Stirrin' It Up With Stacey

Hey there Sorry today's post is a little late. I also appologize for not posting last week but things got a bit crazy there!

Anyway today I want to share a recipe for a casserole that I made last week.

I made 2 dips for super bowl and we had a ton of one of them left over. I will share both recipes here as well.

The first dip and the basis for my casserole was,

BEER DIP

2 pkg. cream cheese softened

1/3 cup beer

1 envelope ranch dressing mix

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar)

in a large bowl beat the cream cheese, beer, and ranch mix

until smooth. Stir in the cheese, serve with pretzels

yield 3 1/2 cups

There was so much food at the party we didn't even get to this one. So I brought it home thinking how in the world are we going to eat all of that beer dip???

But it didn't take long for inspiration to strike.

I decided it would make a great mixture for a casserole.

So I cut up a ton of broccoli, while I cooked up some

boneless, skinless, chicken breasts.

After the chicken was cooked through I rough chopped it into bite sized pieces.

then I sprayed a casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

next I tossed in the chicken, broccoli, and BEER DIP.

Stirred it all up until everything was coated.

And then I placed it in a 350*F oven until it was bubbly.

At the last minute I sprinkled on some cornflakes

that I had crushed and mixed with a couple tablespoons of melted butter.

I then let it bake 10 minutes more.

It was super yummy!

The other dip I wanted to share with you is

BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP

(this is sooo yummy)

8 oz. cream cheese softened

1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing

1/2 cup franks hot sauce

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 cans chicken in water drained

(or you can cook up your own)

Heat oven 350*F Place cream cheese into deep baking dish.

Stir until smooth. Mix in salad dressing, Franks, cheese and chicken.

Stir until well blended.

Bake 20 minutes or until mixture is bubbly hot.

Stir garnish as desired, serve with crackers and veggies.

A few weeks ago I shared my homemade vanilla recipe

and I mentioned that Costco carries Vannila beans.

And I have to tell you, I was there last week and went to find some more

and they are clearanced out for $6.49!!!!!

That is a STEAL! So check out your local Costco

to see if they are carrying them still.

I live in Salt Lake City, and we have a new costco,

that we LOVE. And that is where I found mine!

So until next week, Blessings to you and yours!

Stacey

Stirrin' It Up With Stacey

Today's Post is a bit random but it will hopefully help you to be better equipped when you cut your finger in the kitchen.

For many years I have kept a first aid kit in my car. It is not fancy and I did not run out and purchase one with all the bells and whistles, I mean, who needs snake bite stuff when you are driving down the freeway? My kit most likely should include more than what it has in it but for the most part it has the most important things in it. I use an empty baby wipes box, it is a good way to recycle. It is also sturdy and has a good latch on it. every so often I will restock and throw out the bad stuff.

Here is what I keep in my kit:

assorted size bandaids

gauze

an emergency blanket ( metallic foil one)

hand sanitizer

tampons

pads

antibiotic ointment

antidiahreal pills

benadryl

To explain the pads and tampons they are for major wounds, they are absorbent and would work better that a bandage, and I just don't wear anything that I think I would be able to tear a strip from to bind the would. This was also recommended when I took a CPR class.

The Antidiahreal pills have come in handy when someone in the car gets sick and we are on a road trip or on a long sunday drive. Benadryl is a no brainer for our family we all have some sort of allergy and it is just much better to have that on hand.

This is the photo of my kit not all there but most of it.

This is the kit I keep in my home. It has all the same basic stuff with a few minor differences. I do have antibiotic ointment in mine but it is not pictured. I also use a salve in my kit. It is Grampa's Salve and I know that you can find it online. I don't know where I purchased mine but it was the best thing I ever bought. My kids use it for every thing from chapped lips to splinters and blisters, my husband uses it on cuts and scrapes. It has wonderful all natural pain relievers in it (Birch bark extract). Also in my kit is the bee and wasp sting ease, peroxide, and some other pain relievers. I keep the kit in the linen closet. I am going to make a small one for my kitchen drawer, I am always cutting myself, and need a bandaid.

Now on to the kitchen...

2 weeks ago I made some homemade vanilla. It is very easy to make and I do it all the time.

you will need a clean bottle with a tight lid or a cork.

vodka

3-5 vanilla beans

Split the vanilla beans down the middle and drop into the bottle, pour in the vodka over the top with enough to cover them. Seal the bottle and give it a good shake. Next place the bottle in a nice dark cupboard and wait for it to steep about six weeks giving it a good shake once a week. And before you know it you will have premium homemade vanilla!
I found my vanilla beans at costco during Christmas. They were 10 for $11.99. That is a huge bargain! You can also get a really good deal on vanilla beans at penzy's spices. www.penzeys.com

They sell 15 madagascar or mexican vanilla beans for $28.65 or 3 vanilla beans for $7.25.

You can drop your split vanilla beans directly into the bottle of vodka to save time and transfer to another bottle for gift giving at a later date.

That's it for today.

So until next week blessing to all of you,

Sstacey