::Peach Kuchen Bars::

Remember way back when...to that giveaway I had with the Kuchen recipes? Well, my aunt (the same one who I got the ::Cool Cucumber Pasta:: recipe from) didn't post a comment on that blog post, but instead emailed me this recipe. I was contemplating what to make for a dessert for today and then was looking at some recipes I haven't tried and this was one of them. I love desserts with fruit in them, and my husband and I both love peaches! How perfect; ::Peach Kuchen Bars::! These are super easy to make and take very little time prepare. I must not forget to mention that they are super delicious! Before I met Jamyson, I hadn't had Kuchen before; that's like me being Norwegian and not having had Lefsa before. Uff da. Enjoy!

::Peach Kuchen Bars::

Crust:

1 c. margarine, melted

2 eggs

2 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together & spread on greased jelly roll pan.
Take 1 large can and 1 small can of peaches and drain real well. Cut-up peaches and lay on crust.

Custard:

4 eggs well beaten

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 tbsp. flour

1 3/4 c. whipping cream

Mix all together (add cream last)Pour over everything. Sprinkle with cinnamon on top. (However much you like)Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Starting out with 2 sticks of butter...this would even make Paula Dean excited!

...then adding flour...

...and sugar...

I then beat together the eggs and vanilla....

...like so.

and added it to the stirred butter, flour, and sugar mix.

It gets nice and smooth like this.

Ready to spread in the pan.

Starting to spread.

All spread out.

I had an abundance of canned peaches. I meant to buy the individual cans for my lunches and when I got home I had the regular sized cans. Oops...but they came in handy today!

"I really love your peaches wanna shake your tree..."-Steve Miller Band

(Used to be in love with them, my brother got me their CD for my bday one year!)

Draining.

I put alot on! I used 4 of the reg. sized cans.

Close up.

Starting to make the custard.

All mixed up and ready for the cream...

Cream. Cream. Dream.

The cream all mixed in.

Custard over the peaches and ready to set in the oven.

Another close up.

Cinnamon.

Oven ready.

Another close up.

Donezo!

MMM..hard not to cut into while they are still warm and a little runny!

::Cool Cucumber Pasta::

I'm pretty sure I've eaten more cucumbers this week then I have over my entire lifetime. Not even kidding. Fresh from the garden veggies are just so much more tastier than what you buy in the grocery store! My aunt had made this recipe for father's day and I knew I had to have the recipe; not only because it was super delicious but because I knew I would have alot of cucumbers from the garden. The cucumbers paired with the pasta and the sauce give it a hearty, yet resfreshing taste. Make this ahead of time so that it is able to sit in the fridge for a while until it is served. Enjoy!

::Cool Cucumber Pasta::

12 oz. Bow Tie Pasta

1 T. vegetable oil

2 med. cucumbers, thinly sliced

1/2 onion , thinly sliced (however much you like)

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 c. water

3/4 c. vinegar

1 T. prepared mustard

1 T. dried parsley flakes

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic salt
Cook pasta; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl; stir in oil, cucumber, and onion. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over salad and toss. Cover and chill for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with slotted spoon.

Thinly slicing the cucumbers.

I might have cut up more than 2 med. cucumbers...that's how much I enjoy them!

Pasta!

Time for the onion.

Pasta, onions, and cucumbers.

A little bit of oil.

Sugar to sweeten it up...

Water to...add some wetness.

Vinegar to add some tang!

The spices. One thing; what doesn't fit here and what is missing?

Answer: ground mustard doesn't fit here and the prepared mustard is missing...oops!

Ready to be mixed in to add some flavor.

Stired and ready! So delicious!
Tomorrow, it will be better from sitting!

::Mommy-To-Be Party::

A few months ago I found out that one of my neighbors was pregnant, then another neighbor was...then another...and another...and another...and another...and so on! Seriously, there is a mini baby boom out here; but don't worry, I'm not apart of it! To make matters even crazier, 5 of the ladies are due in Septemer AND are all having BOYS (one has made his appearance already)! Anyways, to celebrate the moms-to-be and for just a little get together, I hosted a ::Mommy-To-Be Party:: at my house. Just a little get together to chat, talk about tips for the new moms reguarding birth, breastfeeding and everything in between! I had one "game" planned, some drawings for prizes, and of course food! I had such a great time planning this little party and getting everything ready. I hope that everyone had a fun time! Here are some pics! Enjoy!

Menu:

Dips:

Maxi's Queso & Chips
Spinich Dip & Beer Bread
Corn Dip & Chips

Cream Cheese Pickle & Ham Roll Ups

Dessert:
Nutter Butter Balls

Cake Balls

Maxi's Scotcheroos

Go Fish Mix

Drink:

Sherbert Punch

The theme of the party was a light lime green. Beings the pregnant women were the honored guests, their drinks were served in the wine glasses, while everyone else got regular cups!

Setup of the dips.

Dessert table prior to food being placed (besides the bowl of Go Fish mix)

Starting to put some of the desserts on. By each dip & dessert I placed a recipe card for each so that if someone wanted the recipe it was right there. Also, if someone wanted to know what was in it prior to eating, the ingredients were there to see!

I printed them on cardstock paper and went with a green font to go with the theme.

The one 'game' I had planned was a guessing jar. I put mostly baby things in it and a few other things...rubber duckies, pacifiers, finger puppets, candy.

I invited all the grandmas-to-be and then had them email me a list of tips for the moms-t0-be. I compiled all the tips together and then for a tip here and there I paired a prize to go with it. For example, one tip was to leave some sort of noise on when the baby is sleeping so that if the phone rings they won't wake up. The prize for that, a baby lulliby CD. I also gave away a couple prizes to the guests; bottle of wine and coffee and biscottis.

Dessert table all set up.

Another pic with the balloons.

Glasses in the freezer with the sherbert; waiting for the honored guests to arrive to add the Sierra Mist and serve!

The other cups!

The honored guests! Aren't they the most beautiful looking pregnant women you have ever seen?

If you would like to host a party and needs tips, food ideas, or food for the party; I'd be MORE than HAPPY to help or cater! :)

::Apology::

I have been trying for a while and have been unsuccessful at uploading pics on the blog...stay tuned!...

::Maxi's Mexican Eggrolls with Creamy Avocado Dip::

I'm not sure what I was searching for when I came across a recipe for Chili's Southwestern Eggrolls, but I did, and it's where I adapted this recipe from. The Creamy Avacodo Dip is solely from the Chili's restaurant/recipe; I just make a bigger batch (of course). I was going to follow the eggroll recipe from Chili's, but then started adding more of one thing, less of the other, etc. etc. and came up with something super delicious. As far as the dip, that is another kind of delicious. Oh, wow...it's soooo good, and it makes a great chip dip too; not a dip just for the eggrolls! I usually deep fry these, but I have baked them before. Of course, deep frying is better. One more thing, this recipe makes a big batch, so, either cut down the recipe or they freeze well. However, if you do decide to freeze them, bake them a little bit first and then freeze, otherwise when you unthaw them they will stick together and rip apart. Just an FYI :). Enjoy!

::Maxi's Mexican Eggrolls with Creamy Avacado Dip::

½ each of chopped green, red, and yellow pepper
½ chopped purple onion
1 chopped green onion
1 chopped jalapeno pepper

Cook until tender with olive oil, salt, and pepper

Brown 1lb lb hamburger with salt and pepper
Add with vegetables and then add about tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 can corn, and 1 can of black beans
Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, onion salt, garlic powder, and garlic salt
Add Monterey jack cheese and stir until melted

2 package egg roll wrappers

place 2 tablespoons in wrapper and roll
and fry in oil until golden brown


Creamy Avocado Dip
1/4 cup smashed fresh avocado (about half of an avocado)
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon dried parsley
1/8 teaspoon onion powder

1 dash dried dill weed

1 dash garlic powder
1 dash pepper

I had some banana peppers from my garden so I threw some of those in the mix!


Imagine that you are seeing purple onions! I thought I had one at home, but I guess not. When you live a ways from the grocery store, you make do. Yee Haw.

Sauted vegetables and now adding the beef.

Then add the ^the above.^

Starting to look good!...

All the spices.

So, of course I don't have exact measurements for this, but, with each spice I go back and forth. Stir, then taste test, and add more of each until it seems spicy enough. Don't fret about doing this, you won't mess it up.

Cheese! About 2 big handfulls...to make it kinda creamy.

The filling!

Can't forget about the green onions. I chop up the whole bunch and add.

The wraps!

The measurement tool!

So, this is how I roll....

Place it like this.

Then add two Tbsps.

Like that.

Roll the corner over the filling and pull a little bit towards you to make it 'snug.'

Then, fold the corner sides over....

And start rolling.

And you will get this nice little piece of art! :)

And lots of them too!

Makes two layers...so I seperate with tin foil.

Second layer.

This picture makes them look not as good as they are and a little dark too...but just imagine!

Looks dark here but is sooooo good! Ohh..can't forget about the awesome dip. Seriously...you H.A.V.E to make this!