Homemade Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks or Chinese Sundays  is a staple in our home.  It is quick and easy and we always have the ingredients.  I recently came across Picky Palate's recipe for a homemade sauce for Hawaiian Haystacks and it was awesome.  You have to try it if you are a fan of Hawaiian Haystacks.  I will link to the recipe because I am to lazy to retype it.
Picky Palate's Hawaiian Haystacks

Salsa

We got this recipe from a lady in our ward and absolutely love it.  It is super easy and quick to put together and can be made with pantry staples.


Salsa
1 28oz. can diced tomatoes (I just use two 14.5 cans and I do drain some of the juice)
1 jalapeno (I have a jar of sliced jalapeno's in the fridge and use what would be = to one pepper and add more to taste)
1 Tbs. dehydrated onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp . crushed red pepper (this is for heat, use it or leave it out)
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp.  granulated garlic

Mix all ingredients in a blender until mixed and desired consistency is reached.

Now go make it.  It is really good and don't turn up your noses because it doesn't use fresh ingredients :)

Three Cheese Potatoes

This recipe comes from Taste of Home. 

• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced chives
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Transfer to a double thickness of greased heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Dot with butter.
• Fold foil around potato mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 15-18 minutes on each side or until potatoes are tender.
• Carefully open foil. Sprinkle the bacon cheeses over potato mixture. Grill 3-5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Granola Bars

I found the original recipe (posted below) on pinterest, but in order to make it a little more healthy I made these changes.  I have wanted to try applesauce in place of the banana, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.  Also, to the original recipe I just like to add everything together and not do the layers. 
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup mashed banana
1 tea. vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 cup chocolate chips ( I have used just semi-sweet, and once I mixed semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips)
1/2 cup peanut butter
sesame seeds, nuts, coconut, raisins or craisins etc. (as much as you like)

Instructions
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Then add chocolate chips and peanut butter and other extra mix ins to pan and stir to mix together.
Press into 8x8 dish ( I like to line the dish with either wax paper or plastic wrap, so it is easier to get out of the pan). Refrigerate for about 3 hours.


Original Recipe:

3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups quick oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter

Instructions:
Melt butter in a large sauce pan over low heat. Stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes. press half of mixture in the bottom of a buttered 8x8 dish.
In microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate and peanut butter, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and blended. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the crust, reserving a couple spoonfuls to drizzle over the top.
Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over chocolate and peanut butter, pressing gently to form a crust. Drizzle the remaining chocolate and peanut butter over the top of the bars.
refrigerate for 3 hours.

Flan con queso

I got this recipe from one of Andy's friends from Puerto Rico.  I love this flan and it is super easy.  I wanted to put it here so I don't lose it.

Flan con queso
1 can evaporated milk
1can sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. cream cheese
2 eggs
vanilla

Blend all ingredients until combined and smooth (mostly).

In saucepan melt sugar.  Just put sugar in a saucepan pan over medium heat and stir.  And stir and stir and stir.  Then stir some more and eventually it will kind of clump together and then melt.  As soon as it is all melted pour it into the pan* your going to cook the flan in.   Then pour your blended flan ingredients on top of melted sugar.

Bake at 350* for about an hour in water bath.

Once cooked run knife around the edges to loosen the flan from the pan.  Then put a plate on top and invert so flan comes out of pan onto plate.  Use a plate slightly larger than pan so the liquid that will come out on top has  a little room to run and not make a huge mess.  The put in fridge to cool.  This is much better cold than warm.

*I just use a round cake pan to cook this in.  It works pretty well.  Don't forget to put it in water bath as you cook it though.  The easiest way I have found is to put my cake pan in a disposable roaster type pan.  Then pour in my sugar and flan and then transfer to warm oven and add water once its in oven being careful not to splash any into the flan.

the way we like Asparagus

I had never purchased Asparagus until we got some from Bountiful Baskets in the past year.  Wasn't sure how to eat it.  Just thought I'd share our new favorite way to enjoy it.  Sorry I'm lazy and didn't retype the text. 

Now Asparagus is one of my favorite vegetables of all time.  Hurray!

let's talk about Oats

anyone still here?  ever since pinterest arrived, we've posted less and less.  sadness.

sooooo... anyhoo.... this past week i was talking with a few family members about steel-cut oats.  I somehow assumed I wouldn't like them because I'm not into normal oatmeal (a bit too mushy for my liking).

So - I'm wondering what y'all think about these?
Have you tried steel-cut oats?
What do you like about them?
How do you cook them?
Have you tried the crock-pot method?
Please post your favorite recipe for them.

I'm ready to give them a go.

Broiled Tomatoes

I like to have these with eggs for breakfast.

Heat broiler. Place tomatoes cut side up. Drizzle with oil & sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until tender 2 to 3 min.

Orange Pomegranate Muffins

Back in December I had some two pomegranates that I had gotten in a Bountiful Basket that I needed to use and wasn't sure how. I looked on the internet and found this recipe for Orange Pomegranate muffins. I really like them. I have a bad habit of writing down recipes on random pieces of paper and then sometimes loosing them or not writing what the recipes is on it. I wanted to make sure I didn't loose this one. I am sorry I don't remember what website I found it on to give proper credit to.

Orange Pomegranate muffins
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon soda
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
2 Tablespoon butter, beaten
1/4 teaspoon -1/2 teaspoon orange zest
1/4 cup orange juice and pulp
2/3 cup pomegranate seeds
semi-sweet or dark chocolate (optional, as much as you like)

Mix together flour, sugar, and soda. In a separate bowl mix together butter and eggs, then add to orange juice and orange zest. Mix together wet and dry ingredients. Fold in pomegranate seeds (and chocolate).

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 min.

Mini Meatball Sliders

This is just copied from Pioneer Woman.  In my hunt for something quick and easy tonight this is what I found.  I loved it and my kids really liked it too.  Andy was not around so he missed out.  I did make my own marinara and didn't use too many onions but other than that I followed the recipe.


 link to recipe on PW site

Recipe: Mini Meatball Sandwiches

Prep Time: 16 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 20 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Chuck Or Ground Beef
• 1/2 cup Panko Or Other Bread Crumbs
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 1 jar (large) Marinara Sauce
• 12 whole Dinner Rolls (or Slider Rolls)
• 4 slices Provolone Cheese, Cut Into Four Wedges Each

Preparation Instructions

Mix meat with bread crumbs, garlic, salt, pepper, and milk. Knead together with hands. Roll into heaping tablespoon-sized rolls.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for one minute. Add meatballs between the onions and brown for one minute. (You might have to do this in two batches, depending on the size of your skillet.)
Pour in jar of marinara; shake pan gently to mix. Put on lid and allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
When ready to serve, cut each dinner roll in half. Place a wedge of Provolone on the top and bottom of each roll. Spoon a meatball with the sauce onto the bottom bun; top with the top bun.
Serve immediately!