Summer "Vacation" for Cooking Up a Sale

The weather is getting warmer (OK, sometimes even HOT!), and school is almost out.  I've started thinking about our vacation plans, which made me think about making some changes here for the summer. 

Recipe Round-up (Meijer Ad 5/27/12 - 6/2/12)

Here's what else you can make with Meijer sale items:

Taco Salad

(This recipe was originally posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/27/12 - 6/2/12)

This main dish salad makes a huge batch!  It's tasty, easy, and uses basic ingredients.  Perfect for your potluck picnic!

Tropical Chicken Salad

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/27/12 - 6/2/12)

This chicken salad is delicious on bread, bagels, and croissants.  The almonds and celery give it just the right crunch, and the pineapple adds a hint of sweetness.

Cookie "Salad"

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/27/12 - 6/2/12)

This "salad" is a fun change from the average jello.  It's definitely kid-friendly, both in flavor and ease of preparation.  The combination of ingredients might sound a little strange, but it's actually pretty good!

I'm Not Nuts

Background:  Our two-year-old daughter's name is Cameryn.  She had a hard time learning to say her name, so we taught her to say "Cami" instead.

Two-year-old and five-year-old are being loud, hyper, and goofy while riding in the van.

Five-year-old (jokingly) to two-year-old:  "You're nuts!"

Two-year-old (emphatically) to five-year-old:  "No I not!  I'm Cami!"

Recipe Round-up (Meijer Ad 5/20/12 - 5/26/12)

Here's what else you can make with what's on sale this week at Meijer:

Chocolate Brownie Cheesecake Dessert

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/20/12 - 5/26/12)

I guess it's the week for chocolate and cream cheese!  I created this dessert one day when I didn't feel like running to the store for two ingredients...and the result was just as good as the Oreo Torte I was trying to make (recipe for that coming someday!).  The chewy brownie crust and fluffy chocolate cheesecake layer are a delicious combination, and the whole thing comes together quickly and easily.  Side note to my Rau aunts and cousins:  this is the dessert recipe some of you were requesting after I served it for Sunday coffee.

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Brownies

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/20/12 - 5/26/12)

These delicious, fudgy bars have the same flavor as a topsy-turvy cupcake, but require less prep time.  If I bring a meal to someone, these brownies usually accompany the meal...and they're always a hit!

Dorito Chicken Casserole

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/20/12 - 5/26/12)

This is probably not the healthiest main course you'll ever find, but it sure is tasty!  I've seen various versions of this casserole all over Pinterest, but I based "my" version on one that was recommended to me by a friend.

Recipe Round-up (Meijer Ad 5/13/12 - 5/19/12)

Here's your weekly menu-planning tool!  Pick some EASY things this week to celebrate Mother's Day :)

Sunshine Salad

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/13/12 - 5/19/12)

This fluffy, fruity salad pairs perfectly with pasta, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, or anything else that you might normally serve with a jello salad.  The sweet lemon flavor makes it the perfect summery side dish.

Bacon Ranch Dip

(This recipe was first posted in conjunctino with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/13/12 - 5/19/12)

This super easy dip comes together in less than 5 minutes!  It's delicious served with crackers or pretzels (or Flipsides "pretzel-crackers").

Club Quesadillas

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/13/12 - 5/19/12)

I love warm weather, so I resist cranking on the A/C as long as we can handle it...which means that I'm always on the look-out for meals that don't heat up the kitchen.  This main dish sandwich is perfect for those warm spring and summer evenings.  It's cool and refreshing, and comes together quickly...so you won't spend a lot of time in the kitchen after a long, hard day at the beach or pool.

Winner of the Vidalia Chop Wizard Giveaway

I used Random.org's random number generator, and it picked comment #16.  That comment was posted by Sara, who said "I commented on the No-Bake Strawberry Dessert!"  Sara comments faithfully on almost every recipe she tries (at least, if this is the Sara I think it is!), so I'm happy that she won :)  I'm glad you liked the dessert, Sara...and congratulations on winning a useful and fun kitchen gadget!

Thanks to everyone for participating!

Happy Cooking!
~Lisa

Recipe Round-up (Meijer Ad 5/6/12 - 5/12/12)

Here's what else you can make with ingredients that are on sale at Meijer this week:

Baked Ham with Raisin Sauce

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/6/12 - 5/12/12)

A friend brought over this ham dinner with a delicious sauce when I was on bedrest.  We all loved it and I've served this sauce over ham quite a few times since then!

Mozzarella Chicken

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/6/12 - 5/12/12)

I'm running out of brilliant things to say about chicken recipes, sorry!  Chicken, mushrooms, ham, and cheese...you can't go wrong! 

Cookie Brownies

(This recipe was first posted in conjunction with the Meijer Ad Week of 5/6/12 - 5/12/12)

Here's another great recipe from Andrea over at Simple Organized Living.  She has no qualms about baking from a box or a package...a girl after my own heart!  These bars couldn't be any easier, but the result is delicious!

Vidalia Chop Wizard Giveaway

Update:  this giveaway is now closed.  Thank-you all for participating, and congratulations to Sara for winning this useful and fun kitchen gadget.

Remember when I told you all about how much I use and love my Vidalia Chop Wizard?  Well, do you want one too?  OK, good, because...

In celebration of another milestone (30,000 hits), Cooking Up a Sale is giving away a Vidalia Chop Wizard!