Monogram Door Hanger

I know I have mentioned that I have been in a little bit of a Summer Time Slump and even though my kitchen is rearranged I felt like I needed another project to look forward to this week. I took down all my 4th of July Decorations this week and so my house is looking a little bare. My front door is especially looking a little bare, so I decided to change that. I don't have a wreath that I can use that is in between holidays and In an effort to find something that I could use during Holiday Down time, I came up with this little wreath idea. I have always loved Monogrammed things! In an effort to get some ideas I searched the internet but nothing really fancied my liking so I came up with this idea!
Supplies:
A wreath of your choice, I love square wreaths!
Paint
Wooden Letter
Ribbon of your Color Choice

Step One: Paint your letter of the color of your choice, let dry and then spray with your choice of finishing spray. This will seal in the paint and protect it from the sun! Then sand edges to give it that Shabby Chic look!
Step Two: Make a bow and fasten it to the middle of your wreath.
Step Three: String your ribbon around your letter and tie onto wreath. If you make your bow large enough it will cover the knots! Viola! Your done!

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Summer Time Slump...

I don't know about you but I feel like I am in a Summer Time Slump. I don't feel like doing much and maybe that is attributed to the super hot weather we are having here in Northern Utah. I don't know what it is but I have needed a few things to look forward too... when I get bored or frustrated I clean and when I clean, I rearrange things. So with that I took some time on Monday to spruce up my kitchen. I gave it a thorough cleaning and then went to work rearranging the decorations above my kitchen cabinets and then rearranged things on my antique shelf. After I was done I felt refreshed! When I rearranged my things I had a little bare wall and I have had my eye on a dry erase calendar board at JoAnn's. I spent $15 dollars because I used my 50% coupon and brought it home and added the burgundy bow so it would match my other burgundy accents in my kitchen!! By rearranging things and getting one new item, I feel like my kitchen looks and feels new!

My New Dry Erase Calendar Board with Burgandy Bow!

My Antique Shelf

Kitchen Cabinet Decorations

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Little Girl's Bow Holder Tutorial

A few months ago, I saw the most darling bow holder on a random blog. It was darling but contained limited instructions on how to make it. I decided that it didn't look too complicated to make and I knew that I could replicate it and make one for my little girl. I have been looking for a cute bow holder for quite some time that could hold all of my daughters bows but nothing really sought my fancy. This one is the perfect size and will keep all of my little girls bows in mint condition. I wished I had done this sooner!

If you want to make one of these darling bow holders for the little princess in your life, these are the supplies you will need:

Supplies Required:
Fabric, your choice of color*
*(I got 1 yd of fabric for my bow holder but how much
fabric you get will depend on how big your frame is)
Picture frame
chicken wire or plastic mesh
Ribbon to match your fabric
hot glue gun
glue

Step One:

Iron and fold fabric in half. When fabric is smooth and wrinkle free, place the backing of the picture frame onto the fabric. You will glue the fabric with your glue gun to the backing (removable stiff part that goes in last after placing a picture in a frame) of the picture frame.Step Two:
Leave about an 1 to 1 1/2 inches of fabric around the edge of the frames backboard. You will now cut the corners edges to resemble mine. This will give you a nice finished look for the back of bow holder.
Step Three:
Glue around the the picture frame, fold and secure fabric to the cardboard backing including the corners and fold fabric into place.This is what your edges will look like after you have glued around and secured the fabric around the cardboard backing.Step Four:
Cut out enough chicken wire or plastic mesh to cover the cardboard backing. Leave enough around the edges of the backing. You will be gluing the mesh to the back of your cardboard to secure it into place.Step Five:
After you have cut a generous amount of mesh to go over and around your cardboard backing, start by securing every other dot of the mesh with a drop of glue. Hold the mesh in place until the glue cools and mesh stays in place on its own. Make sure to pull tight along the way so that the front side is flush with the fabric front and there are no bubbles. Step Six:
When you have secured the plastic mesh in place all around the cardboard backing, turn over and make sure it is flush against the fabric. If there is any bubbles adjust the mesh and make as tight as you can. Next, Take the picture insert and flip over. This will cover your fabric and mesh so you have a finished look to the back of your bow holder.Step Seven:
Glue mesh and any fabric that may be loose under the picture insert. This will give the back of your bow holder a finished look.Step Eight:
Place backing into frame and secure fasteners to keep bow cardboard insert into place.Step Nine:
Using your ribbon, tie knots onto the fasteners on picture frame. This will be what holds your bow holder onto the wall.Step Ten:
Secure a bow in the middle of the ribbon. This will give your bow holder a little more pizazz and hide the nail that you hang it from. Viola! Your bow holder is completed! Breath a sigh of relief and give yourself a big pat on the back....now go and hang your finished bow holder in your little girls room and clip her collection of bows to it. So cute! Enjoy!!

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Banana Bread

There is nothing that smells better to me than banana bread baking in the oven! I found this recipe in a cookbook that I received when my husband and I got married. I have been making it over the past 7 years and my husband always raves whenever he comes home from work and finds the smell of banana bread wafting out the door and a big loaf of bread waiting for him by the stove. Not only does my husband like this recipe but my two kidlets enjoy a slice slathered in butter.... I guarantee that this bread won't last long at your home. Next time you have ripe bananas on hand give this easy quick bread a try, it is sure to please the whole entire family!

Banana Bread
adapted from the better homes and gardens cookbook "the new cookbook"

1 1/2 c. flour
2/3 c. sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt1 c. mashed ripe bananas (2-3 medium bananas)
1/3 c. shortening, margarine, or butter
2 T. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. chopped nuts

Directions:

In a large bowl combine the 1 c. of flour, the sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt. Add mashed bananas; shortening margarine or butter and milk. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed till blended, then on high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and remaining flour; beat till blended. Stir in Nuts.

Pour batter into a greased 8x4x2 inch loaf pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 55- 60 minutes or till tooth pick is inserted and comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan; cool thoroughly on a wire rack. Wrap and store overnight before slicing. Makes one loaf or sixteen servings.

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Onion Burgers

My husband and I love eating onions...I am so glad we both like them because I know that the odor that comes from eating them isn't always the most pleasant...but since we both like them, we figure, "Hey! We cancel each other out!" This week we tried out this recipe and were blown away by the flavor of these burgers. The secret ingredient is a can of beer! I know some of my fellow LDS friends out there might go, "What?" Well, peace be with you my fellow friends but the alcohol cooks out! The beer is used to braise the onions and is also used in the meat mixture. The meat mixture consists of the beer, Dijon mustard, and garlic, and chopped red peppers. The onions are cooked in butter and the beer to give them a sweet, yet tangy flavor. Also great condiments for this burger are bacon, lettuce and tomatoes. Enjoy!

Onion Burgers
recipe and picture adapted from blog chef.com

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef or turkey ( I prefer turkey)
Hamburger buns, lightly toasted
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 c. red pepper, finely chopped
1/4 c. beer
2 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste
2 c. cheddar cheese

Beer Braised Onions
1 large onion, sliced
2 T. butter
1 T. sugar
3/4 c. beer

Step 1: In a large bowl combine ground beef or turkey, garlic, red pepper, ¼ cup beer, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Mix until well combined. Form mixture into 4 patties that are 1” thick. Grill on medium heat for 4-6 minutes per side.
Step 2: While burgers are cooking, to make beer braised onions- Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onions and cook while stirring over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or until tender. Add ¾ cup of beer and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cook until beer is absorbed and the onions are lightly browned (about 15 minutes).
Step 3: Just before burgers are done cooking top each burger with shredded cheese and heat until slightly melted. Remove burgers from the grill. Serve on toasted buns and top with onions. (Makes 4 Good sized Burgers)

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Quesadilla Burgers

My husband and I tried these delicious burgers about a month ago and I forgot to write a post about this little cooking experiment. I had never heard of Quesadilla Burgers before but I found this burger recipe online and thought it would be fun to try something different from the traditional hamburger. Quesadilla burgers are grilled, topped with cheese, pico de gallo salsa and a delicious cilantro mayo sauce. The burger is then sandwiched between two lightly fried tortillas. These burgers are to die for and worth the work and preparation that does go into making them. If you are short on time you could buy pre made pico de gallo at the store. My favorite part is the cilantro mayonnaise that you slather on these burgers, as well as the pepper jack cheese that gives these burgers a kick! Give these burgers a try at your next BBQ! Enjoy!

Quesadilla Burgers
recipe and photo from blog chef.com

-Burgers-
1 lb. Ground Hamburger
1 lb. Ground Pork
1 egg
1/4 c. milk
1/4 c. ketchup
1 teas. yellow mustard
1/2 teas. garlic powder
1/2 teas. onion powder
Italian Breadcrumbs
-Pico De Gallo-
4 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 jalepano peppers, seeded and chopped finely
2 T. green bell pepper,chopped
2 teaspoons cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon lime juice
Salt and Pepper to taste

-Cilantro Mayo-
1 c. Mayonnaise
1T. Lime Juice
1 T. Honey
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 garlic clove , minced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
2 teas. cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
-Additional Ingredients-
12 (6 inch) Flour tortillas
Shredded Lettuce
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
1/2 lb. Bacon, cook and crumbled

Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: To prepare Pico de Gallo salsa- In a medium bowl combine tomatoes, onion, jalapeno peppers, green pepper, and cilantro. Add lime juice, salt and pepper. Put into the refrigerator.
Step 2: To prepare Cilantro Mayo- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, cumin, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, salt and pepper. Place into the refrigerator.
Step 3: In a large bowl combine hamburger, pork, egg, milk, ketchup, mustard, onion powder, and garlic powder. Add breadcrumbs until the meat mixture no longer sticks to the bowl. Form into about 6” patties. With your finger make a depression in the middle of each burger. Grease and heat an outdoor or indoor grill and fry burgers until they are done. Within the last few minutes of cooking top with pepper jack cheese slices and grill until the cheese has melted. Remove from the grill.
Step 4: For each burger – In a small skillet, heat and lightly brown 2 flour tortillas. Assemble burgers by spreading some Cilantro mayo onto one side of the 2 flour tortillas. Lay out one flour tortillas and put lettuce and crumbled bacon on top, Add the burger on top of that, and add some Pico de Gallo on top of the burger. Place the other flour tortilla on top. Slice in half.

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Bowtie Chicken Alfredo with Mushrooms

One of my friends posted this recipe on her blog a few months back and I had to try it out on my little family! I have several picky eaters at my home but getting them to eat this dish doesn't cause any fights at our dinner table. This dish is sure to become a favorite at your house, even if you have picky eaters in your home like I do! My kids love the fun bowtie- shaped- pasta and the seasoned chicken and sauteed mushrooms. I also love the sauteed mushrooms and the Alfredo sauce is to die for. I love this recipe because you can make it in about 30 minutes. It is very easy to make and would be a wonderful dish to serve if you are entertaining friends or family. I like to serve mine with toasted garlic bread! Enjoy!

Bowtie Chicken Alfredo with Mushrooms

The Essential Mormon Cookbook by Julie Badger Jensen.

2-4 chicken breasts

3 T. Butter
4 large green onions, chopped
2 c. sliced mushrooms
2 c. Heavy Whipping Cream
3/4 c. Parmesan Cheese (shredded) Get the good stuff- it is well worth it!
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 T. Garlic Powder
1/2 T. Thyme
Bow-tie pasta, cooked and drained

Instructions:
Step 1: Cut Chicken into bite-sized pieces. Saute in 1 T. butter. Add onion. Cook until cooked through.
Step 2: In another pan, saute mushrooms in 2 T. Butter. Add to chicken and onions.
Step 3: In a saucepan, bring cream to simmer. Add cheese and seasonings, stir until cheese is melted. Simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Add chicken and mushrooms to sauce. Serve over cooked bow-tie pasta.

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Cran-Birdie Sandwiches

If you are anything like me during the summer months, I loathe turning on the oven or stove to cook dinner. It heats up the whole entire house for hours after dinner is over and it makes everyone miserable sitting around in a warm home. During the summer months, I enjoy making cold salads, sandwiches or grilling for our dinners. This is one recipe that I am sure your palette will enjoy and you won't have to turn on your oven or stove. Also, these yummy sandwiches are kid friendly!!This recipe was presented in one of my cooking classes that I took in college. Each one of us had to demonstrate how to prepare a dish or an easy meal. The gal that made these sandwiches worked at a sandwich shop in Las Vegas while growing up and shared this recipe with the class. If you like turkey, cranberry sauce, cream cheese, mayo and sun flower seeds this sandwich is sure to be a hit! When my fellow classmate passed around samples of these sandwiches for everyone to try in class, I was a little hesitant to dig in but they were delicious! These sandwiches have become a favorite at our our home!

Cran-Birdie Sandwiches

Ingredients:
2 Slices of toasted sourdough bread
Mayo
Cream Cheese (Philadelphia brand)
Sliced Turkey Deli Meat
Can of Jellied Cranberry Sauce (Ocean Spray Brand)
Raw Sunflower seeds

Directions:
Spread mayonnaise on one piece of toasted Sour Dough Bread. Then spread cream cheese on the other piece of toast. Spread mixed cranberry sauce on top of the cream cheese. Put a handful of sunflower seeds on top of the cranberry sauce. Place turkey on the mayonnaise side. Squish together and enjoy!!

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen