mommypalooza™ ~ a daily dose of mommy mayhem.

{recipe}: Spinach and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

I am a little over 6 weeks post-partum and have found myself in a dinner rut.  Not only do I not feel like cooking, but I can't even come up with any ideas, it seems.  It was amazing to have so many wonderful people bring my family yummy dinners right after we had Andrew and I am so grateful.  

The other day I was browsing online recipes and found a few on pork tenderloin.  Now, I am more of a beef gal, but I tell ya' after serving this up for dinner recently, I can say this will be on the dinner rotation list in our house.  It truly tasted like something I might have at a local restaurant and it was quick and easy!  I hope you enjoy it.

Spinach and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

What you need:

1 pork tenderloin {I like to use Hormel}

2 tsp. garlic powder, divided

2 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper, divided

1 tsp. celery seed spice, divided

1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped

4 ounces Swiss cheese, cut into small sliced strips

What to do:

• Cut a lengthwise slit down the center of the tenderloin, being sure to not go any further than 1/2 inches from the bottom. Open tenderloin so it lies flat. On each half make another slit, being sure to not go any further than 1/2 inches from the bottom; cover tenderloin with plastic wrap and, using a kitchen mallet, flatten to about a 1/4 inch thickness.  Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle pork with 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1 tsp. pepper, and 1/2 tsp. celery seed.  Layer with the cheese, spinach and another layer of cheese.  Press this filling down gently into the tenderloin.

• Carefully roll it up, starting with a long side.  Using kitchen string, tie the tenderloin going down its length about every 1 to 2 inches.   Sprinkle the tenderloin with remaining spices, then place it on a rack in a shallow baking pan.  {I simply used a foil lined baking sheet and placed a cooling rack on top of that and it worked fine.}

• Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 25 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 160°.  Let the tenderloin stand for 10 minutes before slicing. 

A few notes about this recipe:

>> I did not really measure the spices I used.  I simply eyeballed it and sprinkled on as much as I thought would enhance the flavor of the tenderloin.

>> You can use just about any type of cheese you want or have on hand.  I just so happen to have picked up a block of swiss the other day and wanted to try that with the spinach.

>> You can also try any other types of spices you have on hand.  The original recipe this was adapted from originally called for celery salt but I did not have any so I used celery seed.  It came out totally fine!

 

{recipe}: Ground Beef Gorditas with MASECA® Corn Flour

As a native Austinite, one of my most FAVORITE things I remember about my childhood growing up there is that we'd always experience many of the awesome outdoor festivals that the city has become known for.  And, at these festivals one of my most favorite things to munch on was always gorditas, also known as "little fat tortillas".  My grandma used to make them from scratch and I always remember how they'd disappear just as fast as she would get them hot off her stovetop and onto the table.  I loved them just fine hot and with a spread of butter.  

{review}: Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch

We've always got cereal stocked in this house, but most of the time they are my kids' favorite brands.  I was excited to finally try the new Honey Bunches of Oats Greek Honey Crunch cereal when given the opportunity recently.  

{video}: Beware of popcorn

The kids have been so uber excited to try out their new popcorn popper that Santa brought them for Christmas.  We had actually left it at my mom's house in Texas over holiday break since we had no room in our car after loading up all the other gifts.  But, she recently made a trip up here for spring break and we were once again reunited with the popcorn machine.  So, on Easter Sunday we finally decided to give it a try.  I think the kids learned a little safety lesson in operating an appliance like this!  See for yourself:

 

Don't fret.  All ended up well.  We ended up enjoying some very yummy popcorn after all was said and done and I think the kids will think twice before leaning in so closely the next time we decide to pop fresh popcorn. 

We all agreed - it was quite tasty and definitely beats microwave popcorn!

#Cookmore Twitter Party with Kenmore on Wednesday, March 27 at 8pm CST

#Cookmore Twitter Party w/ Kenmore & Momma Cuisine on Wednesday, March 27 at 8pm CST

COOK MORE. What do you think of when you hear those two words?  Is it a chore and a hassle? Or do you think of fun times with family and great friends?

{recipe}: Doritos Tex-Mex Chicken Bake #KikkomanSabor

Last week when I made this for dinner and shared it on Instagram and Facebook, I had so many comments and requests about sharing the recipe.  Not only was this dish SUPER easy to prepare and make, but the entire family LOVED it!  It is so hard to find that combination in my household since we have some very discerning palates and I am usually zapped of all energy by the time dinnertime rolls around that I can't bear making something that I have to put much effort into.  Thankfully, with this dish, you won't have to either!  I love that I was able to add in and use the new Kikkoman Ponzo Lime Sauce that gave this dish a little extra "kick", too!

Nutella Stuffed Strawberries: Not just a yummy Valentine treat!

Nothing says Valentine's Day more than the hazelnutty goodness of Nutella and the sweet taste of a fresh, ripe strawberry.  Normally, we like to dip our strawberries in Nutella around here, but today I decided to try something different.

That's right folks!  Take a simple strawberry, cut off the top and a bit off the bottom {so that it stands easier}, then take your jar of Nutella and spoon it right inside.

{recipe}: Celebrating this time of year with Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos and #iLoveAvocados

 

To me, nothing says more about traditions with family other than food!  Food is a HUGE part of all of my family celebrations and this holiday season will be no different.

I'm looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday at my mom's for the first time in many years.  And although I probably won't be doing too much of the cooking {but, hey, I make one heck of a taste-tester!} I know that during our gatherings the menu will call for something that is quick, simple, tasty, and filling! 

Today I'm sharing one of my new favorite slow-cooker discoveries - Creamy Shredded Chicken Tacos topped with homemade guacamole using Avocados from Mexico!  What's great about this dish is that the ingredients are super-simple AND it is tasty and can feed a crowd.

Here's how to make them:

Mama's Arroz con Pollo con Mazola #Sobrecitos {recipe + giveaway}

Arroz con Pollo - chicken & rice - has been one of my favorite dishes ever since  I can remember.  My mom would make it all the time for my 3 younger siblings and I growing up and even continued to long after we moved out of the house and attempted to become mature adults.  It is not until I moved away from Texas {back in 1999} that I truly began to appreciate my mom's cooking though.  I miss having her in the same town and miss just going over for a nice home-cooked meal and hanging out.  My hubs would say that I'm still so much like a child because I get needy and spoiled when my mom's around - whether she's visiting me or I'm visiting her.  But, to that I reply to him, "duh! she's my mom!"  Seriously, if you can't be spoiled and needy around your own mom, who can you be that way with?

Although I'm in NO way as good or near as good a cook as my mom is {and she had the best teachers - my grandmothers!}, I try.  My outcomes are still subpar, but I do try.  And when my mom is around to visit, I usually request Arroz con Pollo when she asks what I want her to make for supper.  Served up with homemade flour tortillas, there is not a more perfect food on earth!

I was recently introduced to the new Mazola® Sobrecitos™ bouillon packets which come in chicken and tomato flavors and are the perfect way to make your home-cooked dishes tasty and loved by all.  The bouillon packets, which are made with all natural sea salt and are cholesterol and fat free, dissolve completely and instantly, giving me the peace of mind that I can easily add flavor to my recipes without worrying about chunks of salty bouillon in my food.

I'm excited to share my mom's recipe for homemade Arroz con Pollo and hope that you will give this tasty dish a try the next time you're in the mood for a flavorful and filling dinner!

Arroz con Pollo Recipe

What you need:

2 cups of white long-grain rice

6-10 pieces of bone-in or boneless chicken {I prefer the bone-in, as there is more flavor!}

1-2 tomatoes, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

1 tablespoon of fresh chopped garlic {or minced}

Whole cumin, ground up {or substitute powdered cumin, to taste -- note, a dish can never have too much cumin!}

One can tomato sauce

One packet Mazola® Sobrecitos™ chicken bouillon

What to do:

In one skillet (10-12” skillet, pour about ½ cup oil {I use canola or corn oil}.

Once the oil has heated up for about 1 minute, throw in the 2 cups of long-
grained rice. Be sure to stir constantly until lightly brown. Then set aside.

In a Dutch oven type pan, place the chicken and add water. Fill at least until the
water is at least 3 inches over the chicken.

Place on burner and cook for at least 30-45 minutes. Chicken will not be
completely cooked.

While the chicken is cooking, place the skillet with the rice on another burner on
low to medium heat.  Be sure to continue stirring the rice at all times.

Add the chopped fresh tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, garlic, cumin, and Mazola® Sobrecitos™ chicken bouillon packet.

Let these ingredients come together with the rice for about 2 minutes.

Pour the rice and its contents into the chicken pan, stir and add 1 can of tomato
sauce, stir and cover.

Cook at medium to high heat until water has evaporated but not completely dried
out. Turn heat off and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.

Then eat it up!!

Win $25 Walmart Gift Card to try Mazola® Sobrecitos™ for yourself!

Enter below for your chance to win a $25 Walmart Gift Card to purchase the ingredients to make a delicious recipe using Mazola Sobrecitos. Open to US residents, ages 18+ please.

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To learn more about Mazola® Sobrecitos™, visit them on Facebook!

{Disclosure: This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Mazola® Sobrecitos®. However, all opinions expressed are my own.}

My Night out with Net10 Wireless

The other night we were treated to a night out for dinner and some family time, thanks to Net10 Wireless.  We took the kids out to Chili's for dinner which is a place we all love!  As per the usual, my boys were up to their funny antics of discovering funny looking tortilla chips {like my oldest is showing in the pic above} and just plain ol' goofing off. 

I love that I was able to use my Net10 Wireless LG Optimus to capture photos and tweet along the way.  And I also love that the phone came in handy when my youngest got a just a little impatient waiting for his food.  There's so many fun apps and games I have been able to put on this phone and its stunning display make it fun to play on.

Net10 Wireless is a no-brainer decision if you're looking for a company who offers the latest Android phones, with unlimited local and long-distance calling on America’s best GSM networks, text messaging and Internet access and WiFi connectivity.  What's even better is that they are a NO CONTRACTS wireless provider so you don't have to worry about the hassle of fees and limits.

If this sounds like something you want for yourself or friend or family member, visit the Net10 website and find out more info today!  You will love their simple, feature-packed calling plans and their great phone selection.

Thank you, Net10 for a fabulous night out with my family and for giving me the opportunity to share about all of the great things your service provides to make our everyday lives easier when it comes to technology!

{This is part of a compensated campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and Net10 Wireless. However, all opinions expressed are my own. No one is the boss of me!}