Fun and Yum

Just a quick little blog note. I somehow stumbled upon this REALLY COOL site called Humanclock.com. Super cool photography, put into a clock that changes every minute. Click on "view the clock" to watch the minutes flash by in photos. You can submit your own photos too!

Once you get done there, feel free to whip up some delicious rice pudding. My mom used to make this all of the time when we were kids, for a cheap and easy dessert. Warm up those cold bellies after an afternoon of snowball fights.

Rice pudding (for 4 or 5 chilly people.)
1 cup(or more) cooked white or brown rice (short/medium grain) Leftover from dinner?
1& 1/2 cups skim milk
1/3 cup sugar (you can use splenda too but I don't know the amount)
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup raisins or golden raisins (or I like craisins)
1 large egg beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2-1 Tbsp butter or margarine
Sprinkle of brown sugar or cinnamon.

In a medium saucepan, combine rice, milk, salt, and sugar over medium heat. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring periodically, until it's thicker and creamy. Combine the egg & 1/2 cup of milk then add to the pan along with raisins. Stir constantly for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add vanilla, butter, and raisins. Stir it up. Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy warm. (:

A few yummy recipes

Winter means lots of time indoors, which for us means stir crazy kids. I have been trying to include the kids in cooking or baking lately to keep their little hands and minds occupied. Here are a few recipes that the kids can help with and everyone can enjoy. These recipes are from my recipe box of hand me down recipes and I also consulted allrecipes.com for more great ideas.

Cranberry Almond Bread Pudding (thanks to Stephanie and Matt from the Rhythm Kitchen with help on this one).

1 loaf of bread torn into bite size pieces (KIDS are great at this part)
8 eggs beaten
4 tablespoons butter melted
4 cups of milk
1 1/2 cups of sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup craisins
1/2 cup sliced almonds

Preheat oven 350
Fill up a 9x13 pan with torn bread. Drizzle butter over bread. Combine milk, sugar,eggs, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pour over bread until it is saturated. Toss craisins and almonds over the top of the bread. Bake for 45 minutes. Test to make sure top is firm and springs back when touched. Mix up a sauce of butter and powdered sugar (roundabouts 1 stick butter 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon) to put on top for a little extra sweetness. Serve warm for dessert or breakfast.

Yellow-jacket Cookies
1 box yellow cake mix (18.25 ounce)
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat over to 375. Mix dry ingredients. Make a well in the middle and add eggs and melted butter. Mix well. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Drop rounded tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes. ENJOY! We took these cookies to a potluck and they were gone before we knew it! The kids loved being able to take credit for making them.

More recipes to come! Enjoy baking with your kids this winter!