Chicken Alfredo Lasanga

A lot of people have been asking me for this recipe. Well here ya go:) Thanks pinterest for the recipe.

So I didn't have artichokes or sun dried tomatoes. I used spinach (fresh from our garden of course), and for the tomatoes I used regular petite cut canned tomatoes and put Italian seasoning, garlic salt, paprika, and a dash of chili powder for the knock off of sun dried. Also I would use 1 pkg of cream cheese, there was too much of it. I also put a ton of extra cheese on mine, the Italian mix is so delicious on this. 

What you'll need:

• 2 c shredded chicken. (I boiled mine for more flavor and tenderness)
• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped. (or spinach ;))
• 1 pkg shredded mozzarella cheese (I used the Italian mix) divided
• 1/2 c grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 c chopped drained oil packed sun dried tomatoes ( or canned tomatoes with seasoning)
• 2 Pkg (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened ( or use 1)
• 1 c milk
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 c tightly packed basil, chopped, divided (I didn't have this so I didnt use it)
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked

What to do:
Heat oven to 350
Combine chicken, artichokes (or spinich), 1 c mozzarella, parmesan and tomatoes. Beat cream cheese, milk and garlic powder with mixer until well blended; stir in 2 tbsp basil. Mix half with the chicken mixture. 
Spread half the remaining cream cheese mixture onto bottom of 13x9 baking dish. Cover with 3 noodles and 1/3 of the chicken mixture. Repeat layers of noodles and chicken mixture twice. Top with remaining noodles, cream cheese mixture and mozzarella; cover. 
Bake 25 min or till cheese is all the way melted.

Swedish Meatballs

Mmmmm one of my husbands favorite dishes.
I was thinkin who needs the Scandinavian Festival Swedish meatballs when you can make your own. I didn't want to wait a whole year to have the deliciousness so I made them myself. Also thanks to pinterest for the main recipe.
So I kinda changed it up a little. I didn't have ground pork so I just used beef. I didn't have nutmeg either. It turned out great. Also I'm that kinda person that if its a simple ingredient like panko (japanese crumbs, you can find them in the Asian isle) or spices I just guess.

What you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 cup Panko
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the gravy:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

What to do:

Put olive oil in pan with onions and cook on low. Place defrosted beef in large bowl. Add panko, egg yolks, nutmeg, all spice, and S&P. Roll into meatballs, I just eye it. Put meatballs cooked onions and oil and cook till meat is not pink. Place cooked meatballs on paper towel. 

For the gravy:

melt butter in skillet. Whisk in butter till light brown. Gradually whisk in beef broth and cook, keep whisking till thick. Stir in sour cream and add S&P for taste. 

I will usually taste test before I put in meatballs. When I did I needed more beef broth or sour cream. 

Keep whisking till it mixes well and thickens up.

Place meatballs in sauce and cover with sauce. 

What I experienced with babies "crying it out"

My thoughts and opinions on babies crying it out might be different than what others think.
Now this is simply an opinion, I don't want this to turn into an argument. I have seen subjects like this get people upset. I'm not meaning to upset people this is simply my experience on this subject.

When my son was a day old I wanted to be there for him no matter what happens. From when he gets his first boo boo to goin off to college. I wanted to be there whenever he cried or was upset. I was that mom that every single noise he made I was by his side. When he was in between a month and 2 months I realized that he needs to learn that every time he cries I'm not gonna be there.
"Crying it out" not only helps your baby but it helps the mommy. I would have gone completely insane if I didn't let him cry it out. With a lot of nieces and nephews I have done this before. I remember when we had to put babies on their tummy's to sleep, putting alcohol on there belly buttons when they where a newborn, an of coarse crying. Times have changed we no longer put them on their bellies cause of the risk of SIDS and suffocation. So far crying it out is still something mothers do to this day.

My older sister has twins. I can't imagine having 2 the same age, one is enough for me. She was having troubles having them go to bed and take a nap. She asked her pediatric doctor what to do. Her doctor said fill their bellies, give them a clean diaper, and possibly a pacifier. Lay them in their crib for nap time and put earplugs in and let them cry.

When I left the hospital the nurses and my doctor said that crying it out helps lung development. I started the crying it out stage when he was almost 2 and a half months old. I might have done it earlier, I can't remember haha. I would completely fill his tummy, give him signs that its either nap time or night time, change his diaper, give him some gas drops, kiss him goodnight and turn on his lullaby machine. There is a whole explanation on how I got my son to sleep through the night on this blog here is the link https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8759251115420404384#editor/target=post;postID=6118805706114324307;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=13;src=postname
I would let him cry for about 5 min than I would go in and rub his belly, give him his pacifier, and hum a song. I wouldn't pick him up unless he is screaming. Mommy's can usually tell if there baby is whining, angry or in pain just by how they cry. My son usually whines cause he's bored or doesn't want to sleep. Once in a while he will fight goin to sleep, Ill just keep doin what I usually do and wait till he's so tired he falls asleep.

Now on the other hand people have told me that crying it out is bad. It causes brain damage, makes the baby feel alone, and makes him resent you. For me I don't believe in all that. I have done this several times and all my nieces and nephews are just fine. If this is causing babies to actually get brain damage from this than why did my doctor and all the nurses at the hospital tell me to let them cry.

My son is now almost 6 months and he is doing great. He's a healthy, bouncing baby boy. I do let him cry it out once in a while, depending on how he feels.

Everyone has an opinion on this subject some people live by not letting them cry it out and some people do it. I will gladly hear other opinions on this, but I will not tolerate arguments.

You are more than welcome to leave comments on my thoughts and or corrections.:)

Tonkatsu とんかつ (fried pork cutlet)

this is what the kewpie looks like.

I learned how to make this dish in my Japanese class. It is so good, one of my favorite Japanese dishes. This is great with a cold glass of mugichia tea (roasted barley tea). You top it with kewpie (sweet mayonnaise) and tonkatsu sauce (sweet bbq sauce). I get all my items on this website:  http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/.

What you'll need:

• Pork (i use pork chops without the bone or any kind of sliced pork)
• Panko
• Oil for frying (I use vegetable)
• Egg
• Cabbage (optional)
• Tonkastu sauce (optional)
• Kewpie (optional)

What to do:
You can cut the pork thinner if it needs to be.
Put egg and panko in separate bowls.
Prepare pork to dip and fry. Wash off any access blood and other things.
Put oil in frying pan. I just use enough to cover the bottom. Heat up.
Dip pork in egg on both sides than in the panko on both sides. Make sure you completely cover it in panko before putting it in the pan.
Cook pork on med heat so it wont splatter everywhere.Turn over, if its light brown you should be good. Make sure you cook pork fully through.
Place cooked pork on plate and drizzle kewpie and tonkatsu sauce over. Cut cabbage in slices and set on the side and enjoy.

I do not take credit for photos