Homemade Turkey Non-Chimichanga Chimichangas Recipe

I'm not a huge Mexican food fan, but I do tend to make it a few times a month, as Handsome Husband is and it is one of the easier types of meals to whip up (though good and traditional Mexican cuisine is time consuming and takes skill I certainly don't possess, my mediocre Mexican meals work for us!).

When I saw this recipe for baked chimichangas, I knew I wanted to give it a try!  I did not end up following the recipe very closely, so today I'll share with you the "chimichangas" that I made, which I am calling Non-Chimichangas because I baked them for such a short amount of time, they were really more like super yummy burritos!  Yummy is all that mattered to me, and they were a big hit with HH as well!

Baked Turkey Non-Chimichanga Chimichangas 

Makes 8

3/4 lb Lean Ground Turkey

16 oz can Refried Beans

1 3/4 cup Salsa

4 1/2 oz Canned Diced Green Chilis

1/2 tsp Chili Powder

3 tbsp Diced Onion

1 cup Mexican Cheese

8 large Tortillas

Sour Cream, for garnish and topping as desired

Cooking Spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and prep a glass 13x9 baking dish and a large skillet with a few sprays of cooking spray.

Add turkey to skillet and cook over medium-high heat until just browned, about 5 minutes.  

Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in foil and put in oven to warm and soften.

Add diced onions and continue cooking until onions are slightly translucent.  Drain any excess grease, though I find with lean turkey you do not have too much grease.

Add beans, salsa, chili peppers, and chili powder.  Stir and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.  Stir in cheese and remove from heat.

Remove tortillas from oven, and put wraps together using a heaping 1/2 cup of the turkey mixture per tortilla.  Fold in ends and roll up.

Place in prepped baking dish.  As you can see, I was not concerned with keeping the size the same for all, but if you were planning to present these, you could be a little more careful when preparing the wraps.

Bake uncovered for 15 minutes.  Here is where you could extent the time if you prefer a crispier, more Chimichanga like taste.  Because I don't, I went for a softer texture and actually took them out just before 15 minutes was up.

I served mine with sour cream on top, and a side of Spanish Rice!

Adventures in Pinterest: Quinoa Chicken Chilli

A little birdie (read: Cute Apartment) requested recipes, and this blogger is trying to deliver!  I had pinned this one a long time ago, and couldn't wait to try it.  I was especially interested because I had never cooked with quinoa before trying out this recipe (Fun fact: I only recently learned quinoa is pronounced keen-wah and not ki-no-ah.  Thanks Sister Swimmer for helping a girl out.) and was interested in seeing if Handsome Husband would be a fan!

My Pinspiration:

Queen Bee Coupons

My Version:

I'll send you over to Queen Bee for the recipe, as I only changed a few things.  I added slightly more corn (because I'm a big fan) and halved the chili powder and crushed red pepper additions per her suggestion, as I'm not a big fan of the spice.

I topped mine with lots of Mexican cheese and sour cream, on HH's I sprinkled extra chili powder and crushed red peppers, cause he does love spicy!  

We were both big fans, and this is a great protein-heavy winter meal!  It cooks in the crock pot (I used frozen chicken breasts and cooked mine on low for 6 hours and the chicken was perfect - my crock pot is faster than average, though), which I love.  We had tons of leftovers, and HH preferred to eat his leftovers with chips!

What is your favorite winter meal?

Adventures in Pinterest: Gender Reveal Party Details

If you haven't yet, be sure to check out the video from our Gender Reveal Party, to see these fun details and more!

Pinterest was obviously my #1 go-to site when planning our Gender Reveal Party.  I think Pinterest may have somehow been the one to invent these types of parties, afterall.  There were definitely some pinspired elements at our party, and I wanted to share those with you!

My Pinspiration:

{Pin}

My Creation:
  

I absolutely loved the way the mix of patterned fabrics looked on this banner, and couldn't wait to recreate it!  I picked up all my fabric and ribbon at JoAnns, the tape was from Michaels (but you can find it on HERE also).  It was super simple to make, though one of the fabrics I chose just would not work with the double-sided craft tape I picked up, so I had to scrap that one from the banner.  Other than that, easy peasy.  I freehanded a "stencil" out of regular paper, and used that to keep the triangles roughly the same size and shape.  I used tiny bits of the craft tape to hang the banner in a few places around my parents' home for some cute pink and blue decor!

 My Pinspiration:

{Pin}

My Creation:

I absolutely loved the idea of putting together a "Boy or Girl" banner (clearly, I'm into banners at the moment), but wanted something that more went with our theme or bright pink and blues.  Using my Silhouette Machine, I was able to cut the little flags, the letters, and punctuation in no time!  I used tiny foam craft mounts to secure the letters to the flags for a little dimension, and strung the flags onto twine I had on hang to hang it.

 My Pinspiration:

{Pin}

My Creation:

Funny enough, this was probably the most time consuming of the projects I'm sharing with you today!  Taking the time to cut and ball the fruit was definitely intensive, but the surprising part was how hard it was to get it looking so Pinterest perfect.  The above photos are completely misleading, because you can't really just put the fruits in one variety at a time.  You have to layer them, keeping all the "columns" even, or it spills and fill the entire watermelon "bowl".  It was a lot of trial and error, but all in all it wasn't that bad!  And the result is adorable, if I do say so myself!  I definitely plan to present fruit like this in the future!

Linking up with: The Vintage Apple, Something Swanky, Vintage Wanna Bee, Ginger Snap Crafts, Lil Luna, I {Heart} Nap Time, A Diamond in the Stuff, Live Laugh Rowe, 504 Main, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, C.R.A.F.T., Delightful Order, House of Hepworths, Positively Splendid, BEAUtiful Mess/Keep Calm and Carry On, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Chic on a Shoestring Budget, A Night Owl, House of Rose

A Mother's Day Brunch

Last weekend, for Mother's Day, we hosted my parents, my sisters, Mother-in-Law Red and her beau, Mr. Bear for brunch.  I have so loved owning our home for many reasons, but by far my number one reason?  I love to entertain. 

I spent quite some time deciding on the perfect spread - balancing the necessities of sweet and savory breakfast items to please all those in attendance, and I did pretty well, if I do say so myself!

This, to me, is the perfect brunch spread:

Chocolate Chip Pancake Muffins

Hashbrowns

Bacon - soft and crispy!

Smoked Salmon

Strawberries and Bananas with Nutella

Cheesey Egg Bake

 

and

 

A Mimosa Bar (duh!)

 

And obviously, no Mother's Day is complete without some gifts.

 

 

My gifts for Mother-in-Law Red were lovingly bought at a craft fair (the adorable sign) and the phone case is from Etsy.

 

For Gardening Momma, I got a little crafty and my Pinspiration was from none other than the Saw it-Pinned it-Did it Queen herself, Steph! 

 

My Pinspiration:

{Pinned}

 

My Creation:

 

I went with a big of a fluffier succulent arrangement, and a different type of wooden letter, and skipped the bow for Gardening Mom's wreath, but I loved Steph's so much I just couldn't stray too much for her adorable wreath.

 

I wasn't the only one who got crafty for Mother's Day this year, Sisters Swimmer and Singer worked with Hat Dad to create the coolest succulent planter for GM also!

 

So cool, right?!

 

Sisters showing off their handiwork.

 

Linking up with: The Vintage Apple, Something Swanky, Vintage Wanna Bee, Ginger Snap Crafts, Lil Luna, I {Heart} Nap Time, A Diamond in the Stuff, Live Laugh Rowe, 504 Main, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, C.R.A.F.T., Delightful Order, House of Hepworths, Positively Splendid, BEAUtiful Mess/Keep Calm and Carry On, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Chic on a Shoestring Budget, A Night Owl, House of Rose



Adventures in Pinterest: Easter Treats

Sometimes I wish I was one of the fabulous bloggers who thought out all their holiday crafts, recipes and decor; made them in advance and took the most gorgeous photos; and then shared their amazing ideas with their readers inspiring them to use their creativity to make their holidays even more special than years past.
 

But I'm not.
 

I'm just a girl who likes to ramble, who sometimes make some recipes and crafts and shares them on the blog.  And most of the time, if they're for a holiday?  I'm sharing them after cause I just made them that day.  Such is life.
 

This Easter, I made two adorbs treats to share with our family.  And shocker of all shocks?  They were both Pinspired.
 

Colored Easter Deviled Eggs

  

Pinspiration: 

{Originally pinned from}

Mine:

  

I sort of love how mine got this random speckled look, though I'm not completely sure how they did.  I'll refer you to the original link for the instructions, but I used about a cup of hot water, combined with about a teaspoon of vinegar and a very small amount of Wilton gel colors.  I do not have liquid food color in my house, and the gel worked just fine.  The only thing I would note that was a bit different than the original link is that I left mine in the colored water for much longer than I thought I would.  Maybe it was because of the gel icing?  Anywho, I left them in the cups of colored water for 3+ minutes each.

And just because I know everyone does it a little differently, my yolk mixture is pretty basic: egg yolk, light mayo, garlic salt, Tapatio, and dijon mustard.  

After the appetizer came a wonderful dinner full of steaks, crab legs, homemade coleslaw, green bean casserole and more!  And after that, came these:
 

Easter Nest Cupcakes

  

Pinspiration:

Mine:

 

Shout out to HH for being a hottie hand model! 

I'm gonna keep it real and admit that I used gasp box cake mix, canned frosting and obviously premade candy atop these little cuties, and you know what?  No shame.  These are very basic, and the instructions at the original site are super helpful! 

Linking up with: The Vintage Apple, Something Swanky, Vintage Wanna Bee, Ginger Snap Crafts, Lil Luna, I {Heart} Nap Time, A Diamond in the Stuff, Live Laugh Rowe, 504 Main, Tatertots and Jello, Be Different Act Normal, Six Sisters' Stuff, C.R.A.F.T., Delightful Order, House of Hepworths, Positively Splendid, BEAUtiful Mess/Keep Calm and Carry On, Southern Lovely, Someday Crafts, Chic on a Shoestring Budget, A Night Owl

2012 Goal Review

I don't really believe in New Years Resolutions.  I think most people end up failing at them, and that they are always uuber cliche.  However, I do believe in goals, and the end or beginning of a year is a great time to evaluate them. 

Last year, I wrote about ten things I wanted to do in 2012 - you can see that post HERE.  Today, let's see how the heck I did.

1. Buy a condo with my very Handsome Husband.   Check! We put an offer on a condo we absolutely adored in March, suffered through a horrific short sale, and closed escrow on the second-to-last day of August of 2012.  We have been soaking up the last few months as new homeowners, and this was a huge accomplishement for us!  You can read about our Hunt to Homeownership HERE.
2. Start making lunch more often.   Fail. I definitely improved over 2011, but still not where I'd like to be.  I don't see this getting all that much better in 2013 to be honest, but a girl can dream.
3. Work out more often. Note: It's a lifestyle change, not a "lose 10 pounds" thing.   Fail. I definitely did work out more in 2012 than I did in 2011, however, ever since I stopped running with Tutor Girl, I lost a lot of motivation.  I would really like to get better about this in 2013, so we'll see.   4. Read more books.   Sort-of Check! I read a lot during the first half of 2012, due in part to my awesome new gadget at the time - the Kindle Fire.  However, once we got close to closing escrow, I was using my reading time for pursuing Pinterest for home decor ideas, and after that I was using every available second to make Pinterest come to life.  I would like to read more in 2013, mainly because I have SO many fabulous books in my Kindle wishlist!   5. Further my education.   Sort-of Check! I took a whopping one class this year which, for me, is sad.  I would really love to be saying that I will become an RN in 2013, but I know that is not the case.  And not because I do not have the drive, motivation or dedication.  But because the nursing education market here in California really does not favor those trying to work and go to school.  For me to go to school, I would have to change positions, and would not be able to work full-time.  With a Handsome Husband in law school, this is simply not an option for me at the time.  For now, I am focusing my efforts on excelling in my current nursing role, perhaps taking some units next semester to prepare myself for the nursing program even more, and being a supportive wife for my student Husband.  I know he will be there for me when it's my turn, and I know that will come before I know it.
6. Visit my family on the east coast.   Fail. This one makes me sad, but spoiler alert: We are heading to the East Coast in 2013!  More deets to come!
7. Be a strong support for HH as he starts law school in the Fall.   Check!  Or at least, I'd like to think so! I would like to hope I've been helpful and supportive for my sweet HH, I guess we'd have to ask him to find out for sure!
8. Focus on growing my wardrobe in a thrifty and practical way.   Fail. I think the main reason this one was a fail was because HH and I were trying to save as much moola as possible for our move in 2012, so I really tried to keep purchases on the minimum.  This year, I really would like to grow my wardrobe, and on top of that?  I'd like to take more fashion risks.   9. Do more things for and with my girlfriends - I think I do pretty good now, but I don't ever want them to not know how important they are to me!   Check! From Girls Weekend last January (and another one just weeks away!) to lots and lots of girls nights out and even my Victoria's Secret party - 2012 was the year of growing my relationships with my girlfriends.  And you know what?  2013 is going to be, too!
10. Start thinking about having a little kidlet? Key word: Thinking. See HERE. (and also HERE.)   Check! I mean, sure, I thought about it.  

Christmas Came Early: STAND MIXER DECAL GIVEAWAY!

 

Today, I have a fantastic giveaway for the baker in your life, or a great little add-on gift if you're gifting anyone a stand mixer this year for Christmas!  Or if you've got a mixer of your own, this is the perfect addition to take it from functional to functional and adorable!

 

Julie from the Etsy shop, Lil Punkin Creations is giving away the Swirls Vinyl Decal set for Stand Mixers!

 

 

Adorable, right?!  And look at all the gorgeous colors you can get your decal set made in:

 

 

Enter below via Rafflecopter!

And come back tomorrow for a chance to win something sparkly!

And fellow bloggers, don't forget to enter yesterday's Sponsorship Bundle Giveaway!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cooking with Casey: Beef and Noodle Stir Fry

I'm pretty proud of myself for this one, guys.

 

I took a recipe, didn't have/couldn't find some things listed in it, and turned it into my own thing!  When I explained that the Handsome Husband, his response was "What are you, a cook, or something?" - my husband, he's just got a way with words.

 

You can see the original recipe by the one and only Pioneer Woman HERE.  Below is the recipe I used, including all my changes.

 

Beef and Noodle Stir Fry

Serves 4

 

I got way too much joy out of setting up this photo.

 

1 1/2 lb Flank Steak

1/2 cup Low Sodium Soy Sauce

4 Tbsp White Wine (I used Pinot Grigio, an uuber cheap bottle)

2 Tbsp Packed Brown Sugar

2 Tbsp Cornstarch

Garlic Powder

2 Tsp Chili Sauce

Canola Oil

1 Medium Sweet Onion (I prefer sweet onions, so I always use them)

2 Red Peppers

1 Tbsp Diced Jalapeno (I used a can, sister don't dice jalapenos in this house)

Anthony's Cut Fideo Pasta

 

Start by putting together your marinade/sauce that you will soak flank steak in by combining in a medium bowl: soy sauce, white wine, brown sugar, cornstarch, garlic powder (the original recipe calls for garlic cloves, but I am both lazy and cluless, so I simply use garlic powder and on this occasion, I probably used about a teaspoon?) and chili sauce.  Set aside.

 

Thinly slice flank steak.  I cut mine in half lengthwise, and then sliced, so my pieces were not too long.

 

 

Place flank steak slices in sauce and toss to coat.  Leave steak slices in sauce and set aside.

 

Dice onion (I prefer very small pieces, but if you like slices, that would work great too!), and slice red pepper into small rings/slices.

 

Heat about a tbsp of canola oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Once hot, add onions and sautee for about a minute and a half.  Remove onions and put in medium bowl.

 

Return skillet to flame, and allow to get hot again.  Add pepper slices/rings and cook for about two minutes - until peppers have some black and brown but are still firm.  Remove peppers and put on top of onions in medium bowl.

 

Return skillet to heat and add another tbsp of canola oil.  Allow to get hot again and, using tongs, add a chunk (you're welcome for the technical lingo) of the steak from the sauce.  Spread the slices of steak out in the pan and sear on each side for 20-30 seconds.  After both sides have been cooked, put on top of peppers and onions in medium bowl.  Continue until all meat has been browned.

 

Now would be a good time to put your water for noodles on to boil. 

 

Lower heat for skillet to low, and add back your bowl full of meat, peppers and onions.  Top with leftover marinade that steak was soaking in.  Let simmer while the liquid thickens.

 

 

Once water is boiling for noodles, add noodles and cook per package instructions.  (I used about 3/4 of the package, because I am a huge noodles fan, you could use less.)  Once noodles are done cooking and drained, add to stir fry mixture in skillet.  Mix to warm everything up one last time, and you're done!

 

 





Cooking with Casey: Baked Halibut

One of my Handsome Husband's coworkers has a boyfriend who loves to fish.  And she is super generous and share some of the fantastic fish that he brings home, so a few weeks ago when HH brought home this halibut, I knew I could find a fantastic recipe to use.  And lucky for him, I like my fish raw, so he had it all to himself!  (Wouldn't you know it, the dude was so excited to take it to school for lunch, and left it there before even eating it!  One of his law school buddies lucked out with a yummy fish lunch instead of HH!)

Panko Baked Halibut with Mustard

Original recipe from HERE, slightly modified version below

Serves 2

 

2 large halibut steaks

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted

1 1/2 cups Panko bread crumbs

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 lemon

 

Preheat oven to 375.

 

Combine mustard and melted butter in shallow bowl. 

 

Dip halibut steaks into mustard mixture, leaving them for 30-60 seconds to soak up the mixture.

 

I spread my Panko crumbs in a pie pan, and used that to coat the steaks in.  Place the steak in the crumbs, turn over and be sure to liberally coat the entire halibut steak.

 

Place steaks in a pyrex baking dish (I just used a 9x9, but you could use a baking sheet or another sized pyrex, I suppose).

 

Season with salt and pepper, and put into oven.

 

Bake for 20 minutes.

 

After removing from oven, squeeze about half of a lemon onto the tops of the steaks, and serve with lemon slices.  I served mine over rice.

 

 

This recipe got rave reviews from HH and his law school buddy - let me know if you try it!

Also, my guess is that it would work with many other kinds of fish.