Best of 2023

 Best of 2023---Before January 2024 ends!!!

Buttermilk Brownies

2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. shortening

1 c. water

1/4 c. cocoa

1/2 c. buttermilk or 1/2 c. milk with 2 t. vinegar or lemon juice (Let sit 5 minutes) 

2 eggs

1 t. baking soda

1 t. vanilla

In mixing bowl combine the flour and sugar and set aside.

Combine in a saucepan, butter, shortening, water and cocoa.  Stir and heat to boiling.  Pour over the dry flour and sugar mixture and stir.  Add the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda and vanilla.  Stir or beat well.  

Pour into a greased cookie sheet (18x11inches).  Bake at 400 for 15 to 18 minutes.  

Frost with Chocolate Frosting while slightly warm. 

Easy Chocolate Frosting

6 T. butter

1/2 c. chocolate chips

1/4 c. milk

2 c. powdered sugar

Combine butter, chocolate chips and milk in a bowl. Microwave for 40 to 60 seconds. Beat in powdered sugar.  Spread frosting over warm brownies. Let cool to set.

I used to have a great stroganoff recipe that hasn't resurfaced since our fire.  I wanted an Instant Pot version so I tried to remember what was in my old favorite recipe and came up with this.....

Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

1/2 c. water

1 lb. hamburger

1 c. diced onion

2 t. granulated garlic or 2 minced garlic cloves

2 t. season salt

1/2 t. pepper

10.5 oz. cream of mushroom soup

4 to 6 c. beef broth or water

1 T. worchestershire sauce

1 T. beef bouillon

1 T. parsley flakes

6 to 8 c. egg noodles

1 1/2 to 2 c. sour cream 

Press Saute and add 1/2 c. water and hamburger and cooked until browned.  

Add onion, garlic and seasonings and saute a few minutes more.  

Add soup, broth, worchestershire sauce, bouillon, parsley and noodles.  Make sure all the noodles are covered with liquid, if they aren't add some more.  

Press cancel to turn off Saute and then press manual and set for 4 minutes.  Do a quick release.  Stir in the sour cream and serve.  If it is too liquidy, return to saute for a few minutes until it thickens up. 

I combined a few recipes and came up with this recipe at Brody's request.  

Oreo Pizza

Cookie layer

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat together butter, brown sugar and sugar.  

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Beat in the dry ingredients.  

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press onto a sprayed pizza pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 12  minutes.  Cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting 

1/4 c. butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 to 2 c. powdered sugar

2 T. water 

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

12 to 15 Oreo Cookies, crushed

Beat together all the ingredients except the crushed cookies.  Add more water or powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency.  Spread over cooled cookie layer.  Sprinkle with crushed Oreo Cookies.  Add a few broken pieces of Oreo Cookies if desired for contrast.  

Pull Apart Pizza

 I adapted this recipe from a ready made dough recipe.

Pull Apart Pizza 

Pizza Dough in the bread machine

1 1/2 c. warm  water

3 T. oil

4 c. bread flour

1 1/3 t. sugar

1 1/3 t. salt

1 T. + 1 t. yeast

Optional but I like to add:

1 t. granulated garlic 

1/2 t. granulated onion

2 t. Italian Seasoning

Place ingredients in bread machine in the order listed.  Push the dough button.  This makes 2 pounds of dough.  Once dough is ready roll out to 1 inch thickness and cut dough into 1 inch cubes.  Set aside.

Mix together in a large mixing bowl.  

1/2 c. melted butter

1 t. granulated garlic

1 T. oregano

1 c. chopped Canadian bacon or pepperoni or both

1 1/2 c. Mozzarella cheese

Stir well and then add in the 1 inch dough pieces.  Stir and dump into 2 sprayed spring form pans.  Hollow out the center and place a ramekin upside down in the center.  Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.  Remove spring form pan.  Fill ramekin with either marinara sauce or ranch dressing for dipping.  Serve hot.  Enough dough to fill 2 spring form pans.  (well sprayed bundt pans work too)

If you don't want to make pull apart pizza this is my favorite pizza dough for pizza too.  This makes 2 large pizzas on my round baking stones.  Bake at 425 for 7 minutes.  Add sauce and topping and bake 10 to 12 minutes more.  

If you want a smaller amount of dough.

1 1/8 c. warm water

2 T. oil

3 c. bread flour

1 t. sugar

1 t. salt

1 T. yeast

Optional:

1 t. granulated garlic

1/2 t. granulated onion

1 t. Italian Seasoning

Makes 2 medium pizzas.  Pat out onto pans and bake at 425 for 7 minutes. 

Add Sauce and toppings of choice

Bake 10 to 12 minutes more.  

Mug Recipes....

 Did a little Young Men's Activity tonight.  Teaching how to cook on a mission, college or just an everyday snack.  Meals in a Mug.  A great resource for this is Gemma's Bigger Bolder Baking.  She has hundreds of similar recipes 

Mac Cheese in a MUG

 Place in Mug:  (a tall mug is best for this one) 

1/3 c. macaroni

¾ c. water

Microwave for 3 minutes 30 seconds.

Stir.  Cook up to 3 more minutes, until the pasta if fully cooked.

Drain.

 Add:

¼ c. milk

½ t. cornstarch

A couple shakes of Garlic salt

A couple shakes of Ground mustard

1/3 c. grated cheese

Microwave 1 minute.  Stir.  Add Salt & Pepper as needed. Enjoy!

 

  

Chocolate Mug Cake

 Place in Mug:

2 ½ T. flour

2 ½ T. sugar

1 T. cocoa

¼ t. baking powder

Pinch of salt

Stir.

 Add:

2 T. milk

1 t. oil

1 small egg

2 T. chocolate chips

Stir.  Microwave for 1 minute.  Add more time if needed but don’t overcook or your cake will be tough.

 

 Mug Pizza

 Place in mug:

¼ c. flour

1/8 t. baking powder

1/16 t. baking soda

1/8 t. salt

Stir.

 Add:

3 T. milk

1 T. oil

Stir.

 Layer on top of batter:

1 – 2 T. pizza sauce

Pepperoni slices

1 – 2 T. mozzarella cheese

½ t. Italian or Pizza Seasoning

Microwave 1 minute 20 seconds. 

 

 

Chocolate Pudding in a Mug

 Place in mug: (you need a tall mug for this one)

3 T. chocolate ships

1 t. cornstarch

Stir.

 Add:

1/8 t. salt

1 t. vanilla

½ c. milk

Stir well.  Microwave for 1 minute. 

Stir.  Microwave for 30 seconds.  Stir.  If not thick enough continue to microwave for short intervals.  It will boil over so watch closely. 

Stir and serve.  It is best warm!!!

 

 

Oreo Pizza

I combined a few recipes and came up with this recipe at Brody's request.  

Oreo Pizza

Cookie layer

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 t. vanilla

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1 c. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Beat together butter, brown sugar and sugar.  

Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Beat in the dry ingredients.  

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Press onto a sprayed pizza pan.  Bake at 350 for 10 to 12  minutes.  Cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting 

1/4 c. butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 to 2 c. powdered sugar

2 T. water 

1 t. vanilla

1/4 t. salt

12 to 15 Oreo Cookies, crushed

Beat together all the ingredients except the crushed cookies.  Add more water or powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency.  Spread over cooled cookie layer.  Sprinkle with crushed Oreo Cookies.  Add a few broken pieces of Oreo Cookies if desired for contrast.  

Karla's 2016 Favorite Recipes!!

I can't believe 2016 is ending!!  The year has sped by so fast...  I usually wait to compile this until the New Year.  But decided I would make it my Christmas Gift this year!!  Hope you enjoy a taste of our favorites this year!!  

At Thanksgiving time I wanted a Thanksgiving Snack for munching, so I set out to create one.  I love my go to snack of microwave popcorn drizzled with melted almond bark so that became my basic recipe. I added bugles to look like cornucopias, I added pretzels for a color contrast and fall colored candies.   This is what I came up with....and everyone loved it.  I think it will be made very often...not just for Thanksgiving.  It is addicting & easy & everyone loves it!!!  My newest and this year's BEST!!! 

Thanksgiving/Holiday Popcorn Mix

2 bags microwave popcorn, popped 

about 3 c. Bugles (just dump some in)

about 2 c. pretzels (just dump some in)  

1 c. Reese's pieces candy

4 or 5 squares melted almond bark (I prefer 4)  

Mix together in large metal bowl: popcorn, Bugles, and pretzels .

Melt almond bark in microwave at 50% power, stirring every 60 seconds until melted.  Drizzle over the popcorn mixture and stir well. Stir in the candy.  That's it!!

I had planned to add candy corn too but I forgot.  Maybe next time?

For Christmas I used Corn Chex Cereal instead of the Bugles and M&Ms instead of Reese's pieces.  I took this to our Garden Club Party and every crumb was gone.  It would be great for any holiday and can be changed according to your likes....I am changing the name to Holiday Popcorn Mix.  

Chicken Tortellini Soup in a Crock Pot - I used my instant pot so I could brown the chicken before adding the other ingredients. 
1½ pounds boneless chicken breast (I used thighs, cubed and browned in a little oil, before adding other ingredients - or just add whole chicken pieces and remove and shred or cube after it has cooked)
2 c. carrots, peeled and diced
3 stalks celery, diced
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 c. water
2 T. chicken bouillon
1 t. Italian seasoning
1 T. dried parsley
1 t. season salt
1/4 t. pepper
2 c. cheese tortellini

Add all of the ingredients except for the tortellini to a crock pot or instant pot.
Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
Stir in the tortellini and cook for about 20 minutes, until they are cooked all the way through.
Note:  if you are in a hurry & want to cook this using the pressure cooker of the Instant pot - add everything except the tortellini and set on high for 10 minutes.  Meanwhile cook the tortellini on the stove top and add to soup at serving time. .  OR at the end add tortellini to the instant pot and cook at high pressure for 4 more minutes. 

Cucumber Tomato Salad
For the salad:
Approximately 3 cups peeled & sliced cucumbers
3 cups of Juliet & Sun Sugar tomatoes or whatever you have
1/3 c. chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil (I used sweet basil and lime basil)
For the dressing:
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
3/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 t. dill weed
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt 
1/4 t. pepper

Place salad ingredients in large bowl and toss.
Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl; stir to combine well.  Drizzle with the dressing at serving time.

TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1/2 c. pureed ripe tomatoes (blend in blender with the garlic & herbs)
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt

1 T. sugar
3 c. slightly rounded, bread flour
1 T. yeast

GARLIC CHIVE SPREAD
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 T. fresh chives, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Place bread ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed.   Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, add 1 to 2 T. water or flour if needed.  Bake in bread machine or remove dough, form into 2 artisan loaves and bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  

In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread. 

I also used this dough to make pizza crust.  It made enough for a cookie sheet and a half sized cookie sheet.  I sprayed the pans.  Patted out the dough and baked it at 375 for 10 minutes.  Then I used 16 oz. tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt & pepper for my sauce.  Sprinkled with cheese and canadian bacon and basil or pizza seasoning.  Baked 15 more minutes.  It turned out great!!  And the tomato lovers garnished it with fresh sliced tomatoes.

** So I can make this all year round I puree my tomatoes and herbs together and freeze them in little jars.  

    

Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie Pie

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 T. vanilla

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

1 egg

10 caramels unwrapped or 1/2 c. caramel sauce (I used my 6 minute caramel sauce)

1 1/2 c. coconut

1/2 c. mini chocolate chips

caramel and/or chocolate sauce to drizzle for serving

On stove heat 10 or 12 inch cast iron skillet on medium low, add butter. When butter is completely melted stir in sugar. Stir in flour, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and egg. Stir to incorporate all ingredients and pat into a layer of dough covering the skillet. Drizzle caramel on top of dough, then add chocolate chips and coconut. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes. Don't bake until center is totally cooked, the pan will stay hot and it will continue to bake after removing from oven..

Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel and/or chocolate sauce. 

Fresh Raspberry Pie
5 to 6 c. fresh raspberries
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1/2 c. water
1 to 1 1/4 c. sugar
1/3 c. Instant Clear Jel
Mash 2 cups of the raspberries in a medium-sized bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and water.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and Instant ClearJel, then sprinkle this over the raspberry mixture; stir to combine.
Fold the remaining berries into the mashed berry mixture.
Spoon the berry mixture into the pie shell formed in a 10 or 12"cast iron skillet and fold over the edges or add a top crust.  Brush with milk or cream and sprinkle with sugar. 

Yield: 1 pie, 8 to 10 servings.  With leftovers to drizzle over the ice cream. 

Great in a cast iron skillet.  Bake at 400 for 30 minutes on lowest oven rack.

 

Cast Iron Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 c. flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

1 c. butter, softened

2 eggs

1/2 c. sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 T. vanilla 

1 1/2 c. milk chocolate chips, divided

Mix together:  flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

Place in mixing bowl:  eggs, both sugars, vanilla, and butter beat well.

Add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients and mix well.

Add 1 c. chocolate chips and mix in.

Spread mixture evenly in a lightly sprayed cast iron skillet.

Spread the remaining 1/2 c. chocolate chips on the top of the mixture and gently push them in.

Bake at 375 for 17 to 19 minutes.

This recipe was lost for many years.  Grandma Janie Kimball had given this recipe to Caroline McConnel many years ago.  Right before our fire Sharon McConnel (Caroline's daughter) found it and sent it to me.  I knew I had saved it on my computer but my computer was ruined in the fire.  I asked Sharon again but she was unable to locate it.  This year going thru some photos I had saved on my portable hard disc I found it!!  Happy day!!  It has become one of our family favorites!!  It will be our Christmas Dessert this Year!!!  Hope you like it too!! Merry Christmas!!

Grandma Janie Kimball's Devil's Food Cake
Mix together:
1/2 c. soft shortening
1 1/4 c. sugar
Beat in thoroughly one at a time:
2 large eggs
Sift together:
1 3/4 c. cake flour **   (I used 1 1/2 c. flour and 1/4 c. corn starch)
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
Beat into sugar mixture alternately with:
1 c. sour or sweet milk (sour = buttermilk or sweet = raw milk - Grandma used sweet milk)
Blend in:
2 qs. chocolate (Grandma used 1/2 c. cocoa & fill to 1 cup line with boiling water). Makes a thin batter.  Pour into greased and floured 8 x 12 inch oblong pan.  Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 min. 

**  for 1 cup cake flour you can substitute with 2 T. corn starch & 3/4 c. all purpose flour sifted together. 

***google says qs = quantity sufficient, an old term

This is the frosting I used on it.....my newest chocolate favorite!!! 

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

2 c. (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 c. butter, cubed

1 c. (8 ounces) sour cream

4-1/2 to 6 c. confectioners' sugar

In a small saucepan, melt chips and butter over low heat (or in microwave). Transfer to mixer bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.  
**Thin with water or milk to make a great glaze.  I keep this in the fridge, it is great on anything that needs a chocolate finish.

My Christmas Wish for you.......As you sit around the table eating and enjoying the precious gift of family I pray you will feel the love of our Savior and His richest blessing will be yours This Christmas Season. May your CHRISTMAS be MERRY and 2017 be the best year ever!!! Love to all ~ Karla 

Day 20 = Jesus Saw Potential in Others and So Can You
#LIGHTtheWorld

Cucumber Tomato Salad & Tomato Basil Bread

Tonight is Garden Club at my house and the focus is on Tomatoes!!  I am making this to share....

Cucumber Tomato Salad
For the salad:
Approximately 3 cups peeled & sliced cucumbers
3 cups of Juliet & Sun Sugar tomatoes or whatever you have
1/3 c. chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil (I used sweet basil and lime basil)
For the dressing:
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
3/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 t. dill weed
1 t. sugar
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper

Place salad ingredients in large bowl and toss.
Mix dressing ingredients in small bowl; stir to combine well & drizzle over salad.
I kept the dressing separate.

TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1/2 c. pureed ripe tomatoes (blend in blender with the garlic & herbs)
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt

1 T. sugar
3 c. slightly rounded, bread flour
1  T. yeast

GARLIC CHIVE SPREAD
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 T. fresh chives, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Place bread ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed.   Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, add 1 to 2 T. water or flour if needed.  Bake in bread machine or remove dough, form into 2 artisan loaves and bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  

In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread. 

I also used this dough to make pizza crust.  It made enough for a cookie sheet and a half sized cookie sheet.  I sprayed the pans.  Patted out the dough and baked it at 375 for 10 minutes.  Then I used 16 oz. tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, salt & pepper for my sauce.  Sprinkled with cheese and canadian bacon and basil or pizza seasoning.  Baked 15 more minutes.  It turned out great!!  And the tomato lovers garnished it with fresh sliced tomatoes. 

** So I can make this all year round I puree my tomatoes and herbs together and freeze them in little jars.  

    

Pizza Dough....in the bread machine

Pizza Dough in the Bread Machine
1 1/8 c. warm water
2 T. oil
3 c. bread flour
1 t. sugar
1 t. salt
1 T. yeast
Makes 2 pizzas
Bake @ 425 for 7 minutes.
Add sauce & toppings.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes more.

Quick & Easy Pizza Dough

Quick & Easy Pizza Dough

Combine in mixing bowl:

3 c. flour

1 t. salt

1 T. sugar

1 T. yeast

Mix in:

2 T. oil

1 c. warm water

Spread out on a large pizza pan.  Bake at 375 for 10 min.  Remove from oven and add toppings.  Bake 10 to 15 minutes more.  

Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

Easy Pull Apart Pizza Bread

• 2 Cans of Pizza Dough or Biscuits
• 2 cups Mozzarella cheese (or your favorite cheese)
• 2 tablespoons of a really good Italian seasoning (link in post) or parsley flakes
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 1 – 8 oz package of pepperoni (we used the turkey)
• 1 cup Parmesean cheese
• Optional: Add a ½ teaspoon of fresh garlic or garlic powder (it’s amazing)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
2. Cut pizza dough or biscuits into quarters
3. Cut the pepperoni into smaller pieces
4. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and toss so that the oil is spread evenly on each piece of dough
5. Bake for about 30 minutes (or until the top is brown and the center is thoroughly cooked) TIP: Be sure to check it in the middle before you pull it out. If the middle is still not cooked thoroughly be sure to leave it in another 5 minutes at a time until it’s done.
6. Flip over on to a plate while it’s still hot.
7. Serve with a side sauce and enjoy!

Favorite Recipes of 2013......

Our new favorite fruit tray.....Steve built us a nifty stand to build our palm tree on....it turned out pretty cool!!

This recipe was featured in the South Slope Newsletter the week following Aunt Vera's funeral... submitted by Linda Blaylock. This was a favorite recipe of our sweet sister Vera Benge. Much more scrumptious than a box cake!
Stretch Cake
In a large sauce pan, bring to a boil and mix by hand:
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. water

1/2 c. oil
3 1/2 T. cocoa
Remove from heat and add:
2 c.sugar
2 eggs, stirring constantly
1 t. baking soda
Stir in:
1/2 c.buttermilk
1 t. vanilla
2 c. flour
You may want to use a hand mixer to help mix the flour in.  Pour into a 9x13 or 15x10 pan, depending on how thick you want the cake to be.

Bake at 350 °F for 20-25 minutes.
Frosting
Bring to boil:
1/2 c. Margarine or butter 

3 1/2 T. cocoa
1/3 can of evaporated milk or 6 T. milk
Add all at once:
1 box powdered sugar (1 lb. or about 4 cups)

1 t. vanilla
Add nuts if desired.  Keep warm until cake is out of oven and frost immediately. Basically, pour the frosting over the cake.

I found this one on facebook....You can't go wrong with chocolate and coconut!!  I keep these formed in cookie dough balls in the freezer.....ready to bake anytime.....YuMmY!!!
Almond Joy Cookies
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c.sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
4 eggs
1 T. vanilla
4 1/2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
5 c. chocolate chips
2 c. sweetened coconut
2 c. chopped almonds
Combine dry ingredients, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, stir in the vanilla. Stir in the dry ingredients until well mixed then stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and almonds. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto lightly sprayed cookie sheets.
Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack.

Jake brought me this recipe to make for his 16th birthday!! We have been making it ever since!! Thanks Jake!!
CHOCOLATE ECLAIR CAKE
Crust:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
4 large eggs
Filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 large box (5.1 ounces) vanilla instant pudding
3 c. milk
Topping:
8 oz. cool whip (just enough for a thin layer. I don't use the whole container) or one batch of homemade whipped cream
chocolate syrup or homemade chocolate sauce ( I used my Choice Chocolate Topping Recipe)

Preheat oven to 400. Lightly spray the bottom of a 9"X13" glass baking pan.
For the Eclair Crust: In a medium saucepan, melt butter in water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in flour. Mix in one egg at a time, mixing completely before adding another egg. Spread mixture into pan, covering the bottom and sides evenly.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool, don't touch or push bubbles down.
For the Filling: Whip cream cheese in a medium bowl. In separate bowl make vanilla pudding by beating the pudding mix and the milk for 3 minutes and put in the fridge until set. Make sure pudding is thick before mixing in with cream cheese. Slowly add pudding to cream cheese, mixing until there are no lumps. Let cool in fridge.When the crust is completely cooled, pour filling in. Top with layer of cool whip however thick you want it and serve with a drizzle chocolate syrup.

This online recipe is especially delicious and is another way to use the Cruising Caramel Sauce recipe found below.
Holy Cow Cake
Chocolate Cake Mix, baked as directed
14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. jar of caramel topping
4-5 Butterfingers candy bars, crushed
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
12 oz. Cool Whip
Prepare and bake cake as directed on package.
Meanwhile, blend caramel and sweetened condensed milk.
After removing cake from oven, use a fork to poke holes into the top of the cake.
Pour caramel mixture over cake.
Crush candy bars and sprinkle half of them over the warm cake. Chill.
Stir cream cheese and Cool Whip together until blended well. Spread over cooled cake.
Sprinkle with remaining candy.

I got this recipe at the East Valley RS Activity,  shared by Autum & Analyn John. These are very tasty!!
Honey Lime Enchiladas
1/3 c. honey
1 T. chili powder
1/3 c. lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound shredded, cooked chicken
2 c. green enchilada sauce, divided
6 c. grated Monterey Jack Cheese, divided
10 8” flour tortillas
1 c. fat free half & half
Whisk together in large bowl: honey, chili powder, lime & garlic. Add the chicken and stir to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in fridge for at least 1 hour. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place in large bowl. Save the marinade and set aside for later.
Spray a 9x13 baking dish and spread ½ cup of enchilada sauce over the bottom.
Add to marinated chicken, 5 cups of grated cheese and stir together. Spoon about ¾ c. of the chicken/cheese mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas and place seam side down in baking dish.
In the bowl with marinade, add remaining enchilada sauce, and half & half, whisk together. Pour over enchiladas and sprinkle with 1 cup of grated cheese .
Bake at 350 until cheese has melted and the top is lightly brown, about 30 minutes.

This recipe is my own creation. I also use this dough recipe for pizza crust. It makes enough dough for a cookie sheet and a half sized cookie sheet. I sprayed the pans. Patted out the dough and baked it at 375 for 10 minutes. Then I used 16 oz. tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, basil oregano, salt & pepper for my sauce. Sprinkled with cheese and canadian bacon and basil. Baked 15 more minutes. And the tomato lovers garnished it will fresh sliced tomatoes.  I froze pureed tomatoes and minced herbs so I could make this all winter too.
TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1-2 ripe tomatoes, pureed (1/2 c.) I use 3- 4th of July Tomatoes.....they are small and juicy
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt1 T. sugar
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
3 rounded c. bread flour
1 scant T. yeast

GARLIC CHIVE SPREAD
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 T. fresh chives, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Place bread ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed. Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, add 1 to 2 T. water or flour if needed. Bake in bread machine or remove dough, form into 2 artisan loaves and bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes. In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread.

This is my remake of an online recipe.
Homestyle Chicken Noodle Soup........for a crowd (about 1 1/2 gallon)
1 Gallon water or chicken broth
3 to 4 T. chicken bouillon
1 c. chopped onion or 1/2 c. dried
11/2 c. chopped carrots
1 1/2 c. chopped celery
2 t. granulated garlic
1 t. thyme flakes (I say cut this in half, or even eliminate it)
1 to 2 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1/2 c. chicken gravy mix
2 - 3 T. parsley flakes
3 - 4 c. shredded cooked chicken
16 oz. homestyle country egg noodles (can use homemade egg noodles)
Place all ingredients in a roaster oven or crockpot, depending on how much you need to make. Once the noodles are done turn the heat down to lowest setting. If you will be cooking it for a long time you might want to wait to add the noodles, so they don't go mushy.

Tonya Keene shared this recipe with me. These are so delicious!
Keebler Cracker Cookies
1 c. sliced toasted almonds
1 sleeve Keebler Club Crackers (original)
Place crackers in a single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet.
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla
Melt the butter and add the sugar. Cook on medium heat until it boils, then cook for 2 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over the crackers and smooth out so all crackers are covered. Sprinkle with toasted almonds. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until golden in color. Remove from oven and move to cooling racks to cool. YUMMY!!!

Pie Making 101 tips & recipe shared by Diane Beagley (The Pie Lady).....I've made more pies this year than the rest of my life....this recipe was life changing.
Diane says, there are 2 things people do wrong when making pie crust.
#1 they use TOO much flour
#2 they over mix the crust - the only mixer you need is your hands!!

Roll your dough directly on your counter. Pat your hand in flour and then spread that flour over your counter. Pat your hand in flour and rub it on your rolling pin. That is ALL the flour you need until you turn your dough and then you will flour your counter and rolling pin one more time.
Always roll your rolling pin forward and back. Never side ways, never at an angle as the pressure is different and then the dough will not be the same thickness.

Once dough is rolled out fold in half and then half again. Transfer dough to your pie tin.

For a single crust pie = turn pie tin upside down and form the dough over the outside of the pan. Trim any excess dough with the back of a butter knife. Prick the bottom with a fork all over. Bake. Cool and place another pie tin over the crust and turn over....now the crust is inside the pan. You can stack these in your freezer for later use.

To tell if your pie is done = pinch the pie pan between your thumb and index finger. Gently shake pan side to side. If the crust is done it will release from the pan and spin. It will only spin if it is done and only while it is hot from the oven. This even works on a double crust filled pie.

For a double crust pie you form the dough in the bottom of the pie tin.....DO NOT prick it as the filling will run out. Do not over fill the pie. The filling should be level with the top unless you are using fresh fruit that will cook down. Once you have rolled out the top crust you can use cookie cutters to cut out vent holes or fold the crust and clip it with scissors. Rub the edge of the bottom crust with water. Then place top crust on top of the filling. Trim excess dough with the back of a butter knife. To crimp the edges....hold left index finger against pan...with right thumb gently lift the crust while pinching dough between thumb and index finger and twisting the dough. OR simply press edges together with a fork to seal crust edges.

Double crust pies are best if brushed with milk and sprinkled with sugar prior to baking.

If your double crust filled pie is frozen when baking it will take 15 to 25 minutes more to bake.

Diane said to bake pies on the bottom shelf of your oven.....this way the tops don't get too brown. 

BASIC PIE CRUST  -  enough for 1 (2 crust) Pie

1 rounded c. flour

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. butter flavored Crisco (or butter or margarine or shortening or lard)

Mix together with fingers till fine and crumbly.

Add:  1/4 c. water

Mix with hands just until dough forms.  

Roll out with very little flour directly on the counter.  Fold and place in pie tin and unfold and pat dough into place.  Fill with filling.  Roll out top crust and place over filling.  Cut slits in top crust.  Brush with milk.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 375 for 1 hour.  

*Can freeze them before baking for later use.  Add 15 to 20 minutes more for baking a frozen pie.    

Single crust pie = form over the outside of pie tin, poke with fork, bake at 375 for 10 to 12 minutes.  

I came home from our cruise in January and figured out how to adapt the 6 Minute Caramels recipe to duplicate the caramel sauce from our evening caramel sundaes. I've been making this all year!!
Cruising Caramel Sauce....
1/4 c. butter
1/2.c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2. c. light corn syrup
1 can sweetened condensed milk, divided
Place first 4 ingredients and 1/2 of the sweetened condensed milk in a 2 qt. glass measure and stir well. **Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir. Repeat from ** two more times (3 total or 6 minutes). Stir in remaining sweetened condensed milk. If sauce is too thick stir in water 1 T. at a time until desired consistency. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds at serving time and pour over ice cream....top with nuts, whipped cream and more caramel sauce......YUMMY!

That's it....2013 is over......HaPpY 2014!!!

Mexican Pizza

MEXICAN PIZZA     by: Fit to be Skinny and Fabulous

This only makes 1 tortilla size pizza so if you are making for several, be sure to double or triple your recipe!

Approx 1/2 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
1/2 T. taco seasoning
1/4-1/2 c. re fried beans
1/4-1/2 c. salsa ( jarred or homemade)
1/4-1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (or your desired flavor)
2 - flour tortillas
your choice of toppings, ex: tomatoes, green onions, olives

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown ground beef in skillet. Add in taco seasoning. Drain if needed. Spray baking sheet with non stick cooking spray. Lay one tortilla on sheet. Spread with beans, then, with meat. Cover with second tortilla. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Spread top tortilla with salsa, then, top with cheese and desired toppings. Bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted completely. Cool slightly before cutting.

Apple Crisp Pizza

A great dessert for Fall....and it is beginning to feel like FALL!!

Apple Crisp Pizza
Pastry for 9" single-crust pie
2/3 c. sugar
3 T. flour
1 t. Cinnamon
4 medium apples (like Gala, Fiji, Braeburn, Empire) peeled and diced into 1/4 inch pieces
TOPPING:
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c, brown sugar
1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 cu. butter, softened
DRIZZLE:
1/2 c. caramel topping

Roll pastry to fit a 12 inch pizza pan; fold under edges to give the pizza a bit of a raised crust. Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Add peeled, diced apples and toss. Arrange the apples in a single layer over the pie crust completely covering it.
For the topping: Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and butter in a bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle over the apples.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until apples are tender. Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with caramel topping. Cut into pizza slices and serve warm with ice cream. Makes 12 servings.

Tomato Basil Bread & Spread

"Everything Tomato" is the theme for our Garden Club meeting tomorrow and since the meeting is at my home I wanted to make some bread.  This is what I came up with after remaking a favorite bread recipe and substituting fresh tomatoes and my favorite fresh garden herbs.   Sure hope it turns out!?

9-22-2013  This has been a hit!!!  I have been making this often while the tomatoes are plentiful!!!

Yesterday I used this dough for my pizza crust.  It made enough for a cookie sheet and a half sized cookie sheet.  I sprayed the pans.  Patted out the dough and baked it at 375 for 10 minutes.  Then I used 16 oz. tomato sauce, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, basil oregano, salt & pepper for my sauce.  Sprinkled with cheese and canadian bacon and basil.  Baked 15 more minutes.  It turned out great!!  And the tomato lovers garnished it will fresh sliced tomatoes.

TOMATO BASIL BREAD
1/2 c. warm milk - microwave 30 seconds
1-2 ripe tomatoes, pureed (1/2 c.)  I use 3- 4th of July Tomatoes.....they are small and juicy
1 egg
2 T. oil
1/2 t. salt

1 T. sugar
2 T. fresh basil, minced
1 T. fresh chives, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 t. fresh oregano, minced
3 rounded c. bread flour
1 scant T. yeast

GARLIC CHIVE SPREAD
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 T. fresh chives, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
Place bread ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed.   Check dough after 5 minutes of mixing, add 1 to 2 T. water or flour if needed.  Bake in bread machine or remove dough, form into 2 artisan loaves and bake in oven at 375 for 20 minutes.  

In bowl, combine spread ingredients. Serve with bread. 

Cookie Pizzas.....

Toll House Cookie Pizza with Nutella Ganache and Skor Toppings

Author: Cookie recipe from Nestle Toll House, pizza recipe from Cravings of a Lunatic, Ganache recipe from In Good Taste

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: Depends how hungry you are!

 

Ingredients

For the Cookie Portion;

• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1¼ cup flour
• ½ teaspoon vanilla salt
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Ganache Portion:

• ¾ cup Nutella
• ½ cup heavy cream

For the Topping:

• ½ cup Skor toffee bits

Instructions

For the Cookie Portion:

1. In your stand mixer combine butter and both sugars, mix until blended well.
2. Add your egg and mix.
3. Add your whole milk and mix.
4. Now add your flour, vanilla salt and baking soda and mix on low until combined.
5. Now add vanilla and chocolate chips and mix by hand.
6. Spread on a parchment lined round pizza pan.
7. It is helpful to start in middle and push outwards. Smooth as best you can.
8. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes.
9. Remove from oven and let cool.

For the Ganache Portion:

1. Scoop Nutella into a medium sized bowl.
2. In a small saucepan warm your milk until it just starts to boil.
3. Pour it over the nutella and whisk until smooth.

Putting it all together:

1. Once your cookie pizza is cool you may start your ganache.
2. Once your ganache is ready (instructions above) you can pour that onto the cookie pizza. It is best to start pouring it right in the middle of the pizza and let it work it’s way outwards. You can smooth it with the back of a spoon to help the process.
3. Let this cool slightly.
4. Now sprinkle Skor toffee bits over top.
5. Cut with a pizza cutter.
6. Serve with a smile.

Notes

Tips and Hints: Spraying utensils with pam spray helps smooth out the cookie and the nutella easier. Lining the pizza pan with parchment is really helpful. You can refrigerate this to help harden up the ganache a bit if you like.