recipe consists of a lot of butter. Trust me, my  Belgium Waffle recipe is worth the extra time,  but I have been experimenting with an easy [...]

Easy Marinated Cheese Appetizer Recipe

Dec19
cheese appetizer 2

Growing up in the good ‘ole dairy state of Wisconsin, I assumed I had sampled every version of cheese appetizer known to munchers like myself. Obviously not because this unbelievably delicious make ahead marinated cheese appetizer is TO DIE FOR [...]

Easy meal planning tips – 4 meals in 4 minutes

Sep15

Easy meal planning tips – We all desire something quicker, easier and more effective in the world of meal plans. I spontaneously decided to jump into the world of vlogging today, and I’d love for you to come along and [...]

Easy Oatmeal with Diced Apples

Mar1
rsz_frozen_smoothies

Easy Oatmeal with Diced Apples When trying to get away from eating all fifteen boxes of our stockpiled $0.50 cereal in one week, I realize that hot breakfasts need to be served 4-5 times a week to preserve. Since we [...]

Easy Pumpkin Bar Recipe

Nov10
Easy Pumpkin Bar Recipe

Entering my mother in law’s kitchen and viewing a huge jelly roll pan of pumpkin bars gracing her counter top is the first memory I have of holidays in her home. Isn’t it amazing how smells, sights, and a great [...]

Easy Pumpkin Cake Decor in Minutes

Oct27
pumpkin cake

As the holidays approach, many of us become overwhelmed feeling as if we need to keep up with “Martha.” Even though all her suggestions denote, “It’s a good thing,” it’s never good if it leaves us stressed, discouraged or feeling [...]

Easy Ribs Recipe (Contest & Giveaway)

Jul17
BBQ Pork Ribs

I am a northern Wisconsin girl, who moved to the south. Yes, a Midwesterner that loves to grill. Alongside the Packers, it’s kind of a lifestyle. Yes, tailgating is a separate entertainment category that holds special memories, but when I [...]

Easy Strawberry Pie from Scratch

Jun9
strawberry pie

Every single day this week we have been enjoying the fruit of our labor…literally. I love strawberry picking season, but this year, I didn’t pick enough – only three pathetic gallons. We just finished the last of our fresh berries [...]

Easy Veggie Tray – (Adorable Turkey)

Nov23
Vegetable Tray

As much as we all love our traditional Thanksgiving Dinner Menu Ideas, it’s always a wonderful option to offer a lighter fare and this adorable Turkey Veggie Tray brings healthy eating and gorgeous presentation together. My sweet friend, Heather, inspired [...]

Easy, Healthy, Homemade Granola Recipe

Mar22
easy homemade granola

One of the very first recipes I posted when I started my blog was homemade granola recipe, but since then, my recipe has evolved, and so has my recipe printable feature. Easy, yet healthy, homemade granola provides an incredibly frugal [...]

Easy, One Minute Fruit Cobbler (using Cake Mix)

Jun17
strawberry cobbler

With summertime in full force, fruits of all varieties beckon from those farmer’s market stands. We’ve already gone strawberry picking and cherry picking, yet I am most excited to see raspberries and blackberries start to ripen in my garden. If [...]

Easy, yet Elegant, Bavarian Pear Torte

Apr2
Bavarian-pear-torte

No other recipe have I been asked for more than this easy, yet elegant Bavarian Pear Torte. As a young bride, it was that special recipe that fooled others into assuming my culinary skills were much more advanced than they [...]

Egg and Cheese Puff: 5 Minute Delight

Jan29
egg picture

In the past year, I have experimented with dozens of egg recipes, egg casseroles, egg crescents, egg omelets, you get the picture. Eggs are not only a great source of protein, but a budget conscious cook’s dream with endless versatility.  [...]

Elegant Egg Bake (Prep Time Only Five Minutes)

Apr7
Egg bake

Thank me later. No really, I know you will. If you are scrambling for an easy, yet melt in your mouth, egg dish for company, look no further. Once you try this, is won’t be saved for just company, I [...]

Everyday Waffles

Mar10
easy every day waffles

Our family loves waffles, and the kids want me to buy them all the time. Yet, with the increase in waffle prices, this is something that’s been crossed off my shopping list. The price point is just too high. This [...]

Florentine Turkey Meat Loaf

Apr1
Turkey Meat Loaf beautyandbedlamdotcom

As many of you know, I’ve been working hard over the last few months to change the way I think about food and to lose these extra pounds that I’ve let slip on over the last few years. I’m down [...]

Fruit Smoothie Recipes

Jun2
fruit smoothie recipe

In our family, summer equals the best in sensational smoothies. Since I love taking advantage of seasonal fruits, marked down produce, and a produce warehouse where you must purchase in bulk, I often have large amounts of fruit that are [...]

Grandma’s Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

Dec5
Texas-Sheet-Cake

When one has a large family, recipes that feed a crowd, yet taste delicious, are always on my radar. The Texas Sheet Cake certainly fits that the criteria, and what’s even better is that is bakes in TEN minutes. Yes, [...]

Gratitude Rolls: Special Food Tradition

Nov16
gratitude rolls

Grateful Rolls – This simple tradition is a fun way for your family to express what they are grateful for during your Thanksgiving dinner. As guests arrive have each person write a few things that they are grateful for on small sheets of paper. We always make our special “butter horn” rolls each Thanksgiving,

Grilling Corn on the Cob

Aug5
grilled corn on the cob -

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the wonderful opportunity to experiment with all kinds of fresh produce. One of my favorites summer time treat? Grilling Corn on the Cob. I typically just have the kids husk the corn and [...]

Healthy Baked Oatmeal Sweetened with Honey

Aug25
Baked oatmeal

For decades, women have shouted from the rooftops, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. ” Yet, some how in the hustle and bustle of early morning activities, it’s also the hardest for me to implement on a [...]

Healthy, Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Jan11
Banana Oatmeal Muffin Recipe at beautyandbedlam.com

There’s something about this cold weather that just calls for turning on the oven, and filling the home with baked goods to tantalize our taste buds. Well, my taste buds have been tested with SO many sweets during the holidays [...]

Homemade Brownie Recipe: Fudgy Brownies

Mar14
fudgy brownies

Last year, I had the opportunity to tour the Good Housekeeping headquarters. My favorite part of that day was spending time in their test kitchen, and the chance to ask questions of their full time bakers & cooks. Not only [...]

Homemade Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Granola Bars

May14
Homemade Granola Bars

One of the all time great “Eat on the Go” snacks in our home has always been the granola bar. With every flavor, variety and healthy option, typically our pantry shelves yields quite a few choices. But recently, as the [...]

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls (Copy Cat Cinnabon Recipe)

Feb10
Cinnamon Rolls Cinnabon

We’ve all stepped into the food court and smelled the amazing Cinnabon Rolls from afar. Our mouths start watering instantly. We see them rolling, baking and frosting, but then we see the price, and have sticker shock. Well, with a [...]

Homemade Dumpling Recipe

Jan14
easy dumplings

Homemade dumplings are such an easily overlooked comfort food.  Nothing says cozy more than a roaring fire and a bowl of simmering soup, but please don’t forget to make this easy homemade dumpling recipe. With only a few minutes of [...]

Homemade Mint Chocolate Pudding

Jul22

Last year, I made homemade pudding for the first time and I was hooked. The problem? I’ve had that post sitting in my blog drafts and never did share just how fun of a culinary discovery it has been. So [...]

Homemade Pizza Crust

Jul15
pizza crust dough

Our house is full of guests for the week, and I am feeding 20 plus hungry people. Guess what we made this evening? Crusty Pizza Dough 1 package active dry yeast (I buy this in bulk at Sam’s/Cosco…1 Tb=1 package) [...]

How Do I Cook Bacon in the Oven? (Cooking Bacon in Bulk)

Dec15
bacon in the oven

When I agreed to make brunch for my sons’ football team, I knew I would be going through enormous amounts of food. Since I would be cooking bacon in our hotel condo, creativity was key, so I brainstormed on Skype with the best of them. My friend, Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures, is a “professional bacon cooker”. They actually grow their own pork, and I knew she would have the answers for me on the best way to cook up bacon in bulk. I wanted to cook it in the oven, and she shared an option of cooking it ahead of time and reheating it.

Cooking bacon in the oven is a wonderful way to avoid the splatter and mess that comes from frying it on the stove. I recommend layering your cookie sheets with parchment paper or tin foil for easy clean up. Unfortunately for us, that was an afterthought.

How to Cook London Broil?

Jan26
London Broil

London Broil creates a sense of wonder for my food budget. Often, it’s  marked down due to a short dated sale, allowing me to prepare a carnivore’s dream for only a few dollars. The problem? For years, I’d grab it, [...]

How to Make a Barbie Cake: A Birthday Delight

Jul21
barbie cake

We have just finished three birthdays in 31 days. Yes, somehow three of our five children gravitated their arrival to the same time of year. I love sharing special birthday traditions, but I must confess, creating masterful birthday cakes has [...]

How to Make a Dirt Cake

Sep22
dirtcake

I continue to marvel at how God reveals himself through the minuscule, seemingly “meaningless” things. My daughter happened to mention that she wanted a dirt cake for her birthday months ago. Agreeing wholeheartedly with her, that thought went in one [...]

How to Make Homemade French bread

May2
french bread

Making homemade bread seems like a daunting task, but this detailed video of me going on and on will show you how you can literally make homemade French bread with only ten minutes of your time (plus, the extra time [...]

How to Make Pumpkin Puree & Save Money

Oct19
pumpkin puree

Last week, I shared on my Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Facebook page about my love of all things fall, including my yummy and oh, so easy, Pumpkin Bar Recipe. A few statuses later, after I got everyone excited about quadrupling [...]

How to make Whole Wheat Bread

Jul28

In the midst of my two week travel excursion, I just realized that my one year blogging anniversary has come and gone. I thought it would be fun to re-visit my very first “foodie” post, written when five of you [...]

Keeping the Weight Off: What are You Eating? (Tasty Tuesday)

Feb19
Healthy Peanut Butter Reeces

Healthy organic, dark chocolate peanut butter  balls (no processed sugar) Nearly a month ago, I completed my 7 day detox, and after I posted about this GM Diet Plan, I received a lot of questions. As I mentioned in my [...]

Low Fat Orange Chicken Recipe (in less than 10 Minutes)

Feb29
Orange-Chicken recipe

Over the last year, I’ve slowly been increasing our repertoire of deliciously, simple recipes, which are easy enough that my kids can make. It’s completely a bonus when I’ve tweaked the recipe to where they are low fat as well. [...]

Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes – Freezer Mashed Potatoes

Mar3
make ahead mashed-potatoes

Make Ahead Freezer Mashed Potatoes (To put in Fridge or Freezer) Mashed potatoes are one of the easiest comfort foods around. Since potatoes are literally my favorite food in the whole world, I typically mash ten pounds of potatoes ahead [...]

Make your Own Beans – Freezer Cooking (Refried Beans, Crock Pot Beans)

Apr2

My freezer update posts has been derailed because our camera was loaned out for a few days. What is a recipe with out the pictures? Cake without frosting, I tell you. Not worth it! It’s been a busy work day [...]

Malted Belgium Waffles, Feather Pancakes – bulk baking

Feb2

Baking, baking…all this for your taking. While many of you were cozied in with mounds of snow this last week, we took what we could get. Only in NC, would all area school districts cancel for this. Even though I [...]

Mashed Cauliflower: How to Cook Cauliflower

Nov17
how to cook cauliflower

When our family gathers together, we have so many different diets and eating preferences represented. Typically, I do not cater specifically to all the varying tastes, but when there’s a recipe liked Mashed Cauliflower that pleases both the low carb, [...]

Melt in Your Mouth Pecan Apple Coffee Cake

Apr21
easy apple coffee cake

Welcome to Tasty Tuesday Parade of Foods. You are in for a treat today. I can’t believe I am sharing this tried and true secret because it’s one of those recipes that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, [...]

Mom’s Homemade Lasagna

Mar11
Mom's Homemade Lasagna

I rush in from school and ask my mom, “What’s for dinner.” I’d hold my breath praying it would be one of my favorites and oh my, she did not disappoint. You must understand, I grew up in a “sticks, [...]

Mom’s Homemade Sloppy Joes

Jan30
Homemade Sloppy Joes made with Ground Turkey @beautyandbedlam.com

There are just a few choice recipes that when I close my eyes, I’m  transported right back to my childhood kitchen. This Homemade Barbeque is definitely one of them. We know them now as Sloppy Joes, but as a child, [...]

Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Feb4
Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies

It’s amazing to browse the cookie aisle, and see how many choices we Americans have. It’s crazy… really. But I am only going to give you two cookie choices, and they are pretty similar…in fact, the best ever!!! For years, [...]

New Ten Minute Meals (and my changes)

Mar5
Easy Baked Ziti @10minutedinners.com

Citrus Herb Chicken Ever since the holidays, due to many unforeseen circumstances, my schedule has been thrown for a loop and it’s been spiraling downward ever since. There’s no worse feeling for a Family Manager than to know you are [...]

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Nov12
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter cookie

Admittedly, there’s one sweet treat combination I can’t pass up, and that’s the amazing mixture of chocolate and peanut butter. From my Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats to these amazingly easy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls, I love [...]

One Minute Smiley Face Pancakes

Apr16
smiley face pancakes

You know how I believe that the little things are the big things? Well, this one little addition to your morning pancakes is sure to make everyone in your house smile. The next time you make pancakes, turn them into [...]

One Skillet, No Flipping, Potato Lover’s Pancake

Mar4
One Skillet, No Flip Potato Pancake @beautyandbedlam

Whenever my grandpa came over to eat, my mother served Potato Pancakes with applesauce. I remember her spending all afternoon grating potatoes for this special German delight, and my grandfather always said it reminded him of the old country. It [...]

Overnight Breakfast Praline Bread Pudding

May7
Overnight Breakfast Praline Bread Pudding @beautyandbedlam

As the kids meander down the stairs with that sleepy, groggy look that tells me sleep is not over rated and they need more of it, I quickly pull out this delectable delight. With pecans, brown sugar, and bread that’s [...]

PB & J Noodle Salad ($5 Dinner with an Asian Twist)

May24
PBJ Noodles

Since our family has been on a huge Chinese binge lately, it’s always fun to try something new. Peanut Butter noodles are always popular, but last year I was introduced to a unique twist on a Chinese noodle favorite. Since [...]

Pineapple Carrot Cake Muffins (starting with a cake mix)

May14
carrot cake pineapple muffins via @beautyandbedlam

There’s nothing I appreciate more than a homemade carrot cake with an easy cream cheese frosting. Knowing all the love that went into shredding those carrots, measuring the spices and whipping that cream cheese makes it ever so much more [...]

Pistachio Pudding; “So Easy, You Can Make it in your Car” Dessert

Sep7
eating fruit salad

Last week, I shared the importance of having friends with which you can just be yourself. True friends with whom you can share your bedlam and know that it’s ok. In the midst of that post, I told the story [...]

Pizza Casserole with Biscuits (Ten Minute Dinners)

Sep21
pizza casserole

(photo) With five children, three of them being teen aged boys, you can imagine the amount of pizza that we go through in this house. Often homemade pizza and easy pizza crust is my go-to meal when I serve large [...]

Popover Recipe: (Give it a try and never go back)

Jan11
easy popover recipe

It’s a chilly, rainy day today, and nothing seems more inviting than a bowl of simmering soup accompanied by some fresh, out of the oven, popovers. A few months ago, I visited my sweet sister in-love and she introduced me [...]

Portobello Pizza Burgers

Oct28
Portebella Mushroom Pizza Sandwiches

Trying new recipes pulls us all out of the cooking rut. I was amazed at the delicious taste of this vegetarian alternative to the big, juice burger. Not only are the Portobello Pizza Burgers tasty, but SO incredibly easy. When [...]

Praline Icing (Perfect with Fudgy Brownies or Apple Cake)

Mar14
Praline Icing

This decadent Praline Frosting spread or drizzled onto these Homemade Fudgy Brownies make for delicious and ultra-rich Praline-Iced Brownies, but don’t stop there, it’s delicious with Apple cake, Spice Cake, Carrot Cake and so many more baked treats. Use my [...]

Puff Pancake Recipe

Dec13
puff pancake

Saturday morning symbolizes pancakes in our family. Often, I make our delicious Swedish Pancakes or Easy Buttermilk Pancakes, but for a large family, it’s time consuming to stand over the griddle flipping them (especially when you make around fifty.) I’ve [...]

Pumpkin Pie (or any Pie flavor) in a Jar

Dec3
pumpkin pie in a jar

There’s just something about serving food in pretty glass jars that makes me so happy. I bought two cases of brand new canning jars at a yard sale, so this holiday season I will be brainstorming creative ways to use [...]

Quick and Easy Appetizers

Dec1
cheese ball with rasberry jam

Appetizers aren’t just for parties any more. Here are some of our family favorites.
Easiest and Tastiest Cheese ball EVER!!

Quick and Easy Quiche Recipe

Feb16
easy-quiche-recipe

In high school, I can remember the bumper sticker that became popular, “Real Men Eat Quiche.” Well, it’s a good thing I am raising some real men, or they might go awfully hungry. I enjoy cooking up a quick and [...]

Recipes to Use up Squash – Squash Casserole

Jul7
Paula Dean's squash casserole

It’s that time of the year when our garden starts to blossom, and we begin to wonder what in the world we were thinking when we planted all that zucchini and yellow squash. Within a month, well meaning church friends [...]

Red, White and Blue Dessert Delights – July 4th Inspiration

Jun29
kids cupcakes

We are hosting two large groups of people this weekend, with virtually no notice, and the need for some 4th of July dessert ideas inspiration has hit in full force. My teen age sons got home from their work camp [...]

Resurrection Rolls – Making Easter Recipes Meaningful

Mar29
Easy-Easter-traditions_opt

Finding simple, yet meaningful traditions that make an impact on a child’s long term memory can be a challenge, but these Resurrection Rolls fit both prerequisites. Our family celebrates Easter as the Resurrection Sunday of our Lord. If you do [...]

Rice Krispie Easter Basket: the Best in Easter Basket Treats

Mar8
Easter Basket treat

With Easter right around the corner, people will begin hunting for fun, yet easy, Easter recipes that are a perfect idea for Cooking with the Kids. There’s nothing better to spruce up Easter Basket treats then to make them ourselves, [...]

Sausage Crescent Rolls Recipe

Dec11
Sausage Bars with Crescent Rolls

So many of us are fretting over what to make for holiday breakfast and brunch dishes. Stressing how quick and easy this recipe is should relieve any unneeded pressure you are putting on yourself. This simply easy and delicious sausage [...]

Simple Sesame Chicken at Home

Jun24
Sesame chicken

This is a quick and easy version of Simple Sesame Chicken without all the extra calories from deep frying. While it will not end up tasting exactly the same as the Chinese restaurant, since the chicken isn’t deep fried, it’s [...]

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings – Just Like Mama’s

Mar28
Chicken and Dumplings in Crock pot

What is it that draws us all to go ‘ole comfort food? When our family has bowls of these super easy, Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings in front of us, we do a collective sigh. Well, I do, my teens [...]

Sour Cream Banana Cake/Bread

Nov4
sour Cream Banana Cake

With the holidays approaching, we all want the easiest, most delicious, inexpensive, and oh…let’s throw in… the most beautiful recipes, don’t we? That’s not asking for a whole lot, is it? So many of our favorite traditions revolve around food. [...]

Strawberry Cheesecake Trifle

Apr14
strawberry-cheesecake-trifle

For me, the kitchen feels like the heart of our home. One whiff of my coffee brewing in the morning lifts and soothes my spirit. The sight, smell and taste of a particular recipe has the potential for such an [...]

Strawberry Margarita Pie

Apr16
Strawberry Margarita Pie @beautyandbedlam

It’s that time of year when I get a hankering for anything strawberry, and I count the weeks till we can go pick them ourselves. I just love a good Strawberry Pie, especially one mixed with fresh strawberries and whipped [...]

Strawberry Milk Recipe (Great Gift Idea)

Nov14
STrawberry Milk

Margo shares, “My family didn’t have a lot of material things growing up, but we always loved when my mom would buy the Strawberry or chocolate drink mixes and mix it in with our milk for a special treat. Now [...]

Stuffed French Toast Casserole with Fruit

Mar30
stuffed french toast casserole

Stuffed French Toast Casserole Regardless of how many mouths I have to feed, there always seems to be a few pieces of left over bread discarded, with new loaves opened. Yes, no regards for finishing the last loaf. I never [...]

Swedish Pancakes

May12

Since we have been enjoying our 20 boxes of cereal (that I scored over the last two weeks for $0.25/piece), I thought I better depart from my hot breakfast hiatus and heat up the griddle again. We love pancakes in [...]

Sweet, Sugar Cinnamon Popovers

Jan16
sweet popover recipe

Last week, I shared my simple popover recipe. It’s a wonderful alternative to the traditional dinner roll or bread; a crisp hollow pastry with an eggy interior. I love dipping popovers in my soup or slathering them with butter, but [...]

Taco Casserole Recipe (Our Kids’ Favorite Family Casserole)

Mar2
easy taco casserole

This easy Taco Casserole recipe is one of those melt in your mouth goodness recipes that I could make continuously, and my family would never complain. I first shared this recipe a few years ago in my Mexican Freezer Recipes [...]

Taco Salad – Great Meal for Large Groups

Sep29
Taco Salad @beautyandbedlam

Whenever I can’t decide what to order at restaurants, I always choose a taco salad. I know, out of all the choices, why would I order something that I prepare all the time at home (and enjoy even better)? I [...]

Thanksgiving “No Need to Bake” Cookie & Treat Ideas

Nov8
Turkey cookie

It’s that time of year when our ovens typically go on over drive, and we find ourselves baking around the clock. Why not take a break from baking, gather the kids,  and create some adorable Thanksgiving cookies and treats? Every [...]

Thanksgiving Turkey Cake (Fun for Kids)

Nov22
Turkey Cake

As adults, we all covet our Thanksgiving Day Pumpkin Pie and Dutch Apple Pie, but do the children enjoy those traditional choices as much as we do? I know when our children were young, they would always pass on the [...]

The Perfect Beer Dip Recipe

Jan23
Beer Dip for Pretzels

Born and raised in Wisconsin, known for their cheese, beer and Packers, I would be remiss to not share this amazing Beer Dip recipe that my sister in law introduced me too. It’s a perfect pairing with pretzels or Frito [...]

The Perfect Short Cut Trick for Homemade Egg McMuffins

Aug20
baked eggs in muffin tins

Months ago, I put this picture on Instagram (beautyandbedlam) with the caption, “Breakfast of Champions.” Anyone that knows me, understands my deep down delight in all things french fries, as well as the fact that I am a City Girl [...]

Top “Must Try” Summer Recipes

May23
top summer recipes

As I mentioned yesterday, there’s just something special about summer gatherings with friends. Those care free, lazy days of summer, where friends come together around some scrumptious summer foods, are some of my favorite memories. Today I have the privilege [...]

Turkey, Ham and Cheese Ring (Tasty Tuesday)

Jan14
Turkey, Ham and Cheese ring @beautyandbedlam

  We love to open our home to friends and family, and since we live on some acreage in the country, fall is a perfect time to host our guests outside. Our home is set back in the woods, so [...]

Twiced Baked Potatoes – Double Stuffed Potatoes

Sep16
double baked potatoes

I do believe I have shared over and over how potatoes are my favorite food. Who could not love those pure gold spuds fried, mashed, cooked, baked, grilled. I’ll even take them sauteed, steamed, or quite possibly frozen. Yes, the [...]

Veggie Cake (Great Twist on the Typical Veggie Platter)

Apr25
Cake-for-veggie-lovers

There’s just nothing better than a great cake on your birthday. Yet, as crazy as it may sound to some of us chocolate lovers, there are times when celebrating without the sweets is a wonderful alternative for  special occasions, especially [...]

Veggie Egg Casserole

Feb26
Zucchini Vegetable Egg Bake @beautyandbedlam

Photo quality courtesy of my smart phone. Even though it’s the middle of winter and many of you are in the midst of a blizzard, I’ve been craving Zucchini bread. Yes, Zucchini Banana bread to be exact. You are pondering, [...]

What’s Your Thanksgiving Menu?

Nov16

As I shared my Easy Pumpkin Bar Recipe yesterday, decades of memories eating them came flooding back. It’s amazing to me how a special recipe will do that, isn’t it? Not so much that the food is award winning, but [...]

Whole Wheat Bread using Evaporated Milk

Oct8
whole wheat bread

Tackling homemade bread is a topic that sends any reasonable homemaker running for the hills. I mean seriously, why would one spend hours mixing, kneading, rising, shaping, and baking when she can go to the store and purchase a loaf [...]

Yummy Banana Bar Recipe

Feb24
banana cake

Our family tends to have an overabundance of ripe bananas at all time, so there’s never a week that goes by when easy banana recipes aren’t being baked, discovered, rediscovered or shared. This yummy banana bar recipe is one I’ve [...]

Zucchini Banana Bread

Aug10
Banana Zucchini Bread

This Zucchini Banana Bread is a wonderful choice for my Baking Days. I tripled the recipe because it’s a perfect bread to freeze. For those times you are trying to do too many things at once,  I always love a [...]