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Homemade-ish

    Homemade-ish

    Easy Peasy Lasagna

    perfectlydestressed.com

    A super tasty 4 ingredient homemade-ish Lasagna and Meatballs dish for those crazy busy school nights.

    Tired mothers rejoice!

    Now you can feed your family a hot, home-cooked meal in under an hour from start to finish. No worries. You can thank me later.

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Easy Peasy Lasagna & Meatballs

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 bag frozen cheese ravioli
    • 1 bag frozen meatballs
    • 1 jar spaghetti sauce
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • grated parmesan cheese

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 9×13 baking dish
    • Place a layer of frozen ravioli along bottom of dish
    • Add spoonfuls of spaghetti sauce on top
    • Sprinkle sauce covered ravioli generously with mozzarella cheese
    • Repeat this process until the dish is full
    • Add a layer of frozen meatballs to the top and sprinkle with grated parm
    • Cover with aluminum foil and bake until hot and bubbly – 45 minutes to an hour.

    Notes

    This “Lasagna” is perfect for those busy school nights where running around to gymnastics, soccer games and after school clubs have left you tired and worn out.
    Now you can still make your fam a hot home-cooked meal in a flash.
    Homemade-ish

    Celebration Chocolate Chip Cookies

    perfectlydestressed.com

    They are called Celebration Chocolate Chip Cookies because there’s a major part-ay in your mouth with every bite of these delicious things.

    Also, because they are perfect for any celebration. Birthdays, Back to School, Snow Days, Holidays, Trips to the Dentist, A Successful Day of Cleaning Your House, whatevs….

    www.perfectlydestressed.com

    And we’ve all seen loads of recipes that claim to be “The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever”, but those guys need to just sit down right this minute because these chocolate chip cookies?

    They’re actually The Best In The World.

    Believe it, my friends.

    www.perfectlydestressed.com

    Celebration Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup softened salted butter
    • 1 cup vegetable shortening
    • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract
    • 4 eggs
    • 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 tsp baking soda
    • 2 bags chocolate chips We prefer milk chocolate, but semi-sweet works too

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°
    • Cream butter, shortening, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla.
    • Stir in eggs.
    • Slowly add flour to avoid splash-over. Beat until thoroughly mixed.
    • Fold in chocolate chips.
    • Drop by rolled teaspoonfuls on baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
    • Bake 10-12 minutes.

    Notes

    This recipe is also perfect for Cookie Bars. Simply follow directions and spread cookie dough into a greased sheet pan. Press dough until evenly spread. Bake 350 for about 20 minutes.
    Homemade-ish

    Peach Pie Slab & Butter Crust Recipes

    www.perfectlydestressed.com

    This pie slab is perfect for ridiculously large families (like mine…) or for parties, banquets and celebrations.

    Go on ahead – just try to have only one slice.

    The heart-shaped pie crust cut-out additions on the top not only make it absolutely adorable, they also make it easy to cut even slices – a piece of your heart for everyone!

    www.perfectlydestressed.com

    Peach Pie Slab

    Ingredients
      

    • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
    • 2 tbsp cornstarch
    • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
    • 1/8 tsp salt
    • 6 cups fresh peach slices
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400°
    • In a large bowl, whisk together brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Toss in peaches and lemon juice.
    • Make sure peaches are thoroughly coated with the deliciousness listed above.
    • Add peach filling into prepared and 9×13 crust covered sheet pan. Spread filling evenly.
    • You can either A) place a second rectangular shaped pie crust on top, pinch the edges of the top and bottom crust together to seal, tuck under any additional crust along the edges and use a knife cut slits for venting OR B) if you're feeling really Martha Stewart-ish (or if you were really crabby all day to your kiddos and feel bad like I did) you can cut out pie dough heart shapes – or any other shape – with a cookie cutter.
    • NOTE:
      My Give Me ALLLL The Butter Pie Crust (below) makes enough dough for both the full bottom and the heart shapes on top of the Peach Pie Slab.
    • Bake 35-40 minutes, until bubbly and golden. Let cool and EAT!

    Can we be real? Let’s be real.

    Sometimes life is hectic and wild and crazy and Mama just doesn’t have time to make a pie crust from scratch. So, I buy some store-bought refrigerated bad boys and bake those babies right up. And you know what? No one around here cares! They eat it anyway…

    But, sometimes, sooooooometimes, I feel a bit more June Cleaver-ish than usual and I want to make my family food that’s been prepared with my blood, sweat and tears. Just Kidding. Sort of…

    But, this pie crust is super simple and so gosh darn good. I use it for dessert pies, dinner pies and biscuits. The ingredients are typical kitchen staples so I never have to worry about not having what I need. I hope you love it as much as my thighs I do!

    kristingambacciniblog.com

    Butter Pie Crust

    Made with butter and a few other not-near-as-important ingredients.

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 1/2 cups flour
    • 2 tbsp sugar
    • 1 cup cold salted butter cut into small cubes
    • 1/2 cup ice water
    • 2 metal pie pans Why metal pans? Because this is an all butter crust, it needs to be frozen before baking to keep the pie shape. The extreme temp change from freezer to oven could cause glass to shatter.

    Instructions
     

    • In a stand mixer, or by hand with a pastry cutter if you're old school like that, blend the dry ingredients together.
    • Add butter. Mix until the butter chunks are no bigger than blueberries.
    • Add 1/2 cup of ice water and mix until a dough ball forms.
    • Remove ball and cut in half. Flatten into 2 large pancake dough discs.
    • Flour counter and roll out dough half a few inches larger than the pie pan you are using.
    • Line the buttered pan with the pie dough, tuck under the edges evenly and beautify -AKA- "crimp" the edges. Poke holes throughout the bottom of the crust using a fork.
    • Place the crimped pie shells into the freezer for at least an hour before baking but preferably overnight.
    • When you are ready to bake your pie, fill the frozen crust and bake immediately. Do not thaw the crust.
    • Preheat oven to 400. After 15 minutes, reduce oven to 375 and bake according to your recipe. Starting out with a very hot oven helps keep the shape of your crimping.

    Notes

    This recipe makes 2 regular sized pie crusts (top and bottom). But, if you are making a slab pie, this recipe will make 1 slab pie crust.

    Homemade-ish

    Mom’s Dr. Cake & Frosting

    perfectlydestressed.com
    I know. I know. You’re wondering “why in the ever-lovin’ world did she name this cake Dr.?” Trust me, it’s aptly named. See, it’s been doctored up so much from the original box whence it came, it’s basically got a doctorate in the technical field of Homemade-ish.
    Sounds legit, right?!
    perfectlydestressed.com

    Do we really eat cake like this? Why yes, yes we do.

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Mom’s Any Flavor Dr. Cake

    This cake is totally choose-your-own adventure style. You like vanilla cake? Use vanilla flavor box cake with vanilla flavor pudding. Chocolate? Go ALL in with the chocolate! You could even use Chocolate extract in place of the Vanilla. How about a touch of lemon? Start with a vanilla cake and use lemon flavored pudding. Or vice versa. You simply can't go wrong!

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box Cake Mix Any Flavor
    • 1 box Instant Pudding Mix (3oz) Any Flavor
    • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 3/4 tsp Salt
    • 1 ⅓ cup Water
    • 1/8 cup Vegetable Oil
    • 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
    • 1 cup Sour Cream Greek Yogurt works too. If you're hard core and goin' all Milli Vanilli (I typically do), you can even use Vanilla Greek Yogurt.
    • 3 Eggs

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour pans.
    • Mix all of the dry ingredients thoroughly.
    • Add wet ingredients.
    • Pour batter into greased and floured prepared pans filling a bit over halfway full.
    • Bake until cake is firm. Baking time varies based on pan size. Follow box directions.

    Notes

    Keep in mind that the additional ingredients will increase the amount of batter you are making. I can easily fill (3) 6 inch round cake pans. Or one huge sheet pan. Or (2) 9 inch pans….you get the idea. You get a lot of cake with this recipe! You *may* find that you need to increase your baking time depending on how full your pan is. 325 is a good temperature as it allows your cake to bake thoroughly throughout without the worry of burning the top. The lower temp and additional bake time allows for a more even bake.

    But wait, there’s more!

    This frosting will leave people thinking you are some sort of winning contestant on the Great American Baking Show. Own it. You don’t ever have to tell them you used a can of frosting for the base…

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Dr. Frosting

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tub Vanilla Canned Frosting
    • 1 box Cream Cheese optional (adding this makes a killer cream cheese frosting for sugar cookies fyi)
    • 2-3 drops Extract of choice I prefer 2 drops of Vanilla & 1 drop of Almond
    • 3-4 tbsp Confectioners Sugar *you may continue adding 1 tbsp at a time until you have reached desired consistency*

    Instructions
     

    • *I like to use my KitchenAid mixer for this particular recipe using the paddle attachment. That way I can walk away for a few seconds (or 15 minutes because I get side-tracked and forget I'm even making cake). But, a hand mixer will do just fine.*
      Empty your tub of frosting into a bowl, slowly mix in your extract 1 drop at a time and lastly add the sugar.
      This frosting leaves a delicate crust around your cake. Enough to hold it in place, but soft enough to taste super fresh.

    Notes

    Add too much powdered sugar? No problem – simply add milk, 1 tbsp at a time, until it thins the frosting to your liking.
    Homemade-ish

    Tater Tot Casserole

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Napoleon Dynamite would flip over this casserole dish. Everyone loves their tots!

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Plus, there’s a secret ingredient!

    perfectlydestressed.com

    TaterTot Casserole

    Ingredients
      

    • 2-3 lbs Ground Beef
    • 1 tsp Garlic Salt
    • 3 cans Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
    • 1 stick Butter (1/2 cup) melted
    • 4 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
    • 2 tbsp Grated Parmesan Cheese <—- Super Secret Ingredient
    • 1 cup Half&Half or Milk
    • 32 oz Frozen Tater Tots

    Instructions
     

    • Grease dish and preheat oven to 350.
    • Brown beef in garlic salt.
    • Mix soup, cooked beef, milk, melted butter, parmesan cheese and 2 cups of shredded cheddar in large bowl.
    • Pour mixture into dish.
    • Layer tots evenly over mix.
    • Top with remaining 2 cups cheddar cheese.
    • Sprinkle a lil' more parm on top because why the heck not.
    • Cover with tin foil.
    • Bake 45 minutes or until tots are hot!
    Homemade-ish

    Cran-Stach Cookies

    perfectlydestressed.com
    These green cranberry and pistachio things are totally knock-your-socks-off good. I mean, really, really gooooood.

    And the best part? You totally start off with a pouch of premade cookie dough mix and a good ol’ box of pudding. I mean, if that’s not the definition of Homemade-ish, I don’t know what the heck is, my friends. Plus, the color makes you feel like you’re eating a lil’ somethin’ healthy – so that’s fun!

    perfectlydestressed.com

    Cran-Stach Cookies

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pouch (approx 1 lb) Sugar Cookie mix or 3 small dollar store pouches (’cause you can find anything at the dollar store!)
    • 1 box instant Pistachio Pudding
    • 1/4 cup Flour
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1/2 cup Salted Butter – melted
    • 1/2 cup chopped dried Cranberries
    • 1 cup chopped dry roasted Pistachio Nuts

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 and line your pans with parchment.
    • Mix together cookie dough pouch, pudding mix and flour.
    • Stir in melted butter and eggs until a soft dough forms.
    • Add chopped cranberries and pistachios. Mix well.
    • Drop rolled dough and slightly flatten with your hand, a glass, a spatula, a hammer, whatevs.
    • Bake 9-11 minutes
    • Finally – and most importantly – grab your cookie trays and run. Hide in your closet, pantry, bedroom, or heck, even your bathroom, and eat these delectable things all by your lonesome ’cause as soon as those cherubic monsters in your house smell these sweet babies, they will be G>O>N>E gone!

    Like this? Love me this? Please, feel free to share!

    Homemade-ish, Snacks

    Graham Cracker Bars

    perfectlydestressed.com
    Sure, it’s easy to just buy a box of cheapo graham crackers. But, it’s pretty darn fun to get in the kitchen with your little ones and make your own, too! And these Graham Cracker Bars are a great alternative to the traditional cookie bars.
    perfectlydestressed.com

    Graham Cracker Bars

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ½ cups Unbleached Flour
    • 1/2 cup packed Dark Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 tsp Salt
    • 1 tsp Baking Soda
    • 1/2 cup chilled and cubed Butter
    • 1/4 cup Honey
    • 1/4 cup Water
    • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350
    • Combine first 6 dry ingredients using a mixer
      perfectlydestressed.com
    • Add butter and continue to mix until it is corn meal consistency.
    • Mix in vanilla, water and honey.
      perfectlydestressed.com
    • Place dough on a piece of waxed paper and begin to roll.
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    • You will want the dough approx 1/4″ thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into your desired shape, or simply cut into traditional rectangles.
    • Place on a wax covered or baking mat lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes. * Note * you can decrease the baking time by a minute or 2 for softer, chewier, more cookie-like bars.
    • Cool and serve – with gobs of Peanut Butter obvs.
    Homemade-ish, Snacks

    Cucumber Tuna Sandwiches

    perfectlydestressed.com
    These are a perfect Friday Lenten Snack! And for busy Mamas, so quick to put together! Wouldn’t they even be so sweet on a Brunch or Tea Party table?
    perfectlydestressed.com

    Tuna-Cuc Sandwich

    Ingredients
      

    • Tuna
    • Cucumbers

    Instructions
     

    • Clean, peel (if you prefer) and slice your cucumbers.
      Drain your tuna. You can either use as is straight from the packaging or can, or season your tuna as you normally would. My family prefers a bit of Miracle Whip, mustard, salt and pepper in our tuna.
      Spoon your tuna mix onto a cucumber slice, top with another cucumber slice and stick an Hors d’oeuvre stick through your “sandwich”. I’m not sure if this last step is truly necessary, but man oh man, does it make them so stinkin’ cute to look at with pretty flags of washi tape attached!
    Homemade-ish, Snacks

    Apple “Donuts”

    perfectlydestressed.com
    Okay, okay. Obviously they aren’t actually donuts. But, they have cream cheese (YUM!) and sprinkles (YAY!) on them. Plus, they’re pretty darn cute. And totally delicious!
    perfectlydestressed.com

    Apple “Donuts”

    These totally adorable lil' snacks are perfect for lil' hands to make! And you all know how much I love lil' hands helping me in my sweet lil' kitchen!

    Ingredients
      

    • Apples
    • Cream Cheese
    • Sprinkles

    Instructions
     

    • Simply core and slice your washed apples.
      Have the kids mix their desired food coloring into the room temp. (leave out on the counter for around 20 minutes and it should be soft enough to easily mix) cream cheese and sprinkle those pretty sprinkles on top of their “frosted” apple donut to their heart’s content.
    perfectlydestressed.com
    perfectlydestressed.com
    Homemade-ish, Snacks

    Anything Goes – No Bake -Energy Balls

    perfectlydestressed.com
    These are a family favorite. I love them because they are fast to put together for an afternoon snack or special treat and the kiddos love them because they are so gosh darn good!
    perfectlydestressed.com

    Anything Goes-No Bake- Energy Balls

    Truly, anything goes here. Add flax seed, wheat germ, cinnamon, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips or omit ingredients I have listed (or even add more than my suggestion!). There’s no wrong way to make these!
    I have mixed the ingredients by hand with a spoon, with a hand mixer as well as using my stand mixer if I’m tripling the recipe and feeding a crowd. Any mixing method works – the key is for the batter to be thick and sticky at the end ~ sticky enough to form balls with your hands.

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups Old Fashioned Quick Oats
    • 1 cup Peanut Butter
    • 1 cup Hazelnut Cocoa Spread
    • 1/2 cup Honey
    • 1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
    • 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips

    Instructions
     

    • Mix dry ingredients.
    • Add wet ingredients.
    • Stir until coated.
    • Form into ball shapes and place on wax paper or serving tray.
    • Eat it fast because this one is sure to be a family fave!
    perfectlydestressed.com
    Homemade-ish, Snacks

    Yum-Azing Peach Strawberry Fruit Leather

    Perfectly DeStressed
    3 crazy simple ingredients is all it takes to make this super yummy homemade-ish fruity “roll” snack!
    Perfectly DeStressed

    Yum-Azing Peach Strawberry Fruit Roll

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 can Peaches in 100% juice, drained or 2 fresh peaches, peeled & sliced
    • 1 lb Fresh Strawberries, hulled and sliced
    • 1/3 cup Agave Nectar

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat Oven to 170
    • Line your baking sheet with a silicone baking mat (I use a Silpat). You have to use a baking mat. Wax paper, unfortunately, won’t work in this recipe – trust me – I tried it folks. It's a no-go.
    • Blend agave, peaches and strawberries together until smooth using either a traditional blender or an immersion blender.
    • Pour mixture onto baking sheet. Make sure the mixture is spread evenly across the pan (if you use your finger, you get to lick it. You're welcome.)
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    • Bake for approximately 4 hours or until fruit is dried and slightly tacky to the touch. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
      perfectlydestressed.com
    • Place a clean piece of wax paper on top, flip the baking sheet upside down and peel the baking mat from the fruit. Slow and steady. It might rip in places – around here we call those the "sample" pieces.
      perfectlydestressed.com
    • Cut into strips using kitchen shears and roll! If taking on the go, cotton string or a piece of tape will help keep it rolled up!
      perfectlydestressed
    perfectlydestressed.com
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