Cravings

I think it's safe to say that the cravings that most pregnant women experience has finally hit me. How do I know this you ask...the list below is what was purchased last night at the grocery. Please do not judge me, remember "what the baby wants, the baby gets."

• Regular Pringles
• Sour cream and onion pringles, which are sadly already gone.
• Microwave popcorn, extra butter
• Brownie mix
• Reese's minis to put in the brownie mix
• The ingredients needed to make Skyline dip, recipe will be shared on my food blog.
• Chocolate pop-tarts, the big box!
• 2 cans of vegetable beef soup, Campbell's edition
• Tortilla chips for the Skyline dip
• 2 slices of cheesecake
• The latest People magazine to read while stuffing my face full of these very unhealthy foods.
• I also bought some bananas so I wasn't completely bad.

The worse part of this list is that what is listed is all that was purchased. This trip to the store was purely to indulge the junk food cravings that I have been having. What isn't shown is the big box of Lucky Charms and Trix that was bought about two weeks ago.

The funny part about all of these cravings is that my hubby has also started to have them, please see below conversation.

Daniel: "Are you bringing home anything for lunch?"

Katie: " I hadn't planned on it, why?"

Daniel: " Just wondering"

Long Pause

Katie: "Would you like for me to bring home lunch?"

Daniel: "If you want...McDonald's sounds good."

Katie: "You want your usual?"

Daniel: "Yeah"

Daniel: " Man, last night I was cravings Wendy's so bad."

Katie: " Well there isn't really a Wendy's on my way home or else I would get you some."

Daniel: "Yeah, I know, McDonald's is fine."

Daniel: "The night before then I was craving Taco Bell, and then the other night I was craving me some fried chicken. I think I have your pregnancy cravings."

Katie: " Sounds like!" (Insert giggles)

I wonder which one of us is going to gain the most weight during these next 6 1/2 months?

Stuffed Pepper Rings

So last week I promised that I would be sharing a new recipe with everyone and low and behold it never happened. I didn't forget on purpose nor did I really forget I just never got around to it. The sad thing about buying fresh produce from Super Wal-Mart is that by the time you do get around to it, the produce needs tossed. We don't even want to discuss the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been thrown away at our house because they haven't been used in time. I think with a little one on the way I really need to get out of the horrible, horrible habit and remember to slice and dice and then freeze for later use. I didn't get to make the recipe therefore there is no picture but I thought I would share it with you anyway. The original inspiration for this dish came from Sunny Anderson, one of the many chefs on Food Network. I improvised quite a bit and came up with this winner. My Dad and Uncle Dan love this dish so I hope that it is a hit with your family as well.

Stuffed Pepper Rings~

Ingredients:
6 Large Peppers- Red, Yellow, and Green
1 lb. ground chuck
1 lb. ground turkey
2 eggs
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. onion powder
salt and pepper
hot sauce
worchestire sauce
1 C. Bread Crumbs
1 tbsp. dried oregano
1/2 tbsp. dried basil
olive oil
1 16oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 C. cooked white rice
Shredded mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese, optional

Directions:
1. In a large bowl mix together the ground chuck, ground sausage, and ground turkey.

2. Add the two eggs and mix well.

3. Add the dry ingredients consisting of bread crumbs, dried basil, dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and onion powder.

4. To that mixture add a dash or two of hot sauce, and about three dashes of the worchestire sauce. Depending on how spice you want the mix you may add or subtract the hot sauce. I find that it gives the mixture a nice little kick.

5. Lastly combine the cup of cooked rice.

6. I allow this mixture to sit off to the side while I am cleaning my peppers. I core the peppers and then cut them into horizontal slices so that they stay in nice little circles.

7. In a large saute pan drizzle a little olive oil and then set to medium high heat.

8. Begin taking your stuffing mixture and adding to your peppers making a nice little patty. It reminds me of hamburgers just surrounded by a pepper ring.

9. Add to your saute pan the stuffed rings and brown evenly on each side. After they have browned on each side add them to a 9x13 baking dish which has been lined with a thin layer of your crushed tomatoes. After adding your peppers top them off with the rest of your crushed tomato mix. Bake in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or until meat is cooked all the way through.

10. During the last few minutes of the baking time I usually sprinkle on top some shredded mozzarella and mild cheddar cheese and allow to melt on top.