from the kitchen

Fried Bread and AmAzInG Honey Butter!

2011-07-17T15:17:00.003-06:00

ok ... it's been a LONG while since we've posted {me too} ... I guess I've been in a cooking rut and just do the same things over and over! I'm trying hard to break that so I will try to get some posts up soon of some of the new things I'm trying out in the kitchen :) Sharon ... Thanks for jumpstarting this blog!! You are amazing!

so the other night we decided we needed a little bedtime snack and there is nothing better then fried bread and honey butter! so I called Momma Cindy and between Sis, Nin and her I got this yummy recipe! ENJOY!!

2 Tbsps sugar
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp yeast
2 Tbsp oil

mix this together in a big metal bowl {I just used my kitchenaid and left it in the bowl to rise}

then add: 1 1/2 cups of warm water and mix it until it dissolves.
then add: 3 1/2 cups of flour {can add a little more if it's really sticky}

let this rise with greased plastic wrap or a hot dish towel over the top. once it's raised up {usually an hour} break pieces off, flatten and cook in hot oil on the stove top.

NOW for the topping! I found this recipe on Our Best Bites and I made half of what they called for and it was the perfect amount!

1 cube butter
3/8 cup honey {just over 5 Tbsps}
1/2 cup powdered sugar {just under 1/2 cup}

whip this together until smooth and it is perfection!

Lemon Strawberry Jar Cakes

2011-07-11T19:24:00.004-06:00

Get posting ladies! I want to see your latest!

Lemon Strawberry Jar Cakes

Cake Ingredients

1 box lemon cake mix

1 small lemon jello instant pudding mix

4 large egg whites

1 cup sour cream

1/2 milk

1/3 cup oil

Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups confectioners sugar

2 tbls Milk

Berry Filling Ingredients

Thick strawberry (or raspberry) Jam

Candied Lemons Ingredients**

(totally not necessary)

2 lemons thinly sliced

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

If you are going for the gold and making the candied lemons, they need to be made a day or two in advance (I had no idea). Boil sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat. Place slices in pan and simmer for 5-7 mins. Place lemons on cooling wrack and cool until hard. )A really long time.)

To the cake:

Preheat oven to temp indicated on your box cake. Mix cake ingredients for 2 mins. on medium setting. Fill sprayed and floured mason jars half way with batter. Place jars in a 9X14 pan that is filled with a 1/4in of water. Place in oven and cook for 30-45 mins (depends how large your jars are, the small ones I did took 30mins, the 1/2 pint jars took 35. Insert fork and just test every 5 mins to see when done.)

While cake is cooking make your frosting. Cream butter and shortening together then add sugar,vanilla and milk. You might need to add more sugar or milk to thicken or thin. Place in fridge while waiting for cake to cool.

Once your cakes are done place jars on a cooling wrack and wait until they are 100% cooled. If you decide that just spooning jam and frosting on top isn't "cool" enough or rather the cake to frosting ratio just won't cut it, then you can be ambitious and layer. Knock the cake out of the jars. You'll have to rewash the jars as they are all crumby and not nice looking. Cut cakes into 4ths, place one layer into jar, spoon in a dollop of jam then frosting, place next cake slice and repeat with dollops and layers. Top with frosting and lemon slice.

Walahh.

Sometimes I get a little too ambitious, this was one of those times.

You got the "easy" recipe, keep it that way. Here are the Do's and Don'ts I learned on the first go around of these delicious cakes.

DO stick to a recipe.

DON'T think that because you don't stick to recipes while cooking you can do the same thing while baking. Baking and cooking are totally different.

DO use milk when the recipe calls for milk.

*DON'T use whipping cream in place of milk thinking that it is "heavier" and "yummier" and therefore will make the cake taste better.

DO use jam for your berry filling.

DON'T try to make your own berry filling, especially DON'T use cornstarch and gelatin to thicken your mashed up strawberries.

DO start with a small amount of milk *not whipping cream* when mixing your frosting, add more later if you need to thin.

DON'T dump in a large amount of milk all at once and then have to use an entire bag of powdered sugar to thicken resulting in a week of frosting sitting in your fridge and you eating a spoon full every time you enter the kitchen.

In the end, this CAN be super easy, make it that way.

Did you see my ridiculous Jello floating around on pinterest? Try it our next year, it gets every talking about how cool you are : )

Pineapple Mango Salsa Pork

2011-06-28T12:55:00.004-06:00

Hello all! I'm Sharon Johnson. Jennie B. is a fabulous friend of mine and asked if I would contribute to this great cooking blog. You can find out WAY more than you probably want to know about me by checking out my blog HERE. Thank you so much for having me!

Now that I am home to actually cook I've been doing a lot of playing around in the kitchen. Sometime this "playing" ends in absolute disaster and we all end up at Wendy's for dinner but typically I am pleasantly surprised with the results of my little concoctions and we all end up well fed and happy. I'm glad Kerry is a sport and eats what is on his plate, regardless of how it looks.

My concoctions start out usually on the internet and with my nose in our cupboards and recipe books. I get a good idea of what we have for ingredients and then search to see what sort of dishes sound good. When reading different recipes I just pull general ideas of what goes well together, how to cook and so forth then I head to the kitchen and don't look back. I hardly ever measure (this applies to cooking NOT baking, baking I measure) and throw in everything "to taste" (there is a lot of double dipping going on when I cook....eash.)

I have found that cooking this way I have learned much faster than when I used to cook straight from a cook book or recipe. I have found out quickly what spices go well together and which ones don't as well as what cooking techniques are really necessary and which ones can be bypassed. For me, I am a visual and "experience" learner, by doing it myself, messing up myself, I learn much quicker than just by reading and doing (unfortunately this learning technique was much of my problem in my teenage years. )Try it out, I dare you. My recipes will make you try as, like I said, I'm not much of a measurer.

Pineapple Mango Pork Salsa

2 Thick Pork Chops

1/4 Pineapple

1 Mango

Brown Sugar

Garlic Salt

Pepper

Sea Salt

Sprinkle pepper and Sea salt on both sides of your Pork Chops. Brown on both sides in a skillet on the stove. After browning (seriously it's like 30secs on each side) I place the entire skillet in the oven at 425 degrees for 15-25 mins. Cooking time totally depends on how thick your Pork is. Because I have a freakish phobia of eating uncooked meat, I always cut open and make sure it is totally done. It always is, but I still check.

While that is cooking I work on my salsa. Coarsely chop your mango and pineapple and throw into a metal bowl (it doesn't have to be metal but for whatever reason I really do find it helps it marinate with the sugar a bit better.) Add a TBL or 2 of brown sugar, a dash of garlic salt, and a little pepper. Season to taste. Mix. Let sit until Pork is done.

Take pork out of oven, place on plates and spoon salsa over pork.

That is it! Easy Peasy. You could throw the salsa in a pan and heat if you would like or even add the salsa to the pork in the oven right at the end of it's baking time but for me, it is just as good cold and then you have one less dish to do.

Let me know if you try this Pork out, and what you did do, what you didn't do and what you thought with the finale. It's a good one, and super hard to screw up, if not impossible.

Creamy Veggie Pasta

2011-02-17T11:29:00.002-07:00

A friend that went to an upscale culinary school taught me to make this and it's amazing, and fast.

1 zucchini, 1 yellow squash, and several mushrooms, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
2-3 Tbls butter
garlic, minced (she used a ton, I used 2 tsp of pre-minced garlic)
1 1/2 c. Spaghetti sauce
1/4 c. heavy cream
Noodles, 1 lb. (or around 4-5 servings)
Salt
Oregano (she used fresh...I used Italian Seasoning)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, to taste

Bring water to boil and add pasta. Cook to al-dente.
In large skillet heat butter and saute onion over med. heat. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add chopped vegetables and cook another 5-7 minutes. Stir in seasonings. Add tomato sauce and stir until bubbly then add cream while stirring.
Add drained pasta and top with parmesan cheese.

the yummiest carmel corn ever!

2010-09-22T19:39:00.003-06:00

1 square of butter

1 lb. of brown sugar {about 2 1/2 - 2 3/4 cups}

1 cup of karo syrup

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

Several bags of butter popcorn already popped {I usually just pop up 3 bags of microwave popcorn but you can stove pop some too}

Directions:

Bring butter, brown sugar, and karo syrup to a boil, then add sweetened condensed milk. Keeping stirring and cook this mixture to a soft ball stage. Then pour over popped butter popcorn. I just kept adding popcorn until I thought it looked like there was enough.

ENJOY!! :)

Nielsen's Breadmaker Wheat Bread

2010-01-30T16:30:00.003-07:00

This is really easy, and REALLY good!

4 1/2 c. hot water
5 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
2 T. Instant yeast
1 c. oil
1 c. sugar
7 1/2 c. white flour
1 T. salt

combine hot water, wheat flour, and yeast in a bosch mixer; knead for 5 min. Cover and let it sit for 15 min. Add oil, sugar and part of white flour. start kneading and add salt and remaining flour. knead on low until blended, then high for 5 min.
Knead on counter top and cut into 1 lb. loaves. Let rise
Bake 350 for anywhere from 20-35 min. (depending on oven and loaf size)
Makes 5 loaves

Easy Sausage Alfredo

2010-01-27T18:47:00.003-07:00

1 package jimmy dean italian flavored ground sausage
1 small red pepper chopped
1/2 large onion chopped

cook in large frying pan covered, check and stir often until sausage is cooked through, drain.

1 bottle ragu garlic alfredo sauce
black pepper (optional)

I used this on 1/2 lb. wheat penne pasta, but you could use any kind you want.

7 layer dip! {actually 6} ;)

2009-09-09T13:02:00.003-06:00

this is the best 7-layer dip ever! i got the recipe from april, who has perfected it :) there's really only 6 layers and so i count the chips as the 7th ingredient! so this is as easy as it gets! get a 9x13 inch dish and start layering ...

1- 1 {16 oz} can vegetarian refried beans

2- fresh guacamole about {16 oz} you can buy pretty fresh guacamole at the store too!

3- 1 {12 oz} sour cream and mix taco seasoning, to taste

4- 1 {16 oz} salsa ... not too chuncky, again fresh is best!

5- 2 cups shredded cheese, i used the mexican mix but any cheese is good

6- 2 {2.25 oz} cans of sliced olives, drained

7- ... add some tortilla chips!

simple and great!!

Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies :)

2009-08-03T20:28:00.003-06:00

i got this recipe off my friend {ashley's} blog a while ago and they are sooooo yummy!!

ingredients:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar, for rolling dough
36 mini peanut butter cups, chilled and unwrapped

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees. using an electric mixer, cream peanut butter and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth. add brown sugar; beat until combined, scraping down bowl as needed. add eggs and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. in a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. with mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture in two batches. scoop off dough by the tablespoon; roll into balls. place granulated sugar on a plate; roll balls in sugar, coating completely. place 2 inches apart on a nonstick insulated baking sheet. bake until cookies begin to puff up slightly, about 7 minutes. remove from oven. press one peanut butter cup in center of each cookie. return to oven; continue baking until cookies are golden brown and chocolate has begun to melt, about 6 minutes more. let cool at least 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring cookies to rack to cool completely. makes around 36 cookies.

Poppyseed Salad

2009-05-25T22:17:00.003-06:00

This is one of the easiest, quickest, bestest salads ever! Truly it is:)
All you need is:

1 Bag of Green Salad
1 Bag of Cole Slaw {I know cole slaw is not my favorite but it really tastes great!}
Small Can of Honey Roasted Peanuts {you only use about half of it}
1 Bag of Craisins {which you don't also use all of either}
1 Jar of Poppyseed Dressing {don't use the light version - it's nasty!}

Just mix the salads together in large mixing bowl, sprinkle on the peanuts & craisins, and mix some more. Then add about 1/3 of the dressing, mix, sprinkle on more peanuts & craisins as desired, mix, add more dressing as needed/desired, and mix some more. Put in your serving bowl, sprinkle on a few more peanuts & craisins to make the top look fresh & good but don't mix, then serve!

{Side Note: Because the dressing is added in salad, you do not want to make long before you serve. It really only takes about 5 minutes from start to finish, so make sure you throw it together close to serving time. Otherwise it will get soggy and the dressing will pool at bottom.}

Strawberry Danish Dessert

2009-05-25T13:55:00.004-06:00

*Bottom layer!
White Cake mix: Cook as directed but make 6 cupcakes out of the batter and then cook the rest in a 9x13 pan. Cool.

*2nd layer!
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened 12 oz Cool Whip
2 cups powdered sugar

Mix together and spread on cake and refrigerate.

*Top layer!
Cook 1 pkg Strawberry Danish Dessert. Completely cool and add 1 ½ cups fresh sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese mix.

Cut and Serve! It's the best and great for the Red, White and Blue holidays coming up :)

{April's} Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

2009-04-23T11:31:00.004-06:00

These are the {perfect} chocolate chip cookies! They are nice and fluffy and soooo good!

{cream together}

2/3 cup shortening

2/3 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

{then add}

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 1/2 cups flour

1 bag of semi-sweet or milk choc. chips

bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes :)

Peanut Butter Finger {goodness}

2009-04-23T10:38:00.003-06:00

These are soooo heavenly! We made lots of cookies this past weekend for Jesse's open house :) I got this recipe from my friend Rachel and it's awesome!!

Bars

1 cup butter

½ tsp salt
1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla
1 cup brown sugar

2 cups flour
2 eggs

2 cups quick oats
1 cup peanut butter

1 tsp soda

Peanut butter frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
½ cup peanut butter
6-8 TB Milk

Chocolate frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
¼ cup softened butter
5-8 TB milk

Blend butter, sugar, brown sugar. Blend in unbeaten eggs, peanut butter, soda, salt and vanilla. Stir in flour and oats. Spread onto greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. While still hot spread peanut butter frosting evenly. Let cool and then spread chocolate frosting over top. Let set, cut into squares. Enjoy!!! {thanks Rach!}

Chocolate Scotcheroos

2009-04-22T20:12:00.006-06:00

1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
6 cups rice crispies

1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips

Combine sugar and syrup in a saucepan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently until mixture boils. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, mix well, add rice crispies, stir until well blended. Press mixture into buttered 13 x 9 pan.

Melt chips together. Spread evenly over bars. Cool until firm.

Melt-a-ways

2009-04-17T09:03:00.004-06:00

2 Squares butter
3/4 Cup cornstarch
1/3 Cup powdered sugar
1 Cup flour

Cream butter till fluffy, then add rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Put dough in a cake decorating bag, and squeeze onto wax paper - so it looks like a long worm.
Cover, put in fridge and chill for 1 hour. Slice into size you want. You can make them very small to be bite-sized. Bake at 350 for 8 - 10 min. Let cool, put a drop of icing on top.

Frosting:
3 oz. cream cheese
1 Cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Another variation: One day my friend brought me some melt-a-ways from a bakery in Bountiful. They were regular cookie-sized. So, the last time I made this recipe, I chilled the dough for one hour, then used my ice-cream/cookie scoop and dropped them onto the cookie sheet in a regular cookie form. They were yummy that way too!

Whoopie Pies

2009-04-09T15:28:00.001-06:00

Whoopie Pies

I remember my Aunt Sheridan making these when I was little, and they are so good!!

cookie
1 cup sugar
1/2 cups of butter
1 egg
1 yolk
2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 hot water
2/3 cup buttermilk

bake at 350 for 8 minutes

frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter

This is my friend Patti's recipe.

2009-01-06T12:48:00.001-07:00

Tuna Casserole

16 oz. of your favorite noodles; cooked
1 can cream of celery soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 or 2 cans of mushrooms - drain
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2-3 cans Tuna (albacore in water)
1/2 tsp. dill weed
Salt and Pepper
1 clove of garlic
1/4 tsp. curry powder

Top with grated cheese, bread crumbs, crushed potato chips
or whatever suits your fancy. Bake at 350 for about 1/2 hour.

Fudge!

2008-12-20T12:32:00.003-07:00

This is again my cute Grandma's recipe! It is {soooo} good! Actually, it's pretty easy too!

4 ½ C. Sugar
1 Can evaporated Milk

Bring these two ingredients to a boil. Boil for 8 min. stirring constantly. Then pour hot mixture over the following ingredients that you have ready to go in a large bowl:

2 ½ C. Nuts
½ lb. butter
1 pkg semi-sweet choc chips
1 pkg milk choc chips
1 8 oz jar marshmallow crème
Pinch salt

Stir until smooth. Pour into a buttered 9x13” pan. Cool and enjoy!

Cheese Ball {goodness}!

2008-12-20T12:23:00.004-07:00

I got this from Paige actually but it is the {best} cheese ball and has such good flavor! I love it with [wheat thins] or [chiken in a biskit] or [thin crisp triscuits].

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch buttermilk
½ cup mayo
½ cup milk
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredder cheddar cheese
[mix together, I usually add it all in my kitchenaid cuz it mixes smoother]

1 package Sliced almonds [mix 3/4 bag in the mixture and save some to on the saran wrap so when you put the mixture on top of it, it has pretty almonds on top!]

Mold into ball or 2 balls … cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for a few hours.

Fondant

2008-12-20T12:21:00.002-07:00

This is one of my {favorite} treats for Christmas that my Grandma Dunford makes!

1 pkg. Powdered sugar (the largest)
2 cube butter - softened
1 Can eagle brand milk
1 tsp vanilla

Stir together. Add peppermint flavoring to taste. Stir with spoon till creamy. Drop onto wax paper. Freeze - take out and dip into chocolate.

Pumpkin Stuff Just Tastes Good this time of Year! Try these Frosted Pumpkin Bars

2008-11-18T20:24:00.004-07:00

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cup sugar
2 tspns baking powder
2 tspns ground cinnamon
1 tspn baking soda
1/2 tspn ginger
1 can (15 oz) pure pumpkin (not the pie mix)
3/4cup butter
3 eggs
3/4 chopped dried cranberries (I use chocolate chips instead)

Mix in a large bowl ~wet ingredients first then add the dry~
Bake @ 350 for 25 minutes in a sheet cake pan
Cool completely before frosting

Frosting:
Whip 1 cube softened butter
abt 1/8 cup milk (m/l depending on desired consistency)
2 cups pwdrd sugar (m/l depending on desired consistency)
1 tspn vanilla

Very Delicious Applesauce Cake

2008-11-18T20:14:00.002-07:00

Arlo used to make this for the kids in the morning before school. This isn't his recipe but is very GOOD!

Whip 2 cups applesauce, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 cup brown sugar and 1 egg until fluffy.

Add in 2 cups flour, 1 tspn salt, 1 tspn cinnamon, 1/2 tspn nutmeg, 1/4 tspn cloves, 2 tspns baking soda and 1 cup chopped nuts if desired.

Mix thouroughly

Spread into 9 x 13 pan and bake @ 350 for 50 minutes

When you pull out of the oven sprinkle pwdrd sugar over the top.

Jess' Pasta Salad

2008-11-18T12:03:00.003-07:00

1 lb. cooked pasta
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/2 c. cooked peas
1 c. cooked corn
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1 Tblsp. parsley
1 Tblsp. Basil
3 Diced green onions (if wanted)
1 c. Zesty Italian Dressing
Add a little Apple Cider Vinegar

Cook pasta, then cool. Add all other ingredients in order of appearance. Cool til ready to serve. If you are going to make a while before serving, add the dressing just before serving.

If anyone tries this, let me know what you think cause I made it up from a few recipes I've seen and whatever I had in my kitchen! :) I hope you like it!

Cheesy Drop Biscuits! (red lobster style)

2008-11-04T14:08:00.002-07:00

These are soooo yummy! This is one of the best parts to eating at Red Lobster! These are really easy and go good with anything!

2 c. flour
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 c. butter
1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese
1 1/4 c. milk
Chives (optional)

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

Cheesy Potato Soup

2008-10-22T22:30:00.003-06:00

This is my most favorite soup! Add some french bread or rolls and your set! It's perfect with all these cold days we've been having! I usually double it or 1 1/2 it so we have leftovers! It's soooo yummy!

4 Cups Chicken Broth
2-3 medium potatoes, diced
1 Cup onions, chopped
2 large carrots, grated

Parboil that for 45 minutes in an open kettle.

White Sauce:
6 Tbsp. Butter
6 Tbsp. Flour
3-4 Cups Milk

Add white sauce to the veggie broth and add 3 Cups Monterey Jack or Colby Jack Cheese shredded at the very last. Let it all settle in together for at least 20 minutes.

Note: You might want to make it in a big stock pot so when you add your white sauce and cheese you have enough room :)

Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Stew

2008-10-02T19:48:00.003-06:00

This is my first post to the kitchen, yeahhh! I made this today, and it is very yummy - just throw it all in the slow cooker and its ready in 8 hours. It is from WW so very low fat and calories.
This is also known as Tzimmes, a classic Jewish recipe.

2 Cups chopped onions
3 pound lean beef chuck shoulder, or brisket, or pot roast boneless, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 large garlic cloves (I used 5-we like garlic)
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
1/2 pound baby carrots, cut in half if large
8 small uncooked new (i used small baby red) potatoes cut in half
16 prunes or dried apricots
4 TBS fresh lemon juice, divided (from 2 small lemons)
5 tsp honey, divided
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup beef broth or beef stock

Place onion, beef, garlic, sweet potatoes, carrots, new potatoes, prunes, 2 TBSP of lemon juice and 1 TBSP of honey in a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon and broth: stir well.

Cook on low setting for 7 to 8 hours. About 5 minutes before serving, stir in 2 tsp honey and 2 TBSP lemon juice, cover and cook on low for 5 minutes.

For a thicker gravy, spoon 1 TBSP of flour into a cup and stir in 1/4 cup of the liquid from stew until it is lump free. Add the flour mixture to the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for 10 minutes.

8 serving

Zucchini Bread = yum!

2008-09-25T14:04:00.002-06:00

Zucchini Bread
+1 cup sugar
+1 cup brown sugar
+3 eggs, beaten
+1 cup oil
+2 cups zucchini, grated
+3 tablespoons vanilla
+1 teaspoons baking soda
+1 teaspoon baking powder
+1 teaspoon cinnamon
+3 cups flour
*optional - 1/2 cup chopped nuts or milk chocolate chips

Combine the sugars, oil and eggs. Beat well. Add the zucchini (I squeeze mine a bit to get some of the juice out) and the vanilla. sift the dry ingredients and stir into the creamed mixture.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes ... check with a toothpick before taking out of the oven.

makes: 2 large or 3 smaller loaves.

Cheesy Potato Spoon Bread

2008-09-18T17:39:00.009-06:00

ingredients:
-4 cups mashed potatoes (leftovers and even instant work great)
-1 cup boining water
-1 cup flour
-3 Tablespoons butter
-1/2 teaspoon onion powder (garlic is fine too)
salt
-1/2 teaspoon white pepper (black works too, they don't taste that much different)
-1/2 teaspoon cayenne
-4 beaten eggs
Filling
-1/4 cup minced parsley (I use about 2 Tbsp. dry)
-10 ounces cream cheese
-6 ounces (3/4 cup) pepper jack cheese (any cheese is yummy)
Preheat oven 425 degrees
In a large bowl mix flour, butter, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Pour boing water over mixture for 1 minute. Add potatoes. Beat again. Add eggs. In seperate bowl, mix ingredients for the filling. Pour half of the potato mixture into a casserole dish (about 2 quart size or larger, I use a pyrex 2 quart covered baking dish but i don't use the lid, with this size I couldn't quite fit all the potato mixture in.) Make a well in the center and spoon in the cream cheese mixture. Pour the remaining potato mixture on top.
Bake for 1 hour
NOTE: Don't be fooled by the name Potato Spoon Bread its more like yummy mashed potatoes than bread.

Easy Taco Meat

2008-09-18T17:39:00.008-06:00

Sorry my last recipe wasn't Quick and Easy!
I've been trying to do a lot of things in the crockpot lately and I've been looking for some good ideas for sauces to cook chicken in. Lately I have just been putting chicken in the crockpot and covering it with salsa - it cooks pretty fast so I just keep checking it - and then I shred it up and use it with mexican dishes. This last time I just did burritos but Ken and I like to put in quesadillas with beans and cheese and bake it in the oven so its golden and toasty, then we top it with lettuce, tomato and sour cream!

Spooky Eyeball Tacos

2008-09-11T17:49:00.003-06:00

K we are getting in the 'fall' mode and definately have some Halloween on the mind ... Bay talks about dressing up as Dorothy EVERY day! So I found this really cute, quick and easy recipe on Kraft foods and thought I'd share :)

1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix
12 Taco Shells
3/4 cup Thick 'N Chunky Salsa
3/4 cup Sour Cream
1 can (2-1/4 oz.) sliced pitted ripe olives

MIX meat and seasoning mix. Shape into 36 (1-inch) balls; place in 15x10x1-inch baking pan.

BAKE at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Fill each taco shell with 1 meatball; drizzle with salsa. Top with 2 meatballs dipped in sour cream. Garnish with olives to make "eyeballs."

Fruit Salsa

2008-09-11T14:28:00.005-06:00

This is just kind of a light snack, and Way yummy!

2 granny smith apples
2 kiwis
10 strawberries
tortillas
1 c cinnamon/sugar mixture
olive oil

Salsa: Finely chop the apples, kiwis, and strawberries (a 'quick chop' or something along those lines works perfect) so that the consistency when mixed together resembles salsa. Add a little sugar if it's too tangy.
Chips: Brush the tortillas with olive oil on both sides and cut into chip-size pieces. Put the pieces into a larger tupperware container with the cinnamon/sugar mixture and coat the chips. Put on a tray and bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

Egg/Biscuit Bake

2008-09-09T09:43:00.004-06:00

So this is a really easy breakfast or brunch idea, and it's delicious!
I don't have exact measurements, but it doesn't really matter with this recipe. Probably the more cheese you put in the tastier it will be.

9 x 13 pan
Shredded cheese
Eggs
Pillsbury biscuits (the refrigerated kind in the tube)
half n half or milk

Lay out the uncooked biscuits in the pan after spraying it with pam, probably 4 length wise and 3 width ( so there will be 12). Then mix the half n half and eggs (anywhere from 8 to 12 will be good) and shredded cheese and pour it over the biscuits.
Bake @ 350 for about 30 minutes.
Also, you can add whatever you'd like, such as small pieces of bacon to add flavor.
You may want to add salt as well!
Enjoy!

Oriental Chicken Tin Foil Dinners

2008-08-10T12:41:00.003-06:00

This tastes really good over rice. This recipe is for only one serving.

-1 boneless skinless CHICKEN breast, cut in strips
-1 cup frozen veggies (I like to use stir fry vegetables)

sauce:

-4 teaspoons soy sauce
-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
-dash of garlic salt
-sprinkle cayenne pepper (optional)

Spray heavy duty foil with cooking spray, place chicken and vegetables shiny side in , drizzle sauce on top and wrap up well, leaving enough room for food to cook.
450 F 15-20

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Ribbon Dessert

2008-08-07T08:20:00.003-06:00

Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 4 hr 15 min Makes: 12 servings

12 NUTTER BUTTER Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies, divided
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tub (12 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

CRUSH 8 of the cookies in resealable plastic bag with rolling pin. Mix cookie crumbs and butter. Press onto bottom of foil-lined 9x5-inch loaf pan.

MIX cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 3 cups of the whipped topping. Spoon 1/2 cup of the cream cheese mixture into small bowl. Stir in melted chocolate until well blended; set aside. Spoon half of the remaining cream cheese mixture over crust. Top evenly with chocolate mixture; cover with remaining cream cheese mixture.

FREEZE 4 hours or overnight until firm. Invert onto plate. Remove foil, then re-invert onto serving platter so that crumb layer is on bottom. Coarsely break the remaining 4 cookies. Top dessert with remaining whipping topping and cookies.

Crash Hot Potatoes ..... I got this recipe off The Pioneer Woman and made them last night. They ARE as good as they look!!!

2008-08-05T21:19:00.004-06:00

New Potatoes (or other small, round potato), Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Black Pepper, and whatever herb you like. I used parsley
Begin by bringing a pot of salted water to a boil.
Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make, and cook them until they’re fork-tender. I put mine in a steamer.
Next, generously drizzle olive oil on a sheet pan.
This will mean the difference between the potatoes sticking and not sticking, so don’t be shy here
When the potatoes are tender, place them on the cookie sheet……Giving them plenty of room to spread out.
Next, grab your potato masher and gently press down on the potato until it slightly mashes…
Then rotate the masher 90 degrees and finish flattening it. Of course, you don’t want to absolutely smash it into the pan—you want it almost to resemble a cookie.

Next, brush the tops rather generously with olive oil.
Next, grab some Kosher salt. I used sea salt. And be generous with fresh ground black pepper
Now, you can grab some chives…or thyme…or whatever herbs you have available and sprinkle over the top
Now throw them onto the top rack of a very hot (450-degree) oven, and cook them for 20-25 minutes…Or until they’re golden and crispy and sizzling.

Chicken Bake

2008-07-24T10:37:00.004-06:00

This isn't really a BBQ recipe, but I was searching through my Mother-in-Law's cookbooks and found one that is called "5 Ingredients or Less" and thought I'd check it out. I made this recipe and it was super yummy and easy.

1 package Stove Top stuffing mix
1 2/3 c water
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 can condensed cream of mushroom (or chicken) soup
1/3 c sour cream or milk

Toss contents of stuffing seasoning packet and stuffing mix with water; set aside. Place chicken breasts in a 9x13" baking dish or 2 qt casserole. Mix soup with sour cream or milk; pour over chicken. Spoon stuffing evenly over top. Bake at 375 for 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

Easy Ranch Chicken

2008-07-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

1 (4 oz) envelope ranch dressing mix
3/4 cup corn flakes, crushed
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
6 boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

In a medium bowl combine ranch dressing mix, crushed corn flakes and parmesan cheese. Dip chicken breast halves into melted butter and roll in crushed corn flakes mixture. Set one chicken breast half on a piece of aluminum foil and top with some of the red bell pepper strips. Wrap packets again in aluminum foil, place on grill or campfire and cook for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked throughout. Remove and unwrap slowly!

Tin Foil Dinners

2008-07-08T22:47:00.002-06:00

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 pre cooked Chicken Breast
2-3 carrots
1 large potato

Start with one 12x12 piece of tin foil, put a damp paper towel on top of that, layer with one more 12x12 piece of tin foil. (this helps keep from burning the dinner) Pour half the can of soup in the bottom, layer with Chicken breast and cut the carrots and potatoes up over the top (these can be peeled or unpeeled) pour the other half of the soup over that and salt & pepper to taste. (you can add additional veggies as you like) Wrap up in tin foil and when you’re ready to eat, place on fire or coals until nice and hot! (usually 15-20 minutes.) Makes 1 dinner, repeat for multiple dinners :)

Big Piney Stew

2008-07-08T22:44:00.001-06:00

3 lbs. beef
1 lb. green beans
6 red potatoes quartered
1/2 cup flour
1 red onion sliced
2 T. oregano
Water
4 cloves of garlic dices
1 T. Salt
2 11 oz cans of tomato juice
1 lb. carrots cut in pieces
1/4 cup olive oil

Cut beef into 1 inch cubes and brown in dutch oven. Add tomato juice, green beans, carrots, potatoes and onions, top with salt and pepper. Add enough water to cover contents. Allow to cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until veggies and meat are tender. In a cup mix the flour with the hot liquid from the oven until the flour has dissolved. Pour mixture in the oven and stir. If you like a thicker stew, add more flour. Serves 4 to 6 people. (for a 6 qt. dutch oven, place 9 coals on bottom and 15 coals on top)

Ziploc Omelets

2008-07-08T22:42:00.002-06:00

These are so good for camping and I've made them at home more than once because my omelets never turn out perfect unless I do them in the Ziploc baggies :)

In Ziploc Freezer Quart bag crack 2 or 3 eggs

Add a couple tablespoons of the following:
diced cheese,
onions,
celery
mushrooms
green peppers

Add salt and pepper to taste

After all ingredients are in the bag, smash it all together until
everything is mixed up well.

Seal and get all the air out.
Drop into boiling water for 10-15 minutes and presto you have a
perfect Omelet and done at the same time with no mess.

No-Bake Cookies

2008-07-07T20:27:00.002-06:00

In Medium Sauce pan mix:

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup butter
1 Tbl. vanilla
1/2 cup milk

& boil 1 minute

take off heat & quickly mix in

1/2 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups oatmeal and 1/2 cup coconut

Drop by spoonfuls on wax paper
Cool and eat

Apple Snicker Salad

2008-07-02T15:23:00.003-06:00

This is very simple and very yummy!

2 Red Delicious apples
2 Gala Apples
2 green apples
1 8 oz container of Cool Whip (more or less depending on your preference)
5 Snickers candy bars
Dice apples, chop Snickers, put in bowl and stir in Cool Whip.

That's all there is to it and this is a hit with younger kids!
(This makes quite a big bowl, it's easy to size it down to your needs).

Oriental Cabbage Salad

2008-06-14T10:59:00.007-06:00

This is Anthon's favorite salad so I promised I'd get the recipe on the blog! It does go good with a BBQ motif though.

(salad)
2 packages oriental top ramen, uncooked crunchy noodles
1 head of cabbage finely chopped
1 cup of chopped red cabbage or shredded carrots

(dressing)
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup honey
use the oriental flavor packets from the top ramen

Mix the dressing and pour over the salad.

Asian Chicken and Noodles

2008-05-31T13:16:00.003-06:00

1 package (3 ounces) chicken flavor instant ramen noodles
1 bag (16 ounces) Birds Eye frozen farm fresh mitures broccoli, carrots, and water Chestnuts
1 tblespoon vegtable oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1/4 cup stir-fry sauce

Reserve seasoning packet from noodles. Bring 2 cups water to boil in large saucepan. Add noodles and vegtables. Cook 3 minutes, sitrring constantly. Drain. Meanwhile, heat oil in arge nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, cook and stir until browned about 8 minutes. Stir in noodles, vetables, stir-fry sauce and reserved seasoning packet. Heat through.

Broccoli, Chicken, and Rice Casserole

2008-05-31T12:56:00.005-06:00

1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
2 cups Rice
4 Chicken Breasts
amount of broccoli desired, cut up

In one pan, broil Chicken Breasts. In another pan, cook Cream of Chicken soup with 2 can fulls of water instead of the basic 1. Once soup has reached boiling stage, add rice and broccoli. Once Chicken is cooked through, cut up and add to the soup as well. Blend together and serve. ( If you do not want to cut the chicken, don't. Just serve whole with the rice and broccoli as a side. )

Quick Queso Dip!

2008-05-31T12:49:00.005-06:00

1 can of Chili
1 small bottle Medium Picante Sauce
amount of cheese desired

Put Chili and Picante Sauce in pan, heat, and sprinkle cheese on top. Grab your favorite bag of tortilla chips and have a delicious Queso party!

Alfredo Pasta with Peas and Ham

2008-05-30T14:53:00.003-06:00

1 lb. of mini penne pasta (or any pasta really)
1 jar of alfredo pasta sauce
1 package of frozen peas
1/2 package of turkey ham, cubed
1 tub of shredded parmesan cheese

Cook and drain pasta. Mix all ingredients together and put into baking dish. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (You could add other ingredients like mushrooms too.)

This makes one batch and can be enough to split into two dinners for our family...usually while I am making it - I make two batches (four dinners) - I just use 8 x 8 cooking pan sizes instead of putting the full batch in a 9 x 13. I store the extra meals in my freezer to use at a later time. I found some nice size tupperware containers at Dollar Tree that work perfectly for this. Oh, and Joshua our 17-month-old LOVES it!

Grilled Cheese!

2008-05-28T23:28:00.001-06:00

I'm sure everyone's done these at some point but in our house they are a weekly staple! Bay loves them and they are super fast!

2 slices of bread (per sandwich)
butter
cheese slices

I butter up all sides of the bread and cut about 4 slices of cheese to go in between. Then if you have a sandwich maker stick it in that and it will grill it up or just stick it on a griddle on your oven. If we make it for dinner, I usually make a pot of tomato soup to go with it or some sliced apples for lunch :)

Rachel Ray's Mini Spinich Quiche's

2008-05-20T13:28:00.006-06:00

Puff pastry
Bacon
4 eggs, 2 whole, 2 yolks
3/4 Half & half, I used milk
Spinach, I used frozen
Cheese, I used mozerella
Dash of nutmeg
Salt & pepper

One sheet of puff pastry makes 6 quiches. If pastry frozen let thaw first, then cut into 6 squares, and put in muffin tin.

Then put in your bacon, spinach and cheese. Beat eggs and milk and seasonings, and pour over top.

Rachel Ray didn't say what temp or how long to cook it and I couldn't find it on her website, so I did mine at 375 and for 20-25 minutes or until the eggs are done and pastry is golden brown

This is pretty easy and really good. You could use any variacions, hope you all enjoy.

Creme Brulee French Toast

2008-05-13T08:10:00.003-06:00

1 stick Butter
2 Tbls White Corn Syrup
1 1/2 C. Half & Half
1/4 tsp. Salt
29 oz. Can Peaches - drained
1 C. Brown Sugar
French Bread
5 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
Squirty Whipping Cream

Beat eggs, half & half, vanilla and salt. Set aside.

Melt butter, stir in sugar, corn syrup until smooth. Be careful not to cook too long...you don't want it to carmelize. Pour in bottom of 9 X 13 pan. Squish in the sliced French bread. Put the slices as close as you can to each other. Pour the cream/egg mixture over the bread. Top with the sliced peaches. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Cover and Refrigerate overnight.

Bake uncovered at 350 for 45-55 minutes. Top with squirty whipping cream.

This is a great recipe for a brunch. It is easy to prepare ahead and really yummy! Jennie - don't be surprised I actually posted! Liz

Dreamy Dream Bars!!

2008-05-10T17:32:00.004-06:00

I'm obviously in charge of dessert this mother's day but here's the other recipe from April that I'll be making :) These are sooooo yummy!

2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups melted butter

mix together and spray a 9x13 pan and press half the mixture in the bottom. bake for 17 minutes at 325. sprinkle a bag of choc chips, pour mrs. richardson butterscotch carmel over the top and crumble the second half of the mixture over the top and bake for 17 more minutes.

Frozen Key Lime Dessert

2008-05-09T19:30:00.004-06:00

I just got this recipe from Liz and thought I'd share if anyone is needing a good dessert for the holiday weekend :) It's soooo yummy!

2 C. fine graham cracker crumbs
6 Tbs. melted butter
2 cans Eagle brand milk
4 eggs separated
12 oz. lime juice (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 C. sugar
6 drops green food coloring

Combine crumbs and butter. Reserve 1/2 C. mixture. Press remaining mixture on bottom and sides of buttered 9 X 13 pan - chill. Beat egg yoks until thick; combine with eagle brand milk, add lime and vanilla, stir until thickened & tint pale green. Beat egg whites into soft peak and gradually add sugar; beat until stiff but not dry. Fold into eagle brand milk mixture. Pour into pan, sprinkle reserved crumbs on top. Freeze firm.

Chicken Roll-ups

2008-05-07T19:47:00.003-06:00

2-3 chicken breasts

1 8oz. package cream cheese

2 packages of refrigerated crescent rolls

Italian bread crumbs

Garlic & onion salt

Melted butter

Pre-heat oven to 350. Have cream cheese soft, put with cooked chicken and mix with electric beater. I prefer to boil the chicken, it's really moist. Season with garlic and onion salt, to taste. Then a rather small spoon full of chicken mixture at the end of the crescent roll, then roll up, make sure sides are creased. Dip into melted butter then cover with bread crumbs. Bake for 15-20 minutes. It's really good with wild rice as a side and to cover with Campbell's chicken soup made with milk.

Pizza Bagels

2008-05-06T08:23:00.003-06:00

So, this is the easiest dinner idea ever! I know it's pretty self explanatory, but if your are like me, someone else needs to think of making it into a meal!

I like to use either plain, or whole wheat bagels, they are both good.
1 can tomato sauce-seasoned the way you like. I use garlic salt, oregano, and a little basil.
Spread sauce on bagel and top with cheese, and anything else you like, ie: pepperoni, ham, olives, green peppers, mushrooms, you get the idea!
Place your bagels on a cookie sheet and broil on low for 8-10 mins, until cheese is melted

Glazed Carrots and Peas

2008-04-30T18:10:00.006-06:00

this is a yummy glaze to use with veggies! I'm pretty sure you could put it on about anything but I've only done it with carrots and peas :)

8 carrots, peel and cut 1/2 thick
1 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp butter
1 (10 oz) pack frozen peas
salt to taste

Cook carrots until tender, drain and add sugar, cornstarch, oj, and butter. Stir over low heat until thickened. Cook peas in a seperate pan (just like the package says) and drain and then add them to the carrots. Mix together and salt to taste :) This serves about 6 to 8 and both times I cooked it I doubled the recipe ... if you want more glaze you could double the glaze and not the veggies too! enjoy!

Cookie Salad

2008-04-30T18:05:00.004-06:00

Ok so I figure I better get a few more good ones on here before the month is done :) I got this recipe from Aunt Liz but since I eat the most of it at family get togethers, I have been dubbed the official cookie salad maker I think!

2 cups buttermilk (or a pint)
2 pkgs 3 oz vanilla pudding mix (instant)
12 oz cool whip
(mix these together)
add:
1 cup crushed pineapple
1 can mandarin oranges
2-3 bananas
1 cup seedless grapes
1 package fudge strip cookies (crushed up)

Add everything together and save a couple cookies to crush over the top! I've also substituted strawberries when I had no grapes and it is super good! (or you could just add them in the mix!)

Cabbage Apple Salad

2008-04-25T15:13:00.004-06:00

3 cups finely chopped cabbage
1 diced apple
1 diced banana
1/2 cup raisins
(set aside)

Dressing:
3/4 cup mayo
2 tbs. lemon juice
3 tbs. milk
1/4 cup sugar or honey

Mix dressing well and pour over the salad and serve

Roasted Vegetables

2008-04-24T17:31:00.004-06:00

We love this yummy and simple way to make vegetables delicious.

4 plum tomatoes
1 small zucchini, diced
1 small yellow squash, diced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves fresh garlic, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried basil leaves
Salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to mix. (If I make ahead, I put it in a gallon Ziploc bag)

Spread vegetables evenly on the baking sheet and bake or roast for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally or until onion is tender and vegetables begin to caramelize. Serves 4-6.

Fruit Dip

2008-04-18T17:29:00.004-06:00

I know a lot of you probably have this recipe already, but I don't want anyone to miss out! I remember the first time Jennie had it, she LOVED it! Just wanted the rest of you to become addicts like myself! ;)

1 8oz. cream cheese (beat until softened) *can use strawberry cream cheese...WAY good
1 small jar marshmallow ice cream topping

Mix together and chill before serving. You'll never want to eat fruit with out it again!

Yummy Salad Dressing

2008-04-18T17:26:00.003-06:00

1/2 c sugar
1 c mayo
3 TBS apple cider vinager

Blend together with wire whisk and beat. Refrigerate before serving. So yummy on any green salad!!

Spinach Strawberry Salad

2008-04-18T17:20:00.005-06:00

1 bag fresh spinach salad
12-15 sliced strawberries
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c thawed orange juice

Rinse and drain spinach. Place strawberries on top. Mix mayo and orange juice together. Pour over salad and serve.

Marvelous Mashed Potatoes!

2008-04-18T09:24:00.003-06:00

This is a really yummy recipe for mashed potatoes! You can make them the day before you eat them or the day of :)

5 pounds potatoes, cooked and mashed (about 12 or 13 regular sized potatoes)
1 8oz pack cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp. garlic salt
pepper to taste

Combine mashed potatoes with all ingredients and mix together well. Place in a large casserole dish. (if you're making them the day before put it in the fridge at this point) otherwise ... cover and bake at 325 for 45 minutes. (if you just pulled them out of the fridge, let them stand for about 30 minutes at room temperature first then bake.) This makes about 8 servings :) Enjoy!

Mandarin Orange Jell-O Salad

2008-04-17T08:36:00.003-06:00

I know this is a Jell-O salad and all, but it really is SOO good. It is almost so good you could eat it as a dessert. This is perfect for any party because you do the bulk of the preparing the night before.
ENJOY

1 small box of "cook & serve" vanilla pudding (make sure it is the "cook & serve" kind)
1 small box of "cook & serve" tapioca pudding
1 small box of orange Jell-o

Bring to boil with 3C of water. Boil for 6 minutes. Cool overnight.
Before serving, fold in 1 large tub of Cool Whip and a couple cans of mandarin oranges (drained).

Grilled Chicken & Asparagus Pasta!!

2008-04-15T11:43:00.003-06:00

This is so Yummy! My Neighbor brought it to us last week when we were having dinners brought in! My family loved it!!

2 chicken breasts, cooked & cut into pieces
1 1/2 lbs. asparagus, ends trimmed
1 lb. bow tie pasta
1/4 c. butter
1 clove garlic
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 c. chicken stock
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
salt & pepper (to taste)
fresh parsley
1 c. grated parmesan cheese

Cook asparagus until tender crisp, about 2 min. Rinse in cold water and set aside. Cook Pasta, set aside. In large skillet, set on low heat, combine butter, garlic, cream and stock. Stir in salt, pepper, lemon juice and zest. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 min. Reduce heat to low and add chicken, cheese and pasta. Cut asparagus into 2 inch pieces on a diagonal. Add asparagus and parsley to the pasta and toss all ingredients together. Turn off heat and allow the sauce to thicken. ENJOY!!

Chicken Salad Sandwiches :)

2008-04-03T11:44:00.004-06:00

Lynsie made these last night for dinner and it was soooo good! This recipe made about 20 sandwiches on big hogie rolls so you can cut it in half depending on how much you need.

7 or 8 chicken breasts cooked and cubed or shredded cooked chicken
2 cups mayonnaise
2 teaspoons paprika
2 cups dried cranberries
2 cup chopped celery
4 green onions, chopped
1 apple, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans or slivered almonds
2 teaspoons seasoning salt
ground black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise with paprika and seasoned salt. Blend in dried cranberries, celery, apple, onion, and nuts. Add chopped chicken, and mix well. Season with black pepper to taste. Chill 1 hour.

Dutch Oven Cobbler

2008-04-01T17:45:00.005-06:00

2 white cake mixes
2 large cans of fruit filling (peaches, raspberries, cherries, apple etc.)
1/2 C brown sugar
1/2 C oatmeal
1 can of sprite
Slice up 1 cube of butter into squares for the top!

Line dutch oven with aluminum foil! Place the 2 cans of fruit on the bottom (add cans depending on how many are eating). Crumble cake mixes on top of fruit. Crumble brown sugar & oatmeal on top of cakes! (can use more or less sugar and oatmeal depending on how you like it) Top off with pouring the can of sprite over the entire thing, and then cut the butter into squares to top it off!! Place coals on top and cook until done! I don't have specific timing, I would say check it after about 20-30 minutes! this recipe is for a large dutch oven, you can do it in a small one and just cut the ingredients in half!! So yummy served with vanilla ice cream!

Or, if you want you can cook it in the oven 425 degrees for about 30 - 45 minutes.

Yummy Rolls

2008-03-27T20:19:00.000-06:00

Easy Creamy Spinach Pasta

2008-03-27T20:07:00.003-06:00

1 lb. ground sausage
2 (1 lb.) bottles garlic alfredo sauce
1 large roma tomato (add more or less to preference)
1 cup frozen spinach (add more or less to preference)
1 Tbsp. basil
1 tsp. pepper
Noodles (any type you have, I like to use penne)

Cook pasta. Brown sausage, drain. Mix into sauce with remaining ingredients.
-sorry if the amounts aren't quite... (I kind of made it up)
It's good with chicken too

Homemade Lemonade

2008-03-27T14:43:00.003-06:00

I have serious spring fever and it always brings out a need for fresh lemonade! I made this for a luncheon this month already so I thought I better share :)

1 Tblsp citric acid
1 Tblsp lemon extract
3 cups sugar
12 cups water
6-7 sliced lemons and limes

*if anyone has those big glass beverage jars, you can fill it up by 4 times this recipe :)

Sausage bake

2008-03-26T13:22:00.006-06:00

1 lb sausage (ground turkey or chicken)
1 small can green chiles
Tortillas (wheat ones are really good for this:)
8 eggs
Milk
Cheese (mozerella is good if you have, or just cheddar works)
Chili powder
Salt & Pepper

In 9x13 pan, shred tortillas in long stripes and cover bottom of pan. Then layer; green chiles, sausage, and cheese. Then put another layer of tortillas on, try to get the strips close together, then do sausage and green chiles and cheese again. Mix 8 eggs with milk ( like your making scrambled eggs) if you like chili powder sprinkle a little in egg mixture, along with salt and pepper, then pour on the top. Bake @ 350 for about 20-22 minutes, every oven is diffrent mine kind of sucks:) you just want the eggs to be done. It's really good with sour cream and salsa. If you do it with chicken, its good to slice tomatoes and put on top of it before it goes in the oven.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2008-03-22T00:43:00.002-06:00

(This is a recipe I found on another recipe site. I made it last night but used ground turkey. It is so delicious and makes allot!!)

4 chicken breast halves
2 15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
2 15 oz. can Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 c. salsa
4 oz. can chopped green chilies
14 1/2 oz. can tomato sauce
tortilla chips
2 c. grated cheese (we didn't do this much)

1. Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese in large slow cooker/crock pot.
2. Cover. Cook on low 8 hours.
3. Just before serving, remove chicken breasts and slice into bite-sized pieces. Stir back into soup.
4. To serve, put a handful of chips in each soup bowl. Ladle soup over chips. Top with cheese.

Harvest Soup

2008-03-04T10:55:00.003-07:00

6-8 diced potatoes
diced carrotts
broccoli
cauliflour
celery
1/2 chopped onion
boil til tender

drain, keep 6 cups water and add 3 chicken boulions.
melt 1/2 cup butter, mix 1/2 cup flour til creamy, add to hot water.
put back in big pot add veggies and 8 oz velveda cheese. yummy, you can really add any veggies you want to this soup, zucchini is really good in it.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

2008-02-28T07:46:00.003-07:00

6 lb. pork roast
2 c brown sugar
1 1/2 cans coke (or 20 oz.)
16 oz. Pace Picante Sauce

Trim fat from roast, and cook in crock pot full of water for 6 hrs. (until tender) Remove roast and shred also remove any fat. Dump water out of crock pot and replace the shredded pork. Pour coke, brown sugar, and picante sauce over the meat. Slow cook for 3-4 hrs. ( I think you could get away with not using so much coke, everytime I've made it, it tends to be on the liquidy side.) Tastes SO GOOD!!

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce ... with Chicken and Broccoli too!

2008-02-27T09:32:00.003-07:00

I just came across this recipe and I can't help but share! This is my all time FAVORITE thing to get at Olive Garden ... enjoy!

Olive Garden Style Fettuccine Alfredo Sauce

Sauce-

8 ounces Cream cheese — cut in bits
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese — grated
1/2 cup Butter or margarine
1/2 cup Milk

Black Pepper, and oregano to taste
8 ounces Fettuccine; cook — drain | In large saucepan combine cream cheese, Parmesan, butter and
milk, stirring constantly until smooth. Toss pasta lightly with
sauce, coating well. Leftovers freeze well.

PS you can double everything to get MORE sauce (you don’t have to double the cream cheese though)

If you want to make it with Chicken and Broccoli-

While the noodles Boil-

I just throw in some frozen breaded chicken tenders in the oven-Like 450 degrees for 20-25 min

I also throw frozen broccoli in the microwave while it all cooks-

Now you have Chicken & Broccoli Fettuccine!

I aslo ALWAYS throw a garlic bread in the oven with the last 15 minutes that the tenders cook!

YUMMY!!!

Better Than (whatever you want to call it! :) Cake

2008-02-27T06:50:00.003-07:00

1 German chocolate cake mix (prepared)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can Mrs. Richardson's butterscotch caramel topping
3 Heath bars (crushed)

Prepare cake as directed on box and bake on a cookie sheet. Allow to cool 5 mins. Poke several holes all over the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. Pour sweetened condensed milk all over, allowing to seep into the holes. Repeat process with caramel topping. (you don't have to use the whole can of either topping, but be generous, you want to cake to be VERY moist) Sprinkle crushed Heath bars all over the top.
If you like Cool Whip you can spread that all over the cake, before sprinkling the Heath bars on top. It's delicious either way!

Cindy's Veggie Soup (this soup is worth 0 points!)

2008-02-25T13:23:00.002-07:00

2/3 C sliced carrot 1/2 C diced onion 2 garlic cloves, minced 3C broth 1-1/2 C diced green cabbage 1/2 C green beans 1 Tbsp tomato paste 1/2 t. dried basil 1/4 t. dried oregano 1/4 t. salt 1/2 C diced zucchini in large saucepan, sprayed with non stick spray, saute carrot, onion and garlic over low, about 5 min add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, bring to boil. lower heat and simmer about 15 min. stir in zucchini, heat 3/4 min. serve hot

Tasty Spin on Lasagna

2008-02-23T21:26:00.003-07:00

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 cup frozen diced onion, red and green bell pepper, and celery
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. chilli pwder
1 tsp chipotle seasoning blen
1 jar mild salsa
1 15oz. can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 10oz. can enchilada sauce
1 10oz. package frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
12 6in. corn tortillas (I used flour)
4 cups shredded Mexican 4-cheese blend

Toppings: sour crm, chopped tomatoes

Cook first 5 ingr. in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until veg. are tender and beef is no longer pink.

Stir in salsa and next 3 ingredients. Cook 10 minutes to thouroughly heat.

Layer 1/3 beef mixture, 6 tortillas overlapping edges and 2 cups cheese in a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Repeat layer using the rest of the ingredients and top with remaining 2 cups cheese.

Bake covered @ 350 for 40 minutes, uncover and bake 10 more minutes
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Here's a great Steak Rub

2008-02-23T21:22:00.002-07:00

1 Tblspn Garlic pwdr
2 tspns oregano
1 1/2 tspns black pepper
1 tspn sea salt
1 tspn lemon pepper

mix well

rub steaks w/ olive oil then sprinkle each side w/ rub and work it in
let marinate for 4 hours ~or overnight~

My Favorite Chewy Cocoa Brownies

2008-02-23T21:16:00.003-07:00

1 2/3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
2 Tblspns water
2 eggs
2 tspns vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
3/4 cocoa
1/2 tspn baking pwder
1/4 tspn salt
3/4 cup chopped nuts

whip together wet ingredients
add in dry

Double this to fit in a 9x13 pan

cook @ 350 for 25 minutes

Sarah Newell's Cabbage Salsa

2008-02-23T21:13:00.003-07:00

6 cups finely chopped, shredded cabbage
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup lime juice
1 Tblspn salad oil
1 tspn cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
2 avocados chopped

serve w/ corn chips and try not to eat the whole bowl yourself!!!!

Cowboy Coffee Cake (Burbidge kids favorite breakfast)

2008-02-23T21:08:00.003-07:00

2 1/2 cups flour
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 t. salt
2/3 cup butter
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. nutmeg
1 cup oatmeal (not quickoats)
mix these together till crumbly and hold out 1 cup

Add to remaining:
2 t. baking pwdr
1/2 t. soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs

pour into a 9 x 13 pan
sprinkle cup of crumblies over top
bake @ 375 for 30 min.

The Best Banana Squares

2008-02-23T21:05:00.003-07:00

2 eggs
1 cube butter melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 over ripe babanas
beat in mixer
then add:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tspn baking soda
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 tspn vanilla
1/2 cups chopped nuts
1 cup chocolate chips

bake @ 350 for 45 minutes

sprinkle with powdered sugar when done.

Grammie Mimi's Yummy Waffles

2008-02-23T20:59:00.003-07:00

melt one cube butter in a mixing bowl
mix after each
add 2 cups butter-milk
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking pwdr
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon soda
4 eggs

Best with maple syrup

Add for variety:
chocolate chips
chopped almonds
or cinnamon

Cafe Rio Chicken & Rice

2008-02-21T17:18:00.006-07:00

chicken
1 small bottle kraft zesty italian dressing
1 Tbsp chilli powder
1 Tbsp cumin
3 cloves garlic minced
5 lbs. boneless chicken (about six)

mix and pour over chicken in crockpot. cook for four hours, shred chicken when it is almost all the way cooked

rice
3 cups water
4 tsp chicken boullion
4 tsp garlic minced
1/2 bunch ciliantro
1 can green chilles undrained
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs butter
1/2 onion
3 cups rice

Boil water and add all ingredients, simmer 30 minutes

Cafe Rio Tamatillo Dressing

2008-02-21T17:10:00.001-07:00

1 large jalepeno
1 clove garlic
1 tamatillo
1 handfull cilantro
1 lime/juice or 1/4 cup lime juice
1 cup mayo
1 pkg. hidden valley ranch mix

put in blender, put over cafe rio chicken salads or burrittos

the start of some good cookin'!

2008-02-20T15:04:00.003-07:00

Hey all! For a while we've been talking about a place to put favorite recipes and ones that turn out good somewhere that we could all share :) So here we go! I know for us, Anthon has been after me to cook more at home now that I have a better cooking spot and I have a hard time coming up with menus on my own so I'm really excited for this! Also I'm sure I'll be asking for good recipes as much as posting ones that I have found :) So any ideas are more than welcome! I started putting a few good websites on the side, if you have any to add, let me know! I hope this will be a good way to get some good home cookin' going in all our homes!