Sloppy Joes

Growing up, I have always loved sloppy joes. My momma always made them from scratch, so I have never had that canned kind before. These are always an exciting meal around our house. Good news is they are easy to whip up and are a crowd pleaser!

I will warn you; these might cause a little bit of a mess. You will definitely want to have some napkins on hand!

So my momma has let me share the recipe with y'all. It is not some secret recipe handed down from generation to generation. I mean, after all, it is sloppy joes, but it is the recipe she has always used.

I made these last night for James and me. Of course they were a hit yet again. Anyone who I make these for always goes back for seconds. Also, anyone who thinks sloppy joes are "bleh" food, will be converted into a sloppy joes lover!

Sloppy Joes Recipe

•  1 lb ground beef


• 3/4 cup ketchup


• 1/2 medium onion, diced


• 1/2 tsp salt


• 1/2 tsp pepper


• 1/2 tsp garlic powder


• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce


• 1 tsp hot sauce


• 2/3 cup water


• 4 hamburger buns

Directions:

1. Put ground beef and diced onion in a pan on medium heat. Cook until beef is browned. Drain off grease.


2. Add water, ketchup, garlic powder, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Make sure to combine all ingredients in the pan.


3. Reduce heat to medium low. Allow sloppy joes to simmer with the lid off for about 25 minutes.


4. Toast hamburger buns. (This step is optional. Toasting just helps less sloppy joe to get absorbed in the bun and lessen the sloppiness.)


5. Serve sloppy joes on hamburger buns and enjoy!

Positive quote of the day:

"Be kind and be truthful, and your life will be fruitful."

-Unknown

How To Make a $15 Wreath!

Hello everyone! I am so proud of my recent creation! I know I promised that I would feature some crafts on this blog and here is my first one. This is a gorgeous fall wreath that I made for my momma and daddy's house. It was very easy, and did you see that title of my post?! Only cost 15 BUCKS to make!

I like, many people out there, have a tendency to hit up my local craft store when making things such as this wreath. Well, let me me tell you I will not be using floral bouquets, ribbon, or decorations from there except on occasion. If you have not read my "about me", then let me tell you this. I am a college student. I am far from rich, and I do not have gobs of money to spend on fake flowers and other crafty things.

So I had a revelation, the local dollar shop has floral bouquets, ribbon, and decorations. Why not just pick up stuff there. I got 9 bouquets and 2 rolls of ribbon for 11 bucks! That is way cheaper than any craft store.

I realize this is not a "ground-breaking" find, but I was really excited about my savings! I had made a wreath earlier this month with all items from the craft store, and it cost me over 30 bucks and did not look nearly as good as this one!

 

This is my 30 dollar one. It hangs on my door, and I like it, but it is not as cute as the one I am featuring on this blog post.

Supplies:

• 1 twig wreath form ( I did have to get this from the craft store, but had a coupon so it was less than $3)! Coupons are usually available to print out on their websites, fyi)


• 9 floral bouquets (need to have at least 6 blooms per bouquet, and I chose 3 different flowers so I got 3 of each type; 3x3=9!)


• 2 spools of 9 ft. wire ribbon (mine was 2 or 2 1/2 inch width)


• decorative object (something like the butterfly I used)


• wire

The nice thing about these twig wreaths is the twigs are very close-knit, so the flowers can just be held between twigs (no wire wrapping).

I cut the flowers off the main bouquet part. Leave about a 7-inch stem on eat flower, so you have enough to wedge into the twig wreath. I started by inserted the flowers in the inner part of the wreath (pictured below). This helps to keep things even.

 

This is after doing the inner circle of flowers.

Next I did two more rows of flowers to create fullness. Make sure your stems are wedged in between the twigs very well and will not fall out.

Time to make the ribbon! I just made two bows and two tails for my big bow. For the ribbon, I looped it around itself and tied it in the middle. Then I fluffed and shaped the bow to get the desired look. This is why you need wired ribbon! Then add you decorative touch (if you decided to do this!) in the middle of your bow!

 

This is the finished product of my bow plus butterfly decoration.

My momma and daddy loved the new wreath for their front door. Zuzu was a fan as well! Momma has already asked me to start thinking of something to do for the holidays for her front door. I am sure that will be a future post on here!

 

Oh and Zuzu is ready for Halloween!

Positive quote of the day:

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside of you that is greater than any obstacle."

-Christian D. Larson

Dorito Chicken Casserole

I have to admit, this is not the healthiest meal. I am sorry. Although, I do promise it is delicious! Sometimes that's all that matters. This is the perfect "cheer me up" food or a great go-to to make after a long day.

This whole pan was gone after one meal. It was that good. Yes, James and I ate every last bite from the whole 2-quart baking dish. Needless to say we were extremely full.

This dish could easily be turned into a dip and taken to parties. I will do a future post on how to do that! This is the type of meal that would be a hit with kids and adults!

Dorito Chicken Cassarole:

• 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded


• 1/2 taco seasoning packet


• 2 cups Doritos, crushed


• 1/2 cup sour cream


• 1 can cream of chicken soup


• 1 cup of cheddar cheese


• 1 can tomatoes with chiles (like rotel)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.


2. Cover bottom of a greased 2-quart baking dish with crushed Doritos.


3. Combine chicken, taco seasoning, sour cream, soup, tomatoes with chiles, and 1/2 of the cheddar cheese.


4. Pour mixture over Doritos. Then cover top with the rest of the cheese.


5. Bake for 30-35 minutes; until cheese is bubbly.

 

Ready for some oven time!

 

Look at this deliciousness!

Positive quote of the day:

"I will hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection."

Unknown

Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

Baked buffalo chicken taquitos are super delicious and easy. The best part about my recipe is that it involves using a slow-cooker to cook the chicken. These taquitos would be a hit at any football party or poker night! They are the definition of "man-food"!

The way I came up with this recipe was just by looking at what I had in my fridge/freezer. Many people I know love hot wings. The problem is sauce gets all over your hands, and it is just a mess. Trust me, these taquitos have all the hot wing flavor without the saucy fingers and faces.

Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos:

• 2 large chicken breasts (I used frozen ones)


• 2 oz. cream cheese


• 1 cup wing sauce


• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded


• 12 "fajita sized" tortillas (6-inch)


• 1 tbsp butter, melted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.


2. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker and pour wing sauce over them. Set slow cooker on high and cook for 2 1/2 hours.


3. Shred chicken in a bowl, then place back in the slow-cooker. Turn slow-cooker on low and allow chicken to hang out in there for about 20 more minutes.


4. In a bowl combine chicken (should be covered with sauce it cooked in), cream cheese, and cheddar.


5. Place about 2 - 2 1/2 tbsp of filling in each tortilla and roll them up. Place taquitos in a greased 9x13 pan.


6. Brush butter on the tops of taquitos.


7. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Tops should be golden brown.

Positive quote of the day:

"Your mission: Be so happy loving your life, you have no time for hate, regret, or fear."

Unknown

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls w/ Vanilla Cinnamon Glaze

I do not know anyone who would be able to resist these delicious pumpkin cinnamon rolls! They scream FALL! This is another recipe I have made a couple times in one week. Yes, they are that good! As an added bonus, they look like you worked your tail on in the kitchen, even though they are pretty simple to throw together. If I am going to make something more than once, it needs to be easy and simple!

The first time I made these, I did it the hard way. I promise if you follow the following steps, you will agree they are simple. I revised the steps to them due to my trial and error with these rolls the first time.

These rolls were in high demand at my house. My boyfriend, James, loved them, as well as my momma and daddy. James even took a fork to the pan, and he ate four in one sitting. Trust me, four is a lot! These are about twice the size of the cinnamon rolls you pop out of a can. I was lucky I got one out of the first batch! Once he devoured the whole pan, he requested I make more. Since I had yesterday off, that is exactly what I did. Why not surprise him?! Plus it gave me an excuse to put writing these papers off...oops. :)

I would recommend making these for a brunch with friends or family because they definitely impress. The golden color the pumpkin gives the rolls is just gorgeous! Oh and of course they'll make your kitchen smell delicious!

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls w/ Vanilla Cinnamon Glaze
(adapted from Cooking Light)

Dough:

• 3/4 cup milk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 2 1/2 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra 1-2 tbsp
• 2 tsp dry yeast

Filling:

• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 3 tsp butter
• 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Glaze:

• 1 cup confectioner's sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Combine all dough ingredients into one bowl. If combining by hand (aka w/out bread machine), you will need to knead the dough until it becomes elastic (could take up to ten minutes).
3. Place dough in a greased bowl. Allow dough an hour to rise.
4. Punch down dough and place it on a well floured surface. Allow it to rest for a few minutes.
5. While dough is resting, get filling ingredients ready (melt butter, measure out sugar, etc.)
6. Roll out dough into a rectangle that is about 10"x16". Dough should also be about 1/2" thick.
7. Brush on butter. Then add brown sugar, pecans, and spices. Make sure filling is well dispersed and is all the way to the edge of dough.
8. Cut dough into 8 slices. Slices should be 2"x 10".
9. Roll up each cinnamon roll and place it into a well greased 9" round pan.
10. Bake rolls for about 25 minutes.
11. Mix all glaze ingredients together. Drizzle glaze on cinnamon rolls after they come out of the oven.
12. Serve and enjoy!

Doesn't that filling look so tasty?!

These guys are ready for the oven!

Positive quote of the day:

"Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"

Anne of Green Gables

Chocolate Pecan Pie

 

Welcome to the first post for Little Miss BEE Positive. I have been pondering the thought of starting a blog for some time. I, like many others out there, am a "Pinterest-a-holic", so I have seen many successful, and wonderful, blogs about cooking and crafting. I thought, "Hey Lilly! You love to craft and cook! Why not start one yourself?!" So, that is exactly what I finally made the decision to do.For this first post, I would like to share a recipe I just tried out! As I state before, I LOVE Pinterest. Honestly I love it to a point that is unhealthy. It constantly makes me late getting out the door in the mornings. Also, I have spent many late nights telling myself, "just one more page" "just one more pin". I had found this recipe a while back and have been meaning to make it. It is called Chocolate Pecan Pie. Combining chocolate and pecans is just genius in my opinion! I am a pecan pie and chocolate lover, but seriously, almost any girl loves chocolate. An added bonus to me loving pecans and chocolate, is that my boyfriend, James, and parents do as well. They are my willing and eager taste-testers for almost anything I make. This also helps me not eat mass quantities of things such as this entire pie...because I would if I did not share.

Chocolate Pecan Pie
(from FoodNetwork.com)

2 cups pecan halves
3 eggs
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
3 oz. semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (I just used semi-sweet chocolate chips)
1 cup sugar
1 pre-made pie crust

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Place pecan halves in pie crust. Make sure they are evenly distributed.
3. Whisk eggs in bowl and combine with melted butter.
4. Add corn syrup, chocolate, and sugar to eggs and butter. Mix ingredients together until well combined.
5. Pour mixture into pie crust over the pecan halves already placed in crust.
6. Bake pie at 375 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 and continue baking for 25 more minutes.

I may need to work on my photography skills a little bit, but I must say this pie is delicious! I will take some of it over to my parents' house tonight. I am sure it will be a big hit with them as well!

Positive quote of the day:

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."
Willie Nelson

Sweet Potato Biscuits

I somehow got distracted from writing papers today and made some delicious recipes instead. Overall I think everyone benefited from this distraction, even me!

So it is finally one of my favorite seasons. Fall! I actually enjoy every season, but I love the food that goes along with fall the best. Time to break out the sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and cinnamon. This is exactly what I did since I was ready to embrace the spirit of fall.

One of my favorite things to eat are sweet potato biscuits. They are just delicious! Top them with country ham or just some butter, and I am in heaven! To be honest, I have actually made this recipe three (yes THREE!) times this week. That was because these biscuits went in a flash. James, my parents, and Zuzu all loved them! I had to tweak the original recipe some because it was only making about 10-12 two inch biscuits. That was just not cutting it the way these were going. Also, if I am going to eat a biscuit, I do not want a tiny "petit-four" sized one, so I made mine bigger.

Sweet Potato Biscuits:
(adapted from FoodNetwork.com)

1 1/2 cup sweet potato puree
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
8 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp sugar
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cup flour (all-purpose)
2-4 tbsp milk

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Combine sweet potato puree and butter in bowl.
3. Into another bowl, sift baking powder, flour, sugar, and salt together.
4. Add dry ingredients to sweet potato and butter mixture.
5. Add 2-4 tbsp of milk to biscuit dough (depending on moisture of sweet potatoes). Combine everything by folding ingredients together.
6. Flour the surface dough will be rolled out on, so it does not stick. Place dough on surface and flour top of dough.
7. Roll out dough until 1/2 inch in thickness.
8. Using a 2 1/2 - 3 inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits. Continue to cut biscuits until all dough is used.
9. Place biscuits on greased baking sheet (I used butter).
10. Bake biscuits about 12 minutes or until they are golden brown.

These biscuits are ready for the oven!

It's getting a little bit warm, don't ya think?!

Butter me up!

Plenty for me to share!

Positive quote of the day:

"If you have good thoughts, they will shine out of your face like sunbeams, and you will always look lovely."
Roald Dahl