Chocolate Covered Toffee "Heath Bars"

found this here http://www.jamies-recipes.com/2009/12/chocolate-covered-toffee/

CHOCOLATE COVERED TOFFEE “HEATH BARS”
1 c butter
1 c sugar
1/3 c brown sugar
2 T water
1/2 c chopped pecans
2 c chocolate chips

Line a jelly roll pan with foil. Lightly grease the foil, and set aside. Melt butter, sugars, and water in a heavy sauce pan over a medium high heat. Using your candy thermometer monitor the sugar temperature. Stir constantly until it becomes a carmely brown color and the temperature reaches 300 degrees F, turn off burner and remove pan, stir in pecans (I forgot this step so I sprinkled them on top once they were covered in chocolate). Pour sugar mixture onto jelly roll pan and spread out. Wait a couple minutes as the sugar cools and the toffee begins to set.



Using a pizza cutter slice toffee into desired size. Let cool completely.

Once toffee is completely cooled and hard, gently break apart into individual pieces. Put chocolate into a double broiler and melt gently. Drop one piece of toffee in at a time, cover completley with chocolate, shaking excess off, and place onto parchment paper to cool completely and have the chocolate set.



If you want to sprinkle with chopped nuts do so before the chocolate cools. ENJOY!

Monkey Cupcakes Recipe

found this cute recipe here http://www.kids-fun-and-games.com/monkey-cupcakes-recipe.html

Monkey Cupcakes Recipe

Kids‘ eyes will light up when they see these cute jungle goodies. "They never fail to make my grand kids smile, and they’re always a hit at bake sales".Here is one my favourite recipe,try it,you will love it.

* 24 Servings

* Prep: 30 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling


Ingredients:-

* 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) chocolate cake mix
* 1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting
* 24 vanilla wafers
* Black and red decorating gel
* 48 pastel blue and/or green milk chocolate M&M's
* 12 peanut butter cream-filled sandwich cookies

Directions:-

* Prepare and bake cake batter according to package directions for cupcakes. Cool completely on wire racks.

* Set aside 1/4 cup frosting. Frost cupcakes with remaining frosting. With a serrated knife, cut off and discard a fourth from each vanilla wafer. Place a wafer on each cupcake, with the rounded edge of wafer near edge of cupcake, for face. Add dots of black gel for nostrils. With red gel, pipe a mouth on each.

* Place M&M's above wafers for eyes; add dots of black gel for pupils. Using reserved frosting and a #16 star tip, pipe hair. Carefully separate sandwich cookies; cut each in half. Position one on each side of cupcakes for ears.

Yield:- 2 dozen.

WW Cherry Cheesecake Fluff

oh this sounds yummy

Created by Halfmysize.com,
Serves 6

20 ounces light cherry pie filling
8 ounces fat free whipped topping
1 oz. sugar free, fat-free instant cheesecake pudding mix


Methods/steps
In a large mixing bowl, combine cherry pie filling and cheesecake pudding mix; mix well. Fold in whipped topping. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information per serving:
144 Calories; 0g Fat (0.0% calories from fat); trace Protein; 32g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 179mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Fruit; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

Raspberry Crumble Bars

Raspberry Crumble Bars
Recipe courtesy Anne Thornton foodnetwork.com

.Prep Time:30min
Cook Time:1 hr
Level:Easy
Serves:12 servings.

Ingredients
2 sticks butter, softened, plus more for the pan
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup Raspberry Preserves, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter an 8-inch square baking pan.


Add the flour, both sugars, oats and salt to a bowl in your stand mixer. Add in the butter and egg and beat at low speed. Stop the machine and scrape the bowl down a couple of times. Keep processing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Keep 2 cups crumb mixture aside.


Press the remaining crumb mixture on the bottom the prepared pan. Spread the Raspberry Preserves over top, leaving 1/2-inch border. Crumble the rest of the oat mixture over the preserves.


Bake until lightly browned, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Raspberry Preserves:
1 quart raspberries
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 3/4 cup sugar
Put your raspberries and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it's at a simmer, partially cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes. Pass the berry mixture through a food mill and measure the liquid that remains. You need 3 1/2 cups. Add more water if there isn't enough.


Put the berry liquid into a new saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer again. Once it simmers, start adding your sugar in 1/2 cup increments. Give it a stir to incorporate and bring it back to a simmer before adding of the next 1/2 cup sugar. Once the last 1/2 cup is added, bring the liquid to 216 to 218 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Stir constantly.


Let this cool to room temperature prior to using. If not using right away, refrigerate for up to 1 week. Yield: 2 cups.

.

Cream Scones with Grilled Strawberries and Orange Cream

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Prep Time:20 min
Cook Time:12 min
Level:Easy

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling dough
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3 ounces cream cheese
1/3 cup heavy cream, plus 1 tablespoon for brushing
1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
Grilled Strawberries with Orange Cream, for serving, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.


In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the butter and cream cheese until the mixture is crumbly. Add the heavy cream, stirring just until the dry ingredients are moistened.


Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll or pat the dough to 1-inch thickness. Cut the scones using a 2 1/2-inch round cookie or biscuit cutter. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining tablespoon cream and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake until golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Grilled Strawberries with Orange Cream:
Nonstick, nonflammable cooking spray
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon firmly packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 quart fresh strawberries
8 (6-inch) wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Spray the grill rack with nonstick, nonflammable cooking spray.


In a small serving bowl, combine the sour cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Set aside.


Thread the strawberries evenly onto the skewers. Grill the strawberries until barely softened, about 1 minute per side. Serve the skewered strawberries with the orange cream.

.

Rainbow Cake (God's promise)

The rainbow is a beautiful token of the Lord that continues to testify of the covenant that He made with the world and all flesh (Genesis 9:11-13). It is a perfect reminder of our Lord’s protection and the keeping of His promises.

found this here http://whisk-kid.blogspot.com/2009/08/say-it-with-cake.html


White Cake (but not really)

2 sticks (226 g) butter, room temp
2 1/3 c (466 g) sugar
5 egg whites, room temp
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 c (375 g) flour
4 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 1/2 c (355 g) milk, warmed for 30 sec in microwave to bring to room temp
Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple GEL food coloring. Liquid will not be vibrant enough!

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Oil and line how ever many 9” cake pans you have (I have three and I just reused them).

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

Cream the sugar and butter, then add the egg whites (I cracked them all into one bowl) and add them a little at a time. Add the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated. Then, alternating between wet and dry, add the milk and flour mixture in two parts.

Divide the batter amongst 6 bowls (I did it by weight. Weigh your mixing bowl before you begin adding ingredients and then subtract the weight of the bowl from the final measurement after the batter is completed. Divide that number by six and add that weight of batter to each bowl), and then whisk a fair amount of the appropriate food color into each bowl. Keep in mind that the color of the unbaked batter will be the color of the baked batter. Pour into the pans and bake for 15 minutes each.

When you remove them from the oven, let them rest on the cooling rack, in the pan, for ten minutes. Then flip, cover, and stash them in the fridge to cool quickly.

Lemony Swiss Meringue Buttercream
(Someday I will make a post, besides my pancakes or mint macarons, that doesn’t involve this recipe!)
I made this recipe twice today because I underestimated the amount of buttercream I would need/ I would recommend that you do the same because you would need a HUGE bowl to make this much buttercream at one time! Please click here for a step-by-step guide to making Swiss Meringue Buttercream and troubleshooting tips!

To fill and crumb coat:
9 egg whites
1 ¾ c (350 g) sugar
4 sticks (532 g) of butter, room temp
2 tsp lemon extract

To frost:
5 egg whites
1 c (200 g) sugar
2 sticks (226 g) butter, room temp
1 tsp lemon extract

Cook the egg whites and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved (test by rubbing some between your fingers. If it's completely smooth, it's done). Pour into another bowl (a stand mixer is preferable) and whip on high speed until room temp. Then, on a medium-slow speed, add the butter, waiting until each piece is completely incorporated before adding the next. After all the butter has been added, turn the mixer back to high speed and whip until it has come together, about five minutes. Add the extract, beat briefly and then use.

If the buttercream seems soupy after all of the butter is added and does not come together after whipping, refrigerate for 5 to 7 minutes and continue whipping until it becomes fluffy and workable.

Assembly
Stack the layers in your preferred order and fill and frost as you would any other cake.

Once frosted, the cake can be left on the counter without any problems, but feel free to refrigerate it. Just be sure that the cake is at room temperature when serving or the frosting will be hard, not smooth

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Lollipops

found this recipe here
http://savvima.com/2010/05/11/chocolate-peanut-butter-cheesecake-lollipops/



Ingredients:

Cheesecake-
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups creamy peanut butter

Chocolate-
5 tablespoons butter
12 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line a 8 by 8-inch baking pan with foil letting long flaps overlap on each side. Spray foil with nonstick spray.

2. In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and sugar on medium speed until very smooth. Add the cream and beat slowly; then add the yolks and vanilla mixing until just combined. Gently stir in peanut butter. Take care not to over beat the mixture; this incorporates too much air and causes the cheesecake to crack.

3. Pour and evenly spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Open the oven to release some heat, then lower the temperature to 200 degrees F. Continue to bake the cheesecake until the outside is set but the center is still loose, for about 45 minutes. Turn off the oven, and cool cheesecake in the oven for 45 more minutes. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Lift cheesecake from the pan by lifting up the foil. Transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes. Stick a wooden pop stick halfway into each bar and freeze for 1 hour.

5. Meanwhile, put the butter and chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water. Stir the chocolate occasionally until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

6. Dip the pops into the chocolate mixture, and stand on waxed paper to set, about 5 minutes. Serve cold (straight from the fridge), or freeze up to 2 weeks.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

found this recipe here and I can't wait to try it!! I'm sure my new Grandson (Brandon) would love it!! Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake http://www.mikelesiuk.com/2009/11/reeses-peanut-butter-cup-cheesecake/

•Oreo Cookie Crust
•5 cups crushed Oreo cookies
•1 cup peanuts
•1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, melted
•Filling
•2 lbs softened cream cheese
•5 eggs
•1.5 cups brown sugar
•1 cup smooth peanut butter (I used Kraft, not natural)
•1/2 cup whipping cream
•1 tsp vanilla extract
•12 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, broken into quarters
•Topping
•5 oz semi-sweet chocolate
•1/4 cup sour cream
•More Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (4-5? However many you want, I guess.)
Directions:
Oreo Crust:
1. Throw peanuts in a blender ’til they’re really small (not fine, but small). Combine the crushed Oreos and the ground peanuts with the stick of melted butter. Note: At this stage, I actually needed more butter because my crust seemed a bit dry. So about 1 stick + 2 tablespoons total.
2. Pat the crust mixture into 10-inch round springform pan. You should have enough to go up the sides.
Reese’s Cheesecake Filling:
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
4. Add eggs one at a time. Keep beating the eggs / cream cheese.
5. Add the sugar, the peanut butter and the whipping cream. Keep mixing.
6. Stir in the vanilla, and fold in the Peanut Butter Cups with a spatula.
7. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.
8. Cover the bottom of the springform pan with tin foil. You’re going to place it in water, so try and make it air tight. Place the springform pan into a larger baking pan, and fill the larger pan with hot water, such that the water comes about an inch up the sides of the springform pan.
9. Bake at 275 degrees F for 90 minutes, or until firm and lightly browned. Place it in the fridge.
Cheesecake Topping:
10. Melt the chocolate and the sour cream in a microwave in 20 second bursts, stirring constantly. Once it’s all melted and smooth, spread it over the cheesecake with a spatula. Drop broken up Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top. Or add Oreos. Or a bunch of Snickers bars and peanuts. Really, the world is your oyster.

Finally: Refrigerate the entire cake at least 4 hours. Then serve in extremely thin slices.

Forget Hard Boiling Eggs – Steamed Eggs are Easy to Peel

found this here http://whatscookingwithkids.com/2011/05/27/forget-hard-boiling-eggs-steamed-eggs-are-easy-to-peel/

Hard Cooked Eggs – Steaming Method

You’ll need:

1.5 quarts of water
1 dozen eggs
1 steamer basket, ideally one that nests into the top portion of a pot

1.Put the eggs into the steamer tray.
2.Fill the pot with 1.5 quarts of water (if your steamer tray nests into the top portion of your pot). If you are using a small tray that sits on the bottom of your pan, you may not be able to use enough water to steam the eggs for the desired length of time.
3.Set the steamer into the pot and turn on the heat. Cover the pan.
4.Bring the water to a boil, and then turn down the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.
5.Allow the eggs to cool enough for you to handle – you can peel them immediately or whenever you are ready to eat them.
6.Store them in the refrigerator.

Orange Marmalade Coffee Cake

1 cup sweet orange marmalade (or you can use apricot)
2 tablespoons (or more to taste) chopped, lightly toasted walnuts
1 cup firmly packed white granulated or brown sugar (each work well and both taste great)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 (approximately 12 ounce) cans of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F for baking. Spread marmalade evenly in the bottom of a greased, 12-cup Bundt pan; top with walnuts. Melt butter in a small bowl. In a medium-sized bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon.

In assembly-line fashion, place ingredients in the following order: bowl of melted butter, bowl of sugar/cinnamon mixture, and prepared Bundt pan. Separate refrigerated biscuits, dip in melted butter, then dredge in sugar/cinnamon mixture. Stand biscuits on edge (standing upright) around Bundt pan, spacing as evenly as possible. Drizzle any remaining butter over biscuits, and sprinkle with any remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture.

Place in 350 degree F oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until top of biscuits turn just golden. Cool in pan on wire rack for about 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter or dish. Serve immediately. Yield: Serves 8

Rainbow Jello

found this here http://glorioustreats.blogspot.com/2011/05/taste-rainbow-jello.html




How to make rainbow jello ~
You'll need one small box of jello for each color you want... so in this case, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. And one large tub of cool whip.


Prepare purple (or whatever color you want on the bottom) jello as directed, using the "quick chill" method, meaning add some ice. Pour jello into glasses, (or a 9'x13' baking dish sprayed lightly with cooking spray), reserving about 1/3 of the liquid jello. Put glasses, or dish in the refrigerator and chill for 15-30 minutes, or until slightly set. Mix about 1/3 cup of cool whip into the remaining purple jello. Pour the jello/cool whip mixture on top of the slightly set purple jello already in the glasses (or dish).
Repeat process for each color.


I've seen recipes that use sour cream, or yogurt in place of the cool whip, so feel free to do that if it saves you a trip to the store =)


Once set, top with some additional cool whip and sprinkles if desired.

Lime Curd Filling

Lime Curd:

6 large or extra large egg yolks
Zest of 2 large limes
½ cup fresh lime juice
¾ cup sugar
½ cup butter cut in small pieces

Whisk together egg yolks, lime juice and zest, and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens enough to coat the wooden spoon. Remocve from heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time until smooth.

At this point you can press the lime cured through a sieve to remove the zest if desired.
Chill completely before pouring into the baked shell. Top with meringue.

Orange Curd Filling

Orange Curd Filling

6 extra large egg yolks
Zest of one large orange, finely minced
½ cup good quality frozen orange juice concentrate
½ cup sugar
½ cup butter cut in small pieces

Whisk together egg yolks, orange juice concentrate, orange zest and sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens. Remocve from heat and whisk in the butter, one piece at a time until smooth.

At this point you can press the orange cured through a sieve to remove the zest if desired but I generally don't bother. I find the zest intensifies the orange flavor even more as it cools.

Chill completely before pouring into the baked shell. Top with meringue.

Converting Regular Recipes to Crockpot.

With summer right around the corner...I thought this might be good to know!
HOW TO ADAPT REGULAR RECIPES TO CROCKPOT COOKING


In most cases, all ingredients can go into your Crock Pot in the beginning and cook all day. Many preparatory steps are unnecessary when using the crock pot. A few hints:


- Allow sufficient cooking time

- Cook with cover on

- Remember liquids don't "boil away" as in conventional cooking. Usually you'll have more liquid at the end of cooking instead of less.

- It's "one step" cooking: many steps in the recipe may be deleted. Simply add ingredients to the crock-pot at one time and cook 8 to 12 hours (add any liquid last).

- Vegetables do not overcook as they do when boiled in your oven or in your range. Therefore, everything can go into your crock-pot at one time. Exception: milk, sour cream or cream should be added during the last hour.
Time Guide:

If recipe says 15 to 30 minutes, cook in crockpot 1 1/2 to 2 hours on HIGH, or 4 to 6 hours on LOW

If the recipe says 35 to 45 minutes, cook in crockpot 3 to 4 hours on HIGH, or 6 to 10 hours on LOW

If the recipe says 50 minutes to 3 hours, cook in crockpot 4 to 6 hours on HIGH, or 8 to 18 hours on LOW


Most uncooked meat and vegetable combinations will require at least 8 hours on low.


Liquids:

Use less in slow cooking -- usually about half the recommended amount. One cup liquid is enough for any recipes unless it contains rice or pasta.


Herbs and Spices:

Leaf or whole herbs and spices are preferred, but their flavor power may increase -- use half recommended amount. If you use ground herbs and spices, add during the last hour of cooking.


Beans:

Dried beans, especially red kidney beans, should be boiled before adding to a recipe.

Cover the beans with 3 times their volume of unsalted water and bring to a boil. Boil 10 minutes. Discard water after boiling.

Beans must be softened completely before combining with sugar and/or acid foods (sugar and acid have a hardening affect on beans and will prevent softening).
After boiling beans 10 min., reduce heat, cover and allow to simmer 1-1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Soaking in water, if desired, should be completed before boiling. Discard water after soaking or boiling.


Sauteing vegetables:

Generally not necessary. Stir in chopped or sliced vegetables with other ingredients. The only exception is eggplant, which should be parboiled or sauteed, due to strong flavor.

Since vegetables develop their full flavor potential with slow cooking, expect delicious results even when you reduce quantities. Because vegetables take longer to cook than meat, slice or chop them when possible and place in bottom of crock-pot with meat on top.


Pasta and rice:

If recipes calls for cooking noodles, macaroni, etc. Cook before adding to crock-pot. Don't overcook - just till slightly tender.

If cooked rice is called for, stir in with other ingredients. Add 1/4 cup extra liquid per 1/4 cup of raw rice. Use long grain converted rice for best cooking results in all-day cooking.


Milk:
Milk, cream and sour cream tend to break down during extended cooking. When possible add during last hour of cooking. Condensed soups may be substituted for milk etc. and can cook for extended times.


Soups:
Some soup recipes call for 2 to 3 quarts of water. Add soup ingredients to crock-pot then add water only to cover.

If thinner soup is desired, add more liquid at serving time.

If milk-based recipes have no other liquid for initial cooking, add 1 to 2 cups water. Then during last hour of cooking, stir in milk or cream as called for.

Maple Salmon

Allrecipes.com

Yield 4 servings

Ingredients

1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound salmon

Directions

In a small bowl, mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper.

Place salmon in a shallow glass baking dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning once.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven, and bake salmon uncovered 20 minutes, or until easily flaked with a fork.

Shrimp & Rice Salad

you can subsitute chicken for shrimp.

2 (16-oz.) cans fat-free chicken broth
2 bay leaves
2 cups rice (I use the seasoned yellow rice for more flavor & color)
1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled*
1 cup sliced green onions
2/3 cup thinly sliced radishes
2 cups frozen green peas, thawed
2 tsp. dried dillweed
1-1/3 cups sour cream (I use low fat)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (I like Hellmann's with Olive Oil)
2 tbs. lemon juice

In a 2-quart saucepan over high heat, heat the chicken broth & bay leaves to boiling. Stir in the rice & reduce heat to low. Cover & simmer for 10 minutes. Add the shrimp to the rice mixture, cover & continue cooking over low heat, 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the liquid is absorbed & the shrimp turn pink. Set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, combine the green onions, radishes, peas, dillweed, sour cream, mayonnaise & lemon juice with the rice mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, or until serving time.

*To make this go even faster, buy a pound of frozen precooked & deveined shrimp and thaw it in warm water seasoned with crab boil and then add it to the cooked rice.

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta

1 (8oz.) package angel hair pasta
1/4 cup butter
1 pound shrimp, peeled and de-veined
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon Cajun seasoning
2 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1) Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 4-6 minutes or until al dente (or however you like it ); drain. *I add some butter to the noodles when cooking them so they don't stick together.

2) Melt butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Saute shrimp for 1 minute ton each side. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon; set aside. Stir in flour and Cajun seasoning. * I add a little more butter (about another tablespoon or so)to the flour/Cajun mixture. Cook stirring for 5 minutes. Gradually whisk in milk, then cook until thickened. Remove from heat and season with salt and lemon juice. Return shrimp to sauce, stir to coat and serve over cooked pasta.

Amish Soda Cracker Pudding Recipe

18 soda crackers
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
2 Tbls. peanut butter
3 cups milk
2 eggs
2 Tbls. cornstarch
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup coconut

Directions:

Melt butter and penut butter. Add to brown sugar and the cracker crumbs and mix well. Place in pan, pressing crumbs to sides and bottom. Reserve 1/4 of the crumbs for topping.

In a sauce pan, combine milk, eggs, cornstarch and white sugar and boil over medium heat until thickened. Add vanilla and coconut. Pour slowly over crumbs and refrigerate. When cool, sprinkle remaining crumbs over top.

1950s Tuna Noodle Casserole

Ingredients:

1 lb bag of broad egg noodles
1 LARGE of cream of mushroom soup and the same size can of milk plus 1 more cup
2 large cans of tuna, drained

2 small bag of frozen peas (optional)
1 bag of salted potato chips crushed
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

How to make it:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Cook the egg noodles according to the directions on the bag.
Combine the cream of mushroom soup with a can of milk.
Crumble the drained tuna.
In a bowl combine all of the above with 3/4 of the bag of the crushed potato chips and the salt and pepper.

Place in a buttered casserole dish.
Sprinkle remaining chips on the top.
Bake at 350* for 35-40 minutes.

Banana Cake

1 Box French Vanilla or White Cake Mix
1 Box Instant Banana Pudding
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup water
4 eggs
3-4 really ripe bananas
1 cup chopped walnut or pecans (optional)
1 cup choc. chips (optional)

Mix all the ingredients and bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Very yummy and moist!

Tea Cake Cookies

Tea Cake Cookies
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream sugar and shortening. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat well. Sift flour, baking powder and salt and add to first mixture. Roll about 1/4-1/2 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter. Bake 8-10 minutes. COOKIES DO NOT BROWN! Sprinkle with sugar if desired before cooking; or after cool, ice (I use powdered sugar and water colored to desired color).

Cookies and Cream Popcorn

Found this recipe here http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com/



1 bag popcorn, popped (I used the Fluffy White variety)
6 ounces white chocolate candy coating
10-15 Oreos, crushed or roughly chopped (I used the Springtime Oreos with yellow cream, which is why my popcorn has a bumble bee-type look)

Place the popped popcorn and Oreos in a large bowl. Heat the white chocolate candy coating in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between until melted and smooth.

Drizzle the white chocolate bark over the popcorn/Oreo mixture and stir to coat. Dump out on a large sheet of wax paper and spread into a single layer. Let cool and harden. Break into small pieces and serve.

Homemade Spagetti Sauce and Meatballs

found this here http://luvsclassics.wordpress.com/2010/08/27/

Spaghetti sauce

Into a large stock pot, add:
2 (28 ounce) cans Tomato Puree
1 can water
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 small onion 1 stalk of celery with leaves
1 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1 tsp. sugar
1 potato ( raw)- Cut-up and cleaned (a thickening agent)
1 tsp basil

I added 2 cloves of garlic, whole and 1 raw carrot that was scrubbed to the large stock pot.
oregano
parsley (add at the end of cooking)
dash of olive oil
1 pinch of baking soda

Cook on stove on low heat for 3 – 4 hours. If sauce gets too thick as cooking, add water.

After simmering one hour, add cooked meatballs, or sausage or cooked pork chop with bone in.

Meatballs:

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb ground pork or veal
1 egg
1 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
salt and pepper to taste
chopped onion or 1 TBSP Lipton brand Onion soup mix
ketchup
microwave 5 minutes and turn.
or cook in iron pan on low to medium heat slowly and turn until all sides browned.
or you can bake the meatballs in a 350 degree F. oven on a cookie sheet with a little canola oil for 20 minutes. Then after draining meatballs on paper towels, I placed in the tomato sauce and left to simmer on the stove for 1 hour on low heat.

Brown Rice (made with white rice )

1 cup white rice
1 can French Onion Soup
1 Can Beef Broth (or Beef Consumme)
1 stick of melted butter

Cook on 350 for 1 hour!!! YUMMMM

Perfect Brown Rice

brown rice (whichever type you prefer)
water – use at least four cups of water for every one cup of rice
salt – to taste

Rinse rice in a strainer under cold running water for 30 seconds, swirling the rice around with your hand. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a large pot over high heat. When water boils, add the rice, stir it once. Turn heat to medium and boil, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 30 minutes, pour the rice into a strainer over the sink. Let the rice drain for 10 seconds, then return it to the pot, off the heat. Immediately cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and set it aside to allow the rice to steam for 10 minutes (if your pot lid isn’t extremely tight, place a piece of aluminum foil over pot then place the lid on top of foil for a tighter seal). After ten minutes, uncover rice, fluff with a fork, and season with salt to taste.

Butterscotch Sauce

found this here.... www.chickensintheroad.com

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients

4 cups packed light brown sugar
2 cups heavy or whipping cream
1 1/3 cups light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
4 tsp. distilled white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

In 5 quart or larger pot heat all ingredients except vanilla extract to boiling over high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to low, simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Ladle into hot jars and cap after wiping tops of jars carefully. Process in boiling water bath 10 minutes. Sauce will appear thin while hot. Great flavor – reminiscent of old fashioned cream caramels.

Crunchy Broccoli Salad

found this at tasteofhome.com

10 ServingsPrep/Total Time: 20 min.

Ingredients

8 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 tablespoons canola oil
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup sunflower kernels
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Directions
•In a large bowl, combine the broccoli, onions and cranberries. In a
small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar and sugar; drizzle over broccoli
and toss to coat. Chill until serving. Sprinkle with sunflower
kernels and bacon. Yield: 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (3/4 cup) equals 121 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 2 mg cholesterol, 233 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 starch.

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

found this recipe here http://portland.todaysmama.com/2011/04/474/

Makes 2-3 dozen

½ C butter, softened
1 C sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 whole egg
1 tsp lemon zest
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp baking powder
⅛ tsp baking soda
1-½ C flour
½ C powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix together the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy 3-5 minutes. Add in the vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add in flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Pour powdered sugar onto a bowl. Form dough in a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on greased or parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1 C sugar
1 C Water
1 small box strawberry gelatin mix
1 Pint Fresh Strawberries
3 Heaping Tablespoons Cornstarch
1 pie crust, cooked and cooled

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and dry gelatin mix by stirring well. Add water and cook until thick and clear over medium high heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Set aside and let cool. Wash and hull strawberries, cut in half and arrange over pie crust. When filling is cool, pour over strawberries and chill pie until ready to serve. Serve with whipped cream.
*** DO NOT DOUBLE****

TIP FOR CORING STRAWBERRIES:

take a plastic straw
insert it thru the pointed end of strawberry
push all the way thru center of strawberry
OUT COMES THE CORE

Resurrection Cookies

How to Make Resurrection Cookies

This recipe is a wonderful tradition to start with your kids, no matter what age. You need to make these cookies the night before Easter. They will cook overnight in a warm oven and will be ready for you and your family Easter morning.

Instructions

Things you'll need:
• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup whole pecans
• 1 tsp. vinegar
• a pinch of salt
• a cup of sugar
• a zip-lock baggie
• a wooden spoon
• wax paper
• cookie sheet
• tape
• Bible

1 Put the pecans in the zip-lock baggie. Have your children beat the pecans with the wooden spoon. Explain how this is a symbol of the Roman soldiers beating Jesus.
Read John 19:1-3.

2 Have the children smell the vinegar and then put it in the bowl. Explain how this is a symbol of when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar.
Read John 19:28-30.

3 Add the egg whites to the vinegar. Explain how eggs represent life and these eggs are a symbol of Jesus giving His life for us.
Read John 10:10-11.

4 Sprinkle salt into the hands of your children.Have them taste it and then throw the rest into the bowl.Explain how this is a symbol of the salty tears that were shed by Jesus'disciples and loved ones.It also represents the bitterness of our sin. Read Luke 23:27

5 Add the sugar. Explain how the sweetest part of the Resurrection Story is that Jesus died because He loves us and wants us to trust Him so that we can be His children.
Read Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16

6 Beat your ingredients with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes. When stiff peaks have formed explain that the white is a symbol of how clean we are when Jesus forgives us our sins when we trust Him as our Savior.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.

7 Gently fold the nuts into your mixture and drop by teaspoons on to wax papered cookie sheets. Explain that this is a symbol of the rocky tomb in which they laid Jesus' body.
Read Matthew 27:57-60

8 Put the cookies into the oven, shut the door and turn it off. Have your children place pieces of tape on the oven door to seal it. Explain that the Roman soldiers rolled the heavy stone in front of the tomb's entrance to seal in Jesus' body. Matthew 27: 65-66.

9 Tell the children it is now time to go to bed! They may feel sad, just as Jesus' disciples and loved ones felt that night they laid Jesus' body in the tomb.
Read John 16:20, 22.

10 On Easter morning, open the door and give everyone a cookie. As they are looking at it,explain that the cracks in the cookie represent the tomb. When they bite, they will find that the cookies are hollow inside! This is a symbol of the empty tomb, for the stone was rolled away...and the tomb was empty....Jesus had Risen!
Matthew 28:1-9

Bellini

Bellini Recipe for 6
The famous original Bellini recipe was made only with prosecco, (Italian sparkling wine) and pureed white peaches.

3 ripe peaches, peeled and pitted
Fine sparkling wine or champagne, chilled


Puree the peaches in a blender. Divide the peach puree into 6 (8-ounce) champagne flutes and top with sparkling wine or champagne. Stir once.

Baby Bellini: Substitute sparkling apple cider for the sparkling wine.

Pineapple Bliss Cupcakes

Can't wait to make these
Go here to find more recipes like this!!  skinnytaste.com


 These low fat cupcakes are moist and delicious and you won't believe how easy they are to make. All it takes is a box of yellow cake mix and a can of crushed pineapple; no eggs, no oil or butter needed!!





1 box yellow cake mix
1 - 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, untrained

Mix together with mixer and bake according to cake mix box instructions. When cool, frost with the following:

Pineapple Fluff Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese
20 oz can pineapple in pineapple juice, completely drained of any liquid
3/4 cup marshmallow fluff

Combine all ingredients.

Calories: 140, Fat 2.8, Sugar 16.4, Points 3, Points+ 4

Quick Caramel Rolls

Note: you can use one loaf of bread dough but use the whole amount of topping. One loaf makes 12 rolls.



2 loaves frozen bread dough (thaw well, if it rises a little bit it will be ok)
soft butter
brown sugar
cinnamon
Could sprinkle chopped pecans on top before rolling up.

Topping:
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons thick cream

Let dough thaw. Roll out one loaf at a time and spread with butter, sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up like a jelly roll, cut, and put in greased pan. Let rise until rolls touch each other. Cover rolls with topping. Bake at 350 degree for approx 15-20 minutes.

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

2 lb. package frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4-1/2 c. chopped onions (I omitted)
1 lb. cooked, crumbled sausage (I use Jimmy Dean regular but you can use what you like.)
2 c. shredded Cheddar cheese
8-10 eggs
3 c. milk
S&P to taste

Spray 9x13" dish with cooking spray. Mix potatoes and onions, salt and pepper and place in dish. Then spread cooked sausage on top; then cheese. Beat eggs and milk together and pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered for 1 hour at 350.

Oven Omelet

Allrecipes.com

"Hearty meat and potato omelet baked in the oven."

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

8 eggs
1 cup milk
2 cups shredded hash brown potatoes
1 cup diced cooked ham
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 to taste salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 inch glass baking dish.

Beat eggs in a large bowl; stir in the milk. Stir in the potatoes, ham and cheese. Season to taste and pour into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50, until knife inserted in middle comes out clean.

7-Up Cake

7-Up Cake

3 sticks oleo (margarine - I used Land O' Lakes because it had the most fat)
3 c. sugar
5 eggs
3 c. all-purpose flour, sifted two times after measuring
2 Tbsp. lemon extract
3/4 c. 7-Up

Combine oleo and sugar in large bowl of mixer. Cream until lemon in color. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each addition. Add flour. Continue to beat well. Add lemon extract. Fold in 7-Up. Pour into oiled and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool well before serving (very important to keep it moist, I think). Best served sliced in thin slices. Freezes well.

Lemon Meringue Cookies and lemon curd

Oh I soooo want to make these!!

Lemon Meringue Cookies
Recipe found on www.joythebaker.com

Makes: about 55 cookies







For the Meringues:

2 large egg whites

pinch of salt

2/3 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Place two racks in the center and upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 200 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Foil will also work in a pinch. Set the baking pans aside.

Place the egg whites (save the yolks for the curd) in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Beat egg whites, on medium speed, until foamy. Add the pinch of salt and increase speed to medium-high. Slowly begin to sprinkle in the sugar. Continue to beat eggs until they become thick, glossy and hold stiff peeks. The egg whites will be the consistency of melted marshmallow.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the lemon zest and vanilla extract. Spoon into a piping bag, fitted with a large star tip. Pipe about a teaspoons worth of meringue onto the baking sheet. Stars can be close together, as they won't spread or puff during baking. Pipe stars onto the two baking sheets until no meringue remains in the bag. Using the back of a spoon, flatten out half of the meringue stars, making them as flat as possible, but not necessarily a larger circle than the original piped star. The flattened star will become the bottom of the sandwich cookie.

Bake meringues for 2 hours, until no longer sticky , but firm and hardened.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet before filling and sandwiching.

For the Lemon Curd:

from: David Lebovitz

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

pinch of salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

Place a fine mesh strainer over a medium bowl and set aside.

In a medium pot, whisk together lemon juice, granulated sugar, eggs, yolks, and pinch of salt. Place the pot over a medium-low flame and add butter. Stir mixture with a whisk, and spatula. The spatula will help you get into the corners of the pan, ensuring that none of the curd over-cooks too much. Cook the curd until the butter is melted, and the mixture is the thickness of warm hot fudge. The whisk will begin to leave a trail of whisk marks and the mixture will have the distinct smell of lemon curd. You don't really need to boil lemon curd... it's probably done it if gets to the boiling stage.

Remove from the flame and immediately pour into the fine mesh strainer over the medium bowl. Press through the strainer, leaving any cooked egg bits in the strainer, and not in your beautiful curd.

Place curd in a jar, with a piece of plastic wrap placed directly over the curd. Place in the fridge until completely cold.

To fill the cookies, spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of curd onto a flattened bottom cookie. Top with a star shaped cookie. Place cookies in a single layer on a tray and place in the freezer for 20 minutes to an hour. I love these cookies right out of the freezer. You can also fill them and serve them immediately. These cookies do not last well if willed and left to sit.

Curd should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Curd lasts for about a week. Meringues should be kept in an airtight container, in a dry area, at room temperature. Meringues last for about 5 days... though humidity makes them sticky balls.

Jelly Bean Bark

found this recipe here http://www.scissorsandspatulas.com/2011/03/easter-treat-you-dont-want-to-miss-this.html


24-oz bag of Nestle Premier White Morsels {this is the large size bag}
10 to 14 oz bag of jelly beans.

That's it

Melt your morsels on the stove using a double-boiler or in the microwave on 70% power. Be careful to stir frequently so that you do not burn the chocolate!! If you are using the microwave, heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted.

While your chocolate is melting, line a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Lay half of the jelly beans on the pan.


Pour the melted chocolate over the jelly beans and use a rubber spatula to spread it across the pan creating an even layer.

Place the remaining jelly beans on top of the melted chocolate. Allow to cool at room temperature for several hours or put in the refrigerator to cool for one hour.
Peel away wax paper and break into 2 to 3-inch pieces.

Cilantro Lime Rice

serves 4

•1 Tbsp. olive oil
•1 cup basmati rice
•1 1/2 cups chicken broth
•2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
•2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
•zest from one lime
•1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
•1 tsp. salt

Directions:

Add the oil to a sauce pan and heat on low. Add the garlic and rice to the oil and saute for 2 minutes on medium heat stirring frequently.

Add the chicken broth, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes or according to rice package directions.

When the rice is done, add lime zest and chopped cilantro and stir to mix in. Serve immediately.

If you are using regular long grain rice, follow the cooking directions on the box regarding the amount of liquid to use and the cooking time.

Fusilli alla Caprese (tomato basil pasta) YUMMY and EASY

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/everyday-italian/fusilli-alla-caprese-recipe/index.html

Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:10 min
Level:Easy
Serves: 4 to 6 servings.

Ingredients
•1 pound fusilli pasta
•3 tablespoons olive oil
•2 cloves garlic, minced
•3 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pints)(I use 2 of those little net bags of cherry tomatoes)
•1 teaspoon salt
•1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
•1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, torn
•8 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced (about 1 1/4 cups) (or I use a pkg of the small mozzarella pearls,they don't get as stringy as when you cut up the mozzarella)


Directions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta into a large bowl and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.

In a medium skillet heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper. As the tomatoes cook and soften, smash them with a fork. Continue to cook until the tomatoes make a chunky style sauce, about 4 minutes. Transfer the tomato sauce to the bowl with the pasta. Toss to combine. Add the basil leaves and mozzarella. Stir to combine. Add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the pasta is moist. Serve.

Chewy Cocoa Peanut Butter Treats

1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 cups peanut butter flavored baking chips
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp. butter
6 cups Rice Krispies

In large saucepan stir together brown sugar and corn syrup. Cook, over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat; add peanut butter chips, cocoa and butter. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. (Mixture will be thick). Add cereal and stir until well coated. Immediately press into a buttered 9 x 13 inch pan. Cool thoroughly before cutting into bars.

Strawberry TrifleI

This is a Taste of Home recipe found here http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Strawberry-Trifle/Print

10 Servings
Prep: 20 min. + chilling

Ingredients
1 cup cold milk
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped
8 cups cubed angel food cake
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Directions
•In a large bowl, beat the milk, sour cream, pudding mix and orange
peel on low speed until thickened. Fold in whipped cream.

•Place half of the cake cubes in a 3-qt. glass bowl. Arrange a third
of the strawberries around sides of bowl and over cake; top with
half of the pudding mixture. Repeat layers once. Top with remaining
berries. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving. Yield: 8-10
servings.

Pea 'n' Peanut Salad

found this at the taste of home website http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Pea--n--Peanut-Salad/Print

ServingsPrep/Total Time: 15 min.


Ingredients
1 package (10 ounces) frozen peas, thawed
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1 cup chopped celery
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup prepared zesty Italian salad dressing
Directions
•In a large bowl, combine the peas, peanuts, celery, bacon and onion.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Italian dressing. Pour
over salad and toss to coat. Chill until serving. Yield: 5 servings.

Citrus Mini Cheesecakes

Need nibbles for a crowd? Cheesecake bars stir together in minutes and satisfy palates with a citrus twist.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
1:55 Hr:Mins

Makes
60 mini cheesecakes


Crust
1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lime, lemon or orange peel
1/3 cup firm butter or margarine

Filling
3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons Original Bisquick® mix
1 teaspoon grated lime, lemon or orange peel
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons lime, lemon or orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
Citrus peel, if desired


1.Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir crust ingredients except butter. With pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Pat on bottom of ungreased 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 10 minutes.

2.Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 2 tablespoons Bisquick mix and 1 teaspoon lime peel with electric mixer on medium speed until blended and fluffy. On low speed, beat in milk, lime juice, vanilla and eggs until blended. Beat on low speed 2 minutes longer. Pour over partially baked crust.

3.Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Refrigerate until ready to serve. For mini cheesecakes, cut into 10 rows by 6 rows. Garnish with citrus peel. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 60 mini cheesecakes

Copy Cat Costco Mousse Cake Filling

Copy Cat Costco Mousse Cake Filling

Ingredients
1 cup half-and-half
1 (3 7/8 ounce) boxes instant pudding mix
1 tablespoon Dream Whip Directions
Combine all in a bowl and mix with hand blender until smooth and thick.
For Vanilla - Use Vanilla flavored pudding.
For Milk Chocolate - Use chocolate pudding.
For dark chocolate - Use chocolate pudding and add 2 T cocoa powder (or more to your liking).
For cheesecake flavored - Use cheescake pudding.

Be sure to use it on cooled layer cakes and refrigerate it after it is mixed and/or on the cake. You can use fat free milk if you want to but it is no where near as rich, thick and creamy.

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!!