. WHAT'S FOR DINNER

Orange Teriyaki Salmon

2012-02-12T19:34:00.002-05:00

My new recipe of the week--SUCCESS!!!

This really was SO yummy. We always grill our salmon, so this was a nice change. Great flavor.

*TRULY*

Recipe and photos from Ourbestbites.com

about 2 pounds salmon; one large filet or 2 smaller ones

3/4 C orange marmalade

4 Tablespoons butter

1/2 C orange juice

3 Tbs bottled teriyaki sauce

6 Tbs soy sauce

1 Tbs worshershire sauce

2 Tbs vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbs brown sugar

1/2 tsp liquid smoke

1/8 tsp ground red pepper, or 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

several cracks black pepper

2 Tbs chopped dry onion, or 1/4 C minced fresh onion

3 Tbs dry parsley or about 1/2 C fresh

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Layer a piece of heavy duty foil over a large baking sheet Lay on one more sheet in the opposite direction, leaving about 8″ of overhang on all sides.

Place marmalade and butter in a small microwave safe bowl and heat for about 30 seconds, or until butter is melted. Whisk until smooth. Combine this mixture with all ingredients (except fish) in a bowl and stir until smooth. Rinse salmon in cold water and pat dry. Place skin side down on baking sheet. Pour marinade over fish.

Starting from one end, gather the foil overhang together and roll them together to seal a tent-like pouch. Bake in oven for about 25 minutes. Fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. Test fish and return pan to oven for an additional 5-10 minutes if necessary. Serve salmon with sauce spooned over top.

Grill instructions: Preheat gas grill to 325. Place foil pouch on upper rack if you have one, or on indirect heat on the main rack. Follow the same baking instructions as if it were in the oven.

Fish can also be cooked in a foil tent over a camp fire. Season the fish as desired (you can also add a couple of tablespoons of water to help it steam in the hot fire) and close up your foil tent. Nestle your foil pouch into the glowing embers where the heat isn’t as intense as the flames. Cooking time may vary depending on the size and variety of fish, so check it after 10 minutes. If it’s not done, check at 2-3 minute intervals after that.

Homemade Granola Bars

2012-02-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

These are my new FAVORITE things to make. SO easy and so much better than the ones in the stores. AND without all the preservatives and fillers. If I lived closer to you, I'd give you a sample. SO GOOD!

GRANOLA OAT BARS:

1c raw cashews

4T coconut oil (melted)

4T honey

2c fresh medjool dates

3c thick oats

Place ingredients in food processor and blend for about a minute. Pour contents into a bowl and mix in desired 'add ins' with clean hands. (Trader Joe's sells the cheapest coconut oil...it's SO good)

My favorite granola bars have:

(and you can be creative, mixing in whatever you like)

1c chopped pecans

1/2 bar dark Belgian chocolate
(finely chopped)

1c shredded coconut

Place mixture in a large, glass baking dish (11x9) and press down with hands. Stick in the freezer for about 10 minutes...cut into bars and place back in freezer for another 10 minutes. Remove from freezer and place in individual snack bags and they keep best in freezer. This pan above makes about 15 bars, perfect for my 3 school kids for 5 school days.

YUM!

Bon Bon

2012-02-06T18:25:00.001-05:00

Slow Cooker Coconut Chicken Curry

(I forgot to add the cornstarch part, and it was still great...if you like Indian food, I think you'll enjoy this)

*TRULY*

recipe and photo from tastykitchen.com

Preparation Instructions

1. Place chicken cubes inside the slow cooker.

2. Place therest of the ingredients (except chili peppers, cornstarch, water and coriander) in a food processor bowl and process together until the mix is smooth(ish). Pour sauce mix on top of the chicken, mix well, add hot peppers if using any, then close the lid. Cook on low for 6 hours.

3. An hour before serving, mix together water and cornstarch until the cornstarch is completely disolved. Add to the chicken curry and mix well. Place the lid back on for the rest of the cooking time.

4. Serve on top of steaming white rice, something wonderfully aromatic like jasmine or basmati rice. Decorate with lots of chopped coriander. So good!

Ingredients

2 or 3lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast, Cut Into Large Cubes
1 whole Onion, Peeled And Halved
2 cloves Garlic, Peeled
1 whole Small Green Bell Pepper, Seeded And Quartered
1 can (15 oz Can) Tomato Paste
1 can (about 400ml Can) Coconut Milk
1-½ teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
1 Tablespoon Garam Masala (Indian Spice Mix)
2 whole Dry Red Chili Peppers (optional For Extra Heat))
2 Tablespoons Water
1-½ Tablespoon Cornstarch
1 bunch Coriander (optional, For Decoration)

SEVEN LAYER DIP!

2012-02-05T16:57:00.000-05:00

SEVEN LAYER DIP!

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can refried beans (traditional variety)
1 (4.5 ounce) can chopped green chiles, undrained
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice for avocado layer
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt
3 avocados, halved, pitted, flesh spooned out
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup salsa (I used the homemade salsa from earlier this week)
3/4 cup sliced canned black olives, drained
1 cup grated pepper Jack cheese
1/2 cup thin sliced scallion greens, green part only

Directions

Mix beans, chiles, 1 Tb. of lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. In a second small bowl, mash avocados with a fork; stir in remaining 2 Tbs. lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon of salt to make guacamole (I added a little the fresh salsa to my guac). In a third small bowl, mix sour cream and mayonnaise.
Spread bean mixture, then guacamole, then sour cream mixture, and finally salsa (i added diced tomatoes here too) over the bottom of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or similar size pan. Sprinkle with olives, then cheese. (Dip can be covered and refrigerated up to 2 days) To serve, sprinkle with green onions. (i skipped the green onions, didn't have any on hand)
*TRULY*

2012-02-02T22:06:00.000-05:00

I tried 2 new salsa recipes this week.

I prefer the 1st one, but I think they're both good.

Grab some chips!

(photo from cookingclassy.blogspot.com)

FRESH SALSA

Ingredients:

5 Roma tomatos

1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes with green chilis, undrained

2 green onions

3 Tbsp yellow onion

2 serrano peppers, stems removed (use less or omit if you don't like spicy foods)

1/3 cup fresh cilantro (about a handful)

1 clove garlic

Juice of 1 lime

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp ground cumin

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and chop until all ingredients are finely chopped. Alternately, if you don't have a food processor finely chop veggies then pour into a mixing bowl, add canned tomatos, lime juice, chili powder, cumin and season with salt and pepper to taste and stir. Serve with tortilla chips. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Easy Blender Salsa

Ingredients:

1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel
1/2 small onion, roughly chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed
juice of 1 lime

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve with chips or over tacos.

SNICKERS POPCORN

2012-01-24T11:11:00.001-05:00

I'm in charge of the combined mutual tonight. We're doing "Winter Fun in the Snow" with lots of 'adapted for snow' games. I saw this recipe on Pinterest and thought it would be a great snack for the kids after they come in from the snow, with hot chocolate of course. It came out really good, as you can see from the picture below...I'd definitely make this again.

SNICKERS POPCORN

8 quarts air popped corn (about 2 cups of kernels)
1 cup salted butter
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup salted peanuts
30 “Fun Size” Snickers bars coarsely chopped
3 oz melted semi sweet chocolate (optional)

Preheat oven to 200°
Over medium heat boil butter, brown sugar, salt and corn syrup for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in your baking soda.
Pour over your popcorn and stir to coat evenly.
Transfer to waxed paper lined counter and sprinkle peanuts on top. Stir until all is coated evenly.
Transfer popcorn into a large roasting pan and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.
Remove from oven and stir in your coarsely chopped Snickers. Return to oven for 3 more minutes so the Snickers begin to melt slightly into the popcorn.
Remove from pan and transfer popcorn back to wax paper to cool.
Drizzle melted chocolate on top of popcorn if desired.
Let set and store in an airtight container.

BON BON

Shredded Beef Tacos

2012-01-23T08:37:00.001-05:00

This was dinner last night, perfect for a busy Sunday.

The whole family loved these!

(only request was try to spice the meat up a little more next time = more heat)

*TRULY*

Shredded Beef Tacos

(photo and recipe from cookingclassy.blogspot.com)

Ingredients:

1 (2.5 lb) chuck roast

1 (14 oz) can beef broth

1 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

1/2 Tbsp cumin

1/2 Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Juice of 1 lime

Serve with:

Warmed corn tortillas or warmed fresh flour tortillas*

Green or Iceburg lettuce, chopped

Monterrey Jack or Cheddar cheese, shredded

Guacamole or diced avocados

Sour cream

Fresh Salsa

Cilantro

Freshly squeezed lime juice

Hot sauce

Directions:

In a small bowl whisk together chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Place roast in a slow cooker, pour beef broth over roast then squeeze with fresh lime juice. Sprinkle roast with spice mixture. Cover slow cooker with lid and cook on low heat 8-10 hours. Remove roast from slow cooker, shred beef (remove fat) and return shredded beef to slow cooker. Cover with lid and cook additional 30 minutes. Remove beef from slow cooker with tongs to remove juices when plating or drain in a colander. Serve with desired toppings.

Cinnamon Crescent Rolls

2012-01-23T08:29:00.001-05:00

I made these last night--no one in the Lewis home is brave enough to try them, so here they sit on my counter. I tried them, and must say...for as EASY as they were, they're not bad.

Obviously not a TRUE cinnamon roll, but they're an option.

I guess

*TRULY*

Cinnamon Crescent Rolls

2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls

1 stick butter, softened
½ cup white or brown sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon

Glaze:

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons milk

Heat oven to 350°F. In small bowl, combine butter, sugar and cinnamon; beat until smooth.

Separate dough into triangles. Spread each triangle with about 2 tablespoons cinnamon

butter mixture. Roll up each, starting at the widest side, as you would normally do for crescent rolls.

Firmly press ends to seal.

Place each cinnamon filled crescent roll onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Bake at 350°F. for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. In small bowl, blend all glaze ingredients,

adding enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle over warm rolls.

2012-01-18T12:19:00.001-05:00

My weekly cooking experiment was a ........*salty* SUCCESS!!!

My family voted it "OK" --We all liked the potatoes the best.

THIS was dinner.

Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops with Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

6 pork chops, 1/2 inch thick ( had pork loin in the freezer, so I used that and shredded it)
2 packet dry Ranch Dressing Seasoning (i would only add one packet. The flavor was awesome but it really was salty)
2 10 oz can Cream of Chicken Soup
4 lbs peeled, cubed potatoes
5 Tablespoons real butter
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
6 cloves roasted garlic (directions are below)
1- 1 1/2 Cups warm skim milk (any milk will do, I used skim)
1 Tablespoon salt, or to taste (i would probably add only 1/2 Tablespoon next time)
1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, or to taste

Place pork chops, Ranch seasoning and soup into a medium sized crock pot over high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 6 hours.
Place potatoes into a large pot of cold water. Place onto stove top over high heat and bring to a boil. Once water is boiling, cook for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Drain and transfer to the work bowl of a stand or electric mixer. Mix on low until potatoes are mashed then add butter, Parmesan, garlic, milk, salt and pepper. Season to taste if needed. For thinner mashed potatoes add more milk, slowly until your desired consistency.
Scoop mashed potatoes onto serving plates and top with pork chops and soup gravy from crock pot. I put a little parsley on top to serve.

Roasted Garlic
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place bulb of garlic with skins on, wrap lightly in tin foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove from foil and let cool for 15 minutes. Remove garlic from skins, place in a bowl and mash with a fork until completely mashed. Set aside. One garlic bulb will have around 12 cloves.

Tropical Mango Smoothie

2012-01-16T19:04:00.002-05:00

It's a staple at my house. We live on them...sort of. :)

These are really easy to make, if you have the ingredients on hand.

All that's needed is:

A blender

2 small bananas

1/2 can of coconut milk

2 cups of mango chunks

2 cups of pineapple juice

(okay, I never measure...I just totally made those measurements up. Use your best judgement, you really can't go wrong.)

Blend together and serve in pretty glasses. You can serve with a dollop of whipped cream if it strikes your fancy.

Bon Bon

Perfect Chocolate Cake

2012-01-09T10:39:00.001-05:00

I'm going Visiting Teaching this morning...and my visiting teach-ee is having a birthday. I quickly whipped these up to take to her in celebration of her birthday. I love this recipe. It's EASY and SO GOOD and MOIST! Don't be afraid. Let go of the box mixes and try this. I used a homemade vanilla frosting as well. It's a good combination.

Ingredients:

2 c sugar

1 3/4 c flour

3/4 c cocoa powder

1 1/2 t bp

1 1/2 t bs

1 t salt

2 eggs

1 c milk

1/2 c oil

2 t vanilla extract

1 c boiling water

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 9inch pans or line cupcake pans with paper. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, bp, bs and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Beat on medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. (batter will be thin) Pour batter into pans. Bake 30-35 minutes for cake, 15 or so for cupcakes.

Bon Bon

2012-01-08T21:10:00.001-05:00

For dessert, we had this...

Cake batter cooked in the waffle iron,

served with ice cream.

E.ASY!

*truly*

BBQ Ribs

2012-01-08T21:01:00.003-05:00

THIS WAS OUR DINNER TONIGHT.

WE HAD PEOPLE OVER AND I ONLY HAD THE 2LBS OF RIBS SO I HAD TO STRETCH THE MEAL--

WE HAD SALAD AND BAKED POTATOES AND APPLESAUCE. IT WAS PERFECT!

This was the winner as far as the other "experiments" of the week go. The meat fell off the bone and the flavor was yummy.

*TRULY*

(photo and recipe from http://www.mmmisformommy.com)

1.5 tbsp sweet paprika

1 tbsp light brown sugar, lightly packed

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

S&P to taste (about 1 tsp each)

2 lbs pork baby back ribs

1 cup barbecue sauce

Vegetable oil spray.

In a small bowl, mix together paprika, brown sugar, cayenne and S&P. Rub this mixture all over both sides of your ribs well. Arrange ribs in the slow cooker by standing them up against the wall of the stoneware pot, thicker side down and meaty side against the pot. Pour barbecue sauce over the ribs, cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low (I did 7, they were perfect).

Now comes the only stove/oven work.

Once the initial slow cooking is done, very carefully remove the ribs to a baking pan which you have lined with foil and put a rack on, bone side up. Set to the side.

Skim any fat that has risen to the top and strain all of the remaining juices from the slow cooker through a mesh strainer into a small saucepan. Bring to boil and allow to simmer and reduce by about a third, approximately 15 minutes.

Put your oven's broiler on to heat up and make sure that there is an oven rack about 10 inches below the broiler element. When the broiler is preheated, brush the ribs with sauce and broil for 3 or 4 minutes. Take them out and very carefully flip them over, brush with sauce and broil again, meat side up, for approximately 9 minutes, taking them out once or twice to baste with more sauce.

Serve any remaining sauce on the side with the ribs.

Granola Bites/Bars

2012-01-06T10:10:00.002-05:00

I was looking for an alternative to buying granola bars for school lunches, and found a recipe that was pretty authentic in recreating the Quaker oat granola bars we tend to purchase.

Instead of spreading in a pan and cutting into bars, I scooped into mini liners and made bites. Whichever you make, they need to "CURE" overnight to harden, and unstick.

2 1/2 c. QUICK oats

1/2 c. crisp cereal (Rice Krispy style)

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. oil

1/4 c. honey

1/2 t. vanilla

(I added 3 T. flax as well)

Mix dry together, EXCEPT chocolate, and pour wet ingredients on top. When mixed together, add chips and mix in again. Bake 350 degrees, bites 12-15 and bars 17-22.

I was pleased to see the boys grab the container and help themselves without being asked! They are great for lunches with a couple in a baggie, and work well for snacks on the run.

I think I will be trying raisin/coconut/nut, and cranberries/white chocolate next.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

2012-01-05T19:31:00.001-05:00

This was our dinner tonight--I think it's a keeper!
I like trying a new recipe at least once a week AND I'm testing a lot of slow cooker recipes because we're doing a RS meeting this month on easy dinner ideas.
SO, if you have any crock pot recipes you LOVE, would you please share them?!
I'll return the favor and share my crock pot success with you.
We can be each others sous-chef!

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

· 1 pound cubed beef stew meat

· 2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed golden mushroom soup

· 1/2 cup chopped onion

· 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

· 1/3 cup water

. salt and pepper

. a bullion cube

. half packet of onion soup mix

(add to pot just before serving)

. sauteed mushrooms (or you could probably do canned?!)

· 4 ounces cream cheese (add a "dollup" of sour cream when you add the cream cheese)

Directions

1. In a slow cooker, combine the meat, soup, onion, Worcestershire sauce, water, boullion cube, and onion soup mix.

2. Cook on Low setting for about 5 hours.

Serve over egg noodles.

Chicken Curry Salad

2012-01-05T11:06:00.001-05:00

Have I done this recipe before? :) I can't remember and with a baby sitting on my lap, I'm too lazy to check. This is my lunch today. It's YUM! (and so easy)

Take some leftover cooked chicken (or cook some up special just for this recipe, whatever floats your root beer), toasted chopped pecans, chopped celery, raisins and red apple chunks and mix together. Add mayo, curry and cayenne pepper to your liking. Then salt and pepper it til you think it's perfect. Eat it on bread or lettuce - I'm a rabbit, so I prefer greens. And then enjoy.

(and don't ask me for exactness here...I make it up as I go)

What's my name again? Oh ya....Bon Bon.

Macaroni and Cheese

2012-01-05T09:50:00.000-05:00

I didn't take a picture of this dish last night...sorry, use your imagination.

Ingredients:

Servings: 4-6

3 cups dry macaroni (they suggested elbow, I used the spiral pasta)
4 tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (i used the fiesta blend, because that's what I had)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk (i used 1%)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard or spicy mustard (i went with the spicy)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
A dash of garlic powder

Directions:

1
Boil the macaroni in water for six minutes. Drain.

In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. (i actually threw the butter and cheese in the crock pot, let it melt then added the rest)

In slow cooker, combine cheese mixture, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper. Add the drained macaroni and stir again.

Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

This really was yummy and had a nice flavor!

Mac and Cheese is a little heavy in my opinion, so I mixed streamed broccoli in with it just to make it feel a little better and more filling.

TRULY!

Chicken Piccata

2012-01-02T09:19:00.001-05:00

This was my recipe experiment for the week--it was yummy!

Love, Truly

Chicken Piccata

2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (or use cutlets)

2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup flour

Salt and pepper

4 Tbsp olive oil

4 Tbsp butter

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup chicken stock or dry white wine

6 Tbsp lemon juice

dash red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 cup brined capers

1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley

Cut the chicken breast halves horizontally, butterflying them open. If the breast pieces you are working with are large, you may want to cut them each into two pieces. If the pieces are still thick after butterflying, put them between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound them with a meat hammer to 1/4-inch thickness.

Mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan. Rinse the chicken pieces in water. Dredge them thoroughly in the flour mixture, until well coated.

Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet on medium high heat. Add half of the chicken pieces, do not crowd the pan. Brown well on each side, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and reserve to a plate. Cook the other breasts in the same manner, remove from pan. Cover with aluminum foil and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the sauce.

Add the chicken stock (or white wine), lemon juice, and capers to the pan. Use a spatula to scrape up the browned bits. Reduce the sauce by half. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Plate the chicken and serve with the sauce poured over the chicken. Sprinkle with parsley. (i didn't do parsley--and I forgot the garlic)

Mozzarella Cheese Ball

2012-01-01T10:03:00.003-05:00

I know cheese ball season is over....but this is about as easy as it gets...and SO good!

Mozzarella Cheese Ball

8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1/2 package (4 1/2 tsp) dry ranch dressing mix

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

finely chopped pecans

Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Mix well.

Form mixture into a ball and roll in chopped pecans.

Refrigerate before serving with crackers.

(this made enough for two baseball size balls)
*Truly*

Gingersnap Cookies

2011-12-29T10:54:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite gingersnap cookie recipe!

*truly*

Ingredients

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
1/3 cup cinnamon sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Sift the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir the mixture to blend evenly, and sift a second time into another bowl.
Place the shortening into a mixing bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually beat in the white sugar. Beat in the egg, and dark molasses. Sift 1/3 of the flour mixture into the shortening mixture; stir to thoroughly blend. Sift in the remaining flour mixture, and mix together until a soft dough forms. Pinch off small amounts of dough and roll into 1 inch diameter balls between your hands. Roll each ball in cinnamon sugar, and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven until the tops are rounded and slightly cracked, about 10 minutes. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.

CHOCOLATE/PEANUT BUTTER BROWNIES

2010-10-09T09:03:00.000-04:00

1 batch brownies (boxed mix)

1/2 cup salted peanuts

1 cup chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups

1 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 tablespoon butter

1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

Mix brownies according to directions, and bake for 20-25 minutes in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Remove and top with peanuts and peanut butter cups, and bake for 4-6 minutes more.

While they are finishing baking, melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter. Stir in cereal. Remove brownies from oven and evenly pour chocolate mixture over top.

Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

These are LOADED with richness

TRULY

Chicken Croissants and Spinach Salad

2010-09-29T18:26:00.002-04:00

Chicken Croissant Sandwiches:

4 Grilled chicken breasts

4 large croissants

4 slices of swiss cheese
Romaine lettuce

tomatoes

honey mustard dressing

(Grill the chicken, add the honey mustard to the croissants, add the romaine and sliced tomatoes and enjoy.)

Honey Mustard:

2 c mayo

1 c mustard

1 c honey

Salad:
baby spinach

chopped apple

chopped Havarti Dill cheese

Craisins

Sugared walnuts

(I used olive oil and brown sugar and stir fried the walnuts until coated, let cool)

Maple Cider Vinaigrette:

1 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/2 c cider vinegar
1/4 c maple syrup

1 T lemon juice

1 clove minced garlic

1 cup olive oil

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

It's what's for Dinner...and it was GOOD!

Happy eating!

Bon Bon

VEGGIE FAJITAS

2010-08-19T20:12:00.001-04:00

I KNOW...brilliant, right?

What to do with all those veggies in the garden...I came up with these. Stroll out to your garden and pick some fresh veggies or drive to the local market and pick up some up. Slice, dice and throw them into a heated skillet with some EVO.

Next...send your daughter outside to pick an avacado off your tree and slice it up.

Then pull out some wheat tortillas, sour cream and MJ cheese. If I had some salsa verde, I would have pulled that out too. (next time)

I like my tortillas slightly fried but you can eat them plain too. Go with whatever you're feeling that night. Slather some sour cream on the bottom and top with the veggies, cheese, avacado and salsa. (if you are smarter than me and remembered to pick some up while grocery shopping)

I grilled some chicken for the chickens who didn't want their fajitas completely vegetarian. Here is a fajita unfried with chicken. It's just as tasty.

See? She LOVED it!

Two thumbs up for dinner.

You're welcome. Bon Bon

Moist Chocolate Zucchini Cake

2010-08-18T21:09:00.002-04:00

I made this yesterday and it was SO GOOD! I brought it to a luncheon with some friends of mine and even the kids couldn't get enough of it (along with the husbands). It's super moist. If you are tired of zucchini bread...try this.

Ingredients:
1/2 c butter

1/2 c applesauce

1 3/4 c sugar

2 eggs

1 t vanilla

1/2 c buttermilk

2 1/2 c flour

4 T cocoa powder

1/2 t bp

1 t bs

1/2 t cinnamon

2 c shredded zucchini

3/4 c chocolate chips

Beat butter, applesauce and sugar well. Add in eggs, vanilla and buttermilk. Mix well. Sift in dry ingredients and create a batter. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips. Pour into greased cake pans. Bake 325 for 30 min or so. Cool 15 minutes before removing from pan. Frost with chocolate frosting.

Frosting:
3 c pwd sugar

2/3 c cocoa pwd

1 t vanilla

1/3 c milk

1 stick butter

ENJOY!

Bon Bon

FRESH MOZZARELLA, TOMATO and BASIL SANDWICHES

2010-08-18T20:52:00.001-04:00

Stevie couldn't wait long enough for the sandwich so I gave her the mozzarella, basil and tomato drizzled in balsamic vinegar and virgin olive oil with salt and freshly crushed pepper. MMMMMM!

But if you are patient enough to wait the five minutes it takes to make these sandwiches, your mouth will thank you. Here are the ingredients you will need:

I bought italian bread and sliced it, brushed with olive oil and grilled the bread on my grill pan. (highly recommended) Then placed one slice of garden tomato (thanks mom), a big leaf of basil, a slice of mozzarella and some pepper and salt. See how excited Kayla is?

These did NOT disappoint!

Go pick some tomatoes and basil from your garden and
MAKE THESE TONIGHT!

Lovingly, BON BON

Ciabatta Bread

2010-06-06T14:13:00.000-04:00

I LOVE Ciabatta bread. It's my favorite. It's probably just easier to buy it in the store but I promise you will NOT be sorry. This is a great recipe with great results. (Use for sandwich below)

Ingredients:
For the Sponge
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 cup water
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast

For the Dough
Sponge (from above)
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon nonfat dry milk
1/4 to 1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:
For the Sponge:
Mix the sponge ingredients, in a small bowl, until well combined. Let the sponge rest overnight, covered, or for up to 15 hours.

Place all of the dough ingredients into the bowl of your stand mixer, and beat it at medium speed, using the flat beater, for 5 to 8 minutes. The dough will never completely clear the sides of the bowl, though it'll begin to acquire some shape. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours; it will get very puffy.

Transfer the dough to a well-oiled work surface. Lightly grease a large cookie sheet, and your hands. Using a bench knife or your fingers, divide the dough in half. Handling the dough gently, stretch it into a log about 10-inches long, and place it on the baking sheet. Flatten the log with your fingers till it's about 10-inches long and 4 to 5-inches wide. Repeat with the remaining piece of dough. Lightly cover the dough with heavily oiled plastic wrap, and allow it to rise for 1 hour; it'll become quite puffy. Oil your fingers, and gently poke deep holes all over the dough. Re-oil the plastic wrap, re-cover the dough, and allow it to rise for an additional hour.

Dust the dough very lightly with flour. Bake it in a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven, throwing four or five ice cubes on the floor of the oven as you put the bread in. Allow the ciabatta to bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it's golden brown. Turn off the oven, remove the ciabatta from the baking sheet, and return the loaf to the oven, propping the oven door open a couple of inches with a folded-over potholder. Allow the ciabatta to cool completely in the oven; this will give it a very crisp crust.

Bon Bon

Blue and Turkey Cafe Cobb

2010-06-06T14:07:00.001-04:00

I love Cobb salad...it's one of my favorites. This is a sandwich version. You can alter at to your liking. This is how I like it:

1 Tbsp. mayo

1 Tbsp. Crumbled Blue Cheese

ciabatta roll

1 slice tomato

1/4 cup shredded lettuce

4 slices Deli Fresh Shaved Honey Smoked Turkey Breast

2 slices Bacon, cooked

1/4 cup thin avocado slices

Bon Bon

CREPES

2010-04-16T07:33:00.002-04:00

These are DELISH!!!

CREPES:

3 eggs

1 1/2 c. milk

1/2 t. vanilla

dash of salt 1 T melted butter

1 cup flour

Blend ingredients. Heat frying pan to medium low. Spray pan with oil. Use 1/3 cup of batter and pour into the heated pan. Swirl around until pan is covered thinly. Flip after 45 seconds. Cook another 45 seconds. Remove from pan and let cool. Repeat. Serve with fruit, whipped cream, yogurt, powdered sugar...whatever floats your boat.

BON BON

Hawaiian Haystacks

2010-04-11T17:10:00.002-04:00

I love this dinner as it is a wonderful blend of tropical ingredients that are better combined than alone. And, it's one of those dinners where no measuring is necessary!

Cooked rice to feed your family
Chicken in gravy to serve over rice

Toppings:
grated cheddar cheese
chopped green onions
sliced almonds
raisins
chinese noodles
coconut
crushed or tidbit pineapple

Enjoy! Chef S'more

CRUNCHY NOODLE SALAD

2010-03-09T11:43:00.004-05:00

CRUNCHY STUFF:

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 cup sunflower seeds

4T butter

1 pkg. Ramen Noodles, crushed

(toss out flavor packet)

SAUTE above ingredients until browned.
(if made ahead of time, you can store it in a plastic container until ready to serve)

SALAD:

1 bunch broccoli cut into florets

1 head Romaine lettuce cut into chunks

4 green onions chopped

handful of sugar snap peas cut in half

DRESSING:
1/2 c. olive oil

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. red wine vinegar

3 T soy sauce

Mix ingredients and shake well.

Keep salad, crunchy stuff and dressing separate until ready to serve.

YUM to the 10th degree.

(and that's the truth)

BON BON

Apricot Honey Oatmeal

2010-02-09T10:45:00.006-05:00

3-1/2 c. water

1/3 c. chopped, dried apricots (about 4)

1/4 c. honey

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

2 c. oats

Bring water, apricots, honey and cinnamon to a boil. Stir in oats; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook about 1 minute for quick oats or 5 for old fashioned oats. Cook until most liquid is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand until desired consistency. Or, throw everything in a rice cooker, and wait for the button to turn yellow. I loved this recipe! It's very delicious. Don't be tempted to increase the water. The honey compensates for missing liquid. I really liked this recipe because everything came out of my food storage. How perfect is that! Recipe courtesy of Quaker Oats ~ Chef Smores

Peanut Butter Bars

2010-01-29T09:16:00.000-05:00

Chocolate and Peanut Butter, how I love thee~

(Let me count the ways...)

Set aside some time to throw this recipe together TODAY.

You won't be sorry.

Peanut Butter Bars

mix the following well:

3/4 cups butter

3/4 cups sugar

3/4 cusps brown sugar

2 eggs

3/4 cups peanut butter

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 Tblsn vanilla

Stir in

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

Spread on 12x17 jelly roll pan.

Bake at 325 for approximately 10 minutes

(peanut butter fingers will be barely brown)

Remove from the oven and quickly sprinkle 12 oz. chocolate chips over the top

As they melt, spread evenly

Cool. (chocolate will harden)

Spread with peanut butter topping:

1 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cups peanut butter

2-4 Tblspn canned milk (enough to make a spreadable topping)

Cut into bars and ENJOY!

~Ou La La~

Lunch, Sweet Lunch.

2010-01-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of 5-a-day, I'm trying VERY hard to eat my fruits and veggies.

I was very glad to be the brainchild of this happy salad.

You can fix it the way YOU like, but here's what I did:

One plate-ful of shredded romain lettuce

One carrot, peeled and shredded

One can solid white tuna (I won't accept anything less--tastes too much like cat

food), drained and separated

Newman's Own Balsamic vinagrette, sprinkled like rain from heaven over the top.

Simple, healthy and DELISH.

xo
Ou-La-La

GRANOLA

2010-01-06T11:21:00.001-05:00

(this is a picture of my breakfast this morning)

It's NOT for dinner.
But one of my favorite foods in the world.
I make this on a regular basis.

12 cups whole oats

1 12oz bag coconut

1 16oz bag of sliced almonds

1 8oz bag of chopped pecans

1 bag Bob's Red Mills Fiber cereal - optional

(it looks like sawdust but you can't taste it)

2 cups oil

2 cups honey

Heat slightly the honey and oil. Mix all dry ingredients into a large bowl. Add the honey/oil mixture until all combined. Spread out on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 300 for 30 minutes or so. The brown-er the granola, the more crunchier it will be...your choice. If you want to add dried fruits, add them after baking. This stuff is AWE-SOME! And that's the truth.

Bon Bon

Avocado Chutney

2010-01-05T14:59:00.000-05:00

1 can blackeyed peas - rinsed and drained

1 can sweet corn - drained

1 green onion - thinly sliced

5 roma tomatoes - diced

4 avocados - cut up, not mashed

chopped cilantro - as much as you want

1 pkg dry Italian dressing mix.

*Mix all together and serve with tortilla chips*

My mom said this is DELISH!

XOXO, Sister Scrumptious.

APPLESAUCE

2010-01-05T14:46:00.004-05:00

Ingredients
* 6 cups apples - peeled, cored and chopped
* 3/4 cup water
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1/2 cup white sugar
Directions
In a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, combine apples, water, cinnamon, and cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes. Stir in sugar, and simmer 5 more minutes.

(i've made this with dinner a lot lately.scrumptious)
XOXO, Truly

I've had ENOUGH!

2010-01-05T09:16:00.001-05:00

If I have to open this page one more time and look at sickly-yellow banana muffins, I'm going to quit blogging all together.
PEOPLE! Contribute!
This has been the week of soup and bread. Lots of both.
Last night we had Pioneer Woman's Cauliflower Soup.
Mmmmm.... it really did make me tingle all over. One of my kids, upon smelling the amazing aroma wafting up from the pot, insisted that we were having stuffing for dinner. Sadly, he was fooled. He would have been much happier with stuffing. BUT. The rest of us devoured this yummy stuff.

Here's my only somewhat yellow-tinted picture of the half-way point.

FRESH minced parsley being added to the mix.

Go back and look at Pioneer Woman's pictures.

Her's make you actually WANT to make the soup.

Okay. So now the REAL reason I'm posting today. THAT bread. A French Baguette. Fresh from the oven. And SO good I almost forgot to take a picture before the last baguette had been cut in to and was almost gone. See the teeth marks in the buttered piece? It was at that point that I resisted the urge to break the surface, and put down the pleasure to snap an only minutely yellow picture of this delicious stuff.
HERE is how you make it (EASY!)

BEST French Baguettes EVER
(Picky Stuffing-Boy said it tasted like restaurant bread)

3 cups lukewarm water

8 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
[note: I used 1 cup wheat plus 7 cups white flour, and it turned out great]

1 tablespoon table salt

2 tablespoons instant yeast

Mix water and yeast. Let sit for two minutes.
Add flour and salt. Mix until dough is soft, and divide into four pieces.
Form into four small rectangular loaves.
Place onto greased pan (I sprinkle corn meal under the loaves)
Let rise until double--about 30-40 mintues
lightly (so as not to compress dough) slice loaves 3-4 times on the diagonal
spritz heavily or brush loaves with water (or egg white/water wash)
Bake at 450 for 26-28 minutes.

SO good warm! The crust is VERY "crusty" and the inside soft and delicious.
(Be careful cutting it! I cut myself)
If you store the loaves in plastic, the crust softens up for the next time you cut it.

Banana Breakfast Muffins

2009-11-10T06:41:00.003-05:00

(pardon the yellow hue to my photo)
I'm NOT a banana fan. So when I have bananas turning the corner to yuck street, I usually throw them in a baggie and put them in the freezer for smoothies. This morning, however, I made muffins. And I was short on time. So I grabbed me a yellow cake mix, and when they were done, I wondered WHY? it took me so long to think of this?!

These babies are moist and delicious, and not so heavy (one of the reasons I don't make banana breads so often).

Gather:
one box classic yellow cake mix (I used Pillsbury)
1/2 cup applesauce
over-ripe bananas (I used five (!) small ones)
three eggs
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Peel bananas and throw in the kitchen-aid mixer.
Add applesauce, eggs and water.
Pour in cake mix, and mix until there are no lumps.
Pour by 1/3 cup measures into paper-lined muffin tins.
Sprinkle 1 TBSP streudel topping over batter in tins. (see below)

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Tops should look slightly browned.

Streudel topping:
1/2 stick margerine or butter
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar

cut butter into dry ingredients until mixed together.

It's Meat and 'Taters.

2009-11-05T21:24:00.003-05:00

It isn't so pretty, but MAN! does it taste good and fill the belly.

I like to call this MAN FOOD.

Hunting and Gathering:

-Red potatoes. Enough to feed your brood.

-Smoked sausage (or kielbasa) One package should do it.

-Some oil (your preference) and salt and peppa.

Meal prep:

Wash and cube potatoes. Skins on.

Cut sausage into bite-sized pieces.

Liberally sprinkle some oil onto a cookie sheet to prevent sticking.

Dump meat and potatoes onto pan. Spread uniformly.

Bake at 325 F for about 50-60 minutes.

Turn once, about half way through baking.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

You'll know they're done when the potatoes are soft and slightly browned, and your kitchen smells like man-food.

We like this with a green salad or an alternate choice of applesauce.

Open Face (Insert) Sandwiches

2009-11-05T12:42:00.004-05:00

It's what was for dinner last night.

And I didn't take pictures.

And I didn't even plan on posting this.

But Bon-bon's pushy.

Collect:

~Enough French (or Italian) bread for your crew.

~Cold cuts you like (we favor turkey breast, but roast beef is divine)

~Cheese (our favorites are swiss and provolone)

~onions (thinly sliced)

~red peppers (thinly sliced)

~sliced olives (opt.--it's all optional, actually. this is design-your-own-meal)

Mix:

1 cup sour cream

1/8 cup taco seasoning

SLICE bread lengthwise in halves

SPREAD sour cream mix (or your spread of choice) on open slices of bread

COVER with meat, onions, peppers, or whatever your heart desires and layer the cheese on last.

Put open sandwiches on cookie sheets and into the oven, under the BROILer until cheese is melted and bread slightly browns on the edges.

EAT warm, accompanied by slices of fresh pineapple. (That's how we do it)

the end.

Homemade Mac-n-Cheese

2009-11-03T09:59:00.006-05:00

(this was Kaleb's birthday dinner request)

1/4 stick butter

1/4 c flour

2 c half and half

(or milk if you want less fat)

salt and pepper

16oz sharp cheddar cheese

(or whatever cheese you like)

12 oz. noodles

Cook noodles until done. Melt butter in sauce pan over medium heat, add salt and pepper. Add in flour until a soft paste forms. Slowly whisk in the milk. Mix until the white sauce is slightly starting to thicken. Add in the cheese. Turn off the heat and mix until cheese is melted. Put the noodles into a 11x9 glass baking dish and pour cheese mixture over the noodles. Slightly mix the cheese with the noodles. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 for 30 minutes or so. If you like a crunchy top, you can add buttered crackers or breadcrumbs or take the foil off the last 10 minutes and let the top brown.

It's YUMMY and it's WHAT'S FOR DINNER!!! :)
Bon Bon

White Trash

2009-10-21T12:55:00.005-04:00

(white trash...get it???)

I'm feeling snacky.
And I like the name of this stuff.
And when in Rome, right?!

WHITE TRASH

4 c. Golden Grahams

4 c. Cheerios

4 c. Crispix

1 can peanuts

1 can mixed nuts

1 bag pretzels sticks

2 lbs white chocolate plus 2 tbs cooking oil

2 lbs almond bark (I like the almond bark)

I also like to add dried cranberries.

Use one of the bigger bags (of craisins).

Melt almond bark over double boiler (or 2 minutes in microwave).

DO NOT OVERCOOK.

Stir frequently while melting.

Immediately pour over dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly.

Spread out on wax paper. When cool break into smaller pieces.

Chocolate Mint Brownies

2009-10-20T20:25:00.000-04:00

This is my all time favorite crowd dessert! I'm sharing the recipe courtesy of Chef Oh-La-La, but since she lost her copy, and has never made it, I'm claiming all rights, privilegs and comments. I double the recipe, and use a cookie sheet. I've only used cocoa in the brownie layer. The picture's kind of washed out, for this I apologize, but it's better than none! Chef 'gas

Brownie Layer:
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. sugar
4 sq. unsweetened chocolate or 3/4 c. cocoa
1/2 c. butter
1 c. flour (scant)
3/4 c. walnuts

Beat eggs until fluffy, add sugar and vanilla and beat. If cocoa, mix in with butter. If chocolate, melt with butter and then add in. Add flour (and nuts). Pour into a greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake 375 for 20 minutes. Cool in pan.

Middle Layer Frosting:
2 c. powdered sugar
4 T. butter
drop peppermint oil
1-2 drops green food coloring

Melt butter and add remaining ingredients. Frost brownies and chill for one hour.

Top Layer:
4 T. butter
6 oz. chocolate chips

Melt the two together and pour over the top. Chill and cut into squares.

It's the frosting that got me...

2009-10-19T10:00:00.004-04:00

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.
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.
.
.
.
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Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins (W/Cream Cheese Frosting)
(Courtesy of the Pioneer Woman)

Muffins:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
1 heaping cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup golden raisins (optional!)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Generously grease 12 muffin tins.
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Cut in butter with two knives or a pastry blender until all incorporated. In a separate bowl, mix together pumpkin, evaporated milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour pumpkin mixture into the flour mixture. Add raisins. Fold gently until mixture is just combined. Pour into greased muffin pan—batter hardly ever fills all twelve unless you keep it down to 1/2 full. Sprinkle generous amounts of cinnamon-sugar over the top of each unbaked muffin.
Bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove and allow to cool.
Ice with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/4 cup softened butter
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 pound powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix all ingredients on high until soft and whipped. Spread onto completely cooled muffins, or place into a large pastry bag with a large star tip and go crazy!
Store in fridge, as icing will soften at room temperature.

QUICHE

2009-10-18T22:44:00.008-04:00

Otherwise known as "Egg Pie" in my house. Apparently men don't eat Quiche...atleast that's what my husband tells me. It's NOT manly. (whatever) The thing I LOVE about this recipe, is that you can throw WHATEVER ingredients in that you like. The possibilities are endless. Trust me on this. This is the way I like it:

QUICHE
1 pie crust
(see below)
6 eggs

1 cup cream

8oz shredded swiss

1 16 oz bag frozen broccoli

nutmeg

Layer frozen broccoli on the bottom of the pie crust. Add the cheese to the broccoli. Beat eggs and cream, pour over broccoli and cheese. Sprinkle with a dash of nutmeg over the top. Bake at 375 for close to an hour.

*****

NO MESS PIE CRUST

1 1/2 cup flour

1 t salt

3 T milk

1/3 cup oil

Add the flour and salt to empty pie plate. Mix in milk and oil with a fork. When combined, pat down the dough around the whole pie plate until completely covered. (there is NO rolling out of the dough with this pie crust - EASY!)

*****

You can add sausage, ham, bacon, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, swiss, cheddar, or feta. (need I go on?)

Add WHATEVER floats your boat.

Enjoy! I certainly do. :)
Bon Bon

White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

2009-10-06T18:01:00.005-04:00

Oooooh, La la.

(Heaven!)

Preheat oven to 375.

Cream together:

1 cup butter flavor crisco

1 cup butter (I use unsalted)

1 cup granulated sugar

2 cups brown sugar

Add:

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

Mix following dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture:

2 tsp salt

2 tsp baking soda

5 cups flour (just about 1/8 of a cup short of 5 cups is what I use)

Finally, add the following just until mixed:

one package classic white chips (11 oz)

one bag macadamia nuts (8 oz or 2 cups)

Scoop medium size balls of dough onto UNGREASED baking sheet.

Bake 9 minutes (really! they might not look quite done, but they are)

Allow to cool one minute on pan, and then lift by spatula onto foil lined counter top to cool.

Makes MANY cookies (we eat them so fast, I've never counted).

Once cooled, store in airtight container up to a week, or freeze longer.

2009-10-04T14:23:00.004-04:00

WELCOME!

to our newest contributors:

Chef Ou-La-La

~and~

Chef Smorgasbord

Prepare to be WOW-ed by their

amazing culinary creations!

DUMP CAKE

2009-10-03T23:40:00.004-04:00

Sounds delicious?!? So quick and easy...

Filling options:

1 can cherry pie filling, plus 1 can drained pineapple
-OR-
2 cans apple pie filling
-OR-
2 cans peaches, drained
Etc...

Topping:
1 package yellow or white cake mix
1 cup butter
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Place filling in bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix evenly over fruit. Sprinkle on nuts if desired. Slice butter and scatter on top, or melt and drizzle over top.

Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Top with ice cream and/or whipped cream.

Enjoy! ~GG~

Greek Chicken Salad

2009-10-03T23:28:00.004-04:00

Hi friends--Welcome back!

Here's a recipe that my Mom makes--it's very yummy if you like feta!

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded

2 medium cucumbers, seeded, peeled and chopped

10 oz. crumbled feta cheese

2/3 cup sliced black olives

1/4 cup snipped parsley (1 Tbsp. dried?)

1/2 cup mayo

1 clove crushed garlic

1 cup greek yogurt

1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano

Mix ingredients together and serve over lettuce or in a pita.

Love, GG

Apple Walnut Muffins.

2009-10-03T22:43:00.003-04:00

INGREDIENTS:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
dash ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large apple, finely chopped, about 1 cup
1 large egg
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt (about 1 6-ounce container)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup applesauce
6 tablespoons butter, melted
.
Topping Mixture:
3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts or pecans
3 to 4 tablespoons packed brown sugar

PREPARATION:

Preheat oven to 350°.

Lightly grease muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder and soda, spices, and salt. Stir in chopped apple.
Whisk together egg, vanilla yogurt, vanilla, applesauce, and melted butter. Stir into dry ingredients until just combined.
Do not over mix.

Fill prepared muffin cups about 2/3 full.
Mix topping ingredients together.

Sprinkle a small amount of the topping mixture over each muffin.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until lightly browned.

Makes 10 to 12 muffins.

Truly Scrumptious

MARINADE for pork or chicken

2009-10-03T22:35:00.003-04:00

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup lime juice
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 (4 ounce) boneless pork loin chops

In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first four ingredients.

Add pork chops. (really good on chicken too)

Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Drain and discard marinade.

Grill chops, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 6-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

SCRUMPTIOUS

The BEST Apple Crisp

2009-10-03T22:32:00.003-04:00

Big Red EP shared this recipe with me, and gave me permission to share.

It really is THE BEST!!!

Apple Crisp
Mix the following ingredients together and pour into ungreased 9x13-inch pan.
8 cups peeled and sliced apples
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 T flour
½ cup milk
1 cup water

Topping:
1 1/3 cup flour
1 cup oats
½ cup sugar
1 cup margarine, melted
1 t salt
2 t cinnamon
2 packages dry Butterscotch pudding (not instant if you can find it)
Mix topping ingredients together and crumble on top of apple mixture. Bake at 350 degrees until golden brown, approximately 45-50 minutes.

SOOOO GOOD!!!

XOXO, Truly

Chicken Gyros

2009-10-03T18:50:00.005-04:00

Chicken:

1/4 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

4 cloves garlic, smashed

Juice of 1 lemon

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 heaping tablespoons plain yogurt

1 tablespoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper

*****

Combine the garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, yogurt, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk together until mixed well. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and mix well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for about 1 hour.Cook the chicken as desired, either in the skillet or with the broiler. Once the chicken is completely cooked through, transfer to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes

*****

Tzatziki Sauce:

16 oz. plain Greek yogurt (a must)

1/2 cucumber, peeled and seeded

2-3 cloves garlic, pressed through a garlic press (or finely minced)

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Extra virgin olive oil

*****

Shred the cucumber with cheese grater. Wrap in a towel a squeeze to remove as much water as possible. Mix together yogurt, shredded cucumber, garlic, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper to taste, and lemon juice. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

*****

Heat pitas. Top with chicken, tzatziki sauce, diced tomatoes and sliced onions. Serve immediately

*****

Make this TODAY! (yum)

*****

♥ BON BON ♥

Lemon Cream Pasta with Chicken

2009-10-02T19:08:00.001-04:00

Lemon and Garlic Grilled Chicken:
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound chicken breasts (cut small, thin pieces)
*****
Combine all marinade ingredients. Place chicken in a ziploc bag and pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag and place in fridge overnight. Grill (or cook in frying pan). Often, I will double the marinade and chicken and grill it all up and freeze the extras to use later.

*****

Lemon Cream Pasta:

3 cups cubed Lemon Garlic Chicken

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 (16 ounce) package tube pasta

2 cups heavy cream

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1/2 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS: In a large saucepan, season the chicken broth with the garlic powder and pepper. Bring to a boil and add lemon juice and pasta. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until all liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.Stir chicken into cooked pasta, along with the cream, parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Stir thoroughly before serving.
*****

Bon appetit!

Bon Bon :)

Chicken Alabam

2009-10-01T19:23:00.000-04:00

(from the Lion House Recipes cookbook)
8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
1/3 cup flour
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
Dash of thyme
5 tablespoons butter
¼ cup onion, chopped
1 cup chicken soup stock*
½ cup light cream
¼ teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons pimiento

*****
Dredge chicken pieces with mixture of flour, paprika, salt, pepper, and thyme. Brush chicken with 3 tablespoons melted butter and brown in oven, or shake off excess flour and sauté in about 3 tablespoons cooking oil. Saute onion lightly in 2 tablespoons butter for 5 minutes. Stir in excess flour from dredging chicken. Add soup stock. Cook and stir until thickened. Add light cream and cook until smooth and thick. Add lemon juice, then pimiento; blend well. Pour sauce over chicken in a 2- to 3-quart casserole; cover and bake 1-1/4 hours at 325 degrees F., or until chicken is fork tender. Serve over cooked rice.

(Makes 8 servings)

*****

BON BON　

*****

PS: I would double ingredients for sauce so that there is plenty of extra for the rice.

Candy Cane Chocolate Cookies

2008-12-22T20:20:00.008-05:00

Look what I made tonight...mmmm.

My children will be giving these to their teachers.

If you've never had these, you must go...bake some tonight!

You will not be sorry.

The recipe calls for red food coloring.

I like my food without coloring.

This is how the white frosting version turned out.

Doesn't really matter, either way they are YUMMY!

I also smashed my candy up finer, I don't like big chunks although they look better that way. You decide! Last but not least, I used heavy cream instead of condensed milk in the frosting. Heavy cream trumps all else when it comes to frosting.

This is the blog that I borrowed these from.

Click on the picture to see the recipe.
I was too lazy to type it all out.
I doubled the cookie part and got 40 single/20 double.
I didn't double the frosting and I had enought to frost the sandwiches.
Enjoy...really!
Bon Bon

Lemon Bars

2008-12-12T08:19:00.003-05:00

Naborhood Bakery Sunkist Lemon Bars

Crust:
2 cup flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter
Press crust into un-greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.
Filling:
4 eggs, slightly beaten
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup lemon juice
Pour filling over crust and bake an additional 20 minutes. Cool completely and drizzle with glaze.
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 Tbs. lemon juice

I took this from my friends blog. I have yet to make them, but they sound really good and easy...TRULY!

Open Faced Meatball Sandwiches

2008-11-26T17:27:00.009-05:00

My little helper. :)

I had left over french bread and meatballs and sauce from dinner the other night so we came up with these goodies tonight. I cut the meatballs in slices so they would stay on the bread, add some parm. cheese and slices of mozerella. YUM! Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes.

BON BON

PUMPKIN SPICE BLOSSOMS

2008-10-10T14:04:00.004-04:00

(I stole this off Picky Palate's blog. SO yummy looking.)

Pumpkin Spice Blossoms
1 Spice Cake Mix 18.25 oz
14 oz can Libby’s Pumkin
½ Cup sanding sugar
1 bag Hershey’s Pumpkin Spice Kisses
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer beat the cake mix and pumpkin until well combined, about 45 seconds. With a cookie scoop, scoop dough and roll top half in sanding sugar (dough is sticky) then place onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 11-13 minutes, or until cooked through. Quickly transfer to a cooling rack and immediately press kisses into the center of each cookie. I immediately place cooling rack into the fridge for 15 minutes so the kisses don’t melt. I tried both ways and it melts down if just left at room temperature. Enjoy!

BON BON

MEATLOAF

2008-10-10T13:58:00.003-04:00

Boston Market Meatloaf
1 cup tomato sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
6 tablespoons all−purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
dash garlic powder
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Mix together the tomato sauce, barbecue sauce and sugar in a small saucepan
over medium heat. Heat the mixture until it begins to bubble, stirring often,
then remove it from the heat.
In a large bowl, add all but 2 tablespoons of the tomato sauce to the meat.
Mix the sauce into the meat, then add the remaining ingredients. Mix again.
Pack a loaf pan with the meat mixture, cover with foil, and bake for about
30 minutes. Remove foil and drain fat. Cut the meatloaf, while in the pan,
into eight separate slices. Pour remaining sauce over the meatloaf. Return
to oven and cook for another 30 minutes, uncovered. Allow to cool slightly
before serving.

Everyone LOVES meatloaf, if you claim not to, you lie

TRULY

BLUEBERRY LEMONADE

2008-10-10T13:54:00.000-04:00

Blueberry Lemonade
1 cup plus 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 cups water
1 pint fresh blueberries
1−1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about
10 big lemons, including pulp but not seeds)
.
First make a simple syrup by combining 1 cup sugar and water in a saucepan
over medium heat, stirring until the mixture boils. Lower the heat and allow
the syrup to simmer for another minute. Remove from heat and let cool. In a
blender or food processor, puree the blueberries with 2 tablespoons of
sugar. In a pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice and blueberry
puree. To serve, pour 1/4 to 1/3 cup of base into a glass and fill with
water. Makes base for 12 servings.

Bottoms up, TRULY

Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

2008-10-10T13:50:00.002-04:00

Salad:

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast half
oil for frying
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup red cabbage
1 cup Napa cabbage
1/2 carrot, julienned or shredded
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1/3 cup chow mein noodles

Dressing:
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

Prepare dressing ingredients by mixing in a small bowl. Refrigerate while
preparing salad.
Cut each chicken breast into 5 strips. In one bowl, beat egg with milk.
In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs, salt and pepper.
Preheat oil over medium heat.
Dip individual chicken pieces in egg mixture and then roll in the flour
mixture. Fry chicken until browned, drain and set aside.
Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped red
cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots. Sprinkle sliced green onion on top of
the lettuce. Sprinkle almonds over the salad, then the chow mein noodles.
Cut the chicken into small chunks. Place the chicken onto the salad
forming a pile in the middle. Serve with salad dressing on the side.

This is the ONE thing I really like at Applebee's. I've not made it myself, but was excited to see the recipe. ENJOY!

Truly

CHEWY Caramel

2008-10-10T13:44:00.001-04:00

Chewy Caramel

1 cup butter
1 lb light brown sugar
1 can (16oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 cup light corn syrup
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, brown sugar, sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup and salt.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F, or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water and placed on a flat surface.

Cook for 2 minutes at that temperature.

(I didn't cook mine that long, it just depends on how soft or sticky you want it.)

Meanwhile, butter a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. When the caramel is ready, pour into the buttered pan. Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Remove from the pan and cut into squares using scissors. Wrap individual pieces in waxed paper or cellophane.

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS

double chocolate cookies

2008-10-10T13:15:00.004-04:00

(can't remember if I've posted this before. it's worth posting twice) :)

One box of chocolate cake
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup choc. chips
(you can add 1/2 c. nuts if you want)

mix all together bake at 350 for 12minutes.
YUMMY!

Truly (who only knows DESSERT)

Mexican Chocolate Cake

2008-10-10T13:09:00.002-04:00

Mexican Chocolate Cake

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp salt

6 Tbsp cocoa powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper(mix ingredients together)

Add:

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp Mexican vanilla

2 tsp vinegar

2 cups cold water

Mix well.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes makes two basic circular cakes.

Layer adding chocolate sauce

(as follows)

1 cup semi sweet chocolates

1/4 canola oilor

1/4 heavy whipping cream

add strawberries and cream!

TRULY

IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes

2008-10-10T13:03:00.004-04:00

IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes
I took this from my friend Cathy's blog

2 eggs
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 tbsp butter, milk
3 tbsp canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice

Heat griddle to 350 degrees. Coat pan with with cooking spray. Combine eggs, buttermilk, butter, pumpkin, sugar, and salt in large bowl and mix. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour the batter 1/4 cup portions. Turn pancakes when batter stops bubbling and edges begin to harden. Serve with syrup or whipped cream.

Happy Harvest, TRULY!

APPLE CRISP

2008-10-10T12:55:00.002-04:00

APPLE CRISP

INGREDIENTS

3 1/2 pounds apples - peeled, cored and sliced
(i do about 5 BIG apples. and slice them thick)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 packets instant maple and brown sugar oatmeal
(sometimes I'll use apple and cinnamon oatmeal or one or two of each. YUM)

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (i don't do this part)

1/4 cup maple syrup

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350Place apples in a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

Stir in flour, instant oatmeal and salt. Fold in walnuts.

Sprinkle oatmeal mixture evenly over apples.

Drizzle with maple syrup.

Bake in preheated oven 50 to 70 minutes, until apples are tender and topping is golden.
I top with ice cream (of course) and then hot caramel topping.
(i actually think this is too long, makes the apples too soft. So I do 40-45min)

MUCH LOVE, Truly

Shepherd's Pie

2008-09-29T09:49:00.004-04:00

1 lb ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 tsp minced garlic (or to taste)

1 packet brown gravy mix

3 cups vegetables (frozen, canned, leftover--whatever!)
4 cups (approx.) mashed potatoes (real or instant)

Shredded Cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Brown ground beef with garlic and onion until done. Drain. Add brown gravy mix and 3/4 cup of water. Stir over heat until thick.

Combine hamburger and vegetables in 13x9 inch pan, top with mashed potatoes and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake approx. 40 minutes.

Variations: Substitute spaghetti sauce or tomato soup, or leftover gravy for the brown gravy mix. Use leftover pot roast instead of ground beef.

Enjoy! Love, GG

Fall Favorite!

2008-09-22T12:42:00.010-04:00

Pumpkin Bars

4 large eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup oil

1 can (16 oz.) pumpkin

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Heat oven to 350. Spray 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 1 inch baking sheet. Beat eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until light brown.

Cool completely, then frost with:

Cream Cheese Frosting

6 oz. softened cream cheese

2/3 cup butter

2 tsp. vanilla

4 cups powdered sugar

Mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until smooth.

Sometimes I also like to top them with walnuts. Yummy!

Love, GG

Leftover Pot Roast = Beef Enchiladas

2008-09-17T05:56:00.004-04:00

Leftover pot roast meat

1 can of black beans

1 can of corn

1 can of red enchilada sauce

1 bag of Mexican cheese

tortillas

I didn't take any pictures of my dinner last night because my batteries were dead. Sorry. This is a really easy dinner to put together if you already have the pot roast meat. I shred the meat, add the black beans, corn and 1/3 of the sauce. Pour another 1/3 of the sauce into a 9x13 baking pan. Spread some beef mixture into a tortilla, add some cheese, roll and place seam down in the pan. Repeat until you run out of meat. Pour the remaining 1/3 sauce over the top of the enchiladas and top with cheese. Bake at 350 until bubbly and cheese starts to brown a little. Serve with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and some sour cream. YUM!

*****

BON BON

*****

CAN IT GET ANY EASIER THAN THIS?

I SUBMIT THAT IT CANNOT!

(Now GO and make this dish)

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup with Biscuits

2008-09-10T20:30:00.004-04:00

This is what we had for dinner last night...(lighting is bad - sorry)...it was really yummy. I bought one of those rotisserie chickens on a busy/crazy night. We had it sliced on salad and called it good. Last night I took the remaining chicken and placed it in 6 c. water with a cover and heated it until it was warm enough to fall off the bones. When the chicken was off I added chopped carrots, some corn and celery and chicken boullion to taste. When the carrots were cooked I added some noodles. Before serving I dumped in a couple cans of cream of chicken soup to make it a little creamy - my family likes it that way.
These are the biscuits I made to go along with the soup. We used the leftovers with peaches and cream. (aka Peach Shortcake)

Biscuits:

2 c flour

1T sugar

1 t salt

1 T baking powder

1/3 c butter

3/4 c milk

BAKE 450 for 12 minutes

*****

BON BON

Crispy Chicken

2008-09-08T14:38:00.002-04:00

4 (4 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1 egg

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
*****

Flatten chicken to 1/4-in. thickness.
In a shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and basil.
In another bowl, beat the egg.

Dip chicken into egg, then coat with crumb mixture.
In a large skillet, brown chicken in butter and oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side or until juices run clear.

*****

This my friends, is WHAT'S FOR DINNER!

(can I get an amen?) BON BON

EASY PORK ROAST

2008-09-04T11:29:00.003-04:00

Put your pork roast in the crockpot. Sprinkly with 1/2 packet of Ranch Dressing. (dry mix) Fill the crockpot about 1/3-1/2 with water and cook on low for about 5-8 hours. The roast is done when you can easily shred it up with your fork. Super tender and falvorful!

**********

This is SO easy yet SO good.

Try it for your next Sunday dinner....I dare you!:)

BON BON

BAJA FISH TACOS

2008-08-05T20:53:00.001-04:00

These are really good and, of course, EASY!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 package Taco seasoning mix divided (i used fajita. same thing?)
1 pound cod or other white fish fillet cut into 1 inch pieces
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 package taco shells

TOPPINGS:
shredded cabbage. I used lettuce
chopped tomato
lime juice

DIRECTIONS:
Combine sour cream, mayo, cilantro and 2T. seasoning mix in small bowl

Combine fish, veg. oil, lemon juice and remaining seasoning in medium bowl; pour into large skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 4 or 5 minutes or until fish flakes easily.

FILL taco shells with fish mixture. Top with lettuce, tomato, sour cream mixture and lime juice.

TRULY

Chicken Stuffed Crescents

2008-07-03T18:08:00.003-04:00

2/3 c seasoned bread stuffing

4T soft butter

2/3 c mushrooms

1/2 t pepper

8 oz cream cheese

2 c cooked, chopped chicken

2 cans crescent rolls

1. Combine stuffing. Set aside.

2. Combine pepper, cream cheese and butter - cream together

3. Sautee mushrooms

4. Combine cream cheese mixture, stuffing mixture, chicken and mushrooms

5. Spread crescent dough slightly larger; add some of the mixture at the larger end and roll crescent.

6. Bake at 375F for approximately 20 minutes.

Bon Bon

Garlic Toasted Balsamic Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich

2008-07-03T15:21:00.003-04:00

I LOVE bruschetta and chicken so combined I'm sure they are divine! Recipe from Picky Palate. Enjoy. BON BON

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

pinch of salt

¼ Cup balsamic vinegar

¼ Cup extra virgin olive oil
4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded and diced

8 fresh basil leaves, stacked, rolled and thinly sliced into chiffonade

3 cloves fresh garlic, minced

Pinch of salt

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
8 thin slices fresh mozzarella

4 ciabatta rolls, or other rolls of choice

1. Preheat a grill pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Spray with cooking spray. Combine balsamic and olive oil in a bowl. Season both sides of chicken with pinches of salt and place on grill. Brush top sides of chicken with balsamic mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes and flip chicken. Brush with additional balsamic and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.
2. In a large bowl combine the tomatoes, basil garlic, salt and balsamic. Toss gently to combine. Set aside.
3. Preheat same grill pan over medium heat and spray with additional cooking spray. Place 2 slices of cheese on bottom rolls then layer with chicken breasts, spoonfuls of tomato mixture and 2 more slices of cheese. Place top rolls to close sandwich and grill both sides on hot grill pan until toasty and warm. Serve warm.

Garlic Toasted Open Faced Lasagna Ciabattas

2008-07-03T15:05:00.002-04:00

I stole this recipe from Picky Palate's blog....it looks really easy and super yummy. A different take on lasagna and something that seems fairly easy to make and fast too. Hope you enjoy. Let me know if you make it...as soon as I am feeling well again this will be tops on my list. BON BON

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 lb ground Italian Sausage

1 26 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce

8 leaves fresh basil, chopped (taste great if you have them, but not necessary)
15 oz container ricotta cheese

½ Cup grated parmesan cheese

1 Cup shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon Italian Seasoning
8 garlic roasted ciabatta rolls (I get them from Super Walmart)

1 ball fresh mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place oil into a medium dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Cook sausage until browned, about 5-7 minutes; reserve ¼ Cup of sausage for ricotta. Reduce heat to low and stir in pasta sauce and basil leaves. Simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Place reserved ¼ Cup sausage, ricotta, parmesan, mozzarella, salt, pepper and Italian Seasoning into a medium bowl. Stir to combine.
3. Split each ciabatta roll and place cut side up onto a large baking sheet. Spread ricotta mixture over each roll, about ¼ Cup (*you probably won't use all of ricotta.). Top with a couple spoonfuls of pasta sauce, and fresh mozzarella cheese.
4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cheese is melted and hot. Remove, sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.
*If you don't use all of your ricotta, save it and use it in a pasta dish for later in the week. I made a baked pasta dish where I stuffed the ricotta in the middle of some penne with red sauce, it was great.

Death by Caramel Bars

2008-07-03T13:18:00.003-04:00

I cannot take credit for these delicious delights but couldn't resist passing them onto you either. I think everyone needs to have a little bit of these in their life. I'd make them daily if I could. You'll find the great recipe here along with fabulous step by step directions....http://stiesthoughts.blogspot.com/2008/05/death-by-caramel-bars.html. Go buy your ingredients NOW, these must not be put off. Go I tell you...NOW! Enjoy. BON BON