Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

Last Christmas I took a risk and made something that I have never made before, It took me a while before I found a recipe that I will make, I can't even remember which site I used, I put them altogether and add a little stuff that I think will make it better, and I thought I should share it will all of you.

I was worried that it will be a dry mashed potatoes but it was so good, I will be definitely making this again! 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2- 2.5 lbs. potatoes or 10 medium
• 3/4 Cup milk
• 1/2 Cup sour cream
• 4 Ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 tbsp. butter
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
• chopped parsley
• 5 slices cooked bacon ( broken into pieces)

 

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350F. Grease 1 1/2 quart casserole. Place potatoes in 4-quart casserole; add enough water (add 1tsp of water)
• Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer about 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain.
• Shake potatoes in dutch oven over  low heat to dry.
• In a large bowl, mashed potatoes until no lumps remain. Add milk in small amounts, beat after each addition.
• Combine cream cheese and sour cream in a large bowl; beat until smooth and add half of the cheese, salt, butter.
• Add the cream cheese mixture to the potatoes beat with a mixer
• Spread potato mixture in prepared pan. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.
• Remove rom oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, bacon pieces, and parsley.
• Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese melts.

 

Enjoy! xoxo

This year to come....

 

 

 

 

 

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

 

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing the world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

 

So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop don't worry that isn't good enough. or isn't perfect. whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

 

Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it.

 

-Neil Gaiman

Christmas Day Dinner.

 

 

Hello Everyone! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your family, I know it's four days past Christmas, but I've taken a little holiday from the blog to spend time with family and friends. Now that everything is everything back to normal I can blog my Christmas shenanigans.

 

I had an amazing time with friends and family.
 Christmas Eve it was just me, my husband and my little one and then then the next day my friends that lives 3 hours away came over for Christmas it was a great time.
 

 

 

Kurtis woke up so early, I  think he knows it's time to open presents. I started prepping food for dinner then when hubby woke up we opened up presents.

 



 

 

 

I didn't feel like having breakfast so I just made this Hot chocolate, and it was so much better than the ones I made last year, It was so creamy!

 

I just pour all of the ingredients together into crockpot and whisk together until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, Until mixture is hot and chocolate chips is melted.

 

Crockpot Hot Chocolate

 

What you need:

-1 1/2 Cups heavy whipping cream

-1 (14 ounces) condensed milk

-6 Cups milk

-1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

-2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

 

 

 

For garnish  I added some mini marshmallow, Chocolate chips, Whip cream, and candy canes.

It was so good! 

 

We took some family pictures then my friends came, It was perfect time to start making dinner.

 

 

 

We wanted something Filipino on our dinner so we decided to make Grilled Bangus (Milkfish)

My friend did so good on stuffing it! It was the best!

 

I made Baked Pineapple Ham, This is the second time I made this, I used a different baste and it was so good, I don't think you could go wrong with Baked Pineapple ham, it was so moist! I'd rather have Ham than Turkey on any occasion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For sides I made Green Bean casserole and Cheesy Mashed potatoes, It was my first time making Mashed potatoes and my husband said this recipe is a keeper! I love it when he say that! :)

 

 

And of course, My Homemade Rolls. The recipe is Here

 

 

It's nice having good company especially when you are far away from Family. 

We are laughing because my camera just keeps on snapping but I really love this picture!

 

I am really enjoying the Tripod that hubby got me for Christmas!

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

Later that night we had did some karaoke and had some drinks. It was fun! Little man enjoyed the Karaoke so much! 

 

How was your Christmas?

 

xo Jen

Christmas Eve.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hello Everyone! I hope you all had an amazing Christmas, It has been a busy couple of days for me. It feels good to log off sometimes.

 

Christmas Eve for me is all about tradition, Even though it's not the same tradition I grew up to, I love making new tradition for my family.

 

 

I received a present from somebody I just knew on Instagram. It's amazing when somebody who barely know you would think of doing that, I didn't even care what she sent us but it's the thought that counts.

 

 

We decided to just have everything Finger foods, I thought we would be eating less but, oh my.. I was wrong! haha

 

We had some Bacon wrapped Jalapeno peppers, Crackers with Peanut butter cinnamon Greek yogurt dip, Recipe is Here. Some vegetables with Ranch dip and I made this Jalapeno Popper dip that hubby requested. It was easy to make.

 

Ingredients:

• 8 Jalapeno peppers, deveined and diced
• 1 medium onion,diced
• 1 Cup mayonnaise
• 2 8 ounces package of cream cheese
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese.
• 2 oz. chopped green chillies
• 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled.
• 1 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
• 2-3 dashes garlic powder

 

Instructions:

• Saute jalapeno peppers and onion in olive oil or coconut oil.
• Add all ingredients into a small slow cooker and set on warm
• When cheese is softened (30 minutes or so) mix all ingredients thoroughly
• Make sure the dip doesn't get too hot, just warm and melty.

 

 

 



Enjoy!

 

We watched the last couple of episode of Dexter while eating, I know, we should watched Christmas movie but my husband is not really a fan of Christmas movie, and I want something that we will both enjoy. It was good! I didn't like the ending though I'm a fan of happy endings.

 

 

After watching we gave little man his Christmas Eve box, It's our first time making this. It has Christmas Pj's, popcorn, movie (again, hubby is not a fan of Christmas movie so we didn't get kurtis a Christmas movie either. haha!) A toy, some candies and a book.

He loved it! I gave him a bath and he watched his movie. I think he enjoyed it.

 

 

At 12 midnight when little man was in bed already. Me and hubby did our Christmas eve tradition, We make Gingerbread house and drink some Eggnog, Last year we made chocolate house.

 Chocolate house is much easier. I love doing this for Christmas Eve, it was hard but fun!

 

 What is your Christmas Eve tradition?

xoxo  -Jen

Fruit Salad (Filipino Style)

 

 

 

 

 

Hello everyone! It's Christmas eve tomorrow, and it's Christmas eve in my motherland right now, I'm sad that I won't be able to be there for the holidays again.. But I'm happy that my little family is healthy, my husband is here with me, and that's perfect already.

 

So instead of getting sad, I usually just cook, or make something that will remind me of my motherland. So that when I talk to my family later I won't get too jealous with the awesome food they are having while they are in front of the computer talking to me! haha

 

This Fruit salad is so easy to make, In the Philippines its considered as staple in all gatherings especially Christmas. The good thing about this dessert is that it doesn't require cooking, just mixing and chopping and you can be creative by adding any fruit that you would like.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 Cans Fruit cocktail
• 1 Jar Nata de Coco
• 1 Jar Green Kaong
• 1 Jar Shredded coconut
• 2 Can Condensed Milk (14 oz.)
• 1 Can Table Cream (14 oz. )
• 2 Apples, chopped
• 1/2 cup Grapes
• 1 Can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 Cup cheddar cheese, cubed

 

Directions:

• Drain all of the juices of canned fruit cocktail and mandarin oranges
• Transfer to large mixing bowl, then add the nata de coco, kaong, shredded coconut, apples, grapes, and cheese

• Add the condensed cream and table cream. Combine with the rest of the ingredients. Make sure its mixed evenly.
• Chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving

Enjoy! :)

 

 



 

 

 



What dessert are you making for Christmas Eve? :)

Torero's for Dinner

 

 

 

Hello everyone! I hope you all are having a great weekend, It's 4 days before Christmas! I'm so excited, especially that we are almost done wrapping gifts. Yup, we are still not done.

 

Yesterday we went to the mall to do some last minute Christmas Shopping, It was so busy I don't think I want to do this again next year. But I had fun!

 

 

I loved this decoration at the mall, Little man danced while they were playing. It was so cute!

 

 

 

After that we went to Torero's Mexican Restaurant for dinner. It was my first time going there, I have been looking for a really good Mexican restaurant in town that would top or at least be like the amazing restaurant that I went to in Iowa, In my husband Hometown.

 

 

I can say that it was almost as good as that restaurant. Their chips and salsa was so good! I had to control myself because I was almost full before our food even came in.

 

I had a mango margarita, and it was one of the best margarita I had!

 

We had chili poppers for appetizer, Spicy food is not really my favorite but I was really in the mood to try something new. This is my husbands favorite. It was really good!

 

I had the Enchilada and Chimichanga combination plate and I  love everything! I was really surprise on how big their servings Is but yes, I ate all of it. haha!

 

Hubby had a Carne Asada Burrito and it was so good too! He always picks the best food every time we eat out, I try to beat him sometimes but most of the time he wins. haha!

It was an awesome night! I would go back there again, even just for the Margarita! :)

 

Have a good Sunday!

xo -Jen

Eggnog Pancakes with Raspberry Maple Syrup

 

 

 

Happy Friday everyone!

It's Friday, and if you all don't know yet, I love making special breakfast on Fridays. I don't really get to eat breakfast with hubby all week long and Friday's is usually the day he has time, So I try to make it special.
 

Decided to make some Eggnog Pancakes today, I wish this is not seasonal! I can have this all year long!

 

Been using this recipe of pancakes all the time, the only difference I did was the milk, I looked everywhere to find a really good fruit topping, I've been seeing a recipe for Cranberry topping. But I was kind of worried that I won't like it so I used Raspberry instead. I loved it! Maybe next time, I'll give Cranberry a try.

 

 

 



Ingredients:

(Makes 8 servings)

• 1  1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoon Baking powder
• 1 egg
• 1 3/4 cup Eggnog
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 3 tablespoon of butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:



• In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.
• Make a well in the center and pour in the eggnog, egg and melted butter; mix until smooth
• Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat.
• Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake.
• Brown both sides and serve hot.

 

 

 

 

Raspberry Maple Syrup

• I added 2 cup of fresh raspberry (you can also use frozen) to a pan along with 1 cup of maple syrup and 2 tbsp. of butter.
• I simmered the syrup until the raspberries began to burst a bit and softened and the syrup was warmed through. Once the syrup is thickened and blended together, I poured the sauce over each stack of  pancakes.

 

Garnish with some syrup if desired!

 

 

 

Cheesy Spam and Eggs

 

I always make these Scrambled eggs every time I make pancakes, It's a perfect combination with pancakes.

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 can Spam, chopped in cube
• 4 Eggs, Beaten
• 3/4 Cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• salt and pepper

 

Directions:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and season with salt and pepper.
• Melt the butter in a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat.
• Cook the Spam and cook, stirring until a little brown. Add the egg and cook, stirring until loosely set. about 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the cheese over the eggs and stir to combine. Continue to cook, stirring for 2 to 4 minutes depending on desired firmness of the eggs.

               I sprinkled some dried parsley for garnish :)  Serve immediately.

                                                          Enjoy! xo

  

 





 

Honey Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

I have been so obsessed to Sweet Potatoes lately. Sweet potato fries, Baked sweet potato, Sweet potato casserole and so on.. It doesn't matter how it's cooked, I will eat it! My hubby doesn't like sweet potato which I still don't understand why, but I guess it's good.. that means more for me!haha

 

Today I made these easy simple roasted sweet potato, it was so good. If you love sweet potatoes like me. You should try it. They are not too sweet! Perfect for side dish!

 

Ingredients:

• 2 Large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 tbsp. Honey
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

 

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• In a large bowl, combine the honey, olive oil, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
• Add the sweet potatoes and toss to coat.
• Dump potatoes onto a large baking sheet.
• Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking.

 

 

 

 

 

I made my favorite dip with it and it was the perfect dip for it!

 

Peanut butter and Cinnamon greek yogurt dip

 

You will love it too! Enjoy! :)

xo