I'm BAAAAAAACK (with a RECIPE ALERT: Mongolian Beef!

Gosh!, It seems so long since I sat down in front of the computer to....(dare I say it?!??!)...

B L O G!!!!!!!! I am thrilled to be back and have missed you guys so very much! Thanks for all the messages of support that have been sent my way via the Blog and Facebook!

Let's see... a lot has been going on since my last post. Basketball Season is now over, so my schedule is back to being as predictable as ever! I am a couple of months away from my year weigh-in date and I have lost 80 POUNDS and feel amazing! It's been a long road, but I am sooooo very happy! HAVE NO FEAR, I'll still be posting PLENTY of recipes...after all, Food makes the world go 'round! We gotta have it, right?!?

Today I made Mongolian Beef in the Crock Pot and it turned out soooo amazing! I love how you can just dump a bunch of stuff into a slow cooker and then several hours later, it just turns into this amazing feast!!! Here's the recipe:

Mongolian Beef (Cheap Cheat)

2-3 Pounds Beef Tips

2 Tbsp. (Per pound of Meat) Soy Sauce

EVOO
Mongolian Seasoning Packet

Fresh Garlic

Lipton's Onion Mix

Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes

Couple of splashes of Rice Wine Vinegar

Salt & Pepper to taste

Add all ingredients to slow cooker and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Serve with White Rice. Garnish with Green Onion. Serve with Steam Broccoli.

*HINT: The best part about a Crock Pot, is that the cheapest cuts of meat work the best, because of the fat content. I swear to you, try this recipe...you're gonna love it! It's "smack your Mama" GOOD!

Sooooo, Ladies (uh-hum) and Gents: CGE is officially back in full swing. I've gotten a hold of some new "At Home Spa Recipes" over the past couple of months that I absolutely can't wait to share with you and a couple of new recipes in the works! It's been too long. I've missed ya'll!

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!

Recipe Alert: It's Getting "Chili" in Here!

During the Fall months, Chili is one of my absolute fave go-to recipes. It's so versatile and can be made ahead of time in the slow cooker, which is an AWESOME time saver! Whether you like your chili with cornbread or tortilla chips with sour cream, cheese and scallions, you just can't beat the taste. Left overs can be used to liven up a plain baked potato, enchiladas, salad---the possibilities are endless!

Below you will find 2 Chili Recipes (Chicken & Steak) that I absolutely LOVE and will definitely steal the show at any Pot Luck or Family Get-Together!!!! I hope you'll try them out! I'm sure you'll enjoy them!

WHITE LIGHTNING CHICKEN CHILI

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed

2 cans great northern beans, rinsed

1 whole white onion, diced

1 cup frozen white corn

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 bulb fresh garlic, minced

6 habanera peppers

½ cup white wine

1 can chicken broth

2 tsp. cumin powder
1 tsp. coriander powder

1 tbsp. ground white pepper

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 lime, squeezed for juice

½ cup sour cream

½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Heat olive oil in large sauté pan to medium-high heat, and add garlic, onions, and chicken. Sauté for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
In Crock Pot or Dutch Oven, add chicken broth, cumin, coriander, ground white pepper, lime juice, habanera peppers (I like it H-O-T, but if mild chili is preferred, go EASY on the peppers!) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover with lid, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Add the chicken, garlic, and onion mixture, plus the corn, beans, yellow bell pepper, and white wine.
Cover and let simmer for approximately 30-35 minutes.

When finished, remove from heat and stir in the sour cream. Garnish with the shredded pepper jack cheese, and serve with crusty garlic bread or cornbread.

Roasted Poblano Steak Chili

4 poblano peppers
2 oil
Salt & Pepper

2 1/2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 large chopped red onion
4-5 cloves chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
Bottled Beer or Near-Beer
1 28-ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes

1 lime, juice & zest
1/2 pound cheese (shredded any kind you prefer)
3 scallions, finely sliced

Preheat broiler to high.To roast the poblano peppers, drizzle them with oil, season with salt and pepper, and place on a cookie sheet. Transfer to the broiler, turning every 1-2 minutes, until charred on each side.
Remove from the oven, place in a brown paper bag and seal to keep the steam in for about 10-15 minutes. If you do not have a brown paper bag, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for about 10-15 minutes.
After that time, peel the skin off, remove the seeds and stem, and chop into bite-size pieces.While the peppers are steaming in the bag or bowl, place a large dutch oven over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add the steak and brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Add the red onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander and smoked paprika to the pot and cook for about 4-5 minutes.
Add the beer, scraping the bottom of the pan with the back of a wooden spoon to release any brown bits. Add the tomatoes, chopped poblano peppers, lime zest and juice, and simmer for 10-15 minutes.To serve, ladle a portion of the chili into a bowl and top with grated cheese and finely sliced scallions.

I absolutely LOVE these two chili recipes. The leftovers can be used to dress up other recipes, just use your imagination! Of course, they're awesome just the way they are!!!!

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!

We Will NEVER Forget!

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!

Hurricane Earl: Are You Ready?

If you're in the Hampton Roads Area, then by now I am sure that you're very much aware that Earl's on it's way. Most meteorologists are forecasting for us to have Tropical Storm forced winds with gusts up to hurricane strength and a tremendous accumulation of rain.

In honor of Earl, I thought I'd post a link to a Hurricane Preparedness Check-List. Just remember, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to these hurricanes.

www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml

Also, as most of Hampton Roads knows, Jon Cash was relieved of his duties at WAVY 10 after 21 years on August 31. If you feel led to support his ministry in any way, donations can be made at http://www.joncashministries.com/ . Also, I encourage you to contact WAVY10 and voice your displeasure concerning this matter.

Hampton Roads, don't forget to prepare for this storm! Have Bottled Water, Batteries, a Radio & Canned Goods on hand at least. We may not have to use them, but you'll wish you had gotten them if Earl decides to come ashore more than expected!

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!

Recipe Alert: Peanut Butter Pork Chops

I know..."ick!", right?!?! Don't knock it 'til you try it! I discovered this recipe MANY years ago in one of the very first cookbooks that my Mama gave to me when I got married almost 11 years ago. QVC's Mary Beth Roe is an amazing cook with several cookbooks out and I have to tell you, no matter how many cookbooks I get over the years, Roe's "Kitchen Bibles" are always my way to go, whether I'm cooking for just my family, a function at church, or entertaining guests.

There's a wonderful story in the cookbook introducing this recipe where Mary Beth talks about having dinner with Disney's original "Mousketeer", Annette Funicello where this memorable dish was served for the first time, earning the nickname "Mickey Mouse Chops".

I knew this recipe was a hit, when I introduced RJ to it at 2 years of age. When he looked up at me with those beautiful brown eyes, with not a drop of food on his shirt and proudly proclaimed "more", I knew we had a winner! I've made this recipe time and time again and there's not one soul that doesn't love it! I serve the chops with white rice and seasonable veggies. I promise, give this recipe a try and your family will be hooked!

Peanut Butter Pork Chops

4 Large Chops

4 Slices Onion

1 Can Cream Of Mushroom

1/4 Cup Milk

1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/8 Teaspoon Pepper

Brown Pork Chops, Drain Fat. Combine Soup, Milk, Worcestershire Sauce, Salt & Pepper, simmer, add chops and top each with an onion slice. Simmer for 45 minutes.

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!

Bursts of Inspiration: "Amazing Grace!"

Joel Osteen's visit to Norfolk, VA on August 20th, 2010 was a new day for me. It opened doors that I didn't even know existed. The chains are gone, I've been set free. Changes are not in the future, they are now. This will be an Ephesians 3:20 year and I praise the Lord for what he is doing!


http://www.cmt.com/videos/chris-tomlin/134837/amazing-grace-my-chains-are-gone.jhtml

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG WAY!

Recipe Alert: Rachael Ray's "Charlie's Sliders!"

It's been an unusual Summer morning, I must say! We all went to bed extremely early and I was up before 4 a.m.!! I haven't done that since the kids were in school! My body must be kicking back into "school mode" considering that it's "tax-free weekend" for school supplies and clothes here in the beautiful state of Virginia!

While browsing the net this morning, I came across this fab slider recipe and I can't wait to try it! There's absolutely nothing more amazing on this earth than an awesome burger and these look FANTASTIC! Not to mention, if us ladies have the one (or two) that we should ONLY be having, then these little bad boys should be an excellent way to cut out some calories, especially if you use ground chicken or turkey!

Here's the link to the recipe...

http://www/rachaelray.com/recipe.php?recipe_id=3458

Enjoy!

*Remember...Your life is way more than average, so go out and live it in a BIG way!