Saturday, March 15, 2014

Updating Your Switch Plates and Outlet Covers

I am so excited that winter is leaving us! I started spring housecleaning last week and I am still working 
on too many projects!
My husband painted our powder room (guest bathroom) last weekend so I decided to cover the switch plate and outlet cover. I had originally planned to paint them but I decided to use some of my favorite vintage material scraps and Mod Podge. I thought this would be the perfect material for my Shabby Chic theme.
You only need a couple of items for this little project, Mod Podge and material of your choice. I started by placing my covers upside down on the material, then using a scissors, I cut the material around them, leaving about 1/4 inch around the outside. I used an x-acto knife to cut out the sections for the switches. Leave a little extra material so you can tuck the edges inside.
Using a small paint brush, apply Mod Podge onto the covers then place the material over the top. Start to smooth the material using your fingers and pressing down. I did not cut holes for the screws, I used the tip of
the knife and just poked a small hole for each screw.
Mine were dry in about an hour and ready to attach to the outlets.
 
 

 
Have some DIY fun with this little project!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Sunday, March 02, 2014

Banana Muffins

Simply homemade banana muffins

I must apologize if you've been looking for a new post. It has been a busy couple of weeks around our house. We have been quilting, sewing birthday dresses for the twins, sewing some new spring clothes for ourselves and chalk painting some old furniture! I've also been working on a new Easter wreath so keep checking back for that fun DIY project. I'm attempting to make some freezer food this weekend so I am starting with banana muffins, although I have a feeling they won't make it into the freezer! Maybe a double batch would have been a better idea!
Ingredients:
1/4 c applesauce
2/3 c milk
Egg whites from 2 eggs or 1 whole egg
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
3/4 c sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 ripe, mashed bananas
I mix all of the ingredients with a wooden spoon rather than an electric mixer. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk the applesauce, milk, eggs and vanilla together. Add the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are mixed. Add the mashed bananas and stir together. I used paper liners in muffin pans and filled them almost 3/4 full. I made 18 regular size muffins. Bake at 350F for about 20 minutes (depends on your oven). When they are done, they should look golden brown on the tops and spring back if you touch them with your finger. I removed mine from the pans after cooling on a rack for 5 minutes.
These are great for a light snack or breakfast on the go!
Enjoy!
Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi

Friday, February 14, 2014

Baked Chicken Tenders



We love this idea, eating a whole meal with your fingers! You can start off with some homemade chicken strips or chicken tenders! These are a favorite for kids of all ages! My family likes to sprinkle a little hot sauce over them at meal time and a few of them dip them in ranch dressing. Yummy!

Ingredients:
2-4 chicken breasts, cut into strips or you can buy the chicken tenderloins already cut
2 c corn flakes cereal (I use gluten-free or organic), crushed
1 c buttermilk or milk of your choice
1 egg
Directions:
  • I start by placing my corn flakes in a plastic bag and crushing them using a rolling pin. If you roll it back and forth a few times, your cereal will be crushed.
  • I rinse my chicken pieces with some water and place them on a paper towel to dry off.
  • In a pie plate, I add an egg and the milk. Using a fork, I whisk them for a few seconds.
  • Dip the chicken pieces in the egg and milk mixture.
  • Place your chicken strips (about 2 at a time) in the cereal bag and shake them around. Do this until your chicken strips are covered.
  • Place your chicken strips on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350F for about 45 minutes. (Depending on your oven and the size of your chicken, you may need to add an extra 15 minutes if the pieces are quite thick).
  • If you slice some potatoes (the long way) and spray them with olive oil and your favorite seasoning, we like organic seasoning salt, you can pop them in the oven at the same time as your chicken strips! They look like homemade french fries!
  • And since it's Valentine's Day, homemade vanilla cupcakes for dessert!
 

Enjoy your finger food meal! Blessings for a great weekend!

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi


Sunday, February 09, 2014

Turkey Sliders

Turkey is an inexpensive source of protein and is a nice change from red meat. I roasted a turkey last weekend and had some leftover so I decided to make sliders. We don't make the typical sliders here because not everyone likes them so I modified ours and even used some non-homemade ingredients. Sometimes I have to do it that way!
Ingredients:
Roasted turkey, cut up or I just separate into pieces using my fingers
Frank's hot sauce (or buffalo sauce of your choice)
Cheese (your choice)
Lettuce
Ranch, Caesar or Blue Cheese dressing
Pretzel roll slider buns or your favorite buns
Directions:
I reheated my turkey leftovers in the oven for about 30 minutes, covered. Once the turkey was warm, I used about 1/2 bottle of Frank's sauce and stirred it into the turkey. Place this in a pan on the stove over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
You are ready to put your sliders together using garnishes of your choice.

This also works great with chicken, check out Angie's shredded chicken sandwiches, Simply Shredded Chicken.

Love and peace,
~ Simply Tammi