Real life with Lar

Lar's Best Thing Since Sliced Bread... Pudding When I was a little girl my dad and his sister (my Aunt Candy) would order bread pudding whenever it was on any restaurant menu.  They loved it. I, however, would think, “why would you want to eat soaked bread?!” After I grew up I realized bread pudding was so much more than just “soaked bread“.  It is an indulgent dessert that has the simplest ingredients yet feels like you spent a lot of time and money making it.  My bread pudding is a cross between French toast casserole and sticky, nutty cinnamon monkey bread.  It would make a great dessert anytime of the year! Since it is Derby time again, I thought I would share this recipe again. After all what is Kentucky known for... The Derby and Bourbon! ENJOY!  What you will need... 2 c Granulated Sugar 6 lrg Eggs, beaten  1 3/4 c Whole Milk 2 tsp Vanilla Extract 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon 1/2 tsp Nutmeg  1/2-3/4 c Raisins (optional)  1 Loaf Italian Bread, cubed, ...

Creamy Curry Butternut Soup I know what you're thinking, “I am not a squash fan”. Believe me when I say I'm right there with you, but this soup is so warming, so decadent, so GOOD you will change your mind about butternut squash. The ingredients are few and the process is simple. It’s a healthy soup and perfect for a cold winter day. And if you are super busy and looking for a quick dinner...dump in the crockpot all the ingredients except the coconut cream and set on low for 5-6 hours and in the last hour add coconut cream stir. After cooking is done check salt to taste and us a masher for a chunkier soup or an immersion blender for a smoother soup!! You’ll need… 2 lbs of diced butternut squash (Most Costcos carry 2lbs diced Butternut Squash) 1 T Curry Powder 1 1/2 tsp Ginger 1 1/2 tsp Cumin Salt and Pepper to taste 3-4 C Chicken Broth (you could also use vegetable broth) 2 Shallots, minced 1 T Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 can 15oz Coconut Cream (not milk) Heavy whipping Cream(opti...

Quick Summer Breakfast Options Growing up, mornings were hard. Until I discovered coffee, in my late teens.  It took me quite awhile to become ‘human’ and not the ‘morning monster’ as my baby sister called me. My Dad had the worse time trying to wake me up. It didn't matter how much sleep I got. I could have had 6 hours of sleep or 16; I just didn’t like getting up in the morning. Dad would start out with his morning playlist of songs singing  This is the Day that the Lord has made , followed up by,  Rise and Shine and give God the Glory Glory ! When  fun loving Dad  would get frustrated,  ticked off Dad  showed up,  "Lar you better have your feet on the floor when I come back in here!’  I waited till I could hear him coming down the hall, then as the obedient child that I was,would throw my feet flat on the ground while still laying my upper half on the bed. Fast forward a few decades...  Well, now I have coffee and as long as I can hav...

Hot Dog Heaven!! Everyone loves a good hotdog and everyone has their favorite way of topping a hotdog. I am going to give you our family's top 3. There really isn't a 'wrong' way to top your hotdog. It's all by personal preference BUT if you are looking to mix things up a bit this summertime here are a few alternatives. Also, I want to add that a good, quality hot dog is key to having great flavor! The Classic Chili Cheese dog kicked up a notch ... Being from Southern California we love a little heat in our foods. So take your grilled hot dog and... Place thinly sliced jalapeño and finely chopped onion on the dog  Top with your favorite chili (my homemade chili is a favorite but we ate it already so canned it is).  Instead of shredded cheddar try shredded pepper jack.   Place under broiler for a couple minutes till cheese has melted. Keep a constant eye on it so the bun doesn't burn. This has so much flavor and a nice, spicy kick from the jalapeño.  Th...

Banana Chocolate Chip "Nuffins" Little A helping Baba with "da Bog" aka the blog! I love to bake with my grandson. I love making memories with him. He has nicknames for the food we make. Cupcakes are "happiness". Any kind of muffins are "nuffins". These nicknames just make our memories just that much sweeter. (pun intended 😉) This recipe is one of his favorites because it has bananas AND chocolate. Since the cold weather is pretty much here for everyone, why not make a batch of these "nuffins" with your loved one? It will be a fun memory, as well as some good snacks to eat together. Bananas not shown! This is what you will need: 4 Very Ripe Bananas 1/4 c Melted Butter 1/8tsp Salt 1tsp Baking Soda 2/3c Sugar 3 Lrg Eggs 1tsp Vanilla 2 cups All Purpose Flour 1-2 cups Chocolate Chips (depends how much you like chocolate) Directions: Pre-heat Oven to 325 Take 2 muffin pans and line t...

Dating  On a budget!  Together 32 years...31 years married Dating your spouse is important but some times money gets in the way of having a "proper date". You don't need a steak dinner and a movie to call it a date. Time spent with your significant other is about being together and building memories.   With Holiday season right around the corner I'm sure everyone's budget is gong to be a bit tighter than normal.  So I thought it would be good to share some of our favorite budget friendly dates. When Smokin Hot hubby and I were first together we were FLAT BROKE! Flatter than a pancake broke. (I think you get the picture) Anyway, we had to get creative with the gift giving and the date nights. Looking back though it was the memories that make those times so priceless because putting the extra effort and thought into a gift and date makes it that much more special. Now if you were to ask Smokin what his favorite date was he would tell you that it w...