Dr. Pepper Marinade

Today, I have a delicious marinade recipe to take you into your weekend. If you enjoy your weekends by getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors and doing a grilling like my little family does, then this is a recipe for you! This Dr. Pepper Marinade is delicious and can be used to marinate chicken, pork, beef or turkey. I have only tried chicken, but I think any type of meat would be fabulous! 

I whipped up this marinade this week and used chicken breasts. After marinating and grilling the Chicken Breasts, I sliced and then placed them on a delicious salad.  My kids and my Handsome Hubby really liked this chicken. I also enjoyed it and thought that the meat turned out super tender and very flavorful!

If you are looking for a new marinade to use this Spring and Summer for quick and easy suppers, then try this recipe! I am sure it won't disappoint! 

Hope you all have a great weekend!

I know my weekend will be spent watching soccer practices, soccer games, attending a family birthday  party, and maybe a little grilling on the Barbie!! Wink!

Dr. Pepper Marinade

Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) can Dr. Pepper

 1/4 cup soy sauce 

1/4 cup lime or lemon juice 

1/2 cup vegetable oil 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1 medium onion, minced 

1 teaspoon hot sauce or cracked peppercorns

Directions:   

Whisk all the ingredients together. Combine this with chicken, turkey, pork or beef in a gallon-size bag (add more Dr. Pepper to cover if necessary) and refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight. Once you have the meat on the grill, boil the marinade for 5 minutes to thicken and use for basting.

Makes about 2-1/2 cups, enough for 2 pounds of meat.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Cheeseburger Macaroni

This is one Tex-Mex recipe that would be perfect to insert into your weekly meal plan. Kids and Adults alike will enjoy this dish. It is comfort food at its finest. This particular recipe is fast and easy to make and can be put on the table in about 30 minutes. It is the perfect main dish to make; especially on those busy weeknights when the family is running everywhere and they only have a few moments to eat before running out the door to extracurricular activities.

This recipe uses staples from your pantry and the 'heat' of the dish can be tailored to your family's liking. Ground turkey or beef, macaroni, taco seasoing, Rotel tomatoes and chilies and cheddar cheese are a few of the ingredients used to make this hearty dish. Pair this main dish up with crispy garlic bread and corn on the cob for a delicious weeknight dinner. Enjoy!

Cheeseburger Macaroni

recipe adapted from kevinandamanda.com

image courtesy of food.com

1 lb. ground turkey or beef

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning

1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (or petite diced tomatoes for less heat)

2 c. water or beef broth

1 c. elbow macaroni

Brown and drain meat. Stir in taco seasoning, Rotel, beef broth, and macaroni. Heat to boiling. Simmer 12-14 minutes or until macaroni is tender.

Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce-

2 T. Butter

2 T. Flour

3/4 c. Milk

1 c. Cheddar Cheese

1/2 t. salt and pepper

1/2 t. Lowry's Seasoning Salt

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisk for about 5 minutes until fragrant and light and brown in color. Whisk in the milk and bring in boil. Whisk until smooth and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until melted. Add the salt and pepper and Seasoning salt to cheese sauce. Pour the cheese sauce over the meat mixture. Stir gently to combine.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Happy Easter...I'm a Little Late!

Did you all enjoy your Easter Holiday? We sure did! Our Easter Break ended yesterday. Now back to the daily grind. For the Long Easter weekend, we traveled down to Southern Utah (me and my hubby's old stomping grounds) to visit our families. Both my husbands parents and my parents live there. It was so nice to see all of our family members. My kids participated in several egg hunts courtesy of both sets of Grandparents. We also enjoy some delicious food and indulged in all that Easter Candy. I sure enjoy eating Reese's Peanut Butter eggs and my mom's chocolate creme filled cupcakes. Delicious. Boy, have I hit the gym hard the past two days to balance out my over-indulgence!
Last but not least, my family didn't forget to celebrate the knowledge of our risen Savior. We are so grateful for his huge sacrifice and the enduring love he has for us!

Remember when I showed you this Easter Apparel? During my get together with my family's side, my sisters and I decided to take a few pictures of all of my nieces and nephews. What a job! When it comes to taking the perfect picture of 7 little wee ones, it may or may not be more work than it is worth. A little hint....5 wiggly babies and two toddlers is a. lot. of work. My sisters and I are still trying to collaborate all of our pictures to find the perfect one so we can make a cute craft to give my mom for Mother's Day. It is just around the corner you know? More to come on that.

Here is just a tiny preview of a few of my pictures...

Aren't they cute in all their matching Easter Outfits?

I think they are all so cute! I sure love my kids and nieces and nephews!

I heart being a Mom and Auntie!

Happy Easter!!

Check back here tomorrow for a delicious Dinner Recipe Idea that the whole family will enjoy-

 Cheeseburger Macaroni.

See you all tomorrow!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Easter Sun Dress and Lil' Guy Ties

With Easter coming up this weekend, the past few days have been spent sewing. All other things at my house have gone by the way-side. Does this ever happen to any of you when you sew or are working on craft projects? My poor neglected children have their mom back! Wink.  

Well luckily, life can return to normal around these parts because I got my sewing projects done!  Hurray!

These are what I have been working on...

Aren't these ties so cute! I sewed them for my cute little nephews! I can't wait to see them wear them. Boy, will they look handsome and so dapper in their new Easter ties.

I also sewed this little Sundress for my sweet little niece. 

Can't wait to snuggle with the little sweetie!

I know that I said my kids have been neglected around these parts for the past few days, but I promise I haven't overlooked them! I sewed my son a matching tie last year and a friend sewed my little girl a darling little dress with matching pantelooms made out of the same fabric. 

In fact, we had family pictures taken in them last year!

You may be wondering why I am sewing all these cute little matchy-matchy outfits? Well, my brothers and sisters and I haven't had the chance to all be together at once for over a year, so we are  planning on taking pictures of the grand babies and putting them in a nice frame for my mother dear for Mother's Day! Stay tuned for some cute pictures with matchy-matchy outfits and some very cute kidlets!

Note: The patterns I used for the ties and sundress can be found and purchased here. I love this site and Ashley, the author of the blog is one crafty gal. She has super easy tutorials which are great for gals like me who are seriously challenged when it comes to sewing. I probably wouldn't and couldn't sew without her simple and easy to follow tutorials. Head on over and check out her darling blog!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

7-Up Marinade

This marinade is one of my family's favorites. It is very kid friendly and they lick their plates clean whenever I make it. This quick and easy marinade can be thrown together in a jiffy. Whether you choose to marinate Chicken or Turkey Breasts, they always turn out juicy and tender every time! Don't you love fool-proof recipes? I do!! With grilling season just around the bend, this is the perfect recipe to start with when you decide to dust off the ol' grill!

7-up Marinade

recipe and photo courtesy of dinnertimeideas.blogspot.com 

Ingredients:
4-5 chicken or turkey breasts

1 can 7up or Sprite Soda

1 c. soy sauce

1 tsp. garlic powder or minced garlic

Directions:
Place chicken in a ziploc bag that is resting in a large bowl. Pour in marinade ingredients. Firmly seal the zip top bag and store in the refrigerator until you're ready to use it. The soda will fizz up quite a bit, so pour it in slowly and hold the bag firmly. I put the ziploc bag in a bowl first and leave it in there while the chicken is marinating, just in case of leaks. Let the chicken marinate for up to 24 hours before grilling. Grill on a medium grill for 6-8 minutes per side.

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I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Lemon Cream Dream Bundt Cake

Easter is just around the bend and my plans on what I am going to serve and make for the holiday are in full swing. 

This Lemon Cream Dream Bundt Cake is perfect to serve at a Spring time gatherings because it travels well and can feed the masses!! I always receive compliments when I make and take this cake places. Friends, Family and Guests always get excited over the cream cheese filling swirled throughout. They also love the tart lemon glaze that coats this tart but moist cake. To add a little extra color and flavor, I like to fill the center with fresh raspberries. The raspberries compliment this cake very well and make for a very pretty presentation!

Lemon Cream Dream Bundt Cake

Cake:

1 c. butter, softened

2 c. sugar

4 egg yolks

2 eggs

1 1/2 t. vanilla extract

zest of one lemon

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 c. milk

Cream Cheese Filling:

8 ounces Cream Cheese

zest of one lemon

3 T.  lemon juice (Freshly squeezed is best!)

1 egg

1/3 c. sugar

Glaze:

1/4 c. lemon juice (Freshly squeezed is best!)

11/2 c. powdered sugar

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bundt cake pan generously with cooking spray or grease and flour it. 

Step 2:Prepare cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese until smooth, then beating in remaining ingredients. In another medium mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks, then the vanilla, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. Beat the flour and milk alternately. Pour half the batter into the bundt pan., then spoon the cream cheese mixture in, avoiding the edges of the pan. Pour the remaining batter on top, making sure to cover the cream cheese completely (otherwise it'll bust through the crust of the cake and cause leaking in the oven.

Step 3: Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The crust will be deeply golden. and that is just what you are looking for. Cool for 10 minutes and invert on a wire rack. In a small bowl, mix the glaze ingredients and brush over the cake, making sure to coat it completely until the glaze is all gone. Cool for another 30-45 minutes, the refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving. May be served chilled or at room temperature. 

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Guest Posting Over at HowdoesShe?

 I have some exciting news that I just want to shout from the roof tops!  I am so excited. elated. thrilled. ecstatic. and very tickled pink to be featured over at HowDoesShe? tomorrow Morning.

*Squeal!* 

HowDoesShe is one of my very favorite blogs to visit each day. I love all of their features on recipes, craft ideas, parenting tips, etc. I am so very flattered honored to have been asked to guest post for the day! I am So THANKFUL to my friend Alison for giving me the opportunity.  

 I will be sharing my Little Grow Peep Easter Craft Tutorial with their readers. I would love it if you would stop on by and say hello!

I also wanted to let all of you, my readers, to know that I appreciate your support because without you, this blog would not be a success or exist! Thank you! I love hearing about your successes, your feedback and answering your cooking questions! Please keep the feed back coming! It is greatly appreciated!

Please head on over and say Hi! I would love to hear from you!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Makia Craft Giveaway Winner

Congrats to Suzie for winning the "Lost Socks" Craft. Please contact me within 24 hours with your mailing address so your prize can be mailed to you! Thanks toeveryone who entered this giveaway!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Cranberry Crumble Coffee Cake

This is one of my favorite coffee cake recipes! It is also a favorite among my family. With the Easter Holiday just around the bend, this cake is fancy enough to serve and impress your holiday guests.  I guarantee your guests and family will rave over the cranberry sauce swirled throughout the moist cake, as well as, the irresistible  crumble topping. My predictions are that it will disappear within a matter of minutes, just like Peter Cottontail delivering Easter Baskets!

Cranberry Crumble Coffee Cake

recipe  adapted from Tasteofhome.com

Ingredients:

1/4 c. chopped almonds

1 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 c. all-purpose flour

11/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 c. (8 ounces) sour cream

1 c. whole-berry cranberry sauce

Topping:

1/4 c. all-purpose flour

1/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. chopped almonds

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 T. cold butter

Directions

Sprinkle almonds over the bottom of a greased 9 inch springform pan; set aside. In a bowl, cream the sugar, butter and vanilla; beat on medium for 1-2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Combine dry ingredients; add to batter alternately with sour cream. Mix well. Spread 3 cups over almonds. Spoon cranberry sauce of batter. Top with remaining batter. 

For topping, combine four, sugar, almonds and vanilla; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 70-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes; remove sides of pan. Serve Warm. Makes 12 servings.

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Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Dinner Tool Planner

You, as a reader of this blog, know that I love to cook healthy, delicious food for my family. It truly is one of my passions! However, when it comes to planning a weekly menu, things can get a bit tricky. Many of you, are moms just like me who are trying to make a weekly meal plan for our families. For me personally, as a stay at home mom (domestic engineer), I try very hard to plan meals that will keep me from breaking the bank! Too often though, I find that when I don't make a meal plan, I end up buying food that we don't need or eat. That uneaten food either ends up getting thrown out or going rotten before I can use it. This costs our family extra money each year. I personally would rather take that money that is wasted and use it on an activity that my family would enjoy doing together. Wouldn't You? I know I would!

To put an end to that wastefulness and time and energy spent shopping, I recently was introduced to a website by my friend, Nicole over at Dinner Tool Planner. Their site focuses on simplicity in planning your weekly meals! All you have to do, is type in the recipe you want to serve for each day of the week and then print out a Shopping List which tells you the exact ingredients to buy! Pretty Neat! I encourage you all to go and check out this gem of a site when planning your weekly meals! Also, check out the list of food blogs that they have listed to the left of the page to help you find delicious recipes. Guess what? You will see mine listed, which I am thrilled about!! That way you can plug in the many delicious recipes that I have here! :D 

Go here to check it out! 

Happy Meal-Planning!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

Taking a little Sabbatical...

Hi CQB Readers! Please excuse my absence from posting recipes for the next few days. I will be taking a little break to help my son recover from adenoid and tonsil surgery. 

Even though I won't be blogging for the next few days, don't forget to leave a comment and get your name in the giveaway to win the cute Lost Socks Giveaway from Makia Creations! You have until Friday to do so!

Have a great week! I will See you all in A Few Days!

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen

"Lost Socks" Craft Giveaway!!

Happy Saturday Culinary Queen Bee Readers! Saturday is a special day at my house... It is the day that we do that super exciting job *dripping with sarcasm* that most of us love... Laundry! To make that job a little more fun, why not add a cute craft to help spruce up your Laundry Room Walls? Lets Giveaway the above Craft to one lucky Culinary Queen Bee Reader!

 I am very Grateful to my friend Alison, over at Makia Creations for sponsoring today's giveaway. Alison is also one of the Authors and Founders over at one of my Favorite Blogs How Does She. She is such a busy gal and she never ceases to amaze me with all her many talents! I am very appreciative of her for helping sponsor this giveaway. Thanks Alison!

For those of you that aren't familiar with Makia Creations it is a website dedicated to bringing the joy of crafting into your home without the stress of driving around town searching for supplies. All you do is visit their website, select and pay for the craft you desire to make and they mail you all the supplies right to the comforts of your home. I have always received my orders within 2 days!!  I love this company because I love to make crafts but many times I talk myself out of doing them because I don't want the hassle of  of dragging my two young children around town to find the necessary supplies. 

I have now ordered several crafts from Makia Creations and have been nothing but IMPRESSED with the quality of their kits and their service. 

Here are a couple of the Crafts that I have I have purchased and made.

A few of my Favorite Things Picture Board! Mine is hanging in my bathroom with pictures of my cute kids!

 I love my Count Down to Candy Blocks Halloween Blocks! They were a big hit with my kids and the day couldn't come fast enough so they could get all that candy, candy, candy! 

Aren't both of these Crafts Darling? I love them!

Another great option that I love is the opportunity to buy wholesale and purchase as many kits as you might need for a fun night out with your Girlfriends. I have hosted a couple of GNO with several of my girlfriends and they all cannot say enough great things about Makia!  

Do Any of you Remember My Laundry Room Makeover where I made this darling little craft to hang on one of my laundry room walls?

I love this craft not only for its darling decor but also for its functionality in keeping track of those socks that have lost their mates to the Washer/Dryer Monster! 

To have the opportunity to win this darling craft for your Laundry room:

1.Become a Follower and leave me a comment telling me you are. 

2. If you are already a follower, leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Makia Craft is!

3. For another entry visit me over on my Facebook Page and Become a Fan and leave a comment saying you are!


This Giveaway ends April 8th so hurry and register! :)

 I promise that you won't be disappointed with Makia Creations, so please head on over to their darling site to learn more about all of their Craft kits that they have to offer.

I

Ashlee, The Culinary Queen