Thursday, December 30, 2010

Favorite Recipes of 2010 by Karla

This got started because of a recipe chain letter............I can't post just one recipe......I went to my recipe blog to find a recipe and decided to post my favorite new recipes from this year......and since I copied these from my blog....you get the story that goes with each recipe too.....If you were really wanting recipes you got them.....otherwise delete them......enjoy!!! Love, Karla

Hang on this is long............and yes all these recipes are already on here.....just not all together on one post...

At work I was asked to be incharge of the luncheon for the annual Support Specialist Meeting. I ordered the Costa Vida taco buffet and then wanted to make a dessert to go with it. On the web I typed in Mexican Dessert and several options popped up. I combined several recipes and came up with my own version. I reduced the fats, sugars and calories significantly but it still tastes good. Steve says, "This recipe is a keeper, probably one of my favorites". Since Steve is not a big dessert eater I think that comment says a lot. My first one I took to Jake's birthday party and everyone liked it. Then I doubled the recipe and made a jelly roll pan full for the luncheon. Everyone there really liked it and wanted the recipe too. So.....here it is!!

Karla's Cinnamon Cheesecake..........aka: Sopapilla Cheesecake
1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened (reduced fat is ok)
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. pure vanilla
2 - 8 ounce cans refrigerated crescent rolls (reduced fat is ok)
1/4 c. sugar
2 t. cinnamon
3 T. butter, melted (could probably cut to 2T.)
3 T. honey
Beat together: the cream cheese, 1/2 c.sugar and vanilla until smooth and creamy. (If you don't beat it enough it will be hard to spread.)
Spray the counter and a rolling pin and roll one can of crescent roll dough into a 9x13 inch rectangle. Carefully lift and move the dough into a sprayed 9x13 inch pan. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough. Roll the second can of crescent roll dough the same way you did the first can and place this piece of dough over the cream cheese mixture.
Pour melted butter over the top of the dough and spread over the dough.
Stir together 1/4 c. sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the butter.
Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and drizzle with honey while still hot. Cool completely in the pan before cutting. These are rich so I didn't cut too big of a piece. (9x13 = 16 servings)
For the jelly roll pan (Cookie sheet), I doubled the above recipe.
I baked it for 30 minutes and I cut it into 32 servings.
I also made it using my Cool Rise Roll Dough.......rolled really thin.....it worked and tasted good, but it is definitely better using purchased crescent roll dough. In a pinch it would work and is way cheaper to make this way. However, the TWINS say they like it best made with Cool Rise Dough.....you'll have to decide for yourself!

My daughter, Katie shared this one......
GRAPE SALAD
8 c. seedless red and/or green grapes
8 oz. sour cream (reg. or low fat)
8 oz. cream cheese (reg. or low fat)
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar (or splenda)
1 c. chopped pecans (or peanuts or walnuts)
1/2 c. brown sugar
Mix grapes together in bowl and set aside.
Mix together the sour cream, cream cheese, vanilla and sugar, beat well and set aside.
Mix together the nuts and brown sugar, set aside.
Place a layer of grapes in serving bowl. Top with a layer of sour cream mixture. Repeat layers once or twice more as desired, ending with the sour cream mixture on top. Sprinkle the nut mixture over the top and chill. Best if chilled overnight.
When Katie makes this she doesn't make the layers, but mixes the grapes with the sour cream mixture and sprinkles the nut mixture over the top.

For my Sweet 16 Garden Party last week I wanted to make something using fresh herbs because we were going to learn about herbs. After a little research and a few changes this is what I came up with. The girls liked it and so does my family. I definitely think this recipe is a keeper.
Herbed Cream Cheese
16 oz. cream cheese, softened (light is fine)
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 cloves minced garlic OR 3/4 t. garlic powder (my fresh garlic isn't quite ready to harvest)
2 T. each fresh herbs, chopped: dill, parsley, basil, thyme, lemon balm, chives (my basil isn't ready yet)
1/2 t. salt
1/8 t. pepper
1 t. grated lemon peel
1 T. lemon juice or milk, more if needed; for desired consistency ( iused Lemon juice)
Mix cream cheese & butter together. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Form into a ball and chill for 2 hours. Decorate with fresh herbs at serving time. Serve with crackers.
I spread some of this on flour tortillas and rolled them up and sliced them into mini pinwheel sandwiches. They were really good too.

My 2 new crock pot favorites.....I love cooking in crock pots!!
Lemonade Chicken
Spray crock pot with cooking spray and put in: (3 to 4 ½ qt. Crock Pot)
4 chicken breasts
Mix together:
6 oz. frozen lemonade, thawed
3 T. brown sugar
1 T. vinegar
¼ c. ketchup
Pour over the chicken. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours.
Thicken the liquid and serve over potatoes or rice.
Also made this in the roaster oven for our YW Fancy Nancy Dinner at Ward YW camp for 50 people. YUMMY!

Cherry Jubilee (Make any flavor you like)
Spray crock pot with cooking spray and dump in: (4 1/2 to 6 qt. Crock pot)
2 cans (21 oz. each) cherry pie filling
Sprinkle with:
1 yellow cake mix
Pour over:
½ c. melted butter or margarine
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours or on LOW for 4 hours.
Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped topping.

This recipe came from my "UTAH JAZZ FANS". Thanks Ellen & Sue!!! They say they make this before every Jazz game....
Speaking of Utah Jazz, I think I should share this story first. When Katie was playing basketball at Snow College and spending quite a bit of time with my sister Kristen and her family this happened one day. Tyler, Josh and Kelsey are in the driveway playing basketball. Tyler says, "I'm Michael Jordan", Josh says, "I'm Karl Malone", Kelsey says, "I'm Katie". That story makes me smile.....I love IT!!!!!
Katie and Kelsey still to this day share a special relationship that goes even deeper than basketball.
So here is the recipe.......
CARMELLOW CORN.........AKA: KARMELO MALONE CORN
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 c. miniature marshmallows
2 qt. popped popcorn
nuts, optional
Microwave butter & sugar 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in marshmallows. Cook 1 more min. Pour over popcorn (and nuts). Make into balls or serve in bowls.
FAST, EASY, and GOOD!!!

Here is what $1 Million Dollars tastes like.......
The 2008 Pillsbury Bake Off Winner by Carolyn Gurtz!!!
98% out of 154 people said they would make these cookies again.
When Connor and I made them I found I needed more filling for the center balls. Next time I would use 1 c. peanut butter and 1 c. powdered sugar instead of 1/2 c. of each. Connor and Great Grandpa Atkinson really liked them!!!
DOUBLE DELIGHT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
1/4 cup Peanuts, finely chopped (originally called for dry roasted, I don't like dry roasted) OPTIONAL
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup JIF® Creamy Peanut Butter (I use 1 c.)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (I use 1 c.)
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated peanut butter cookies, well chilled OR make the Peanut Butter Cookie Recipe on pg. 175 of the Atkinson Cookbook and use 2 1/2 c. peanut butter & powdered sugar for the filling & drizzle with melted chocolate (see details below)
DIRECTIONS
Heat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, mix chopped peanuts, granulated sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
In another small bowl, stir peanut butter and powdered sugar until completely blended. Shape mixture into 24 (1-inch) balls. (1/2 a scoop with my smallest cookie scoop)
Cut roll of cookie dough into 12 slices. Cut each slice in half crosswise to make 24 pieces; flatten slightly. Shape 1 cookie dough piece around 1 peanut butter ball, covering completely. Repeat with remaining dough and balls.
Roll each covered ball in peanut mixture; gently pat mixture completely onto balls. On ungreased large cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. Spray bottom of drinking glass with CRISCO® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray; press into remaining peanut mixture. Flatten each ball to 1/2-inch thickness with bottom of glass. Sprinkle any remaining peanut mixture evenly on tops of cookies; gently press into dough.
Bake 7 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Store tightly covered.
Now when I make these I use Craig's recipe for Peanut Butter Cookies found in the Atkinson Cookbook on page 175. This makes a big batch so when I make the filling for the middle I use about 2 1/2 c. peanut butter and 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar. I roll them into balls using 1/2 a scoop of my smallest cookie scoop. I don't usually add the peanuts. They are good but don't seem to stay on the cookies real well. These are a bit time consuming but they are very good. Last time I melted a few chocolate chips, stirred in a little oil to thin it and then put it in my pastry bag, then I drizzled a little chocolate over the top of them. It was a great finishing touch!!

Alisha Youngberg posted this recipe on facebook. I made them yesterday and they are really good. Thanks Alisha!!!
COCONUT BANANA MUFFINS
Stir together and set aside.
1 1/4 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
Place in mixer bowl.
2 mashed bananas
1/2 c. butter or margarine
2/3 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla
2/3 c. coconut (can save some out to sprinkle on top of batter if desired).
Beat well and then add dry ingredients, mix just until blended. Pour into sprayed muffin tins. Bake at 375 for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes 10-12 muffins.

this is my favorite salad we make at YW Camp.....great for summer!!!
BERRY FLUFF
2 lg. (32 oz) vanilla yogurt
16 oz. Cool whip
2 small pkgs. Vanilla instant pudding
2 pkgs. (6 cups) frozen berries, blueberries, raspberries, or even mandarin oranges

I made up this recipe for Lindsey's Twin's Baby Shower because I wanted something really gooey ....they were a hit!!
Gooey Carmel Cinnamon Rolls
Gooey Carmel
melt together in the microwave:
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar
Stir well and add 2 T. karo syrup. Stir and set aside.
Place cupcake papers on a cookie sheet and spray them with cooking spray and them put about 1 tablespoon of the Gooey Carmel mixture in each one.
Take one third of a batch of cool rise dough and roll into a rectangle (about 14x7 inches).
Spread with butter or margarine. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and slice into 10 cinnamon rolls and place one slice in each cupcake paper. Rise for about 20-30 minutes and bake at 375 for 15 minutes. Cool slightly and frost while still warm.
Frosting
1/3 c. melted butter or margarine
4 - 5 c. powdered sugar
1 t. vanilla
1/4 - 1/2 c. milk
Stir until desired consistency; adding more powdered sugar or milk as needed.
This is enough gooey carmel and frosting for a whole batch of cool rise dough; which makes about 30 cinnamon rolls or a cookie sheet full. You do not have to use the cupcake papers, and you can make them bigger if you want.

And here are a couple more ideas for your Cool Rise Dough....I taught another class .....Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner with one basic recipe......and dessert too....
Meatball Muffins
1/2 batch of Cool Rise Roll Dough
1/2 cup marinara sauce OR spaghetti sauce OR tomato sauce seasoned with Italian Seasoning
12 frozen cooked Italian style meatballs
½ c. grated mozzarella cheese, or cheese of choice
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
extra sauce, if desired, and you may want to warm it
Spray counter lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Roll out a piece of dough (divide dough into 12 pieces, a 1½ inch ball) into a 5-inch circle. Place 1-2 tablespoons sauce in the center of each circle. Top with 1 meatball and sprinkle with cheese. Pull dough up around filling to completely enclose and pinch to seal. Place seam side down in a sprayed muffin tin, makes 12. Brush each one with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Let rise 20-30 minutes and bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Serve warm with or without extra sauce.
Pizza
For a 12” pizza crust use 1/3 of a batch of dough. Spray a 12 inch pizza pan and roll dough out on the pizza pan forming a ridge around the outside edge. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Spread pizza sauce over the crust. Sprinkle with grated cheese, and whatever other toppings you like, sprinkle with a little more cheese. Bake at 350 for 12 to 15 minutes.
Hint: For a fresh fruit or fresh vegetable pizza cook the crust completely before adding toppings. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and gently press down all the bubbles. Return to oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Steve loves these!! And they are fast and easy too!!

German Chocolate Pizza
1/3 of a batch of Cool Rise Roll Dough
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 cup shredded coconut
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
Spray a 12 inch pizza pan and roll dough out on the pizza pan forming a ridge around the outside edge. Bake at 400 for 5 minutes. Spread about ½ (or less) of the can of sweetened condensed milk over the crust, sprinkle with nuts, coconut, chocolate chips and drizzle the remainder of the sweetened condensed milk over the top. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes.

This recipe just came from my cousin, Eilleen. I roll my Cool Rise Roll Dough real thin. If you want a fun Easter Story Cookie Recipe see pg. 162 in the Atkinson Family Cookbook.
HAPPY EASTER!
"I received this recipe and the scripture activity that I have included and thought some of you might want to use it or pass it on. What a wonderful way to remember and celebrate Jesus Christ.
May you all have a blessed Easter and year.
Love,
Eilleen Whiteley Waddell"

Resurrection Rolls
Yield 8 rolls
* 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (or Rhodes dinner rolls dough, thawed)OR Cool Rise Roll Dough
* 8 large marshmallows
* 1/4 cup melted butter
* 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
* 2 tablespoons white sugar
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Separate crescent rolls into individual triangles.
3. In a small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
4. Dip a marshmallow into melted butter, then roll in sugar
mixture. Place marshmallow into the center of a dough triangle.
Carefully wrap the dough around the marshmallow. Pinch the seams
together tightly to seal in marshmallow as it melts. Place on a baking
sheet. Repeat. (If using Rhodes rolls, allow to rise. If you would
like, make these the night before and "seal" them in the oven overnight to rise.)
5. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Talk about how the marshmallow represents Christ's body. The butter
and cinnamon sugar can represent the oils and dressings that the body
was prepared with. Have the children wrap the marshmallows, but make
sure that you check that all of the seams are sealed, use a little
water for spots that aren't sticking well. Place them on a cookie
sheet and after you put them in the oven and shut the door, place a
piece of tape over the door to represent how the tomb was "sealed".
When the rolls come out of the oven they will be hollow inside, just
as the tomb where Christ was laid was found empty. Have a blessed Easter.
The Savior's Last Week
Saturday- Raising of Lazarus Jn 11:1-46
Sunday (one week before Easter)- Christ's Triumphal Entry: Mt 21:1-11,Mk 11:1-10, Lk 19:29-44, Jn 12:12-19
Monday- Jesus cleanses the Temple: Mt 21:12-13, Mk 11:15-18
Tuesday- Jesus teaches in the Temple, is anointed: Mt 21:28 - 23:29,
Mk 12:1-44, Lk 20:9 - 21:4, Jn 12:2-11
Wednesday- Enemies plot against Jesus: Mt 26:14-16, Mk 14:10-11, Lk 23:3-26
Thursday- The Last Supper: Mt 26:17-29, Mk 14:12-25, Lk 22:7-20, Jn 13:1-38; Gethsemane: Mt 26:36-46, Mk 14:32-42, Lk 22:40-46; Jesus' arrest and trial: Mt 26:47 - 27:26, Lk 22:22 - 23:25, Jn 18:2 - 19:16
Friday- Christ is crucified: Mt 27:27-56, Mk 15:16-41, Lk 23:26-49, Jn 19:17-30; Christ is buried: Mt 27:57-66, Mk 15:42-47, Lk 23:50-56, Jn 19:31-42
Saturday- Christ is in the Spirit World: D&C 138:12-19, 1 Peter 3:19
Easter Sunday- The empty tomb: Mt 28:1-10, Mk 16:1-8, Lk 24:1-12, Jn 20:1-10; Mary at the tomb: Mk 16:2-13, Jn 20:11-18; Jesus appears to disciples: Mk 16:14, Lk 24:36-43, Jn 20:19-25

And yes I saved the best for last......I think this recipe has lots of possibilities!! It is a definite keeper!! Baking the cheesecake in water really made it creamy and wonderful. Before when I have baked cheesecakes I felt like the texture was weird and dry...not this one!!
Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
1 1/2 c. cream filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs
2 T. melted, butter
4 - 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 c. sugar
1 c. sour cream
1 t. vanilla
3 eggs, lightly beaten
9 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces (1 1/2 c.)
1/2 c. raspberry jam
TOPPING - (AKA: Ganache)
6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate pieces (I prefer milk chocolate - 1 c.)
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream (I added 1 T. corn syrup & 1/2 t. vanilla)
optional: fresh raspberries & whipped cream OR make a raspberry sauce
Place a greased 9 in. springform pan on a double layer of heavy duty foil. Securely wrap foil around pan.
Combine cookie crumbs and butter, press into bottom of prepared pan.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs, beat on low just until combined. Set aside 1 1/2 cups of batter and pour remaining batter over crust.
In a microwave bowl melt chocolate on 50% power stirring every minute until melted. Stir in jam until well blended. Stir in reserved batter just until blended. Drop by tablespoonfuls over the plain batter - do NOT swirl. (NEXT TIME I THINK I WILL SWIRL IT) Place springform pan in a large baking pan and fill large outer pan with 1inch of hot water.
Bake at 325 for 65 to 75 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen, cool 1 hour longer.
For topping place, chocolate pieces in small bowl. In a saucepan heat cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate, whisk until smooth. Cool slightly. Spread over top of cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with raspberries and whipped cream and serve.
I made it again. This time I did swirl in the chocolate. Just make sure you swirl carefully so as not to disturb the crust. I also made a raspberry sauce to pour over it. I used milk chocolate this time and it didn't melt as good as the semi-sweet and it wasn't pretty and shiny like before.....but it was yummy!!

One last thing I want to remember.....that I discovered this year!!!
When making cupcakes......Make cream cheese brownie cream cheese mixture....drop 1 small cookie scoop full into cupcake papers that have been filled half full with cake batter of your choice.  Then bake.  The cake surrounds the cream cheese filling making a self filled cupcake.....easiest way to fill a cupcake!!!  and so YUMMY!!!

So there you have my favorite new recipes of 2010......Happy New Year!!!! Karla

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