Have you made these yet???

These Corn & Black Bean Quesadillas are on my menu plan again this week. They are so easy to make and so delicious and refreshing. Give them a try!

I don't usually like to talk about these, but...

A little conversation with Alton just now went like this.

Alton: "I guess I have a little bit of fever."

Mommy: "Oh, really??"

Alton: "Yeah. That means this HUGE booger is not coming out. It's huge bike a DINOSAUR!"

Call for recipes

Please send me your favorite quick, easy, and at least semi-healthy recipes! I'm in the mood to try some new things, and I think it would be fun to try my friend's favorites! Thank you!

Here's one of our's:

Glazed Kielbasa

1 lb. cooked kielbasa, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup yellow mustard

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp. black pepper

BRING kielbasa and chicken broth to boil in large skillet on medium heat; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.

ADD mustard and brown sugar; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and kielbasa is well glazed, stirring frequently.

STIR in parsley and pepper just before serving. Serve over rice or noodles.

**I usually double the sauce ingredients and serve this with sugar snap peas or broccoli.

Barry, seriously, you are:

Thank you so much for the nice surprise and for "getting the ball rolling." You made my day!

I love you, man!
Yours Truly

One more Birthday Freebie

Captain D's also has a birthday club (click on the left hand side where it says "Join Our D's Club"). On your birthday you'll receive a coupon for a free fish n chips or chicken n chips basket. You can also sign up your little guys for a free kids meal on their special day.

Yesterday Barry and I went to Lonestar for lunch (using my free entree coupon). Even though I only ordered a salad, they still took the $15 off our tab, so our total with tax was only $5 and some change!

We both ate at Ruby Tuesday today for less than $10 using my free burger coupon (Evy and Alton enjoyed some our food, too). =)

Cheap dates! We don't normally eat out so often, but this week was an exception. Who could complain with so many great freebies?! I'm looking forward to using my free ice cream coupons this weekend. Cold Stone and Basking Robbins, here I come! (Then Weight Watchers here I come...).

Birthday Freebies

Thought I'd share some fun freebies you can get for your birthday.

1) Lonestar sent me a coupon for a free entree (up to $15.00), no purchase necessary (click on the "Join our E-club" button on bottom right).

2) Ruby Tuesday sent me a coupon for a free burger, no purchase necessary (click on the "Join" button on the bottom of the age).

3) Cold Stone Creamery sent me a coupon for a free "Like it Create Your Own Creation" (click on the Birthday Club button).

4) Baskin Robbins sent me a coupon for a free scoop (click on the "birthday club" button on top right).

5) Firehouse Subs mailed me a coupon for a free medium sub (click on the "join our Firehouse Subs Birthday Club" button at the bottom...just wait for it to scroll through several other pictures before that one pops up), no purchase necessary.

Aside from birthday specials, right now (until Aug. 31st) T.G.I. Friday's has an awesome coupon available here. You can take up to 9 of your friends with you and they will take $5 off each meal! Talk about a cheap dinner date!

Chocolate Truffle Brownie Dessert

Here is the awaited recipe for this luscious chocolaty dessert. This is not a dessert for the faint of heart (or those on a diet)!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. fudge brownie mix (8-in. square pan size)
3 cups (18 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
3 tablespoons vanilla extract (yes, you read correctly, that's 3 tablespoons!)
14-16 Pirouette cookies (I usually buy the Pepperidge Farm brand), cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces

Directions:
1. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Spread into a greased 9-inch springform pan. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes (watch carefully so it doesn't burn). Cool completely on a wire rack.

2. Place chocolate chips in a food processor. Cover; process until finely chopped. In a small, microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup cream and butter. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until butter is melted; stir until smooth. With food processor running, add cream mixture in a slow, steady stream. Add vanilla; cover and process until smooth. It will look like this when you're finished (thick and chocolaty and lick the bowl delicious...yum!).



3. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag (I use a ziploc). Fill with about 1/4 cup chocolate mixture (I don't measure); set aside for garnish. Transfer remaining chocolate mixture to a large bowl.

Remove sides of springform pan. Spread half of the chocolate mixture over brownie layer, spreading evenly to coat top and sides.

4. In a small mixing bowl, beat remaining cream until soft peaks form; fold into remaining chocolate mixture. Spread evenly over chocolate layer (top and sides).

5. Gently press cookies into sides of dessert. It will look like this when you're finished.
6. Pipe reserved chocolate mixture on top. Usually I make this for someone's birthday, so I'll write a message on it with the chocolate like so.
If I had a decent camera I could show you what it really looks like on the inside. Use your imagination. This is close enough.
This is a super easy and delicious dessert. Go make it! (Please don't step on a scale afterwards...)