Our Favorite Recipes

Maison Salad-(from the Keeping up Cookbook)

2011-12-05T08:07:00.000-08:00

1 Large head of Romaine lettuce ( chopped finely ;)
1 cp. grated Monterey Jack or Swiss Cheese
1/4 pd. bacon, cooked crisp and chopped up
2/3 cp. slivered or sliced almonds, toasted

Dressing:
Juice of 1 Lemon ( or 3 tbsp. of Lemon Juice)
1 clove garlic, ( or 1 tsp. of the fresh minced garlic that comes in the jar.)
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
3/4 cp. canola oil or olive oil

Whisk together dressing ingredients ( refrigerate for at least a few hours or overnight for best flavor.)

*This is the salad I took to the Hansen Family Christmas Party. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Molasses Cookies

2011-12-03T16:14:00.001-08:00

2 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 C. oil
2 eggs
1/2 C. molasses
4 C. flour
4 tsp baking soda
1tsp ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
additional sugar to roll

In mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses. Combine all dry ingredients; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into balls and roll in sugar. Place 2" a part on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes (don't overcook). Cool completely.

Optional: Melt vanilla almond bark and dip cookies halfway. Place on wax paper to cool.
Makes about 4 dozen.

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

2011-12-03T15:56:00.001-08:00

(these are the ones I made for the Christmas party)

Cookie
1 cup softened butter (recommend using a good brand butter!)
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup raspberry jam

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 to 3 tsp water

-combine butter, sugar and almond extract. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Add flour. Beat until well mixed. Cover and chill until firm.

- Heat oven to 350. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet. Make indentation in center of each cookie with thumb (edges may crack slightly). Fill each indentation with about 1/4 tsp jam. (I put the jam in a sandwich bag and snip a corner and squeeze into each cookie.)

- Bake for about 14 minutes (do not overbake!). Cool completely.

- Combine glaze ingredients and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cookies. (I use the sandwich bad trick for the glaze too)

Caramel Bars

2011-10-21T13:39:00.000-07:00

I got this recipe from one of my favorite cook books. Keeping up cook book. I love it.

3/4 cp. butter
3/4 cp. brown sugar
1cp. flour
1 cp. old-fashioned oats
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Mix together. Press 3/4 of mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

1 (14 oz) package Kraft caramels, unwrapped
3 tbsp. cream or half/half ( I used half/half- Less calories)
3 tbsp. butter
2 cps. milk chocolate chips

While crust is baking, melt the craramels, cream and butter over low heat or in a double boiler. Pour melted mixture over crust. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and crumble remaining oat mixture on top. Bake at 350 for an additional 15 minutes. Cool before slicing.

Perfect Chicken Fajitas

2011-10-17T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last night I thought I would try a new Fajita recipe. I had to tweak it a bit, but WOW was it good! Cam came home started eating, while I was busy cleaning up, and out of no where he says, "I give this meal a good 9!" It was hilarious! Sometimes he will rate the food 1-10. I should have asked why not a 10, because after his second one, I confessed and told him, I even had two, probably smaller than his, but still. It was that good!

3 or 4 chicken breast
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, loosely packed
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Chili powder
sprinkle of salt/Pepper

and 1 tsp garlic salt
3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar

Saute: 1 medium onion, 2 green peppers, and a little bit of butter. Set aside and add to your ( just cooked tortilla, I love Costco and Sam's) tortilla with some mild cheddar cheese, and sour cream.

1. Add all ingredients (except the chicken of course!) into a blender or food processor. Blend until the whole mixture comes together.
2. Pour over Chicken, coating on both sides, in a dish or plastic bag, for one hour. ( I didn't have time and it still went great!

3. Cook Chicken in pan with a little bit of Olive oil until done on med. heat. The chicken gets so tender!

Top with cheese, onions, peppers, and sourcream! Enjoy.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

2011-10-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Super Easy Cupcakes...

1 box Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Cake mix
*Follow directions and also add one 3 oz. box of Jello chocolate pudding mix. ( Yes, the powder.)
* Then I added in some Reeses Peanut butter chips, to the batter and baked by the directions.

Peanut Butter Frosting ( Wilton)-

1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening( I used 1/4 cp)
1/3 cup butter ( I used just a little more than a 1/3)
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
4 cups (approx. 1 lb.) confectioners' sugar, sifted
4-6 tablespoons milk

Makes:

About 3 cups.

Instructions:

Step 1

Cream shortening and butter with electric mixer. Add peanut butter and vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often. When all sugar has been mixed in, icing will appear dry. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Step 2

Keep icing covered with a damp cloth until ready to use. For best results, keep icing bowl in refrigerator when not in use. Refrigerated in an airtight container, this icing can be stored 2 weeks. Re-whip before using.

Step 3

*To do the swirls on the cupcakes I used a 18 star tip. Put it in the bottom of the little decorating bag, loaded my frosting, and swirled away. A bigger tip would have been better.

Strawberry Spinach Salad-Pampered Chef

2011-10-06T16:49:00.000-07:00

Salad:
1/4 cp. sliced natural almonds, toasted
8 Strawberries, or to taste
1/2 med. cucumber
1/4 small red onion
1 pkg. 6 oz. of baby spinach

Dressing:
1 lemon
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp poppy seeds

For dressing, zest lemon to measure ½ tsp. zest. Juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp juice. Combine zest, juice, vinegar, sugar, oil and poppy seeds in Measure Mix n Pour. Whisk until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

How to toast almonds: Pre-heat oven to 350 spread on cookie sheet and bake 10-12 minutes.

Combine all together and enojoy!

Italian Styled Pizza, Pampered Chef

2011-10-06T16:34:00.001-07:00

1 cp. mozzarella cheese
1/4 cp. parmesan cheese
4 plum tomatoes
1/4 cp. fresh basil leaves or 1 tsp. dried basil
1 can olives, optional
2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, I did 2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 salt and pepper
1 package of Boboli prebaked pizza crust or fresh pizza dough
I also added some fresh spinach.

To make sauce for topping pizza. In a small bowl add olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and salt and pepper. Using a pastry brush, brush onto dough.

If dough is not pre-baked, cook dough with sauce on it. Remove from oven and top with olives, tomatoes, and cheeses. Bake @ 400 for 10-15 more minutes or until cheese is melted.

Chili Cheese Frito Pie

2011-10-04T16:22:00.000-07:00

Confession! I have had this recipe in my little personal cookbook for oh... I don't know somewhere around 9 years and have never made it. My friend Tasha gave me some of her's and this was one of them. Well... I had some Frito's that no one seemed to care for out of the variety pack from Costco so I thought hmm... that recipe. I was SHOCKED at how good it was. So call it the pantry dinner if you must, but so good! Then I remember being in College at U.S.U and the L.D.S. Institute fed all of the students one day chili inside little Frito bags. I remember how good it was. So this is like a little remembrance meal for me! Enjoy!!!

1 small onion cooked in butter
1 small can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can of Nalley Chili
1 small can of Corn
2 cps. Frito chips ( next time I am going to try chili cheese fritos)
1 cp. cheddar cheese

Mix all together in a casserole dish and microwave 8 minutes. Top with 1 cp. grated cheese, (optional. Olives), and 1 cp. Fritos. Microwave 1 more minute. Oh and I added a little dallop of fat free sour cream, tomatoes, and green onions to mine. Yum!

2011-10-01T15:23:00.001-07:00

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies:

They really do melt in your mouth. Need I say more?

Melt in Your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies

By Better Homes and Garden s and sweettreatsandmore.blogspot.com

This recipe makes tons of cookies, be ready to share.

Ingredients

2 cups butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3/4 cups powdered sugar
Ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat 2 cups butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Add eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in pumpkin. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.
2. Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.
3. In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 cup butter and brown sugar until melted and smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in powdered sugar until smooth. Spread frosting on cookies. If desired, sprinkle with additional cinnamon. Makes about 60 cookies.

Peach Shortcake

2011-09-29T12:54:00.001-07:00

Bring to boil: 2 cups sliced peaches, or berries, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water

Or: 1 bottle sliced peaches, or 1 can berries + ¼ cup sugar

[For peach cobbler add 1 tsp. almond flavoring just before pouring over dough]

Dough: In a 9 X 13 pan (or deep casserole 8 X 8 dish) mix together with a fork until smooth:

1 cup flour, ½ cup sugar, 2 tsp. baking powder and a pinch of salt

Add: ½ cup milk and 3 Tbs. vegetable oil or melted shortening

Pour hot fruit and liquid/syrup over dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown on top. (The pudding rises to the top.)

Serve warm with ice cream or milk on top.

Delicious!

**I like to make this in the 9X13 pan and double the cake, but not the liquid portion of the recipe—for a more cake to fruit ratio.**

My Relief Society President brought me this and I had to get the recipe. So yummy!

Creamy Lemon Chicken ( better than an olive garden recipe!)

2011-09-17T17:44:00.001-07:00

2 tbsp. olive oil
10 chicken tenders ( or breasts, I usually do like 4, and use the extra sauce and mix with thin spaghetti noodles mmm!)
1 tsp. Herbes de Provence
1/2 tsp. creole seasoning
1 cp. chicken broth
1 3/4 cp. heavy cream or half/half ( to cut calories)
zest of 1 lemon
2 tsp. lemon juice

Serve with thin spaghetti noodles or rice.
Sprinkle herbes de provence and creole seasoning. Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat and brown tenders on both sides. Add chicken broth and simmer just until chicken is cooked through. 1 to 2 minutes. Remove chicken from broth and set aside.

Allow broth to simmer and reduce down for a few more minutes, then add cream and lemon zest. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until sauce has reduced to desired consistency. Stir in lemon juice and add chicken back to sauce.

Lemon Bars

2011-09-17T17:25:00.000-07:00

Lemon Bars-

Crust: 2 cps. flour, 2 cubes butter ( I did one cube, it was great.), 1/2 cp powdered sugar 1/4 tsp salt mix. Pour into non-greased 9x13 Bake @ 300 for 15-20

Filling: 4 eggs beaten, 2cp sugar, 1/4 cp flour, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 6 tbsp. lemon juice ( or the juice of 2 real lemons, I do this) Mix and pour over hot crust.

Bake @ 350 23-25 minutes. Enjoy!

Whole Wheat Blender Waffles

2011-09-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Blend:
1 c. Whole Wheat Kernels
1 c. Milk
Blend wheat and milk for about 3 minutes. If you have a strong blender (Vitamix or Blend tech) you don't have to do it this long. I just blend it while I get out all the rest of my ingredients.
Add:
1/2 c. Milk
2 Eggs
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 c. Oil
1 T. Baking Powder
2 T. Sugar
Blend long enough to combine. Pour onto hot griddle. The batter is very thin.
These are SO yummy and healthy.

Pumpkin Cookies

2011-09-13T07:17:00.002-07:00

1/2 c. Shortening
1 1/2 c. Sugar
1 Egg
1 c. Vanilla

2 1/2 c. Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Nutmeg
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 bag Mini chocolate chips
Mix all together and Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes
Such a yummy fall time cookie
Note: 1 small can of pumpkin makes this recipe 2 times so I usually double it so I don't waste the pumpkin or don't have to figure out what to do with it. I bake what I want and then I put the remainder in the fridge or freezer. This freezes really well.

2011-09-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

Fresh Peach Pie

2011-09-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Peach Days! This is one of my most favorite Peach Recipes and it's so easy.

1 c. Sugar
2 T. Cornstarch
1 c. Water
1 small package Peach Jello

3 c. peeled, sliced ripe peaches (about 3 or 4 good sized peaches)
1 9 inch pie crust baked
Whipped Cream

In a saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch and water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly and thickened. Remove from heat and stir in jello until dissolved. Cool. Arrange peaches in crust; pour filling over peaches. Chill in fridge until set, about 2 hours. Serve with Whipped Cream.

*Sometimes I get really fancy and I make it in a grahm cracker crust and mix 1 package cream cheese with a 1/2 c. Sugar and spread in the bottom of the crust and then put this mixture on top of that and make it more of a peach cheese cake. YUMMY!

Enjoy!

Green Chili Turkey Burgers w/ Avacado Mayo

2011-08-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

1 pd. ground turkey ( I got mine at Costco, one of the 4 packages and got more than 4, like 8.)
1/2 cp. salsa verde
1 egg ( to hold them together)

4 Hamburger buns
sliced pepper jack cheese
sliced tomatoes
lettuce

Combine turkey, verde, and egg. Mix. Form into patties and grill.

Avacodo Mayo:

1 avacado pitted
1/2 cp. mayo, I used light
1 clove garlic ( I used minced in my fridge)
1/4 tsp. salt

Add to sandwhich and enjoy! So yummy.

Coconut Lime Chicken Lauren Perry

2011-07-26T20:59:00.001-07:00

this is super easy and very yummy! I make this for a lot of my friends who have babies. It isn't spicy (though you can make it spicy if you want), it is very flavorful and mild and always a hit.

Ingredients
2 cans of coconut milk
1 small can of diced green ortega chili's
1 tbs+ of lime juice
1-2 tbs of sugar
few good shakes of salt or garlic salt (adjust to taste)
fresh ground pepper to taste (like 1/4 tsp)
4 chicken breasts (bbq and slice in strips.... its best to bbq the chicken because you want the smokey bbq flavor)
rice

Directions
Boil rice
-in a sauce pan, bring to medium heat 2 cans of coconut milk and green chili's. Then slowly add to simmer. Add sugar, salt, pepper and lime juice. Stir every 10 minutes or so for about 40 minutes (it will thicken...do NOT bring to boil)
-bbq chicken and slice. Add to your coconut lime sauce and let simmer a few minutes
adjust seasoning
in a bowl add rice and top with the chicken and sauce mixture

Yummy Queso Lauren Perry

2011-07-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 brick of plain velveeta (I used the largest one)
1 brick of cream cheese
1 small can of diced green ortega chili's
1 can of chili beans (do not drain)
1 lb of ground beef
1 cup of fresh salsa (pace works as well)
1 tbs ground cumin
a dash of pepper

Directions
brown and crumble meat with garlic salt and pepper
drain fat
add cheese, cream cheese, chili's, beans, salsa and mix
add cumin and mix by hand until it melts. Serve hot with tortilla chips

Crab Wontons Lauren Perry

2011-07-26T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

oil for frying
crab meat or imitation crab meat
brick of cream cheese
bunch of green onions chopped
wonton skins (these can usually be found in the produce section by the salads)
sweet red chili sauce
pinch of garlic salt

Directions
heat a cup or 2 of oil in a frying pan or wok
leave cream cheese out at room temp and put in a bowl
chop up crab meat and green onions, throw into bowl with cream cheese
add a dash or 2 of garlic salt and mix bowl of crab mixture by hand
spoon out a teaspoon of mixture and put in 1 corner of the square wonton
wet finger and make an L shape along wonton skin. Fold dry corner of wonton to the wet corner (it will look like a triangle at this point) and add pressure to the ends to make sure that it is sealed off.
Add the wontons (about 2-4 at a time) to the hot oil, use a spatula or tongs to flip them after about a minute until each side is golden. Let the oil run off of the wonton back into the pan/wok. Remove from heat and add to a plate with paper towel.
Serve warm with a red thai chili sauce, it is wonderful!

Candied Bacon Salad Lauren Perry

2011-07-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

Without fail- every.single.time I make this or one of my friends (who I shared the recipe with) make this, it is always a hit. I have had many many requests for this recipe :) Salads aren't too hard to make yummy!

Ingredients
Romaine hearts
green onions (I use a whole bunch), chopped
candied bacon (I've posted the recipe before, I LOVE this in the salad)
feta cheese (just half of a container...go off of your love of feta... if you love it, add more!)
2-3 avacado
craisins (same as the feta, go with your gut! I find that more is better)
sliced almonds (I buy the honey roasted)
and Girards Champagne Salad Dressing, it is tangy and a MUST HAVE for this salad

Strawberry Shortcake Lauren Perry

2011-07-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

I did a fun little 4th of July treat with mason jars and strawberry shortcake :)

First, I am going to tell you the easy/quick way to make this. Later, I am going to post a homemade (to die for) pound cake recipe that you can use instead of the box (if you really want to be delicious and fancy)...

Easy Pound cake- Betty Crocker box... quick and easy... :)

Strawberries- wash and slice 1 container, add 1 tbs sugar and drizzle half a can of sweetened condensed milk (strawberries and cream effect)... let sit in fridge for an hour so the juices mix

Whipped cream- 1 quart heavy whipping cream, about 3/4 cup of sugar (go off of your taste preference), 1 tsp vanilla..... i also sliced and got the seeds out of a vanilla bean. I can taste a difference, but I don't think it is a must have ingredient (since vanilla beans can run you $10). Blend or mix in a mixer until stiff peaks form... refrigerate if serving immediately (within an hour or 2, otherwise put in freezer so that it doesn't melt)

Optional topping- I used The Pampered Chef Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkle mix. You can also make your own little topping with about 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tbs brown sugar, 1 tbs white sugar and 1 tbs raw sugar (the chunky crystals) and a dash of nutmeg..... mix in a bowl by hand and sprinkle a bit on the top

Layer cubed pound cake, strawberries with the cream/syrup, whipped cream and top with your optional mixture :)

2011-05-18T13:48:00.001-07:00

Healthy Muffins-Carrie Hansen

In a sauce pan add 3 cp. milk, 2 cp. oatmeal, until it is thick.

Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl mix 4 eggs, 3/4 cp. oil, 1/2 cp. flaxseed, 1/4 cp. oil, 2 cp. Splenda, 2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp baking soda, zest of 2 lemons, plus juice, 2 cp. Orange Juice. Use either 4 cp. wheat flour and 2 cp. white flour. ( or 6 cp. Wheat). Mix.

Then in a large bowl add the oatmeal mix to all the rest of the ingredients.

Add craisins, coconut, chopped pecans, raisins, etc. Too taste.

Put in cupcake pan fill to almost full.

Bake @ 350 for 20 min.

Guacamole lauren Perry

2011-05-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

I always make guacamole when I make my salsa! It is super easy!

Ingredients
3-4 large ripe avocados
1/2 - 3/4 cup fresh salsa (recipe in post below)
1 tomato chopped good size chunks
1/2 tsp ground cumin
a small handful of chopped cilantro (because the salsa has plenty of cilantro in it)
2 shakes of garlic salt
1 tsp lime juice

Directions
I don't like my guacamole to be pureed. You can over mix the avocados and it is not very good that way. I scoop out the avocados into a bowl and gently press and lightly mix to get major chunks broken down. It will be mixed a bit more, you just don't want to OVER mix it early on. Add the salsa and briefly mix it in the bowl for like 10 seconds. Add seasoning, lime juice, cilantro and tomato chunks (the salsa has smaller chunks, you want some decent size chunks of tomato in your guacamole) and refrigerate for about 30 minutes

Salsa Lauren Perry

2011-05-05T11:27:00.001-07:00

I am always skeptical to share this recipe. I never really measure it out when I make it, I just kinda go to taste. Its always a hit at parties, so it is hard for me to share a signature favorite... but I have had a few requests for it! I say "about" with the seasoning because you don't want to over do the seasoning until the salsa has had a chance to sit for an hour in the refrigerator. It takes a while for the seasonings to mix and be flavorful- so I always add a little bit more according to taste after it has had a chance to sit.

Ingredients
4-5 large ripe tomatoes
red onion (about 1/3 - 1/2 cup)
cilantro (a bunch! chopped)
lime juice (about 1/4 - 1/3 cup)
about 1 tsp ground cumin
about 1 TBS sugar
a few shakes of onion powder
2 shakes of garlic powder
a few good shakes of garlic salt (about 1 TBS)
about 1/4 tsp lemon pepper
about 1/8 tsp cayenne (or you can take 1 serrano chili and food process it really fine if you want it spicy, I like my salsa mild to medium though)

Directions
Take 4 tomatoes and slice them in 1/4 and throw them in your food processor and chop it up really good. You don't want to puree it, but you don't want HUGE chunks either)
Take 1 tomato slice it in 4, take the middle seeded part out and chop it by hand with smaller chunks.
Put the both sets of tomato in a bowl
in a food processor, mix up the red onion and a bunch of cilantro until finely chopped, add to tomato mixture in bowl
add cumin, sugar, garlic salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, lime juice and cayenne (or the finely finely chopped serrano chili) and give a brief mix by hand.
Refrigerate for an hour and taste- adjust seasons accordingly. Add less seasoning ahead of time and adjust one the flavors have had time to sit together in the refrigerator

Deviled Egg Dip Lauren Perry

2011-05-05T11:20:00.000-07:00

I wish I had posted this closer to Easter, so that you guys could have had fun with all of your leftover Easter eggs :) This was super yummy and everybody LOVED it

Ingredients
5-7 hard boiled eggs
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 stick of melted butter
2 tbs chopped onions
a bunch of chopped green onion
4-6 pieces of cooked bacon (I think the more, the merrier!)
sour cream
garlic salt, pepper
dash or 2 of Tabasco sauce :)

Directions
In a food processor: mix the eggs, melted butter, mayo, white onion garlic salt, pepper, Tabasco to a puree- leaving no lumps

By hand, mix in chopped green onion and bacon

Put in a serving dish, top with sour cream. You can make it pretty by adding a little bit of chives brumbled bacon or a few splashes of Tabasco to top it.

Serve chilled with Ritz crackers!

Favorite Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies

2011-03-21T17:43:00.001-07:00

1 cup butter
1 cp. Brown sugar
1 cp. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 1/4 cp. flour
2 cps. old fashioned
1 (11 1/2 oz.) milk chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs and mix well. Add salt, soda, powder, and flour and mix just until combined. Stir in oats and chocolate chips. Roll into balls with a cookie scoop adn bake on ungreased cookie sheets for 10-12 minutes at 350.

Soft Molasses Cookies

2011-03-21T17:38:00.001-07:00

I have been looking for a soft molasses cookie recipe for sooo long. Well have I got a winner.

1 1/2 cp. butter
2 cp. brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cp. molasses
4 1/2 cp. Flour
4 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs and molasses and mix well. Add dry ingredients. Roll into balls and roll in sugar. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

Chicken Pot Pie Lauren Perry

2011-02-18T19:43:00.000-08:00

A yummy comfort food! This was a HUGE hit in our house. Enjoy :)

Ingredients
2 TBS butter
1/3 cup chopped white onion
1 can of corn drained
1 small frozen package of peas and diced carrots (if it has corn, that is fine too- use your judgement)
1 rotisserie chicken, pull the meat off (you can buy them at Costco or your local grocery store for $5)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pint of heavy whipping cream
1 cup of shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 tbs of flour with 2 tbs of chicken broth- (mix together, get rid of lumps, add to soup mixture 5 minutes before you put in the oven to thicken it)
garlic salt
pepper
2 tubes of the refrigerated Pillsbury crescent rolls

***you only need to add the flour if it needs to be thickened. I've made this a few times without the flour because it was thick enough already, and it turned out great :)

Directions
-preheat oven to 325- unroll 1 tube of crescent roll and put in the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking dish. It will cover the bottom completely. Cook in the oven for about 15-20 minutes
- while the dough is cooking- melt butter in pot, add chopped onions and saute
-add can of soup, whipping cream, veggies, shredded chicken meat, cheese, flour thickening sauce- cook on med for about 5 minutes until bubbly- turn to simmer until your bottom layer of crescent roll is cooked.
-add seasoning, mix with a spoon and pour over cooked crescent roll
-open the 2nd tube and unroll, rest on top of pot pie mixture, it will cover the top completely. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden.

Homemade Oreos Lauren Perry

2011-01-20T10:35:00.000-08:00

This is my cute friend Natalie's recipe :) Its is chewy and totally delicious!

preheat oven to 350

Cookie
2 boxes of devils food cake mix
4 eggs
2/3 cup shortening

-mix all ingredients together- dough will be thick
-roll into little balls, place on baking sheet
-bake at 350 for 10 minutes

Frosting/Filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
3 TBS butter, softened

-mix together and spread over a cooled cookie
-top with another cookie to make a sandwich/oreo!
-eat 50 of them, they are totally fat free, no carb, no sugar, and they have antioxidents! (ok, maybe that is just what I tell myself so that I don't feel guily)

Jambalaya Lauren Perry

2011-01-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

This is a southern favorite! Its full of flavor and its great for company or football games.

Ingredients
1 lb shrimp (shells removed)
2 chicken breasts, cube
1 package of hot links (I use Hillshire Farm), slice
1 cup rice (I use Uncle Ben's- do NOT use minute rice or boil in a bag)
3/4-1 cup of chili sauce (I use Heinz and I use about half of the jar)
1/2 cup of green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup of onion, chopped
1/2 cup of celery, chopped
2 cloves of garlic
3 TBS butter
2 cups water
1/4 (or less) tsp of cayenne
few shakes of garlic salt and pepper

Directions
-saute garlic and butter
-add rice and make golden (do not add water yet)
-add veggies and saute
-add chili sauce and then water, briefly stir, do not stir constantly
-bring to boil, then turn to low
-add chicken and sausage and seasonings
-keep covered (but allow a little vent to let the steam out) and stir brief and occasionally- about every 15 minutes.
-add shrimp and cook for an additional 10 minutes, it is ready when the rice is tender and you have a small amount of standing liquid. It its not supposed to be soupy, but you also don't want it to dry. You should be able to get a few TBS of liquid off of it.

Green Beans with Special Sauce Lauren Perry

2011-01-05T21:14:00.000-08:00

This is sooo yummy! You must follow the directions. The horseradish gives it a slight bite and the sugar sweetens it just enough. We LOVE these beans! I had something very similar at a wonderful resturant over Thanksgiving in Arizona. This is my "mock" version with a few little changes. This is great with prime rib or a good meaty dish.

Ingredients
1 brick of cream cheese
1 tbs horseradish
1 cup whipping cream
garlic salt
pepper
1 tbs chopped garlic
1 tbs of sugar (the slight sweetness is what makes this yummy!)
1/3 cup shredded swiss cheese
*melt above on skillet

extra yummy add in's
-3-4 green onions, chopped
-5 pieces of candied bacon (4 to mix in and 1 to garnish the top)
-bread crumbs
-crispy fried onions

thaw out a bag of frozen green beans (about 2 lbs)
pour the above cheese mixture over the green beans
mix in the 4 pieces of chopped candied bacon and green onions
dump into a casserole dish
top with bread crumbs and bake at at 300 degrees for 20 minutes
top with crispy fried onions and bake an extra 5 mintues

Chicken Soup for the Soul Lauren Perry

2011-01-05T20:54:00.000-08:00

There is nothing like a good chicken soup! When it's cold outside, when you are under the weather, when you need a little pick me up...chicken soup!

Ingredients
2 quarts chicken broth or stock
2 large carrots, slice and chop in half
2 large celery
1/2 large white onion
1 rotisserie chicken, shred
8 ounces of egg noodle
garlic salt to taste
pepper to taste
onion powder, to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tsp parsley
1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbs sugar

Directions
throw into a pot, bring to rappid boil
move to low heat for about 40 minutes, then simmer

English Toffee Lauren Perry

2010-12-21T21:12:00.000-08:00

I have tried 3 different recipes over the past year and I could not get my toffee to turn out good! I was not going to let a simple recipe conquer me, especially since I am a huge fan of English Toffee. Its a ton of work and you need a lot of elbow grease, but everyone always appreciate a homemade candy treat. I called a "toffee queen" in my neighborhood and she walked me step by step through the process with this yummy recipe (I literally called here every 5 minutes while I made it). It turned out wonderful. Let's just say I had to burn 4 lbs of sugar and butter over the past year to finally find a keeper recipe.

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups of sugar
1 lbs of butter (4 sticks)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup karo syrup
1 tbs vanilla
1 bag of choc/chips or 2 large chocolate candy bars (I love Ghirardelli milk chocolate or Symphony plain milk chocolate bars)
pecans chopped (you could do as much as you want, I probably chopped 1 1/2-2 cups)

Directions for dummies... helpful tips
-Use a deep pot because the sugar might boil over, you want it to get foamy and boil
-melt the butter, water, vanilla and Karo syrup on med/low heat until the butter is fully melted
-use a WOODEN spoon. I did not know this but its very important
-spray a little cooking spray on a large cookie sheet or 2 9 x 13 's
-sprinkle your chopped pecans evenly on the cookie sheet/cake pans
-add the sugar to the melted butter stuff and stir with wooden spoon CONSTANTLY. You can walk away for a minute here and there, but you pretty much have to babysit the sugar and stir it for a good 25 minutes on MED/HIGH heat.
-you want the sugar grains to go away and you want it to glaze on the spoon. Make sure you don't have grainy sugar around the edges of the pot by constantly mixing it. It is going to get very foamy and raise, that is ok. Eventually it will thicken, change to a carmel color and drop a bit. If it gets to close to the top, remove it from the heat for 30 seconds here and there (while constantly mixing) and put it back on.
-It will be a pretty/light tan/golden color. A test to see if the candy is cooked, take a glass of cold water and use a drop of the toffee- let it drip off of the spoon into the cup on cold water. Let it sit about 30 seconds and taste it, make sure it is crunchy and not chewy. If its chewy, then its not all of the way cooked
-Pour the cooked toffee over the nuts and let it sit about 7-10 minutes.
-Add your favorite chocolate and let it melt, then take a spatula and spread it evenly over the harden (but warm) toffee. Immediately put in fridge (it takes way too long for the chocolate to harden at room temp)
-Once its hardened, let it sit on the counter for about 10 minutes at room temp and then chop up good size chunks and enjoy!

Candied Bacon Lauren Perry

2010-12-21T21:04:00.000-08:00

Doesn't the name alone clog your arteries? My best friend Jaime told me about this little gem, and I am obsessed! It is delicious in a salad or on its own. You can wrap it around those little smokes and bake them, you can add them to the cheesey onion dip (I've posted this recipe before). All I know is, you CANNOT go through life without trying this atleast once!

1 lb of quality bacon (I love a thick applewood smoked, splurge and spend the extra $2 for the good stuff)
about 1/2 a cup of brown sugar

- extra optionals, chopped pecans once the bacon is cooked

Put on foil on a cookie sheet and bake at 320 for about 20 + minutes, or use a microwave bacon tray (the easiest way). Lay the bacon out and use a generous amount of brown sugar. Cook until crispy but not burned. Once you remove from the heat or microwave, add an extra little amount of brown sugar (and chopped pecans if desired) and let it sit for about 10 minutes until it hardens and candies. Eat plain or chop in salad-

Sample Salad

Chopped Romaine Hearts (1 bag)
1 bunch green onions chopped
1 lb of candied bacon, chop into large pieces
1-2 avocado, cubed into small pieces
craisins
sliced almonds (I buy the honey glazed)
1 small container of feta cheese
your favorite dressing (I love Girards Champagne Dressing)

Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Choc. Chip Cookies Lauren Perry

2010-10-23T22:02:00.000-07:00

I love when my friends find wonderful recipes and send them my way :) My sweet friend Tosha emailed me this yummy treat. Doesn't it sound like the perfect fall cookie?

Ingredients
1 cup flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), softenend
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 a cup of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
2 cups of old fashioned oats
1 cup chocolate chips (i love milk chocolate)

Directions
Oven at 350 spray/grease cookie sheet
sift flour, cinnamon, spices, salt and baking soda in a large bowl
in another bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy
beat in egg and vanilla
mix in pumpkin, just blend at low speed- add in the sifted dry ingredients
add oats mix well
add in chocolate chips and stir
roll balls, 1 TBS in size, place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet
bake for 10-12 minutes (or until slightly brown)

Savanna's Cookie Salad

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

You will need:
2 cps. Buttermilk
1 lrg. vanilla instant pudding
1 small thing of coolwhip
2 cans mandarin oranges
2 cans pineapple tidbits
1 pkg. Keebler striped cookies

Mix 2 cps buttermilk with 1 Lrg. pkg. of Vanilla instant pudding

Then fold in a small Cool whip

In strainer for about an hour, drain juice from 2 small can's of mandarin oranges and 2 cans of pineapple tidbits.

Mix all together. Before serving add 1 pkg. of Keebler striped cookies. Enjoy!

Poppy Seed Bundt or breads

2010-10-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

3 cps. Flour
2 1/4 cps. Sugar
1 1/2 cp. milk
1 1/2 cp. oil

Mix 2 minutes then add 3 eggs, 1 1/2 tsp. of poppy seeds, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract, butter flavoring, and almond extract. (so 1 1/2 tsp. each)

Bake 350 for 40-50 minutes. You can use a bundt pan or 3 loaf pans. It's good any way. Just use up the batter in whatever you have. ( Just make sure you don't over cook your bread.)

Glaze: 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cp. prepared Orange juice, 1/2 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. almond flavoring, 1/2 tsp. butter flavoring

Pulled Pork Lauren Perry

2010-10-03T12:32:00.001-07:00

I am a HUGE fan of a good pulled pork! This is delicious, sweet and juicy!

Ingredients
4-5 lb pork butt or shoulder
1 can of soda pop (I've used Coke, Dr. Pepper and Rootbeer- they all work great)
2-3 TBS of garlic chopped
1 small jar of salsa, I like Mild Pace Picante
1 tsp of liquid smoke
3/4 to 1 cup of brown sugar
1-2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
garlic salt (a few really good shakes) to taste
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
dash of salt and pepper to taste

Directions
throw all of the above in a crock pot and cook about 6-8 hours depending on how hot your crock pot gets

This is great buns with coleslaw (I will post an easy coleslaw recipe later) or its good in a salad.

A traditional salad or Cafe Rio like salad- romaine lettuce, can of black beans (drained), can of corn (drained), cilantro, 2 tomatoes chopped, 2 avacado's chopped, shredded cheddar cheese, fry up some tortilla strips. You could also make a cilantro lime rice to add. This is good with store bought ranch or you could make a packet ranch and use juice from 1 lime and a bunch of chopped cilantro and food process/ blend it to make it like a Cafe Rio salad.

Healthy Fall/Winter Stew Lauren Perry

2010-09-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

I am on a SUPER strict diet right now to lose weight. I have been doing a lot of research on recipes and healthy eating habits. I made up this stew and it was just so delicious, Brian flipped over it. We served it with garlic Melba toast and cooked cinnamon apples, a total fall dish :) Anytime I make or come across a healthy recipe that is yummy, I will post it as well.

Brian is on the diet too, so this recipe is 2 servings. You are more than welcome to double the recipe if you have company or if you want to freeze half of it for another day.

Ingredients

200 grams of extra lean stew meat
1 1/2 cups of low sodium broth (I used organic vegetable- it only has 2 grams of sugar per 1 cup of broth)
2 TBS red wine vinegar
2 stocks of celery chopped
1/3 of a white onion chopped
1/2 of a regular sized tomato chopped
2 cloves of garlic chopped
small handful of parsley chopped
garlic powder (a few shakes)
ground cumin (a few shakes)
chili powder (a few shakes)
onion powder (a few shakes)
fresh ground pepper
sea salt (I grind this)

Extra add-ins (I am limited to my veggie add in's right now, but extra add in's that are Weight Watcher approved are- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms, 1/2 cup frozen corn and 1/2 cup diced carrots)

saute garlic, meat, and veggies in vinegar
add broth and bring to boil- then reduce to simmer
add seasons to taste and let simmer for 30 minutes
if it needs more liquid or is a little too spicy, add 1/2 a cup of water

This is high protein, very very low carb, low sodium (because of the sea salt), the seasons added have no sugar, and its high in vegetables.

Garlic Melba toast is yummy, high in fiber and grains and low in carbs/fat

For the apples you dice 2 apples, add to a bowl and throw in some lemon juice, a few shakes cinnamon, and like 6 stevia drops (these are sugar free sweetener drops that you get at a health food store) and then you saute them and serve them warm. You can serve the apples with a non-fat vanilla yogurt or a homemade granola or just eat them plain like I do.

Get your Canning on!

2010-09-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1/2 bushel Tomatoes
3 Green Peppers chopped
3 Large Onions chopped
1/4 c. Salt (more or less given on your taste)
2 C. Vegetable Oil
2 T. Oregano
2 T. Garlic Powder
2 T. Basil
1 1/2 c. Sugar
8 small cans Tomato Paste

*Put Tomatoes in boiling water until the skins split. Peel the skins off and chop up and put in a pot. Add other ingredients and stir well. Simmer for 2 hours to blend all the spices and soften the peppers and onions. Let it cool and then put in Ziploc Freezer bags or other containers and Freeze.

* I got my tomatoes peeled and then put them in my Vitamix. It was awesome! Then I poured everything into my big Roaster Oven and got it to a boil and then simmered it on low for 2 hours. It worked out great! Super Easy, and VERY yummy. Great thing to make with all those tomatoes.

SALSA

9 Qt. Chopped Tomatoes (about 1/2 a bushel)
12-24 oz. Tomato paste (depending on how thick you like you salsa)
2 T. Cummin Powder
3 T. Oregano
2 T. Fresh Cilantro
Put into a large bowl and stir
In a pot add the following ingredients;
4 C. Chopped Peppers (no seeds)
5 c. Chopped yellow Onions
1/2 c. Jalapeno Pepper (no seeds)
6 cloves garlic or 6 T. Minced Garlic
2 C. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 T. Black Pepper
3 T. Salt
*Simmer all of these ingredients on the stove until onions and peppers are tender. Then mix this mixture with the tomato mixture.
Put into bottles. I steam can them for about 20-25 minutes.
*This is REALLY Yummy. It tasts fresh but is nice because it's bottled and stays good longer.

APPLESAUCE

Choose your favorite type of Apple. Last Year I did Golden Delicious and this year I did Gala. They were both great.
This year I peeled the apples and then just used an apple cutter and put the apples in a pot with about 2 inches of water in it. Steam until the apples get soft. Then, I put the soft apples in my Vitamix and blended until I got the consistency I wanted. I like it a little chunky but my daughter doesn't. Then I poured the blended apples into a pot on the stove. The recipe calls for 1/4 c. Sugar per pound of applesauce. I try to do the least amount of Sugar possible. I had 35 pounds of Apples and used I think 3 cups of Sugar for all of that and it was great. I like to use it for baby food so the least amount of Sugar the better. Add Sugar to the blended/ Mushed apples and stir on the stove until it comes to a boil. I let it boil for about 5 minutes stirring constantly. Then I put it into jars and steam can it for 20 minutes. It is SO yummy and So easy. This has become my new favorite thing to can. You can add Cinnamon and Sugar to it too. My cousin puts a fireball (hot jawbreaker) on the top of hers before she seals them and likes that. My kids just prefer plain old applesauce.

Last Year I left the skins on the apples. I cut them with an apple cutter and then steamed them until soft. Then, the ideal thing is to use a strainer that separates the skins and the apple. I have an attatchment for my kitchenaide that worked great, but the VitaMix was the best. Or you can just mush them yourself with a potato masher or whatever else you want to use.

Happy Canning!

2010-09-21T11:06:00.001-07:00

RED-AND-WHITE MOSTACCIOLI
by: Liz Edmonds- The Food Nanny

1 pound uncooked mostaccioli or other tubular pasta
Alfredo Sauce (p. 71)
1 (26-ounce) jar meatless spaghetti sauce
or 3 cups homemade sauce, divided (see Note)
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
RED-AND-WHITE MOSTACCIOLI (“little mustaches”)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain.
3. Meanwhile, prepare sauce of Fettuccine Alfredo (omit the pasta).
4. Spread a thin layer of spaghetti sauce in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Layer
half the pasta, half the Alfredo sauce, half the spaghetti sauce, and
11/2 cups of the cheese. Repeat the layering with the remaining pasta,
Alfredo sauce, spaghetti sauce, and cheese.
5. Cover with aluminum foil and bake about 30 minutes or until it is hot and
bubbly.

Serve with a tossed green salad and Italian or French bread.

Note: You may use meat sauce or meatless; I prefer meatless. When I make my
own spaghetti sauce (p. 62 made meatless), I often double the recipe so I can
freeze half of it to have on hand for this recipe. But purchased sauce is almost
as good.

ALFREDO SAUCE:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese
1 pint heavy cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and ground black pepper
1 pound uncooked fettuccine

FETTUCCINE ALFREDO
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 teaspoon 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 or bread sticks.
Variations:

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

If you’re a seafood lover, toss the sauce with cooked medium shrimp or
chunks of crab.

Sugar cookies in a pan

2010-09-03T18:56:00.000-07:00

(i took this picture off my favorite new food blog www.thegirlwhoateeverything.blogspot.com, but this isn't her recipe but the same thing. I promise this one is terrific! Next time, I might even add a little nutmeg.)

If your like me ... you love sugar cookies but don't love rolling them out. So... here is your new solution and trust me they are absolutely DIVINE!

1 cp. butter soft
1 8oz. package of cream cheese
1 1/2 cp sugar
1 egg
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 3/4 cp. flour

Grease and flour cookie sheet. Bake 375 for 20 minutes. Blend ingredients dry w/ dry, wet w/ wet etc.

Cream cheese frosting

1/2 cp butter, soft
4 oz. cream cheese, soft
3 1/2 cp powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
splash of milk

Frosted Blondie- too good to keep a secret!

2010-09-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

1 cp. butter softened
1 cp. brown sugar
1 cp. white sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 cp. Flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cp. quick oats

Cream together butter and sugars. Mix in vanilla and eggs. Add remaining dry ingredients and mix. Spread in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Frosting

1/4 cp. butter, soft
3 ounces cream cheese
2 cps powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
milk

Beat ingredients together adding a small amount of milk to acheive the right consistency. Frost cooled bars. Slice and serve.

Purchutto and Goat Cheese Salad Lauren Perry

2010-08-25T08:45:00.000-07:00

My mom came up with this recipe and its really flavorful. Everyone that had this LOVED it and asked for the recipe.

Ingredients
1 bag of Romaine Lettuce
1/3 cup craisins
6 pieces of Purchutto (microwave to cook it)
2 regular size Roma tomatoes, chopped
1-2 avocados, diced
2 oz of goat cheese, crumbles/chunks
Lighthouse Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (its in the refrigerated lettuce/veggie section of the grocery store)
- extra add in's- chopped green onions, candied pecans

Cornbread and Honey Butter Lauren Perry

2010-08-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend/neighbor Tara turned me on to this yummy recipe (I love having neighbors who share their cooking talents with me!). My waistline will forever thank her for this one ;) This is as yummy as a birthday cake with frosting. You can literally eat the honey butter with a spoon. This recipe is from http://www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com/

Cornbread

Ingredients
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 1/2 cup flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup oil
3 TBS butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cup milk

Directions
Add dry ingredients make a well and add oil, butter, eggs, and milk into the center. Stir until just mixed (batter will be runny). Bake in an 8" square pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. This doubles perfectly for a 9x13 inch pan.

Honey Butter
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 container marshmallow fluff
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sugar

Whip all together with an electric mixer and serve at room temp. Refridgerate if runny

Toscana Soup Lauren Perry

2010-06-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Very much like Olive Gardens, but with a few added extras :) Its delish!

Ingredients
about 6 cups of chicken broth (I used 2 boxes + 1 can)
1 pint of heavy whipping cream
2 cloves chopped garlic
1 package of mild italian sausages, break up chunks
1 large russet potato (peel and cube)
1 cup of mini farfalle (bowtie) pasta
1/2 a white onion chopped
a bunch of chopped italian parsley
1 1/2 cups of chopped kale (I don't even add this, I end up picking it out)
1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes
garlic salt
pepper

top with parmesan

Directions
In a skillet, saute garlic, onions and italian sausage until sausage is cooked----- drain the fat
In a pot, throw everything (except the onions, garlic, and sausage) and bring to boil. Once it boils for a few minutes, set to simmer. Simmer 5 minutes and add the cooked onion, garlic, and sausage and simmer for 5+ minutes. Add garlic salt and pepper to taste

Black Bean and Rice Salad Lauren Perry

2010-06-15T14:06:00.000-07:00

I wish I could claim this as my recipe or atleast a recipe that I found, but my mom sent it to me from another recipe blog (not sure which one). Its a wonderful little salad if you are going to a BBQ or having people over. Its very filling and full of flavor!

Ingredients
2 cups of white rice (pre-cook and chill)
1 can of black beans (drained)
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1 chopped avacado
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup olive oil
3 TBS lime juice
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 crushed garlic clove
salt and pepper

Directions
in a large bowl, mix tomato, avacado, red onions, beans, rice and cilantro. In a small bowl, wisk olive oil, sugar, cumin, garlic, and lime juice. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Combine all ingredients until consistent.

Hot Crab Dip Lauren Perry

2010-05-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

This is very yummy with chips or triscuts!

Ingredients
1 brick of cream cheese
1 package (or can) of crab meat (real claw crabmeat is the best!)
1 dash of hot sauce, Tabasco or Mikes Hot
1 shake of cayenne powder
1 shake of garlic salt or powder
1/2 tsp of sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I used mild) and a little bit extra to top it off when you put it in a serving dish

*you could add some onion if you like as well

Directions
Throw everything in a pan and mix and melt
add to baking dish, top with cheese and serve hot!

Best Tortilla Soup EVER Lauren Perry

2010-05-07T21:00:00.000-07:00

The secret to this soup is to let it simmer on low for about 40 minutes and to add the sour cream in each individual bowl. The flavor is amazing! I am still drooling as I think about it! I made a HUGE batch and passed it to some friends for taste test, just to get approval.

Ingredients
2 boxes of chicken broth (about 8 cups)
1 1/2 cups of water (you could probably just use an extra can of chicken broth, but this toned down the flavor nicely)
1/3 an onion
2 cans of corn, drained
2 cans of pinto beans, drained
1 can of diced tomatoes (I used the mild kind with chili and onion in it)
a bunch of cilantro
1 tbs ground cumin
1 tbs chili powder
3 garlic cloves
1/3 cup of lime juice
pico de gallo (I just bought pre-made mild from the store, I was too lazy to make my own)
shredded cheddar cheese
avocado
garlic salt, a few good shakes
chicken breasts (3-4)
1-2 TBS sugar (depending on taste)
lime (sliced)
tortilla chips, crunched
dollup of soup cream per bowl *

*the sour cream melts in the cups of soup and when mixed, it makes this creamy and DELICIOUS!!

Directions
In a mixer or blender, add the can of tomatoes, a small handful of cilantro leaves (maybe 1-2 TBS), garlic, 1/2 an onion- chop and blend well
In a large pot, bring broth and water to Medium heat and add the mixture from the blender/mixer, bring to slow boil
Cook or broil chicken breast in oven and shred
Add garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, sugar to pot on Med/Low heat
Add drained corn, beans and shredded/cooked chicken to broth. Bring to simmer for about 30 minutes.

In a bowl, add shredded cheddar cheese, a lime wedge, a few chunks of cilantro leaves, 1 spoonful of pico de gallo, and avocado chunks. Spoon soup into the bowl, top with sour cream and tortilla chips and enjoy :)

Chicken Scampi Lauren Perry

2010-05-01T17:50:00.000-07:00

This was super yummy and FULL of flavor! :)

Ingredients
3 Chicken breasts (cubed)
1/2 red onion sliced thin
1 red bell pepper sliced
1 yellow bell pepper sliced
1/2 cup of white cooking wine
1/2 stick of butter
4 pieces of cooked bacon chopped (I used Applewood Smoked Bacon)
garlic (3 cloves chopped)
lemon juice (about 4 TBS)
1 cup shredded parmesan
1/2 cup of chicken broth
italian parsley, chopped (about 2 TBS)
garlic salt
pepper
Pasta (I used wheat linguine)

Directions
Saute vegtables and garlic in butter for about 5 minutes
add cubed chicken cook for about 7 minutes on med/high head
add wine, lemon juice, broth, and spices cook for about 7 minutes on med/high heat
cook until tender and then add chopped bacon and parmesan
add to drained pasta

Mongolian Beef

2010-03-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

We found this recipe on a website. It's EXACTLY like PF Chang's or Pei Wei's Mongolian Beef. Really easy even though the directions seem long. The original recipe called for green onion instead of broccoli, but I put in broccoli instead. I just like it better. Either way, it's good! My husband is super picky and asks for this all the time.

Ingredients
2 teaspoons vegetable oil 
1/2 teaspoon ginger, minced 
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped 
1/2 cup soy sauce 
1/2 cup water 
3/4 cup dark brown sugar 
1 cup vegetable oil 
1 lb flank steak 
1/4 cup cornstarch 
½ head broccoli

Preparation: 
Make the sauce by heating 2 tsp of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over med/low heat. Don't get the oil too hot. Add ginger and garlic to the pan and quickly add the soy sauce and water before the garlic scorches. Dissolve the brown sugar in the sauce, then raise the heat to about medium and boil the sauce for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens. Remove it from the heat.

Slice the flank steak against the grain into 1/8" thick sugar packet size slices. Tilt the blade of your knife at about a forty five degree angle to the top of the steak so that you get wider cuts. Dip the steak pieces into the cornstarch to apply a very thin dusting to both sides of each piece of beef. Let the beef sit for about 10 minutes so that the cornstarch sticks.

As the beef sits, heat up one cup of oil in a wok (you may also use a skillet for this step as long as the beef will be mostly covered with oil). Heat the oil over medium heat until it's nice and hot, but not smoking. Add the beef to the oil and sauté for just two minutes, or until the beef just begins to darken on the edges. You don't need a thorough cooking here since the beef is going to go back on the heat later. Stir the meat around a little so that it cooks evenly.

After a couple minutes, use a large slotted spoon to take the meat out and onto paper towels, then pour the oil out of the wok or skillet. Put the pan back over the heat, dump the meat back into it and simmer for one minute. Add the sauce, cook for one minute while stirring, then add the broccoli. Cook for one more minute, then remove the beef and onions with tongs or a slotted spoon to a serving plate.

Heavenly Mashers Lauren Perry

2010-03-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Everyone ALWAYS asks me what I do to my mashed potatoes. Truth is, I never really follow a specific recipe. I've always just made it up as i go along (like most of my recipes). Today I took the time to stop and figure out how I make these bad boys :)

Ingredients
5-6 LARGE brown potatoes
1/2 a stick of butter
3 good size dollups of sour cream
a few good shakes of garlic salt
a few good shakes of pepper
3 cloves of garlic (keep it whole, just peel the skin off)
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 - 1 cup of parmesan cheese
(optional but SUPER YUMMY- add 1/4 cup of blue cheese- it is wonderful with the garlic and parmesan flavor)

Directions
Peel and cube the potatoes. Add to a large pot of boiling water. Add some salt (I use Kosher Salt) to the boiling water
Toss in the garlic cloves whole (but peeled)
Boil for a good 20 + minutes
Drain the water and add the garlic and potatoes back to the pot
throw in all of the above and mash with a potato masher. You don't want to overly mash the potatoes and make them like paste, its nice to have little small lumps in there.
Scoop out the mashed potatoes and place in a casserole dish. Sprinkle a bit more parmesan on top and then bake for about 20 minutes on 350 when you are ready to eat them!
Serve with gravy

Curry Chicken Lauren Perry

2010-03-18T09:41:00.000-07:00

Serve this with rice! It is very delightful :)

Ingredients
1 can of chicken broth
1 can of coconut milk
2 TBS curry powder
a few shakes of garlic salt
1 shake of pepper
3 large chicken breasts cubed
2 TBS of sugar (3 if you think it needs a little more)
1/2 yellow onion sliced
splash of lime juice

extras (if you want)
sliced shittake mushrooms (yum!)
shredded coconut
cilantro (yum!)
potatoes cubed (peeled and chopped)
carrots (peeled and chopped)

I cook it on the stove top until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (on med low) and then I simmer it for the flavors, but you could also throw it all in a crock pot and add the can of coconut milk at the end.
(I personally LOVE it with 1 container of sliced shittake mushrooms)

The Man-wich and Wedges Lauren Perry

2010-03-02T08:49:00.000-08:00

Make this tonight! Your husband will thank you :) I am not a fan of horseradish, but I am OBSESSED with this special sauce!

Steak (i used a tenderloin- you could really use any kind of steak or prime rib)
garlic salt
pepper
(optional- a squeeze of lime if you like a very tender steak with a slight kick)
-grill it until tender and slice about 1/2 inch thick slices

Special Sauce
about 1/3 cup Mayo
1 TBS Horseradish
1 to 1 1/2 TBS of Ketchup
-mix in a bowl

Sauteed Onions
about 4 TBS of butter
1/2 of an onion slided into rings and cut in half (do not chop, this just gets messy)
pinch of salt and pepper
(optional splash of white cooking wine)

Sandwich
Sliced sour dough bread (or any type of bread works)
Provolone Cheese (blue cheese would be yummy too, but I just LOVE provolone)
*Special Sauce
*Steak
*Sauteed Onions

- Toast the bread slices
-add a good amount special sauce to both pieces of bread (trust me, the more the better!)
-add cheese and warm in microwave for 10 seconds if necessary (the bread and steak and onions should melt it pretty good on its own)
-add steak slices and onions

Potato Wedges
2-3 Large brown potatoes
2 cloves of garlic chopped
Parmesan cheese (powdered or shredded)
garlic salt and ground pepper
oil

-preheat oven to 400
-Pour a bit of cooking oil on a baking sheet
-slice potatoes into quarters, then quarter them again and cut into half (depending on size of potato) They should look like wedge fries
-set them on cookie sheet and mix them around with the oil on there
-add garlic salt, pepper and garlic
-if using parmesan powder, add before you bake, if using shredded parmesan- add with about 5 minutes left of baking
-bake for 30-40 minutes or until lightly golden

Italian Meatloaf Sandwich Lauren Perry

2010-02-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

Brian flipped over this! I am not quite sure on the measurements, since I just threw it all together, but this is basically the measurements

Ingredients
1 lbs ground beef
1/2 cup of milk
1 egg (lightly beat)
1/3 onion (leave in large chunks)
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
about 1 cup of Italian bread crumbs
garlic salt
pepper
garlic bread
1 can of pizza sauce
provolone cheese slices

Directions
Heat oven to 350
in a large bowl- mix ground beef, Worcestershire, onions, spices, bread crumbs, egg and milk. Press into a bread pan or circle cake pan

Top with Pizza Sauce (i don't use the full can because its nice to have a little extra to drizzle over or use for a dip)

toast the garlic bread with provolone slices on it

with 10 minutes left to meatloaf, add slices of provolone cheese to melt on top

Slice the meatloaf and set on top of a slice of garlic bread

Pick up and eat or use a fork!

Oreo Truffles

2010-02-22T20:48:00.000-08:00

2 packages Double Stuf Oreos
8 oz. cream cheese
Chocolate almond bark
White Chocolate almond bark

CRUSH cookies to fine crumbs in food processor or cookies can also be finely crushed in a Zip-lock bag using a rolling pin. Place in medium bowl or mixer. Add cream cheese, mix until well blended. Roll cookies into balls about 1-inch in diameter. (I use a small cookie scoop so that the bottoms are flat.) Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes.

DIP balls in melted chocolate; place on wax paper covered baking sheet then drizzle with melted white chocolate using a Zip-lock bag with the corner cut off.

REFRIGERATE until firm, about 1 hour. Store leftover truffles, covered, in refrigerator.

How to easily dip truffles: Place truffle ball in chocolate to coat; roll if necessary. Lift truffle from chocolate using 2 forks (this will allow excess chocolate to run off) before placing on wax paper.

Vanilla French Toast with Butter Syrup Lauren Perry

2010-02-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

French Toast
Bread (white, wheat, sweet hawaiian ...which ever kind you want)
3 eggs
1/4 cup of sugar
1 TBS cinnamon
2 TSP vanilla extract
2 TBS Milk
(you could slice 1 vanilla bean and take out the insides too, but vanilla beans are pretty expensive)

mix in a bowl and dip bread in, cook on oven or on a skillet- cook until each side is golden brown

Butter Syrup
1 stick of butter
about 1/3- 1/2 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of Karo Syrup
1-2 TBS of vanilla extract

melt all of the above in a microwave and stir it together until the sugar melts

extra- slice strawberries or fresh peaches and put on top of french toast, pour butter syrup over and enjoy!

Clam Linguine Lauren Perry

2010-02-06T15:35:00.000-08:00

I LOVE clams! This doesn't have a very fishy taste-so you don't have to worry if you have a weak stomach :)

Ingredients
4 cans of clams (in juice)
2 TBS of lemon juice
a bunch of fresh parsley
1/2 white onion, chopped
1/2 cup white cooking wine
1 stick of butter
1 cup of shredded parmesan
2 cloves of garlic, minced
pinch of garlic salt and pepper
2 TBS olive oil

cook linguine

In a large sauce pan, saute onions and garlic in the butter and olive oil. Add parsley, cooking wine, lemon juice, the juice from the clams, garlic salt and pepper and cook until it boils for about 3 minutes, then cook on low for 5 minutes. Add the clam meat and parmesan and cook another 2 minutes. Pour over the cooked linguine and toss. The linguine will absorb a lot of the liquid and strong flavors, and it wont be overly powerful (if you taste the sauce in the pan- its very powerful with the lemon, garlic, salt, salt from clams...etc..)- the cooked linguine tones it down a ton.

Enjoy with a cesar salad and french bread!

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Lauren Perry

2010-01-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

Easy and Yummy- my 2 favorite things when making food!

Ingredients
3-4 Chicken Breasts
1 packet of mild taco seasoning
1 cup of water
1 can of petite diced tomatoes (I used the one with mild green chili's)
1/2 jar of green verde salsa (I like mild)
2 TBS of ranch dressing
dash of salt and pepper

-throw all of the above in a crock pot and cook all day! I threw the ranch in the last 30 minutes

stuff in and top with
taco shells or small tortillas for soft tacos
shredded cheese
avocado
sour cream

*I bought a bag Mexican rice that you microwave, a can of pinto beans that I cooked on the stove and mashed up with some lime juice and garlic salt, and had homemade salsa and chips as well :) The chicken meat is so yummy, it also goes great on nachos!

Yummy cookie and MIA Lauren Perry

2010-01-20T09:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry I have been missing in action! I had a baby on December 11th and I have been too busy for words!

My mom just came up to visit and spend time with my boys. She brought this cookie recipe that she has been dying to try out. It is probably the easiest cookie recipe on earth (next to good old slice and bake cookies) and it is truly divine!

Ingredients
1 box of Devils Food Cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 bag of Andes Mints

Directions-
oven set at 350'
Combine cake mix, eggs and oil in a mixer
roll into cookie dough balls, about a TBS/ball
bake for 10 minutes
remove from oven and drop baking sheet on counter to 'flatten' the cookie
remove 1 Andes Mint and place 1 mint/cookie and smooth out as it melts with a spoon
let the melted mint cool off for about 10 minutes and then eat the whole batch! This makes about 28-36 cookies.

ps- here is a cute pic of my boys!

Caramel Popcorn

2009-12-28T12:59:00.000-08:00

Take 16-18 cups of popcorn, divide in half. Put half in brown paper bag.

In a medium bowl, put 1 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup butter, 1/3 cup corn syrup--do not stir! Microwave for 2 minutes, then stir.

Microwave for 3 minutes, then stir and add 1/2 tsp baking soda.

Pour half the caramel over popcorn in the paper bag. Add the other half of the popcorn, and remaining caramel.

Microwave for one minute, then shake vigorously for 30 seconds.

Microwave for 45 seconds, then shake for 30 seconds.

Microwave for 20 seconds.

Pour onto waxed paper, separate to cool.

Florentine Tortellini Soup Lauren Perry

2009-11-23T14:41:00.000-08:00

Go make this today! My friend Natalie made this soup for me when I was sick and it is soooo yummy! I begged her for the recipe (and 2nd's of course!). It is easy and super tasty.

Ingredients

1 pckg of 3- cheese tortellini (refridgerated- usually by the shredded cheese at the store)

3 14-oz cans of chicken broth

1 container of Alfredo pasta sauce (about 10 oz.)

2 cups of shredded chicken (you can use 2-3 chicken breasts that you cook ahead of time and shred, you could use canned from Costco, or you could buy a roast chicken from the store or costco and add that meat)

1/2 cup of oil-packed sun dried tomato strips (drain the oil and slice)

1 cup of packaged fresh baby spinach

top with parmesan

Directions

-boil tortellini according to directions, drain and set aside in a bowl
-add broth and alfredo sauce to pot
-add chicken and tomato strops- heat to a slow boil and then reduce to simmer for about 5 minutes
-add spinach and cooked tortellini, cook for another few minutes
-serve in bowls and sprinkle with parmesan

Easy Yummy Sticky Buns Lauren Perry

2009-11-23T09:15:00.000-08:00

These are super super easy! I learned this recipe in 7th grade cooking class, and it stuck with me :)

Ingredients
Marshmallows
Raw crescent roll dough (like the kind you use for pigs in a blanket)
2 TSP Cinnamon
1/2 cup Sugar
1/3 cup Brown Sugar
2-3 TBS Butter (melted)

Directions
Open the crecent rolls container and pull out the individual little dough triangles
Add a marshmallow to the wide end of the triangle-fold in the corners and roll up the marshmallow
Take the dough ball and dip/cover the dough ball in melted butter
Roll the ball in a bowl with cinnamon, sugar and brown sugar- completely cover ball in the sugary mixture
Place each individual dough ball in a cupcake/muffin pan that was greased with butter or cooking spray
Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes

Onion Cheese Dip Lauren Perry

2009-11-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

I got this recipe from my friend Amanda and I had to slightly modify it the first time I made it (because I could not find onion glaze). Brian has FLIPPED over this. Its his new favorite thing to eat (next to sushi)

Ingredients
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz of cream cheese
1/2 to 3/4 cup of mayo
1/2 of an onion chopped really small
5-8 pieces of cooked bacon chopped
*savory sweet onion glaze

-mix above and put in a baking dish or casserole dish
-cook in oven at 350 until bubbly and browning on top
-serve hot with Ritz crackers

How to make savory sweet onion glaze-
2 tbs of butter
1 cup of really thinly chopped onions (i used a food processor)
about 3 TBS of white sugar
2 tbs of balsamic vinegar
** add optional 2 tbs of red cooking wine if you want

put in a sauce pan and cook on high for about 5-10 minutes. Let cool slightly and add to food processor and really grind up until its like a chutney.

Honey Chai Bundt Cake Lauren Perry

2009-11-15T18:03:00.000-08:00

Ingredients-

2 & 1/2 cups of all purpose flour
1 & 1/2 cups of brown sugar
2 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
1 & 3/4 cup of brewed chai tea (I just bought a box of pre-made chai tea)
1/2 cup of buttermilk
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup (1 stick) of unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
2 eggs
1 egg yolk

1 can of cream cheese frosting, warmed in the microwave
** chopped pecans as a garnish if desired **

Directions
heat oven to 350 and spray a bundt can with cooking spray
In a mixer, combine all of the above ingredients (mix low speed for 1 minute- scraping the sides)
Cake batter is a bit runny
Pour batter into bundt cake pan and bake for 45-50 minutes- remove. Go around edges to loosen cake and let cool about 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cake cool completely
Warm frosting in microwave about 20 seconds and spread over top of cake (or drizzle)
** add chopped pecans if desired **

Biscotti Lauren Perry

2009-11-04T13:49:00.001-08:00

This is always a hit around the holidays! Last year a I made a ton and gave it to neighbors with cans of Hot Cocoa :)

Ingredients
4 eggs beat
2 sticks softened butter
1 1/2 cups of sugar
3 TBS ainse seed (spice isle at the store)
1 TBS vanilla extract
2 TBS baking powder
4 cups of flour (add 2 cups at a time)
little over 1/2 cup sliced almonds
little over 1/2 cup dried cherries
little over 1/2 cup of white chocolate chips

Directions
add above to a mixer and make dough
flour on the cutting board and roll into 3 balls of dough
take 1 ball at a time and roll into a log (make sure little to no cracks appear on the log)
lightly butter and flour cookie sheets (you will probably use 2 cookie sheets)
the log will be about 1 1/2 inches thick and as long as the cookie sheet
bake all 3 at 325' for 25 minutes
remove and set aside to cool on sheet for a few minutes
take a bread knife and cut a bunch of little diagonal pieces- each log should make 10-20 pieces.
pick up pieces and put the cut side face down on cookie sheet and bake again for 20 more minutes!

EASY Pot Roast Lauren Perry

2009-10-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

This is the perfect time of year for a yummy pot roast!

Ingredients

1 chuck roast

kitchen bouquet (its over by the condiments at the store)

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 can of water (i just used the diced tomato can when empty)

1 packet of lipton onion soup

1 white onion sliced

5-10 small baby red potatoes (depending on amount of people serving) cut into quarters

2 carrots diced

salt, pepper

OPTIONAL- splash of red cooking wine

Directions

-dust chuck roast with flour, salt, pepper on each side

-sear in non-stick pan with kitchen bouquet on each side (about 1 tbs on each side) for a few minutes

-add to crock pot or baking dish (if baking dish- bake 350 for at least 3 hours)

-add diced tomatoes, water, lipton soup powder, a pinch more kitchen bouquet, and splash of red wine (if desired)

-with an hour left of cooking, add onions, red potatoes, and carrots. You can also turn the meat over to make sure that 1 side isn't cooking more tender than the other

-taste and add salt and pepper if desired (I love garlic salt)

**PS- I love to serve my pot roast over white rice with rolls on the side!**

Death By Chocolate Lauren Perry

2009-10-17T09:30:00.000-07:00

If you love chocolate...this WILL kill you!

Ingredients

1 brownie mix (make in 9 x 13 baking dish)
2 pks chocolate mousse (make in sep bowl)
7 heath bars chopped up, or 1-2 packages of crunched health bar bits
1 tub of cool whip

Directions

mash up and crumble brownies- in a 9 x 9 dish or a somewhat deep dish for layering....

layers
crumbled brownie
heath pieces
mousse
cool whip
crumbled brownie
heath pieces
mousse
cool whip
top off with rest of heath bar pieces

put in fridge for an hour or so to cool! ENJOY

Pork and Pea Pasta Lauren Perry

2009-10-17T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is Brian's ALL.TIME.FAVORITE Pasta :)

Ingredients

3/4 lb of hot italian sausage (if in casings, please remove)
3/4 lb of mild italian sausage ('')
1 cup chopped white onion
1 1/4 cups of whipping cream (you could do 1 whole pint if you want)
3/4 cup of chicken broth
frozen peas (about 1 1/2 to 2 cups)
1 brick of cream cheese (softened)
1 cup of parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic chopped
garlic salt, pepper to taste

pasta- bow tie or penne (boil in sep. pot)

Directions-

Saute Sausage and remove
with oils and juice from sausage, saute onions and garlic- then drain majority of oils....
add cream and boil about 5 minutes
and broth and cream cheese- cook on high about 5 minutes
add sausage and simmer for about 5 minutes
add parmesan, spices, and peas

enjoy!

Another frosting idea for the Pumpkin CC Cake Lauren Perry

2009-10-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

Just to update, I made this again and it was soooo yummy!

The only other change I made to the frosting is I added 1 stick of butter and only used 1/2 a jar of marshmallow cream instead of a full jar. This made the frosting a lot thicker if you would rather more of a cream cheese butter cream as opposed to a gooey type glaze :) Both are wonderful, you really cant go wrong....

Spinach Pasta Salad Lauren Perry

2009-10-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is my mom's new favorite salad, and its super yummy! Its so pretty for the fall :)

Ingredients

1 bag of spinach

2 chicken breasts, broil, cool and slice (sprinkle with a pinch of lemon pepper)

3 oz of blue cheese crumbled

1/2 cup of craisins

1/4 cup of sliced almonds, toasted

1 can of drained mandarin oranges

1/4-1/3 of a red onion, thinly sliced

2 roma tomatoes chopped

1/4 box of orzo pasta- cooked (you could also use a mini bow-tie pasta)

** Toss above ingredients and serve with Litehouse Ginger and Sesame Dressing- this salad dressing is THE BEST with it- a little goes a long way**

PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps- Lori Hansen

2009-10-03T12:32:00.001-07:00

Filling:
3 Tbsp. Oil
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cp. water chesnuts
2/3 cps. mushrooms
3 tbsp. chopped onions
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 head lettuce

Stir Fry Sauce:
4 tbsp. soy sauce
4 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. rice wine vinegar

Special Sauce:
1/4 cp. sugar
1/2 cp. water
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp. ketchup
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1/8 tsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. hot water
1-2 tsp. garlic and red chili paste (we have never used this.)

Make the special sauce by combining the sugar and water in a small bowl, add the next 5 ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate this sauce until you are ready to serve. Combine the hot water with the hot mustard and set this aside as well. Eventually add your desired measurement of mustard and garlic chili sauce to the special sauce mixture to pour over wraps.

Mince water chesnuts and mushrooms to about the size of small peas ( a chopper works well for this.) Prepare the stir-fry sauce by mixing all the ingredients together in a small bowl. Bring oil to med-high heat in a wok or large frying pan. Saute chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side or until done. Remove chicken from pan and cool. When chicken is cool, mince in to small pieces just like mushrooms and waterchesnuts. Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan. When oil is hot, add garlic, onions, and mushrooms into the pan. Once mushroom mixture is done, add chicken, water chesnuts and the stir-fry sauce to the pan. Saute for a couple of minutes until completely warmed. Serve mixture in lettuce cups and top with special sauce.

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

2009-10-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

One of my friends gave me this recipe after making it for our family a few weeks ago. It is divine and such a perfect fall soup! (especially if you have a pile of tomatoes from your garden that you need to use up) It's become an instant favorite for all my family...including nieces and nephews!

Ingredients:
10 c. chicken broth/stock
28 oz. diced tomatoes with juice
8 oz. can tomato paste
1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. butter
1 1/2 tsp. basil
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
1 pt. whipping cream (unwhipped)
1 1/2 lbs. cooked tortellini (fresh or frozen -- I actually just boiled it in the soup before I added the whipping cream)

Directions:
Pour chicken stock into large pot and heat. Add basil and oregano. Then add can of diced tomatoes with juice and can of tomato paste, and puree all together with a hand blender, regular blender, or food processor (I liked the hand blender a lot). In a separate pan, make a roux by melting butter and then adding flour. Mix the two and cook for 1 or 2 minutes. Whip the roux into the broth and simmer until thickened, stirring often. Next, add pre-cooked tortellini and make sure it is heated through. Last, add whipping cream. Serve and enjoy!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Frosting Lauren Perry

2009-09-21T08:17:00.000-07:00

My friend Erica (from NY) sent me this cake recipe and its delicious! I made up a frosting to go with it and I cannot begin to describe how yummy this cake is (and its the perfect treat for the Fall)!

Ingredients

1 cup oil

4 eggs

1 can of pumpkin

1/2 cup of milk

3 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3 TBS cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups of chocolate chips (I did 1 cup milk chocolate 3/4 cup of white chocolate)

Directions

Oven to 350- grease and dust bundt pan

mix wet ingredients in large bowl

mix dry ingredients in another bowl

Fold the wet and dry mixture together and then mix together with a mixer for a minute

Fold in chocolate chips

pour batter into prepared pan

bake cake for about 1 hour and 20 minutes (use a toothpick to make sure middle is cooked)

Frosting

1 brick of cream cheese

2 cups of powdered sugar

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 jar marshmellow cream

In a mixer, cream cream cheese

add marshmellow cream, brown sugar, cinnamon and powdered sugar

Refridgerate so its not as runny.

This frosting is very gooey and wonderful! It coats the bundt cake and has the perfect taste to balance out the pumpkin and chocolate. I put A TON of frosting on when I made it- but its just as good if you just drizzle a decent amount on the cake (you dont have to completely cover it). On a side note- everyone that tried my cake ended up scooping up extra frosting from the plate to put it on the cake because it is just so yummy :)

Cake in a cup Lauren Perry

2009-09-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is THE EASIEST cake recipe on earth :) Its very yummy and it is perfect if you just want to watch a movie at night in your pj's with a bowl of ice cream! It takes 4 total minutes to make. The texture is VERY similar to a chocolate souffle- sort of spongy and very rich. I also added some white chocolate chips (because they don't melt and they add a nice little flavor and texture). You will also need a LARGE glass of milk!

4 TBS of Flour
4 TBS of Sugar
2 TBS of Cocoa Powder
1 egg
3 TBS Milk
3 TBS of Oil
1-3 TBS of chocolate chips (depending on how much you love chocolate!
1 TSP vanilla extract
a hot cocoa/coffee mug

mix all dry ingredients in a mug
add wet ingredients and mix well
add chocolate chips
microwave for 3 minutes
eat it in the mug or on a plate- serve white vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!

Stromboli Lauren Perry

2009-09-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

The options are endless! This is very similar to a pizza or a calzone. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients
1 loaf of frozen bread dough or frozen raw pizza dough
2 cups (1 pckg) of shredded cheese (preferably mozzarella)
basil, oregano, garlic salt, onion powder- just whatever seasonings you enjoy
pepperoni (or ham, Canadian bacon, salami--- you get the idea, whatever meats you want)
1 can of marinara (or alfredo or a melted garlic butter sauce)

Directions
Thaw dough in fridge for 24 hours
take dough out and let it sit on counter for 30 minutes to thaw
On cutting board with light flour (to prevent sticking) pull bread dough until it makes a 9 x 13 (ish) rectangular shape
Sprinkle with spices of your choice across the whole rectangle dough
Layer with meats and veggies of your choice with the 2 cups of shredded cheese
fold edges of dough and roll (or fold) it up like a log roll
Place on greased cookie sheet seem side down
Poke a few holes in top of Stromboli and sprinkle a little cheese on top
Bake 350' for 30 minutes

Slice and serve with warm marinara as a dipping sauce

***This recipe is great because you can do sooo many different options. You can do turkey meat and Swiss cheese, you could do chicken, garlic and mushrooms with an Alfredo dipping sauce- the options are literally endless! Its also super easy and is great with leftovers***

Choco-Hoto-Pots Lauren Perry

2009-09-08T20:48:00.001-07:00

Make 4 little molten lava type cakes, SUPER yummy and easy..... drink LOTS of milk!

Ingredients
Butter ramekins
3/4 cup of chocolate chips (I prefer milk chocolate)
1 stick of unsalted butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup of sugar
3 TBS of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of white chocolate chips

Directions
preheat oven to 400'
set aside baking sheet and 4 buttered ramekins
microwave stick of butter and chocolate chips until melted- set aside to cool
in sep. bowl, combine eggs, sugar and flour- add cooled chocolate mixture and mix together by hand
fold in white chocolate chips
scoop into ramekins, bake about 20 minutes- ramekins and chocolate cake will be HOT- so let cool a few minutes. It should be cake like on the outside and runny chocolate in the middle

Funeral Potatoes Lauren Perry

2009-09-07T10:14:00.000-07:00

Super easy and yummy, you all probably already have this recipe- but its always a good one for potlucks and bbq's!

Ingredients-

2 lbs of frozen shredded hashbrowns
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 pint of sour cream
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 chopped green onion
salt and pepper

Directions-

mix soup and sour cream in large bowl with salt and pepper
combine all ingredients into that bowl
add to 9 x 13 dish and bake 350' for 45 minutes

Best BBQ Ribs EVER Lauren Perry

2009-09-07T09:42:00.000-07:00

(in the pic, you will see some grilled onions too- that is just leftover from cooking the ribs in the oven with the onions- my husband is an onion freak!)

BBQ sauce-

Ingredients
juice and some zest from 1 lime
juice and some zest from 1 lemon
juice and some zest from 1 orange
1/3 an onion chopped
1 tsp of bacon fat (optional)
1 tsp butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp of liquid smoke
2 TBS of Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 cup of cider vinegar
2 TBS of Molasses
1/4 cup of bottled chili sauce
2 TBS honey Dijon mustard
Few shakes of garlic salt and pepper

** Melt butter and add chopped onion. Juice fruits, zest skins and add half of juiced fruit and rind to pot on med/low heat
** Add all other ingredients and set pot to simmer for atleast an hour. Let cool on stove and refridgerate for later (in pic you can see 1/2 rind from orange, lemon and lime- pull out before you refridgerate)

Ribs-

Ingredients
Baby Back Ribs
1 can of coke
1/2 an onion
garlic salt
pepper
1 cup of water
2 tbs of cooking oil

Put ribs in glass baking dish, cover in sliced onions, garlic salt, oil, pepper
Pour can of coke over ribs and add 1 cup of water
Bake @ 275 for a few hours (1 hr per pound of ribs- so 2 1/2 lbs of ribs cook for about 2 1/2 hours)

Put ribs on a platter and bbq WITHOUT the sauce on it. When the ribs have about 5 more minutes left on the bbq- add a thin layer of the bbq sauce and cook. Put back on platter- bring in and add more bbq sauce to the ribs :) That way you don't burn the flavor of the bbq sauce on the ribs.

Kaluah Pig Lauren Perry

2009-07-16T07:47:00.001-07:00

I roomed at BYU with the greatest softball players from Hawaii. We had a BLAST cooking together. I would BEG them to make Hawaiian food, while they BEGGED me to make them pastas and other entrees. Needless to say, my favorite thing they made was Kaluah Pig.

Here is a tweeked version of the goodness-

Ingredients

3-4 lbs of pork butt (you could do a shoulder too)
garlic (LOTS) I probably added like 4 TBS of chopped garlic
2 TBS of Liquid Smoke (its in a bottle by the seasonings)
1/4 cup of soy sauce
1/2 cup of water
black pepper
**1/2 head of shredded cabbage (if desired)**

cook in a crock pot until the pork starts to pull and shred easily
if you love cabbage like me, shred it add it to the pork/crock pot when you have an hour less
serve over rice

Easy Jackpot Casserole Lauren Perry

2009-07-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Super easy and delish!

1 lb. ground beef
1 can of tomato soup ( I use the BIG cans because I love it saucy)
1 can cream corn
1 pkg of egg noodles
1 small can of sliced or diced black olives
1 pkg of grated cheddar cheese

Directions
brown meat and drain fat
add soup and about 3/4 pkg of egg noodles (you can add whole package if you are doing a BIG can of tomato soup)
simmer until noodles are tender
add corn, olives, 3/4 cup of cheese and stir into noodles
pour into casserole dish, top with olives and more cheese

Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce

2009-07-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is the best Alfredo Sauce, and SO YUMMY!!!

1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 stick Butter (I only used a half and it was still delicious)
2 T. Cream Cheese
1/2 c. Parmesan Cheese (I just used the powder kind)
1 tsp. Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste

Melt Butter, Cream Cheese, and Whipping cream in saucepan. Add Parmesan Cheese and Garlic and Salt & Pepper and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Pour over your favorite pasta noodles. It's so delicious!

*Savanna

Sundried Tomato Chicken Lauren Perry

2009-07-11T09:22:00.000-07:00

This pasta is super yummy! It does have white wine in it, I used white cooking wine- but I am sure you can substitute something- but the alcohol does cook out of cooking wine- it just has a really rich flavor and it makes the pasta soooo much better to use it.

Ingredients-

- 3TBS unsalted butter

- 1TBS Olive Oil

- 3 chicken breasts cubed (raw)

- 2 green onions or 1/4 a white onion

- about 1/4 cup of flour

- 2/3 cup of whipping cream

- 1/2 cup to 1 cup- depending on taste- of White wine

- 1/2 jar of sundried tomatoes in oil- about 6-8 tomatoes- chopped

- 2TBS minced garlic

- 3TBS Basil- chopped

- 3/4 cup of parmesan chesse

- garlic salt (about 5-8 shakes according to taste)

- pepper (5 shakes)

-boil bow-tie or penne pasta

Directions-

cube chicken, add to bowl with flour, garlic salt (3 shakes), pepper(2 shakes)

in heavy sauce pan- add oil and butter, onion, garlic, and chopped basil- cook 2 minutes

add chicken coated in flour and cook until white- stir frequently

add sundried tomato

add white wine and boil a few minutes

add whipping cream and parmesan (cook an extra 5-10 minutes)

about 5 shakes of garlic salt and 2 shakes of pepper

drain pasta and add sauce

garnish with 1 chopped sun dried tomato, parmesan and some chopped basil

Banana Bread

2009-07-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

The BEST banana bread. Compliments of my best friend Tasha. Every time she makes it ... I tell her I want her recipe.

1/2 cp. shortening
1 cp. Sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cp. banana pulp or 3 ripe bananas
1/2 cp. sourcream
2 cp. Flour
1 tsp. salt

Cream shortening and sugar. Then add eggs, banana pulp, sourcream and mix. Mix dry ingredients together and then mix with wet ingredients.

Bake @ 325 for 40-50 minutes.

Cookie Salad

2009-07-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

2 c. Buttermilk
2 small packages vanilla instant pudding
1 small container cool whip
2 cans pineapple tidbits
2 cans mandarin oranges
1 package striped chocolate cookies (keebler)

Drain Pineapple and oranges REALLY well. In a bowl mix buttermilk and the instant pudding until smooth. Add cool whip and put in refrigerator until set. Before serving crumble cookies and mix into the salad. ENJOY! (it's not near as good when the cookies get soft, but still tasty) This is always a hit. People ask what the crunchies are and get really surprised when it's cookies. It's a fun Summer Salad.

*Savanna

Best Truffles EVER Lauren Perry

2009-07-04T09:53:00.000-07:00

This is so easy and so tasty, its ridiculous! I found this recipe and modified it slightly

Ingredients

1 package of Oreo cookies
1 package of cream cheese
2 white chocolate baking bars (you could use milk or dark- but its AMAZING with white)
OPTIONAL- 1 small can of sweetened condensed milk (you will only use a few TBS out of the can)

Throw Oreo's (the WHOLE package), cream cheese and 1-2 tbs of sweetened condensed milk into a mixer- and mix until it almost looks like a paste (some chunks are fine and actually preferred)

Roll the Oreo truffle mix into little 1 inch balls and set them on a baking sheet covered with wax paper.

Once you roll all of the balls- heat white chocolate and 2 TBS of sweetened condensed milk in the microwave for about 30 seconds and mix with spoon until melted and smooth.

Dip each truffle into white chocolate (this can get a little messy, so you can drizzle extra white chocolate on the truffles when they are back on the baking sheet)

Refrigerate for AT LEAST an hour- and serve!

These are so delicious, I can't even begin to describe them. You can put a few on plates and take them to neighbors and they will love you forever.

Thai Chicken Soup Lauren Perry

2009-06-25T19:55:00.001-07:00

I have had a few requests for this recipe :)

It is very different, you have to really be open about the flavor. All of my family and friends that have tried this have thought it to die for.

I created this recipe on my own- from trial and error and taste. I tried a similar soup at the Thai Dishes restaurant in Santa Monica, Ca. The first bite I took of this soup, I literally gagged. But the taste stuck with me on the car ride home (my mom ordered it to go). I literally ate ALL of her soup the rest of the ride home.

I have never written down exact measurements- so you will have to bear with me. This soup is very worth it.

Ingredients-
-Lime Juice (I buy the bottled kind and probably use about 1/3-1/2 a cup)
-1 can of coconut milk
-2- 32 oz chicken broths (they come in the box's)
-about 10 FRESH shittake mushrooms- cleaned, stems removed, and sliced (don't buy the dried ones, you have to soak those for hours in water)
-3/4 cup to a cup of white rice
-2 large chicken breasts- cubed
-1 bunch of chopped green onions
-1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
-2 TBS of chopped lemon grass- (I HATE chopping lemon grass- its such a pain! I found this little tube in the herb isle, and it works sooo much better- https://www.wegmans.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10052&productId=390945&catalogId=10001&krypto=QJrbAudPd0vzXUGByeatog%3D%3D&ddkey=http:ProductDisplay
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
-season to taste with sugar (I probably use 2 Tbs), garlic salt (like 4-6 good shakes), pepper (2 good shakes), and red pepper flakes (1 good shake).

The soup is supposed to be a good blend of sour, spicy, and sweet :)

To cook- in a large pot, boil the broth. Add the coconut milk, lime juice, chopped and sliced ingredients, and seasoning.

Flautas Lauren Perry

2009-06-24T18:14:00.000-07:00

These are great little appetizers if you have company over for a mexican food night :)

Ingredients
-1 cup of chicken (cooked and shredded)
-1/2 cup of Pace Picante Sauce (I like mild)
-2 green onions chopped
-1/4 tsp ground cumin
-1 cup of shredded mexican cheese
16 corn tortillas
some veggie oil

fry tortillas in a little bit of oil for less than a minute, remove and add to plate with paper towel
in bowl- mix chicken, pace, onions, cumin, cheese
scoop into small corn tortillas
roll to secure and add toothpick through the middle
seam side down, add to cookie sheet/baking sheet and bake at 400 deg. for 20 minutes

Peanut Butter Icebox Pie Lauren Perry

2009-06-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

Once you eat this pie, you will NEVER be the same again.....
your clothes will no longer fit......
all other desserts will seem like stale cookies....

I got this recipe from an amazing bakery when I was back in New York City a few years ago. I have been sheltering it because it is prized, and I like to be one of the exclusive ones to have it. I am now over my selfish phase. If you attempt to get my famous vanilla bean cupcake recipe from me, I will probably kill you first:)

Ingredients-

Crust-
-1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
-2 cups of Vanilla wafer crums (put them in a blender or food processor to turn them into crumbs)

Filling-
-12 oz of cream cheese (aka 1 1/2 packages) Low-fat or fat-free cream cheese is for the weak!
-3 TBS sugar
-1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
-3/4 cup of heaving whipping cream
-6 Reeses Peanut Butter Cups- chopped but chunky
-3/4 cup of smooth peanut butter
-1/2 cup of carmel (I just buy the kind that goes on ice cream toppings)

garnish with some peanut butter cups and swirl carmel decorations

DIRECTIONS-
Crust- combine butter and waffer crumbs, press firmly into lightly buttered glass pie dish or ceramic baking dish. Drizzle some carmel on the crust (put clear wrap over the top and set in the freezer for 30 minutes)

Filling- Cream cheese in mixer until smooth, add sugar gradually while beating. Add vanilla, fold in heavy cream, fold in peanut butter cups.

In sep bowl, mix peanut butter and carmel

Take crust from freezer, add 1/2 of the peanut butter/carmel mix- then add 1/2 of the cream cheese mixture- then add the other 1/2 of peanut butter/carmel mix- then add the last 1/2 of cream cheese mix. Then take a fork and swirl the mixture a few times around(but dont blend). Garnish with Reeses chunks and carmel on top, add to the refridgerator

**** best made the night before you eat it, so it gets cold enough****

Cannon Queso Lauren Perry

2009-06-24T17:38:00.000-07:00

This is one of Cannon's favorite "dip- dip's". He loves dipping his chips in his own little bowl :) Brian and I love it too!

This makes a ton! You can do it in a crock pot, on the stove, or in the oven. I think its easiest on the stove.

Ingredients

-1 lb of Velveeta Cheese (just buy the block and cube it into small pieces)
-1/2 white onion- chopped
-1/2 lb of ground beef
-1/2 a tub of fresh salsa (you can also use pace picante or a can of diced tomatoes with chili) I like mild salsa- but you can go according to taste
-1- 4 oz can of Diced Green Chile's (I like it mild, so I only use 1/2 can)
-dash of pepper
-dash of garlic salt

Add the diced onion and ground beef to a large pan/skillet- cook until ground beef is browned
Add Salsa
Add Diced Green Chile's ( I only use 2 oz- but if you like spicy go for 4!)
Add the 1 lb cubes of Velveeta Cheese and melt
Dash of pepper and garlic salt

Serve warm with tortilla chips or on a yummy baked potato

Cilantro Lime Butter Lauren Perry

2009-06-05T10:50:00.000-07:00

I used this butter to cover and bbq corn on the cobb

I also used this butter a few days later on top of shrimp that I BBQ'ed

It is seriously fantastic and you can add it to anything! Baked potatoes, veggies, meats.... you name it!

in a food processor add-

juice from 1 large lime and then zest the rind
1 stick of butter
a bunch of cilantro (without the stems)
garlic salt/ dash of pepper
a small pinch of cayenne pepper

blend in processor and add to air tight container
refridgerate until use :)

Hummus Lauren Perry

2009-05-24T17:40:00.000-07:00

I am on a HUGE Hummus kick, and this is to die for!

-1 can of garbanzo beans
-1 tbs of olive oil
-1 1/2 tsp of Tahini (its in a can and found by the peanut butter isle- it is a MUST for hummus, its the paste from sesame seeds)
-juice from half of a lemon
-a good shake or 2 of garlic salt
-2 TBS of garlic

-put all of the above in a blender or food processor and BLEND THE HECK out of it! Put it in a container and set it in the fridge. It is great with veggies, on sandwiches, or with pita chips.

Yummy party dip Lauren Perry

2009-04-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

1 packet of Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix

1 cup of Mayonnaise

1 container of sour cream

1/2 package of frozen spinach, thawed and stems removed

1 package of Swiss cheese, shredded

1 bunch of chopped green onions (optional but yummy)

(some Parmesan goes great on top, but it isn't needed)

mix all of the above and put it in a casserole dish - bake in oven at 350 for about 30 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top

1 loaf of shepherds bread- pull into pieces of bread, tortilla chips, Triscuts, or Wheat Thins....

dip and enjoy! I always get compliments on this

Yummy Whole Wheat Bread

2009-04-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

From: Pat Hansen

7 c. whole wheat flour
2/3 c. vital wheat gluten
2 1/2 Tbs. instant yeast
5 c. hot water (120-130 degrees)

Mix together the first three ingredients in a bowl with a dough hook. Add water all at once and mix for 1 min. COVER and let rise for 10 min. (this is called sponging)

2 Tbs. salt
2/3 c. vegetable oil
2/3 c. honey
2 1/2 Tbs. bottled lemon juice
4 cups flour (2 c. wheat and 2 c. white, or you can use all wheat if you like)

Add salt, oil, honey, and lemon juice and mix for 1 min. Then add the last of the flour, one cup at a time beating between each cup. Mix for 6-10 min. 'til dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. This makes a very soft dough.

Turn on oven to 350 degrees and preheat for 1 min., then turn it off.

Turn dough onto oiled counter top, divide, shape and place into greased pans. Let rise in warm oven for 10-15 min., or until bread reaches top of bread pan.

Don't remove bread from oven, turn oven on to 350 degrees and bake for 30 min (or until brown on top). Remove from pans and cool on rack.

I use Baker's Secret non-stick pans...8"x4"...these work great. Makes 4 loaves.

Pat's Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

2009-04-10T21:39:00.000-07:00

3 cubes butter (softened)
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
3 eggs
3 c. flour
3 c. quick oats

Mix in this order. Grease and flour a large cookie sheet. Pat in the cookie dough.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Spread peanut butter over top while still warm. Then put in refrigerator and cool (appox. 1 hour). When cool, frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.

2009-04-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

Enchilada Stew - Amanda Nemelka

This is a really easy and quick "throw it all together" meal. It's pretty hearty and fills you up quickly.

Ingredients

1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can diced tomatoes w/ green chiles
1 can diced green chiles
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast

Cook and shred chicken. Cook 1 1/2 cups of rice. Add all ingredients together in a big soup pot and heat on low until warm. If it seems too thick, you can add some water to it too. Best if served with shredded cheese mixed in and with tortilla chips.

Banana Pancakes

2009-03-30T11:40:00.000-07:00

2 banana's, mashed
1/4 cp. chopped pecans (optional)
Regular pancake mix

Mix pancake mix according to package directions Add bananas and pecans just before cooking. Serve with the buttermilk syrup.

Buttermilk syrup:

1 cp. butter ( i have done 1/2 a cup too)
1/2 cp. buttermilk
3/4 cp. sugar
1 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt

Combines ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute. Serve warm.
If you have ever had pancakes in Hawaii, this will remind you of those! Enjoy!

Braised Meatballs in Red-Wine Gravy Lauren Perry

2009-03-28T11:35:00.001-07:00

I made this last week and Brian went NUTS over it. The homemade meatballs are killer! I served it over rice, but it is also yummy over a garlic/ parmesan mashed potato-

Ingredients
1 6-ounce piece day-old French bread (generous 1/3 of 16-ounce loaf), crust left on, bread cut into 8 pieces
1 cup whole milk
1 3/4 pounds ground beef
2 large eggs
3 large garlic cloves chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried summer savory

flour

sauce-
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 cups dry red wine (I used Red COOKING Wine from the grocery store, its over by the salad dressing)
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 cups canned beef broth

Directions-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine bread pieces and whole milk in medium bowl, pressing on bread to submerge; let stand until milk is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Squeeze out most of milk from bread; discard milk. Place bread in large bowl. Add ground beef, eggs, finely chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley, salt, pepper, and dried summer savory and mix well. Transfer meat mixture to processor. Process until well blended and mixture looks pasty. Form mixture into 1 3/4-inch-diameter meatballs (about 30). Divide meatballs between two 13x9x2-inch glass baking dishes. Bake meatballs 30 minutes. Set meatballs aside.

Dust meatballs with flour; shake off excess. Melt butter with oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add meatballs to skillet and sauté until brown on all sides, about 3 minutes. Return all meatballs to skillet. Whisk wine and tomato paste in small bowl to blend. Add wine mixture to meatballs and bring to boil. Continue boiling until wine thickens slightly, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Add broth, reduce heat to medium and simmer until flavors blend and gravy thickens, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer meatballs and gravy to bowl. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley and serve.

Our Favorite Recipes

Maison Salad-(from the Keeping up Cookbook)

Molasses Cookies

Raspberry Almond Shortbread Thumbprints

Caramel Bars

Perfect Chicken Fajitas

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Makes:

Instructions:

Step 1

Step 2

Strawberry Spinach Salad-Pampered Chef

Italian Styled Pizza, Pampered Chef

Chili Cheese Frito Pie

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pumpkin Cookies:

Ingredients

Directions

Peach Shortcake

Creamy Lemon Chicken ( better than an olive garden recipe!)

Lemon Bars

Whole Wheat Blender Waffles

Pumpkin Cookies

Fresh Peach Pie

Green Chili Turkey Burgers w/ Avacado Mayo

Coconut Lime Chicken *Lauren Perry*

Yummy Queso *Lauren Perry*

Crab Wontons *Lauren Perry*

Candied Bacon Salad *Lauren Perry*

Strawberry Shortcake *Lauren Perry*

Healthy Muffins-Carrie Hansen

Guacamole *lauren Perry*

Salsa *Lauren Perry*

Deviled Egg Dip *Lauren Perry*

Favorite Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies

Soft Molasses Cookies

Chicken Pot Pie *Lauren Perry*

Homemade Oreos *Lauren Perry*

Jambalaya *Lauren Perry*

Green Beans with Special Sauce *Lauren Perry*

Chicken Soup for the Soul *Lauren Perry*

English Toffee *Lauren Perry*

Candied Bacon *Lauren Perry*

Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Choc. Chip Cookies *Lauren Perry*

Savanna's Cookie Salad

Poppy Seed Bundt or breads

Pulled Pork *Lauren Perry*

Healthy Fall/Winter Stew *Lauren Perry*

Get your Canning on!

Sugar cookies in a pan

Frosted Blondie- too good to keep a secret!

Purchutto and Goat Cheese Salad *Lauren Perry*

Cornbread and Honey Butter *Lauren Perry*

Toscana Soup *Lauren Perry*

Black Bean and Rice Salad *Lauren Perry*

Hot Crab Dip *Lauren Perry*

Best Tortilla Soup EVER *Lauren Perry*

Chicken Scampi *Lauren Perry*

Mongolian Beef

Heavenly Mashers *Lauren Perry*

Curry Chicken *Lauren Perry*

The Man-wich and Wedges *Lauren Perry*

Italian Meatloaf Sandwich *Lauren Perry*

Oreo Truffles

Vanilla French Toast with Butter Syrup *Lauren Perry*

Clam Linguine *Lauren Perry*

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos *Lauren Perry*

Yummy cookie and MIA *Lauren Perry*

Caramel Popcorn

Florentine Tortellini Soup *Lauren Perry*

Easy Yummy Sticky Buns *Lauren Perry*

Onion Cheese Dip *Lauren Perry*

Honey Chai Bundt Cake *Lauren Perry*

Biscotti *Lauren Perry*

EASY Pot Roast *Lauren Perry*

Death By Chocolate *Lauren Perry*

Pork and Pea Pasta *Lauren Perry*

Another frosting idea for the Pumpkin CC Cake *Lauren Perry*

Spinach Pasta Salad *Lauren Perry*

PF Chang's Lettuce Wraps- Lori Hansen

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

Coconut Lime Chicken Lauren Perry

Yummy Queso Lauren Perry

Crab Wontons Lauren Perry

Candied Bacon Salad Lauren Perry

Strawberry Shortcake Lauren Perry

Guacamole lauren Perry

Salsa Lauren Perry

Deviled Egg Dip Lauren Perry

Chicken Pot Pie Lauren Perry

Homemade Oreos Lauren Perry

Jambalaya Lauren Perry

Green Beans with Special Sauce Lauren Perry

Chicken Soup for the Soul Lauren Perry

English Toffee Lauren Perry

Candied Bacon Lauren Perry

Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Choc. Chip Cookies Lauren Perry

Pulled Pork Lauren Perry

Healthy Fall/Winter Stew Lauren Perry

Purchutto and Goat Cheese Salad Lauren Perry

Cornbread and Honey Butter Lauren Perry

Toscana Soup Lauren Perry

Black Bean and Rice Salad Lauren Perry

Hot Crab Dip Lauren Perry

Best Tortilla Soup EVER Lauren Perry

Chicken Scampi Lauren Perry

Heavenly Mashers Lauren Perry

Curry Chicken Lauren Perry

The Man-wich and Wedges Lauren Perry

Italian Meatloaf Sandwich Lauren Perry

Vanilla French Toast with Butter Syrup Lauren Perry

Clam Linguine Lauren Perry

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos Lauren Perry

Yummy cookie and MIA Lauren Perry

Florentine Tortellini Soup Lauren Perry

Easy Yummy Sticky Buns Lauren Perry

Onion Cheese Dip Lauren Perry

Honey Chai Bundt Cake Lauren Perry

Biscotti Lauren Perry

EASY Pot Roast Lauren Perry

Death By Chocolate Lauren Perry

Pork and Pea Pasta Lauren Perry

Another frosting idea for the Pumpkin CC Cake Lauren Perry

Spinach Pasta Salad Lauren Perry

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake with Frosting Lauren Perry

Cake in a cup Lauren Perry

Stromboli Lauren Perry

Choco-Hoto-Pots Lauren Perry

Funeral Potatoes Lauren Perry

Best BBQ Ribs EVER Lauren Perry

Kaluah Pig Lauren Perry

Easy Jackpot Casserole Lauren Perry

Sundried Tomato Chicken Lauren Perry

Best Truffles EVER Lauren Perry

Thai Chicken Soup Lauren Perry

Flautas Lauren Perry

Peanut Butter Icebox Pie Lauren Perry

Cannon Queso Lauren Perry

Cilantro Lime Butter Lauren Perry

Hummus Lauren Perry

Yummy party dip Lauren Perry

Braised Meatballs in Red-Wine Gravy Lauren Perry