Georgetown Cupcake's AND Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

The Secret to Georgetown Cupcake's AND Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting

 

• 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons no-taste red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

FROSTING RECIPE

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the frosting)
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted (for the frosting)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 6 ounces cream cheese (for the frosting)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a standard cupcake pan with 12 paper baking cups, or grease the pan with butter if not using baking cups.
2. Sift together the flour and salt, and set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar at medium speed for 3–5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing slowly after each addition.
5. Using a whisk, whisk together the red food coloring, vanilla and cocoa powder. Slowly add this into the mixer bowl until well incorporated.
6. Add a third of the flour, followed by a third of the milk, and mix. Repeat. Stop to scrape down the bowl as needed. Add the last third of the flour, followed by the last third of the milk, and mix until incorporated.
7. In a small bowl, add the baking soda to the apple cider vinegar. You will see the baking soda and vinegar fizz up! Mix thoroughly and add this reaction to the batter. Mix until just incorporated.
8. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into a cupcake pan so each well is two-thirds full. Bake for 16–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cupcakes comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

FROSTING RECIPE ***

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (for the frosting)
• 4 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted (for the frosting)
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 6 ounces cream cheese (for the frosting)

For the frosting, place all frosting ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat until well combined. Be sure to beat on high speed at the very end for at least two minutes to ensure that the frosting is light and fluffy.

***With only ONE ingredient addition, this recipe can be transformed into 10 different frostings:

1. Chocolate Frosting - Add 1/2 cup of melted (and cooled) semi-sweet chocolate chips.

2. Lemon Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 2 lemons.

3. Lime Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 3 limes.

4. Orange Frosting - Add the juice and zest of 1 orange.

5. Mocha Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of cold coffee.

6. Peanut Butter Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter.

7. Maple Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of maple syrup.

8. Cinnamon Frosting - Add 2 tsp of ground cinnamon.

9. Mint Frosting - Add 2 tsp of peppermint extract.

10. Toffee Frosting - Add 1/4 cup of crushed toffee candy bar

This was found here http://magazine.foxnews.com/recipe/secret-georgetown-cupcakes-vanilla-cream-cheese-frosting

CAKE MIX COOKIES

1 Box Cake Mix
2 T. Oil
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 Stick Butter
2 Farm Fresh Eggs


Preheat oven to 350*
Mix all ingredients until blended, and creamed together
Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet
Bake 8-14 minutes (depending on oven temp)
Cool on a wire rack
Makes 24 cookies
Enjoy!

Black Bean Salad with Feta Cheese Salad

Ingredients:
1 can of drained black beans
1 chopped red bell pepper
2 chopped green onions
1 cup finely chopped cabbage
2 ounces feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 minced garlic clove
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper to taste


Directions: Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl gently. Cover it and chill for sometime in the fridge. Enjoy this low calorie salad!

HONEY WHOLE WHEAT BREAD

The recipe might have to be cut in half depending on your bread maker but it is the best recipe and it makes fabulous rolls or buns.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups all purpose flour
3 cups whole wheat flour
or any combo of the above...
2 pkg. active dry yeast
2 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/2 cup honey
3 Tbsp. oil
1 egg

PREPARATION:
In large bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup whole wheat flour, the yeast, and salt and mix well.
In saucepan, heat milk, water, honey, and oil until a thermometer reads 120-130 degrees F (warm)
Add liquid mixture to flour mixture and stir to combine. Beat this batter for 3 minutes. Then, gradually stir in rest of whole wheat flour and enough remaining all-purpose four to form a firm dough.
Sprinkle work surface with flour and knead dough, adding more flour if necessary, for 5-8 minutes until smooth and satiny. Place dough in a greased bowl, turning the dough in the bowl to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place about 1 hour, until double in bulk.
Punch down dough and divide into 2 pieces. On lightly floured surface, roll or press each piece of dough to a 14x7" rectangle. Starting with shorter side, roll up tightly, pressing dough into roll with each turn. Pinch edges and ends to seal and place dough, seam-side down, into greased 9x5" bread pans, making sure short ends of bread are snugly fitted against the sides of the pans. Cover and let rise in warm place until the dough fills the corners of the pans and is double in bulk, 30-40 minutes.
Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes, until bread is golden brown. Remove from pans and cool on wire racks. I like to brush the bread with butter when it's still hot from the oven for a softer crust.


You can put the wet ingredients on the bottom, the dry on the top, and press the "dough" button. The machine does all the work.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Found this recipe here http://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/pbcheesecake.htm

CRUST:
1 1/2 cups (about 22 cookies) cream-filled chocolate cookie crumbs, including the filling*
3 tablespoons butter, melted

* I use Oreo cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and position rack in center of oven (too high or too low of rack placement will cause baking problems). Lightly grease (butter) a 9-inch springform pan.

In a food processor, whirl cookie crumbs to fine crumbs. Add butter; whirl 5 to 10 seconds more

Place crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan being careful not to get crumbs on sides of pan. Press crumb mixture firmly and evenly over the bottom. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool crust completely on a wire rack. Maintain oven temperature.

FILLING:
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature*
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

* To quickly bring cream cheese to room temperature, place unwrapped package(s) in a microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds or until slightly softened. Do not let it melt or get warm. Refrigerate if it does.

NOTE: Use a conventional (regular) oven rather than a convection oven in baking your cheesecake. The forced hot air from the convection oven causes too much browning and can often cause the center of the cheesecake to collapse.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. NOTE: Do not over beat the mixture. You want to avoid beating air into the mixture. Too much air will make the cheesecake fall.

Add sour cream and lemon juice. Add chocolate chips, mixing until blended into the mixture. Pour cheesecake mixture into prepared cookie crust, using the back of a spoon to spread evenly over the crust (this helps get rid of any extra air bubbles).

Place cheesecake in center of middle oven rack. Position a baking pan filled halfway with hot water on lower rack. Bake 15 minutes, then lower own temperature to 300 degrees and bake another 70 minutes or until edges are light brown and center is almost set. NOTE: There should be no wet spots or liquid areas in the center of the cheesecake. Remember that a cheesecake continues to cook when it is removed from the oven.



How to prevent cracks in your cheesecake: When the internal temperature of a cheesecake rises beyond 160 degrees F. while baking, it will always crack. To prevent this from happening, use an instant-read cooking thermometer to test its doneness. Take it out of the oven when the cheesecake reaches 150 degrees F. at the center to avoid over baking.



Turn oven off. Let cake stand in oven, with door ajar, 30 minutes or until center is completely set. remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. NOTE: A wonderful looking baked cheesecake (with no cracks), can crack as it sits on the cooling rack because the cake shrank during cooling and clung to the sides of the springform pan. To avoid this from happening, cool the cheesecake for only a few minutes, and then, using a paring knife, free it from the sides of the pan before allowing it to cool completely.

Prepare Chocolate Topping. Spread Chocolate Topping over cooled cheesecake. Let Chocolate Topping cool and set. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 to 24 hours before cutting (the cheesecake will solidify to a perfect consistency during this time).

To serve, slide a small knife around edge of cake to loosen it and remove sides of the springform pan; transfer onto a cake plate.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.


CHOCOLATE TOPPING:
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate, melted
3 tablespoons powdered (confectioner's) sugar

In a medium bowl combine sour cream, melted chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.

Coca Cola Fried Chicken

Coca Cola Fried Chicken
"From Our Home to Yours"
Ozark First Church of the Nazarene 2004


1 cut up fryer or approx 3 lbs Chicken Breasts
12 oz Coca Cola
1 cup Ketchup

Remove skin rom chicken and place in skillet. Mix Cola and Ketchup
together. Pour mixtures over chicken. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to simmer.
Let simmer until chicken is tender

Black Walnut Ice Cream

This one is for Dad...his favorite Ice Cream


1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped black walnuts, divided
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
5 large eggs yolks
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line all of the walnuts in a single layer on a small baking sheet. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes and then let cool.

Pour 1 cup of the cream into a large bowl; set aside. Whisk together the egg yolks in a separate medium bowl; set aside.

Using a medium saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, half of the black walnuts, salt and the remaining 1/2 cup of the cream until warm. Cover, remove from heat and let steep at room temperature for 1 hour.

Rewarm the mixture then slowly pour into the egg yolks, whisking constantly. Scrape back into the saucepan.

Heat over medium heat while stirring constantly with a heatproof spatula, until the mixture thickens and coats the spatula (about 10 minutes). Pour the custard into the 1 cup cream through a mesh strainer and stir. Press on the walnuts to extract as much of the walnut flavor as possible, then discard them. Mix in the vanilla and stir over an ice bath until cool.

Chill the mixture thoroughly in the refrigerator, then freeze in your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s directions. After transferring the ice cream from the maker to the container, stir in the remaining black walnuts. Freeze until ready to consume.

Spinach and Mandarin Salad

Spinach and Mandarin Salad
INGREDIENTS

1 bag baby spinach � (I always rewash), go through and discard any tough stems
1 small can Mandarin oranges, drained
1/2 small red onion, halved lengthwise and shaved thin (optional)*
1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted
1/4 pound single piece pancetta, cut into 1/4" dice
Shaved Parmesan to garnish
Olive oil

Balsamic-Honey Dressing:
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
Pinch salt and pepper
Grated zest of one orange
Juice of 1/2 an orange
1/2 cup light olive oil

PREPARATION:
1.Preheat oven to 350�. Toast walnuts on a small baking sheet for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through until fragrant. Do not allow the nuts to burn. Turn onto a plate.
2.Heat a small saut� pan over medium heat. Glaze the pan with olive oil and add the pancetta dice and cook, allowing to brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
3.In large salad bowl, place the spinach, orange segments, walnuts, red onion and toss together. Pour in enough dressing to give a light and flavorful coat. Taste and correct seasoning, grind over some fresh black pepper to taste. Plate salad and top with reserved pancetta.
Alternately, sprinkle pancetta over top of salad in bowl

Balsamic-Honey Dressing

1.In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients except olive oil until smooth. Slowly whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Check seasoning.

Old-Fashioned Red Candy Apples

Old-Fashioned Red Candy Apples

8 medium sized apples

8 wooden sticks

3 cups white sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
Wash and dry the apples. Remove any stems or leaves and insert a wooden stick into the end of each apple. Set apples aside.

Heat and stir sugar, corn syrup and water in a saucepan until sugar has dissolved. Boil until the syrup reaches 300 degrees on a candy thermometer, or until a little syrup dropped into cold water separates into breakable threads.

Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon and food coloring, if using.

Dip one apple completely in the syrup and swirl it around a little with the stick to coat. Hold the apple above the saucepan to drain off excess. Place apple, with the stick facing up, on a well greased pan.

Repeat with remaining apples. If syrup thickens or cools too much, simply reheat briefly before proceeding. Let cool completely before serving.


.

Bacon and Cheddar Scones

Found this recipe here....go check it out she has a great tutorial for this recipe
http://bunsinmyoven.com/2010/02/24/bacon-and-cheddar-scones/


•3 cups all-purpose flour
•1 tbsp baking powder
•1 tsp salt
•2 tsp ground black pepper
•1/2 cup chilled butter, cut into small cubes
•1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
•4 green onions, thinly sliced
•10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
•3/4 to 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
•1 large egg
•2 tbsp water
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fit your mixer with the paddle attachment and add flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix on the low speed. Slowly add cubes of butter to the flour mixture and keep mixing until it is crumbly and your butter is in small pea sized pieces. Add the grated cheese and mix until blended in.

(If you don’t have a mixer just stir dry ingredients together and cut butter in with a pastry cutter or two knives and then stir in the cheese.)

Add the green onions, bacon, and 3/4 cup of buttermilk to the flour and cheese mixture. Mix by hand until all the ingredients are incorporated. Do not overwork the dough! If the dough is still to dry to hold together, add in more buttermilk 1 tablespoon at a time, until you can form the dough into a ball.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a ball. Using a well floured rolling pin, flatten the dough into a circle about 8 inches wide (mine was closer to 10 inches) and 1/2 inch thick. Cut the dough into 8 to 10 equal wedges depending on the size of scone you want.

Whisk egg and water together and brush the tops of the scone with the egg wash. I sprinkled a bit of kosher salt on the tops because I’m wild and crazy, but the original recipe didn’t call for this.

Place scones on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and no longer sticky in the centers. Serve warm!

Cream Cheese Brownies

Take a box of brownie mix and mix according to directions and put in a 13 x 9 pan.

Then mix together n
8 oz pkg cream cheese (softened),
1/3 c. sugar,
1 egg,
1/2 tsp vanilla.

Dollop that on top of brownie mix and take a knife and swirl it thru the mix. Bake at 350 for about 35 min .

Sourdough Starter and Sourdough Bread Recipe (for bread machine)

I've always wanted to try making Sourdough bread.... found this recipe here think I'll give it a try! http://unsophisticook.com

Sourdough Starter Recipe

Ingredients:1 package active dry yeast
2 1/2 c. warm water (105-115 degrees)
2 c. all-purpose flour/span>
1 T. sugar or honey
{1} Gather your ingredients. You'll need yeast, flour, water, and either sugar or honey to feed the starter.
{2} Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm water.
{3} Whisk together the remaining warm water, flour, sugar or honey, and dissolved yeast mixture.
(4} Cover the sourdough starter with cheesecloth and let stand at room temperature for 5-10 days, stirring three times daily. The starter is ready for use when it smells fermented and the vigorous bubbling ceases.
When your sourdough starter is done fermenting, you may store it in the refrigerator in a covered plastic container.

Maintenance and Use of Sourdough Starter:

To use your starter, first stir it up. Then measure out the amount of cold starter that you need, and then let it stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before proceeding with your recipe.
Replenish your starter by adding 3/4 c. all-purpose flour, 3/4 c. water, and 1 t. sugar or honey to remaining starter. Let stand at room temperature for a day, and then you can cover and place it back in the refrigerator.
If you don't use your starter within 10 days, stir in an additional teaspoon of sugar or honey every 10 days to feed the yeast.



Bread Machine Sourdough Bread Recipe
Ingredients:3 1/2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
2 t. salt
2 1/4 t. active dry yeast
3/4 c. milk, warmed
1.5 T. butter, softened
1 c. sourdough starter
Directions:Add 1 cup flour, sugar, salt, and yeast to your bread pan. If your bread machine has a warming cycle, turn it off and start a basic bread cycle to stir these ingredients together. I use the dark crust setting for this recipe
Slowly add warm milk and softened butter to dry mixture while the bread machine is still stirring. Then do the same with the sourdough starter.
Add the remaining 2-1/2 cups of flour slowly to the wet mixture. It may seem like too much flour, as the dough will get very crumbly, but it will all get kneaded into the bread. I've found that it helps to press down on the dough as the machine is still kneading to get it to pick up all of the bits of dough.
Close the top of the bread machine and let it finish out its cycle. When the bread is done baking, remove it from the pan immediately and let it cool on a rack to prevent it from getting soggy.
Makes one 2-lb. sourdough loaf.

Toffee or Buttercrunch?Call them what you want Meltaways

found this recipe here... http://daydreamerdesserts.com/2011/01/toffee-or-buttercrunch-call-them-what-you-like-meltaways.html/ go check out hger blog!

2 1/4 cps all-purpose flour
1 cup ground almonds or almond meal
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1-8 ounce bag Hershey’s heath bits
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar for dredging the cookies

Run the toffee bits through food processor until bits are about 1/3 their original size. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, ground almonds, baking powder, and salt.

In a large bowl stir together melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, and extracts. Add half of the flour mixture and the toffee bits, stir until incorporated. Add remaining flour and stir to incorporate.

Roll dough into 2 logs 2″ inches in diameter and wrap with plastic wrap, parchment or wax paper. Place logs in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Unwrap dough, cut into 1″ thick slices and place them on prepared baking sheets spaced 2″ apart. Bake for 15 minutes, or until tops are set.

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet a minute or so before transferring them carefully to a cooling rack to cool 5 minutes.

Place confectioners’ sugar in a shallow bowl or plate. Carefully dredge cookies in confectioners’ sugar making sure they are completely covered.

Give the cookies a second coat of confectioners’ sugar 30 minutes after the first coating.

Forgotten Jambalaya Recipe

found this @ Taste of Home

11 ServingsPrep: 35 min. Cook: 4-1/4 hours

Ingredients

1 can (14-1/2 ounces) Hunt’s® Original Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef or chicken broth
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 medium green peppers, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
5 garlic cloves, minced
3 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
2 teaspoons dried basil
1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 pound smoked sausage, halved and cut into 1/4-inch slices
1/2 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
Hot cooked rice
Directions
•In a 5-qt. slow cooker, combine the tomatoes, broth and tomato paste.
Stir in the green peppers, onion, celery, garlic and seasonings.
Stir in chicken and sausage.

•Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until chicken is tender. Stir in
shrimp. Cover and cook 15-30 minutes longer or until shrimp turn
pink. Serve with rice. Yield: 11 servings.

Soft Mall Pretzels

I found this recipe here and she has a wonderful tutorial to follow with pictures to go along with this recipe...!!! http://ucreatefoods.blogspot.com/2011/01/mall-pretzels.html

Soft Mall Pretzels
1 packet active dry yeast (I use Red Star Quick Rise)
1 1/2 C hot (110-120 degrees) water
2 T brown sugar
1 t salt
1 C bread flour (important for light texture)
3 C all-purpose flour 2 C warm water
2T baking soda
1/4 C melted butter

toppings
coarse salt
garlic salt, parmesan cheese
cinnamon, sugar


Place brown sugar, yeast, and salt in your KitchenAid bowl.


Add hot water, stir gently to dissolve.

Using the dough hook attachment, add flour, 1 cup at a time, until it’s all incorporated.

Knead another 8-10 minutes. Dough will be smooth and elastic, not tacky.

Remove dough from hook & mixer. Round dough into ball, lightly spray or grease mixing pan, and place dough back into the pan.

I like to wet a kitchen towel with very hot water and cover the dough with it. Let it rise for about an hour. I’ve let mine go for three hours before and it was fine.

Remove dough from the pan onto a clean, dry hard work surface.

Cut dough into twelve approximately equal pieces. I start by cutting it in half…

…then quarters, and then each quarter into three pieces.

The pieces end up being about a perfect handful for me.

Your perfect handfuls can help you roll your dough out,too. Take each of the little dough balls and roll them out into 3 foot ropes. You might have to let the dough rest for a few minutes to get it rolled out long enough. I usually roll out all twelve, setting each aside while I do the others, then go back and roll them briefly once more to get them just a little thinner.

To roll, start in the middle with your fingers spread apart, applying downward pressure, and “rock” your wrists outward while you roll the dough back and forth. This stretches the dough while rolling it (careful…don’t stretch it too quickly or it’ll break!), making a nice long rope.

Once you’ve got them all rolled out, spray two parchment- or silicone-lined cookie sheets. This is important…Don’t forget to line and spray them or your pretzels will stick!

I did one of each just to test the difference. There was no difference. They both browned beautifully on the bottom.

Dissolve 2 T baking soda in 2 C hot water, and stir to incorporate.

Give each rope a quick dip in the soda bath before rolling them into pretzelsStart with a U shape:

Then cross one end over the other:
Give it a twist:
Then bring the ends down to lay on top of the dough on the curve.

Since I had helpers, this simple rolling technique was not nearly exciting enough. The kids wanted to have some fun with designs, and I couldn’t see a good reason not to let them. These pretzels are really forgiving. Don’t worry about too much bulk causing them to not cook thoroughly. They will. One day when I have a little more time on my hands, I’ll have the kids help me roll out several small, short ropes and make letter shapes out of them.

Once you’ve got all your pretzels rolled (or twirled, bent, whatever…), let them rise for about 15-20 minutes, then bake them at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until they’re golden brown.

While the pretzels were baking, I threw together a couple of dipping sauces. I made one by cubing about 1 cup of Velveeta cheese and microwaving it with about 1 cup of salsa in about 1 minute intervals until I could stir it up into a creamy sauce. The other one I made with about 3 T of spicy brown mustard, about 1 T of honey, and about 1 tsp of cider vinegar. You can definitely modify these to your family’s flavor & texture preferences. We liked the spicy brown mustard sauce best. Next time, though, I want to try a sweet glaze or frosting to dip the cinnamon sugar ones in.

When the pretzels come out of the oven, brush them with melted butter and then sprinkle your topping(s) of choice on them.

We made traditional salted pretzels (just coarse salt on top of the butter), garlic & parmesan pretzels (sprinkle with garlic salt, then top with parmesan cheese), and cinnamon sugar pretzels (sprinkle on a dash of cinnamon followed by a generous coating of sugar). Next time, I’d like to try sprinkling some powdered ranch salad dressing mix to make the ranch pretzel.

For the record, they taste every bit as good as (Pretzelmaker/Pretzel Time/Aunt Annie)’s soft “mall pretzels”. So much so, that I may never have to set foot in the mall ever again.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Boil spaghetti noodles, with a little bit of olive oil & salt in the water. While the noodles are boiling crack one egg for every 2 oz of noodles (I do 8 eggs for the 16 oz box of noodles). Whisk these eggs, like you would to scramble the...m. Once the noodles are done, drain them and put them back in the pot (you can ...rinse the pot if you want). Turn the heat down to Med/High and add 1 and 1/2 TBSP of Olive oil (or butter if you rather). Add the eggs and stir. The noodles will cook the eggs through. I cheat a little and add the Oscar Meyer Bacon bits (one bag) and a teaspoon of already prepare garlic or shake some Garlic powder over it to taste. Then I SPP..Salt, Pepper, and Plate. Voila! Twenty minutes and Done! For more nutrition I drop in some peas once in a while, but then it isn't spaghetti carbonara anymore...LOL :)

I hope you all enjoy!!! It is always a hit, and easy to make for a small army!

Creamy Tomato Soup

found this one here...lots of great recipes here.. http://5dinners1hour.blogspot.com/

2- 14 oz cans chicken broth chicken broth
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 1/2 t dried basil
1 C. heavy cream


Mix first 4 ingredients in large container with lid. (if making ahead)


To cook:
Heat soup to a boil in saucepan over med/high heat. Stir in heavy cream and simmer 15 minutes. Puree soup in blender if desired or use a hand blender.

*

Asian Chicken Wings (from Ellie)

I got this recipe from a dear friend...they are a family favorite of theirs..


3 to 5 lbs chicken wings
1 stick butter
1 cup soy sauce (I use Kikkoman)
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup water
1/4 tsp dry mustard


Rinse wings in cold water to thaw and clean
Heat all the other ingredients until butter melts then pour into shallow pan.
Marinate wings in sauce for 2 hours.
Bake (chicken in sauce) in 375 oven for 1-1/2 hours.
Remove chicken from sauce – drain on paper towels

Note: I put in crock pot on low to keep warm

A 5# bag of wings with same amount of sauce works with 2 glass pans (9x13)

These are yummy! Enjoy!

Fluffy Fruit Dip

1 8oz Cream Cheese softened
1 7oz jar marshmallow cream
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix everything together and serve with your favorite fruit.

You can also put a twist on this and use strawberry cream cheese and fold in 1 cup cool whip(after everything is mixed together well)

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower
1 bunch broccoli
1 small onion, sliced and separated(I prefer red onion and I dice it,amount is up to you)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I use olive oil)
1/3 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
hand full of raisins
chopped nuts can be added or optional
Preparation:
Wash and trim broccoli and cauliflower. Break cauliflower and broccoli into florets. Combine remaining ingredients except bacon. Toss gently till well covered with the dressing mix and chill several hours or overnight Garnish with bacon.

The Kendall's French Dips

Hoagie rolls
butter
provolone cheese
deli roast beef (rare and thinly sliced)
Campbells canned AuJus (you can find it where the canned gravy is)
Quanites depend on how many sandwiches you're making!

Take a Hoagie roll slice it in half, spread some butter on it and toast it in the oven. Take it out and put a slice of provoline cheese on it. Then a take a can of Campbells Au Jus and bring it to a boil. When hot remove from the heat and put in thinly sliced Roast beef from the deli the more rare the better and just let it warm in the Aujus...DO NOT COOK!!! it will get tough...when the roast beef has warmed up put it on the Hoagie roll and serve with a side of Aujus...this is just a good as any French dip you can get in a restaurant!! YUMMY!!

Joel’s Salsa (not my Joel)

from Sing for your supper
http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2010/02/22/hubbys-salsa-and-my-guacamole/
1 can diced tomatoes
1 Jalapeno or Serrano chile, seeded and roughly chopped
1 handful chopped cilantro (however much you prefer- we like lots!)
juice of 1 or 2 limes, depending on how juicy they are
half an onion, roughly chopped
1 small garlic clove, roughly chopped
salt to taste (start with a teaspoon and go from there)
Tony Chacherie’s Cajun Seasoning, to taste (just a little)
1/2 teaspoon Cumin

Put all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until everything is well mixed. Taste for seasoning and add extra seasoning or lime juice as needed. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours; overnight is best.

*This tastes fantastic with a couple of Chipotle Chilis in Adobo thrown in instead of the fresh Jalapeno – it adds a great smokey flavor!

Pulled Pork Tacos

and yet another one from Sing for your supper
http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2010/02/22/the-best-darn-tacos/
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pork loin (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into big chunks
1 small onion, peeled and quartered
2 cloves garlic, smashed
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon honey
dash liquid smoke
1 orange, halved and juiced
1 lime, halved and juiced
1 package corn tortillas, warmed

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Mix the oregano, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
Season the cubed pork chunks with the spice mixture and put into a large Dutch oven. Add the onion, garlic, chicken stock, the tomato paste, honey, liquid smoke, orange and lime juice, and the juiced orange and lime halves. Stir together with a wooden spoon. Put the pot on medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Transfer to the oven and cook, covered, until the pork is tender and easily shreds, about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Remove the meat from the Dutch oven to a cutting board. Set the Dutch oven over medium heat and reduce the liquid until it becomes slightly syrupy, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, shred the meat and add to a bowl. Drizzle the reduced cooking liquid into the pork and toss. Serve with tortillas.
*Garnish with shredded cheese, sour cream, lettuce, and cilantro

Don’t even think about serving these without some homemade salsa and guacamole!

Knock-Your-Socks-Off Chicken Enchiladas

another one from Sing for your supper
http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2010/03/14/knock-your-socks-off-chicken-enchiladas/

4 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (I cooked mine in the crackpot for about 5 hours)
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 Jalapeno, seeded, minced
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups sour cream (I used reduced-fat and it was still insanely good)
16 oz jar Medium Salsa Verde
1 & 1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
12 flour tortillas, small fajita size
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1 cup shredded Monterrey Jack
1/2 medium onion, diced

Preheat the oven to 350. Melt butter over medium-high heat. Saute onions and Jalapenos until soft and then add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and let cook 1-2 minutes. Whisk in the chicken broth until smooth and let cook until bubbly. Stir in the sour cream, salsa, cumin, cayenne, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cilantro until the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat.

Spray/grease a 9×13 baking dish. Add 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of the pan. Add chicken and cheese to the center of each tortilla and roll, placing seam-side down in the dish. Pour the sauce over the enchiladas, top with leftover cheese, and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until top is brown and bubbling.

Yields: 12-15 enchiladas

Mexican Casserole

found this one here...go check out her other recipes http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/2010/09/13/easy-mexican-casserole/

Mexican Casserole

1 pound lean ground beef
1 can Ranch Style beans
1 10-12 ounce bag tortilla chips, crushed
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 package taco seasoning
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup water
sour cream and salsa for serving

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, brown meat and drain off fat. Stir in beans, tomatoes, onion, taco seasoning, soup and water. Simmer over medium-low heat until everything is well combined and heated through.

Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. Put down a layer of crushed tortilla chips, followed by a layer of the meat/bean mixture, then half of the cheddar cheese. Repeat layers. Cover with foil and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until bubbly.
Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Top with sour cream and salsa. Enjoy!

Potatoes Anna

6 russet potatoes, peeled
6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 450.* Using a mandolin or chef's knife, slice potatoes as thinly as possible; less than 1/4" thick.

Brush a 10" cast iron skillet with 1 or 2 tbsp butter to lightly coat.

Starting in center of pan, arrange potato slices, overlapping slightly in a circular pattern. Brush potatoes with 1/3 of the remaining butter; season well with salt and pepper. Repeat to make two more layers with remaining potatoes and butter, seasoning each layer.

Place over high heat until butter in pan sizzles, 2-4 minutes. Transfer to oven, bake until potatoes are tender, 1 hour.

To make ahead, let the dish cool completely and refrigerate up to 8 hours, loosely covered with foil. Reheat at 350 to serve.

When ready to serve, run a small spatula around edge of pan; slide a large spatula underneath potatoes to loosen. Carefully invert onto a plate and cut into wedges.

Boston Brown Bread

from COOKS.COM

1 (15 oz.) box raisins
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. butter
Pour 2 cups boiling water over and Let stand 3 or 4 hours or overnight

Mix
2 cups sugar
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs, beaten
walnuts (optional)

add raisin mixture (liquid and all) and mix thoroughly

divide equally into 6 #2 cans (green bean can size). Bake about 55 or 60 minutes in 350 degree oven. Remove from cans. Good spread with Cream Cheese

Cheesy Mashed Potato Casserole

I found this here http://www.copykat.com/2010/12/24/cheesy-mashed-potato-casserole/

Yield: 8 servings.
Instant Mashed Potatoes – prepared according to package directions for 8 servings
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup French’s Fried Onion Rings
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to the package directions. Add sour cream, chives, parsley, and pepper to mashed potatoes. Place mashed potatoes in a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Top mashed potatoes with cheddar cheese, and sprinkle the French’s Onion Rings around the edge of the casserole. Bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese melts.

This dish can be made ahead and then reheat later. If you are going to reheat this dish later, add the shredded cheese, but wait to top with the French Fried Onion Rings until you are ready to reheat this dish.

Chicken Ball

Chicken Ball

1 can chicken (I chop mine up)
1 pkg dry ranch dip, do not prepare
1 pkg cream cheese softened
chopped nuts, I use pecans

Mix Chicken, ranch and cream cheese
roll in nuts
serve with crackers (I like wheat thins) .

Shannon's Baked Potato Soup

6 or more potatos cute in bite size pieces (baked or boiled)
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup flour
1/4 cup sour cream
6 cups milk
salt and pepper to taste

bake or boil your potatos (if you boil cut before cooking also add salt while boiling, if baking cut after cooking)

Put butter and flour in lg pot and make a rouge
cook for about 5-7 minutes stirring constantly
add milk, stir until thickened (will be very thick)
add salt and pepper to taste
stir in sour cream
add potatos

Garnish with bacon, green onions, sour cream, cheddar cheese etc.
what ever you put on your baked potato you can top your soup with.
Serve with crackers or bread
Very YUMMY

Easy Fake Apple Dumplings

I found these here... http://designtoshine.blogspot.com/


2 (8 count) cans crescent rolls
3 or 4 tart apples (I used 3 Granny Smith)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 (12 oz) can of Mountain Dew or Sprite soda


1 - Spray a 13x9 baking dish or pan
2 - Peel and slice apples into 16 pieces
3 - Roll each apple slice in 1 section of the crescent roll

4 - Place rolled slices in pan in two rows, put extras along side.
5 - Melt butter pour over rolls
6 - Mix together sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over rolls
7 - Pour can of soda over all
8 - Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.


Would be amazing served with vanilla ice cream. The top bakes crunchy.
Delicious hot, but not bad at room temp either. So perfect for a gathering or social.

Caramel Marshmallows

These are one of my favorites....try to make them every CHRISTmas

60 to 80 caramels
1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1/4 cup butter
1 16oz bag large marshmallows

Melt caramels in a double boiler with butter....stir in sweetened condensed milk
and mix until smooth. Cut marshmallows in half with kitchen shears. using a toothpick, dip mashmallow in caramel and put on buttered foil and cool in fridge until set. Wrap in reynolds non stick foil. i keep them in the fridge to keep them firm...

Cream Cheese Olive Spread

***you might want to make a double batch of this***
3 oz cream cheese
1/3 cup sliced green olive with pimentos
2 Tablespoons cream
1/4 cup finely diced celery
drop or two Tabasco
pinch of salt
Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature. Beat (with mixer) until fluffy. Add the cream and seasonings. Blend. Mix in olives and celery. Allow time to soften before eating, serve with crackers. Keeps at least 2 weeks in refrigerator.

Sausage Cream Cheese Rotel Dip

I found this recipe here... http://momandwife.com/2010/12/sausage-cream-cheese-rotel-dip/

Ingredients:
3 (8oz) blocks of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 (16oz) Jimmy Dean Sausage

Directions:
Brown your sausage, drain.
Pour everything together in a crock pot or saucepan and heat through. Serve with tortilla chips, a baguette or whatever floats your boat. Keep warm while serving.

Mom's Banana Pudding

I was going thru my recipe box and found this recipe written in my Mom's handwriting, it has stains all over it so I must have made it although i don't remember making it...I do remember Mom making Banana Pudding when I was growing up and how wonderful it tasted...it was a real treat when she made it...something she could make in bulk to feed us 7 kids and Dad!! I am going to have to make this for the grand kids some day...I'M SURE SHE MUST HAVE DOUBLED THIS!!!

1-1/2 cups ice cold milk
1 can Eagle Brand Condensed Milk
1 4oz box instant vanilla pudding
1 cup heavy cream
box vanilla wafers
bananas

Mix milk, condensed milk. Stir in pudding and mix well about 1-2 minutes. Put in fridge for 5 minutes. Beat 1 cup whipping cream until stiff. Fold into the pudding mixture. Then start layering cookies,bananas and pudding in a bowl. Chill for 1 hour and serve!! yummmmmmmm

Stuffed Chicken Breasts

4-6 large boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1 package of taco seasoning
1 package (a roll) of Ritz crackers, crushed
1/2 package of cooked bacon (or any meat desired)
4-6 slices of white cheese (Jack, Swiss, etc)
1 egg
oil or olive oil spray to grease muffin tins
1/2 cup of milk

Spray a muffin tin with olive oil spray.
Beat the egg well with milk.
In a bowl, mix taco seasoning with the crushed Ritz crackers.
Pound chicken breasts flat. In the middle of each breast, place bacon and a slice of cheese.
Fold in the outside ends of breast toward the middle, forming a ball. Dip the breast in the egg wash, then roll in the cracker crumbs.
Place formed breast open side down into muffin tin.
Sprinkle each with a spoon of remaining crumb mixture and spray with olive oil.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes.
During last 10 minutes of cooking time, spray again with olive oil.
Chicken pops right out, into a nice round stuffed chicken breast.

Potato Bake

Potato Bake
•One 2 lb. bag frozen Ore-Ida hash browns (the cubed kind) thawed
•12 oz sour cream (about 3/4 of a 16 oz. container)
•2 cups shredded cheddar cheese ( 8 oz bag is 2 cups)
•1 can cream of chicken soup (DO NOT DILUTE)
•1 stick butter, melted
•1/2 cup chopped onion, optional (great with or without)
•1 teaspoon salt
•dash of black pepper
Topping mixture:

•Plain corn flakes, crushed (sprinkle as much as you'd like to cover the top)
•1/2 stick melted butter
Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients except the topping mixture. Spoon into greased casserole dish. Top with crushed corn flakes and drizzle with the 1/2 stick melted butter. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until golden in color and bubbly.

Broccoli Salad

•2-3 bunches of broccoli, raw and cut into bite size pieces (not a lot of the stem)
•1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled (you can use the cooked, bagged kind works great...no mess!)
•1 small red onion, chopped into small pieces
•1 cup raisins
•1/3 cup sunflower seeds (just the seeds...no shells.)
•3/4 cup mayonnaise
•1/2 cup sugar
•1 and 1/2 Tablespoons white vinegar

Directions:

•In a large bowl, mix chopped raw broccoli, cooked bacon, chopped onion, raisins and sunflower seeds and set aside.
•In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sugar and white vinegar to make the dressing. Pour over the broccoli mixture and mix well.
•Refrigerate for a few hours so flavors mix. I made mine in the morning and served around dinner time. Still very tasty days later too...if it lasts that long. This one is always popular!
•One tip: You may want to double the dressing recipe (mayo, sugar, vinegar) just in case your heads of broccoli are large. Dress the salad with as much as you'd like according to your own taste though.

Baked Overnight French Toast

1/4 cup butter, room temperature
12 3/4 inch slices French bread
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

In large bowl beat eggs, milk, sugar, syrup, vanilla and salt to blend. Pour mixture over bread. Turn bread slices to coat. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, preheat oven to 400F degrees.
Spread butter over bottom of heavy large baking pan with 1 inch sides. Remove bread from egg mixture and arrange slices in pan.
Bake French bread 10 minutes. Turn bread over and continue baking until just golden, about 4 minutes longer.
Transfer cooked toast to plates and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve at once with warm maple syrup and chopped, toasted walnuts.

Pound Cake

6 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
3 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
• Grease and flour a tube pan and set out the eggs and
butter to come to room temperature.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Add the eggs, one at time, beating
for 1 minute after each addition. Sift the flour and add it to the creamed mixture alternately with the
whipping cream. Mix until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla.
• Pour into the tube pan and place in a cold oven. Turn the oven to 300°F and bake for 80 to 90
minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before removing
from the pan

Mini Bacon-Wrapped Sausages

This is a Betty Crocker recipe

Makes 40 appetizers



Ingredients
1 lb bacon (14 slices)
1 package (1 lb) cocktail-size smoked link sausages (40 sausages)
3/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Directions
1 Set oven control to broil. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Spray broiler rack and pan with cooking spray. Cut each bacon slice crosswise into 3 pieces. Wrap each piece around 1 sausage, securing with toothpick; place on rack in pan.2 Broil with tops about 6 inches from heat 12 to 16 minutes, turning once, until bacon is crisp.3 Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix remaining ingredients. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is bubbly.4 Heat oven to 350°F. Transfer sausages from broiler pan to baking dish. Pour sauce over sausages; turn to coat with sauce.5 Bake about 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve hot.

Brownie Covered Oreos

I found these here http://picky-palate.com/2010/12/06/brownie-covered-oreos/ ...check out her blog!

1 Brownie mix (or use your own brownie recipe)
1 package Oreos, I used the Holiday ones ***
White chocolate, melted for drizzle, or Wilton White frosting pen works great
White nonpariels Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie batter according to package directions. Leave in mixing bowl. Dip Oreos in brownie batter then place in bottom of cupcake tins that have been generously sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until brownies are cooked through (doesn’t take long). As soon as you remove, take a plastic knife and run along edges, (this is VERY important so you get the cookie out with brownies not stuck to pan

2. Let cool for 5 minutes, remove drizzle with melted white chocolate or the Wilton White icing pen, sprinkle with nonpariels and EAT! Enjoy

Makes entire package of Oreos
*** I am going to try these with the peanut butter filled oreos!! YUMMMM

Coconut Macaroons

1 1/2cup sweetened condensed milk
6 cup shredded coconut(1pk)
2tsp.vanilla
Blend together all. Drop by teaspoons about 1 inch apart on well greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8to10 minutes or until delicately browned. Remove at once. (candied cherry may be placed in the center of each cookie before baking)

Peanut Butter Pie II

1 (9") graham cracker crust (or chocolate crust)
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 c. peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
2 c. confectioners' sugar
1 (12 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed
Cool Whip and chocolate syrup for garnish

With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese and peanut butter until well blended. Add confectioners' sugar and mix to combine. On low speed, mix in Cool Whip until well combined.

Pour mixture into graham cracker crust and smooth with a spatula. Freeze at least 3 hours or overnight. Before serving, remove pie from freezer and let stand about 10 to 15 minutes. Garnish each pie slice with a dollop ov Cool Whip and drizzle with chocolate syrup. Store leftover pie in freezer.

Soft Sugar Cookies with Yellow Frosting

These are like the ones you buy at the grocery store (Walmart!)

found them here http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/soft-sugar-cookies-with-yellow-frosting-recipe/2/

Ingredients
COOKIES
1 box Betty Crocker® Super Moist® white cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 egg whites
FROSTING
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup shortening
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon yellow gel or paste food color
1/4 cup candy sprinkles
Directions
1Heat oven to 375°F (350°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets). Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. 2In large bowl, mix cake mix, oil, and egg whites with spoon until dough forms. 3Onto parchment paper-lined cookie sheets, drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart.4Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until puffed and almost no indentation remains when touched. Cool 1 minute; before removing from cookie sheet. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.5In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and shortening with spoon. Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth. If necessary, stir in additional milk, a few drops at a time, until smooth and spreadable.6Generously frost cookies using rounded tablespoonfuls of frosting. Immediately decorate with sprinkles; pushing in gently if necessary to make sure they stick to the frosting. Store loosely covered.

Graham Cracker Candy

Found this recipe here... http://www.erinsfoodfiles.com/2008/12/graham-cracker-candy.html
I made this and it is wonderful...I have changed the recipe a little. It called for a 1/2 cup of sugar I changed it to 1/4 cup sugar and a 1/4 cup brn sugar.... and added a some baking soda YUMMMO...I LOVE brown sugar!!! It turn out GREAT!!

Ingredients:
Graham crackers (enough to fill up two cookie sheet, so just start with a whole box)
1 stick butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/8 teasp baking soda (added at the end)
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans is what she used, but walnuts would be good too)

Directions:
Line two small (or just one large) cookie sheets with foil and cover the entire bottoms with graham crackers in squares (not crushed). Boil butter, and sugar for 5 minutes, stir in baking soda. Pour over the top of graham crackers and spread. Sprinkle with chopped nuts. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool, then break up into pieces. Store in airtight container.

Tuna Waldorf Salad Sandwich

Servings: 4


"Tuna salad gets the all-star treatment when studded with tart apples, crunchy walnuts, crisp celery, and savory shallots, and served on SARA LEE® Soft & Smooth™ 100% Whole Wheat Bread."

Ingredients:
1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon prepared Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 (6 ounce) can tuna packed in water,drained
1 shallot, finely chopped
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon sweet pickle relish
8 slices Sara Lee® Soft and Smooth 100% Whole Wheat Bread
4 slices reduced-fat Swiss cheese
4 leaves lettuce
4 slices ripe tomato

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, curry powder, salt and pepper. Stir in tuna, shallot, apple, walnuts, celery and pickle relish.
2. Lightly toast the bread. Place a lettuce leaf on 4 slices of bread, and spread tuna salad evenly over lettuce. Top with a slices of Swiss cheese and tomato, and then top each sandwich with remaining slices bread

Barren River State Park Christmas Waldorf Salad

SALAD
3 large red delicious apples, cored and diced with peel on ( or 6 small)
3 large granny smith apples, cored and diced with peel on ( 6 small)
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
celery, chopped, if desired
1 lb red grapes
1 lb green grapes

DRESSING
1/2 cup frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup mayonnaise ( NOT Miracle Whip)
1/2 cup sour cream
powdered sugar, to taste, if apples are not very sweet

Directions
In a small bowl, combine the dressing ingredients.
Toss together apples, nuts, coconut, and stir in dressing to coat.
Cover and chill at least 1 hours or until serving.

Butter Cookie Snowmen

found this recipe here...can't wait to try it...CUTE!!!
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Butter-Cookie-Snowmen-2?keycode=ZFB

THIS ONLY MAKES 1 DOZEN COOKIES....YOU MIGHT WANT TO AT LEAST DOUBLE IT!!

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Blue and orange paste food coloring
Miniature chocolate chips
Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Gradually add flour. Remove 2/3 cup dough to a small bowl; tint blue. Repeat with 1 tablespoon of dough and orange food coloring; set aside.
For snowmen, shape white dough into 12 balls, 1-1/4 in. each; 12 balls, about 1/2 in. each; and 12 balls, about 1/8 in. each. For bodies, place large balls on two ungreased baking sheets; flatten to 3/8-in. thickness. Place 1/2-in. balls above bodies for heads; flatten.
Shape half of blue dough into 12 triangles. Place triangles above heads for hats; attach 1/8-in. white balls for tassels. Shape orange dough into noses; place on heads. Divide the remaining blue dough into 12 pieces; shape into scarves and position on snowmen. Add chocolate chip eyes and buttons. Bake at 325° for 13-16 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing to wire racks. Yield: 1 dozen.

English Muffins

This is such a simple recipe, it is great for everyone, even beginners...

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 Tablespoon package active dry yeast
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/4 cup melted shortening, butter or oil
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tsp Salt.

Directions
1.Warm the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in the sugar, stirring until dissolved. Let cool until lukewarm. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2.In a large bowl, combine the milk, yeast mixture, shortening and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Add salt and rest of flour, or enough to make a soft dough. Knead. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise.
3.Punch down. Roll out to about 1/2 inch thick. Cut rounds with biscuit cutter, drinking glass, or empty tuna can. Sprinkle waxed paper with cornmeal and set the rounds on this to rise. Dust tops of muffins with cornmeal also. Cover and let rise 1/2 hour.
4.Heat greased griddle. Cook muffins on griddle about 10 minutes on each side on medium heat. Keep baked muffins in a warm oven until all have been cooked. Allow to cool and place in plastic bags for storage. To use, split and toast.

Melt-In-Your-Mouth Shortbread Cookies

1/2 cup corn starch
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup butter, softened ** do not use margerine!!!

sift together corn starch, powdered sugar and flour. With wooden spoon, blend in butter until soft dough forms. If dough is too soft to handle, cover and chill 30-60 minutes. Shape into 1" balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. flatten with lighly floured fork.

OR

roll dough to 1/4"; cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Decorate with candied cherries, coloured sprinkles or nuts if desired.

Bake at 350F for 15 - 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Makes about 2 dozen.

Tom Turkey Gobbler

I found this at Aprils Home Cooking http://aprilshomecooking.blogspot.com/2010/11/thanksgiving-will-be-here-soon.html




apples or pears
ring-shaped fruit oat cereal
mini marshmallows
large marshmallows
whole cloves
candy corn
toothpicks
To make Tom's tail feathers, set apple or pear on its side and then stick a few toothpicks into one end, as shown. Stack cereal rings on each toothpick until it's nearly full and then place a mini marshmallow on each end. Break a toothpick in half (Mom, you can snip with scissors for little ones.) and insert into apple or pear where you'd like the head to be. Press a large marshmallow onto this toothpick and press cloves in for Tom's eyes. Using another half toothpick, secure a piece of candy corn to the front of the marshmallow for Tom's beak. Insert 3 toothpicks into the bottom of the apple so Tom can stand up. Stick 2 more pieces of candy corn on the front 2 to make Tom's feet.

Iron Skillet Butterscotch Pie

2 cups milk

2 egg yolks

2 ½ tbsp. flour

2 tbsp. butter

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup boiling water

1 baked 9-inch pastry or graham pie shell

In a bowl, stir together milk and yolks. Whisk in flour a little at a time until smooth.

In a large cast-iron skillet or a thick aluminum saucepan, combine butter and brown sugar. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has melted. Add boiling water. Stir in flour-egg-milk mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thickened and smooth. Pour into pie shell and chill. Top with meringue or whipped topping. (I like using an electric skillet to make my fillings)

Corn Casserole

1 - 14 1/4 oz whole kernel corn, drained
1 - 14 3/4 oz cream corn
1 - 8 0z pkg corn muffin mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1. preheat oven to 350* F
2. in a large bowl, stir together the first 5 ingredients
3. pour into a greased casserole dish and bake for 45 min.
4. remove from over and top with the cheese
5. return to the oven for 5 - 10 min or until the cheese is melted
6. let stand at least 5 min and serve warm

Soft Gingersnaps

Found this recipe on Taste of home facebook page!!! yumm!!!!


Soft gingersnaps embody the tastes and smells of the season. Enjoy cloves, cinnamon and ginger blended into one delicious cookie. These are perfect for Thanksgiving and fall gatherings. —Lara Pennell, Mauldin, South Carolina

36 Servings
Prep: 15 min. + chilling
Bake: 10 min./batch

Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup sugar
Directions
•In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until blended. Beat in
egg, then molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon
and cloves; gradually add to brown sugar mixture and mix well (dough
will be stiff). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

•Shape dough into 1 in. balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on
baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 9-11
minutes or until set. Cool for 1 minute before removing from pans to
wire racks. Yield: 3 dozen.

Spiced Apple Rings

SPICED APPLE RINGS

6 large apples (I use Braeburns)
Peel, core and slice into rings, putting the rings immediately into cold water with lemon juice.

In a large pot: 3 cups water, 1 cup sugar,1 cup cinnamon candies, like Red Hots.
1/3 cup white vinegar
2 - 3 TBSP of whole cloves.

Bring syrup to a boil. Turn down heat and simmer for about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Drain apple rings and add to syrup. Let come back to simmer and cook until almost tender, gently stirring occasionally.
Let cool in syrup.

Just a note,to get the apple rings as red as the bought ones,try adding red food coloring

Ham Broccoli Hot Dish

1 1/4 cup dry elbow macaroni
1 1/2 c broccoli fresh or frozen, cooked
1can cr of mushroom soup
1 cup cubed ham
1 cup shedded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella shredde cheese
1/c cup milk
1/2 tsp dried onion
1.2 tsp peppper

Cook macaroni and broccoli, separately.
Combine soup, ham,cheeses, milk onion & pepper.
Drain macaroni & broccoli, add to other ingred.

Put in 8 X 8 pan, Top with crushed potato chips or buttered Ritz cracker crumbs. Bake uncovered in a 350* oven for 25 - 30 mn.

Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Found this recipe at Copykat.com hope it's as good as Olive Garden's http://www.copykat.com/2010/02/28/olive-garden-chicken-and-gnocchi-soup/
Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup
Yield: 8 servings.
1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced (you can use a rotisserie chicken)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1 14 ounce can chicken broth
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated parmesan cheese – optional
1 pound potato gnocchi – can buy this in the gourmet section of many supermarkets
Sauté the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil, over medium heat when the onion becomes translucent, add the flour, and make a roux, let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.

Cook gnocchi according to package directions.

Into the roux add in the carrots and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings, simmer until soup is heated through.

Comments about this recipe: You can add more chicken if you like. While you could use left over cooked chicken breasts, I really think using the rotisserie chicken that are found in many grocery stores is the best way to get the optimal flavor of this soup. If you want to make the soup lower calorie you can use milk instead of half and half. Half and Half, does taste better, and it also reheats better than milk does.

Chocolate Pie

ANOTHER RECIPE FROM The Post it place http://thepost-itplace.com/2009/09/chocolate-pie/

6 Hershey Almond Candy Bars
1/2 cup milk
20 large marshmallows
1 tub cool whip
1 graham cracker crust
1 tsp. vanilla

Melt the marshmallows, chocolate bars, milk and vanilla in a double boiler. Allow to cool and then fold the cool whip into the mixture. Pour into the pie crust and the chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
.

Apple Brown Betty

I found this recipe here...I just love Southern Plate!! http://www.southernplate.com/2010/11/apple-brown-betty-guest-post.html

Apple Brown Betty

•1 quart apple sauce
•1/4 cup sugar
•2 cups graham cracker crumbs
•1/2 cup butter
•1 teaspoons cinnamon
•1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Mix apple sauce and 1/4 cup sugar and pour into a baking dish. Melt 1/2 cup butter and mix with 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs, cinnamon and nuts. Spread over the top of the apple sauce and bake at 400 degrees until brown (about 10 minutes).

Cowboy Breakfast

I found this on this blog!!! http://thepost-itplace.com/2009/09/the-breakfast-to-beat-all-breakfastes/

5 pounds red potatoes, diced once cool
1 pound thick-sliced bacon, diced
3/4 cup green bell peppers, diced
1 onion, diced
8 ounces shredded cheese ( I used mexican blend)
6 large eggs

Boil the potatoes in a large pot of water until they start to feel soft, but not too soft. You want them to hole their shape when you dice them. before they cool completely you want to peel the skins off. Then dice them and set aside.

Fry the bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat until the fat is rendered. You want to drain off some of the grease, but not all of it.

While you continue to brown the bacon add the green pepper and onion and cook thoroughly.

Add the potatoes to the pan and heat until the mixture is hot throughout.

Sprinkle the cheese over the top, letting it melt down into everything.

Stir in the eggs cooking them till done.

Mmmmm, trust me, you don’t need anything to go with it. Just serve it like it is. Well, unless you are like some people I know and have to have bread with every meal. Then you can throw some toast or a good old southern style biscuit on the side.

Meatball MOJO

Put premade meatballs(frozen is fine) in a saucepan add one small can of V8 juice, a 1/2 cup of wine, and a jar of Ragu Cheese Creations Double cheddar sauce (or cheese whiz if you can not find that Ragu) add 1/2 cup grated Colby jack cheese. Stir up well and heat till meat balls are heated through and sauce is thick and bubbly.

Take a large loaf of soft fresh French bread. Slice open from the side. Remove a channel of the bread from the very center of the bottom part of the loaf. Put loaf in foil lined baking pan.

Pour meatballs and sauce into the bottom section of the loaf evenly. Top with more shredded cheese. Place top section of bread loaf on. lightly spread top of bread loaf with melted butter( or garlic butter).

Pull up alum foil in the pan to wrap the loaf. Heat for 10-15 mins at 350. Remove and divide into individual serving pieces.

I use the store bought frozen meatballs that are Italian style, how many you need will depend on how big your loaf is but you don't want to skimp. If you prefer you can use some spaghetti sauce in place of the v8.

Mounds Cake

1 package chocolate cake mix
1 cup margarine melted
1 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
24 large marshmallows
1 14 oz. bag coconut
1 12 oz. bag chocolate chips

Mix cake as directed on box. Add 1/2 cup margarine. Bake in 350 degree oven in a shallow greased jelly roll pan about 15 minutes. Heat milk, sugar, marshmallows and coconut. Cook until marshmallows are melted, stirring constantly. Put on warm cake. In saucepan, mix remaining margarine and chocolate chips. Cook until chips melt. Spread over cake.

Baked Potato Casserole

5lbs potatoes(ready to boil)
1pt sour cream
1/2pt.chopped green onions(plus 1 oz. for garnish)
1/2pt.grated cheddar cheese(plus 3 oz. for garnish)
1/2pt.fried & crumbled bacon(plus 2 oz. for garnish)
1/4lb.margarine
1/2pt.milk
2tsp.salt
2tsp.coarse ground black pepper
*optional I always add a little cajun seasoning also

Boil potatoes until tender, then mash.
Mix all ingredients into mashed potatoes except for the garnish ingredients. Put mixture into large rectangular baking dish. Garnish, by sprinkling on top cheese, bacon and onion, and bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until cheese begins to brown.
*hint spray baking dish with pam for easy cleanup
great use for leftover mashed potatoes

Homemade Almond Joy

Homemade Almond Joy
recipe found on www.joythebaker.com
makes about 30 little bars

7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 1/2 cups unsweetened flaked coconut
30 almonds
about 20 ounces (a bag and a half) of good quality semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, spread raw almonds onto a baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Stir in the unsweetened coconut. The mixture will be thick. Place mixture in the freezer for 3o minutes. It's easier to work with if it's a little cold.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Remove the coconut mixture from the freezer. With clean hands shape one tablespoon of coconut into a little log about 2 inches long and 3/4-inch thick. Press the logs together very well so they don't crack when dipped. Place the log on the lined baking sheet and continue until all of the coconut mixture is gone. Rinse hands occasionally if they get too sticky. Press an almond on top of each coconut log. It might not completely stick. That's ok. Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill while you melt the chocolate.

Place a medium pot with two inches of water over a medium flame. Bring the water to a simmer. Place chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl and place the bowl over the simmering water. Stir the chocolate as it melts. Turn off the flame once the chocolate has melted but keep the bowl of melted chocolate over the hot water.

Remove the coconut candies from the fridge. Place one coconut almond log on a fork. Use a spoon to scoop a bit of chocolate over the almond. This will help the almond stick to the candy and not fall off during dipping. Lower fork into chocolate and spoon chocolate over candy to coat. Lift fork and gently shake to release some of the chocolate. Scrape the bottom of the fork along the side of the bowl and place on the lined baking sheet. You might need a toothpick to help get the candy off the fork. Repeat until all candy is coated in chocolate. If chocolate gets thick, just turn on the flame and heat slightly.

Let dipped candy harden in the fridge for 45 minutes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature. If you need to layer the candy in a container, use waxed paper to separate the layers.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

Makes: 2 cups

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup Bottled Italian dressing
2 tablespoons Parmesan; grated
2 tablespoons Sugar or equivalent substitute
1 large Raw egg; or egg beaters equal to 1 egg;
OR
2 tablespoons Mayonnaise

Directions:

Blend in blender on high speed 1/2 minute or until smooth.

Pour this mixture into the top of a double boiler and add 1/4 c oil. Stir gently with a whisk over gently boiling water until it begins to thicken and egg is completely cooked. Chill several hours or overnight before using. If the dressing is too thick, add more Italian dressing as needed. Mix together equal amounts of fresh spinach, iceberg and romaine lettuce. Allow 2 C for each salad.

Moisten leaves in dressing, do not saturate; let stand 5 minutes. Add onion rings, radish, etc.

Cherry Eggnog Quick Bread

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/4 cups eggnog or half and half
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup coarsely chopped candied red cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 3 5 1/2 by 3 inch mini loaf pans with no stick cooking spray.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and nutmeg in a large bowl. Stir until well blended. Combine the eggnog, butter, eggs and vanilla in medium bowl, stir until well blended. Add to the flour mixture. Mix just until ingredients are moistened. Stir in pecans and cherries. Spoon into prepared pans.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes when tested with a wooden tooth pick and it comes out clean.

Cool in pan 15 minutes and then remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks before wrapping with plastic wrap. Wrap when room temperature tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.

Snowball cake

1box white cake mix
1 (6oz) can crushed pineapple drained
1 (6oz) can pineapple juice
1 large box vanilla instant pudding
1 (8oz) pkg. Cream cheese
1 (9oz) container cool whip
1 large can coconut

cook cake as directed. When cake is cooled, remove from pan. Punch holes in cake with a fork or skewer and pour pineapple juice over it.
Top cake with crushed pineapple. Set cake aside. Prepare pudding as directed on package. With electric mixer, mix cream cheese with pudding. Spread over crushed pineapple. Frost entire cake with cool whip. Sprinkle on coconut. Refrigerate
(you can add food color to the coconut for a more colorful cake)

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake

Peanut Butter Sheet Cake from More Than Just Oats
Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 cups white sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup water
* 1cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup peanut butter
* 2 eggs
* 1/2 cup buttermilk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
*
* 2/3 cup white sugar
* 1/3 cup evaporated milk
* 1 tablespoon butter or margarine
* 1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
* 1/3 cup miniature marshmallows
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10x15x1 inch jellyroll pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, 2 cups sugar, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Combine the water and 3/4 cup of butter in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup peanut butter until well blended. Stir this into the dry ingredients. Combine the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla; stir into the peanut butter mixture until well blended. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 18 to 26 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
4. While the cake bakes, place 2/3 cup sugar, evaporated milk, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook stirring for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter, marshmallows and vanilla until marshmallows are melted and the mixture is smooth.
5. Spoon the frosting over the warm cake and spread in an even layer. Allow to cool before cutting and serving.

Wasatch Mountain Chili

I found this at http://sandiegocooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/wasatch-mountain-chili.html

This is unique, yummy and so easy to throw into the slow cooker.
Perfect for rainy days!

½ Medium Onion, chopped
1 TBSP Cooking Oil
1 15-oz Can Hominy, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz Can Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 14-oz Can Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
9 oz Frozen, precooked Chicken Strips
¼ Cup Lime Juice
1 TBSP Fresh, chopped Cilantro
¼ tsp Ground Cumin
¼ tsp Ground Black Pepper
½ Cup Shredded Cheese (Monterey Jack or Cheddar)
1 4-oz Can Diced Green Chilies
Tortilla Chips
Fresh chopped cilantro






In a skillet cook onion in hot oil over medium heat for 3 minutes, transfer to slow cooker. Stir in hominy, beans, chicken broth, frozen chicken, lime juice, cilantro, cumin, and pepper. Cover and bring to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Serve topped with cheese, green chilies, tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro.
Serves 4

Crockpot Chicken & Gravy Over Rice

I found this recipe over at
http://sandiegocooks.blogspot.com/search/label/Slow%20Cooker

4 chicken breasts
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 envelopes of chicken gravy mix

hot steamed rice


Combine first 3 ingredients in a crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Before serving break the chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Serve over hot steamed rice.

Witches Finger Cookies

FOUND THIS ON http://aprilshomecooking.blogspot.com/


1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
¾ cup whole blanched almonds (I used almond slices)
1 tube red decorator gel

1. In a large bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond and vanilla extracts.
2. Whisk together flour and salt in a medium bowl. Add to wet mixture and beat just until moistened. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (or lightly grease them.)
4. Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping the remainder refrigerated, roll heaping teaspoonful of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into 1 end for nail. Squeeze in center to create “knuckle” shape. Using a small knife, make slashes in several places to complete the look of the knuckle.
5. Place on prepared baking sheets and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until pale golden. Let cool for 3 minutes. Lift up almond, squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back in place, so gel oozes out from underneath.







6. Remove from baking sheets and let cool on racks (and let the red gel harden).

Peanut Butter Fudge Cheesecake

I found this at http://aprilshomecooking.blogspot.com/


For the Crust:

32 Oreo cookies, finely crushed or ground in a food processor
5½ Tablespoons butter, melted
Pinch of salt



For the Fudge:

8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
20 miniature peanut butter cup candies, unwrapped and roughly chopped



For the Cheesecake:

24 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 eggs


For the Ganache Topping:

4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup heavy cream



1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (300 degrees F if you are using a dark or non-stick pan). Butter a 9″ springform pan and set aside.

2. To make the crust, stir the Oreo crumbs, melted butter and salt in a small bowl with a fork until the crumbs are moistened. Press the crumbs evenly over the bottom and up the sides of the springform pan. (I like to use the bottom a measuring cup to press the crumbs around the pan. I’ve found that they get evenly distributed that way and end up looking neater around the sides.) Freeze the crust for 10 minutes.

3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a rack and let cool.

4. To make the fudge, put the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat the cream to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately pour the simmering cream over the chopped chocolate. Let stand for 1-2 minutes, then add the vanilla extract and stir with a whisk or rubber spatula until smooth and combined. Pour the fudge into the cooled crust and spread evenly over the bottom. Place in freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from freezer and sprinkle surface with the chopped peanut butter cups. Return to freezer for 10 more minutes.

5. Meanwhile, prepare the cheesecake filling. Beat the cream cheese and peanut butter together on medium speed until smooth. Add the sugar and vanilla extract and continue to beat on medium speed until thoroughly combined. Reduce the speed to low and add the eggs one at a time, beating until combined after each addition. Scrape the bowl and mix on low for another 20 seconds.

6. Remove the pan from the freezer and pour the cheesecake filling over the fudge and peanut butter cups. Bake until the sides of the cheesecake are set and the middle just slightly jiggles, about 1 hour. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and cool to room temperature (at least 1 hour). Refrigerate the cheesecake at least 4 hours or overnight, until thoroughly chilled. To unmold the cheesecake, wrap a warm towel around the outside of the springform pan to loosen the crust from the sides. Carefully remove the sides from the springform pan.

7. Before serving, prepare the ganache topping. Place the chopped chocolate in a small bowl. Bring the heavy cream to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately pour the simmering cream over the chopped chocolate. Let sit for 1-2 minutes and then stir with a whisk or rubber spatula until smooth. Pour the ganache on the top of the cheese and, using an offset spatula, spread evenly over the top of the cheesecake. Return to the refrigerator to set the ganache, about 20 minutes. Garnish as desired




.

Country White Bread or Dinner Rolls for Bread Machine

Ingredients

o 1 cup water, plus
o 1 tablespoon water ( 70-80 F)
o 1 large eggs
o 4 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
o 3 1/4 cups bread flour
o 1/4 cup sugar
o 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
o 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
o 2 tablespoons melted butter ( for dinner rolls only) (optional)
o 2 tablespoons shortening ( for dinner rolls only) (optional)

Directions

1. In bread machine pan, place all ingredients from flour through yeast in order as recommended by the manufacturer.
2. Select the basic bread setting.
3. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, if needed add 1-2T of water or flour.
4. Bake as normal.
5. For dinner rolls.
6. Mix in bread machine but use only the dough option.
7. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking pan (I always use a metal pan).


8. When dough is finished shape into 15 uniformly sized balls. I always grease my hands with shortening to smooth the dough out and it helps keep the dough from drying out.
9. Cover and let the rolls rise in a warm, draft free place until risen to the desired size.
10. I let them about double in size.
11. Bake in a 350° oven about 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
12. After removing from the oven, brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter.
13. Take out of pan and let completely cool before storing.

Fried Apples

8 medium Granny Smith apples, sliced or chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Sauté 15 to 20 minutes, or until apples are tender. Serve as a side dish for pork or with breakfast. Serves 6.

Slow Cooker Roasted Wasabi Almonds

Love Wasabi Almonds...found this recipe here
crockpot365.blogspot.com

1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon soy sauce (La Choy and Tamari wheat free are gluten free)
1 pound raw almonds
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons wasabi powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt


The Directions.


Use a 2-quart slow cooker (you can use a big one, but stay close by and stir often to ward off possible burning). In a bowl, whisk together the egg white, water, and soy sauce until it's foamy. Toss the almonds in this mixture until they are wet. Set aside.
In a zippered plastic bag, combine the wasabi powder, kosher salt, and cornstarch. Drain any additional liquid from the almonds, and then dump the wet almonds into your zippered bag. Close well and shake until the almonds are nicely coated.


Pour these coated almonds into your slow cooker and cover. Cook on low for 2 to 4 hours, or until toasty (the almonds will brown a bit and you'll definitely smell them. They will NOT be crunchy, but don't worry, they will be later!)


Spread out a layer of foil or parchment paper onto the countertop and dump out the nuts. Let the almonds dry completely before munching. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

Ham Balls

15 Servings
Prep: 15 min. Bake: 1 hour


Ingredients
3-1/2 pounds ground ham
1-1/2 pounds ground beef
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) tomato soup, undiluted
3/4 cup vinegar
2-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
Directions
In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients. Using a 1/3 cup measure (or 2 large serving spoons), shape mixture into 2-in. balls. Place in two large shallow roasting pans. Combine all remaining ingredients; pour over balls. Bake at 325� for 1 hour, basting frequently with sauce. Yield: about 15 servings.

Chocolate Bread Pudding

This is from Paula Deen...sounds yummy




Prep Time:10 min
Inactive Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:1 hr 0 min
Level:Easy
Serves: 10 to 12 servings.

Ingredients
1-pound loaf French or Italian bread, cut into cubes (about 15 cups)
3 cups milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup coffee-flavored liqueur
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons pure almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips


Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Place the bread in the baking dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, and liqueur.

In another bowl, combine the granulated and brown sugars with the cocoa powder and mix well. Add this to the
milk mixture and whisk to combine.

Add the vanilla and almond extracts and the cinnamon to the beaten eggs. Combine the egg mixture with the milk
mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes; let stand,
stirring occasionally, for at least 20 minutes, or until the bread has absorbed most of the milk mixture. Bake
the pudding for 1 hour, or until set; a knife inserted into the center of the pudding should come out clean.
Serving the pudding warm, or refrigerate it and serve chilled.

Serve it warm or cold, with whipped cream or a dessert sauce.

Braunschweiger Cracker Spread

1 lb. package Braunschweiger, softened
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. horseradish sauce (I used plain horseradish)
1 small onion, minced
1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Dash of garlic powder

Combine all ingredients well. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Spread on Ritz crackers.

Grits 'N' Sausage Casserole

This is a Taste of Home recipe that I found here http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Grits--N--Sausage-Casserole

10-12 Servings
Prep: 30 min. Bake: 1 hour

Ingredients
3 cups water
1 cup quick-cooking grits
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 pounds bulk pork sausage, cooked and drained
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Pepper to taste
Directions
In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, combine grits, sausage and 1-1/2 cups cheese. Beat the eggs and milk; stir into grits mixture. Add the butter, pepper and remaining salt.
Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 1 hour or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Sprinkle with remaining cheese; bake 15 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Yield: 10-12 servings.

Editor's Note: This casserole can be covered and refrigerated overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake as directed.