Garlic & Herb Cheese Bombs

Garlic & Herb Cheese Bombs - cheesy deliciousness wrapped in refrigerated biscuit dough, brushed with butter, garlic and herbs! #cheese #appetizers #bread

I have to tell y'all, as I have gotten older, I have found my mind is not what it used to be. If I don't make a list, I won't remember it. Do you ever feel like that too?
Most days, I have so much stuff swirling around in my head between, homeschooling my kiddos, running a house, blog stuff and just life in genereal. It's too much info to proces and keep straight without lists and calendars. 
Wednesday is when our local ads come out. I have a "process" I go through every week .... I go through all of the ads and write down things from the circular that I think are a really good deal or things I may want to incorporate into our dinner. Then, I start planning our menu and finish it off with a grocery list.  
I usually make my own French Bread becasue I'm too cheap to buy it .... or at least, that's my intention! I can't tell you how many times I've remembered at the very last minute that I forgot to make bread ... too many times. That's when having things like canned biscuits and a cheese block come in handy! 
My kiddos think these Garlic & Herb Cheese Bombs are the bomb .... hence the name! :) Whether you forget to pick up or make bread for your spaghetti dinner .... or just want a fun and easy appetizer - this recipe is a keeper!
Just a side note - if your family prefers Cheddar cheese, it's just as tasty! ;)

Today, you can find me over at Juggling Act Mama with these easy and delicious Garlic and Herb Cheese Bombs! I'll see y'all over there! :)



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Loaded Bacon and Cheese Fries
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I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Classic Ham Sandwich and America's Better Sandwich Contest

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Oroweat® Bread so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Oroweat®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Oroweat® Bread.

Classic Ham Sandwich - perfect for lunch or a quick dinner! A simple and delicious meal! #sandwiches #ham #ad



Like many, I grew up eating a lot of sandwiches at lunchtime. And the occasional dinner, of course. The thing is, I never really minded - my brothers on the other hand, were more of the leftover eaters. They felt cheated if they didn't have a "hot meal."
A typical sandwich for me when I was growing up, was literally lunchmeat and cheese on white bread .... maybe some kind of condiment. Mostly, I preferred my sandwiches without any kind of condiments as a kid (weird, I know!). When my mom wanted to put mayonnaise and mustard on my sandwiches, it just grossed me out - and I would refuse to eat. As I got older, I didn't mind condiments on my sandwich as long as it was in moderation. 
One of my favorite sandwiches then - and now - was the Classic Ham Sandwich. My mom never added lettuce and tomato to our sandwiches, but now that I'm an adult .... I love that extra little touch. I always have lettuce and tomato on hand, so why not add a little bit of extra nutrition? I have even been known to use spinach if that's what I have. One of the other things I've changed as an adult is the bread .... white bread may have had its place in my childhood, but these days, I like something with a little more nutrition and whole grain. 
When I lived on the East coast, Arnold bread was a favorite ... since moving to Arizona, I've realized many of my regular brands are called something else out here .... its Oroweat for my West coast peeps! :) Don't even get me started on the what they call it on the East coast vs. what they call it on the West coast thing! I don't understand the difference!
Some quick info about Oroweat products:
All of Oroweat® Whole Grain Sliced Breads and Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® Rolls contain/are: 

• 3 to 4 grams of fiber per slice or thin 
• Zero grams of Trans Fat 
• No High Fructose Corn Syrup 
• Cholesterol free 

Health authorities recommend munching on 25-38 grams of fiber and 48 grams of whole grains per day Oroweat® Whole Grain Sliced Breads or Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® Rolls varieties. 

If you’re not sure of how many grams of whole grains you are getting, look for the Whole Grain Stamp found on all of Oroweat® Whole Grain Sliced Breads and Oroweat® Sandwich Thins® Rolls.

Right now, you can even enter the America's Better Sandwich contest! If you're a sandwich artist whose filling matches the goodness of Oroweat bread, you could win $25,000! Before entering the contest make sure you pick up any of the Oroweat Whole Grains Sliced Breads or Oroweat Sandwich Thins! 

There are four categories to enter: 

• Creative Classic - a healthful twist on a sandwich that has been around for at least two generations (ex. BLT, club, Reuben)
• Stealthily Simple - maximum of 5 ingredients
• Fueling Good - ingredients that boost your energy such as healthful fats, protein, fiber and iron
• Meatless Marvel - no animal products (land or sea)

The recipe in each category with the highest score will receive $5,000 category prize. Entries will be accepted until August 22nd. Online consumer voting will take place September 22nd - October 17th. Winners will be announced on National Sandwich Day - November 3rd. To submit a recipe, receive tips on creating a better sandwich, or learn more about the Official Rules here.




Classic Ham Sandwich
Printable recipe
Yield: 1 sandwich

2 slices Oroweat Whole Grains 12 Grain bread (Arnold bread if you're on the East coast!)
1 tbsp. light mayonnaise
4-6 thin slices of deli-style ham
1 slice Swiss cheese
1 leaf lettuce, trimmed to fit bread (if necessary)
2 slices tomato

Spread mayonnaise on one side of one of the pieces of bread. Layer the ham over the top. Place the cheese on the ham. Place the lettuce and tomatoes on the ham. Place the remaining piece of bread on top. If desired, cut sandwich in half before serving. 



Follow Oroweat on Facebook for special offers and up to date news. Don't forget to enter the America's Better Sandwich Contest.
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Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Italian Muffins

Italian Muffins are a quick and easy accompaniment to dinner! Make a batch tonight! #Italian #muffins #bread



I can't tell y'all how many times I have forgotten to pick bread up bread at the store .... or how many times I have forgotten to make bread for dinner until the last minute. Ugh - don't you just hate when that happens?! Unfortunately, it happens too often for me! Ha!
My solution is to make muffins!! They're super quick and easy! The next time you forget the French Bread for spaghetti night, give these Italian Muffins a try!
Today, you can find me over at All She Cooks with my monthly contributor post! I'll see y'all over there! Click this link to be magically transported through the blogoshere!

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Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Easy Cooking with {Slow Cooker} Creamy Italian Parmesan Tomato Soup with Parmesan Bread Bowls

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser.

This Creamy Italian Parmesan Tomato Soup with Homemade Parmesan Bread Bowls is the perfect comfort food anytime! It's the "grown-up" version of a childhood favorite! #DinnerDone #CollectiveBias


I'm all about easy cooking. I have been wanting to share a recipe with tomatoes for awhile now. With Summer upon us, we all will be focusing on recipes that keep our kitchens cool. Living in Phoenix, it gets hot y'all. Like fire-breathing dragon hot. The last thing I want to do most days is heat up my house! I tend to do any baking first thing in the morning before it gets too hot! This {Slow Cooker} Creamy Italian Parmesan Tomato Soup with Parmesan Bread Bowls is the perfect summer recipe! 
Most of us have a food memory that magically transports us back to our childhood .... a food where, the memories just flood us. What food takes you back in time to mom or grandma's kitchen?! Maybe it takes you back to a special occasion or event? I find it quite interesting that as humans, we mark so many occasions with the sharing of food! Seriously, think about it!
For me, I have soooo many fond memories and most involve some sort of food ... I truly believe I am passionate about cooking because of these memories. Believe me, blogging isn't making me a millionaire so it's gotta be something else that keeps me motivated! :) I do this because I love food - I love the memories I have made with family and friends, I love cooking it, eating it - ok, and not so much the cleaning it up! ;) Thank goodness for five helpers (aka - my kiddos!)

One of my favorite childhood meals was tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches. I loved those days. Life was so much simpler then, wasn't it? There was always something so comforting about a cheesy sandwich and being able to dunk in my tomato soup! One just isn't the same without the other .... 
Unless of course, you up the ante a bit and put it in a bread bowl!
Bread bowls take soup to soup heaven .... the only thing better is chocolate - because chocolate always wins. Soup, in case you don't know, is one of my favorite meals. I literally, could eat it in one form or another every single day.

Tomato soup is one of my faves. While I've outgrown tomato soup from a can, I have moved on to greener pastures. I like to make my own these days. With the help of my slow cooker, it makes it super simple. I personally, like the bread bowls, but a grilled cheese sandwich would be great too - and sometimes, I do go that route because it's quicker or it's just too darn hot or because I want to dunk a cheesy sandwich in my soup.

I tend to do my grocery shopping on Saturday mornings. Brian is home to watch the kids so I can usually go by myself or maybe take just one of them with me. On a recent trip to Walmart, I had plans to make this Creamy Italian Parmesan Tomato Soup. I picked up some Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic and Oregano. I thought the added spices with be a nice addition to the soup - but if you can't find that, feel free to substitute regular Hunt's Diced Tomatoes instead! :)

I noticed this Flash Steam Freshness logo on my can of Hunt's tomatoes. They only use water in the process - no lye! Since Hunt's tomatoes are picked at the peak of ripeness and they're naturally delicious - it's a difference you can taste!
I like to make a double batch of this soup - in my 7 qt. slow cooker - to use for lunch throughout the week! It's perfect with grilled cheese sandwiches if you're out of bread bowls or you're in a time crunch!



{Slow Cooker} Creamy Italian Parmesan Tomato Soup with Parmesan Bread Bowls
Printable recipe
Yield: 6-8 servings of soup and 4 bread bowls

For the soup:
2 cans (14.5 oz each) Hunt's Diced Tomatoes with Basil, Garlic & Oregano
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
3 medium carrots, finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 carton (32 oz.) vegetable or chicken broth
½ cup (1 stick) butter
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups half & half
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the bread bowls:
1 cup + 3 tbsp. warm water 
2 tbsp. olive oil 
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 
2 cloves garlic, minced 
1 tsp. sugar 
1 tsp. salt 
3 cups bread flour 
2½ tsp. active dry yeast

To make the soup:
Place the tomatoes, celery, carrots, onion, Italian seasoning and broth in a 5 qt. slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours. 

If you prefer a smoother soup, use an immersion blender or regular blender to process the soup (in batches, if necessary) until smooth. (If you used a regular blender, return the mixture back to the slow cooker.) About 30-45 minutes before serving, melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk in the butter, stirring constantly. Slowly add the half & half, whisking constantly. Cook mixture until smooth and thoroughly combined. Remove from the heat and add in the Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and stir well. Cover the slow cooker and continue to cook an additional 30 minutes.

To make the bread bowls:
Place ingredients in a bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select the dough setting. 

When the cycle is complete, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 4 equal portions. Shape each piece into a ball. Place on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled - about 30-45 minutes.

Bake at 400°F for 18-23 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Allow to cool. 

To serve: Cut off the top portion of the bread. Carefully hollow out the bowl leaving a ¼-inch shell. Fill the bowl with soup.


For more great recipes using Hunt's tomatoes, visit the Hunt's website or the Ready Set Eat website. 
Stay up to date on all of Hunt's special offers, recipes and news by following them on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest!

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I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Taco Stuffed Grilled Cheese

Helll-llloooo my Love Bakes Good Cakes peeps!  Is it okay if I call you all that?  Cool.  It's me, Kim from Soliloquy Of Food & Such....again.  In fact, I'll be here on the first Friday of every month - so mark your calendars!  I'm going to share these Taco Stuffed Grilled Cheese today, just in time for Cinco De Mayo.     

My hubs and I are currently RV-ing from New England to Alaska, where we will then be working this summer.  This is something I put together one night after a long, long day of driving.  I had planned on making tacos; I had all the fixings except the shells or wraps!!  Who does that? 

<Raising my hand> - I do.  Classic Kim.  Classic!  

I couldn't let it go.....I had obsessed about melty cheese and guacamole ALL DAY long.  (I know, I have issues.)  I tore thorough the cupboards in a frenzy......want.....tacos......must.....have.....ahhh!! Then I spied a loaf of bread and thought:  what the heck?

Layer your favourite taco ingredients with just a little extra cheese, shmush them between two slices of buttered bread and grill.  These are hardier than regular tacos; I could only eat 1, where I can easily polish off 2-3 tacos.  These have all the comforting goodness of a golden, melty grilled cheese along with the zingy taco components.

Print THIS Recipe!

Taco Stuffed Grilled Cheese

*makes 6 sandwiches

You will need:

1 loaf of sliced sandwich bread

1 pound seasoned taco meat (see below)

8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

8 oz Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded

3 small tomatoes, thin sliced

prepared guacamole (see below)

4 TBS soft butter

Sour cream for serving, a few dollops

Heat a large skillet over low heat.  Butter the slices of bread and start layering the sandwiches - buttered sides facing out.  Start with about 1 once of cheddar; top with about 1/4 cup of taco meat, then a 1/4 cup of guacamole; layer a few tomato slices; top with 1 ounce of Monterrey Jack; finish with your top piece of bread.  Grill on low for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown, flip and finish the other side for an additional 4-5 minutes.

Serve with sour cream and any extra guacamole for dipping.

For The Taco Meat:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 package of taco seasoning, ORthe following spices:

4 tsp chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp smoked paprika, or red paprika

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp seasoned salt

¼ tsp black pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium/high heat.  Add the ground meat, beak up into small pieces as the meat cooks with the back of your spoon.  When the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, drain off any fat and add in spices.  Mix thoroughly reduce heat to low, cook for an additional 4-5 minutes. 

For The Guacamole:

3 semi-soft avocados

¼ cup fine chopped red onion

¼ cup fine chopped cilantro

1 ½ limes, juiced

salt to taste

Slice open, seed and scoop out the avocado halves into a small bowl. Add lime juice and mash with a fork.  Stir in chopped onion, cilantro and a good pinch of salt.  Use immediately.  

*NOTES:  

The key to melting the cheese without burning the bread is the low heat setting; grill these low and slow.  

Depending on the amount of filling, you may be able to get 8 sandwiches total.  I made 6 hearty sandwiches with a little meat and guacamole left over.  

Begin and end  layers with cheese, they are the glue that holds the whole thing together.

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Let's keep in touch! 

You can find me at:  Soliloquy Of Food & Such

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Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Banana Crumb Loaf

This Banana Crumb Loaf is the perfect way to use up those over-ripe bananas! This is one of my family's favorite quick breads!
Hi friends! Today, you can find me over at Memories by the Miles with this yummy Banana Crumb Loaf! I'll see y'all over there! (Click this link to go to recipe).

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I hope you enjoy! Shared at thesefun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

8 {Non-Alcohol} Drink Recipes

Eight non-alcohol drink recipes, perfect for Spring or Summer!


I've been on a drink kick lately on the blog. Today, you can find me over at Motherhood on a Dime with my monthly contributor post ... I'm sharing a round-up with 8 of my favorite non-alcohol drink recipes that are perfect for warmer weather! I'll see y'all over there! Click HERE to see the 8 {non-alcohol} drink recipes. 
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Don't forget to share and comment ♥Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved