Tater Tot Casserole night

Its Tater Tot Casserole night, at this Krupicka's place! 

Growing up we never had this casserole at home, and I have no idea why. It was only the one or two times a year at potlucks, were we able to enjoy this Midwestern delicacy. It combines all of the best comfort foods in one dish: tater tots, cheese, cream of mushroom soup, ground beef, and green beans (have to make it a little healthy). It is simple to make, plus makes for great leftovers (if you are lucky enough to have leftovers, that is). Since it is just me- there will be lots of leftovers for many, many, many days...

Here is the recipe, courtesy of my good friend Libby. I tweaked it a tiny bit.

1- 2 lb. pkg of Frozen tater tots                                  1/2 Cup milk
1 lb. ground beef                                                        1/2 small onion, chopped
Lawry's seasoning salt                                                 2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 16 oz. pkg. of frozen green beans                  
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (condensed)

Brown ground beef and onion, season to taste with seasoning salt. Drain and set aside.
Line the bottom of an 11 X 13'' pan with one layer of frozen tater tots (save some to sprinkle on the top later). Layer the ground beef then green beans. In a bowl, mix soup and enough milk so the mixture is pourable. Pour the mixture over the pan to coat the casserole. Top with shredded cheese and top with additional tater tots. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 425 degrees, until the cheese is melted.

Adam with his Chicago background, had never really heard about the famous casserole. I think he would be intrigued. And then focused, on lining up the tater tots. He's a perfectionist (like me, but way more) so things can be a little interesting sometimes...

It almost feels like SPRING!

Lately, we have been a bit spoiled by nice weather. I was guilty of wearing shorts the other day...

Spring will be here before you know it, meaning tulips, daffodils, robins, and busy shipping season.

 Above are some of my favorite plants: tulips and boxwoods. I love the French and English garden inspirations. Someday, I'm sure I will have hundreds of tulips planted. It is a lot of work but sure makes a showstopping Spring display.They also make wonderful cut flowers that will brighten any room.

Here's the other part of Spring... which I why I probably cling to tulips and other Spring bulbs, to relieve little stresses of the busy gardening season. This pic was from the California nursery loading docks- my orders before they went out to the Midwest. Every day my co-workers and I would walk the docks. Everyone was in the best of spirits because we all had a common goal: ship great plants to great customers, usually with minimal sleep. Sometimes we would help tag plants and stay out until 2 in the morning! We even improved our espanol and rewarded with flan from time to time!

 Here's to a wonderful Spring... happy gardening!

Happy Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day!
Ask anyone and they will tell you, I'm a fan of Valentine's Day. I looked forward to the valentine exchange in elementary school and found it even more special- when my grandma mentioned she had a valentine exchanged between my great grandparents, when they were in kindergarten or first grade! So very special.

Things have changed quite a bit since then. Adam (my husband) and I met at Iowa State University, during a biology class. The previous semester he was lab partners with my good friend. After dating for some time and after graduation, we went our separate ways (meaning me to California and him to Arizona for our careers). We were engaged over Thanksgiving and the following September 18th we were married in Hinsdale, outside of Chicago.

Here are some of my favorites- Adam and I with his grandparents, Ray ("Slick") and Nancy.

Above is my good friend Libby and Adam's uncle, Steve. It was a gorgeous Fall day, despite a thunderstorm in the morning. Then we were off to Park City, Utah.

We still are a little nontraditional because this year's valentine's day is separate. I am in the Midwest, while Adam is in Virginia/ Washington D.C. area working. Soon enough, he will be relocating to Iowa and working from home. In the meantime we make do with patience (I try really, really hard on this!), flowers, candy...

Super Bowl weekend ... Buffalo Chicken and Brownie Bites!

I'm still a little bit sad about the Bears not making it into the Super Bowl. I've found that life goes on... onto the Chicago Blackhawks and the Cubs (soon enough).
Did I fail to mention, that I happen to love almost everything about Chicago?

This weekend, I am still going to watch the game with some fellow Bears fans... and that also means, making some delicious game day foods!

Here are some of my favorites...

Buffalo Chicken

1/3 C. all purpose flour
2 tsp. paprika
approx. 2 lbs. skinless chicken drumsticks/ wings
1/4 C. vegetable oil
1/3 C. ketchup
1-2 Tbsp. Tabasco sauce- more or less (I have a tendency to get a little carried away, so be warned!)
1 Tbsp. butter, melted

Combine in a baking dish:  flour, paprika, and a pinch or two of salt. Add chicken to coat and shake off the excess. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat and add the chicken. Cook until brown on all sides (at least 15 minutes). In a large bowl make the sauce by adding ketchup, Tabasco, and butter. Add the chicken to coat. Optional- serve with celery sticks and bleu cheese.

Brownie Bites

2 sticks unsalted butter
8 oz. unsweetened chocolate bar, chopped

2 1/4 C. sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
4 oz. of chocolate chips
1/3 C. canned unsweetened coconut milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 X 9'' baking pan with foil- up to the edges- and grease.
In a double boiler, melt the unsweetened chocolate bar and butter and stir occasionally. Let cool slightly, then beat in the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Stir in the flour and salt. Spread the batter in the pan and bake for approximately 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean- from the center. Let the brownies cool.
In a saucepan, heat the coconut milk until it reaches a simmer then pour over the chocolate chips. Whisk until smooth. Pour the warm glaze over the cooled brownies and tilt the pan to coat evenly. Using the foil flaps, gently remove the brownies from the pan and cut into small squares. You may also decorate these further with decorators icing.

Welcome to February...Valentine's Month!

February is now here and that means glorious valentine's candies and of course- Valentines Day on the 14th! The week after Christmas, stores were already setting out hundreds of pink and red wrapped treasures. I have a terrible weakness for sweet treats, and also a wonderful dentist back East.

I remember growing up, looking forward to the valentine exchanges in elementary school. We would have to bring a shoe box for art class, and it was there that the glitter, construction paper, markers and other necessary tools were used to create stunning little valentines boxes. Then we would exchange little valentines cards and find all sorts of nice treats. I am sure that with my valentines I exchanged, I probably made hearts when I tried to dot my I's.... I really was really into it. However at that time, I was probably the most shy and quiet little girl in my whole grade.That changed a little while later.

Lately, my little candy fix has been turtles! I love the chocolate, caramel, and cashews... or pecans. Doesn't really matter, but what does- is that I was out of them during our major blizzard.

On a positive note, today was Groundhog Day and the good ole' woodchuck predicted an early spring.
We will definitely see about that.

Its also my good friend, Kellie's birthday- happy birthday Kellie Moore!
From your Iowa sister...