Redneck Stir Fry

Stumbled on this tonight, while looking for something easy to cook for dinner. I had an opened package of Johnsonville Brats on Sunday. I had the leftover veggies from lunch, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Why not add it all together? And of course add some sauerkraut. While cooking I thought it looked much like Chinese stir fry, so I added a little soy sauce in the mixture. Tada...Redneck Stir-Fry.

Redneck Stir-Fry

Bratwurst (your choice of flavors) sliced
1 onion chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
6 oz. fresh mushrooms
1 cup sauerkraut
1 T. soy sauce

Grill all ingredients together in oil or butter of your choice. Add soy sauce when food is almost done.

Modified Philly Cheese Steak

Have you ever been wanting something to eat but not have all the ingredients? Improvise with what is in the cabinets, frig, or freezer.
Actually, today it wasn't so much wanting something, but needing to use some meat. When I cleaned out the freezer this morning I found some Philly steak meat that needed to be cooked; soon. So for lunch it was a modified form of Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches.

Thinly slice onions and bell peppers. Saute in choice of oil or butter.

Grill your Philly Steak meat. No oils necessary. Lightly brown on one side, then flip. Chop steak slightly, and flip again. Chop on that side. Keep repeating till all steak is broken up and fully cooked.

When onions and peppers are almost done, add mushrooms. Fresh  mushrooms shrink when cooking, so if you really like mushrooms add more than you think you need. 

When done, put veggies on top of steak, cover with cheese (I normally use Swiss, but just used American because it was all I had), and grill until cheese is slightly melted. 

Lightly butter rolls and grill. (I'm using hot dog buns today, because we didn't have any rolls.)

Take meat, veggies, and cheese and scoop onto roll, or bun as it is today. 

Serve.

Philly Cheese Steak 

4 Philly Steak Patties

1 Onion

1 Green Bell Pepper (or mix and match with colors you like)

6 oz. Fresh Mushrooms

4 slices of Cheese

4 Sandwich Rolls

Recipe can easily be modified for more or less servings. 

Chop Steaks while grilling until completely scrambled. Thinly slice peppers and onions. Saute. Add mushrooms to veggies when almost done. Top each steak with veggies and cheese. Heat till cheese is almost melted. Scoop onto roll and serve. 

Freezer Clean Out

Today seemed like the day to clean out the freezer because I would hate for Santa to peek in and see a dirty, unorganized freezer. 

Cleaning out the freezer is an often ignored, not thought about, or put off job. Usually it doesn't take that long, and we wonder why we put it off for so long. I didn't time it, but I bet I didn't spend 10 minutes cleaning it out this morning. I really expected it to much worse and harder.
The best time to clean out the freezer (or frig, for that matter) is BEFORE you go shopping. There will be less items to move. This is a great time to take note of the contents of your freezer. (You know how that 'thing' gets lost in the back or bottom and is forever forgotten, until you clean it out. I like to keep a wipe off board on the freezer to take inventory of what is there. Using tally marks is easiest for adding or removing an item.

What you Need:

• Rag
• Hot, Soapy Water
• Vinegar
• *Optional Items: Baking Soda, Toothbrush

Steps to Cleaning Out Freezer

• Empty Freezer (During this step, I like to re-organize like items together. Even with the best intentions, someone will likely put something in the wrong place at some time.) If you have a large freezer with many items, you might want to use an ice chest to store your items in while you are cleaning. 
• Throw away any old, or freezer burned items. 
• Defrost if necessary. Most newer freezers don't build up frost, so just skip this step if you don't need to. (When I do have defrost, I use a blow dryer. It is must faster and easier than unplugging the and waiting....I hate waiting) NEVER use a knife to dislodge ice. 
• Wipe off any stray particles of food and/or packaging. 
• Clean off all the shelves and sides with the hot, soapy water. Some people like to use vinegar as well. 
• Take out any removable shelves or drawers and thoroughly clean them out in the sink. If they are small enough, even running them through the dishwasher is a good idea. 
• Wipe all areas again with plain, hot water. This will make sure no soapy residue is left. If there are small areas in the freezer or in the seal of the freezer, you might want to use an old toothbrush to get in those tight areas. Some people like to take an additional step and wipe down again with water and baking soda. If you have a frost freezer, the walls can be sprayed with a non-stick cooking spray to help cut down on the frost build-up. 
• Put the Food Back. This is when you can organize your freezer with the like items in the same areas. In my freezer, I have a shelf for quick, heat-n-eat items and snacks, a shelf for meats, and a shelf for leftovers. I put smaller items, like hot dogs and bacon in the door. This helps from losing those small items when the freezer is very full. This is also the time to make sure the oldest items are either in front or on top to use first. It is also important to remember to front items when loading the freezer with new groceries. 

That's it! You are done. Once you have done this, I promise you will feel so much better and accomplished. I know, because I do! 

Rules of Housekeeping

RULES OF HOUSEKEEPING

1. Vacuuming too often weakens the carpet fibers. Say this with a serious face, and shudder delicately whenever anyone mentions Carpet Fresh. 

2. Dust bunnies can evolve into dust rhinos when disturbed. Rename the are under the couch "The Galapoagos Islands" and claim an ecological exemption.

3. Layers of dirty film on windows and screens provide a helpful filter against harmful and aging rays from the sun. Call it a SPF factor of 5 and leave it alone. 

4. Cobwebs, artfully draped over lampshades, reduces the glare from the bulb, thereby creating a romantic atmosphere. If your husband points out that the light fixtures need dusting, simply look affronted and exclaim, "What? And spoil the mood?"

5. Explain the mound of pet hair brushed up against the doorways by claiming you are collecting it there to use for stuffing hand sewn play animals for underprivileged children. 

6. If unexpected company is coming, pile everything unsightly into one room and close the door. As you show your guests through your tidy home, rattle the doorknob vigorously  fake a growl and say, "I'd love you to see our Den, but Fluffy hates to be disturbed and the shots are SO expensive."

7. If dusting is REALLY out of control, simply place a showy urn on the coffee table and insist that "THIS is where Grandma wanted us to scatter her ashes..."

8. Mix one-quarter cup pine scented household cleaner with four cups of water in a spray bottle. Mist the air lightly. Leave dampened rags in conspicuous locations. Develop an exhausted look, throw yourself on the couch, and sigh, "I clean and I clean and I still don't go anywhere.... " 

Green Chili Stew

Today I wanted to make something warm, and enriching for the first really, cold day we have had. We needed to make a grocery store run, so I just looked for things I had in the kitchen. I came up with Green Chili Stew. It is probably a bit of a mixture of GCS and Tortilla Soup, actually. I never really follow are recipe as written, and I seldom measure; especially spices. 

3 chicken breasts cubed (pork works well too)

4 medium potatoes cubed

1 Large can of Hatch green chili sauce

1 tub of Bueno green chili (your choice of flavor--comes in hot, mild, and autumn roast)

1 can of Rotel (I prefer the one with habenero sauce for hotter flavor)

3 cubes of chicken bouillon

1 small onion chopped

1 serreno pepper deveined and chopped

1 jalepeno deveined and chopped

1 T. chili powder

1 T. oregano

1 T. cumin

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 clove of garlic

1 package of frozen corn

1 can of beans (your choice--I use pinto or black beans)

Saute onion, serreno, and jalepeno (in your choice of oils or butters). Put all ingredients except corn and beans into crock pot. Add enough water to cover all the ingredients. I ususally start this early in the morning and cook on low all day, stirring occassionally. When potatoes are slightly soft, add corn and beans.

To Serve: Top with sour cream, cheese, and avacodos. Can be served with rice, and/or corn chips if desired. 

We actually had sweet cornbread with this tonight. Very yummy!