Wednesday, August 31, 2011

White Bean Dip – 2 PointsPlus

White Bean Dip – 2 PointsPlus

Ingredients
6 large garlic cloves, unpeeled
1 cup white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
3 scallions, minced
2 tablespoons FRESH lemon juice
2 teaspoons Olive Oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne

Preheat oven to 400. Wrap garlic in foil and roast 30 minutes until very soft. Unwrap and cool. When cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic from skins and put in a food processor or blender. Add all remaining ingredients and puree. Transfer to a small bowl. Serve at once or refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Serving Size: 1/4 cup. 63 calories, 3g fat, 2 g fiber, 2g protein and 8g carbs

Monday, August 29, 2011

The BEST shredded pork tacos..

1 boston butt 1 bottle of mexican beer 1 jar of salsa Toss all ingredients into a crock pot, cook for 6 hours. The meat just shreds when you take it out Put meat on tortillas, top with cilantro, chopped white onions & a squeeze of lime juice! Super great & super easy!!

Easy chicken tacos

Easy chicken tacos:
4 frozen chicken breast
1 packet chicken taco seasoning
1 cup chicken broth
4 garlic cloves minced

Cook on low for 4 hours in crockpot, shread with fork, cook on low for 1-2 more hours! I serve it on corn tortillas with sauted red bell peppers and onions! YUM!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Cheeseburger Soup




another great "Taste of Home" Recipe

8 Servings
Prep: 45 min.
Cook: 10 min.

Ingredients
1/2 pound ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup shredded carrots
3/4 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
4 tablespoons butter, divided
3 cups chicken broth
4 cups diced peeled potatoes (1-3/4 pounds)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups (8 ounces) process cheese (Velveeta)
1-1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup sour cream
Directions
In a 3-qt. saucepan, brown beef; drain and set aside. In the same saucepan, saute the onion, carrots, celery, basil and parsley in 1 tablespoon butter until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the broth, potatoes and beef; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet, melt remaining butter. Add flour; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to soup; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper; cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from the heat; blend in sour cream. Yield: 8 servings (2-1/4 quarts).
this can be doubled!

Gingerbread Cookies




found this recipe here...love her blog! www.chickensintheroad.com

Fragrant with spices, gingerbread cookies make a house smell like the holidays! And gingerbread men are soooo cute.


How to make Gingerbread Cookies:

5 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup shortening, melted and cooled
1 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine flour and other dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg and vanilla. Add flour and dry ingredients. Mix well and divide into thirds on pieces of plastic wrap. Wrap thirds and place in refrigerator for at least three hours.

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Take cookie dough out of the refrigerator one section at a time. Dust chilled dough with flour and roll out to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks then decorate however you choose! Makes 3-4 dozen cookies or gingerbread men.

To hang on a tree or use as a gift tag, insert a toothpick at the top when cookies are just out of the oven to make a hole. Tie a ribbon or wire through the hole after decorating.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Gluten-Free Lemon & White Chocolate Puppy Chow Recipe




found this recipe here www.glutenista.com
I HAVE TO TRY THIS

1 1/2 Cups Gluten-Free White Chocolate Chips, Such as Ghiradelli
1/4 Cup Butter
3-4 Tablespoons Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Grated Lemon Peel
6-8 Cups Gluten-Free Rice Chex
2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Microwave White Chocolate Chips, Butter, Lemon Juice and Lemon Peel for 1 minute. Stir and microwave in 15-30 second increments, until mixture is completely melted and stirs well. do not overheat, stir in-between microwaving
Pour white chocolate mixture over Chex. Stir until all chex are fully covered. Place in a gallon freezer food storage bag (or a sealed container) and pour in powdered sugar. Shake until all pieces fully covered.
Serve immediately. Store any leftover puppy chow in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Rigatoni with Bacon and Asparagus




found this recipe here dailydishrecipes.com

Can't wait to try it!

Rigatoni with Bacon and Asparagus
(recipe found in Taste of Home Healthy Cooking)

1 package rigatoni or large tube pasta
1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and coarsely chopped
8 bacon strips
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2/3 cup half and half
1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
4 or 5 leaves of fresh basil (chopped)
Cook rigatoni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a dutch oven, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add asparagus; cover and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and immediately place asparagus in ice water. Drain and pat dry.

In same pan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain. Crumble bacon and set aside. Saute garlic in butter and oil until tender. Stir in cream. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 3-4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in mozzarella until melted. Drain rigatoni; add to pan. Stir in the salt, asparagus and reserved bacon. Sprinkle with parmigiano-reggiano cheese and parsley.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Slow-cooker Chicken Dressing

Ingredients:

1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup oil
1 tbsp sage
1 tsp poultry seasoning
8 slices cups white bread torn into pieces
8 cups corn bread
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 14 oz cans chicken broth
4 eggs lightly beaten
4 cups cooked chicken
8 tablespoons butter (for dotting on top)

Directions:
cook the onion and celery until tender in the oil. Add salt, sage and poultry seasonings; combine the breads in a large mixing bowl.

Stir in the cooked onion, celery, salt, sage and poultry seasonings.

In a small bowl combine the soup, broth, eggs, and chicken. Combine with other ingredients in a large bowl, mix well. Pour into a 5 qt Crock-Pot and cook on low for 7 hrs or on high for 3-4 hours

if you want a crusty top, pour into a baking dish and bake in oven at 400 degrees until brown and crusty

Caramel Frosting

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup milk
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Add brown sugar and milk Bring to boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar.
Remove from heat.
Beat confectioners' sugar into milk mixture until smooth.

*NOTE: The recipe states that "although the amount of icing seems small, it is enough to frost the cake. If you wish, the recipe may be doubled." I've found this to be true, but I recommend that you either double it or make a batch & a half, which is what I do.

I bake a Duncan Hines Butter recipe cake mix in a 10 inch springform pan cool and remove from pan. poke holes in it with the handle of a wooden spoon and poor frosting over cake...YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Friday, August 12, 2011

Lisa's Shrimp and Corn Chowder

This delicious soup is the kind that most people have in mind when they think of comfort food.

2 cups chopped yellow onions
8 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces bacon, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 quart (4 cups) chicken stock
1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup finely chopped carrots
2 cups frozen corn
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed
2 pounds large shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut into thirds


Saute the onions, garlic and bacon in the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until the onions are translucent and most of the drippings have been rendered from the bacon. Reduce the heat and stir in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
Mix in the chicken stock, cream, salt and white pepper and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Add the carrots, corn and dill weed and return to a boil. Stir in the shrimp and simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Ladle into soup bowls and serve immediately.

Serves sixteen

A few suggestions…..use 4 ears of fresh corn instead of frozen and 1 lb of bacon. Serve with warm corn bread.

Rolo Cookies





found this here sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

1 pkg. Rolo's
1 box Devils Food Cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs. Take a small ball of dough and form a ball around the rolo. (Only use enough dough to cover the rolo so it can spread through the cookie.)

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes. Yields about 3 dozen.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Chicken Pillows




found thia here and it looks YUMMMMMY
recipeindulgence.blogspot.com

Ingredients:




1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 1/2 tbsp dried chives

1 1/2 tbsp fresh onion, minced

3 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

2 (8 ounce) cans crescent rolls

1/4 cup melted butter

Italian bread crumbs

1 (14.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup

1 package chicken gravy mix




Directions:




1. Using a hand mixer, beat cream cheese and sour cream until well combined. Stir in salt, pepper, onion, chives, and diced chicken.


2. Using Pillsbury crescent rolls, take 2 triangular rolls and push together at perforated seam to make into a square. Make sure you seal the perforations well so your filling doesn't come out. Put about 3 tablespoons of chicken mixture in the center of each square. Fold the dough corners to the center over the chicken mixture forming a pillow.

3. Dip each pillow in melted butter on both sides. Roll in bread crumbs on both sides. Shake excess crumbs off. Place chicken pillow on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

4. Make gravy by mixing one package of chicken gravy mix, one can of cream of chicken soup and 3/4 can of water in a small pot. Mix together and heat until warm. Serve chicken pillows with gravy poured over top.


Celebration Popsicles

Celebration Popsicles

1 pkg. (3 oz.) red Jell-o
1 pkg. (3 oz.) blue Jell-o
1 pkg. red Kool-Aid (unsweetened; 2 quart size)
1 pkg. blue Kool-Aid (unsweetened; 2 quart size)
2 cups sugar; divided
4 cups hot water; divided
4 cups cold water; divided
Ice pop molds

Mix red ingredients and 1 cup sugar together. Add 2 cups hot water and stir. Add 2 cups cold water and stir. Pour into molds.

Mix blue ingredients and 1 cup sugar together. Add 2 cups hot water and stir. Add 2 cups cold water and stir. Pour into molds.

Put in freezer to harden

Save remainder in covered containers in refrigerator.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Ultimate Shortbread Cookies




found this one here www.lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com

1 cup of unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
non-pareils, coarse sugar, or chopped nuts (optional)


In a stand mixer, beat the room temperature butter, sugar and extracts until the mixture is light and fluffy (2-3 minutes on high).

Add the flour, half a cup at a time, beating well between each addition.

Roll the dough a log and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then chill until very firm or up to three days.

After "logs" are very firm, roll them in sprinkles or nuts (optional) and slice into ¼" slices. Bake on ungreased baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes Cool on baking rack.

Makes about 24 cookies. Recipe can be doubled.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Olive Oil Dough (can be used for Pizza)

From Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day
Makes 4-1 lb loaves. (This recipe can easily be doubled or halved.)

Ingredients
2-3/4 cups lukewarm water
1-1/2 tablespoon granulated yeast (2 packets)
1-1/2 tablespoons Kosher salt
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
6-1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

Directions
1. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, or in a large (5 quart) bowl working with a wooden spoon, mix the yeast, salt, sugar, and olive oil with the water.
2. Mix in the flour without kneading. I found this process to be incredible simple with my stand mixer, but it will certainly come together the old fashioned way. If you are not using a machine, you may need to wet your hands in order to incorporate the bit of flour.
2. Transfer dough to large (5 quart) bowl or lidded food container. Cover (not airtight), and allow to rest at room temperature until dough rises and collapses (or flattens on top), approximately 2 hours.
3. The dough can be used immediately after the initial rise, though it is easier to handle when cold. Refrigerate in a lidded (not airtight) container and use over the next 12 days.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Pineapple Cherry Glory Pie

Shortbread Crust
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
3/4 cup butter or hard margarine
--------------------------------------------
Filling
19 oz. can crushed pineapple (with juice)
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
3 tbsp. corn starch
1/3 cup chopped maraschino cherries
3 tbsp. maraschino cherry juice
1 tsp. almond extract
-------------------------------------------
Meringue
3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. medium unsweetened coconut

How to make it

Shortbread Crust:
Combine flour and sugar in medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly in bottom and up side of 9 " pie plate. Bake in 350 F oven for about 15 minutes until golden. Cool.
----------------------
Filling:
Stir first 4 ingredients in small saucepan until cornstarch is dissolved. Heat and stir on medium until boiling and thickened. Remove from heat. Stir in next 3 ingredients. Pour into crust.
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Meringue:
Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 1 tbsp. at a time, beating constantly until stiff peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla. Stir. Spoon over filling. Spread evenly to edge of pastry. Sprinkle with coconut. Bake in 350 F oven for 10 to 12 minutes until golden. Cool.

Easy Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheddar cheese 12-14 corn tortillas 3 tablespoons butter 1 cup sour cream 1 4 oz can of diced gr...