Saturday, June 24, 2017

Venison Lok Lak


My fiance is an avid outdoorsman. He will fish all year long, whether it's from the shore, his boat or an ice shanty. He also hunts squirrel, rabbit and deer. This year he was lucky enough to get two; one during rifle season and one with his crossbow. That means I have a TON of venison in my freezer.

Before Father's Day, Rob found a recipe for Venison Lok Lak in Field and Stream magazine. He took a picture of it and sent it to me in a text. How could I say no to that request?


Before getting started, I sliced a 3 lb venison roast into think strips. I then soaked the meat in milk for 4 hours to help neutralize the gaminess of the blood. I then made a marinade with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, sugar, garlic and black pepper. I covered the meat and let it soak marinate for 1 hour.


The dipping sauce is a lime based dressing with a kick of fresh black pepper. Just remember that a little goes a long way.


I stir fry some fresh sugar snap peas and sweet bell peppers to go in the lettuce wraps. The kids are not big on eating the venison on lettuce, so they create a stir-fry with the meat and veggies instead. I don't mind, because the lettuce has the least nutrients out of all the veggies.


I then stir-fry the venison in sesame oil for 3-5 minutes. I recommend doing this in batches so that the meat cooks evenly. Over cooked venison is super chewy, and not an experience I would recommend.


Venison Lok Lak

Ingredients
3 lbs venison roast, trimmed of fat and gristle, sliced into strips
4 cups of milk
6 Tbsp hoisin sauce
6 Tbsp soy sauce
2 tsp sriracha
6 tsp sugar, divided
4 tsp garlic paste divided
Freshly ground black pepper
4 limes
4 tsp fish sauce
3 hearts of romaine
1 large tomato, sliced
2 sweet bell peppers, sliced (one red and one yellow)
12 oz sugar snap peas
4 cups cooked brown rice
6 Tbsp sesame oil

Directions

  1. Place the venison in a sealable  glass container. Pour the milk over the meat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or over night. (The older the deer, the gamier it will taste.)
  2. Pour the venison and milk into a wire strainer, and gently shake to remove as much milk as possible. Pour the meat back into the container and set aside. 
  3. Prepare the marinade by whisking the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, sriracha, 2 tsp sugar and 2 tsp garlic paste together. Add black pepper to taste. Then pour over the venison. Cover and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour. 
  4. Make the lime sauce by rolling the limes on the counter to help loosen the juice. Slice them in half, and squeeze the lime juice into a small bowl. Add the fish sauce, 4 tsp sugar, 2 tsp lime paste and black pepper to taste. Cover and set in the fridge until ready to serve.
  5. Heat 1 Tbsp of sesame oil in a large skillet or wok. Add the sugar snap peas and peppers. Stir-fry until crisp tender, about 3 minutes. remove to a serving bowl and set aside. 
  6. Add another Tbsp of sesame oil to the wok. Once smoking, add a handful of venison and stir-fry until no longer pink in the middle, 3-5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the rest of the venison, adding more sesame oil as needed. 
  7. To Serve: Spread a Tbsp of brown rice across the center of a lettuce leaf. Add 3 slices of venison, some stir-fried veggies and a tomato slice. Drizzle with the lime sauce, and enjoy. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 770 
Total Fat 17.7g23%
Saturated Fat 3.6g18%
Trans Fat 0g 
Cholesterol 10mg4%
Sodium 1195mg52%
Potassium 603mg13%
Total Carb 98.9g33%
Dietary Fiber 6.8g24%
Sugars 16.5g 
Protein 52.2g 
Vitamin A 84% · Vitamin C 173%
Calcium 18% · Iron 21%

One serving is approximately 2 wraps. They are very filling and a great new way to cook venison. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as we did. 

Thanks for stopping by, 
Kristie

Sunday, June 11, 2017

Lewis Emery Park

As if working full time and raising five kids isn't enough, I have decided to add wedding planning into the mix. I mean it's only my wedding that I have to plan, but.... EEEP!!!! I am getting married.

Before you start thinking this blog is about to turn into a wedding site, give me a moment to fill you in on a couple of details.

  1. I would rather cook and hang out with my kids that read a bridal magazine. 
  2. We are only having a 5 month engagement, and are already 2 months into it. 
  3. I want a very simple wedding. I want a small group of people whom I love to watch me get married. I do not want to become a crazy bridezilla whom no one can stand being around.  
So for a couple of months I will share wedding ideas, plans, and inspirations. Then I will be back to my normal family focused self.


Today is all about location. Since I am Catholic and was previously married in the church, that was not an option for this event. Instead I am planning an outside ceremony. And being from Michigan, I was hoping for an area with water, or better yet a waterfall. 

I could not be happier to have found Lewis Emery Park in Hillsdale. It is a beautiful park with ducks roaming the property. There are multiple fishing ponds as well. But the best part is the waterfall. How amazing will it be to say our vows on the bridge with a dozen of our nearest and dearest looking on from the sides? 


Our back up plan for if it rains is to use the gazebo located just off the path and below the waterfall. It's such a pretty area, and I can't wait to see the trees after they have started to change color in the fall. 

Rental for the gazebo and waterfall was only $30. You can also rent the community center for your reception for $350. I'm not yet sure what we are doing about that, so I will keep you posted. 

Let me know your favorite outside wedding venues in Michigan. 
Thanks for stopping by, 
Kristie

Saturday, June 10, 2017

'90s photo booth props

The last time I posted about Kenzie's '90s party, I showed you the back drop for her photo booth. Today I want to show you where and how to get the props to go with it.




I'm not sure what fox and cat masks have to do with the '90s, but the kids loved them.

You can order specifically '90's themed props from etsy. Basically you download the templates, print them out and then glue them to card stock. Once dry, you add a wooden dowel and you are done.

Another option is too use free printables like I did.

Bit of Happiness offers printable bow ties, animal faces and top hats.

Personal Creations is where I got the fox mask from.

I'm sure there are probably more options on the world wide web, but the above were my favorites. I hope this helps you execute your '90s party, or any other fun event for that matter. Let me know how it goes.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kristie

Friday, June 9, 2017

Crock-Pot Tortellini

As I mentioned the other day, I don't think my family would survive without the crock-pot. Throwing everything in before work, and knowing my family will have a great meal while I am away is a major stress relief. I honestly cook a minimum of two meals in it every week.


One of our favorite recipes in this Crock-Pot Tortellini. With minimal prep time, I make a homemade sauce in the crock-pot before work. Then about a half hour before dinner, Rob adds the pasta. Cover it with cheese for a few minutes before serving, and you have a filling meal.


Sorry. I got a little ahead of myself. The base of any pasta dish starts with the sauce. If your sauce is junk, then your entire meal is as well. This sauce starts with browned hamburger, with chopped onions and garlic paste.


This step takes the longest, because you do it on the stove, but it's so worth it. By using the stove instead of the crock-pot to cook the beef, you are able to drain the grease from the meat. Less fat, same flavor and better for you at the end of the day.


The meat gets combined with canned tomatoes and chiles, plus seasoning and cooks for six hours on low heat. The little bit of kick from the chiles is a great balance to the cheese.


We definitely use a lot of cheese in this dish. After we add the tortellini, and let them cook for 20 to to 30 minutes, the entire top of the crock-pot gets covered with cheese. Then we let it melt into a thick layer of cheesy goodness.


Doesn't that make your mouth water? I always make a huge amount so that we have leftovers. That heat up nicely in the microwave. Aly tries to eat it for breakfast. Good thing she's now home for the summer and can enjoy it for lunch instead. Let me share the recipe so that you can enjoy it as well.

Crock-Pot Tortellini

Ingredients

2 lbs ground sirloin
1 small yellow onion, diced
2 tsp garlic paste
2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
18 oz package of spinach tortellini
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Add the ground sirloin, onion and garlic paste to a large skillet. Stir and crumble the beef until it has browned and the onion begins to turn opaque, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the grease and then transfer the meat mixture to the crock-pot. 
  2. Pour the crushed tomatoes and chiles over the meat mixture. Stir in the seasonings and then adjust to taste. (I use 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.) 
  3. Cover the crock-pot and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. You can also cook on the high setting for 3-4 hours. 
  4. Stir in the tortellini and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Then cover with the cheeses and cook for 10 minutes more, or until the cheese has melted entirely. 
  5. Serve with garlic bread and a fresh salad for a complete meal. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 273 
Total Fat 9.3g12%
Saturated Fat 4.5g23%
Trans Fat 0g 
Cholesterol 53mg19%
Sodium 651mg28%
Potassium 202mg4%
Total Carb 31.4g10%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g23%
Sugars 10.5g 
Protein 17.2g 
Vitamin A 72% · Vitamin C 23%
Calcium 15% · Iron 24%

I hope you enjoy this recipe and that it helps you change up your week night dinners. 
Thanks for stopping by, 
Kristie

Monday, June 5, 2017

Bacon Cheddar Chicken

After a relaxing Sunday at home where I did absolutely nothing, Monday has arrived with a vengeance. That means a sick teenager, an over-tired baby and the need to make dinner before I go to work. Thank God for coffee and easy meals. 


Most nights when I cook before work, the crock-pot is my best friend. I love the freedom of dumping the ingredients in and not having to worry about it. Unfortunately, the crock-pot takes a while to cook the food and I needed something to take to work for myself tonight as well. 

After looking through my refrigerator and pantry, I came up with the idea for cheddar bacon chicken. With just four ingredients, and 45 minutes of my time, I have a savory main dish that makes everyone in the house happy. I recommend that you try it as well. 


Let me introduce you to my secret ingredient. The Weber KC BBQ Rub is a seasoning lifesaver. With just the right amounts of chili powder, garlic and onion flavors, this rub will give the chicken a sweet and spicy base to enhance the bacon and cheese.


The first step is to thoroughly coat your chicken breast haves with the spice rub and then transfer them to a baking sheet. I line my sheet with wax paper for easy clean up. 


Then put half a piece of maple bacon on top of each chicken piece. I know the combination of maple and bbq seasoning might sound odd, but trust me, the flavors compliment each other beautifully. 


Bake you chicken and the bacon in a 400-degree oven for 30 minutes. 


Then sprinkle Monterrey-Cheddar cheese over the bacon. Put back into the oven for 10 more minutes. 

Serve with broccoli cheese rice and steamed broccoli and cauliflower. I also like to slice it into strips and eat it on a flour tortilla shell with lettuce and tomato. 

Bacon Cheddar Chicken

Ingredients
4 large chicken breast, cut in half
2 Tbsp Weber KC BBQ Rub, or your favorite spice blend
4 slices of maple bacon, cut in half
1 cup shredded Monterrey-cheddar cheese

Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400-degrees F. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside. 
  2. In a small bowl coat the chicken breast halves with the BBQ rub, and then transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Place a half slice of bacon onto each piece of chicken and then bake for 30 minutes. 
  3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the chicken with the cheese. Put the pan back into the oven and bake for 10 more minutes. The seasoning on the chicken will have caramelized, and the cheese will be bubbly and melted. 

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Per Serving% Daily Value*
Calories 132 
Total Fat 7.1g9%
Saturated Fat 2.3g12%
Trans Fat 0g 
Cholesterol 48mg18%
Sodium 324mg14%
Potassium 127mg3%
Total Carb 1g0%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Sugars 0g 
Protein 15.7g 
Vitamin A 0% · Vitamin C 4%
Calcium 6% · Iron 1%
*Based on a 2,000 calorie diet

It's that easy. My house eats this up and leaves no left overs. I encourage you to try it and tell me what your family thinks. 

Thanks for stopping by, 
Kristie

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Book Review: The Island by Victoria Hislop

Since wedding planning is currently in limbo until we decide where we are having our reception, I have turned my attention to honeymoon planning. By planning, I mean looking at ideas for things to do while we are gone, but not putting us on any real schedule other than flight times. Three weeks in Greece is already proving to be not enough time to see and do everything we might possibly enjoy, and I haven't even started looking anywhere other than the area of Crete.

One place I would absolutely love to explore is the Island of Spinalonga. It was one of the last leper colonies in Europe and abandoned in the late 1950s. Archaeologists are trying to maintain and restore the colony building along with other structures from previous settlements. Tourists are able to explore the island and imagine what it might have been like to be relocated there.


The history of Spinalonga is part of the premis to the book, The Island by Victoria Hislop. The novel follows the lives of four generations of Petrakis women, some of whom lived on the island. Through them, the reader realizes that the leper colony was more than a place to go and die. It was a place of strength, love and hope.

If you are looking for something that will tear at your heart strings and allow you to vicariously live a little bit of history, then I highly recommend this novel. I read this book in four days and hated when I had to put it down in order to be a productive human. The characters are well written and easy to get attached to. In the first generation, I was introduced to Eleni Petrakis and her quiet strength and resolve. This is followed by the recklessness of her daughter Anna, and the sensibility of her daughter Maria. These women kept a piece of my heart when I closed the book.

I hope you enjoy The Island as much as I did. I am also always looking for something new to read, so your recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for stopping by,
Kristie