Tasty Niblets

Rumbi Island Easy Mango Chicken and Rice

2012-01-05T06:23:00.000-08:00

Rumbi Island Easy Mango Chicken and Rice
submitted by Melanie (Sisters Cafe)
4-5 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups mango salsa
Cumin to taste
Lemon Pepper to taste

Put chicken breasts in crock pot. Add spices. Cover and cook chicken until tender. Shred chicken on a plate and return to crock pot. Save juices in separate bowl.

Add corn, beans and salsa. More salsa can be added to taste. If mixture seems dry, add some of reserved juices.

Serve over coconut jasmine rice for that Rumbi Island Grill taste. Garnish with cilantro or parsely, if desired.

Coconut Rice
Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
1 1/4 cups water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 cups uncooked jasmine rice
Directions

In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, water, sugar, and salt. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in rice. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 18 to 20 minutes, until rice is tender.

Dinner Menu: Buttermilk Chicken & Basmati Rice

2012-01-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

Grilled Buttermilk Rosemary Chicken
submitted by Brittany ~ The Sisters Cafe

2 cups buttermilk
3 Tb fresh rosemary (or 1 1/2 Tb dried rosemary)
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

Combine all ingredients. Add chicken breasts and let marinate overnight.
Heat grill to medium to medium-high heat (about 375). Lightly oil grates. Grill chicken breasts for 8 minutes. Turn and grill for another 5-8 minutes , or until juices run clear.

Herbed Basmati Rice (Ina Garten; Barefoot Contessa)
Ingredients
1 cup uncooked long-grain (white) basmati rice (recommended: Texmati)
1 3/4 cups water
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons minced fresh curly parsley leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh dill leaves
1 tablespoon minced fresh scallions, white and green parts
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Combine the rice, 1 3/4 cups water, the salt, and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low, stir once, and simmer, covered tightly, for 15 minutes. (I need to pull the pot half off the burner to keep it from boiling over.) Turn off the heat and allow the rice to sit covered for 5 minutes. Add the parsley, dill, scallions, and pepper. Fluff with a fork, and serve warm.

Served with Texas Garlic Toast and Corn

Reviews: Cali said, "THIS is my new favorite meal!"
Ian said, "Mmmmm!"
Nyah said, "Yummy! I love everything!"
Carson ate his entire meal with no complaints!

This meal is also healthy!! Winner!!

Creamy White Chili

2011-10-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from my sister-in-law, Emmy Lou. We ate the soup so fast, I didn't have time to get a picture. Everyone loved it!

Ingredients:
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
2 cans (15 each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) chicken broth (I made my own with water and chicken bouillon)
2 cans (4 oz. each) chopped green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

Directions:
In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and whipping cream. Serve immediately.

Notes: This recipe served our family of 6 perfectly, but if you want leftovers or to offer seconds, make sure to double the recipe. I think I will do that next time so we can have it for lunch/dinner the next day.

I did not have rolls on hand, so I served it with tortilla chips. It would also be pretty to sprinkle Monterey Jack cheese and some cilantro on the top if you want to impress people!

Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-04-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

I am sooo sad that I can't remember where I found this recipe to give credit to a truly deserving person. However, this recipe is worth sharing. I have tasted a number of nasty gluten free cookies. These are amazing!

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cup rice flour**
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. xanthan gum**
1 tsp. salt
12 oz. choc. chips (or other variety)

First, place vanilla, eggs, and butter (softened) in mixing bowl.
Then add your dry ingredients one at a time, mixing in between each one: sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt......and then the flour. (You can mix them in a separate bowl and then add to the wet mixture.....but to be honest, I hate dirty-ing an extra bowl.

Moving on. Mix the dry ingredients in really well. You will have a dough form, just like regular cookies. But it will feel a lot more sticky. That's okay. Don't add extra flour.

Then add your favorite cookie ingredient. Like I mentioned above, these are my favorites: Chocolate Chip, White Chocolate/Macadamia Nut, and Andes Mints.

Place little balls of dough on large cookie sheet. Oh, I don't know.....regular cookie dough ball size. 1 inch? 1.5 inch? Bake in preheated 350 degree (F) oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake. The cookies tend to dry out and aren't as forgiving as regular gluten-full cookies. Allow to cool on a wire rack (or paper towels on the counter).

**Tip: I always pull them out right before they look done. You don't want to completely brown them. I always pull them out when the centers still look slightly dough-y. (The ones shown below are even cooked a smidgen more than I usually do. They usually come out a bit paler.) Once they cool, they will be a little chewy in the center. And unforgettable. Mmmmmmm...

Sweet Chili Tortilla Soup

2011-04-06T06:44:00.000-07:00

I ate this soup all day -- literally -- with LOTS of tortilla strips on top of each bowl! I should've felt sick after eating a gallon of soup, but I didn't. It was fabulous. The kids did not care for it though. Must've been the thin texture from blending it. Thanks so much to The Sisters Cafe for making my day soup-filled!

Sweet Chili Tortilla Soup
Submitted by Amy ~ The Sisters Cafe

1 dried ancho chili
1/2 cup boiling water
2 T. olive oil
3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, or equivalent amount of rotisserie chicken)
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
2 carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch coins (or equivalent baby carrots)
2 stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch slices
3 garlic cloves, peeled and quartered
2 t. ground cumin
6 cups chicken broth (or stock)
3 cans (14.5 oz each) chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves (I probably use a little more)
10 corn tortillas, for frying

For garnish use any of the following:
Sliced avocado
Crumbled queso fresco, or shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream
Salsa
Lime wedges
Cilantro

1. Place chili in a small, heatproof bowl; pour boiling water over and let soak 30 minutes. Drain; remove stem and seeds. Slice into 1/2 inch strips and set aside.
2. In a large soup pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken; season with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Add onion, carrots, and celery. Continue to cook about 8 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and cumin and cook an additional 2 minutes. Add broth, reserved chili, tomatoes, and cilantro and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes. With your hands, tear 3 tortillas into 2-inch strips and add to the soup. Continue to simmer about 15 minutes.
3. With a slotted spoon, remove chicken to a cutting board; take soup off heat. With a immersion blender, puree soup until smooth (I just use my regular blender and it works fine or you can puree the soup in small batches in a food processor fitter with knife blade). Return to pan. With two forks, shred chicken; return to soup. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Slice remaining tortillas with a pizza cutter into 1/4-inch strips. In a small saucepan, heat 1.5 inch canola oil until very hot. Fry tortilla strips until crisp, about 1 minute. With a slotted spoon, remove strips to a paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt. Serve soup in bowls topped with tortilla strips and any or all of the optional garnishes.

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli in a Crockpot

2011-02-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

Copycat Olive Garden Pasta E Fagioli in a Crockpot

Easy as pie and DELICIOUS!!
Note: I had to use 2 regular size crockpots to fit everything in. I put all the ingredients in a giant bowl, stirred together, and then dumped 1/2 in 1 crock and the other half in another. It made enough to take dinner to another family!

Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
1 onions, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 (16 ounce) cans red kidney beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) cans white kidney beans, drained
3 (10 ounce) cans beef stock
3 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons pepper
5 teaspoons parsley
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional)
1 (20 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 ounces pasta

Directions
Brown beef in a skillet.
Drain fat from beef and add to crock pot with everything except pasta.
Cook on low 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours.
During last 30 min on high or 1 hour on low, add pasta.

Pizza Roll-Ups

2010-11-02T21:04:00.000-07:00

adapted from Let's Dish

Ingredients

Pizza Dough (you can make your favorite pizza dough recipe or cheat like I did and go to your nearest grocer's bakery and ask for uncooked french bread. Roll out 1 loaf of dough into a rectangle, and follow directions below. I used 2 loaves of bread dough for this recipe. I got 12 pizza rolls out of each loaf, so a total of 24 rolls). Served this as a meal with garden salads. It would also make a great appetizer!

1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 teaspoons basil
1 cup sliced pepperoni, chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (I didn't have this on hand and they were still delicious!)

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Divide pizza dough in half. Roll each half into a rectangle, about 1/4 inch thick and 12 inches long. Sprinkle each half with equal amounts of garlic salt, basil, cheeses and pepperoni. Starting at a short end, roll dough up tightly to form a log. (Just like you are making cinnamon rolls). Slice into 1-inch pieces. Each rectangle should give you about 12 rolls. Place rolls on lightly greased baking sheets. I brushed my rolls at this point with a little melted butter. It made them very soft and delicious, but the tops looked pale. I will continue making them this way though, as the taste was fabulous. Bake for 10 minutes or until browned on top. It took 12 minutes in my oven. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping. (I used Ragu).

Heath Bar Cupcakes

2010-10-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

Ingredients
Chocolate Cake Mix
Heath Bars (crushed)

Frosting
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 pound confectioners sugar
1/2 cup caramel topping, plus more for drizzling
1 teaspoon salt

Directions
Mix and bake cake mix according to directions. Let cool.

To make the frosting, cream the butter in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla, salt and caramel syrup and mix to combine well. Add the sugar, a cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Frost cooled cupcakes. Garnish with crushed heath bars. Makes 24 cupcakes.

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

2010-10-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Perfect for fall! I doubled the recipe, for everything except the white sauce, so it would be healthier. It was thinner than the original recipe, but the entire family licked the pot clean. I'm sure it is even better made with the original recipe below. Found on: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Creamy Ham and Potato Soup
3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes
1/3 cup diced celery
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup carrot, diced (optional)
1 cup diced cooked ham (buy a ham steak in the deli section)
3 1/4 chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground white or black pepper, or to taste
5 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk

Note: I added some carrots that I had and Becky said she adds a can of corn too which would be good.

Directions:
1.Combine the potatoes, celery, onion, carrot, ham and chicken broth in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then cook over medium heat until potatoes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the salt and pepper.

2.In a separate saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in flour with a fork, and cook, stirring constantly until thick, about 1 minute. Slowly stir in milk so that lumps don't form and until all of the milk has been added. Continue stirring over medium-low heat until thick, 4 to 5 minutes.

3.Stir the milk mixture into the stockpot, and cook soup until heated through.

4. Top with cheddar cheese, chives, and bacon if desired. Serve immediately.

5. Makes 6 servings

Source: adapted from Allrecipes

Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins

2010-10-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help myself. I doubled the recipe and ate a dozen of them myself!

Moist Pumpkin Spice Muffins (With Cream Cheese Frosting)
by 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!)

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
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.

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans and White Chocolate (Cinnabon Popcorn)

2010-10-19T15:21:00.000-07:00

Cinnamon Caramel Corn with Pecans and White Chocolate (Cinnabon Popcorn)
by Our Best Bites
*I found it on The Girl Who Ate Everything!
**You will not be disappointed with this recipe. FANTASTIC!!

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels or around 1 1/2 bags of microwave popcorn for me)
1 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)
1 stick real butter (1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 squares almond bark (about 4 oz) *I used chocolate bark instead of white chocolate!

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

*You can use air popped or microwave popcorn.
Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside. *Use a bigger bowl than you think you need.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a 2 liter capacity microwave safe bowl. Mix well. Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup over the top of everything. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more. *If you microwave it too much your popcorn will turn out really hard.

Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda. Stir to combine. Mixture will foam and rise. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so everything is well coated. *STIR MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU NEED TOO.

Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil.

Melt almond bark according to package instructions. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

Calzones

2010-09-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

Calzones (this recipe makes 2 extra-large calzones)
**My sister, Kristin, made this recipe for the kids and I when we went to Arizona this summer. It was a hit! Cali requested it for her b-day meal on Sunday. Fabulous!

Ingredients:
3/4 c. milk (warm)
1 pkg. yeast
1 T. butter (softened)
1 t. olive oil
1 T. cornmeal
1 T. sugar
2 cups flour

Directions:
Dissolve milk and yeast, then add rest of ingredients (add flour 1 cup at a time). Roll dough into 2 large, thin circles. On one half of each circle arrance desired toppings, such as sauce, pepperoni, and cheese. Fold other half over and pinch edges. Bake at 400 degrees for 14 minutes. When finished, remove from oven, brush with melted butter, garlic salt, and Parmesan cheese, and return to oven for a minute to let the cheese melt on top. Delicious!!

Garlic Chicken

2010-09-21T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is THE BEST seasoning and my new favorite way to cook chicken to add to any recipe. Make up a lot of the seasoning mix and keep it in a baggy so that you have it on hand at all times. My sister, Dabney, introduced me to this in Indiana. It is to die for!!

Garlic Chicken
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. thyme
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. olive oil

On a dinner plate, mix together first seven ingredients. Sprinkle mixture on both sides of chicken breasts. In a skillet, heat butter and olive oil together over medium-high heat. Saute chicken 'til golden brown, about 5 minutes on each side.

*Lately, I've been thawing the frozen chicken breasts by baking them for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Then follow the recipe above.

PF Changs Lettuce Wraps

2010-09-21T18:43:00.000-07:00

** Literally, our family's favorite meal! You will definitely want to double this one! Serve with store-bought or homemade rolls.
PF Changs Lettuce Wraps (compliments of Jill Gray)
Stir-fry:
1/2 tsp. rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped
1 cup water chestnuts, minced
2/3 cups canned straw mushrooms, minced
3 Tbsp. chopped green onion
1 tsp. minced garlic
Fried rice noodles (Mai Fun)
Lettuce

Heat & cook the stir-fry ingredients. Serve the chicken on a dish lined with fried rice noodles. Make lettuce cups by slicing head of iceberg lettuce through the middle; pull off the outside slice. Dip in special sauce and/or hot sauce.

Special sauce: (make ahead and refrigerate)
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
2 Tbsp. ketchup
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. sesame oil

If you want to make the special sauce hot, follow the above recipe and then add the following:
2 tsp. water
1 Tbsp. Chinese Hot Mustard
1-3 tsp. garlic chili paste

The Perfect Apple Crisp

2010-09-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

I could've eaten the whole pan. Need I say more?!

The Perfect Apple Crisp

adapted from Allrecipes (found on The Girl Who Ate Everything)

10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I used about 6 Granny Smith apples)

3/4 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups quick-cooking oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples.

3.Combine the oats, 2 cups flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4.Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

5. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

BYU Mint Brownies

2010-09-21T11:01:00.001-07:00

Cali loves mint brownies so I made these for her b-day. Pretty tasty! Pretty rich!

BYU Mint Brownies
by Byu Dining
1 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 cup white sugar
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting.)

MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. butter
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt butter and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften butter. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing (very important step I realized since I was impatient). Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing. We liked ours stored cold in the refrigerator or you can store them at room temperature.

Taco Braid

2010-09-21T10:12:00.000-07:00

You can make your own bread dough for this recipe, or go to Macey's or any other grocery store bakery and ask them for a loaf of UNCOOKED french bread. Voila! You have just skipped a major part of the recipe. It's like a miracle. You don't have to make the bread! Saves you at least an hour and only costs $1.19.

Taco Braid Filling (from The Girl Who Ate Everything)
4 oz of Cream Cheese
1/2 cup Salsa
1/2 lb ground turkey, beef or chicken seasoned and cooked with a Taco seasoning mix (I used 1 lb of ground turkey)
1 can (15oz) of black beans (drained)
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
olive oil
garlic salt
**bread dough of loaf of uncooked french bread from grocery

1. Spray counter and hands with cooking spray and knead for a few seconds to form smooth ball.
2. Roll dough into a 15-in. x 12-in. rectangle. Place on a greased cookie sheet. It's very important to place the dough on the cookie sheet before you fill it because once you fill it, it will be too heavy to move onto the cookie sheet. Spread cream cheese lengthwise down center third of rectangle, salsa, then seasoned meat and black beans. Sprinkle with cheese.
3. On each long side, cut 1 inch wide strips about 2-1/2-inches into center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling.
4. Pinch ends to seal and tuck under. Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
5. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
6. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack or cutting board with 2 spatulas.

Shrimp Scampi Angel Hair Pasta

2010-09-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

Shrimp Scampi Linguine (I only had angel hair pasta so the new name is Shrimp Scampi Angel Hair Pasta!)
from: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Vegetable oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt plus 1 teaspoon
3/4 pound linguine
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 1/2 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
1 pound large shrimp (about 16 shrimp), peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 lemon, zest grated
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/4 lemon, thinly sliced in half-rounds
1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes

Drizzle some oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and the linguine, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.

Meanwhile, in another large, heavy-bottomed pan, melt the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic. Saute for 1 minute. Be careful, the garlic burns easily! Add the shrimp, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper and saute until the shrimp have just turned pink, about 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, lemon slices, and red pepper flakes. *I served up my kids first and then tossed in the red pepper flakes since it does add a lot of heat. Toss to combine.

When the pasta is done, drain the cooked linguine and then put it back in the pot. Immediately add the shrimp and sauce, toss well, and serve.

Triple Chocolate Scotcheroos

2010-09-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

These were to die for!! I couldn't stop myself from eating the entire pan! You have to love chocolate though!

Triple Chocolate Scotcheroos

1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup natural peanut butter (like Krema's; you could use regular peanut butter here too)
1/2 cup Nutella
6 cups crisp chocolate-flavored rice cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch-flavored chips
sea salt (optional)

1. Butter or spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large saucepan (at least 6 quarts) over medium heat, bring the sugar and corn syrup to a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and Nutella, then mix the rice cereal in until completely coated. Press the mixture into the greased pan, making sure the top is smooth.
3. Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips together in a clean, dry bowl set over a double boiler or microwave, stirring gently until smooth and well-blended. Spread over the rice cereal mixture and cool until set. Sprinkle with sea salt if desired.

White Bean and Sausage Soup

2010-09-10T16:24:00.000-07:00

This was delicious and EASY!! Aaron said this needs to be added to our regular menus weekly!

White Bean and Sausage Soup
by Stephanie Jensen

4 (15 oz) cans of white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 (32 oz) cans or boxes of chicken broth
2 (28 oz) cans Italian style diced tomatoes
2 lbs mild Italian sausage (I used hot sausage. I think it makes the soup)
2 oz fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook sausage in frying pan until cooked through. In large pot, add sausage and then add all other ingredients. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

2010-09-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

This soup was the perfect dish for a cool, fall day! It is superb. Everyone loved it. I halfed the recipe and it was plenty for my family of 6!

by Beth Goodman (found on The Girl Who Ate Everything)

6 carrots-peeled and diced
6 potatoes-peeled and diced
1 onion-diced
4 celery stalks-diced
12 c. water
12 chicken bouillon cubes
1-2 c. diced chicken-Beth shreds hers. ( I used a rotisserie chicken from Costco. I was just that lazy today )
2 sticks of butter-she said remember it makes A LOT
1 c. flour
8 oz jar cheez whiz- her secret weapon:)
2 c. egg noodles-cooked

Bring water and bouillon to boil. Add vegetables, partially cook them. In separate pan melt butter and flour on medium heat. When smooth, add to vegetables. Turn heat to medium low. Add cheez whiz and chicken. Simmer 30 min or until vegetables are cooked. Add egg noodles and serve.

Fruit and Nut Salad

2010-08-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

***** 5 Stars
This salad looks beautiful and tastes even better!!

adapted slightly from Amy Bench (from The Girl Who Ate Everything)

1 bunch green leaf lettuce, chopped (I used two bags of prechopped Romaine lettuce)
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cubed
2 cups strawberries, sliced
2 cups red grapes, halved
2-3 chicken breasts
1/2 of a white onion
1 bag Dried Cherry, Cranberry and Pecan Salad Pizazz (I found mine at Super Target by the bagged salad)
1 bottle Brianna’s Poppy seed or Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing (sometimes we do half of each)
1 (4 ounce) container crumbled feta (optional)
salt and pepper

Boil chicken with salt, pepper, and onion. Once cooled, cube chicken. Put everything in a large bowl. Toss with dressing right before serving. Serves 15-20 people.

Recipe Notes:
1) You may not need the whole bottle of dressing.
2) If you can't find the Salad Pizzaz you can use 1/2 cup of cranberrries and a half cup of pecans.
3) If you want to carmelize your own pecans do the following: In a skillet over medium heat, stir 1/4 cup sugar until melted. It will eventually melt if you just turn up the heat and wait. Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted and then toss in the pecans and keep stirring until they are coated. Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces.

Italian Mac & Cheese

2010-08-16T08:37:00.000-07:00

***** 5 STARS

originally produced by Rachael Ray

Ian found this recipe on line and requested it for his b-day dinner. EVERYONE loved it! I will definitely put this on our list of dinners to make OFTEN!

Ingredients
1 pound ziti rigate, penne rigate or cavatappi (ribbed, hollow corkscrews)
1 pound Italian bulk sweet sausage
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 or 4 cloves garlic, chopped
12 crimini mushrooms, sliced
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
1 (10-ounce) sack, 2 1/2 cups, shredded Italian 4 cheese blend, available on dairy aisle
1 can diced tomatoes, drained well
1 teaspoon hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), optional
1/2 cup Parmesan, a couple of handfuls
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water and cook pasta to a chewy al dente, about 8 minutes.

In a nonstick skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain cooked crumbles on paper towel lined plate. Return pan to heat and add extra-virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and mushrooms. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Saute 3 to 5 minutes, until mushrooms are lightly golden.

Preheat broiler to high.

To mushrooms, add flour and stir, cooking 2 minutes. Whisk in stock, then stir in cream. Bring cream to a bubble, then stir in 2 cups of 4 cheese blend. When cheese has melted into sauce, add tomatoes. When sauce comes to a bubble, remove from heat and adjust seasonings, adding hot sauce if desired.

Combine cheese sauce with sausage and pasta, transfer to baking dish, casserole or oven safe serving platter. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup of 4 cheese blend and the grated Parmesan over the top and brown under hot broiler.

Fiesta Chicken

2010-08-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

Vanessa's Rating on this recipe (out of 5 stars)
Taste *****
Visually Pleasing ** (kind of hard to get past the pink color)
Ease of Recipe *****

The color of the Fiesta Chicken is strange because of the combination of red salsa and white cream cheese, but if you can get past that -- the taste is FABULOUS!! Great for a busy night.

Fiesta Chicken
found on RecipeZaar

4 chicken breasts, frozen or thawed
1 (15 1/2 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
1 (15 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

Take 4 frozen, yes, frozen (or thawed), boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot. Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained. Keep in crock pot on low for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked. Once it is cooked, take it out and shred it. Return shredded chicken to the crockpot.

Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour. It may look at little strange at this point. Don't worry. Stir in the cream cheese.

Serve over rice or in warm flour tortillas.

Sugar Cookie Bars

2010-08-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

Vanessa's Rating on this recipe (out of 5 stars)
Visually Pleasing ****
Taste *****
Ease of Recipe *****

This is going to be my new "go to" recipe for sugar cookies! The frosting is DIVINE! I used 1/2 tsp. almond extract and 1/2 tsp. vanilla. FABULOUS!!
Sugar Cookie Bars
Source: BreeAnn Fankhauser

1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda and stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean (they won't look done so do the toothpick test). Cool completely and frost.

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 of an 8 oz block) softened
1 tsp vanilla (I used almond extract for half of the frosting)
¼ tsp salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

For frosting combine butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk a little at a time and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. You may not need all the milk! Spread over cooled cookie bars.

Ho Ho Cake

2010-06-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

This is Aaron's FAVORITE dessert! I tell him he knows he is loved when I make it, because it is a time-consuming process. It's worth it though!

Cake:
3 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. vinegar
2 tsp. vanilla
6 Tbsp. cocoa
2 cups sugar
10 Tbsp. oil
2 cups water

Combine dry ingredients. Add rest. Beat 3 minutes 'til smooth. Pour into greased and floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Cool.

Filling:
4 Tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup margarine
1/2 cup Crisco
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine flour and milk in saucepan. Low heat. Stir until thick. Chill.

Combine sugar, margarine, crisco, and vanilla. Whip until fluffy. Gradually add cooled pudding and whip. Spread on cake.

Frosting:
1 stick + 2 Tbsp. margarine melted
6 Tbsp. cocoa
2 1/2 Tbsp. hot water
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Combine all except sugar in bowl. Beat. Gradually add powdered sugar. Pour over white layer. Cool.

**Aaron and I added the fat grams together one time for this recipe. It turns out to be about 62 grams of fat in one nice sized slice. Too bad we each eat two slices!!

Lemon Squares

2010-06-10T18:31:00.000-07:00

This recipe is from one of my mom's best friend's, Valerie Nichols. I have many wonderful memories of her from my childhood.

2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup margarine
4 eggs
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup lemon juice

Combine flour, powdered sugar and margarine. Work together like a pie dough. Press into ungreased 9x13 pan. Bake 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees, till light brown. Beat eggs, sugar, lemon juice, baking powder and salt. Pour over baked crust. Bake 20 minutes more. Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.

Chocolate Haystacks

2010-06-10T18:27:00.000-07:00

Another childhood favorite!

3 cups uncooked quick oats
1/2 c. coconut
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. undiluted evaporated milk
1/2 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla

Mix together oats, coconut, and nuts in large bowl. Combine cocoa, milk, butter, and sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches a full boil. Continue boiling for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Pour over cereal mixture. Mix with a fork until cereal mixture is well coated. Drop from a teaspoon to waxed paper. Work rapidly. Let stand until firm.

Seven Layer Bars

2010-06-10T18:25:00.003-07:00

Combine 1 stick melted margarine and 1 cup crushed graham crackers and pat in a 9x13 pan.

Then layer the following on top of crust:
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (6 oz) pkg. chocolate chips
1 (6 oz) pkg. butterscotch chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped nuts

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes

Seven Layer Bars

2010-06-10T18:25:00.001-07:00

Apple Dumplings

2010-06-10T18:20:00.000-07:00

A family legacy made famous by my sister, Dabney Egendoerfer! People BEG her to make these babies!

Pastry:
2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. shortening
1/2 c. milk

Sift together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening 'til resembles small peas. Add milk all at once. Stir. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into 6 squares. On the center of each square, arrange thick apple slices. Sprinkle cinnamon & sugar over apples. Dot with butter. Fold corners of each dumpling so they meet in the center. Place in greased pan. Pour syrup over dumplings.

Syrup
2 cups water
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Bring to a boil and then pour over dumplings.

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes.

Mississippi Mud Pie

2010-06-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

Yummy dessert from my Grandma Chris. One of the best cooks that's ever lived!

1st layer
1 cup flour
1 stick butter
1 cup nuts

Mix and bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

2nd layer
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup cool whip
1 cup powdered sugar

3rd layer
2 pkg. chocolate pudding + 3 c. milk (mix according to directions.

top with 1 cup Cool Whip and sprinkle with 1 grated Hershey bar on top.

Keep refrigerated!

Million Dollar Dessert

2010-06-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

Pastry Crust:
1 package of Lorna Doone Shortbread Cookies (crushed)
1 stick of melted butter

Mix and press into 9x13 pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cook very well.

Filling:
2 (3 1/2 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 quart vanilla ice cream softened
1 c. milk

Mix and let sit for a bit and pour over the cooled, cooked crust. Let it set up completely.

Topping:
Spread 8 oz. cool whip and top with 3-4 heath bars (crushed).
Note: refrigerate the chocolate bars before crushing.

Grandma Sue's Pudding Pies

2010-06-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

My mother-in-law is famous for her pudding pies. This recipe is secret, so don't tell anyone where you got it! Ha! Ha!

Pie Crust
2 c. flour - mix in 1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. shortening - cut shortening in with a pastry cutter.
Then add all at once:
1/4 c. ice water
1 T. vinegar
1 egg

Bake at 400 degrees about 10 minutes.

For one 9" pie:
Basic Pudding

2 cups milk
1 cube butter

Put in a heavy saucepan, start on medium heat and while the butter melts, stir the next step together:

2/3 c. sugar
2 rounded Tablespoons of cornstarch
2 eggs
1/8 c. water

Slowly add to the milk mixture with a wire whip. Stir CONSTANTLY until it comes to a boil and seems a bit thick. Then remove from heat and add 1 tsp. vanilla.

For banana cream pie:
slice bananas in the bottom of cooled pie crust and then pour pudding on top.

For coconut cream pie:
add 1/4-1/3 cup coconut to the pudding before adding it to the crust.

For chocolate pie:
Add 1-2 cups chocolate chips to warm pudding before adding it to the crust.

Fruit Pizza

2010-06-10T17:25:00.000-07:00

This was one of my favorite childhood desserts.

3/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. shortening
1/3 c. oil
1 egg
1 1/2 c. flour
1 T. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 t. baking pwd.
1/4 tsp. salt

Cream sugar and shortening together. Add rest of ingredients until combined. Bake on round pizza pan at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Cool and then top with filling.

Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup sugar

Toppings:
strawberries, bananas, kiwi, fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, etc . . .

Cali's Dream Dessert

2010-06-10T14:50:00.000-07:00

Cali made this dessert when she was 8 years old at Aunt Illona's house in Ohio. It was fabulous! Also great for the 4th of July!

Crust:
28 oreos
6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) butter, at room temp.

In food processor, crush cookies until no white filling remains visible. Add butter; mix with fork until blended and crumbs begin to stick together. Transfer to a 14x4x1-1/2" tart pan or a 9" round cheese cake pan with removable bottom. Press up sides and over bottom to form 1/4" thick crust. Refrigerate.

Filling:
1 box (3 oz.) chocolate instant pudding
2/3 c. sweetened cocoa powder (Nestles)
3/4 c. cold milk
1/3 c. sour cream

In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and cocoa powder. In a small bowl, whisk milk, and 1/3 c. sour cream. Add milk mixture to pudding mix. Beat on low until just moistened. Increase speed to medium-high. Beat 2 minutes until consistency of frosting. Scrape into tart shell; spread level. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Topping:
cool whip (8 oz.)
fresh strawberries and blueberries

Cover with 8 oz. Cool whip and decorate with fresh strawberries and blueberries just before serving.

English Toffee

2010-06-10T14:46:00.000-07:00

Jeanette McArthur's Famous Recipe!!

1 lb. butter
2 c. sugar
6-1.55 oz. Hershey milk chocolate candy bars
chopped walnuts

Cook butter and sugar -- stirring continuously, till it turns a golden caramel color (pulls away from sides of pan and is kind of stringy). Bring to a bubbling boil, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, about 10 minutes. Remove spoon from pan, and cook to a very brittle stage (300 degrees to 310 degrees F on a candy thermometer). Pour onto cookie sheet so it touches edges. Let set a few minutes. Then place chocolate bars on top. When they start to melt spread them around. Sprinkle with nuts. Let set till chocolate hardens. Break into pieces to serve.

"Smith's Frosting"

2010-06-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite way to make "pretty" sugar cookies.

6 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup white Karo syrup

Cook above in double boiler and add:
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Cook just to Lukewarm and add color!
Either "Dunk" or "Pour" over cookies. If frosting cools and gets too hard, reheat in microwave.

**To make "cow" cookies: Make round 2-3" sugar cookies frosted with the "Smith's" frosting; first they were dipped in white frosting, then accented by "dripping" black "splotches."

Pumpkin Bread

2010-06-10T14:38:00.001-07:00

April Vegas brought this to the Progressive Dinner 2000 in Bakersfield, CA. It was a huge hit! It gets eaten up quickly. I always 3x this recipe!

1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup oil
1 cup pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup walnuts
1/2 tsp. cloves

Sift dry ingredients together. Mix water, eggs, oil and pumpkin in separate bowl. Add dry ingredients, then nuts. Bake in greased loaf pan at 325 (1 hr. small loaf; 1 hr. 30 minutes for larger) 3x the recipe=4 loaves

Chicken Salad Log

2010-06-10T14:20:00.000-07:00

The title sounds unappetizing, but people will think you are Martha Stewart when you arrive with this appetizer!

1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1/4 c. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken
1/4 c. green onions diced
3 bell pepper rings; chopped green onion, chopped black olives; pimento (drained); sesame seeds.

Mix first 8 ingredients; shape into log (8x2 inches). Wrap in Saran Wrap. Refrigerate until firm; about 4 hours. Garnish: Cut bell pepper rings to make strips. Place diagonally across log dividing log into 4 sections. Sprinkle sesame seed on one section. Repeat with chopped green onion, olives and pimento. Serve with assorted crackers.

Broiled Stuffed Mushrooms

2010-06-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

Served at R.S. Progressive Dinner 2000 in Bakersfield, California by Suzanne Fox. Delicious! This recipe has never let me down!

2 dozen lg. fresh mushrooms
5 Tbsp. butter
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
6 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
3 Tbsp. bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. milk

Clean mushrooms. Remove stems and chop finely. Saute stems in butter with onions, salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Add cheese, crumbs and milk. Fill mushroom caps. Sprinkle top with additional parmesan cheese. Broil approx. 5 min. Can be made ahead and refrigerated before broiling.

Cheesy Potato Skins

2010-06-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Served by Sariah Dow at R.S. Progressive Dinner 2000 in Bakersfield, California.

Bake lg. potatoes and cut into quarters. Carefully scoop out insides leaving 1/4 inch shells. Set oven to broil. Brush tops of potatoes with melted butter. Broil for 8-10 minutes or until crisp and brown. Sprinkle with cooked bacon and shredded Colby/Monterey Jack cheese. Broil 30 seconds or until cheese is melted. Serve hot with sour cream and chooped green onions. Yummy!!

Carrot Cookies

2010-06-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

Sound strange, but oh, so yummy! Sent to me by my chef sister, Dabney!

1 cup mashed cooked carrots
1 cup butter or shortening
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. shredded coconut

Mix shortening (butter), sugar, eggs, and carrots. Blend flour, baking pwd., and salt into the shortening mixture. Mix in coconut. Drop dough by spoonfuls 2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Orange icing
Juice of 1/2 orange (3-4 Tbsp.)
grated rind of 1 orange
1 Tbsp. butter
1 1/4 cups sifted pwd. sugar

Kaylene's Ice Cream Krispy Treat

2010-06-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

I tasted this for the first time at a Primary Teacher Appreciation dinner in Bakersfield, California. Sooo refreshing!

2 cubes butter (melted)
1 cup brown sugar
3 cups rice krispies
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
Melt butter in pan. Add brown sugar. Take off of burner. Stir in rest of ingredients, except ice cream.

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream (slice long)

Spread 3/4 mixture in 9x13 pan. Lay sliced ice cream on top. Then finish with 1/4 remaining krispy mixture on top.

Drizzle with Danish dessert before serving!

OH-MY-GOSH EGG-WHITE OMELET (from the Eat Clean Diet cookbook)

2010-02-13T04:26:00.000-08:00

4-5 egg whites
1 egg yolk
2 Tbsp. skim milk
1 plum tomato, chopped
1 small clove garlic, passed through a press
1 handful shredded spinach
1 Tbsp minced purple onion
Pam

Preparation:
Beat egg whites with the yolk and skim milk. Quick saute the vegetables. Pour eggs into a small frying pan coated with Pam. Cook till firm. Add vegetables on one half of omelet, then fold other half over top. Let sit for 30 seconds or so,then serve.

Notes: Aaron and I sauted spinach, mushroom, and onions for ours. The kids just put chopped ham and a little cheese on theirs. They were fabulous with salsa on top. We served it with whole wheat toast and turkey bacon on the side. It was a hit with everyone!

World's Lightest Whole Wheat Waffles and Pancakes

2010-02-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

This recipe is fast and easy--no sifting, folding, or creaming. Just dump and stir!

Dump in a bowl:
1 cup whole wheat flour
5 teaspoons Rumford or Ener-G baking powder (only 2 tsp. if using other brand)
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 T. molasses (optional)
Stir to mix.

Dump in:
2 eggs
small amount of light olive oil (or other cooking oil can be used)
1 1/3 c. cold water

Stir to mix. Adjust water or flour to get proper consistency for batter. If the batter is too thick, you'll have the world's heaviest whole wheat waffles and pancakes. The molasses gives the waffles a golden brown color and a nice flavor.

Fettuccine Alfredo (love this recipe!)

2010-02-03T06:36:00.000-08:00

Alfredo Sauce:
1/2 cup butter
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese
1 pint heavy cream
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper

1 pound uncooked fettucine(or whatever noodles you like; my kids like bowtie)

1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Mix in the cream cheese. Stir in the cream and garlic powder. Increase the heat and bring to a boil. Decrease the heat and simmer, stirring often, while you cook the pasta. If the sauce needs additional thickening (for example if you're serving it as a dipping sauce without pasta), you may sprinkle in flour, 1 tsp. at a time.) Cook and stir for desired consistency.

2. Cook the fettuccine according to package directions; drain.

3. Stir the Parmesan cheese into the sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Toss the sauce and the pasta in a large bowl and serve immediately.

Serve with a tossed green salad and hot French bread.

For Chicken Alfredo, stir-fry bite size chunks of chicken in 1 Tbsp. olive oil until cooked and add to the sauce.

For a seafood lover (Ian), toss the sauce with cooked medium shrimp.

Strawberry Spring Salad/Poppy Seed Dressing

2010-02-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

Strawberry Spring Salad
1 pkg. spring salad mix
1 pkg. baby spinach
1-2 pt. strawberries, sliced

Toasted Pecans
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. chopped pecans

Melt butter. Add sugar and nuts; mix well. Spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350degrees for 1 minutes unil lightly toasted. Mix spring salad and spinach in large bowl. Add strawberries and toss. Serve with poppy seed dressing and toasted pecans.

Poppy Seed Dressing
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. white vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion

Mix all ingredients in a food processor until well blended.

3 tsp. poppy seeds
1 c. canola oil

Add poppy seeds and blend. Slowly add oil until emulsified. Refrigerate.

Greek Pitas

2009-10-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

Greek Pitas

grilled chicken
feta cheese
cucumber sauce
pitas

Fill pitas with above ingredients. Yummy! Serve with tomato/cucumber salad.

Tomato & Cucumber Salad
Dice tomatoes and cucumbers. Pour in a drained can of whole black olives. Add feta cheese. You can pour some Italian dressing over the top if you like. Enjoy on the side with greek pitas!

Cucumber Sauce for Pitas
1 c plain yogurt
Juice & rind of 1/2 small lemon
1 garlic clove, sliced paper thin like the onion; I use kind from a jar
1 sm cucumber, peeled & seeded, then grated

Combine and pour over chicken in pitas

Fish Tacos

2009-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not a fish lover and I loved these!

Brush frozen tilapia fillets with butter and then sprinkle with Santa Maria Style seasoning or seasoning of your choice. Cook fillets for 32 minutes at 350. Shred fish with a fork and put in a bowl.

Fill tortilla shell with the following:
fish, shredded cabbage, ranch dressing, avocado, tomatoes. Serve rice and beans on the side.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

2009-10-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups peanut butter chips

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease cookie sheets.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, fold in the peanut butter chips. Drop cookies by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until set. Cool on wire racks.

Day 32 - Cinnamon Chip Cookies

2009-10-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Ian's Favorite Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. cinnamon chips (you can use chocolate chips or any other chips instead)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs. Beat about 1 minute. Sift the flour, soda and salt in a bowl. Add to the butter mixture and mix until all ingredients are well-combined. Stir in the cinnamon chips. Drop tablespoons of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets and flatten slightly with the palm of your hand. Bake 8-10 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack.

Day 31 - Earthquake Cake

2009-09-30T19:26:00.001-07:00

Cali requested this for her b-day dessert. Love it!!

Earthquake Cake

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Cover the bottom of the pan with 1 cup chopped walnuts (or nut of your choice) and 1 cup coconut. Prepare a chocolate cake mix as directed on the package. Pour over nuts and coconut (don't mix). Mix together 8 oz. cream cheese (softened), 1 cube butter (softened), 3 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Drop spoonfuls of this mixture on top of cake batter. Don't mix. Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. The cake will set up more as it cools.

Day 30 - Fried Rice

2009-09-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

calrose rice
eggs
crisp bacon
grilled chicken
green onions
soy sauce

Cook 4-5 c. rice in rice cooker in the morning. Let sit during the day.

Pour a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a hot skillet. Break 6 eggs into skillet and stir around until fully cooked. Add crisp bacon, cooked grilled chicken and green onion. Stir in cooked rice and enough soy sauce to cover all the rice. Eat by the bowlful!

Day 29 - Best Chicken Marinade

2009-09-24T20:40:00.001-07:00

Put chicken breasts in a gallon Ziploc bag and marinate overnight:

1 bottle Lawry's Teriyaki Pineapple Marinade
1 can Coca-Cola

Day 28 - Biscuits & Sausage Country Gravy

2009-09-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Old-Fashioned Biscuits

About 10 biscuits

2 c. all-purpose flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 c. butter or shortening
3/4 c. milk

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

Sift or whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl. With a pastry blender or fork, cut the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pour in the milk all at once. Stir quickly with a fork just until the dough clings together; do not overmix.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 10 or 12 times. Excess handling makes biscuits tough. Just be sure all the ingredients are well-distributed throughout the dough. Gently roll or pat the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Press a floured 2-inch biscuit cutter into the dough and swivel once or twice to make sure it has cut through. Dip the cutter into flour between cuts. Gather up the dough scraps into a ball and pat out again to cut one or two more biscuits.

Place the biscuits close together in a square baking pan and bake until light brown, about 12 minutes. Serve warm, right out of the oven.

Sausage Country Gravy

8 oz. maple-flavored bulk sausage
1/4 c. butter
1/3 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. milk
1 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper

Prepare the biscuits and bake them while you make the gravy.

Cook and stir the sausage in a small skillet over medium heat, crumbling it with a wooden spoon. Drain the fat, if necessary.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Cook until the roux begins to darken slightly. Slowly whisk in the milk, water, salt, and pepper. Continue stirring until the gravy thickens and comes to a simmer. Stir in the sausage.

Break the warm biscuits in half and cover with the gravy.

Day 27 - Santa Fe Lime Rice & Pinto Beans

2009-09-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

I love to serve this rice with tacos, on Cafe Rio Salads, or just on the side of just about anything. It has a fabulous flavor and a great texture!

Santa Fe Lime Rice

I usually 4x this recipe because everyone loves it so much!

1 cup uncooked calrose rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 tsp. salt
juice of 1/2 lime
2 T. butter
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp. ground cumin

Put all ingredients in a rice cooker. Voila! or . . .

For the stove . . . Combine the rice, broth and salt in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Decrease the heat to simmer and add the lime juice, butter, cilantro, and cumin. Stir, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, until rice is tender.

Pinto Beans in the Crock Pot from Dabney!

4 c. pinto beans
garlic
olive oil
water

Put about 4 c. of pinto beans in your crockpot. Cover with water. Add about 1 Tbsp. minced/crushed garlic and a couple Tbsp. of olive oil. Generously salt. Cook overnight and all the next day on high. Add more water as needed. These beans turn out very tender and have a delicious flavor.

We put this rice/beans into tortillas and serve with salsa, guacamole, cheese and sour cream. It can last for a week!!

Day 26 - French Toast

2009-09-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

The best french toast is made with day-old french bread. It makes yummy edges!

French Toast
eggs
1/4 c. milk/egg
cinnamon
nutmeg

Slice thick slices of french bread. Dip in egg/milk mixture. Cook on sizzling hot griddle that has been sprayed with Pam or slathered with Crisco. (Boy, Crisco makes things taste good!) Sprinkle sides with cinnamon and nutmeg while cooking. Best topped with strawberry jam or homemade syrup!

Sterling's Best Buttermilk Syrup from Sarai Memmott

1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. buttermilk (I make my own: 3/4 c. milk + almost a T. vinegar; set for 5 min.)
1/2 c. butter
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vanilla

Combine the first 5 ingredients and bring to a boil. Boil about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Yummy!!

Day 25 - Taco Soup

2009-09-16T07:16:00.001-07:00

This is my favorite recipe for taco soup. I almost always have all the ingredients on hand. The whole family loves it -- except Ian gags on the corn!

Taco Soup

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 pkg. mild taco seasoning mix
1 (16 oz.) can cut corn
1 (16 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (28 oz.) can stewed tomatoes (I chop these up really small)
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
tortilla chips
grated cheese

Brown ground beef in heavy saucepan. Drain. Saute chopped onions; add to ground beef. (I actually combine those steps and cook the onion with the beef). Stir in taco seasoning, corn, kidney beans, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Serve topped with tortilla chips and grated cheese.

Day 24 - Not So Tasty Pork Loin

2009-09-15T07:35:00.001-07:00

I was so grateful to my mom for making dinner on Sunday. My only assignment was to bring the rolls. Now, I have spent a lot of time training my kids to always be polite about whatever is served for dinner. They can be honest, but not mean. For example, when I served the Pizza Casserole last week, I got comments like, "This is interesting, Mom." "Is this pepperoni in here?" and my personal favorite, "Are we going to be having this as leftovers tomorrow night?" Because I force the kids to be polite, I also have to be a good example.

So, when Mom showed up with dinner, we peeked under the foil wrapped skillet to see what the main dish looked like. To my chagrin, I saw 2 lumps of grey meat with dallops of purple goo on top. My nostrils quaked as the ripe smell of fish filtrated through the air. What were we having for dinner?

The kids voiced my thoughts, "What is it, Grandma Joannie?"

"It's pork tenderloin," my mom said. "All I had to do was put a little grape jelly on top, check it with a meat thermometer, and voila, it was done!" The side dish mom brought was a new recipe as well: vegetable curry. The kids looked mortified.

Nyah pulled me aside. "Mom, do I have to eat that?"

"Yes, Nyah. You at least have to try it!"

I was wondering if I was going to be able to get it down myself.

Everyone sat around the table, staring at the pork tenderloin medallions on the plate.

Carson voiced our thoughts, "It sure looks like fish!"

Ian, my fish lover, had already dug in. "It tastes like fish too, Grandma!" Ian was overjoyed!

At the end of the meal, the pork tenderloin medallions were almost completely gone, thanks to Aaron, Grandpa Markie, and Ian. Grandma Joannie and I also made a valiant effort at eating the fishy pork. Needless to say, all of the pork eaters, with Ian as the exception (he has an iron stomach), were in the restroom most of the night. This recipe will not be added to my recipe collection.

Day 22 & 23 - Salads

2009-09-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

Some of my new favorite toppings for salads:

blueberries
diced apples
raspberries
Gorgonzola cheese
diced, cooked chicken
slivered, candied almonds
yellow, red peppers sliced
cucumbers
wonton strips (deep fried and tasty!)

Salads topped with all this yummy goodness may not be the healthiest, but at least we are getting our fruits and vegetables. Most of the topping ideas came from my favorite salad, Danae's, from The Trolley! I can't wait to go out to eat, so I don't have to try to mimic their version!

Day 21 - Dutch Baby Pancakes

2009-09-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

This is one of the kids' favorites. They like to make it, because it involves the use of the blender! Anything that makes noise!!

Dutch Baby Pancakes

6 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

Mix ingredients in blender. Melt 1 cube of butter in 9x13 pan(you can use only 1/2 stick if you want to make it healthier). Pour batter over hot butter and bake for 25-30 minutes at 400 degrees. It will be tall and form bubble shapes on the top. The kids love to watch it bake! Serve it warm with syrup, jam, powdered sugar, or all three!!

Day 20 - Chicken Enchiladas

2009-09-13T06:34:00.000-07:00

This chicken enchilada recipe is the easiest recipe in the world, and everyone loves it! Thanks to my neighbor, Amy, for this tasty dinner!

Chicken Enchiladas
1 big can green enchilada sauce
1 bag tortillas
chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
Colby/Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)

Pour s thin layer of enchilada sauce in bottom of a glass baking dish. Lay a tortilla out flat. Sprinkle a strip of cooked chicken down center of tortilla. Sprinkle cheese on top of chicken. Roll up and place in pan. Line filled tortillas tightly together in 1 layer in pan. Pour more enchilada sauce on top to cover tortillas. Sprinkle with more cheese. Cover with foil. Cook at 350 for 25 minutes. Remove foil. Cook for 5 more minutes. Serve with rice and beans. Yummy!

Day 19 - Pizza Casserole

2009-09-10T03:45:00.000-07:00

I guess I should've known with a name like "Pizza Casserole", it was bound to be a disappointment. I ate this meal 12 hours ago and still feel like throwing up!

Pizza Casserole (make at your own risk)

3 c. macaroni, uncooked
1 lb. ground sausage
1/2 c. pepperoni (quartered)
2 c. pizza sauce
1 can Italian tomatoes, diced
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese

Brown sausage and drain. Add pepperoni. Cook 5 min. longer. Cook pasta 10 min. Rinse and drain. Add pizza sauce, seasoning, and 1 c. cheese. Pour into sprayed
9x13 pan. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Day 18 - Coconut Brownies

2009-09-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Coconut Brownies
1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. + 2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. coconut

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and cocoa; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in coconut. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes. Toothpick test for doneness.

**Macey's was trying to sell coconut and had this sitting on a table to sample. I fell for the sale. Yummy!! You could probably substitute chocolate chips, M&Ms or nuts for the coconut. Nice brownie texture.

Day 17 - Homemade Noodle, Chicken Noodle Soup

2009-09-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

This is the kids' all time favorite meal! They love the homemade noodles!

Chicken Noodle Soup
1 pkg. chicken breasts, cooked & broken into pieces
2 c. chopped celery
2 c. chopped carrots
1 chopped onion
1 batch homemade noodles, or 1 pkg. grandma's homemade store bought noodles cooked and drained.

Boil vegetables until tender. Drain off water. Use broth off chicken or 1 can chicken broth. Heat together with 2 cans cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup milk. Add the vegetables, chicken and noodles. Enjoy!!

Homemade Noodles

6 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. salt
about 2 cups flour to start with!
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Add baking powder and salt to 1 cup of flour and mix with the eggs. Put the other cup of flour on a board and make a well to pour the eggs into. Fold in the flour as you knead it. Add more flour to your dough until it's not sticky. (I use a lot more!) Roll out thin. Cut noodles with a pizza cutter. Add noodles to a pot of boiling water. Cook for about 8 minutes, stirring as you add them. I always taste test the last ones I've added to make sure they are all done. Add the noodles to the above soup recipe. Yummy!!

Day 16 - Raspberry Streusel Coffee Cake

2009-09-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

This is the absolute BEST breakfast cake/dessert I've ever eaten! It takes a while to make, but is SOOOO worth the effort! Try to make it when raspberries are in season, or you can use frozen raspberries. Just as good!

Raspberry Streusel Coffee Cake

3 1/2 c. unsweetened raspberries
1 c. water
2 T. lemon juice
1 1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. cornstarch

In a large saucepan, cook raspberries and water over medium heat for 5 minutes. If you don't use a LARGE pan, the raspberries will splatter all over you! Combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir into fruit mix. Bring to boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thick. Cool.

Batter:
3 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. soda
1 c. cold butter
2 eggs/lightly beaten
1 c. (8 oz.) sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, powder and soda. Cut in butter till it looks like crumbs. Stir in eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Batter will be stiff. Spread 1/2 in a greased 9x13 pan. Spread raspberry filling on top of that. Spoon remaining batter over the filling. Combine topping; sprinkle on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Combine glaze; drizzle over warm cake.

Topping:
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. butter; softened
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Glaze:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Day 15 - Lasagne (without cooking the noodles!)

2009-09-04T09:17:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite lasagne recipe, hands down! You skip the step of cooking the noodles (yes, you use regular lasagne noodles, not the no cook kind), and it has a great flavor. The picture doesn't do it justice.

Lasagne

1 lb. ground beef
salt and pepper
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 c. water
3 c. mozzarella cheese, grated
16 oz. cottage cheese
2 eggs
1/2 c. fresh grated Paremesan cheese
9 regular lasagne noodles (don't cook them!)

Brown ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Drain. Add spaghetti sauce and water to the meat. Simmer. Mix cheeses, eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Put some of the sauce on the bottom of a casserole dish and add 3 pieces of uncooked lasagne noodles, more sauce, and 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Add 3 more noodles, more sauce and the other 1/2 of cheese mixture. End with 3 more lasagne noodles and the rest of the sauce. Bake covered at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 minutes. Let stand at least 15 minutes before serving.

Day 14 - Breakfast Sandwiches

2009-09-02T15:14:00.000-07:00

Has anyone ever heard of a KrustBuster? You basically make yourself a sandwich, with whatever you want inside, and squeeze off the yucky part of the bread! It's like an Uncrustable that you buy in the freezer section.

My kids' favorite sandwich to make is an egg, ham and cheese. You just layer, bread, a cooked egg, ham, cheese, and another slice of bread, squish it in the Krustbuster, pop it in the toaster to melt the cheese and VOILA! Delicious! The kids can even make it on their own.

Fun, fun, fun!!

Go to http://www.krustbusters.com to purchase one! **No, I'm not getting any royalties from this!

Day 13 - Leftovers Again!

2009-09-02T15:13:00.001-07:00

Wish I could do this everynight!

Day 12 - Homemade Salsa

2009-08-31T13:08:00.001-07:00

(Doesn't it look like a light from heaven is shining down saying, "Look at this beautiful piece of work!" It better taste like heaven. It took all day to make!)

I spent all day canning salsa, so guess what's for dinner? You guessed it!

Tuckett's Homemade Salsa

10 qts. quartered tomatoes
3 red peppers (sweet)
4 Anaheim peppers
1 qt. celery (chopped fine)
3 green peppers (sweet)
8 yellow peppers
5 Jalapeno peppers
4 medium onions
6 cloves of garlic (diced)
2 Tbsp. coarse pepper
1 cup sugar
2 tsp. paprika
3/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup salt
4 tsp. cumin

Quarter tomatoes. Dice all other vegetables in food processor. Chop peppers with gloves on. Cook ingredients for 2 hours. Seal in bottles and hot bath for 20 minutes.

Day 11 - Chicken Pillows, Broccoli, Fruit Salad and the Best Banana Bread in the World!

2009-08-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

Lynette Thomas' Banana Bread
**this recipe has never let me down!

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups bananas, mashed (about 3)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup buttermilk (or add 1 Tbsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk and let stand for 10 minutes - remember to only use 1/2 cup of it!)
3/4 cup chopped nuts (I don't usually add the nuts)

Cream together ingredients in order listed above. Add flour slowly until combined.

Grease and flour or use PAM spray to prepare cooking pans.

Pan size: makes 2 (8" x 3-3/4") loaf pans (fill pans 2/3 of way)

Bake 325 for about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. (I baked mine for 1 hour and 10 minutes this time). If making muffins, check after 30 minutes instead.

Day 10 - I Caved!

2009-08-31T07:30:00.000-07:00

I broke down and didn't make dinner tonight. I have some excuses though, that sound pretty good to me. I ran 20 miles this morning, helped Ian with an Aztec project for school all afternoon, sat in the hot sun watching Cali's soccer game with the family and then DID NOT FEEL LIKE COOKING!! Aaron had pity on me and took us all out to Tepanyaki for the best meal ever! I didn't even feel guilty. Well, just a little bit.

Day 9 - Homemade Mac & Cheese Kids Love

2009-08-31T07:22:00.000-07:00

Mac & Cheese Kids Crave (from The Food Nanny)

1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (I use shell shapes!)
3 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 c. milk
2 c. shredded Cheddar or Colby cheese

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a square baking dish.

Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Blend in the flour, salt, and pepper. Add the milk; cook and stir until the mixture is thick and bubbly. Decrease the heat to low and add the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.

Combine the cheese sauce with the macaroni and place in the prepared baking dish. Bake 35-40 minutes or until heated through.

Day 8 - Spaghetti and Fabulous French Bread

2009-08-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

Fabulous French Bread (NO KNEADING REQUIRED)
Stolen by: Vanessa Heber

2 ½ c. warm water 1 Tbsp. salt
2 pkg. yeast 2 Tbsp. oil
2 Tbsp. sugar 6 c. flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water and add sugar. Stir in salt, oil and ½ the flour (3 cups). Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon. Stir in remaining flour. Allow dough to rest 10 minutes. Stir down dough. Repeat the resting and stirring until dough has been stirred down 5 times. (Takes 50 minutes – I always do chores around the house during this time and take the timer with me!)

Turn dough onto floured board. Knead 2-3 times, only coating dough with flour so it can be handled. Divide in half. Roll each half into rectangles. Roll up and pinch seam and ends to seal. Place on large baking sheet that has been oiled. With a sharp knife, slash dough at an angle 3 times, about 2 inches apart.

Cover with a clean dish towel and let rise 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours. Check to make sure it doesn’t rise too much. It can take as little as 30 minutes in hot weather. Brush with a beaten egg and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

Day 7 - Haystacks

2009-08-27T12:01:00.000-07:00

Nyah loves haystacks! She'd eat them 7 days a week if I'd let her!

Haystacks

2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion (I left the onion out because I didn't have any! Kids liked it even better!)
1 (26-oz.) can cream of chicken soup
2 cups sour cream
6 cups cooked/diced chicken (I used 3 cans of chicken breast - so easy!!)
8 cups cooked rice

Toppings
1 bag crunchy chow mein noodles
2 cans pineapple tidbits, drained
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup sliced green onions
1 cup chopped celery
1 can black olives; sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
shredded cheese

In a saucepan, saute butter and onions for about 3 minutes. Add chicken soup and warm over medium heat. Stir in chicken and sour cream and cook until hot, but do not boil. Place on the serving table in a crock-pot to keep warm (or just serve from stove). Place rice and toppings in separate bowls. Build own haystacks by placing a bed of rice on a plate, spooning on chicken mixture and toppings as desired.

Day 6 - Leftovers!

2009-08-27T12:00:00.001-07:00

For moms, leftover night is the best, but when I told the kids it was leftover night, I heard lots of moans, groans, and comments like, "This stinks!" when I opened the tupperware containers!

Day 5 - Creamy Chicken Soup and Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls

2009-08-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

This was a winner with all the kids!!

Creamy Chicken Soup
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I used 2 cans of chicken instead)
4 c. chicken broth
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
5 carrots, peeled and cut into thick slices
4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite-size chunks
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups evaporated fat-free milk
1 can corn (drained) I didn't add the corn because I was all out!
salt and ground black pepper

Put the chicken and broth in a soup pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Decrease the heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken to cool. OR . . . open 2 cans of chicken breast chunks -- so easy!

Add the onion, carrots, and potatoes to the simmering broth. Cover and return to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, tear the chicken into bite-size pieces. (or just use those chicken chunks from a can!)

In a small saucepan, melt the butter. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon and cook for 1 minute until the mixture is smooth and bubbly. Stir in the milk and cook for 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.

Add the white sauce and chicken pieces to the soup pot. Stir and bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Immediately decrease the heat to simmer, add the corn, salt and pepper to taste, and cook just until corn is heated through. Serve immediately or keep warm but do not boil!!

Pillow-Soft Dinner Rolls

4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (110-115 degrees)
2 cups warm milk (110-115 degrees)
6 Tbsp. shortening
2 eggs
1/4 c. sugar
1-1/2 tsp. salt
7-7 1/2 cups flour

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the milk, shortening, eggs, sugar, salt and 3 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes (dough will be sticky). Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 24 pieces. Shape each into a roll. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Cover and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks.

Day 4 - Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

2009-08-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

These are my favorite cinnamon rolls. They don't really qualify as "dinner", but since we ate them all day, I thought I'd include the recipe:

Vanessa's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

Combine the following and let stand for 15 minutes, or until it bubbles up:
2 1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. oil
3/4 c. sugar
3 1/2 T. yeast

Add 2 beaten eggs

Add 6 1/2 c. flour and 1 T. salt (sifted)

Add 1+ more cups of flour until not too sticky. Let rise for 10 minutes. Roll out into 1 ft. x 3 ft. rectangle. Melt 1/3 c. butter and spread on top. Combine 1 c. sugar + 2 T. cinnamon and sprinkle on top of butter.

Roll up into a jelly roll. Cut into 24 pieces. Line in pan 2 wide and 4 down in smaller glass dishes or 3 wide/4 down in 9x13 pan. Let rise until double. Will fill pan (about 45 minutes)

Cook for 20 minutes @ 350 degrees.

Ice after 10 minutes cooled with cream cheese frosting:

1 stick butter
1 8 oz. cream cheese
2 lbs. pwd. sugar
milk
vanilla

**To make the caramel pecan version of the rolls (my personal favorite)
1 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
4 T. light corn syrup

Cook and stir until combined. Spread in bottom of 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup pecans or walnuts. Lay 12 of the uncooked cinnamon rolls on top. Follow baking instructions. Dump out onto foil immediately after you remove them from oven. Don't frost. Just eat!!

Day 3 - Mini Cheeseburgers/Grilled Zucchini

2009-08-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

If you ever get tired of regular old cheeseburgers, just make them mini. It makes the meal a whole lot more exciting.

Plus, add some grilled zucchini and corn on the cob and you've got a well-rounded meal!

Grilled Zucchini
zucchini
fresh parmesan or mizithra cheese
ground pepper/salt
olive oil

Cut zucchini into strips. Brush with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with cheese. Grill for about 4 minutes on each side on the top of the grill. Enjoy!

If you have a child that doesn't like hamburger buns or veggies, this is what the meal ends up looking like!

Day 2 - Peanut Butter Bars

2009-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

OK, so we didn't just eat Peanut Bars for dinner, but they were fantastic! We got invited to a church Potluck. All I had to make was dessert. This is my favorite recipe for P.B. Bars. I combined a couple of recipes from my good friends Katie and Kandice and this is the result. They'll disappear . . . I promise!!

Peanut Butter Bars
1 1/4 c. butter
1 1/8 c. sugar
1 1/8 c. brown sugar
1 1/8 c. peanut butter
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
1 1/8 tsp. soda
2 1/4 c. flour
2 1/4 c. quick oatmeal
________________________________________
2 c. peanut butter

Blend butter, sugars and peanut butter until smooth. Add eggs, salt and soda. Stir in flour and oatmeal. Place on large cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 22 minutes (don't overcook!). While cooking whip 2 c. peanut butter with a fork. When it comes out of the oven, let it cool for 10 minutes and then spread the whipped peanut butter on top. Let cool completely. Then make the frosting.

Frosting
1 cube butter
6 Tbsp. milk
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 lb. powdered sugar

Combine margarine, milk, and cocoa in a saucepan and cook until it bubbles. Remove from heat, add vanilla and powdered sugar and mix well. Spread on top of the peanut butter layer and let cool completely again.

Day 1 - "Gourmet"/Kid-Friendly Pancakes

2009-08-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

OK. I know. Pancakes for dinner? It was cheap. It was easy, and I had all of the ingredients on hand!

The kids actually gave the meal a perfect 10!

All you have to do is throw in some sliced apples, chocolate chips, whipped cream, syrup, and Mickey Mouse shapes and you'll have a hit.