Now Were Cooking!

Banana Cream Bread

2008-07-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 C. Vegetable Oil
3 C. Sugar
4 Eggs
6 Mashed Overribe Bananas
1 T. Vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. Salt
4 C. Flour
1 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 C. Chopped Nuts (Optional) 1 C. Sour Cream

Grase and flour 3 bread pans.
Heat oven to 325
In large bowl combine oil, sugar, eggs, sour cream, bananas, vanilla, and salt.
Sift flour and baking soda
Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients
DO NOT overmix
Divide batter into loaf pans, filling 1/2 to 2/3 full
Sprinkle about 2 T. sugar over batter
Bake at 325 for 60 minutes.

The sugar makes the yummiest crust. This is the moistest banana bread I have ever made. It also makes great muffins.

"Beth beth beth you make better corn bread than anyone else in the world"

2008-04-29T14:00:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Combine the egg, sour cream, milk and butter; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
2. Pour into a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm.

*I added more sugar to taste and more milk to make the batter thinner like a brownie mix... It added to the cooking time by about 20 minutes, the last 10 at 350. At least in my oven.

My first time ever making cornbread and it was so good I couldn't believe it.

Bran Muffins

2008-04-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Yum!

2 cups Nabisco 100% bran
2 cups brown sugar or Honey
1 cup melted butter
4 eggs
1 quart buttermilk
1 tsp. salt
5 cups flour (I use fresh ground hard white wheat)
4 cups Kellogg's All-Bran
5 tsp. soda dissolved in 2 cups of boiling water
Optional raisins

Mix all the dry ingredients together, mix all the wet ingredients togetherand pour over the dry. Last pour the water and soda over. Stir and let sitin the fridge overnight to soak up the moisture.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Thanks to Vicki's sister in law Lori.
Ps. I love the new look of the blog, Jen!

Our Favorite Breadsticks

2008-04-15T08:56:00.001-07:00

1 ½ cup warm water

1 Tablespoon yeast

2 Tablespoons sugar

3 ½ cup flour

½ tsp salt

Butter for pan

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and let it sit and bubble for a few minutes. Add the salt and flour. Knead for 3 minutes. Let the dough rest for 10 minutes. (I do all of this in my Bosch--any mixer would work great) Melt 3-4 Tbsp of butter and pour most of it onto a cookie sheet. Roll dough to cover cookie sheet. Cut to desired width, then twist or lay flat on cookie sheet. Brush remainder of butter on breadsticks and sprinkle with garlic salt, parmesan cheese, and parsley (or whatever seasonings you like). Raise for 10-20 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 375 and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden. You can roll them out to fit a cookie sheet and they will be pufffy and soft. If you prefer a thinner, crunchy breadstick roll them out to fit a cookie sheet and a jelly roll pan. Either way they are great.

Old-fashioned oatmeal cookies

2008-04-15T08:48:00.000-07:00

Old-fashioned oatmeal cookies are made with shortening, brown sugar, buttermilk, and spices.

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or regular milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, stir before measuring
1 teaspoon baking soda (decrease to 1/2 teaspoon if you use regular milk)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 cups quick cooking rolled oats
3/4 to 1 cup raisins
Chocolate Chips (optional)

PREPARATION:In a mixing bowl, cream together the shortening and brown sugar until light. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk.Into another bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.Stir the sifted mixture into the creamed mixture until blended. Stir in oats and raisins. With a tablespoon, drop onto greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake in a preheated 400° oven for about 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Makes 4 to 5 dozen oatmeal cookies.

Meatloaf Muffins

2008-04-15T08:45:00.000-07:00

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 box Stove Top stuffing mix
1 cup water
2 eggs

Mix together and divide into 12 muffin cups that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve with ketchup on top.

Depending on what kind of ground beef you use,you may need to drain the muffins on a paper towel. The less fat, the less mopping up of fat, you see!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

2008-04-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups flour
1/2 t. salt
3 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
2T orange juice or other acidic juice
3 mashed bananas
1 cup chocolate chips

Cream sugar, eggs and butter. Add dry ingred. and orange juice. Mix and add bananas. Add choc. chips last. Put into greased muffin pan (or use cup cake liners) and bake at 350 degrees for 20 min.

*Note: You can use 1/2 cup applesauce instead of butter for a lower fat muffin and you can omit the chocolate chips if desired.

**You may need to bake them a bit longer but do a toothpick test at 20 min. You don't want to over cook these. Also when they cool, get them right into a container so they don't dry out. Also, they freeze pretty well.

Chicken, Avocado, & Grapefruit Salad

2008-04-02T18:53:00.000-07:00

Chicken
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
1tbsp Pampered Chef Citrus & Basil Rub (Could use any seasoning you like)
1 tsp olive oil

Dressing & Salad
1 large grapefruit
1 tsp. grapefruit zest
1 tbsp orange marmalade
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4-6 radishes
1 avocado
6 oz baby spinach
1/2 C red onion

Combine olive oil and seasoning in bowl and rub on chicken breast.
Grill chicken until done and let cool.
Zest grapefruit, cut in half and remove sections.
Dump juice from rind into bowl, add zest, marmalade, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Set aside.
Slice radishes and onions and dice avocado.
Toss all salad ingredients in bowl with dressing.

This is a very light and wonderful salad. We had it a my Pampered Chef party last night and it was WONDERFUL. In the future when making this I think I will add a little iceburg lettuce to make it go a little further and for a little more crunch. I will also think about adding strawberries, crumbled bacon, and some shredded cheese. (Swiss or Mozzerella would both be real yummy.) If you aren't a huge grapefruit fan you could probably use oranges and it would work just as well it would just be a little sweeter.

FUNERAL POTATOES

2008-03-17T12:02:00.000-07:00

1-2 lbs pkg frozen hashbrowns
- 1 pint carton sour cream
- 2 can cream of chicken soup
- 1/4 C melted butter
- 1/2 C chopped green onion
- 1 t salt
- 1/2 t pepper
- 10 oz grated cheddar cheese (extra sharp)
- Corn flakes
- 1 C Crushed Thawed potatoes (you can certainly cook and grate potatoes if you want to, but you'd have to be crazy - no one will be able to tell the difference - promise!).

Mix all ingredients except butter and cornflakes. Pour into casserole dish 9X13. Sprinkle with corn flakes. Pour melted butter on top. Bake @ 350 for 35-40 mins.

PIZZA PIZZA!

2008-03-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

PIZZA DOUGH
- 3 C flour
- 1 t. salt
- 1 T or 1 pkg yeast dissolved in 1/4 C warm water
- 1 C cold water & 1 T olive oil mixed

In mixer or bread machine, blend altogether. Let rest for 20 min. Knead and roll out and let rise again for 10 min. Spread with oil or sauce, toppings, cheese.

Bake 425 for 25 min. Cover pizza dish with sprinkled cornmeal before spreading out dough. A little tip: the stickier the dough the crispier the crust.

BARBECUE CHICKEN PIZZA

Crust of your choice.
Barbecue sauce,
chicken,
cilantro,
mozzarella,
Gouda cheese,
sliced fresh tomatoes.
Yum.

HAWAIIAN PIZZA

Crust of your choice.
For the sauce, I like to make it with a can of petite diced tomatoes, some canned tomato sauce, some tomato paste, sugar and spices.
After I roll out the crust, I brush olive oil on the edges and salt and pepper the edges.
Spread sauce, add cut up
ham/canadian bacon,
pineapple chunks and
mozzarella cheese on top.
A dash of cinnamon is also awesome... may sound crazy, but trust me.

Honey Chicken

2008-03-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

This recipe comes from the Rival Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Best-Loved Recipes cookbook. I halved the recipe, but the recipe below is the full one.

Ingredients:
6 boneless skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper to taste (I omitted the salt, because I think there’s enough from the soy sauce.)
2 cups honey
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
sesame seeds

Directions:
Place chicken in crock pot; season with salt and pepper.
Combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, oil and garlic in medium bow. Pour over chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
Garnish with sesame seeds.

Awesome Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

2008-03-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
3 cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup chopped pecans
(if you like raisins, add them. I do not.)

Frosting
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
(I don't add the pecans in the frosting, I just sprinkle them on)
1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

2008-03-13T14:47:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup nonfat lemon yogurt
1 egg
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups.
Beat the milk, oil, lemon yogurt and egg together. Stir in the flour, white sugar, poppy seeds, lemon zest, lemon oil, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until just combined. Divide batter evenly between muffin cups.
Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). For 16 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Drizzle with glaze immediately and let cool on rocks.
To Make Glaze: Stir the confectioners' sugar with the lemon juice and mix until smooth and of drizzling consistency. Add drops of milk if thinning is necessary.

A Hearty Green Bean and Sausage Casserole

2008-03-13T14:45:00.001-07:00

INGREDIENTS
1 (16 ounce) package pork sausage
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
ground black pepper to taste
2 (16 ounce) packages frozen cut green beans
1 (2.8 ounce) can French-fried onions

DIRECTIONS
Crumble the pork sausage into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Drain grease, and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 9x13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, stir together the cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Mix in the sausage, then add the green beans, and stir until evenly coated. Pour half of the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the fried onions. Spread remaining green bean mixture over the onions.
Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle the rest of the fried onions over the top. Return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes, or until the onions are toasty, and green beans are cooked to your desired doneness. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Spring Strawberry Spinach Salad

2008-03-13T14:39:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
1 bunch spinach, rinsed
10 large strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

***Add grilled chicken and some feta or almonds, and it is REALLY good!***

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, mix the spinach and strawberries.
In a blender, place the sugar, salt, vinegar, and oil, and blend until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.

Puffy Peanut Butter Cup and Cheesecake Swirled Brownies

2008-02-19T14:15:00.000-08:00

1 brownie mix of choice (9x13 size), along with ingredients as directed on back of package

8 oz softened cream cheese

1/2 Cup creamy peanut butter

1/4 Cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 Cups mini marshmallows

12 regular size Reeses Peanut Butter cups, cut into cubes

1 Cup chocolate chips

1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter, melted in microwave to drizzle

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place brownie mix and ingredients on back of box as directed (eggs, oil, water) into a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined and pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. In a separate bowl mix together the cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. Drop by the Tablespoonfuls evenly over the brownie batter. Take a knife or toothpick and swirl the cheese mixture through the brownie batter. Bake for 30-32 minutes or until cooked through.

2. Once brownies are just about cooked, with about 2 minutes left, sprinkle marshmallows, Reeses cups and chocolate chips over brownies. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed slightly. Remove and cool completely before cutting. While brownies are cooling, drizzle melted peanut butter over bars. Let cool.

3. Once cool, use a plastic knife to cut into squares for an easy non stick cut. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Silk Pie

2008-02-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Makes 8 servings
Prep: 15 minutes
Chill: 8 hours

Ingredients
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon butter or margarine, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy or whipping cream, beaten until stiff
19-inch prepared chocolate cookie-crumb crust
1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

Directions
1. For Peanut-Butter Filling, beat cream cheese, sugar, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla in a large mixer bowl, until creamy. Gently fold in half the beaten cream, then fold in remaining cream until blended. Spread filling in crust; smooth top.
2. For topping, put chocolate pieces in a microwave proof bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on High 1-1/2 to 2 minutes; stir until smooth. Cool chocolate slightly, then pour over top of filling. Refrigerate pie 1 hour until chocolate is firm, then cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired. Makes 8 servings.

Nutrition facts per serving:
calories:715
total fat: 50g
saturated fat: 21g
cholesterol: 76mg
sodium: 362mg
carbohydrate: 60g
fiber: 2g
protein: 14g

OH, so soft Sugar Cookies... again

2008-02-12T12:06:00.000-08:00

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 /2 tsp baking soda
4 tsp baking powder
4 cups flour

combine first 3 ingredients together, then add others one at a time.

Mix well.

Roll out on floured pastry mat to desired thickness (I like 'em thick) cut into shapes and

bake 12 min at 350. Enjoy

Soft Sugar Cookies

2008-02-11T08:46:00.000-08:00

Sift:

3 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Add:
1/2 cup soft butter

1 cup sugar
1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla or nutmeg
Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes.

Add:
1/2 cup thick sour cream

Preheat oven to 375-400F degrees.
Beat at low speed until well blended (1 1/2 minutes).

Roll out lightly on floured board to 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut and sprinkle with sugar.
Put on prepared cookie sheet.

Bake about 12 minutes at 375-400 degrees.

Enjoy

Sugar Cookie Frosting

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter - softened

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tb milk

4 cups powdered sugar

cool food coloring

Hot Fudge Pudding Cake

2008-01-04T09:44:00.000-08:00

Sift together:

1 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 T cocoa

2 t baking powder

1/4 t salt

Add to flour mixture:

1/2 cup milk

2 T canola oil

1 t vanilla

Mix together until smooth.

1 cup chopped walnuts

Stir in nuts and spread in greased 9-inch square pan.

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar (scant)

1/4 cup cocoa

1 3/4 cups VERY hot water (for thicker fudge sauce, reduce water to 1 1/2 cups)

Sprinkle brown sugar and cocoa over batter.

Pour hot water over the top.

DO NOT STIR!

Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes.

Serve

Killer Cake Frosting

2007-12-21T12:34:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:

1 1/2 -1 2/3 c. crisco

4 c. powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. corn syrup

1 tsp. clear vanilla

1 tsp. almond (can be liberal)

1/4 c. milk

optional lemon juice to taste, adds a yummy zing!

yeilds: a lot

use that good ol' kitchen aide and mix it all together.

perfect for piping and layering.

will not be smooth like fondant, but using a icing spatula wet with warm water, it smooths nicely.

add cocoa powder and nix the lemon juice for chocolate icing.

This is the frosting I used on Emalee's wedding cake I made 2 summers ago.

(Two summers ago?! Woo Em & Lance!!!)

Mom's Runzas

2007-11-29T13:35:00.000-08:00

These are a classic family favorite. YUM is all I gotta say.

Ingredients

1/2 lb. ground beef

1/2 lb. groud sausage

1 c. chopped cabbage

1/2-1 c. chopped onion

lots of cheese moz, jack are best

12 Rhodes Rolls

1a. Take roll dough out of freezer and let defrost and rise 4-6 hours before.

1b. Brown meat together. You can use just ground beef that's seasoned instead of sausage if you like. Tastes just as good.

2. Chop veggies while meat is browning.

3. When meat is cooked through add veggies and reduce.

4. Roll out rolls into circles and fill with meat, veggies and loads of cheese. Fold one half of the dough over the insides and pinch closed.

5. Bake in oven 350" until golden brown.

6. Cool and eat! Great as leftovers. :) even kids love em!

yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum yum

Cherry Delight!

2007-11-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

Jen, I tried your "Pumpkin cookies with Penuche frosting" YUMMY!! Tonight I think I am going to have Jaren make the "Pizza Bake." This blog is fun to have. Now I will post a recipe too.
We have all enjoyed Mom's recipe for Cherry Delight, well I thought it might be yummy to play with the crust a little and add pecans. SOOOOOO GOOD! Here is the recipe just in case you don't already have it.

CRUST
2+cups crushed graham crackers
4-5 TBS Sugar
1/2 C Margarine, melted

(When I made the crust I just decreased the cracker crumbs by 1/2 cup or so and replaced them with the same amount of finely chopped pecans)

FILLING

8 oz package Cream Cheese
1/2 C Sugar
1 C Sour Cream
8 oz Whipped Topping

Pizza Bake

2007-11-21T08:39:00.000-08:00

Pizza Bake
1 1/2 pounds browned hamburger meat seasoned with salt and pepper
1/2 - 3/4 jar your fav pasta sauce-depending how saucy you want the pasta
1 c. cooked your fav pasta- bow tie is fun
1 to 1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
peperoni

Mix browned hamburger, noodles and pasta sauce.

Pour into a 9x9 pan. Sprinkle cheese on top.

Place peperoni on top of the cheese.

Bake at 425 for 10-15 minutes.

Serve with a caesar salad and garlic bread .

2007-11-19T12:21:00.001-08:00

Navajo Fry Bread Recipe
2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup instant nonfat dry milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

Warm water

Vegetable Oil

Honey or powdered sugar
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, dry milk, and salt. slowly add enough warm water to form a workable dough (start by adding 1 cups of water, then more if needed); knead until smooth but still slightly sticky. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.

After resting, divide dough into 4 equal pieces.
On a lightly floured surface, roll each piece of dough into a small ball and pat into a flat circle about 8 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick (it will puff up a lot); cut a steam vent i the middle of each circle of dough.
In a large, deep frying pan, heat 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil (enough oil to flat the dough) to 357 degrees F. Fry the dough pieces, one at a time and turning once, for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown (the bread will puff slightly and become crisp and brown). Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towels. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Use for Indian Tacos (see recipe below) or serve with honey or powdered sugar.
Makes 4 Navajo fry breads.

Indian Taco Recipe
1 pound lean ground meat (beef, lamb, venison or pork)

1 cup diced onion

4 cooked Navajo Fry Breads (see recipe above)

1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded

3 tomatoes, diced

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 (3-ounce) can diced green chiles, drained

Sour cream (optional)

In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, brown ground meat and onions until cooked; remove from heat.
Place Fry Bread, cupped side up, on separate plates. Layer ground meat, lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, and green chiles onto top of each Fry Brad. top with sour cream, if desired, and either roll up or serve open-faced with a fork.
Makes 4 servings.

Crepes

2007-11-09T14:50:00.000-08:00

2 eggs

1 1/2 cup milk

1 cup flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon oil

beat together until smooth. fry on high heat. (don't worry, it takes some practice flipping 'em, but you'll be a pro quick enough!)

Toppings: sky is the limit

Applesauce

Strawberries

Butter and Cinnamon Sugar

Nutella

Jelly

Jam

Any fruit combo

Cream cheese and fruit

Chocolate

Pumpkin Bars

2007-11-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

1 cup flour, sifted

1/2 cup oatmeal, quick rolled

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cups pumpkin

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1 (13 oz.) can evaporated milk

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

Mix flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly on low speed. Press into a 9x13 pan. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.Mix the rest of the ingredients and pour onto cooked crust. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Topping

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter, softened

whipped cream

Mix pecans, brown sugar, and butter together. Sprinkle over the pumpkin. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is set. Cool in pan. Top with whipped cream.

Lego Cakes

2007-10-31T15:45:00.000-07:00

These are so cute! So ingenious! :) I want to make them just so I can eat them! :)

Ingredients:
1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® cake mix (any flavor)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
Tray or cardboard, 15x12 inches, covered
2 containers (1 lb each) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting
Red, yellow and blue paste food colors
12 large marshmallows, cut in half crosswise

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan.) Grease bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour. Make cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Pour into pan.
2. Bake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
3. Using serrated knife, cut cake crosswise into thirds. Cut one of the thirds in half crosswise to make 2 squares. On tray, place cake pieces. Cover; freeze 1 hour or until firm.
4. In small bowl for each color, tint 1 cup frosting red, 1 cup frosting yellow and 2/3 cup frosting blue with food colors. Leave remaining frosting white.
5. Frost top and sides of 1 square cake with blue frosting. Frost 4 marshmallow halves with blue frosting; place in square design on cake. Frost remaining square cake and 4 marshmallow halves with white frosting; arrange marshmallows on top of cake. Frost 1 rectangular section of cake and 8 marshmallow halves with yellow frosting; arrange marshmallows on top of cake. Frost remaining section of cake and remaining marshmallows with red frosting; arrange marshmallows on top of cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
High Altitude (3500-6500 ft): Follow High Altitude cake mix directions on box for 13x9-inch pan.

Cinnimon Whipped Cream

2007-10-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 cup(s) heavy cream cold
3/4 cup(s) confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract

Directions:

In a large bowl, using a mixer set on medium-high speed, beat the cream, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Do not overbeat. Yields 4 cups.

Candy Corn Cookies

2007-10-26T11:09:00.001-07:00

Recipe:

To make this treat, knead extra flour and orange food coloring into refrigerated sugar-cookie dough. Use a triangle-shaped cutter; bake and let cool. Dip the wide base of each cookie into melted dark chocolate, then dip the tips into melted white chocolate. Set on a parchment-lined baking pan and chill in freezer for 5 minutes.

Cheesecake Brownies

2007-10-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups butter (3 sticks)
¾ pound bittersweet chocolate, chopped
8 large eggs
1 ½ cups dark brown sugar
2 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2 ¼ cups flour
¾ cup cocoa
1 pound cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup apricot jam
1 cup pumpkin butter

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly butter. Melt the butter and chocolate. Whisk 6 eggs, brown sugar, and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar together.
2. Stir in 3 teaspoons vanilla, salt, melted chocolate, flour, and cocoa. Pour into the prepared pan. Beat cream cheese using a mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
3. Add the remaining 2 eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla and the cornstarch; beat until smooth and spread over the chocolate batter. Combine jam and pumpkin butter.
4. Drop in spoonfuls onto cream cheese and draw swirls using a knife. Bake until center tests clean, about 40 minutes. Cool and punch out shapes using Halloween-themed cutters.

Spritine

2007-10-26T10:51:00.000-07:00

1. Take a small sip of sprite
2. grab a saltine and suck on the endge for a second
3. take a small bite of saltine and then a small sip of sprite
4. repeat process until stomach regains normalacy

Pumpkin Cholocate Chip Cookies

2007-10-23T13:38:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

2 c. shortening

2 eggs

1 15oz. can of pumpkin

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. sugar

4 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. allspice

1 tsp. salt

1 c. chocolate chips

1. In a large bowl mix wet then add dry with an electric mixer till smooth. Add chocolate chips to batter or sprinkle on top of cookies already spooned out onto the pan.

2. Bake at 375o for 12-16 minutes.

Be careful not to over bake, they will look not quite done when they are done because of the pumpkin color.

3. Try not to eat all the batter before putting them on the pan. That's the tough part!

mmmmmmmmmm!

Baked Potato Soup

2007-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
4 large baking potatoes (about 2 1/2 lbs)
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups 2% reduced fat milk
1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, divided
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3/4 cup chopped green onions, divided
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled

Directions:
1. Bake potatoes in oven at 400 for 1 hour or in microwave until tender. (I do microwave because it's SO much quicker). Cool and then peel potatoes. Coarsely mash. Discard skins.
2. Place flour in a large pot on stove and gradually add milk, stirring with milk until blended. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly (about 8 minutes). Add mashed potatoes, 3/4 cup cheese, salt, pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in sour cream and 1/2 cup green onions. Cook over low heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated (do not boil); serve and sprinkle with desired toppings (remaining cheese, green onions, bacon).

Apple Walnut Bread Pudding and Carmel Sauce

2007-10-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

3/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 loaf good 1-day-old bread, cubed into about 4 cups
4-5 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup walnut pieces, toasted
1 cup milk
1 cup cream
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon salt

Butter an 8x8 square baking dish. Heat the oven to 350ºF. Toss the raisins with the cinnamon and set aside in a separate bowl. Put the bread cubes in the oven for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, to toast.
In a large frying pan, sauté the apple pieces with the butter and brown sugar until golden and barely tender. Mix the apples, raisins, and walnuts.
In a small saucepan heat the milk, cream, butter, and brown sugar until melted. Remove from heat and whisk in the eggs and egg yolks. Whisk in the spices and salt.
Mix the toasted bread in with the apples mixture. Pack into the baking dish and pour the cream mixture over. Let sit for an hour, if you have time, to absorb, or bake right away. Bake for about 45 minutes or until set. Let cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Carmel
2 cups cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
Pinch salt
1/4 cup butter

Warm the cream in a small saucepan over low to medium heat. While it's warming, add the sugar and water to a large, heavy, high-sided pan over high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then leave it alone to boil until it reaches a deep amber color. You are looking for a dark caramel here, because you will be adding cream, so don't flinch and take it off the heat when it's still just pale gold!
Remove from heat and whisk in the cream. Be very careful and add the cream slowly - the caramel is going to bubble up violently! Add the pinch of salt and butter and whisk smooth. Simmer until slightly reduced.

Add the Carmel atop the individual bread pudding bowls, and then add fresh whipping cream. Delicious!

Pumpkin Bread Pudding

2007-10-19T10:54:00.000-07:00

1½ cups whole milk (Or 1 cup heavy cream plus ½ cup whole milk)
¾ cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs plus 1 yolk
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of ground cloves

5 cups cubed (1-inch) day-old baguette or crusty bread
¾ stick unsalted butter, melted* (can skip this step if using the second set of instructions)
Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle.

1st Set of Instructions: Whisk together pumpkin, cream, milk, sugar, eggs, yolk, salt, spices
in a bowl. Toss bread cubes with butter in another bowl, then add pumpkin mixture and toss to coat. Transfer to an ungreased 8-inch square baking dish and bake until custard is set, 25 to 30 minutes.

Alternate, Come On, Be Lazy With Me, instructions: While preheating oven to 350°F with rack in middle, melt butter in bottom of a 8-inch square baking dish. Once it is melted, take it out of the oven and toss bread cubes with butter, coating thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whisk together all the remaining ingredients. Pour them over buttered bread cubes in baking dish, stirring to make sure all pieces are evenly coated. Bake until custard is set, 25 to 30 minutes.

Vegetable & Stuffing Bake

2007-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Vegetable & Stuffing Bake
1/2 cup mayonnaise

2/3 cup milk

1 pkg. (16 oz.) frozen broccoli florets, thawed

1 pkg. (6 oz.) Stuffing Mix for Chicken

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

PREHEAT oven to 350°F.

Mix mayo and milk in large bowl until well blended.

Add remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
SPOON into 11x7-inch baking dish.
BAKE 20 to 25 min. or until heated through.

Chicken A'Lorange and Ham Fried Rice

2007-10-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Chicken
4 chicken breasts
1 beaten egg
1 Tbsp water
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup vinegar
1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed in 2 Tbsp water

Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Dip chicken pieces in egg wash made of beaten egg and water, then coat with cornstarch. Heat butter in frying pan and brown chicken in butter until golden brown. Place in baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients except cornstarch mix in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Add cornstarch slurry as needed to make a thin sauce. Pour over chicken pieces and bake, covered, for 20 minutes, then remove cover and bake another 15 minutes. Serve with ham fried rice or regular rice.

Rice
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp finely chopped celery
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped ham
2 cup hot cooked rice
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 tsp soy saucesalt and pepper to taste

Heat oil in a wok or frying pan over medium high heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, and ham. Stir fry until veggies are limp. Add rice and stir until mixture begins to brown. Push rice mixture to the side of the pan and add beaten egg, stirring until almost set, then combining with other ingredients. Stir in soy sauce and season to taste.

Martha Stewart Macaroni and Cheese

2007-10-16T10:07:00.000-07:00

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
6 good white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
4 1/2 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese, (about 18 ounces)
2 cups grated Gruyere cheese, (about 8 ounces) or 1 1/4 cups grated Romano cheese (about 5 ounces)
1 pound elbow macaroni
Directions
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread, and toss. Set breadcrumbs aside.
In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, whisking, 1 minute.
While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Romano; set cheese sauce aside.
Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer's directions, until the outside of pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Romano, and breadcrumbs over top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

New Orleans-Style Muffuletta

2007-10-11T15:37:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1/2 cup coarsely chopped, pitted ripe olives
1/2 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives
1 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 16-ounce loaf ciabatta or unsliced French bread
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
6 lettuce leaves
3 ounces thinly sliced salami, pepperoni, or summer sausage
3 ounces thinly sliced cooked ham or turkey
6 ounces thinly sliced provolone, Swiss, or mozzarella cheese
1 or 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
Directions
1. In a small bowl stir together ripe olives, green olives, parsley, lemon juice, and oregano. Cover and chill for 4 to 24 hours, stirring occasionally.
2. To assemble sandwich, using a serrated knife split loaf of bread horizontally and hollow out the inside of the top half, leaving a 3/4-inch-thick shell. Stir together olive oil and garlic. Using a pastry brush, brush the bottom half of the bread with olive oil mixture. Top with lettuce, salami, ham, cheese, and tomato slices. Sprinkle tomato slices with pepper. Stir olive mixture. Mound olive mixture on top of the tomato slices. Add top half of bread. To serve, cut into six portions. Makes 6 sandwiches.
3. Giardiniera-Style Muffuletta: Prepare as above, except omit the olives, parsley, lemon juice, and oregano and omit Step 1. Drain one 16-ounce jar of pickled mixed vegetables (giardiniera), reserving the liquid. Chop the vegetables, removing any pepperoncini stems if present. In a medium bowl stir together chopped vegetables; 2 tablespoons of the reserved liquid; 1/4 cup chopped pimiento-stuffed green olives and/or pitted ripe olives; 1 clove garlic, minced; and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Assemble sandwich as above, spooning the pickled vegetable mixture on top of the tomato slices.

Corn Bread

2007-10-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup cooking oil or melted butter
Honey (optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400F. In a medium bowl stir together flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
2. Add the 1 tablespoon butter to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, a 9x1 1/2-inch round baking pan, or an 8x8x2-inch square baking pan. Place in the preheated oven about 3 minutes or until butter melts. Remove pan from oven; swirl butter in pan to coat bottom and sides of pan.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine eggs, milk, and oil. Add egg mixture all at once to flour mixture. Stir just until moistened. Pour batter into hot skillet or pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cut into wedges or squares. Serve warm. If desired, drizzle with honey. Makes 8 to 10 pieces.

Chili

2007-10-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup chopped green sweet pepper (1 small)
1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, undrained
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 to 3 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Chopped onion (optional)
Dairy sour cream (optional)
Crushed red pepper (optional)

Directions

1. In a 3-quart saucepan cook and stir ground beef, sweet pepper, 1/2 cup chopped onion, and the garlic over medium heat until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain off fat.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, undrained beans, undrained tomatoes, chili powder, salt, basil, and black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. To serve, ladle chili into bowls. If desired, top each serving with cheese, chopped onion, and/or sour cream and pass crushed red pepper. Makes 4 main-dish servings.

Oven Potato Slices ala Beans!

2007-10-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

I made this a couple weeks ago and it was yummy. Vicki is actually the creator of this. I just tried it at home, winged it, and it turned out great!

ingredients:

potoatoes
fresh green beans

onion

Slice up onions and cut green beans to size (if desired). Put them all into a big bowl and add your choice of oil (olive would be delish!) salt/pepper, and minced garlic to taste. I even added some parmesan cheese just for kicks. It was goooood! Bake on a cookie sheet at 350 to 400 degrees until potatoes are golden brown.

Enjoy as a side dish or as a meal! Yum yum!

The pictures are pre- baking. I forgot to snap one after the fact. I was too excited about eating it I guess. haha.

Ham and Cheese Ziti

2007-10-10T10:35:00.000-07:00

2 1/2 cups uncooked ziti pasta (9 ounces)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 cups shredded Colby cheese (8 ounces)
4 ounces sliced cooked deli ham, cut into thin strips
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
2. While pasta is cooking, melt butter in 3-quart saucepan over low heat. Cook garlic in butter 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Stir in flour and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in mustard and Colby cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted.
3. Stir pasta and ham into cheese sauce. Pour into ungreased 2-quart casserole. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly.

Cheeseburger Casserole

2007-10-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

1 lb (at least 80%) lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (11 oz) condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1 cup (Green Giant) frozen mixed vegetables
1/4 cup milk
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
3/4 cup water
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

1. Heat oven to 400ºF. Generously grease rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Cook ground beef and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in soup, vegetables and milk.

2. Stir Bisquick mix and water in baking dish until moistened; spread evenly. Spread beef mixture over batter. Sprinkle with cheese.

3. Bake 30 minutes.

Skillet Lasagna

2007-10-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Serves 4 to 6

1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

Water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium onion , minced

Table salt

3 medium cloves garlic , minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 pound ground beef

10 curly-edged lasagna noodles , broken into 2-inch lengths

1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus 2 additional tablespoons

Ground black pepper

1 cup ricotta cheese

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1. Pour tomatoes with their juices into 1-quart liquid measuring cup. Add water until mixture measures 1 quart.

2. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until onion begins to brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add ground meat and cook, breaking apart meat, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.

3. Scatter pasta over meat but do not stir. Pour diced tomatoes with juices and tomato sauce over pasta. Cover and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.

4. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Dot with heaping tablespoons ricotta, cover, and let stand off heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with basil and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan. Serve.

Apple Brickle Dip

2007-10-05T16:50:00.001-07:00

8oz Cream Cheese softened
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 package English Toffee Chips (found in baking section, Heath Bar bits work as well)

Cream together and serve with sliced apples. Granny Smith taste the best, I think!

Cream Cheese Dip

2007-10-02T11:08:00.000-07:00

1-2 pkgs sandwich ham, diced
2 pkgs cream cheese
1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
Mixed Seasonings (I buy the Mrs. Dash seasoning- its a white powder, but isnt salt)

Combine all ingredients and set in the fridge until chilled. Serve with crackers. Enjoy!

Chicken Rolls

2007-10-02T11:04:00.001-07:00

3 T butter

6 oz cream cheese

2 cups diced chicken

1/4 t salt

1/8t pepper

2 T milk

1 T onion

2 cans of crescent rolls

Mix all ingredients together and wrap in rolls. Bake for 15 minutes at 350.

Peanut Chicken Stir

2007-10-02T10:59:00.000-07:00

2 tsp cornstarch

3/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3 T soy sauce

1 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp pepper

1-1/4 lbs chicken breast,cut into strips

3 tsp olive oil,divided

1 c chopped onion

1 c thinly sliced green pepper

1 c thinly sliced red pepper

1 1/2 c sliced fresh mushrooms (yuck! I used Broccoli!)

1 tsp minced garlic

Hot Cooked Rice

In a small bowl,combine the first 6 ingredients until smooth;set asideIn a large skillet or wok stir fry chicken in 1-1/2 tsp oil for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink.Remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm.Stir fry onion and peppers in the remaining oil for 3 minutes.Add mushrooms and garlic; stir fry 3-4 minutes longer or until vegetables are crisp tender.Stir cornstarch mixture and add to the pan.Bring to a boil;cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.Add chicken.Heat through.Serve with rice.

Pear Salad

2007-10-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Vinaigrette:

1/2 cup canned whole-berry cranberry sauce

1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

Salad:

Equivilent of two heads of lettuce (romaine, spinach, whatever!)

2 cups sliced peeled pear (about 2 pears)

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

1 cup (1/8-inch-thick) slices red onion, separated into rings

1/3 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Preparation

To prepare the vinaigrette, place the first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl; stir well with a whisk.
To prepare the salad, divide the lettuce leaves evenly among 6 salad plates. Toss pear with 2 tablespoons orange juice. Divide pear and onion evenly among leaves. Top each serving with about 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 teaspoon walnuts. Drizzle each serving with about 2 1/2 tablespoons vinaigrette.

Add a chicken breast to make it a meal!!!

Yield
6 servings

Delicious Homemade Bread

2007-09-30T15:25:00.000-07:00

5 to 6 c. flour

3 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

2 pkg. dry yeast

2 c. water

1/4 c. vegetable oil

In large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Blend well. In small saucepan, heat water and oil until very lukewarm (120 to 130 degrees). Add warm liquid to flour mixture. Blend until moistened, then beat with beater 3 minutes. Stir in 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour until dough pulls cleanly away from side of bowl.

Knead 10 minutes, adding a little flour at a time, if dough feels sticky. Grease lump of dough. Put in bowl to rise and cover with towel. Let rise until double, then punch down. Divide dough into 2 parts and shape into balls. Let rise on counter covered with inverted bowl for 15 minutes.

Shape into loaves and place in 2 greased pans. Let rise in warm place about 1 hour or until it has risen about 1 inch above pans. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until loaf sounds hollow. Remove from pans and brush top with butter. Makes 2 loaves.

Jamba at home!

2007-09-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Beth's Favorite Fruit Smoothie

1/3 can orange mango frozen juice concentrate

8 frozen strawberries

5 frozen peach slices

2-3 c. apple juice

I love Jamba Juice.

I love fruity drinks.

I bought myself a blender and invented the best smoothie ever.

The best thing is, this is totally customizable to your individual taste! Add icecream, fresh fruit, nuts, yogurt, you name it. If it can be blenderized it can be smoothied!

Clam Chowder

2007-09-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

The day is overcast and drizzly, this sounds good (although I'd let the clams be MIA.)

Ever wonder what the Prophets favorite foods are?
I got this recipe from Sister Hinckley's book Small and Simple Things.
Sister Hinckley says:

Making soup is especially satisfying on a cold, wintry day. This is an easy favorite.

Clam Chowder
Combine the following and heat in a heavy saucepan:

Ingredients
1/2 to 1 cup bacon, fried and crumbled
2 large potatoes, peeled, boiled and diced
1 (10.75-oz.) can cream of celery soup
1 (6.5-oz.) can clams, undrained
1 (14.74-oz.) can corn (or use frozen), drained
1 heaping tablespoon butter

I can just see sweet little Sister Hinckley making this in love for her husband. Just cute.

Pumpkin Cookies with Penuche Frosting

2007-09-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Mix:

½ c. sugar

½ c. brown sugar

1 c. butter or margarine

Add:

1 c. canned pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

Cream into above mixture:

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp.soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. salt

¾ c. chopped nuts

(optional, but I would reccomend them)

Drop by spoonfuls on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for about 9 minutes. Cool.
This is how they go in the oven and 10 mintues later this is what comes out

Frosting:

Bring to a boil for 1 minute:

3 tbsp. butter

½ c. brown sugar

Cool 10 minutes, then add:

¼ c. milk

Beat until smooth and add

1 ½ to 2 c. powdered sugar.

Frost cookes.

Enjoy

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE

2007-09-18T15:16:00.000-07:00

Crust:

9-oz package of chocolate wafer cookies- 3 T butter, melted (or just use a chocolate pie crust from the store)

Filling:

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips-

1 C heavy cream-

3/4 C raspberry jam-

2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened-

1 C sugar-

4 eggs-

1 t vanilla

1. To make crust: Place cookies in a food processor and grind into powder. Mix with butter and press into the bottom and up sides of 9-ince sprinform pan. Refrigerate crust while making the filling.

2. To make the filling: Combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 4 mins or until smooth, stirring every minute. Mix in the raspberry jam and stir until dissolved. Let mixture cool for 10 mins.

3. Combine cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing wella fter each egg. Add vanilla and chocolate-raspberyr mixture. blend well.

4. Pour mixture into springorm pan and bake at 325 for 1 1/2 hours or until cake is set.

5. Allow to cool in an open oven for an hour. Remove from oven and place on wire rack until completely cool. Refregerate for at least 6 hours before serving.

NO BAKE Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

2007-09-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup peanut butter

1 cup milk

1 (16 ounce) package frozen whipped topping, thawed

2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts (I USE CHOCOLATE!)

(garnish with chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, or anything chocolate!)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Beat together cream cheese and confectioners' sugar. Mix in peanut butter and milk. Beat until smooth. Fold in whipped topping.
2. Spoon into two 9 inch graham cracker pie shells; cover, and freeze until firm.

Peanut Sauce

2007-09-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

Peanut sauce
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup warm water
2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 medium garlic clove, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

Girls. I don't know if you guys like Peanut Sauce pasta, but I LOVE IT!

Linguenie
Salted Peanuts
Chicken breast baked or grilled and cut up
Red Bell Pepper, sauteed or grilled
Green onion, sliced and sauteed with the pepper
Mix all ingrediants with the peanut sauce and ENJOY!
Add a little Zatarans for some spice!!!

So yummy!!!

Homeade Chocolate PB Cups

2007-09-12T15:56:00.000-07:00

ingredients:

1 11.5 oz pkg milk chocolate chips, divided

1 c pb

1/2 c powdered sugar

directions:

line muffin tins with 12 cupcake liners. place 1/2 chocolate chips in a microwave safe container. microwave for 2 minutes, stirring after each minute. spoon melted chocolate into muffin cups, filling halfway. with a fat paintbrush, draw the chocolate up the sides of the cups until evenly coated. cool in the freezer until firm.in a small bowl, mix together pb and powdered sugar. divide into the chocolate cups. melt the remaining chocolate, and spoon over peanut butter. spread chocolate to edges of cups.

Chocolate Fudge

2007-09-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

ingredients:

1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

directions:

line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil. set aside. in a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. bring to a full boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. remove from heat and pour in semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips. stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. stir in vanilla. pour into prepared pan. chill in refrigerator for 2 hours, or until firm.

Pasta of the Gods

2007-09-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

This is SO good!

It sounds a little complex, but it is so worth it! Some of the ingredients are a little less common so they can be substituted for. But don't leave out the capers!

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken, cubed
1/8 lb canadian bacon (or cooked regular bacon) cut in strips

1 medium size onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c fresh basil

1/3 c sun-dried tomatoes

1/2 c shittake mushrooms (or regular mushrooms)

3 c cream

1 T cornstarch mixed with 3 T water

1/2 c swiss cheese, grated

1/2 c parmesean cheese, grated

12 oz penne pasta

1 t salt

1 t pepper

1 t butter

1 T olive oil

1 T capers

Start boiling the pasta, and when it is finished, drain it. While that is boiling, Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then brown the chicken in 1 T olive oil. When it is brown, set the chicken aside. While the chicken is browning, saute the onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and fresh basil in 1 t butter and 1 t olive oil. Make sure the onions are very soft. When they are, add the cream and cornstarch mixture. Stir over medium heat until thickened. Then add the remaining ingredients including the chicken. Pour over the pasta, let it stand 10 minutes and then serve.

Pull-Apart Maple Sticky Buns

2007-09-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 45 min Makes: 20 servings, one bun each

3/4 cup Chopped Pecans

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, divided

1/3 cup maple-flavored or pancake syrup

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

2 cans (12 oz. each) refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, cut into 20 cubes

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Spray 12-cup fluted tube pan or 10-inch tube pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle pecans evenly on bottom of prepared pan; set aside. Melt 2 Tbsp. of the butter in small microwaveable bowl. Add syrup; stir until well blended. Drizzle over pecans in pan; set aside.MELT remaining 6 Tbsp. butter; set aside. Mix sugar and cinnamon in shallow dish; set aside. Separate dough into 20 biscuits; press each slightly to 1/4-inch thickness. Roll cream cheese cubes in cinnamon sugar mixture until evenly coated on all sides. Place 1 cream cheese cube in center of each biscuit circle; gather up sides of dough to enclose filling. Press edges of dough together to seal; roll into a ball. Dip top of each ball into remaining butter, then into cinnamon sugar. Arrange half of the balls, cinnamon sugar-sides up, in prepared pan. Repeat with remaining balls to form a second layer. Drizzle with any remaining butter; sprinkle with any remaining cinnamon sugar.BAKE 30 min. or until golden brown. Cool 1 min. in pan; invert onto serving platter. Scrape any remaining pecans left in pan; spoon over buns. Serve warm.

English Toffee

2007-09-11T11:19:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
2 cups butter
2 cups white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup finely chopped almonds

DIRECTIONS
In a large heavy bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the butter is melted. Allow to come to a boil, and cook until the mixture becomes a dark amber color, and the temperature has reached 285 degrees F (137 degrees C). Stir occasionally.While the toffee is cooking, cover a large baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.As soon as the toffee reaches the proper temperature, pour it out onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle the chocolate over the top, and let it set for a minute or two to soften. Spread the chocolate into a thin even layer once it is melted. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate, and press in slightly. Putting a plastic bag over your hand will minimize the mess.Place the toffee in the refrigerator to chill until set. Break into pieces, and store in an airtight container.

(I don't have a candy thermometer, I just boiled it until it was an amber color(about 10 minutes after it starts boiling)

Marshmallow Popcorn

2007-09-11T11:18:00.000-07:00

This stuff is so addicting!

2 cubes butter
2 c. light karo syrup
1 1/2 c. sugar
4 c. miniature marshmallows
4 qts. popped popcorn

Bring butter, karo syrup, and sugar barely to a boil. Add 4 cups marshmallows. Melt. Pour over 4 qts. popcorn. Mix until well coated.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

2007-09-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

This is my mom's recipe. While it might seem complicated, it really isn't.

4-6 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
4-6 thin slices Swiss cheese
4-6 thin slices ham
1 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
1/2 packet Good Seasons Cheese Garlic salad dressing (dry)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 Tbs. parsley

About 1 hour before you want to make the chicken, mix together bread crumbs, dry salad dressing mix, parmesan cheese, and parsley; put it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Pound out chicken breasts. Place 1 slice ham and 1 slice Swiss cheese on chicken breast, then roll up and secure with a few toothpicks. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts. I usually leave these on my cutting board. Then I prepare a "batter station" with plates: one with flour, one with a couple of beaten eggs, and one with the breadcrumb mixture. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess. Then dip in beaten eggs, and coat with breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts. Meanwhile, heat 6 Tablespoons butter in a skillet (non-stick is easiest). Brown chicken breasts on all sides, then transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes, until no longer pink inside.

Serve with this sauce on the side:
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1-2 Tablespoons lemon juice

Stir all ingredients together in a small sauce pan, heating to a simmer.

Oven Baked Rice Pudding

2007-08-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

2 C Milk

1 1/2 C Cooked Rice

3 Eggs

1/2 C Sugar

1 t Vanilla

Dash of salt

Cinnamon to sprinkle on top

Raisins (add raisins as an optional treat!)

Preheat oven to 350
Whisk together the milk, eggs and vanilla in a casserole dish.
Then stir in the rice, sugar and salt.

Bake for 20 minutes.
Take out, stir and sprinkle with Cinnamon.

Bake another 15 minutes.

Enjoy

Black Bean and Corn Salad

2007-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

Black Bean And Corn Salad

Prep Time: 25 Minutes

Yields: 6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups frozen corn kernels

1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced

1 red bell pepper, chopped

2 tomatoes, chopped

6 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

DIRECTIONS:1. Place lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper in a small jar. Cover with lid, and shake until ingredients are well mixed.2. In a salad bowl, combine beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Shake lime dressing, and pour it over the salad. Stir salad to coat vegetables and beans with dressing, and serve.

No fuss!!!

2007-08-28T09:23:00.000-07:00

No Fuss Meat Loaf

2 eggs
1/2 cup water
1 (6 oz) pkg instant stuffing mix
1.5 - 2 lbs ground beef
3 Tbls ketchup

Beat eggs and water. Add stuffing mix and mix well. Add beef and mix well. Press into ungreased loaf pan. Top with ketchup.

Bake, uncovered at 350 for 60-75 minutes or until no pink and meat thermometer reads 160 degrees.

The Best Peach Cobbler

2007-08-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

For the Fruit Mixture

10 large ripe peaches, pitted, skinned and sliced

1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar, depending on peaches

Juice of half a lemon

1/2 tsp lemon zest

Sprinkle of Nutmeg (1/8 tsp)

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

For the Cobbler Topping

2 1/2 cups flour

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

3 eggs, beaten slightly

12 TBS butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine fruit, lemon juice, sugar and spices. Let sit while preparing cobbler topping to let fruit macerate.
3. Combine flour through salt and stir well. Add beaten eggs and cut dough with fork or pastry blender until dough is crumbly.
4. Place fruit in greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes until fruit is hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle cobbler topping evenly over fruit. Spoon melted butter over top and return to oven. Bake for 30-35 more minutes until top is golden brown and fruit is bubbly.
5. Remove and let cool for 20 mintes. Serve with good quality vanilla ice cream on top!

Crock Pot Apple Cobbler (SO good)

2007-08-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 cup Brown Sugar

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 cube Melted Butter

1 package or 1 lb of Caramels (unwrapped)

1 box Yellow Cake Mix

1 can Cream Soda

2 cans Apple Pie Filling

Method:

Spray crock-pot with non-stick Pam. Mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mixture into the crock pot and drizzle with one third of the melted butter. You will repeat this process 2 more times. Open and pour the 2 cans of apple pie filing on the sugary mixture, spreading it evenly in the crock pot. Using another 1/3 of the sugar and cinnamon blend, sprinkle it over the apples and drizzle 1/3 of the melted butter. Place unwrapped caramels randomly as the next layer, using ½ the package. Mix the yellow cake mix in separate bowl with 1 can of cream soda. Pour the cake mix over the caramels and apples. Spread evenly. Sprinkle the last amount of sugar/cinnamon and melted butter over the cake batter. Place paper towel on rim of crock pot and cover with lid. The paper towel will absorb excess moisture.

Cook on High for 2 hours or Low for 3 hours. Check doneness with tooth pick. When the cake is done turn off crock pot and randomly place the remaining caramels on the top of the cake. This time, without the paper towel, cover with the lid and let the caramels soften and melt somewhat from the residual heat. Don't let them melt all the way. The caramels on the top and in the middle of the cake are a delicious chewy surprise.

Serve with scoop of vanilla ice cream

Favorite Pancakes

2007-08-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

Favorite Pancakes

1 1/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Makes about 10 pancakes. Another thing I've been doing is freezing the pancakes, which makes for a really easy breakfast later in the week, just pop them in the microwave and they're ready to go! I freeze them on a baking sheet and them transfer them to a plastic bag. Love ya gals... J

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

2007-08-16T08:39:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour (I like doing half whole wheat, half white)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups oats
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Heat oven to 350.
2. Beat together butter and sugars til creamy.
3. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
4. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; mix well.
5. Stir in oats and chocolate chips; mix well.
6. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.

the mystery meat

2007-08-07T10:38:00.001-07:00

Last week I ordered a Pastrami Sandwich from Hugo's Deli.
It was delicious, but I wasn't sure what in the world pastrami was.
This is what I have learned (thanks alanskitchen.com)
and I thought I would share it with you.
Quite interesting.

Pastrami is a popular deli meat made from (chiefly red) meat. The raw meat is salted (infused in a thick brine), then dried, seasoned with various herbs and spices (such as garlic, black pepper, marjoram, basil) and smoked. Aside from the pepper and smoking, it is similar in process and flavor to Corned beef. In the United Kingdom and the United States beef is used and the meat is boiled after the salting stage. Recently, turkey pastrami was produced in the United States.

The etymology is from Romanian pastramă, probably from the verb a păstra (to preserve, to keep), being brought to the English language via Yiddish. Early references spelled "pastrama", while its current form is associated with a Jewish store selling "pastrami" in New York City in 1887. It is likely that this spelling was introduced to sound related to the Italian salami. Another theory (as it is argued in this Ladino text asserts that it is a variant of Turkish pastirma, or basturma, which is a Middle Eastern dried meat, usually made with veal.

In the original Romanian tradition, sheep meat was used, but over time pork became the prevalent choice. Romanians distinguish between different kinds of pastrami, depending on the meat used. When not specified, pork is implied.

In the United States, however, beef pastrami is by far the most common form, made from the brisket.

It usually is served as a cold cut on a sandwich, but it can also be heated and served as a side dish. One such example is fried pastrami, with corn polenta and green onions.

"Traditional" New York pastrami was made from the navel end of the brisket, which contains considerably more fat than the chest area. It was typically served hot in a rye bread sandwich, often with cole slaw and Russian dressing. In recent years, this version of pastrami has become much harder to find.

Chilled Pineapple and Coconut Soup

2007-08-07T07:56:00.000-07:00

Minus the wine, this sounds really good. I don't like the idea of calling it soup, maybe more of a drink.

2 cups diced pineapple
1/2 cup sparkling water
2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons coconut extract
1/3 cup nonalcoholic white wine
5 teaspoons coconut flakes
5 teaspoons chopped macadamia nuts

1. Puree pineapple in food processor or blender until smooth. 2. Transfer puree to a large bowl, and stir in remaining ingredients except for coconut and nuts. 3. Refrigerate until well chilled. 4. When ready to serve, garnish with 1 teaspoon each of coconut flakes and macadamia nuts.

Makes 5 (3/4 cup) servings.

Nutrition Information: 70 calories, 8g carbohydrates, 4g fat, 0mg cholesterol, trace protein, 5mg sodium

Red Lobster Biscuits

2007-08-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

2 cups all-purpose flour

2-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

6 tablespoons butter

2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro

3/4 cup milk

Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and garlic powder.

Cut in butter.

Stir in shredded cheese, cilantro, and milk.

Mix together lightly with a fork, until just moistened (dough should loosely form a ball).

Drop balls of dough* onto a greased and floured baking sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.

*The first time I put them on the baking sheet, I made small balls of dough, thinking, foolishly, that they would rise and spread. They didn't. They just burned. So the next time, I made them about the size of a child's fist, and they were just perfect.

Oven-Baked Rosemary Potato Chips

2007-07-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

These sound Super Good!

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium russet potato, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices

1 teaspoon crumbled dried rosemary

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions
Heat oven to 375 degree F. Brush 2 large cookie sheets with 1 teaspoon oil. Arrange potato slices in one flat layer on prepared sheets. Brush potatoes with remaining oil and bake until golden, checking often since they brown at different rates, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and sprinkle with rosemary and salt while hot. Makes 4 servings.

I need to try too! <3>

Un-traditional Beef Pot Pie

2007-07-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 pound beef,
½-inch cubes
2 carrots, diced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 potatoes, skinned & diced
1 bay leaf
1-2 packs instant beef gravy
fresh parsley (optional)
salt & pepper

Instructions:- Brown beef cubes. Add carrots, celery, onion, and cook until softened. Season with salt & pepper.- Cover with water and bring to a boil- Add bay leaf and potatoes, lower heat, and simmer until potatoes soften (or a few hours to keep the kitchen warm and smelling good!)- Shortly before serving, add instant beef gravy packet and chopped fresh parsley (if desired), and cook until thickened.- Season with salt & pepper to taste

Pour ingredients over fresh baked biscuits (Bisquick, or whatever kind you use!)
DELICIOUS!!!

Homeade Flour Tortillas

2007-07-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup baking powder

4 tablespoons salt

1/2 cup shortening or lard

1-2 cups boiling water

Directions:Mix flour, baking powder, salt and shortening in large mixing bowl. Add hot water a little bit at a time as it will be very hot. Keep mixing water until you get a dough that is a play dough like consistency. (You may need to add flour as you go along.) This is what it should look like at this point.

Next you will want to separate the dough mix into small patties.

Once you have made all of the patties (should be approx 12-18 depending on how big you would like the tortillas to be), roll them out with a rolling pin into circular shapes.

Once you have all of your patties rolled out, it's time to cook them. After you have done this a few times you'll be able to roll and cook at the same time. ;) Heat a hot plate or a non-stick cooking pan to med-high heat. You will know when to turn the tortilla over in the pan because little bubbles will form on the face up side. Once you see the bubbles flip the tortilla over and cook for another 30 sec- 1 min.

Cinnamon-Streusel Cider Muffins

2007-07-26T10:29:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon-Streusel Cider Muffins

A thick sprinkling of streusel tops a pan of these quick and easy muffins. Their mild apple flavoring is sure to please all -- especially when they're served fresh from the oven.

For Streusel:

1/3 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons cold butter
For Muffins:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
1/4 cup cooking oil

FOR STREUSEL:

Stir brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender. Set aside.

FOR MUFFINS:

Lightly oil twelve 2 1/2-inch muffin cups or line with paper baking cups; set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center.
In a small mixing bowl combine egg, apple cider, and oil; add all at once to flour mixture. Stir just till moistened. (The batter should be lumpy.)
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the batter into each prepared muffin cup. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the brown sugar mixture over each. Fill with remaining batter. Sprinkle tops of muffins with remaining streusel.Bake in a preheated 400° F oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove muffins from pans; cool slightly on racks.Makes 12 muffins

Chocolate Mint Frosty

2007-07-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

2 c. milk
ice cubes
1 c. frozen Cool Whip
1 sm. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
4 small York peppermint patties

Pour milk into large measuring cup. Add enough ice to measure 3 cups. Pour into blender. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and blend until smooth. Very tasty.

Love ya gals. Jen

Mexican Wedding Cookies

2007-07-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

- 1 Cup butter

- 1/2 Cup confectioners sugar

- 1 tsp vanilla

- 2 Cups Flour

- 1/4 tsp salt

Cream the butter and confectioners sugar. Add the vanilla and mix. Add 2 Cups flour with 1/4 tsp salt (salt optional if using salted butter). Mix together and chill 15 minutes. Make small balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes and the roll in powdered sugar while hot (not warm - this can be hard on the fingers but it is worth it!)

Southern Baked Beans

2007-07-19T14:56:00.000-07:00

1 large onion, diced

2 (16-ounce) cans pork and beans

3 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup light brown sugar

4 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 pound bacon strips, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a Dutch oven, mix onion, pork and beans, mustard, maple syrup, light brown sugar, ketchup, and lemon juice. Top with the bacon pieces. Bake, covered, for 45 to 60 minutes.

Crock Pot: Chicken Tortilla Soup

2007-07-17T10:33:00.000-07:00

Crock Pot Recipe

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
2 cans Cream or Celery soup
2 cans Cheddar Cheese Soup
2 15 oz. cans of chicken broth
1 cup salsa (whatever hotness you prefer)
1 15oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 or more cans green chilies
1 medium chopped onion
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
4 cloves fresh minced garlic
1 tsp. chili powder
salt & pepper to taste
4 cooked chicken breasts cut into small pieces
Simmer in crock pot on low for about 4 hours or on high for 2 or 3. The chicken is already cooked so you just need to get it piping hot and meld all the flavors together.
Serve in bowls. Top with cheese, sour cream, and crispy tortilla strips. (You can slice up a tortilla and fry the strips, or buy them @ the store)
***This makes an extremely large helping

so DEFINITELY half the recipe!!***

Chicken and Dumplings

2007-07-13T13:51:00.000-07:00

2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 onion, sliced or chopped, according to preference
1-2 carrots, sliced
1-2 ribs of celery, sliced
1/2 c. frozen peas
1 clove garlic, minced
2 T. butter
water &/or chicken broth to cover
salt and pepper to taste
Cajun seasoning (optional)

Dumplings:
2 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
3 T. margarine or butter
1 c. milk

Heat butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery and garlic and saute until soft. Add chicken pieces and saute until lightly browned. Add enough water to cover the mixture and about 2 inches more. The amount of liquid you use will determine how many servings you can get out of this dish. Season with salt, pepper, and cajun seasoning (such as Tony Chacere's). If you add more liquid, be sure you season it sufficiently. Add peas. Bring to a boil, cover, and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is done cooking and the liquid has become slightly opaque.While the soup cooks, mix the ingredients for the dumplings in a separate bowl. Combine flour and baking powder. Cut in the butter thoroughly, add milk and stir. When the liquid is ready, add the dumpling mixture by heaping tablespoons on to the top of the soup. Uncover and cook 10 more minutes.Serve a couple of ladlefuls of soup and 3-4 dumplings per person. I made this the other day and Alex LOVED it. Proof kids can love this kind of stuff!!!

Lemon Yogurt Cake

2007-07-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

This is the yummiest cake I have found yet! If you like lemon, you'll love this!

1 1/2 Flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain yogurt
1 1/3 cup sugar, divided
3 eggs
2 teaspoons lemon zest (2 lemons)
1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2-1 teaspoon lemon extract (optional: I add and love it!)

Preheat oven 350. Grease loaf pan. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt into one bowl. Another bowl whisk 1 cup sugar, yogurt, eggs, lemon zest, vanilla, and lemon extract, if using. Combine dry to wet. Then mix in oil. Pour into pan and bake about 50 mins., may need to cover with foil so top doesn't get too dark.In small pan add lemon juice and 1/3 cup sugar until sugar dissolves.Cool cake for 10 mins, then pour lemon sugar mix over cake and allow to soak in.Can put powdered sugar over top or glaze.Enjoy!

Have you ever gotten unintentionally drunk (or slap happy) by fondue?

2007-07-12T15:45:00.000-07:00

I have, so as a memoir to that, here you are:

Swiss Cheese Fondue

1 pound Swiss* cheese

2 cloves of Garlic

3 T. All-Purpose Flour

2 T. Butter

1 1/2 cups Milk

½ T. Lemon Juice

1/8 tsp. ground Nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to taste

*You can mix Swiss and Gruyere for a stronger taste. Some people prefer Cheddar.

Dippers – Italian or French Bread cut into about 1 ¼ to 1 ½ inch pieces is a must!

Apple slices, cut veggies, chicken or sausage.

Peel garlic and slice the cloves in half the long way so the most inner surface is showing. Rub a heavy saucepan with two halves of the garlic for flavoring. Rub the fondue pot with the other two garlic halves. Grate the cheese and mix with 1 T. of the flour.Melt the butter in saucepan over medium-low heat. Add rest of flour. Stir well till smooth. Add about ½ cup of milk and stir till smooth. Slowly add the rest of the milk, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens to about the consistency of light cream. Add a handful of cheese and keep stirring. Let the cheese melt and then add another handful and stir until it melts. Repeat the process until all the cheese is melted.Once all the cheese has been added and the mixture is smooth, you can stir in the nutmeg, salt and pepper. Finally, add the lemon juice. Stir well till the mixture is smooth once again.Light the sterno and add cheese mixture to the fondue pot. Eat immediately! Spear bread and dunk in fondue and enjoy. Scrape the bottom of the pot with whatever you’re dipping from time to time to keep it from burning.Bon Appétit!

Chocolate Fondue

8 oz Premium Chocolate (chopped)

1 cup Whipping Cream

Over low flame, heat Cream until warm (DO NOT BOIL)

Slowly add chocolate while stirring. Mixture will become smooth

To Dip: Strawberries, Banannas, Apple Slices, Pound Cake, Angel Food Cake, Pretzels, Pineapple Chunks, Marshmallows, Donuts

Toblerone Fondue

1/2 cup Heavy Cream

12 oz Toblerone

1 tablespoon Milk

Warm the cream in fondue pot on low heat. Break chocolate into small piecees add to the cream and stir until melted. Thin slightly with milk.

To Dip:Pound Cake, Angel Food Cake, Pears, Apples, Grapes

Chicken Salad

2007-07-11T11:42:00.000-07:00

Chicken Salad

1 Bag Frozen Chicken
1 Yellow Onions
2 TBSP Butter
1 Bunch Celery
2 Bunches Green Onions

Add to taste:
Mayo
Lemon Juice
Pepper
Salt
Dill Weed
red grapes (sliced)
slivered almonds

Boil chicken until done. Toss out the broth and onions. Cube chicken. Add remaining ingredients. Serve on lettuce and croissant rolls.

Little Tip -I usually half this recipe if I am just making it for my family, because it serves a ton if you use the whole bag of frozen chicken.It is also best to let it sit in the fridge for a few hours or even over night.

Funeral Potatoes

2007-07-11T11:35:00.000-07:00

Funeral Potatoes

(my boys could eat these every day!!!)

INGREDIENTS:
6-8 medium pre-cooked potatoes (or a 2-lb pkg of frozen hash browns)
1/4 cup diced onion
1 can (10 ¾ oz.) cream of chicken soup (or cream of celery)
1/2 soup can milk
1 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup crumbs*
3** tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated

PREPARATION:
Heat oven to 350 deg.
Thaw frozen potatoes or cook fresh potatoes and cut into cubes (skin on or peeled to taste).
Place potatoes in a greased 2-3 quart casserole dish or a 9x13 cake pan.
Saute onion in 1T of the butter and spread over potatoes.
Combine soup, milk, sour cream and salt and pepper to taste. For a creamier dish, add 2-3 tablespoons additional milk. Mix well. Spread sauce over potato/onion mixture.
Melt butter and combine with crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over mixture.
Sprinkle cheese over mixture.

Bake uncovered at 325 deg F for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly throughout.

This recipe serves approximately 8, and is often served with ham and green beans.

*Many things can be used for crumbs, such as corn flakes or Chex cereal, bread crumbs, French's fried onions, or potato chips)

**If using the French's fried onions, there is no need to saute them in butter, so you need only 1T of butter for the onions.

Scones

2007-07-10T10:09:00.000-07:00

Fruit Filled Scones:

4 cups flour
4 cups cake flour
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 lb. cold butter

Choice of fruits:
2 cups blueberries + zest of 2 lemons
2 cups blackberries + zest of 2 lemons
2 cups chopped strawberries + zest of 2 oranges
1/2 - 1 quart half & half (depending how juicy the fruits are that you're using)

In a bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut the butter into small pieces and then cut into the flour mixture with a pastry cutter. Add the fruits. Stir in enough half & half to just make a moist dough. It should be moistened, but not sticky. With an ice cream scoop, scoop out dough 2" apart on parchment lined baking pans. Bake in 375 degree oven for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Top with glaze.

Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk or half & half
a bit of vanilla & almond extract

Combine until the consistency of heavy cream. Drizzle over scones while hot.

These are literally the BEST things in the world! They're not for the calorie conscious, with a POUND of butter and a quart of half &half....but they are worth every single teensy tiny calorie. This recipe makes about 2 dozen scones. And the good news is, you can make the dry mix with butter cut in, separate it into freezer bags in batches, and then add the fruit and Half & Half as needed when ready to bake. You can make as little or as many as you want!
**They are best eaten fresh from the oven.**
We've also made cinnamon scones using this recipe instead of the fruit. Mix together 4T. melted butter mixed with 2 tsp. cinnamon, 2 T. sugar, and 3/4 cup brown sugar...and add this AFTER you add the liquid. *Enjoy*

Broccoli Salad

2007-07-05T17:46:00.000-07:00

This super simple salad is super yummy!

Broccoli florets
Craisins
Sunflower Seeds
Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
Add all ingredients to your liking, then eat it all up in your tummy!

Apricot Chicken

2007-06-20T14:23:00.000-07:00

8 Chicken Breasts
1 8 oz. Bottle Russian Dressing
1 Package Dry Onion Soup Mix
1 cup Apricot Jam

Place chicken in a greased 9x13 pan.

Mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Pink Lemonade Pie

2007-06-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

1 quart (4 cups) vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2-12 oz. can pink lemonade concentrate, thawed
1 4-oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 pre-made graham cracker crust

In a large mixing bowl, combine ice cream, lemonade, and whipped topping. Spread in the graham cracker crust. Freeze until firm (about 4 hours, depending on your freezer).

Optional garnish:
Piped whipped cream
Lemon or lime peel
Fresh raspberries
Fresh strawberries

Mom Lin's Scratch Brownies

2007-06-19T13:48:00.000-07:00

1 1/2 cup butter
8 tbsp coco powder
3 cups sugar
2 cups flour
6 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp vanilla
(dash of cinnamon)

Melt the butter and mix coco into until well mixed. Pour into bowl. Add sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt and mix well. Then add two cups of flour and mix well. Prep baking sheet (large sheet for Texas sheet cake size) and add mix. Bake at 350 for 22 min or so. Check middle with toothpick to ensure finished. DO NOT over bake!

Brownie Frosting

1/2 cup butter
3 tbsp coco (the more, the better)
1 box powdered sugar
1 tbsp milk

Melt butter and mix coco into until well mixed. Pour into bowl. Add powdered sugar slowly, and milk. Add more powdered sugar if too runny. After brownies have cooled, frost and enjoy!

(To keep frosting fresh, put SLIGHTLY damp paper towel on top of frosted brownies after frosting has dried)

can't get enough of these

2007-06-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

HOMEMADE OREO COOKIES

1 devil's food cake mix1/2 c. shortening2 eggs
Mix the above ingredients together. Roll the dough into dime-sized balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Cool cookies.

FROSTING: 8 oz. cream cheese1/2 square butter2 tsp. vanilla2 to 4 c. powdered sugar
Mix all of frosting ingredients until smooth. Frost BACKS of cookies and place together to make sandwich cookie.

and I just found this: It sounds soo good and I am not even a zookaninny fan!

MOM'S BEST ZUCCHINI FRITTERS

5 tbsp. Bisquick1/2 c. Parmesan cheese1/2 tsp. salt1/8 tsp. pepper2 eggs2 tbsp. butter2 c. zucchini
Blend the Bisquick, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; add the eggs. Grate the zucchini and to the above mixture, making a batter.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat and pour batter into pan/griddle in to pan cakes. Fry 3 minutes on each side. Serve while warm. They are a delicious new way of serving a vegetable. Makes 8-10 fritters.

Homeade Hot Chocolate

2007-06-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

8 oz. powdered milk
16 oz. creamer
16 oz. Nestle Quik
1/2 C powdered sugar
1 C sugar
1 t cinnamon

Mix together and store in an airtight container.

Mix 1/3 C with 2/3 cup hot milk or water (milk is better!).

Love ya!

Jen

this is delish!

2007-06-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

ORANGE JULIUS

6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8-9 ice cubes
Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in blender.
Blend for about 1-2 minutes, adding ice cubes one at a time.

Yum Yum Yum!

Better than 'Intimite Moments shared Beetween Husband and Wife' Cake

2007-06-08T08:54:00.000-07:00

1 German chocolate or other chocolate cake, baked, 13x9x2-inch
3/4 cup fudge topping
3/4 cup caramel or butterscotch topping
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
6 chocolate covered toffee bars
1 tub of whipped topping or 1 envelope Dream Whip, prepared with milk

Do not remove cake from pan. After the cake has cooled, make holes in the entire top of the cake using a large fork or the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour (one at a time) fudge, butterscotch, and condensed milk over the top of the cake and let each flavor soak in before adding the next.

Crush 3 of the candy bars and sprinkle on the top. Frost the cake with the whipped topping and crush the 3 remaining toffee bars to decorate the top. Try to keep your hands off of this great cake before serving!

Serves About 12

Fruit Dip

2007-06-06T11:41:00.000-07:00

8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temp
1 jar marshmallow fluff
Juice from 1 orange

Blend it all together - it is the BEST fruit dip out there.
You can substitute lime juice for the orange - which gives it a nice tangy taste!

Puppy Chow

2007-06-06T11:28:00.000-07:00

Puppy Chow

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup peanut butter
6 cups Corn Chex cereal
1 cup powdered sugar

In microwave safe bowl melt chocolate and peanut butter. Stir in chex cereal until coated completely. Place powdered sugar in gallon zip-lock bag. Add chocolate chex mixture to bag and close. Shake the bag until all cereal is coated with powdered sugar. Enjoy! Jen

i dont know how to do this

2007-06-05T19:56:00.000-07:00

hi guys.. thanks for inviting me again.. i just dont know how to navigate any of this. very confusing for me. sorry. i tried to get on then i just see 2 posts or something like that. and i dont know what to do or where to go. thanks for thinking of me tho.
-susan