My Girls' Kitchen

Kettle Corn

2011-12-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup popcorn kernels
1/4 cup sugar
Popcorn Salt

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil over medium-high heat. add the popcorn. When the oils sizzles, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover the pan and crank handle until the popping slows down, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with the salt.

Side notes: I don't think a full 1/4 cup oil is necessary. You can reduce the oil by almost half. Of course, if you use the full amount it will taste great too. :)

If you don't have a crank stove-top popper, you can use a heavy duty pan and lid. While corn is popping make sure to shake the pan.

Enjoy!!!

Uncle Andy's Punch

2011-12-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Andy was a chef for United Airlines and had a catering business. This is his awesome punch! We served it at all 6 of our children's wedding receptions:
Mix in a 5 gal bucket (mark the 4 gallon spot)

6 pkg lemonade Cool-aid
6 cups sugar
46 oz can pineapple juice
1 bottle pine'colada
1 2 liter bottle of 7up
1/2 bag crushed ice

Mix the first 5 ingredients with water and fill to the 4 gallon mark, then add ice and serve.

Pecan Tassies

2011-12-24T17:44:00.001-07:00

Crust:

1 3-oz pkg. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup flour

Blend together; chill 1 hour. Shape into 2 dozen 1-in. balls. Place in ungreased 1-and-¾-in. mini muffin pan. Press dough evenly against bottom and sides of muffin cups (using a Tart Tamper).

Filling:

1 egg

¾ cup brown sugar

1 T. melted butter

1 tsp. vanilla

Dash of salt

2/3 cup broken pecans

Beat together all ingredients except the pecans. Place ½ of the pecans in the pastry-lined pans. Pour in filling. Top with remaining pecans. Bake at 325 for 25 min or until filling is set. Cool before removing from pans. (They freeze well.)

Mary Lou's Almond Roca

2011-12-24T17:34:00.000-07:00

3 c sugar
1 lb butter minus 2 tbsp
1 cup raw almonds cut in thirds
6 Hershey bars
finely chopped almonds

Cook butter and sugar over med high (#8 on my stove) until they are melted together, stirring constantly.. As the mixture cooks adjust the heat so that it boils constantly but doesn't burn. Stir in the cup of almond thirds after a few minutes and keep stirring. When the bottom of the pan begins to smoke cook for about 1 minute more. Quickly pour onto a heavy cookie sheet (12"x18") and smooth out. Cool and melt the Hershey bars and spread on both sides and sprinkle with finely chopped almonds! Cool and Voila! Almond Roca!

Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

2011-12-15T21:37:00.006-07:00

I found this recipe on the Rachael Ray website. I made it last night and it was so yummy! It is a new favorite!

http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/rachael-ray-magazine-recipe-search/soup-recipes/mexican-chicken-and-rice-soup

I made small changes to the recipe:

1. I made my own rice.
2. The tomato based salsa that I bought is called Herdez (mild).
3. Instead of serving with monterey jack cheese, I used Cacique ranchero queso fresco. Buy this at Walmart or Maceys.
4. I did not add the sour cream. The queso fresco was all I needed!
5. If you boil the chicken with onion and garlic, you can use the strained chicken broth for this soup (or buy a fryer chicken and Swanson's broth for a time saver).

The avocados and the queso fresco on top were the best part of the soup!!! Don't leave them out! Oh, and this is the quickest meal ever. I had it completed by the time my rice was cooked.

"Souper" Macaroni & Cheese

2011-11-21T18:58:00.006-07:00

3 cups cooked noodles
1 can cream of mushroom soup (I use cream of chicken soup)
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon mustard
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
generous dash of pepper
french fried onions

Combine all ingredients and put in a casserole dish a bake at 350 for 45 minutes {put the french fried onions for the last five minutes}

Quick Fix: combine all ingredients in a large microwave safe bowl. Nuke for 2 minutes, stir, nuke for 2 minutes, stir, continue until it's all uniform, hot and melted.

It tastes better the next day as leftovers!

Spinach salad and award winning dressing

2011-11-06T20:04:00.000-07:00

SPINACH SALAD (Served at the high priest dinner November 4, 2011).

Marinade for spinach salad:

1 ½ tsp. poppy seeds

¾ cup apple cider vinegar

¾ cup vegetable oil

½ cup sugar

1 ½ tsp finely chopped red onion

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp cottage cheese

Mix together; it has to be stirred constantly while putting on the salad because it separates very fast. This makes 1 pint of dressing (up to 34 tbsp). I put two tbsp on the salad at the dinner, but 1 tbsp goes pretty far. I love this dressing on most of my salads, it is 56 calories per tbsp.

We garnished the spinach with:

Craisins

Real bacon bits

Sliced almonds

Sliced red onion

Mandarin oranges

Shredded Mozzarella cheese

(You can use any yummy thing you have in your pantry).

Kathy Perrins (adapted from Linda Bergeson)

Lemon-Feta Chicken

2011-11-05T20:00:00.000-06:00

LEMON – FETA CHICKEN
Recipe by Donna Hay (Australia's Martha Stewart)
From the kitchen of: Michelle Quinn
NOTE: recipe can easily be expanded to meet the needs of whatever crowd you are feeding.
2 chicken breast fillets, trimmed
1 package of firm feta cheese (aka not crumbled) cut into cheese sticks
1 lemon (1 tablespoon of lemon zest and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice)
5 sprigs of any fresh woody herb (i.e. oregano, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, etc…)
Olive oil (for drizzling)
Cracked black pepper
1 pkg baby spinach
Preheat oven to 350o F.
Place chicken in pan, zest lemon over everything, then cut lemon and squeeze juice over (be careful not to get seeds in the pan). Note: If you like lots of lemon, then use 2 instead of 1. Place the feta sticks on and around the chicken. Drizzle olive oil over everything, especially the feta sticks, as it will crisp the outside and leave the inside melty. Place fresh herbs on (I usually pull the leaves off and do not place the “stick” part of the herb on). Sprinkle with pepper.
The idea is that the olive oil with cook down with the juices of the chicken and lemon to create a pan sauce which will be served over the chicken. Bake until chicken is done (20-40 min depending on size of pan and amount of food in it).
TO SERVE: Make a bed of fresh baby spinach on a plate. Place a piece of chicken and some of the cooked feta on the spinach. Take some of the pan sauce and drizzle it over the chicken and on the spinach. Delicious!
Note: leftovers are great on salad and sandwiches (either hot or cold).

Chicken Parmesan

2011-09-13T17:16:00.000-06:00

We had last minute company on Sunday and this is what I came up with:
Simple, quick, easy, spur of the moment Chicken Parmesan:
6 frozen chicken breast in a 9x13 baking dish
! bottle Prego
Bake until the chicken is tender on 325 (about 1 hour)
When the Chicken is cooked top with::
2 TBSP grated Mozzarella cheese
2 TSP grated Parmesan cheese
And melt the cheese
Serve over Rice
We also had mixed vegetables (corn, peas and carrots, and chopped broccoli)

Chicken Pot Pie

2011-06-04T16:02:00.004-06:00

1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup potatoes diced to squares 2x as big as your sliced carrots
½ cup sliced onion (or ¼ cup dehydrated onion)
¼ cup sliced celery
¼ cup butter
2 cups cooked chicken, (toss with 1 Tbsp flour for thickening)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 cup canned green beans
1 box Pillsbury pie crust (you need 2 layers, bottom and top)

In a saucepan over medium heat, cook carrots, onions, potatoes, and celery in butter and broth till tender. Stir in chicken, soup, and greens. Spray pie pan and put in a double pie crust. Bake at 350^o for 45 min.

I like to take a square of foil, fold into quarters and cut a corner off so there’s a hole in the center, then put over the pie so the crust doesn’t burn!!

But You Haven't Had MY Meat Loaf

2011-06-03T14:52:00.004-06:00

2 eggs, beaten

¾ cup milk

2/3 cup bread crumbs

¼ cup finely chopped onion

2 Tbsp parsley

1 tsp salt

Pinch of oregano, basil, and/or sage

Pinch of pepper

2 lbs ground beef

Glaze: 1/4 cup ketchup
2 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp mustard

Combine ingredients together(I used my hands to mush it all ) Then put in a bread loaf pan and bake @ 350^o for 1 to 1¼ hour. Take out and put mixed glaze on top then bake for 10 more minutes. Let Stand for 10 minutes before eating

MeatBalls

2011-06-02T10:41:00.003-06:00

1 egg
3/4 c. bread crumbs
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
1/4 tsp salt
a dash of pepper
a dash of oregano
1 lb. ground beef

Shape into 24 meatballs and bake on cookie sheet for 15 -20 minutes at 350.

I make a double batch, put 20 in a Ziploc bag and freeze! Goes great with a bottle of Prego over Spaghetti or with Mr. Yoshida's over Rice!

Nanaimo Bars

2011-05-28T11:29:00.001-06:00

I got this recipe from my roommate from Victoria, BC my freshman year of college!

Crust Bottom Layer:
1/2 cup butter .......Melt complete in a medium saucepan
1/3 cup cocoa
1/4 cup sugar ........add to melted butter and stir til smooth
1 large egg ................{whisk at room temp. by itself first} add slowly to saucepan over
. ................................................low heat while whisking constantly until smooth/thick consistency
1 tsp. vanilla ............add to chocolate sauce
2 c. crushed graham crackers
1 c. coconut.................add chocolate to these last ingredients and mix
**Put in 9 inch square pan and chill for 1 hour!!

Butter Cream Center Layer:
4 TBSP butter ...............................................beat (kitchenaid, hand mixer, etc) at room temp til creamy
2 TBSP vanilla pudding powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 c. powdered sugar.................................add to butter and mix until consistent
2-4 TBSP Milk .................................................start with 2, add more if needed and mix until thick
............................................................................................but creamy {needs to be spreadable}
**Spread over refrigerated crust and refrigerate for 1 hour

Chocolate Top Layer:
4 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips .......NOT milk chocolate
1 TBSP butter.......................................................... melt chips and butter in double boiler and spread
................................................................................................... over refrigerated butter cream
**Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes (if it's too long, when you slice them the chocolate will crack/break, if that's the case, let it sit out for 5 minutes until they can be sliced easily. Put on plate and refrigerate until you need to serve them. ***They're quite rich so slices should be small!! Here's a video if you want to see the steps.

Dragonfire Chicken

2011-05-25T17:54:00.006-06:00

Don't let the name of this recipe fool you--I am a total wuss about spicy food and I really love this recipe. If you wanted to make it hotter, you could leave the seeds in the jalapenos; however, I don't want hot, so I remove every little bitty seed. It's delicious and a great way to use some of those wonderful summer fruits!

Marinade:

1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup honey

3 Tablespoons rice vinegar

1/3 cup chopped parsley

1 jalapeno, seeded & chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 Tablespoon diced onion

3/4 teaspoon salt

Make the marinade by combining all the ingredients in a blender on high speed for 1 minute.

Then, grab a gallon Ziploc bag or you could use a Tupperware or some such container. Place the marinade in your chosen bag/container and add three large chicken breasts which you have pounded flat with a mallet. Allow these to marinate for at least 2-3 hours (I always do more because I do the marinade in the morning and the rest later.)

Pineapple Pico de Gallo:

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1/2 cup canned sliced pineapple--I prefer the flavor of fresh

1/2 cup diced red onion

2 Tablespoons minced cilantro

4 teaspoons minced jalapeno

2 Tablespoons lime juice (or a little more)

1/8 teaspoon salt (I eyeball it)

Make the pineapple pico de gallo by combining all ingredients. Remember, this is a pico and you want to try and get a little bit of every flavor in each bite, so you will be chopping/dicing tiny, tiny, tiny! Store the pico in your fridge till you're ready to use it. As a side note--if you double the recipe, you could serve it with chips too. I like to chop up the rest of the pineapple and use it as a side dish with the chicken.

Kung Pow Sauce:

1/4 cup water

2 Tablespoons rice vinegar

1/2 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons soy sauce

1 Tablespoon chili sauce

1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic

1 teaspoon finely minced garlic

Make the Kung Pow sauce by combining all the ingredients in a small saucepan over medium to medium high heat. When the mixture begins to bubble, reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or however long it takes to thicken it a bit. Remember, it will thicken a bit on its own after you turn off the heat.

When the chicken is done marinating, preheat BBQ grill to medium heat (I used my George Foreman type grill to keep it all inside and easy). Slice your chicken breasts if you prefer--I do. Place the chicken on the grill for 5-6 minutes per side or about 6-7 minutes total on an indoor grill. Serve chicken drizzled with Kung Pow sauce and Pico de Gallo topping. Delicious!!!

Cooking bacon in the oven

2011-05-10T09:25:00.004-06:00

Time Required: 20 minutes

1. Line a baking sheet with foil. This will make cleanup easier later.
2. Arrange bacon slices on the foil and place the baking sheet on the center rack of a cold oven. Close oven door. Turn oven on to 400°F.
3. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes. As soon as the bacon is golden brown, but not excessively crisp, it's done.
4. Remove the pan from the oven. Transfer the bacon to another sheet pan lined with paper towels to absorb the fat.

TIPS:

1. Don't pre-heat the oven! Make sure the oven is cold when you put the bacon in.
2. Keep your eye on the bacon during the final few minutes of cooking to make sure that it doesn't burn. Also, remove the cooked bacon from the hot pan right away. The heat from the pan and the hot bacon fat will continue cooking the bacon.

Kimberly's Fruit Dip

2011-05-03T12:44:00.002-06:00

1whole Cream Cheese {thawed}
1 large bottle of Marshmallow Cream

Stir together and serve, Voila!
This is so easy and so yummy!

Good Water

2011-04-15T18:27:00.000-06:00

Good Water
5 quarts water
3 C sugar
1 Tbsp lemon extract
1 Tbsp citric acid
3 sliced lemons
1/2 pkg of ice
Mix ingredients together in a large container. Serves 30
You can get citric acid at the health food store.
Once you serve it, you will get lots of requests!

Baked Spaghetti

2011-04-09T15:03:00.001-06:00

1 Tbsp. Oil
1 lb. Ground beef
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cans tomato soup
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. Thyme leaf
6 ounce tomato paste
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
2 can sizes of water
1 minced garlic clove
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. basil leaf
3/4 lb Spaghetti Noodles
Make Pasta accordingly.
While pasta is boiling, mix together oil, onion, thyme, Italian seasoning, garlic clove, and basil leaf in small bowl. Microwave for one minute. Set aside.
Brown ground beef, drain.
Add mixture.
Stir in soup, paste, water, salt, pepper, bay leaf and 1/4 cup of the cheese. Cook on low for 15 minutes. Add pasta.
Put in 8x10 pan sprayed with cooking spray. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Hula Muffins

2011-02-27T19:53:00.002-07:00

Hula Muffins
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup veg. oil
2 eggs
1 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
Heat oven to 425, stir sugar, oil, eggs, carrots and pineapple in medium bowl until mixed. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Spoon batter into cups. Bake 13-17 minutes. Cool 5 minutes.

Peanut Butter Squares

2011-02-23T18:46:00.003-07:00

This is an old family favorite and I figured out why they've been so sticky as of late!!

Ingredients:
1c. butter (softened NOT melted)
1c. peanut butter
2c. powdered sugar
1 pack + 3more graham crackers {Here's the fix!!}

12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips {melted}

Instructions:
Put graham crackers in a ziploc and smash them until VERY fine with a rolling pin.
Mix the first four until uniform and spread in a large cookie sheet.
Cover with melted chocolate.
I refrigerate to make it set faster and leave it in when it's not being eaten to keep it fresh.

YUMMY

Arabele Noble's Potato Rolls (Those wonderful Friday rolls)

2011-02-23T18:07:00.000-07:00

(I use a Bosch mixer)

2 cups milk
2 cups potato water (with a little mashed potate in it)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cube of butter
3/4 cup sugar

Add all ingredients together, heat until butter is melted.
When the mixture is cool, add enough flour to make a thin batter.
Then add 6 beaten eggs.
2 Tablespoons yeast (3 if you are in a hurry).
Let the dough rest for 10 minutes.

Then add enough flour to make dough just right (about 9 1/4 c. total?)
Let rise till double. Roll out about 3/8 inch thick. Cut into circles. Brush with melted butter and mark center fold line with a knife but be careful not to cut through. Fold and seal edge with a fork. Place in 11x17 cookie sheet 4 rows of 9 works. Makes 7 dozen rolls.

Heat oven to 400 then turn down to 375 and bake for 15 minutes.
(Try 350 for 20 minutes) Brush with butter after baking.

Hawaiian Haystacks- Best Sauce Ever!

2011-02-20T21:31:00.003-07:00

I got this recipe from my mother-in-law and it has forever changed Hawaiian Haystacks for me! This sauce is amazing.. I'll never go back to cream of chicken soup!

Sauce:

1/4 c. poultry gravy

1 1/4 c. water

3 chicken bouillon cubes

2 c. chicken broth

2 Tbs soy sauce

4 Tbs. corn starch

Mix first two ingredients over low-med heat. Add next three. Then slowly stir in corn starch. turn up your heat and bring to a boil. Turn down and simmer for a few minutes.. ready to serve! The sauce will be very watery until you bring it to a boil and the starch kicks in.. so don't panic :)

I like to add the chicken right in the sauce. In fact, your food storage canned chicken goes perfect in this and makes it almost entirely a food storage meal!

To assemble your haystack (everyone does it their own way):

Rice

Sauce

Chicken (if not in sauce)

Then any of the following: cheese, pineapple,chow mein noodles, slivered almonds, celery, coconut, mandarin oranges, tomatoes, scallions, etc!

YUMMY!!!

Just for fun here are the proportions doubled- in case you're feeding a few families:

1/2 c. poultry gravy

2 1/2 c. water

6 bouillon cubes

4 c. chicken broth

1/4 c. soy sauce

1/2 c. corn starch

Chuck Roast Recipe

2011-02-11T11:02:00.002-07:00

This recipe is from Susan Taylor
1 chuck roast --BROWN on all sides until almost burned, loading on lots of SEASON: I used - garlic salt, seasoning salt, pepper, and basil. But whatever you like to use -- and really it's using quite a bit on all sides and just let it brown. The near-burning forms a thin crust.
COVER and COOK in pot for 3-4 hours on 290- 325 degrees. Then ADD in cut up vegetables the last hour. c Cook the roast for 2 1/2 hrs on 290 deg, then put the potatoes and onions in, raised the temp to 325 deg and cooked it for one more hour -- total 3 1/2 hours.
Fool proof recipe! You can also put in carrots and celery with the potatoes and onions. Whatever vegies you want.

Pumpkin Pancakes

2011-01-09T18:52:00.007-07:00

I had nothing to cook for dinner tonight....so our usual standby are waffles or pancakes. But who wanted boring old pancakes? No one that's who!

So, I saw the pumpkin can sitting in my cupboard and I thought pumpkin pancakes! Well, they were a hit with ALL the kids! I have to share!

This is also the perfect way to use up leftover pumpkin!

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
1/2 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1 large egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

In large bowl, combine dry ingredients and set aside. In separate bowl combine evaporated milk, pumpkin, water, egg and oil. Add wet mixture to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. The batter will be lumpy.

Lightly oil griddle and cook them up!

Salsa Chicken Burritos

2011-01-06T16:12:00.001-07:00

4 chicken breasts
1 pkg. taco seasoning
14-16 oz. jar of salsa
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
Tortillas
Put the chicken in the crock-pot with the taco seasoning and salsa. Cook for 4-8 hours depending on if the chicken was thawed or frozen when you put in the crock-pot. Shortly before assembling the burritos, shred the meat with a fork in the pot. Fill the tortillas with meat then black beans and cheese, sour cream, sliced olives, whatever you prefer. Roll up and serve. I have used canned chicken with this recipe, however I didn't cook it that long in the crock-pot.

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

2011-01-04T15:04:00.003-07:00

Combine in a sauce pan:

1 cup sugar
1 cup Karo syrup

Bring to a boil and add:

1 cup peanut butter

stir in

6 cups Rice Krispies

Pun in a 9 x 13 pan and frost with melted chocolate chips or Hershey Bars

Crispy Clusters

2010-12-19T23:49:00.003-07:00

My friend, Elaine Townsend gave me this recipe some time in the early 1980's, it has been a family favorite ever since.

1 cup small marshmallows
1 cup rice crispies
I cup cheerios
1 cup peanuts
(if you have allergies to peanuts, add 1 more cup of cereal,
maybe a cup of corn checks, Maybe even broken pretzels?)

1 lb Block candy coating
Melt the candy coating and pour over the dry ingredients, stir it all together
Spoon teaspoons size drops onto wax paper and let cool.
Voila! Easy peasy

Ginger Chicken

2010-11-15T16:11:00.002-07:00

1 cup Soy Sauce
1 cup Sugar
1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1 clove garlic
grated ginger to taster or chunks that can easily be picked out
1/2 sliced onion
1 sliced green pepper

Marinade the chicken and
cook in a 9x13 pan for 45 min to 1 hour at 350 degrees. (marinade and all)

Carrot Cake - a family favorite

2010-11-09T13:18:00.002-07:00

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp soda
1 tsp b. powder
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix together and add:

1 cup vegetable oil (can cut in half and add 1/2 applesauce)
1 tsp vanilla
4 eggs - one at a time
4 cups grated carrots

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (I am not sure of that time, so check)

Frosting:
1 cube butter
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Butter Scotch Sauce

2010-10-17T16:42:00.001-06:00

4 TBS Butter
1 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Karo - white

Boil 4-5 minutes
Add 3/4 cup canned milk

Heat, but don't boil

This is a recipe that we had when I was growing up. My mother, Catherine Jensen, got it from her friend, Beth Thayne. It is yummy, fast and easy. You usually have these ingredients on hand, so it is fun for a Sunday afternoon treat.

Red Potato Bake

2010-08-23T10:05:00.002-06:00

3# red potatoes about the size of a golf ball (new ones are awesome)
Cut potatoes in quarters and put in a 9x13 baking dish spayed with Pam. Drizzle with butter, olive oil, fresh chopped parley, and sprinkle with garlic. Bake for 1 hour covered with tinfoil.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

2010-08-23T09:48:00.004-06:00

12 chicken breasts
12 strips deli ham
12 slices Swiss cheese
2 eggs
Italian bread crumbs
Parmesan cheese
Sauce:
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup evaporated milk

Pound chicken until thin
Put on a slice of ham and a slice of cheese
Roll up and secure with a tooth pick
Put in baking dish and cover with sauce
Cover with tinfoil and bake 1 1/2 hours
Uncover and bake for 1/2 hour
Take the tooth picks out before serving
Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley

This recipe can be tripled and quadrupled for a large crowd. It can be carried to an event in a large roaster to be kept warm. Yummm

SCONES

2010-08-15T23:07:00.003-06:00

5 cup warm water
3 Tbs. yeast
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup oil
2 tsp salt
10 cups flour

Mix together, let rise, roll out, cut and fry in hot oil. Makes a lot!

We made these when Seth and Jill were here with the girls. They wanted to share the fun with Erik and Kristi's family so we made them again (they can't be rushed). We thought we would make it a tradition like cinnamon rolls and smores, but we forgot about them when Jeremy and Birgitta were here. So request them when we come, they are so easy and so fun for kids to roll out and cut into shapes. We served them with honey butter. Yummm We made 1/2 the recipe and that was PLENTY!

This recipe is from the Rexburg 4th Ward RS. Entered by Teresa Western

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

2010-06-22T13:29:00.004-06:00

1 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup peanut butter chips

1 (6oz) pkg. chocolate covered peanut butter cups, cut into eights (Reese's peanut butter cups cut up chunky)

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, peanut butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda. Stir into the peanut mixture. Mix in the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and peanut butter cups. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. (Or, you could roll them into balls if you prefer a more uniform look.)

Bake for 13 minutes and then remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on cookie sheet for an additional five minutes before removing them. Enjoy!

***I also didn't put in the Reese's peanut butter cups this time because I was trying to cut back slightly on the intensity of the flavor. They still tasted awesome!

BYU Mint Brownies

2010-06-15T08:29:00.007-06:00

photo courtesy of BYU Magazine

These are the best brownies I have ever tasted! They taste exactly like BYU's brownies! So good. The recipe says to bake at 350 for 25 minutes. I had to let them bake for 40 minutes in my oven. So gooey and yummy!

1 cup margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
2 tbsp honey
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool.
2. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Mix well and add nuts.
4. Pour batter into greased 9 x 13 pan.
5. Bake for 25-40 minutes or until knife comes out clean.
6. LET COOL COMPLETELY.

Prepare Mint Icing:

5 tbsp room temp margarine
dash of salt
1 tbsp light corn syrup
2 1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp mint extract
2-3 drops green food coloring
3 tbsp milk

Mix margarine, salt, corn syrup and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring and mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

Prepare Chocolate Frosting:

1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Spread mint icing over the brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate frosting (I used store frosting).

Smothered Chicken

2010-03-08T17:43:00.001-07:00

Smothered Chicken

4 boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
4 Bacon strips, cooked crisp and chopped (use turkey bacon to keep this meal light)
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 Roma Tomato's diced
2 Green Onions, diced
1/3 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
SaltPepper

Salt and pepper the chicken breasts and then bake in the oven for about 20 minute at 350 degrees OR grill the chicken breasts... I like to use my Foreman Grill in the winter. Smother the chicken breasts with BBQ Sauce on both sides and return to oven for about 3-5 minutes, until breasts are cooked through. Evenly top each chicken breast with the crisp bacon and cheese, broil for 30-60 seconds under the broiler to melt the cheese. Top the chicken breasts with the chopped tomato and green onions. You can even cook and dice the chicken, then serve in a salad. Enjoy!

Cream Cheese "Chicken" Soup

2010-03-06T09:09:00.005-07:00

Adapted from Melanie's

*Warning*

This recipe will make you weep. Seriously.

I am not sure what it is about this recipe that makes is soooo yummy. Maybe it's the comfort food aspect of it. I don't know. But this is one of the best tasting soups I have ever encountered. We eat this at least 3 times a week. Yup. Seriously.

This recipe calls for chicken, yet I don't add it any more. After my dad had major surgery, his diet was temporarily limited to softer foods, which included chicken. I search one of my favorite recipe blogs, at My Kitchen Cafe, for all things chicken and found this gem. I quadrupled the cooking time on the veggies to make them softer for my dad. In doing this, I inadvertently made the potato the star of the show. The potatoes started to fall apart, making this taste like a yummy comfort food potato soup from childhood's past. Yum. So, just remember that this recipe does call for chicken. You can invite it...or not.

We are having this again tonight. I will take a picture and pass it along!

4 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
chicken broth, from a can, or from the cooking chicken (I have used a combo of both)
1 medium onion
1 TBSP butter
large handful baby carrots, sliced small
4-5 potatoes, diced
4 TBSP flour
1 cup milk
1 8 0z pkg cream cheese, softened to room temperature
salt and pepper

In your soup pot, saute the onion in the butter, until the onions become translucent (about 5 minutes). Put diced veggies in pot and just cover with chicken broth. Let this simmer. Melanie has them simmer for 10 minutes, until soft. I let them simmer for about 40 minutes, until mushy. However, with the longer simmer time, I do have to add a little more broth along the way, due to evaporation.

When veggies are cooked to desired softness, mix the flour and the milk in a separate bowl, then add to the soup, for thickening. At this point, you add the chicken, and the cream cheese, broken into small bits. Let melt and heat through. Add salt and pepper to taste, and VIOLA! Easy, fast, and sooooooo delicious! Happy Eating! Thanks, Melanie!

Seven Layer Dip

2010-03-02T19:26:00.001-07:00

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
4 ounces cream cheese, softened (neufchatel- 1/3 of the fat)
8 ounces sour cream (light)
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1 large tomato, chopped
1 avacado, chopped
1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (I used colby jack)

Directions

In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter.
Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans.
Top the layers with salsa. Place a layer of tomato, avacado and lettuce over the salsa, and top with Cheddar cheese. Garnish with black olives.

Perfect Pancake Batter

2010-01-21T12:07:00.005-07:00

Shall we change up the recipe?

Here is the most perfect batter for pancakes! I never really liked pancakes because we always used waffle batter to make them. Since we have discovered this recipe, we are addicted to pancakes! I literally crave them now!

2 cups flour
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
8 tbsp melted butter or margarine

1. Mix dry ingredients in deep bowl.
2. Mix wet ingredients and add to dry ingredients, stirring only enough to mix.
3. Allow batter to rest for 20-30 minutes. This is key!
4. Spray griddle with non stick spray and cook on medium heat. Makes 12-16 pancakes. This recipe can easily be cut in half for smaller families.

Batter is somewhat thick - that's what makes these so good when you cook them. You can add a small amount of milk if needed.

Rice Pilaf

2009-11-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

From Your Homebased mom

Rice Pilaf

1 C uncooked rice (I use a long grain)

1/2 C vermicelli (real skinny spaghetti)

1/3 cube/stick butter

1 can chicken broth adding enough water to make 2 cups

1 tsp minced onion

1 tsp salt or I prefer 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp Lawry’s seasoning salt

In a pan melt butter and brown the broken up vermicelli. Stir often as this will burn easily. Cook until the noodles are well browned. Add chicken broth, onions and salt and bring to a boil. Add rice and stir once. Cover and simmer slowly until cooked through (15-20 minutes)

Serves four but is easily doubled

Cheesy Chicken

2009-11-20T09:27:00.000-07:00

So here’s our favorite – Cheesy Chicken! From "Homebasedmom" blog

Cheesy Chicken

8 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Sauce:

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1/3 can beef broth

1/3 C Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp poultry seasoning

1/4 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp parsley flakes

Mix sauce ingredients together.

1/3 cube/stick of butter, melted

2 oz. whole cashews

1 lb. grated Monterey Jack cheese

Melt butter in 9 x 13 dish. I used my heavy roasting pan. Lay chicken over butter. Cover with 3/4 of sauce.

Bake 1 hour at 325. Add rest of sauce and cashews. Top with cheese. Turn oven off. Leave in oven for 5 more minutes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2009-11-10T20:47:00.004-07:00

4 Chicken Breast halves
2 15 oz cans stewed tomatoes
2 15 oz cans black beans
1 can salsa
4 oz. can chopped green chilles
1 14 1/2 oz. can tomato sauce
1 bag tortilla chips
2 or more cups grated cheese

Combine all ingredients except chips and cheese in large slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 8 hours. Just before serving remove chicken breast and slice into bite sized pieces (or shred). Stir back into the soup. To serve, put a handful of chips in each soup bowl. Ladle soup over chips. Top with cheese and sour cream is optional.

We just had this soup at Kathy and Seth Little's. Kathy's sister in law gave her this recipe! YUM

Italian Sausage Bake

2009-10-25T22:58:00.003-06:00

YUM YUM!

Ingredients:
one package of spiral noodles
1 lb. of Italian sausage, (cooked, chopped)
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1/2 of a green bell pepper
1/2 of a red bell pepper
a lot of mozzarella cheese

instructions:
preheat oven to 350. & grease 13x9 pan
cook noodles according to package
cook sausage and peppers together until cooked thru.
in mixing bowl, mix drained noodles, sausage, peppers, & spaghetti sauce.
Pour into greased pan, and top with lots of mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 20 min.

VERY EASY, VERY CHEAP, VERY GOOD!
Even my toddler loved it!

Tim's Chocolate Cake

2009-09-20T10:46:00.004-06:00

This recipe was given to me by Tim Morganson. He is a GENIUS! He and his brother owned a restaurant for a lot of years. This recipe is the closest thing I've tasted to Magleby's chocolate cake. So delicious!

Tim makes this cake in a full sheet, but I only have 9x13 pans, so this is a recipe for 9x13. The frosting is for the full sheet, hence his note by that recipe.

CAKE

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Blend the following ingredients together:

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups flour

3/4 cup cocoa

1-1/2 Teaspoons baking soda

1-1/2 Teaspoons baking powder

3/4 Teaspoon salt

Stir in:

1/2 cup melted salted butter

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

3 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat on medium speed until well incorporated then turn mixer to slowest speed and add:

1 cup boiling water

Pour into buttered and floured 9 x 13 baking pan.

Bake until done? (Tim's note: I have never done one this small. I would guess about 30 min. If you gently insert a wooden tooth pick and it comes out clean it is done. Don't be alarmed if the cake appears to fall just a bit, that is normal and can be filled with frosting. You know my motto when it comes to cake. "A cake is only as good as its frosting is thick!") Cool cake completely before frosting.

FROSTING

(Tim's note: I use this recipe to frost the one of the cakes I usually make. If you make it all up you can save what you don't use in a plastic bag refrigerated for along time. Good for brownies, sugar cookies, graham crackers, and some of us consider it finger food.)

Gently blend together

2 pounds powdered sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

In small pieces add:

1/2 pound (2 squares) softened butter

Add:

3 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 to 2 cups of heavy whipping cream (This will depend on the thickness of the cream.)

Turn to high speed and whip for approx. 3 minutes.

Big Fat Chocolate Chip Cookie

2009-09-02T08:27:00.003-06:00

I got this recipe from your homebased mom It is really good!

I baked these a couple of days ago and slightly over cooked them. If you over cook cookies you can put a bread crust in the cookie jar and that will soften them so they are not to hard.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 cups chocolate chips (I use 1/2 white and 1/2 milk chocolate)
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon. Drop cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
Bake for 15-17 minutes (depending on size of cookie) in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

"Bajio Sweet Pork Salad" Copy Cat

2009-08-24T17:31:00.005-06:00

I made this salad last week and it was DELICIOSO! I found these recipes online. The one for the sweet pork was from our local ABC 4 news who had one of the big wigs from Bajio on their show to present, so I thought it would be a pretty good recipe and it sure was!

So the layers in a salad you would get at Bajio (or Cafe Rio) include:

1- Tortilla (I used the uncooked 'tortilla land' brand you can find at Costco or most grocery stores by the milk, butter, etc. for sure at Walmart, smiths, maceys)

2- Sweet Rice (recipe below)

3- Black Beans (I just opened a can of seasoned black beans)

4- Corn

5- Sweet Pork (recipe below)

6- Cheese

7- Any additional toppings you like: sour cream, guacamole, pico, salsa, etc

8- Tortilla strips (instructions below)

9- Creamy Tomatillo Ranch (recipe here)

And that is one dreamy meal.. and those you are serving it to will think you are the BEST!

Recipe for:

Sweet Pork

pork

3 lbs pork roast cut into baseball sized pieces

2 quarts water (You can also use a bottle of coke to substitute some of the water in there and that's tasty)

4 cups sliced white onions (I don't use near that amount)

1/4 cup salt

1 cup sugar

Marinade

Simmer together the following ingredients for 1 hour

4 cups enchilada sauce

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups soda water or coke/dr pepper

1 Tbs taco seasoning to taste

1 small cans pineapple juice (I added this to original recipe to try to reduce the spiciness of the taco seasoning because I had overdone it with almost 3 Tbs, my sis-in-law Birgitta recommended the pineapple juice and it was sooooo good that I'm always going to use it)

Cook pork until tender (you do stovetop or crock pot. I have done both and prefer crock pot)

Drain pork and shred with fork, keeping pork in original cooking pot

Pour hot marinade over shredded pork

keep warm

Recipe for:

Sweet Rice

1 Tbs oil

1/2 of a white onion, chopped (add more or less to your taste)

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro chopped

1 1/3 c. white rice

3 c. chicken broth

1/4 - 1/3 c. white sugar

Put a little oil in bottom of pan

Saute chopped onion until translucent

On the side, combine the chicken broth and sugar, letting sugar dissolve (get this ready before you add the cilantro so it's ready to pour)

Add rice, cooking it until it is light brown (be careful not to burn)

Add chopped cilantro (no big stems) to your onions and rice and saute 30 seconds more or so

Pour in broth with sugar, combine, and bring to boil

Cover and let cook on low/med low until rice is done, about 25 min

Fluff with fork before serving.

Tortilla Strips

Use tortillas of your choice (white corn, yellow, corn, flour)

Cut into thin strips

In large skillet, heat vegetable oil and fry up your strips, adding plenty of salt for deliciousness. Fry until light to golden brown.

Enjoy! You will be stu-uffed.

Heather Please Post....

2009-08-21T08:32:00.000-06:00

....the pork recipe! Please! Thanks again for dinner. That pork salad was the best! It seriously tasted like Bajio!

B

Cynthia Davies Whole Wheat Bread

2009-08-13T21:09:00.001-06:00

Cynthia Davies Whole Wheat Bread:
5 1/2 cup hot tap water
11 cups whole wheat flour (I used 14)
3 T SAf instant yeast
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 T salt (did I say I followed it exactly? I put in 2 T)
1/2 cup gluten flour (you can get it a health food store or Walton Wheat)
Turn over on to 200. Pour water into mixer and add 3 cup whole wheat flour and yeast. Mix well. Add 3 more cups flour. oil, honey and salt. Mix well. Add gluten and the rest of the flour while mixer is mixing. Add flour only until dough pulls away from the bowl, cleaning sides . Knead 10 minutes in the mixer.

Turn oven off. Divide dough into four parts and shape into loaves on a lightly oiled surface. Put dough in sprayed pans and raise in the over about 20-25 minutes. When loaves are almost raised, leave them in the oven and turn it on to
350 degrees. Bake for 45 minutes. (My oven is hot and so I cook it on a lower temperature for 40 minutes.

Butterfinger Brownies

2009-06-22T14:21:00.003-06:00

This is awesome. Very easy... We had them on Father's Day.

Ingredients:
Your favorite brownie mix
6 mini butterfinger bars or 2 full size bars
1/2 cup of chocolate chips

Directions: Prepare the brownie mix as directed. Fold in the chocolate chips. Spray pan and pour batter in 9x13 pan. In a ziplock bag, put your butterfinger bars in. Take out your frustrations, and beat it with a rolling pin to crush them. :) Then sprinkle on the top of the brownie batter. Bake as directed on the box.. And wha-la, you have yummy butterfinger brownies!

Black Bean Salad

2009-06-01T19:22:00.003-06:00

I got this recipe from Enrichment night. It's pretty tasty and perfect for summer BBQ's!

3 Cans Black beans, rinsed & drained
2 Cans Corn, drained
1 ¼ Cups cooked white Rice
3 Roma Tomatoes, chopped
½ Cup Red Onion, chopped
¼ Cup Green Onion, chopped
1 Cup Italian Dressing
1 Can chopped Green Chilies
1 Bunch Cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. Salt
1 TBL. Cumin
2 TBL. Lemon or Lime Juice
¼ Cup Red Wine Vinegar

Combine all ingredients and chill.

Red Lobster’s Garlic Cheese Biscuits

2009-04-27T20:59:00.003-06:00

I found this recipe on Your Home Based Mom and make these ALL the time. They are so quick and easy to make.

Red Lobster’s Garlic Cheese Biscuits
copycat recipe
2 c. Bisquick
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 c. butter
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. oregano/parsley -optional

Mix Bisquick and cheese; add milk. Spoon on an ungreased cookie sheet (makes about 12). Bake at 425 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Brush with melted butter, garlic powder and oregano.

Tomato Corn Chowder a'la Magelby's

2009-04-27T14:11:00.002-06:00

By now you might have figured out I don't really cook, I just assemble.

I had a bowl Tomato Corn Chowder from Magelby's one day and was enchanted. I needed more. So, in desperation, I "assembled" this. It worked!

One can of Progresso Hearty Tomato Soup
One can creamed corn
A few shakes of Mongolian Fire Oil (look in the grocery stores asian section, it's pretty common)
Enough cream, half n half, or evaporated (canned) milk to make it nice and creamy. Usually 3/4-ish cup.

Heat. Eat.

This is a great food storage and camping dish because the ingredients have forever shelf lifes (if you use canned milk.) Add as much Fire Oil as you want. We put it on the table for people who like spice.

Cafe Rio Dressing

2009-04-21T21:30:00.002-06:00

I've had a request for my lazy chef Cafe Rio Replica.

Start with a good Ranch Dressing. Hidden Valley in a bottle is NOT good ranch dressing. Hidden Valley you make from a packet is pretty good. Costco sells a big bottle of ranch back near the produce (refrigerated) that is very good.

Add Salsa Verde (the green stuff), Lime juice and cilantro to taste. I use a blender so the fresh cilantro gets chippity chopped.

And there you have it. Never had any complaints.

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

2009-04-10T10:36:00.002-06:00

People either love these or hate them. The dough is extremely soft. Work with it cold, Roll them quite thick, DO NOT over bake, and store airtight. They are my favorite.

1/4 c butter
1/4 c shortening
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c sour cream
2 2/3 c flour
1 tsp B Powder
1/2 tsp B soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg (the secret ingedient)

Sift together all dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix all other ingredients except sour cream. Alternate adding dry ingredients and sour cream until all is blended. Wrap in plastic and chill. Roll and shape. Bake at 425* for 8-10 minutes. They should not be brown, at all.

Soft and fluffy. We call them heroin cookies. ;-)

White Velvet Sugar Cookies

2009-04-10T10:15:00.005-06:00

By Melanie

OK.. after my last post, I actually applied myself and found this sugar cookie recipe on my friend Melanie's recipe blog (which has a link on my sidebar now.. cuz I'm tellin' ya this girl's got it goin on)

Anyhoo... below is a link to her sugar cookie recipe that looks absolutely perfect, and I'm excited to try it! I hope she doesn't mind that I borrowed it :)

White Velvet Sugar Cookies by Melanie

Gimme Some SUGAR... Cookie Recipes

2009-04-10T08:32:00.002-06:00

I am in need of a tried and true sugar cookie recipe.. I've never actually had one. Like, soft, fluffy sugar cookies. Anyone got one they can share??

I'm planning on making them tomorrow. If you could post today that would be great!

Thanks!

Heath

Granola (It Tastes Like a Warm Oatmeal Cookie!)

2009-04-06T11:05:00.001-06:00

2 1/2 cups uncooked regular oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sunflower seeds or chopped nuts
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup melted butter
1/4 cup bran or wheat germ
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins

As you may note, this doesn't make a huge amount, so if you have little hands that will want to share with you, I would suggest doubling it. And I've only used sliced almonds (no sunflower seeds yet and wheat germ instead of bran and I don't put the raisins in 'cause my kids don't like them).

Preheat oven to 325. Combine all ingredients except raisins. Bake in a 13 x 9 pan for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in raisins. For cooling, I suggest combining the granola into a big lump, so that it stays moist. If you spread it out to cool it will still taste warm and delicious the first day, but if you have any left by the next day, it will be drier. It's up to you.

Colorado Cake (best ever Coffee Cake)

2009-03-31T11:18:00.003-06:00

Here's a recipe from my college days. I had three roommates from southern Colorado and they would make this coffee cake almost every Sunday. It soon became a favorite amongst us roommates and pretty much everyone else who knew us. After a few Sundays this coffee cake became known as the Colorado Cake.

Colorado Cake (Best ever Coffee Cake)
Erica Gilleland

Batter:
1 1/2 C Sugar
1/2 C butter
2 eggs
1 C buttermilk
3 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Topping:
1 C chopped nuts
1 C brown sugar
4 TB flour
4 TB melted butter
4 tsp cinnamon
4 tsp water

Combine sugar, butter and eggs and blend well.Add dry ingredients alternately with milk.Spread half of batter in greased cake pan. Put 1/2 topping on top, swirl, repeat with remaining batter and topping.Swirl.Bake 30 minutes at 375. Let cool slightly and pour glaze over.

Glaze:
1/2 C sugar
1/4 C buttermilk
1/4 C butter
1/4 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla

(substitute for buttermilk: Add 1 TB vinegar to milk and let stand a couple of minutes.)

Caramel Popcorn

2009-03-26T09:46:00.003-06:00

For you Birg :) This stuff is the best!

2 c. brown sugar
1 c. Karo (corn) syrup
1 pinch salt

1 cube butter or marg.
1 tsp. baking soda

1 large bowl of popped corn - usually two full batches in an air popper is plenty.

Instructions: Pop your popcorn, set aside. Bring to boil brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Boil for approximately 2 -3 minutes, or until color changes to darker brown. remove from heat. Add butter and baking soda. Pour over popcorn and mix well. Spread over wax paper to cool.

This recipe takes only about 20 minutes (if you have all your ducks in a row). Also, I find that it works best with fresh popcorn.

Enjoy!

I want caramel popcorn!

2009-03-25T08:23:00.000-06:00

Heather--will you post your caramel popcorn recipe?? Thanks!

Mini Sour Cream Biscuits

2009-03-23T10:28:00.003-06:00

In the spirit of fairness, this isn't my recipe. I'm pretty sure it came from Taste of Home magazine. But it's a gem, double it, I promise, you'll wish you had. I've made these as drop biscuits for lack of mini-muffin tins--it works just fine but they aren't nearly as adorable.

1 cup Bisquick
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1/4 cup melted butter

Combine. Drop into Pam'ed mini muffin pan. Bake at 425. Check at 7 minutes, can go up to 15 minutes. They don't get really brown, just slightly firm---you know, like a....um...what is it?...a...right...a biscuit!

Also: Check out the recipe winners in the recent issue of http://www.scoutermagazine.com/. Muy Bueno! I also put these on http://www.theloneread.com/

Marie Calendars Corn Bread Muffins

2009-03-10T15:50:00.003-06:00

Whoa! These are fantastic. Very simple and very yummy.

Ingredients:
Yellow Cake mix (plus what it calls for)
Jiffy corn bread muffin box (plus what it calls for)

Instructions:
Follow the cake mix instructions and mix. (using the eggs, water and oil it calls for)
Then dump in the jiffy corn bread mix, plus (whatever it calls for 1egg, and 1/3 c. milk)
Blend with the mixer for one minute.

Temp: 355'
Bake for 15 min.
Yields: 40 cupcakes or 24 cupcakes and 4 mini loafs.

ENJOY!

Chicken With Parmesan Crust

2009-03-08T16:35:00.002-06:00

This is Kristi's Recipe. She sent it when Danielle asked all os us to email some good recipes. She served it when I was in Kansas. It is yummy and she said it is easy.

Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup Italian Dressing
2 T Olive oil
3 T butter or margarine
1/3 cup breadcrumbs
2 T grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Marinate thawed chicken breasts with Italian dressing for 10 - 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix melted butter, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese in a small bowl, and set aside. Preheat frying pan over medium heat and add olive oil. Lightly coat chicken with flour. Brown chicken on both sides for approximately 2 minutes per side. Place browned chicken breast on foil lined baking sheet. Top chicken with breadcrumb mixture and lightly press for the mix to hold. Bake for 10-12 minutes; until crust is golden brown.

Chocolate Mouse

2009-03-05T17:47:00.003-07:00

I got this recipe from Carolyn Nielson when they lived in Moses Lake.

Crust:
1 Cup Flour
1/2 cup chopped pecans (can use walnuts)
1/2 cup margarine
1/4 cup sugar

Combine as if for pie crust. Pat into bottom of 9x13 pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool.

8 oz cream cheese softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 (12 oz) Cool Whip
1 large package instant chocolate pudding
2 3/4 cup milk

Mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 cup Cool Whip together. Spread on crust. Mix together pudding and milk following package directions, pour on cream cheese layer. Spread with remainder of Cool Whip.

Tastes good with butter scotch pudding instead of chocolate as well. You can also use lemon pudding and call it lemon luscious. I have heard of people making this ahead, freezing it and thawing it in time to serve. I haven't done it.

Cherry Cheese Pie

2009-03-05T17:33:00.002-07:00

This Recipe was given to me by my sister, Gwen, back in the early 70's.
I have loved it! It is supper easy and yummy!

CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
Soften 8 oz package of cream cheese
Add and beat 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla
Gradually add 2 cups whipping cream, beat until stiff (can use 4 cups cool whip)

Pour into 9x11 pan with graham cracker crust. Chill.
Then top with 1 large can or cherry or blue berry pie filling. Chill.

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST:
Melt 1/4 cup butter
Add: 1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
3 T. sugar
Mix and press into pan

This recipe can be cut in half and put in a 8x8 inch pan, using a small can of pie filling.

Fruit Bars

2009-03-03T21:56:00.003-07:00

These are super easy, and with the granola and fruit in them, I just might eat them for breakfast!

1 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C oats
1 C brown sugar
1 3/4 sticks butter (softened at room temp) cut into pieces
1 10-12 oz jar of raspberry preserves (could use apricot, strawberry etc)

Mix all ingredients together except for the preserves. Press 1/2 of the mixture into a buttered 8" baking dish.
Spread the preserves over this layer.
Sprinkle remaining crumb topping over preserves layer-tap lightly in place.

Bake at 350* for 30-40 minutes, or until top is lightly browned and preserves are bubbling.

I serve them hot with vanilla ice cream, but they are delicious cooled!

Potatoe Cheese Soup

2009-01-30T12:49:00.003-07:00

This is my favorite soup recipe of all time. Hope you enjoy!!!

Potato Cheese Soup
Source: Unknown

5 c. diced potatoes ( I add a few more!)
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped celery
1 c. chopped carrots
3 c. water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
*boil 15 min. Do not drain

White Sauce:
3/4 c. butter
4 c. milk
3/4 c. flour
*cook on low, add 8-12 oz. Velveeta cheese

Add white sauce to vegetables, stir and enjoy
serves: 6

Chicken and White Bean Chili

2009-01-25T18:53:00.005-07:00

This chili took home the prize for Best Overall at my ward's Chili Cook-off this weekend, so I thought I would share. I got the recipe from my aunt and it is my favorite thing to make when it is blustery and cold outside.

(The original recipe suggests you buy dry Great White beans and soak 4 cups of them in 4 cups of water and 3 cups of chicken broth, but I never have a day to spend boiling beans so I just buy canned beans.)

4 16oz cans Great White or White Northern beans (I like to mix them up for variety)
2 chicken breasts (or 4 tenderloins)
2 tsp White Chicken Worschestershire Sauce or Lea&Perrins Chicken Marinade (this is impossible to find, so I usually just leave it out)
2 tsp coriander
2 tsp cumin
pepper and salt to taste
1 small clove of garlic
1 cup chopped onion
3 cans mild green chiles (I usually just do 2, as 3 cans can get spicy)

Chopped cilantro to taste (you can leave it out if you don't like cilantro)

(The recipe says to cut chicken in 1 inch cubes, but I hate working with raw meat, so I usually just boil the chicken and then shred it into pieces w/ forks)

Take chopped garlic clove and onions and saute in 3 tbsp of olive oil until transluscent. Add chicken and spices and brown. At the same time put beans in a stock pot over medium heat. Once chicken is browned add the entire mixture to the stock pot along with the green chiles and a can and a half of water or chicken broth. Boil over medium high heat for an hour, then turn down to medium for at least another hour, stirring occasionally. You can really let it simmer for as long as you want, depending on how soupy you want it. Serve w/ pepper jack or mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top. Also, if you boil and shred the chicken, you can throw everything into a slow cooker and just not worry about it for about 4 hours.

Chocolate Chip Chocolate Bundt Cake

2009-01-24T14:26:00.003-07:00

This recipe is from a lady in my ward, Julee Bateman. It is TO DIE for. Anyhoo...

1 chocolate pudding cake mix (any choc cake mix will do)

1-4oz. chocolate pudding mix

10 oz sour cream

4 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup warm water

12 oz pk chocolate chips

Mix all together and pour into a greased and floured bundt pan and cook for 50-60 minutes on 350 degrees. It is pretty moist so it needs to be cooked all the way through. You can put powdered sugar on top, or drizzle chocolate sauce, or for Christmas chopped candy cane.

Enjoy!

Brown Sugar Muffins

2009-01-22T21:41:00.003-07:00

This recipe is in the 6th Ward cook book, pg 95 From Karla Hansen. We had it today for book club lunch at Brenda Goodrich's house. They are awesome!

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
1/4 cup nuts
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp soda

Combine flour, soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar, then add the egg, milk, and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture and last of all nuts. Place in greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Yield: 12 muggins

Buffalo Wings

2009-01-20T22:11:00.003-07:00

Wingette Chicken Pieces (we have only found them at Walmart, ugh.)
Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce (that's just the name, not the heat talking!)
Famous Dave's Chicken Wing Seasoning.

Place wings on cookie sheet (a large cookie sheet holds two packages of wings, and it's hard to have any less because they fly!) Sprinkle with the seasoning, on both sides. Place in 400 degree oven for 40 minutes. Deep fry wings for two minutes. Dump in a steel mixing bowl and toss with Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce until coated. They are spicy, but not an overkill of spice. We love, love, love them!! GREAT football food! That's nice and all...now that football season is over!

Brownies With Strawberries & Cream

2009-01-14T17:46:00.006-07:00

Brownies: Make brownie mix with cake like directions and bake them in a mini muffin tin for 14 minutes at 325* When you take them out of the oven press the centers right away with a spoon or whatever you have that will make a small indentation in the middle.

Frosting:
Mix together 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1/4 Cup powdered sugar.
Add in: Melt 1/3 bag of white chocolate chips in microwave until soft.
Fold in: 1 Cup thawed cool whip (or more if you like).

Assembly:Put the frosting in a zip top bag, snip a small corner off and squeeze the frosting into the brownies. Top with fresh strawberries or a small amount of strawberry jam (or another fruit that goes well with chocolate and cream.)

These are great little desserts that taste like you spent hours in the kitchen!!

Pasta Fagioli Soup

2009-01-12T08:21:00.004-07:00

2 cans of beef broth
1 can of Great Northern beans, drained.
1/2 link of Kielbasa Sausage, diced.
1 can of diced tomatoes, undrained. (I used Italian Tomatoes)
2 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced.
1 tbs. olive oil
1 ½ tsp. minced garlic
½ tsp. dried basil leaves
½ tsp. dried oregano leaves
½ c. uncooked tubetti, ditali pasta
½ c. garlic croutons
½ Parmesan cheese

1. combine broth, beans, tomatoes with juice, zucchini, oil, garlic, basil, and oregano in slow cooker. Mix well. Cover; cook on low for 3-4 hours.
2. 2. Stir in pasta. Cover; cook on low 1 hour or until pasta is tender. (just threw pasta in to begin with)
3. Serve soup with croutons and cheese. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Prep time: 12 minutes
Cook time: 4-5 hours
Makes 5 – 6 servings.

This is super easy and a crowd pleaser! YUM YUM!

EASY Turtle Bars

2009-01-02T09:36:00.004-07:00

I got this recipe out of my new cake mix cook book. I made these for New Years Eve and everyone raved about them!

1 pkg chocolate cake mix
1/2 C butter, melted
1/4 C milk
1 C semisweet chocolate chips
1 C chopped pecans or walnuts
1 jar (12 oz) caramel ice cream topping

1. Preheat oven to 350. Spray 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine cake mix, butter and milk; mix until well blended. Press half of batter into prepared pan. Bake 7 -8 mins or until crust begins to form.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips and half of the nuts over partially baked crust. Drizzle with caramel topping. Drop spoonfuls of remaining batter over caramel mixture; sprinkle with remaining nuts.
4. Bake 18-20 mins or until top springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars.

Makes 2 1/2 dozen bars.

Pizza Crust (from Buffington's)

2008-12-09T17:29:00.003-07:00

2 cups warm water
1TBSP yeast
2 TBSP sugar
1TBSP oil

Let sit and activate. Then add:

1 tsp salt
4-5 cups flour

Knead; let rise until double. Press in deep cookie sheet. One batch makes two sheets of pizza. Bake at 425 for 12-14 minutes. I like to brush on melted butter before baking. For added yumminess, I flip the pizza crust, once it's baked, and bake it on the other side for a few minutes. Once done, flip back over. I spread on plain old tomato sauce, sprinkled with garlic salt, oregano and parsley.

Royal Icing (Gingerbread Houses Icing)

2008-12-09T17:22:00.002-07:00

3 egg whites
2tsp Cream of Tartar
4 cups powdered sugar
(scooped, not packed)

Beat until thick; minimum of 10 minutes. Easy icing and it works. Turns hard as a rock! For really easy gingerbread houses, use graham crackers. But, you all probably already knew that!

Thanksgiving Turkey

2008-12-04T21:25:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I know this is a little late... but I thought I did a good job.

My mother in-law asked me to do an appetizer for Thanksgiving.

I found this on familyfun.com and I modified it a bit.

A fruit and Cheese Turkey.

Elf Yourself 2008

2008-12-04T16:37:00.001-07:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Zuppa Toscana, Soup from the Olive Garden

2008-12-02T16:06:00.004-07:00

1 lb. ground Italian sausage, browned with crushed red pepper to taste
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 white onion, diced
10 cups water
5 cubes chicken bouillon
3 medium russet potatoes, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and then sliced
1/2 pint whipping cream
2 cups kale, cut in half lengthwise then sliced
1/4 cup crumbled bacon (we like it with the bacon, but it tastes great without it too)

-After browning the sausage, use some remaining grease to saute onions and garlic
-Simmer in a large pot: water, bouillon, sausage, onions and garlic
-Add potatoes and simmer until potatoes are tender but not crumbling
-salt and pepper to taste
-Stir in kale, cream, and bacon before serving

-Serves 10

Better Than "Anything" Cake

2008-11-24T17:11:00.003-07:00

A popular chocolate cake with loads of chocolate, caramel topping, candy bars and whipped topping. This is perfect when you don't have a lot of time.
INGREDIENTS:
• 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
PREPARATION:
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 12

Tip: I like to make things pretty... so i pour fudge sauce in a zip lock back or a piping bag and drizzle it out zig zag style all the way across the cake. and then do the same for the caramel but zig zag the other direction. (it looks like a grid)

Pear Green Salad

2008-11-24T17:09:00.001-07:00

2 heads Romaine – or other leafy types of lettuce
2 heads Mixed Greens
½ lb. Bacon (fried and crumbled)
4-5 Ripe pears, chopped
½ C. Slivered almonds toasted
1 pkg. Craisins (approx. 1 C.)
4 oz. Gorgonzola Cheese or Blue Cheese

Dressing: (Only ½ is really needed for the amount of salad above)
2 C. Sugar
2 tsp. Salt
2 tsp. Poppyseed
½ C. Oil
2 tsp Dry Mustard
1 C. Red Wine Vinegar

This is a hit to everyone! Even my hubby who thinks any salad is just "rabbit food".

Breakfast Bake

2008-11-23T14:53:00.004-07:00

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1 lb. cooked sausage
Chopped Ham
6-8 eggs
1/2 C. milk
1/2 tsp. pepper
1-2 C. cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Unroll dough in 9x13 pan; press to cover bottom of dish, firmly pressing holes and seams together to seal.

Spread sausage on top of crust and then sprinkle ham on top. Beat eggs, milk and pepper with whisk until blended. Pour over ham and top with cheese.

Bake 25 minutes or until center is set.

Pumpkin Sheet Cake (Pumpkin Bars)

2008-11-20T21:32:00.006-07:00

OK. This is seriously DE-LISH. I could eat the whole dang thing!

Cake:

2 c. sugar

1 c. oil

1 pinch salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking soda

2 c. flour

4 eggs

1/2 tsp allspice

1 16-oz can pumpkin

Mix together (I do dry ingredients first, then wet, and a wire whisk does the job great for mixing). Bake @ 350 for 20-22 min in large greased baking sheet. Cool completely before frosting. store in refrigerator.

Frosting:

3 c. powdered sugar

3/4 stick margarine or butter (softened to rm temp)

1 pinch salt

4 oz cream cheese (softened to rm temp)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbs. milk

cream butter, salt, cream cheese, vanilla and milk. Add powdered sugar. I use a hand mixer.

Need Cookie Recipe

2008-11-11T14:58:00.006-07:00

Heather will appreciate this...

Does anyone have a GOOD Sugar Free Cookie Recipe??? Yesterday I attempted a recipe I got from allrecipes.com using bananas, applesauce, apple chunks, oats and a little flavoring...they were HORRIBLE! They tasted like cardboard on the outside and mushy nastiness on the inside. Jeremy wouldn't take more than a couple of bits, and he'll eat anything! What I don't get is this recipe rated 4 out of 5 stars! Who's rating these things...tree huggers (no offense)?

Anyway, if you don't have a good sugar free cookie, post a good sugar free dessert!

Pasta Primavera

2008-11-07T18:40:00.004-07:00

8 ounces uncooked fettuccine or linguine
1 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced (1 cup) or sometimes when I am in a hurry, I use canned carrots.
1 cup broccoli flowerets
1 cup frozen peas, rinsed to separate
1 small onion chopped
Alfredo sauce (recipe below)
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
*We like to add bite size pieces of cooked chicken to ours but this is optional.

1. cook pasta as directed on package
2. While pasta is cooking, heat oil in skill in 12 inch skillet over medium high heat. Cook broccoli, carrots, peas, and onion in oil 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently, until veggies are tender.
3. Prepare sauce. Stir sauce into veggies. Drain pasta and add to sauce and veggie mixture. Heat through and serve with cheese.

Alfredo Sauce
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
Dash of pepper

Heat butter and whipping cream over low heat, stirring constantly until butter is melted. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper.

I am making this for dinner on Sunday. I try and make a special meal once in a while, and this is it. I really like this recipe. It may seem hard at first, but I have made it several times and each time I make it, it gets easier.
Carrie

Banana Bread Muffins

2008-10-30T12:24:00.007-06:00

I know everyone has their own favorite banana bread recipe, but I tend to think mine is pretty DELUXE! I thought I would share it, so try it...you'll see!

2 eggs
1/3 C. oil
1/3 C. applesauce ( I use unsweetened - 100% natural)
2 C. mashed ripe bananas (it's about 6 depending on the size)
2 C. flour
1 C. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbl. cinnamon
1/2 C. chopped nuts AND/OR 1/2 bag of chocolate chips (optional)

Topping (optional):
Melted butter
Cinnamon/Sugar mixture

Preheat oven to 350. Mix eggs, oil, applesauce and bananas. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Fold in nuts and/or chocolate chips. Grease pans or use cupcake liners for muffins.

Muffins (about 24): bake 25-28 mins
4 mini loaf pans or 2 big loaf pans: 45-55 mins

Bake until knife comes out clean and bread is golden brown. All ovens vary, so check bread at minimum temperature. Do not overbake! Brush with butter and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture.

TIP: If you have bananas that are ripe, but don't have enough bananas to bake bread, store peeled bananas in a ziplock bag in the freezer. Thaw in microwave when you are ready to use.

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

2008-10-28T18:22:00.004-06:00

1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

3 cups white sugar

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two bread loaf pans.

In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stire the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

Bake for a little over an hour (depends on your elevation) in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted comes out clean.

*** To give the bread an extra fattening and yummy touch, I poked holes in the top of the loaves with a toothpick and poured in a mixture of melted butter combined with cinnamon and sugar. Yum!

Pumpkin Muffins

2008-10-27T22:06:00.006-06:00

1 spice cake mix

1 small can of pumpkin

*When doubling the recipe, add the following (optional) to make even more moist:

- a small packet of vanilla pudding

- 1/3 cup sour cream

Mix ingredients and bake at 350 until done. Sorry that is not very specific. I did mini muffins and they took about 13 minutes. Bake until they bounce back when you press your finger to them.

I made them just after the truffles.. so I dipped a corner of them in chocolate.. and THAT was even MORE deluxe!

Oh, and I have to give my friend Heather Jones credit for this recipe. I work with her in Young Womens and she is a genius of a cook. Thanks Heather!

Oreo Truffles

2008-10-27T21:56:00.004-06:00

This recipe is SO easy and is a BIG hit! I made it for a party on Saturday and won the "best tasting" contest! They are Yummy.

Makes about 50 truffles

1 lb Oreo cookies (3 sleeves) (I like using Mint Oreos)
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (using different extracts allows for subtle flavour changes...I've used mint extract, upped to 1 tsp) (optional)
1 lb milk chocolate
1/2 lb white chocolate

Using a food processor, grind cookies to a fine powder.
With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).
Roll into small balls and place on wax-lined cookie sheet.
Refrigerate for 45 minutes.
Line two cookie sheets with wax paper.
In double-boiler, melt milk chocolate.
Dip balls and coat thoroughly.
With slotted spoon, lift balls out of chocolate and let excess chocolate drip off.
Place on wax-paper-lined cookie sheet.
In separate double boiler, melt white chocolate.
Using a fork, drizzle white chocolate over balls.
Let cool.
Store in airtight container, in refrigerator.

Out of the World Chicken in a Crock Pot

2008-10-27T21:31:00.003-06:00

4 chicken breasts
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 packet dry italian dressing
1 8 oz package cream cheese

Dump all in a crock pot and cook! That easy! I am not sure of the time because I have done anything from tenders to fresh chicken to frozen chicken and it is all different. Try at least 5 hours on low and see if that works! Sorry my recipes are always so vague! We cheat because we have a meat thermometer...makes everything a little less scientific. Shred in crock pot with two forks before serving. This dinner is sooooo yummy. We serve on rice or mashed potatoes for the little taste buds. YUMMMM!

Bag of Bones, Breadsticks

2008-10-23T09:58:00.004-06:00

1 TBSP yeast
2 TBSP sugar
1 1/2 cups warm water

Mix lightly and let sit until foamy. Then add

2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
(for all you garlic lovers, you can replace
salt with 1 TBSP garlic salt)
31/2 cups flour

Mix, then knead in mixer for about 5 minutes. Let raise til double.

Throw dough on a lightly sprayed surface. Roll into a rectangle shape and cut into strips with a pizza cutter. With each individual stick, slit at each end, just a bit, and fold or roll under to make the knobby parts at the end of the bones. Rub cookie sheets with butter. Bake at 375 degrees for 18 minutes or until golden brown.

For added flavor try: brushing with melted butter, brushing with melted butter with a dash of garlic salt in it, sprinkling with course salt, sprinking with parmesean, or all of the above. PS, this is all done to the dough before baked, but you knew that, right?

For our door-bell ditching "Boo-ed" treat this year, we made a bunch of these bones and put them in halloween bags, with a note that said, "Enjoy your bag of bones". We were thrilled to give something that wasn't sugar.

Witch Fingers

2008-10-23T08:10:00.006-06:00

Creepy Witches' Fingers

Yield: 5 dozen

1 cup Butter, softened, 1 cup Icing sugar (powdered sugar), 1 Egg, 1 tsp Almond extract, 1 tsp Vanilla

2 2/3 cups Flour, 1 tsp Baking powder*

1 tsp Salt, 3/4 cup Almonds, whole blanched, 1 Tube red decorator gel (optional, not pictured)

Gross everyone out with these creepy cookies.

In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Beat in flour, baking soda*, and salt. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes. Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remainder refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in centre to create knuckle shape. (Accompanying picture showed long rolled shape with bulge at centre for knuckle; you puff it out rather than squeeze it in.) Using paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle.

Place on lightly greased baking sheets; bake in 325F (160C) oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale golden. Let cool for 3 minutes. Lift up almond, squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place, so gel oozes out from underneath. You can also make slashes in the finger and fill them with "blood."

Remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks. Repeat with remaining dough.

Halloween Swamp Juice

2008-10-23T08:03:00.001-06:00

Swamp Juice

2c boiling water

1 (6oz) package Jello Brand Lime flavor gelatin

2c cold orange juice

1 liter of cold seltzer (sprite)

ice cubes

1 pt. orange sherbet, slightly softened

1 orange thinly sliced

1 lime thinly sliced

Handful of Halloween plastic toys (Spiders, mice, eye balls, etc..)

Directions:

Stir boiling water into gelatin in lg. bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in Orange juice, cool to room temp.
Pour into punch bowl just before serving. Add cold seltzer and ice cubes. Place scoops of sherbet and fruit slices on the punch.
Top with plastic Halloween toys… like eye balls, spiders, mice etc…

Alfredo With A Twist

2008-10-21T08:55:00.000-06:00

Kielbasa Alfredo

Penne noodles (prepared according to package)

½ of a link of kielbasa sausage (they come in 16 oz. packages)

½ red bell pepper

½ orange bell pepper

Jar of alfredo ( I used Cheesy Ragu Alfredo)

1 T. salt

Preparations:

Cook pasta as directed on package with 1 T. salt
Slice kielbasa in bite size pieces, in a skillet lightly brown sausage.
In a small saucepan, heat jar of alfredo
Chop bell peppers, and then toss them in with sausage for last 3 min.
Combine all ingredients and serve.
(optional) for garnish, sprinkle parmesan cheese and a couple sliced peppers.

Total time: 20 min.

Really easy, really cheap, not too many ingredients! By Karen Brothersen

Thanks my love

2008-10-20T21:47:00.000-06:00

You know.. there's just something cool about being married to a graphic designer. Thanks Kirk.. I LOVE my new template!!

Lip Smackin Apple Dip

2008-10-13T21:13:00.000-06:00

3 eight ounce pkgs cream cheese
1 pound brown sugar
2 T vanilla
Heath milk chocolate toffee bits (around 1/2 cup)

Mix together cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Stir in toffee bits to desired amount. Put into serving dish; sprinkle with more toffee bits.

TIPS: I use reduced fat cream cheese (neufchatel.) For easy measuring you can buy brown sugar in a 1 pound box. This recipe is a HUGE hit at parties. Be prepared to hand out recipe after serving!

Potato Roll Dough

2008-10-13T11:12:00.000-06:00

5-8 Cups all Flour (I like to use half bread flour and all purpose flour) 1 1/4 Cups "HOT" tap water1/2 Cup Shortening1/2 Cup Sugar1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 Cup prepared instant mashed potato's (1 cup hot water. 3/4 cup instant potato flakes, no butter, salt or milk)2 eggs1 TBS yeast (instant rapid rise yeast)
In large bowl mix hot water and 1 cup of flour. Whisk in sugar, salt and shortening. Add eggs, Whisk. Add potato's, Whisk. Add yeast, Whisk. Then stir in rest of flour ONE CUP at a time. Dough will be somewhat sticky yet firm. Make sure all the flour is mixed in. You can cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate dough overnight, then roll out and make cinnamon rolls or dinner rolls.OR.... you can let rise until double, then punch down, and let rise again. Then roll out into rolls.
For cinnamon rolls:
Roll dough into rectangle shape approx 1/2 in. thick. Pour small amount of melted butter on dough and spread evenly to the edges. Make Cinnamon & sugar mixture and spread generously on top of butter. Then add anything else like raisins, nuts (YUK) etc. Roll up dough starting from edge closet to you. Cut 2 in. thick rolls, place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise until double. They should look nice and fluffy. Bake @ 350 for 20 min.
Icing:
203 cups powdered sugar1-2 TBS butter1 tsp. PURE vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. PURE almond extract Hot water
In bowl add first 4 ingredients. Then add a small amount of hot water and stir until icing is slightly runny. If too runny add more pwdr sugar. Spoon icing on warm NOT hot rolls and spread around. When icing is set you can drizzle any extra icing on the tops to make them look extra special and pretty!! (a Professional tip) Woo hoo!

This is a very versatile dough.

Breakfast bunz:
spread beaten eggs in place of the butter, then a mixture of scrambled eggs , diced ham or bacon, sausage etc... and cheese in place of the cinnamon!!! roll them up the same way and cut. Then Dip tops into shredded cheese and place on cookie sheet. Bake at same temp. These are seriously awesome!!!!

Pizza rolls:
Spread pizza sauce (not too thick) on dough. Add any pizza type ingredients but be careful with wet ingredients like veggies. sprinkle with mozzerlla cheese, roll up, dip in shredded cheese & bake!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

2008-10-13T11:05:00.001-06:00

2 1/4 C. Shortening1 1/4 C. light Brown sugar2 1/4 C. White sugar
In a large bowl cream together above ingredients. Then mix in:
5 eggs1 TBS. vanilla (pure vanilla will make the cookie taste better) 2 1/4 tsp. salt2 1/4 tsp. baking soda

When the above ingredients are all mixed together add:
5 C. all purpose flour *** ONE CUP AT A TIME ***
DON"T OVER MIX ! ! ! !

add semi-sweet chocolate chips, aprox 2-4 cups, depending on how chocolaty you like it, I like to add some butterscotch pieces with it to add some flavour. Or you can scoop the dough and then dip it into M&M's!
Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 375 for aprox 10 min. IMPORTANT!!! Do not overbake these cookies. They are done when they turn "lightly brown" around the edges. (If you cook them longer they will be too crisp.) They may look like they aren't done, but they finish cooking on the pan while they are cooling down.!! AND.... they are even better the next day!!!!

Lasagna

2008-10-13T10:27:00.000-06:00

1 lb. hamburger
¼ cup grated onions
1 tsp. salt
1 bottle of Prego
1-2 cups water
1 large can diced tomatoes (I use home-canned tomatoes)
Fill that same can used from above and fill with water and pour that in while you're at it!
Large Dashes of oregano, parsley, garlic powder, basil
Uncooked Lasagna noodles
2 cup cottage cheese
3 cup grated Mozzarella
3 cup grated cheddar
Parmesan Cheese

Brown hamburger and add the rest up to the spices. Let sauce simmer for 1 hour to blend flavors (It should be watery at the beginning because that softens the noodles in the oven). Layers in a 9x13 pan are: Sauce, noodles, sauce, cheese, noodles, sauce, cheese, noodles, sauce, cheese, For as deep as your pan is and you want to end with cheese on top! I usually can’t get more than two layers. As far as the cheeses go, just plop on some small spoonfuls of cottage cheese everywhere, then cover with grated cheese then sprinkle parmesan cheese. Bake for 1 hour at 350° (until bubbly).

Sweet & Sour Chicken

2008-10-13T10:23:00.000-06:00

¾ cup sugar
½ cup vinegar
¼ cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp soy sauce
3 chicken breasts cut into pieces
2 eggs beaten
Cornstarch!!

First five ingredients make sauce. Take Chicken pieces and mix with eggs. Cover with cornstarch to make it breaded (I take a few pieces of chicken at a time that way they all get it evenly) and seer on the breading in a frying pan on Medium heat for a minute or so on each side. Then put in sauce in a 9x13 pan and bake at 350° for 45 minutes.

My Girls' Kitchen

Kettle Corn

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

Heat the oil over medium-high heat. add the popcorn. When the oils sizzles, sprinkle the sugar over the kernels. Cover the pan and crank handle until the popping slows down, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and toss with the salt.

Uncle Andy's Punch

Pecan Tassies

Mary Lou's Almond Roca

Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

"Souper" Macaroni & Cheese

Spinach salad and award winning dressing

Lemon-Feta Chicken

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Pot Pie

But You Haven't Had MY Meat Loaf

2 eggs, beaten

¾ cup milk

2/3 cup bread crumbs

¼ cup finely chopped onion

2 Tbsp parsley

1 tsp salt

Pinch of oregano, basil, and/or sage

Pinch of pepper

2 lbs ground beef

Combine ingredients together(I used my hands to mush it all ) Then put in a bread loaf pan and bake @ 350o for 1 to 1¼ hour. Take out and put mixed glaze on top then bake for 10 more minutes. Let Stand for 10 minutes before eating

MeatBalls

Nanaimo Bars

Dragonfire Chicken

Cooking bacon in the oven

Kimberly's Fruit Dip

Good Water

Baked Spaghetti

Hula Muffins

Peanut Butter Squares

Arabele Noble's Potato Rolls (Those wonderful Friday rolls)

Hawaiian Haystacks- Best Sauce Ever!

Chuck Roast Recipe

Pumpkin Pancakes

Salsa Chicken Burritos

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

Crispy Clusters

Ginger Chicken

Carrot Cake - a family favorite

Butter Scotch Sauce

Red Potato Bake

Chicken Cordon Bleu

SCONES

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

BYU Mint Brownies

Smothered Chicken

Cream Cheese "Chicken" Soup

Seven Layer Dip

Directions

Perfect Pancake Batter

Rice Pilaf

Cheesy Chicken

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Italian Sausage Bake

Tim's Chocolate Cake

Big Fat Chocolate Chip Cookie

"Bajio Sweet Pork Salad" Copy Cat

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Cynthia Davies Whole Wheat Bread

Butterfinger Brownies

Black Bean Salad

Red Lobster’s Garlic Cheese Biscuits

Tomato Corn Chowder a'la Magelby's

Cafe Rio Dressing

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

White Velvet Sugar Cookies

Gimme Some SUGAR... Cookie Recipes

Granola (It Tastes Like a Warm Oatmeal Cookie!)

Colorado Cake (best ever Coffee Cake)

Caramel Popcorn

I want caramel popcorn!

Mini Sour Cream Biscuits

Marie Calendars Corn Bread Muffins

Chicken With Parmesan Crust

Chocolate Mouse

Cherry Cheese Pie

Combine ingredients together(I used my hands to mush it all ) Then put in a bread loaf pan and bake @ 350^o for 1 to 1¼ hour. Take out and put mixed glaze on top then bake for 10 more minutes. Let Stand for 10 minutes before eating